Timsk

Crikey. Was never a big fan, though I can appreciate his significant influence back in the day. Shame. RIP

http://help.twitter.com/entries/18311-the-twitter-rules

It contravenes the Twitter rules, so won't be around for long.

Nice one, Jono; and thanks for the screenshot for those of us who didn't see it...

While logged in, click on 'User CP' near the top left, scroll down the sidebar to 'Edit Ignore List' and enter a username. Posts from that user are then just skipped during normal viewing (though you can see there's a post and read it if you choose with another click). As far as this thread goes, yep - it should be a celebration and has been a disappointment to me how it's been dragged the other way. All the best to Carrie and her new family. Sweet name for a girl.

Getting further experience fixing computers (probably working for someone else) while also pursuing some form of formal training or certification would be a good place to start... There are some really good training materials 'out there' - whether you find them legitimately or otherwise - the best advice is to read, read and then read some more in your own time, while building on your experience by actually doing the work somewhere. I have found that people who have come through that route and have a genuine interest rather than those only formally educated in IT through traditional colleges/universities (and who often are just pursuing the $$) progress the fastest. What to study? For tier-one technicians we look for the CompTIA A+ Essentials certification http://www.comptia.org/certifications/listed/a.aspx. It's an excellent stepping stone (that gives a real grounding in the basics) to move into the formal Microsoft certifications that take you up the stack in a corporate IT setting, if that's where you eventually decide to head. You can always still pursue domestic computer repairs - there's an ever growing market for this - but having a formal certification benefits here too, whether working for yourself or someone else. Good luck with this if you pursue it DC, it's an incredibly varied and rewarding field if you stick with it.

Hey Nikki, hope you have a fantastic birthday. Gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag!

Great to see Scott posting again. Today's mile was seriously difficult - those are some seriously tall buildings there - I wince when I imagine the aches and pains he'll be feeling tomorrow... Somehow it makes this particular charity event feel even more deserving of a contribution, seeing the amazing lengths our Lord is going to.

Anyway, I think it quite likely there will be a rethink on the actual subject of this thread given how much support there has been... Personally, I'd hate to see the Asian Network closed down - there's little enough of Nihal on the radio these days as it is.

I like Doctor Who, but sorry Nik this is just awful.

Without wanting to seem to oversimplify matters, basic sanitation for all would go a long way towards helping cure many of the world's ills it seems to me. And this is actually a clever campaign - making something a 'bit of a laugh' for us to do that also benefits others is something that's worked very well for Comic Relief and the good work they've done over the years... Working for the public sector, I don't have much chance to use any influence to get corporate money into this - but if I worked for a private firm I'd definitely lobby for some investment in this. Gives people a wry smile while also doing some good.

You'll have fun in that! Seriously. Great fun cars - even in winter with the lid off and the heater on at night... (can you tell I miss my old car?!) If you've never driven a rear-wheel-drive car before though, might be worth investing in a day out on a skid pan as it'll be a handful in the wet/ice/snow, and that'll help keep your insurance costs down. Be sure to post some pics when you've got it

Very true Alan, though as it's essentially 'free' money (and so much of it) would paying the tax be so very bad...? It's not like I'd earned it.

Give immediate family a mil each, another 1 to charities close to heart and then take a few months off while working out where we wanted to live (and work - I'd still want to) with the rest...

Bad news it's been pushed back, as watching all the dweebs do 'business' on the Apprentice is always fun... Never really in competition with BB though as it's usually only on once a week, midweek.

Happy Birthday, John - here's hoping the next year for you brings lots of good things.... Many happy returns.

Anyone else find the pidgin english almost impossible to make sense of?

I blinked when watching it on Monday night, so missed him - so thanks for the link. He's blogged about the day now too: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/gregjames/

Very amused how no-one can even be bothered to comment on Alex's win... Says a lot.

(are we far enough off topic yet?)

Finding a Double Decker and a little love note on my pillow after just getting home from a week of 12 hour days at work, from my girlfriend who left this morning for a couple of days away. Lovely...

That may be so - isn't all Apple stuff somewhat of a triumph of looks over functionality? Only this one could well be much, much bigger... I can imagine my mother using one of these, but definitely not a netbook or laptop. I reckon it could sell like hot cakes.

Sort of, but much more revelutionary in my opinion... And anyone that knows me realises how much a don't like Apple kit.

That's because that's how it's pronounced, innit. It's all down to your regional or otherwise accent really. I have a fairly neutral accent (although I come from the south, and have been up here for years I've avoided the local accent, mostly) and pronounce the long 'a' in castle etc. Some things just sound wrong though, such as 'watter'.

Just brilliant.