The totally off-topic thread

[anat0l]

Talking of patches, have you done a fresh XP install recently? I dod a few over te Christmas break and it took hours or downloading patches/updates/ServicePacks, many many reboots and hundreds of MB of downloads to get it to a "safe" operating version! On one system, an Lenovo T61 that I took back to factory default install, there were over 200 updates applied from the Microsoft Update site! And that was just for the base operating system before installing any applications.

Installing the base OS took less than an hour, installing the patches/updates took the rest of the day.

Of course, you could take the more lazy approach and stuff the patching. Just turn off Automatic Updates and go for it. You could do this on the latter versions, too.

For installing XP just to run the old games, this approach probably works just as well.

 

[Mal]

Of course, you could take the more lazy approach and stuff the patching. Just turn off Automatic Updates and go for it. You could do this on the latter versions, too.

For installing XP just to run the old games, this approach probably works just as well.

But if that laptop ever touches a network or the web, you might as well say "Hey miscreants, here are all of my personal details. No, I don't mind if you steal my computing resources for your ill-deeds". And installing a firewall will only assist up to a certain extent.

 

[docjames]

Walking back to car after paying for fuel, child in one arm, coffee in the other, two polite gentleman from the subcontinent ask me how to fill up their rent-a-car. Seriously. How do we put fuel in, where do we pay etc.

One ponders about their car licenses if they've never had to / worked out how to put fuel in. Still, Europcar presumably were happy with the paperwork so I assume they had some sort of license....

 

[anat0l]

But if that laptop ever touches a network or the web, you might as well say "Hey miscreants, here are all of my personal details. No, I don't mind if you steal my computing resources for your ill-deeds". And installing a firewall will only assist up to a certain extent.

Well, you should probably never access the internet using that machine to the extent of what your applications need to. Better yet, if your apps don't need to access the net, block off the net (i.e. turn off the wireless or have no physical connection).

With nothing on the machine to ID you, the risk is lower. Fill the registration info on Windows with bogus info. Run the machine off a user-level account rather an an administrator's one. If you never access Microsoft Update or need any other additives, then you won't need to send any credentials for genuine checks.

Most people can't manage that, however.

Yes, it won't stop your machine from being at risk to being used as a bot.


That all said and done, yes, an XP machine under such conditions (especially with no access to the internet) would probably run very fast on even base equipment.

 

[anat0l]

Walking back to car after paying for fuel, child in one arm, coffee in the other, two polite gentleman from the subcontinent ask me how to fill up their rent-a-car. Seriously. How do we put fuel in, where do we pay etc.

One ponders about their car licenses if they've never had to / worked out how to put fuel in. Still, Europcar presumably were happy with the paperwork so I assume they had some sort of license....

Is it possible they're used to someone else putting fuel in the car (and collecting the payment)? Or the fuel tanks are located somewhere else?

Still, at the risk of being a little racist and patronising, that is a bit embarrassing...


I do know that in South Africa there are usually attendants that will fill up your car and process your payment at the bowser so you never leave the car. Probably a good idea in South Africa, even if you have to tip the attendant (no big deal and not worth letting your ideals get in the way).

 

[NM]

Walking back to car after paying for fuel, child in one arm, coffee in the other, two polite gentleman from the subcontinent ask me how to fill up their rent-a-car. Seriously. How do we put fuel in, where do we pay etc.

One ponders about their car licenses if they've never had to / worked out how to put fuel in. Still, Europcar presumably were happy with the paperwork so I assume they had some sort of license....

Remember that in many countries now you have to pay at the pump before filling. We are lucky to still be able to fill and then walk inside to pay. The marketing benefits of making customers walk through the shop and spot all those extras they don't need that may get them another 4c/l discount seems to outweigh the efficiency and security of forcing all fuel purchases to be pre-paid/authorised at the pump before filling.

 

[drron]

But even in the Good Ole USA sometimes they let you fill up first.In the little village of Croghan,NY state on the western edge of the Adirondacks I tried to fill up.I looked in vain for somewhere to pay at the pump so pulled out my cash,went inside and said $40 on the middle pump.The little old lady behind the counter said-"you must be from the big city.Out here we trust people."

 

[drron]

Yesterday late afternoon I just sat and watched the water-

 

[KitKat]

lovely drron, are you in tassie? nice time of the year to be there

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

lovely drron, are you in tassie? nice time of the year to be there

Yes he is, till Saturday. I dont know so much about nice time of the year - I was there last week - it was freezing cold - 10C !!!!! on Bruny Island. :shock:

 

[PineappleSkip]

Walking back to car after paying for fuel, child in one arm, coffee in the other, two polite gentleman from the subcontinent ask me how to fill up their rent-a-car. Seriously. How do we put fuel in, where do we pay etc.

Plausible. Different places, different rules. In Pt Moresby, rules were never ever get out of the car (and avoid some service stations altogether). Keep doors locked. Talk to the fuel wallahs through a window opened a crack. Hand the fuel card through the crack. Etc etc etc.

And in AU, had a great time with some rental cars working out (a) where the fuel goes in and/or (b) where to find the thing to get the cap open. I've resorted to looking in the manual, asking attendants in extreme cases, and when professing embarassment been told they get asked this all the time.

Cheers skip

 

[stark]

Hi all

Has anyone used this site? https://kemenys.com.au/ They have quite cheap champagne but I've never heard of them before. $55 for Taittinger NV, $57 for Bolly and others.

 

[RB]

Hi all

Has anyone used this site? https://kemenys.com.au/ They have quite cheap champagne but I've never heard of them before. $55 for Taittinger NV, $57 for Bolly and others.

I have bought off them before(via delivery)& had no probs-they do what they say there will do! I hope they stick around as competition & will try to support them. We now have a Dan's here so less use & also Vintage Cellars stock the Spanish Cava that Mrs RB has taken a shine to.

 

[stark]

I have bought off them before(via delivery)& had no probs-they do what they say there will do! I hope they stick around as competition & will try to support them. We now have a Dan's here so less use & also Vintage Cellars stock the Spanish Cava that Mrs RB has taken a shine to.

Good to know thanks, I'll give them a go.

 

[drron]

Kemenys have been around for many years.Always had a good reputation for fine wines.

 

[stark]

Kemenys have been around for many years.Always had a good reputation for fine wines.

Awesome. This is one of those things I probably should have already known about isn't it. At least it would've been nice to know about before the new years party I went to and offered to bring champagne

 

[amaroo]

Kemenys have been around for many years.Always had a good reputation for fine wines.

When we lived in Sydney we would purchase all our wine from this family operation....they use to run full page adds in the SMH every Saturday slagging the likes of Dan Murphys They got our support & dollars.

Now back home - we're way to disorganised to order via internet.

 

[thewinchester]

QANTAS managed to break the base off two bottles of red in my bag on the way to Oz Fest in DRW last year :!:

If it was Grange would you consider sucking your smalls?

Assuming they were the clean, and not the dirty smalls. I doubt a small, brown back note would be complimentary to the taste of the Grange.

Sorry for that, it has been an evening of toilet puns & humour over on the twitters - all brought on by one airline & carrier investigating replacing some toilets with urinals. Seems like they're just flushing money down the drain looking into that.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Bloody hell it's hot in Perth tonight. No air conditioning in my part of the house! My brother has taken it upon himself to sleep out in the living room. Smart kid. But my back will kill me for days if I do that, I just know it.

Condemned to another night of little sleep and zombie-like appearance at work, I think. Was informed late this afternoon one of my workmates walked out late yesterday so I've got the whole day tomorrow...ahh the life of a casually employed uni student. The extra money is appreciated, though.

At least I'm living at home, so my costs are small, and I can afford (just..) to go and chill out in Frankfurt for 3 nights next month. Don't anyone dare tell me to just buy an air conditioner instead either...where is your AFF pride?!!

That said, I've got a long-planned trip to Adelaide for a few nights next week. From one oven to the next :shock:. The air-con in the Stamford Plaza better be damn good!!!!

 

[Flashback]

Bloody hell it's hot in Perth tonight. No air conditioning in my part of the house! My brother has taken it upon himself to sleep out in the living room. Smart kid. But my back will kill me for days if I do that, I just know it.

Condemned to another night of little sleep and zombie-like appearance at work, I think. Was informed late this afternoon one of my workmates walked out late yesterday so I've got the whole day tomorrow...ahh the life of a casually employed uni student. The extra money is appreciated, though.

At least I'm living at home, so my costs are small, and I can afford (just..) to go and chill out in Frankfurt for 3 nights next month. Don't anyone dare tell me to just buy an air conditioner instead either...where is your AFF pride?!!

That said, I've got a long-planned trip to Adelaide for a few nights next week. From one oven to the next :shock:. The air-con in the Stamford Plaza better be damn good!!!!

You're not going to find much to do in FRA!!