Font

I'm not happy with the font on this blog. It's the default font. I think it's arial. That font has never excited me. I prefer verdana. This post is just a test to see what looks right.

Edit: Verdana looks nice and is easy to read.
Edit 2:Now i'll try trusty old Times.

Edit 3: Maybe Times but a little bigger

Edit 4: I'm not sure.
No, I've decided I'll go with verdana for the forseeable future, unless there are any objections?.

Oh, the relief!

My computer crisis has ended with the right outcome. It works again.

After spending 2 hours looking at a screen full of icons the size of elephants I feel i now need a pair of binoculars to see them.

slight technical failure

My computer is having an bad day.
A problem i thought was gone for good has returned, and this time it's worse. It gets two thirds the way through booting up and then stops and restarts without warning. A blue screen with some text appears briefly (literally for 1/10 of a second) and it begins the process again. I recall a blue screen with info on weeks ago when it first happened; and something about hardware. The previous way of fixing it was simply to turn off and back on again. That hasn't worked so far today. But it does work in safe mode. But it feels cramped and uncomfortable having icons double their normal size along side everything else being double the size.

Surfing the web is like watching tv through a letterbox.

I may do system recovery later. I've never done anything like that before. It doesn't wipe everything off the HD does it? That would be a bit drastic. I'm backing up anyway just incase the need arises for drastic action of any kind.
The good thing about having a month old computer is that backing up doesn't take too long.

Rule breakers will be executed

BBC Message Boards
House Rules
We've established these House Rules so that everyone can get the most out of the bbc.co.uk messageboards. Member Names will be failed if they...
Contain website or email addresses

Appear to impersonate someone else
And I so dearly wanted to use "terry_wogan's_wig" as my username. *sighs*
Contain swear words or are otherwise objectionable
Can you give me some examples of so called "swear words" i should be avoiding the use of?
We reserve the right to fail messages which
Are considered likely to provoke, attack or offend others
What's the fun in that?
Are racist, sexist, homophobic, sexually explicit, abusive or otherwise objectionable
That refers to 98% of posts on the web.
Contain swear words or other language likely to offend
I've got the message
Break the law or condone or encourage unlawful activity. This includes breach of copyright, defamation and contempt of court.
So its not wise for me to encourage people to not pay their BBC license tax?
Advertise products or services for profit
Can i suggest you read this.
Are seen to impersonate someone else.
Alistair McGowan and Rory Bremner are banned from the BBC messages boards? That's a bit harsh isnt it?
Repeatedly post the same or similar messages (referred to as 'spam')
Alistair McGowan and Rory Bremner are banned from the BBC messages boards? That's a bit harsh isnt it?
Include contact details such as phone numbers, postal or email addresses
Are written in anything other than English - Welsh and Gaelic may be used where marked
I thought we were meant to respect others' cultures etc? Now you're telling me those people are banned. Do you realsie how many people in England can't speak English? I'm going to make a complaint against you for excluding minorities... You Fascists!.
Contain links to other websites which break our Editorial Guidelines
I just don't understand why you deleted that link to www.hitler-a-misunderstood-man.com
Describe or encourage activities which could endanger the safety or well-being of others
I promise i wont do that.
Inciting criminal activity; that's the BBC's job. I wouldn't want to tread on any toes.

The BBC welcomes feedback, both positive and negative, about our programmes and services but please make sure your comments are in line with the above House Rules.

Repeatedly posting personal or offensive comments about individual members of the public or people who work for the BBC may be considered harassment. We reserve the right to remove such messages and take action against those responsible.
So i can post personal and offensive comments once, but not anymore than that?


The guide to writing messages.

Remember you are having a conversation, not making a speech. Short messages are best.
Are you telling me that speeches are banned? That's a bit dictatorial of you, if you don't mind me saying.
Try to stick with the main topic of the discussion.
I'll try my best.
If you do post a long message, break it up into short sentences. This makes it easier to read on screen.
Yes i'll break it up into short sentences for the hard of thinking.
Double check your message before you post it - you can't change it afterwards.
Get some better message board software and then we could!
Dont you worry, i'll double check it and them triple check it.

Remember you can include smileys in your messages to show how you are feeling. Use one when you are being cheeky or sarcastic to make sure you are not misunderstood.
It's more interesting to be sarcastic and not use them i have found. please on't spoil my fun by forcing me to post them.
Don't type your messages in capital letters as IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE SHOUTING!.
Well ,that's because I AM SHOUTING! can you not hear?
Starting discussions
Check the discussion list first to make sure you are not repeating an existing conversation.
It's hard to repeat discussions on message boards that have messages purged 5 minutes ater they're posted. (yes, slight exaggeration, but you get my point)
Think of an interesting title so that other people will want to join in.
You mean like something to attract attention? How about "Terry Wogan's wig wins Livingston by-election?
Remember that only the first few words of your message will appear on the discussion page.
You told me to keep my posts short so those few words will be likely be the complete contents of my post.
Getting on with others
Respect other cultures, traditions and points of view - remember we are all entitled to our opinion.
We are all entitled to our opinions are we? Maybe you should let some of us post them on "Have your say" then. If we are all entitled to our opinions and should respect differing views then shouldn't we respect them enough that we don't reply to those we disagree with? Does that mean we can all make speeches? I thought you said we shouldn't make speeches. Will i receive a midnight call from the BBC thought police if i should break this rule?
Always give people the benefit of the doubt - most people are not intentionally rude or unpleasant.
Oh, such naivety. I think the next line refers to you!
Be patient - remember that some people have less experience of messageboards than others.
Is that any excuse? They can type and think and click a couple of links can't they?
Messageboard-speak
Regular messageboard users often use acronyms to save time. Here are a few popular ones...
LOL means 'laughing out loud'
ROFL means 'rolling on the floor laughing'
BRB means 'be right back'
L8R means '(see you) later'
Isn't this "txt spk" rather than net speak? I h8 it!
OIC means 'oh, I see'
IMO means 'in my opinion'
IMHO means 'in my honest/humble opinion'
Honest will be fine, thanks.


Now i'm ready to begin posting [rubs hands together]
Where shall i start!

The Bourne Supremacy

It's the premiere of the film on sky movies next weekend and i'll have my popcorn at the ready for one of the multiple screenings, unless of course something more important is on. But it is a saturday evening so i think we can presume that there isn't.

I don't watch a great many films, even with them being on a dozen channels 24 hours a day. I prefer quality rather than quantity.

Two films in one week, it must be a record!

Nat's In-depth film review - The ring

Not bad. 9/10

another one of nat's in-depth film reviews will appear next weekend.