AlphaPapa

I am in the same boat but not sure I can justify the expense at the moment, might have to be a new year purchase.

What did that set you back Dave?

I don't fancy your power bill, or the noise!

You run a rack mount poweredge at home?

You dialled 999 because some contractors left a piece of their kit running, you know bugger all about and decided through nothing more guess work it was dangerous!?!? You sir.. are a **** head!

1 series.. but then I am biased.

http://www.ebuyer.com/search?sort=rating+descending&subcat=2068&price=300+TO+400&cat=20&page=1 Take your pick I think you will struggle to find one with freeview built in for that money. I would always go with a better projector without all of the bells and whistles than one with them and a crap image. You could just get a cheap hdmi set top box to plug into it.

I would have a look at what companies like Optoma, Epson, BenQ etc have to offer. You should get something HDReady 720p for that money.

Does it have to be Full HD?

I wouldn't touch that with a barge pole, it even looks like crap!! Buy one from a reputable brand!

Wait for it... I quite like Windows 8 *runs* Its not too bad if you give it a chance!

We support Apple on a best effort basis if an Academic insists on using one, but most will struggle. Even accessing our shared storage is a challenge because we gear everything towards our supported OS which is Windows 7 64bit. I would really recommend a keyboard and external mouse if he will be doing any real amount of work on it, DSE regulations and all that. An external monitor might be nice if the budget stretches. I wouldn't worry too much though, where I work we have well over 1000 lab computers for students to use, most are open 24 hours a day. The advantage is there are less distractions and generally they will have all of the software you need ready installed.

As someone who works for a University I would not recommend an Apple laptop! Yes they are nice machines and trendy, but the university will almost exclusively be a windows environment, with windows software! There is no benefit to owning a Mac in fact, i would see it as a bit of a hindrance. Avoid anything that mentions pentium, they are old cheap processors!

That doesn't sound good at all! I am sure overrun making a single loud high pitch bang like that can't be good, its normally more of a low popping rumble! I'd put the cat back on if I were you.

You are looking for something like this Attach a length of hose out of the house and open the tap. You can then go around and open all of the radiator bleed valves to aid in the draining. Just remember to close them again before you refill the system. You will then obviously need to go around each radiator one by one to bleed the system topping up the system pressure as you go.

What a superb machine!

I am in the same boat, I sit at a desk 90% of the day and as I steam towards 30 my metabolism isn't what it used to be. I was starting to look like one of those snakes that swallow eggs whole as generally I am quite thin, just in the same boat as Jason with the Ale. I have started running, I try and get in a half hour run every other day at the moment while I build my stamina. I have been impressed how quickly I have seen results, not particularly on the weight front but stamina. First run I did was a gentle jog over 2 miles... i stopped every 20 paces and thought I was going to die when I got back home. 4 weeks later I can comfortably run 5 miles non stop with an average pace of 8 minutes a mile. I am also loving getting out and about, living by the Thames has its advantages, nice quite tow-paths . A word of warning though, you legs will hate you! My calves and knees object frequently, though I am sure this will improve. I am tackling the weight front by cutting out all the crap.. crisps, chocolate etc and watching my portion sizes. I don't need a quick fix. Both of my parents are Cambridge Diet Consultants or whatever they are called, I can vouch for the results! Its not for me though, I tried it for one day and wimped out!

Wow that looks smart!

If it was an original it would not be parked on the side of the road! A good condition original is worth around £250,000, an original with race pedigree about £800,000 and they are appreciating!

SQL isn't a database, its a method of accessing and manipulating data from a database. Just sayin...

Likewise, I won't be in a Skoda so should be good to count and record.

All well and good, but when did common sense go out the window?

Its aftermarket DLR's for me.. no, in fact its most DLR lights even if they are factory fitted. IMO only two brands have got it right so far; BMW, angel eyes have always been cool and the the very latest Audis. All others look crap and cheap.

Are you from this decade? The topic was 'current' car mods, not which mods from the 1990's. :P