Well I've just returned from picking my middle nephew up a nursery school. Reaching a mini roundabout that I use daily when doing the nursery runs and quite a lot other times as well I had a near miss. I looked right saw no one, I then moved directly onto the circle doing around 20mph and my Mum yelled 'watch out'. Automatically I break upon not only hearing her but seeing a car appear directly in front of me. I can't remember seeing a car come down the incline from the street on the right. I was about to apologise when the other driver toots her horn, gives me a rude finger gesture and mouths at me that I am a something b****rd. Needly to say I didn't feel inclined to apologise after that.
I can't say who was at fault, either I missed seeing her, or she came down the steep incline doing the 30mph speed and rolled straight onto the circle (which as I don't remember seeing her she could have done) or whether I missed her myself.
Either way I was willing to apologise. Neither car touched as we both breaked immediately but after the rude finger gestures and even ruder swear words she mouthed at me I didn't feel the least bit inclined to do so.
As my driving instructor told me, 'you will be involved with more near misses than you ever will accidents unless you really don't pay attention.' As I pay attention, generally more when I have one of my nephews in my car than I normally do, I tend not to have too many near misses. (Cross fingers, touch woods and cross myself speedily). Usually my heart is pounding when I do have one but this time I wasn't even startled in the least. Generally when I am in fault my heart pounds ten to the dozen and it takes me weeks of extra careful driving to calm down again to normal.
Anyhow that vented back to the subject at hand, I have been working on my pixelling. I am finally getting the hand of my new PSP X2 program. I've had it for a week now and am finally able to start working on colouring some lineart/dolls. I haven't went into the more complex aspects of the software but am getting ahold of the basics at least.
I am also going to be working on revamping my website, I have just renewed my domain for 2 more years, and my hosting for 12 months, and am now ready to do a much needed spring clean. I transferred a lot of files from my old laptop in the past week or so, including a lot of my membership content across to my external harddrive.
I desperately need to update my site. I can do with revamping my memberships site, as some members sites have to be switched from current/lifetime to closed.
Anyhow once I get a (free - I've spent enough money on software to last me the rest of this year) web editor to work on Vista I will be able to continue with my plans to refresh my pixel sites.
Well that's all for now. Check back later, I hope to have some progress to report then.
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
Monday, 26 January 2009
Internet Up and Running ... Now onto...
Well my internet access is up and running fine. All things great now. Even switched over files and passwords etc. about my various memberships.
Great, but good always tempers bad, I have had to order a new graphics software as Windows Vista isn't compatible with my previous version of Paint Shop Pro. After checking around purchasing a new version of PSP was the cheaper alternative to use with Vista. As I have several gigs worth of PSP graphics I needed a program which could use the .psp/.pspimage format as well as use it to continue creating my own graphics from my many memberships.
I found several sites (including at least one membership site) that have disappeared completely since I last dabbled in my pixelling.
I have puchased a new copy of the latest Paint Shop Pro program which should arrive tomorrow (fingers crossed) and I can return to doing some new pixelling without worrying about lack of harddrive space or slower running programs. A problem which has cursed me for the last year or so with my laptop.
Also apparantly the boxed version I ordered from Amazon also includes a 2GB usb flash drive with it. So it will be handy for saving all my current pixel graphics on and keeps them off my main hard drive.
I found I had 4 to 5 Gigs of graphics content to move from my old laptop to my external hard drive. Between my downloaded content from my current (and past) memberships and my own graphics. Some completed and a lot in progress.
So, that said I hope to get back to pixelling soon. It should be a nice change, I've been using a touchpad on my laptop for months so it will take time to get used to using a mouse again. I still find myself reaching for touchpad when surfing the web or going to access programs/files on my hard drive. It's an automatic thing, I didn't realise how used I was to using the touchpad until I found myself reaching out to do so when surfing the web this last week.
It's strange how used you get to somethings, I didn't realise it myself, until I reach out on auto pilot to move a page down or something and realise there is no touchpad and I have to reach over to my mouse instead. It does seem to take a concentrated effort.
Well that's all for now. I'll just sign off here.
Great, but good always tempers bad, I have had to order a new graphics software as Windows Vista isn't compatible with my previous version of Paint Shop Pro. After checking around purchasing a new version of PSP was the cheaper alternative to use with Vista. As I have several gigs worth of PSP graphics I needed a program which could use the .psp/.pspimage format as well as use it to continue creating my own graphics from my many memberships.
I found several sites (including at least one membership site) that have disappeared completely since I last dabbled in my pixelling.
I have puchased a new copy of the latest Paint Shop Pro program which should arrive tomorrow (fingers crossed) and I can return to doing some new pixelling without worrying about lack of harddrive space or slower running programs. A problem which has cursed me for the last year or so with my laptop.
Also apparantly the boxed version I ordered from Amazon also includes a 2GB usb flash drive with it. So it will be handy for saving all my current pixel graphics on and keeps them off my main hard drive.
I found I had 4 to 5 Gigs of graphics content to move from my old laptop to my external hard drive. Between my downloaded content from my current (and past) memberships and my own graphics. Some completed and a lot in progress.
So, that said I hope to get back to pixelling soon. It should be a nice change, I've been using a touchpad on my laptop for months so it will take time to get used to using a mouse again. I still find myself reaching for touchpad when surfing the web or going to access programs/files on my hard drive. It's an automatic thing, I didn't realise how used I was to using the touchpad until I found myself reaching out to do so when surfing the web this last week.
It's strange how used you get to somethings, I didn't realise it myself, until I reach out on auto pilot to move a page down or something and realise there is no touchpad and I have to reach over to my mouse instead. It does seem to take a concentrated effort.
Well that's all for now. I'll just sign off here.
Monday, 12 January 2009
Goods News and Bad News (Of course!!)
My new desktop has arrived and is working. Unfortunately I cannot access the internet at all from it as my USB modem from AOL isn't Windows Vista compatible.
I thought I would have to purchase an modem router to access my internet but my brother (also an AOL customer) suggested contacted AOL and seeing if I could upgrade from Broadband Silver with them and that way receive a free router.
After three separate attempts I finally got the right info. I will need to upgrade to wireless router to use my AOL access on my new desktop, but as I have an active contract I can't upgrade to wireless until the contract expires. I have been with AOL for several years and was offered a double speed download last May but had to promise to stay with them for a minimum 18 months before switching ISP. So either I purchase one for £50 - £60 myself and use my current membership or have to use my laptop for any internet based function until October this year.
Rather irritating as my current modem is OK and I like my Silver package deal but Vista just won't support it at all.
I also can't register my computer or my windows vista (or any other software) at all without access and the computer won't let me use many of the programs on it without registration first. I've found I can't even switch my pc games from Iwin or Bigfish games to my new desktop without internet access so I can't even play games on my new pc. I have had to shove it to the back of my desk and continue using my old laptop still rather dissappointing after waiting so long to get a new computer and finally have it and can't use it much at all.
Grr ...
I thought I would have to purchase an modem router to access my internet but my brother (also an AOL customer) suggested contacted AOL and seeing if I could upgrade from Broadband Silver with them and that way receive a free router.
After three separate attempts I finally got the right info. I will need to upgrade to wireless router to use my AOL access on my new desktop, but as I have an active contract I can't upgrade to wireless until the contract expires. I have been with AOL for several years and was offered a double speed download last May but had to promise to stay with them for a minimum 18 months before switching ISP. So either I purchase one for £50 - £60 myself and use my current membership or have to use my laptop for any internet based function until October this year.
Rather irritating as my current modem is OK and I like my Silver package deal but Vista just won't support it at all.
I also can't register my computer or my windows vista (or any other software) at all without access and the computer won't let me use many of the programs on it without registration first. I've found I can't even switch my pc games from Iwin or Bigfish games to my new desktop without internet access so I can't even play games on my new pc. I have had to shove it to the back of my desk and continue using my old laptop still rather dissappointing after waiting so long to get a new computer and finally have it and can't use it much at all.
Grr ...
Saturday, 3 January 2009
Happy New Year
Well, christmas and new years is over for another 12 months and it's back to the norm.
I am due back at the physio this coming thursday for an hour (I'm looking forward to it, not!), I'm still at a loss to what this current round of physio is in aid of but there you have it.
After a third attempt to contact BCA ( a book club I have a James Patterson collection from) has ended in failure and non reply from them I am again looking at more late fees and missed payment fees if I don't pay them this month again. I am of the view I am not due them three months worth of fees, I paid them £20 (more than two months of fees last time, November) and should be due them only one month, this month, but it seems my saga with them is due to go on for yet another month without resolution.
I have finally got a new desktop computer, got not as in my possession, but as due to be delivered next Sunday. They were out of stock at my local store and stores within Scotland altogether. New stock is due on Tuesday but only 3 units (HP Pavilion towers) and I had to arrange to home deliver as if I waited and did a reserve and collect from my local store apparently home delivery items get first choice of all stock (even if they are reserved and collect) and there is a good chance that three other people will purchase the same item online or in store to be delivered and result in there being none left for reserve/collect customers.
So that added £20 to my bill off the bat. But it was the only way to insure I did actually get one of the small stock being delivered to the warehouse this week.
Rechecking their website to re-check the details of my new pc I was disturbed to find out that the pics on the site and the details on the site don't specify the HP media bay but the tower on display (in fact all the towers on display) in Comet today had one. So I will be on pins till next Sunday to see if my one comes with the media bay slot where I can expand my HD memory or not. I will be very dissappointed if it doesn't let me tell you. That was one of the main reason I went for HP and the Pavillion range to begin with.
So, next weekend I will have my new computer (including a 19" flat screen) if nothing goes wrong. I take nothing for granted these days as I have less than stellar experiences when purchasing computers.
I have also discovered that all the new computers I have looked at have been all Windows Vista so it will mean upgrading from XP which I have used for the past five years and gotten used to. I don't like how you don't get a recovery disc now and surfing the internet I have found that this version of windows didn't allow you to create one. So if my HD becomes unstable I can't re-install or recover, I have to purchase a new copy (with disc and official documents) and start with a fresh and empty drive. Believe me if that happens I will gladly downgrade back to XP which I totally love.
Also purchasing Windows Vista (even an upgrade) is pure extortion if the prices I have found are anything to go by.
I have also discovered a hidden cost to me personally. My broadband modem isn't compatible with Windows Vista because it doesn't accept USB modems. I will have to purchase a modem router which is about £50 in the shops on average, most are even more expensive coming in at £70-£100 a pop. So I am going to wait until I have my new computer and check the specs in person so to speak before purchasing a new modem.
Until then I will just have to use my laptop (with my USB modem) to access the internet.
Given that my bill so far is not shy of £600 already I am in now hurry to rush out a purchase a new modem. I will just keep relying on my laptop for continued access to AOL for now. £200 of my bill is my Christmas present from my parents, so I have around £400 to pay back to my parents before I even think of purchasing anything else. So that new modem is on the back burner until then. So my trusty 5 year old laptop (with it's missing three keys) will just do until which time I can afford a new modem at all.
I think I will have enough to do with seeing which programs on my laptop are compatible with Vista and transferring them over that worrying about setting internet access on my desktop will be distant last, esp. as my laptop is perfectly usable just sadly lacking in HD space/memory. Even more so as my CD/DVD burner has been broken for over 18 months now.
I bought an external HD late last year because of my space problem and I was doing fine with it but the last month or so more and more problems are cropping up mainly because of the age of my laptop I believe including a massive slow down of my system which caused the worse lagging I have had in more than five years since getting rid of my original desktop (a Packard Bell).
Plus my Windows is getting a bit buggy, I've had more shut downs/restarts and had to check my disks more times in December than in the last 12 months previous altogether. I think it's just getting very old and worn after more than five years of continually usage.
What a way to start 2009 (£400 in debt), but this computer should do me for years, I have five year cover from Comet (almost £180 of the total bill) which covers Windows Vista itself should it crash by accident (i.e. not caused my me personally) as well, they state a total replacement of either tower or display should they be unrepairable so I just hope that Comet's cover is worth more on paper than Dixons was for my Packard Bell PC.
Well, enough depression, I really should be celebrating, but I hate unwelcome surprises. The modem being one and the lack of media bay stated on the website under the specs when the showroom on had one. So until I find out if the tower they deliver has a media bay I won't settle.
Just keep your fingers crossed for me.
I will personally be guttted if my tower doesn't have one like the website photos indicate, all bar the smallest of the HP pavilion in Comet has the bay but the website doesn't show one.
Oh well, plenty of time to worry if it actually turns out to be so. Nothing I can do anyhow, it's bought and paid for and due to be delivered.
Well, from that problem and back to BCA, I'm off to try and find a different email address and see if I can get a response to my FOURTH email in less than 6 weeks.
I am due back at the physio this coming thursday for an hour (I'm looking forward to it, not!), I'm still at a loss to what this current round of physio is in aid of but there you have it.
After a third attempt to contact BCA ( a book club I have a James Patterson collection from) has ended in failure and non reply from them I am again looking at more late fees and missed payment fees if I don't pay them this month again. I am of the view I am not due them three months worth of fees, I paid them £20 (more than two months of fees last time, November) and should be due them only one month, this month, but it seems my saga with them is due to go on for yet another month without resolution.
I have finally got a new desktop computer, got not as in my possession, but as due to be delivered next Sunday. They were out of stock at my local store and stores within Scotland altogether. New stock is due on Tuesday but only 3 units (HP Pavilion towers) and I had to arrange to home deliver as if I waited and did a reserve and collect from my local store apparently home delivery items get first choice of all stock (even if they are reserved and collect) and there is a good chance that three other people will purchase the same item online or in store to be delivered and result in there being none left for reserve/collect customers.
So that added £20 to my bill off the bat. But it was the only way to insure I did actually get one of the small stock being delivered to the warehouse this week.
Rechecking their website to re-check the details of my new pc I was disturbed to find out that the pics on the site and the details on the site don't specify the HP media bay but the tower on display (in fact all the towers on display) in Comet today had one. So I will be on pins till next Sunday to see if my one comes with the media bay slot where I can expand my HD memory or not. I will be very dissappointed if it doesn't let me tell you. That was one of the main reason I went for HP and the Pavillion range to begin with.
So, next weekend I will have my new computer (including a 19" flat screen) if nothing goes wrong. I take nothing for granted these days as I have less than stellar experiences when purchasing computers.
I have also discovered that all the new computers I have looked at have been all Windows Vista so it will mean upgrading from XP which I have used for the past five years and gotten used to. I don't like how you don't get a recovery disc now and surfing the internet I have found that this version of windows didn't allow you to create one. So if my HD becomes unstable I can't re-install or recover, I have to purchase a new copy (with disc and official documents) and start with a fresh and empty drive. Believe me if that happens I will gladly downgrade back to XP which I totally love.
Also purchasing Windows Vista (even an upgrade) is pure extortion if the prices I have found are anything to go by.
I have also discovered a hidden cost to me personally. My broadband modem isn't compatible with Windows Vista because it doesn't accept USB modems. I will have to purchase a modem router which is about £50 in the shops on average, most are even more expensive coming in at £70-£100 a pop. So I am going to wait until I have my new computer and check the specs in person so to speak before purchasing a new modem.
Until then I will just have to use my laptop (with my USB modem) to access the internet.
Given that my bill so far is not shy of £600 already I am in now hurry to rush out a purchase a new modem. I will just keep relying on my laptop for continued access to AOL for now. £200 of my bill is my Christmas present from my parents, so I have around £400 to pay back to my parents before I even think of purchasing anything else. So that new modem is on the back burner until then. So my trusty 5 year old laptop (with it's missing three keys) will just do until which time I can afford a new modem at all.
I think I will have enough to do with seeing which programs on my laptop are compatible with Vista and transferring them over that worrying about setting internet access on my desktop will be distant last, esp. as my laptop is perfectly usable just sadly lacking in HD space/memory. Even more so as my CD/DVD burner has been broken for over 18 months now.
I bought an external HD late last year because of my space problem and I was doing fine with it but the last month or so more and more problems are cropping up mainly because of the age of my laptop I believe including a massive slow down of my system which caused the worse lagging I have had in more than five years since getting rid of my original desktop (a Packard Bell).
Plus my Windows is getting a bit buggy, I've had more shut downs/restarts and had to check my disks more times in December than in the last 12 months previous altogether. I think it's just getting very old and worn after more than five years of continually usage.
What a way to start 2009 (£400 in debt), but this computer should do me for years, I have five year cover from Comet (almost £180 of the total bill) which covers Windows Vista itself should it crash by accident (i.e. not caused my me personally) as well, they state a total replacement of either tower or display should they be unrepairable so I just hope that Comet's cover is worth more on paper than Dixons was for my Packard Bell PC.
Well, enough depression, I really should be celebrating, but I hate unwelcome surprises. The modem being one and the lack of media bay stated on the website under the specs when the showroom on had one. So until I find out if the tower they deliver has a media bay I won't settle.
Just keep your fingers crossed for me.
I will personally be guttted if my tower doesn't have one like the website photos indicate, all bar the smallest of the HP pavilion in Comet has the bay but the website doesn't show one.
Oh well, plenty of time to worry if it actually turns out to be so. Nothing I can do anyhow, it's bought and paid for and due to be delivered.
Well, from that problem and back to BCA, I'm off to try and find a different email address and see if I can get a response to my FOURTH email in less than 6 weeks.
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