Twisted Kites

Finally Windows Vista is back on and back working. At least the system is entirely clean now, and I’m not going to try and dual-boot anything again! Making good progress setting it up again, and at least now my important files are now on a separate drive they are no bother (moving them around is so time consuming).

Just ordered myself a USB modem so I can get my Macbook online easier. I have been using my Nokia N73 as a modem for months, which works fine, although there are a few probs with that. 1; the T-Mobile network is not the strongest (downstairs at home is poor, upstairs is top notch, same at Nicola’s house) and it’s easy for signal to drop. 2; obviously using the bluetooth modem on the phone draws lots of power out of the battery. 3; if I get a call or something the connection can drop. 4; as it’s bluetooth, if I leave the phone in my pouch and walk too far away the connection will drop.

So went to the Three (3) website and ordered a free USB modem, which is the best deal of the three that offer it (3, T-Mobile and Vodafone). 3GB allowance for £15 a month (the other networks charge £20 and £30 plus possible modem fee), which I think is brilliant. Would also be a good back up for at home if Be Internet ever goes down (although they’re very reliable).

I know that Three aren’t the best network in the world, but at least their 3G signal is strong and the Turbo 3G sounds good. Wouldn’t use it for my phone network again though, nobody out there can beat T-Mobile’s Flext for value. Speaking of which I’m due an upgrade shortly so need to decide on a nice shiny new phone to ask for.

Driving home from work through the little village of Shilton, 2 o’clock in the morning. A handful of cars about. The one in front had his rear fog lights on and one coming the opposite way had his full beams on. Think I was seeing stars the rest of the way home.

Watford Gap have starting allowing us meals and Captains Club points again, as long as we take in passengers. Fair enough, still not the official rules but better than nothing. So many of us have been allowing passengers to go in there where we can. Roadchef are happy (well they bloody should be!), drivers are happy and passengers are happy. It’s a start.

Other stuff… Windows Update messed up the settings for the new graphics card, lowering max resolution for my monitor to 1024 x 768 so it looked stupid and clunky. Took ages getting it right this morning, back to native 1280 x 1024 now. Seemed to be something to do with the TV connection (dual display). Things are going nicely with N really enjoying her company had a lovely day in the Cotswolds with her last week (and her family). Managed to get my phone sorted yesterday. Turns out computer drivers for it seemed to have disappeared totally mid-update, odd. Had to download PC Suite again, reinstall phone drivers too. Luckily phone would still turn on so was able to redo the phones firmware update. Shame that restoring the phone backup (all settings, SMSs, apps and contacts) just crashed the backup app. But luckily I was able to dig into the PC folders and double click the actual backp file itself to trigger it. Phew. Our wheelie bin went missing after collection Friday, but returning from work just now it was on our path. No idea where it was or how it got back, just glad it did!

Been a funny old week.

I now have a dead N73. Using their online firmware updater, which I’ve done many times before. This time it just gave up part way through. So now I have to go get a new phone. Then maybe I can send this one back, possibly.

Not what I need at all.