Although I've had no fresh incidence of the Security Centre/AntiVir conflict this evening, I did finally get around to entering a question about it on the AntiVir Support Forum as their support team still haven't bothered to reply!
Today has passed amazingly quickly, in spite of experiencing some incredibly disruptive technological misbehaviour. A very human trait of computer technology seems to be its temperamental nature.
Yes, I've got to admit that I can be temperamental too!
- living and frequently struggling with moderate M.E. -
where (bad) health, faith, politics and the joys and troubles of daily life collide.
ME
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Kein Vorsprung Durch Technik
Sought advice on the PC Advisor forum re the apparent conflict between AntiVir Personal Edition Premium and Windows Security Centre. Received a response which pointed out how common a problem slow startup can be. Problem is I'd been aware of that difficulty for some time; the current problem is that the recent warning messages have been received whilst the Anti-Virus is already up and running.
At least that response was much quicker than AntiVir's support service. We are still waiting to hear from them. If that's the level of German customer service it's not surprising that their economy is encountering difficulties.
At least that response was much quicker than AntiVir's support service. We are still waiting to hear from them. If that's the level of German customer service it's not surprising that their economy is encountering difficulties.
AntiVir Personal Edition Premium - lack of support!
I wrote a couple of days ago about a problem, that both my wife and myself were having with AntiVir Personal Edition Premium and the messages that it was "turned off" we were receiving from Windows Security Centre. It has become increasingly difficult to know which statement we believe, that it is turned off or that, according to the programme itself, it is "active"!
Both of us have contacted support at AntiVir but, two days later, no reply is forthcoming. By now, it seems quite definite we will not be renewing our Premium payments next year. As I said previously, this sort of problem never occurred when we were using the same companies free Anti Virus.
Both of us have contacted support at AntiVir but, two days later, no reply is forthcoming. By now, it seems quite definite we will not be renewing our Premium payments next year. As I said previously, this sort of problem never occurred when we were using the same companies free Anti Virus.
The mysteries of ad-free broadcasting
Following closely on a 7.00am news bulletin, on Radio 2, which mentioned the scandal of some BBC programmes (eg 'Coupling') using product placement, Sarah Kennedy, in her review of the papers, gave a plug to a proprietary brand of nasal spray, going so far as to state the products full name and retail price. It was claimed that this product can prevent a cold, if used at the first sign of a sniffle.
Methinks an advertisement feature, from a newspaper, has been presented as a news item. So, no product placement there!
Perhaps straight advertisements are now permissible on the beeb whilst product placement is a no-no.
Methinks an advertisement feature, from a newspaper, has been presented as a news item. So, no product placement there!
Perhaps straight advertisements are now permissible on the beeb whilst product placement is a no-no.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Strange Phenomena
Tiredness is such a strange phenomenon, the more hours I spend in it's presence the less inclined am I to claim any understanding of it's modus operandi! Yesterday my withdrawal from the duvet-realm was a quite protracted affair, owing more I trust to genuine fatigue rather than lethargy (don't ask me to explain that word, I'm far too lazy to seek a definition).
Despite an overwhelming sense of tiredness prevailing, my brief brisk walk proved much easier than it has done for some time. My beloved and I have a mutual sense of currently being in a struggle with the common cold; this struggle of itself promotes weariness so by later evening we both felt quite shattered. In fact, I was too tired to apply my emollient cream before retiring but, I did manage to keep my eyelids propped open whilst I cleaned my teeth.
So, the story so far; I got into bed feeling "tired out" and, guess what ... I found it well nigh impossible to get to sleep fo several hours. Whatever my posture, it seemed to be the wrong one for attracting Morpheus. Night-sweats also played their part in my restlessness. My body should soon be tiring of its stupid game whereby, I suddenly become overheated and perspire profusely and so, remove myself from the covering of the lightest (lowest tog rated) duvet for a few blissful minutes before the cold shivers commence!
Surely, if I'm really tired the body should wean itself away from these ritual games and, allow me to sleep. Tiredness truly is a strange phenomenon.
Despite an overwhelming sense of tiredness prevailing, my brief brisk walk proved much easier than it has done for some time. My beloved and I have a mutual sense of currently being in a struggle with the common cold; this struggle of itself promotes weariness so by later evening we both felt quite shattered. In fact, I was too tired to apply my emollient cream before retiring but, I did manage to keep my eyelids propped open whilst I cleaned my teeth.
So, the story so far; I got into bed feeling "tired out" and, guess what ... I found it well nigh impossible to get to sleep fo several hours. Whatever my posture, it seemed to be the wrong one for attracting Morpheus. Night-sweats also played their part in my restlessness. My body should soon be tiring of its stupid game whereby, I suddenly become overheated and perspire profusely and so, remove myself from the covering of the lightest (lowest tog rated) duvet for a few blissful minutes before the cold shivers commence!
Surely, if I'm really tired the body should wean itself away from these ritual games and, allow me to sleep. Tiredness truly is a strange phenomenon.
Monday, September 19, 2005
A Sad Farewell
Today, the realization suddenly dawned on me that I have had to bid a sad farewell to three of my favourite journalists. So, it's farewell to Bob Herbert, Paul Krugman and Maureen Dowd all of the New York Times. The reason is the introduction of Times Select, a subscription only service which happens to include the Op-Ed contributions of these three journalists. Although on a low income, and living in the UK not the USA, I would be quite happy to pay a subscription to read these three journalists words but, unfortunately I would also be paying for services which are not of the least interest.
A 14 days free trial is currently on offer for this service but, that would only be postponing the inevitable
The contributions of this trio made me feel that there was perhaps something good to come out of America, whereas the policies of George Dubya have always contradicted this gut instinct. So, I bid a fond farewell.
A 14 days free trial is currently on offer for this service but, that would only be postponing the inevitable
The contributions of this trio made me feel that there was perhaps something good to come out of America, whereas the policies of George Dubya have always contradicted this gut instinct. So, I bid a fond farewell.
Anti-Virus Personal Edition Premium
Just a little gripe, so unlike me, about the above anti-virus and it's interaction with Windows Security Centre. Both my better half and myself, (on Helen's laptop and my PC respectively) have been receiving warnings, from the Security Centre, that AntiVirus PE Premium is "switched off" whilst Anti-Vir itself states that it is active. Who are we to believe?
I hasten to add that this problem, with Windows Security Centre, never arose whilst we were using the same companies "free" Classic Edition.
An attempt to sign up/ log-in for the AV forum was somewhat thwarted by the predilection for using German instructions on the English Language page of the forum.
********************************
My laptop is now protected by ntl Netguard which does the same as Premium and more and, is supplied gratis for up to three machines for users of NTL's cable broadband service. Unfortunately, this wasn't an option at the time we subscribed to AV Premium, having been quite satisfied with the more limited free edition!
I hasten to add that this problem, with Windows Security Centre, never arose whilst we were using the same companies "free" Classic Edition.
An attempt to sign up/ log-in for the AV forum was somewhat thwarted by the predilection for using German instructions on the English Language page of the forum.
********************************
My laptop is now protected by ntl Netguard which does the same as Premium and more and, is supplied gratis for up to three machines for users of NTL's cable broadband service. Unfortunately, this wasn't an option at the time we subscribed to AV Premium, having been quite satisfied with the more limited free edition!
And Good Morning To You Too!
My late emergence into day was greeted with a communique from the Inland Revenue/ National Insurance Contributions Dept. They wished to inform me that for the Tax Year 2003 -2004 I had 34 NI contributions outstanding!
At least I was able to inform them that during those 34 weeks I was in an employment where, "My earnings were at or above ‘Lower Earnings Limit’ but below the ‘Earnings Threshold’ and, should therefore be treated as having paid Class 1 contributions."
When one has worked part-time in low paid employment, this is a familiar situation but, for all the supposed integration of Tax and National Insurance Departments and, their extortionately expensive computerised systems, such factors seem to elude them. This situation has, in the past, led to telephonic arguments with (un)civil servants failing to understand their own protocols. This time I felt it safer to reply by mail with the appropriate documentation.
Having dealt promptly with the matter, it will hopefully prevent any subsequent rises in my blood pressure!
At least I was able to inform them that during those 34 weeks I was in an employment where, "My earnings were at or above ‘Lower Earnings Limit’ but below the ‘Earnings Threshold’ and, should therefore be treated as having paid Class 1 contributions."
When one has worked part-time in low paid employment, this is a familiar situation but, for all the supposed integration of Tax and National Insurance Departments and, their extortionately expensive computerised systems, such factors seem to elude them. This situation has, in the past, led to telephonic arguments with (un)civil servants failing to understand their own protocols. This time I felt it safer to reply by mail with the appropriate documentation.
Having dealt promptly with the matter, it will hopefully prevent any subsequent rises in my blood pressure!
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Fizz and Froth
Whilst awaiting the return of ma belle amoureuse, from her preaching appointment, I'm looking forward to the (sometimes biting) satire of "Bremner, Bird and Fortune" (Channel 4) ... just as I write these words my beloved has returned! So, I can expect a few eardrum splitting bursts of laughter as I view the aforementioned show. Strange how one's laughter gland is enabled even when the topic is serious!
After the 3B's, we both fancy a bit of froth so, "Legally Blonde" (Five) should fit the bill. I'm just going to chill a bottle of 'Pignoletto Frizzante" to serve as an aid to our (hopefully) pleasurable relaxation.
After the 3B's, we both fancy a bit of froth so, "Legally Blonde" (Five) should fit the bill. I'm just going to chill a bottle of 'Pignoletto Frizzante" to serve as an aid to our (hopefully) pleasurable relaxation.
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Saturday Routines
Had a bit of a lie-in this morning, before venturing into town at the the start of an otherwise quiet day. The usual Saturday routine was followed with a lunch drawn from the freezer drawer, popped in the oven and then consumed early in the afternoon.
Enjoyed the usual Jazz programmes on Radio 3 (4.00 - 6.30p.m) which, latterly provided accompaniment to my preparations for Sunday lunch. Finished my kitchen chores just in time to catch the "X-Factor" (ITV) ... as usual, some real personalities with varying degrees of talent were far outnumbered by talentless wannabes. Highly entertaining! The "X-tra Factor" (ITV2), whilst covering some of the same auditions, has also proved quite addictive.
After that, we watched the first of a new series of drama-documentaries based on Murder Mysteries (BBC1). Helen and myself enjoyed a couple of glasses of 'Warburn Estate Show Reserve Shiraz, 2002', a wonderfully brambly concoction from New South Wales.
A good day, despite an ongoing struggle with fatigue!
Enjoyed the usual Jazz programmes on Radio 3 (4.00 - 6.30p.m) which, latterly provided accompaniment to my preparations for Sunday lunch. Finished my kitchen chores just in time to catch the "X-Factor" (ITV) ... as usual, some real personalities with varying degrees of talent were far outnumbered by talentless wannabes. Highly entertaining! The "X-tra Factor" (ITV2), whilst covering some of the same auditions, has also proved quite addictive.
After that, we watched the first of a new series of drama-documentaries based on Murder Mysteries (BBC1). Helen and myself enjoyed a couple of glasses of 'Warburn Estate Show Reserve Shiraz, 2002', a wonderfully brambly concoction from New South Wales.
A good day, despite an ongoing struggle with fatigue!
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