Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

It started in Morrisons, now it has spread to Aldi and Lidl:

Glass/perspex doors on a lot of their refrigerated displays.

OK, it is wise to try to cut down on electricity use, but it makes shopping a pain and many have complained that they can't clearly see inside the displays due to excess reflections.

Maybe their refrigeration techs should have a chat with their lighting techs?

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

They did, think its called my android phone and they make fortunes out of me :mad: that on topic enough tiggers pet :p: :)

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

I have what is laughingly called a 'smart phone'. It's not new, every time the wife gets a new one I get the old one.

I configure them to the most basic of operations . . phone calls, texts, the occasional picture taken. Costs me bugger all but the lowest sim only deal I can find* :D


*usually Tesco about £8 a month

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Train stations are a busy place but why do people need to walk side-by-side, random people too blocking the whole pathway. MOVE!

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Just say excuse me and ask them to move so you can get by.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

You ever been to London? Nobody answers. If by chance a response is given it's as though you've offended the person :no:

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Of course I have been to London. If they ignore me I give a further more stern. And louder response. Then I push forward. I don't really care if they look upset or offended. Their problem.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

They may get more offended when you step on their toes. :erm:

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Went down to London last week for a couple of days to help my son & partner move into a place they just bought in Dollis Hill - whilst waiting for some fish & chips to be made on Tuesday evening, had a chat with guy waiting for his order; freaked him out… :D

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

The Welsh Arsembly has followed the SNP in increasing the Minimum Unit Price for Alcohol from 50p per unit to 65p per unit.

A litre of 37.5% vodka was at least £18.75. It will rise to at least £24.38.

All the extra cash was to go to "small shop owners", but actually gets swallowed by brewers, distillers, distributors and wholesalers.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

At work on Wednesday and the Shift manager called me in to the office, I'm thinking has the FLM X, reported me.

Nope, it was to say they don't want 2 admins in the department, plus they are ditching all agency staff, and that Friday will be my last day.

So I went home, and decided Fuff that I'm not going in Friday, but will go in Thursday to hand over the stuff I'm dealing with to my friends.

I then decided to leave with the at 2:30.

So now the job hunt restarts

Then yesterday I dropped my phone and it landed screen down and cracked the screen and now the fingerprint doesn't work, so I cannot afford to get a new phone.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Damn that's rough Hom3r, hope you can find a job quickly even if it is not something you would go for.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Yep, crap thing to happen at any age, never mind if you're in your 50's.

I'm thankfully retired, but if I was applying for an office type job nowadays I'd lie and say I was a fully reprogrammable AI function with state of the art algorithms.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Trains :(

https://news.sky.com/story/train-can...dents-13503202

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

I can't remember the last time I was on a train, maybe 10 years ago, I'm glad I don't have to rely on them to get from A to B, that goes for all public transport.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Don't it work out the same with your car issues and my train issues

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

What sort of car issues? It doesn't breakdown and if I ever get stuck in traffic it's not that bad but if it was I'd just change my route. I'd rather sit in my car than on a train or bus that's for sure.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

I'd rather the train. I guess it's personal preference.

My return journey (right now) is the same as this morning. Nothing major. Just some slow legs of the journey.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Thank you Hugh :D It's not played up since switching to an esim

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

I've had a stinking cold since Tuesday, and it's not getting any better, so we've had to cancel our 40th Wedding Anniversary weekend away - not a lot of point going to a Michelin starred restaurant & hotel when you can't taste anything, and it wouldn't be very sociable to the other diners celebrating Valentine's Day to have me hacking, coughing, and blowing my nose all evening.

On the bright side, the hotel waived their normal cancellation policy, and are returning what we paid for the weekend stay/meals, which is very helpful - so we'll book to go another time.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

That was nice getting a refund , Hope you can rebook when you feel better

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Went to accept my Car insurance quote and renew online, clicked the Renew button and get the message 'Sorry I can't do that for you online'!

I then tried online chat because I hate using a phone for things like this and the virtual chat pissed me off for 5mins and was useless so I typed, Put me through to a human and the virtual chat ended and Louise connected and after that everything went well.

So the secret words for RAC online chat are Put me through to a human.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

It's not a secret, I never interact with this stuff, just say talk to agent and you get it saying but I can help, no thanks, I'd rather keep someone in a job

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

That (or similar) works on many chat systems. ;)

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

It ignored my first attempt of "I want to talk to a human" so I was surprised it worked.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Yet again, while in the middle of doing something, Windows decides to download another (unasked for) update and virtually lock the PC up.

:mad:

Oh how I wish game developers would make them available for the Linux platform as well as PC, then I could gladly dump Windows into its own recycle bin.

Yes I know there are ways to run (some) windows games on Linux, but . . . more jumping through hoops.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

How to temporarily or permanently stop Windows Updates

https://www.action1.com/blog/how-to-...ows-11-update/

Temporarily Pause Updates:
Go to Settings > Windows Update > Pause updates (up to 5 weeks).

Stop Updates
Step 1. Press the Windows key + R.
Step 2. In the Run dialog box, type the following command: ‘services.msc’ and hit Enter.
Step 3. Find “Windows Update” services,” right-click it, and select “Properties.” Next, set “Startup type” to “Disabled,” click “Apply,” and “OK.”

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

I keep doing the 'pause for 5 weeks' thing, will give the other method another try

:tu:

although thinking on it, I'm sure I'd done that before . . is it one of those 'clever' things that turns itself back on after a period of time?

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Windows 10 is the answer, no updates anymore. Perfect ! :)

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

If you on none home edit the group policy

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Cant you just stop the update service, and then disable it ?

---------- Post added at 00:51 ---------- Previous post was at 00:51 ----------

Really ? My Windows 7 still gets updates, so I would have thought W10 did as well.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

I also get free extended Windows 10 security updates but this is only until 14th October 2026 I believe.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Due to an EU decision, the UK also gets free Win10 updates.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CGqOwKTo7k

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Area power outage since 09:22 - according to National Grid outage map, 1256 properties without power around us.

Update @ 10:22 - power restored

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

I've got a blocked nose :sleep: it unblocked earlier when I emptied it in the shower but now it's blocked again. I really cba with this. It's draining :cry:

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Ive spent the last 2hrs in Virginmedia Instagram chat with a request to cancel my services and have gone through all the security and given the reason why. I also pointed out I'm hard of hearing when on the phone, so 2hrs later their final message is to phone them to complete my cancellation request!!! So I'm stressed and not happy now as it was going so well.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Fire off a CEO addressed email. Get some compo for not being disable friendly.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

I've managed to get the normal live chat working I had to use Google Chrome to see the button, so I think a human is now processing it.

Normally I can use a phone, hearing isn't hopeless but when I tried last week the line was too quiet so gave up.

So far I'm impressed how easy it is going on live chat, I tried WhatsApp and they have never replied in over 2 weeks. Lol

Edit - all done that took all afternoon!

Edit 2 - just got the email confirmation and a phone call at the same time so I guess that'll be VM trying to keep me, I'm not answering it. I'm expecting the mobile to ring next!

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

The NHS waiting lists in Wales are so massive that they have started to use private doctors and nurses inside NHS hospitals in the evenings and weekends to try to clear the backlog.

Treatment? No. Just invite you by phone to attend a consultation (with a clerk).

I just took our daughter for her "consultation", today, a Sunday.

Confirm name, address and DOB. Are you still having the problem? Yes, so we can only offer you an endoscopy in about 2 years. Do you wish to go ahead? We'll add you to the list, goodbye.

All that could have been done with a short phonecall.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

I cancelled mine using the chat, it was very easy (and pretty quick).

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

I tried WhatsApp but they never answered, my problem with live chat is it never gave me the option button in Vivaldi so I resorted to Chrome a browser I never normally use, but after that it was very easy, I just had to log into my account to pass security.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

got an E mail from Bill this morning, that's water bill £1031:( it'd be cheaper to have petrol coming out of the taps

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Somewhere, shareholders are planning their next Super Yacht purchase ;)

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Virgin media have put their prices up again , This is a disgrace.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Seems like most Businesses/Companies are raising prices, it's up to the individual whether they pay the price or find a cheaper alternative ;)

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

That seems quite high - our latest bill is £549 for the year (up from last year, as we are using more water).

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Our water bill is going up 9.7% to £1195.81 a year. :mad:

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

A bit difficult with water…

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Plenty of bottles in the shops/supermarkets. ;)

Technically you could argue its no different to Gas & Electricity.
You have multiple suppliers, even though its the same physical connection.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

just had one hell of a fight with a duvet cover but i got the bugger on eventually

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Really , perhaps , you are in an unique position, but as I understand it you have no choice as to whom supplies mains water / sewage removal. Of cause you could go to a well ,good luck with that . and a septic tank. :rolleyes:

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

just been to pick up my meds from Grimsby, it's been a month since i last went and i can't believe the amount of potholes that have appeared in this short space of time :(

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

My village is a nightmare, some pot holes appear to be 5in deep and right on the driving line.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Always worse after some rain, you never know if a deep pothole is hiding in one of those puddles :mad:

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

We have some monumental potholes near us, they even have names which show how old they are, the biggest is Humphrey's Cavern.

The small roads around me were never intended to have heavy traffic but are now part of a local bus route for single decker buses which are great for getting around the area but it's a nightmare when you're driving and you have to navigate over disintegrating road humps as well.

The Council tries to fill the holes and rebuild road humps but we have been told the roads will need to be completely reconstructed and there's no money available to cover the cost.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

While at work this evening I got a notification for Uber card verification on my virtual Revolut card and it wasn't from me!, so someone has the card details.

Luckily it was just a verification so no payment charged and I froze and have now terminated that card but it did raise my blood pressure because this is the first time I've ever had an attempt on any banking card.

I don't use it often, it's mainly used for my Tidal Columbia monthly subscription but lately I've paid for some IPTV services from 3 different websites so I suspect that to be the issue.

Anyway I have now created a new card and in future I'll use a Revolut disposable card for other payments and just hoping the new card is accepted for payment at Tidal Columbia.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

I blame shoddy workmanship on the repairs. I've had a look at some of the larger potholes in the area, and the tarmac patches are just delaminating from the road under.
There seems to be no care taken to bond the layers, just dump a bit of tarmac in the hole and run a compactor over. The old practice of using molten tar around the edges to seal the patch in seems to have died out as well.
Perhaps a guarantee should be in place with appropriate fines for rapid failure of said patches?

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

And non-existent monitoring of "work done".

In this area, street tree roots lifted paving slabs, causing tripping.

So 1000's of slabs were lifted (and sold) and the pavements were tarmacced.

A couple of years later, the roots had lifted and cracked the tarmac, so a company was paid to replace all the damaged areas.

Work outside our home was supposed to be finished by October 2023, but nothing happened.

When I mentioned this to our councillor, he investigated and found that the "work" had been "completed 100%" and paid for in November 2023.

November 2024 came, no change.

November 2025 came, no change.

But the same company is often seen throwing tarmac into potholes and stamping it down. Yes, by foot!

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Travel insurance!

Jeez it is a nightmare trying to get it when you have existing conditions.

Using comparison sites is pointless as noone will cover me and some of the specialist insurers have price all over the place.

So far Staysure have me at £272 for annual cover and oddly insurance with gave me £62 :shrug:

confusing! That is putting down my kidney and pancreas transplant and high blood pressure.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Try insuring a family of 4 all with pre existing conditions. Tempted just to insure myself, and let the rest of them take their chances ;)

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

:D

If I just put the kidney transplant and leave off the pancreas and blood pressure the first quote from staysure drops to £97. :erm:

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

I have used "Cover for You" for the last few years.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Several elderly neighbours used to take a couple of cruises per year, but after the COVID shutdowns, they have been unable to find coverage "due to the risks associated with their age."

One mate, in his late 60s, bruised his foot the day before boarding a cruise. So he was using a cane when he arrived at the ship. He was denied permission to take the cruise due to a shortage of staff who could assist him in case of any emergency. No refund.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

I was forced by my job coach to apply for a job I have no experience in.


I have spent the best part of an hour copying what's in my CV on to their application form.


Why then did they want a copy of me CV with the form.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Some companies want specific parts of your CV to complete the required "Competencies" sections (experience and abilities required for the role), but also want a copy of the CV as it (usually) shows your employment history in a timeline order.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Thought I would do a quick 30min grass cut before work(I start at 2pm) so I got the mower out thinking there should be enough charge in the battery to do a cut but it was completely dead, so hopefully I can get enough charge in it and if the weather is nice and sunny again do it tomorrow at 11am.

Edit - maybe a duff battery as it appears charged at the wall socket so not very happy after seeing the cost of new ones!

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Most batteries don't like cold storage. So if it was in the shed, let it warm slowly indoors for a day or 2. THis is how I saved a neighbour £85 (!!!!) for a new battery last week.

---------- Post added at 19:09 ---------- Previous post was at 19:07 ----------

This is the second time in about 6 months that I have tried to return VM equipment via Yodel.

The 2 closest yodel shops have shut, and the next 2 are too far to walk and have no parking to allow me to drive there.

InPost is part of Yodel, so I tried the drop-off point outside Tesco. "Code not recognised."

I called VM, and just like the last time, they cancelled the fee for non-return and told me to bin the kit.

Perhaps they should look into their relationship with Yodel?

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

The battery has been stored in the living room so I think the battery has gone bad as it is saying it doesn't need charging.

I'm likely to try a none Bosch battery that costs £50 and if that doesn't fix it buy another mower unfortunately.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

everyone should

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

I appear to have a 3 year warranty with 1 year left, so hopefully that also includes the battery, I really don't want to pack up and send a lawnmower away so hoping they just ask for the battery.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

I reckon you'll be clutching at straws hoping the 3 year warranty includes the rechargeable battery :erm:

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Most of the cost of the mower appears to be the battery, I now think the battery is OK.

If I tilt the mower 45 degrees to the right it works but as soon as I pay it flat it stops.

I've just had a reply from Bosch saying as the battery appears to charge as it should I need to phone a number to arrange collection but I'm not ready for that as I would need to box it up assuming I still have a box and hopefully they don't need me home for collection.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

At a guess has it got a tilt safety sensor? :erm:

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Good question it a Bosch EasyRotak 36-550, if I tilt it to the left 45 degrees it doesn't work, only works when tilted to the right.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Is the battery seating into the mower correctly, or are any of the connectors damaged/blocked?

Same questions about the isolator key?

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

move somewhere with a sloping lawn? :D

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Everything seemed normal this morning and I wiggled the isolator key alot but I'll check the key again before I phone up tomorrow.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

not everyone thinks like an engineer:erm:

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Just cancelled my TV License, they don't make it easy via their website, my first attempt after entering my license number was for them to say please call this number.... Bollox to that I avoid phones as much as possible. Luckily there is a declaration cancellation and refund form buried on their site.

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Toothache, minor but painful, mostly when drinking hot drinks.

This tooth has slowly been getting worse for a many months now, most likely will have to come out at some point. :(

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

The sooner you go the dentist the better !

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

The dentist will frown at you if you do this BUT years ago when I was waiting for my hospital appointment for my wisdom teeth doing, I found on nights I couldn't sleep if I broke a paracetamol in to quarters then pushed a piece against my tooth it easily got me through the night.

Dentist said he'd seen people do this long term.and they'd ended up with acid burns on their tongue/inner cheek because of it, so I suppose you do it at your own risk!

Im so sorry buddy :(

I hate it when people accuse other people of giving someone a rash when they couldnt of!

My friend Bobby started coming down with some rash last year that wont seen to go away.. He got it after putting on some cream he had a reaction to.. He is 85

His grandson moved in and came down with this rash.. as well as his girlfriend and the lady who comes to clean...

I have an AUTO IMMUNE DISEASE (Exema I think) and this idiot is trying to say I have bugs and I gave it to Bobby!!!

I HAVE AN AUTO IMMUNE DISEASE AND ITS NOT CATCHABLE!!!

He didnt get it from me... Something is going on in thier house cause I havent been there in about 2 weeks and they are still itching!!

I HATE MORONS WHO TALK OUT OF THIER ASS AND DONT REALLY KNOW!!

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

8 coach trains. Why and what for? It's generally 12 coach which suits busy periods. WHY?! :cry:

---------- Post added at 13:50 ---------- Previous post was at 13:48 ----------

12 ain't enough tbh. How 8 are designated is mindbogglingly :nutter:

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

It's all about being cost effective mate, like how many sardines can you squash into a tin :D

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Single door buses too. Useless. :fit:

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Those damn windows updates

Hmm, even after I had disabled everything I could (and screaming at the things windows wouldn't let me disable), I went to turn the PC off last night and was met with the announcement that the latest version of this junk had downloaded (again? ) and is ready to install. *pause for another 5 weeks*

Today, looking once again at various settings, I also noticed "allow remote connections" has turned itself on :erm:

It's like buying a car and letting a complete stranger drive it everywhere

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Cant you just disable the update service ?

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Once again I've disabled the update orchestrator service.

However

There's a small mischievous Bill Gates clone running around inside the PC, busy closing doors, opening curtains, switching lights on & off, and generally making itself a nuisance by ignoring the "do not touch" sign on some control panels. :mad:

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Have you tried disabling it in group policy ?

Or hit the registry have you already tried that? HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Win dows\WindowsUpdate\AU if AU does not exist create it Dword value NoAutoUpdate with a value of 1

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

There's a small mischievous Bill Gates clone running around inside the PC, busy closing doors, opening curtains, switching lights on & off, and generally making itself a nuisance by ignoring the "do not touch" sign on some control panels.

You can imagine it: Green with jagged teeth. :D

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Disable the service and remove the file the service points at ?

---------- Post added at 18:11 ---------- Previous post was at 18:09 ----------

Actually, I came across some (quite detailed & complex) instructions in this topic ;

https://superuser.com/questions/1705...-in-windows-10

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Christ Titus on Youtube will show you how to create an installer that removes it totally. i think his script may well do it to an existing install

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Although the above posts are, quite possibly, a 'fix' for the moan I have, a big part of that moan is that becoming a software engineer or script kiddy should not be the way to prevent your personal PC from sneakily installing shite when you've explicitly told it not to.

yes yes, terms & conditions blah blah :rolleyes:

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

I have a Chromebook. Just saying :)

What if you use the host file and block it there,wont that totally stop it??

Or adding a block in your router to that IP??

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Maybe it's just me but . . . a text today from the doctors surgery.

Was it asking me to submit some (home done) results for my blood pressure? NO
Was it asking me to come in for a yearly health check? NO
Was it anything at all to do with present or future health issues I may have? NO

It was a text stating their 2026 Spring News Letter is now available online at www.blah.blah.blah

I have no interest in who has joined or who has left the practice, which of the receptionists (we can squeeze you in next week) can now answer the phone in 7 different languages, or that Janet the cleaner is having another baby.
Just shove that crap on Facebook where it belongs :mad:

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

Yes I'm fine Hugh, thanks for asking . . which is more than my bloody doctor does :rofl:

Re: Moans and Pet Hates
 

I use Microsoft Authenticator app across 3 devices to protect myself if a device dies.

The only way to sync across a device is to turn on cloud backup on the main device uninstall the app on the other device and then do a recovery when reinstalling.

This worked in the past but Ive spent an hour faffing around because it kept failing on the recover, I was starting to consider switching apps.

My fix was to turn the backup off on the main account and on again and very quickly do a recovery on the other devices, if I wait too long it will cause a recovery fail again.