What makes you grin? Antidote to grumpy thread

[cort16]

philibusmo it's not that windows 8 is bollocks it's that they rolled out an operating system designed for a touch screen tablet device to normal PC's and changed the operating system in such a fundamental way that they've alienated most of their current user base. If you do IT stuff you'll know microsoft have a terrible habit of moving stuff around so you can't find anything (they removed the windows button FFS) and replacing things that have worked for years with things that don't do anything different but work in a total different way and much more complex way It makes it incredibly frustrating. (see IIS 7). Even lots of the newer exchange server stuff makes you go to the command line to commit some changes! That's a backwards step surely? You can't just give the v's to your user base and expect them not to moan. It's like BMW deciding to put the steering wheel on the roof because it gives better visibility.

[Cavcraft]

I look at Windows 8 as a pointless way of 'updating' something that didn't need updating. I could live with it if everything was on the home screen but it is just a jumbled up crock imho. Even shutting down is a job and a half.

I'm getting used to it now but I think 7 was better, as it seemed quicker and was defo easier to use.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

I see no reason for changing from XP, but when I do I will go straight to 8 or whatever substitutes it.

[Richard]

philibusmo it's not that windows 8 is bollocks it's that they rolled out an operating system designed for a touch screen tablet device to normal PC's and changed the operating system in such a fundamental way that they've alienated most of their current user base. If you do IT stuff you'll know microsoft have a terrible habit of moving stuff around so you can't find anything (they removed the windows button FFS) and replacing things that have worked for years with things that don't do anything different but work in a total different way and much more complex way It makes it incredibly frustrating. (see IIS 7). Even lots of the newer exchange server stuff makes you go to the command line to commit some changes! That's a backwards step surely? You can't just give the v's to your user base and expect them not to moan. It's like BMW deciding to put the steering wheel on the roof because it gives better visibility.

 

I think there is some international law that requires any improvement in power and efficiency to be accompanied by an equal or greater amount of bloat. It applies to the motor industry too, obviously.

[philibusmo]

it's that they rolled out an operating system designed for a touch screen tablet device to normal PC's and changed the operating system in such a fundamental way that they've alienated most of their current user base.

 

This whole 'meant for touchscreens and doesn't work with a mouse' bollocks is what I have to listen to idiots saying all day every fucking day. I do work in IT (which obviously makes me much more popular with all the ladies) and in sales specifically - but don't worry, I'm not one of those spotty youths in PC world.

 

I deal with home users, small businesses and sometimes the public sector and I have to listen to this line from at least 3 people every day, because everyone is such an expert on Windows 8, despite having only seen it in adverts and listened to one bloke down the pub who's bought the aforementioned heap of junk from Argos and blames it being shit on the one difference he can actually see - Windows 8 - rather than the fact is has an AMD E1-1200 and 2GB of memory trying to power a 64bit OS, the manufacturers bloat ware, two anti-viruses, skype, faceache and a metric fuckton of malware.

 

It works superbly with a touchscreen. It also works great with a touchpad or mouse. I do not have a touchscreen but in my job have had the opportunity to try out multiple setups and while excellent on a touchscreen, a mouse does make life easier more often than you'd think.

 

This whole opinion is probably due to bad advertising on Microsoft's behalf as all adverts I have seen show Windows 8 on a touchscreen. For the people who feel alienated since changing from Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2000, ME, 98, 95 or what ever, there is a patch available which does bring back the start menu. It may have been a good idea to include this in the original package as a setting that can be turned on/off, but then most people would turn it on within 10 minutes and no progress would ever be made. Microsoft would end up stuck in 2009 while IOS and Android eat up their market share.

 

Anyway, this should now probably be in the grump thread. Oh well, I still like it.

[willswitchengage]

Bit of a weird one, but I bumped into an old Uni friend outside the pub last night (a surprise as it was 100 miles from where we studied). We both studied automotive engineering and turns out he now works for MG in Longbridge.

 

It was interesting what he said, apparently there's 300 engineers hard at work down there under an extremely tight budget and equally tight timescales (the upcoming MG3 will have been developed in under two years). Remarkably they've even designed their own diesel engine themselves, of which an incredible eight MG6 Ds have been sold so far in Britain. Apparently however their business strategy is less puzzling, accepting that they're hopeless in the EU and don't sell anything here. They're doing well in China, which is what matters, and to sell cars over there they need to be marketed over here to distinguish them from their domestic tat, or something.

[Spiny Norman]

Windows 8 sucks donkey bollox IMO, a properly sorted Vista system is eleventygazillion times better.

 

I don't often do spots but I saw a Dacia Duster today.

Shit mobile phone pic from a moving car.

[cort16]

I think the phone is good but I think it's maybe too late. Who knows. All that swiping in from the right hand stuff is for a tablet and a bit clunky with the mouse.

It's like apple rolling out IOS onto it's desktops.

They've also have confused the life out everyone by having their own tablet (the surface) in 2 different flavours (one of which doesn't run x86 application) then having every manufacturer under the sun create various random looking tabletish hardware running windows 8 before their own surface that does run x86 applicatons come out.

 

I don't want them to get in any bother as I make my living developing Microsoft stuff (love you Bill Gates) so I hope it works.

[fotorabia]

..now off to the recycling centre to volunteer..

 

By volunteer, do you mean fish for cool tat? I know I would...

 

an ulterior motive..shurely schnott..but couldnt resist this wee piece of 1970s Swedish Kosta Glass..signed n numbered....50p

[vulgalour]

^Why would you recycle that? It's beautiful.

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

(they removed the windows button FFS)

Back in the Windows 98 days I used to spend ages optimising the Start Menu so that no two programs or folders started with the same letter. I could open any application by hitting Win then two or three keys. I took great pride in my Start menu and always hated installing new software because it would inevitably create a new folder full of uninstall files and readmes which would have to be cleaned up.

 

The original start menu was the best thing MS ever came up with, and they ruined it in XP. They should have stuck with the Win95 style but forbidden anything except direct shortcuts. No readme files, no folders named after developers, no uninstallers etc.

[fotorabia]

Sold the Mk3 Cortina rear window louver thru FB for 300quid inc. courier to Leicester..not bad for a $25 investment...ill disregard the diesel bill!..

[Parky]

Good result there Rab!

 

I have often thought about importing stuff back from the Antipodes, panels, trim, that sort of thing. The cars the JDM boys get excited over are largely considered daily suite over there and I think there could be money to be made. I might look into it again although I think import taxes and paperwork might be pricey.

 

Rust free British and Japanese classics, Deffo a market I would say.

[Cavcraft]

There must be money in old parts being imported to good old Blighty. Having said that I made a nice few quid selling a BX sunroof visor to someone in Australia once, so it obviously works the other way round too.

[Parky]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchR ... uggested=0

 

Some of these look bearably cheap and the oldskool ford boys would doubtlessly be interested. Mk1 escorts are bloody pricey though so they are obviously wise to them!

[Parky]

£250 of the queens pounds! And near my MIL who has loads of storage. I am so tempted to get her to nab it for me as I am over there in December and it will save me hiring a car

 

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 781433.htm

[fotorabia]

£250 of the queens pounds! And near my MIL who has loads of storage. I am so tempted to get her to nab it for me as I am over there in December and it will save me hiring a car

 

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 781433.htm

 

Parky..im pretty much Aussie based foreseeable future..but NZ will come back on the scene as Im developing a relationship with a classic garage in Berlin..my intentions are to clean up the yard in Ballarat..the old boy there knows what my intentions are..breakdown n squeeze as much as I can into container [pesticide bombs!]...best mate is gonna handle the UK end...might be Kent based...and im also gonna look at the Nippon-Aussie ute-rare as stuff...anyways...im very grateful to all that dropped advice on here..otherwise it wouldnt have happened...

[Jon]

Buy that R5 Parky and I'll look after it for you! Wrong island so a logistical challenge but it'd keep the Visa and 205 company. Someone saw our Visa tonight and mistook it for a Renault, so that's obviously a sign that I should be a curator of someone else's for a while

[STUNO]

Question......When is a bit of fun on a lonely road not a race?

Answer........When you are the British High Commissioner to NZ, the road is remote and quiet, you are driving an XF Jaguar and the other car is an E-type driven by someone you know (slightly). It can be explained that the E-type driver used "an unfortunate use of words" when describing the event.

They both copped a speeding ticket and I suspect the ticket writer was being very very lenient.

 

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/artic ... d=10866679

[triumph1300]

Just bought my neighbours T reg escort van for mates rates. It has mot, tax until December, he fitted 2 brand new toyo proxes last week for a cost of £80. Its his daily driver until midweek when he gets a brand new van. How much did I pay? The price of 2 new toyo proxes I'm happy

[ShiteRider]

£250 of the queens pounds! And near my MIL who has loads of storage. I am so tempted to get her to nab it for me as I am over there in December and it will save me hiring a car

 

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 781433.htm

 

Parky..im pretty much Aussie based foreseeable future..but NZ will come back on the scene as Im developing a relationship with a classic garage in Berlin..my intentions are to clean up the yard in Ballarat..the old boy there knows what my intentions are..breakdown n squeeze as much as I can into container [pesticide bombs!]...best mate is gonna handle the UK end...might be Kent based...and im also gonna look at the Nippon-Aussie ute-rare as stuff...anyways...im very grateful to all that dropped advice on here..otherwise it wouldnt have happened...

If/when you do start doing this, drop me a pm as i've got a long list of Cortina mk4/5 parts i'd love to have someone bring back

[Parky]

I am going to have a closer look at doing this. Even if I Don't make a profit, I will be alright as long as I don't make a loss!

 

Told Mrs P that I wanted that Renault 5 - she wasn't impressed. But where else am I going to get a right had drive 5 with that little grot? That's the advantage of not salting the roads over there. It is just like my first car, colour, trim, everything. Loved it so much I have a pic of it in my wallet 20 years after last seeing it. Will make sneaky email request to MIL later on.

 

(Looks at cost of private plates that look a bit like EMT 113V)

[Albert Ross]

Obviously you will need to "pad out" a container with 2 cars in it, by visiting Horopito Motors for a van full of parts.....

[Lord Sterling]

Just met up with Sam (Captain Slow) today and spent the day chatting about cars, then went on a British tat spotting mission around Birmingham, there were just too many to spot so we concentrated on the interesting stuff. We even managed to spot a White F-reg BX 14E 'pre view', more specifically F772 XVG. Sam drove my Sterling and I drove the Montego. My mind is now made up, I need a Montego in my life

[messerschmitt owner]

You obviously need a Mondeo too and are starting at the wheels and working your way up.

[Lord Sterling]

 

Today I am mildly chuffed as I received in the post my latest ebay purchase, a Claret coloured 'Rover' T-shirt as given to employees of Rover. Finally I found myself an official Rover shirt that isn't a bloody small size as all of them have been so far, this T-shirt actually fits me properly.

 

Looking at my room I am worryingly starting to hoard Rover memorabelia. I managed to buy that claret Rover sign off Triggers contact, it'll be taking pride of place on my wall when I can be bothered to get the walls painted. I am mildly worried that I will one day end up like that hoarder bloke who hoarded newspapers.

 

See me in 20 years time climbing over Rover signs/T-shirts/badges etc....

[cort16]

I've just bought the car I always promised myself..

..

..

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I'd never buy.

[messerschmitt owner]

I've just bought the car I always promised myself..

..

..

..

I'd never buy.

a cortina?

[cort16]

I wish. I've just bought my 2nd ever Vauxhall. OMG ALL VXHALLS R SH1T!!!

[messerschmitt owner]

OMG ALL VXHALLS R SH1T!!!

Only the modern ones! lol

 

had two PA Crestas and Bedford CA Dormobile campers - loved them all - wife had a Wyvern too.