Hello Listers -- Well, seems I can't go away from home for a while without the list springing to life again. This isn't a complaint, though. Glad to see the activity and the chit-chat amongst subscribers. My computer problems have also continued over the past several weeks. Hence my disappearance from the list (again!) and the back-up of messages on the Board. I think a new computer is definitely in order for me. This one's given me a lot of grief over the last several months. But enough of my troubles. I hope everyone is prepared to hold on to their patience for just a few more hours -- so I can catch my breath and have a good night's sleep -- then I'll deal with the list stuff that need to be dealt with as quickly as I can. My old computer should be fine for a while, now that I've given it a good talking to and applied some string and duct tape to it in strategic spots......Andrea (list concierge)

Andrea - Perhaps you should disappear more often! (Please, for our American brethren - that is a British type joke). Sorry that you have been suffering from computer problems; I thought I was the only person who suffered them on a regular basis. My broad band failed about three weeks ago, I spent over two weeks swearing at both my ISP and BT; had my computer virtually re-built at vast expense, as well as re-, and re- re-installing software. Eventually it was discovered that the fault was not in my ISP, BT, the telephone line or my computer, programmes or system (including ancillary equipment); hence the time and difficulty in establishing the fault. (No, it wasn't the operator, either). Just in case it may help some other unfortunate -. I route my out going 'phone calls through NTL by means of a dialling box gubbins that they supply, one of which is fitted to each 'phone socket. One of these, fitted to an upstairs 'phone that I very rarely use, had decided the time had come to die a death. During its death throes it made spurious dial signals every time I attempted to use broadband, (but not during the normal use of the telephone line). Possibly this may save some other lister both frustration and expense. No one else seems to have heard of this particular problem. Yours Aye Andrew Sellon East Anglia A comfortable house is a great source of happiness. It ranks immediately after health and a good conscience. Rev. Sydney Smith 1771-1845, Canon of St. Paul's. From: "Andrea Vogel" <[email protected]> > > Well, seems I can't go away from home for a while > without the list springing to life again. This isn't a complaint, > though. Glad to see the activity and the chit-chat amongst subscribers. > My computer problems have also continued over > the past several weeks. Hence my disappearance > from the list (again!) and the back-up of messages on > the Board. I think a new computer is definitely in order > for me. <snip>