I have been having problems with my ADSL line for some time and it looks like it might be related to noise on the line causing my router to go walkabout approximately once a day. After a useful discussion with the helpful chaps at Zen Internet (hugely more helpful than my previous broadband provider), it appears that I need to make several improvements to my home office set-up. This is what I bought:

1. BT I-Plate for improved filtering on my BT master telephone socket.
2. NTE5 Master Telephone Socket because my house, although quite modern, only has the old sockets.
3. Netgear DG834G Wireless Modem Router because it copes better with noise on the line apparently… and it is a newer router/modem than my old Zyxel Prestige 600

Hopefully, this little lot will improve my broadband connection. Fingers crossed!

However, my purchase left me thinking that only a few years ago, buying a laptop from the local supermarket would have been unheard of. In those days, the weekly food shop was the main thing, but now …. it seems that anything goes. My local supermarket has recently been converted into a much larger version by the creation of an upstairs floor even though, from the outside of the building, there does not appear to be enough space for an additional level! The new space has all those ‘extra’ items that we have to buy…..

I believe this is what is called ‘progress’ in some quarters but is called ‘foul’ by other retailers who complain that supermarkets are muscling in on their territory. I don’t know who wins the argument but the situation is unlikely to stop here. Things have certainly changed from a few years ago.

PS: The laptop was a Sony Vaio NS10 which you can buy from several computer outlets including Comet [and your local supermarket in some cases!]

The reviews of the Bosch WAE24363GB were pretty good and in our experience it has been impressively efficient and very reliable so far. It’s difficult to get too excited about something as domestic as a washing machine but the Bosch is quiet and seems to just get on with the job. It’s easy to programme and clothes come out quite dry even on the lower spin speeds.

One thing that is a good idea with the Bosch is that spin speeds can be changed during the wash cycle if you need a higher speed. Another good feature is that the machine tells you how much time is left during each wash.

It’s a big improvement over the old machine!

Great offer from PC World – this HP DV9890 Laptop has an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.5 GHz, 800 MHz, 6 MB), Windows Vista Home Premium and 4GB Memory – and is only £1,199.99

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Featuring the TomTom One GB and carry case. Getting to your destination has never been easier, with loud voice instruction and crystal clear graphics on the 3.5″ touchscreen display.

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• Slideshow intervals: 0 to 120 seconds
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• Supports Windows XP and Vista

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