antrobuscp

I've found Firefox to be less stable since the flurry of version updates over the last 6 months. I've held the version I'm using at the moment at 39. Other machines have gone up to 43, I think, and incompatibilities seem to have been introduced with some banking websites - I now use Chrome for these - and Rapport. Colin

I don't know for sure, but I think there may be a "stub" for LO which can be loaded at startup, in order to speed later loading. I haven't noticed that option with OO. I realise about the caching, but it was just a simple comparison done twice after seeing the earlier comment. As I said, unscientific. Colin

I've used OpenOffice for many years, usually for word processing. I have used the spreadsheet, but certain formatting, tab colours and the like, seems to be lost on a save to Excel format, so I've stuck with Excel for compatibility with others. One trait I've noticed is that OO is slower to start for the first time each day I use it - I don't need it every day. Because of the comments about LO above, I've installed it for trial purposes. I've just started both word processors, twice. On the first occasion the timing seemed to be similar between the 2 programs. but OO was noticeably quicker to start on the second occasion, by about 40% I think. Only a "count test" not a timed scientific test. LO looks better, but both seem to work equally well for the limited work I do with it. I originally started with StarOffice. I used it to convert and reformat text output from DOS programs which didn't seem(I may be wrong) to be readily possible in Word at that time. Colin

That would be my reason for not throwing away the MS product as well. I've used OpenOffice for years and have just taken a look at LibreOffice. The joint ancestry is obvious, but LibreOffice looks more modern and Excel compatibility seems better from a quick look at one of my spreadsheets in the program. I may switch for all my personal stuff once I retire. I didn't like Thunderbird and settled on Outlook. A similar application in Open/LibreOffice would probably swing me totally away from MS Office. Can't help with the question about Office 2003 - yet - Next year I may have the same decision to face myself. Colin

I must admit that for a while I used Google almost exclusively. I found, however, that the other search engines often pull details of smaller websites. Google, perhaps not surprisingly as it's presumably responding to overall usage statistics, leans towards the bigger more commercial and web aware businesses. Sometimes the other search engines pull out interesting alternatives. If I'm looking for something not quite mainstream, I'll run the search on 2 or 3 other search engines. I've just done a check search on duckduckgo on something that interests me, and the results were very largely different to Google - which is useful to know. Colin

It's no longer a problem as I largely work on my own, but one thing I always had to do was make successive versions of Windows look like previous versions. This was largely because our office systems were developed before staff were generally computer literate, and many, including my business partner, struggled when faced with unfamiliar screens. It also made it easier for me when moving between machines and being the "telephone support" for our second office. I've always found Windows to be very malleable in terms of its appearance. Even now, I'm running a Win 8 tablet that looks very much like Win7/XP/98, etc. Yes, there are differences, but they are minimal really. I'm guessing the same can be done with Win10.

I've not upgraded to Win 10, although I had intended to on a couple of machines during the 2nd quarter of next year. I certainly don't like the way that MS have gone with the apparent changes to the updating process. My wife has an Android tablet, and she often complains that it is slow or not behaving as expected, only to find that it has been updating/updated in some way. I'm in business on my own, and uncontrolled (by me) updating could cause me serious trouble if an update prejudiced the ongoing use of the pc or my use of certain software. After problems with one update a few years ago which effectively killed one program I use until I traced and uninstalled the relevant update, I set the operating systems to notify of updates but only install when I wanted. For some reason Win 8 has not always done this, occasionally installing updates and effecting a reboot at very inconvenient times. I really do not want that to be the norm, although I can see the attraction to MS of keeping machines up to date - that would probably have avoided the "XP problem". Big business certainly won't like it and I understand such users will have greater control. I will wait to see if there are any changes in policy, and might just not upgrade if they don't happen. I don't have an issue with keeping the operating system up to date, but I do wish to control when it happens. Colin

I very much agree with this. There have been comments back in this topic about the lack of brake rigging. Often this is a pain to fit, and yet the only time it is seen on a working model is when fitting it. The lack of brake blocks on this loco is not particularly obvious as the area is already crowded - but it may be on other models. Yes, this loco is a "nice" compromise - dare I say cleverly designed but without the "Design Clever" epithet. The only thing I personally dislike is the pony hung front steps which I could readily remedy. It is, however, a much better application of manufacturing economies than the half-baked tinkering with the models part-designed when "Design Clever" became the catchphrase. Colin

Keith, Given your obvious computer knowledge, I didn't think you would have lost data. However, it never ceases to amaze me how many people, who often hold important data(even if only to them) on their machines, do not take adequate steps to ensure that it remains available in case of hardware failure, which is only one of the more obvious and immediate threats to the data. As with yourself, I learnt that lesson a very long time ago. I do sometimes have trouble getting the message over to the younger members of this family, though. Colin

Hmmm. I remember going on holiday once with a laptop in which the drive was becoming noisy. It started to give trouble whilst we were away, and I "nursed" it until we were home with the intention of replacing the drive at that point. We arrived home and I started the desktop - all fine. Next day, the desktop wouldn't start - hard drive dead. Fortunately the laptop survived until the desktop was repaired, but that's when I learnt to take multiple backups on a number of drives. If it can happen, sooner or later, it will. Colin

Hattons stock now available to order. Colin

Taken in St Ives early in July

Anyone who comes to do any jobs for us is always offered a cuppa - Oils the wheels of industry.

Well, I have a Stanier Mogul on pre-order and, unless I'm in dire financial straits at the time it arrives, I won't cancel. I have a kit built model which has never been quite the same since it suffered a gravitational attraction to a concrete floor, and the Bachmann model is billed as a replacement. I agree with Coachman that impulse purchases will reduce in the present climate. I have a few items on pre-order and others not pre-ordered that I do plan to buy. I had thought to buy a Bachmann Class 43 Warship but, on balance, I think I'll wait to see what others arrive in the next few months. I have a couple of Class 42s and a 43 would be nice but not essential(for me). If at some future date it turns up at a "Hattons bargain" price I might indulge, but otherwise, I'll pass and put the money elsewhere. The increasing prices are making me more selective, particularly in the context of impending retirement and reduced future income. Colin

It's good to see some more progress with this model. Colin

I've every intention of updating a couple of machines to W10, probably in 2nd qtr of 2016, when I should have the time and the OS has settled down. I checked on the Dell website to see which of the machines I have are "approved" for upgrade, and was mildly surprised to find that only two of those I have were. I have other slightly older Win7/8 machines not apparently tested and approved for upgrade. I see Classic Shell has been updated for W10, and I'd probably install that to produce the menu style I want. Colin

I use Firefox, and Chrome/IE when I have to. I find the images rather small, as does Danemouth, so it maybe personal settings and hardware that are making the difference. I don't find it a problem as such, but it is noticeable and maybe does result from a need to be "tablet/phone friendly". Colin

I well remember taking a large quantity of Hornby-Dublo into Hattons 40+ years ago on an occasion I had to raise cash. I was, in one sense, very disappointed with Norman Hatton's offer. I was, however, realistic about it because I understood the finances of a small shop business(I was brought up by parents who ran two shops), and I was also training as an accountant. I had done some research, and although disappointed I appreciated the maths from the retailers point of view. It turned out much as I had expected(feared). Nothing has changed, I'm afraid, except that the numbers are bigger. At least today you do have the Ebay alternative. I could well imagine that although profitable in principle, there must be a fair number of problems with used items, and repair and other costs, which eat into the profit - and the money could be tied up in stock for ages. The margin may be bigger than on new goods but I bet there are losses on quite a few items - even if you know your market. I've always believed, as I said in an earlier post, that Hattons has been/is a well run business and they have had a clear idea/plan of what they wanted to achieve. I think they are doing what they believe they have to do to survive and prosper in what will become an ever more challenging area of business as it adjusts to a worsening demographic, reduction in volume, and changing "manufacturer" terms. I should also add I have no knowledge about Hattons other than that gained by being a satisfied customer/observer over many years. Colin

I agree very much with PCW's comments above. I have always thought that Hattons and the other "box shifters" may well end up being the ones to be hit hardest by the reduced profit margins for exactly the reasons set out. Historically, I've always felt that Hattons was run in a financially hard headed fashion, moving with the times, embracing the web, trying to price attractively, providing good service, etc. That scenario has worked well for them but the world has changed and the volume sales will not be there as in the past. The used sales and the commissioned models are part of their response to maintain the bottom line. Certainly, their overheads must be greater now with larger retail premises and a warehouse to support compared with the days of 180 Smithdown Road, and my impression on recent visits is that there is reduced staffing in the shop. I hope it all works as Hattons are the nearest model shop to me.

I didn't like the mix of materials in the Phoenix kits which is why I only bought one to see how I got on with it - you obviously like them!! I might still try it but it will be behind the Dreadnoughts, Toplights, etc. Most GWR/WR trains seemed to contain an eclectic mix of stock. The Hornby bow enders will increase the rtr options available.

Well done Hornby, and hopefully we'll only have to wait around 12-18 months to get 'em. I hope to buy 3 or 4 to insert between other types. Plus I won't spend time on the Phoenix kit I wasn't looking forward to building. Colin

I'm not really worried about the delays in production however, I've virtually lost all interest or excitement in "new announcements" because of the sheer volume of new projects in the very long pipeline. Just wake me up when the models are "on the boat".

I have been a customer of Hattons for around 50 years. Their prices were originally the attraction as they did not, in their early years, stock the wider range of bits and accessories they do now. In those days I would go to other local model shops or to shows(or Mainly Trains) for such items. Hattons is now my local model shop as the alternatives have all closed. They no longer have as great a pricing advantage mostly, I guess, through the changed trading terms instituted by Bachmann and Hornby which have perhaps encouraged more realistic pricing across the board. In fact when these changed terms were announced I rather feared that the changes might more adversely affect the larger "box shifters" than the local model shops. On my recent visits to Hattons, the shop seems to be much quieter and with fewer staff. My only personal complaint about the way Hattons have managed their pricing is over the Porthole Brake 3rd. I, and probably many others, ordered Porthole coaches in the belief that a lower price was guaranteed despite the known Bachmann price rise. Hattons, I think, specifically confirmed that as there was a "cut off" date for the offer. I therefore feel rather miffed that this offer has not been honoured - if Bachmann are enforcing their price discounting rule, then in this specific case they should not as the delayed delivery is entirely their fault, not Hattons. I am not, however, going to fall out with Hattons or cancel other pre-orders over one hiccup in a 50 year relationship. I do think the handling of this particular pricing issue and possibly one or two others that do not directly affect me, will cost Hattons some goodwill that their initial actions sought to retain. I regard their actions as a response to changing times rather than a lack of integrity. Also, I note that at least one member of the Hatton family still seems to be in regular attendance.

Picked up a black 64xx yesterday. - lovely model and at a reasonable price. A couple of comments :- 1) transmission smooth but a little more noisy than some models and may settle down once "run in". 2) chimney tip needs toning down a bit as it is a high gloss compared with the rest of the model. I don't think I'd like to attempt removing the top feed, not least because of the moulded feed pipes - as mentioned above. I think I will need to add some weight for my purposes although I won't be able to check this out for a few weeks. Colin

I thought someone might produce a model of the Railmotor, and in the situation existing before the last few weeks, I think I expected that Kernow would be the most likely to commission it. I'm really pleased to see that it's going to happen - even if I'll wait awhile before ordering.