The TPU UK Clubhouse

[FreedomEclipse]

Oh and i had unlimited internet. I was on one of these super old packages that used to be £18-20p/m for unlimited internet and also tethering - so for me it was great as i did a lot of night shift and had no access to internet on location. Obviously network performance was very slow and inconsistent but no other network provided the same package for that sort of money back then and some internet is better than no internet.

 

[AusWolf]

Oh and i had unlimited internet. I was on one of these super old packages that used to be £18-20p/m for unlimited internet and also tethering - so for me it was great as i did a lot of night shift and had no access to internet on location. Obviously network performance was very slow and inconsistent but no other network provided the same package for that sort of money back then and some internet is better than no internet.

Oh yes, the good old days! Now, tethering is limited to 30 GB/mo, roaming is 12 GB/mo + £2/day even in the EU, not to mention, the packages are more expensive, too. Unlimited everything costs £25/mo as far as I know. Add no infrastructure upgrade apart from 5G in cities on top (rural reception is still non-existent), and you see why I say Three has been going downhill in recent years.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Oh yes, the good old days! Now, tethering is limited to 30 GB/mo, roaming is 12 GB/mo + £2/day even in the EU, not to mention, the packages are more expensive, too. Unlimited everything costs £25/mo as far as I know. Add no infrastructure upgrade apart from 5G in cities on top (rural reception is still non-existent), and you see why I say Three has been going downhill in recent years.

They are also doing the thing where your monthly bill goes up by 2-3% every year because of inflation. Most mainstream network providers do this... Lebara doesnt do that.

Heres what I get for £6.90

12GB data might be an issue.

I originally had some 'Anxiety' when switching over but im on wifi like 90% of the time so data usage hasnt been an issue. Only time it was close to being an problem was when I had no internet for a week due to BT doing some funny business and Sky BB not giving the correct activation date so I had almost a week of no internet which meant rationing what data i had. I still had 2-3GB of data left by the time my BB was turned back on.

Right now 20GB is £10 but if you keep an eye on them that price might drop as Lebara are forever doing silly promotions like the current package im on for 6.90. There has been cheaper.... £3p/m for 1 or 5GB data or something equally as ludicrous.

I dont even need the unlimited UK minutes but its there in case a friend says "Let me use your phone for a minute" then gives me enough money to buy a can of cola or a bag of chips. Everybody wins

But I digress. Three works really well in hong kong. Just not here in the UK


Also if you want to get onboard with Lebara - let me know. I can get you 50% off for your first three months via referral

 

[mechtech]

Almost had a pic of a crow but no dice
Here is some fresh snow instead

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Almost had a pic of a crow but no dice
Here is some fresh snow instead

Even more importantly. Whats a Canadian doing in the UK Clubhouse?

 

[mechtech]

Even more importantly. Whats a Canadian doing in the UK Clubhouse?

View attachment 339427

Lol

look at my provincial flag. I’m good lol

 

[Space Lynx]

Lol

look at my provincial flag. I’m good lol
View attachment 339467

Sometimes I wonder what would have happened in the late 1700's if George Washington and others had decided to take Canada, the absolute monster of landmass and the oceans protecting would have been absurd level of power. Basically Sid Meier's Civilization on easy mode lol

 

[AusWolf]

They are also doing the thing where your monthly bill goes up by 2-3% every year because of inflation. Most mainstream network providers do this... Lebara doesnt do that.

Heres what I get for £6.90

View attachment 339402


12GB data might be an issue.

I originally had some 'Anxiety' when switching over but im on wifi like 90% of the time so data usage hasnt been an issue. Only time it was close to being an problem was when I had no internet for a week due to BT doing some funny business and Sky BB not giving the correct activation date so I had almost a week of no internet which meant rationing what data i had. I still had 2-3GB of data left by the time my BB was turned back on.

Right now 20GB is £10 but if you keep an eye on them that price might drop as Lebara are forever doing silly promotions like the current package im on for 6.90. There has been cheaper.... £3p/m for 1 or 5GB data or something equally as ludicrous.

I dont even need the unlimited UK minutes but its there in case a friend says "Let me use your phone for a minute" then gives me enough money to buy a can of cola or a bag of chips. Everybody wins

But I digress. Three works really well in hong kong. Just not here in the UK


Also if you want to get onboard with Lebara - let me know. I can get you 50% off for your first three months via referral

That sounds awesome!

12 GB is more than enough. I barely use my phone, I just need it to keep in touch. Do you have free EU roaming, though?

 

[FreedomEclipse]

That sounds awesome!

12 GB is more than enough. I barely use my phone, I just need it to keep in touch. Do you have free EU roaming, though?

Yup. All part of the package



Porting over is pretty simple too

 

[mechtech]

Sometimes I wonder what would have happened in the late 1700's if George Washington and others had decided to take Canada, the absolute monster of landmass and the oceans protecting would have been absurd level of power. Basically Sid Meier's Civilization on easy mode lol

Tried in 1812. Whitehouse burnt. I’m upset we didn’t ask for Florida or somewhere warm in the winter to go lol

 

[FoulOnWhite]

Look at this
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-68598875

There really needs to be a more durable road surface. The current tar crap they use is imo rubbish as it is so prone to getting pot holes in it. Why not just make all roads from concrete? surely is is more durable and less prone to potholes. The amount it is going to cost to repair the roads as they are is ridiculous, and if they do repairs as they do now, it is useless and will just end up full of holes again.

 

[kurosagi01]

Look at this
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-68598875

There really needs to be a more durable road surface. The current tar crap they use is imo rubbish as it is so prone to getting pot holes in it. Why not just make all roads from concrete? surely is is more durable and less prone to potholes. The amount it is going to cost to repair the roads as they are is ridiculous, and if they do repairs as they do now, it is useless and will just end up full of holes again.

Cost/Time I bet, I moan about pot holes all the time as they "patch" or even fix a chunk of the road. Only for it to break after a year from a couple of salt spreading.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

Concrete is actually less durable - it requires patching sooner. It holds up better under some circumstances but not in general-purpose roads in the mild English climate.

It is more resistant to some things but our local road authority is actually breaking up all the concrete around here and paving over it with asphalt.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Concrete is actually less durable - it requires patching sooner. It holds up better under some circumstances but not in general-purpose roads in the mild English climate.

It is more resistant to some things but our local road authority is actually breaking up all the concrete around here and paving over it with asphalt.

Also. Many local councils havent been doing so well financially due to cuts to government funding. Id probably go as far as a lot of these establishments arent fit for purpose and could do with a lot of streamlining to trim off all the unnecessary roles that have been created over the years. The taxes we pay tend to get pocketed by them or swallowed up by something that doesnt need to exist. Throw in the local establishment spending all the money and not managing it correctly and then you'll start see big potholes appear because they cant afford to or dont want to fix it because money needs to be spent elsewhere.

sadly the story is nothing new Either in the UK or the US. Maybe some US states are managed better than others but there is still tonnes of money being swallowed up by the system and gone to waste rather than funding things that everyone needs and uses.

 

[the54thvoid]

funding things that everyone needs and uses.

That's the rub. Councils fund leisure opportunities. Libraries (for free). Up here, museums are free. There are things we don't need, but are important. What gets cut?

I've experienced my old work (a leisure trust) putting forward savings plans, only to be rejected by councillors because they were worried it would lose them votes.

I don't see any way for councils to improve. Not without slashing services, which those self-preserving councillors won't allow.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

I don't see any way for councils to improve. Not without slashing services, which those self-preserving councillors won't allow.

There are some roles or departments that either arent fit for purpose or dont serve any real duty - Im not able to say what sort of roles due to clubhouse rules but there has been a lot of them being created in the last few years.

Another example would be the 'Yes Minister' clip regarding hospitals

What does a hospital or health service need?? Tonnes of admin staff and cleaners!!


A lot of councils are badly run and incredibly bloated. Im sure cuts can be made in the right areas without sacrificing public services or spending.

Unfortunately its not a perfect world we live in.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

Maybe some US states are managed better than others but there is still tonnes of money being swallowed up by the system and gone to waste

Over here its tons not tonnes, but still...

Actually, mostly it is local city/county governments dealing with the roads. State money only goes to the big ones like highways and interstates - I guess equivalent to your A-class roads and motorways - at least in the part of the country I live in.

 

[the54thvoid]

There are some roles or departments that either arent fit for purpose or dont serve any real duty - Im not able to say what sort of roles due to clubhouse rules but there has been a lot of them being created in the last few years.

This was in the news. The positions you're talking about are a drop in the ocean. The national audit office covered it.

Edit: a specific party asked councils (in 2022) for their spend on diversity jobs. What came back was about £30m across 397 councils, or £75k per year. That's not really going to save anything out of multi-hundred million pound budgets. A similar request for Birmingham City Council in 2023 yielded a figure that came out at 0.02% of spending. So, cutting that is small fry compared to other cuts. But, what the numbers boil down to is this: a significant decline in councils’ spending power, because of massive decreases in central government grants – and an increase in the statutory services they’re expected to offer, with more people needing them. To quote an old saying - too many mouths to feed.

Frankly, I've seen far more wasted on 'health' initiatives. My old trust had a team of about 15 health posts, adding to easily £250k/year. They had good intentions but the roles were so vague and inneffective it actually made my job in the gym worse.

Anyway - the potholes can be fixed but they need to stop subcontracting to their pirate mates. Waste like that is the greatest problem. Building smokers sheds too. Shite like that. And don't get me started on the IT waste.

 

[FoulOnWhite]

it's shame councils cant try and make money somehow for their own council, unless they do and i don't realise. I suppose some do with speed camera fines. Roads are a never ending cost, like the snake eating its own tail, i don't have an idea how to fix it not unless there is a more durable form of tar(asphalt) to use in the first place. it seems like a waste of time filling them sometimes but i guess they have to.
The roads in my city are terrible in some places.

 

[Space Lynx]

That's the rub. Councils fund leisure opportunities. Libraries (for free). Up here, museums are free. There are things we don't need, but are important. What gets cut?

I've experienced my old work (a leisure trust) putting forward savings plans, only to be rejected by councillors because they were worried it would lose them votes.

I don't see any way for councils to improve. Not without slashing services, which those self-preserving councillors won't allow.

they should just raise taxes on alcohol by 5 cents per each bottle or can sold. so you buy a 24 pack, well 24 x .05

that would probably generate enough money to fix all the roads on a consistent basis.

 

[FoulOnWhite]

Right guys.

Looking for a tv upto £400 can be Amazon or where ever you like. Any suggestions? nothing too big, so maybe 43" max

We got a toshiba 50" but it failed near after 12 months when the warranty ran out. So not fussed abut make really as long as it is smart.

Thanks

What about this-
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-In...fos.d7e5a2de-8759-4da3-993c-d11b6e3d217f&th=1

 

[FreedomEclipse]

This was in the news. The positions you're talking about are a drop in the ocean. The national audit office covered it.

Edit: a specific party asked councils (in 2022) for their spend on diversity jobs. What came back was about £30m across 397 councils, or £75k per year. That's not really going to save anything out of multi-hundred million pound budgets. A similar request for Birmingham City Council in 2023 yielded a figure that came out at 0.02% of spending. So, cutting that is small fry compared to other cuts. But, what the numbers boil down to is this: a significant decline in councils’ spending power, because of massive decreases in central government grants – and an increase in the statutory services they’re expected to offer, with more people needing them. To quote an old saying - too many mouths to feed.

Frankly, I've seen far more wasted on 'health' initiatives. My old trust had a team of about 15 health posts, adding to easily £250k/year. They had good intentions but the roles were so vague and inneffective it actually made my job in the gym worse.

Anyway - the potholes can be fixed but they need to stop subcontracting to their pirate mates. Waste like that is the greatest problem. Building smokers sheds too. Shite like that. And don't get me started on the IT waste.

Yes Minister was just an example of the bloating.

 

[mechtech]

Roads you say...........

Mainly asphalt in Canada. Hwy 655 trialled several mix designs a decade or more ago, and you can see which ones are doing better.

If asphalt is done right and no freeze thaw cycles 20 years should be no issue. Concrete is good if there is no freeze thaw cycles and no salt.

Spring is always the worse when the frost comes out of the ground.

The stone type matters significantly for asphalt, as does the bitumen as does the base, needs to be compacted very well. Like everything, if it's done properly it will last, if not, it won't.

I think up here in the north HL8 or some type of "super pave" aggregate is used. Typically, 100% crushed stone in the 15mm-19mm range, well last I recall, may have changed, been about 15 years since then.

Aggregates Specifications | Ontario Sand, Stone & Gravel Association

OSSGA is a not-for-profit industry association representing over 280 sand, gravel, and crushed stone producers and suppliers of valuable industry products and services. Collectively, our members supply the substantial majority of the approximately 164 million tonnes of aggregate consumed...

www.ossga.com

 

[Space Lynx]

@FoulOnWhite

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BYK8PD1X/

make sure on right hand side you select shipped and sold by amazon, there is a 14 quid voucher just click clip coupon under where it says that, initially it ships from Smiths, but look closely on right hand side and select sold by amazon instead, then the voucher should show up in your cart, plus it's safer to buy shipped and sold by amazon, easier returns in-case you have an issue.

UR91 LG 43" 4k top of the line for only 340 quid. alternatively if you are willing to drop down to the UR80 model you can get the 50" for the same price. if it were me, this is the way I would go

 

[FoulOnWhite]

@FoulOnWhite

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BYK8PD1X/

make sure on right hand side you select shipped and sold by amazon, there is a 14 quid voucher just click clip coupon under where it says that, initially it ships from Smiths, but look closely on right hand side and select sold by amazon instead, then the voucher should show up in your cart, plus it's safer to buy shipped and sold by amazon, easier returns in-case you have an issue.

UR91 LG 43" 4k top of the line for only 340 quid. alternatively if you are willing to drop down to the UR80 model you can get the 50" for the same price. if it were me, this is the way I would go

Thanks it does seem good, and LG do make the best panels.