From Jon after moving in to Gran Alicant this week:

"Thanks Clive for your excellent services in setting up internet, phone and TV. Would recommend you whole heartedly to anyone moving to the area."  

Whilst I didn't quite set up his internet, we had a long chat and discussed the best options in his area for his circumstances. Jon originally contacted me for internet but I didn't have the right package for his intended usage pattern so after talking things through, we chose his local provider who have some good deals going and will hopefully be reliable.

I supplied the phone system which he will be able to alternate between Spain and Switzerland as he wishes. Anyone ringing his number will be able to get through to him regardless of where he is in the world without any call forwarding charges to either party.

Jon can also get his free calls wherever he is in the world. Try getting that anywhere else!

I was also able to source an IPTV box, from one of my colleagues. That gives Jon all the UK channels he wants and can also be equipped with UK catch-up TV as well.

The bottom line is, I endeavour to provide a good customer experience wherever possible. Many have tried to copy my work ethic and many have failed.

How many of you out there have noticed the free windows 10 upgrade notice lurking near the clock down in the bottom right of your screen?

One of my clients did, and they decided to take advantage of it. Oooops.

Don't get me wrong, it's very easy to do the update but that's when your problems will begin and, to make matters worse, microsoft know all about the problems you're going to experience.

As with any update, always back up your stuff, all your photos, those letters to the solicitors and all the other stuff you've accumulated on your trusty computer.

Now you need to make sure you have all the drivers for all the bits you've got bolted on to the computer as well because chances are, they ain't gonna work after the upgrade.

The problems we had included deleted drivers for the pci-e usb3 card, printer not working, machine taking more than 10 minutes to boot up. No, it's not an old pc unless you call 8 months old. Win10 is supposed to work on old machinery.

OK, supposing you've managed to get everything working in windoze 10 and you decide you don't like it, how can you get rid of it?

Well, that's supposed to be easy too. You go to the start menu, go to settings, then update and security then recovery. There you'll be given the option to revert back to win7 (or 8) but don't bank on that working either. On my clients machine, it simply would not roll back to windoze 7 and kept defaulting back to 10 saying there was a problem.

Don't get me wrong, not everyone will have a screwed machine after doing the 'upgrade' but if you are, well.........


Search the internet, it's a known problem and the ONLY answer is to reinstall your previous version of windoze from your disc, your motherboard drivers and all the discs for the bits you've got bolted onto it.

Not got your windoze or motherboard discs? Oh bugger, you're in real bother now. You've got win10 and stuff that don't work and no way of getting back to what you had before without forking out for a new copy of windoze. That's a bit of a shitter innit.

I've just spent the best part of a day recovering a computer back to it's previous state because of the damage caused by microsoft. Having to source obscure drivers because the original pc builder didn't give any discs to the client.

From what I've seen of win10, I'm not impressed. It's yet another learning curve to try and work out where everything is. Haven't the people at microsoft-in-the-head heard the old saying - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. We've moved on from a menu system that was easy to work to something that isn't, and they call that progress.

So for now, ladies and gentlemen, keep away from the win10 free upgrade until they've got the bugs out of it. When will that be? Give it at least 6 months and definitely not before service pack 1.


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That's right a 4G smartphone for under €100.

For information on this, and our other products, please contact us.

Sounds like something from Dr Who, doesn't it.

But it isn't!!!!!!!!

This is one of the latest viruses doing the rounds AND IT'S DANGEROUS.

Never has it been more important to back up your data - your documents, photos and spreadsheets.

Never has it been more important NOT to save your passwords on your computer! Get them off now.

Rombertik knows how to steal your passwords.

Rombertik knows when your security software is looking at it and this is when it is most dangerous. Once it realises it's been detected, it will attempt to destroy your data, either by destroying the Master Boot Record of your hard drive or by encrypting all your data rendering it useless.

If it destroys the Master Boot Record of your hard drive, there's a chance your data might be recovered - but don't bank on it - but if it can't do that, it will encrypt (scramble) all your photos and other documents on every drive connected to the computer and there is no way back from that scenario. Everything is lost.

Now is the time to get your house in order, BEFORE you fall for that spoof email.

How do you back up your data?

This can be as easy as copy and paste [EH???] or using windows built in backup program [WHAT?????] or buying an external hard drive from Media Markt (or some other computer shop) that has a built in backup button so all you have to do is press the button on the hard drive and it'll back up your data [Ohh?!].

Backups MUST NOT be on your computer, that defeats the object of them. They must be on an external drive that you ONLY connect to the computer to perform the backup and at NO OTHER TIME. Another thing - don't perform a backup if you think you have a virus because that's likely to backup the virus as well putting you in a worse state than you were before.

There is one thing though. For backups to work properly, you MUST file your documents properly. Not, as many people I see do, have loads of folders on your desktop with loads of stuff in them - that's just plain messy and very bad housekeeping and can impact on the performance of your computer.

Windows, and other operating systems, provide you with a 'filing cabinet' to put all your stuff, use it! In XP, it's called My Documents, in Windows 7, it's called Libraries. Get into the habit of using them. This will make backing up a piece of cake.

The simple way is to copy and paste, copy all your documents in My Documents or Libraries and paste them into the new drive you've just connected. If you don't know how to copy and paste anything, google it. This is a very simple basic function that you SHOULD already be aware of.

The next is using your operating system backup utility. This differs from os to os so I won't go into details here, again, if you don't know, google it, there are some very good tutorials out there.

Finally, using an external drive with a backup button, follow the instructions supplied with the drive.

Note: I cannot be held responsible if you lose data trying to follow my guidelines as these are not explicit instructions for you to follow. It is information to help put you in control of your own destiny and data and is supplied as is and in good faith.
If you want someone else to do the work for you, please ensure you contact a competent person to do it on your behalf. If you do not want to follow the advice, that's fine, I'll see you when you need your system reinstalling. Oh, you do have your recovery discs, don't you! If not, you'll need to pay for an installation disc as well.


All registered trade marks and brand names acknowledged. I don't own the names Rombertik, Dr Who, Windows XP, Windows 7, Google or Media Markt nor am I associated with any of these brands or names.

Anyone signing up for our phone service from today will get free phone calls.

All you need to do is sign up and get your phone adapter from us and we'll give you free phone calls forever to anyone else signing up to our service regardless of which option you choose.

1. Sign up and get your phone adapter from us, plug your phone and your line into it, connect it to your internet router and you're ready to go. We even give you all the wires. You automatically get free calls to anyone else using our service so why not get your friends to sign up as well. You could end up not having to pay for phone calls ever again! Any phone calls you do pay for will be cheaper than your current provider. All this with no additional monthly outlay.
2. Switch to our phone service. With one of the cheapest monthly line rentals and call charges in the business, you'll wonder why you didn't switch sooner.
3. Add a payphone to your business for an additional income. You set the rates your customers pay so you control your profit margin. There's no monthly outlay and no minimum spend.
4. Add a telephone to your holiday let, second home or rental property.

All of the above benefit from our free phone calls forever offer so why not take up the offer. You know it makes sense.

All signings are subject to our Terms of Service.

We all like something for nothing, don't we?

Don't you just hate it when that freebie turns out to be a bit of a dud?

Well, there's one little freebie that's not too bad in that department, it's called the ZenMate.

What on earth is ZenMate?

ZenMate is nice little freebie that's a plug-in to your Google Chrome browser on your computer that allows to to mask your real IP address and allows you to watch UK TV and catchup services over the internet from outside the UK. There's even an Android version you can install on your TV box, tablet or phone. In short, it's a virtual private network (VPN)

Yeah yeah yeah, but I can already watch UK TV using Filmon!

Of course you can but, this will let you watch the catchup services from BBC, ITV and Channel 4. Unfortunately, it doesn't work for Channel 5s 5OD. I did say there's always a trade off, and there it is.

As an alternative, you can always use a free UK VPN such as Hot Free VPN. This will allow you to watch all the UK catchup services including 5OD. The trade-off with this is that it will disconnect you every few hours but hey, it's free, and it works. Just not as easy to use as ZenMate.

So how do I get ZenMate?

On your Google Chrome browser, there should be a button that says Apps (top left). Click on that and select Store and search for ZenMate. Click the button to install, enter your email address and a password when asked and your done.

By default, ZenMate is set to Switzerland. To change that, click on the shield top right and select change location. Click on UK (or whichever location you want to be in) and your done. Just go to the catchup service you want and it works.

A bonus feature of running ZenMate is that if you're using the wifi from your local bar, airport or hotel, using ZenMate gives you a secure channel that no snoopers can see what you're up to because the connection is encrypted. That means it's safe to do your internet banking or whatever else you need to do in relative safety.

Happy safe surfing everybody.


All brand names and trade marks acknowledged.

Some of you might remember that I've long been promoting Linux as my OS of choice and that I'll suggest this as a way forward to prolong the life of your aging Windows XP machines.

Well, guess what. My enthusiasm for this OS is not misplaced at all. Take a look at this article by the team at Windows Secrets.

Briefly, it mirrors most of what I've been saying for years and is written by a professor who has worked for Microsoft.

The article shows how MS considered Linux to be such a threat that it backed major UNIX vendor SCO (who eventually went bust), and was also accused of buying off a major UNIX vendor trying to eliminate the threat, and how it deliberately misrepresented Linux for its' own ends.

Despite all the attacks from the mighty MS (Apple weren't really bothered), Linux keeps beating them to the post with many innovations.

Linux is the most widely used OS in the world, just not on mainstream PCs.

Linux will serve the needs of a majority of my clients and they can get it for the price of a blank DVD. Alternatively, I'll set it up for you for €60 including transferring the data from your current setup. You will then have an OS that you can update for free every time there's a new version.

In addition, when you have to buy a new PC, the hard drive can simply be transferred to the new one (in most cases), unlike Windows.

With Linux, you don't get all the 'crapware' that comes pre-loaded with Windows machines. You know, those pop-ups telling you to use this program and that program but then you find you can't actually do anything until you get your wallet out again.

Basically, MS behaves as MS does. In my opinion from what I've read, MS is not a company you can really trust.

If you fancy giving Linux a go, you can run it directly from a DVD. Don't be judgmental simply because it doesn't look like Windows or have all the program names you're used to, it isn't Windows, that's the idea. Most of the free software that's available is probably better than what you're used to, just odd names and appearances. 

Remember, you won't be able to save anything running off the DVD.


Here are just a few of the popular flavours of Linux for you to play with:
Linux Mint
Linux Ubuntu
Bodhi Linux


All brand names and registered trade marks acknowledged.

No, this isn't about the the film I'm involved with but something a lot more sinister, your TV set.

Don't talk stupid!

I'm not. That wonderful shiny object in your living room that brings you entertainment from all over the world could be spying on you and passing your conversation back to the manufacturer and other third parties.

Remember that old saying, 'not in front of the children', you can now apply that to your smart TV as well.

In an article shared by the BBC from a publication called The Daily Beast, it has been revealed that Samsung smart TVs are actually spying on you if you have the voice control feature on. According to the Samsung Privacy Policy, “Please be aware that if your spoken words include personal or other sensitive information, that information will be among the data captured and transmitted to a third party,” the policy reads.

Something of concern might be the fact that the third party is never identified.

It would seem that Samsung is not the first smart, net connected, TV manufacturer to run into problems about the data it collects. In 2013, an IT consultant found his LG smart TV was gathering data about his viewing habits but it appears it's not the first time Samsung have passed this way either.

In November 2014, a counsel in the Liberty and National Security Program at the Brenan Centre for Justice said the privacy policy of his smart TV made him afraid to use it. Although the brand wasn't identified, the wording was identical to that used in the Samsung's notice to its clients.

So, where do you go from here. If you are concerned in any way about what your smart TV knows, or passes on, about you, disconnect it from the internet right now

For the millions of people out there who bought PCs with Windows 7 on, there will be no more updates!

What does this mean?

It means our friends at Microsoft are no longer interested in developing anything more, or improving  Windows 7.

WHY????

Simple. Microsoft have a three year turn around for new Windows operating systems. 

Three years ago, Windows 8 was launched and was such a success that nobody wanted it and despite all the massaging Microsoft could muster with the sales figures, it's been a complete disaster, even when compared to the ill-fated Windows Vista.

Additionally, Microsoft stop developing an operating system three years after it's successor is released. Now, as we said, Windows 8 was released three years ago and so that means MS will no longer develop Win7. However, they will continue to release security updates for the next five years.

BUT, MS have actually reneged on their support agreements as they stopped any further development for Win8 following the release of Service Pack 1, otherwise known as Win8.1 (just to boost the sales figures). This is how confident they were of its' success.

This year sees the launch of Windows 10 and so MS should still be actively working on updates to Win8 but they're not. Anybody want to take MS to task on this contract infringement? When you bought into Win8, you bought into their 'End of Life' support agreement.


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What the heck am I talking about. There isn't such a thing!?

Strictly speaking, that is the case but every now and again scones, clotted cream, jam and a cup of tea comes along.

What we are doing again this year, is free phone calls on January 1st 2015 for our clients as a thank you for their continued support.

Rules of the game:

• All calls made on January 1st 2015 will be deducted from your account balance as normal.
• We will then refund all calls made on January 1st 2015 back to your account during the seven days following January 1st 2015. Those managing their own accounts will be able to see the refund on their transaction history.