h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I currently get access to the internet thru' my T.V. via a set top box provided by a U.K. terrestial digital service prvider.
I py under £5 per month for the box, and onlinetime costs 1p per min off peak and 2p per min at all other tomes.
however there does seem to be certain limitations to the boxes abillities, especially with large or complex files, and downloading is just not possible.
Interactivity is about as good as I would expect from a P.C.
work will need to be done in order for me to renew my contract, but I would recommend tis system to people who wish mainly to browse.

Sorry - but you cant beat a woking computer - Settop boxes are very limiting.
Re: cost with settop boxes your normaly limited to the ISP you can use - I'm pretty certain I couldnt get my current package of unlimited access for £15 a month with a settop box ? (Which is essental my internet bill before these packages became available was running at about £90+ a month (a good part due to this site (http://www.h2g2.com/info?))).

What you say is essentially correct, unfortunately I am unble to afford a working computerat present.
This then is my only access for the time being.
You are also right about the h2g2 site.

Ah - built my first one from bits that I raided from bins (a good few years ago - current one still shiny & new from the shop)

The next wave ?
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Scratch building sounds like a good idea.
Tips or hints please, is compatability a problem.
A shme that the net can't be standardised, but where is the freedom in that.

It all depends on what you want do - if you scratch build don't be too ambitious (if you start trying to put top of the range everything in it gets very exspnsive), in general all PC bits bolt together with ease. I still reckon having a look though the bins around a nearby commercial district is worth a try - couple of week ago a friend of mine found a 64MB, 200Mhz PII complete with monitor in a skip. I was able to give him a spare modem & hey presto has an old but Internet capable system. (In the UK you can pick up a 2nd hand system like this relativly cheeply).

The scavenging idea is good, I live some way from a commercial area but next time I am passing....
It is good news that pieces bolt on nicely, Many thanks for your advice on this.
I will let you know how I get on.

Kewl

kewl ??
The good news is that Mrs moss sage is going to buy me a p.c. in time for my birhday
problem solved.

No problems just begining

Sorry, last posting should have read -

No, problems just begining

?????

Computers are tricky beasts -once you get one you will find the convrsation always turns to them, and you will always be trying to coax that last little bit of performance out of yours - all PC owners become tweekers eventualy (normaly as there hard drive approaches full) - and with the vairious unlimited net access deals available you could soon end up with a internet junkie like me

sorry must proof reed last line should have read
and with the vairious unlimited net access deals available you could soon end up an internet junkie like me.

Sorry

I am already on that particular slippery slope, even with the limited access that I have.
Perhaps the one advantage of a service like the one I have is that the hard drive cannot fill up.
There ISN'T one.
However, I look forward to my p.c.as I will finanly be able to get into an rpg (still no luck on this system )
And there are other applications for a p.c. than this.
Unless you know something else;
perhaps there are subliminals at work in cyber-space and we can never escape them???
;-{

By RPG I takeit you mean a MUD ?

This is not a MUD but it should work with you TV
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Enjoy

I am just off to try out your recommendation but before I go a tip;
If you find that your legs itch because of the nylons you did not get a close enough shave

I will bare that in mind

So long as you only bear it in your mind the rest of us should be fairly safe.
I seem to be having trouble even with the site you mentioned but my machine is a bit tempramental and I will try again later in the week.
see ya!