Merriguy

I'm just using a little Sony TX37 notebook, wireless access point and Optus Cable these days. I can then move around the house/garden at will. Was up in Coolangatta during Cup week and took the notebook, and used it with a smartphone for internet access and although access was slower it was pretty usable. And there's nothing like backing a winner from the bathroom. Did that come out right...?

I agree that a decent calc is a must. I've never come to grips with the on screen ones. Big key's and numbers too. A decent multifunction printer is a good investment. I like the Brother MFC-8860DN.

A shredder and a fire-rated safe.

On the software side a tabbed browser is a must. Avant is my browser of choice and I make alot of use of its auto refresh function. Something like ScanSoft Paperport can be really handy to keep all your digital files in order. Don't forget to back things up. Acronis True Image Home can be a real life saver. eWallet or similar to keep your password and account details safe. Maybe a decent USB/Firewire external drive to keep the backups on. You can then lock this away in the safe. RoboForm can be quite useful too.

Pixie

I'd like a hot blonde to comfort me when I lose, or even when I win.

All the best in your retirement.

Michael.

Wow! Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. Will take them all on board --- and I feel quite a number of other forumites will benefit from your thoughts too.

Those setups at the addresses you pointed out have had me drooling all day. Pixie!!

What a lot of great ideas. Will take all the thoughts on board --- and I'm sure they will bear fruit. Some of the suggestions (not many) I have; for others I'll have to spend some time visiting stores, and picking the brains of some friends who are more au fait with electronic gizmos than I am.

Now the stress ball is a good idea, and I will have to do something about a bar fridge. On second thoughts, I may leave that at a distance. Out of temptation's way.

Again, thanks.

P.S. Do you supply those imitation bricks, Crash? Know what you mean.

Gday All

My setup was only completed last weekend.. I have

1/ a Desk top computer (duh).. 19" Flat screen.. I back up to DVDs
2/ Broadband net connection... a router with 4 usb ports so others can enjoy the connection by using long cables.. pick your speed then enjoy
3/ Surround sound system (gotta rock out at times) Good when watching the cricket can turn the nine team off and listen to the abc..
4/ Austar connection..

Back to last weekend... I have a daughter who is heading to Uni at Armidale.. I had promised her a laptop (still don't have one myself).. So off I set b4 the races last saturday to grab one for her... I lobbed into the local electrical shop, had a look and found an acer for her marked at 1400$.. But something caught my eye in the TV area.. an 81 cm SHARP LCD TV. Not a no name thing... They had a price of 999$ on it... I thought.. hello this thing must be cactus..asked a couple of questions... and said to the sales guy.. do me a deal on the laptop and the tv.. this we did.. 1898$ all up.. So I was absolutely wrapped.. must be hard times in electrical retailing in this country town...

Bought the TV home (it was a new one in the box not the display) hooked it up.. and the races look great.. best grand I have ever spent.. I would reccommend that type of TV to anyone, you need to be able to see the horses as they are going around after all... provided you have the room...

Cheers

__________________
Good luck and good punting

xptdriver@hotmail.com

Good score,

You may find that one of the big named electrical stores (R) may be giving STUPPID deals now and for the next few weeks as this "franchise" is going bust and the independant stores cant buy through this head office anymore and will be looking to clear stock. They will probabally change the name of the store soon to another big name horse owner/retailer as what has happened down here with one of the stores, so keep your eyes out everyone for big savings, just do as XPT has done and ask for a deal, you will be surprissed.
I have to do something simmilar due to a lightning strike on some gear of mine, and they are much much cheaper than others.
So Merriguy, lift that matress up and take the wad out of the sock its a good time to look for a bargain.

D

If the "R" stands for what I think it does... you know, the only decison.... you are spot on, that is exactly where I got the gear from...

Cheers

__________________
Good luck and good punting

xptdriver@hotmail.com

only not wanting to get "moderated" but RET is the one,

Go buy up big.

Cheers Ding

If a bar fridge is too bulky for the room , have a fold up Esky with handle & wheels in there for those neccesary fluids .
The Esky can be put back into the garage when not in use.

Plug in duel speaker radio that works when near a computer set up. (many radios get affected by computers) $10 at garage sales

ADSL connection.

Phone + Mobile

Australian made comfort chair (these are usually much better made & dont rattle to pieces like many imports).
Can be bought from 2nd hand office furniture dealers for less than half of new price.

Small TV with good sound, preferably duel speakers for sound quality, otherwise one will find themselves having to put the volumn up too high just to get some sort of sound definition. Cost New $120

A box with lid for the stray paper work.

A good size monitor to save unnessary eye strain.

UBS power surge protector to save your gear from being blown up & your files & programs from being wiped especially if one lives in QLD.
Make sure one plugs their Modem into it as well.
Quality units cost approx $150
Smaller systems are good for one or two electrical strikes & should be replaced after that.

Have a computer that has a backup hard drive for storing those important programs & files , approx 30MB is more than enough.

Cheers.

__________________
Cheers.

Thanks guys for all those replies. Did not expect to get such a response. All the thoughts will help me set up something worthwhile, I'm sure.

Must get off today to the nearest RET store (late night shopping) and see what is on offer . Again my thanks.

Merriguy

How have you gone so far? Make us drool

Pixie