arnz

Have to say I used Creative, JNC and Ipod in my time. Ipod is the market leader down in Australia for obvious reasons, looks, trendyness, etc, although if uploading and/or transferring between PC and IPOD can be frustrating for the average PC user. Although I noticed that the cheaper MP3 players (eg $50 no frills one in the Audio Bargin bin or so) tend to be a bit more easier to use if transferring songs between Computer and Player, since it really only acts if its another USB drive, and I'm sure most would've used a USB drive at some point.

Grats to Sangakarra, considering Ponting was the World's no 1 batsman prior to a poor home series against India in Australia. Sangakarra imo would have to be one of the better overseas batsman playing atm imo. Although Lara and Tendulkar would have to be the best at their prime, especially Tendulkar's last ever ODIs in Australia that has been played recently of late (despite the India-Australia off-field controversies).

It seems that practice makes perfect, although I would suggest practing on one of the cotton dart boards or so before starting on the proper darts/dart boards to get a shot.

I can understand why some middle east countries resent America, especially Iraq after the recent WMD controversy by GWB JR, but yes TV and stereotypes from various american shows can really tend to seeth some people in overseas countries. Especially the "Chuck a shrimp on the barbie" style lines or so, when some of them may have not been to Australia, for example.As for the WMD controversy, yes there has been some views presented by others on why the USA would've attacked Iraq, esp with the reason of Oil, and/or minerals to replenish their own supplies. I'm on the fence on this, but still the stereotypes on the TV eg Girls Gone Wild as stated by the poster above tends to convince a viewer to make a judgement.

Having not read the entire essay, still there are the hard core programmers or those with creative minds that would want to change a particular aspect of a program. Open source programs and management systems gives those type of people the freedom to do so. Sure, the market sure may not be much right now, but the demand seems to be there for it.

Also sorry to hear that she's gone. Although I've personally hadnt had a close family member or friend who has had that, I'm sure that many would've experienced losing a family member before. I have to agree with the above that this is something we as humans on earth would have to experience at some point in our life. I'm sure your family and friends are there for you as they are there for comfort in the hard times ahead.

1. Have to agree that many things are calculated risks, especially when at work when it could either make or either stuff up the business if not break. Everyone is unsure of the outcome if a risk has been taken, especially when something may have discovered that could either be world-changing or a technology breaker for example. Like for example, deciding to open a vegetarian restaurant, and whilst it may initially be some moderate success when it opens, sales could be slow later on.2. That really depends on the situation i'm in and my own personal motivation. If i'm really desperate for something, I will look at all avenues to go after it, although I know my limits and not to disturb the ranks and/or it effects the people close to me, for example.3. It was explained earlier in no 2, I do take concerns from close family and friends into account when taking risks, although if I firmly believe that avenue would get me results or something I need, with minimal to no effects to concerns which may be raised by others, I will continue to go after it.4. Not really sure of the question, but have to say money comes into it. Considering some business decisions are very similar to gambling or the like.

Also have to agree that i'm not a fan of "legalize marijuana" either. Considering knowing a few people who has done the "grass" before life as well, has to be up there with problem gamblers that waste their earnings on machines imo.

Its one of the sponsor ads which has the organisation donate funds per click and/or the e-commerce store profits to the appropriate organisations.

Good point. If she is piking/wagging from school for whatever reason, it's best to have a talk with the child/kid/teen involved about what they are doing and so forth, in private and not in a confrontational situation to make it easier and/or reduce chances of the teen "rebelling" against the parent. That way it makes it easier on the kid involved to let it out if there are problems surrounding them.

I'm also a aussie, and whilst users and readers from around the world do read this forum. The hosting company is US based, so naturally more people from the USA would be members of the forum, but there would be a large world-wide contingent as well. Getting on-topic, whilst a good idea to stop spammers and the like, i'd have to agree that the system could be abused for reasons stated by other posters. Perhaps, restrict new members to certain parts of the forums and/or not allow them to post in the shoutbox could be a start.

Gotta have to say Runescape got left behind, especially with Guild Wars, World of Warcraft, and upcoming games such as WAR (Warhammer Online) coming out soon. The earlier Dungeon and Dragons, early Warcraft stuff and so forth IMO were superior to the likes of runescape now to some extent that the players of the competing MMOs consistently pays out runescape whenever that its mentioned.

I dont know about overseas countries, but in Australia, high schools and primary schools track student absences, and generally a good reason has to be displayed why the student has been absent from school, considering primary school and "most" of the high school classes are compulsory according to law. Although, of course some students have been getting around it, some may have had lame attempts (eg forging parents signatures) or in some extreme cases some parents may not care for their kids at high school as much. The later is a shame, but personally the parents in the later should really be whacked in the head IMO. Considering, high school is fairly important for a kid's development and training into the work force/real life/etc.

Have to reply to the above, it does feel like that when competing at sports events, especially team sports like football (all codes like Soccer, Rugby, NFL, League, etc), Basketball, various Athletic events and the like. Especially after accomplishing a personal best. Only for it to sunk in later.

Without reading most the above posts. There are indeed various reasons for kiddies 'piking', 'wagging' or skipping school in general. Some may be for bullying reasons (eg being picked on at school, etc), and another is peer pressure from friends that may want to do something else, for example.. a few mates want to head to the local shopping centre instead of going to Maths class, therefore a group might pressure someone reluctant to skip class to go with them to the local shopping centre, cinema, etc to hang out.

Have to say bring my laptop with all the movies installed on it, also music as well of course eg the size of most people's IPOD MP3 collections, computer games (especially driving, MMORPGS, shoot-em up like Counterstrike) and the like. Perhaps even bring a wireless card attached to the computer, in the rare case of a internet connection even getting around the island. Assuming the power is unlimited through weird or other methods, I'll presume that the laptop will be powered by solar power

Ultima Underworld and Dungeons and Dragons. Have to say those games were classics back in the day for the old 386 and 486 Personal Computers (PC).

Get your site out there, but not by spamming it. For example, participating in other forums with your own forum in your signature for example, also keeping content fresh, keywords for search engines and the like. Also further to note, i've noticed that some forums use a portal, where the front page is mainly news, latest threads and the like.. or forum threads that "act" as a news header, followed by "replies" in the threads, cleverly disguised as "read comments".

Definitely play darts whilst at the local watering hole "or Pub". I'm not a competitive player like others may said before in previous posts recently, or in the past (eg few months ago). But agree that Darts is fun after a few drinks (well not too much drinks) but still, since darts does require co-ordination for a bullseye.

Have to agree on the immaturity part of one website declaring "war" on another site because one or a few users that dont like something, or offended them. If it did offend them, it wouldve seen more mature to approach the site author and speaking with them personally before taking any other avenues if that approach fails.

Would suggest checking your email for account details if you were approved for an account. By the looks of it however, it doesnt seem to indicate that you were approved. Recheck the application if you were or not.

Not too bad advice for the many guys out there as well. Have many chick friends, but relationships wise is another story. I wasnt one of the "womanisers", etc when i was growing up. Although it wasnt bad to have girl friends and all, especially for those I've been in relationships with at some point.

Good to hear about growing out of American Idol and all. Although I havent heard the whole story, it seems i gotta feel for your friend in that case. But have to agree, if you after something in life, its best to aim for it at the highest intentions, even if means a little bit (or a lot more) practice to reach a particular goal in life that you are after.

I dont complain if i get bored. I just jump online and read forums, play MMOs, etc in my spare time. Helps take the time up, or other from that, go outside and do a bit of gardening and/or head out and kick a football around afterwards, topped off with lunch/dinner and a beer.

Daft Punk - Around the World. Its just a mixture of techno music, with some guy saying "around the world around the world" x30 times or so. If you ever seen the video clip for this, its even more repetitive, it just shows a bunch of guys walking around in a circle.. then walks around in a circle.. if you get the drift. The song maybe popular in the techno clubs, but it had a lot of critics.