The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub

First topic message reminder :

Welcome to the virtual rugby pub - a place where you can come in for a sly beverage and discuss whatever's on your mind, or just eavesdrop on the regulars if you fancy a break from all the rugby chat.

The only rule in this pub is one of mutual respect for everyone in it, oh and no defacing the Tommy Bowe photo on the bar. That's a banning offence

So pull up a chair....what'll it be?

Big congrats to "Little Mac"

The most important thing for Ulster Rugby fans is that the win was worth 9.8 million RAND. So, who you going to sign next

I'll be honest, I don't care what nationality he is. But then I watch Golf a bit anyway. I tend to follow most of the Europeans in the Majors, as opposed to classing people as British or Irish. If there's a story behind it like when Tom Watson nearly won a major again, I'll get behind that though.

Went back to sleep and not heard of anything, so I guess I'm in limbo for the rest of the day.

Inspirational words from Gibbo there!

Right lads, got some good news. The project I’ve been working on for the last 6 months has been launched successfully. I got a bonus this morning for it too, it’s vouchers for whatever merchant I want (pretty much anything you’d want you can get from a list of places they provide). And I’m pretty sure I want to get an iPad. I kinda want to talk myself out of it though as it’s pretty expensive, still though, it looks preeeeety nice…

Soccer is probably the one sport that would suffer from fans either side of the border doing their best to make sure a joint Ireand team would be unworkable.

BTW stag, hope you don't think I was hounding you, nor calling you divisive. I think we Irish have a tendency to be over analytical, that's all.

Looking at the shambles that last match between ROI and NI was I suspect it will be a long time before there'll be a unified soccer team.

In fact we may well get a united Ireland sooner than a united football team.

greybeard,

Some would try to be divisive but that shouldn't stop it as I think you would get the large majority behind it. Imagine what the buzz would be behind the first match.

Just watching 8 out of 10 Cats. Alex Reid, the cagefighter that was married to Jordan is on it. All I can say is it was a bad move by his agent as he is completely out of his depth and is being made to look like a fool.

MBTGOG wrote:Just watching 8 out of 10 Cats. Alex Reid, the cagefighter that was married to Jordan is on it. All I can say is it was a bad move by his agent as he is completely out of his depth and is being made to look like a fool.

To be fair to his agent there's not much you could book Alex Reid on where he wouldn't look like a fool.

Is anyone else completely unmoved by Jimmy Carr?

True rodders but at least on a chat show he doesn't have a cue of comedians licking their lips to have a go at him.

greybeard wrote:Soccer is probably the one sport that would suffer from fans either side of the border doing their best to make sure a joint Ireand team would be unworkable.

BTW stag, hope you don't think I was hounding you, nor calling you divisive. I think we Irish have a tendency to be over analytical, that's all.

Not at all. As I said I can understand the oppostion to my opinion Just when I see one player like Harrington with the Irish flag beside him and another like McDowell or McIlroy with the Northern Ireland flag beside them I can't but help see them as competition.

Over analytical we are indeed. The gift of gab and all that. I just had an eldery customer today tell me I had "the most wonderful and gentlemanly Irish brogue" she has heard in years

You have a gentlemanly shoe?

Bróg is a shoe. Baróg is an accent.

This explains a lot. I've always wanted to know why people use 'shoe' to describe accents.

I have now doubled my Irish vocab.

Notch wrote:Just saw on facebook, Discover Ireland using that to talk about McIlroy and mention the golf courses up here in the North. Discover Ireland (the body set-up to promote tourism in Ireland, North and South) are an organisation that would get funding from both sides of the border to promote tourism on our island and if they can use someone like McIlroy as a draw, that would be wonderful.

It's been so nice to have this debate in a civilized and good humoured spirit

Stag, don't feel we're all hounding you. You go ahead and feel whatever way you want to feel, so long as you're ok with Paddy Wallace starting at 12 in the RWC

Notch, I benched mark of tourism ireland (they are outsourced to GEM in Belfast) & yeh, they are there to promote the island of Ireland so were always going to latch on to that.

Hughie, I am behind so you may have got a response, but I don't you need to win a major to be the best in the world. look at how many blow ins end up winning it at their first attempt. you don't have to win the biggest prizes to be overall the best in the world. Same with Tennis sometimes the grand slams are given more esteem then the game needs and players that don't win are deemed to have had bad careers.

T, can you honestly say that Donald or Westwood wouldn't swap the world no1 title for a diner major??

I like the tour de France method.

The most consistent rider gets the green jersey, the winner the yellow.

greybeard wrote:I like the tour de France method.

The most consistent rider gets the green jersey, the winner the yellow.

Though le Tour's modern Green Jersey is the preserve of the specialist sprinters nowadays. It's more akin to awarding a trophy to the best putter.

Howya Regs. Just popping in on my lunch break via the Blackcurrant. Am liking this office. Finding the 9am start odd. Munsty's twin works here too

Well done Rory on his win. He should be very proud of himself. Also well done Mickado on the bonus and new iPad when you get it

hughie1986 wrote:T, can you honestly say that Donald or Westwood wouldn't swap the world no1 title for a diner major??

Well I am not saying they would. I know Colin Montgomery said he would have chosen world number 1. I am not saying they wouldn't rather one, I am just saying they don't need to win one to be world number 1 and to deserve it as well

Mickado wrote:Inspirational words from Gibbo there!

Right lads, got some good news. The project I’ve been working on for the last 6 months has been launched successfully. I got a bonus this morning for it too, it’s vouchers for whatever merchant I want (pretty much anything you’d want you can get from a list of places they provide). And I’m pretty sure I want to get an iPad. I kinda want to talk myself out of it though as it’s pretty expensive, still though, it looks preeeeety nice…

Don't get one, it's just a big touch screen phone with a phone OS Ask yourself what it can do over and above a laptop.

Thanks Cari! Here, what about the dubs?! Kilkenny had better watch out, they’ve not beaten us this year!

Nottins, that’s a fair point. But my laptop is 4 years old and I’ve been thinking of giving it a refresh anyway (it gets hotter than the inside of a toasted cheese sandwich after an hour!). just toying with the idea anyway…

red_stag wrote:

greybeard wrote:Soccer is probably the one sport that would suffer from fans either side of the border doing their best to make sure a joint Ireand team would be unworkable.

BTW stag, hope you don't think I was hounding you, nor calling you divisive. I think we Irish have a tendency to be over analytical, that's all.

Not at all. As I said I can understand the oppostion to my opinion Just when I see one player like Harrington with the Irish flag beside him and another like McDowell or McIlroy with the Northern Ireland flag beside them I can't but help see them as competition.Over analytical we are indeed. The gift of gab and all that. I just had an eldery customer today tell me I had "the most wonderful and gentlemanly Irish brogue" she has heard in years

http://www.sportphotogallery.com/Photos/Golf/Paul-McGinley/McGinley-Clarke-and-Harrington-2002-1437490_10.aspx
http://www.sportphotogallery.com/Photos/Golf/Darren-Clarke/Europe-s-Ryder-Cup-players-celebrate-71981704_10.aspx

Just a couple of pics to show how Irishmen (North and South) can celebrate a European win at Golf. Sorry to carry this on but I am disappointed with some of the comments earlier.

Well done Mickado. Forget the ipad. Stock up on drink!!

Nottins, its a great piece of equipment. I never am far away from mine.

1. I use it in work for my to-do list in meetings etc.
2. I have my music manuscript on it for when playing my tuba.
3. I use the internet and is great if using late at night.
4. Great games & Apps that keep me entertained for hours on end.
5. I watch movies on it as well. if I want to share I use a lead to connect to my plasma.
6. Ibooks - I have 600 books on it that I can read with no bother at all.

If you have an interst/hobbie then there is app on it that will really keep you interested and save you time as well.

Mickado wrote:Thanks Cari! Here, what about the dubs?! Kilkenny had better watch out, they’ve not beaten us this year!

Nottins, that’s a fair point. But my laptop is 4 years old and I’ve been thinking of giving it a refresh anyway (it gets hotter than the inside of a toasted cheese sandwich after an hour!). just toying with the idea anyway…

The fan has probably died. I bought this one 3 months ago: http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_5552_Windows_7_Laptop_LX.R4402.108/version.asp It only cost me £299 with the 3 year warranty. Cheaper and more powerful than an iPlop, plus it's not an Apple product.

Mickyt, I can do all that on my laptop....

I am sure you can Notts & Although I don't keep a personal laptop (I have a work one if needed) I don't claim that it's a direct replacement.

but for most of the points above, you couldn't do them for too long with regards a laptop's battery life. especially the music side of things as well.

it's just practical for me. I was the same as you until I tried one out.

I see Paul DarbyShire has passed away. it's very sad especially when the bike ride for him was just in full swing for him

Mickado - really chuffed for the Dubs. Kilkenny won't be easy but they can be beaten

mickyt wrote:I was the same as you until I tried one out.

That's the thing, isn't it. My sister's used a friend's iPad and she said it was amazing. She'd sort of dismissed them until she got to use one.

The only thing I'll say about them is this: seeing as it doesn't have a separate keyboard, doesn't the screen have to shrink loads so you can type? My netbook is about the same size as an iPad, but I don't lose half the webpage when I want to type something.

My girlfriend had this talk with me recently when I said I wanted an iPad/iPhone. She wanted to know exactly what I would do with it that I can't do on my laptop. Everytime I had an answer she was able to get it up on my laptop. Extremely clever!!

Really Micky. That is sad news. The whole thing was incredibly sudden.

My prayers go out to his family and friends.

Stag,

What you should have said, especially about the iPhone, is the accessibility you have on it that you don't with a lap top.

Plus it looks cool.

luckless_pedestrian wrote:

mickyt wrote:I was the same as you until I tried one out.

That's the thing, isn't it. My sister's used a friend's iPad and she said it was amazing. She'd sort of dismissed them until she got to use one.

The only thing I'll say about them is this: seeing as it doesn't have a separate keyboard, doesn't the screen have to shrink loads so you can type? My netbook is about the same size as an iPad, but I don't lose half the webpage when I want to type something.

I agree Luckless, although I have a keyboard that the Ipad sits into and the typing doesn't come up on the screen so it's not too bad.

I am typing on it now at the moment.

Stag, I agree that for the most part the Laoptop does the same in many facets of it. That side, its sexy and shiney. so.. beat that.

No all serious, I got rid of my laptop when I got the Ipad. I have it wired up with a network drive at home so just stream, transfer from that.

it's great for me.

But my current laptop is very easy to use and very accessible. Its only 1.2kg and 26cm x 19.2cm. Not all that much bigger or heavier than an iPad.

what's the battery like on it? I would go days without charging the Ipad

That's handy enough then, Micky. I have to admit that if I had the money I'd probably get an iPad.

mickyt wrote:what's the battery like on it? I would go days without charging the Ipad

11 hours is the battery time written on the box. I get about 9-10 hours when I'm using it.

Oh, hello to Cari and Rev and anyone else who came in and was mainly ignored

well then you must have the worlds best Laptop stag so you are right not to get an Ipad. Best laptop I could get was 6 hours..

Sorry Munsty, missed your posts. yeh it's very sad alright. getting a lot of twitter comments from rugby players.

I would agree that the Ipad doesn't claim to be a replacement for the Laptop. its just an accessiblity winner for me.

When I got the Iphone, I never turned on the Laptop for browsing the net and commenting on BBC 606 (are we allowed speak about that place?) but the Ipad gives me a more comfortable options for the eyes among the other things I listed earlier.

Stag,

Did you get a new lap top recently?

Could you carry your lap top around with you like you would an iPhone which is what I used in my example.


There's an opportunity in the Uni at the moment for first years to fill out and survey and four people will be picked out of a hat to win iPads. I'm hoping the apathy most students show towards those kind of things gives me a good chance to win one. I used one in someone's house recently and it would be perfect for my internet browsing.

My lap-top is struggling more and more now, can only charge up to 42% and I can't afford to buy a new one. Once it's plugged in, that's fine and I can still do my work on it but if I won one of those iPads, I'd be over the moon.

Afternoon all.

Manic day at work but it's flying by which is good, can't wait to get home and watch the tennis. I love Wimbledon!

Cari - glad you're liking the office you're in! Bet the 9am start must be a bit strange for you, just enjoy your mini lie ins while you can!

Rev - hope you manage to find out what it is you're supposed to do today soon, I hate that limbo feeling because you can't plan to do anything else!

Mick - congrats on the bonus!

off to grab some food now, am starving

Munsty, I meant to ask you yesterday. are you on the only Irish person in the Chester area that currently isn't staring in Hollyoaks?

Very sad news about Paul Derbyshire alright. I had heard of him but didn’t know he was ill until I saw him on the pitch at TP. Next thing I know all the players are doing a charity cycle and now he’s passed away. Very sad stuff, it’s a dreadful affliction.

Im just watching rava kick off Wimbledon properly now before I head to work. Rafa wont be challenged in anyway until at least the semi I reckon, he's pure class and so much more likable that federer

hughie1986 wrote:so much more likable that federer

Agree with that, Hughie. It's not that I hate Federer, but let's just say he didn't do himself any favours turning up as defending champion at Wimbledon a few years ago wearing a white suit with gold writing on it

Micky,

I saw Hollyoaks recently and there do seem to be quite a few Irish folk on it. Not very true but I suppose considering the set is in Liverpool, no surprise.

Stag,

What lap top do you have? I've checked around the net and can't even find a note book that does 8 hours let along 10-11!

MBTGOG wrote:Stag,

Did you get a new lap top recently?

Yes I bought myself a netbook. its very small but I did a lot of research before hand and I love it. heres a photo of it.

http://www.markit.eu/images/original/13/7c/137cff6135b7c1f3b716e1890cbdb9de.jpg

BTW - devastating news for Darbyshires family. To think he died only 1 day after his fund raiser evening which was last night.

Your hands look very old in that photo Stag.

luckless_pedestrian wrote:

hughie1986 wrote:so much more likable that federer

Agree with that, Hughie. It's not that I hate Federer, but let's just say he didn't do himself any favours turning up as defending champion at Wimbledon a few years ago wearing a white suit with gold writing on it

Agree with the both of you. I dunno, I know Federer is an amazing player, I just find him quite dull.

Munsty:

Toshiba NB305-10F

Battery - 11 hours
Price: €300 (I got it cheaper actually when it was on offer)
OS - Windows 7
Screen - 10.1 inches

Only criticism (which I knew about in advance) is that there are loads of "features" which are useless and take up a lot of memory. These can be deleted with no problem at all.