zach

11 minutes ago, aardvark6535 said:

Trusted Platform Module

TPMs are integrated motherboard chips that are unique to individual computers and mobile devices. They operate internally and don’t interact with external devices. They’re also resistant to dictionary attacks.

Are you wondering why they’re considered “inherently trusted” devices? Each TPM comes equipped with (i.e., keys) that serve as the computer hardware equivalent of your government passport. But instead of coming from a government entity, TPM device keys are issued by the trusted OEM manufacturers (companies like Microsoft and IBM).

 

A lot of components in electronics have hard coded identifiers. You might want to have a look at how Phones, Tablets, Computers, TV's and even some light bulbs can be tracked. And how they 'phone home' with info.

The answer is in Ghozers reply. No need to get worried about it, and maybe worth getting a wider knowledge and facts on how/why/what a TPM actually does.

They work fine as long as it's connected to WiFi. Don't use public WiFi for banking apps. It's not a law, just a 'not wise' thing to do.

I have an iPhone (with no SIM atm) The banking app works OK on the WiFi.

A bit of a side note. It's not best policy/practice to have your banking app on a lot of devices. Mine just advised I remove the old when I switched on to the Android phone.

Well, it's official!

Ofcom has said that Evri is the worst (most hated) delivery company in Britain...not that we didn't already know that.

An amusing bit on LBC this morning with stories of their 'delivery' tactics.

Link

1 hour ago, Chekhov said:

That's an interesting theory.

That's all it is, a theory. If RM Parcels aren't being open about who is delivering, that needs looking into.

1 hour ago, Chekhov said:

(and is prepared to carry the can if it goes wrong....)

I did add that bit in brackets. I don't think the cost comes into it TBH. It's not a letter, often costs more and other companies seem to manage it OK. RM Parcels and DPD have both placed the delivery in my doorway then taken a photo. If I see box damage, I will take a photo of that and note it when signing. These are ideals and maybe not always needed. But throwing over a fence or on a driveway isn't acceptable. The ones that do it need stopping, or not using. They'll get the idea if people stop using them!

A few things are still very wrong with your delivery (and many others). As a delivery driver, if you can place an item over a gate easily, it can be stolen just as easily. eBay not interested, seller not interested and you are over £80 out of pocket. A way to run any business? I think not!

I get the feeling you're the same. I would not let this one go.

1 minute ago, RollingJ said:

Fair enough. I don't get many deliveries - of anything - but apart from the 'Yodel' shenanigans, I've never had any real issues.

Yes, Yodel are on a par with Evri in my book.

2 minutes ago, RollingJ said:

Very strange.

I've had quite a few Hermes/Evri deliveries in my time, and never had an issue (can't say the same for Yodel, though). Used to have issues with letters a while back - mail for addresses on our 'HQ' block were regularly delivered to the same numbered houses on the next road - 'HR'

I didn't read too much into it. RM and RM Parcels are classed as two different companies. To ease the load on RM Parcels they were going to use their system/fleet, plus the other two mentioned. I deal direct with DPD mainly. I'll certainly be asking questions if I have to use RM Parcels to send anything in future.

7 minutes ago, RollingJ said:

@zach I had heard something to that effect, but if the sender initially used RM, would there not be an extra label attached to allow processing through their (different) logistics system.

Difficult to determine, if the OP didn't get the item, though.

I'm not sure how it all works. DPD, no problem. Evri, a big mistake by RM (IMO)

I'd like to think they ask the sender and give the price options. RM Parcels have always been OK with my deliveries. Can't say the same for letters when the regular chap is on holiday!

I mentioned earlier in the thread that RM was going to use Evri and DPD. It's possible the seller did use RM and they then used Evri.

Going by the date on the quote, looks like it's started.

Quote

Is Evri linked to Royal Mail?

Post offices will allow people to send parcels with outside couriers, rather than using Royal Mail, for the first time in their 360 year history. The organisation has signed a deal to allow customers to choose to send items with Royal Mail's foreign-owned and cheaper rivals - Evri of Germany and DPD of France.7 Nov 2023

I think ALL parcel deliveries should be hand to hand or one of the many drop off boxes. None of this 'safe place' delivery (unless you request it at your possible expense). You only need to have a quick look on the net to see the terrible record Evri (Hermes) have got. Can that many people be wrong, or all at fault?

EDIT: I shall also eat my words about Amazon (well, Sundays delivery) The bloke was fairly early, very polite, and no issues bringing it up to my front door. Still cancelling Prime though!

4 hours ago, PRESLEY said:

I will never ever have one because they are crap. 

Try getting a standard one fitted if yours breaks. My £35 (Amazon) one broke. I asked the energy supplier to fit a new one the same type. After months of excuses from the lady in India (or wherever it was) They kept saying they couldn't get one. I even offered to buy it for them! No chance at all. They don't get paid from the Gov to fit standard, I hear they do for fitting smart...Or dumb if you read back a bit.

I don't need smart. If I'm cold, I put the heating on for a bit, if it's dark, I put the 'Big light' on! I don't get involved with plans of any kind. I find paying both Gas and Electric monthly via readings the best way. I could save a few quid by DD and other incentives but when I looked deeper, taking into account how much I use. I don't think I'll miss the bit of money saved per year. I think it was about £12 saving.

Unfortunately, that's how I ended up with not-smart fitted.

8 minutes ago, RollingJ said:

I'm not naming my supplier directly, but they changed their name (slightly) mid 2021 and ever since then, when I have needed to contact them (fortunately, rarely) it has been a total nightmare, where previously it had been a joy to speak to them.

 

I'm not bothered about them changing the meter, all I want is straightforward instructions on how to do a manual read - as I said, my bills appear to be accurate - based on historical data - but I want to be able to check if/when something appears out of kilter.

I agree. It's a very basic thing you want to do.

I tried Youtube for mine. So many that looked exactly the same but mine worked nothing like the videos. I just gave up and went for my solution.

2 minutes ago, RollingJ said:

If I can force myself down into that perishing cold cellar, I'll try shining a torch on my unlit meter - although I doubt it will work (properly) as it is a two-rate (E7) one.

 

I am in the process of creating a strongly-worded, but polite, email to the CEO of my suppliers, but after the raft of fiascos I've had since it was installed, I'm afraid they have lost me as a customer come February when my contract expires.

I don't blame you if you've had customer services or price issues. They won't change the meters due to changing suppliers as far as I'm aware. I'm not sure if you can request it as part of the change over.

3 minutes ago, RollingJ said:

My 'smart' meter communicates  with my supplier, and appears to be sending the correct readings - I'll need to wait for my next months invoice to confirm, as there appears to be no way I can manually read the meter - despite me asking by phone, chatbot and email, they appear to be reluctant to advise me of the procedure.

 

Unfortunately, the 'fantastically useful' IHD can't contact the meter, even though it is positioned in the room  directly above it - any closer and it is useless because that would involve me going into the cellar where the meter is.

 

All in all, I conclude this whole exercise is pointless from a consumers point of view.

My electric meter is evil! Push a button and it gives so many options. Shine a torch on the unlit display (no button push) I get the right reading for what I've used.

The gas one isn't bad but you nigh on have to lay on the ground to get low enough to read the display. Mobile phone camera sorts that one.

They keep saying they'll sort them out. I don't really want them to. I read/pay once a month. no silly quarterly bills and not a hope of them getting a direct debit. 

I have some very dumb smart meters. They are apparently too far away from each other to communicate (about 10 foot)

So, I just read the numbers from them and put them in the suppliers web page.

I'm curious what type of communication they use. Even Bluetooth will reach further than that, with a stud wall in the way. But not 'unsmart' meters!

12 minutes ago, HeHasRisen said:

You could simply name the meetings. But the fact you arent say it all. Enjoy your Sunday.

You always want your arse wiping! That says it all. I'll repeat for the hard of understanding. You made the assumption I was on about councillors (hint: I wasn't)

Now have a read to backup your assumption, and you'll see what I mean. It would help if you ever worked at SCC and witnessed how the big decision makers act...well, most of them. But as you're so knowledgeable on all things, you'll get there eventually.

1 minute ago, HeHasRisen said:

So none then. Cheers.

Nope, you make the assumptions, you find out why you assumed.

1 minute ago, HeHasRisen said:

Neat deflection. Which meetings then?

Neat redirection. Do your own homework!

1 minute ago, carosio said:

Saw one or two late on Sat. night, perhaps they work mainly through the night? They did the steep roads on the estate where I live.

I don't doubt they have been out. I can't say I've ever seen them on estate roads, and I've lived on some quite steep roads in the past.

Someone mentioned earlier about the cost of doing more estate roads, and I can understand the cost would be huge. Why can't the criminals on community service be brought in? Bit of payback to society with a push along salt spreader. Nice and cold and a bit of hard graft!

Bit of a pipe dream, but you never know.

5 minutes ago, Planner1 said:

Grit bins are for roads and footpaths, not domestic use. You can buy rock salt for that.

 

You can grit plenty from a bin. It doesn’t need a lot of it to get results.

 

This page on the council website has details on grit bin locations and relocations and a link to the form to request a refill.

Indeed (my bold)

1 minute ago, Jack Grey said:

How much road could you grit from a bin?

 

I thought it was obvious what it was for 

You'd be surprised. A bit of grit/salt can start a reaction that expands far from its initial point of contact. Basic chemistry at school.

Obvious. A big word. I can get a Jaguar V12 engine in parts, it's obvious to me where it all goes...could you? I can also design and build networks for thousands of people, that could span the world. It's obvious to me...can you? On the other side of the coin, I probably couldn't do your job. Because it may not be 'obvious' to me.

A grit bin never said (to my knowledge) For use on the path only. Many times in my younger days, it would be used on paths, drives and roads.

4 minutes ago, Jack Grey said:

Grit bins are for doorsteps and pathways....not roads

 

For 50 weeks of the year they're used for irresponsible dog walkers to dump their dog mess and kids set fire to them

 

Total.waste of money.....buy a bag from B&Q and stop moaning 

Agreed, people did abuse what they were for, but not everyone. I'd like to see where it says "Grit bins are for doorsteps and pathways" I've not seen that stated anywhere.

Moaning and stating the obvious aren't the same. Remember, a forum is a place of opinion and discussion.

9 minutes ago, HeHasRisen said:

Which meetings are these then? Or is this the usual "councillors get everything paid for and earn loads" misinformed rubbish we usually see on here?

Did I mention councillors or their pay? Or is this more assumptious rubbish we usually get on this forum!

1 minute ago, Jack Grey said:

Why should they provide it? 

 

They grit the roads.....your pathway is your responsibility 

Who mentioned "your pathway"?

Roads and pavements aren't the responsibility of the public.

14 minutes ago, Jack Grey said:

You can buy grit from B&Q.....it's pretty cheap 

It's a shame you can't buy common sense and intelligence there. Some SCC 'leaders' could do with buckets of the stuff.

3 minutes ago, Bargepole23 said:

How many gritting wagons and people to drivw them would be needed to grit every road in Sheffield in one day? A huge amount of money, people and plant for a few days per year.

How many people pay the council for services? Why remove the 'self help' option (Thread title)?

They can blow 10 grand on plaques etc. Have expensive meals at useless meetings...this list of wasted cash is long. But don't give a toss about the people that are a big part of their funding. (IMO)

You stand up for them if you feel they are doing such a good job. I think they need to re-think budget and spending, and employ the right people for the right jobs! I worked for them for many years. Central Council are useless (putting it mildly)

Thinking about it, I've not seen one for years.

I've not seen any grit trucks either (This year) It always amazes me how the council never do any non-main roads. You know, the roads where all those council tax payers live! The council tax payers have to get off the side/estate roads, to get to the main roads. Maybe too much forward thinking for SCC!

No problem. Just make sure you setup the shares/permissions properly. It's been a while since I used it (few months), but fairly sure the folders have to be accessible over the network.There are plenty of Youtube videos and web pages about it, or give me a shout if you get stuck.