I have been having problems with broadband filters. In the last four months two of the three I have installed have failed due to what I believe are lightning induced spikes on the BT phone network. In one case the phone failed and in the other the broadband would not connect.

My phone installation, as well as the three sockets, also has a permanently wired bell which is not connected to the line via a filter and couldtherefore be an added complication.The original filters were supplied by BT when the broadband was installed after removal of Home Highway about eighteen months ago.

I now find out that there are two types of filter; active and passive. The passive ones (purchased at Tesco) are cheaper and more convenient to use as they are self supporting when plugged into the socket whereas the active ones are of a "dougal" design and need securing with velcro.

I have seen on the BT Shop website a comment by a purchaser that you have to use BT provided filters if you want caller identifcation to work on the phone. I have also seen suggested somewhere that BT only approves active filters for connection to its network.

I am an avid reader of PCW but cannot recollect seeing an article on the subject of filters and the merits of the two types or if the comment about caller identification is correct. I would like to see information published on the merits of the different types of filters (including the diferences between them) and if the more expensive ones are better value for money or if all filters are equal in performance terms and the pricier ones are just a ripoff.

Keith Ringrose

Posted by on November 29, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Regarding your article "Switched on PCs cost the earth" and the general concern about equipment on stand-by, it is quite wrong to say that it 'wastes' electricity. What happens to all that power? It's converted to heat which heats the building.

This means that the heating system will run less. In addition. leaving equipment on standby can improves reliability. Components are not stressed so much. this means equipment will last longer, so less electronic equipment will be scrapped.

The point I am trying to make is that it's not just a simple case of wasting power if equipment is left on standby, it is much more complex equation which should be looked at thoroughly before any generalisations can be made.

If I switch off all my electronic equipment in the house, my central heating system will compensate by running longer. If I save 1KW of electricity, the central heating will have to produce the equivalent amount of heat. Which KW creates the most carbon dioxide? The one generated by the power station or the one generated by my central heating system??

Sandy Norval

Posted by on November 29, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (10)

I picked up your magazine this morning just as I was deciding which Blackberry to go with. Having read the review about the Treo, I trotted off to Vodafone in Peterborough.

They knew nothing about the product (or Blackberries for that matter) but were as helpful as one can be without any knowledge. I bought the product and signed up for the appropriate service. On leaving the store a text came through from Vodafone (on my old phone), inviting me to use my new phone to visit their website and get set up. How efficient I thought!

But that's where it ended. Having spent an afternoon setting the Treo up, I eventually rang Vodafone when I couldn't get an internet connection. I was told the product didn't exist. I explained it did as I had it in my hand.

After being told by the call centre member that my voice was too loud (I do talk loudly!) and it was hurting her ears, I called back to hopefully be in contact with someone more helpful.

A very helpful young (they all sound young nowadays!) man told me that the product did exist (as if I didn't know) but that there were no support details on their system. He spoke with technical services and they confirmed that neither the settings for internet connection or the support documentation had been released. No-one knew when they would be released.

The advice I was given - go back to the store and get a refund. I will say, though, that I was given a £10 credit on my phone for my trouble.

So, the product reviewed by PCW and promoted by Vodafone is being sold without the only reason for buying such a device - an internet connection - being unavailable.  Surely a case of mis-selling?  Perhaps Vodafone could train their staff.

And if you've still got the device, could you tell me what the settings are so that I can have a go at getting connected rather than just take it back and move after many years with Vodafone to another provider.

Caroline Page

Posted by on November 17, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (1)