The Irish entry sucked: all it was missing was a leprechaun drinking poteen.

I agree with Ann. Also it was funnier when it was all Eurodisco; not much to smile about with those maudlin Eastern European ballads. Funny how the UK has finally given in and gone for the cheesy Eurosdisco...just as the rest of Europe goes for the tragic ballad (which could be about the failed turnip harvest for all I know).

I voted for Germany this year!

The Irish entry sucked: all it was missing was a leprechaun drinking poteen.

I agree with Ann. Also it was funnier when it was all Eurodisco; not much to smile about with those maudlin Eastern European ballads. Funny how the UK has finally given in and gone for the cheesy Eurosdisco...just as the rest of Europe goes for the tragic ballad (which could be about the failed turnip harvest for all I know).

I voted for Germany this year!

Interesting D+C. I don't know why students would post such comments: if they are not happy where they are, then they should transfer somewhere else - you only get one go at uni life (referring mainly to undergrads here, though - it may be more difficult to transfer a PhD that a Bachelor's).

Thanks everyone for your advice. Pineapple's laptop seems to fit most of Golfpro's sugestions, except for hard drive size and RAM. I'll print off this thread and take it with me when I go looking.

I feel a bit more knowledgable now

How are you finding it, Pineapple?

Probably be using it all the time, so a big screen then. Are the cheaper ones likely to be the big heavy ones?

450quid still sounds good!

Thanks Golfpro; there is an Aldi near here so I'll check it out. 400quid sounds pretty good to me; was expecting it to be more expensive

I would like to get a laptop to replace my ancient PC. How much do you need to spend to get one suitable for PhD work? I would need programmes like ChemDraw, and probably a lot of memory for images etc.

There is a designated postgrad space: it started as a large room where everyone had their own desk; then it became a smaller room, where everyone had their own desk. Now it's an even smaller room with a hotdesk setup.

I find it too distracting, so I use an old desk in my lab. It's not too comfortable but at least it's quiet.

I totally agree, Jojo

Someone posts on the Forum (not on this thread) using my real name (mind you I'm sure it's their real name too ). It's weird seeing a load of messages apparantely from myself, until I remember that I'm using a cunning disguise and don't post under that ( my real) name.

Like Jojo, preparing for a meeting. But procrastinating like a good un - updated my Endnote, filed lots of reports, cleared my desk - now really must work.

Personally speaking, I don't care whether or not I have letters after my name - I'm doing this because I love research and couldn't envisage doing anything else with my life. But I have to do it the Ph. D. route because I am not rich, and therefore could not afford to build my own laboratory.

Also, I don't see what's wrong with being a working class producer of knowledge. That seems like something to be proud of to me.

BTW asking if we've heard of Goethe is also a bit condescending...he is rather well known, you know

From my (limited) information, I think that the modern scientist is different in that he/she is not an aristocrat. Many of the names you mention were from highly moneyed families, and they had a) the time to become well-rounded Renaissance-type individuals, given that they did not have to earn their living through science but could treat it as a hobby and investigate whatever took their fancy; and b) again, being wealthy, they did not have to compete for funding, with all the endless politics that that involves.

Research is open to the common man/woman today, and that's whats so good about the Ph.D. - anyone can have a go. I sometimes idly think about how good the life of a researcher was back then, until I remember that if I'd been around then, I'd have been sweeping horseshit for those greats that you mention.