I am writing each chapter separately and then plan to merge them at the end. As long as you back up everything including the endnote library, there should be no problem. With the amount of references I am using I would hate to do it manually.

Although word table of contents is abit tricky sometimes, it does make sure all the titles etc are all formatted in the same way so that's what I plan to do.

I thought you were going to show us something Walminski :$

Can I have some chocolate please :-x

Hi Fryda - Welcome! :-)

I am just starting my 3rd year. I would think very carefully. A friend of mine gave up a PhD opportunity recently and then regretted it and can't find any other funding opportunities. But then again if it really isn't for you its best to get out early!

Again, it really does depend on what you want from the PhD. If you just considerd it a job, then you wouldn't probably be so worried.

Personally I hate my subject area - but I have come to be interested in it - mainly because I know more than most on the subject. I did the PhD because there were no jobs in my field at the time - I like having my own schedule and needed some money! I don't think it makes me any better or worse than any PhD student that loves their subject - just different. It really depends on how you see the PhD - is it going to be a 'journey' that you take and develop yourself emotionally blah blah, or is it going to be a 3 year contract where you work on a big project?

Also - PhDs never turn out like the original proposal - so if you wanted to change areas it is probably doable - but you can't flip flop too much, otherwise you will waste a lot of time.

I'm so jealous of you guitarman! well done hope things go well for you (up)

Write sections on each area, so you end with a load of individual essays - this will be much more useful in the future than a 'finished' article.

I like Toshiba, I have 1 toshiba and a compaq (and also a packard bell) the compaq is the newest and is pretty good. I like toshiba because whenever I open it up it reminds me of the adverts - 'hello tosh, got a toshiba?' 8-)

I have a PC in my industrial partners and one at uni - but I work from home most of the time - but I have ended up with 3 laptops and 2 desktops at home too and 2 external hardrives so I have to constantly hunt for my work and guess which computer it might be on as I am way too disorganised to sort any kind of system out!

No its not thank god - although my other half's is and unfortunately I have to proof read :-(

Make sure you get a laptop with a button that can turn the mouse pad off - a lot seem to have that now, so when you are typing the mouse doesn't reposition you. Also - try and get them to chuck in office 2007 and some virus stuff for free :p

:p

If you must have a laptop, I would say go for the best possible processor/speed, rather than be pulled in my the name or screen size etc. its the processor that will give you grief when your spss won't run and annoy you continually. Whether you have a sony or a 'rubbish' brand won't matter then.