======= Date Modified 11 Apr 2011 12:09:51 =======
Apologies for another computer question but I am at my wits' end! Here is the current situation:

I don't have anywhere to study so I bought a netbook to carry to the library with me as my laptop is too big. It had Windows Starter on it (Windows 7) and I attempted to upgrade using university software but this failed. I ended up somehow deleting Windows Starter so downloaded OpenOffice instead!

At home I use my laptop which is a few years old and has Windows Vista on it - it has been a big headache ever since I got it. Its only advantage is that I can use Endnote on it (which I can't on our even older home computer which has XP but is located in our lounge/playroom/dining room/study so is not useable most of the time).

My problem is that I am completely inept and have loads of different files in different versions of Word. When I try and put them together on the laptop something always goes wrong - formatting changes, Endnote fails etc etc. I am spending longer trying to do the techie things then writing the PhD at the moment and it is driving me mad.

My question is if I get a MacBook would this solve any of my problems? The cost is a big disadvantage but I can't go on working like this. I basically just want to write my thesis without having all these problems that I can't resolve. If I did get one could I still use my netbook for taking notes when I am not at home?

If you got this far, thanks for reading and thanks for any help - I am feeling really down about the whole thing as I am not able to get any help from the uni and am really ill-equipped to sort out these problems. Thanks.

Of course it is possible (not sure it's adviseable though - see my other post about less-than-supportive other half! ) I am married with three children - hope to finish within 2 years.:p

Am I going mad? Is it right that the parts and quantity of a book that you can access on Google Books changes over time? Last week I was looking at a book online and I am sure I was reading chapter 7 - looked at it today and it isn't available?

Why oh why did I decide to do a PhD based on interviewing? I am quite a shy person and I find the whole process of contacting people, convincing them to be interviewed, interviewing them and following up so stressful! In fact, I don't have enough interviews and now have to go and get some more and am putting it off...and off...gah! Does anyone else have this problem? Or any tips?

I bought one mainly for reading fiction as I live abroad and English language books are hard to find - I like the fact that you can get something to read instantly. However, I have found it very useful for reading and storing pdfs - much easier than laptop/notebook as you just switch it on and it's there straight away.

Thanks - will check those ones out.

======= Date Modified 16 Mar 2011 08:11:54 =======
OK a bit of a tenuous link but I have a really old mobile that I want to upgrade and am thinking of getting a smartphone (are they called that in the UK?) I can only really justify it though if it is really helpful for my PhD! Please tell me it has helped you enormously.... ;-) Does anyone have any recommendations - I am really confused by it all (showing my age!) Also my voice recorder has broken and I need a new one - am wondering if a new all singing and dancing phone could do that for me? Does anyone use it for that? Thanks!

I do this - I live about 1000 miles from my uni. It is something that you will have to negotiate with your tutor. I spent the first 5 months on campus doing some courses and generally preparing for my research. Now I only go once or twice a year and I have supervisions on Skype.

Thanks - looks a bit pricey though - do you really have to renew it every year?

I can't see this post properly - can anyone else? If not, I'll repost.

Hi all - sorry for the banal question but I am really stuck. I have been using Endnote for a year and a half and have loads of info on it. However, my laptop (which had Vista) on it died and I bought a new one which has Windows 7 and have now found out that it isn't compatible - aaargh! What can I do? Can I transfer the data to a different program? And if so which one? Thanks for any help.

This is so scary. I am being sponsored by work - if I don't get a PhD I will have to pay back 3 years of wages which will literally bankrupt the family. :$ And on that note.....better stop procrastinating!

Hi Daisy. I work mainly in the local library but also go round to my in-laws sometimes. I don't have a study though - or even a desk where I can leave things out. :-( I think in your position I would just barricade myself in and put on some noise cancelling headphones!

Sneaks - I love the idea of a pen but unfortunately it doesn't stop the noise. I have given up putting mine into the playpen as they complain - very loudly!

Good question! Lots of things I wish I were good at I am already learning (playing the piano, knitting) and I am enjoying the learning process so much that if I could magically do them straight away I would actually be quite disappointed! I already speak Italian and French and tbh I am too lazy to learn any more languages....:p

I wish I were better at DIY AND computers as it would save money on calling in the odd job man for probably quite easy things and I wish I could be fitter without making any effort at all! I also wish I were a super-organized mummy who manages to send their children to school with the right things on the right days.....