OVER 2 YOU, 104 (29/10/02)

ON YOUR BIKE

A friend has given me a very old bicycle that is in great need of repair and rehabilitation. Most of the books that I have come across have make no mention of ancient cycles or anything similar to the one I have. Does anyone know of any websites that deal with this subject?

John M. Allistone, via email

John should look at Sheldon Browns' website that has everything you ever
wanted to know about cycles http://www.sheldonbrown.com/articles.html. This is recognised by the cycling world as one of the best resources on the web.
Stuart Hufton

The Internet is useful insofar as it will help you to track down a copy of G. Donald Adams’ very informative book ‘Collecting and Restoring Antique Bicycles’,  (Motorbooks International; ISBN: 0964953714). It is currently available from Amazon (www.amazon.co.uk) for £12.94.

Mike Sellars, via email

The Runcorn Cycle Museum in Cheshire is an excellent place to visit, if not the website (http://marina.fortunecity.com/highwater/381/) then in person, where you are bound to meet, or make contact with like-minded cycle restorers that can help you with your project.

S. Teacher, via email

The American First Flight Bicycles web site has a section devoted to old cycles, this includes sections selling parts and complete bikes, there’s articles on the history of the bicycle, a museum and a page full of resources and links to other related sites. For more information go to: http://www.firstflightbikes.com/

Dean Chambers

RETIREMENT PATCH

As I am getting older, I would like to redesign the back garden of my small semi-detached house, to make it easier to manage. I would like such things as a patio area, and raised flower beds, with flagstone paths and no grass! Is there a program somewhere, either on CD or on the Internet that I can use to help with the design?
Robert McInnes, Thornbury, South Glos.
 

Robert McInnes will be able (as I was) to design his garden layout with the help of Serif DrawPlus.  Even an old ‘freeware’ copy of the program will be effective, though I think that currently they are up to version 5 or 6.

David Fraser, Abingdon, oxon

As a computer professional and keen gardener of almost 40 years who has tried gardening software, my advice to Mr McInnes is forget it!  Good old fashioned pencil and paper (and a rubber) is far more satisfying and quicker than spending hours glued to a computer screen trying to master the intricacies and inadequacies of gardening software.  This may sound Luddite but PCs do have their limits.

Roger Norman

SHARE PRICE HISTORIES

I would like to be able to download price histories of shares, indices etc for use in a Technical Analysis program, for as far back as possible, and to update these histories as required. Does anyone know of any suitable sites, either free or subscription based?
Peter Shelton, by e-mail

Why not go straight to the horse’s mouth, as it were. The London Stock Exchange has a Historical Share Price Service with records going back 30 years. You can pay a one-off fee of £50 for its ‘Ad Hoc’ price search, or pay an annual subscription, which starts at £500. The address for the web site is:

http://www.londonstockexchange.com/hps/

D. Kenny

According to its web site share histories for over 2500 companies, going back more than five years, are available as an add-on for a portfolio tracking program called Micro Share. More details from: http://www.microshare.co.uk/

S. Poon, via email

You might want to have a chat with a Ms Mary Hudson at the Southampton Institute Library, who is in charge of an archive of FT prices from 1983 to 1999. You should be able to get more information from the Southampton Institute web site at: http://www.solent.ac.uk/library/databases/

database.asp?database=ftprices

Colin Webster, Southampton

NURSING ROTA

I work as a nurse 4 days on, 4 days off. I would like to be able to see at a glance, which days I will be working in 12 months time for example. Is there a program available which would do this?

Helen Lundy, via email

If the nurse's working schedule always stays the same, she would be better off buying a Filofax type diary. They come with, on one page, calenders for the current, prior and next years.  The one for 2003 is out now.  So, she could go through marking work/days off in red/green or whatever.  This would have the advantage of being portable, and would have bank holidays etc in the main part of the diary.
Gill Turner

PICTURE CATALOGUE

I am searching for a suitable database that would enable the cataloguing of ca. 20,000 slides (traditional card/plastic mounts). Each slide needs to be catalogued according to geographic location, subject matter, date plus reference number. A search mechanism is required in order to identify any single image. The database will form the basis to a web-based picture library and therefore would need to be compatible with Internet technology.
Tim Labrum, via email

The DBtoGO website www.dbtogo.co.uk has a database called DigiPics.This is a MS Access database that could be used directly on the web.It organises digital pictures and has sound and search and play facilities.This is available as a free download to allow testing to be carried out.
David Hodge

CHEQUE PRINTING

I have several problems. I am geriatric, disabled and my manual dexterity is deserting me. I am finding it increasingly difficult to write legible cheques. I only need to write about eight cheques a month and a certain accounting software company, beginning with a ‘Q’ charges a lot for printer compatible cheques. I only I hadn’t donated my old horse-drawn typewriter to the tip it would all have been so easy! Ideally I would like to use my regular bank cheques but I am open to all suggestions. Can anyone help?

D. A. Coppock, via email

Sometimes, figuratively speaking it's best to stick to pencil and exercise book. The solution is to get somebody else to write in by hand, print preferably, the payment details on to his cheques and then simply sign them.
Roger Brunskill, Twickenham

VALVE RADIOS

Does anyone know where I might obtain plans to build a ‘valve’ amplifier or radio, and also a source of valves? I remember building one as a young lad and I’m sure I would enjoy reviving the memory.

Peter Knowles, via email

Have a look at http://www.triodeel.com This is Triode Electronics in the US. They have an archive of literally hundreds of schematics for amplifiers, tuners, studio equipment etc, 99% downloadable, many with parts lists and some with manuals. They also sell valves and other components. The site includes catalogues and pricing.

http://www.duncanamps.com is another interesting site with some excellent software downloads (I use their TDSL valve database for pinouts and short data - nearly 14000 valves with web links for each - and their tonestack and power supply design utilities). Also a search on any of the major engines on "valve amplifier", "vacuum tube amplifier" or something similar will yield dozens of useful sources but don't forget to use americanese or you will go round and round for a long time.

Incidentally, I agree with an earlier correspondent’s views on transformers, they are a key design factors in valve amp performance, but certainly not the only consideration - read Williamson's article in Wireless World, August 1949, but I disagree that they are a reason to avoid such a project. Currently available audio frequency  transformers are of excellent quality, particularly from British suppliers! If that still puts prospective builders off, build a transformerless amplifier. I am presently completing design of what started as a simple power amplifier but has turned into a multi-channel behemoth with not a trace of semiconductor - a fascinating exercise. If you are that way inclined, of course.

Geoff Davis

If the enquirer lives near Oxford and/or can collect he is welcome to an AM valve receiver unit long, medium and short wave bands with 7 separate short wave bands (no amplifier) in cabinet together with a Jason FM unit with amplifier without cabinet. These work, or the last time I tried them they did, and are well fitted out with valves. All with my compliments, all I want now at my time of life is the space.  The only alternative for me is the refuse dump, not an appropriate ending for what had been a pleasant useful life, which is why I still have them!

Walter Hetherington

CAN YOU HELP?

In transcribing the wording of old documents and church monuments some words that contain the letter s are depicted with an s similar to an italic f but with a cross bar that does not go right across the upright.  I think it is known as a ‘long S’. I am unable to find a font that will reproduce this character. Can anyone help?

Martin Roberts, via email

I am trying to design a simple family tree - going back only four or five generations for my Grandma's 80th birthday. I already have the information on the people and relationships involved, but do not have any suitable software that would allow me to display it quickly and easily and be accessible to a non-PC literate octogenarian. Can anyone recommend a simple to use and highly visual family tree program, preferably low-cost (or free) as I’m trying to keep costs to a minimum.

Matthew Hunt, via email

Is there any software that can calculate Capital Gains Tax since Mr Brown has changed the rules from complicated to very complicated?

AlanGraham, via email