pap

The Wii U launched in the UK on 30th November. While Nintendo continue to innovate in many areas (motion controls say hello), the Wii U represents what a lot of Nintendo geeks wanted when the Wii was released - a high def console to play Nintendo games on. There have even been reports of the machine being underpowered in some departments, especially the CPU - apparently not as nippy as the aging 360 and PS3, from some reports. Could definitely see that. Nintendo likes to make a profit on its hardware from day one; some companies will loss lead on it. But, in the end, I'll probably end up getting one simply because it'll be the only thing that plays Nintendo games on a big screen. Try as they might, no-one has ever got close to replicating the magic of their in-house stuff. Anyone else thinking of getting one?

DS9 is actually very good if you stick with it, TDD. First two seasons are mainly setup, but it does build into something epic (although not as good as B5). Voyager was blighted by technobabble but had its moments.

Next year will see the introduction of universal credit. Broadly, the proposals are about streamlining the benefits system. Instead of getting benefit through different channels, something that most people will agree is expensive and costs a lot of money, claimants will get a single payment covering all of his or her entitlements. Sounds super, right? Well, there's a big problem; chiefly the way that housing benefit is paid. For many years, these payments have circumvented the claimant entirely, especially with big social landlords. Tenants in privately rented accommodation currently have the option to send money direct to the landlord (unless the landlord is not deemed fit and proper). That all goes away with universal credit. Local social landlords are already planning for a default rate of 9%. Ultimately, this 9% of tenants who don't pay their bills will push prices up for everyone else. Not just that either. Another huge area for registered social landlords is cash flow. Under the existing system, they are able to count on a huge block of money being paid at the same time each month. There are bound to be people in the private sector for which the temptation will prove too much; they won't pay their rent on time - everyone suffers as a result, including any dependants they might have. Evictions ultimately aren't good for anyone. Evictees invariably end up in dodgy temporary housing (we've already seen this as part of the HB cap) which causes all its own problems, Is the housing benefit component of universal credit 2013's ticking policy time bomb?

That is an interesting read, if a bit gutting. Confirmation of what we all suspected. I bore my kids with tales of getting into the Dell at the £3 "boy" rate in the sexist 80s. Ticket prices make a massive difference, especially for getting youngsters interested in the game. Isn't a big problem with any protest the fact that many of those who are bothered are already priced out of the market? Personally, I do think we've got a fair few returners at away games. In terms of per capita intensity, our League One visits trump our greater numbers in the Prem.

I've mentioned this before but I just love the chemistry between the crew at that point. Actors so comfy with each other. I am toying with the notion of getting TNG on BluRay. Only problem is, lot of crap in the first couple of seasons. You can only polish a turd so much.

I'm disappointed with this latest iteration of the dune franchise. As a character, Barry Sanchez is underdeveloped, self-contradicting, and apart from the claimed Liverpool and Labour party associations, posts in a very similar style, both in frequency and tone. The creators have placed too much emphasis on the "genius move to Liverpool" and as a result, the content suffers. An ever more sophisticated audience means it simply isn't enough to offer up the same tired trollage from a new location; in fact - many fans will be enraged. @AngryBollix32 Why've they moved dune to Liverpool? It's a gimmick. #dontbuyit @ReplyingDimwit54 It's for the twist, innit? They don't want us to know he is dune. dune would NEVER be in Liverpool, @AngryBollix32. If you're going to switch political allegiances of the character as part of the process, at least make sure that the dialogue backs that up. I mean we've got this character Barry; supposedly left of centre and a member of the Garston and Halewood Constituency Labour party, smearing a fellow member (of both the Labour Party and Saints Web) as some kind of crazed right wing stalker. Barry's obsession over pap's rent is an entirely wasted sub-plot. pap had this to say:- "I don't get it. Why is it important? I rent a house at the moment. I'm moving to a bigger one in the New Year. I'm going back down south when the girls are at Uni and will buy a place with ms pap there. Again, why is it relevant? And was he asking if I rent property to people?" This latest effort is displaying all the signs of cancellation; a tired rehash in which the creators bet the farm on the relocation and reversal of political allegiance, but have failed utterly on the content. The plotholes are already building to a point that stretches the credulity of more observant viewers. It's surely just a matter of time before a wider audience recognises the same old patterns emerging and switches off.

Star Trek II-IV are the undiscovered sci-fi trilogy. Love them all; Search for Spock is much maligned, imo. In no way is it a bad odd-numbered Star Trek film.

Lord D, how often do you go drinking? What was so great about the Ship and Mitre? Clearly, there was something about it to earn this assessment of "great", and you're not as terse when talking about things you take an interest in, such as the Labour Party. Why bung my name on the end? What's wrong with "Thanks for the tip, great pub". It's fairly clear you want a discussion with me. I'd suggest you start by qualifying your opinion, and we'll go from there.

Lord D says you are another username on a different forum. If Lord D knows you in real life, that is a different story, and I'll look a bit of a bellend. I've shouldered such a burden before, as Turkish can attest. Don't think I'm wrong on this. You have had opportunity after opportunity (still do) to prove the one thing that is in dispute, your identity. A quick link would have been the "racist username gaffe of 2012". Instant smackdown, providing chortles for the masses and a few more slices of humble pie for yours truly. It has never come. All we've really seen is evasion, vague descriptions of where you might be, and some interesting assessments on my character. It's pretty much the same thing dune did minus the match day geolocation. I have been accused of not answering your questions, so I'm delighted to be able your query "Do you live on here?" My answer is:- "Arf!"

To be fair to Anfield, it was a much better spectacle than Goodison. The Kop looked awesome when they were moving that huge banner around. I will say that both grounds are noticeably quieter than they were the last time we played them, and I daresay we'll hear this again and again through the season. I'll also say fair f**king play to the Northam. I don't go to St. Mary's that often, but that stand sings all game long. Couldn't say that for the Kop or Gwladys St.

In Rafa We Trust.

That's certainly one theory It may explain Bazza's absence since his opportunity to prove that he wasn't dune disappeared. I know a couple of people who work down the Royal, and there is a Maxillo-Faciallary unit up at Fazarkerly. I'll check both to see if anyone has had a bratwurst shoved up their arse/into their ear.

Just back from the game. The scoreline flatters us. Could just as easily been 3 or 4, possibly more. I thought Liverpool were good; very effective at breaking us down. Shame we helped them out so much. Bit too hurried in possession, or alternatively, trying to pass the pass into the back of the net. Officials certainly didn't help. If Skrtel had decked Rickie it'd be 50/50 whether it was even a foul Overall, a little disappointing, but some signs of encouragement. A bit more bread and butter basics ( seem to remember Gaston losing the ball a lot ), better ref and it could have been a different story. They are there for the taking this season.

Outside the Arkles. Was a little bit tasty 5 mins ago. Safe to emerge, Bazza!

I'm in the Arkles. No sign of Bazza in his red Karrimor jacket. Come and say hello, Bazza.

I'll be accused of being non-responsive ( and therefore right wing and Hitler ) for not giving you a concrete answer to this question. I just can't choose. I only have one dog myself, and am therefore a bit clueless about canine comparison. Do you end up having a favourite, etc?

Looking forward to this immensely. Feeling a bit delicate after a few beers. Could all go pear-shaped, of course, but this Liverpool team isn't nearly as impressive as sides that have gone before. A good chance of getting something out of this, I reckon.

Don't know, tbh. Got a couple of mates who are into the same sort of music as me that'll send me links. Very cool though; love their version of Vincent Price's voiceover.

I can confirm that I do all of my own stunts. They aren't very impressive. Some would probably say I was over-egging the whole "stunt" part.

Touched, Tim. I was under the impression that I was a poster not worth bothering with. Glad to have you back.

Touched, Tim. I was under the impression that I was a poster not worth bothering with. Glad to have you back.

So you say, dune.

So you say, dune.

And you're spent. As much as I'd like to continue stroking your ego by giving you the oxygen of attention, I'll leave people to make their own minds up about why you're so reluctant to send a photo if we're gonna be having a friendly beer in the Arkles tomoz anyway.

And you're spent. As much as I'd like to continue stroking your ego by giving you the oxygen of attention, I'll leave people to make their own minds up about why you're so reluctant to send a photo if we're gonna be having a friendly beer in the Arkles tomoz anyway.