PC World - horses for courses

Advantages: Local supplier with goods available immediately and some good offers
Disadvantages: Prices may not be competitive with the best, can be busy at weekends

...It is easy to be cynical about PC World. They are a high profile, high volume retailer in a market where there are many relatively expert users (although even more beginners). We here on Ciao are probably less than representative of the general population as we have a higher than average awareness both of technical matters and consumer choice (isn't that why we're writing opinions?). I have visited a number of PC World stores and have made both business and personal purchases amounting to many thousands of pounds. Why did I make these choices when there are so many alternatives? The main reason is the most obvious one, PC World carry a large stock of a wide range of equipment. Most items can be selected, paid for and carried away immediately. This is often essential in a fast moving business environment. As an example, one Friday...

pauljm 14.03.2001 (16.08.2001) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of PC World (Shop)

BSY Courses

Advantages: So many courses!
Disadvantages: You've got to motivate yourself!

...BSY offers over 250 courses for anyone to undertake at home (though some do require a final examination in a particular place). When I decided to get my life in order I looked for the cheapest and best place to do Pet Psychology and BSY won, so I rang them up and the really nice lady offered me a 2 for 1 deal and I'm now doing Holistic Animal Healing also. Now, I'm not the most motivated person in the world - bear in mind I started this in Jan 2006! Anyway, I've finally sent off my final examinations and hopefully I'll receive qualifications soon. Everything I received and needed for the course was sent through the post with envelopes to send it back once completed. I get to keep all the course materials too. I know that different courses require you to purchase your own equipment and take exams so I can only comment on the 2 above...

rolletrog 06.02.2008 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of BSY Courses

Standard Grade Computing

Advantages: Really interesting
Disadvantages: The course lasts 2 years

...Standard Grades are courses taught in Scottish schools, usually available to S3/S4 students (14-15 year olds). Last year, I completed 8 standard grade courses, one of which was Standard Grade Computing. I'm hoping to review all 8 of my courses at a later point but for now, I'll start with Computing as it was my favourite. First of all, most people think Computing will be an easy choice and they'll be on a computer most of the time. If your thinking of doing the course because of this then you'll be in for a shock - Computing is over 75% theory! While I loved learning about how the processor inside a computer works and how robots are used to make factories more efficient, some people in my class weren't as eager to learn about these things. Although the course is mainly theory work, there is plenty of practical work, too! My...

tb240904 02.09.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of SQA Higher Still Course

3 courses - 1 year

Advantages: Surprisingly easy, excellent material, helpful tutors.
Disadvantages: Have to work by yourself so you need alot of self-drive.

...computer marked multiple choice assignments. The tutor marked all 4 of these assignments and returned them with, in my opinion, very useful feedback. Even if I had completed an assignment very well, the tutor still gave me feedback and pointers for improvement. Finally, at the end of the course there is a big end of course assessment. This is in the form of an assingment which is externally marked and verified, and the results are simply added to your overall score. The first assignments I described all count towards a continuous assessment score. The minimum to pass this 'half' of the course is 40% which is not difficult provided you read the study material properly. The ECA is a bit more tricky as it is still necessary to get 40% in this assignment alone, but the marking scheme is much more strict. taking into account...

la_chique 16.12.2006 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Computing

Alpha course

Advantages: The people will be friendly and there will be a good atmosphere
Disadvantages: The program is structured so that awkward questions are not asked

...You should be aware that the Alpha Course is one mans version of what Christianity is all about, a man called Nicky Gumbell. I am a Christian myself, but would disagree with a lot of what he writes. He sees everything from a Charismatic perspective and the whole aim of the course is climaxed by a day or weekend away where perhaps some people will lay hands on you to receive what he calls the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Its important for you to know that its mainly Christians from a Charismatic church or pentecostal belief who would believe in such a thing. Most christians would say you have the holy Spirit the moment you become a Christian, and is not a "second stage" Most people who attend Alpha courses are already Christians, and a lot of very important questions just aren't covered, and its less than honest in its opinions...

sandydog 17.10.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Alpha Course

Cat Eye Vectra computer

Advantages: Simple to use, sturdy and reliable, great value for money
Disadvantages: A pain to set up

...It is imperative to know how far you've gone, how long it took and what your fastest speed was and the only way to do this is with a cycle computer. It is a must have bit of kit to ensure that you are actually improving. Computers can be wired or wireless. Off road it is important to ensure that the amount of things that can get tangled up in hedges, branches etc is kept to an absolute minimum and the only option, therefore, is a wireless computer. I stumbled across the Cat eye vectra whilst looking through the Evans Cycles site. The selection is vast and the functions, and prices, vary greatly. I only required the basic functions - the amount of calories I burn off, what my heart rate is etc doesn't really bother me. The Vectra is the most basic wireless computer that Evans sells, however, it has all the functions that I...

yackers1 08.04.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Cateye Vectra Wireless Computer

Number one accountancy course

Advantages: Exam focused, gets results
Disadvantages: Expensive

...BPP offer a range of courses to help students pass various accountancy qualifications(these are CIMA, ACCA, ICAEW, AAT and various insolvency qualifications). They also offer law, marketing and Human Resources help. There are 23 centres across the UK where you can study. BPP offers a variety of different courses - subject courses and revision courses. The subject courses are around 400 pounds each and last three days. Revision course are closer to the exam date and cost around 300 pounds and also last two days. The quality of the course obviously depends to an extent on the quality of the lecturer. Although I have found (and heard) that they are very good and really know who to teach. The emphasis is very much on passing the exams, so questions and revision are on what you will be examined on. There is no reading "around...

Fantasyman 27.10.2004 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of BPP Accountancy Courses

Cheap cadence computer

Advantages: Has a cadence sensor, good for turbo training
Disadvantages: Wired, small screen, not waterproof, useless for outdoor use

...Despite its name the Trek Incite 11i computer has just ten functions, which include current speed, an odometer, trip distance, elapsed time, 12/24 hour clock, average speed, pacer, maximum speed, temperature and cadence. The cadence sensor measures how many revolutions per minute you are turning the pedals, and this function is generally found on much more expensive cycling computers, therefore you may wish to consider this computer if you participate in spinning training. Except for the temperature function, all functions are likely to be used by all cyclists in training. Personally, I can?t see the point of the temperature feature as it doesn?t add anything to the overall computer. One thing to note is the lack of stopwatch, which is a bit of a let down, however, there is a clock that starts once you start pedalling which you...

yackers1 22.10.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Trek Incite 11i Cadence Computer

ASUS EEE PC 701 - Small but perfectly formed

Advantages: Size, Ease of Use
Disadvantages: Small keyboard, small screen

...This review looks at one of many netbooks to be released in the UK over the past few months, ASUS's EEE PC 701 SD. The model I have is fitted with Windows XP and has an 8Gb hard drive. I bought it on special offer for £155. Appearance The 701SD is absolutely tiny. It weighs around a kilogram and is roughly the same size as a hardback reading book when in the closed position. It comes in a neat box along with instructions,a mains charger, a protective case and a system CD. It has a 7 inch screen which is absolutely tiny but is still perfectly functional. The unit has three USB sockets, headphone and microphone jacks, and SD memory card slot, a small webcam above the screen and a microphone positioned just underneath the keyboard. It has a small touchpad which is small but works in exactly yhte same way as a normal sized laptop...

Future77 27.07.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Asus Eee PC 701

Mesh Computer Nightmare

Advantages: None
Disadvantages: Appalling Customer Service

...This is an honest account of my experience of Mesh Computers Ltd. On the 2nd December 2008 I placed an order on-line for an Xtreme Pro I7-920. The desktop computer arrived on the 30/12/2008 by DHL courier service. The box was in good condition and I signed for the goods. When the box was opened and the desktop computer inspected I soon discovered that it was not of a satisfactory quality. The system box was bent and not assembled correctly. The media reader was also bent and not installed properly. The black tower case was covered in a white compound or paint marks. The side panels had been able to move during transit due to the poor build quality. This allowed the screws to fall out that held it together and the manufacturers warranty seal had torn. I went to the trouble of setting up the computer even though my instinct was to...

wholefruit 06.04.2009 (30.07.2009) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Mesh Computers