Advantages: Cheap and up to date, Takes new gfx card
Disadvantages: built in graphics are basic

...FOXCONN MOTHERBOARD The Foxconn K8M890M2MA-R2SH is a really cheap and cheerfull Socket AM2 motherboard. There's only one way that a manufacturer can come up with a motherboard that sells for such a low price, and that's by using every feature that the chipset has to offer without bolting on any extra gadgets. The chipset in on this board is the VIA K8M890 which includes VIA/S3G DeltaChrome graphics (cheap and nasty) and a VT8237R Plus Southbridge. There are two DDR2 memory slots so you get dual channel memory support, and if your a gamer and the integrated graphics aren't sufficient you can plug a proper graphics card into the PCI-E x16 slot provided. There is also a PCI-E x1 slot and two PCI slots. The Southbridge supports RAID 0 or 1 for the pair of SATA connectors and there are four USB 2.0 ports on the I/O panel... Read review

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Advantages: Very goon indeed.
Disadvantages: Can be dangerous

...OK, the knife is made by the famous Stanley company, and a lot of people here will think it just a "Stanley knife". Well let me just say that this is the Daddy of Stanley knives, it is a far better example of a wonderful tool. These are larger than conventional ones, and I thought these were only available to carpet fitters, as they are far too good for us mere Mortals. Having owned a second hand example, I can recommend it for accuracy and ease of handling. The bigger handle gives more control, and they still use the replaceable small blades. A Stanley knife, according to good old Wikipedia, is a utility knife (also called a box cutter, a Stanley knife, a razor blade knife, a carpet knife, or a stationery knife) is a common tool used in various trades and crafts for a variety of purposes. Israel and Switzerland call them Japanese... Read review

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Advantages: nice when everything is going well
Disadvantages: Unhelpful and unapologetic when things go completely wrong

...Dear Ciao readers, I thought I should post this to warn people about Morgan Stanley. Sorry in advance for the length. In June 2006 I took out a credit card with Morgan Stanley with a deal of 2% cash back for 6 months which would then revert to 1%. When it arrived I started using it and everything was fine. After the second month I noticed that the cash back hadn't been applied properly as only 1% had been applied. When I contacted them I was told not to worry as they were aware there was a problem but it would be sorted out by my anniversary date at the latest. Satisfied, I continued using the card. When I used it to purchase a wardrobe I received a call one minute after walking out the store. The phone call was from a lovely Morgan Stanley customer advisor who was concerned about the large purchase that was outwith my normal... Read review

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Advantages: High quality tape that does not suffer from degradation
Disadvantages: Hard to get hold of.

...and lead to carrying too many spares around. A longer tape, such as 120 minutes leads to thinner tape to fit in the actual physical size of the cape casing. This can lead to stretching and malformed tapes. A 90 gives extra recording time and does not suffer from stretching. However, these tapes are hard to track down. You can normally only buy the Sony tapes in 60 and 120 minute tape length and the 90's are quite rare. IT may be an imported style of tape as I have only seen them at Heathrow and Gatwick. This tape does perform best in a Sony Camcorder but it does not manit can only be used in this camera. Any Camera that takes Hi8 size Camcorder tape can use these for recording or playback. What makes it so good? Well, its a metal particle cassette. This is the equivalent to the Chrome Audio cassettes that Sony make. It gives a much... Read review

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Advantages: somewhere to get a late drink
Disadvantages: a drink might cost you more than you wanted

...Red or black? I don't know! Take card or not? Whatever you like playing in a casino, you'll find that most games in the Stanley Midland are looked after by the least miserable coupiers in town. Having said that its not difficult to be beaten on the service-with-a-smile front in these places is it? I have been to all the casinos in Manchester and have to say that the Midland is the only one that lets you win once in a while. You enter the establishment by going downstairs under the midland hotel and find that the atmosphere is quite friendly. I mean apart from the dealers the other staff, ie bar tenders, restaurant staff and the drinks waitresses are generally very friendly. The food in the restaurant is ok too, if you go after midnight and you are a member then you don't have to pay for the food you just sign for it. These meals... Read review

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Advantages: Cash-back, freephone number, easy online payment
Disadvantages: None

...I've had my Morgan Stanley Platinum Card for over three years now (Mastercard) and have been very impressed. I was accepted without quibble and given an immediate credit limit of £3000. The big attraction for me is Cash Back. This comes in the form of a cheque in the post around your aniversary date. It's based on what you've spent over the previous twelve months. As far as I'm aware, it's 0.5% of the first £2000 of purchases and 1% thereafter. This can work to your advantage if you save up in full, pay using the card, they pay the balance off when due. This is exactly what I did when we got our new kitchen. A slight drawback, however, is that Morgan Stanley have, without apparent notice, changed the rules on the cashback thing. It could happen again so I'd be tempted to shop around a bit. The real test for Customer Care... Read review

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Advantages: Cashback, credit limit and good customer service
Disadvantages: there are better deals out there if you carry a balance

...Surprisingly for me I have held a Morgan Stanley Platinum card for nearly three years. As a notorious "switcher" this is a rare condition for me to find myself in. Initially seduced by their direct marketing campaign (piece of junk mail); up to 1% cash back; and the promise of 0% on transfers for several months, I took the plunge and completed the application form. No problems at this stage, I was accepted, the card turned up in a couple of weeks or so, followed by the PIN number. The opening credit limit was fairly hefty, about twice what I was used to, and the activation process a simple (free)phone call. Outstanding balances were duly transferred via the call centre, again a very straightforward process. I was actually pleasantly surprised to connect straight through to a "real" human being straight away, having... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap, Free membership
Disadvantages: Bit worn and tatty inside, not a great selection of games

...Nothing really stands out in a Stanley casino; you get in free, and then generally have a choice of 3 tables. Blackjack, Roulette and if lucky Poker. If you're into machines then the selection isn't great either, about 10 in each casino. There are other games which can be played but never enough interest to get them opened, so you end up on either roulette or blackjack all night. Croupiers usually are pleasant and friendly, but you get the odd jobs worth who won't say a thing and seems to rush you along. Decor inside both casinos is a little basic, and looks like it hasn't been done for years, tables have chips and seats look worn. For somewhere that must make money they could do with tidying the place up. Positive things are the free sandwiches and soft drinks when playing on a table, also at 12:00-1:00am there is a free... Read review

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Advantages: Ethan Hawke - Sweet Use Of Dialog - Richard Linklater - UMA
Disadvantages: Not much - That Vinces' bag of beer is not presently in my room...

...Ever since I watched "Waking Life", I became a huge fan of Richard Linklater. The magical thing about Waking Life was the fantasy trip (seeing as how its real life footage, that was converted into animation) that you experienced, while listening to dialog about very important and profound subjects. Then when I viewed "Before Sunrise" I not only was cemented as a fan, but gained great respect for the awesome way that he directed dialog. In "Tape", he has shown the unlimited possibilities, even if you are limited in materials. For "Tape" is a low budget movie that takes place completely in a motel room. But holds the power of a big budget film, both cinematically and creatively. Tape is... This film is based on a 1-act play, with only 3 characters. Tape begun as an off-off-Broadway play. All taking place in Access Theater's 5th... Read review

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Advantages: Many great Pop Punk gems
Disadvantages: Probably wont appeal to those that don't usually go for Pop Punk

...The Explosion is one of those 'The Next Big Thing' branded bands - and the thing about these bands is that sometimes it happens for them, and sometimes it doesn't. However, in most of the cases where it just doesn't happen, the band isn't particularly great - this can't really be said of The Explosion. With 'Black Tape,' The Explosion has produced an album that although not entirely original, is full of substance, energy and excitement. There are many great tracks on display on this album that make The Explosion stand out from the pack and seem like a shining star in a sky of monotonous generic bands. This album kicks off with 'Deliver Us' which in some respects is a bit of a bad move because I'd say that this is probably one of the weaker tracks on the album. There is some heavy distortion on the guitars, and it doesn't really do... Read review

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