The Welcome Lounge: introduce yourself 👋

As a contributor to other sites I had just begun to accept the idea of putting a head above the parapet. My early experiences were not always pleasant and views often provoked personal attacks from others. I had been subscribing to Which for many years and immediately Which Conversation came into being, I put in a tentative contribution and found that the response was positive and friendly. I soon realised that there were many here who were well educated and worldly wise and I tried, and continue to try, to present an honest contribution, knowing that my limited knowledge and lesser status is not mocked and I can learn from those who really know what they are talking about, while, at the same time, posing an innocent question or two to dig a little further. I like to see things as they really are in a pragmatic way rather than take sides here. Thus I do hide some thoughts and leanings by discussing topics from a neutral view point, especially on political issues. I am still cautious about personal details though I dare say much of what I have written can identify me by compilation and analysis if anyone thought it worth their while. I hope I don’t rate that highly in any nefarious hierarchy to warrant the effort.
The Conversation site is well regulated – annoyingly buggy at times (I lost a contribution this afternoon and had to re-type it) and the members who contribute are – by and large – well mannered, polite and understanding. Differences are discussed and not fought over. The management steps in occasionally when someone mutters “you don’t know what you are talking about” Or are you accusing me of lying?”, and the protagonists agree to differ and move on. I have never found myself so confronted and hope I never will.
Some time ago, a kind contributor opened up a poetry conversation and I have taken advantage of that to indulge in verse when the muse hits. Since this is a hobby, I enjoy inflicting these offerings on others, but don’t expect anything in return. To an extent this is not strictly Which Conversation territory and by hijacking this space, I am misusing the Conversation site. No one has yet been worried enough to send a reprimand, and a few kind folk have encouraged further contributions. This is typical of the kindness and comradeship I value here; a site I find cathartic and therapeutic.
I enjoy composing, playing and singing classical music, and since retiring have been a governor of the special school that I once helped to lead. Now that caring duties are over I also have a modest boat that I use as a mobile water caravan when it is moored. Hence the odd verse about ducks! I enjoy walking and am a member of the National Trust. I have one -unpublished – novel and a shed full of short stories which languish in files. A dozen of these I submitted for an independent analysis, and was told that they were unique and enjoyable but I should continue writing for pleasure rather than look to being published. I do and have several projects on the go.
If you are tempted to join us here, then I believe you will receive the same welcome I did, and perhaps a fresh face or two might jog the rest of us out of our comfortable armchairs and smoking jackets.

Thankyou George. Overview is not the problem. Do Which know the difference between manufacture and marketing costs and the price we actually pay? Naturally a profit is expected but does this profit exist because the industry have decided they can pretty much charge what they wish and we, the consumer, can do very little about it, hence their anger at third parties offering cheaper ink? Spectacles seem to be unchallenged and one pays up or does without.

Your internet link suggests that most households have ten or so products linked to the internet. That is a staggering statistic since I don’t own any and have seen very few for sale anywhere, except the Amazon Alexa variety. Perhaps this needs to continue elsewhere, as it is drifting off topic here.

Thanks Duncan. Yes, lots of graphs and the desktop users are still alive and surfing – at work??

Brilliant post, VynorHill, I can’t hope to top that.

I’m known here as Sophie, or Sophie G. I have contributed to Which? Conversation for a few years now, since just about the beginning? I tend to participate less nowadays because topics return and I don’t always feel I have something new to add to what I have said before. The reasons I return to Which? Convo again is because it is generally interesting, polite, and very friendly.

I like to visit different places, they don’t have to necessarily be far flung. I have had lovely city breaks in Britain and cracking weeks away in the Highlands as well as glorious weekends in Paris and wonderful holidays in Greece. Culture, art, nature, geography, languages, all interest me.

I’m interested in politics and I can’t abide greed, selfishness and injustice, because they harm everything and everyone. I mention this because they affect us all as consumers. We can see for example how profit is put before service with trains and utilities, or profit before the environment and health, with what is basically tap water being sold in plastic bottles, and excessive sugar and salt being added to foods.

One of the consumer issues that drive me nuts is packaging. I mean, come on, “bottle – widely recycled, *sleeve – not yet recycled*”. What?????

Welcome to Which? Conversation! This is one of the places where all ye who enter here are given hope that things can get done, even if it can be d***ed difficult.

Cheers

I had to smile (sorry I have a perverse sense of humour ). We are told to welcome new posters in a polite and friendly manner but going by the posts by young people occurring now I dont think they need any reassurance.

Its obvious they are used to more open social networks and websites . Its certainly going to be entertaining and lively to say the least shortly.
I have a feeling though they might upset some here.

Hi All!
My name is David, username stickus (Stick stickus the sticky one!).
I have been a subscriber to Which magazine for some time now and do find it useful to use as a general reference guide, there is no excuse for not doing your own research whether buying, selling, updating, repairing, advising or problem solving on all manner of things.
I am retired and in my life have always lived by the motto; ” I will treat you as I would wish to be treated”.
During my life, amongst other things, I have served in the RAF, been in the Retail field, a manager and tutor at a Local IT training centre whilst, with my lovely wife brought up 3 children, a cat(Meow(passed over but still with us in spirit form)) and have a current addition to the family, Holly(the mad cat(thinks she’s a dog, loves playing fetch!)). From the early 70’s I have always been interested in IT, I build, repair and problem solve PC’s, Have written software, games and functional programmes.
I look forward to contributing to all manner of conversations and hopefully learn something new!
Regards
stickus

I would like to see Which go into more detail as to how it gets the results of it’s printer ink articles. I was the manager of a local Cartridge World for over 10 years and do not equate the results given with the experiences I was part of during this time.
Some of our customers included professional photographers, local NHS trust, Research Centre(through French embassy), local people and businesses.
One thing that was of great importance to all these was the quality of the ink we used(for which we gave a 100% no quibble guarantee which also included any damage caused to their printer, whether in or out of warranty, not many printer manufacturers give you that!), whether for ink jet or laser printers.
The savings the customers made against the cost of new was also a reason for using us.
I still have framed photos on the wall using the refilled and compatible cartridges supplied by us, good as new after 16 years, no fading at all.
It is well known that some printer manufacturers sell many of their printers at extremely low prices and make their recoup any loss through the sale of their cartridges.
This is why the compatible and refill industry has grown so much world-wide.

Just introducing myself … I worked in IT in Govt for a number of decades. I joined today as I’m quite passionate about tackiling online fraud & exploitation (a bugbear of mine from workdays as i never seemed able to raise awarenss of the risks amongst those with authority), and I wanted to respond to an article that seemed to me superficial and I wished Which? had addressed with better insight & analysis.
Anyway, I’m retired now. I’m a football fan. I live in SE London with family who are Chelsea fans, I’m a SAFC fan with a soft spot for local team Crystal Palace. Apart from that, I love gardening & hate the arthritis that’s starting to stop me doing my garden.

Hello!
I’m also from (and living in) Croydon, South London. Glad to see a few CPFC fans on here :), though I’m more of a fair weather fan and prefer Rugby if I’m honest (*awaits backlash*)

I’m an avid bargain hunter and up-cycler, so when I buy NEW things I like to spend wisely. I’m just about to buy my first flat and need to make some pretty big purchases, so to avoid decision paralysis, I’ve joined the conversation mainly for advice/ moral support.

I’m completely terrified of buying the wrong TV, so many reviews, so many Pros & Cons: How much do I need to worry about picture quality seeing as I’m not a gamer? LG EPG menu – how slow are we talking? Do I really need a sound bar?… etc.
Any help deciding how to best spend my £400(ish) budget on a 48-55″ TV would be greatly appreciated.

Also joining to say hi to @jon-stricklin-coutinho (*madly waving emoji*)