MrObsessive

I had Norton already installed by Dell when I got my computer last year, and it wasn't all that! Near the end of it's subscription time the program crashed and I simply refused to reinstall/update it. I switched to PC Tools Spyware Doctor with Antivirus and have had no trouble. Another thing that I highly recommend is a online backup! True one can backup data with an external hard drive, but those can fail or heaven forbid a disaster happen to your home due to fire, flood, earthquake, etc. Nothing can be more heartbreaking/frustrating than a hard drive crash and have all those neat photos and music gone forever! Carbonite will back up your files (UNLIMITED amount) for under 50 bucks a year. It won't slow down your computer as it works silently in the background. I've used it for the past year, and haven't had a single issue with them.

She was asking me questions such as have I ever been to India, (Invitation?) and how was it here in the US. She sounded cute, but perhaps a bit too young for me (early 20's?). She spoke good english, and she picked up that by the way I spoke that I was from the northeast. She also said that the common language there is english because there are so many different languages and dialects from city to city, they speak mostly english to each other. I got her name but my oh my...........it's a looooong one!!

Oy Vey!! When it rains it pours! ....................And they said Vista had problems!

Instructions? Surely you jest! They just come to me as I build along............otherwise I would never get anything done!

Yup! Did all that Mike as I have PC Tools Spyware doctor and Antivirus.......I also shut down Windows Defender with all its attendant warnings that followed--------still had a big hangup! I use Carbonite online backup, so if in case I did lose everything I could get it back. I highly recommend them BTW, whether or not you've got a problem with your computer! You never know when the hard drive might go south! So far as of this morning, I've had no issues or shutdowns...........the computer is running more smoothly since the SP1, but time will tell.

Watch out Harry! As more and more folks get Macs..........you can best believe there are folks staring at the ceiling in the middle of the night, banging their fists against the headboard trying to find a way to hack your system. That's one of the reasons IE gets hacked so much.......something like 90%(?) of users are on it as opposed to Mozilla Firefox or others? It'll only be a matter of time before the numbers will justify them getting into the act.

Happy belated Birthday Tom! Some of us are right behind you!

Up until this point, I've never had a problem with Vista. Microsoft BTW, tells the potential buyer that they need at least 512 MB of RAM to run Vista. WRONG!! If you want to get the most out of this power hungry OS......I recommend AT LEAST 1GB of RAM, and if you can afford it 2GB is best, especially if you plan to run a lot of high powered games and such, otherwise you'll have a super slow 'puter. I run 1GB and have gotten along well with it..............but next time I upgrade to something new, I'm putting in a 2GB chip. I never got a chance to use XP...........my last computer was so old it was running Windows 98, and when I wanted to get the latest and greatest computer------all they had then (June '07) were machines with Vista. I do hear from others that have XP that they really like it, and they'll hate to switch, but I can guarantee you that Microsoft more than likely will stop supporting it after '09------definitely by '10.

This is a bit OT but still relevant as we all use our 'puters to come to this great place! I just want to give you Microsoft Vista users a heads up about their new Service Pack 1 that turned out to be a total nightmare for me for the last couple days. I was only able to post something just last night as I finally got everything back to "normal". Microsoft is sending out a BIG, FAT "update" which turns out to be the SP1.............the only problem is after you download the update, and depending on what other programs you have installed, SP1 may not install on your OS. I tried downloading SP1 about six times before I threw in the towel and called Microsoft. I got a very nice Indian girl (she was understandable) and must have spent TWO HOURS on the phone trying to sort this out. She finally threw in the towel and sent me to another tech who told me I had to put in the installation disc that came with the computer and basically reformat the drive! Of course this meant I might lose everything on my hard disc, so I checked my Carbonite backup to make sure it was complete at the moment. I put in the disc, followed all the prompts and then the sloooooooooow process was underway. Now this was around 2:00 in the afternoon when I finally had to get to bed........and the system was still going through the process----------now mind you this episode with Microsoft and company started around 9AM. I went to bed, came downstairs around 8:45 PM--------the computer was totally shut down! I fired it up, only to have the screen say "Stage 2 of 2 in progress" or something like that............AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRGGGGGHHHHH!! :lol: Finally the desktop shows and the update icon in the toolbar show up again...........Of course the update for SP1 still has to take place so I go ahead and download it. The Service Pack did install (FINALLY!) but then much to my chagrin now I had no sound!! UUUUUUUUGGGGHHH...............So I ended up (WITHOUT Microsoft help this time ) uninstalling the sound card drivers...........going to the Dell website, downloading new drivers, and then reinstalling the drivers and WALLAH!...........I had my sound back. I've still got programs I'm sure waiting in the wings that need to be reinstalled as they may not be compatible with the Service Pack 1, (I've already had an issue with Carbonite) so I'll just have to deal with it as the computer is only a year old. I still have all my music and pics and other documents at least so that was good news. Thank goodness I have some computer background and knowledge or otherwise I WOULD be totally bald at this point! I can't help but think what a newbie might go through if they have to deal with this potential nightmare! I highly recommend if you get this download and it won't install, be prepared to carve out some time to get it straightened out and be without your computer for the better part of the day! Ain't 2008 technology grand??

Nice details Jeff! The Burtex trunk mat looks great! Is that a decal?

That's the roofline I like Steve..............here's the other one............. Although I would take either one as they're both nice looking!

That interior looks GREAT Bruce! I love anything '58 from GM and yours is turnin' out great! I'm afraid your cat is too close for comfort for me though!

Billy, Olds and Buick used a way different chassis than Chevy for '57. IIRC, the Olds and Buick used a X-type/cruciform frame, while Chevy still hung unto the perimeter frame until the '58. I think even the '57 Olds and Buick frames were not quite alike so there wouldn't be much parts sharing. Alas, that was in the days when there really WAS a difference in the GM divisions, not just superficial. That would make my day if they would do a righteous 1957 Olds and Buick! I'd like to see the "three section" rear window roofline for both models as that was more common for the hardtops than the "Z" roof shape of the Buick Roadmaster and Riviera for instance.

Your statement is rather vague. I've only used Future as a barrier----------why the need to thin it?? It's pretty watery enough right out of the bottle. What type of paint did you put it over? Enamel? Acrylic enamel? Lacquer? What method did you use to apply it?? :blink:

To echo what Mike said--------my rule of thumb when thinning paints is to swill the jar a bit until I see the paint wash away slightly from the sides. In other words, if the paint is still clinging to the side of the jar as if the jar is full...........the paint is still too thick. If you drink a glass of milk you sorta see the same effect. You definitely need to up the pressure----I generally run mine about 20-25 psi for color coats. That's been working fine for me, and I use regular automotive paints. ............And yes, one should only use a single thinning medium for paint. Either lacquer thinner or hobby enamel thinner or what have you based on the type of paint you're using.

Yup! James you got the look down pat! That's just how I remember 'em during high school days when that car was about 10 years old. Ed's got it right.............PA winters here were murder on cars of the '50's and '60's!

Styling's subjective Dave, I didn't mean to step on anyone's toes............I just really didn't like what they did to it after the 1995-99 car. The '06 was nicer as they cleaned up the front and rear end-----but then they went and cancelled it with no chance of return.............perhaps due to the soon to be intro'd Camaro. I'd liked to have seen a newer RWD version based loosely on the Pontiac G8 (Where's the model of that??) with edgier lines and not so much dang front overhang.

Erik, this is one of my favorite Ferrari's too!! It's also significant as it was the last front engine Ferrari that they would make for a loooong time! I built the Fujimi Enthusiast Daytona Spider many years ago, and one word of caution if you plan to use the wire wheels. You may have to shave down the hubs quite a bit as the wheels and tires will stick way out otherwise. The other set of wheels I don't think had a problem with this as they were a deeper offset inside IIRC. Other than that, the kit was pretty easy to build even considering the level I was at when I built mine some nearly 20 years ago. Keep us posted if you can.............these can build up into knockout models!

Now that's a nice lookin' model Terry! In fact I like the 1:1 of that car MUCH better than the ugly thing Chevy put out a few years later and hung unto it forever. Now the car's in the big garage in the sky.

Good one Harry! I got snookered on this one as it WAS the background that got me! It sure looked like a very well done diorama........... Maybe next time!

Great lookin' '58! If your paint is a solid (it appears that way) I'd simply rub out the paint with wax and not clear it. I use clearcoats mostly for metallics where they shouldn't be rubbed out directly because the metallic flakes can get a mottled or spotted appearance. Solid colors generally have enough hardener in them that you can rub them out and they'll get a brilliant shine. I'm not familiar with the type of wax you want to use...............If it were me, I'd test it somewhere inconspicuous on the body to ward off any surprises. BTW, the '58 I built that's in my signature was not clearcoated-------just simply rubbed out with Detail Master polishing cloths, and waxed with Meguiar's Car Cleaner Wax. The paint I used however was a Dupont Automotive mix (Rio Red) so it's a bit tougher than the hobby paints out there. HTH!

Now there's something you don't see everyday Ismael..........in plastic or in 1:1! That was a great find! I don't think I've ever seen a stock one around in model form....... The 1:1 Aurora was a last gasp for Olds------it was too bad as that was a NICE car when it was new. It looked like Olds tried to capture the essence and feel of the old '66 Toronado looking at the overall shape, 'cept this one's a four door. Brookfield? I haven't heard of them molding plastic in at least 10 years! They had some unique stuff!

When Car and Driver first ran the illustration of the coming '06 Charger 3 years ago......the torrent of hate mail that they got was unequaled before or since. Folks were very upset that Chrysler showed that oh too cool concept, only to be let down, and mighty hard when the production car showed up. I think in reality what happened is Daimler had bought Chrysler right about the time the concept was making the rounds. I suppose the Germans didn't like the styling of the concept Charger, and based the production Charger on the Super Hemi 8 show car instead. (Another hideous one! ) So much for apparent good taste those Germans have! Anyway, the rest is history as we know what Chrysler's up against now. Apparently the Volt is a kind of make or break car for GM. If they don't get this one right out of the box, we won't have to worry much longer if their cars are looking close to the concept or not. They will be out of business!

Harold, those things you mentioned about car styling are just a few of the beefs I've had for quite a while since the worship of FWD came to be some 25+ years ago. One MAJOR problem I've had with FWD is why must the front wheels be so darn close to the front of the door leaving that ugly hump in the foot wells inside? Not too mention that way too goofy front overhang that looks terrible especially on large cars. You mentioned the Caliber which I think has styling just short of Aztec ugly! We went from the gorgeous front drive 1966 Olds Toronado to some of the hideous front drive abominations rolling around today?? Now I drive a front drive car (Saturn) which is a good car in of itself, I just wish I had more choices in a small rear drive car instead of the myriad of cookie cutter front drive ones. If this Volt had more of a "masculine" look instead of being somewhat feminized (my opinion) I might warm up to it..............but to me it just looks like Prius II by Chevy.

Very sharp and clean-------It's got a no nonsense look to it! The backup lamp delete is a nice touch too...........not all '55's had backup lights. Love your handle Racer X............One of my favorite 'toon's as a kid in the '60's was Speed Racer!