• OT: new government login mechanism.

    From J. P. Gilliver@G6JPG@255soft.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Wed Jul 15 23:55:06 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    I've just tried to renew my driving licence (the photo runs out soon).

    There's a new mechanism for logging into UK government things = it's got
    "One" in its name.

    rCo It won't accept a landline number (it wants to send a code); there are systems - I thought at least one _was_ a government one - that would
    read out such a code as speech.

    rCo It wants you to get an "authenticator" ("app") - but tells you to go
    look for one. The mind boggles as to how bad that is ...

    rCo I eventually obeyed all their instructions, and set up a "Government
    One" (or whatever it's called) login; ways to authenticate included both passport and driving licence. I've renewed my passport recently (but
    long enough ago for its details to have propagated); for both documents,
    it eventually came up with "unable to verify", or some such phrase.
    That's with the real document in front of me, copying in the details
    exactly. (I even let them mangle my address in the way they wanted to.)

    rCo I thought I'd try the old "Government Gateway", which I still have.
    But, assorted departments are transitioning to the new one - and DVLA is
    one of those that will now _only_ accept login via the new system.

    I can do it by post or at a post office, but those cost more.

    Sorry, rant over - but this really is a bad system; it goes beyond just assuming everyone has a smartphone (high iOS number or Android 10 or
    above), or making them feel really wormlike if they don't.
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    "I'm a self-made man, thereby demonstrating once again the perils of
    unskilled labor..." - Harlan Ellison

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Sam Plusnet@not@home.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Thu Jul 16 02:13:16 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 15/07/2026 23:55, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
    I've just tried to renew my driving licence (the photo runs out soon).

    There's a new mechanism for logging into UK government things = it's got "One" in its name.

    rCo It won't accept a landline number (it wants to send a code); there are systems - I thought at least one _was_ a government one - that would
    read out such a code as speech.

    rCo It wants you to get an "authenticator" ("app") - but tells you to go
    look for one. The mind boggles as to how bad that is ...

    rCo I eventually obeyed all their instructions, and set up a "Government
    One" (or whatever it's called) login; ways to authenticate included both passport and driving licence. I've renewed my passport recently (but
    long enough ago for its details to have propagated); for both documents,
    it eventually came up with "unable to verify", or some such phrase.
    That's with the real document in front of me, copying in the details
    exactly. (I even let them mangle my address in the way they wanted to.)

    rCo I thought I'd try the old "Government Gateway", which I still have.
    But, assorted departments are transitioning to the new one - and DVLA is
    one of those that will now _only_ accept login via the new system.

    I can do it by post or at a post office, but those cost more.

    Sorry, rant over - but this really is a bad system; it goes beyond just assuming everyone has a smartphone (high iOS number or Android 10 or
    above), or making them feel really wormlike if they don't.

    I attempted to use that system a little while back (I can't recall
    _exactly_ why, but it did involve the DVLA).

    I finally managed to get a log-in into the ONE system[1] - then tried to
    use it to access the DVLA - which promptly dumped me back into the ONE
    system for me to set up... what I had just set up.

    Lots of creative use of language on my part, and I abandoned the whole
    thing.

    [1] Lots & lots of hoops to jump through - plus lots of gurning at my
    phone before it grudgingly decided I was me (or so I thought).

    That's a couple of hours of my life I will not get back.
    --
    Sam Plusnet
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Kosmo@krw@whitnet.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Thu Jul 16 09:24:20 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 16.7.26 02:13, Sam Plusnet wrote:
    That's a couple of hours of my life I will not get back.

    It is very poorly built but I did manage to renew my driving licence
    without extreme difficulty - but the programmers should be reporgrammed.
    --
    Kosmo Richard W
    www.travelswmw.whitnet.uk
    https://tinyurl.com/KRWpics
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From J. P. Gilliver@G6JPG@255soft.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Thu Jul 16 10:12:07 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 2026/7/16 2:13:16, Sam Plusnet wrote:
    On 15/07/2026 23:55, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
    I've just tried to renew my driving licence (the photo runs out soon).

    There's a new mechanism for logging into UK government things = it's got
    "One" in its name.

    "GOV.UK One".
    []
    I attempted to use that system a little while back (I can't recall
    _exactly_ why, but it did involve the DVLA).

    I finally managed to get a log-in into the ONE system[1] - then tried to
    use it to access the DVLA - which promptly dumped me back into the ONE system for me to set up... what I had just set up.

    there are two stages: getting a login (which I think I've done - it
    needs use of that "authenticator" I had to go get every time I login),
    and proving your identity. That's the bit that's failing for me
    (currently waiting for a "team member" to be available).

    Lots of creative use of language on my part, and I abandoned the whole thing.

    [1] Lots & lots of hoops to jump through - plus lots of gurning at my
    phone before it grudgingly decided I was me (or so I thought).

    I don't even have a 'phone with a camera.

    That's a couple of hours of my life I will not get back.

    And counting ...
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    I'm not a great fan of new technology. I don't change my phone every
    time the bell rings - Sir David Attenborough, RT 2016/1/23-29
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Jenny M Benson@NemoNews@hotmail.co.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Thu Jul 16 13:24:07 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 15/07/2026 23:55, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
    I've just tried to renew my driving licence (the photo runs out soon).

    There's a new mechanism for logging into UK government things = it's got "One" in its name.

    rCo It won't accept a landline number (it wants to send a code); there are systems - I thought at least one_was_ a government one - that would
    read out such a code as speech.

    rCo It wants you to get an "authenticator" ("app") - but tells you to go
    look for one. The mind boggles as to how bad that is .

    On a similar note, I recently found myself obliged to read some
    instructions for creating a log-in for somewhere, possibly Wrexham
    Council. There was lots of advice (originating from the Govt. I think)
    about creating a good password and suggesting that a good one would
    involve 3 words. Of course we're also told everywhere that one's
    password must contain at least one number and one symbol. Then there
    are the age-old commands: never write your passwords down and never use
    the same password for different sites.

    Well, I'm sorry but I am not Mrs Robot Memory Woman. I have a list of
    126 password hints which is accessed with a password not used anywhere
    else. Now surprise, surprise! In the 50 years since I first used a
    computer I have been required to provide a password a helluva lot more
    than 126 times and wouldn't be all that surprised if I need another 126
    before I kick the bucket (unless that happens a helluva lot sooner than
    I am hoping for.)

    I don't want anyone to give away any secrets but how does everyotherrat
    cope?
    --
    Jenny M Benson
    Wrexham, UK
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Jenny M Benson@NemoNews@hotmail.co.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Thu Jul 16 13:38:21 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 16/07/2026 10:12, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
    there are two stages: getting a login (which I think I've done - it
    needs use of that "authenticator" I had to go get every time I login),
    and proving your identity. That's the bit that's failing for me
    (currently waiting for a "team member" to be available).

    Forgive me if I've mentioned this before, but that sounds very familiar
    to my experience with NHS Wales. I used to be able to log into a
    website to order repeat prescriptions, check on appointments, etc. Then "they" said they were changing the system and I needed create an account
    on a new site. I got as far as the bit where it asked for Photo ID. I
    don't have any of the documents mentioned so I went to Help, which began
    by saying "If your Doctor is in England ..." Not terribly likely since
    this is NHS Wales we're talking about. Then it said "We're working on this..." Needless to say, my first thought was "wouldn't it be better
    to have worked on this BEFORE setting up the new website?"

    Time went by and another attempt to get a log-in failed but Help
    informed me that I should talk to my GP Surgery. I tried to. They said
    "it's nothing to do with us ... you need to go online to NHS Wales."

    I gave up.
    --
    Jenny M Benson
    Wrexham, UK
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From J. P. Gilliver@G6JPG@255soft.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Thu Jul 16 14:30:04 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    more on the "GOV.UK One" trainwreck:

    I tried deleting the login altogether and setting up a new one - still
    no joy (it let me set up the login, but failed at confirming it was me).

    Giving in and realising that this is probably going to be inflicted on
    us anyway, for anything .gov, I proceeded with the process where I'll
    take something in to a post office to get the confirmation. This
    _doesn't_ cost anything - it specifically says the cost is 0.00 on the
    letter they send you/have you download. This is _unlike_ the driving
    licence thing: _there_, it costs more to do it by post (and even more in
    a post office) than it does to do it online. when I get my "GOV.UK One"
    ID confirmed, I'll go back to the driving licence website and use it there.

    On 2026/7/16 13:24:7, Jenny M Benson wrote:
    []
    Council. There was lots of advice (originating from the Govt. I think) about creating a good password and suggesting that a good one would
    involve 3 words. Of course we're also told everywhere that one's
    password must contain at least one number and one symbol. Then there
    are the age-old commands: never write your passwords down and never use
    the same password for different sites.

    Well, I'm sorry but I am not Mrs Robot Memory Woman. I have a list of
    []
    I don't want anyone to give away any secrets but how does everyotherrat cope?

    Email sent :-)
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    "Address the chair!" "There isn't a chair, there's only a rock!" "Well,
    call it a chair!" "Why not call it a rock?"
    (First series, fit the sixth.)
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From J. P. Gilliver@G6JPG@255soft.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Thu Jul 16 14:33:46 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 2026/7/16 14:30:4, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
    more on the "GOV.UK One" trainwreck:
    []
    P. S.: I can't help thinking that the genius behind that name is
    probably connected to the one that renamed the BBC channels, from BBC 1
    to BBC One and so on. And not a million miles from those behind My
    Little Pony and My First Sony; basically, an attempt to infantilise us all.
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    "Address the chair!" "There isn't a chair, there's only a rock!" "Well,
    call it a chair!" "Why not call it a rock?"
    (First series, fit the sixth.)
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Nick Odell@nickodell49@yahoo.ca to uk.media.radio.archers on Thu Jul 16 19:37:46 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:24:07 +0100, Jenny M Benson
    <NemoNews@hotmail.co.uk> wrote:

    On 15/07/2026 23:55, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
    I've just tried to renew my driving licence (the photo runs out soon).

    There's a new mechanism for logging into UK government things = it's got
    "One" in its name.

    o It won't accept a landline number (it wants to send a code); there are
    systems - I thought at least one_was_ a government one - that would
    read out such a code as speech.

    o It wants you to get an "authenticator" ("app") - but tells you to go
    look for one. The mind boggles as to how bad that is .

    On a similar note, I recently found myself obliged to read some
    instructions for creating a log-in for somewhere, possibly Wrexham
    Council. There was lots of advice (originating from the Govt. I think) >about creating a good password and suggesting that a good one would
    involve 3 words. Of course we're also told everywhere that one's
    password must contain at least one number and one symbol. Then there
    are the age-old commands: never write your passwords down and never use
    the same password for different sites.

    Well, I'm sorry but I am not Mrs Robot Memory Woman. I have a list of
    126 password hints which is accessed with a password not used anywhere
    else. Now surprise, surprise! In the 50 years since I first used a >computer I have been required to provide a password a helluva lot more
    than 126 times and wouldn't be all that surprised if I need another 126 >before I kick the bucket (unless that happens a helluva lot sooner than
    I am hoping for.)

    I'm facing something similar. Or rather, I'm putting off facing
    something similar with National Savings. My steady flow of lucrative
    Premium Bond wins (if only...) go directly into my bank account so I
    haven't needed to look at my NS account for a long time. Now that I
    want to look at my NS account, I find that they've "upgraded" the
    login system but in order to similarly upgrade my access I have to let
    them contact me on the telephone number I gave them when I opened the
    account. It's a landline number which I haven't had for several years.
    I'm sure there's a way around this but I just haven't become excited
    enough to try and work though it.

    I don't want anyone to give away any secrets but how does everyotherrat >cope?

    I have unique passwords for all the important accounts. (I'm ashamed
    to say that I use the same password over and over for on-line forums
    and the like on the basis that there's nothing in those forums to
    connect back to me (obviously umra isn't an on-line forum and it
    doesn't count IMO)) The passwords are on a memory stick which is only
    inserted when I want to read them. I don't use proprietary apps: I go
    directly to the appropriate web site to sign in etc. Because I always
    browse in "Private" mode, I trust that all transaction details are
    deleted when I close the browser.

    Nick
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Sam Plusnet@not@home.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Thu Jul 16 20:09:00 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 16/07/2026 13:38, Jenny M Benson wrote:
    On 16/07/2026 10:12, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
    there are two stages: getting a login (which I think I've done - it
    needs use of that "authenticator" I had to go get every time I login),
    and proving your identity. That's the bit that's failing for me
    (currently waiting for a "team member" to be available).

    Forgive me if I've mentioned this before, but that sounds very familiar
    to my experience with NHS Wales.-a I used to be able to log into a
    website to order repeat prescriptions, check on appointments, etc.-a Then "they" said they were changing the system and I needed create an account
    on a new site.-a I got as far as the bit where it asked for Photo ID.-a I don't have any of the documents mentioned so I went to Help, which began
    by saying "If your Doctor is in England ..."-a Not terribly likely since this is NHS Wales we're talking about.-a Then it said "We're working on this..."-a Needless to say, my first thought was "wouldn't it be better
    to have worked on this BEFORE setting up the new website?"

    Time went by and another attempt to get a log-in failed but Help
    informed me that I should talk to my GP Surgery.-a I tried to.-a They said "it's nothing to do with us ... you need to go online to NHS Wales."

    I gave up.

    If I remember correctly, setting up access to NHS Wales seemed to be subcontracted in some way to NHS England - so you ended up 'talking' to
    an England website, which unsurprisingly expected you to live in England.

    I did eventually succeed, but as usual I jumped through so many hoops &
    had so many failures in the process, that I have no recollection of
    which obscure bit of gymnastics was the key.
    --
    Sam Plusnet
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Kosmo@krw@whitnet.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Thu Jul 16 21:59:36 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 16.7.26 13:24, Jenny M Benson wrote:
    I don't want anyone to give away any secrets but how does everyotherrat cope?

    Stored on my system is a spreadsheet listing service username and
    password. If people are really that interested they can access the
    system and find the file.

    I do not actually believe that anyone will actually try.
    --
    Kosmo Richard W
    www.travelswmw.whitnet.uk
    https://tinyurl.com/KRWpics
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Kosmo@krw@whitnet.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Thu Jul 16 22:01:27 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 16.7.26 19:37, Nick Odell wrote:
    It's a landline number which I haven't had for several years.

    When my landline went I arranged to pay something like -u5 a month to
    divert all such calls to my mobile in the likelihood that at some point
    such an arrangement remains needed.
    --
    Kosmo Richard W
    www.travelswmw.whitnet.uk
    https://tinyurl.com/KRWpics
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Nick Odell@nickodell49@yahoo.ca to uk.media.radio.archers on Fri Jul 17 07:04:52 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On Thu, 16 Jul 2026 22:01:27 +0100, Kosmo <krw@whitnet.uk> wrote:

    On 16.7.26 19:37, Nick Odell wrote:
    It's a landline number which I haven't had for several years.

    When my landline went I arranged to pay something like u5 a month to
    divert all such calls to my mobile in the likelihood that at some point
    such an arrangement remains needed.

    Ah, well, I didn't. I had completely forgotten that I had given NS&I
    my landline number until I tried to log in to them. I don't think I
    had given it to any other organisation but I dare say I'll find out if
    a similar situation arises elsewhere.

    Nick.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Kosmo@krw@whitnet.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Fri Jul 17 08:33:09 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 17.7.26 07:04, Nick Odell wrote:
    On Thu, 16 Jul 2026 22:01:27 +0100, Kosmo <krw@whitnet.uk> wrote:

    On 16.7.26 19:37, Nick Odell wrote:
    It's a landline number which I haven't had for several years.

    When my landline went I arranged to pay something like -u5 a month to
    divert all such calls to my mobile in the likelihood that at some point
    such an arrangement remains needed.

    Ah, well, I didn't. I had completely forgotten that I had given NS&I
    my landline number until I tried to log in to them. I don't think I
    had given it to any other organisation but I dare say I'll find out if
    a similar situation arises elsewhere.


    I simply did not trust my memory to know who might know the number (or
    have it written down) and for which is might be critical importance.

    Can you imagine given everyone's concern over data protection what might happen if someone decided they wanted to publish a telephone directory
    with your name and address and telephone number readily available to all
    the residents in the same telephone area?
    --
    Kosmo Richard W
    www.travelswmw.whitnet.uk
    https://tinyurl.com/KRWpics
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mike McMillan@toodle.pip1@virginmedia.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Fri Jul 17 07:54:26 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    Kosmo <krw@whitnet.uk> wrote:
    On 17.7.26 07:04, Nick Odell wrote:
    On Thu, 16 Jul 2026 22:01:27 +0100, Kosmo <krw@whitnet.uk> wrote:

    On 16.7.26 19:37, Nick Odell wrote:
    It's a landline number which I haven't had for several years.

    When my landline went I arranged to pay something like -u5 a month to
    divert all such calls to my mobile in the likelihood that at some point
    such an arrangement remains needed.

    Ah, well, I didn't. I had completely forgotten that I had given NS&I
    my landline number until I tried to log in to them. I don't think I
    had given it to any other organisation but I dare say I'll find out if
    a similar situation arises elsewhere.


    I simply did not trust my memory to know who might know the number (or
    have it written down) and for which is might be critical importance.

    Can you imagine given everyone's concern over data protection what might happen if someone decided they wanted to publish a telephone directory
    with your name and address and telephone number readily available to all
    the residents in the same telephone area?

    I donrCOt give a jot about any of this really, after all according to the software that Gov Uk On Line One Log In use, they reckon my passport (my
    only acceptable method of proof of ID), clearly informs them I wonrCOt be
    born until 2047! (Archive search may reveal this thread if you look)
    --
    Toodle Pip, Mike McMillan
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Jane Vernon@jane@clothandclay.co.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Fri Jul 17 10:54:37 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 16/07/2026 19:37, Nick Odell wrote:

    I have unique passwords for all the important accounts. (I'm ashamed
    to say that I use the same password over and over for on-line forums
    and the like on the basis that there's nothing in those forums to
    connect back to me (obviously umra isn't an on-line forum and it
    doesn't count IMO)) The passwords are on a memory stick which is only inserted when I want to read them. I don't use proprietary apps: I go directly to the appropriate web site to sign in etc. Because I always
    browse in "Private" mode, I trust that all transaction details are
    deleted when I close the browser.
    Knowing you to be a traveller, how do you cope when travelling? I don't
    take my laptop with me, just my iPad and iPhone, neither of which takes
    a USB plug such as you find on the end of memory sticks.
    --
    Jane
    The Amethyst Artist
    BTME

    http://www.clothandclay.co.uk/umra/cookbook.htm - Umrats' recipes








    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Kosmo@krw@whitnet.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Fri Jul 17 11:01:59 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 17.7.26 10:54, Jane Vernon wrote:
    On 16/07/2026 19:37, Nick Odell wrote:

    I have unique passwords for all the important accounts. (I'm ashamed
    to say that I use the same password over and over for on-line forums
    and the like on the basis that there's nothing in those forums to
    connect back to me (obviously umra isn't an on-line forum and it
    doesn't count IMO)) The passwords are on a memory stick which is only
    inserted when I want to read them. I don't use proprietary apps: I go
    directly to the appropriate web site to sign in etc. Because I always
    browse in "Private" mode, I trust that all transaction details are
    deleted when I close the browser.
    Knowing you to be a traveller, how do you cope when travelling?-a I don't take my laptop with me, just my iPad and iPhone, neither of which takes
    a USB plug such as you find on the end of memory sticks.


    These days one can get usb-c sticks I believe:

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/SanDisk-Android-smartphone-reversible-connectors/dp/B07YYJL21Z/ref=sr_1_12?adgrpid=187029404835&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2GzOLgLZI_p9xQs39YhPK64Jdvop9Wf6vbY1Vs95YVY2MsOIS6R3Fin_lnc3VMYK0rScBx_FowAhU2oYx_Q_eKnejSatRWtY2RhN77TVjJz26DfREjycYXJUFxaRqC1xWjupBdGRXmx5hq33Z4oS6zOYpq0_92-7t8JYQM1BWRjfo65iaV_IDix58w2REELfgHiaYsRE5sIW8R86mTS-yNpXvSYtWTxD5Wbqy7hmmSs.bTVtooDYDUjqXBKDDEyVDvGh54BfVSSUw0eeD2IOSTU&dib_tag=se&gad_source=1&hvadid=804734168312&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9046674&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=1141345682291615520--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=1141345682291615520&hvtargid=kwd-581259070746&hydadcr=4393_2310755_2759&keywords=usb-c%2Bsticks&mcid=e89c2f99cb513b7296d5e3f28bf014eb&qid=1784282394&sr=8-12&th=1

    I wonder if I can run windows from it?
    --
    Kosmo Richard W
    www.travelswmw.whitnet.uk
    https://tinyurl.com/KRWpics
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Jane Vernon@jane@clothandclay.co.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Fri Jul 17 12:22:32 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 17/07/2026 11:01, Kosmo wrote:
    On 17.7.26 10:54, Jane Vernon wrote:
    On 16/07/2026 19:37, Nick Odell wrote:

    I have unique passwords for all the important accounts. (I'm ashamed
    to say that I use the same password over and over for on-line forums
    and the like on the basis that there's nothing in those forums to
    connect back to me (obviously umra isn't an on-line forum and it
    doesn't count IMO)) The passwords are on a memory stick which is only
    inserted when I want to read them. I don't use proprietary apps: I go
    directly to the appropriate web site to sign in etc. Because I always
    browse in "Private" mode, I trust that all transaction details are
    deleted when I close the browser.
    Knowing you to be a traveller, how do you cope when travelling?-a I
    don't take my laptop with me, just my iPad and iPhone, neither of
    which takes a USB plug such as you find on the end of memory sticks.


    These days one can get usb-c sticks I believe:

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/SanDisk-Android-smartphone-reversible- connectors/dp/B07YYJL21Z/ref=sr_1_12?


    Ooh, thank you!
    --
    Jane
    The Amethyst Artist
    BTME

    http://www.clothandclay.co.uk/umra/cookbook.htm - Umrats' recipes








    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Joe Kerr@joe_kerr@cheerful.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Fri Jul 17 13:46:04 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 17/07/2026 12:22, Jane Vernon wrote:
    On 17/07/2026 11:01, Kosmo wrote:
    On 17.7.26 10:54, Jane Vernon wrote:
    On 16/07/2026 19:37, Nick Odell wrote:

    I have unique passwords for all the important accounts. (I'm ashamed
    to say that I use the same password over and over for on-line forums
    and the like on the basis that there's nothing in those forums to
    connect back to me (obviously umra isn't an on-line forum and it
    doesn't count IMO)) The passwords are on a memory stick which is only
    inserted when I want to read them. I don't use proprietary apps: I go
    directly to the appropriate web site to sign in etc. Because I always
    browse in "Private" mode, I trust that all transaction details are
    deleted when I close the browser.
    Knowing you to be a traveller, how do you cope when travelling?-a I
    don't take my laptop with me, just my iPad and iPhone, neither of
    which takes a USB plug such as you find on the end of memory sticks.


    These days one can get usb-c sticks I believe:

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/SanDisk-Android-smartphone-reversible-
    connectors/dp/B07YYJL21Z/ref=sr_1_12?


    Ooh, thank you!


    Or you can use a USB A female to USB C male adapter cable.

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amazon-Basics-Converter-High-Speed-Certified/dp/B01GGKYXVE/ref=sr_1_6

    Link provided for illustrative purposes only. Other cables are
    available. Other adapters without cable are also available.

    Ric.
    --
    Ric
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Joe Kerr@joe_kerr@cheerful.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Fri Jul 17 13:51:21 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 17/07/2026 08:33, Kosmo wrote:

    Can you imagine given everyone's concern over data protection what might happen if someone decided they wanted to publish a telephone directory
    with your name and address and telephone number readily available to all
    the residents in the same telephone area?

    My aunt was an avid destroyer of any piece of paper bearing her name and address. I tried telling her that it was readily available in the phone
    book and electoral register and that on its own it was almost useless to anybody but it made no difference.
    --
    Ric
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Joe Kerr@joe_kerr@cheerful.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Fri Jul 17 14:00:39 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 16/07/2026 13:38, Jenny M Benson wrote:
    On 16/07/2026 10:12, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
    there are two stages: getting a login (which I think I've done - it
    needs use of that "authenticator" I had to go get every time I login),
    and proving your identity. That's the bit that's failing for me
    (currently waiting for a "team member" to be available).

    Forgive me if I've mentioned this before, but that sounds very familiar
    to my experience with NHS Wales.-a I used to be able to log into a
    website to order repeat prescriptions, check on appointments, etc.-a Then "they" said they were changing the system and I needed create an account
    on a new site.-a I got as far as the bit where it asked for Photo ID.-a I don't have any of the documents mentioned so I went to Help, which began
    by saying "If your Doctor is in England ..."-a Not terribly likely since this is NHS Wales we're talking about.-a Then it said "We're working on this..."-a Needless to say, my first thought was "wouldn't it be better
    to have worked on this BEFORE setting up the new website?"

    That sounds familiar. I tried signing up for online prescription
    ordering and got directed to an NHS account creator that I couldn't get through so I reverted to the site's own process. I got an email recently saying my NHS account would be deleted as it hadn't been used for a
    while (probably two years).

    Time went by and another attempt to get a log-in failed but Help
    informed me that I should talk to my GP Surgery.-a I tried to.-a They said "it's nothing to do with us ... you need to go online to NHS Wales."

    I gave up.
    --
    Ric
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From J. P. Gilliver@G6JPG@255soft.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Fri Jul 17 18:37:59 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 2026/7/17 7:4:52, Nick Odell wrote:
    On Thu, 16 Jul 2026 22:01:27 +0100, Kosmo <krw@whitnet.uk> wrote:

    On 16.7.26 19:37, Nick Odell wrote:
    It's a landline number which I haven't had for several years.

    When my landline went I arranged to pay something like -u5 a month to
    divert all such calls to my mobile in the likelihood that at some point
    such an arrangement remains needed.

    I think a fiver a month will get you a VoIP account including a certain
    number of minutes. (Or did you only do it for a limited time?)

    Ah, well, I didn't. I had completely forgotten that I had given NS&I
    my landline number until I tried to log in to them. I don't think I
    had given it to any other organisation but I dare say I'll find out if
    a similar situation arises elsewhere.

    Nick.

    Getting logged in (or registering, or whatever you call it) seems to be
    being made increasingly difficult (especially without a smartphone); I
    do feel for the non-techy. (And feel organisations - at the very least, government/NHS ones - should be _obliged_ to provide alternatives, and
    ones that don't make the person requesting them feel bad.)
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    WhatrCOs the point of having laurels if you canrCOt rest on them?
    - Tom Lehrer
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From J. P. Gilliver@G6JPG@255soft.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Fri Jul 17 18:45:31 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 2026/7/17 8:54:26, Mike McMillan wrote:
    Kosmo <krw@whitnet.uk> wrote:
    []
    I simply did not trust my memory to know who might know the number (or
    have it written down) and for which is might be critical importance.

    Can you imagine given everyone's concern over data protection what might
    happen if someone decided they wanted to publish a telephone directory
    with your name and address and telephone number readily available to all
    the residents in the same telephone area?

    Then there's the idea of piping an explosive gas, under pressure, into
    more or less every household. How on earth did _that_ get through!

    I donrCOt give a jot about any of this really, after all according to the software that Gov Uk On Line One Log In use, they reckon my passport (my
    only acceptable method of proof of ID), clearly informs them I wonrCOt be born until 2047! (Archive search may reveal this thread if you look)

    I was surprised to see (I renewed mine in the last month or so - and
    _that_ went fairly trouble-free) that the passport details page still
    uses two-digit years (for my YOB and the expiry date).
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    WhatrCOs the point of having laurels if you canrCOt rest on them?
    - Tom Lehrer
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From J. P. Gilliver@G6JPG@255soft.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Fri Jul 17 18:54:06 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 2026/7/17 12:22:32, Jane Vernon wrote:
    On 17/07/2026 11:01, Kosmo wrote:
    On 17.7.26 10:54, Jane Vernon wrote:
    On 16/07/2026 19:37, Nick Odell wrote:
    []
    doesn't count IMO)) The passwords are on a memory stick which is only
    []
    Knowing you to be a traveller, how do you cope when travelling?-a I
    don't take my laptop with me, just my iPad and iPhone, neither of
    which takes a USB plug such as you find on the end of memory sticks.


    These days one can get usb-c sticks I believe:

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/SanDisk-Android-smartphone-reversible-
    connectors/dp/B07YYJL21Z/ref=sr_1_12?


    Ooh, thank you!


    Wondering how to get some images into a friend's tablet which only has a
    USB-C connector (I'd done some genealogy for her and wanted to give her
    the document images; didn't happen in the end), I found a memory stick
    in the Argos in my local Sainsbury that has a normal USB connector (it's
    called type A, I think) on one end, and a C one on the other; it's made
    by Lexar, and would have been IIRR about 23 pounds, for 128 GB.
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    ...Every morning is the dawn of a new error...
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Kate B@elvira@nospam.demon.co.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Fri Jul 17 19:31:06 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 17/07/2026 18:54, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
    On 2026/7/17 12:22:32, Jane Vernon wrote:
    On 17/07/2026 11:01, Kosmo wrote:
    On 17.7.26 10:54, Jane Vernon wrote:
    On 16/07/2026 19:37, Nick Odell wrote:
    []
    doesn't count IMO)) The passwords are on a memory stick which is only
    []
    Knowing you to be a traveller, how do you cope when travelling?-a I
    don't take my laptop with me, just my iPad and iPhone, neither of
    which takes a USB plug such as you find on the end of memory sticks.


    These days one can get usb-c sticks I believe:

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/SanDisk-Android-smartphone-reversible-
    connectors/dp/B07YYJL21Z/ref=sr_1_12?


    Ooh, thank you!


    Wondering how to get some images into a friend's tablet which only has a USB-C connector (I'd done some genealogy for her and wanted to give her
    the document images; didn't happen in the end), I found a memory stick
    in the Argos in my local Sainsbury that has a normal USB connector (it's called type A, I think) on one end, and a C one on the other; it's made
    by Lexar, and would have been IIRR about 23 pounds, for 128 GB.

    I think USB-C *is* normal, these days. It's now the EU standard, so even
    the mighty Apple is having to use it.
    --
    Kate B
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Sam Plusnet@not@home.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Fri Jul 17 19:57:49 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 16/07/2026 22:01, Kosmo wrote:
    On 16.7.26 19:37, Nick Odell wrote:
    It's a landline number which I haven't had for several years.

    When my landline went I arranged to pay something like -u5 a month to
    divert all such calls to my mobile in the likelihood that at some point
    such an arrangement remains needed.

    I transferred our landline number to a VOIP provider (A&A) and now pay
    (IIRC) -u1.87 per month.
    There is no phone attached to that number, but A&A send me an email with
    a recording of any received calls.
    That lets me see who called and I can phone them back if necessary.
    --
    Sam Plusnet
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Sam Plusnet@not@home.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Fri Jul 17 20:03:56 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 17/07/2026 18:37, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
    On 2026/7/17 7:4:52, Nick Odell wrote:
    On Thu, 16 Jul 2026 22:01:27 +0100, Kosmo <krw@whitnet.uk> wrote:

    On 16.7.26 19:37, Nick Odell wrote:
    It's a landline number which I haven't had for several years.

    When my landline went I arranged to pay something like -u5 a month to
    divert all such calls to my mobile in the likelihood that at some point
    such an arrangement remains needed.

    I think a fiver a month will get you a VoIP account including a certain number of minutes. (Or did you only do it for a limited time?)

    Ah, well, I didn't. I had completely forgotten that I had given NS&I
    my landline number until I tried to log in to them. I don't think I
    had given it to any other organisation but I dare say I'll find out if
    a similar situation arises elsewhere.

    Nick.

    Getting logged in (or registering, or whatever you call it) seems to be
    being made increasingly difficult (especially without a smartphone); I
    do feel for the non-techy. (And feel organisations - at the very least, government/NHS ones - should be _obliged_ to provide alternatives, and
    ones that don't make the person requesting them feel bad.)

    There was legislation designed to ensure people with various handicaps
    could still function on the interwebs.
    Has that been watered down? conveniently forgotten?
    --
    Sam Plusnet
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Sam Plusnet@not@home.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Fri Jul 17 20:00:17 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 17/07/2026 08:54, Mike McMillan wrote:
    Kosmo <krw@whitnet.uk> wrote:
    On 17.7.26 07:04, Nick Odell wrote:
    On Thu, 16 Jul 2026 22:01:27 +0100, Kosmo <krw@whitnet.uk> wrote:

    On 16.7.26 19:37, Nick Odell wrote:
    It's a landline number which I haven't had for several years.

    When my landline went I arranged to pay something like -u5 a month to
    divert all such calls to my mobile in the likelihood that at some point >>>> such an arrangement remains needed.

    Ah, well, I didn't. I had completely forgotten that I had given NS&I
    my landline number until I tried to log in to them. I don't think I
    had given it to any other organisation but I dare say I'll find out if
    a similar situation arises elsewhere.


    I simply did not trust my memory to know who might know the number (or
    have it written down) and for which is might be critical importance.

    Can you imagine given everyone's concern over data protection what might
    happen if someone decided they wanted to publish a telephone directory
    with your name and address and telephone number readily available to all
    the residents in the same telephone area?

    I donrCOt give a jot about any of this really, after all according to the software that Gov Uk On Line One Log In use, they reckon my passport (my
    only acceptable method of proof of ID), clearly informs them I wonrCOt be born until 2047! (Archive search may reveal this thread if you look)

    Therefore you are evidently a fraud, and have only contributed to umra
    all these years in order to build up some kind of spurious 'back-story'.

    You can fool us no longer Sir!
    --
    Sam Plusnet
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From J. P. Gilliver@G6JPG@255soft.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Fri Jul 17 20:23:53 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 2026/7/17 8:54:26, Mike McMillan wrote:
    []
    I donrCOt give a jot about any of this really, after all according to the software that Gov Uk On Line One Log In use, they reckon my passport (my
    only acceptable method of proof of ID), clearly informs them I wonrCOt be born until 2047! (Archive search may reveal this thread if you look)

    When they told me they couldn't confirm the details, they wouldn't tell
    me which detail didn't match, "for security reasons".
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    just because you are offended - doesn't mean you are right
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From J. P. Gilliver@G6JPG@255soft.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Fri Jul 17 20:27:33 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 2026/7/17 19:31:6, Kate B wrote:
    On 17/07/2026 18:54, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
    []
    Wondering how to get some images into a friend's tablet which only has a
    USB-C connector (I'd done some genealogy for her and wanted to give her
    the document images; didn't happen in the end), I found a memory stick
    in the Argos in my local Sainsbury that has a normal USB connector (it's
    called type A, I think) on one end, and a C one on the other; it's made
    by Lexar, and would have been IIRR about 23 pounds, for 128 GB.

    I think USB-C *is* normal, these days. It's now the EU standard, so even
    the mighty Apple is having to use it.

    The rectangular one is what you'll still find a lot of on many computers.

    I think the EU directive is for fobile moans - to prevent the situation
    where every 'phone manufacturer seems to have its own connector. It
    _may_ only apply to power, I'm not sure.
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    just because you are offended - doesn't mean you are right
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From vicky.ayech@vicky.ayech@gmail.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Fri Jul 17 22:04:00 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On Fri, 17 Jul 2026 19:57:49 +0100, Sam Plusnet <not@home.com> wrote:

    On 16/07/2026 22:01, Kosmo wrote:
    On 16.7.26 19:37, Nick Odell wrote:
    It's a landline number which I haven't had for several years.

    When my landline went I arranged to pay something like u5 a month to
    divert all such calls to my mobile in the likelihood that at some point
    such an arrangement remains needed.

    I transferred our landline number to a VOIP provider (A&A) and now pay >(IIRC) u1.87 per month.
    There is no phone attached to that number, but A&A send me an email with
    a recording of any received calls.
    That lets me see who called and I can phone them back if necessary.

    We still have our landline and a phone attached to that number.We no
    longer pay for BBC stuff. I just get older programmes anow and then
    they send me a letter suggesting I use BBC stuff and should pay the
    annual fee. I listen to TA on sounds not when broadcast.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From J. P. Gilliver@G6JPG@255soft.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Sat Jul 18 00:12:40 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 2026/7/17 22:4:0, vicky.ayech@gmail.com wrote:
    On Fri, 17 Jul 2026 19:57:49 +0100, Sam Plusnet <not@home.com> wrote:

    On 16/07/2026 22:01, Kosmo wrote:
    On 16.7.26 19:37, Nick Odell wrote:
    It's a landline number which I haven't had for several years.

    When my landline went I arranged to pay something like -u5 a month to
    divert all such calls to my mobile in the likelihood that at some point >>> such an arrangement remains needed.

    I transferred our landline number to a VOIP provider (A&A) and now pay
    (IIRC) -u1.87 per month.
    There is no phone attached to that number, but A&A send me an email with
    a recording of any received calls.
    That lets me see who called and I can phone them back if necessary.

    We still have our landline and a phone attached to that number.We no
    longer pay for BBC stuff. I just get older programmes anow and then
    they send me a letter suggesting I use BBC stuff and should pay the
    annual fee. I listen to TA on sounds not when broadcast.

    I don't think you need a licence to listen to the _radio_, even live.
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    War doesn't determine who's right. War determines who's left.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Joe Kerr@joe_kerr@cheerful.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Sat Jul 18 01:28:16 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 17/07/2026 18:45, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
    On 2026/7/17 8:54:26, Mike McMillan wrote:
    Kosmo <krw@whitnet.uk> wrote:
    []
    I simply did not trust my memory to know who might know the number (or
    have it written down) and for which is might be critical importance.

    Can you imagine given everyone's concern over data protection what might >>> happen if someone decided they wanted to publish a telephone directory
    with your name and address and telephone number readily available to all >>> the residents in the same telephone area?

    Then there's the idea of piping an explosive gas, under pressure, into
    more or less every household. How on earth did _that_ get through!

    I donrCOt give a jot about any of this really, after all according to the
    software that Gov Uk On Line One Log In use, they reckon my passport (my
    only acceptable method of proof of ID), clearly informs them I wonrCOt be >> born until 2047! (Archive search may reveal this thread if you look)

    I was surprised to see (I renewed mine in the last month or so - and
    _that_ went fairly trouble-free) that the passport details page still
    uses two-digit years (for my YOB and the expiry date).

    Assuming you are still alive when you go through immigration it should
    be obvious which century you were born in. That and the design of the
    passport should make the century of expiry obvious.
    --
    Ric
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Joe Kerr@joe_kerr@cheerful.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Sat Jul 18 01:31:57 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 17/07/2026 19:57, Sam Plusnet wrote:


    I transferred our landline number to a VOIP provider (A&A) and now pay (IIRC) -u1.87 per month.
    There is no phone attached to that number, but A&A send me an email with
    a recording of any received calls.
    That lets me see who called and I can phone them back if necessary.

    I didn't know that was an option. Thank you.
    --
    Ric
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Nick Odell@nickodell49@yahoo.ca to uk.media.radio.archers on Sat Jul 18 10:48:56 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:54:37 +0100, Jane Vernon
    <jane@clothandclay.co.uk> wrote:

    On 16/07/2026 19:37, Nick Odell wrote:

    I have unique passwords for all the important accounts. (I'm ashamed
    to say that I use the same password over and over for on-line forums
    and the like on the basis that there's nothing in those forums to
    connect back to me (obviously umra isn't an on-line forum and it
    doesn't count IMO)) The passwords are on a memory stick which is only
    inserted when I want to read them. I don't use proprietary apps: I go
    directly to the appropriate web site to sign in etc. Because I always
    browse in "Private" mode, I trust that all transaction details are
    deleted when I close the browser.
    Knowing you to be a traveller, how do you cope when travelling? I don't >take my laptop with me, just my iPad and iPhone, neither of which takes
    a USB plug such as you find on the end of memory sticks.

    I think the USB compatability question has already been answered. I
    just take a memory stick with my passwords and use a trusted computer
    at my destination.

    This brings up another issue: passkeys. I am really reluctant to get
    involved with passkeys, however secure they might be because I'm
    concerned that, since they are hardware specific, I might have more
    difficulty than I want to experience when I try to sign in from
    another country on another machine, I'm in wait and see mode about
    passkeys.

    Nick
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Nick Odell@nickodell49@yahoo.ca to uk.media.radio.archers on Sat Jul 18 11:01:48 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On Fri, 17 Jul 2026 08:33:09 +0100, Kosmo <krw@whitnet.uk> wrote:

    On 17.7.26 07:04, Nick Odell wrote:
    On Thu, 16 Jul 2026 22:01:27 +0100, Kosmo <krw@whitnet.uk> wrote:

    On 16.7.26 19:37, Nick Odell wrote:
    It's a landline number which I haven't had for several years.

    When my landline went I arranged to pay something like u5 a month to
    divert all such calls to my mobile in the likelihood that at some point
    such an arrangement remains needed.

    Ah, well, I didn't. I had completely forgotten that I had given NS&I
    my landline number until I tried to log in to them. I don't think I
    had given it to any other organisation but I dare say I'll find out if
    a similar situation arises elsewhere.


    I simply did not trust my memory to know who might know the number (or
    have it written down) and for which is might be critical importance.

    Can you imagine given everyone's concern over data protection what might >happen if someone decided they wanted to publish a telephone directory
    with your name and address and telephone number readily available to all
    the residents in the same telephone area?

    The passing of the physical telephone directory has taken away my
    favourite source of random number generation.

    Does everyone still remember the BBC Micro random number generator? It
    always came up with the same random number to start with and most
    unstructured attempts at randomness are similarly anything but. My
    attempts at generating randomness revolved around structured use of
    the phone book - but really any book would do. I started with the
    actual date and time, opened the directory at random (yes, I know...)
    then moved forward the number of pages determined by the month, the
    number of columns determined by the day then the number of lines
    determined by the hour and the word(s) determined by the minute. Far,
    far, more complicated than it needed to be but it was fun!

    Nick
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From J. P. Gilliver@G6JPG@255soft.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Sat Jul 18 14:15:26 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 2026/7/18 1:28:16, Joe Kerr wrote:
    On 17/07/2026 18:45, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
    []
    I was surprised to see (I renewed mine in the last month or so - and
    _that_ went fairly trouble-free) that the passport details page still
    uses two-digit years (for my YOB and the expiry date).

    Assuming you are still alive when you go through immigration it should
    be obvious which century you were born in. That and the design of the passport should make the century of expiry obvious.

    I can't see me going through immigration if _not_ alive - unless I'm one
    of those people Mr. Trump is afraid of, going to vote.
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    More people watch live theatre every year than Premier League football
    matches. - Libby Purves, RT 2017/9/30-10/6
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Kosmo@krw@whitnet.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Sat Jul 18 14:22:20 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 18.7.26 10:48, Nick Odell wrote:
    I'm in wait and see mode about
    passkeys.

    I am trying to avoid them like the plague. Microsoft now default to
    asking for a passkey when i want to enter a password. Why oh why
    change it when I doubt it makes much difference.
    --
    Kosmo Richard W
    www.travelswmw.whitnet.uk
    https://tinyurl.com/KRWpics
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Sam Plusnet@not@home.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Sat Jul 18 18:55:12 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 17/07/2026 19:57, Sam Plusnet wrote:
    On 16/07/2026 22:01, Kosmo wrote:
    On 16.7.26 19:37, Nick Odell wrote:
    It's a landline number which I haven't had for several years.

    When my landline went I arranged to pay something like -u5 a month to
    divert all such calls to my mobile in the likelihood that at some
    point such an arrangement remains needed.

    I transferred our landline number to a VOIP provider (A&A) and now pay (IIRC) -u1.87 per month.
    There is no phone attached to that number, but A&A send me an email with
    a recording of any received calls.
    That lets me see who called and I can phone them back if necessary.

    Follow up on own post:
    I have received quite a number of such recordings today - from Welsh
    Water to point out that we have none (water that is).
    I could have informed them of this state of affairs.
    --
    Sam Plusnet
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Sam Plusnet@not@home.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Sat Jul 18 18:58:55 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 18/07/2026 14:22, Kosmo wrote:
    On 18.7.26 10:48, Nick Odell wrote:
    I'm in wait and see mode about
    passkeys.

    I am trying to avoid them like the plague.-a Microsoft now default to
    asking for a passkey when i want to enter a password.-a Why oh why change
    it when I doubt it makes much difference.

    It is _supposed_ to be more secure - but the point Nick made about
    logging in on a different machine is valid and important (to us punters,
    less so to Amazon, Google, Microsoft and the like).
    --
    Sam Plusnet
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Joe Kerr@joe_kerr@cheerful.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Sun Jul 19 01:38:49 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 18/07/2026 11:01, Nick Odell wrote:

    Does everyone still remember the BBC Micro random number generator? It
    always came up with the same random number to start with and most unstructured attempts at randomness are similarly anything but.

    That's how all computers work apart from the one that does the premium
    bond and possibly a few other specialised machines. To get something
    more random you need to seed the generator with something such as the
    time or just use (part of) the date and time instead depending on need
    and technology in use.

    Ric.
    --
    Ric
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From BrritSki@rtilbury@gmail.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Mon Jul 20 10:31:40 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    Swerving back to the original point about ONE login, I set it up
    recently without any trouble, using my ePassport iirc [1] and renewed my driving licence successfully.

    However I can understand the reluctance to use it. That nice Mr. Burnham
    has cancelled the idea of Digital Ids (allegedly) and an organisation
    called #Together (setup during Covid to oppose Lockdowns and similar sillinesses) claims that their campaign might have had some influence on
    this.

    They are now concerned that it will be brought in through the backdoor,
    so umrats with similar concerns might want to join or subscribe to their emails and support their campaign:

    "Getting the official Digital ID scheme scrapped is a major victory -
    but it is only the first step.

    We must also ensure that connected systems such as GOV UK One Login, the
    GOV UK App and Government Wallet cannot evolve into a de facto Digital
    ID through expansion, function creep or the erosion of offline alternatives.

    The real test is not what the system is called, but what it can do, how
    widely it can be used, and whether people remain free to live their
    lives without relying on - or being forced into - it.

    That's why we're asking for your help, by joining us as a member today."

    <https://togetherdeclaration.org/>


    [1] Umrats might recall a long rant last year about a similar online
    French system for notifying them that I am still breathing (just) and so
    they should continue sending me my French pensions - well I tried again earlier this year and it worked seamlessly.


    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mike McMillan@toodle.pip1@virginmedia.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Mon Jul 20 15:28:13 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    BrritSki <rtilbury@gmail.com> wrote:
    Swerving back to the original point about ONE login, I set it up
    recently without any trouble, using my ePassport iirc [1] and renewed my driving licence successfully.

    However I can understand the reluctance to use it. That nice Mr. Burnham
    has cancelled the idea of Digital Ids (allegedly) and an organisation
    called #Together (setup during Covid to oppose Lockdowns and similar sillinesses) claims that their campaign might have had some influence on this.

    They are now concerned that it will be brought in through the backdoor,
    so umrats with similar concerns might want to join or subscribe to their emails and support their campaign:

    "Getting the official Digital ID scheme scrapped is a major victory -
    but it is only the first step.

    We must also ensure that connected systems such as GOV UK One Login, the
    GOV UK App and Government Wallet cannot evolve into a de facto Digital
    ID through expansion, function creep or the erosion of offline alternatives.

    The real test is not what the system is called, but what it can do, how widely it can be used, and whether people remain free to live their
    lives without relying on - or being forced into - it.

    That's why we're asking for your help, by joining us as a member today."

    <https://togetherdeclaration.org/>


    [1] Umrats might recall a long rant last year about a similar online
    French system for notifying them that I am still breathing (just) and so they should continue sending me my French pensions - well I tried again earlier this year and it worked seamlessly.




    As I see it, the problems are created by the likes of (in my case at least) HMRC relying on GovUk One Login to do their donkey work for them. rCyYou canrCOt enter here unless One Login has passed you as legit. Now the consequence of that is that the One Login site is crap and fails to
    recognise when it itself has failed due to stupidity. (Remember, they say I
    was born in 2047 because they have mangled the data provided by the
    passport embedded chip, despite the fact that the photo page states DOB as
    in 1947). Whether this problem is due to the use of a two digit year identifier, I am past caring;all I know is that I repeatedly (no matter how many times I have tried). receive silly messages about rCySorry, something
    went wrong - please take your photo again, and silly messages that infer I
    have done other things incorrectly and I should start all over again. This
    is all down to problems with the One Login app and when writing to them to explain and request help, all I am told is that for rCysecurity reasonsrCO they cannot divulge what went wrong. When I contact HMRC and explain, like One Login, they just reply with more excuses about having to have my ID
    approved by One Login before I can progress. Both parties (helpfully?)
    provide links that take me round in circles and go nowhere at all. In the
    end I complain to either party with a long explanation, I receive an acknowledgment of my email, then rCarCa.Nugger All!!!
    --
    Toodle Pip, Mike McMillan
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From BrritSki@rtilbury@gmail.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Mon Jul 20 16:41:25 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 20/07/2026 16:28, Mike McMillan wrote:
    BrritSki <rtilbury@gmail.com> wrote:
    Swerving back to the original point about ONE login, I set it up
    recently without any trouble, using my ePassport iirc [1] and renewed my
    driving licence successfully.

    However I can understand the reluctance to use it. That nice Mr. Burnham
    has cancelled the idea of Digital Ids (allegedly) and an organisation
    called #Together (setup during Covid to oppose Lockdowns and similar
    sillinesses) claims that their campaign might have had some influence on
    this.

    They are now concerned that it will be brought in through the backdoor,
    so umrats with similar concerns might want to join or subscribe to their
    emails and support their campaign:

    "Getting the official Digital ID scheme scrapped is a major victory -
    but it is only the first step.

    We must also ensure that connected systems such as GOV UK One Login, the
    GOV UK App and Government Wallet cannot evolve into a de facto Digital
    ID through expansion, function creep or the erosion of offline alternatives. >>
    The real test is not what the system is called, but what it can do, how
    widely it can be used, and whether people remain free to live their
    lives without relying on - or being forced into - it.

    That's why we're asking for your help, by joining us as a member today."

    <https://togetherdeclaration.org/>


    [1] Umrats might recall a long rant last year about a similar online
    French system for notifying them that I am still breathing (just) and so
    they should continue sending me my French pensions - well I tried again
    earlier this year and it worked seamlessly.




    As I see it, the problems are created by the likes of (in my case at least) HMRC relying on GovUk One Login to do their donkey work for them. rCyYou canrCOt enter here unless One Login has passed you as legit. Now the consequence of that is that the One Login site is crap and fails to recognise when it itself has failed due to stupidity. (Remember, they say I was born in 2047 because they have mangled the data provided by the
    passport embedded chip, despite the fact that the photo page states DOB as
    in 1947). Whether this problem is due to the use of a two digit year identifier, I am past caring;all I know is that I repeatedly (no matter how many times I have tried). receive silly messages about rCySorry, something went wrong - please take your photo again, and silly messages that infer I have done other things incorrectly and I should start all over again. This
    is all down to problems with the One Login app and when writing to them to explain and request help, all I am told is that for rCysecurity reasonsrCO they
    cannot divulge what went wrong. When I contact HMRC and explain, like One Login, they just reply with more excuses about having to have my ID
    approved by One Login before I can progress. Both parties (helpfully?) provide links that take me round in circles and go nowhere at all. In the
    end I complain to either party with a long explanation, I receive an acknowledgment of my email, then rCarCa.Nugger All!!!

    Blimey, what a mess !

    All I can suggest is to tell them you can't provide a tax return
    (assuming you complete one) until it's sorted as you can't login.

    Although I have logged in to do mine this year with the Gov't Gateway as usual.

    I will not be submitting my return until as late as possible to see if
    HMRC correct the error in the State Pension calculation, whereby they
    charged you the full 52 weeks at the new rate rather than 1 at the old
    rate and 51 at the new.

    It may not sound much, but I went through my records and with my pension
    I overpaid tax on almost -u300. If you add compound interest at the HMRC
    rate of 7.5% it comes to a total of -u380, so -u76 tax collected in error.

    All they've said is that they've corrected it for this year...

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mike McMillan@toodle.pip1@virginmedia.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Mon Jul 20 16:19:10 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    BrritSki <rtilbury@gmail.com> wrote:
    On 20/07/2026 16:28, Mike McMillan wrote:
    BrritSki <rtilbury@gmail.com> wrote:
    Swerving back to the original point about ONE login, I set it up
    recently without any trouble, using my ePassport iirc [1] and renewed my >>> driving licence successfully.

    However I can understand the reluctance to use it. That nice Mr. Burnham >>> has cancelled the idea of Digital Ids (allegedly) and an organisation
    called #Together (setup during Covid to oppose Lockdowns and similar
    sillinesses) claims that their campaign might have had some influence on >>> this.

    They are now concerned that it will be brought in through the backdoor,
    so umrats with similar concerns might want to join or subscribe to their >>> emails and support their campaign:

    "Getting the official Digital ID scheme scrapped is a major victory -
    but it is only the first step.

    We must also ensure that connected systems such as GOV UK One Login, the >>> GOV UK App and Government Wallet cannot evolve into a de facto Digital
    ID through expansion, function creep or the erosion of offline alternatives.

    The real test is not what the system is called, but what it can do, how
    widely it can be used, and whether people remain free to live their
    lives without relying on - or being forced into - it.

    That's why we're asking for your help, by joining us as a member today." >>>
    <https://togetherdeclaration.org/>


    [1] Umrats might recall a long rant last year about a similar online
    French system for notifying them that I am still breathing (just) and so >>> they should continue sending me my French pensions - well I tried again
    earlier this year and it worked seamlessly.




    As I see it, the problems are created by the likes of (in my case at least) >> HMRC relying on GovUk One Login to do their donkey work for them. rCyYou
    canrCOt enter here unless One Login has passed you as legit. Now the
    consequence of that is that the One Login site is crap and fails to
    recognise when it itself has failed due to stupidity. (Remember, they say I >> was born in 2047 because they have mangled the data provided by the
    passport embedded chip, despite the fact that the photo page states DOB as >> in 1947). Whether this problem is due to the use of a two digit year
    identifier, I am past caring;all I know is that I repeatedly (no matter how >> many times I have tried). receive silly messages about rCySorry, something >> went wrong - please take your photo again, and silly messages that infer I >> have done other things incorrectly and I should start all over again. This >> is all down to problems with the One Login app and when writing to them to >> explain and request help, all I am told is that for rCysecurity reasonsrCO they
    cannot divulge what went wrong. When I contact HMRC and explain, like One
    Login, they just reply with more excuses about having to have my ID
    approved by One Login before I can progress. Both parties (helpfully?)
    provide links that take me round in circles and go nowhere at all. In the
    end I complain to either party with a long explanation, I receive an
    acknowledgment of my email, then rCarCa.Nugger All!!!

    Blimey, what a mess !

    All I can suggest is to tell them you can't provide a tax return
    (assuming you complete one) until it's sorted as you can't login.

    Although I have logged in to do mine this year with the Gov't Gateway as usual.

    I will not be submitting my return until as late as possible to see if
    HMRC correct the error in the State Pension calculation, whereby they charged you the full 52 weeks at the new rate rather than 1 at the old
    rate and 51 at the new.

    It may not sound much, but I went through my records and with my pension
    I overpaid tax on almost -u300. If you add compound interest at the HMRC rate of 7.5% it comes to a total of -u380, so -u76 tax collected in error.

    All they've said is that they've corrected it for this year...



    I had my rCyaccountrCO on line earlier this year but when I tried to login approx 2 months ago, the site refused my credentials and after more
    attempts to enter the HMRC site, I accepted their procedure and invitation
    to rCyI have forgotten my passwordrCO and reset it. That was the last time I could even see beyond the opening screenful. Because I have the cheek to be
    a basic , honest British citizen who happens to be unable to drive and have never possessed any of the other means of ID, I have to follow the route to prove I am me via that one document, my passport. BTW, I only obtained a passport for the porpoises of ID - I have never travelled with it! HMRC
    will accept nothing else from me, will not converse with me and insist on
    the stupid One Login route which does not work!

    We have just appointed an accountant as neither of us can see well enough
    to navigate the HMRC website confidently and without risk of making unforgivable errors due to missing a box or two. It will be interesting to
    see how well the accountant gets on accessing my accountrCa
    --
    Toodle Pip, Mike McMillan
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From J. P. Gilliver@G6JPG@255soft.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Mon Jul 20 21:51:06 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 2026/7/20 16:28:13, Mike McMillan wrote:
    []
    As I see it, the problems are created by the likes of (in my case at least) HMRC relying on GovUk One Login to do their donkey work for them. rCyYou

    And commissioning the lowest bidder to create/administer the scheme. On
    the whole, I've found government websites (assorted) tedious, but on the
    whole functional, This "GOV.UK One" definitely smacks of having been outsourced, with minimal (I'd say near enough no) quality checking of
    what's being provided. (I was going to say what's being offered, but
    it's obviously got further than that.)

    canrCOt enter here unless One Login has passed you as legit. Now the
    []
    provide links that take me round in circles and go nowhere at all. In the
    end I complain to either party with a long explanation, I receive an acknowledgment of my email, then rCarCa.Nugger All!!!

    I wonder how far you'd get if you write up a proper bill for your time,
    and submit it. My general experience with _companies_ has been that if I complain enough (I've never actually tried submitting a bill though), I eventually get "1. Yes, our system is wrong. 2. We're not going to fix
    it. 3. Here's some money. 4. Please stop bothering us." (Well, they
    don't actually make points 2 and 4, but there's a strong implication
    that they're there.)
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    This was before we knew that a laboratory rat, if experimented upon,
    will develop cancer. [Quoted by] Anne (annezo@aol.com), 1997-1-29
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Kate B@elvira@nospam.demon.co.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Mon Jul 20 22:20:06 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 20/07/2026 17:19, Mike McMillan wrote:
    BrritSki <rtilbury@gmail.com> wrote:
    On 20/07/2026 16:28, Mike McMillan wrote:
    BrritSki <rtilbury@gmail.com> wrote:
    Swerving back to the original point about ONE login, I set it up
    recently without any trouble, using my ePassport iirc [1] and renewed my >>>> driving licence successfully.

    However I can understand the reluctance to use it. That nice Mr. Burnham >>>> has cancelled the idea of Digital Ids (allegedly) and an organisation
    called #Together (setup during Covid to oppose Lockdowns and similar
    sillinesses) claims that their campaign might have had some influence on >>>> this.

    They are now concerned that it will be brought in through the backdoor, >>>> so umrats with similar concerns might want to join or subscribe to their >>>> emails and support their campaign:

    "Getting the official Digital ID scheme scrapped is a major victory -
    but it is only the first step.

    We must also ensure that connected systems such as GOV UK One Login, the >>>> GOV UK App and Government Wallet cannot evolve into a de facto Digital >>>> ID through expansion, function creep or the erosion of offline alternatives.

    The real test is not what the system is called, but what it can do, how >>>> widely it can be used, and whether people remain free to live their
    lives without relying on - or being forced into - it.

    That's why we're asking for your help, by joining us as a member today." >>>>
    <https://togetherdeclaration.org/>


    [1] Umrats might recall a long rant last year about a similar online
    French system for notifying them that I am still breathing (just) and so >>>> they should continue sending me my French pensions - well I tried again >>>> earlier this year and it worked seamlessly.




    As I see it, the problems are created by the likes of (in my case at least) >>> HMRC relying on GovUk One Login to do their donkey work for them. rCyYou >>> canrCOt enter here unless One Login has passed you as legit. Now the
    consequence of that is that the One Login site is crap and fails to
    recognise when it itself has failed due to stupidity. (Remember, they say I >>> was born in 2047 because they have mangled the data provided by the
    passport embedded chip, despite the fact that the photo page states DOB as >>> in 1947). Whether this problem is due to the use of a two digit year
    identifier, I am past caring;all I know is that I repeatedly (no matter how >>> many times I have tried). receive silly messages about rCySorry, something >>> went wrong - please take your photo again, and silly messages that infer I >>> have done other things incorrectly and I should start all over again. This >>> is all down to problems with the One Login app and when writing to them to >>> explain and request help, all I am told is that for rCysecurity reasonsrCO they
    cannot divulge what went wrong. When I contact HMRC and explain, like One >>> Login, they just reply with more excuses about having to have my ID
    approved by One Login before I can progress. Both parties (helpfully?)
    provide links that take me round in circles and go nowhere at all. In the >>> end I complain to either party with a long explanation, I receive an
    acknowledgment of my email, then rCarCa.Nugger All!!!

    Blimey, what a mess !

    All I can suggest is to tell them you can't provide a tax return
    (assuming you complete one) until it's sorted as you can't login.

    Although I have logged in to do mine this year with the Gov't Gateway as
    usual.

    I will not be submitting my return until as late as possible to see if
    HMRC correct the error in the State Pension calculation, whereby they
    charged you the full 52 weeks at the new rate rather than 1 at the old
    rate and 51 at the new.

    It may not sound much, but I went through my records and with my pension
    I overpaid tax on almost -u300. If you add compound interest at the HMRC
    rate of 7.5% it comes to a total of -u380, so -u76 tax collected in error. >>
    All they've said is that they've corrected it for this year...



    I had my rCyaccountrCO on line earlier this year but when I tried to login approx 2 months ago, the site refused my credentials and after more
    attempts to enter the HMRC site, I accepted their procedure and invitation
    to rCyI have forgotten my passwordrCO and reset it. That was the last time I could even see beyond the opening screenful. Because I have the cheek to be
    a basic , honest British citizen who happens to be unable to drive and have never possessed any of the other means of ID, I have to follow the route to prove I am me via that one document, my passport. BTW, I only obtained a passport for the porpoises of ID - I have never travelled with it! HMRC
    will accept nothing else from me, will not converse with me and insist on
    the stupid One Login route which does not work!

    We have just appointed an accountant as neither of us can see well enough
    to navigate the HMRC website confidently and without risk of making unforgivable errors due to missing a box or two. It will be interesting to see how well the accountant gets on accessing my accountrCa

    I believe accountants have their own access - you'll get a letter from
    HMRC informing you that Mr A.C.Countant has been registered as acting
    for you and giving you a code that the accountant then uses to verify themselves. This is how it works in Scotland, I presume it's the same
    process south of the border.
    --
    Kate B
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Sam Plusnet@not@home.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Tue Jul 21 01:06:46 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 20/07/2026 17:19, Mike McMillan wrote:
    BrritSki <rtilbury@gmail.com> wrote:
    On 20/07/2026 16:28, Mike McMillan wrote:
    BrritSki <rtilbury@gmail.com> wrote:
    Swerving back to the original point about ONE login, I set it up
    recently without any trouble, using my ePassport iirc [1] and renewed my >>>> driving licence successfully.

    However I can understand the reluctance to use it. That nice Mr. Burnham >>>> has cancelled the idea of Digital Ids (allegedly) and an organisation
    called #Together (setup during Covid to oppose Lockdowns and similar
    sillinesses) claims that their campaign might have had some influence on >>>> this.

    They are now concerned that it will be brought in through the backdoor, >>>> so umrats with similar concerns might want to join or subscribe to their >>>> emails and support their campaign:

    "Getting the official Digital ID scheme scrapped is a major victory -
    but it is only the first step.

    We must also ensure that connected systems such as GOV UK One Login, the >>>> GOV UK App and Government Wallet cannot evolve into a de facto Digital >>>> ID through expansion, function creep or the erosion of offline alternatives.

    The real test is not what the system is called, but what it can do, how >>>> widely it can be used, and whether people remain free to live their
    lives without relying on - or being forced into - it.

    That's why we're asking for your help, by joining us as a member today." >>>>
    <https://togetherdeclaration.org/>


    [1] Umrats might recall a long rant last year about a similar online
    French system for notifying them that I am still breathing (just) and so >>>> they should continue sending me my French pensions - well I tried again >>>> earlier this year and it worked seamlessly.




    As I see it, the problems are created by the likes of (in my case at least) >>> HMRC relying on GovUk One Login to do their donkey work for them. rCyYou >>> canrCOt enter here unless One Login has passed you as legit. Now the
    consequence of that is that the One Login site is crap and fails to
    recognise when it itself has failed due to stupidity. (Remember, they say I >>> was born in 2047 because they have mangled the data provided by the
    passport embedded chip, despite the fact that the photo page states DOB as >>> in 1947). Whether this problem is due to the use of a two digit year
    identifier, I am past caring;all I know is that I repeatedly (no matter how >>> many times I have tried). receive silly messages about rCySorry, something >>> went wrong - please take your photo again, and silly messages that infer I >>> have done other things incorrectly and I should start all over again. This >>> is all down to problems with the One Login app and when writing to them to >>> explain and request help, all I am told is that for rCysecurity reasonsrCO they
    cannot divulge what went wrong. When I contact HMRC and explain, like One >>> Login, they just reply with more excuses about having to have my ID
    approved by One Login before I can progress. Both parties (helpfully?)
    provide links that take me round in circles and go nowhere at all. In the >>> end I complain to either party with a long explanation, I receive an
    acknowledgment of my email, then rCarCa.Nugger All!!!

    Blimey, what a mess !

    All I can suggest is to tell them you can't provide a tax return
    (assuming you complete one) until it's sorted as you can't login.

    Although I have logged in to do mine this year with the Gov't Gateway as
    usual.

    I will not be submitting my return until as late as possible to see if
    HMRC correct the error in the State Pension calculation, whereby they
    charged you the full 52 weeks at the new rate rather than 1 at the old
    rate and 51 at the new.

    It may not sound much, but I went through my records and with my pension
    I overpaid tax on almost -u300. If you add compound interest at the HMRC
    rate of 7.5% it comes to a total of -u380, so -u76 tax collected in error. >>
    All they've said is that they've corrected it for this year...



    I had my rCyaccountrCO on line earlier this year but when I tried to login approx 2 months ago, the site refused my credentials and after more
    attempts to enter the HMRC site, I accepted their procedure and invitation
    to rCyI have forgotten my passwordrCO and reset it. That was the last time I could even see beyond the opening screenful. Because I have the cheek to be
    a basic , honest British citizen who happens to be unable to drive and have never possessed any of the other means of ID, I have to follow the route to prove I am me via that one document, my passport. BTW, I only obtained a passport for the porpoises of ID - I have never travelled with it! HMRC
    will accept nothing else from me, will not converse with me and insist on
    the stupid One Login route which does not work!

    We have just appointed an accountant as neither of us can see well enough
    to navigate the HMRC website confidently and without risk of making unforgivable errors due to missing a box or two. It will be interesting to see how well the accountant gets on accessing my accountrCa

    If I have read your post correctly, it seems like the 'defect' is in
    your passport (or in the chip contained therein).
    Can you get the Passport Office to sent you a replacement? - hopefully
    one without that defect.
    --
    Sam Plusnet
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Joe Kerr@joe_kerr@cheerful.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Tue Jul 21 01:36:34 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On 20/07/2026 16:41, BrritSki wrote:
    On 20/07/2026 16:28, Mike McMillan wrote:


    As I see it, the problems are created by the likes of (in my case at
    least)
    HMRC relying on GovUk One Login to do their donkey work for them. rCyYou
    canrCOt enter here unless One Login has passed you as legit. Now the
    consequence of that is that the One Login-a site is crap and fails to
    recognise when it itself has failed due to stupidity. (Remember, they
    say I
    was born in 2047 because they have mangled the data provided by the
    passport embedded chip, despite the fact that the photo page states
    DOB as
    in 1947). Whether this problem is due to the use of a two digit year
    identifier, I am past caring;all I know is that I repeatedly (no
    matter how
    many times I have tried). receive silly messages about rCySorry, something >> went wrong - please take your photo again, and silly messages that
    infer I
    have done other things incorrectly and I should start all over again.
    This
    is all down to problems with the One Login app and when writing to
    them to
    explain and request help, all I am told is that for rCysecurity reasonsrCO >> they
    cannot divulge what went wrong. When I contact HMRC and explain, like One
    Login, they just reply with more excuses about having to have my ID
    approved by One Login before I can progress. Both parties (helpfully?)
    provide links that take me round in circles and go nowhere at all. In the
    end I complain to either party with a long explanation, I receive an
    acknowledgment of my email, then rCarCa.Nugger All!!!

    Blimey, what a mess !

    All I can suggest is to tell them you can't provide a tax return
    (assuming you complete one) until it's sorted as you can't login.

    Trust me on this. If you can't logon because they have managed to get
    your date of birth wrong it is not their problem. How they manage to do
    that is an interesting question.

    Although I have logged in to do mine this year with the Gov't Gateway as usual.

    I will not be submitting my return until as late as possible to see if
    HMRC correct the error in the State Pension calculation, whereby they charged you the full 52 weeks at the new rate rather than 1 at the old
    rate and 51 at the new.

    It may not sound much, but I went through my records and with my pension
    I overpaid tax on almost -u300. If you add compound interest at the HMRC rate of 7.5% it comes to a total of -u380, so -u76 tax collected in error.

    All they've said is that they've corrected it for this year...

    --
    Ric
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mike McMillan@toodle.pip1@virginmedia.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Tue Jul 21 08:08:11 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    Kate B <elvira@nospam.demon.co.uk> wrote:
    On 20/07/2026 17:19, Mike McMillan wrote:
    BrritSki <rtilbury@gmail.com> wrote:
    On 20/07/2026 16:28, Mike McMillan wrote:
    BrritSki <rtilbury@gmail.com> wrote:
    Swerving back to the original point about ONE login, I set it up
    recently without any trouble, using my ePassport iirc [1] and renewed my >>>>> driving licence successfully.

    However I can understand the reluctance to use it. That nice Mr. Burnham >>>>> has cancelled the idea of Digital Ids (allegedly) and an organisation >>>>> called #Together (setup during Covid to oppose Lockdowns and similar >>>>> sillinesses) claims that their campaign might have had some influence on >>>>> this.

    They are now concerned that it will be brought in through the backdoor, >>>>> so umrats with similar concerns might want to join or subscribe to their >>>>> emails and support their campaign:

    "Getting the official Digital ID scheme scrapped is a major victory - >>>>> but it is only the first step.

    We must also ensure that connected systems such as GOV UK One Login, the >>>>> GOV UK App and Government Wallet cannot evolve into a de facto Digital >>>>> ID through expansion, function creep or the erosion of offline alternatives.

    The real test is not what the system is called, but what it can do, how >>>>> widely it can be used, and whether people remain free to live their
    lives without relying on - or being forced into - it.

    That's why we're asking for your help, by joining us as a member today." >>>>>
    <https://togetherdeclaration.org/>


    [1] Umrats might recall a long rant last year about a similar online >>>>> French system for notifying them that I am still breathing (just) and so >>>>> they should continue sending me my French pensions - well I tried again >>>>> earlier this year and it worked seamlessly.




    As I see it, the problems are created by the likes of (in my case at least)
    HMRC relying on GovUk One Login to do their donkey work for them. rCyYou >>>> canrCOt enter here unless One Login has passed you as legit. Now the
    consequence of that is that the One Login site is crap and fails to
    recognise when it itself has failed due to stupidity. (Remember, they say I
    was born in 2047 because they have mangled the data provided by the
    passport embedded chip, despite the fact that the photo page states DOB as >>>> in 1947). Whether this problem is due to the use of a two digit year
    identifier, I am past caring;all I know is that I repeatedly (no matter how
    many times I have tried). receive silly messages about rCySorry, something >>>> went wrong - please take your photo again, and silly messages that infer I >>>> have done other things incorrectly and I should start all over again. This >>>> is all down to problems with the One Login app and when writing to them to >>>> explain and request help, all I am told is that for rCysecurity reasonsrCO they
    cannot divulge what went wrong. When I contact HMRC and explain, like One >>>> Login, they just reply with more excuses about having to have my ID
    approved by One Login before I can progress. Both parties (helpfully?) >>>> provide links that take me round in circles and go nowhere at all. In the >>>> end I complain to either party with a long explanation, I receive an
    acknowledgment of my email, then rCarCa.Nugger All!!!

    Blimey, what a mess !

    All I can suggest is to tell them you can't provide a tax return
    (assuming you complete one) until it's sorted as you can't login.

    Although I have logged in to do mine this year with the Gov't Gateway as >>> usual.

    I will not be submitting my return until as late as possible to see if
    HMRC correct the error in the State Pension calculation, whereby they
    charged you the full 52 weeks at the new rate rather than 1 at the old
    rate and 51 at the new.

    It may not sound much, but I went through my records and with my pension >>> I overpaid tax on almost -u300. If you add compound interest at the HMRC >>> rate of 7.5% it comes to a total of -u380, so -u76 tax collected in error. >>>
    All they've said is that they've corrected it for this year...



    I had my rCyaccountrCO on line earlier this year but when I tried to login >> approx 2 months ago, the site refused my credentials and after more
    attempts to enter the HMRC site, I accepted their procedure and invitation >> to rCyI have forgotten my passwordrCO and reset it. That was the last time I >> could even see beyond the opening screenful. Because I have the cheek to be >> a basic , honest British citizen who happens to be unable to drive and have >> never possessed any of the other means of ID, I have to follow the route to >> prove I am me via that one document, my passport. BTW, I only obtained a
    passport for the porpoises of ID - I have never travelled with it! HMRC
    will accept nothing else from me, will not converse with me and insist on
    the stupid One Login route which does not work!

    We have just appointed an accountant as neither of us can see well enough
    to navigate the HMRC website confidently and without risk of making
    unforgivable errors due to missing a box or two. It will be interesting to >> see how well the accountant gets on accessing my accountrCa

    I believe accountants have their own access - you'll get a letter from
    HMRC informing you that Mr A.C.Countant has been registered as acting
    for you and giving you a code that the accountant then uses to verify themselves. This is how it works in Scotland, I presume it's the same process south of the border.


    Sounds about right, Ta Muchly.
    --
    Toodle Pip, Mike McMillan
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mike McMillan@toodle.pip1@virginmedia.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Tue Jul 21 08:12:04 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    Sam Plusnet <not@home.com> wrote:
    On 20/07/2026 17:19, Mike McMillan wrote:
    BrritSki <rtilbury@gmail.com> wrote:
    On 20/07/2026 16:28, Mike McMillan wrote:
    BrritSki <rtilbury@gmail.com> wrote:
    Swerving back to the original point about ONE login, I set it up
    recently without any trouble, using my ePassport iirc [1] and renewed my >>>>> driving licence successfully.

    However I can understand the reluctance to use it. That nice Mr. Burnham >>>>> has cancelled the idea of Digital Ids (allegedly) and an organisation >>>>> called #Together (setup during Covid to oppose Lockdowns and similar >>>>> sillinesses) claims that their campaign might have had some influence on >>>>> this.

    They are now concerned that it will be brought in through the backdoor, >>>>> so umrats with similar concerns might want to join or subscribe to their >>>>> emails and support their campaign:

    "Getting the official Digital ID scheme scrapped is a major victory - >>>>> but it is only the first step.

    We must also ensure that connected systems such as GOV UK One Login, the >>>>> GOV UK App and Government Wallet cannot evolve into a de facto Digital >>>>> ID through expansion, function creep or the erosion of offline alternatives.

    The real test is not what the system is called, but what it can do, how >>>>> widely it can be used, and whether people remain free to live their
    lives without relying on - or being forced into - it.

    That's why we're asking for your help, by joining us as a member today." >>>>>
    <https://togetherdeclaration.org/>


    [1] Umrats might recall a long rant last year about a similar online >>>>> French system for notifying them that I am still breathing (just) and so >>>>> they should continue sending me my French pensions - well I tried again >>>>> earlier this year and it worked seamlessly.




    As I see it, the problems are created by the likes of (in my case at least)
    HMRC relying on GovUk One Login to do their donkey work for them. rCyYou >>>> canrCOt enter here unless One Login has passed you as legit. Now the
    consequence of that is that the One Login site is crap and fails to
    recognise when it itself has failed due to stupidity. (Remember, they say I
    was born in 2047 because they have mangled the data provided by the
    passport embedded chip, despite the fact that the photo page states DOB as >>>> in 1947). Whether this problem is due to the use of a two digit year
    identifier, I am past caring;all I know is that I repeatedly (no matter how
    many times I have tried). receive silly messages about rCySorry, something >>>> went wrong - please take your photo again, and silly messages that infer I >>>> have done other things incorrectly and I should start all over again. This >>>> is all down to problems with the One Login app and when writing to them to >>>> explain and request help, all I am told is that for rCysecurity reasonsrCO they
    cannot divulge what went wrong. When I contact HMRC and explain, like One >>>> Login, they just reply with more excuses about having to have my ID
    approved by One Login before I can progress. Both parties (helpfully?) >>>> provide links that take me round in circles and go nowhere at all. In the >>>> end I complain to either party with a long explanation, I receive an
    acknowledgment of my email, then rCarCa.Nugger All!!!

    Blimey, what a mess !

    All I can suggest is to tell them you can't provide a tax return
    (assuming you complete one) until it's sorted as you can't login.

    Although I have logged in to do mine this year with the Gov't Gateway as >>> usual.

    I will not be submitting my return until as late as possible to see if
    HMRC correct the error in the State Pension calculation, whereby they
    charged you the full 52 weeks at the new rate rather than 1 at the old
    rate and 51 at the new.

    It may not sound much, but I went through my records and with my pension >>> I overpaid tax on almost -u300. If you add compound interest at the HMRC >>> rate of 7.5% it comes to a total of -u380, so -u76 tax collected in error. >>>
    All they've said is that they've corrected it for this year...



    I had my rCyaccountrCO on line earlier this year but when I tried to login >> approx 2 months ago, the site refused my credentials and after more
    attempts to enter the HMRC site, I accepted their procedure and invitation >> to rCyI have forgotten my passwordrCO and reset it. That was the last time I >> could even see beyond the opening screenful. Because I have the cheek to be >> a basic , honest British citizen who happens to be unable to drive and have >> never possessed any of the other means of ID, I have to follow the route to >> prove I am me via that one document, my passport. BTW, I only obtained a
    passport for the porpoises of ID - I have never travelled with it! HMRC
    will accept nothing else from me, will not converse with me and insist on
    the stupid One Login route which does not work!

    We have just appointed an accountant as neither of us can see well enough
    to navigate the HMRC website confidently and without risk of making
    unforgivable errors due to missing a box or two. It will be interesting to >> see how well the accountant gets on accessing my accountrCa

    If I have read your post correctly, it seems like the 'defect' is in
    your passport (or in the chip contained therein).
    Can you get the Passport Office to sent you a replacement? - hopefully
    one without that defect.


    It worked correctly when I set up my HMRC On-Line access earlier in the
    year. Then there was an update to the Gov UK One Login softwarerCa
    --
    Toodle Pip, Mike McMillan
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Nick Odell@nickodell49@yahoo.ca to uk.media.radio.archers on Tue Jul 21 21:57:29 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    On Tue, 21 Jul 2026 08:12:04 -0000 (UTC), Mike McMillan <toodle.pip1@virginmedia.com> wrote:

    Sam Plusnet <not@home.com> wrote:
    On 20/07/2026 17:19, Mike McMillan wrote:
    BrritSki <rtilbury@gmail.com> wrote:
    On 20/07/2026 16:28, Mike McMillan wrote:
    BrritSki <rtilbury@gmail.com> wrote:
    Swerving back to the original point about ONE login, I set it up
    recently without any trouble, using my ePassport iirc [1] and renewed my >>>>>> driving licence successfully.

    However I can understand the reluctance to use it. That nice Mr. Burnham >>>>>> has cancelled the idea of Digital Ids (allegedly) and an organisation >>>>>> called #Together (setup during Covid to oppose Lockdowns and similar >>>>>> sillinesses) claims that their campaign might have had some influence on >>>>>> this.

    They are now concerned that it will be brought in through the backdoor, >>>>>> so umrats with similar concerns might want to join or subscribe to their >>>>>> emails and support their campaign:

    "Getting the official Digital ID scheme scrapped is a major victory - >>>>>> but it is only the first step.

    We must also ensure that connected systems such as GOV UK One Login, the >>>>>> GOV UK App and Government Wallet cannot evolve into a de facto Digital >>>>>> ID through expansion, function creep or the erosion of offline alternatives.

    The real test is not what the system is called, but what it can do, how >>>>>> widely it can be used, and whether people remain free to live their >>>>>> lives without relying on - or being forced into - it.

    That's why we're asking for your help, by joining us as a member today." >>>>>>
    <https://togetherdeclaration.org/>


    [1] Umrats might recall a long rant last year about a similar online >>>>>> French system for notifying them that I am still breathing (just) and so >>>>>> they should continue sending me my French pensions - well I tried again >>>>>> earlier this year and it worked seamlessly.




    As I see it, the problems are created by the likes of (in my case at least)
    HMRC relying on GovUk One Login to do their donkey work for them. aYou >>>>> canAt enter here unless One Login has passed you as legit. Now the
    consequence of that is that the One Login site is crap and fails to >>>>> recognise when it itself has failed due to stupidity. (Remember, they say I
    was born in 2047 because they have mangled the data provided by the
    passport embedded chip, despite the fact that the photo page states DOB as
    in 1947). Whether this problem is due to the use of a two digit year >>>>> identifier, I am past caring;all I know is that I repeatedly (no matter how
    many times I have tried). receive silly messages about aSorry, something >>>>> went wrong - please take your photo again, and silly messages that infer I
    have done other things incorrectly and I should start all over again. This
    is all down to problems with the One Login app and when writing to them to
    explain and request help, all I am told is that for asecurity reasonsA they
    cannot divulge what went wrong. When I contact HMRC and explain, like One >>>>> Login, they just reply with more excuses about having to have my ID
    approved by One Login before I can progress. Both parties (helpfully?) >>>>> provide links that take me round in circles and go nowhere at all. In the >>>>> end I complain to either party with a long explanation, I receive an >>>>> acknowledgment of my email, then aa.Nugger All!!!

    Blimey, what a mess !

    All I can suggest is to tell them you can't provide a tax return
    (assuming you complete one) until it's sorted as you can't login.

    Although I have logged in to do mine this year with the Gov't Gateway as >>>> usual.

    I will not be submitting my return until as late as possible to see if >>>> HMRC correct the error in the State Pension calculation, whereby they
    charged you the full 52 weeks at the new rate rather than 1 at the old >>>> rate and 51 at the new.

    It may not sound much, but I went through my records and with my pension >>>> I overpaid tax on almost u300. If you add compound interest at the HMRC >>>> rate of 7.5% it comes to a total of u380, so u76 tax collected in error. >>>>
    All they've said is that they've corrected it for this year...



    I had my aaccountA on line earlier this year but when I tried to login
    approx 2 months ago, the site refused my credentials and after more
    attempts to enter the HMRC site, I accepted their procedure and invitation >>> to aI have forgotten my passwordA and reset it. That was the last time I >>> could even see beyond the opening screenful. Because I have the cheek to be >>> a basic , honest British citizen who happens to be unable to drive and have >>> never possessed any of the other means of ID, I have to follow the route to >>> prove I am me via that one document, my passport. BTW, I only obtained a >>> passport for the porpoises of ID - I have never travelled with it! HMRC
    will accept nothing else from me, will not converse with me and insist on >>> the stupid One Login route which does not work!

    We have just appointed an accountant as neither of us can see well enough >>> to navigate the HMRC website confidently and without risk of making
    unforgivable errors due to missing a box or two. It will be interesting to >>> see how well the accountant gets on accessing my accounta

    If I have read your post correctly, it seems like the 'defect' is in
    your passport (or in the chip contained therein).
    Can you get the Passport Office to sent you a replacement? - hopefully
    one without that defect.


    It worked correctly when I set up my HMRC On-Line access earlier in the
    year. Then there was an update to the Gov UK One Login softwarea

    Yebbut: since then, have you dropped your passport in a puddle then
    dried it out again in the microwave oven?

    Nick
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mike McMillan@toodle.pip1@virginmedia.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Wed Jul 22 07:27:06 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    Nick Odell <nickodell49@yahoo.ca> wrote:
    On Tue, 21 Jul 2026 08:12:04 -0000 (UTC), Mike McMillan <toodle.pip1@virginmedia.com> wrote:

    Sam Plusnet <not@home.com> wrote:
    On 20/07/2026 17:19, Mike McMillan wrote:
    BrritSki <rtilbury@gmail.com> wrote:
    On 20/07/2026 16:28, Mike McMillan wrote:
    BrritSki <rtilbury@gmail.com> wrote:
    Swerving back to the original point about ONE login, I set it up >>>>>>> recently without any trouble, using my ePassport iirc [1] and renewed my
    driving licence successfully.

    However I can understand the reluctance to use it. That nice Mr. Burnham
    has cancelled the idea of Digital Ids (allegedly) and an organisation >>>>>>> called #Together (setup during Covid to oppose Lockdowns and similar >>>>>>> sillinesses) claims that their campaign might have had some influence on
    this.

    They are now concerned that it will be brought in through the backdoor, >>>>>>> so umrats with similar concerns might want to join or subscribe to their
    emails and support their campaign:

    "Getting the official Digital ID scheme scrapped is a major victory - >>>>>>> but it is only the first step.

    We must also ensure that connected systems such as GOV UK One Login, the
    GOV UK App and Government Wallet cannot evolve into a de facto Digital >>>>>>> ID through expansion, function creep or the erosion of offline alternatives.

    The real test is not what the system is called, but what it can do, how >>>>>>> widely it can be used, and whether people remain free to live their >>>>>>> lives without relying on - or being forced into - it.

    That's why we're asking for your help, by joining us as a member today."

    <https://togetherdeclaration.org/>


    [1] Umrats might recall a long rant last year about a similar online >>>>>>> French system for notifying them that I am still breathing (just) and so
    they should continue sending me my French pensions - well I tried again >>>>>>> earlier this year and it worked seamlessly.




    As I see it, the problems are created by the likes of (in my case at least)
    HMRC relying on GovUk One Login to do their donkey work for them. -aYou >>>>>> can-At enter here unless One Login has passed you as legit. Now the >>>>>> consequence of that is that the One Login site is crap and fails to >>>>>> recognise when it itself has failed due to stupidity. (Remember, they say I
    was born in 2047 because they have mangled the data provided by the >>>>>> passport embedded chip, despite the fact that the photo page states DOB as
    in 1947). Whether this problem is due to the use of a two digit year >>>>>> identifier, I am past caring;all I know is that I repeatedly (no matter how
    many times I have tried). receive silly messages about -aSorry, something
    went wrong - please take your photo again, and silly messages that infer I
    have done other things incorrectly and I should start all over again. This
    is all down to problems with the One Login app and when writing to them to
    explain and request help, all I am told is that for -asecurity reasons-A they
    cannot divulge what went wrong. When I contact HMRC and explain, like One
    Login, they just reply with more excuses about having to have my ID >>>>>> approved by One Login before I can progress. Both parties (helpfully?) >>>>>> provide links that take me round in circles and go nowhere at all. In the
    end I complain to either party with a long explanation, I receive an >>>>>> acknowledgment of my email, then -a-a.Nugger All!!!

    Blimey, what a mess !

    All I can suggest is to tell them you can't provide a tax return
    (assuming you complete one) until it's sorted as you can't login.

    Although I have logged in to do mine this year with the Gov't Gateway as >>>>> usual.

    I will not be submitting my return until as late as possible to see if >>>>> HMRC correct the error in the State Pension calculation, whereby they >>>>> charged you the full 52 weeks at the new rate rather than 1 at the old >>>>> rate and 51 at the new.

    It may not sound much, but I went through my records and with my pension >>>>> I overpaid tax on almost -u300. If you add compound interest at the HMRC >>>>> rate of 7.5% it comes to a total of -u380, so -u76 tax collected in error.

    All they've said is that they've corrected it for this year...



    I had my -aaccount-A on line earlier this year but when I tried to login >>>> approx 2 months ago, the site refused my credentials and after more
    attempts to enter the HMRC site, I accepted their procedure and invitation >>>> to -aI have forgotten my password-A and reset it. That was the last time I >>>> could even see beyond the opening screenful. Because I have the cheek to be
    a basic , honest British citizen who happens to be unable to drive and have
    never possessed any of the other means of ID, I have to follow the route to
    prove I am me via that one document, my passport. BTW, I only obtained a >>>> passport for the porpoises of ID - I have never travelled with it! HMRC >>>> will accept nothing else from me, will not converse with me and insist on >>>> the stupid One Login route which does not work!

    We have just appointed an accountant as neither of us can see well enough >>>> to navigate the HMRC website confidently and without risk of making
    unforgivable errors due to missing a box or two. It will be interesting to >>>> see how well the accountant gets on accessing my account-a

    If I have read your post correctly, it seems like the 'defect' is in
    your passport (or in the chip contained therein).
    Can you get the Passport Office to sent you a replacement? - hopefully
    one without that defect.


    It worked correctly when I set up my HMRC On-Line access earlier in the
    year. Then there was an update to the Gov UK One Login software-a

    Yebbut: since then, have you dropped your passport in a puddle then
    dried it out again in the microwave oven?

    Nick


    When I rescued it from the loo, I washed it in bleach, rinsed it in washing powder, dried it over the bbq than 20 minutes in the microwave on full
    power, then I used 50% power (so as not to overdo it and
    possibly harm the chip) for a further hour. I only used a low power heat
    gun then and flattened it out with a very heavy magnet I have. So it should
    be fine, shouldnrCOt it?
    --
    Toodle Pip, Mike McMillan
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Chris@chris.mcmillan@ntlworld.com to uk.media.radio.archers on Fri Jul 24 17:10:52 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    Nick Odell <nickodell49@yahoo.ca> wrote:
    On Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:54:37 +0100, Jane Vernon
    <jane@clothandclay.co.uk> wrote:

    On 16/07/2026 19:37, Nick Odell wrote:

    I have unique passwords for all the important accounts. (I'm ashamed
    to say that I use the same password over and over for on-line forums
    and the like on the basis that there's nothing in those forums to
    connect back to me (obviously umra isn't an on-line forum and it
    doesn't count IMO)) The passwords are on a memory stick which is only
    inserted when I want to read them. I don't use proprietary apps: I go
    directly to the appropriate web site to sign in etc. Because I always
    browse in "Private" mode, I trust that all transaction details are
    deleted when I close the browser.
    Knowing you to be a traveller, how do you cope when travelling? I don't
    take my laptop with me, just my iPad and iPhone, neither of which takes
    a USB plug such as you find on the end of memory sticks.

    I think the USB compatability question has already been answered. I
    just take a memory stick with my passwords and use a trusted computer
    at my destination.

    This brings up another issue: passkeys. I am really reluctant to get
    involved with passkeys, however secure they might be because I'm
    concerned that, since they are hardware specific, I might have more difficulty than I want to experience when I try to sign in from
    another country on another machine, I'm in wait and see mode about
    passkeys.

    Nick


    I can barely manage passwords: I'm ignoring the rest

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From J. P. Gilliver@G6JPG@255soft.uk to uk.media.radio.archers on Fri Jul 24 19:02:09 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.media.radio.archers

    I've kept to the same thread, as it's the same general area (bad government-related use of IT).

    I just received an email, apparently from:

    EMAIL2, (IPLATO HEALTHCARE LIMITED) <iplato2.com@nhs.net>

    subject "New message from Charing Surgery"

    It contained among other text
    ===
    Charing Surgery would like some information on your smoking status.
    Please use the link to respond.

    https://pq.mygp.com/a318a616
    Thank You
    ===
    Now, "mygp.com" sounds to me exactly the sort of dodgy address a scammer
    would have registered. For something NHS-related, I'd have expected
    something ending in nhs.uk, gov.uk, or at the very least .uk .

    Turns out it _is_ genuine, but I'm very unimpressed!
    []
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    The first draft was "flick me all over with ..." (RT Chtr 2020)
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