Gah. You know, dude, bitching at us because Geek Squad doesn't know how to fix our proprietary, multi-million-dollar software is not my problem. What is my problem is you throwing a tantrum and turning off your computer while I'm connected in and working on it because you've spent "all week"--on a Monday--on this and wasting time--a whole hour--and money--on a tech call where we waived the fee. Also, yelling at me to fix it while you're storming out of your office and leaving the shut off computer behind is not useful. Bring on your lawyers, dude. We record these calls for a reason.

Any international travelers around who can answer a question for me? I need a cellphone that will work in Ireland and the UK for the two weeks I'll be there. Mainly I need to send/receive texts and access the Internet, more than talk.

Apparently you can rent international phones, but I'm leery of getting a rip-off company that will cost me much $$$. Last time we went, Katie bought a cheap phone there, but it didn't work very well (being cheap) and we don't want to pay $$$ for a phone we'll only use for 2 weeks.

I'll have my Galaxy, but I learned the hard way that getting WiFi outside the hotels is problematic. If I could make my Galaxy work there, that would be perfect, but it's not a GSM phone.

I'm doomed. Unless I get challenged, I'm going to be on this jury. And it's deadly dull. And likely to take all week...

Amy

I can't tell you anything about drive times but 287 to Amarillo and then I40 to Albuquerque is a pretty standard route. My recollection from the one time I went to Amarillo is that 287 is a four lane through most of that BUT once you are past Wichita Falls it is long stretches of nothing interspersed with small town speed traps. As a woman driving alone, it wasn't a road I would take at night but during the day with good weather, it can be a pretty drive.

What provider do you use for your cell phone? When I was in Northern Ireland in February I took a Galaxy S4 on T-Mobile with me. It's one of my business phones. Currently the T-Mobile plans include unlimited data and text from something like 100 countries, and Ireland and Northern Ireland are both included. It worked great for me and I will be using it again June when Pix and I go back.

I *feel* that way talking to support sometimes, Connie. But knowing that, I freak out and fume *first* then call the techs. That way, I'm calm when they can hear me. Of course, some people are dicks who read "Tech support" and think "data monkey" which is a bad call much like insulting a waiter. Although I think I'd almost rather eat spit-food than face ongoing tech problems, and considering how much I hate germs, that's a statement!

I'm not sure who has annoyed me more today, this last guy or the guy earlier who, when asked to click on an icon, said "Why can't you do it? That's what I'm paying you for."

Thanks, lcat! Virtual cookies on the way.

Consuela, can you quick change into your Star Fleet uniform?

Zen, ages ago (okay, several years) when I went to Italy with a group of fannish friends, I rented a cellphone for the group. I can look up that information for you if you want, though I'd be surprised if there isn't a better way these days.