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ism · Dec 2, 2004, 01:21 PM

So I've never had need for a printer, but my girlfriend has an essay to print off to hand in tomorrow. As organised as ever she's left everything late (hasn't actually started typing it up yet)

I ordered a printer as soon as I knew on a 24hr delivery but it's not turned up. Arse.

She might be okay in that she could drive to her dads tonight and print it or I might be able to print it at work tomorrow and try and get back early enough so she can hand it in. She might be able to do it at uni tomorrow if the computers are working.

But as a back-up (and long shot) is there anyone nearby who could print it late tonight or tomorrow (2-4 pages of plain text) and she could come round to pick it up.

waxcrash · Dec 2, 2004, 01:24 PM

Don't you have anything like a Kinkos across the pond?

<edit>

5 Kinkos in London

Looks like there are 5 in London. I don't know how far Lancaster is from London, but if it isn't far, you can send the file to them electronically and go pick it up.

drive-thru · Dec 2, 2004, 02:24 PM

Unfortunately I'm in Gloucestershire, would help if I was closer.
What time is her deadline tomorrow? Any chance of going to a print shop (like Kinko's)? Are her university's computer labs open 24 hours? I would say the best bet would be to get to the uni labs as early as possible to try to get it printed. If the printers aren't working (as always happens at my university on the day of a deadline) she then has some time to find a solution (ask a friendly member of the admin staff, or find a friendly student who lives on campus, to print it on their computer).

ism · Dec 2, 2004, 03:22 PM

Thanks for the replies.

Isn't it amazing how an irate girlfriend can spure you into action? Because of course this is all my fault.

I've finally found a use for late night Christmas shopping! Nipped into town to Argos and picked up a Cannon IP3000. That's only one model down from the one I've ordered. Ohwell, money is no object as far as calming my bint down is concerned.

Anyone want to buy a used once Canon IP3000?

(There's actually more to this story if you are interested:
My girlfriend off her own back ordered a printer from Littlewoods (catalogue company). She basically picked what she thought would be useful: a multifunction Philips (now Sagem) MF-Jet series all-in-one. Of course it isn't Mac OSX compatible (HELLO you live with a Geek and you didn't ask his advice?!) and so is of no use. We tried to send it back only for Littlewoods to refuse it. This is against Distance Selling Regulations so we are in the process of going through Trading Standards to get it sent back.

So soon we will be a house of 3 printers!)

As for the Kinko's suggestion unfortunately Lancaster isn't as civilised as London. Lancaster is a city you know, but is in reality like a big village. The cinema is a proper old fashioned one, Ice cream and intervals, etc.

The advice of printing at uni is a good one, but she's at St. Martins College (studying radiography) not the main uni so I'm not to show how good the facilities will be. She's a girl so doesn't think logically. Plus she was stressed and I needed an instant solution.

drive-thru · Dec 2, 2004, 03:40 PM

Glad it worked out.
Enjoy your printers.

Mediaman_12 · Dec 2, 2004, 04:08 PM

Originally posted by ism:
Thanks for the replies.

We tried to send it back only for Littlewoods to refuse it. This is against Distance Selling Regulations so we are in the process of going through Trading Standards to get it sent back.

I am amazed a large company like Littlewoods thinks they can get a way with this. Distance sales = 3 Weeks to decide if you like it, if you don't they HAVE to except the return and refund you minus any 'fees' they feel like charging you.

As littlewoods have been in it for years, they probably think they can still pull crap like this and that recent regs' don't effect them.

Goldfinger · Dec 2, 2004, 04:11 PM

It's your fault, that's she's late ? damn

Diggory Laycock · Dec 2, 2004, 04:48 PM

I saw an ad on TV this evening that would have been quite handy - Apparently PC World are selling a Samsung multifunction Laser (Samsung SCX4100 All in One) for �100 (it has OS X drivers I checked (well - printer drivers at least - couldn't find out too many details))

ism · Dec 3, 2004, 06:47 AM

An update. Just for laughs.

So I got the Canon IP3000 last night. Very nice actually. The last time I had an inkjet printer (6+ years ago?) it wasn't pretty, was noisy as hell and was slow. The Canon PIXMA series seem to be really good.

Anyway. My girlfriend hadn't actually started typing up her essay (she's a bit technology phobic, prefering paper and pen, but is coming round slowly) so that meant she only started typing at about 9pm once she'd finished putting our daughter to bed (I would have done this to give her an earlier start time if I wasn't in town buying a printer!).

And so it's only a few hours later (slow typer) she realises she's about 1000 words short of what she requires for her essay. So I took over the typing and padded it out a bit whilst she frantically found some more info to put in. We got to bed at about 2am.

Then I was up at 6.15am to take our kid to nursery before work.

I hope she's more organised next time.

I checked the tracking of the other printer I'd ordered and it's likely to be delivered today. Oh well.

Mastrap · Dec 3, 2004, 07:31 AM

Originally posted by ism:
Plus she was stressed and I needed an instant solution.

I sympathise. Many a time have I been in a similar situation. "You're the man, you sort it out". Cue stomping of feet and storming off in a huff. Good thing is, she always comes back later, feeling sheepish and affectionate.

ism · Dec 3, 2004, 07:40 AM

Originally posted by Mastrap:
I sympathise. Many a time have I been in a similar situation. "You're the man, you sort it out". Cue stomping of feet and storming off in a huff. Good thing is, she always comes back later, feeling sheepish and affectionate.

Poo. Mine half apologises and then 5 mins later rips back into me.

Anyway. Has anyone got any suggestions of what I can do with two printers? I really want to keep the wireless one, just because it's cool. Can I justify two (nearly identical) printers in a household of three people?

Is it worth trying to sell it second hand since I'll make a loss anyway?

Perhaps I could have printing speed contests and see which one wins. Maybe get people round to watch the contest and run a book or something?

orbital~debris · Dec 5, 2004, 03:42 PM

Wish I'd read this thread earlier!

I could have gotten my sister to help you out - she's at LU and lives in the city / 'large village'...

Ah... last minute essay panics are now but a fond memory of my time there. The computer labs were always completely crazy on nights towards the end of term, and the computer services people never re-filled the paper.

How is Lancaster these days?

iCol · Dec 5, 2004, 04:02 PM

I also wish I had read this earlier... as I have a Mac using friend also at LU, he lives in the 'city' centre.

Isn't Lancaster great? I love the multi-storey car-park which has been clad to make it look a bit like a castle!

Fun

Col

Gee4orce · Dec 6, 2004, 02:30 AM

So, let me get this straight. You urgently needed a printer to print out an essay - that hadn't even been written at the time ?

Your girlfriend needs an almighty kick up the arse. I hope I never need another X-Ray....

ism · Dec 6, 2004, 03:15 AM

iCol, orbital~debris,

Cheers, good to know for the future, i.e. when the printer cr*ps out or my girlfriend breaks it or something. Also I'm glad I can go back to my girlfriend and say , "See, I wasn't being stupid asking for help on the internet".

orbital~debris,

As to how Lancaster is these days, well I'm not sure, in that I've only lived here a year. My girlfriend lived here a few years ago when she first when to uni and according to her I don't think it's changed a great deal. There's a few more pubs, but that happens in every town doesn't it?

Gee4orce,

Ha ha. Well. Yeah. But she doesn't listen to ANYONE. At all. Ever. Don't break any bones in/around Lancaster in the future.

All,

I'm disappointed no one has come up with any justification for me keeping the IP4000R. It really is nice. The downside is that I discovered it won't work with a software basestation so I need to get a proper basestation to use it. The whole point in getting a wireless one was because we didn't have room near the computer (full of girly catalogues and cr*p), but it's odd how when we suddenly needed room for a printer to print out her essay suddenly she didn't need all these catalogues anymore so now the IP3000 is snuggly in place. Also since the IP4000R looks better it's a shame to stick it upstairs in the bedroom. Although I could turn over an look at it lovingly when falling asleep.