A tale of two towers

When I started my search for a new computer to replace my aging system, I naturally began looking for the appropriate hard drive. This is the heart of any personal computer. It *IS* the desktop after all, and comes in many different shapes, sizes and configurations.

Many of us think of name brands such as Microsoft or Apple Macintosh, when we think of owning a PC, but it all starts with the humble computer tower, where motherboards nurse their internal hardware to external peripherals. Manufacturers build the parts, and companies such as IBM, Acer and Dell put them together to make your "name-brand" PC - complete with trademark software (most likely Microsoft).

The old Acer Standard Desktop Computer

When you want to configure your own system however, it takes a bit of research. First you have to know what you want to use the computer for, and then secondly, limit yourself to that benchmark. Because when I first started looking, I wanted the MOST RAM (Random Access Memory) and the MOST HDD (Hard Disk Drive) space, because I naturally assumed more meant faster processing speeds.

It's true, the more RAM (Random Access Memory) you have available, the faster the processes of your computer will run. But there are other parts of your computer which can be delegated specific tasks too. Enter the graphics card. I never had one in my old PC, but in my new second-hand tower they provided one. It's the only reason I allowed myself to compromise on less memory than I wanted. Because with a graphics card, it could handle the video footage you're watching, while your RAM is being used elsewhere on the computer. In other words, it takes the pressure off the RAM if you have a graphics card.

Still, I asked the company I purchased the second-hand unit from, to upgrade my RAM (Random Access Memory). It was really the HDD (Hard Disk Drive) memory I had to live with. It was only 160GB when most computers come with a hefty 500GB nowadays. It was way more than the 40GB of my old system, but still, that memory can get eaten up over time with repair patches, as I discovered with all my Microsoft Windows operating systems.

But here again, I found a solution. Microsoft Windows in one option for an operating system, which traditionally eats up a lot of HDD memory, but Linux based software uses a lot less. As it doesn't get hacked as much as Microsoft, there are less repair patches constantly being downloaded. Plus as the operator, Linux allows you to pick what downloads you want to install. With Windows you just had to accept ALL the automatic downloads it decided your system needed, whether you actually used the programs on it or not.

I will do a more in-depth post on Linux and Ubuntu which was the operating system I eventually chose. For now however, I want to break down the cost of my new system, and how it compares to my old system.

The new Acer Mini Computer

The Acer Media Centre V1000 cost:     $169.00
Upgrade from 2GB to 4GB RAM cost:  $  45.00
Postage from NSW to QLD cost:           $  16.50
Insurance cost:                                       $    5.30
USB TO ps2 adapter cost:                     $  20.00

Total:                                                       $255.80


Because I wanted to use my existing Monitor and Keyboard/Mouse, I checked the cable fittings which were PS2. The Mini computer I was purchasing however, didn't have those fixtures at the back, so I had to buy a USB to PS2 adapter. It looks like this:

Image credit

I kicked myself, because the company I was buying the second-hand computer from were selling those same adapters for $11. I didn't buy one at the time because I thought Dave had one with his laptop! Silly me, he didn't, and after my run around town the cheapest I found it for was $20. I could have paid less than $2 however, if I wanted to wait over a month for it to arrive from Hong Kong. Just goes to show the mark-up rate in Australia, doesn't it?

The company I purchased my mini computer from was Express PC Parts. I liked how thorough they were with pictures on their website, plus links to manufacturers the parts were from. At a glance, I could see what I was getting and if it was going to suit my purposes. The only downside was it came with Windows Vista that was originally installed on the hard drive. But I deleted it when I installed Ubuntu.

Still, for just over $255 I'm not complaining. Compared to my old system, I've got double the RAM, 120GB more HDD memory, uses less than half the electricity than my bigger tower, plus I didn't have to pay a manufacturer for the software packages. I hated all those pesky "free trial" offers for security programs, using up valuable memory, which I could never delete.

Linux was indeed a breath of fresh air! So was the final price.

What I found most interesting from this exercise however, was the difference in size between the large tower and small. Do you want to know the real reason why one is big and the other is small? The larger towers are manufactured to allow future upgrades for internal devices. I found this interesting, because most people who buy a cheap package deal, have absolutely no intention of opening up the tower for upgrades. Yet all "cheap" package deals sell the large towers. Feels like a bit of unnecessary waste. The mini computers nowadays only house the system it is being purchased for - only a general PC for general use. If more people spend on mini-computers (for their intended purpose) maybe manufacturers will get the message?

My old tower won't go to waste however. I'm going to rebuild it. For the first time I'm going to pull apart my own computer and upgrade it myself. I don't expect it to be a pain free experience, but it will most definitely be an enlightening one. There won't be any pressure to rush finishing either. I predict my second-hand new unit has about another 6 years use ahead of it.

In fact, if I learn how to upgrade computers from scratch, I may never have to buy a new computer again! Just keep recycling the old ones and replacing the parts which are broken.

A new way to do business

My computer is 6 years old now. We purchased it as a "package deal", so we received a brand new computer with monitor, keyboard, mouse and operating system (Windows) and paid just under $1000 for it. Six years ago that was pretty good value, but now my old system has aged it can barely keep-up with all that multi-tasking. If we were to buy another computer package, it would cost a few hundred dollars less, for a more powerful computer.

We considered a new package, but I suppose after you buy a few (between us, Dave and I have purchased 4 in the 17 years of owning computers) you start to look at the whole exercise as a bit of a waste. Why do we have to replace the monitor, keyboard and mouse all over again, when it was really only the hard-drive which kicked the bucket?

I asked myself that question more seriously before going out to purchase a new computer this time. My three criteria were price, value and reliability. Could I find something different to the normal way of doing business with the PC world? Without going into long convoluted stories, let's just say I came to realise why we were locked in a wasteful cycle. We'd grown-up on package deal diets, and didn't know how to make a PC from scratch. What's more, the two operating systems which dominated the market (Windows and Macintosh) went out of their way to make computing easier for the user. Why did we have to think beyond megabites someone else prepared for us?

Basically, we were happiest to sit back, open a box and go wow when the switch was flicked for the first time. That was the problem. It was the "operators" not the operating systems. We didn't want to go looking for choice if it was a harder process to go through. After many months of determined research, often feeling like I was sitting for exams all over again (my brain turning to mush and being out of my depth) I eventually received my prize...

Two Acer computer towers side-by-side

Above you can see my old and new system, sitting side by side. Both are Acer computers and somewhat a bit of luck the new (second-hand) computer turned out to be an Acer too. I was looking at purchasing a new hard-drive originally, but the new Linux operating system I was going to install may not have worked. After all, I had never attempted anything like this before.

So I decided I would opt for a second-hand computer to experiment on instead. If I lost the money because it didn't work, then at least I wouldn't have lost as much as a brand new hard-drive would cost. The one I had priced was around $360. All up, my second-hand system cost a total of $255. I will itemize all the costs and the process involved, in another post. I believe the information is a lot easier to absorb if it's broken into smaller bits.

I think the new Acer blends in well with my existing monitor, keyboard and mouse. I didn't have to replace them and that gave me a great deal of satisfaction. I know you can get bigger monitors (mine is 17 inches) but it works perfectly fine and I don't do a lot of video editing to justify an upgrade.

At the end of this exercise, I got the satisfaction of knowing a little more about how computers work, and that I'm not as powerless a consumer as first believed. There are many options beyond the package-deal diet, but you have to hunger for something else. I like technology, I think it can be very useful, but why not learn something new in the process? We can choose to sit back and go wow when we open the new box, or we can choose to put something together ourselves that meets our needs better.

The process didn't kill me and I'm not a computer geek either. I raise a family and maintain a property at the same time - I don't have a paid job though, so that's the only reason I had the time. If you've got time available too, before your next computer dies, look into free open-source software, which uses a Linux based kernel. It's why I didn't have to pay for an operating system, or all the free software that makes my new system work.

This won't be the last post I write about this subject. It's far too interesting not to talk about.

Shenanigans!

I am back on-line from what seemed like an impossible month. I won't go into all the details because that part's really boring. Let's just go straight to the fun stuff, shall we? Here we go...Geronimo!

DAY 1: When your husband starts packing a sonic screw-driver and a TARDIS for the weekend, you just know he's bound to run into some trouble.

DAY 2: Seems you can't go parking a TARDIS any where on the Gold Coast, without a posse of villainy tagging along. Weeping Angels just want to feed on the cosmic energy, and the Cat Nurses from New New-York, think they are the Doctors...

Zombie Scarecrows - well, how many villains can pull off a Hessian sack nowadays, I ask you? Looking good Zombie. Get in line though, the Doctor's that-a-way --->

His best bow-legged impersonation of the 11th doctor (ahem, I mean, of himself) trying to sort a Darlek, which threatened to exterminate anyone for taking any MORE pictures with it. The Doctor's plan was to confuse it with flashing lights, and his trusty sonic screwdriver. It's literally star struck and unable to move!

 LOOK! What's that? I'll remember any minute now.  It's right on the tip of my tongue. Give me a sec - (SILENCE)....

Where was I? Maybe it was checking out this elusive pack of Gallifreyans. Normally timid, this almost extinct species known as "Time Lords", have gathered together to renounce the power of the Leader of the Council. In the striking red scarf we have the formidable Tom Baker (4th Doctor)...in the glasses, the irrepressible 10th Doctor, David Tennant, and donning the bow tie, Matt Smith, our current Doctor to date. Tom Baker steals all the attention however, because I think the Leader of the Council approves of his taste in colour.

Another vote of approval, for the Doctor with the scarf! Start them young, I say. As a grown man, he'll have all this costume shenanigans to look forward to. Geronimo!

Of course, you cannot have a convention without a Storm Trooper steeling the show with Bobba Fett. Confusing this Dalek with an R2D2 unit, they interrogated it about the whereabouts of the nearest facility. They already tried the Police Box, but it was bigger on the inside. They had to turn back once they found the swimming pool.

Does this Sith apprentice look really ticked, or what? Maybe he was expecting a real light-sabre, instead of one made in China?

The Doctor is really letting his standard of non-violence go, if this is who he's taking on board as his next assistant! You'd have thought he'd learned from the Time Wars, now he wants to involve Star Wars? Just kidding Darth, really, love ya work babe! Stop in for some Jammy Dodgers any time...

I guess you know everything in the universe will be okay, when Yoshimo and Princess Peach are on the scene though. How cute are these guys? Awwh, Yoshimo...you used to be my favourite character to play Mario Carts on the Nintendo Wii.

But then I started to question what kind of dragon you really were, after my husband told me your hand came close to his butt in this photo! Maybe it was difficult to see with all those lights and you were a champ for taking so many photos with people. How you didn't managed to keel over from heat stroke, I don't know. All the same, I may consider Mario to be my new favourite cart racer now. Because I think his red cars go faster and my husband's butt is a very sacred thing.

Sounds like we need an Avenger. Where is a Tony Stark: Billionaire, Playboy, Philanthropist, when you need one. AVENGERS, assemble...

Iron Man (above) and Black Widow with MISS Captain America (below) too. A lovely representation - I love how she stands with the shield, just like the "Cap" does.

Now down to the business end of why so many great enthusiasts found their way to one place on the Gold Coast over the weekend.  Supanova! Big convention, lots of things to see, and this is why Dave found his way there:

He had a display and table for the Doctor who Club of Australia, which has been the first one for the club on the Gold Coast. The guy in our local group who made the TARDIS, kindly brought it down for the two days. The Dalek was someone else's creation who came on Day 1, and after seeing the TARDIS, asked if they could bring it on Day 2. Boy was everyone thrilled they did. It was a terrific surprise to have two iconic Dr Who life-sized props to play with. Dave was told there was a huge "Doctor Who" sized gap on the Gold Coast convention, but this year, thanks to this man...

My own life sized action hero!

Yes, the Toowoomba Avenger himself, and all round Doctor Who enthusiast - plus these wonderful volunteers below, from our Toowoomba local group, who kept Dave sane...Ben is missing - hiya Benjamin...Geoff (TARDIS maker) and Steve, thanks as well.

They all made it possible to share some of that weirdness, dare I say, the "Shenanigans" which is the Doctor Who universe. I didn't go - long story, but I'm glad he could make it with some really lovely people.  And just because I can...

This is my favourite picture - a Weeping Angel. Complete with red eyes from the camera. It's one of those shots you WANT the red eyes to appear! Nice to see the Angel didn't blink!

Good news

I'm hoping to write this post before we pop-off to the local school, to vote in our State elections today. We've often had days backing up lately because they're filled with a multitude of tasks. But it's great when you're going about your business, and then some good news is shared out of the blue!

Such was the day when we visited the local library (shopping and blood bank too). Do you visit your local library? Do you know all the public resources made available for local groups?

Dave is known at our public library, as the "Doctor Who" guy, LOL. He's the guy that comes in every two months, to dress one of the rooms for our bimonthly meetings. Meetings are held on a Saturday, but he goes in Friday afternoon, to set up a giant television we hire just for the meetings. The librarians have been great, trying to accommodate our groups needs. But we're not the only group which uses these public rooms in the library. There is also a Chess Club and many different ethnic languages clubs.

We have been paying for the hire of the television equipment since David set-up the group, with the help of member contributions. We've always been out of pocket ourselves however. So much so, that we even contemplated buying a television and donating it to the library - because at nearly $90 a pop for hiring, we were getting close to spending as much as buying a new TV.

We stopped into the library recently because Dave had to change over the new meetings flyers, for people to collect at the librarian counter. Plus we had to borrow some books. As we were checking our books through however, a nice librarian recognised Dave straight away, and had to share the good news. The public library had purchased a television and installed it in the room for public use!!

We were so incredibly chuffed!! This meant no more out of pocket expenses for us, or those members who were able to chip in. No more overheads for our group! It is now completely free public use of public equipment. The library had taken on board our needs as a local group (and the needs of others also using the library) and helped reduce our overheads. It's such a relief to know our local library can help to bridge the gap.

The other good news is that the local library (Toowoomba) will be getting a new building soon. The local Council currently rents a building from a private entrepreneur, but plans are now in the pipeline to build a public, Council owned building for our library. The librarians have asked for contributions from Dave to represent our local group, in identifying how the library can meet our needs in the new building. But Dave isn't the only person they are consulting. Those who head other groups regularly meeting at the library, are being asked for their contributions too.

Maybe in five years time (hopefully sooner) we will have a new public library, which we (and our members) have helped to shape. We also speak regularly to the not-for-profit group, called "Friends of the Library", who sell library books which have been taken off the shelves. They then use those funds to purchase new books. We purchased a few of their raffle tickets recently, for their Easter basket giveaway. Knowing how we were trying to scrape money together to meet the costs of our local group, we were happy to support Friends of the Library.

If you live in or near Toowoomba, please stop into the local library and buy a ticket. I think it was $1 per ticket or 3 for $2. It all goes towards ensuring your local library has the books you want to read. But it's so much more than exchanging money. The Friends of the Library, and all the public librarians are generally just lovely people to talk to. Whenever we've had a question, someone has always taken the time to answer it. If they cannot answer it, they make enquiries and get back to us. It's a wonderful way to find out about local resources, and group activities especially.

If you're wondering what you will do with your weekends, check into your local library to see if there are groups meeting there. We are The Doctor Who Club of Australia, Toowoomba local Group. We also know of the Toowoomba Chess Club who meets at the local library regularly too. If you're looking for ethnic contact with your own cultural background, you may find a group meeting at the local library. And if you ever dream of starting your own group, contact your local library to see if they can offer you public space to meet.

Now it's time to go and vote!

Double trouble

Life is full of adventure, right? Or at least that's what I have been telling myself since yesterday. What a day! It started out innocently enough - drove daughter to school then continued into town to visit the local library, went shopping afterwards and then quickly stopped at the local blood-bank to make a donation.

WARNING: I feel I need to premise this post about the contents of visual descriptions of blood.

Dave got a call recently to donate blood plasma for the Easter period. It was his day off soon, so why not? He's donated plasma before, and I went as designated driver. In Australia we don't get paid for donating blood or related blood products (such as plasma and platelets) we do it because it saves lives. Plasma and platelets are especially useful to help in the treatment of leukemia. We have a daughter and we'd like to think others would donate blood, to save her life if needed. So Dave donates blood. I would donate, but with insulin dependent diabetes the process is a little trickier. Not impossible, just trickier. And after yesterday's fiasco at the blood bank, I don't think I'll be attempting to donate any time soon.

Have I mentioned before, that I can faint when I smell or see blood? I know it's one of the things stopping me from joining Dave when he processes our chickens. I keep telling myself, it's all in the head - just talk yourself out of fainting, LOL. Yesterday, I had no idea why it was different from the other time I was David's support person, and designated driver. Maybe it was because there were so many people in the room this time? Maybe it was because the air felt stuffy and I was wedged into a little corner beside David's bed? Maybe it was because I was at eye-level with his arm having the blood taken out?

I don't know why it happened, but about fifteen minutes into David's procedure, I started to feel faint. I got up and went into the small eating area just outside the donation room. I did a quick test and my blood-sugar readings were normal. I was probably due for something to eat, but I already had a quick snack before arriving. I thought maybe I could eat some of the jelly beans in my handbag, but for some reason my stomach was churning. I felt like throwing up. Instead of waiting for something to go wrong, I calmly walked over to the receptionist and told her I was feeling faint.

My personal glucometre - always carried in my handbag

Actual reading, when I first started to feel faint - MEM stands for memory

She ushered me over to a couch and told me to lay down, next minute I hear her shouting for a nurse. Good Lord, I felt so embarrassed - I hadn't even donated blood! They all told me I was as white as a ghost and I felt like it too. I shared how I had diabetes, did my test and all seemed fine. The nurse asked if I wanted a drink of sugared cordial. Oh yes please! She put it in a cup with a straw so I didn't have to get up from the reclining position. I made sure I told her I hadn't donated blood, that I was just there to support my husband. How embarrassing, I thought next, I came here to support Dave, not become a patient myself, LOL.

After the cordial and a slice of fruitcake which they put out for people, I was feeling a little better. It wasn't long before the nurse asked me to scoot over however, because someone who had given blood was feeling faint. They all joked I must have started a chain reaction, LOL. If I thought I felt embarrassed however, the young man now sitting next to me on the couch was a doctor! We got chatting because I think we both felt somewhat silly - after all, I was just meant to be the designated driver and he was just popping in from work at the hospital to donate blood.

Our conversation was interesting however, because he saw me do another blood test with my little glucometre. It's just a little finger prick and the tiniest bit of blood. I apologised doing the test in-front of him, because I couldn't get up from the couch - and I didn't know if he would react to seeing the blood. He replied he was fine with that sort of thing normally, he said he doesn't have any sort of problem treating people - just this time, when he was on the other end of the treatment, he admitted he was baffled. I said, I wonder if it's about control - because I'm fine doing my regular little blood tests, and giving myself multiple injections every day too. I admitted it all started to go wrong when I saw the big needle they were about to put in my husband's arm.

My personal medication I administer daily via injections

Well, it was a nice interlude while it lasted, but my cohort in embarrassing situations soon had to return to work. So I started the mental process of talking myself out of any further dizzy spells. With something to eat, I figured all would be okay now. Surely, the worst was over? I was feeling immensely better and I got up to the "regular" chairs they have for people (to eat and drink) after donating blood. I made sure to find a seat closest to where I could see Dave, but was still outside the donation room. We locked eyes again, and the look of relief on his face was obvious. Poor Dave was plugged into a plasma machine. He saw me disappear behind a partially glassed wall and saw all the nurses positioned around me. They did tell him afterwards, I was okay and they joked not to bring me in again, LOL.

So there we were, two patients: one brave and giving plasma, the other clueless to what had gone wrong. I was feeling like we were nearly at the end. I saw the nurses approach Dave, so it probably wasn't going to be long until he was unhooked from the machine. There were a few of them around him, talking and looking concerned. Then I saw him grab his arm and pull a face. He was in pain.

Good Lord, that light-headed, sick-to-the-stomach feeling came over me again! I excused myself past a nice gentleman as I made my way to the couch. I lay down, feeling woozy, hoping no-one would notice me this time. Someone called for a nurse, ah nuts - they noticed!! A completely different nurse arrived this time, she put my legs up with the aid of cushions. I had to explain once again - I hadn't donated blood, I was just the designated driver of the person who was. I couldn't believe this happened to me a SECOND time. What had gone so wrong? This was not how it was supposed to happen.

It took a little while before Dave came out of the donation room. By then, I was sitting up again. His arm was bandaged up like everyone who leaves the donation room. I asked if he was okay, but he laughed in that casual, "I'm a guy", kinda way. But that's not what his face said five-minutes ago though, LOL. I guess we were both feeling a little embarrassed.

I said it seemed like a longer session than the first time he donated blood plasma. Apparently it was too - as the pathologist which plugged him into the machine originally, hadn't put the needle in right. The procedure should've finished in 45 minutes, instead he was there for 55 minutes before the nurses cottoned on. The pathologist plugging him in, should have checked on the machine way before the others detected something was amiss.

I just wanted to put it all behind us when we drove home, however. And can you guess who drove? If you guessed Dave, you'd be right! How embarrassing, LOL. I joked to David in the car, there goes my dream for a career in pathology. I also suggested if he planned to donate in future, I probably shouldn't go with him. We agreed that would probably be best.

Although I felt incredibly embarrassed how my body conspired against me, I'm still glad I went with Dave. I'm glad I wanted to be his support person and designated driver home. I hate that I became so weak, but how was I to know until it all unfolded the way it did? And a promising young doctor is out there too, who was also baffled by his response to donating blood. I guess it takes all sorts. I'm feeling much better today.

If I had to take a guess at what happened, I think I was hyperventilating. All those little "sign-posts" which said possible danger this way (like a giant needle heading towards my husband's arm, red blood in a tube coming out his arm, other people with red blood tubes and gyrating bladders collecting the mass of blood) I think at each sign post, I kept holding a little more breath back. I may have deprived my own blood of oxygen as a result. How ironic, huh?

But yesterday wasn't all bad news. Actually, there was some great news to be had also. But I'll save that for another post. :)

Not the real deal

Okay, confession time...I've found something which is helping me cut some corners. Normally I like being authentic and really don't like rip-offs, but sometimes there are issues which truly need a different approach. Warning: if you're Canadian, stop reading now, as what I'm about to share will almost break your heart.

Today, I made "mock" maple syrup! Yup, and to add insult to injury, I even put it in a recycled "authentic" maple syrup jar from Canada. I know, don't hate me, but I do have genuine reasons for doing this. You see, I live in the Sugar Cane State of Australia - Queensland, and it's easier to buy sugar here than it is to find Maples. Sugar also travels less kilometres to make it to my pantry. I know it's not as authentic as the real deal, but surprisingly, this mock maple syrup recipe tastes pretty good!

Sarah gave it the big "thumbs-up" when she had it on pikelets for afternoon tea, smothered in creamy butter too. I thought it tasted scrumptious, but I can't have too much (health reasons). What I tasted however was yummo! So for all those who don't live near Canada, or have a climate to tap Maple trees, maybe you could give Mock Maple Syrup a try. It was really easy to make.

This recipe comes from "The Failsafe Cookbook", by Sue Dengate. All natural (no additives) ingredients, as long as you use real vanilla essence, and not the fake stuff.

MOCK MAPLE SYRUP

1 cup brown sugar
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tsp butter
1/2 tsp vanilla

Combine brown sugar and water and bring to the boil. Caramelise white sugar by heating it in a frypan until sugar melts and turns brown. Add brown sugar and water mixture and simmer until smooth and thick (I cooked it for about 10 minutes). Pour into a container with butter and vanilla, and stir until well mixed.

Because I was going to pour a warm liquid into a glass bottle, I heated the glass in the oven for 5 minutes first.

Truly, it tastes just like Maple Syrup! It also made about 250mls in quantity, with a few tablespoons to spare.

You should keep this mixture in the refrigerator, but get it out about an hour before you need to use it, so it has a chance to come to room temperature and pours easily. Enjoy!

EDITED TO ADD: I now realise that the syrup wasn't thick at all - it was the butter solidifying on the top and preventing the syrup from pouring out. I just quickly shook the bottle and the butter mixed in again. So no need to get it out before using it. Just shake the bottle before pouring. ;)

A strange blue box

It appeared out of no where - a strange blue box. There was something very familiar about it, yet it seemed out of place somehow...

We went into the ABC shop in Grand Central, Toowoomba, to take a closer look. In amongst the books, DVD's and other merchandise, where did this Police Box suddenly materialise from? Did someone call for a, Doctor?

Oh look, there he is! He must have regenerated again. Looks like an uncanny double for my husband, Dave! Hang on, it is Dave, and this Police Box is no accident. One of the members of our Dr Who local group, enthusiastically built this replica Police Box out of wood, and Dave helped to find a place to display it.

I'm not sure if it's still perched at the ABC shop, but it certainly caused a buzz when it first arrived. Pretty much everyone from the Doctor Who local group, went to get a photo taken beside the infamous Police box. Dave was chuffed, the owner was chuffed to have people admire his work and well...it's certainly not something you see every day in Toowoomba!