22 July 2008

Well, I hoped I would never have to do this but here we are.

Due to other priorities at the moment I'm having to put the comic on hiatus for a while. One reason for this is that the laptop is now no longer safe to use given that the power supply has now started sparking at me as well as everything else - I don't want to be setting my house on fire... In addition the power connector has come away from the mother board again, the battery stores about 30 seconds of charge and the DVD drive won't read half the disks I put into it. I just want to thank Dell for introducing such a steaming pile of crap into the computing market just in time for mugs like me to come along and buy them.

I just haven't got the time to fix it any more. The new job and a running battle with Derby Homes regarding stuff being done to our house (involving a need to spend hours every night putting the house back together again) means that there are more important things to worry about at home than spending two or three nights of the week trying to get a comic drawn. In addition I can't release ANY money into the laptop repair fund myself any more - I just can't justify the expense, and asking you,. the loyal fans, to pay for the WHOLE repair just doesn't sit comfortably with me - it was always my plan to try and cover half the costs if the fund managed to raise the other half. With the additional failures, half the overall cost is now the same as what the whole repair would have been in the first place! Maybe one day I'll have enough to be able to splash out and buy a new one, which is about the only viable option at the moment. New motherboard + new power supply + new battery will cost about £300. £50 more and I can get a fair laptop from the shops. Again, one has to admire Dell's practices. Overcharge for parts that fail quickly. No wonder they are rolling in cash.

Anyway, the hope is that the hiatus will only be shortlived. If I can get the other matters sorted out then I might be able to devote some time to looking at the laptop problems more objectively. I'm just tired of the constant battle to get the bloody thing working long enough to get a comic drawn without overheating or losing power.

So, in short, like Simon and Tim I'm off on a holiday (from the comic, anyway). I'll be back, and the plan is to be back soon, but please be patient as I don't know how long everything will take. In the meantime I'll keep up with the forum and feel free to make any more donations you can afford. I'll update occasionally if and when I can.

Lastly, thanks to you all for over two and a half years of support for me and the comic THUS FAR!!! I WILL RETURN! It's your support and kind words that keep me going!

Laters...

Comments for this comic

On 22 July 2008 at 06:33:18, MGK said:
Good luck.

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On 22 July 2008 at 07:51:30, stewart said:
WE THINGKING OF YOU DAVE!!

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On 22 July 2008 at 08:45:24, Dufflious said:
Thanks for all the fish.

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On 22 July 2008 at 08:55:29, lord siwoc said:
We will be watching!

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On 22 July 2008 at 09:29:03, Tom said:
at least it lasted so far... when u get a new one, get the guy from TSOALR to say there, so we know.

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On 22 July 2008 at 10:38:07, Marn said:
Bugger. I can only mimic the sentiments shown by my friends above. Including the one about fish.

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On 22 July 2008 at 12:15:26, Jamie/Calibur said:
I think all of us can completly understand your decision Dave. I know all of us are hoping that things work out for you as best as they can as quickly as possible. :)

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On 22 July 2008 at 14:00:32, Maverick said:
Well, from what i gather about your laptop, we can all be thankful we have recieved so much from it. Hopefully everthing is fixed soon, we patiently await your return. (and yes, once again, thanks for all teh fish!)

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On 23 July 2008 at 02:23:14, Doctor_Who said:
Thanks for the comics. Sorry to hear about the laptop. I'll be waiting for your return.

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On 23 July 2008 at 15:15:46, Chris said:
Completely understandable and i hope everything gets straightened out, don't worry we will still be here when you come back. Thanks for all the fish.

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On 23 July 2008 at 15:35:21, Captain Hesperus said:
I feel your pain, Dave. I got my PC from D£ll and it is rapidly expiring as I speak.... CH

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On 23 July 2008 at 20:00:03, Dufflious said:
Dunno what you're grumbling about mine's from Dell, lasted 2 years, and counting.

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On 23 July 2008 at 21:12:06, GMS said:
Good luck and hope to see you back. On the laptop front. How much of a machine do you need? I'm sure there are those of us with old machines sitting around gathering dust that might be an easier (and less expensive) solution to the problem.

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