Roma Solar Garden Lights

I had been looking for some new garden lights for some time as the low-voltage system we had in place for many years was looking a bit tired. I wanted something eco-friendly and cheap to run, but so far any solar-powered lights I had seen were very poor. Typically they just create a point of light in the bulb itself, but little illumination of the surrounding area. So, OK as markets, but of little other use.

Then I saw this comparison of solar lights in the Daily Telegraph. This suggested that recently "both solar panel technology and LED technology have proceeded at great speed", and singled out the Roma as being the best of the bunch and actually capable of replacing conventional powered lights.  So I thought I would give them a try.

UPDATED: See comments at end re problems I have had with these lights.

BBC HD Campaign to Improve PQ - Visit to BBC

As a consequence of the complaints that many viewers made regarding what they saw as a deteriation in the picture quality (PQ) of BBC HD (including my own No 10 petition) , at the end of April I was amongst a group of people led by Paul Geaton who were invited to visit the BBC and discuss this with them.

A lengthy process followed to compile the group's feedback to the BBC, and I am pleased to say that is now finally published.

BBC HD Campaign to Improve PQ - No 10 Petition Comes to Nothing

Our new PM has temporarily let the BBC off the hook with my No. 10 Petition, as existing e-petitions will not be carried forward. Not surprising, but disappointing :(

From http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/

Existing e-petitions submitted to the previous administration, will not be carried forward to the new administration as part of this process. We will welcome resubmission on issues of concern to the improved e-petitions system when it is launched later in 2010.

I would like to think that the petition at least played a part alongside Paul Geaton's appeal to the BBC Trust in encouraging the BBC to improve PQ and introduce the recent changes such as VBR and the introduction of stat mux'ing.

Clearly if these do not have the desired effect, we can start the whole process off again.

Thanks to the 2385 people who signed it.