What cheeses me off

[leadman]

At home, I keep the remote handy so I can flick the mute button to at least avoid hearing those annoying Trivago and Clearscore ads. But arrived USA and Canada, the first thing on TV was the same "cheap & annoying" ads, albeit dubbed into local voices. Even with that stupid "squeaky", who I wish would drown; sooner the better!
So I had a look at their advertising budgets; Trivago spent €122million Q3 2025 and Clearscore €35million 2025. So with the cheap, tacky ad's they keep running, we might see them for a long time. If Trivago is spending that kind of money, the parasitic nature of feeding off other websites is paying dividends.

It was once rumoured Roger Dautry wanted to buy the company that supplied music for elevators and erase every tape, wouldn't mind it happening here. And would you believe, as I'm typing this, squeaky is still drowning in the washing machine!!!!!!

 

[JohnM]

I wasn't sure if a printed copy would be acceptable, but seems like it would be if that has been your experience. Good to know, I wasn't particularly happy at not getting a physical copy.

I haven't used it for anything.

I was merely suggesting that it should meet the OP's needs, given that the mortgage is paid off and the title must therefore now be with the OP.

 

[DejaBrew]

Attended a conference in the SYD CBD today and as I thought my phone would get a bit of a workout, I took my power bank along. Arrived for the breakfast/coffee reception and sat down to have a coffee. Made the mistake of placing the power bank on the seat as it was uncomfortable in my pocket, then after imbibing said caffeinated beverage, got up to head in for the keynote and promptly left the power bank behind. Went back a couple of hours later and it was naturally gone, but had not been handed in to lost property. Despite leaving my contact details, am yet to receive any word that it was handed in. Sigh.... To rub salt into the wound, I didn't end up needing it anyway as the event wasn't that good and I didn't take many photos. Typical.

 

[Aeryn]

Mine is also digital. I just printed a hard copy.

But you have to pay to access the register in NSW. and title/deed wasnt on the list of acceptable documents their online form supported.

 

[JohnM]

But you have to pay to access the register in NSW. and title/deed wasnt on the list of acceptable documents their online form supported.

OK. It was just a suggestion.

I printed mine from what the settlement agent sent to me. No need to access the register.

I'd be surprised if it wasn't an acceptable document. Maybe the designers of their system have never thought of the prospect of anyone paying off their mortgage these days...

 

[Aeryn]

Maybe the designers of their system have never thought of the prospect of anyone paying off their mortgage these days

I dont think, they gave it enough thought all round. Its as if they think the only people without a physical drivers licenses are full time students who have a student card.

Funny as I was doing some filing tonight I noticed that older Sydney Water bills were addressed to Aeryn Smith* but then in last couple of years they changed to A D Smith* - I wonder why?

*Smith is not my real last name

The only doc I found with my full name and home address is my home contents insurance policy - going to suggest that they should add a current insurance premium as an option.

 

[NM]

How about a Council Rates Notice. In my case the home is in joint names and show First Name, Middle Initial and Surname of both parties. And of course shows the property address. No use for someone who is renting, but when home is owned/mortgaged it may be an option.

And there are some other places that will not accept digital drivers licenses, such as many car rental companies. This is why I always maintain a current physical DL in addition to the digital version.

 

[blackcat20]

Trucks that insist on being in the right hand lane on roads where they cannot get up to or maintain 100km/h, eg the uphill of the freeway tunnels.

 

[Aeryn]

How about a Council Rates Notice.

As noted in my original post my local council sends rates notices with first and second initial and surname only = annoying. Perhaps its to stop identity theft when mail is stolen.

Waiting to hear back re if the accept electrity bill with firstname middle initial lastname, otherwise have to pass on this contract.

 

[Pushka]

Trucks that insist on being in the right hand lane on roads where they cannot get up to or maintain 100km/h, eg the uphill of the freeway tunnels.

Similarly with numpty cars in the middle lane such that cars and trucks on both lanes on each side are going faster. Or they pull in front of you into that middle lane from the left lane and then sit under the speed limit.

 

[dajop]

USB ports. I think we've finally got a point we're they're literally everywhere. Hotels, airport lounges, airplanes, even some trains and buses. Trouble is they're all USB A and I'm pretty much exclusively USB C now. So we're essentially at the same point we were at 10 years ago.

 

[blackcat20]

USB ports. I think we've finally got a point we're they're literally everywhere. Hotels, airport lounges, airplanes, even some trains and buses. Trouble is they're all USB A and I'm pretty much exclusively USB C now. So we're essentially at the same point we were at 10 years ago.

I often get caught out on flights where the port doesnt match my cable...

 

[TheRealTMA]

USB ports. I think we've finally got a point we're they're literally everywhere. Hotels, airport lounges, airplanes, even some trains and buses. Trouble is they're all USB A and I'm pretty much exclusively USB C now. So we're essentially at the same point we were at 10 years ago.

Helps to be adaptable or at least carry some

 

[JohnM]

USB ports. I think we've finally got a point we're they're literally everywhere. Hotels, airport lounges, airplanes, even some trains and buses. Trouble is they're all USB A and I'm pretty much exclusively USB C now. So we're essentially at the same point we were at 10 years ago.

I make sure to always carry USB A to USB C adapters.

 

[Aeryn]

Trouble is they're all USB A and I'm pretty much exclusively USB C now. So we're essentially at the same point we were at 10 years ago.

Agree, I posted the same on a hotel review recently as only useless USB available (meaning still have to travel with power cables or adaptors as USB also isnt fast charging like USB-C), even though USB-C has been the standard for over a decade now.

Android adopted USB-C exclusively at start of 2016, so my phones, tablet and smart watch all USB-C. Apart from an old wireless mouse I own nothing that uses USB. Even coughple had their hand forced by the EU needing to finally adopt it in 2024.

And all laptops had to be USB-C this year, although again all my Dell laptops have had USB-C charging since 2017 and use USB C for docking station too.

 

[dajop]

I mean it's a minor niggle, as I'm almost always travelling with a laptop, which doubles as a powerbank anyway if I really need it. I don't want any more cables or adaptors than necessary

 

[prozac]

Trucks that insist on being in the right hand lane on roads where they cannot get up to or maintain 100km/h, eg the uphill of the freeway tunnels.

A few months back on the Hume Hwy (NSW) I passed a big semi with a Kenworth prime mover, you know the ones with the huge bonnet out front. The posted speed is 110km/hr and I moved back to the left lane. One or two kilometres further road works reduced the speed to 40km/hr where I changed back to the centre lane behind another car after first checking the safe distance of the semi which was now also in the centre lane. I never pull close in front of heavy or even light commercials if the traffic is slowing (e.g, at traffic lights), however the semi was still 150m behind and roadwork speed was 40km. The semi deliberately pulled up less than 2m behind me and sat there until the roadwork conditions finished. There is no way I could not be seen from 150m away, and remember the speed was 40km/hr, but I cannot get out of my mind how risky a maneouvre this was as the driver would not have been able to see any part of my car over the large bonnet of their truck. Most truckies are gems and I have respect for their professionalism. This one was a regular A*&54le.

 

[JohnK]

Similarly with numpty cars in the middle lane such that cars and trucks on both lanes on each side are going faster. Or they pull in front of you into that middle lane from the left lane and then sit under the speed limit.

The speed limit is just an upper number. No one is forced to do the speed limit especially since I recently copped a $333 fine for doing a few kms over. I hardly go over the speed limit but must have on that occassion as it was downhill and I mustn't have been paying attention and the police love to community safe from those doing a few kms over speed limit.

For what its worth when I drive from Brisbane to/from Gold Coast I drive in middle lane of 3 lanes or middle 2 lanes where its 4 lanes. The right hand lane is for overtaking.

I don't drive in left lane as that often ends. I mainly do between 90-95 km/h where limit is 100 km/h and 95-100 km/h where limit is 110 km/h. I do keep an eye out at all times and cars have no issue getting around me.

For what it's worth the trip takes me 5-10 minutes longer than had I done the speed limit all the way. I'm not in a rush.

Apologies if anyone experiences a minor inconvenience when I am on the road.

 

[VPS]

Helps to be adaptable or at least carry some

but the adapters are so little and I lost another one on the weekend

 

[Pushka]

The speed limit is just an upper number. No one is forced to do the speed limit especially since I recently copped a $333 fine for doing a few kms over. I hardly go over the speed limit but must have on that occassion as it was downhill and I mustn't have been paying attention and the police love to community safe from those doing a few kms over speed limit.

For what its worth when I drive from Brisbane to/from Gold Coast I drive in middle lane of 3 lanes or middle 2 lanes where its 4 lanes. The right hand lane is for overtaking.

I don't drive in left lane as that often ends. I mainly do between 90-95 km/h where limit is 100 km/h and 95-100 km/h where limit is 110 km/h. I do keep an eye out at all times and cars have no issue getting around me.

For what it's worth the trip takes me 5-10 minutes longer than had I done the speed limit all the way. I'm not in a rush.

Apologies if anyone experiences a minor inconvenience when I am on the road.

Expected on the main northern Highway out of Adelaide and if not then get in the most left lane. Not rocket science. Sit under the speed limit in the middle lane and you will have a road train up your clacker.

So stay in the left lane. Not talking about inconvenience but actual safety.