• USB Key

    From Jim the Geordie@3:633/10 to All on Sun Apr 12 16:20:37 2026
    On desktop: When I try to access SKY TV with M$ Edge on Virgin Media, at
    some point I am asked for my KEY to plug into a USB port. How do I
    acquire such a key?
    I do know that I can get access via my mobile, but still I would like to
    know how to get a key, presumably on a thumb drive?

    --
    Jim the Geordie


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.13
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Jim the Geordie@3:633/10 to All on Sun Apr 12 17:30:23 2026
    On 12/04/2026 16:29, Security Key wrote:
    On 12/04/2026 16:20, Jim the Geordie wrote:
    On desktop: When I try to access SKY TV with M$ Edge on Virgin Media,
    at some point I am asked for my KEY to plug into a USB port. How do I
    acquire such a key?
    I do know that I can get access via my mobile, but still I would like
    to know how to get a key, presumably on a thumb drive?

    You need to buy them from Amazon for desktop access.

    <https://www.amazon.co.uk/fido-u2f/s?k=fido+u2f>


    Why would I buy (œ20+) when I can use password or mobile?
    Thanks anyway.

    --
    Jim the Geordie

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.13
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From VanguardLH@3:633/10 to All on Sun Apr 12 11:32:17 2026
    Jim the Geordie <jim@geordieland.com> wrote:

    On desktop: When I try to access SKY TV with M$ Edge on Virgin Media, at some point I am asked for my KEY to plug into a USB port. How do I
    acquire such a key?
    I do know that I can get access via my mobile, but still I would like to know how to get a key, presumably on a thumb drive?

    https://support.sky.ch/hc/en-us/articles/360011970679-Sky-TV-Stick-Installation-Configuration#:~:text=If%20TV%20has%20a%20powered,power%20outlet%20through%20power%20adapter.&text=Enter%20Settings%20%2D%3E%20Network%20to%20turn,Fi%20network%20with%20correct%20password.

    That says the USB device plugs into a compatible TV, not into your
    desktop PC.

    https://support.sky.ch/hc/en-us/articles/115005432085-How-do-I-install-the-Sky-app-on-my-smartphone-or-tablet

    That mentions how to use their app on your phone.

    https://support.sky.ch/hc/en-us

    More information there. Search on "usb".

    Apparently Sky TV implements geofencing. If you're not in a region they
    permit access, you'll have to see if a VPN circumvents their geofencing.
    Choose a VPN that has an exit node in the UK. Sky blocks many free or
    public proxies and VPNs.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.13
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Paul@3:633/10 to All on Sun Apr 12 14:32:48 2026
    On Sun, 4/12/2026 12:32 PM, VanguardLH wrote:
    Jim the Geordie <jim@geordieland.com> wrote:

    On desktop: When I try to access SKY TV with M$ Edge on Virgin Media, at
    some point I am asked for my KEY to plug into a USB port. How do I
    acquire such a key?
    I do know that I can get access via my mobile, but still I would like to
    know how to get a key, presumably on a thumb drive?

    https://support.sky.ch/hc/en-us/articles/360011970679-Sky-TV-Stick-Installation-Configuration#:~:text=If%20TV%20has%20a%20powered,power%20outlet%20through%20power%20adapter.&text=Enter%20Settings%20%2D%3E%20Network%20to%20turn,Fi%20network%20with%20correct%20password.

    That says the USB device plugs into a compatible TV, not into your
    desktop PC.

    https://support.sky.ch/hc/en-us/articles/115005432085-How-do-I-install-the-Sky-app-on-my-smartphone-or-tablet

    That mentions how to use their app on your phone.

    https://support.sky.ch/hc/en-us

    More information there. Search on "usb".

    Apparently Sky TV implements geofencing. If you're not in a region they permit access, you'll have to see if a VPN circumvents their geofencing. Choose a VPN that has an exit node in the UK. Sky blocks many free or
    public proxies and VPNs.


    The UK has a TV licensing scheme.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_licensing_in_the_United_Kingdom

    "The television licence fee is collected by the BBC..."
    "This applies regardless of transmission method"

    Paul


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.13
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Philip Herlihy@3:633/10 to All on Mon Apr 13 12:44:48 2026
    In article <10rgogh$2od13$1@dont-email.me>, nospam@needed.invalid
    says...
    The UK has a TV licensing scheme.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_licensing_in_the_United_Kingdom

    "The television licence fee is collected by the BBC..."
    "This applies regardless of transmission method"



    The BBC, like the NHS, is one of the reasons for wanting to live in the
    UK. Independent, no ads, and an astonishingly wide range of content.

    --
    --
    Phil, London

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.14
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Paul@3:633/10 to All on Mon Apr 13 08:19:42 2026
    On Mon, 4/13/2026 7:44 AM, Philip Herlihy wrote:
    In article <10rgogh$2od13$1@dont-email.me>, nospam@needed.invalid
    says...
    The UK has a TV licensing scheme.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_licensing_in_the_United_Kingdom

    "The television licence fee is collected by the BBC..."
    "This applies regardless of transmission method"



    The BBC, like the NHS, is one of the reasons for wanting to live in the
    UK. Independent, no ads, and an astonishingly wide range of content.


    We have similar here. One of them used to run Coronation Street :-)
    That was a series they bought, and showed on certain days.

    But the funding of such things, is subject to whim, so you
    never really know how long it will last. And the state the
    world is in today, there is really no money any more for
    more than the basics ("potholes" and "food banks").

    Paul


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.14
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From croy@3:633/10 to All on Mon Apr 13 08:05:41 2026
    On Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:44:48 +0100, Philip Herlihy <nothing@invalid.com>
    wrote:

    The BBC, like the NHS, is one of the reasons for wanting to live in the
    UK. Independent, no ads, and an astonishingly wide range of content.

    Here, in the United States of Advertising, that sounds like a sweet dream!

    --
    croy

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.14
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From VanguardLH@3:633/10 to All on Mon Apr 13 15:14:43 2026
    Paul <nospam@needed.invalid> wrote:

    The UK has a TV licensing scheme.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_licensing_in_the_United_Kingdom

    "The television licence fee is collected by the BBC..."
    "This applies regardless of transmission method"

    One ring to rule them all.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.14
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From J. P. Gilliver@3:633/10 to All on Mon Apr 13 22:55:23 2026
    On 2026/4/13 13:19:42, Paul wrote:
    On Mon, 4/13/2026 7:44 AM, Philip Herlihy wrote:
    In article <10rgogh$2od13$1@dont-email.me>, nospam@needed.invalid
    says...
    The UK has a TV licensing scheme.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_licensing_in_the_United_Kingdom >>>
    "The television licence fee is collected by the BBC..."

    Actully, _on behalf of_ the BBC; the company that does the collection
    can sometimes be a bit brutal. (And this from someone who _approves_ of
    the "licence fee" system; I've just seen examples of the misbehaviour.
    [And plenty of misbehaviour by the other side.])

    "This applies regardless of transmission method"



    The BBC, like the NHS, is one of the reasons for wanting to live in the
    UK. Independent, no ads, and an astonishingly wide range of content.


    We have similar here. One of them used to run Coronation Street :-)
    That was a series they bought, and showed on certain days.

    But the funding of such things, is subject to whim, so you
    never really know how long it will last. And the state the

    Well, in the UK not quite whim - the BBC operates under a "charter",
    which is renewed every few years by the government; it is an arm's
    length thing, and each renewal usually lasts beyond the next election.
    But more and more - especially the young - are increasingly resenting
    it, and it's becoming harder to enforce with developments in technology
    (it's already database-based, not "detector vans" as in the past);
    there's a charter renewal coming up soon. I hope the Beeb survives -
    mainly because I can't see anything half as worthwhile replacing it. But
    I do understand (some of) the resentment (some) folk feel.

    world is in today, there is really no money any more for
    more than the basics ("potholes" and "food banks").

    Potholes are another bone of contention here!

    Paul

    John
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    Try to tell me to watch something because it's brilliant and everyone
    says so and therefore I will love it, too, and you lose me for ever.
    - Alison Graham, RT 2016/2/6-12

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.14
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From wasbit@3:633/10 to All on Tue Apr 14 09:16:57 2026
    On 12/04/2026 19:32, Paul wrote:
    Snip <

    The UK has a TV licensing scheme.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_licensing_in_the_United_Kingdom

    "The television licence fee is collected by the BBC..."
    "This applies regardless of transmission method"


    There is as much self promotion on the BBC channels as there is
    advertising on the commercial channels. Even the news isn't exempt.



    --
    Regards
    wasbit

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.14
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From croy@3:633/10 to All on Tue Apr 14 08:13:14 2026
    On Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:16:57 +0100, wasbit <wasbit@REMOVEhotmail.com>
    wrote:

    There is as much self promotion on the BBC channels as there is
    advertising on the commercial channels. Even the news isn't exempt.

    "We interrupt this news program to bring you and ad for the news program"

    I see this in the USA. What possible sense can it make?

    --
    croy

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.14
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From J. P. Gilliver@3:633/10 to All on Tue Apr 14 18:00:32 2026
    On 2026/4/14 9:16:57, wasbit wrote:
    On 12/04/2026 19:32, Paul wrote:
    Snip <

    The UK has a TV licensing scheme.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_licensing_in_the_United_Kingdom

    "The television licence fee is collected by the BBC..."
    "This applies regardless of transmission method"


    There is as much self promotion on the BBC channels as there is
    advertising on the commercial channels. Even the news isn't exempt.



    I don't think there's "as much" (certainly none _within_ programmes) -
    and, on the commercial channels I watch, there's plenty of
    self-promotion (or promotion of programmes on other channels within the
    same company), _as well as_ product and service advertising.

    Which is for funerals and to an infuriating extent gambling. If you'd
    asked me 20 or 30 years ago, I'd have expected gambling advertising to
    have gone the same way as tobacco advertising (for much the same
    reasons), but sadly no government has had the guts - and gambling has
    now grown into a worse monster than tobacco was, with online.
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.14
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Carlos E.R.@3:633/10 to All on Wed Apr 15 11:29:29 2026
    On 2026-04-14 19:00, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
    On 2026/4/14 9:16:57, wasbit wrote:
    On 12/04/2026 19:32, Paul wrote:
    Snip <

    The UK has a TV licensing scheme.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_licensing_in_the_United_Kingdom >>>
    "The television licence fee is collected by the BBC..."
    "This applies regardless of transmission method"


    There is as much self promotion on the BBC channels as there is
    advertising on the commercial channels. Even the news isn't exempt.



    I don't think there's "as much" (certainly none _within_ programmes) -
    and, on the commercial channels I watch, there's plenty of
    self-promotion (or promotion of programmes on other channels within the
    same company), _as well as_ product and service advertising.

    Which is for funerals and to an infuriating extent gambling. If you'd
    asked me 20 or 30 years ago, I'd have expected gambling advertising to
    have gone the same way as tobacco advertising (for much the same
    reasons), but sadly no government has had the guts - and gambling has
    now grown into a worse monster than tobacco was, with online.

    Here they managed to prohibit gambling adverts before midnight, I think
    it is the cut time. They are a pest. I feel tempted to call or something
    and say they are against the true religion? and they will be burned in
    hell for centuries. Not that I have any religion.

    Funeral adverts, no, I don't remember seeing any :-D

    I'd like to be able, on fibre TV, to vote adverts (feedback). Or in
    things like Prime Video.

    --
    Cheers, Carlos.
    ES??, EU??;

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.14
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Paul@3:633/10 to All on Wed Apr 15 06:55:31 2026
    On Wed, 4/15/2026 5:29 AM, Carlos E.R. wrote:
    On 2026-04-14 19:00, J. P. Gilliver wrote:
    On 2026/4/14 9:16:57, wasbit wrote:
    On 12/04/2026 19:32, Paul wrote:
    Snip <

    The UK has a TV licensing scheme.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_licensing_in_the_United_Kingdom >>>>
    ÿÿÿÿÿ "The television licence fee is collected by the BBC..."
    ÿÿÿÿÿ "This applies regardless of transmission method"


    There is as much self promotion on the BBC channels as there is
    advertising on the commercial channels. Even the news isn't exempt.



    I don't think there's "as much" (certainly none _within_ programmes) -
    and, on the commercial channels I watch, there's plenty of
    self-promotion (or promotion of programmes on other channels within the
    same company), _as well as_ product and service advertising.

    Which is for funerals and to an infuriating extent gambling. If you'd
    asked me 20 or 30 years ago, I'd have expected gambling advertising to
    have gone the same way as tobacco advertising (for much the same
    reasons), but sadly no government has had the guts - and gambling has
    now grown into a worse monster than tobacco was, with online.

    Here they managed to prohibit gambling adverts before midnight,
    I think it is the cut time. They are a pest. I feel tempted to call or something and say they are against the true religion? and they will be burned in hell for centuries. Not that I have any religion.

    Funeral adverts, no, I don't remember seeing any :-D

    I'd like to be able, on fibre TV, to vote adverts (feedback). Or in things like Prime Video.

    Here, some of our levels of government are all in on drinking and
    gambling. The end result, is some young people now have gambling habits.

    Whatever the hell the grand plan is for this planet, it's NOT
    going to end well.

    Paul



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.14
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Char Jackson@3:633/10 to All on Wed Apr 15 20:20:17 2026
    On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:29:29 +0200, "Carlos E.R."
    <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:

    Here they managed to prohibit gambling adverts before midnight, I think
    it is the cut time. They are a pest. I feel tempted to call or something
    and say they are against the true religion? and they will be burned in
    hell for centuries. Not that I have any religion.

    Funeral adverts, no, I don't remember seeing any :-D

    I'd like to be able, on fibre TV, to vote adverts (feedback). Or in
    things like Prime Video.

    Speaking of Prime Video, I've had the ad-free option (billed monthly)
    for the past year, but they recently introduced annual billing for a 23% discount. I had to cancel the ad-free monthly in order to sign up for
    the ad-free annual. All is now well.


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.14
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Char Jackson@3:633/10 to All on Thu Apr 16 15:36:37 2026
    On Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:26:44 +1000, Daniel70
    <daniel47@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:

    On 16/04/2026 11:20 am, Char Jackson wrote:
    On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:29:29 +0200, "Carlos E.R."
    <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:

    Here they managed to prohibit gambling adverts before midnight, I think
    it is the cut time. They are a pest. I feel tempted to call or something >>> and say they are against the true religion? and they will be burned in
    hell for centuries. Not that I have any religion.

    Funeral adverts, no, I don't remember seeing any :-D

    I'd like to be able, on fibre TV, to vote adverts (feedback). Or in
    things like Prime Video.

    Speaking of Prime Video, I've had the ad-free option (billed monthly)
    for the past year, but they recently introduced annual billing for a 23%
    discount. I had to cancel the ad-free monthly in order to sign up for
    the ad-free annual. All is now well.

    WHAT?? They couldn't switch you directly over to ad-free annual?? Weird.

    It might be different in other countries, but for me in the US when I'm
    on the program, the only available option is to cancel, which then
    becomes effective at the end of the current period. Once fully canceled,
    I can enroll again, and only then do I see the two payment options:
    monthly or annual.


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.14
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From ...w¡ñ?±?ñ@3:633/10 to All on Fri Apr 17 01:25:49 2026
    On 4/16/2026 6:04 PM, Daniel70 wrote:
    On 17/04/2026 6:36 am, Char Jackson wrote:
    On Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:26:44 +1000, Daniel70
    <daniel47@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:
    On 16/04/2026 11:20 am, Char Jackson wrote:
    On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:29:29 +0200, "Carlos E.R."
    <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:

    Here they managed to prohibit gambling adverts before midnight, I
    think
    it is the cut time. They are a pest. I feel tempted to call or
    something
    and say they are against the true religion? and they will be burned in >>>>> hell for centuries. Not that I have any religion.

    Funeral adverts, no, I don't remember seeing any :-D

    I'd like to be able, on fibre TV, to vote adverts (feedback). Or in
    things like Prime Video.

    Speaking of Prime Video, I've had the ad-free option (billed monthly)
    for the past year, but they recently introduced annual billing for a
    23%
    discount. I had to cancel the ad-free monthly in order to sign up for
    the ad-free annual. All is now well.

    WHAT?? They couldn't switch you directly over to ad-free annual?? Weird.

    It might be different in other countries, but for me in the US when I'm
    on the program, the only available option is to cancel, which then
    becomes effective at the end of the current period. Once fully canceled,
    I can enroll again, and only then do I see the two payment options:
    monthly or annual.

    Ah!! So you did this On-line. I thought you might have rung up and
    spoken to a real, live, human. ;-P

    Afiak, like many other subscription services, an existing plan may not
    be able to be converted (human or online) to a different plan for the
    same account without cancelling the existing plan(per the TOS of the
    original agreement) and its billing cycle end date before the
    opportunity arises to sign up for another plan.

    In fact, by contract or other requirements, a new plan signup after
    cancelling an existing contract may have a waiting period for the same
    person or residence - e.g. end of billing cycle, one month or longer(3
    months) after the end of the current billing cycle.

    --
    ...w­¤?ñ?¤

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.14
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From J. P. Gilliver@3:633/10 to All on Fri Apr 17 22:10:56 2026
    On 2026/4/17 10:9:7, Daniel70 wrote:
    On 17/04/2026 6:25 pm, ...w­¤?ñ?¤ wrote:
    On 4/16/2026 6:04 PM, Daniel70 wrote:
    On 17/04/2026 6:36 am, Char Jackson wrote:
    On Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:26:44 +1000, Daniel70
    <daniel47@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:
    On 16/04/2026 11:20 am, Char Jackson wrote:
    On Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:29:29 +0200, "Carlos E.R."
    <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:

    Here they managed to prohibit gambling adverts before
    midnight, I think it is the cut time. They are a pest. I
    feel tempted to call or something and say they are against
    the true religion? and they will be burned in hell for
    centuries. Not that I have any religion.

    Funeral adverts, no, I don't remember seeing any :-D

    I'd like to be able, on fibre TV, to vote adverts
    (feedback). Or in things like Prime Video.

    Speaking of Prime Video, I've had the ad-free option (billed
    monthly) for the past year, but they recently introduced
    annual billing for a 23% discount. I had to cancel the
    ad-free monthly in order to sign up for the ad-free annual.
    All is now well.

    WHAT?? They couldn't switch you directly over to ad-free
    annual?? Weird.

    It might be different in other countries, but for me in the US
    when I'm on the program, the only available option is to cancel,
    which then becomes effective at the end of the current period.
    Once fully canceled, I can enroll again, and only then do I see
    the two payment options: monthly or annual.

    Ah!! So you did this On-line. I thought you might have rung up and
    spoken to a real, live, human. ;-P

    Afiak, like many other subscription services, an existing plan may
    not be able to be converted (human or online) to a different plan for
    the same account without cancelling the existing plan(per the TOS of
    the original agreement) and its billing cycle end date before the
    opportunity arises to sign up for another plan.

    By no means exclusive to telecomm.s! The odd time I decide to buy a
    year's Ancestry, the process (I always do it by 'phone, more chance of
    offers) always ends with "anything else I can do for you?" to which my
    reply is always "yes - cancel the sub. you've just set up for me". I get
    the year I've paid for - but that's the only way to turn off auto-remew.
    (OK, I can do it any time during the year, but _I_ have to do it. So I
    do it on signup. No, there's definitely no "loyalty discount" on
    renewal, unlike FindMyPast - if anything, there's likely to be a rise.)

    I would have thought whatever portion of that months payment remains
    gets credited towards the Annual Fee.

    So if monthly fee was $30 and annual fee was $250, if customer were
    halfway through the month, create a $15 credit on annual account, then require $235 payment.

    Something like that.

    Many companies don't, though. The worst (though I _think_ it has been
    stamped on) is where there are two parts to the contract (e. g. 'phones
    and broadband), they stagger the expiry dates (e. g. one for 12 one for
    18 months), but the price they give you is discounted when you take both
    from the same company. Thus stopping one when it ends means the
    remaining one goes up in price, possibly to more than the combined was,
    and there's an early termination fee.

    In fact, by contract or other requirements, a new plan signup after
    cancelling an existing contract may have a waiting period for the
    same person or residence - e.g. end of billing cycle, one month or
    longer(3 months) after the end of the current billing cycle.

    Why have a gap?? Surely that might incite the Customer to go looking elsewhere.

    Partly, to stop people taking advantage of "new customer" offers by
    cancelling existing. Again, I _think_ there are moves to stamp on over-discounted "new customer" offers.
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    All's well that ends.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.14
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)