Burn failed, Laser Power problem in original Mac Book Pro

I recently has this become a greater problem. I'd encountered an error
reading some DVDs and just thought I'd mistreated the discs a bit too
much. Then however in order to free up some disk space, I thought I'd
burn some Keynotes etc. off the laptop.

I got this error in several applications and attempts to write DVDs.

I booked an early morning Apple appointment, I do wish we had 24 hour
Genius Bars here, and they asked me the rudimentary questions, tried a
different app, other disks, different user... then quickly booked me
in for a replacement.

I was able to keep the laptop until the new writer was in, unusually
they didn't have any in stock, then god bless them, they called me up
- I too it in over lunch and they only had it for about an hour et
voila. They even let me burn a test DVD in the store.

However upon getting home, I couldn't actually play several video DVDs
(amusingly Dr. Strangelove) or previously burnt discs. I went back a
couple of days later and they performed a SECOND replacement - again
in an hour - and this time everything was perfect!

Despite the first replacement being another dud, I can't fault the
level of customer service! Quick appointments no snake oil, just a
simple check booting off another drive and then they go ahead with the
replacement!

Mail Quit because of Growl

After an update to Safari 4 I encountered this problem. It was, eventually, an easy fix. Detailed by the growl developers - but when it first occurred quite frustrating!

It's something to do with the rendering of the preview in the GrowlMail window and it using Safari 4 html engine?

The Fix...basically changes the preview options of GrowlMail

http://www.safari4beta.com/2009/02/safari-4-beta-and-growl-mail.html

and

http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20090227003450677

In Terminal:

defaults write com.apple.mail GMSummaryMode -int 2

He's Back it's Ze

and he's made something you'll like that's gay...

http://www.buzzfeed.com/jonah/hard-times-with-ze-frank-free-iphone-app

and it features a duck "for old times sake"

Prime Minister Must Go Petition

This articles has been doing the rounds in the news it's about a petition on the Number 10 website that's garner thousands of signatures. Number 10 promises to respond to any crackpot petition that has over 100



What I really enjoyed when I visited the page, I didn't sign up because I think the entire No. 10 petition is gimmick, however one of the listed signatures was a one David Milliband. Genius!