While trying to explain the use of the "exclamatory question mark", i.e., the "?!" used at the end of some sentences, I was a little nonplussed when asked if it was really named something so ... verbose. As far as I remember, I've been calling them exclamatory question marks. But it certainly is a mouthful, isn't it?! (sic)

If you are using Skype on Linux and run into the error message "P2P connect failed" while trying to sign in, then your configuration file is very likely corrupt. The fix is to just delete the .Skype directory from your home directory and restart Skype. If you have anything worth saving inside this directory, you can simply rename it instead or alternatively, back it up elsewhere prior to deletion.

The version of Skype on my system is 2.0.0.72 and it was installed (and upgraded) from the Medibuntu repository. I'm pretty certain that the previous version was working fine.

Most deth fans look at Megadeth's last album with Marty - Risk - with distaste. However, with the exception of a couple of tracks, I quite like it, even if it isn't vintage Megadeth.

Earlier today, when I forgot the term mind map and later when I forgot Spinoza's name, I wondered if this was something I was doing subconsciously or if a few more of my brain cells are dying away as I get older.

Everybody geeky is quite likely to have already heard of FM transmitters like this one that lets you broadcast any audio output stream on an FM frequency and tune into it with a radio. I'm a big fan of this gadget and have about 3 around for various uses.

That said, does anybody know of an equivalent video option that will let me tune into a video broadcast via the telly? That would rock! Google didn't help me much in my search... I suppose it's a question of terminology too.

I'm not sure if this was related to my recent install of XP SP3 (I haven't done anything else of note recently...), but I found out today that I was unable to view CHM files on my system. Most of my manuals are stored in CHM format, so, this was something of a pain. While the file itself opened fine, and the content list pane was accessible, the content pane was not; I instead was greeted with a "The page cannot be displayed" error message.

I came across this term in a conversation today and barely held back a guffaw. An islamic democracy is rather self contradictory, an oxymoron etc., no?

I've been listening to Metallica's latest release, Death Magnetic. With everybody touting it as a release to their 80s form, here is a track by track review of the album.

1. That was just your life: A thrashy beginning that wouldn't be out of place on Kill 'em all.

The latest fad going around is the host of MP3 search sites that are cropping up all over the place. Most of these are built off Google searches and can be hit-or-miss. But they're pretty useful for finding that rare track you always wanted, but couldn't find ...

Over the last couple of weeks, I've managed to catch up with all the superhero movies that came out this summer.

• Hellboy 2: The worst of the lot; Insipid hollywood-ized version with poor direction, bad editing and a lacklustre story. Stay away from it.