My understanding is: If you can get any tomatoes (that's the problem) they are safe to eat. If you can get any seeds they will not have the virus in them, it just kills the plant. That's what I remember but your county extension agent can probably tell you more. Sorry you have it. It affects some tomato plants in my garden, just not all of them.

I'd agree that it probably is related to the internet connection, but I won't rush to blame the ISP just yet. It could be what I call a "dirty" connection. Essentially static on the phone line. Has this just started since moving to the new apartment? If so, I'd try a couple things. First, try a different phone jack. Then try a different phone cord. Do you have any noticeable static on your telephone? If so, that's probably it. If not, it could still be an issue, just not enough that you could hear. Another thing to try is to go to another phone jack. Do you have a community room with a phone jack available to try? Phone cords and phone jacks can get corroded, or the tiny wires in there get bent or otherwise damaged. If you don't have another phone cord handy, you could even try switching it around, that is the end that's plugged into the wall - plug that into the computer and vice versa. Another thing to try is unplug all other phones, answering machine, etc and try it. There could be an issue caused by one of them, although I' more apt to think it's related to the phone jack and line in the apartment. Another possibility, is there an alternate dial up number to try? Sometimes that makes a big difference.

I am someone who did the science degree at 45 years (my first degree) and then ended up an academic - I ended up sad at the mess that our Universities are now in and walked out at 60 earlier this year - on the spur of the moment, after having lunch in the country town I now live in and love. I sold my city house to the man next door the next day and bought my dream (seen after the lunch the day before for the first time). So, after 20 years of sitting at a computer, I now look after 4 ducks, 2 drakes (I love them), a Silkie rooster and I think now 8 hens of different colors and sizes - they all live together with no pecking order (maybe because they are spoilt?), 2 dogs, and I am now looking after a friend's dog as well, and 2 ponies whom I absolutely adore. And some wildlife, I have had to learn so much as I find it hard to do all the right things, but I have a teacher about the horses one morning a week, and I am getting better. There is so much to do with all these animals, it takes me hours each day and of course I enjoy them all so much. I am now going to learn to ride so that one day when he grows up a bit more (as he is only 2 yrs) I can ride the larger pony as he is 12.5 hands and very stocky. I walked them down to the village showground today and as often as I can and we "talk" to the other horses down there and anyone else who likes to talk to us - I will get a reputation as the lady who takes her horses for a walk. It keeps me busy - I buy papers and never get to read them. I have also opened a small B&B which is booked on weekends and so one day a week I am flat out making it all beautiful and then I try to keep a low profile on the weekend so the guests can have as much privacy as possible. That's when I go shopping as the shops are all a long way away so I head off to look at nurseries with the dogs in tow. Life is truly wonderful. Granville44 - if you ever need a treat for some kids who would like a few days of country life and who would be kind to my animals, I have a 3 bedroom B&B on 5 acres just 2 hours from Sydney and would be happy to offer this to a church or charity group occasionally - I once had a teenage son who had some serious problems so now that I am older, I would always like to be able to put some joy back. Email me if you wish Kevarose

Our gaming laws are strict and private lotteries are illegal but games of skill are not. The skill testing question purportedly changes a straight up contest into a feat of skill. Everyone knows the laws are outdated and no one really cares about the question. There are many private contests in Canada. The skill testing questions are always a joke and I'm sure you get a lot of help answering them. I've never heard of someone losing a prize because they couldn't do the question. In fact I would be surprised if that was legal since one could argue the question was discriminatory.