Coming Home....a couple questions.

Sorry if this is more of a cafe post, but is UK-centric, so posting here!

I am moving back to the UK (Manchester area) after being away for six years in a few days time. Because of Christmas stuff and work, this has to be my most poorly (read not at all) planned move ever, so would appreciate a little advice.

Since I am not really in touch with anyone in the UK, I have no idea what's changed in the last six years. When I get back, I am gonna want to get hooked up with pretty much everything as quickly and painlessly as possible (broadband, mobile, tv etc etc) and would appreciate any recommendations you might have.

While I am at it, what has changed in that time....anything drastic?!

We have a Labour government in power?

Welcome back. Queensland summer to UK winter - great choice!

In terms of getting yourself set up back here... not much has changed.

BT still has a relative monopoly on phone lines, although other providers can "lease" lines from them. However, unless you go with bulldog (formerly Cable & Wireless) you can't get a new line installed except with BT. Cable cover is a bit hit and miss, and everything's been taken over by Virgin now. Broadband takes anything up to 4 weeks to get connected - as for providers, if you are going with non-cable- have a look here: http://www.thinkbroadband.com/

Mobile phones still have the big 4 companies - but 3 (newer 3G only network) is catching up. Still just as easy as before - walk into a shop or buy online.

TV is going all-digital, although not yet in Manchester. But best to get a digital decoder. TV licences can be bought online now.

As for the rest of the big stuff - Gordon Brown, airport security, NHS staffing... Actually, all sounds the same, eh?

Don't forget to visit http://www.ubuntu-uk.org/ for the UK mailing list, IRC, etc - we're very active!

And welcome back.

Stuff costs more than anywhere else in the world, we still don't get on with Europe, one in three people have a mobile, Facebook is destroying the fabric of our society, everyone is afraid of upsetting radical Islamists, the olympic bid has entered the realm of being farcical, Big Brother is /still/ watching us - though no-one is doing anything especially interesting - and you can only buy a house if you are a multi-million.

Oh yeah, and the iPhone is stupidly expensive.

Excellent. Thank you everyone. Well, after an interesting week, am back (immigration people...ugh!). It is snowing here at the minute in Hereford. Here for a week or so, then off North, so still figuring things out.
Yes it is expensive, petrol is a little over twice as expensive as I am used to. Other stuff, well it's never been exactly cheap here has it, so I expected that. Anyway, thanks, will look into user groups and such once settled....and not jet lagged.