Pans are the new guitars 

Went to a John Lewis yesterday and the Le Creuset seemed to be about the best for what I wanted - they didn't have any in stock though so I came home and found them cheaper with a free steamer too, so happy about that.

Also bought a black iron frying pan as it seems like the exact thing I wanted (after a bit of effort seasoning it).

Thanks Del

Are you sure it's your internet connection and not your wireless?

My mate got a Le Crueset wok for Christmas, that was seriously chunky.

My Mum's got a set of Stellar pans and they're quite nice although some aspect of the design irks her (something to do with the lid and a lip I think). In all honesty I think I've realised I don't care too much about the pans and just want an awesome frying pan, so maybe I've saved myself some cash (probably buy another knife instead!).

Liking the idea of a cast iron pan a lot now though.

Is there anything special you should do with a seasoned pan when washing it? (not use soap etc?)

Wikipedia said something about not cooking tomatoes etc, is that an issue or only for freshly seasoned pans?

Do any of them come with lids, or are there any you can buy?

Frying pans/ skillets (always by ones with metal handles):

http://www.cookshop.uk.com/shop/Cookware/Frying+Pans/A48-76  

I guess I'm more interested in the frying pans than the sauce pans.... any specific recommendations?

Why are metal handles better?

Not got any recommendations but I'd not bother with Titanium, it doesn't transfer or hold heat well.

I don't think they're made of it, just they fire some at them to make them slippier or something.

I was planning on buying a new set for the new year and had decided to get some Procook Titanium after some recommendations only to have my plan foiled by them being discontinued...

Does anyone have any recommendations for a decent set?

I'd be careful that you don't buy a dodgy copy.

Loads of stuff for 10c:
http://www.androidcentral.com/slew-popular-apps-suddenly-are-10-cents-android-market

How much of our national debt could the Guardian's tax dodging pay off? 

Fair point otherwise MW but deficit != debt.

I think Clarkson should sue that miserable Unison woman for comparing him to Gadaffi. That would be poetic justice .

I think we should campaign to have her sacked for making ridiculous comparisons.

Experience - loads of poker sites have had data security breaches. I can't recall hearing of one on facebook that wasn't user side (correct me if I'm wrong).

Motivation - There's a big issue online with identification and authentication, sites want to know who they're dealing with and people want their details to be secure. Passwords just don't cut it any more... Given that there's a big opportunity for facebook (and others) to provide that service. Also loads of people ready to step up and take FB's social networking crown off them too (Google for one...) - if people lose trust in facebook's security it would be very damaging to their bottom line.

Poker sites, I'm not so sure, I think they'd be bothered, but not as much as facebook. Nothing would really surprise me any more though...

Talent - facebook has loads of talented engineers working on things like security (by that I mean keeping user data secure, identification etc), I doubt the poker sites can attract the same sort of talent or that the people they use they people they have (as much) to that end.

Abstraction is the right term (for what I think you mean), but I doubt it has much benefit here.

As to the deal I'd reckon it's a small thing for facebook and a big deal for the poker sites so the deal would be on FB's terms (see spotify). If I was FB I'd want as much control as possible - accounts funds etc - and just leave the running of the games to the poker site with a rake split. I wouldn't want to let people on the provider's software play against FB players - the grinders would multi table and get more money that way (I might be wrong? FB might not have the knowledge to demand that, although I'd imagine they'd want to force everyone to play through FB so they can get a cut).

Iron -wasn't Yahoo limit poker and before the explosion?

Sigh, Cameron is such a mug, should have given the lot to Bopkin to punt on volleyball.