Dear LINC,

Enjoyed the article you did on downloading (Downloading & File Sharing - What is Legal?). It was good to know about stuff like copying CDs and stuff. I always thought that if you just did it and passed a copy to one of your mates that was OK as long as you didn't make any money off it.

Anyway, the reason I'm writing is that it reminded me of something that's always bugged me. When you buy DVDs, why do they always make you sit through that 'pirate DVDs are illegal and we'll kill you if you buy one'. I mean, I get that illegal pirate discs are bad, but why put that on a DVD you've just bought? It's like they're saying "look, we know you've bought this DVD properly from the shop, so you're obviously an honest and trustworthy person, but since its easier to target you, we're going to tell you how evil pirate DVDs are'. Shut up already, I know!
Chris Johnson

The LINC says: Glad you enjoyed the article, Chris. Unfortunately, we couldn't say for certain why they put that message on legitimate copies of DVDs, but we'd assume its for those people who buy direct copies of DVDs, the type where a person buys a DVD and burns an illegal copy of it. That way, they're copying the piracy message too, and therefore getting it across to those who illegal copies. That's just our guess though, you'd have to ask the piracy people.

Dear LINC,

I know Christmas is a bit away, and I know that this is a bit random, but are you doing your Christmas television preview again this year? I generally look forward to that around Christmas time as it is a good way for me to find out what films are on over Christmas.
Sally Curless

The LINC Says: Hi Sally, yes indeed, our Big Xmas Telly Preview will be returning for 2009. Keep an eye out on the website from early December. Glad we can help with your Christmas telly viewing!

Dear LINC,

I thought you might like to know about an argument I was having with two lads I know recently. We live in Hindley Green and they were complaining that we don't have our own skatepark here, how unfair it was and how the council should do something about it.

I told them that there's a skatepark in Ince that they could easily get to, and another one in Wigan (there is, isn't there?) but they still went on about how unfair it was that other places got one and not us. But really, Ince isn't that far away on the bus or train and they could easily go there no problem. It's not the first time I've heard this. People always complain that there's nothing to do, at least nothing that they want to do, when usually there is, all people need to do if they really want to do something is to get on a bus and go and find it. Everyone thinks the world owes them everything and should just bring everything to them, but I say if you want the world, go and get it instead of waiting around until it comes to you and complaining about how unfair it is when it doesn't. Honestly, as my mum would say, some people want the moon on a stick!
Vicky Henry
Hindley green

The LINC says: Thanks for your e-mail, Vicky. We agree that a little initiative never hurt anybody when it comes to doing something you really want to do like going to a skatepark. Of course, Wigan Council, Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust and other organisations are always working hard to provide as many things to do and places to go for young people as possible, but just because something isn't on your doorstep doesn't mean it doesn't exist. If you take a look at our Things to Do section, you'll notice that there's absolutely tonnes of things going on all over Wigan Borough, and we've tried to help by adding in maps and links to GMPTE's journey planner to help you get there easier.

Dear LINC,

What with everyone getting good exam results these days (if you believe the media anyway!) and all the doom and gloom about their not being enough jobs to go around, I think that it's more important than ever to have a great CV that helps you stand out when you're looking for a job.

Most people these days just think it's a case of getting some work experience so they can write down 'I did some work experience' and think it's great. But so what? Everyone does work experience, it's compulsory in most places and even the people who go beyond and do extra work experience are in such a big number that's impossible to stand out.

Personally, I think it's not about how much work experience you've got, or even where you did it, but what you did with it that counts. You could do your work experience somewhere huge, like for the BBC. Of course, this sounds great at first, but if all you did during your two weeks at the BBC was make cups of tea for people, well, that's not very good at all, is it? I could make cups of tea in my kitchen for a whole month in just the same way that somebody could at the BBC, it doesn't mean anything.

Instead, I think you have to make the most of your opportunities and try to get as much out of work experience as you can. Do something differnet, get yourself noticed and make sure you stand out from the crowd, because that's more important than ever these days, isn't it?
Jenny Monroe
Lowton

The LINC says: It certainly is Jenny, we couldn't agree with you more. We'd always encourage anyone to make the most of their opportunities, and when it comes to careers it's all the more important. Two Young People's Job Clubs recently opened in Wigan Borough with more advice on getting a job, you can read about these in our projects section.