I found this thread with a similar problem:

https://forum.bitcoin.org/index.php?topic=6067.0

I'm not running Ubuntu though, I'm on Windows 7, running GUIMiner v2011-06-09 and Bitcoin 0.3.22-beta.

Anyone know why I get this error in the GUIMiner status bar? 

Cheers, UNP setting fixed it!  I'm aware a mining pit yields consistent gains, I'm a bit of a gambler and don't mind mining for 1-2 months for nothing for the chance of a 50 BC bounty

How do I make it get connections?  It's just doing nothing. 

I think it's set up fine, just nothing is happening!  Help appreciated!

I've been active in the 2+2 thread on Bitcoins:

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/30/business-finance-investing/bitcoins-digital-currency-1011408/

I'd like permission to post in other forums for learning and discussion thanks.

Thanks for link again, I have no way of verifying my account with them in all their trusted methods, and it's also incredibly illiquid for GBP.

Thanks another site I wasn't aware of but they cant fill a 10BC order, only a 5BC order at £114 which is ridiculous (double the current mt gox price)

New user here, I'm in the UK and have been following BC with interest (and regret) ever since I saw it at $0.70.  Between now and then I've wanted to buy ~£1k worth of BC, but I can't for the life of me figure out how to buy a bunch safely.

On MtGox, the Euro bank transfer sucks because I have to send in EUR which is tricky for me, also with those there will be extortinoate bank fees involved.

Britcoin seems too expensive, and too new for me to trust.  Example is, £1k GBP will get me 81.4 BC, but at the same time 81.4 BC on MtGox will cost me $1,398 USD which is ~£860, so using britcoin I've just lost 14% of the transaction somehow.

I'm not too keen on sending first to people on this forum either, I'm not familiar with it and I'm well aware of the scams around.

Is there any way I can easily, safely and fairly buy BC with GBP?