Montmorency Secondary College year 12 student Cassandra Bendall

Montmorency Secondary College year 12 student Cassandra Bendall, 18, said she had found it a balancing act managing school, study, time with friends and her job as a basketball referee.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
No problem too small.

The stadium's new home club, the Eltham Wildcats

Eltham's booming basketball community is set to become even bigger with the official opening today of the new custom-built $3.15 million Montmorency Secondary College Community Sport Stadium by Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
No problem too small.

Montmorency Primary School principal Michael Otway

Montmorency Primary School principal Michael Otway said his school did not run the program yet but said it was a "great loss" the school could no longer take part. ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
No problem too small.

Kylie Lewis

KYLIE Lewis has endured more pain and heartache than most people her age. ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
No problem too small.

Students from Eltham College and Montmorency Secondary College are heading to the US to visit NASA

This month, 30 year 9 to 11 students and four staff from Eltham College and Montmorency Secondary College will take off on an international adventure that peaks with a space camp in the US. ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
No problem too small.

Tahlia Ziehaitis

The former Montmorency Secondary College student has backed a 2000 signature petition collected by Bundoora state Labor MP Colin Brooks. ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
No problem too small.

Better known as Gotye, de Backer

MONTMORENCY boy Wally de Backer scored four gongs at last night’s Australian Recording Industry Association Awards.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
No problem too small.

Stanley Connelly.

STANLEY Connelly was just 18 when he enlisted as a soldier. Having grown up during World War II, he joined the army in 1949.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
No problem too small.

Megan Jamieson from Montmorency Secondary College

Megan Jamieson from Montmorency Secondary College said the extended answer question in the psychology exam asked students to read a research report on positive reinforcement in a year 8 maths class.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
No problem too small.

Finnish-born actor Saara Lamberg

Finnish-born actor Saara Lamberg, 29, is a founding member of the Montsalvat Collective, and organised the recent Montsalvat Film Feast. She lives in Montmorency.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
No problem too small.

Radio operator Corporal Tabitha Spaeth

Radio operator Corporal Tabitha Spaeth says Remembrance Day always holds special meaning.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
No problem too small.

Stiletto Sisters, a vibrant trio that features Montmorency's own Hope Csutoros

They held their first event last month and have lined up the Stiletto Sisters, a vibrant trio that features Montmorency’s own Hope Csutoros, for the November 4 concert.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
No problem too small.

Banyule Council voted in favour of the 13-unit development in Binns Street Montmorency

A FOUR-storey apartment complex in Montmorency has been granted a council planning permit – to the outrage of Monty residents. ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
No problem too small.

Climate change campiagners Katherine Barling, David Dickins and Rohan and Alison Johns at Montmorency Primary School farmers' market

ROHAN Johns is an ordinary north-east suburban dad with a passionate desire to warn his neighbours about the dangers of climate change.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
No problem too small.

Damian Magner, 39, is a Montmorency resident who ran as a Greens candidate for last year's state election.

Banyule Council will vote on the proposed Binns Street development at its October 24 meeting. ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
No problem too small.

Ms Fechner's two dingoes, Shiralee and Barra, live at her Montmorency home

Dingo Care Network’s Julie Fechner said keeping the dogs as pets required “a certain mindset”.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
No problem too small.

Pam Rowley, Damian Magner and Brian Dodd, oppose a proposed development in Montmorency.

A PROPOSED Montmorency apartment block has attracted more than 50 objections from residents.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems

Darren Steffen says goodbye to his wife, Hope, and children Roxie and April before riding to work.

RIDING to work for the past 15 months has improved Darren Steffen’s financial bottom line.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems

Eltham blasts: Police arrest five

FIVE youths have been arrested by police investigating a series of blasts in Eltham.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems

A brief summary of JustLocal for Templestowe residents and businesses.

I wanted to share with others in Templestowe what JustLocal is about. I’m a computer consultant with a large amount of expertise across a range of computer related disciplines. I find the best way to show others is by example.

What I did is what anyone with a small amount of assistance can do. The difference between myself and others is I assist people and charge for my time. I share my knowledge so people aren’t tied to myself or my services. My hope is that by looking after their interests they’ll appreciate the services I offer. I’ve found it to be an approach which works well because others don’t work that way.

To  explain JustLocal for residents and businesses in Templestowe, I decided to build a web page. For any business this is very easy to do. If you can design a single page brochure to promote your business, your brochure can be reproduced with minimal time and cost as a web site to let others in your area know your business exists.

In this case I decided to register the domain for www.Templestowe.biz, set up hosting space, point the domain at the hosting space, create a web page and then upload the web page. In a couple of hours the page was live on the internet. I literally just set this up and it is live within minutes. You should however wait usually 24 hours to make sure the domain has filtered through the internet.

I have a number of low cost approaches I can show people how to set up a presence on the internet. Some approaches they can maintain themselves with minimal technical skills. All that is required is some basic training and some support when required. Other approaches require a little more training and some software.

With some basic training and support you can literally have a web presence up within 24 hours and your only out-of-pocket cost could be the domain, which costs around $10-$30 a year depending on the domain you wish to use.

I’d encourage every small business to get a presence on the internet. It looks so much more professional to send out emails for a business using yourname@yourbusinessname.com (or .com.au) than yourname@gmail.com or yourname@hotmail.com. By using a domain every email you send out helps promote your business. I find people do check out your web site based on your email address.

A lot of people put thousands into a web presence and the only business that makes money is the web developer. I believe people should start small and as your investment generates business for you, then reinvest some of that money and evolve your presence.

If you don’t have a web presence and want something to get your started give me a call. My aim is to use my skills to help others cost effectively promote their business on the internet.

If you just wish to read a little more about JustLocal then visit www.Templestowe.biz.


Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you’re local require assistance with a web presence.

Alert: Australia Post - Get your parcel No306. (do_not_reply.id.5133@auspost.com.au)

I’ve received a number of emails in the past week with the message Get your parcel. By coincidence these started arriving a day after Dodo said they’d send me a replacement Buddy Box for the one which didn’t work. One client fell for a UPS malware email because they received an email from UPS and were expecting a UPS parcel. If you’re expecting a parcel, receiving an email like this could easily trick you.

In this case the body of the email is very basic and unlikely to be from a large company like Australia Post.

Dear customer.

Your package has been returned to the Australia Post office.
Reason: The package is too large
Please find the attached document containing detailed information about delivery failure.
Read all information carefully and come to the "Australia Post" office to receive your package.

Thank you for attention.
Customer service.

Attached is a zip file (Attached_Document_AU18489.zip) which contains the file Attached_Document.exe. This file is an executable file but it has been designed to look like a Word document with a Microsoft Word icon. Since most people can’t see the file extension they could be easily tricked into thinking this is a Word document. Opening the file will not open a document, but instead run a program, most likely designed to infect your computer.

I use OzEfilter to check the emails at my mail server before receiving them into my computer and in this case OzEfilter showed me the email was sent from Canada. Just another piece of information which confirms this is most likely malware. Microsoft’s Security Essentials doesn’t show this file as malware. This is where you need to use common sense and not open files like this. Just delete them as soon as you receive them.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you need help with your computer
Servicing Doncaster, Templestowe, Eltham and the surrounding areas.

Alert: Re: Scan from a HP Officejet #658992

They say curiosity killed the cat, but the modern equivalent would be curiosity infected your computer.

I noticed a number of emails recently with the subject Re: Scan from a HP Officejet  #658992 or similar. These emails contain an attachment which is a zip file. The zip file I checked contained an executable HP_SCAN_Z520131___dollÔÇ«fdp.exe. The file has an icon which makes it appear to be a PDF.

There is little doubt this is malware. Microsoft’s Security Essentials is usually very good, but like all anti-virus scanning software, they are unlikely to identify recently released malware. Malware writers are most likely going to check their work against the common anti-virus products before releasing their malware, so that leaves a window of a few days where the anti-virus software won’t help curious people. In this case Microsoft’s software does not detect malware.

If you’re curious about an email you’ve received from someone you don’t know, don’t be tempted. You really will infect your computer and it is costly to repair. Please delete emails you aren’t sure about. It isn’t worth the risk or the cost to get your computer fixed.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you’ve infected your computer and need it fixed.
(Covering Melbourne Eastern to Northern suburbs within 10km of Templestowe)

Fix computer. Templestowe, Templestowe Lower, Doncaster, Doncaster East, Lower Plenty, Montmorency, Eltham

If you have the skills, fixing your own computer is the best and most cost effective option. But for those without the skill (or even just the knowledge to fix a particular issue) I can assist people and businesses in Templestowe and the surrounding areas ( Doncaster, Doncaster East, Templestowe Lower, Eltham, Lower Plenty Montmorency). I’m happy to fix the problem and share what I’m doing, so you’re able to fix your own problem should it occur again.

Many people are reluctant to call a computer support person and will take hours to try to fix the problem themselves, when the problem may be fixed in a matter of minutes. Sometimes all it takes is someone who knows what they’re doing to advise you and the problem vanishes immediately. For example one client recently had a problem with Outlook which took six minutes to repair and another Outlook problem was fixed in around fifteen minutes. Because I don’t charge a set fee, a call out fee (for locals), but only charge for the time it takes to solve the problem the cost was minimal. Some problems are difficult and take longer, but at all times you’re in control as I keep you fully informed and you can see what I’m doing. Some workshops fix problems in a matter of minutes but still charge you a hefty fixed fee because you don’t see what was done.

No longer do you have to sit on the telephone for half an hour or waiting for support. No longer do you have to have a long conversation trying to explain your problem over the telephone. No longer do you have to worry about giving someone you’ve never met remote (and may be located overseas) access to your computer. Now you can book a time and be at your place when it suits you. You get to talk and meet a local you know will be around should you have another problem.

If you need help with your computer give me a call on 0415 910 703.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Molotov cocktail was detonated on Kirwana Grove, Montmorency

It's believed a Molotov cocktail was detonated on Kirwana Grove, Montmorency about 8.30pm.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems

Gotye, aka Wally de Backer, spent his youth in Montmorency

Gotye, aka Wally De Backer, admits he was mediocre on the euphonium during his years in the Parade College brass band... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems

New pedestrian crossing at Rattray Rd, Montmorency

Montmorency residents, including Connie Carter, are concerned about drivers speeding through a new pedestrian crossing.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems

Pin board now added to Online Connections

When I walk into a local business I notice one thing, or should I say I generally notice one thing that is missing. A few businesses have a notice board where their customers can add their business card and that way the business helps their customers. I think that is a great idea. I also notice some businesses will help their customers by putting a few business cards on their counter. That way the business gives back to their customer that really doesn’t cost them much but generates a lot of good will.

Since I don’t have a counter or a wall for a noticeboard I can’t help my customers in this way, but I do have a web site and can provide a virtual pin board. Whilst my virtual pin board has been around for a while I decided to give it more prominence on my site. I’ve added Pin Board to the main menu and to the left side menu.

I’m happy to refer my customers to others. It is only because of them I have a business and I can support my family.

If you have a local business do think about helping your customers by helping to promote them. They’ll appreciate the help and it is good for business. If you only have a web site then consider doing what I’m doing. I do think the days where we help each other, rather than a business just providing products and services for profit, will become the norm rather than the exception.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you need assistance with your computer.

Local search using Google Custom Search no longer available from JustLocal pages

As part of a trial I added a local search feature to JustLocal where locals could search for products and services from local businesses. This isn’t required for JustLocal as JustLocal provides single click access from a postcode page to the site of the business.

The feature used the Google Custom Search but unfortunately I’ve found this service isn’t reliable enough and the results provided were inadequate, often not providing a business even though the business provided the product or service. I also found issues when adding sites.

I’ve decided rather than to continue to provide a search feature which I don’t feel is up to standard to remove the search option from JustLocal.

The aim of JustLocal is to provide a portal to quickly access the sites of local businesses. By doing this we promote the site of the local business, and the consumer or business using JustLocal to find products and services, obtains the latest information by going direct to the site of the business.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.JustLocal.com.au
(An Online Connections service.)

Bargain hunters are now being urged to look in suburbs

Bargain hunters are now being urged to look in suburbs including Macleod, Montmorency, Moorabbin and Footscray - suburbs where both demand and median prices have dropped.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems

Montmorency Secondary College students Joshua Abraham, Cassandra Bendall, Amy Baker and Johanna Hillbrick

Montmorency Secondary College finished second and won 10 awards in the open round of the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge on August 18.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems

Would you like the preferred Australian English spelling to be available for Microsoft Office?

If you’d like the preferred Australian English spelling to be made available as a spellcheck dictionary for Microsoft Office please make the effort to add your voice.

I’m currently in contact with Microsoft and to their credit, they are taking my request for assistance to make my work available with Microsoft Office and passing the request through their channels.

For Microsoft right now I’m a lone voice with a request. If you’d like my work to be available with Microsoft Office please help by adding your voice by making a comment on this blog post. I’ve tried this on a number of occasions over the last five years so this will be the last attempt at making the preferred Australian English spelling available to Australian Microsoft users. It is now or never so please make your voice heard.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

 

Need help setting up email on your mobile phone?

One of my clients wrote this to me.

I have an Iphone and can't work out how to get emails happening - is this something you could help me with? I have been back to Telstra shop but they are bloody hopeless.

Generally the people at the Telstra shop are sales people and their skill with technology will be quite varied. We can’t all be good at everything. In addition to work out how best to set up the iPhone, you need to first work out what options you have available. There services you are currently using will limit your options and I find people need a small amount of training to understand what can and can’t be done. Unfortunately every option currently available has a number of trade-offs and people are usually restricted in the options they can use based on their previous choices. The result is a compromise and people need to be aware of what the compromise entails.

I find it is much easier to help people set up the smart phone if they are present. Working with them over the telephone where you need to step them through the menus can be quite time consuming. In the case of this client I assisted them over the telephone and what I couldn’t see was the iPhone 4 suffers from the “death grip”, where if held in a certain way the signal strength drops considerably and connectivity can be intermittent or drop out completely, was making support more difficult. I’m happy to assist people with telephone support but generally it can be more time consuming and thus more expensive for some problems.

If you need assistance with setting up email on your mobile phone, tablet, or in fact any computer, I’m happy to assist.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if your need assistance with your computer.

Paul's collect-a-cap organisations your can donate your caps to.

The Paul’s collect-a-cap promotion appears to be a good way to community groups to raise much needed funds. The amount for each cap is reasonable and all people need to do is to collect the caps from products they already use. Paul’s would probably also like you to switch the product you buy and if you do and it doesn’t cost you any more then why not participate.

If you would like to collect caps but don’t for example have children in one of the participating schools then you can probably donate your caps to one of the local groups. That way your caps end up helping others.

The following are community groups that are currently registered in the area to participate.

Marcellin College – Bulleen
Gum Nut Gully Pre-School - Doncaster East
Ss Peter & Paul's Primary - Doncaster East
Beverley Hills Primary School - Doncaster East
Templestowe Heights Primary - Templestowe Lower
Templestowe Valley Primary - Templestowe Lower
Eltham North Primary - Eltham North
Glen Katherine Primary School - Eltham North
Monty's Licensed Supermarket – Montmorency

This list may grow in time as others participate so you may wish to check the Paul’s site for other groups in your area.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you need help with your computer.

Montmorency-Eltham RSL's Alan Field

NILLUMBIK councillors have backed a push by war veterans to relocate Eltham’s cenotaph to the town’s war memorial.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems

Binns Street Montmorency proposal - estimated to cost $3.6 million

NEARLY 500 residents have signed a petition to block plans for a four-storey development in Montmorency.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems

Terrible track at Montmorency

Terrible track at Montmorency : Australian Trains ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems

An electric car and bike will be on display at Montmorency Farmers Market this weekend

Group spokeswoman Barbara Jackson said climate consultant Katherine Wells and Grattan Institute economist Tony Wood would talk about the issue of the introduction of a carbon price at Montmorency Primary School tonight.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems

Easy low cost photo books

I recently produced a photo book of our holiday and couldn’t help feel that others may be interested in creating their own photo book.

The problem I’ve found in the past is the time involved in creating a photo book can be days, and if you have a lot of photos, you have to cut the number of photos back otherwise the photo book could easily cost $200.

I’ve now created an approach which enables me to automate creating a photo book from a large number (small number as well) so I can create the majority of the photo book in a few minutes and then dress the photo book up with the final touches. I produced a photo book containing 410 photos on 134 pages in under an hour for around the cost of a standard 20 page book.

If there is interest and I can find a way to make my program available to others I’d be happy to consider the options.

For example:

Would you be interested in attending a short course which would enable you to learn the software (it is very easy) and ask some questions?

Would you prefer a do-it-yourself approach with printed or web based instructions?

If you are interested let me know and if there is enough interest I’ll put something together.

For me the ability to put together quickly and at relatively low cost some photo books opens up some great possibilities.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for support if you have a computer related problem.  

Are you paranoid that your computer might be infected with malware?

If you’re paranoid that your computer might be infected with malware you probably have good cause. The problem is there are so many businesses out there, both legitimate and not legitimate, who try to change your computer without you quite realising what they’re doing or why.

It could be as simple as installing Acrobat Reader where you end up with the Google Toolbar installed. Acrobat most likely makes money by bundling Google’s Toolbar, Google gets to monitor the sites you visit which helps them make money from advertising and you’re computer just gets another piece of software installed it doesn’t need. That’s a legitimate business tactic although one I wish they didn’t use.

Next you have the site which changes your default search engine as I’ve seen with Firefox users. The search engine looks like Google but it isn’t. The site creates a front end to Google’s search engine so it makes money if you click on ads. You’ve been tricked and you’re browser has been hijacked. Because Firefox makes most of its income from Google, unlike Internet Explorer, where it is easy to change the default search engine, the average user will have difficulty removing this search engine and my logs show quite a few people reaching my site have been infected or tricked. You might just be starting to think the world is conspiring against you.

Then you have the malware writers. It can be as simple as visiting an infected site and your computer is infected. One person I know had their mortgage offset account cleared out of thirteen thousand dollars.

If you have shared computers and your children frequently search the internet (who doesn’t) then you run the risk of your computer being infected and often you won’t know it has occurred. The problem is if you then do things which require a username, password or pin number, that information could be recorded and sent to others without you knowing. To be quite frank, I advise all my family not to use any computer other than mine to do internet banking because I can’t be sure their computers haven’t been infected. I know they have in the past.

As a result of talking with a concerned client, I decided to investigate and see if there was a way to boot a computer from a CD and provide the user with a secure environment. As it turned out I was able to locate software used by American soldiers whilst overseas and can now make that software available to clients at a relatively low cost. The only tricky aspect is getting your computer to boot from the CD when a CD is present. This is a standard feature of most computers but isn’t generally known by the average users. Unfortunately changing the setting can vary from machine to machine, but once set up it works like a dream.

I can see a number of possible uses.

1. You want to do your internet banking and want to make sure you start your computer and know that even if it is infected, you’re session is secure. That’s exactly what the software can do. It doesn’t require anything from your hard disk and doesn’t update your computer. Every time you start the computer using the CD everything is clean.

2. Your children have infected your computer as a result of surfing the internet and that cost you a bucket of money to fix and you’d prefer not to go through that again. When your children want to surf the internet get them to boot their computer using the CD and they can surf the internet to their heart’s desire and even if they do comes across malware, only the current session is affected and once the computer is restarted the malware will be gone.

3. You own a business and don’t mind letting your staff surf the net or do their online banking during breaks but are concerned they could infect your computers, or worse, an infected computer clears out their bank account leaving you potentially liable. I’ve read this cost one business around $10,000 in legal fees. Give staff and CD and let them boot the computer. Your computer is safe and so are they.

4. You want to use a friend or relation’s computer whilst travelling to do internet banking. Yes. I’ve been there. The ANZ screwed up my automatic payments when I went overseas so I was forced to use a computer I didn’t know to make payments and it was really stressful. The secure boot CD would have given me peace of mind.

5. How many times have I had to fix a business computer after a staff member has worked on the weekend and brought in their child and the computer was used to occupy them. Yes. Very costly. Boot the computer with a secure boot disk and the computer can again be used to occupy children without concern or pressure they could do something wrong.

There are many uses for a secure boot disk. Clients are welcome to contact me if you’d like a secure boot disk. There is a small charge for the disk ($9.95 plus postage if required) but if you need support to set up your computer so it can boot from the CD, there would also be a small charge for the time involved.

For me this is a great opportunity for clients to minimise the risk associated with the internet. Nearly all malware infections now come from the internet. If you use a secure boot disk when accessing the internet the chances of infecting your computer are greatly reduced.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

   

Montmorency Secondary College had five desktop computers stolen

Montmorency Secondary College had five desktop computers – worth more than $7000 – taken on the same night. ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems

Montmorency artists get ready for the Artists on Were St Festival

More than 30 artists are featuring in the annual Artists on Were St Festival, which promotes local talent and started on Saturday (August 20).... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Critical alert: Telephone call from scammer purporting to be from Service of Windows Operations James Stevenson. Issue: Illegal copy of Windows.

Only moments ago I received a call from a person called James Steveson who said they were from Service of Windows Operations a section of Microsoft. He informed me  they had detected an illegal copy of Windows on my computers. He wanted me to go on my computer. My computers are legitimately licensed so I knew immediately the caller was a scammer.

I asked for his telephone number so I could call him back. He provided an address of 75 Ressdale Street but I was not able to obtain any further information and I’d be certain this information isn’t legitimate. By asking for the a number to call them back on this would provide an ability to trace the caller. The caller knows this so hung up.

I reported the information to Optus (my telephone service provider) but it requires three calls for them to take action. There does not appear to be anything in place to protect consumers so each consumer has to effectively look after their own interests.

In this case the caller appeared to be using the telephone directory information to contact me.

Should you receive any unsolicited call from overseas letting you know you have a problem on your computer it is almost certainly a scammer.

Please take care.

 

Kelvin Eldridge

www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Local businesses need to start thinking of their customers as potential suppliers

When people ask me about JustLocal and what I’m doing, I have a couple of examples I share to highlight the issues I’ve found and if people start to think about them I’d like to change the situation a little.

I ask people do you refer others to businesses you’ve used and the answer is more often yes.

I then ask these questions.

Do you shop at the local businesses?

The answer is always yes.

Do they know you at the local businesses?

The answer is often yes.

Has a local business asked what you do?

The answer is always no.

Has a local business given you any business?

The answer is always no.

Why do I ask these questions. The reasons is simple. This is the same experience I’ve had. I regularly refer people to businesses I’ve used. I use the businesses regularly and say hello to the business owners. They never ask what I do and it has been 15 years since a local business that I purchase products and services from has given me any business.

Local businesses I have no doubt add valuable services and facilities to the community. But if the only purpose of a local business is to profit from the locals and then spend their profits elsewhere, what they are really doing long term is damaging the local community and not making it stronger. As people realise local businesses by their actions are only there to profit off the local community, the loyalty of locals will, if it hasn’t already, disappear, and people will see the best action for themselves is to look after themselves. Why not, everyone else appears to be.

To me this is a sad outcome. As a business I look at my customers as my potential suppliers. If I can pass on work or referrals to my customers and I believe it is appropriate and ethical to do so, then I’m happy to help those who help me.

To all local businesses I ask you to start asking your customers what they do and if they can provide a product or service you need then take a chance. Get a local to provide the product or service and if that local is one of your customers even better. You’ll not only help strengthen the local community but you’ll also build loyalty.

Kelvin Eldridge

http://www.justlocal.com.au/

Montmorency Secondary College, residents and business. Local computer support now available from Online Connections.

I’ve found over time a lot of people think their Windows XP computer has become too slow and end up purchasing or thinking about buying a new computer. After I clean up the computer for the person the decision to buy a new computer because of performance is often no longer an issue and the family can decide in their own time whether or not they want a new computer.

Even if you buy a new computer, a Windows XP computer makes a great second computer. Connect it to your home network either via a wired or wireless connection and families tend to have less arguments as to who gets to use the computer.

If you don’t have a wireless network this can be a great investment. Often children want to use the computer to stay in contact with friends. With a wireless network they’re often able to stay in contact using an Apple iPod Touch or their mobile phone if it has wireless connectivity. This has quite a few benefits. The computer doesn’t get used as much which saves power and it frees up the computer for the heavy duty work such as assignments. Because the family has more ways to access the internet there tends to be less contention and arguments. As parents we all know fewer arguments is a good thing.

If your computer needs a cleanup, isn’t working as it should, or you’d like to have a wireless network set up, then give me a call. Online Connections is local. We have a policy of not charging travel time or a call out fee for locals since there is very little travel time involved. Our approach means  problems (for us) can be fixed quickly at a lower cost.

Call us now on 0415 910 703 or write to sales@onlineconnections.com.au  if you have a computer problem.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

 

JustLocal search engines now cover surrounding postcodes

In order to make the JustLocal search engines for the postcodes covering Templestowe, Templestowe Lower, Doncaster, Doncaster East, Bulleen, Warrandyte, Eltham, Lower Plenty and Montmorency of great use to locals, the search engine for the postcode now includes businesses in the adjoining postcode areas.

What this means is those in Templestowe can now search from over 900 businesses making it easier to find products and services in Templestowe or the surrounding area.

It was felt the number of businesses we have been able to identify as having web sites in the area would not provide enough variety in the results returned for the search to be really useful. In addition we were asking people in an area to search up to seven different search engines and logically that will simply not happen.

Let us know how you go with the new approach.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.JustLocal.com.au

Computer repair Montmorency - Beware of telephone scammers

I read this article where people are receiving calls from people offering unsolicited computer support over the telephone and another article where one in twenty New Zealanders are falling for the same scam at around a cost of $200 each.

The scam involves a cold telephone call from a computer company who claim to be offering to clean up one’s computer. The name of the company was so complicated that I didn’t catch who they were.... Read More

When I read this it amazes me. There is really no reason for anyone to deal with any computer support person over the telephone. We offer businesses and residents of Templestowe, Templestowe Lower, Doncaster, Doncaster East, Lower Plenty, Montmorency and Eltham onsite computer support with no call out fee and a money back guarantee. There is no need for remote support and for people to provide others access to their computer. You meet the person who will fix your computer.

Dealing with a person unknown is always a bit of a concern, but to deal with someone who rings out of the blue, who you’ve never met, have no idea of the business or even if they’re from the business they say they are is simply a disaster waiting to happen. I feel really sorry for the people who fall for these scam artists when all they really need to do is to find someone local they can trust.

If someone rings you from out of the blue your scam radar should be working overtime. The only reason someone will ring you is to profit from you. So look after your own interests. They are certainly looking after theirs.

Please take care when receiving any unsolicited telephone call or unsolicited email offering your computer support services.

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Is your neighbour's solar panels pushing your electricity bill up?

I read this article which is from the UK and couldn’t help feeling the situation in Australia is much the same.

Who's paying for your neighbour's solar panels? You are... Read More

I attended the local Manningham council bulk solar panel offer and one of the questions I wanted to ask was, “who is paying for the solar panels?” The answer I received was, “we all are”.

For me that creates the situation where those with enough money to install the solar panels puts the $5,000 subsidy onto everyone else. That doesn’t quite seem fair to me.

 

However there is a gotcha in there for everyone. Those who install solar panels are putting their own prices up as well. Yes they are saving some money, but not as much as they are lead to think they will, the increased prices from using time-of-day charging will put their electricity costs up, plus the future increases as a result of their subsidy will eat into their own savings as well.

Personally I think it would have been much better if the government had installed solar panels as larger projects where there would be economy of scale and the savings of doing larger projects would have meant a subsidy may not have been required. For example schools have very large unused roof space. Buying in bulk at government scale and negotiating on the labour for a larger scale job should have been able to achieve the same result for much less than many individual smaller jobs.

The bottom line is now we will all suffer increasing prices for years to come. For me the idea of taking other people’s money like this just doesn’t seem right. I’m not against solar energy, in fact I’m all for it. But it should be done as cost effectively as possible.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.JustLocal.com.au

Labor's plan to install Set Top Boxes for an average of $330 is crazy.

Today I decided to test how long it would take me to install and configure a HD Set Top Box. I decided to purchase a brand new unit so I had no knowledge of the product in advance. I am assuming that those who get the $330 (an average I’ve read) will know the equipment and be very experienced in setting up the Set Top Box, so should take less time than I did.

I checked the Doncaster East store for Target and Dick Smith. They didn’t have the model I wanted so I went to Dick Smith Shoppingtown. I decided to go with the Dick Smith HD Set Top Box GHP5926 which was on special for $10 off at $59.98. I liked this unit over cheaper units as it also has the ability to record to a USB drive (memory stick). Although that was outside of the scope as the main purpose of the government subsidy I think would be to continue enabling pensioners to receive free-to-air TV. This is fair as it isn’t the pensioners’ fault the government is closing down the analogue service and in all likelihood, the government is making money in some form by moving to digital and so it is fair to reimburse the needy.

The average cost for a basic and quite reasonable HD Set Top Boxes was around $59-$79 so they aren’t that expensive. Spending more may not be a good idea because if you do, you really need to consider your requirements better.

I arrived home, unpacked the Set Top Box and had it set up and tuned into the stations in 13 minutes. To be fair I was removing an older SD Set Top Box PVR so the configuration was similar. But given I’d never seen or used one of these units, there was a slight learning curve for me, I suspect this will balance things out with the experience installer.

For the government to spend an average of $330 per site is not justified. Why can’t the government just provide a voucher for a reasonably price Set Top Box that people could then use to purchase a unit. Most people will have a family member who can set it up. If they don’t, then give these people additional assistance.

The problem is the technician who is installing the Set Top Box will probably make very little and the large company who gets the contract will  make a killing at our expense.

I recently had to install a Set Top Box for a home user which took about an hour. The problem is Optus had come along and removed their service and left the client with all their equipment, DVD/VCR/Set Top Box not working and a pile of cables in a total mess. But in the situation where a Set Top Box would normally be installed it should be relatively easy.

There are two issues which could complicate the situation. The reception may be weak and in that situation additional technical help will be required. I expect those situations to be the exception rather than the norm. The other is that you should also provide some basic training.

The problem with the Set Top Box approach is it makes it more complicated for people. I’ve seen a number of elderly people struggle with the multiple controllers. A better option for most people would be to put the money towards a new digital ready TV and keep things simple. Old analogue TVs were seldom bigger than 26” and a suitable replacement would be a 32” LCD. The money for a lot of people would be better spent on a new TV and not a complicated Set Top Box set up. I’m sure many people would love the option of using a voucher for the Set Top Box towards part payment of a new digital ready TV.

If anyone in the Templestowe and surrounding postcode area requires their Set Top Box to be set up please contact me. Being local there is no call out fee. Just the time it takes to install the Set Top Box and if you want some basic instruction the time involved shouldn’t cost too much.

This is an opportunity where the government could have provided some better options in my opinion. By allowing people the option to purchase what they need, those people are more likely to use the services of local people and instead of the money going to big business, it could have helped a lot of smaller businesses across Australia. Even Dick Smith and other retailers I’m sure will offer an installation service if required at a much better rate.

 

I just hope the elderly amongst us don’t end up being greedy rather than needy. Yes if the government is giving something back it is hard to say no since it doesn’t happen that often, but is it right. The cost of all those low energy light bulbs was $10 per bulb for something that could have been done for a dollar or two and now we are all paying with higher electricity charges. What looks like a bargain may in fact cost you or your children more down the track.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au  

Small businesses closing down. Don't be next.

I thought I’d share the following article which appeared on the News site. Whilst it is expected the a certain number of small businesses will close up each year, equally new business start up. In this article there is no mention of new businesses starting up, so if we factor new businesses in, to lose over 10,000 small business a year incredible, but what’s even more incredible is it understates the real number of businesses closing down.

SMALL shops are still badly wounded from the global financial crisis, with exclusive analysis for news.com.au showing that more than 30,000 of the most vulnerable small businesses disappeared between the 2007 and 2010 elections. ... Read More

 

If you read many of the comments on the article by people you would get the idea it is all the government’s fault. Yes there is too much red tape, yes we are over governed, yes people prefer to buy at large department stores, but ultimately we are businesses and we have to work out how to survive. No one asked us to start a business. It was our choice. Should we really be putting our hand out to government. I don’t think so. If we do the government simply needs to take the money off us in the first place and by the time it comes back to u,s it is a fraction of what they’ve collected.

To me one of the biggest problems for small business is being seen by people in their area and for locals to support the businesses. But equally how many small business give preference to locals to supply them with products and services. Certainly none of the local businesses in my area ever ask me what I do, or give me business. With that approach how can they expect any loyalty from locals. Most businesses simply take from their customers in the form of profits and rarely see their customers as potential suppliers. Personally I look at my customers as the first people I call if I want a service. I look for ways to refer business to my customers if I can. If more small businesses stopped just taking from the local community and actively looked for ways to spend their expense dollars locally I believe they’d make a huge difference.

As small businesses we only have ourselves to blame. Look for ways to help other locals with your purchasing power and you’ll get more loyalty from locals. If you don’t, your business may be the next business they’ll be looking to online stores to provide your product or service. Loyalty is a two way street. You can make it happen but not if you only take and don’t give back.

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au