Monday, March 26, 2012

Peter Bovo Templestowe Lower

Speaking from his Lower Templestowe home, Bovo recalls a particularly memorable childhood incident that raised his mother’s ire. Briefly ... Read More

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

How much electricity does a computer use and thus its cost to run?

When I reviewed the electricity usage of appliances around the house, one device which stood out in terms of electricity usage I must say I’d never really thought about.

I’d turn the computer on in the morning and leave it on all day. I work from home so for me having the computer on made sense. Often I’d even have a couple of computers on. The children even had their computers on as well. But the real surprise wasn’t when the computers we on, it was when they were off.

An off computer isn’t off. It is in standby and it keeps consuming power. The LCD screen looks off, but again it is in standby consuming more power than you’d think. Those additional devices such as the printer, the scanner, the external drive, all sitting there sipping away at the power and ready to immediately jump into action at your beck and call, even when you are asleep.

All those devices even when not used are in standby up to 24 hours a day in some cases (such as when you go away for the weekend) and all consuming power which is costing you real money.

Yet amazingly the answer is simple. When you power down your computer turn it off also at the switch on the wall. When you power off the devices at the wall you save power, you also prevent the situation of a brown out where the power drops and your computer ends up in an unknown state and doesn’t want to work and you also reduce the chance of a power spike taking out your computer during a storm.

Determining how much your computer is costing you when it is running and how much it is costing you when it is in standby is very easy. You can purchase a cheap power meter for under $30 and measure the power usage in watts. Then use the Electricity Cost Calculator I provide,  enter the power usage, the time the device is on, or the time it is in standby and the calculator will let you know the daily cost and the yearly cost. If you use your electricity retailers tariff you’ll get an even better idea.

I’d highly recommend that everyone should measure how much the devices in their home are using. We’ve reduced our daily electricity usage to around 6.5kWh down from around 12-14kWh per day. From what I’ve read the average power usage for a home is around 18kWh. We now save around $400 to $600 a year off our electricity bill and it all started with the purchase of a low cost power meter. We’ve added a couple of convenient foot switches and one remote control power switch (all quite low cost), some simple changes to how we turn devices off and the impact on our power bill has been significant. I know I prefer the $400-$600 in my pocket than the power company’s.

I wrote the Electricity Cost Calculator to help me when selecting high cost energy efficient lights compared to the lower cost normal lights. The calculator helped me make better purchasing decisions. I found the Electricity Cost Calculator was also very handy for working out the cost of appliances we had running in the home which helped me make informed cost saving decisions. I’d found the government and media would focus my attention on what they wanted (such as installing solar panels for their carbon certificate scheme) where I could achieve the same or better result with almost no cost.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Call 0415 910 703 if your require computer assistance.
Covering Doncaster, Templestowe, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Electricity tariffs increase in January has now been adjusted in the Energy Cost Calculator

In January the price for electricity from my retailer increased as it did for a lot of people. The biggest increase which people often don’t notice, was the Service to Property Charge which increased by a staggering 25%. For me that’s another $62 added to the bill which I can’t control. I can control my usage, but when the increase is added to the Service to Property Charge that has nothing to do with usage.

I’ve now updated the Energy Cost Calculator with the latest peak energy rate which is 22 cents per kilowatt hour. The Energy Cost Calculator allows you to determine how much your devices are using over a year and the cost. It really is amazing how just a few cents a day saved on a single device can add up to quite a bit over the year.

When comparing electricity prices don’t forget to compare the Service to Property Charge as well. The best approach is to take a couple of bills and do the calculation for each bill with each of the electricity retailers you are thinking of using. I’ve seen some retailers with quite high Service to Property charges, whilst their usage rate compares well or better than others, it was when the full calculation was done they were shown to be worse than a higher usage rate.

With basic changes to our families electricity usage we’ve move than halved our electricity bill and now use around 6.5kWh per day. By using a low cost power meter and the Energy Cost Calculator, I was able to determine which devices were using how much energy, the cost per year, and with some basic changes, we now make considerable ongoing savings.

You can check out the Energy Cost Calculator at http://www.justlocal.com.au/clients/energy-cost/.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Outlook Express French spell check (spelling check) fix for British and Australian users

If you’ve installed Microsoft Office 2007 or Microsoft Office 2010, then you’ll now find the spelling check in Outlook Express only offers French spelling as an option. The options of English (United Kingdom) and English (United States) are no longer available. The other situation is if you’ve set up or purchased a computer and never installed a Microsoft application such as Office or Works, then the Outlook Express spelling check will also not be available.

Both of these situations are easily fixed using a program I’ve written. The program provides American spelling and British spelling. Whilst British spelling is sufficient for Australian users, those who have access to an older version of Office 97 or Word 97, are also provided with instructions on how to obtain the Australian dictionary so they can have Australian English spelling.

You can find the program at http://www.justlocal.com.au/clients/oespellcheck/.

Kelvin Eldridge
http://www.onlineconnections.com.au/

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Computer PC repair: Doncaster, Templestowe, Eltham areas

Computer PC Repair: Covering Doncaster, Templestowe and Eltham area with no call-out fee or travel charge. Other areas covered with travel time charged so the closer you are to Templestowe the better.

If your computer is giving you grief and you need assistance give me a call on 0415 910 703. I’ll visit your home or business at a time convenient to you. If you live in, or your business is based in Templestowe, Templestowe Lower, Lower Plenty, Montmorency, Eltham, Doncaster or Doncaster East, because you’re local, there is no call-out fee or travel time.

I’ve found a number of people who are stumped by a problem and have taken hours to try to fix the problem, but because I’ve seen the problem before I’ve been able to fix the problem very quickly at minimal cost. I don’t charge a minimum fee, a call-out fee or travel time for locals, so people only pay for the time to fix the problem. Where problems are tricky I’m also happy to set a fixed fee so people aren’t concerned about costs blowing out. I’ve seen one real estate agent have a virus removed for over $700, something which is 2-3 times more than you’d expect to pay. At that price you could purchase a new computer. You don’t want to experience that type of shock to your budget.

If you have a desktop computer, notebook or netbook computer which is giving you problems, give me a call. I offer a satisfaction guarantee which gives you peace of mind that you’ll get your computer fixed at a reasonable price.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 is you require assistance.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Search Australia search option added to JustLocal to search for Australian sites

One of the problems I have when I use Google is I either get a large list of directories and not the actual site I’m looking for, or I get large overseas sites making it near impossible to find the local site I’m interested in. Another issue is often I get government sites which effectively means the government is often competing against businesses using the money they raise from the businesses against them. Since the presence of government sites is reportedly given precedence in Google results, the business owner is again disadvantaged and their site difficult to find.

I decided to use Google’s custom search engine feature to help with this issue and added a Google Custom Search engine to the JustLocal pages. Because my desire is to help businesses flourish I’ve not included government sites at this stage, but instead sites registered using Australian domain names. Clients using domains other than an Australian domain are welcome to submit their domain for inclusion, but this may not be necessary because all clients are generally promoted on JustLocal or in the JustLocal blogs.

JustLocal isn’t a search engine, but a structured approach enabling people and businesses to find businesses in an area. By adding Google’s search engine, if people want to search, now they can.

Please enjoy,

Kelvin Eldridge
www.JustLocal.com.au

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Brumby's Bakery Templestowe Lower Motivated Sellers seek offers above $120,000K

Established bakery located in busy suburban location neighbourhood shopping strip – Macedon Plaza Lower Templestowe – one of Melbourne’s most sought after areas.... Read More

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

Monday, March 12, 2012

Middle Camberwell Fish and Chips menu - Example of single page web site for a small business

Do you need a single page site up on the internet for your business to let your customers and potential customers know about your products, services and contact details?

 

I regularly order fish and chips from Middle Camberwell Fish and Chips when I visit family in Camberwell. The problem is I don’t really know what they have on their menu so generally just stick with the basics, even though they have quite a bit to offer. I asked Jenny the owner, for permission to put her menu on JustLocal so I could more easily check their menu next time, make it available to other family members and that also means it is available to her customers. I also felt it would be a good example for other small business owners to see what they could easily do to help promote their businesses.  You can find the Middle Camberwell Fish and Chips menu at www.justlocal.com.au/clients/middle-camberwell-fish-and-chips/.

The work involved in putting your business information onto the internet for others to find isn’t that large, if you approach it in the right way. If you’d like a relatively low cost presence to get your business started on the internet, give me a call on 0415 910 703 or send me an email at sales@onlineconnections.com.au.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

 

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Baillieu Government's Doncaster Rail Study

The alternatives have been put forward by the Baillieu Government's Doncaster Rail Study.... Read More

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

Friday, March 9, 2012

Manningham pokies levy jackpot

MANNINGHAM Council is expected to vote next month on increasing rates for five of the municipality’s eight pokies venues, where gamblers spent more than $65 million last year.... Read More

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

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Apple iPad 3 Australian release date

The Apple iPad 3 has now been announced in the States. The new features are:

Higher resolution display

A5X chip with quad-core graphics

5 megapixel camera
1080p HD video
4G
Personal Hotspot for 5 other devices using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB.

The operating system has been updated to iOS 5.1 and includes some new features.

 

The iPad 2 will be reduced in price.

The Apple iPad 3 will be available in Australia on Friday the 16th of March, which is the same time as the United States.

 

This information is provided for those interested in the Apple iPad 3. This isn’t meant to be a recommendation. You should review the iPad 3 against your requirements as you would any computing device. I assist clients with their Apple devices including services such as connecting their Apple devices to their home or business networks, setting up email, and general support.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for assistance with your computers.
Servicing Templestowe/Doncaster/Eltham and the surrounding suburbs.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

mcupdate.exe can not start. File mcupdate.exe is infected by W32/Blaster.worm. Please activate Internet Security to protect your computer.

A new client from Lower Plenty dropped off their computer on Friday which had a virus. The program, Internet Security, which warned the user,  was the actual virus. As I understand it, Internet Security is a scam designed to infect the computer and then trick the user into purchasing a solution.

If you end up with the program Internet Security on your computer, you have a virus and need to get the virus removed.

I’d suggest that people obtain a fixed price quote for removing a virus. My approach is to first neutralise the virus, install the anti-virus software I have confidence in (many anti-virus products from retailers or which come with the computer I’ve found aren’t as good), perform a quick scan to locate any additional viruses and then perform a full scan which can take a number of hours. In this case the computer was a netbook and a full scan took 4-5 hours. You don’t want to be charged for the total elapsed time, just the time involved in fixing the problem. A full scan can be run whilst other work is done so there isn’t a need for the time to be charged. If you have a business and call someone out to fix the problem, you’ll often be charged the full time as the person needs to be onsite for the full amount of time.  Because I work locally, I’ll often take the computer away for clients so as to minimise the time involved.

Some virus infections are very difficult to remove. I suggest to clients to set a limit to their cost of around an hour and a half. In this case it took less time so the charge was reduced appropriately.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you need assistance with your computer.
Servicing Templestowe, Templestowe Lower, Doncaster, Doncaster East,
Montmorency, Lower Plenty, Eltham, Warrandyte and Bulleen

Monday, March 5, 2012

Templestowe Valley Primary School principal Graeme Renshaw

Templestowe Valley Primary School principal Graeme Renshaw (pictured) said he had manned the crossing himself on several occasions.... Read More

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

RACHAEL Scoble started listening to heavy metal and punk records growing up in Lower Templestowe.

The 39-year-old Eltham high school teacher is behind a new non-profit mentoring program called Battalion, which aims to connect fatherless teenagers with adult male mentors through a shared passion for metal and punk.... Read More

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

Goalkeeper Cassandra Dimovski

When she was 14, the Lower Plenty teenager was spotted by one of her teachers while playing soccer for her school, Templestowe College.... Read More

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

Emily Cooper needed a helping hand after the birth of her twins.

Lower Templestowe mother Emily Cooper found dealing with her twins when she already had two toddlers was an overwhelming task.... Read More

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

Prof Grant Snibson has brought laser-assisted cataract surgery to his Lower Templestowe clinic

Prof Grant Snibson has brought laser-assisted cataract surgery to his Lower Templestowe clinic to give people access to the precise and pain-free innovation.... Read More

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

TWO Lower Templestowe brothers have been busted for allegedly growing marijuana

The men, 46 and 54, were arrested on Tuesday after police, called to the house for another reason allegedly discovered nine large cannabis plants.... Read More

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

Blitz on Manningham speeding

MOTORISTS who creep over the speed limit will be targeted in a police blitz aimed at reducing the road toll. The low speed enforcement trial will target motorists who drive a few kilometres over the speed limit.... Read More

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

New Manningham mayor Geoff Gough

New Manningham mayor Geoff Gough, 55, reveals his favourite neighbourhood places for Destination Melbourne’s Discover Your Own Backyard campaign.... Read More

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

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Olympic swimmer Matt Targett with Lex Sendikas and Khristos Pashias.

OLYMPIC silver medallist Matt Targett had a simple message for Doncaster Templestowe Swim Club’s young swimmers when he visited Aquarena last week.... Read More

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

Saturday, March 3, 2012

He was pursued by police from Balwyn through Doncaster, Lower Templestowe and Warrandyte

Robert Alexander, 34, of Frankston, faces 33 charges relating to an alleged crime spree across Melbourne, which ended in Warrandyte on Saturday after a police pursuit... Read More

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

Doncaster detectives used GPS to track an iPhone taken from a Lower Templestowe party

TWO teenagers have been charged with theft after Doncaster detectives used GPS to track an iPhone taken from a Lower Templestowe party.... Read More

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

Swimmer Matt Targett and and race steward Terry Bailey

But this week both men stepped away from their demanding schedules to give something back to the community. Bailey is president of the Doncaster-Templestowe Amateur Swimming Club... Read More

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

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Eastern Freeway from before Bourke Road outbound traffic at a standstill.

I’ve just been advised the outbound traffic on the Eastern Freeway, a distance before Bourke Road, is at a standstill. The closed outbound lanes is due to a high speed crash on the freeway late this morning.

It is best to avoid the Eastern Freeway at this time. Time reported 3:32pm.

I’ve now added the Live Camera feeds from VicRoads to www.JustLocal.com.au/3105 (Bulleen page) which shows the traffic at Fairfield and Bulleen. You can see the traffic has now banked up to Fairfield and there is no outbound traffic at Bulleen as a result of the closure. Checking the Live Camera feeds before you travel on the Eastern Freeway this afternoon could save you from being caught in the traffic.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au