Wednesday, December 25, 2013

The preferred Australian English spelling dictionary now available for Apple's MacBook Air and Mac computers using OS X.

If you're not happy with the spelling suggestions made by Apple's built-in Australian dictionary you're not alone. Most people don't like American spelling suggestions (which are secondary spelling variations in Australia).

Previous dictionary products I've supplied for Mac users have only worked with Microsoft Office products Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, but not Outlook. Outlook use Apple's built-in dictionary and not Microsoft's dictionary. Now Outlook users on the Mac can have the preferred Australian spelling.

You can find the preferred Australian English spelling dictionary for Mac OS X at http://www.australian-dictionary.com.au/mac/

Kelvin Eldridge 
www.Australian-Dictionary.com.au
Ph: 0415 910 703

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Vandals smash 15 car windows in Bulleen, Lower Templestowe

Sen-Constable Stephens said the cars were parked in Austin and Gympie streets in Bulleen and Rosemary and Glenair streets in Lower Templestowe.... read more


Regards,

Kelvin Eldridge 
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Ph: 0415 910 703

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Manningham FEASTival bargains on 23rd of August.

I saw the promotion of the Manningham FEASTival online and thought I'd check out the specials. Some aren't particularly good but some do offer good value. The following are the offers I thought may be worth considering.

Cocoa Moon Cafe Warrandyte – Buy one get one free coffee.
Eastern Court Restaurant – 50% of the total bill when you mention the FEASTival.
Yarra Valley Country Club – specials look interesting but I don't know their regular prices.

Be careful however with the offers. I could not find an end date for the FEASTival and that could catch some people out.

Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Lower Templestowe Vietnam veteran Paul Richards tells of time at war

PAUL Richards has survived a war-torn Vietnam jungle, Himalayan avalanche and massive waves near Port Phillip Bay during his 30-year military career.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Friday, August 16, 2013

24 Corroboree Place Templestowe Lower, Vic 3107

24 Corroboree Place Templestowe Lower, Vic 3107 advertised for sale by Mandy Lee Real Estate.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you require help with your computer.
No problem too small.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Alert: Postal Vote Application delivered to your mail box may not be from the Australian Electoral Commission. Beware of material from Kevin Andrews MP.

I must admit this one shocked me. A couple of days ago I had a Postal Vote Application Form, which I was going to pass on to friends of the family to use, since they could use them and I had no purpose for them. The forms had arrived in the mail. I was gutted when I read the following.

People who intend to vote this way have been urged by the Australian Electoral Commission to take extra care when filling in forms, as postal voting applications sent to the household may be a vehicle for political parties to collect the most personal details of the voting public.... Read More

These forms reportedly aren’t from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) and in fact are from the political parties. In my case I suspect the Liberal Party because it has on the back “With the compliments of Kevin Andrews MP”. When you fill out the forms according to the newspaper article they apparently go to the party where the information is collected and the form then passed on. It is illegal not to pass the form on.

This is all totally legal. I personally see this as a straight out scam. We expect it on the internet but when our own politicians do it what hope is there for this country. I’m both shocked and disappointed.

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Templestowe cafe manager Nick Katsakis says bollards installed by Manningham Council make parking dangerous

A TEMPLESTOWE cafe manager says bollards erected outside his store have made parking more dangerous. ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Doncaster Hill needs train station: council

What do you think. Does Doncaster Hill need a train station?

MANNINGHAM council has called on the state and federal governments to extend a potential Doncaster train line to its highrise Doncaster Hill precinct.... Read More

To me it does seem strange not to have the train station go to Doncaster Hill which is a central hub of activity in the area. If I recall correctly 70% plus of retail activity in the area happens at Shoppingtown. The Doncaster Park & Ride isn’t near anything. If you look at most train stations they are located at community centres, although some stations aren’t, but Shoppingtown is certainly a focus for the area. What is missing at Shoppingtown is suitable long term parking and if that was made available then the need for the Park & Ride would largely disappear.

I’m still not certain the train line is needed at all. Templestowe is located close to Eltham, Bulleen to Heidelberg and Doncaster, Doncaster East, Donvale runs parallel to the Box Hill line which would only be about 10 minutes away from Doncaster line. Not sure if this one has really been thought by everyone. Personally I’d prefer the money was spent on a train line to the Tullamarine airport which I think would benefit a lot more people.

Only about 13% of people in the Manningham area currently use public transport. The real question is would you stop using your car if a train line was built?

If I go into the city I use the Smartbus. It takes about 45 minutes plus the walking and waiting time. If the train is built I’d have to catch a bus and a train and with the waiting time between each mode of transport I can’t see how it would be any faster and suspect it would be slower. I’m not convinced about the train for my needs as a Templestowe resident. But I should add I’m not a city worker. If the majority in the area are interested in a train and would use the train I’m happy to support the building of the train line.

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Doncaster electorate currently held by Mary Wooldridge to be absorbed into other electorates.

I thought this was interesting.

Two seats have been completely scrapped, one in Doncaster and the other on the state's northern border, and replaced by new seats in the growth corridors in Melbourne's west and north-west.... Read More

For the Bulleen district it appears more of the Doncaster district has been included and a small area of Doncaster East around The Pines has been removed. To me it didn’t seem to make sense the area of Doncaster East was included in the Bulleen district, but in the end the aim of the boundaries is to try to keep numbers fairly even across districts.

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Manningham Toy Library duty co-ordinator Anlina Jones, with daughter Amelie, 3, are rapt to have the stolen trike returned.

STAFF at a Lower Templestowe library are ecstatic after a stolen rare trike was returned.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Thieves steal rare trike from Lower Templestowe's Manningham Toy Library member

Manningham Toy Library duty co-ordinator Anlina Jones said the Eurotrike TCV ride-on had been hired out to a member, who was shocked to discover it was stolen from her Swanston St garage earlier this month.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Search Australia new features including searching using your choice of Google, Bing or Yahoo, quick access to a JustLocal postcode page and check if you're using the preferred Australian English spelling.

Search Australia was added to JustLocal to give those who wish to search a search engine which focuses on Australian sites and removes many of the directories which have now taken over the internet. I’m pretty happy that if I search for ‘fish and chips’ in a local suburb, if the business has a web presence I can now see their page. Of course many small businesses don’t have a web presence which doesn’t help them or their customers. I’ve shown a number of local businesses how a site I’ve put on the internet for them can generate hundreds of leads a month but in the end they don’t seem to care.

The worst example of not providing up-to-date information is when I went into a fish and chip shop in Doncaster Road. After placing the order via telephone the order was some 15% dearer. Every customer was complaining because like me they were ordering from an out-of-date menu and the business decided to increase their prices without letting them know. Had the business put their menu on the internet I would have known before I ordered and so potentially could everyone else. I’ve never used the business again so an out-of-date menu can and does lose businesses customers. A single page site assists hundreds of customers a year and is easily paid for by a single repeat customer. Small business can’t see if they don’t provide the tools people need they’ll go elsewhere and the bigger companies ARE providing online menus.

But I digress. The real purpose of this post is to let users of JustLocal know of three new features I’ve added to Search Australia, the search engine available on every JustLocal page and also available as an Add-in to Internet Explorer. If you add a single letter at the start of the search phrase you can select your preferred search engine, go to a JustLocal postcode page, or find out if you’re using the preferred Australian English spelling for a word.

1. Type in g, b, or y and go directly to Google, Bing or Yahoo. If you add a space and then your search query (such as ‘g fish and chips templestowe’) you’ll get search results for local fish and chips shops without all the directories. That is hopefully if they have a site you’ll get the actual business’ site.

2. Type in j and you’ll go to JustLocal. Type in j followed by a space and a postcode (such as ‘j 3106’) and you’ll go to the JustLocal postcode page. That’s a pretty convenient method to go direct to your local JustLocal postcode page. Keep in mind if your area isn’t covered you’ll get a place holder page with generic ads. As soon as a business or person in your area takes up the mantle to promote JustLocal in your area the generic page will be replaced with local information.

3. Type in w followed by a word and you’ll go direct to the Word Check page to check if you are using the preferred Australian English spelling for a word. You do need a password to see the answer. All clients of mine are provided with the password. In fact if you use Search Australia from JustLocal and type in ‘dictionary’, you’ll have access to Word Check for a while. A thank you for trying out Search Australia.

On top of removing dozens of directories now cluttering search results when using Google (not Bing or Yahoo) and the ability to enter a single word or couple of words to go to the top searched for sites by millions of users, these new features should make Search Australian even more useful. Clients are welcome to request the list of top site search terms. I don’t currently publish the terms on the internet because of the work involved collating the list so please feel free to ask for a copy to assist you in your searches.

Don’t forget, the most convenient way to use Search Australia is to use the link to add Search Australia as your default search engine in Internet Explorer. Then you can perform a search direct from the address bar in Internet Explorer. If everyone in Australia used Search Australia (heaven forbid as my server wouldn’t hold up to it) if could potentially save many hundreds of millions of searches when people are looking for major Australian companies, a TV guide and even the weather. Search engines want you to end up on their page to make money from advertising. I want you to get quickly to the site you want to get to.

For me the real test of whether or not something I’ve developed is worthwhile is whether I use it myself or not. Search Australia is my preferred search tool. It doesn’t stop me from using Google, and in fact if I want to use Google I simply enter the letter ‘g’ and I go direct to Google. I can quickly decide which search engine I’d prefer and not be stuck with just one. With one or two words I access most of the popular sites such as ANZ, eBay, Gumtree, Freeview (TV guide) etc., so it makes sense to use Search Australia rather than end up hunting through Google results that have become so cluttered. I hope you find Search Australia useful too.

 

 

Kelvin Eldridge

Online Connections

www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Call 0415 910 703 for computer advice and support.

 

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Alert: Please log off Google services such as Gmail and YouTube when using my sites.

Disturbingly I’m now seeing up to 50 per cent of people reaching my sites who may be logged on to a Google service and so could be tracked at the individual level.

I use Google’s blogger, Analytics and sometimes Google advertising on my sites. If you are logged on to a Google service your activities can be linked to you as an individual. What you are doing on the internet can thus potentially be tracked to you as an individual.

What people don’t know is when you visit a site which has advertising on it, that advertising is often provided by Google. Many sites use Google’s Analytics software to record statistics for their sites. As you move from site to site your activities can potentially be recorded as an individual.

As you read the major daily news sites, as you search for information, when you go to many sites on the internet your activities can be tracked to you as an individual. In addition it is also possible your location is being tracked without your knowledge because often the internet address you use to access the internet is known to be in a certain area.

It is up to each person to decide whether this matters to them or not. If it does matter to you then consider logging out of all Google services (and potentially other services). When you are logged on to services you can be tracked individually and a profile of you and your activities can be created. Some of this information can potentially end up in the wrong hands. The most obvious outcome is you’ll be directly marketed to and could end up paying more for products and services.

We can’t stop the government and companies collecting information, but most people aren’t aware that their activities on the internet can be tracked to them individually. Because more than 90% of Australians use Google for searching, if they are logged on to Google services (my logs are indicating up to 50% of people may be logged onto a Google service when they reach my sites) then your activities across the internet may be being recorded.

Log off online services as soon as you are finished with them. Don’t keep services such as Gmail and YouTube logged on and running in the background. This doesn’t just apply to Google. Any service that you are logged in and has software they’ve created installed on another site could be doing the same. The type of services that come to mind are social networking services. Where a site you visit displays a button from a social networking service you don’t know what that code does and neither do I. The code could be tracking you. By logging off you reduce some of your online activities being tracked.

 

Kelvin Eldridge

Online Connections

www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Call 0415 910 703 for computer advice and support.

 

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Police are appealing for help from the public after a man exposed himself to a woman in Templestowe Lower back in February.

The 42-year-old woman was walking around the oval just off Thompsons Road at the Ted Ajani Reserve on Sunday 24 February about 11am... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Porche on fire at corner of Foote Street and High Street Templestowe Lower.

Distressed owner watches on as Porsche on fire in suburban street... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Students lay wreathes at an Anzac Day service at Templestowe Memorial Park in Templestowe Lower.

MORE than 700 children are continuing to bring to life the importance of honour, valour and the spirit of determination that is so aligned with the Anzac legend by joining in the annual Manningham Anzac Schools Service. ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Easter special - Free advertising on JustLocal for postcodes 3105, 3106, 3107, 3108, 3109, 3093, 3094, 3095, 3113 for home based businesses.

My desire with JustLocal is to build a stronger local community by building a stronger local business base. In particular I'd like to help others running businesses from home in the Templestowe, Templestowe Lower, Eltham, Lower Plenty, Montmorency, Doncaster, Doncaster East, Bulleen and Warrandyte areas. As an Easter special I'd like to make a free offer to home based businesses in the above areas.

My offer for the remainder of March 2013 through to the end of April 2013 is the following:

1. Three months free advertising on your JustLocal postcode page. No catches, no cost.
2. An additional three months of advertising on your postcode page if you provide a link from your main page of your site to your JustLocal postcode page (to help promote yourself and others businesses in the area) and during the first three months purchase from three other businesses advertising on your postcode page.

That's a total of six months of free advertising in your local area for free, nada, nix.

The normal terms and conditions of JustLocal still apply, such as a maximum of two of the same type of business and one network marketer from the same network marketing group. Additional conditions of the offer is since the advertising is free you don't have rights over the lot as paid advertisers do, just the ability to use the lot to promote your business. Also the offer is for a single lot on a postcode page.

At the end of the six months you will be under no obligation to continue advertising on JustLocal. My aim is to show local businesses that JustLocal works and the best way to do that is for businesses to participate.

To take up the free offer go to your JustLocal postcode page, click on an empty lot (a white block). Fill out the details and submit your information. At the payment screen since this is a free offer, just close the screen. No need to make a payment. Then send me a graphic image you'd like me to use to promote your business.

If you don't own or run a local business in one of the above areas, but know someone that does, please pass on the offer to others you know in the area.
 
Happy Easter everyone.
 
Kelvin Eldridge

Friday, March 15, 2013

Burglar squealed and fled Templestowe home after being disturbed by woman

Doncaster detective Senior Constable Leanne Trusler said a woman returned to her Rosa St home about 12.25pm yesterday and frightened the burglar.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Addison Heath is using his love of Lego to build a promising business.

KIDPRENEUR Addison Heath is building a Lego-inspired business empire from his own bedroom.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

4 Lauri Ann Street, Templestowe Lower 3107, Victoria

4 Lauri Ann Street, Templestowe Lower 3107, Victoria advertised for sale by Hudson Bond.


Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you require help with your computer.
No problem too small.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

15 Pentlowe Avenue, Templestowe Lower, Vic 3107

15 Pentlowe Avenue, Templestowe Lower, Vic 3107 advertised for sale by First National.


Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you require help with your computer.
No problem too small.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Should compulsory voting go?

At the last state election I was surprised to hear there is one law which wouldn't be enforced, or more specifically, unlikely to be enforced. It is compulsory to vote in a Victorian state election and it doesn't matter what your age is. However during a briefing for independents it was said the law would unlikely to be enforced for those over 70 and I have to say I was very surprised.

To me having a law which isn't enforced and actively disregarded by the government is a law that doesn't make sense. All it does is add confusion and cause stress to elderly.

The wording on the voting information sent out for the last local government election was equally confusing and led people to think they didn't have to vote. My initial reaction was "what the" when I read the information which implied voting was not compulsory. I then saw another young person who read it the same way as myself so it just wasn't my reading of the material.

To me compulsory voting enables the major parties to easily determine the safe seats and thus they can focus on seats which are marginal.

In the Bulleen electorate 86.47% voted for Labor or Liberal. There were 4.84% informal votes. That leaves less than 10% of the votes for anyone else, making it close to impossible to be elected you aren't a Labor or Liberal party member. If I were to advise anyone wishing to stand as an independent I would have to say, do the sums and determine a seat where the chances of being elected are greater. The implication of that is don't waste your time on safe seats and to me that isn't good for the majority of Australians. As consumers we buy brands and the Labor and Liberal brands are entrenched into us all from a very young age. We appear to be educated to vote one way or the other most of our lives. Nothing much will change if we continue to vote for a party and not a representative that puts our interests first before a party. Members of parties have to put the party first so your interests will always come second.

Compulsory voting makes it very easy for the parties with their large marketing budgets to focus only on a small number of marginal seats. If compulsory voting was removed every seat potentially could be seen as a marginal seat and every representative would need to work harder to ensure they were elected.

We shouldn't have laws which are put into place that the government doesn't actively enforce. Voting if it isn't enforced for over 70s should be optional, otherwise we send the message that the law is silly and one if law is silly, then how many of our laws are silly.

I should state I am in favour of optional voting. To me it means it is much harder for the political parties, and all areas get treated equally rather than a few marginal seats benefiting. The outcome may not differ in terms of party representation, but if it did, my hope is that it would mean people are voted to represent the people first and the party second.

Kelvin Eldridge

Friday, January 4, 2013

Commission hearing decision - Moonee Valley Hospitality Pty Ltd, Templestowe Hotel. Increase of poker machines from 50 to 60.

On 21 December 2012, the Commission handed down its Reasons for Decision in respect of the application by Moonee Valley Hospitality Pty Ltd for the amendment of its venue operator's licence to vary the number of gaming machines at the approved premises, the Templestowe Hotel.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problem.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.