Customers at risk in centres including Chadstone, Werribee Plaza and Westfield Doncaster.

The cleaners' union, United Voice, claims gift hunters are at risk when the same mops are being used to clean toilets and food areas, and food court tables are wiped down with the same cloth and water for over two hours.... Read More

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

Doncaster Shoppingtown (Westfield) Christmas Trading Hours

UPDATE: You can find the 2012 Westfield Doncaster Christmas trading hour using the link http://justlocal3108.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/westfield-doncaster-christmas-trading.html

Yesterday I used Google to search for the Christmas trading hours for Doncaster Shoppingtown. I found the Westfield site on Google including a section for Christmas Trading Hours. I clicked on the link to the trading hours. Something didn’t quite feel right. I checked and the hours were for 2010.

For those interested in the Doncaster Shoppingtown Christmas trading hours the following is a link to the opening hours for 2011.

Christmas Trading Hours... Read More

Merry Christmas.

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

Sheridan Doncaster Shoppingtown

Last week whilst at Shoppingtown I noticed the boarding had been removed and the Sheridan store is now open.


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

Electric bikes - Test ride dates and locations

Test ride dates and locations... Read More

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

Veterinarians John Strainge and Ted Donelan, from Doncaster and West Doncaster veterinary clinics

Beginning the year with just one diabetic dog on its books, Manningham Vet Clinic now has about seven.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
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THE Public Transport Users Association has called for the Doncaster rail reserve to be locked in for a rail line

THE Public Transport Users Association has called for the Doncaster rail reserve to be locked in for a rail line so the land cannot be used for roads.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
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St Gregory the Great's parish offices were hit on November 19 and again on November 27

AN UNHOLY thief, believed to be targeting the Catholic diocese, has burgled a Doncaster church, stealing money during mass and pinching from cars during a baptism.... Read More

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

2011 turned out to be an amazing year for many Doncaster Calisthenics Club teams.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
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Anthony Athanassiou is forever changed by an unprovoked attack at Doncaster's Pavilion Restaurant this year

It’s been nine months and four surgeries since Anthony, 22, went to Doncaster’s Pavilion Restaurant for dinner on Thursday, March 3.... Read More

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

MELBOURNE Aces manager and international scout Phil Dale believes 17-year-old Doncaster pitcher Daniel McGrath is the next on the radar to head to the US after fielding a swag of major league contracts.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
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ATHLETE Mathew Woodgate's career is speeding up.

Champion athlete Mathew Woodgate has his eyes on the 2018 Commonwealth Games... Read More

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

Shopping centres affected by the action include Westfield Doncaster

MAJOR shopping centres could be left without cleaners during the busy Christmas period after the latest round of industrial action was announced. ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
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RAIDID member Julie Preston

Doncaster state Liberal MP Mary Wooldridge received the petition from the Residents Against Inappropriate Development in Doncaster (RAIDID) last Thursday.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
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RMIT lecturer Paul Mees

A PUBLIC transport expert says he’s sceptical about the State Government’s commitment to a Doncaster railway, after it applied for Commonwealth money to build an east-west freeway.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
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Louis Louise Champagne bar at Westfield Doncaster

Danijela Hraastov, 27, takes a break from the Christmas shopping to try the Louis Louise Champagne bar at Westfield Doncaster... Read More

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

Petition with 1400 signatures to Doncaster MLA Mary Wooldridge last week.

MANNINGHAM group ‘Residents Against Inappropriate Development In Doncaster’ presented a petition with 1400 signatures to Doncaster MLA Mary Wooldridge last week. ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
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Art teacher Grace Cheung and artist-in-residence Vipoo Srivilasa

Funded by a grant from Arts Victoria, the works were created by the students with some help from art teacher Grace Cheung and artist-in-residence Vipoo Srivilasa.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
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Scott Marsden and Rory Madden returned to Doncaster's Birralee Primary School as champions

CHEERED on by 165 peers, Scott Marsden and Rory Madden returned to Doncaster’s Birralee Primary School as champions last week.... Read More

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

Doncaster Rail Study

BOROONDARA residents can have their say on Doncaster Rail Study.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
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18km road link would kill off the dream of a railway to Doncaster

The 18km road link would kill off the dream of a railway to Doncaster, transport experts say.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
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Doncaster Gardens Primary School principal Michele Beal

RARELY will you find a principal as excited about her school fete as Michele Beal.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
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Doncaster Men's Section President Graham Ferres

Doncaster Men’s Section President Graham Ferres said the club was pleased to accept the Bowls Victoria invitation to host the tournament. ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
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Doncaster residents could be given land nearby instead of money if their homes are compulsorily acquired

MELBURNIANS living in areas affected by proposed rail extensions such as Doncaster and Rowville could be given land nearby instead of money if their homes are compulsorily acquired by the state.... Read More

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

Birralee Primary School principal Ashley Ryan said he evacuated his 165 students

STUDENTS from Doncaster’s Birralee Primary School were evacuated today after workers digging nearby hit a gas pipe.... Read More

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

David and Cheri Rhys-Jones with their children Madison and Cooper, who has rare chromosome disorder Prader-Willi Syndrome.

A DONCASTER family is taking steps toward finding a cure for rare disorder Prader-Willi syndrome - literally.... Read More

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

Share A Coke Doncaster Shoppingtown

The Share A Coke promotion at Doncaster Shoppingtown is very popular. There is currently a long queue of around 100 people so be prepared for a wait in the queue.


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

Minikins Kindergarten and Child Care Centre, in Doncaster

CHILDREN from Minikins Kindergarten and Child Care Centre, in Doncaster, were among 25 community groups to participate in the Manningham in Step Community Walk on October 27. ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
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Manningham council approved plans for a 15-storey, 188-apartment building, covering four lots at 20-24 Hepburn Road

Doncaster Hill Residents Group spokesman Warren Welsh said the council was wrong to approve the development. He said residents were puzzled as to why the council rejected a similar sized development for 185 apartments in Grosvenor Street, Doncaster in 2009.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
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Suzana Milic with her daughter Renee, 15 yrs, who managed to escape from an alleged abduction attempt

The victim, Renee Milic, was waiting for a bus in Williamsons Rd, Doncaster, yesterday when a man drove up in a silver late model Mercedes-Benz four-wheel-drive... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
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Attempted abduction Williamsons Road, near Henry Street Doncaster.

Police have been told a 15-year-old girl was waiting at a bus stop on Williamsons Road, near Henry Street, just after 5pm.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
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Jill, a resident of Doncaster, is selling her home of 42 years after losing her privacy to neighbouring large-scale developments.

Curlew Court resident of 42 years Jill, has sold her house to an un-named developer after giving up on a three-year battle with the council at VCAT over loss of privacy from the Acadia 33-flat complex, which looms over her backyard.... Read More

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

Men's Section president Graham Ferres, Melissa Ferris from Manningham Council, Mary Wooldridge and Ladies Section president Pat Calabresi.

DONCASTER state Liberal MP Mary Wooldridge has officially switched on the upgraded lighting system which will give night bowls at Doncaster Bowling Club a new lease of life.... Read More

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

East Doncaster principal John Handley

Doncaster and East Doncaster secondary colleges both sustained smashed windows in night-time attacks last Thursday, the night before senior students’ final day celebrations.... Read More

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

Chinese Community and Social Services Centre Incorporated

The Chinese Community and Social Services Centre Incorporated is one of five community service groups to be located at Manningham City Square (MC2), along with a library, kindergarten and cafe.... Read More

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

Sgt Chrisant said monitoring ex prisoners was not common in Victoria

A NEW “proactive” Manningham police unit starting this week will track offenders after they have been released from jail.... Read More

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

Manningham Council asks for speed limit cuts

Manningham Council has asked the authority to reduce the speed limits from 70km/h to 60km/h near the intersections of Anderson and Foote streets in Templestowe, and Doncaster and Williamson roads in Doncaster.... Read More

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

Doncaster rail hope

A FEASIBILITY study starting this week is the “critical first step” in getting a train to Doncaster, says Doncaster state Liberal MP Mary Wooldridge.... Read More

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

Repco GearUP USB Car Charger Kit Universal gets the thumbs down.

Recently I purchased a Repco GearUP USB Car Charger Kit Universal which is a USB car charger kit which plugs into a car’s cigarette lighter and has two USB sockets for charging. Normally I stick with products I can purchase from my suppliers, but in this case because of the low value of the item, I decided to purchase one of these units on special for $9.99, reduced to half price.

I plugged the cable provided into my iPhone and the adaptor into a portable 12V battery designed to jump start a car and also provide power to accessories plus a number of other features. To my surprise and disappointment the iPhone 3GS reported it wouldn’t work with the device. I then plugged in the cable which came with the iPhone and it worked. Next I decided since it was a dual USB charger to plug in the iPhone 3GS and an Android mobile phone and charge both at the same time. Instead of the iPhone being charged, it was still losing power over time, whilst the Android phone did start to charge. I worked out you can only charge one device at a time.

It wasn’t worth the trip half way across Melbourne to where I purchased the unit, so like many people who purchase products that don’t live up to expectation, this one will probably end up in a draw and I’ll purchase a reputable product through my computer suppliers.

I didn’t expect to receive what I’d consider a substandard product from Repco, so I didn’t mind taking a chance. But from now on I’ll stick with the products I know and trust.

How many computer related devices have you purchased that don’t measure up to your expectation and end up in the draw?

At Online Connections I generally stick to devices and brands which have proven themselves across my client base over time. Often that doesn’t mean paying more. A good product can cost the same as a poor product. Marketers will often use the line “you get what you pay for” to encourage you to buy a particular product. To me what is important is the product proves itself in the field. Those are the products I’ll recommend to clients.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you require assistance with your computer.
Serving Doncaster, Templestowe, Eltham and the surrounding area.

A HUGE $60 million twin-towers development, proposed for the corner of Doncaster and Tram roads

A HUGE $60 million twin-towers development, proposed for the corner of Doncaster and Tram roads, will create an “iconic” gateway to Doncaster Hill, its designer says.... Read More

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

Danger sport defended after second Tank death

The Doncaster man, 40, who was known as Tony and had dived the notorious underwater labyrinth before, was reported missing about 3.45pm on Sunday when he failed to surface.... Read More

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

RAIDID spokesman Les Clark said townhouses would crowd suburban homes and cause older residents to move elsewhere.

Last Wednesday, Residents Against Inappropriate Development in Doncaster took their anger over plans to turn their suburb into an activity centre to the steps of Parliament House. ... Read More

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

Doncaster runner Stephen Dinneen has his post-injury sights set on Japan

Dinneen was recently selected alongside Olympian Craig Mottram to compete for Australia next month in the International Chiba Ekiden, a prestigious road running event held in Japan. ... Read More

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

luxury 85-unit Madison development

THE Metropolitan Fire Brigade is threatening to deny the developers of a 10-storey residential tower under construction in Doncaster an occupation certificate.... Read More

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

Doncaster man jailed for 19 years for murder after stabbing teen in neck

A HEARTLESS killer who plunged a knife into a boy, 17, has been jailed for 19 years by a judge sick of such random destruction of young lives. ... Read More

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

Kim Wilde was due to perform at the now cancelled Rewind festival

ABC will still play Shoppingtown Hotel Doncaster on October 27,... Read More

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

Drug dealing addiction behind fall of kingpin

They booked into various hotels, including Clarion Hotel in Forest Hill, Shoppingtown Hotel in Doncaster and The Tudor serviced apartments in Box Hill, and had gang members bring materials to the hotels to cut, prepare and package drugs before selling them.... Read More

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

Janet Knoop is a member of Doncaster Templestowe and Spinners and Weavers

PEER into the past and celebrate Manningham’s inaugural Heritage Week with more than 30 activities, including exhibitions, lectures, workshops and events.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with computer problems.
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A 40-year-old Doncaster man has died while cave diving near Mt Gambier

A 40-year-old Melbourne man has died while cave diving near Mt Gambier.

http://m.smh.com.au/national/cave-diver-dead-after-failing-to-surface-20111017-1ls0e.html



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

Bayley Grove resident Marjorie Sinclair said she and her neighbours would be disadvantaged

DONCASTER Hill residents are afraid they will not be able to park near their own homes when Manningham Council introduces stricter controls on parking permits next year.... Read More

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

Nespresso Doncaster Shoppingtown

I noticed recently a shop near the Apple store at Doncaster Shoppingtown, which was boarded up, now displays Nespresso is coming soon.


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

Lower Templestowe's Hannah Miller

The Lower Templestowe 17-year-old will be heading for Canberra in January after being handpicked to participate in the National Youth Science Forum 2012.... Read More

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

No problem too small.

Happy Lab Doncaster Shoppingtown opening October

As I was walking around Doncaster Shoppingtown this afternoon I noticed the boards in front of a shop which was opening soon, had changed from Typo to Happy Lab. I’m not sure if Typo will open in another location. I didn’t see any boards with Typo on them.

From the Happy Lab site it appears Happy Lab is a new confectionary store. Some of the confectionary comes in glass jars shaped like the triangular jars you find in a chemistry lab.

I’m sure all will soon be revealed.

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

Traffic chaos as blackout hits Doncaster (Doncaster Road, George Street and Middleborough Road)

Lights along Doncaster Rd, George St and Middleborough Rd were out of action after three local power feeds malfunctioned at around 9.30am.... Read More

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

POWER is back up and running in Doncaster and Templestowe after a mass blackout

A fault at United Energy’s Doncaster sub-station saw 10,000 customers lose power for up to two hours.... Read More

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

Number plate recognition devices would be used in main thoroughfares

Acting Sergeant Shannon Elston, from the Nunawading Highway Patrol, said number plate recognition devices would be used in main thoroughfares such as Bulleen, Thompsons, Warrandyte and Doncaster roads.... Read More

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

Chesoon Lee runs workshops on Korean kite making and culture

Doncaster East resident Chesoon Lee has been making the kites since she was a child and will share her expertise at a workshop as part of Manningham’s Multicultural Festival in November.... Read More

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

Tom Dowsley will lead a group weeding Ruffey Lake Park for the Spring Outdoors Festival.

Doncaster East’s Tom Dowsley, who started Friends of Ruffey Lake Park in high school, said the group would focus on the Watsonia weed, which threatened native vegetation in the park.... Read More

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

Speed cameras turned on at Williamsons Road and Doncaster Road Doncater.

This week cameras in Melbourne, Carlton, Malvern East, Doncaster, Parkville and Braeside will be turned on.... Read More

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

Donvale's Kerry Tighe, from the Pet Medical Crisis Fund

A FUNDRAISING walk will be held at Ruffey Lake Park, Doncaster, for furry four-legged friends in need of medical help.... Read More

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

Robyn Anderson, Jan Roberts and Gail Simpson have been with CasKids Auxiliary for 40 years fundraising for the Royal Children's Hospital

Glen Waverley’s Robyn Anderson, Mitcham’s Gail Simpson and Doncaster’s Jan Roberts joined the CasKids Auxiliary in 1971.... Read More

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

RAIDID spokesman Warren Welsh

After staging a protest march on September 18, the Residents Against Inappropriate Development In Doncaster (RAIDID) group now plans to complain to the Ombudsman. ... 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.

Traffic lights were down due to storm at the intersection of Doncaster and Williamsons roads, Doncaster Rd and the Eastern Freeway and Doncaster Rd and High St.

Nunawading Highway Patrol Act-Sgt Ryan Burns said traffic lights were down at the intersection of Doncaster and Williamsons roads, Doncaster Rd and the Eastern Freeway and Doncaster Rd and High St.... Read More

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

House on Doncaster Rd near Harcourt St struck by lightning

SES spokeswoman Jilly Charlwood said the Doncaster SES had received one call for help to a house struck by lightning in Doncaster at 4pm.... Read More

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

Doncaster's Aiden Holland is lucky to be alive after his car flipped.

Doncaster Sen-Constable Andrew Thomas said the pothole was responsible for Doncaster resident Aiden Holland, 19, losing control of and flipping his Nissan 300ZX about 11.45pm on September 14.... Read More

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

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)

His Eminence Zimwock Rinpoche, from the Jamchen Buddhist Centre, is happy to bless any pet, fish included

ALL animals - whether furred, feathered or scaled - are welcome at next Sunday’s Buddhist pet blessing ceremony in Ruffey Lake Park, Doncaster.... Read More

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

Judy Sammut is running a program for breast cancer survivors

THE YWCA Encore fitness program for breast cancer survivors is set to get an encore run in Templestowe next month.... Read More

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

PLANNED recycled water treatment plant in Doncaster

Fiona Scott is concerned about the potential impact of a sewerage treatment/water recycling plant, planned for the park behind her house.... Read More

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

"That is the significance of the flag," said Dr Case, speaking from his Doncaster home

WHEN Lieutenant Marcus Case was killed in a helicopter crash in a remote part of southern Afghanistan in June, his army colleagues were determined to find an Australian flag to place over his casket.... Read More

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

Bethany Simons is bringing her play The Weather and Your Health to Doncaster as part of a national tour

ACTRESS and playwright Bethany Simons spun her grandmother’s memories of growing up in rural 1930s NSW into theatrical success.... Read More

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

Doncaster and Bulleen, had greater Melbourne's lowest crime rate

Manningham, which includes Doncaster and Bulleen, had greater Melbourne's lowest crime rate with just under three crimes for every 100 residents.... Read More

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

Angry residents led by Curlew Court's Les Clark rallied against high-density development in Doncaster

MORE than a 100 residents opposed to high-density development in Doncaster begged Manningham Council to show it cares about their views at an emotional protest rally on Sunday.... Read More

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

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

Cate Green is holding an exhibition called Despair to Hope.

DONCASTER resident Cate Green’s photographic exhibition, Despair to Hope, documents her journey of healing after being sexually abused as a teenager.... Read More

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

Doncaster residents to stage anti-development protest starting at Curlew Court

THE streets of Doncaster will ring with the voices of anti-development protesters this Sunday but local councillors will not be there to hear it.... Read More

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

Home-buying frenzy wanes in Manningham

HOMEOWNERS in Templestowe and Doncaster are waiting close to three months to sell their homes, with estate agents claiming “frenzied” buying across Manningham has stopped.... Read More

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

Doncaster computer assistance, support, and repairs

To make it even easier for people to find and use my computer support services via the internet, I’ve now set up the site www.DoncasterComputer.com. Those that know me will know to search for Online Connections and they’ll find www.OnlineConnections.com.au listed first in Google, but now it is as easy as entering the suburb, the word computer and adding .com to the end.

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

 

Rebel Sport Store now open at Doncaster Shoppingtown

For those interested we just noticed the Rebel Sport Store is now open and is located near the food court where Borders was located.

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

Zara to open store in Doncaster Westfield (Shoppingtown)

Zara is planning to open a store at Doncaster Westfield.... Read More

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

Bunnings Pays $25 Million For Doncaster Supersite near Doncaster Shoppingtown

HARDWARE giant Bunnings is believed to have paid about $25 million for a collection of adjoining sites abutting a major entrance of Westfield Doncaster shopping centre,... Read More

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

Westfield Sells Site Abutting Doncaster Shoppingtown

SYDNEY based shopping centre giant Westfield has sold an open-air car park abutting the Doncaster shopping centre’s north-east boundary.... 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.

But Curlew Court resident Les Clark said he had spent a lot of money renovating

“If you decide it’s not the place for you there’s the option to sell and buy an equivalent place (elsewhere) with some money left,” Mr Molan said.... Read More

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

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.)

Doncaster Shoppingtown David Jones is already selling Christmas musts

Doncaster store staff yesterday said its Christmas shop was open for business.... Read More

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

Michael Karageorgiou is a cancer survivor

DONCASTER cancer survivor Michael Karageorgiou knows life can quickly change.... 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.

Two men burnt in Doncaster

Two men suffered burns when cooking oil in a wok caught fire at Doncaster on Saturday.... Read More

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

Drink-drive charge glitch headed back to court

Motorist Peter Ionnis Kypri was pulled over in Doncaster on November 27, 2005, and a random breath test allegedly showed a positive alcohol reading.... Read More

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

John Russo, of Doncaster, has objected to a proposed 14-storey building opposite his house

The objections to Ammache Architects’ 14-storey building in Hepburn Rd centre on “inappropriate” size and concerns about increased traffic and decreased car parks... Read More

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

Doncaster author Max Richards

BUDDING writers and poets will get to workshop their ideas with Doncaster author Max Richards as part of the Whitehorse Manningham Artists and Writers Festival.... Read More

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

Paramedics were called to a home in Fromhold Dve, Doncaster

A MAN and a woman have been hospitalised after being scalded with cooking oil in a suspected cooking mishap in Doncaster. ... Read More

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

Typo at Doncaster Shoppingtown

I was at Doncaster Shoppingtown and noticed another boarded up business. Of course this means one business is gone and another is opening up. In this case the new business is Typo.

Typo describes their product range as Taking trends from the fashion industry and applying them to notebooks, decal wall art and other speciality items.

 

Typo is opening in September.

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

Recommending the council reduce the number of residential permits from three to two in the Doncaster Hill area.

MANNINGHAM Council is to consider whether to adopt a parking permit policy and reduce the number of parking permits available to Doncaster Hill residents and people living in units and apartments.... 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.  

Tess Smith and Caitlin Spelling are performing in Improbable Fiction at the Doncaster Playhouse

Director Trish Carr, from PEP Productions, said the writers’ challenges resulted in hilarious plot lines as they grappled with how best to translate their tales.... Read More

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

25 per cent of Westfield Doncaster ($350 million)

About 69 per cent of the deals valued at more than $100 million consisted of the sale of half of Northland for $455 million, Point Cook Town Centre ($176 million), 25 per cent of Westfield Doncaster ($350 million), the DFO portfolio ($362.5 million) and 50 per cent of QV ($104.7 million).... Read More

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

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

   

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/

Doncaster Shoppingtown area computer repairs

If you live near Doncaster Shoppingtown and you are after someone to help you with your computer or computer related problem, then consider calling Online Connections. Online Connections is local (based in Templestowe) so you get friendly local service and best of all, there’s no call out fee.

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

Exhibition showcases Doncaster painter Frank Jolly's special touch

Frank Jolly's wife, Eril, grandson Oscar, 5, and daughter Sarah are thrilled his contributions are being honoured. ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Manningham parking fines double

Mr Molan said the main area where people were fined was around Manningham’s 45 primary and secondary schools at drop off and pick up times. ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Doncaster Delight - House Share

Date Listed         08/08/2011
Price      Please contact
Address               Doncaster VIC 3108, Australia
Share Basis         House Share
Available              13/08/2011
Bedrooms (#)    1 bedroom
Bathrooms (#)   1 bathroom
Preferred Gender           Female
Smoking               No

There is one room left to rent in a delightful home in Doncaster. Light-filled, spacious and close to many amenities, it won't last long, especially since there's a beautiful pool and you can walk to nearby Westfield Shopping Centre. The room can be furnished or unfurnished.

Students are welcome as there's a bus to Box Hill TAFE and Deakin University. It is also quite close to Box Hill Hospital, which would suit a nursing or other health practitioner. There's also a bus direct to the city (park and ride) within walking distance.

Email Renée on renee@risingstardesigns.com.au today to express your interest. Viewings are available on Sunday afternoons only.

 

Kelvin Eldridge
www.JustLocal.com.au/3108

Computer repair Doncaster - 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

Bank of Queensland (BOQ) now open in Doncaster Road Doncaster.

I was walking from Doncaster Shoppingtown to Chemist Warehouse and I noticed a Bank of Queensland ATM and I thought, "that's handy". When I looked up to my surprise I saw a branch of the Bank of Queensland. I would have thought Bank of Queensland would have let their customers know they were opening a branch in the area, but I suspect perhaps they prefer not to as it could cause people to move their accounts from one branch to another and BOQ branches I think are franchised.

When the BOQ branch was closed at The Pines Shopping Centre in Doncaster East there was also no notification. I rolled up to the branch to make a deposit and it was gone. Certainly made me feel uneasy about our savings. There was no notice to let me know what had happened and Centre Management couldn't help. It turned out the branch shifted to North Balwyn.

The communication side of BOQ could be a bit better. The Doncaster branch is certainly handier for those who used the Doncaster East branch.

I actually had some cheques I needed to deposit so finding a branch by accident was very convenient. I spoke to the staff and manager and they are a friendly bunch. The manager is Simon Pho and his team are Andy, William and Regina. The branch has now been oped for around 6-7 weeks. It is located in the group of shops opposite the Manningham Council building.

The hours of business are Monday - Thursday 9:30am-4:00pm, Friday 9:30am-5:00pm and Saturday 10:00am-1:00pm.

Next time you see Simon let him know you found out about them on JustLocal.

Kelvin Eldridge

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

Melbourne Photographer - Des Pitfield (Doncaster, Doncaster East, Donvale, Templestowe, Nunawading)

I thought I'd share my portrait photo journey with others. I don't know about you but I'm not generally happy with photographs of myself, but I am very happy with the latest photograph you'll now see on my web site taken by Des Pitfield.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Median house price trends upwards but still in a hole

Others like Bulleen, Lower Templestowe and Doncaster recorded smaller declines, between 1 and 3 per cent.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Ben Last was doodling imaginary cars in textbooks at the back of a Doncaster Secondary College

The 26-year-old, who grew up in Doncaster and Templestowe and now lives in Fitzroy, led the design team on the “top-secret project”, working with designers and engineers in Brazil, Thailand and the US.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Anna Kosovac

Lower Templestowe resident Anna Kosovac is the project manager for Yarra Valley Water’s recycling scheme at the Doncaster Hill Precinct.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

MyAnswers: Exchanging money to Thai baht in Doncaster today

The following MyAnswers solution 2109 is now available:

Today I helped a person exchange their Australian dollars to Thai baht. We shopped around and ended up saving around $50 or nearly 10%. Not bad for asking a few questions.

Click here to obtain the solution.

Click here for related solutions.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.MyAnswers.biz

Wedding ring lost at Safeway at Doncaster Shoppingtown on June 8th.

Lauren Veenhof lost her wedding ring... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Returning an Apple iPad 2 to the Apple store in Doncaster

I decided last night with much reluctance that the iPad 2 wasn’t for me. Every day I would be switching from the iPad 2 to a netbook to do things the browser on the iPad 2 wouldn’t allow me to do. It wasn’t just because a site ran Flash, but also because sites aren’t supported by the browser and sites flip to a mobile version which in some cases aren’t very good or provide limited functionality.

For me the iPad 2 was not the device I needed. I wanted to replace my current netbook with the iPad 2. All I really needed was the Safari browser the same as the desktop version and that would have worked for me. I would have gained the better battery life, the portability and the much better presentation of the iPad 2. But I found too many restrictions in the browser and too many of the sites I use on a daily basis did not work. I didn’t expect that. The iPad 2 is an excellent device with many good features which will suit many people.

To Apple’s full credit they accepted the return of the unit (which was slightly outside of the 14 day period) and provided a full refund. You can’t ask for a better outcome than that.

Thank you Apple.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Ambulance plan for Manningham stalls

Property manager Kate McDermott said Ambulance Victoria had hoped a purpose-built building in Doncaster East or Templestowe could be leased from a developer for the unit, but none was interested in the project.... Read More

- 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

How I obtained an iPad 2 from the Apple store at Doncaster Shoppingtown

I decided I needed to obtain an iPad 2 for a specific business purpose. Yeah, I know, that sounds like a pretty flaky excuse, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Based on talking to staff at the Doncaster store I was told the best time to come in was around 11am. It was just before 11am so I left for shoppo. I waited in the store, no one approached me, so I approached an assistant. I asked the questions. "Do you have any stock of the iPad 2's?" To my surprise the answer was "yes". "But do you have the 16GB iPad 2 in black with 3G?" I asked. Again the answer was "yes".

So out came the credit card. They do have a process which is to look after people which is good. It took a while but I left with the IPad 2 working and connecting to the internet. It was about 80% charged so it was immediately useable and was used that day to contact a client whilst on the road. Certainly much easier than typing on the iPhone.

The trick to roll up at 11am worked for me. Perhaps it will work for you.

This by the way isn't an endorsement of the iPad 2. You should review the iPad 2 against your requirements. If the iPad 2 were my only computer, it would not be suitable for me. But for the purpose for which I purchased it, it will do a very good job.


- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Jordan Ismail, 17, and George Katsaris, 16, are going to the the 2011 Global Young Leaders Conference

SCHOOLMATES Jordan Ismail, 17, and George Katsaris, 16, are getting a head start on the rest of Australia’s future leaders.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Two cameras on Manningham's borders in Middleborough Rd at the Eastern Freeway

Two cameras on Manningham’s borders in Middleborough Rd at the Eastern Freeway, Box Hill North, and at the intersection of Doncaster and Gardenia roads, Balwyn North, generated 16,970 fines worth $2.9 million and 8990 fines worth $1.5 million respectively.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.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