Sunday, October 23, 2011

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.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

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.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

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.
No problem too small.

Monday, October 17, 2011

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.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

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.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

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.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

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.

Friday, October 7, 2011

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

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

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.