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.

Romy Stephens' tennis career is shining bright

The Eltham High School year 10 student, who helped her state finish second in the School Sport Australia Pizzey Cup Championships in May, said losing everything was hard. ... 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

Eltham man mistakenly caught up in Bali drama

Robert Laughlin, who returned from Bali last week after attending a wedding, said he had just left a Kuta massage parlour when he the NSW teenager was arrested by undercover police on October 4.... Read More

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

Code Red: No early warning for schools

AT least 25 schools, kindergartens and child care centres in high risk bushfire areas of Nillumbik have been taken off a list of facilities to pre-emptively close on a Code Red bushfire day... Read More

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

Montana Cox is our favourite to take out this year's Australia's Next Top Model.

The chilled out 18-year-old from Eltham will compete for the coveted title this Tuesday during Foxtel's ANTM live finale at the Sydney Opera house.... Read More

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

To celebrate its 50th birthday, the train will run a 12-hour marathon

The miniature passenger railway was built in Ivanhoe before being moved to its current home in Eltham Lower Park.... Read More

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

Glen Katherine Primary School students started on their creation, Glen the Scarecrow

A SCARECROW competition will enable children to showcase their environmental smarts at the Eltham Festival.... Read More

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

Chamber of Commerce President Grant Edwards and councillor Michael Young

NILLUMBIK Council is taking bids to open up Eltham’s town centre to new businesses.... Read More

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

Hurstbridge Line - Buses Eltham - Hurstbridge Sunday 6 November

Hurstbridge Line

Buses Eltham - Hurstbridge

Sunday 6 November

Buses will replace trains between Eltham and Hurstbridge From First to Last Service

Journey times will be extended by up to 15 minutes

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

Melbourne's median house price is now $551,000, down $50,000

But several areas have defied the slowdown: Hawthorn East, Balwyn and Eltham North were among those posting big gains.... Read More

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

Eltham High School students Felix Watson, Tom D'Ath and Finn Bennet

Eltham High School’s music support group is again offering mudbrick house tours during the Practically Green Festival after a successful run last year.... Read More

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

The reverend Clemence Taplin, who will lead the service with parish vicar the Reverend Libby Delbridge

Dogs, cats, mice, birds and even snails will take part in St Margaret’s Anglican Church’s annual animal blessing, celebrating the work of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.... Read More

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

Bend of Islands artist Lynn Johnstone at her home studio

The Bend of Islands textile artist used rust - an age-old dye - in her first solo exhibition, Decay and Renewal, now on show at Eltham library.... Read More

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

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Eltham builder and Nillumbik councillor Michael Young

Eltham builder and Nillumbik councillor Michael Young, who founded the association to fight energy rating threats to the industry in 2004, said the study debunked concerns that mud bricks were energy inefficient.... 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

Charles Beavis and Agnes Parcesepe will exhibit their paintings of Montsalvat

Agnes Parcesepe and Charles Beavis have taken their love of the Eltham artist colony to the next level.... Read More

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

Eltham North Primary council president Leann Page and other parents say parking needs to be upgraded around the school

PARENTS are calling for more parking outside a Eltham North school to avoid traffic chaos.... Read More

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

Friday, October 7, 2011

Shannon McCormack who died after being struck outside QBH nightclub

In her statement, Ms Bradley said they walked away from the club because they could not get a taxi to take them home to Eltham... Read More

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

MISSION Australia is searching for 20 volunteer mentors

MISSION Australia is searching for 20 volunteer mentors to take part in its Arise program in schools throughout Whittlesea, Eltham and Diamond Valley. ... Read More

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

Edendale Farm at Gastons Road, Eltham

SPRING has well and truly arrived at Edendale Farm.... Read More

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

Eltham College's hospitality centre co-ordinator Peter Clarkstone

Loyola College and Eltham College both have fully-functional restaurants on campus where students can study for a vocational certificate in hospitality which teaches them about how to work in a team, take on responsibility and focus on healthy eating that will set them up for life.... Read More

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

Nillumbik fire retreat flunks CFA assessment

NILLUMBIK could go into the fire season with one less fire refuge after the council-managed Eltham Lower Park failed a CFA reassessment.... Read More

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

Eltham blasts: Police arrest five

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

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

Carolyn Morwood - Death and the Spanish Lady

''I'd done Australian history at Eltham High School but this was new to me.... Read More

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

Dean Frenkel author of Evolution of Speech

Frenkel, of Eltham North, has analysed the vernacular of more than 60 politicians for a new book, Evolution of Speech.... Read More

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

Penny Hopping has bought a home after surfing online.

"We all know that real estate agents are really only working for themselves. But even knowing this, for the most part they s--- me," she tweeted six-weeks ago.... 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.