Australian dictionary for Microsoft Office.

The Australian dictionary available in Microsoft Office is often criticised for including American spelling, but what isn’t generally known, is the real problem is the dictionary includes multiple ways to spell the same word, such as organise and organize.

For years I had no clue as to which was the correct spelling and I find most people are in exactly the same situation. It turns out it isn’t so much which is correct, but which is preferred in Australia. If the preferred spelling isn’t used, many people think the American spelling is being used and that the writer can’t spell correctly. For students this can mean a reduction in their marks and for businesses the perceived lower quality of their writing, could lead them to miss out of valuable sales. Often it is the small differences which makes one presentation better than another. Don’t let your spelling be the reason you lose marks, that next sale, or even your dream job.

The solution is very easy and cost effective. I’ve produced an Exclude file you can load into your computer which will mark the secondary spelling of thousands of words as spelling errors, which means you end up using the preferred Australian English spelling without a second thought.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

 

Reports from people they can't find the free Australian dictionary using Google

Until recently over a thousand people a week were able to search for and find the only Australian dictionary which provided the  preferred Australian English spelling for free. It appears Google may have updated their search algorithm which has caused the site to disappear from their search results.

Unfortunately there is nothing I can do. If even a small percentage of people who used the dictionary provided a link to the page this would let Google know they feel the page is important. My logs unfortunately suggest almost no one bothers to provide a link, but people use the dictionary and disappear. That’s normally OK but unfortunately without giving something back such as a link Google is not able to tell how important the dictionary is to others.

I’ve found Google as a search engine is getting worse and worse. They provide distorted results pushing their own agenda to the top and (maps, local listings, etc.) and more recently people find their own pages and pages they’ve visited closer to the top which makes them think they are doing better in Google results than they are.

I find it quite amazing how Google operates. Over 50,000-100,000 people a year have been using the dictionary I provide and now people can’t find it.

 

If you want to find the dictionary you may wish to use Bing. The page is the second in the results. A better approach is to use JustLocal (www.JustLocal.com.au) where you’ll find the Australian Dictionary plus many of my other tools.

Sorry to everyone for the inconvenience. Unfortunately I can’t control what Google does and you never know when they are going to change things. Best to bookmark the page if you’re using a desktop computer or if you’re using a mobile phone, add an icon to your home screen.

It is always possible the page may return to Google search results. I’ve seen pages disappear and return in Google in the past. With Google you never know what to expect.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Creator and maintainer of the preferred Australian English spelling dictionary.

Microsoft Windows RT tablet Australian release date. Now availabe for pre-order on Microsoft online store.

Microsoft Windows RT tablet will shortly be made available to Australians and has now been added to the Microsoft online store (see note below) for pre-orders. A link is also provided from the main page of JustLocal (www.JustLocal.com.au) to the Microsoft store.

I would advice my clients to think carefully about purchasing a Microsoft Windows RT tablet and have produced MyAnswers solution 2262. MyAnswers solutions are available for clients on a pay-what-you-wish basis. If the solution gives you value, you decide how much you wish to pay.

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

NOTE: The link above to the Microsoft online store is an affiliate link which means a commission is received for purchases. This does not affect your purchase price. As a consultant I believe I have an obligation to advise clients on any indirect revenue generated so clients can make the best decision for themselves.

American English spellcheck dictionary

I’ve now released an American English spellcheck dictionary (www.american-dictionary.com) which is similar in operation to the Preferred Australian English dictionary. Often when you find a word you feel may not be spelt correctly, such as jewelry, being able to easily check the reason is because it is an American spelling can be quite handy.

Renée  Purdie of Rising Star Designs and Communication (www.risingstardesigns.com.au), has offered to edit the dictionary as new words and found and require investigation and validation. Also to remove existing words people may not feel are correct.

If you find words which you feel should be added or removed from the American dictionary please let me know.

Please enjoy.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

Netbank logon problem. Blank page displays instead of username/password screen

Netbank logon problem. Yesterday I was called out to assist a client with a couple of problems. One caused by the Telstra 4G dongle (but that’s another story) and another was they couldn’t log on to the Commonwealth’s netbank system.

The symptom was that shortly after clicking on the logon button, the logon screen would appear either as blank, or go blank shortly after. This was a difficult and time consuming problem to solve. Given that the Commonwealth Bank would be having hundreds of people having this problem, I am often surprised and disappointed the Commonwealth Bank doesn’t publish a solution for customers.

The solution to this problem is now documented in MyAnswers solution 2260.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

JustLocal welcomes International WISE COUNSEL

I’d like to welcome David Bird, the Founder and Managing Director of International WISE COUNSEL.

David is Australia's longest standing "Pitch Doctor". Established 1980 (formerly Communication Dynamics Pty. Ltd.). Consults with clients to win bids through proposals, tenders and presentations. Documented 85% plus success rate over last 15 years. Coaches the skill sets for winning business such as proposal writing, business presentations; business development skills etc. Also coaches for specific business opportunities e.g. keynote speakers, conferences "road shows" & AGMs. In demand as business speaker and MC for conferences. Testimonials abound & client list is the Who's Who!

Testimonial

David is an outstanding Master of Ceremonies. I have seen him at numerous conferences and seminars, in which he has displayed a highly engaging style that resonates with audiences of all backgrounds. David integrates his own professional expertise and fine-tuned communication skills with just the right amount of humour to create great flow and continuity throughout a conference agenda, and refresh and focus the audience. David is sharp, witty and adds value to the agenda - I recommend David most highly. June 17, 2011
1st Sylvia Vorhauser-Smith, General Manager Integrated Talent Management

You can find David Bird on the Melbourne 3000 JustLocal page or visit David’s web site at www.wise-counsel.com.au.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.JustLocal.com.au

Will the government automatically refund red-light camera fines and demerit points they weren't entitled to?

Eight red-light cameras have now been shown to have an incorrect timing for the amber light causing thousands of motorists to be fined and lose demerit points.

The cynic in me wonders whether the government will show integrity and refund the money and points they weren’t entitled to. If the government requires people to lodge some form of request they know full well there will be a large number of people who won’t be bothered and many who simply won’t even realise. A way to gain revenue I do not consider to be ethical or appropriate.

For those who were fined at the red-light camera on the intersection of Doncaster Road, Manningham Road and Tram Road I’ve posted videos of the traffic lights as they were when people were fined when the amber timing was set to 3 seconds, and after they’ve been corrected which shows the amber light at 4.5 seconds.

Manningham Road, Doncaster Road, Tram Road Red-Light Camera. Amber Traffic Light set at 3 seconds

Manningham Road, Doncaster Road, Tram Road Red-Light Camera. Amber Traffic Light set at 4.5 seconds

The first picture is taken 0.5 seconds after the light turns red which would indicate anyone with a fine of up to 2 seconds may be entitled to a refund.

The details of the red-light cameras which were not set to AustRoads guidelines are the following:

Terminal Drive & Centre Road, Melbourne Airport
AustRoads guidelines: 3.5 secs
Actual time: 3.0 secs
Incorrect amber period: 16 Nov 10 - 24 Jan 12

Doncaster Road and Williamsons Road/Tram Road, Doncaster
AustRoads guidelines: 4.5 secs
Actual time: 3.0 secs
Incorrect amber period: 5 Oct 11 - 7 Aug 12

Fyans Street & Moorabool Street, South Geelong
AustRoads guidelines: 4.0 secs
Actual time: 3.5 secs
Incorrect amber period: 11 May 10 - 24 Aug 12

High Street & Mahoneys Road/Keon Parade, Thomastown
AustRoads guidelines: 4.5 secs
Actual time: 3.0 secs
Incorrect amber period: 20 Oct 11 - 26 Sep 12

Warrigal Road & Centre Road, Bentleigh East
AustRoads guidelines: 4.0 secs
Actual time: 3.0 secs
Incorrect amber period: 1 Aug 10 - 16 Aug 12

Heatherton Road & Gladstone Road, Dandenong North
AustRoads guidelines: 4.0 secs
Actual time: 3.0 secs
Incorrect amber period: 29 Dec 04 - 16 Aug 12

Foster Street and McCrae Street, Dandenong
AustRoads guidelines: 4.0 secs
Actual time: 3.0 secs
Incorrect amber period: 18 Oct 10 - 16 Aug 12

Stud Road & High Street, Wantirna
AustRoads guidelines: 4.5 secs
Actual time: 3.0 secs
Incorrect amber period: 28 Dec 06 - 23 Aug 12

Whilst I haven’t confirmed (as I was not able to get through on the Fines Victoria telephone line) you should review your fine with regards to the time difference and keep in mind the first picture is taken at 0.5 seconds after the light turns red. Thus I suspect you should be able to add the 0.5 seconds to the time difference between the AustRoads guidelines and the Actual time.

In an ideal world the money and points should be automatically refunded. Being far from an ideal world it would be prudent to lodge a submission for a refund of the money and points.

There is still no guarantee the government will be refunding anything, just that the situation will be reviewed.

My own experience at the Manningham Road/Doncaster Road intersection is that during the time whilst the amber light timing was incorrectly set it created a very dangerous situation for drivers. Whilst approaching the lights at normal speed, well below the 70kph speed limit, the amber light changed so quickly you have to brake much harder than normal which could easily cause a car behind to crash into the rear of a vehicle. I believe the intersection should also be reviewed for crashes which may have occurred as a result of the amber light timing being incorrectly set.

Please let others know about the situation at the intersections mentioned above. The number of people who have been incorrectly fined could easily be in the tens of thousands and may be someone you know. They may not have even mentioned being fined as many people are embarrassed by being fined. In this case they could have easily been fined for something which was not their fault, but the fault of VicRoads, if VicRoads is in charge of setting the timing for the amber light.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.JustLocal.com.au

Quotes for car insurance aren't enough to cover the cost of a replacement car.

Quotes for car insurance where you receive an agreed value or a market value may not be enough to purchase even the lowest priced replacement car from a dealer if you car is written off, based on information from the car valuation sites.

I generally cover my car with comprehensive insurance. I expect that I'll be out of pocket for the excess should I be in an accident.

However what I didn't expect is that if a car is written off that the insurance wouldn't cover the car so you would be able to purchase a similar aged second hand car from a dealer.

I'd highly recommend that you check your insurance policy and see what you'd be paid should your car be written off. Now check the car valuation sites to see how much it would cost you to buy the same age, make and model car.

In many cases people will be out of pocket thousands of dollars. Without realising it the standard amount agreed to in insurance policies is often well below what you'd have to pay to get a replacement car from a dealer, whether you have an agreed value or market value policy.

Don't wait until you're in an accident. Make sure your policy covers you for what you expect. Whilst I haven't been in an accident, when I found out that the insurance I've been paying generally won't cover me as much as I expected. It really means you have to check if the insurance premium you are paying is worth the money.

To put this into context, if you take what you'd be paid by the insurance company less the excess, you may only have about half the money you need to put you back into a similar car. Most people take out insurance to cover themselves so if they are in an accident they are not worse off. Make sure your insurance covers you and don't fall into this trap.


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

Stud Road & High Street, Wantirna red light camera

The Government has asked Victoria's Road Safety Camera Commissioner, His Honour Judge Gordon Lewis, to broaden his investigation into the issue of amber light timing at red-light camera intersections after a VicRoads review identified seven additional sites that were found to be inconsistent with the Austroads guidelines. – State Government Victoria Fines site.

Stud Rd & High St, Wantirna
AustRoads guidelines: 4.5 secs
Actual time: 3.0 secs
Incorrect Amber period: 28 Dec 06 - 23 Aug 12

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.JustLocal.com.au

Free ebook for Android - Assegai magazine

Recently I assisted a couple of people with their Android tablets they purchased from Aldi. They wanted to download eBooks to read on their tablet. The surprise is they couldn’t download a free eBook unless they provided their credit card details, which they didn’t want to do.

I asked Renée Purdie, the creator of the Assegai magazine, if she could produce a copy of her magazine for use on tablets which Renée kindly did.

If you’re looking for a magazine to read on your tablet check out the Assegai magazine at http://www.risingstardesigns.com.au/images/folio/assegai-issue1-page-view.pdf.

Thanks for your time and assistance Renée.

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

Alert: Deals Direct Australia - DealsDirect.com.au - Free voucher

I've received a number a faked emails targeting Deals Direct customers.

The email is offering a 100 $AU gift to trick people to click on the link in the email.

<<< photo missing >>>

You should delete these emails.

Please let others know about this fake offer.


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

A Medical Dictionary - A Medical Dictionary is a spellchecker for medical words using Australian English

A Medical Dictionary is an Australian English spellchecker consisting of medical words. Medical words are often difficult to spell correctly and this often makes the words difficult to look up. By providing a spellchecker of medical words, if the word is spelt incorrectly, a number of words will be suggested.

 

A Medical Dictionary is a new service for users of the Australian English spellcheck dictionary and can be found at the following address www.amedicaldictionary.com.au.

Please enjoy.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au

 

Apple iPad Mini release date rumours.

For those who would like an Apple iPad, but feel it is too big, Apple is rumoured they are about to announce the new Apple iPad Mini.

The rumours are the iPad Mini will be announced on the 17^th of October with shipping starting in early November.

I find Apple launches to be interesting. The 17^th of October is a Wednesday. The iPhone 5 was released on a Wednesday. If by chance the same launch strategy and timetable occurred for the Apple iPad Mini, it would mean the launch would be announced on the 17^th of October with pre-orders starting on Friday the 19^th of October. Shipping would start on Friday the 26^th of October. However I’ve read rumours of early November for shipping to start so it is hard to tell.

The problem I’ve seen in the past is people are not aware of products which may be just around the corner. I recall Carrie Bickmore from The Project purchased an iPad 2 shortly before the iPad 3 was to be launched. Retailers often won’t let you know of a pending launch because that reduces the chance of a sale. A shop assistant at Freedom Furniture recently told me her sister just bought a new iPhone 4S on a two year contract from Telstra two weeks before the new iPhone 5 was launched and wasn’t happy. Those lucky enough to know about my blogs would have known about the forthcoming release of the iPhone 5 for some months. Perhaps this post may help people know about the possible forthcoming launch of an iPad Mini.

Of course this is just speculation at this stage as Apple does not comment on future products.

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

Bus stop relocation for routes 305, 318, 905, 906, 907 and 908.

On the Smartbus 905 I noticed a bulletin which read the following:

"Bus stop relocation for routes 305, 318, 905, 906, 907 and 908. Effective Tuesday 25th September 2012 until further notice.

Due to construction works, the city terminus for bus routes 305, 318, 905, 906, 907 and 908 will be relocated east of Lonsdale Street, near the corner of King Street."

Allow extra time for the walk to the station and a brolly for Melbourne's often unpredictable weather.



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

Smartbus 905 Williams Street/Lonsdale Street didn't even attempt to stop.

I was waiting on the bus seat and saw the 905 Smartbus as it was approaching the intersection (some 50 metres away) so got up and walked towards the stop. The bus didn't even make an attempt to pull in or slow down. There is a bus lane which it didn't even move into.

So now I stand at the stop and every bus stops.

I would have thought if you're sitting on the bus stop seat and then get up as the bus approaches you'd think it would stop at the bus stop. Not so.

Little wonder public transport users think the system isn't good enough.


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

MyAnswers: Does Apple maps in iOS 6 have street view?

The following MyAnswers solution 2254 is now available:

Does Apple maps in iOS 6 have street view in Australia?

Click here to obtain the solution.

Click here for related solutions.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.MyAnswers.biz
(An Online Connections service.)

Red light camera fine, but picture shows you already in the intersection. How come the fine?

I’ve just been analysing the pictures of a red light camera fine and what surprised me is the red light camera pictures don’t show you actually breaking the law. They show you after you’ve broken the law and it can only be deduced that you broke the law.

For a lot of people this won’t make sense. How can they possibly fine you when you were already in the intersection?

Two pictures are taken and based on the position of your car, you can easily determine the average speed you were travelling and using some basic maths,  estimate your position before the picture was taken, when you actually broke the law.

I’ve read people complaining the amber light has been reduced in terms of shortening the time it is on and if you check the roads, the sensors are now in front of the stop line, in where people would consider they’d be in the intersection. Both make it easier for people to get booked and the cynics amongst us will say, raising revenue for the government. None of us like being booked so the best thing is don’t go through a red light.

Some common sense tips are: reduce the speed as you approach a light. If you are caught with the front of your car over the stop line just stop. Don’t proceed through the intersection or you’ll get snapped. Be prepared to stop as you approach lights. Sadly, and I say sadly because I think this creates a dangerous situation, If you have to brake hard (I’ve found lights now change very quickly) and a person runs up the back of you, it will probably cost you more in time and money getting your car fixed than the fine, but for some losing their licence due to having too many points will cost far more.

Personally I think reducing the amber time is a mistake. For those who like to obey the law the longer amber period will provide plenty of time for people to stop and leads to far more relaxed driving. There is enough stress on the road without having to put people under greater pressure by reducing the timing of lights. Unfortunately there are those with a heavy foot which means they’ll feel they have more time to race through. It is understandable watching people’s behaviour why the government continues to tighten things done, but unfortunately it does mean a lot more average people end up paying fines and some losing their licence. Again I do think people feel the government is doing this to raise revenue and that creates an us and them attitude where the government is thought of as ripping us off. One local business owner even said to me they’d prefer the government raise taxes through fines as they’re leaving them alone. The government should consider rewarding people for good behaviour. If you continue to use a stick and not a carrot to control people, you end up with very angry people in our society and that’s not good for any of us.

Next time you approach a red light just drive appropriately and chances are you’ll save yourself some money and arrive safely.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.JustLocal.com.au

UPDATE: The amber timing for 8 red-light camera locations around Melbourne have been set incorrectly. The question is will the government automatically refurnd the fines and demerit points. For more information including videos of the before and after timing of the traffic light visit http://justlocal.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/will-government-automatically-refund.html.

Patricia Bernard interview in the Assegai magazine by Renée Purdie

I just read the Patricia Bernard interview in the Assegai magazine by Renée Purdie and thought it was thoroughly enjoyable and candid. I enjoy reading interviews where people share their experience openly and we can all learn from their experience.

Patricia Bernard is a famous Australian author. If you’re considering a writing career the interview is a good read.

Thank you Patricia and Renée for sharing this interview.

You can read  Renée’s Assegai magazine at http://www.risingstardesigns.com.au/assegai-magazine/issue1-pdf.

 

Kelvin Eldridge
www.JustLocal.com.au
Enjoying helping people to share their passion.

Alert: eBay - I will open a dispute and give you negative feedback JQDSRXSQPX

Today I received an email from Leesa which had the subject “I will open a dispute and give you negative feedback”. The body of the message is they’d purchased an item and hadn’t received it.

The reason I thought I’d comment on this email is it is what is called a phishing email which uses social engineering techniques to trick people into clicking on the link. If you click on the link which looks like a link to eBay, you’ll end up on a page which is designed to look like an eBay login page. The page is actually a form created using Adobe Flash.

The social engineering technique is to worry people and trick them into making a mistake. People don’t want to get negative feedback on eBay. I recall one person who was devastated when they received their first negative feedback, so people do take feedback very seriously. The more serious the more easily they could be tricked.

Also this is an example of a site which has been compromised to deliver a scam. The domain was registered in 2002 by a family and their main page has a page for each of the family members. I suspect a person has hacked into their site and planted the malicious code on their site. I’ve written to the owner of the site to let them know.

If you receive an email like this you should delete the email. Don’t click on the link. It is designed to collect your eBay login details. If you have been tricked immediately change your password on your eBay account and anything else which a scammer may use to access your account. For example many sites use hints to help you recover a password. Not sure how eBay security works but you should review any information you’ve provided on your site and perhaps any contact you’ve had with others. I don’t know how the creators of this phishing attempt intend to use an eBay site. You should seek assistance from eBay as to what you should do.

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

MyAnswers: Electricity Smart Meter data may be a privacy and security exposure.

Over time as I read information about technology as part of my consulting activities, I read quite a bit of information about privacy and security issues. Apart from making great dinner time conversation, I find many people are simply unaware of just how much information is being collected on them and how they may be being monitored.

Quite often I too am quite surprised at the level of monitoring. In the age of Facebook, Twitter and Google, many people are so used to publishing so much information about themselves online it is hard to think anyone really cares about privacy anymore. However if you want to find out the private information of all the people who want us to share our private information, you’ll generally find they rarely share anywhere near the same amount of information as others do. We are encouraged to share information because it makes others money. Our privacy is their collateral.

I decided that as I find interesting information regarding privacy and security information I’d share the articles and also add comments and examples so people can appreciate how the information will relate to them. Hopefully with a more knowledge people will be in a better position to handle their privacy as they wish, or at least be better informed.

The first article is the MyAnswers solution 2251 and is now available:

Smart meter data collected from electricity meters may be a privacy and security exposure.

Click here to obtain the solution.

Click here for related solutions.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.MyAnswers.biz
(An Online Connections service.)