In Business !!....

Well I did it....I got myself an ABN, so now I'm officially a "sole trader". I'm going to be fixing PC's, upgrading PC's, building / selling PC's, removing virii and mal/spyware, advising people on appropriate computer security and also selling broadband accounts and netcomm modems etc through eXetel as an agent.

My Advert

Current step is getting the word out there..have made my own business cards, have "tear-off" posters ready to go up at the shops and will have to investigate an ad in the "local rags".
Might look into a listing on the web through those business listing sites but not so sure on whether they are successful at generating business...besides which I have to make a web site for my business yet...next on the to do list.
As for a business name? at the moment I'm trading under my own name but I have the paperwork to register a name when I come up with something suitable...I have a couple on the short list but not 100% sure yet....
So if you know someone who could use my services.........

cheers
geoff

I know how they feel now!

It has been said this week of Steve Irwins death, that children the globe over have felt his passing deeply, as he was a larger than life icon, seemingly immortal, idolised by the young ... well I must admit I was saddened by his passing but obviously not as much as some of the young'uns around here..I know of some kids who were too upset to go to school the following day after hearing the news...
But now after hearing of Peter Brocks passing I can truly relate to their feelings...I was a young lad when Brocky was in his heyday, and to me as a "car mad" boy he too was an invincible rolemodel. I remember fondly laying on the floor in front of the tele for hour after hour watching him race at "Bathurst", only leaving the room in the ad. breaks. I must admit I teared up when I saw the news article on Sky News, thinking this just cannot have happened!, not Brocky!, not"Peter Perfect"!, my most admired racing car driver of my youth!, my inspiration to be a good driver when I grew up.!!

Rest in Peace Steve and Peter, you will be sadly missed by all, may your legends live forever.

What Should I use then?

I am sometimes asked by people about software for their PC, particularly people I have helped reload software for after suffering some form of attack from malware etc....and from the cost concsious user, who like me, don't have a lot of cash to waste on expensive software!
so I have pieced together my recommendations....

Geoff's Recommended FREE Software for your Windows PC

Whether you just want to stay with Windows or you just have to run a Windows box for particular software you need, or just want to steer clear of expensive (Microsft office) and dangerous (read Microsoft OE and IE) software on your windows PC, I recommend and use this software on the Windows Boxes here at home......

Mozilla Firefox, Browser. Open sourced browser, less vunerable to attack than Internet Explorer and is FREE

Mozilla Thunderbird, Email. Open sourced Email program. Does not automatically open your mail when it downloads (as does Outlook Express when preview pane is enabled) which gives you an opportunity to screen for junk etc, has goodies like a “learning” junk mail filter . it too is FREE

Open Office 2, Office package. Open sourced office suite, compatible with Microsoft Office file formats, but its FREE! and works well. Can export your documents in PDF format also.

Zone Alarm, Firewall, award winning , far superioir to windows firewall. Basic firewall version is FREE. (can upgrade for a cost to higher levels of protection.)

AVG Free, antivirus software. Excellent FREE antivirus software. Has email checking.

Adaware and or Spybot Search and Destroy, to find and help you control adware, malware, spyware etc

All this software is free and hence fully legal to run on your PC without having to pay licencing fees or upfront purchase costs, and they all do an excellent job!, Better still if you use Firefox, Thunderbird and Open Office, you will be far less exposed to common exploits aimed at Billy Gates (Microsoft) software.

other free utilities you may wish to try are...

The GIMP, image manipulation software, FREE

Picasa, photo management software from Google, FREE.

Nvu, web page creation software, FREE

Be Security Wise. Of course there is no substitute for being vigilant and taking a close watch on what you are downloading and opening. Always look for the original software publishers download site if possible as some third party download sites will often add their spyware and malware to the download. Running a good firewall will protect you not only from attempts to access your PC from the outside world, but also help stop any spyware you may have on your PC from sending data back out from your PC to the writers of the spyware. Keep your windows installation up to date with security patches....enable automatic updates if you have a legitimate windows installation.

cheers
and Happy Personal Computing
Geoff

Dads Day

Well!... its just after 10:30 on Fathers Day, and do i feel spoilt!
Greeted in bed this morning by the "potholes" (pre-pubescent Pitts) with the sunday paper and a coffee, then a load of cards and pressies...."whacko!" as my old man used to say!
I share a love of dogs with my dad and my grandfather, having a Border Collie named Holly, now going on 11 human years old. (77 in dog years?) She can now support my favourite footy team the Eels with me as I got some Eels gear for her for Fathers Day. Holly the Collie now looks smart in her new Eels collar and ID tag, we can go for a walk with her new Eels Leash, can play frisbee with her new Eels dog frisbee...(She just loves playing frisbee and with balls) and have a feed from her new Eels dog bowl....Hmmm you don't think it was all meant for me?..perhaps the bowl is actually for me when I'm "in the doghouse" so to speak ;-)

After the pressies it was time for a good 'ol cooked breaky, bacon, eggs (sunny side up and runny please), mushroom, tomato, hash browns, toasted english muffins and a home made iced coffee......and finish reading the paper.

so far so good....an excellent morning! might go and have a cuppa now in my new Eels coffee cup i got as well...Happy Fathers Day!

BLACKHAWKS WIN THE GRAND FINAL!

Yes they did it!, Mikes soccer team, the Warners Bay Blackhawks, have won the Grand Final today.
They are now both Premiers AND Grand Final Winners for then 2006 season.
It was another tight match against "Lake Macquarie" going into extra time after no result at the full time whistle....they then managed to score in the first 10 minutes of extra time coming out victors 1-nil.



CONGRATULATIONS ON AN EXCELLENT SEASON BOYS !!!!!

Many thanks and Top Marks to the boys coach Lee, who has taken the team ahead in their abilities "leaps and bounds" through this season.




My "Pothole" Mike with his Premiers Trophy and Grand Final Winners Medalion.