The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group Editorial Gary Taig editor@melbpc.org.au |
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VoIP Alert?
As PC Update goes to print I've received an urgent message that has implications for Westnet ADSL users attempting to connect their new V-100 phone adaptor. It seems that more than one member read the June Editorial and purchased a V-100 from MyNetFone. If you did, or you are about to do so, and if your modem/ router is a Westnet supplied Netcomm NB 1300 Plus 4, please read the STOP PRESS article on page 16. If you have the Westnet supplied unit and you're not yet VoIP connected, you might consider waiting for October PC Update. There is a new unit available and as soon as it arrives, I will put it to the test and write a full review of its features and performance, for publication in October.
Ifyou plan to go VoIP and still haven't bought Your ADSL equipment -don't rush into any hasty decisions. I believe the new MyNetFone unit is coupled with a state of the art NAT router and has VoIP connections for not one, but two phones. Now Sir, would that be one into the house and one at the computer? Sounds good, doesn't it, but you would need the bandwidth to support all these devices.
Did You Know....?
If you introduce a new member to Melb PC, and you do this simply by writing your details on the application form before it's lodged, a credit will be applied to your next membership fee. This scheme was introduced some years ago and still operates, although apparently with limited use. There must be an opportunity in there somewhere for members who, for one reason or another are unable to volunteer in person. It would be
wonderful for them to introduce some new members - it would be good for the group - and of course would reduce their own annual costs. Do you own a computer retail business, by chance? The mind boggles.
When the scheme commenced, for each new member introduced we used to get one month taken off our annual membership fee. These days it's much simpler - your account is credited with $5 for each new menmber you introduce.
Spam and Washing Mail
How are you coping with the increasing flow of Junk e-mail? I've seen a huge increase from Asia. If you don't know about the program Mailwasher, check it out I receive hundreds of Spams a clay - ranging between 20 and 50 almost every time I check mail. There is no time available for trying to identify and separate that junk from regular e-mail. It's hard enough to process everything coming in that's valid, let alone trying to sort through the rubbish as well.
Using Mailwasher, you look at your list of messages while they're still on the server and delete what you don't want before downloading your mail. This way you completely avoid unwanted and potentially dangerous messages coming anywhere near your computer.
The ideal Mailwasher installation is set up so that messages from "friends" are hidden from view and all you see is mail from "new", unknown or unidentified addresses. If one or two of those are good, simply right click a good address and add it to your list of "friends", and the balance is rubbish. Delete all the rubbish before downloading. With the help of the ??SPAM?? tag added by the Melb PC mail servers, those messages can be already pre-filtered and tagged by Mailwasher and ready for instant removal. Zap! and a happy download.
Photographing Children?
Would you have something to say about the possibility of laws and regulations interfering with family photo opportunities? Would you wish to help quell what some might refer to as the hysteria of-the moment, or are you in favour of making rules to cover every situation? Well, you can make your submission to some Federal Government research: they are endeavouring to establish whether or not the public believes special laws are required. Submissions must be in by 14 October 2005.
Thanks to Irene Graham at Electronic Frontiers Australia (EFA) who sent us this information - a press release from the Attourney General's Department is printed on page 61. It points to an excellent (must read) discussion paper on the subject.
The Parliament House Web site is an interesting place. Frankly I've never been there before and did some exploring. If you've always wanted to send an e-mail to the Federal Government, here are some handy links.
Attorney General: http://www.ag.gov.au/
Prime Minister: http://www.pm.gov.au
Parliament House Main Page: http://www.aph.gov.au/
Reprinted from the September 2005 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
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