22-year-old Templestowe man suffered head injuries and was placed into an induced coma

Man critically injured in wild brawl at Rye Pier... Read More

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

113 Atkinson Street, Templestowe, Vic 3106

113 Atkinson Street, Templestowe, Vic 3106 advertised for sale by Philip Webb.

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

96 Dellfield Drive, Templestowe, Vic 3106

96 Dellfield Drive, Templestowe, Vic 3106 advertised for sale by Jellis Craig.

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

15 Chivers Road Templestowe Vic 3106

15 Chivers Road Templestowe Vic 3106 advertised for sale by Hudson Bond.


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

8/411 Church Road, Templestowe, Vic 3106

8/411 Church Road, Templestowe, Vic 3106 advertised for sale by Barry Plant.

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

22 St Georges Avenue Templestowe Vic 3106

22 St Georges Avenue Templestowe Vic 3106 advertised for sale by Stockdale & leggo.

Regards,

Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer advice and support.

6/143 Parker Street, Templestowe, Vic 3106

6/143 Parker Street, Templestowe, Vic 3106 advertised for sale by James Wotton Real Estate.


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

50 Matisse Drive, Templestowe, Vic 3106

50 Matisse Drive, Templestowe, Vic 3106 advertised for sale by Eastfield Real Estate.


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

11 County Terrace, Templestowe, Vic 3106

11 County Terrace, Templestowe, Vic 3106 advertised for sale by Barry Plant.


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

30 Bali Hi Boulevard Templestowe Vic 3106

30 Bali Hi Boulevard Templestowe Vic 3106 advertised for sale by Christou & Co.

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

1-3/8 Parker Street, Templestowe, Vic 3106

1-3/8 Parker Street, Templestowe, Vic 3106 three properties advertised for sale by Ray White.


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

1/8 Parker Street, Templestowe VIC 3106

1/8 Parker Street, Templestowe VIC 3106 is advertised for sale by Ray White.


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

Sex attack victim still afraid

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, was assaulted while walking home on Hillcroft Ave (Drive), Templestowe, in August.... Read More

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

14 Nambour Road, Templestowe, Vic 3106

14 Nambour Road, Templestowe, Vic 3106 advertised for sale by Margaret Bland Realty.

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

Police expect to charge two women with lying to them after they claimed a taxi driver drove off

Police expect to charge two women with lying to them after they claimed a taxi driver drove off while one of them was stuck inside the vehicle, dragging her along the road.... Read More

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

113 Atkinson Street, Templestowe, Vic 3106

113 Atkinson Street, Templestowe, Vic 3106 advertised by Philip Webb.

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

19 Monckton Road, Templestowe, Vic 3106

19 Monckton Road, Templestowe, Vic 3106 advertised for sale by Mandy Lee Real Estate.

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

8 Waites Court, Templestowe Vic 3106

8 Waites Court, Templestowe Vic 3106 advertised for sale.

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

286-288 Foote Street, Templestowe, Vic 3106

286-288 Foote Street, Templestowe, Vic 3106 advertised for sale by First National - Mill Park.


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

13 Cliveden Court, Templestowe, Vic 3106

13 Cliveden Court, Templestowe, Vic 3106 has be advertised for sale by Barry Plant.

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

 

3 Cliveden Court, Templestowe, Vic 3106

3 Cliveden Court, Templestowe, Vic 3106 advertised for sale by Aussie Home.


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

Internet Explorer 10 - The preferred Australian English spelling now available

I’m pretty excited to announce I’m now making available the preferred Australian English spelling file for Internet Explorer 10 running on Windows 8.

Internet Explorer 10 has Australian English spellchecking built in, but like Microsoft’s Office products, the spellchecker accepts thousands of secondary spelling variations such as words with “ize”, American spelt words such as “mom” and some errors. The preferred Australian English spelling file corrects these issues.

If written communication matters to you the preferred Australian English spelling file is a must have. If you’re a student, applying for jobs, or write reports or sales material, the preferred Australian English spelling file is a must have.

You can find the preferred Australian English spelling file for Internet Explorer 10 at www.Australian-Dictionary.com.au.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
The creator of the preferred Australian English spelling dictionary.

13/131 Parker Street Templestowe Vic 3106

13/131 Parker Street Templestowe Vic 3106 list for sale by Hudson Bond.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for compute support.
No call-out fee or minimum charge for Templestowe residents and businesses.
You only pay for the time required to fix your problem.

176 Serpells Road, Templestowe, Vic 3106

176 Serpells Road, Templestowe, Vic 3106 advertised by Philip Webb.

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

22 Peter Budge Avenue, Templestowe, Vic 3106

22 Peter Budge Avenue, Templestowe, Vic 3106 advertised for sale by Margaret Bland Realty.

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

Tessa Ramsay will spend four years in an elite basketball training program in the US.

BULLEEN Boomer junior Tessa Ramsay has gotten used to winning. But the 18-year-old from Templestowe was still shocked when she won a full athletic scholarship to a college in the US.... Read More

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

Ken Taylor - Templestowe Living Room

Ken Taylor welcomes the competition in the cafés and restaurants that surround his confident, modern nine-year-old restaurant.... Read More

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

William Keogh is a family law lawyer who deals with family violence cases and has been a proud White Ribbon Ambassador for four years

Templestowe barrister William J Keogh has been an ambassador for the awareness campaign for the past four years.... Read More

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

Homemade explosive defused by bomb squad at Templestowe's Westerfolds Park

The bomb squad was called to defuse the homemade explosive at Westerfolds Park in Templestowe.... Read More

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

Templestowe was among the suburbs where the highest prices were achieved.

HOMES in the eastern suburbs have spiked in price and popularity, real estate agents say.... Read More

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

4 Cottonwood Court, Templestowe, Vic 3106

4 Cottonwood Court, Templestowe, Vic 3106 listed by Exceland Real Estate.

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

7 Lempriere Close, Templestowe, Vic 3106

7 Lempriere Close, Templestowe, Vic 3106 listed for sale by Ray White.

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

26 Kenman Close, Templestowe, Vic 3106

26 Kenman Close, Templestowe, Vic 3106 has been listed for sale by Ray White.

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

7 Dellas Avenue, Templestowe

7 Dellas Avenue, Templestowe listed by Barry Plant.


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

23 Hemingway Avenue, Templestowe, Vic 3106

23 Hemingway Avenue, Templestowe, Vic 3106 list by Fletcher's.

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

20A Innisfallen Avenue, Templestowe, Vic 3106

20A Innisfallen Avenue, Templestowe, Vic 3106 listed for auction by Jellis Craig.

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

20 Innisfallen Avenue, Templestowe, Vic 3106

20 Innisfallen Avenue, Templestowe, Vic 3106 listed by Jellis Craig.

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

13 Bamfield Close Templestowe VIC 3106

13 Bamfield Close Templestowe VIC 3106 listed for sale by auction on 10:00am Saturday 8 December, 2012.

Listing agent Ray White


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

18 Stradmore Avenue Templestowe auction

The house at 18 Stradmore Avenue Templestowe was up for auction on Saturday the 17th of November 2012. It didn't sell at auction and was passed in.

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

New site for The Preferred Australian English spellcheck dictionary

Recently Google changed their algorithm which significantly impacted the position of the Australian English spellcheck dictionary in the Google search results. From number one position to nowhere to be found. In essence traffic to the site dropped 80% overnight. This should be a warning for anyone who puts a lot of time and money into obtaining a position in Google. All your time, energy and money could be wasted overnight by decisions Google makes in terms of generating traffic to your site.

The preferred Australian English spellcheck dictionary is the only free service available to Australians to assist them with using the preferred Australian English spelling. Over a thousand people a week used the site and Google simply changed their algorithm making the page almost impossible to find. The original page will remain (www.justlocal.com.au/clients/oooau), but in addition, you can now find the main page at www.Australian-Dictionary.com.au.

 

The site www.Australian-Dictionary.com.au will become the main site for my dictionary work.

 

You can still find the main page if searching (“Australian Dictionary”) using Bing, where the site is positioned in first position and in Yahoo where the site is positioned second. My apologies for any inconvenience. What Google does is outside of my control.

I hope you find my work to be of assistance.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au   

Police abandon hunt for taxi driver

Police have cancelled a hunt for a taxi driver after a passenger's claims she was dragged along a road in Melbourne's east proved baseless.... Read More

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

Taxi injured women. Cab was flagged down on Anderson Street, Templestowe

Taxi drags woman along part of Springvale Rd in Donvale and injured her face... Read More

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

Emerald Terracea Aged Care resident Jim Melbourne prepares to celebrate his 100th birthday with daughter Nola Costantino at a party at the Templestowe centre.

"I believe hard work and keeping the mind active is the secret to a long life," said Mr Melbourne, who lives at Emerald Terrace Aged Care in Templestowe.... Read More

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

Windows 7 to Windows 8 Pro upgrade is not a straight forward upgrade for all Windows 7 editions.

I decided to buy the Windows 8 Pro upgrade from the Microsoft Online Store this morning. I have an older development machine I’d like to install Windows 8 Pro on. The machine is currently running the trial version of Windows 8 Enterprise Edition which expires after three months. I opened my notebook and went to download. From the first screens presented on the Microsoft Online Store I couldn’t just buy and download Windows 8 Pro and then burn it to a disk. The screens take me through the steps of checking my machine and at this point I decided I’d rather go to Officeworks and buy Windows 8 Pro on special for around $9 more. I’m hoping the special also includes the DVD so I don’t have to spend the time downloading and burning a DVD.

The problem I find with downloading programs is things can and do go wrong. When I support people I take into account people have a range of skills. If things go wrong for me, then they’ll go wrong for others and really, I want people to have the best experience they can, given what technology often puts us through. On a number of occasions when I’ve assisted people who have downloaded their software, they don’t have a copy of their software to reinstall when there is a major problem. This means to fix the problem they have had to buy the software again. In other situations people have lost their product key, or the product key is in their emails on their computer which is no longer working. People should have a copy of their software and their product key stored separately to minimise the chance of having to incur additional costs and delays.

One big surprise for me was the following statement on the Microsoft Online Store.

“If your PC is running Windows 7 Home Basic or Home Premium, your files, programs and settings will easily transfer to Windows 8. If your PC is running Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate, Windows XP or Windows Vista, you will need to reinstall your programs. Some features such as touch may require a new PC. To check compatibility, visit your PC manufacturer’s website and check out www.windows.com/upgrade to run the Upgrade Assistant to check for compatibility and get more details on system requirements.”

To me an upgrade is you insert the disk, run the program, the upgrade occurs and you continue working. This is generally relatively easy for anyone who is comfortable working with technology. Having to reinstall all your programs is much more time consuming. You never know if you’ve got all the disks, the licence numbers and even if some of the programs such as drivers will even work. Reinstalling your software can often wipe existing data for some applications and that is pretty scary if you don’t know what you’re doing. I’ve often reinstalled Windows and then spent hours downloading and updating drivers for sound cards, video cards and other devices in the computer. An upgrade to a new version of Windows can mean some of your peripheral devices don’t work and may never be able to be used again with your upgraded computer.

What surprised me and I didn’t know, even though I’ve spent numerous hours researching, installed Windows 8 Release Preview, installed Windows 8 Enterprise Edition, and attended a Microsoft day-long seminar, that the upgrade will only work easily with Windows 7 Home Basic or Home Premium. I mostly now support micro and small business clients (as well as home users) and for business I’d always recommend the Pro version of Windows. People buying Home editions would often bring a computer into a large business or government environment wanting to use their computer for work, but couldn’t because it couldn’t connect to their network at work. There were also other features missing in the Home edition. Thus it was safer to purchase the Pro edition of Windows.

Now every one of those computer running the pro edition of Windows 7, will now effectively have to do what is nearly a complete reinstall of their computer. That is a very costly exercise if you are using an IT consultant to upgrade your computers. I wouldn’t upgrade a machine without first doing a review of the machine, determining what programs and data the user has on their machine, performing a backup of their hard disk, and then installing the new operating system, reinstalling all their applications, bringing across their data and then fixing any issues that have been created, such as drivers for hardware or peripherals not working. This could easily be a $300-$500 (or more) cost per machine. I personally find it hard to justify putting that amount of money into an older machine.

Windows 8 is not a simple upgrade anymore and it is now an upgrade you need to think seriously about. If you have to pay $300-$500 to upgrade an older machine, that sum of money could easily go a long way towards the cost of purchasing a new machine. With a new machine at least you know the machine has been designed to run the new operating system. You don’t have to try to fix things that didn’t work in the upgrade. Because your data is still on your old machine you can take your time to migrate your data and applications. I often leave the old decommissioned machine with the client for two weeks just in case something they hadn’t realised the was something on their old machine they needed to be migrated and now doesn’t work on their new machine. Then after that period the old machine can be cleaned and reused in another part of the business.

As an extra tip I don’t generally buy the Office software licence with the machine as that software can only be used with that machine. I purchase the more expensive stand-alone version of the Office. That enables me to use the software on two machines (a desktop and a notebook) and to transfer the software to a new machine. (I’ll need to recheck the licence to see if this still applies.) I’ve had clients who have had their computers stolen. The insurance companies won’t pay for the software and the software is only licensed for the machine that was stolen. The client can’t use the software on the new replacement machine and are thus out of pocket hundreds of dollars. I’ve also confirmed this with Microsoft.

Until today I didn’t realise that only the Home editions of Windows 7 will be a relatively straight forward upgrade exercise. That means for me, the majority of machines could potentially be equivalent to a reinstall and that is a much more time consuming and thus expensive exercise. Many of those who purchased a machine recently running Windows 7 with a $14.99 upgrade to Windows 8, will probably now be regretting they didn’t just wait and buy a new computer and save themselves the time and energy required to upgrade. I’ve recommended that my clients defer purchasing machines until after Windows 8 ships. Retailers who just wanted the sale would have been pushing out machines and not advising clients of the time and effort to upgrade. Consultants who have advised clients to purchase a Windows 7 machine and then to later update may get some agro from their clients. Some consultants would have done this knowingly to obtain additional support work and others would not have known the upgrade wouldn’t be a simple upgrade.

I’m posting this article to all my blogs including my Online Connections blog (www.blog.onlineconnections.com.au) and also each of the JustLocal postcode blogs I maintain, to ensure people I support now know if they are thinking of upgrading to Windows 8, there is more work involved than previously anticipated.

If you’d like to be kept informed with technology related news, most news is posted to my Online Connections blog (www.blog.onlineconnections.com.au). For clients I also provide the MyAnswers solution database where I post problems and solutions I find when working with clients. This enables me to share solutions between clients reducing the costs overall for all clients. You can keep updated on new solutions on the MyAnswers site (www.MyAnswers.biz)  by looking at the Recent solutions posted. I expect to post quite a number of issues and solutions relating to Windows 8.

Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer advice and support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham, Templestowe Lower, Lower Plenty, Doncaster East, Montmorency, Bulleen, Warrandyte and Research with no travel or call-out fee. For suburbs outside this area travel time is chargeable.
 

Windows 8 release date in Australia is today. Windows 8 Pro upgrade available now.

Windows 8 Pro upgrade is now available for download from Microsoft’s Online Store for $39.99. There are a number of things you should keep in mind.

1. Whilst at $39.99 the Windows 8 Pro upgrade is a bargain compared to previous upgrades, if you have an ageing computer think about whether it is best to save the money and put it towards a new computer, or to install Windows 8 Pro to keep your existing computer going and use the latest version of Windows.

2. Keep in mind Windows 8 is very different from what you are used to. At first this will be frustrating for most, but as with all past changes, once you get used to it, it won’t really matter.

3. Around 10% of older computers I’d estimate won’t be able to be upgraded. I estimate there will be over 100 million computers currently being used worldwide which won’t handle the upgrade. Check Microsoft’s refund policy, or the policy of the store where you purchase the software. The system requirements stated on the Microsoft web site do not take into account many computers which exceed the minimum requirement cannot install the Windows 8 upgrade. This is based on testing the Windows 8 Preview Release and I don’t believe this has changed.

The Microsoft Online Store provides a link to the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant which you can use to test if your computer can install Windows 8. I’d recommend running the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant before purchasing the Window 8 Pro upgrade. On the netbook computer I use (it is around three years old) 11 issues were found and one was quite serious.

4. Keep in mind only upgrading from Windows 7 is what we’d normally consider a real upgrade. Windows Vista and Windows 8 will require reinstallation of your applications and isn’t an upgrade to me. My concern here is people running the upgrade on a Vistra or Windows XP machine will end up with a machine where there programs won’t run if they don’t understand how the upgrade works. I’d suggest Windows XP and Windows Vista users consider the upgrade to be like a fresh install. If you had to do a new install of your computer what do you need to save first.

5. You should perform a backup of your data (including programs you may have download and any settings your programs may store) before you perform any upgrade to your computer.  

I’m suggesting to my clients they should purchase the upgrade to Windows 8 Pro even if they don’t install the upgrade right now. Until January 31^st 2013 you’ll be able to buy Windows 8 Pro via download for $39.99. After that date the price will most likely revert to the very expensive upgrade prices of past, which means it may no longer be worth upgrading an older machine. This of course may change and Microsoft may decide to keep the upgrade prices at a reasonable level, but I wouldn’t count on it. Based on what I’ve read the upgrade to Windows 8 Pro on DVD could cost as much as $290. To me it doesn’t make sense to pay that much money to upgrade an older machine when that money could go to a new and faster machine.

You can buy Windows 8 Pro upgrade from a retailer, or save some money and download the upgrade from the Microsoft Online Store. The upgrade from a retailer will cost around $20-$30 more. I’m not sure at the moment, but I suspect the retail version may include a DVD. You should check if the DVD is included in the purchase from a retailer.

As I find issues with Windows 8 I’ll add the issues and solutions to MyAnswers for clients. I’ve already identified and documented a shortcoming of Windows 8 Mail which largely stops me from using Windows 8 Mail and may stop others.

Most importantly, do run the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant first to make sure upgrading your computer won’t cause you any grief. Well, no more grief than normal.

If you forget where you can download the Windows 8 upgrade, the Microsoft Online Store is available on the main page of JustLocal (www.JustLocal.com.au). JustLocal is an advertising service I’ve created to help local businesses advertise cost effectively.

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

NOTE: The link to the Microsoft store above is an affiliate link. Purchasing using this link means I receive a commission but does not affect the price you pay.

Gourmet Living Templestowe Village

Gourmet Living, a specialty foodstore, opened last week next door to its sister-restaurant The Living Room.... Read More

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

Manningham Council approved the rezoning of the open space at Parker St recreation centre

A TEMPLESTOWE recreation centre will be rezoned and potentially sold to developers under the new Templestowe Village Management Strategy.... Read More

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

Templestowe resident Emad Nayef won gold at last month's Global Powerlifting Championships in Slovakia

NOT even a shoulder reconstruction and bicep reattachment could keep Emad Nayef from powerlifting.... Read More

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

Brooke Cairns is hoping to raise enough money to pay for her horse, Ace's, cancer treatment

Mrs Cairns, a single mum of two, who lost her own horse to illness earlier this year, said the support of the community had been wonderful, and she was proud of Brooke.... Read More

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

Women warned over sex pest

WOMEN are being urged to travel in pairs at night and carry a phone in their hand as police continue to investigate a spate of sexual assaults across Manningham, Whitehorse and Boroondara.... Read More

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

Google search Australia and Google advertising has now been removed from JustLocal.

Recently Google updated their search algorithm which resulted in my dictionary page going from the number one position in Google when people search for “Australian dictionary” to nowhere to be seen. That means around a thousand people each week using my free Australian English dictionary service will no longer find a free Australian English dictionary service. If Google can do that to me so easily, they can do it to any business.

I’ve also noticed that between 25% and up to possibly 40% of searches coming to my site have no search term, which means people are logged onto a Google service and whatever they search for is being tracked to them individually.

These actions concern me. I don’t want to encourage people to put time and effort into creating a presence in Google search results when any time, effort, or money they outlay, could easily end up being wiped away so easily. I’m also very concerned about the privacy of Australians. Over 90% of Australians use Google for searching with 25-40% of those having their search activity tracked to them individually. I’ve read this information can be handed to law enforcement agencies without a court order. How this information is being used by others is not known to us and for me that is a concern.

Whilst I can’t stop using all Google services, I’ve decided at this point to remove Google advertising from my site and the Google custom search engine.

JustLocal has been designed to provide single click access to businesses in an area. Something which is very difficult and time consuming with a search engine. For example, a very popular fish and chip shop called Shark Tank Seafood opened a few months ago in Templestowe. My blog entries appear in Google’s search results, but the page with the menu at http://www.justlocal.com.au/clients/shark-tank-seafood-templestowe/ cannot be found. If you visit www.JustLocal.com.au/3106 (the page for Templestowe), you can access the Shark Tank Seafood menu with a single click.

JustLocal offers single click access to local businesses. Google offers endless searches with no guarantee of finding what you want.

By continuing to include Google’s custom search in JustLocal, people will continue to unproductively search for local businesses often being presented with large overseas businesses, or business not in the area with deep pockets to advertise. Once people realise there is a better way to find a local business using JustLocal, JustLocal will grow to service locals better. Shark Tank Seafood receives over a hundred views of their menu a month as a result of JustLocal’s efforts to promote them. That’s a lot of potential business.

 

Thank you for your continued support and I trust JustLocal assists local businesses and residents.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.JustLocal.com.au
Help to build a stronger local community through stronger local businesses.

Grace La Vella and Gus Morello shared billboard in Templestowe

<<< photo missing >>>



Local politics is serious business in Templestowe. I noticed this billboard of Grace La Vella and Gus Morello at the Water Tunnel car wash.

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

Police directing motorists into Templestowe Reserve on Porter Street Templestowe

This morning I noticed police directing west bound traffic on Porter Street Templestowe into the Templestowe Reserve. Most likely performing checks on cars but not sure. On second check looks like a random breath/drug testing.

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

Seat-belt and mobile phone blitz in Templestowe

DONCASTER police will start a Manningham-wide blitz on seat-belt and mobile phone offences next week.... Read More

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

Spate of tool thefts in Templestowe and Bulleen

POLICE are urging tradies to watch out for white vans after a spate of tool thefts in Templestowe and Bulleen.... Read More

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

Veterinarian Durelle Esnouf said pet owners should take precautions to prevent deadly and costly encounters with snakes

Dr Esnouf said pets had been bitten from Westerfolds Park and the Maroondah Aqueduct Trail through to small parks in Montmorency.... Read More

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

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

Doncaster Road and Williamsons Road/Tram Road 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.

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

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.JustLocal.com.au

UPDATE: For more information and links to videos of the lights before an after the change visit http://justlocal.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/will-government-automatically-refund.html.

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.

TRAFFIC police have cracked down on drivers in Fitzsimons Lane on August 15.

Doncaster police Sgt Shannon Elston said 4000 vehicles were checked in the four-hour period using automatic number plate recognition scanning.... Read More

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

Toddler locked in van in Templestowe for hours

A TRAUMATISED toddler was trapped in a locked van for almost two hours in Templestowe after a childcare worker left her behind in the centre's carpark.... Read More

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

Smartbus bus stops in Williamsons Road Templestowe require footpaths

<<< photo missing >>>


It occurred to me after getting off the Smartbus in Williamsons Road, there are a number of issues with the bus stops that should be reviewed.

As you can see from the photo there is a large trench and no path to or from the bus stop. In the wet to get to or from the bus stop, you'd need to walk along the busy road with a large number of cars speeding past at 80km/h.

The other issue is getting from one side of Williamsons Road to the other, especially during peak times. School children often walk between cars to cross the road.

There is no safe way to cross Williamsons Road road from Foote Street to Porter Street. At Foote Street there are slip lanes which cars often speed around, checking for traffic but not watching for pedestrians. At Porter Street you have the very busy roundabout and no infrastructure where people can cross.

I see a number of areas for improvement in the area. Sometimes if feels like Templestowe residents are the cash cow for the Doncaster Hill precinct. More needs to be done in the local area to provide better facilities and a safer environment.

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

Traffic lights for Fitzsimons Lane and promised at last election appear they won't be what people expect.

At the last election two promises made by the Liberal member for Bulleen were for traffic lights at Golden Way/Bulleen Road in Bulleen and Fitzsimons Lane/Porter Street Templestowe.

According to one article on the internet for the five year crash data to 2010, there were 3 accidents at Golden Way and 8 at Fitzsimons Lane. The following is an excerpt from Google search results.

30 May 2011 – VicRoads' five-year crash data to 2010 recorded eight crashes, two ... the Porter Street and Fitzsimons Lane intersection in Templestowe. Three crashes occurred at the Bulleen Road and Golden Way intersection in Bulleen.

For the five year period of 2007-2011, if I read the statistics correctly, there were 2 crashes at Golden Way/Bulleen Road and 8 crashes at Fitzsimons Lane/Porter Street.

That is there were two to four times the number of crashes at the Fitzsimons Lane roundabout and yet it received a lower priority. These crashes are casualty crashes where people are injured. There would be many more crashes where vehicles are damaged.

Now if you read the following it appears the Fitzsimons Lane roundabout won’t get a full set of traffic lights as I suspect most people would have felt should be there and certainly what I expected when the Liberals promised traffic lights at Golden Way and the Fitzsimons Lane roundabout.  

VicRoads acting regional director Anita Curnow said details of planned improvements were being finalised. "The proposal is to add metering traffic signals on each roundabout approach to allow much more control over how the roundabout operates," she said.... Read More

By the time people generally hear about the plans it is too late. We’ve seen how VicRoads has crippled the Hawtin Street/Foote Street intersection. Residents in the area were made aware of the changes (I personally dropped hundreds of leaflets) and the increased danger of the additional lane, but it isn’t real to most people until the changes are made. I didn’t even realise the median strip would be removed making it much more difficult to cross Foote Street in a vehicle. Since then multiple people have raised partitions but the median strip, which would enable cars to move safely into the middle of the Foote Street has still not returned.

If the Fitzsimons Lane/Porter Street intersection is important to you, then make sure your voice is heard. Whether you are for or against traffic lights instead of the roundabout, make your voice heard.

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

Three wombats were hit and killed by cars along Fitzsimons Lane

Wildlife Victoria issued the warning after three wombats were hit and killed by cars along Fitzsimons Lane next to Westerfolds Park in the past six weeks.... Read More

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

Snoozing car thief nabbed in Templemore Drive Templestowe

Manningham detective Sen-Constable Anthony Downes said a resident alerted police to a man sleeping in a vehicle parked in Templemore Drive about 8.45am yesterday.... Read More

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

Police on both sides of Fitzsimons Lane Templestowe

Allow extra time if crossing over the Yarra on Fitzsimons Lane between Eltham and Templestowe. A short delay is to be expected.

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

Anthony Jude - ANZ mobile lender

I live in Templestowe and today received an unaddressed letter in the mail from ANZ. It was a pamphlet promoting ANZ’s “local” mobile lender. A search of the telephone number indicates Anthony is located in Blackburn, a number of suburbs from Templestowe.

Between Templestowe and around Blackburn I suspect there are hundreds of lenders, many running their own small business. Whilst I have nothing against ANZ or Anthony, the aim of JustLocal is to make it easier for local businesses to advertise to locals and harder for big business to swamp the market. For example there is no ANZ business in Templestowe (the branch closed a while ago) and Anthony doesn’t live in Templestowe. Thus even with the deep pockets ANZ has to advertise, ANZ couldn’t have advertised on JustLocal in Templestowe. Even if ANZ had a branch in Templestowe they would still be limited to four advertising spaces which is just as affordable for a smaller local business.

If you want to promote your business in your local area, without being squashed by the huge advertising budgets of big business, then consider advertising and promoting yourself on JustLocal.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.JustLocal.com.au  

UPDATE 18/09: I received a call from Anthony Jude and had a very interesting conversation. It turns out Anthony is a successful franchise owner and his franchise covers the areas of Templestowe, Templestowe Lower, Doncaster and Doncaster East. The letter drop was done at Anthony's own expense and not by ANZ.

JustLocal has been designed to assist businesses like Anthony's. JustLocal has also been designed to strengthen local business by only enabling businesses located in an area, to advertise on the postcode page for the area. Unfortunately since Anthony does not live in Templestowe, or have a bricks-and-mortar presence in Templestowe (or Templestowe Lower, Doncaster or Doncaster East), he would not be able to advertise on the Templestowe 3106 page (or 3107, 3108 or 3109) for JustLocal.

This is not meant to reflect on Anthony or his business. My only desire is to strengthen local business by providing an advertising service which where people outside the area with larger budgets are more visible than the businesses located in the area.

Thank you Anthony for taking the time to contact me and correct my assumptions. I wish you the best with your business.
 

Womens Fitness Studio In Templestowe Village For Sale

Established Womens Fitness Studio In Templestowe For Sale... Read More

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

Tree down in Stradmore Avenue Templestowe

Today a neighbour knocked on our door just before 8am needing a lift. I was happy to help. A tree had blown over as a result of the high winds and blocked her drive. Luckily there was no damage caused by the tree.

<<< photo missing >>>

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

Tree on Fitzsimons Lane Eltham Eastern lane

Take care if you ate travelling from Eltham to Templestowe on Fitzsimons Lane. Near the curve (which is not clearly visible from a distance) a tree has fallen down from the embankment due to the wind and is on the road.


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

Carpark Audit at Templestowe Village

NHW volunteers and the Police will be checking cars in the shopping centre carpark to ensure that no valuables are visible.... Read More

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

A PLAN to hand control of almost a third of Melbourne's bus routes to one company

Public Transport Victoria will appoint a single operator next year to run 30 per cent of the city's bus network - including the four heavily used Doncaster rapid-bus routes and three growing orbital routes that ring the middle and outer suburbs.... Read More

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

Keilor East man charged over Bakers Delight burglaries

He said the man was suspected of burglaries at bakeries in Templestowe, Bulleen, Heidelberg, Brandon Park, Waverley Gardens and Eltham between Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, August 12.... Read More

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

Wombat wanders into Templestowe

WALLY the bare-nosed wombat has been causing a stir at his digs in Templestowe.... Read More

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

Woman was indecently assaulted in a separate attack in Templestowe

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said a woman was walking along Hillcroft Drive about 7.45pm when a man approached her from behind and indecently assaulted her.... Read More

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

Three dead in horror crash on country highway near Yunta

The male driver, 54, of a white Nissan 4WD lived at Broken Hill while the 76-year-old male driver of a silver Honda Accord came from Templestowe, Victoria.... Read More

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

Stolen cash from a Bakers Delight store in Templestowe

Detective Senior Constable Anthony Downes said a man pretending to be a maintenance worker had stolen cash from a Bakers Delight store in Templestowe on July 28. He also attempted to steal from franchises in Bulleen, Heidelberg, Brandon Park and Mulgrave.... Read More

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

The in-school program, run by Little Devils Circus School,

Templestowe Park Primary School student Felicity, 10, practises her skills with hoops... Read More

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

Cheaper petrol for Templestowe residents

Noticed today petrol price at Shell Templestowe at the roundabout at Fitzsimons Lane was 154.9 cents (without discount). I just purchased petrol at the Shell service station on Reynolds Road and Blackburn for 134.9, a saving of 20 cents per litre. I was fortunate to still have an 8 cent per litre voucher in the car.

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

Watch out for energy retailers offering large discounts

A friend approached me the other day promoting electricity from their network marketing group. They offered 3% discount plus another 12% for paying on time. A total of 15%. Sounds pretty good. I’d just noticed an offer for 14% discount from an energy retailer. Even my current energy retailer when I called is now prepared to offer 12% off electricity and 10% off gas, but only if I sign up on a long term contract. All seemingly great discounts.

The bottom line however is you can offer a great discount if your energy charges and service to property charge are higher to start with. What you need to do is to compare what you are actually paying against each offer and keep in mind many of the offers will be better than you are currently paying. Most people by habit don’t negotiate better rates with their current provider so almost any offer will be better than what they are currently paying.

The big charge often missed for many is the daily charge to the property. This can easily be $200-$400 a year and can be reduced by up to a third by shopping around. So make sure you compare your electricity usage plus the charge to your property.

For the daily charge to the property just check your current bill and multiply by 365 for the days in a year. Make sure you include GST. Then for your usage you need to check out if you are paying one rate or two. I use the Energy Cost Calculator to quickly determine the cost over a year. My usage this latest bill was around 7.5kWh per day. So in the calculator I’d enter 7,500 for the watts, enter the rate in cents including GST and 1 for the number of hours. The 7,500 is because 7.5kW the kW is kilowatt and thus we need to multiple be 1,000 to get the number of watts. The one is because it is 7.5kWh per day. We could devide 7500 by 24 to get the  figure for one hour and then enter that number and 24 hours for the time, but it is easier to just assume all the energy was used in one hour for the day. This simplifies the calculation. The Energy Cost Calculator will then show you your daily cost and a yearly figure.

If the energy retailer is offering a discount then discount their rate and use that rate in the Energy Cost Calculator. Also note that some retailers offer the discount only on usage and not on the service fee to the property.

Repeat this process for each energy retailer and then compare the total amounts you’d pay against your actual bill.

I did this same exercise recently and will soon change from Red Energy to a different provider. The saving will be around $175 a year. Our usage is quite low compared to many so for others the saving would be much greater. I haven’t changed yet, but when I compared the offer I found to the offer from my friend’s network marketing group, if I used his group I’d be about $80 worse off. (He does know about the retailer I found.) Be careful of those selling energy services and also friends promoting network marketing schemes. Energy retailers just want your business. Sadly friends in network marketing groups seem to just want their commission (or to sign you up) and if they do know of a better deal, will often neglect to mention it. Make sure you do the calculation yourself.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you require computer support.
Providing support in Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.

Exchanging money for foreign currencies at Doncaster Shoppingtown

Living in Templestowe, the closest place to exchange money when travelling overseas is Doncaster Shoppingtown. However make sure you shop around. I saved around $80 by having another quote ready for comparison.

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

 

United Energy replacing power lines in Templestowe from homes to the pole

<<< photo missing >>>


On Monday morning around 7:50am there was a knock on the door. I was informed the power line from the pole to the house would be replaced starting within the next half hour.

I'd already received a notification in the mail about the work.

As a precaution I made sure equipment was turned off. I turn most equipment off with a foot switch so there was little I needed to do.

Make sure you turn off your equipment at the switch and not just using the on/off button on the device. When the line is reconnected there is always a possibility of a surge which could damage a device such as a computer, fax machine or other electronic device.

Last week I picked up a computer which is believed to have been damaged as a result of when the power was reconnected and is now in for repair.

A moment turning off devices could save unwanted inconvenience.


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

David Chivers, orchardist from Templestowe

It is about how a young orchardist from Templestowe became a key Olympic security strategist and the personal bodyguard for the Duke of Edinburgh for a few weeks back in 1956 when Melbourne was the sporting capital of the world.... Read More

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

Luca and Natalia were among the St Charles Borromeo students who collected food for charity

THE children at St Charles Borromeo Primary School do marvellous things - just ask the Manningham families who now have food in their pantries, thanks to the childrens' amazing efforts.... Read More

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

House prices fall in Doncaster, Doncaster East and Templestowe

Prices for houses dropped dramatically in Doncaster by 9.2 per cent and Doncaster East by 7.9 per cent from June 2011 to June 2012, while Nunawading fell 7.1 per cent, Templestowe fell 7.4 per cent and Vermont fell 5 per cent.... Read More

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

Halls for Hire to cost more in Manningham

I recently read an article indicating Manningham council will make hiring security mandatory when hiring a hall.

Manningham Council chief executive Lydia Wilson said the council had liaised with Doncaster police to change the policies of its Party Safe program to make hiring security mandatory on council-owned property.

If you’re considering hiring a council owned hall for your next event you should enquire about, or at least make an allowance for hiring security.

When I checked the Manningham site for the halls they hire I noticed it didn’t cover the community owned facilities where functions are regularly held and young people attend.

It is a pity there are gate crashers in the area and my own experience verifies young people turning up to a party uninvited.

When looking at hiring a council owned hall compared to having a function at commercial premises make sure you take into account costs such as security as council owned halls. Commercial premises I’ve checked out make no mention of security and often already have security in place.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you require computer support.
Providing support in Doncaster, Templestowe, Eltham and surrounding areas.

Directories clogging up Google search results for Australians

Often I find the results provided by Google search are next to useless. If you search all pages you end up getting many directories and large sites from overseas. The actual sites of the business I’m looking for is unlikely to appear. If you reduce the search to pages from Australia it is better, but then the results of overwhelmed by directories of review sites. I find others feel the same way.

To make it easier for Australians for find local businesses I’ve decided to add a Search feature to JustLocal. JustLocal doesn’t require people to search. The aim is for people to have single-click access to businesses in an area. However, I appreciate it will take some time until the goal of JustLocal is realised. In the meantime, people will still search to find sites on the internet, but the Search feature on JustLocal now makes it easier for Australians to find local businesses.

First the Search is limited to only find results from pages on sites which use Australian domains. That removes large overseas companies dominating the results. Next I’ve identified and filtered out dozens of directories and review sites.

Now if I search for “Doncaster East Pizza” I get a good list of the sites in the area and that is the result I want.

Give the Search feature of JustLocal a go and let me know what you think. If you find a directory or review site in the search results I’ve missed, let me know and I’ll add the site to the exclude list.

Kelvin Eldridge
http://www.justlocal.com.au/
Helping the local community prosper by strengthening local business.

Templestowe water capture saturating children's playground area.

As I walked along Hawtin Street Templestowe on Friday, it had been a good afternoon of sunshine after a dismal wet morning.

Even though there had been no rain for some time, water was running along next to the path. The water was pooling around the barked area around the playground and the park area was saturated. The water appeared to be coming from the newly installed underground water tank area.

Hopefully the council will make sure this is fixed before the water collection project is completed.

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

Tim Tams on special at Templestowe IGA

If meat pies and Holdens are Australian icons, Tim Tams would be our iconic biscuit.

IGA Templestowe had Tim Tams on special for a very low $1.39 a packet. Too good to refuse.

<<< photo missing >>>

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

Shark Tank Seafood Templestowe Menu now on JustLocal

I’d like to welcome George and his team at Shark Tank Seafood of Templestowe to the JustLocal service. You can find Shark Tank Seafood on the Templestowe page www.JustLocal.com.au/3106. Click on the Shark Tank Seafood logo to display their menu.

I find having the menus of local takeaway businesses to be very handy. Now when I need takeaway for family or friends, I can look up the menus, phone in the order and by the time I pick the order up it is ready. If the business is busy they’ll let me know an approximate time the order will be ready and that can save a lot of time.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you require computer support.

 

Stephen Mayne Independent Melbourne byelection

Melbourne byelection: Q&A with Stephen Mayne... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
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No problem too small.

Templestowe man with 76 unpaid fines made to pay

A Templestowe man with more than $17,000 in unpaid fines will have to auction his car to pay the debts.... Read More

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

Chelsea Angelo, 16, is racing towards a career in motorsport

CHELSEA Angelo only got her L-plates during the school holidays, but she's already been clocked driving 240km/h in wet weather.... Read More

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

New basketball and netball practice rings at Templestowe Reserve

The new water tank storage area has brought an unexpected benefit. Installed on top of the tank are practice rings for basketball and netball.

The rings are still fenced off whilst the construction work continues.

<<< photo missing >>>

Always good to see additional facilities for the youth and perhaps the not so youthful in the area.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
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Fox on Hawtin Street Templestowe.

In the early hours as we drove on Hawtin Street we saw a fox run across Hawtin Street into Templestowe Reserve near the playground area.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you require help with your computer.
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Wombat on Fitzsimons Lane Templestowe

On Friday driving north on Fitzsimons Lane from Templestowe to Eltham, just near the bridge, there was a dead wombat which had most likely been hit by a car.

There are quite a few animals which are hit by cars each month and may do considerable damage.

Take care on Fitzsimons Lane.


Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you require help with your computer.
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Templestowe Photographer Dean Hales Photography

I’d like to welcome Dean Hales of Dean Hales Photography to JustLocal. You can find Dean Hales Photography on the Templestowe page www.JustLocal.com.au/3106.

 

Kelvin Eldridge
www.JustLocal.com.au

Traders Gus Morello and Dominic Marasea

TEMPLESTOWE Village traders are campaigning against Manningham Council's plans to restructure the shopping centre to include residential development.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
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Serpell Primary school Parents Julie Pastore and Michael Saxton successfully campaigning

PARENTS at Serpell Primary School have won their campaign for safer walking access to the Templestowe school.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
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War medals found in Templestowe (Doncaster East)

The six medals with ribbons were found at a service station on the corner of Blackburn and Reynolds roads on Wednesday, May 23 and handed in to police.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
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Post Office boxes at Templestowe Post Office may indicate the state of the economy.

I was just at the Post Office box to check for mail and I was quite surprised with the number of boxes now available to rent.

<<< photo missing >>>

There are 615 post office boxes of which 21 are now available for rent.

I've not noticed so many boxes available at one time before. I couldn't help but think perhaps this is a sign of the strength of the economy.

Based on what I've read the number of small businesses has halved over recent years and often small businesses use Post Office boxes.

I have to admit I now wonder if having a Post Office box has the value it once had for me. My business is now focused locally and a Post Office box hides your true location. People like to deal with other locals so a real local address lets others know you are a local.

In addition, many businesses won't ship to a Post Office box and driving to and from the Post Office to collect mail seems like a waste of time and petrol.

Maybe the number of boxes for rent just indicates others and reconsidering like I am.

If you are reconsidering your Post Office box give yourself a long change over period. You'll want to change your postal address and use up preprinted stationery and business cards.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you require help with your computer.
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Templestowe Village Draft Structure plan

On this link I found the Templestowe Village Draft Structure plan. A while ago I read the Manningham Arts Centre in Templestowe is to go. Now I am disappointed that it appears a lot of the facilities in Templestowe are going. Soon it appears we’ll lose the netball courts and the basketball stadium. Templestowe Village will be little more than a place to eat if we’re not careful and don’t provide a variety activities. Once people stop visiting the area and go to other areas for activities business is likely to suffer. It almost feels like the rate payers of Templestowe are funding growth in other areas.

Take the time to read the Templestowe Village Draft Structure plan. Our children received a lot of enjoyment from these facilities in Templestowe and future generations will need to go out of the area to enjoy the facilities we were fortunate enough to enjoy locally.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you require computer support.

 

Peter Caruso, 77, is serving 18 years jail for the murder of Rosa Caruso

A Melbourne man who killed his wife of 50 years has lost a bid to have his conviction quashed.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
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Edward and Rae Parker are devastated after their family heirlooms were stolen

A TEMPLESTOWE couple battling ill health have been devastated by the theft of their family heirlooms.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
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Templestowe Reserve Stormwater Harvesting adjacent Hawtin Street

The construction of the Templestowe Reseve Stormwater Harvesting System is progressing well. There has been minimal disruption to traffic on Hawtin Street, which is a pleasant and welcome surprise.

The project includes a diversion pit near the southern entrance to the park in Hawtin Street, an inlet pipeline from the pit to an underground tank and a pump shed.

<<< photo missing >>>


The tank has a capacity of 200,000 litres. I initially thought this was huge, but now thinking about it, if regular households installed 2000L tanks it would be equivalent to 100 households.

According to the Choice Group, in 2008 the price for a 2000L tank was $700-$900 plus labour and other installation costs. I think It would be interesting to compare whether the council project is more cost effective than the equivalent number of household installations in terms of cost and water savings.

The project started on roughly the 15th of June and is expected to take 3-4 months.


Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you require help with your computer.
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Bluecross Silverwood Retirement Village lifestyle manager Manola Ratti inspects the work of Millgate Primary School students Lize, Carissa and Nikki

RESIDENTS at Bluecross Silverwood Retirement Village are right to think that there's something fishy going on at their Templestowe aged care facility.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
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Ashleigh Langridge, Templestowe

I AM a 19-year-old who will always give up my seat for the elderly, the disabled, parents or even someone who just looks like they have had a rough day.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
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PS. Ashley. I know the feeling. I often hold doors open for people who pass through without a thank you. At one stage I almost couldn’t be bothered doing it anymore for the thankless people. But then I visited a McDonald’s in Thomastown and everyone said thank you. There are good and considerate people around. Don’t let the rude and self involved spoil your day. Thank you for making the effort to help others.

Cr Grace La Vella said she would submit a motion at next Tuesday's council meeting

MANNINGHAM councillors have moved to fix unsafe footpath access to Templestowe's Serpell Primary School.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
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Dead fox on Williamsons Road Templestowe

This morning as I rode the bike to the local shops I noticed a fox in the Eastern cycle lane on Williamsons Road, near the roundabout. The fox had most likely been hit by a car.


Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you require help with your computer.
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Templestowe flasher not to be charged, police reveal

POLICE have located a man they believe is connected to an incident in Templestowe where a naked man startled two schoolgirls.... Read More

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

JustLocal welcomes the Templestowe Physiotherapy Clinic. You can find the Templestowe Physiotherapy Clinic on the Templestowe page www.JustLocal.com.au/3106.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.JustLocal.com.au

Current positions at Manningham Council

Finding local jobs can be difficult. I noticed the following page on the Manningham Council site for current positions with the council.

www.manningham.vic.gov.au/work/home_employment/home_current_positions.html

Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you require computer support.

Manningham councillor Stephen Mayne

MANNINGHAM councillor Stephen Mayne will run as an independent in the byelection for the state seat of Melbourne.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
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Templestowe Dockers take a step back in time 120 years on

On Saturday, the Dockers held a past players function to help celebrate the 120-year anniversary.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
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Mia Mia Aboriginal Art Gallery founder and curator Colin McKinnon-Dodd

HIDDEN in Templestowe’s sweeping Westerfolds Park, Mia Mia Aboriginal Art Gallery is home to work from Australia’s best indigenous artists. ... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
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Painter Templestowe, Doncaster and surrounding areas

Quite a while ago I received an pamphlet in the letter box. It was from a local painter & decorator. I kept the pamphlet because I’m interested in local businesses. I don’t know about others, but I find dealing with tradespeople isn’t one of the most fun experiences for me. I’ve had quite a few bad experiences. I know there are good tradies out there, but finding them can be hard.

I needed some painting done so I called Bill. He was quite pleasant, came out quickly and was good to deal with. Needless to say he got the work.

If you’re looking for a painter you can now find Bill on the JustLocal service on the Templestowe page (www.JustLocal.com.au/3106) or direct at http://www.justlocal.com.au/clients/templestowe-painter-and-decorator.

Kelvin Eldridge
www.JustLocal.com.au

The Templestowe footballer wrote on Facebook about his upset after losing a game to North Ringwood in the Eastern Football League

A SUBURBAN footballer who criticised a female umpire on social media - suggesting women were better suited to the kitchen or the laundry - is being investigated by his league for inappropriate treatment of women.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
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Helena Niu will represent Australia in London

HELENA Niu is on a mission: to find answers to the workings of the universe.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
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Naked man on the prowl in Templestowe, corner of Williamsons and Reynolds roads Templestowe

Detective Senior Constable Leeanne Trusler said two schoolgirls, aged 17 and 14, noticed the man when they were waiting at the bus stop on the corner of Williamsons and Reynolds roads at 8.40am.... Read More

- Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for help with your computer problems.
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Shark Tank Seafood Templestowe

Shark Tank Seafood is now open in Templestowe and is located next to 7/11 and Subway in Templestowe. You can now find Shark Tank Seafood's menu on JustLocal. Visit www.JustLocal.com.au/3106 and click on the Shark Tank Seafood logo.

To find other local businesses in Templestowe visit http://www.justlocal.com.au/3106. Menus for a number of businesses including: Flying Dragon Chinese Restaurant, Boatshack Fish and Chips, I Heart Kebabs and Temple Thai now available.

For takeaway from nearby postcode areas you can find on the 3108 postcode page Papa Loui's Pizza, on the 3109 postcode page is Panic Pizza at The Pines Shopping Centre and on the 3095 postcode page there is Bolton Fish and Chips.

If you find these menus help you let the businesses know you found their menu on JustLocal and feel free to post a comment.


Kelvin Eldridge
http://www.onlineconnections.com.au/
Call 0415 910 703 if you require help with your computer.
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Boatshack Fish and Chips Templestowe

I’ve tried nearly every fish and chip shop in Templestowe and the surrounding suburbs. Some are great with the fish, others provide generous serves of chips. I’d tried the fish and chip shop in Newmans Road a few years ago, but if I recall correctly, the serve of chips were insufficient. The current owners Lesley and Sarah took over a couple of years ago and with a change of ownership often comes a different approach.

I decided to give the Dinner for Two a go. For $15 it is good value. Two pieces of flake, two potato cakes, two dim sims and a serve of chips. The chips were delightful, the fish tasty and the serve of chips very generous. The potato cakes where fluffy with a nice crisp batter that I enjoyed. Normally I prefer thinner potato cakes, but in this case they were very good.

If you haven’t tried Boatschack Fish and Chips in Newmans Road Templestowe lately, give them a go. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

You can find the Boatshack Fish and Chips menu on the JustLocal page www.JustLocal.com.au/3106.

 

Kelvin Eldridge
www.JustLocal.com.au