250MB free ADSL bandwidth (and free unlimited Dialup)

Get 250MB free ADSL usage from this newly launched service (26Nov)... but are there any catches? HTT analyses the "Save More" offer in detail and mentions the other plans on offer.

Obviously, this business model relies on the users running out (or growing out) of the first free 250MB and then topping up the MB, or switching to other packages: MaxiSave Lite, MaxiSave Plus.

ADSL accounts are free for the first 250MB. Dial-up access is free and unlimited.

See here for the MyISP offer: http://www.myisp.co.za/

Summary + things to be aware of on the Free plan:

* Free Unlimited Dial-up

* Free 250MB ADSL usage

* Topups: R60 for additional 500MB (= 12c/MB) --> called "SaveMore".

* there's no email box nor other services (web space, hosting, etc)

* Use it or lose it? {topup bandwidth is probably lost if unused at month end}
* Support line is an 0861 number (charged at about cell phone rates)

* www.myisp.co.za doesn't mention that the 250MB is allocated free per month - so perhaps it's a once off free allocation - thereafter you might need to pay R60 per 500MB! Altho the MyBroadband article (http://mybroadband.co.za/news/Broadband/6152.html) does mention that this is a per month free allocation

* no email box (use the free and excellent www.gmail.com - unless you're sensitive about privacy/"BigBrother" issues)

HTT's summary on the free offer:

* Sounds like a good idea - tech savvy people might switch to get the first 250MB free - that will save them about R17 per month. Thereafter they will probably switch back to their R70 per GB account (eg: WebAfrica or other)

* Free dialup will be attractive to all that still access the Internet using dialup (but then you will need to subscribe to a free email provider)

Other plans on offer:

MaxiSave Lite:

* Free Unlimited Dial-up

* Free 300MB ADSL usage

* Compulsory 1x mailbox @ R29 per month

* Topups: 500MB @ R55 (=11c/MB)

MaxiSave Plus:

* Free Unlimited Dial-up

* Free 300MB ADSL usage, thereafter pay-as-U-use @ 10c/MB {cutoff at 1000MB}

* Compulsory 1x mailbox @ R29 per month

Minor issue: topups listed per MB (not per GB). 1GB is not 1000MB (it's actually 1024 MB)

Read more...

See here for an article including an interview with Leon Gerber (MyISP's director): http://mybroadband.co.za/news/Broadband/6152.html

See here for a forum discussions on the offer:
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=147839&page=2
http://forums.prophecy.co.za/f76/myisp-free-internet-57846/

See here for other HTT articles on ADSL accounts:

If you're not using WebAfrica's ADSL ISP then you ARE paying too much! R70/GB [that's 7c per MB!]: NO "use-it-or-lose-it" http://handytechtips.blogspot.com/2008/01/if-youre-not-using-webafricas-adsl-isp.html

Stop throwing away unused ADSL bandwidth at the end of every month.... http://handytechtips.blogspot.com/2008/07/stop-throwing-away-unused-adsl.html

Cheap, very cheap is not so cheap! False Advertising! I'm getting really P'd off hearing that ADSL-ad on CapeTalk all the time! http://handytechtips.blogspot.com/2008/09/cheap-very-cheap-is-not-so-cheap-false.html

Use your cell phone's free minutes to make international calls

Further to the posting "Make a CellC call and speak to over 60 international countries for no extra cost", here's an even better deal that allows you to use your free minutes: http://www.mybottomline.co.za

Dial 087 94 12345 from your mobile phone (not Telkom) followed by your international number to over 90 fixed-line international destinations.

No hidden costs, no contract, no catches

See here if your destination is covered:

http://www.mybottomline.co.za/LetsTalkMoney.aspx

To all you surf watchers out there, ever wanted to know if/when the surf’s up?

Well this site is for you: WindGuru {will take you to Strand beach's info}

Shows lots of information like: wind speed and direction, wave height, temperature, wave period (in secs), etc.

Remove ads from your webpage printouts for free

Ever print a webpage only to find your printout is full of ads, empty space and other junk you don't want? PrintWhatYouLike (for free) is a free webpage editor that gives you control of how web pages look when printed.

Try it out by clicking here: http://www.printwhatyoulike.com/print?url=www.printwhatyoulike.com

Stop theft now! Register your cell phone for free and your laptop for R50 per year

Register your cell phone for free here: http://www.itcrimes.co.za/cellreg.htm
Register the rest of your household goods for free here: Tagga
Register your laptop for R50 per year: http://www.itcrimes.co.za
This web site collects all sorts of information from your laptop e.g. Mac address, HDD serial number, motherboard serial number, and more….

When stolen laptops are recovered, the hardware is scanned and matched with the database and returned to the rightful owners.
This initiative was founded with the aim of eliminating the theft of computer equipment throughout South Africa.

By partnering Government, South African Police Service, Insurance Companies, Second-hand Dealers and YOU the Taxpayer, ITCrimes have made it their mission to declare WAR on Computer/Laptop and Cellphone THEFT...

See here for more Tagga posts: http://handytechtips.blogspot.com/search?q=tagga

Send SMSs anywhere in the world for FREE! (OK, you pay <1c for the GPRS costs)

Powered by advertising, now you can send a text message to any cell phone in the world for free.

Mobile web portal mjoy.com is offering a groundbreaking new service: from now on, any cellphone user can send messages to any phone in the world, unlimited, to all countries and completely free of charge.

I couldn't figure out the details of what was involved by reading their web site, so I decided to try it out, and sure enough I could send free SMSs to cell phones for free! The delivery was almost immediate as well - so, so far, I'm pretty impressed.

Oh, 1 more thing - the text messages have no character limit!

The process was simple. Here's what I had to do:

1) Once you've set up your cell phone for GPRS use (here are some instructions: http://handytechtips.blogspot.com/2008/03/in-this-day-and-age-im-amazed-by-low.html) open your cell phone's Internet browser and connect to http://www.mjoy.com

2) Click on "Join" and fill in your details: Country, cell number

3) Mjoy will then send an SMS to your cell phone with a URL that you need to follow to activate your account

4) Open the SMS, and click on the URL - your browser should open and you'll be taken to Step 3 of the registration process: Choose a nickname and password, then click on "Send me the link".

5) You should then get a "Registration successful" message, then click on the "Login" button, then "Home" button

6) Bookmark this page for future use

7) To send SMSs, click on the "Free Text" button, then on "New Message" and fill in the destination cell number and message, then click "Send"

The recipient will receive your text message along with an advert like "I am texting for FREE with http://mjoy.com"

(Seems like if you are registered on mjoy, then you don't actually receive the text message - you receive a message pointing you to your InBox on the mjoy.com web site: "New mjoy message - open the link http://mjoy.com/m/t/abcdef............")

For other ways to send free SMSs see here:

Did you know that you can send FREE SMSs to Vodacom cell phones?: http://handytechtips.blogspot.com/2008/03/did-you-know-that-you-can-send-free.html

Send 1 free SMS every 2 hours to any network in South Africa; and 5 SMSs every 4 hours to Zim - and it works!: http://handytechtips.blogspot.com/2008/04/send-1-free-sms-every-2-hours-to-any.html

Make a CellC call and speak to over 60 international countries for no extra cost

Is this too good to be true? Dial 084 198 0001 from any cell phone (in South Africa) or any everyday Telkom land line to call any of the 60 listed countries 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at the cost of a normal local CellC phone call.

No contracts, no sign-up, no subscription or memberships.

All you pay for is the local call to the CellC number.

Free minutes canNOT be used. V.A.S (Value Added Services) rates apply.

VAS rates means that VAS rates are charged and excludes discounts of any kind such as free minutes etc.

The cost of calls to VAS numbers depend on your calling package.

Cell phones only in the following countries: USA (most networks); Canada; China; Singapore; Hong Kong

Browse your network provider's web site to see what the VAS call rate would be.

eg:

for Vodacom pre-paid Vodago: to Value-Added Services (Off-Peak) R1.08 (Peak) R3.60) http://www.vodacom.co.za/pkgcr.do?action=getpkgsgroups&pkgTypeId=2&pkgGroupId=8&packageId=17
for Vodacom contract Talk 240: Value-Added Services (Off-Peak) R0.98 (Peak R1.88) http://www.vodacom.co.za/pkgcr.do?action=getpkgsgroups&pkgTypeId=1&pkgGroupId=1&packageId=4

Still interested?, then go to their web site: http://www.farcall.co.za/ for more information.

To use the service:

1) Dial 084 198 0001
2) Wait for the voice-prompt to enter your international number.
3) Enter the international dialing code for the country you’re dialing. No need to enter “0” beforehand, just the country’s code.

4) Dial the phone number.

For more info or clarifications: why not drop them an email: info@farcall.co.za

Ok, now for HandyTechTipper's analysis of the offering:

As stated on their web site they are using Voice Over IP (VOIP) technology.... this means that when you make the call, you will be routed from the South African CellC network using VOIP to the party you are calling in the other country.

Essentially, this means that your voice will be take the following path:

1) your cell phone to your cellular provider,

2) to CellC to an automated voice response system that will answer the call and routed to the Internet and then to a telephone in the country that you have "dialled".

So, things to watch out for: 1) since it's voice over IP watch out for voice quality; 2) watch your cell phone account!

How do they do it? Well, 1 way of doing this would be to have the automated answering service route calls using SkypeOut ie: VOIP calls over the Internet that call "real" phones for a cheap rate. See here for SkypeOut rates: http://www.skype.com/intl/en/prices/callrates/?currency=ZAR

See here for more Skype related articles:

SkypeOut info: http://handytechtips.blogspot.com/2008/04/skypeout-save-money-on-long-distance.html

Get 20% off SkypeOut purchases: http://handytechtips.blogspot.com/2008/06/join-fatwallet-cashback-scheme-and-get.html

Where do they make their money? They get a revenue share from the VAS calls ie: CellC gives FarCall a percentage from each call's cost... which needs to be more than the cost of making the call over the VOIP service (and their infrastructure and Internet costs: bandwidth and ADSL lines).

So, is their statement correct: "...forget the inconvenience of international calling cards, and ditch the local monopoly!"?

Well, I suppose, if you're on a contract that has low VAS rates then this will probably be cheaper that calling from your Telkom line but not cheaper than using SkypeOut.

But, if you're on prepaid, then I don't think many countries will be cheaper than Telkom rates and definitely fewer (if any) will be cheaper than using the calling card option - none will be cheaper than using the SkypeOut method.

See here for Telkom rates: http://www.telkom.co.za/common/pricelist/prices/international/internationaldestinations/countries.html

One thing's for sure - if you are going to use your cell phone to make an international call, then use this service - it will definitely be cheaper than calling the international party directly!
eg: On Vodacom Talk 240 contract: International calls cost: (Per minute) Off-Peak: R0.95 + Telkom Off-Peak {Peak: R1.76 + Telkom Peak}
On prepaid Vodago: depending on global zone: ranges from R5.50 to R17.50 per minute!

See here for another calling service that allows you to Use your cell phone's free minutes to make international calls

Anyone that's looking for Smile Educational products is out of luck! They're not selling to the general public any longer :(

My children were brought up on the great quality and competitive prices of Smile Educational products - but now I'm trying to find the products for my nephews and nieces....

So, I decided to share my findings so that everyone else out there doesn't waste their time....

I've spoken to a couple of the work-from-home consultants and found out that they're no longer selling Smile products to the general public!

The "story" is complicated, but in essence, the company Smile Educational Systems (www.smilesa.co.za) was sold to Media24 (http://www.media24.co.za which owns Nasou Via Afrika www.nasou-viaafrika.com) on 1 April 2007. They also owned Idem that also sold educational toys mainly to government departments.

Bottom of the line, it seems that Nasou have decided that from end Sept 2008, they would no longer sell Idem nor Smile Educational products to the general public, but rather sell only to government - this has left the hundreds of work-from-home consultants in the lurch! Not to mention, the woman-in-the-street, that now needs to find replacement products :(

Makes me think, how can a great business with a huge, self-motivated marketing and sales engine be left to die? How can a company like Smile (http://www.smilesa.co.za/about) that was founded in July 1979 by Doreen Maree and running profitably, be taken over by a large corporate and fail to continue with a winning recipe!!?????

They can't even manage to update their Smile web page (http://www.smilesa.co.za) to tell their former customers that there's no more goodies coming their way!

Wake up Via Afrika! Maybe read your mission statement again and realign your goals going forward:

http://www.viaafrika.com/index_eng.asp:

"

Via Afrika businesses aim to become the leading publishers, sellers and distributors of profitable educational reading, learning, audio and visual products in their respective markets.

"

Now for that huge self-motivated marketing and sales engine: I hear that some enterprising company didn't let a good thing disintegrate into nothing.... a company called "unIQue Kids" - Learn with a smile! has kept the sales team together and is now making inroads into introducing their products to the old Smile market.




Update: Dec 2009: I've found their brand new web site with new product information and online store:
http://playandlearn.comli.com/

The site contains the following info (and more):
Play2Learn Catalogue and pricelists
SucZeZZ Brochure and pricelists
unIQueKids Brochure and priceLists

Based in Cape Town but can ship anywhere (email them for shipping costs)
http://playandlearn.comli.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20&Itemid=53

Step by step guide to getting your Outlook email from your old PC to a new PC

Ever wonder how to migrate your Outlook emails from an old PC to a new one? Well, here's a quick way:

The emails are stored in .pst files - so if you find the file(s) on your HDD then copy them into the same folder on your new PC then the emails and folders will be transferred.

In the main Outlook window: Tools->Options->Mail setup->Data files->click on the name then click on 'Open folder"
An explorer window will open and then copy the .pst file onto a flash drive and then into the same folder on your new computer.
Repeat the process for any other .pst files that you may want to copy.

While you are copying, why not copy the .pab files - these are Outlook's address book files.

You might need to use the File->Open->'Open data file' to force Outlook to open the .pst files.

If you want to copy individual emails then you can multi-select the emails in Outlook (click on the first email, then Shift-'and the last email'-and-click), then press Ctrl-C, then go to Windows Explorer and paste the files into a folder (by pressing Ctrl-V). The emails will then be copied into the folder as .msg files. Double click to open the messages.

See here for more detailed info: http://www.howto-outlook.com/Howto/backupandrestore.htm

Here's a solution to finding stuff in your Outlook email client.... if you struggle to find stuff in your email folders then this one's for you

There are a lot of strategies for managing your email - they range from filing emails in specific folders based on person or topic or theme. Some even suggest deleting the emails once they're done with. If you're like me then you have a single InBox and once the email has been read and actioned, I then move it into a single folder called InboxDone.

Now, saying that Outlook's search functionality is bad is being too kind!!!! It nearly drove me to use GMail's web client which I know is brilliant and fast at finding any email.

So I rely on other indexing tools to help find specific emails later. There are wonderful free desktop search tools out there like Google desktop search and Microsoft Windows Search. I use Copernic Desktop Search (version 2.3.18 since the latest version 3 has less available for the home user than version 2 http://www.download.com/Copernic-Desktop-Search/3000-2379_4-10314159.html).

I had tried Google Desktop (http://desktop.google.com/), but I found that too resource hungry (CPU and HDD).

Thanks to Cape Talk's Hard Drive program (http://www.capetalk.co.za/shows/harddrive.asp) on Tues afternoons (about 17h40), I've tried a new Outlook add-in that works the best so far (altho it only indexes emails and not other files on your disk - so I guess, I won't be uninstalling Copernic Desktop Search).

It does the search (very fast) inside the Outlook window and arranges all the mails by person, and then by the conversations. It also displays all the attachments they have sent :)
As if the intuitive search wasn't enough, it also provides stats (called analytics) that show info like: who mails you most, who takes the longest to respond, etc...

It’s called: Xobni (http://www.xobni.com/).... interesting name - I'll leave it up to you to figure out how they got to that name ;)
But it will definitely change your frustrating times searching for emails around, inside out, back to front, maybe even backwards? ;)

Best of all - it's free!

Backup, backup, backup.... you've been told a few times right? Now's the time to start practising safe computing: make off-site backups for free!

In this information era, you don't want to lose your precious and sometimes irreplaceable data.

Loss can occur due to hardware crashes or viruses or theft or accident or acts of nature (eg. lightning)... and the list goes on and on.

Think about it... all your data on your PC lost forever! Maybe you've got a backup CD or DVD from a few days ago or maybe weeks....

Imagine losing your email addresses.

If you don't back up regularly, and you need to retrieve invaluable data, then you might be forced to spend lots of time and money to get data retrieval experts to try and retrieve data off your failed hard drive (and retrieval is never guaranteed).... but if you just use a decent backup program all these headaches would go away!

Even better would be to use a backup program that automatically sends the data off site - so, then you're protected from "occurrences" at your home or office.

Now's a great time to start using the online backup service called MozyBackup:

2 GB of 100% free backup space.... plus, if you sign up this month (Oct 2008) using my referral code: https://mozy.com/?ref=RX6T7F then you get an additional 512MB of storage space for free!

No setup fee, no credit cards, no monthly payments, no expiration.

There are other plans for more data and for businesses that cost per month.

How It Works

1. Sign up for an account.

Create a MozyHome user account which will allow you to download MozyHome software. It’s quick, easy and the step-by-step instructions will guide you through the process.

2. Download and install software:

MozyHome downloads in just seconds, and the installation is simple and fast.

3. Select files to be backed up.

Simply check the boxes next to the backup sets, or types of files you want to back up, and MozyHome does the rest. In addition to selecting files by backup sets, you also have the option of selecting specific files and directories.

{The following is taken from the Mozy web site http://mozy.com/home}

You're Free To Choose - there are of course alternatives to MozyHome:

• Burn a new CD or DVD every Sunday night and store it at your brother-in-law's office.
• Pay $200/year for an online backup service that uses old, mediocre software.
• Buy a $200 external hard drive and hope your office doesn't burn down.
• Do nothing and don't worry about backup. (We suggest closing your eyes, plugging your ears and repeating "I'm in my happy place, I'm in my happy place.")
• Run a cron job of rsync, gzip and mcrypt piped over ssh to your friend's server over his DSL line.
• Of course, we think MozyHome is the best and easiest solution to the backup problem! Get MozyHome!

Mozy is a simple and safe way to back up all the important stuff on your computer. A copy of your data is stored in a secure, remote location for safekeeping, so that in the event of disaster your data is still retrievable.

What makes Mozy so great?
Mozy makes online backup possible for everyone with an affordable, secure solution that's easy to use.

Is Mozy secure?

Yes. When you use Mozy, your files are encrypted on your computer using 448-bit Blowfish encryption and then transferred to the Mozy servers using 128-bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption. You have the option of using a Mozy key or your own private key to encrypt your data. Note that if you use your own private key, you must be very careful about not losing it because if you do, we won't be able to help. It's impossible for us to decrypt your data when you use your own key. Most users opt to use the Mozy key, but the choice is entirely yours.

See here for the different Mozy products - ranging from free (MozyHome [up to 2GB]) to 'MozyHome Unlimited' (for $4.95 per month) to MozyPro (http://mozy.com/pro Desktop Licenses: $3.95 + $0.50/GB per month; Server Licenses: $6.95 + $0.50/GB per month) to MozyEnterprise (http://mozy.com/enterprise).

See here for a comparison of products: http://mozy.com/landing/pro_comparison

Update on 19July2009:
Tip: 10 free online backup tools: http://ow.ly/hCw8
and don't forget DropBox: http://ow.ly/hCvS & Mozy: http://ow.ly/hCw0 both 2GB free

Update on 15Nov2009:
Here’s a good comparison of the 5 best online backup tools: CrashPlan, Mozy, Dropbox, Jungle Disk, Carbonite.
For additional information, you can check out this comprehensive comparison chart on WikiPedia.
Also on WikiPedia, a list of backup software

Cheap, very cheap is not so cheap! False Advertising! I'm getting really P'd off hearing that ADSL-ad on CapeTalk all the time!

It says: "Cheap,cheap, very cheap ADSL access" or something as irritatingly similar on Cape Talk for the past few weeks or so....

Why is it irritating? Well, because I consider it to be misleading to the general non-techie public.... in fact, it's false advertising... because if you look at the deal, it isn't the "UnBeatable" ADSL deal they claim it to be!

Granted the ad works as it got me to check out their web site (when I eventually found it) and see what they're on about. On the surface it seems that it's a good deal.

They try and undercut NashuaMobile's deal (http://www.internet-lessness.co.za) by R1 per month! but when you compare the deal you will see that the SAOL deal comes up short... very short!

In the text below, I try and highlight the "What They Don't Tell You" or WTDTY.... beware there are probably more WTDTYs on their web site!

UNBEATABLE OFFER: WTDTY: it IS beatable.. try NashuaMobile... but beware, there are WTDTYs on that offer too, but not as many!

ADSL 384k 1Gig All-in-1 with 20 Gig Local, R138p/m..... sounds good, very good! but......

Terms and conditions apply.... yup, they most certainly do.. and those that don't read and understand them will get caught!

1Gig Cap + 20Gig Local bandwidth after cap is reached; ADSL 384K Line... still sounds good, very good!
Free ADSL router.... WTDTY: it's a router only, not a wireless router (pay R599 more for one of those)

WTDTY: the R138 per month is only for the first 12 months, thereafter R189 for the next 12 months... oh, yes, you need to sign a 24 month contract!

WTDTY: there's a setup fee R275!

WTDTY: Topup after R69 per gig.. .can't see whether it's a "use it or lose it" policy?

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=120183&page=6

I've opted for the NashuaMobile deal. See here for pricing: http://www.internet-lessness.co.za/info.aspx?ID=178&Page=1&Product=178

Here's what's included:
Up to 384kbps ADSL Subscription (that's the Telkom line charges)
1GB ADSL Data
4 x 4GB POP Mailbox
Billion Wi-fi ADSL Router; WTDTY: the wireless router is network locked, so if you run out of the 1GB per month, then you either have to purchase topups from them @ R95 per GB (on a use it or lose it plan! :( ] - or perhaps consider purchasing a "plain old" ADSL router for about R350, then when you use up the 1GB then you can switch to that modem and connect to WebAfrica's R69 per GB (carry over plan). See here for more details: http://handytechtips.blogspot.com/2008/01/if-youre-not-using-webafricas-adsl-isp.html

Free fax to e-mail: WTDTY: it's free for you as the receiver of the fax, but the sender pays almost cell phone rates (even for a "local" fax call). See here for more details: http://handytechtips.blogspot.com/2008/04/im-amazed-by-number-of-people-who-dont.html

Find out (online) what those Government departments are talking about when they refer to Section xyz of Act no. nnnn of 1972

Have you ever needed to refer to a South African Act and tried to find that document on the Internet or from a Government departments?

I have recently been involved in trying to deal with a legal issue and the other party continuously refers to Section xyz of Act no. nnnn of 1972...

then, later, to Section xyzabc of Act no. nnnn+1...

So, instead of wading through law libraries or asking the Department to copy the relevant sections for you, why not connect to Acts Online (http://www.acts.co.za)

You can browse and even search online, and if you prefer, you can purchase your own CD containing all the info (currently costs R450).

It is really cool to read what the law says exactly, as one can see the loopholes laid out a mile away.

Try reading a few.

There's even the "Constitution of South Africa": http://www.acts.co.za/constitution_of_the_republic_of_south_africa_1996.htm

and the "Electronic Communications Act": http://www.acts.co.za/electronic_communications_act_2005.htm

and the "SARS South African Revenue Services Act": http://www.acts.co.za/south_african_revenue_service_act_1997.htm

and the "Basic Conditions of Employment Act": http://www.acts.co.za/basic_conditions_of_employment_act_1997.htm

and the "Firearms Control Act": http://www.acts.co.za/firearms_control_act_2000.htm

and the "Close Corporations Act": http://www.acts.co.za/close_corporations_act_1984.htm

Scary ones like the "Lease and Rent Agreements Act" for residential leasing etc.: http://www.acts.co.za/rental_housing/index.htm

Also the new "Credit Act" (http://www.acts.co.za/nat_credit_act/index.htm). Very interesting. See how much protection has been built in to this Act.

and many more of course!

From their FAQ (http://www.acts.co.za/frequently_asked_questions.htm) page:

If the Act isn’t on Acts Online: If the Act was gazetted after 1993 you can normally find it on the web site of the government department that administers it – start start at www.gov.za and work your way around from there.

Other resources are:

www.polity.org.za

www.pmg.org.za – Parliamentary Monitoring Group (Bills and legislation in Parliament)

www.parliament.gov.za – Parliament web site

www.sabinet.co.za – Sabinet’s subscription service

Nokia 6110 Navigator: free Road Safety Data (eg: camera locations) for South Africa and the world

OK, you've now purchased that new cell phone with the built-in GPS and now you want to make it tell you when to slow down for those "road hazards".

Here's some information that I've reaped from all over the Internet and put it in one place.
I have tested the download and install process - but I'm yet to try it out on the road!
Your feedback will be appreciated.... good experiences and bad :)

POI = Points Of Interest (like camera speed trap info!!)

High level steps are as follows:
0) Register for the data files [once off step]

1) Get the latest data (download from web site) [short and long steps]

2) Convert data into .gpi format to Nokia format (lmx)

3) Download to phone and set up audio alerts

======================================================================
0) Register for the data files [once off step]

For the data files, you will need to register on this web site (you don't need a Garmin GPS) - if they ask (which they don't), then say you (will) own a Garmin GPS (soon) ;)
{BTW: You don't need to provide your, well, let's say, your "most checked email address"... the email they send back to you contains your username and password... which you know anyway!!!}
http://www.garmap.co.za/POILoader/register_email.asp

After entering your email address, they will want more of your personal info....

======================================================================
1"short") Get the latest data (download from web site)
http://www.gps-data-team.com/poi/
Select Country: South Africa
Select Category: Road Safety
Select: Speed Cameras
Click Download GPS POI: "Download" button [69Kb]
Select: LMX - Nokia Landmarks format {http://www.gps-data-team.com/poi/south_africa/safety/index.php?Speed_Cameras_za.lmx&sid=free_poi_files&format=lmx&file=Speed_Cameras_za}
{Note: .zip file links are not clickable if you haven't registered/logged in}
Save file as: c:\temp\Speed_Cameras_za.lmx

Note: if this step 1 is successful, then go to step 3 (ie: skip step 2 below)

======================================================================
NOTE: step 1"long" gets the data from a different place on the Internet... and must be converted: in step 2 below...
1"long") Get the latest data (download from web site)
You might need to login: http://www.garmap.co.za/POILoader/login_registered.asp
Then go to this page for the data files:
http://www.garmap.co.za/PoiLoader.asp#PoiData

Download the zip files {at the bottom of the screen} (updated weekly):
{Note: .zip file links are not clickable if you haven't registered/logged in}
Download_ReadMe_20080825.zip
This is the one with Camera info: ------->>>>>>Road_Safety_Data_20080825.zip
Toll_Plaza_Std_20080825.zip
TollOne_Voice_20080825.zip

======================================================================
2) Convert data into .gpi format to Nokia format (lmx)
NOTE: if you already have the .lmx file from step 1"short" above, then skip this step (ie: go to step 3)

Unzip the data zip files and place on your computer:
c:\temp\RS_GDB_20080825\
c:\temp\RS_GPX_20080825\

2a) Download the "POI loader" software and convert the downloaded .gpx files to a .gpi file

Download the software here [15.7MB]: http://www8.garmin.com/products/poiloader/ click on the "Download the latest version" link
or directly from here: http://www8.garmin.com/support/collection.jsp?product=999-99999-12

Install POILoaderforWindows to your Windows PC (ie: run the setup file).

Run the "POI loader" software:
Save points of interest files to: Save options: Select: "Custom folder"
Next
Enter folder to save your POI file: c:\temp\
Next
Point to where data files can be found: c:\temp\RS_GPX_20080825\Camera_Hazards_20080825
Express
Next
"Congratulations: you have successfully installed nnnn POIs to your computer.
Finish

2b) Convert the .gpi file to a Nokia understandable .lmx file:
Go to http://garmin.gps-data-team.com/poi_manager.php
Enter the location of the .gpi file: c:\temp\Poi.gpi
Click on the "Edit POIs online" button
Click on the "LMX" button and save the file to your computer c:\temp\poi.xml

======================================================================
3a) Download the LMX file to the Nokia 6110 Navigator phone and set up audio alerts:
From here: http://www.gps-data-team.com/pda-gps-navigation/topic/1435.html

1. Download Nokia GPS LMX files (see step 1"short" above) or convert POI files with the online POI Editor (see step 2 above)

2. Save LMX file to your memory card (e.g. Data). Use USB "Data Transfer"
{remember to unplug the phone from your PC}

3. On your phone go to Settings >> Data manager >> File manager >> Data and click on the poi.xml file.
The Nokia Landmark editor will open and display a list of landmarks.

4. Options->Save all landmarks

5. Assign appropriate category to your POIs:
Goto Applications >> Landmarks >> Categories >> Uncategorised >> Options > Mark/Unmark >> Mark All

6. Return to Options and select Add To Category say "Speed Cameras"

3b) Setup audio alerts on the cell phone:
Download audio alerts:
From: http://www.gps-data-team.com/pda-gps-navigation/topic/1435.html

"Traffic camera ahead" - download: http://tomtom.gps-data-team.com/voices/Traffic_camera_ahead.wav
"Speed camera ahead" - download: http://tomtom.gps-data-team.com/voices/Speed_camera_ahead.wav
'Red light camera ahead" - download: http://tomtom.gps-data-team.com/voices/Red_light_camera_ahead.wav

How to set Nokia audio alerts:
1. Click on the download link with right mouse button, save to your HDD and copy audio file to your Nokia.

2. On your Nokia, startup the GPS navigator: goto Options->Settings >> Alarm >> Landmarks >> Speed Cameras (or whatever you called the category)

3. Change alarm settings - Visual alarm, Warning sound and distance

4. Press Save and exit


For reference:
This is the main page to get all the software and data files you will need:
http://www.garmap.co.za/default.asp
{Note: .zip file links are not clickable if you haven't registered/logged in}

Note: Steps 1"short" and 1"long' get different data files - the accuracy of the data might be different as well.

Remember, your feedback will be appreciated.... good experiences and bad :)

Krugersdorp student killed with a sword.... watch what your kids are up to on the Internet by using a free "Net Nanny" app

I was listening to Cape Talk's Aden Thomas interviewing an expert on child psychology who mentioned that parents need not worry about their kids if they are introverts, but rather if they are on the Internet a lot and surfing - make sure you know what your kids are up to on the Internet. Often satanistic ideas are found and cultivated on the web.

I had been looking for a good app that supervises where my kids navigate to on the Internet and limit their online and computer time.... well, I think I've found an app that does all this and more! The price is right too - it's free.

If you are unsure of your children's activities online or if you want to limit their computer time - then this app is definitely for you.

It can even take screen shots at configured intervals so you can "see" what the kids are up to!

It comes from the same software house that also provides the free "SpyWare Terminator" app (http://www.spywareterminator.com/) that I use to protect my PCs.

Protect Your Children

Get perfect control of websites your children browse, software they use, and folders they access. Regulate the time when they can use your computer and connect to the Internet. Hide content on your computer that you don't want them to see.

Guard Your Computer

Prevent your children and other users of your computer from installing unwanted and potentially harmful software and uninstalling applications that you need to use. Stop unauthorized access to your important files and incompetent changes to your system and security settings.

Block Websites with Dangerous Content

Have control over the content that comes into your home or office by customizing the content you want to filter and individualizing the content accessible to every single user. Prevent your children from accessing porn sites and using your credit card for unauthorized online shopping.

Schedule Time Spent on Your Computer

Time spent surfing the Internet and playing computer games passes quickly. Determine how much time your kids can spend on the computer, both online and offline, by creating pre-set periods and time limits that users can access your computer and get connected to the Internet.

Get Detailed Reports

Monitor the online and offline use of your computer wherever you are. User activity reports are stored on your computer and can be sent to your email address so you can access the record from any web browser at any time.

Here's more info from their web site: http://www.crawlerparental.com/

Download from here: http://www.crawlerparental.com/download.aspx

Free Parental Control & Web Security Guard
Control activity on your computer!

Give your children top level protection! Get a unique combination of computer protection and prevent access to potentially dangerous websites.

Prevent your kids from accessing potentially harmful websites
Restrict access to selected programs and folders on your computer
Set limits on time spent at your computer and online activity
Don't allow your kids to install malware or change important settings
Receive reports about selected activity on your computer

Web Security Guard displays website reviews and threat level to help prevent your kids from entering potentially dangerous websites.


UPDATE on 30 June 2009: Seems like Crawler Parental Control is no longer available and is no longer supported... try this free service (until end 2009): Monitor your kids' Internet surfing: Free until the end of the year: OnlineFamily.Norton with Norton Safety Minder: https://onlinefamily.norton.com/familysafety/loginStart.fs

Skype: more emoticons that you can type on your keyboard

Of course Skype users can click on the Emoticon button and use the standard emoticons, but here are some more keyboard keystrokes that you can use in your Skype chats:

{paste them into your Skype chat to see the emoticons}

{note: the duplicate smileys show that there's more than 1 way to type the smiley}

angel (angel)

angry :@ :-@ :=@ x( x-( X( X-( x=( X=( (angry)

bandit (bandit)

beer (beer) (bricklayers)

blush (blush) :$ :-$ :=$

bow (bow)

bug (bug)

cake (^) (cake)

call (call)

cash (cash) (mo) ($)

clap(clap)

coffee (coffee)

cool 8-) 8=) B-) B=) (cool)

cry ;( ;-( ;=( (cry)

dance (dance) \o/ \:D/ \:d/

devil (devil)

doh (doh)

drink (d) (D) (drink)

drunk (drunk)

dull |-( |( |=( (dull)

eg ]:) >:) (grin)

emo (emo)

envy (envy)

finger (finger)

flower (F) (f) (flower)

fubar (fubar)

giggle (chuckle) (giggle)

handshake (handshake)

happy (happy)

headbang (headbang) (banghead)

heart (h) (H) (l) (L) (heart)
brokenheart (u) (U) (brokenheart)

heidy (heidy)

hi (wave) (hi) (bye)

hug(hug) (bear)

inlove (inlove) (love)

kiss:* :-* :=* (kiss)

laugh :D :-D :=D :d :-d :=d (laugh)

mail (e) (m) (mail)

makeup (makeup) (kate)

mmm (mm) (mmm) (mmmm)

mooning (mooning)

movie (~) (film) (movie)

muscle (flex) (muscle)

music (music)

myspace (myspace)

nerdy 8-| B-| 8| B| 8=| B=| (nerd)
lipssealed :x :-x :X :-X :# :-# :=x :=X :=#

ninja (ninja)

no (n) (N) (no)

nod (nod)

party (party)

phone (mp) (ph) (phone)

pizza (pi) (pizza)

poolparty (poolparty) (hrv)

puke (puke) :& :-& :=&

punch(punch)

rain (rain) (london)

rock (rock)

rofl (rofl)

sad :( :-( :=( (sad)

shake (shake)

skype (skype) (ss)

sleepy |-) I-) I=) (snooze)

smile :) :-) :=) (smile)

smirk (smirk)

smoke (smoking) (smoke) (ci)

star (*) (star)

sun (sun)

surprised :O :-O :=O :o :-o :=o (surprised)

swear (swear)

sweat (sweat) (:|
speechless :| :-| :=| (speechless)

talk (talk)

think (think) :-? :? :=?

time (o) (O) (time) (clock)

tmi (tmi)

toivo (toivo)

tongueout :P :-P :=P :p :-p :=p (tongueout)

wait (wait)

wasntme (wasntme)

whew (whew)

wink ;) ;-) ;=) (wink)

wonder :^) (wonder)

worry :S :s :-s :-S :=s :=S (worry)

yawn (yawn)

yes (y) (Y) (ok) (yes)

So, how did I find all of these....

I "translated" this posting into Windows talk: http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=336170-0

Go to the Skype.exe file ("c:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe") and view it with a text viewer.

Search for the text "TSmileyData", then you'll see all the Smiley texts - I cleaned those up to get to the list above :)

Here's an update on 24Mar2009:

From http://habrahabr.ru/blogs/skype/54999/

Display flags of the world in your chats:

(flag:AF) Afghanistan
(flag:AL) Albania, People’s Socialist Republic of
(flag:DZ) Algeria, People’s Democratic Republic of
(flag:AS) American Samoa
(flag:AD) Andorra, Principality of

(flag:AO) Angola, Republic of
(flag:AI) Anguilla
(flag:AQ) Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)
(flag:AG) Antigua and Barbuda
(flag:AR) Argentina, Argentine Republic
(flag:AM) Armenia
(flag:AW) Aruba
(flag:AU) Australia, Commonwealth of
(flag:AT) Austria, Republic of
(flag:AZ) Azerbaijan, Republic of
(flag:BS) Bahamas, Commonwealth of the
(flag:BH) Bahrain, Kingdom of
(flag:BD) Bangladesh, People’s Republic of
(flag:BB) Barbados
(flag:BY) Belarus
(flag:BE) Belgium, Kingdom of
(flag:BZ) Belize
(flag:BJ) Benin (was Dahomey), People’s Republic of
(flag:BM) Bermuda
(flag:BT) Bhutan, Kingdom of
(flag:BO) Bolivia, Republic of
(flag:BA) Bosnia and Herzegovina
(flag:BW) Botswana, Republic of
(flag:BR) Brazil, Federative Republic of
(flag:IO) British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago)
(flag:VG) British Virgin Islands
(flag:BN) Brunei Darussalam
(flag:BG) Bulgaria, People’s Republic of
(flag:BF) Burkina Faso (was Upper Volta)
(flag:BI) Burundi, Republic of
(flag:KH) Cambodia, Kingdom of (was Khmer Republic/Kampuchea, Democratic)
(flag:CM) Cameroon, United Republic of
(flag:CA) Canada
(flag:CV) Cape Verde, Republic of
(flag:KY) Cayman Islands
(flag:CF) Central African Republic
(flag:TD) Chad, Republic of
(flag:CL) Chile, Republic of
(flag:CN) China, People’s Republic of
(flag:CX) Christmas Island
(flag:CC) Cocos (Keeling) Islands
(flag:CO) Colombia, Republic of
(flag:KM) Comoros, Union of the
(flag:CD) Congo, Democratic Republic of (was Zaire)
(flag:CG) Congo, People’s Republic of
(flag:CK) Cook Islands
(flag:CR) Costa Rica, Republic of
(flag:CI) Cote D’Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the
(flag:CU) Cuba, Republic of
(flag:CY) Cyprus, Republic of
(flag:CZ) Czech Republic
(flag:DK) Denmark, Kingdom of
(flag:DJ) Djibouti, Republic of (was French Afars and Issas)
(flag:DM) Dominica, Commonwealth of
(flag:DO) Dominican Republic
(flag:EC) Ecuador, Republic of
(flag:EG) Egypt, Arab Republic of
(flag:SV) El Salvador, Republic of
(flag:GQ) Equatorial Guinea, Republic of
(flag:ER) Eritrea
(flag:EE) Estonia
(flag:ET) Ethiopia
(flag:FO) Faeroe Islands
(flag:FK) Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
(flag:FJ) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands
(flag:FI) Finland, Republic of
(flag:FR) France, French Republic
(flag:GF) French Guiana
(flag:PF) French Polynesia
(flag:TF) French Southern Territories
(flag:GA) Gabon, Gabonese Republic
(flag:GM) Gambia, Republic of the
(flag:GE) Georgia
(flag:DE) Germany
(flag:GH) Ghana, Republic of
(flag:GI) Gibraltar
(flag:GR) Greece, Hellenic Republic
(flag:GL) Greenland
(flag:GD) Grenada
(flag:GP) Guadaloupe
(flag:GU) Guam
(flag:GT) Guatemala, Republic of
(flag:GN) Guinea, Revolutionary People’s Rep’c of
(flag:GW) Guinea-Bissau, Republic of (was Portuguese Guinea)
(flag:GY) Guyana, Republic of
(flag:HT) Haiti, Republic of
(flag:HM) Heard and McDonald Islands
(flag:VA) Holy See (Vatican City State)
(flag:HN) Honduras, Republic of
(flag:HK) Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China
(flag:HR) Hrvatska (Croatia)
(flag:HU) Hungary, Hungarian People’s Republic
(flag:IS) Iceland, Republic of
(flag:IN) India, Republic of
(flag:ID) Indonesia, Republic of
(flag:IR) Iran, Islamic Republic of
(flag:IQ) Iraq, Republic of
(flag:IE) Ireland
(flag:IL) Israel, State of
(flag:IT) Italy, Italian Republic
(flag:JM) Jamaica
(flag:JP) apan
(flag:JO) Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of
(flag:KZ) Kazakhstan, Republic of
(flag:KE) Kenya, Republic of
(flag:KI) Kiribati, Republic of (was Gilbert Islands)
(flag:KP) Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of
(flag:KR) Korea, Republic of
(flag:KW) uwait, State of
(flag:KG) Kyrgyz Republic
(flag:LA) Lao People’s Democratic Republic
(flag:LV) Latvia
(flag:LB) Lebanon, Lebanese Republic
(flag:LS) Lesotho, Kingdom of
(flag:LR) Liberia, Republic of
(flag:LY) Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
(flag:LI) Liechtenstein, Principality of
(flag:LT) Lithuania
(flag:LU) Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of
(flag:MO) Macao, Special Administrative Region of China
(flag:MK) Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of
(flag:MG) Madagascar, Republic of
(flag:MW) Malawi, Republic of
(flag:MY) Malaysia
(flag:MV) Maldives, Republic of
(flag:ML) Mali, Republic of
(flag:MT) Malta, Republic of
(flag:MH) Marshall Islands
(flag:MQ) Martinique
(flag:MR) Mauritania, Islamic Republic of
(flag:MU) Mauritius
(flag:YT) Mayotte
(flag:MX) Mexico, United Mexican States
(flag:FM) Micronesia, Federated States of
(flag:MD) Moldova, Republic of
(flag:MC) Monaco, Principality of
(flag:MN) Mongolia, Mongolian People’s Republic
(flag:MS) Montserrat
(flag:MA) Morocco, Kingdom of
(flag:MZ) Mozambique, People’s Republic of
(flag:MM) Myanmar (was Burma)
(flag:NA) Namibia
(flag:NR) Nauru, Republic of
(flag:NP) Nepal, Kingdom of
(flag:AN) Netherlands Antilles
(flag:NL) Netherlands, Kingdom of the
(flag:NC) New Caledonia
(flag:NZ) New Zealand
(flag:NI) Nicaragua, Republic of
(flag:NE) Niger, Republic of the
(flag:NG) Nigeria, Federal Republic of
(flag:NU) Niue, Republic of
(flag:NF) Norfolk Island
(flag:MP) Northern Mariana Islands
(flag:NO) Norway, Kingdom of
(flag:OM) Oman, Sultanate of (was Muscat and Oman)
(flag:PK) Pakistan, Islamic Republic of
(flag:PW) Palau
(flag:PS) Palestinian Territory, Occupied
(flag:PA) Panama, Republic of
(flag:PG) Papua New Guinea
(flag:PY) Paraguay, Republic of
(flag:PE) Peru, Republic of
(flag:PH) Philippines, Republic of the
(flag:PN) Pitcairn Island
(flag:PL) Poland, Polish People’s Republic
(flag:PT) Portugal, Portuguese Republic
(flag:PR) Puerto Rico
(flag:QA) Qatar, State of
(flag:RE) Reunion
(flag:RO) Romania, Socialist Republic of
(flag:RU) Russian Federation
(flag:RW) Rwanda, Rwandese Republic
(flag:SH) St. Helena
(flag:KN) St. Kitts and Nevis
(flag:LC) St. Lucia
(flag:PM) St. Pierre and Miquelon
(flag:VC) St. Vincent and the Grenadines
(flag:WS) Samoa, Independent State of (was Western Samoa)
(flag:SM) San Marino, Republic of
(flag:ST) Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of
(flag:SA) Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of
(flag:SN) Senegal, Republic of
(flag:CS) Serbia and Montenegro
(flag:SC) Seychelles, Republic of
(flag:SL) Sierra Leone, Republic of
(flag:SG) Singapore, Republic of
(flag:SK) Slovakia (Slovak Republic)
(flag:SI) Slovenia
(flag:SB) Solomon Islands (was British Solomon Islands)
(flag:SO) Somalia, Somali Republic
(flag:ZA) South Africa, Republic of
(flag:GS) South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
(flag:ES) Spain, Spanish State
(flag:LK) Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of (was Ceylon)
(flag:SD) Sudan, Democratic Republic of the
(flag:SR) Suriname, Republic of
(flag:SZ) Swaziland, Kingdom of
(flag:SE) Sweden, Kingdom of
(flag:CH) Switzerland, Swiss Confederation
(flag:SY) Syrian Arab Republic
(flag:TW) Taiwan, Province of China
(flag:TJ) Tajikistan
(flag:TZ) Tanzania, United Republic of
(flag:TH) Thailand, Kingdom of
(flag:TL) Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of
(flag:TG) Togo, Togolese Republic
(flag:TK) Tokelau (Tokelau Islands)
(flag:TO) Tonga, Kingdom of
(flag:TT) Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of
(flag:TN) Tunisia, Republic of
(flag:TR) Turkey, Republic of
(flag:TM) Turkmenistan
(flag:TC) Turks and Caicos Islands
(flag:TV) Tuvalu (was part of Gilbert & Ellice Islands)
(flag:VI) US Virgin Islands
(flag:UG) Uganda, Republic of
(flag:UA) Ukraine
(flag:AE) United Arab Emirates (was Trucial States)
(flag:GB) United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland
(flag:UM) United States Minor Outlying Islands
(flag:US) United States of America
(flag:UY) Uruguay, Eastern Republic of
(flag:UZ) Uzbekistan
(flag:VU) Vanuatu (was New Hebrides)
(flag:VE) Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
(flag:VN) Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of (was Democratic Republic of & Republic of)
(flag:WF) Wallis and Futuna Islands
(flag:EH) Western Sahara (was Spanish Sahara)
(flag:YE) Yemen
(flag:ZM) Zambia, Republic of
(flag:ZW) Zimbabwe (was Southern Rhodesia)

See here for more posts on Skype:

http://handytechtips.blogspot.com/search?q=skype

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Beware when editing Skype messages to Linux users…

Skype chat: taking control of the group chat session

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