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 :)