Shortcuts

Top 10 internet browsing shortcuts

Ryan Boutland

These shortcuts are compatible with Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari. If you’re using a Mac and the shortcuts aren’t working for you, try replacing the ‘Ctrl’ key with the ‘Command’ key.

To use these shortcuts, simultaneously press the keys in bold.

Tabs

Modern internet browsers allow you to have dozens of page tabs open at the same time. Using these shortcuts, you can navigate between them with ease.

·         Ctrl+Tab – switch to the next tab in your browser (the tab to the right)

·         Ctrl+Shift+Tab – switch to the previous tab in your browser (the tab on the left)

·         Ctrl+T – open a new tab

·         Ctrl+Shift+T – reopen the last tab you closed

 

Zooming

These shortcuts can help you zoom in on small images or text to get a better view, saving your eyes from unnecessary strain.

·         Ctrl++ (Ctrl and the plus (+) key), or Ctrl+Scroll wheel up – zoom in

·         Ctr+- (Ctrl and the minus (-) key), or Ctrl+Scroll wheel down – zoom out

 

Browsing

This mix of handy shortcuts will get you whizzing around a web page, and will enable you to search and browse more effectively.

·         Ctrl+F – opens up a search box that allows you to search a page for a word or words

·         Spacebar – scrolls down the page by one page length

·         Shift+Spacebar – scrolls up the page by one page length

·         F5, or Command+R on Mac – refreshes or reloads the page

 

 

Good News

Internet prices to fall

Drew Patchell

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) handed down a draft decision yesterday that will see the price of internet access fall for millions of users. The decision may see the price that Telstra can charge its wholesale customers (iiNet, Optus, TPG, Dodo, etc) for use of its copper network, decrease by 9.6 per cent from 1 October 2015 until 30 June 2019.

The ACCC’s original draft decision in March called for a 0.7 per cent price reduction, but this has now been overturned by the newly proposed 9.6 per cent price reduction. Chairman of the ACCC, Rod Sims, suggested that the original decision was based on outstanding issues that weren’t finalised at the time, causing the sudden change in price reduction.

“Users of Telstra's network should not pay the higher costs that result from fewer customers as NBN migration occurs,” Mr Sims said.

Read more from www.news.com.au

Read more from www.smh.com.au

Opinion: Will you see the reduction?

The ACCC’s decision to decrease Telstra’s charges to wholesale internet service providers (ISPs) should see a dramatic shift in the internet pricing landscape, allowing for more wriggle room for those playing with finer margins. Once approved and in place, the changes will see different price reductions from all ISPs.

Companies such as TPG that have been making a name for themselves through lower prices would be close to the top of the list to pass on the full price reduction, while a company such as Optus or iiNet may be less likely to pass on the full reduction.

While the wholesale price reductions may not seem like a win for Telstra customers, if its main competitors, Optus and iiNet, pass on some or all of the savings, then it is reasonable to assume that Telstra may also lower its retail prices. But as with the big banks passing on any reduction in the official interest rate, we will just have to wait and see.

What do you think? Is the ACCC’s decision a positive step for internet users? Should the ACCC force wholesale internet service providers to pass on all or a minimum per cent of the decrease to their customers? 

 

 

Travel Scams

Although this isn’t relative to computing I think most members travel overseas, so these warnings are good advice. 

Note the website at the end, if you want to research more scams.

Seven classic travel scams

 

Leon Della Bosca

There are many ways in which you can be scammed whilst travelling. By being aware of these classic travel scams and keeping your wits about you, you’ll have a better chance of holding on to your hard-earned cash and being safer on your journey.

1. “There’s something on your jacket”

A friendly local may tell you this, and, by chance, will have tissues and a water handy with which to clean it for you. However, whilst this is happening, your pockets will be cleaned out too.

If someone tries this one on you, tell them it’s fine, and that you’ll clean it yourself when you get to your destination.

2. “Hey there. Wanna buy me a drink?”

A good-looking lady (or man) will ask you to buy them a drink, but, after a couple of cold ones, you’ll be handed a huge bar tab, accompanied by some henchmen types who will escort you to the nearest ATM and tell you to take out all your money.

As nice as it may be to think you are in with a chance with a pretty young local, it may be best to put off that drink until you know for sure that they are legitimately interested in talking to you and not out to take you for a ride.

3. “Oh no! I’m late for my flight”

This is what you’ll hear as you’re about to walk through the security gate. And being the kind person that you are, you’ll let them through. The security sensor will go offand throughout the distraction your laptop, wallet, watch and phone will mysteriously disappear. And you’ll complain to airport security, but chances are, in some countries, they are in on the scam as well.

Don’t feel bad about making the tardy tourist wait their turn. And don’t put your valuables on the security tray until the very last second before you walk through.

4. “I need to check your passport.”

This one is popular in Eastern Europe. A police officer will ask you for your passport, and, upon inspection, will find something wrong with it, which can be overlooked for a small (or substantial) fee.

Always ask to see the identity card or serial number for any law enforcement that you encounter whilst overseas. If they deny you this, then ask very loudly for them to take you to their precinct or police station.

5. “Excuse me, did you drop this?”

A passer-by will lean down as you walk past and pick up a gold ring, or similar object, and will ask if it’s yours. If you even look like you’re interested, they’ll ask for a reward and won’t let you leave until you pay them.Oh, and that ring is brass, not gold, so don’t be taken in by this one unless you know for a fact that you dropped something.

It’s easy to bypass this scam – simply tell them it’s not yours.

6. “That hotel is now closed.”

You’re on your way to the hotel you’d booked beforehand from home, and the taxi driver tells you it’s no longer open. He’ll take you to another hotel where he gets a commission for pushing you through the door.

The best way around this is to tell your driver to take you to the hotel for which you’ve asked, or you’ll find another taxi. It always pays to have your maps app open on your phone too, so you know he’s taking you to where you want to go.

And whilst we’re on the subject of ‘commission’, be wary of travel guides telling you where the best place is to shop. They’ll most likely also be receiving a commission for sending you there, and you may end up paying a premium for faulty or pirated products. It’s always best to do your research before you shop and use apps that have a rating system to help you make the best decisions.

7. “Catch my baby!”

This one is the pick of the bunch, but believe us, it happens. Someone will throw what appears to be a baby at you and yell for you to catch it. Being the decent human being that you are, you will drop everything in your hands to catch the baby, and then some insidious little blighter will run off with your bags or pick your pocket.

Honestly, ask yourself, who throws a baby? No one is that desperate, surely? The baby will be a doll, but the offender is relying on your human decency, so the best way to get around this scam is to keep your hands in your pockets and keep walking.

Read more about classic travel scams at www.traveller.com.au

Apple

Apple unveils iOS 9

 

Ryan Boutland

Apple has announced iOS 9, and to get you up to speed, here is a run down of all the new features, as well information on whether it will support your current iPhone or iPad. 

Better battery life

One of the most exciting new features of iOS 9 is an improvement on the device’s battery life, giving each device approximately one hour extra before you need to recharge it. While it’s not a huge extension, it’s still handy. Those looking for more battery life will be also be able to activate a new Low Power mode, which adds around three more hours to your battery life by disabling some features.

Multitasking for iPad

Real multitasking for iPad is finally coming, after years of fruitless rumours. Users will be able to run two apps side by side at the same time. Another feature will allow you to run ‘Picture in Picture’ videos so you can watch videos or use FaceTime while browsing the web or using other apps at the same time. 

Apple music

As of 30 June, Apple will be launching its music streaming app, starting with a free three-month trial, after which a subscription will cost $9.99 per month, or $14.99 for a family plan, allowing four users to use the service. Subscribers will be able to stream from the 30 million songs available on iTunes, as well as listen to a 24-hour radio program.

Other features include:

·         a huge upgrade to Siri’s intelligence and functionality, particularly when it comes to an awareness of context

·         significant security upgrades

·         a health app with features aiming to help women keep track of their cycles and help couples with pregnancy, as well as a certain-to-be-misused ‘sex tracker’ feature.

 

And, lastly, perhaps one of the most important details of the new iOS9 is on which devices it can run. Surprisingly it is compatible with all devices that were compatible with iOS 8.

Compatability:

·         iPhone 4s

·         iPhone 5

·         iPhone 5c

·         iPhone 5s

·         iPhone 6

·         iPhone 6 Plus

·         iPod Touch 5th generation

·         iPad 2

·         iPad 3

·         iPad 4

·         iPad Air

·         iPad Air 2

·         iPad mini

·         iPad mini 2

·         iPad mini 3

 

Lost phone

What to do if you lose your phone

If you’ve ever lost your phone, you’ll be familiar with the sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach the moment you realise it’s missing.

I experienced that feeling when I lost my phone at a beach in Port Macquarie. It had fallen out of my pocket and into the water without my realising, and it was only when I reached for it, just minutes later, that I realised it was gone, washed away by the waves.

Whether your phone is stolen or lost, the process for what you should do afterwards is the same:

1. Contact your service provider

If you’re on a contract or a sim planwith your mobile service provider, you’ll want to give them a call and let them know your phone is lost. They can suspend your service and block the phone so that if it was stolen or someone just happens to pick it up, they cannot use it. In my case, I knew my phone was drifting around in the Tasman Sea and in all likelihood, water-damaged beyond use, but for my own peace of mind, I rang Optus and followed the processanyway. This way, Optus would know that I no longer had an active phone.

If you have a prepaid sim card, meaning you purchase credit from somewhere, such as the supermarket, to recharge your phone, the process of cancelling your service will be simple. If, however, you’re on a contract or a post-paid sim plan, you’ll be paying monthbymonth. If this is you, you’ll have extra incentive to buy and set up a new phone quickly, because you’ll continue to be charged each month whether or not you are actively using the service.

2. Purchase a new handset and set it up

Now that you’ve lost your phone, clearly you’ll need a new one. Choosing a new phone comes down to person preference. One important thing to consider is whether you will remain with the same brand as your lost phone or opt for an entirely different one.This is particularly important if you wish to transfer your original phone’s information onto your new one (if you have backed up data). This guide provides useful information about how tochoose the right smartphone for your needs.

Note: if your smartphone is missing rather than lost, you may be able to find it using apreviously set-up phone tracking system. For iPhone, just sign into your iCloud account or use the Find My iPhone app to see where your missing iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Mac is on a map. For Android, you can download the Find My Android Phone. Both these apps only work if you have location services enabled on your missing phone.

3. Back up your phone

Perhaps the most distressing part of misplacing your phone is losing photos, messages, contacts and notes stored on the device. In a situation where your phone goes missing, it pays to have been fastidious about backing up your phone’s information. By ensuring your phone is backedup regularly, all the important data will be available on your computer or the ‘cloud’ to transfer onto a new phone.

Back-ups can be done manually by plugging your smartphone into your computer, or by programming your phone so that whenever you connect to wifi, the data on your phone is backed up onto the cloud. If you have an iPhone or iPad, this article can show you how to back it up.

Unfortunately, if you have lost your phone and did not back it up, you’ll be unable to retrieve any lost data. If you do have to start from scratch with your new phone, consider backing up it up regularly should something ever go awry again.

 

 

 

wi fi

Five ways to make your wifi faster

Ryan Boutland

Don’t wait on hold for hours or buy a brand new router, these five simple tips will help to make your home’s wifi internet faster without the hassle or cost.

Location

Where you place your router will have a huge impact on the speed and reliability of your internet connection, especially if you have a large house or brick walls. Think about all the places you commonly use wifi, then try to find a location close to the middle of all these locations to place your router. Make sure it’s high off the ground, too. Some objects that will significantly block your wifi signal include fish tanks, mirrors, concrete and bricks – generally the more things between you and the wifi router, the slower it will be. Also, if your router has antennae, make sure they are pointed directly upwards.

Interference

Pretty much every electronic device will interfere with wifi signals; the worst offenders typically are cordless phones and microwaves. For the best results, try to avoid placing your router near these.

DIY extenders

With just a few household objects you can create a wifi signal extender. Watch this video to see how you can boost your wifi with just cardboard and tinfoil.

Security

If you don’t have a wifi password, people in your neighbourhood can freely use your internet. Hopefully your neighbours wouldn’t ever do this, but just to be safe, you should add a password to your wireless network. The process for doing this will vary with each brand of router. So read the instruction manual and set up a password. If you can’t find the instruction manual, look on your router for the model number and then search for its manual on the internet.

Reboot it

Sometimes simply turning your router off for 10 seconds then turning it back on will do wonders for your internet connection. There are lots of small issues that can stop your router from functioning over time, and a quick reboot will fix plenty of them.

 

Google

Five? more Google tricks

Only 4 showing on page!

 

Ryan Boutland

These five hidden Google search tricks will save you plenty of time and help you out with watching your weight, travelling, shopping online and more. 

Quick translations
While you’re travelling overseas, getting your phrasebook out and finding a specific term can take a while, and, perhaps, might not even be covered. Simply Google search “(phrase you would like to translate) in (language you would like translated to)”; for example, “Do you have any rooms available? In French” and Google will help you out.

Currency conversions
This can help you while you’re travelling or while you’re shopping online. To convert currencies easily with Google, just search for the type of currency followed by the amount you would like converted, then type “in” followed by the currency you would like it to be converted to. For example, to get 1000 Japanese yen converted to Australian dollars, you would search “1000 YEN in AUD”.

Quick definitions
Simply type the word “define” followed by the word which you would like to know the meaning of, for example: “define metempsychosis”. You will be given the definition, pronunciation, etymology and more.

 

Calorie counter
When you’re watching your weight, knowing how many calories you’re eating can be very important, but finding out how many are in an item of food can be time consuming. Simply Google search “Calories in a x” (replacing x with the name of a simple food, such as an apple, fruitcake or chocolate bar) and Google will tell you.

 

Budgeting

Save with these budgeting apps

 

 

Budgeting is a great way to help you take control of your spending. But instead of keeping wads of receipts, why not try one of these handy free budgeting apps? They can be used on your smartphone or touch screen device, and will help you understand your day-to-day and long-term spending habits. 

GoodBudget 

This intuitive app is perfect for those wanting create a budget based on their cash flow. A useful (and nostalgic) feature is that you can set aside amounts of cash into ‘envelopes’ each week, month or fortnight, enabling you to understand the spending habits in each area of your life. This is a great app for those who receive varying payments, such as freelancers. Irregular payments and expenses, such as birthday gifts and holidays, are easily tracked by using the irregular envelopes. 

Available on: iOS, Android

BillGuard 

If you’re looking for a budgeting app that helps you understand your spending habits and protects you from fraud, BillGuard is the one for you. Not only does it automate your budget, but it also warns you if there is an unauthorised charge on any of your accounts or credit cards. This app works by syncing your bank accounts first, before calculating the amount you spent during the month and showing you your total balance. You are presented with a list of transactions and the option to swipe right (yes) or left (no) depending on whether you made that transaction. If you swipe left, the app will provide you with these options:

·         help me recognise this

·         report/contact merchant

·         follow up later.

If you choose to follow the matter up at a later date, a small red dot will appear until you’re able to complete it.

Available on: iOS, Android 

Pocket Expense

Pocket Expense is great for those concerned about linking accounts. It allows you to manually enter all your transactions yourself, instead of retrieving the information from your accounts. Unlike many other budgeting apps, it focuses on tracking how you spend money to provide a snapshot of your spending before creating budgets, rather than the other way around. The app works by having you enter your cheques, savings and spending. It also provides you with a breakdown of how much you spend versus how much you save, and allows you to set a budget for the week or month. 

Available on: iOS, Android

 

Google

Five? more Google tricks

Only 4 showing on page!

 

Ryan Boutland

These five hidden Google search tricks will save you plenty of time and help you out with watching your weight, travelling, shopping online and more. 

Quick translations
While you’re travelling overseas, getting your phrasebook out and finding a specific term can take a while, and, perhaps, might not even be covered. Simply Google search “(phrase you would like to translate) in (language you would like translated to)”; for example, “Do you have any rooms available? In French” and Google will help you out.

Currency conversions
This can help you while you’re travelling or while you’re shopping online. To convert currencies easily with Google, just search for the type of currency followed by the amount you would like converted, then type “in” followed by the currency you would like it to be converted to. For example, to get 1000 Japanese yen converted to Australian dollars, you would search “1000 YEN in AUD”.

Quick definitions
Simply type the word “define” followed by the word which you would like to know the meaning of, for example: “define metempsychosis”. You will be given the definition, pronunciation, etymology and more.

 

Calorie counter
When you’re watching your weight, knowing how many calories you’re eating can be very important, but finding out how many are in an item of food can be time consuming. Simply Google search “Calories in a x” (replacing x with the name of a simple food, such as an apple, fruitcake or chocolate bar) and Google will tell you.

 

Skype

How to use Skype

 

Amelia Theodorakis

Skype is a handy video and voice-calling service that allows users to call family and friends and have face-to-face conversations via the internet. It is free to download and use – all you need is the Skype software, a good internet connection and a webcam (inbuilt into your computer or as an attachment).

Download Skype:

PC download

Mac download

Note: You can use Skype on your smartphone – it will work over 3G and 4G internet connections. But be aware. It will chew through your data, so consider connecting to wifi first. 

Setting up

Once you’ve set up an account with your email address and password, you’re ready to add contacts. To do this, you’ll need your contacts’ email addresses or Skype names (just ask them) and then click ‘Add Contact’.  Skype allows you to add as many contacts as you wish. If you connect through your Facebook or Microsoft accounts, your contacts can be easily added all at once.  

Before calling

To chat to someone over Skype, it’s usually best to let them know beforehand that you’ll be calling, as otherwise, they might not be at the computer to answer. 

If you have a webcam built into your computer, it will turn on once the Skype software has opened. On both Mac and PC, a little light will turn on beside the webcam to let you know it is connected. If you’re using a webcam attachment, ensure it’s turned on and synced with Skype. 

Most laptops (and Mac desktops) have inbuilt speakers that will automatically connect, but most PC desktops will require an external microphone. If you have earphones with an inbuilt speaker, simply plug them into the headphone jack. 

Making a call

Select the person you wish to call by clicking their name in the left sidebar. Then, in the top right corner of the screen you will see a telephone icon beside a camera icon. Click the camera icon to make a video call. A dial tone should ring just like a regular telephone, and the person will be able to answer. When you see their face or hear their voice, you’re talking on Skype! 

You can use Skype to make calls to a landline or mobile number, but you will have to pay for this service by signing up for Skype Credit.