The Garden Lights

We didn't need them, but we were checking out the Masters store, and they were "good value".   So now we've got a number of solar operated garden lights.  I'm still not certain whether they serve any useful purpose.......

After leaving them in the full sun for a day, we were disappointed that there wasn't even a glimmer of light when evening fell.   But closer investigation revealed that there was a little switch inside that needed to be turned on.

Then we had some heavy rain.   A couple of the lights
failed to operate the next night.  Well, we thought, they didn't cost much, so perhaps they're not completely waterproof.  However, a day or so later, after some warm sunshine, all was well again:   the warmth appears to have dried things out and the lights were all operating again.

But has anyone actually bought a Holden recently....?

Yes, the loss of jobs at Holden is disappointing, but just how much in the way of government hand-outs would have been needed to save them?  And it seems we're not buying the cars they make anyway.

The media mentions that there are 3,900 jobs directly involved, and presumably there will be flow-on effects in suppliers and the like.

However, let's get this into context.   On gazing through the National Bank's annual report (please don't ask why I was doing this..... but it's here if you want to look at it), I noticed with interest the statement that NAB is "making significant progress in the convergence of 14,000 Melbourne-based employees into three locations....".

I was surprised that the number was as large as 14,000, but that's what the document states.   And presumably if they're going to be in three locations, this doesn't include staff working in branches.

Perhaps instead of worrying too much about the seemingly inevitable loss of manufacturing jobs, the powers-that-be ought to be taking steps to ensure that jobs in the service sector remain in this country, given the risk that at least some of these jobs could probably be moved to locations with lower costs.

Getting used to a new camera

My new camera is the same brand as my previous camera, so it was quite straight-forward to operate, at least in "point-and-click" mode.  Of course, it has quite a number of additional options, which I am gradually familiarising myself with.   But one early action required was to be adjust the size of the file.  I quickly found out that the default file size of the images is quite large (some are over 5 MB!), being the price you pay for high-resolution images.   However, they take a long time to upload to the internet (as I need to do, for example, when inserting an image into this blog), so for everyday use, I have contented myself with a lesser size.

Another early impression was that  the battery life is pretty woeful.  The reviews had mentioned this, so it wasn't a surprise, but I had been living in hope.  Presumably use of the zoom in particular  shortens the time between re-charges.  I turned the GPS function off, but this didn't seem to make much difference.   I quickly got  a spare battery so that I'm not left short. This is a "compatible", which although it cost $30 is more reasonable that the Canon battery (nearly $80).   Even if it doesn't have the same capacity as a "genuine" battery (notwithstanding the sales talk when I bought it!), it ought to be sufficient to get through the rest of the day until I can re-charge.

I was interested to read a review in Choice magazine of various cameras in the category that I bought.  Isn't it so often the way - this information only comes to hand after you've made the purchase?     The one I bought was somewhere in the middle of the field.   One of the things I have noticed with my purchase is that the controls can be a bit "fiddly" at times, but I notice from Choice's review that none of the cameras in this category rate highly in this respect and that in fact my purchase is rated significantly higher than some of the others.

In hindsight, based on a combination of the features I was looking for and the price,  I think I would still have decided on this camera even if I had read the review before I bought it (although I am still waiting for the "cash-back"!)

The trail we leave......

I recently saw a note about a legal case where the employer suspected that an employee had misappropriated the employer's confidential information shortly before leaving.   For me, the interesting point that emerged was what computer experts who examined the various computers could find out.

This included:
-   that a work computer had had devices (such as a USB stick) attached to it, and the nature of the information that had been downloaded to these;
-   that file destruction applications (such as "File Shredder" and "CCleaner") had been run on the work computer and a home computer, and the date that this software had been run; and
-   various Google searches had been undertaken on a computer, including the exact nature of the enquiry (such as, "what happens if you don't comply with a Court order").

It all serves as a reminder that you leave quite a footprint when you use a computer, which can be brought to light if someone with sufficient expertise sets out to look for it - even though a person might take steps to cover their activities.    But, for what it's worth, it was stated that the use of the file shredding software meant that the emails which had been destroyed were, in fact, irretrievable on the computer - although since the authorities are said to receive information about all our activities on the internet, perhaps this information, too, is around somewhere (even if the recipient has also destroyed them).

Auctioning the manse.

While there are quite a lot of auctions at this time of year, a recent one in our area had some significance for a number of us.  It was the auction of the Church manse, sold by decree of the Synod in order to raise funds to pay off the debt resulting from the Acacia College debacle.  There have been a lot of reports about this, here's just one.  

Locally, as I've previously mentioned, the impact has been that the manse has been sold and it's planned that Church hall will be re-configured to provide accommodation for a couple of Church agencies (whose present accommodation is being sold).   Change is indeed upon us.

_

Roofing and marketing....???

I just don't get it.   We're still trying to get some routine maintenance done on our roof.   I've previously posted about the reputation that roof people have as being hard to tie down, but when a leaflet arrived in our letterbox from a roofing business, and specifically mentioned the type of work that we need, I thought I'd give them a ring.
When I made contact (just a day or so after the leaflet arrived), a time to come around and have a look was set up.   He wasn't entirely sure that he could make it, but if he couldn't, he'd let me know.

So, what happened?  Yes, a "no show".   No phone call before or since.

So, why spend money producing a quality leaflet, and then pay someone to put it in letterboxes in the area in which you're seeking work...and then not follow up at all on the leads that are generated?

Fund raising for........???

I have occasionally sent donations to an organisation the provides accommodation for the aged.   I admit that, deep down, part of the motive may be a feeling that it might not do any harm to be in their "good books" when the time comes....?   Or doesn't it work that way?   Be that as it may, I'm on their mailing list.
However, I was a bit taken aback by their latest appeal.   To provide emergency accommodation?  No.  To meet essential maintenance expenses?  No.  To provide iPads for residents.....YES.   No doubt a worthy cause, but even in this day and age, it hardly tugs at the heart-strings!  Perhaps it's designed to stir pangs of guilt in family members!

GPO

I am once again indebted to Daniel Bowen's blog for the news that the "GPO" has shifted.  It's now further up Elizabeth Street (on the corner of Lonsdale Street).  Here's Australia Post's news about this change.

Interestingly, it's still called the "GPO", even though it's really just another retail post office.   To me, the expression "General" post office carries with it the implication that it's the main, or headquarters, post office, as distinct from other post offices which in some sense are "lesser".  Maybe, however, that's just me....?

Other machines accepted cards as well

I had a quick look around the new premises.  Notwithstanding the sign, I don't think there are going to be staff there 24/7, just machines.   However, we use ATMs and self-serve checkouts at the supermarket, so I don't suppose we can complain.   You can buy stamps and other items from a vending machine, and there's also a machine for weighing your letters and selling you the correct postage amount (as there have been in London for some time).  There are lockers for parcels, too,  but I assume you have to have been advised that there is something to collect.

The original GPO - much more impressive

Blessed are Those who Thirst

The author, Anne Holt, is described on the cover as being "the Godmother of modern Norwegian crime fiction".  In an effort to diversify the range of crime writers that I read, I picked the book up in the library.

I guess any crime writing necessarily has to be about the characters involved as well as the crime, but in this book, the studies of the characters take precedence over the crime investigation, even though the murders are bizarre in the extreme.  The detective is in a long-term lesbian relationship but still struggles with "coming out", the murder victims are refugees, there's a sordid rape to complicate matters which sets the victim's father on the investigative trail thus complicating his relationship with his daughter and so it goes on. 

In short, I didn't warm to this book and I struggled to get through it.

Platform 11

An extra platform at Flinders Street station would be very useful, especially when things go wrong and trains queue up to get into the station (haven't we all been held up between Richmond and Flinders Street?)   There used to be a platform 11, the twin of 10, facing the river, which was used by St Kilda and Port Melbourne trains before these were converted to "light rail".    Now there's just a fence and a space on the other side where the rail track used to be.

Recently some activity has been occurring in this area, and there's a sign referring to a "riverside venue" being opened here!

Daniel Bowen has also commented on this, and addresses the issue that, although this might not be the best location for trains coming into Flnders Street from the east,  it could nevertheless provide additional flexibility.  This would especially be so when Showgrounds or Flemington Racecourse trains are operating.

Room for a rail track

But no, the powers-that-be have clearly determined that Melbourne has a greater need for another coffee venue than de-bugging the train system!

Old ticket windows at Elizabeth St entrance are also apparently to be re-cycled