Paul's Thoughts

Watershed analysis and X-Plane

2011-05-12T02:39:00.003+08:00

So, my i7-920 has been calculating this for the last 12 hours, and the end is nowhere in sight. Still, processor usage was low, so I fired up X-Plane on my three screens, connected to IVAO and had a short flight from Pearce to Jandakot in a PA-310 (Piper Malibu). Still having issues with oil pressure in the simulation. In the green at idle, and as soon as the throttle is advanced, it goes into yellow.

X-Plane versus FSX

2011-05-02T16:31:00.002+08:00

So which is best?

Well, they both have strengths and weaknesses, which I will summarise in a short, concise post.

FSX

Graphics hog. Even on my i7-920 with 2 GTX280s in SLI, can't have all sliders maxed.

Variety of planes on offer from developers.

More support from addon manufacturers, specifically in the form of adventures, weather programs.

Flight modelling is based on tables, calibrated to reflect real-world performance.

Interface for IVAO is better, and thus I fly online with FSX (not FSX or X-Plane's fault).

X-Plane

Cheap

Flight modelling is based on aerodynamics of each surface element, calibrated to reflect real-world performance.

You can simulate marginal aerodynamics, e.g. stalling, engine loss after takeoff on a twin, etc. much better.

Instructor interface is better.

Rotorblade simulation.

Turboprop simulation.

There may be many more, but I want to make the following point: I grew up with

FS3

FS4

FS4 Graphics and sound upgrade

FS4 Scenery and plane designer

FS5

Red Baron

FS95

FS98

FS2000

FS2002

FS2004

FSX

X-Plane

And of all these, I find X-Plane the best system FOR ME. I can start the program, be up and flying very quickly, and that swings it for me. The X-Plane addon scene is catching up, and it will be interesting to see what Microsoft Flight brings to the table, as with X-Plane 10 when it is eventually released.

Both will be added to my stable.

Australian carbon debate a joke

2011-05-02T16:22:00.002+08:00

I don't often comment on politics, but this one really irked me.

The Australian steel makers (Bluescope and One Steel) complained about the proposed carbon tax, stating that it will increase their production cost by ~AUD40/t of steel at a carbon price of AUD20/t.

The government responded by stating that the numbers are incorrect, and that the increase will only be AUD2/t.

WTF? Let's get this straight. For every tonne of steel produced, about 2 tonnes of CO2 is produced (This varies from plant to plant, but only in the range of 1.8 to 2.5). So for a AUD20/t CO2 carbon tax, that is 20 AUD/t CO2 x 2 t CO2/t steel = AUD40/t steel.

Come on, Gillard Government. We are not all idiots. You will harm the manufacturing industry, and this may have consequences in terms of job losses and the general need to support people I am not sure you are prepared for. Or are you just lying to the general populous?

A year without my father

2011-05-02T16:03:00.005+08:00

It has been one year to the day that my father passed away. The anniversary of his passing has brought back many memories, some good and some bad. The good memories are of the times we spent together, the first time he took me fishing, teaching me how to drive, Sunday afternoon roast chicken lunches, Sunday night chicken curry.

The bad memories of that Sunday one year ago, the funeral that followed, seeing family and friends under circumstances I would rather not have experienced.

But such is life. We all have to go through this some time in our life. Never easy, though. And no-one told me just how hard it was going to be.

Now, one year later, I still very much feel the pain and loss.

So let me tell you, it will be very tough. You can not imagine the pain and sorrow and emptiness that you will feel. And see, that doesn't prepare you. Because you just can not imagine it.

Worst part is that God feels the same so often, everytime someone dies without knowing Him.

Katerina hunting

2011-03-25T10:51:00.000+08:00

Create a Glossary in Microsoft Word

2011-02-21T17:10:00.001+08:00

As good as Word is, there is no tool to do this with automatically. Well, thanks to my favourite search engine found this link. Bit of work involved, but it works, and my client is now happy.

Sanity prevails in carbon debate

2011-02-14T05:16:00.003+08:00

At last, a position paper that correctly states the whole lifecycle has to be analysed, and the results are what logic dictates: Steel is better than alternative materials. Ones this takes hold, expect to see bauxite and aluminum stocks decrease in value.

http://www.worldsteel.org/pictures/publicationfiles/Climate%20change%20position%20paper%20A4.pdf

Arnold the hoop-shooting champ

2010-09-22T10:50:00.001+08:00

Some videos to catch up on

2010-04-06T20:17:00.001+08:00

Yes, I have been quiet. Life is very busy. As it should be. Enjoy.

Some kids videos

2010-01-21T22:56:00.003+08:00

The aeroplane was given by Ouma Alet. Katja is a great older sister to both her siblings, and the three are all budding musicians.

Bass guitar this morning

2010-01-03T21:13:00.002+08:00

I was asked to fill in at the South Campus this morning, and I said yes earlier the week, forgetting about Arnold's birthday today. So I was quite grumpy this morning, having to leave the family at home. But it all worked out well, in the end. Had a nice time playing. Tim was on sound, Nathan was on electric, and Wayne on drums. We had a ball. I recorded the set on my iPhone, so the quality isn't perfect. I reduced levels by -3dB, and it sounds good with headphones. Very difficult to mix out the recording equipment with an equaliser, so speakers are not recommended.

Here is a snippet - Hosanna.

Arnold's third birthday party

2010-01-03T20:58:00.004+08:00

My son loves Lightning McQueen. When he wakes up, that is what he wants to see. Even though nowadays he only watches a few minutes, then loses interest. Nobody dares change the movie!

Here are some pictures and a video from his party today.

Sonja walking

2009-12-31T08:03:00.002+08:00

These birds know music

2009-09-13T13:05:00.001+08:00

Birds on the Wires from Jarbas Agnelli on Vimeo.

Via

United breaks guitars

2009-08-26T22:57:00.002+08:00

After a year of no joy, Dave recorded a song...

Statement by Dave

And a second song is recorded

Nokia's new netbook is very light indeed...

2009-08-26T22:53:00.002+08:00

From

Spiderman fails

2009-08-15T18:59:00.001+08:00

How to drive a rex

2009-08-14T22:46:00.000+08:00

Greatest prank call ever

2009-08-14T22:36:00.000+08:00

Via

And the wolf blew the house down

2009-08-14T21:52:00.000+08:00

Katja and Arnold being fruity

2009-08-02T23:44:00.001+08:00

Sonja crawling

2009-08-02T22:51:00.000+08:00

Parallel parking - I think?

2009-05-19T09:47:00.000+08:00

Turning around can be difficult

2009-05-19T09:46:00.000+08:00

But not this difficult...

TAGA bicycle-stroller

2009-05-18T12:47:00.001+08:00

Developed in the Netherlands, only a single-seater so far.

Tomato Lake Park yesterday

2009-05-13T16:08:00.002+08:00

Two cats on treadmill

2009-05-11T13:59:00.000+08:00

Where is a helicopter when you need one?

2009-04-29T21:56:00.002+08:00

The first photograph is a real pity. The F16 display team is one of my favourites.

Which brings us to the lifting power of a large helicopter.
And while the last image seems out of place, seeing it reminded me of my father, and the times we spent together. Would be nice to do a similar photograph.

Spot the blonde

2009-04-28T14:09:00.002+08:00

Chicken for rent

2009-04-28T14:08:00.000+08:00

Not bad for a SUV

2009-04-27T23:33:00.004+08:00

Gemballa will produce only 50 Porsche Cayenne Gemballa 750 GTS Tornados. Price - $519,953.
Under the hood is a V8 and 750 HP. 0 to 62 mph in 4.3 seconds with a top speed of over 186 mph.

I'm glad I'm a boy

2009-04-27T23:25:00.001+08:00

I'm Glad I'm a Boy! I'm Glad I'm a Girl! (14 pics)

Get ready in the morning in five minutes

2009-04-27T23:22:00.000+08:00

Katja's assembly 11 March 2009

2009-04-12T17:08:00.000+08:00

Arnold and Sonja

2009-04-12T17:00:00.000+08:00

At Belmont Forum

At Burswood Casino Park

Bombing squadron

2009-04-02T21:14:00.000+08:00

Optical illusion

2009-04-02T12:17:00.000+08:00

Helicopter taking off. Look at the propellers. And how is this possible? (4.6 Mb)

One dog show

2009-04-01T10:42:00.000+08:00

Ten business lessons from Battlestar Galactica

2009-03-26T09:33:00.001+09:00

Very good read from PC World.

Line6 Variax 700 Bass guitar

2009-03-25T11:26:00.003+09:00

I never mentioned my newest musical purchase - a four string Line6 Variax bass. Black, off eBay, a shopfloor model from over east. Had quite a bit of rust, and required a bit of TLC, but it only took me an hour or two to get it into reasonable shape. Still a bit of rust I have to continually monitor, but it was well worth the very low purchase price.

What makes Variax so special? Well, it is a modelling bass guitar. It uses Piezo pickups on the bridge, and modifies the sound to that of a number of classic models, e.g. Fender Jazz bass, Fender Fretless (a.k.a. Jaco Pastorius), Upright, 12 string, a few modern bass guitars, etc.

Works very well with my Line6 Bass POD Live, which can change Variax settings via MIDI when you selct a different Amp/effects channel. Way cool.

Pity the Variax bass never caught on more, and Line6 has stopped manufacturing them. One day I will own an electric 700 guitar, as well as a Variax acoustic, but all in good time. The list is growing, though. I now have the Lowdown 150 amp, the Pod, and the bass. I will stop now for a bit.

Natural camouflage

2009-03-25T10:52:00.002+09:00

Honesty is a good policy!

2009-03-25T10:31:00.001+09:00

Via.

Bouncing Sonja

2009-03-09T22:31:00.000+09:00

With Arnold helping.

Some great songs

2009-03-05T10:36:00.002+09:00

First up, Mr. Louis Armstrong.

Next up, two home studio recordings by Stelios. Enjoy.

Sonja and the bubbles

2009-03-02T10:43:00.001+09:00

Taken last month.

Katerina

2009-02-25T14:32:00.004+09:00

I don't post much about our pets, but they do mean a lot to us. If it wasn't for Katerina, I would have no bite and scratchmarks on my hands, for example. So here is my tribute to our cat, and two of the fish.

Spider web

2009-02-25T14:30:00.001+09:00

Made this for Sanet today.

Geology 101

2009-02-17T11:28:00.003+09:00

I spent the whole of yesterday getting an introduction to Geology, from what geologists do, through drilling, sampling, QAQC, geostatistics and many other interesting tidbits. Not much one can learn about a specific subject in a packed day, but it was still good. Gave out lots of business cards, and had to teach the whole class about shallow offshore drilling, as the presenter did not have any experience in the subject field.

So I mentioned sonic, vibrocoring, and of course the mother of all systems, the MACC.

It was an interesting experience paying for the course myself, and I found myself wanting to learn everything there was to learn, and I did. It was a good course, presented by Snowden Perth.

Synchronised drinking

2009-02-07T23:18:00.001+09:00

Katja's seventh

2009-02-07T23:09:00.003+09:00

Park playing

2009-02-07T23:06:00.001+09:00

Sonja's first bite ever

2009-02-07T23:02:00.001+09:00

An important milestone, at almost five months old.

Negotiating with your dentist

2009-01-27T15:24:00.002+09:00

The following via ENS, who I can wholeheartedly recommend. Even in these tough times, keep on negotiating. You can still win!

Arnold's second birthday party

2009-01-05T22:34:00.010+09:00

Heathcote Reserve, 3 Jan 2008. Jim the Entertainer was invited as well, and everyone had a lot of fun!

I love Windows Vista

2008-12-25T17:12:00.002+09:00

Never thought I would say that so soon. Received the i7 beast, assembled, installed, forgot to activate RAID, installed again, broke Autoexec.bat three times before I found out the culprit program from some unnamable motherboard supplier, and now the system is running like a dream.

My SLI is enabled, programs are being installed, and I am looking forward to do some ESRI work at high speed.

But back to Vista. Having read countless forum posts on why the execution protection is so frustrating, I can not agree. In the last day I have installed many programs, but it works. Are you sure you know this program? Yes, I am. Hardly what I would call work. The first time my system broke was when the driver installer said it was finished, but it did not release my Autoexec.bat. Vista told me so, but since I received the message from the installer saying all ended well, I chose to believe that.

So Vista is good, well thought out, and not so different to XP that you would notice it.

Katja and Arnold - Perth Zoo

2008-12-23T09:03:00.002+09:00

Since we have to use our zoo friends membership, I took Katja and Arnold to the zoo last Friday. Here Katja is sitting with my in-laws.

We were privileged to see some baby Meerkats. Very cute, and both Katja and Arnold wanted to take them home. I neglected to tell them how sharp their teeth are...
We only saw the Savanna section, as I had a meeting in the afternoon. But the school holidays are long, so we will go again. We have already paid back our zoo memberships, but parking is still a problem at the zoo. We knew we were only staying two hours, yet we had to pay for the whole day...

Just after bath time after a long day, and Katja is getting quite strong!

Buy or build?

2008-12-22T19:57:00.004+09:00

I have been researching computers for a few days now, and finally today found what I was looking for. If I build a system myself, it would be a lot cheaper than the one I considered purchasing a week or so ago. Which leads to the next hing, it has been seven years since my last desktop purchase, and seven years since I last put together a computer. Also about seven years since anyone posted instructions on how to do it. But one of the links came out tops, and I saw a nice video on how to build your own pc.

It brought back many memories.

So, parts were duly ordered from Simline, to be picked up tomorrow, after some haggling on case availability. I appreciated the service that was provided. Top notch.

Of course, building is not for everyone, and there is something to be said for system unification. But saving half the purchase price allows for a lot of money to be spent on unification. Or on a desperately needed fast laser printer.

Some details on what I purchased:
Case: Coolermaster HAF932
OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit
Motherboard: Asus P6T Deluxe OC Palm
Processor: Intel i7-920
GPU: GTX280 x 2 SLI'd
RAID-0 supported by default.
Powersupply: Gigabyte ODIN Pro 1200W

So, I assume my GIS work will be going a bit faster now. :)

NVIDIA GTX295 preview

2008-12-20T21:53:00.002+09:00

Just when you think you have arrived, something new comes out. Here I am still contemplating purchasing a system with two GTX280's in SLI, and soon to be released is the GTX295, which has two boards in one housing, already SLI'd, and you can even purchase two, SLI them, and have four GPU's working for you.

But all of this remains a dream, as spending has been cut down drastically. None the less, read the preview here, and enjoy.

Jonno with his riverbrew cap

2008-12-12T10:10:00.004+09:00

The talented Jonathan with his modified Riverview cap. A few of us ROFL'd when we saw it.

In other news, Jonno gave me a copy of his 2002 Christmas album on Monday. It has been a long time since I was so inspired. Jonathan is an accomplished Jazz musician, my music teacher, Katja's piano teacher, fellow Cockburn Central musician, and friend. Get it if you can, and if you can't, leave a comment, and I will point you in the right direction.

Arnold at Belmont Forum

2008-12-12T09:51:00.006+09:00

Belmont Forum.

Katerina and Sonja

2008-12-10T12:27:00.002+09:00

Sonja's dedication 20081207

2008-12-10T12:22:00.002+09:00

Followed by a do at home. Hanrettys and van der Merwes attended.

Cessna Mustang movies

2008-12-09T12:01:00.002+09:00

STOP! Do not watch these before you have covered your keyboard with something drool-proof.

Via.

Political Correctness gone D**k mad

2008-12-09T11:46:00.003+09:00

Wanted to purchase a movie or two for the children on iTunes, and saw that one of my favourite movies, "Fun with Dick and Jane", has had its name censored.

It's a world gone mad. So if your name is Dick, you are not allowed to write it as "Dick" anymore, according to some people...

Intel i7 core, the way to go.

2008-12-09T11:03:00.004+09:00

My desktop is now six years old. Unprecedented, I know, but for the last year I have been using only a powerful Dell D630 laptop. It does struggle, though with some of my graphics-intensive applications, especially when I do GIS work. So I have been researching a desktop/laptop replacement, but to get decent performance in a laptop, and have it portable enough is difficult. So I think it will be a desktop replacement.

What better place to look than Alienware for a performance desktop. Although today we will be discussing support options. Dell still has my great admiration, for their support over the last year has been magnificent. On my business account I have always received their advertised next day on-site support, and even though I had a few issues with my D630, I have been very happy. It has worked hard over the last year, and I am now on my second hard drive, and third mother board (due to an overheating graphics chip - told you it works hard).

Anyway, back to the Alienware system I have been researching.

Intel® Core™ i7-940 Performance 2.93GHZ 8MB Cache
Alienware® P2 ALX Chassis with AlienIce™ 3.0 Video Cooling - ALX - Saucer Silver
Alienware® AlienFX® System Lighting
Alienware® ALX High-Performance Liquid Cooling
Alienware® Acoustic Dampening
Alienware® 1200 Watt Multi-GPU Approved Power Supply
Dual 1GB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 280 - ALX
6GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz - 3 x 2048MB
Alienware® Approved Intel® X-58 Motherboard- Socket 1366 Core i7 Ready, Dual Triple Channel DDR3 Memory
Microsoft® Windows® VISTA 64-bit Ultimate with Service Pack 1
Extreme Performance (RAID 0) - 1TB (2 x 500GB) Serial ATA 3Gb/s 7,200 RPM w/ 2 x 16MB Cache
High-Definition 7.1 Performance Audio
1-Year AlienCare Warranty Return To Base + Toll-Free Phone Support

I am also looking forward to the 64 bit Vista. This will be my first 64 bit operating system should I complete the purchase.

Merit certificates at Assembly

2008-11-28T14:41:00.001+09:00

29 October 2008...

It was also an Italian day at school, hence the green, white and red dress code.

This is my year 1 work, dad!

2008-11-28T14:33:00.001+09:00

2008-11-27T16:52:00.000+09:00

Wasabi and Mount Fuji

2008-11-24T12:04:00.004+09:00

I swung past Tokyo on the way back from Seoul last week, and a few interesting things happened. I walked with baggge from Hotel New Otani to Imperial Hotel, and that took 1.5 hours. But since you don't want to see what I look like drenched in sweat, let's move on...

Here I am holding a wasabi root. They grow in only the purest of water, the top, and small roots are cut of, and eventually you end up with something like this. In a proper Sushi restaurant the raw Wasabi is used, and it is grated on sharkskin. It has never tasted so good.

Mount Fuji in daylight and sunset, from Hotel New Otani.

Evelyn and Sonja

2008-11-21T12:33:00.000+09:00

Fun at the farm in October

2008-11-21T12:29:00.001+09:00

Picture of seven legged spider worth more than overdue account

2008-11-21T11:44:00.002+09:00

Saw on Bits and Pieces the following, and I ROFL'd.
Subsequently, the picture was sold on eBay for USD10000. Guess it should have been accepted as payment after all...

Omni-directional vehicle

2008-11-20T18:04:00.000+09:00

Cirrus G3 EVS Infrared Vision System

2008-11-09T19:46:00.000+09:00

What a great idea!

Onion News Network

2008-10-30T11:50:00.001+09:00

Serious news, brought to you as it happens. See this clip as an example:

Economists Warn Anti-Bush Merchandise Market Close To Collapse

My debut album

2008-10-30T11:10:00.003+09:00

Didn't know I had one, did you? Here is how it works:

1 - Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random.The first random Wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.
2 - Go to Random quotations: http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3.The last four words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album. If you want to do this again, hit refresh to generate new quotes, because clicking the quotes link again will just give you the same quotes over and over again.
3 - Go to Flickr’s ‘explore the last seven days’:http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/.Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover. Put it all together, that’s your debut album.

Via

Waterfall chart creation in Excel

2008-10-29T14:17:00.005+09:00

Waterfall chart creation is something I always battle with. Had do develop a system for one of my clients, and a lot of coding, plus the information in the link below, did the trick.

Waterfall chart creation - from Peltier Technical Services

If the world could vote

2008-10-29T14:14:00.002+09:00

Great concept. Cast your vote in the USA election, and be sure to view the results. Interesting...

If the world could vote.

Skidding into disintegration

2008-10-09T09:49:00.001+08:00

Via

Create free ringtones for your iPhone

2008-10-07T20:45:00.002+08:00

Found this a few minutes ago, and it works. Using iTunes 8, you can also create ringtones from non-iTunes Store purchased songs. Which is great, because I have beeen using my own composition on my Nokia for as long as I can remember. At last I can use it on my iPhone.

http://www.techmixer.com/how-to-create-free-iphone-ringtone-with-itunes-8-video-tutorial/

School concert and dress-up

2008-09-19T12:43:00.003+08:00

Dress-up a few weeks ago.

Last night's school concert. Katja is on the left.

Model development

2008-08-13T10:45:00.003+08:00

After a long hiatus Excel VBA and I have met again. Not to mention meeting thermodynamics and balancing chemical equations! I thought I knew most things about hot metal pre-treatment, but after extensive research and coding it myself, I now know more. It has been revealing.

Another project I am working on involves a concept design of a steel plant, and this body of work has refined my views on how things should be done.

So how do you perform dephosphorisation, vanadium recovery, desulphurisation and silicon removal in the most profitable way? I think I am beginning to understand.

Perth Zoo friends

2008-08-13T10:36:00.003+08:00

During the last school holidays we became Perth Zoo Friends, meaning that for a small fee we can visit an unlimited amount of times in the next year. The children love it, and I wish I had done it sooner.

This pelican was almost touchable, and leter on there were three pelicans for everyone's enjoyment.

Could have been taken in Vietnam. Truly a magnificent effort to recreate all these habitats.
By the way, this was our second visit already. One more to go, and we break even. Perhaps this afternoon?...

Everyone enjoys holding Sonja

2008-08-13T10:20:00.005+08:00

A high res pic for grand parents to download and print (2Mb):

First up, the de Klerk family: Glou, Pieter, Glou's mom, and Marno.

The Berends

The Hanrettys

The family grows

2008-08-06T21:22:00.005+08:00

Sonja was born on 4 August 2008, 19h59 Perth time, weighing 2.498kg (5 lbs 8 oz), 47cm. Both mother and daughter are well.

Here is a picture of all my children together: Katja (Pure), Arnold (Strong as an eagle), and Sonja (Wise).

TV Dinner

2008-07-18T12:44:00.001+08:00

With a cat. Very well captured.

Via

Bad day at the bank drive through...

2008-07-12T11:49:00.001+08:00

http://view.break.com/534959 - Watch more free videos

Via

Arnold Climbing at Katja's school

2008-06-26T17:11:00.001+08:00

Talking cat

2008-06-26T16:50:00.003+08:00

This cat was talking to three Willy Wagtails on the lawn. Sound at end is more clear.

Katja Fitness Dancing

2008-06-26T16:49:00.001+08:00

Out for the count

2008-06-23T16:48:00.001+08:00

What happens in 60 days?

2008-06-22T22:00:00.002+08:00

Quite a lot, it seems. It has been two months since my last post, and I have been busy. I have started taking formal music classes, and a little bit of theory goes a long way. Our third child's birth is nearing, and we have started discussing names. We have decided on "wise", making the meaning of the three childrens' names then pure, strong and wise.

Work is pretty intense, with lots of travel (again), international customers, and thoroughly enjoyable. One New Zealand based project in particular occupies a lot of my time, and I even get to use some of my aeronautical knowledge in the old-fashioned nautical sense.

Ships are slightly different than planes (VFR), because once you can no longer see the shore, what do you use to navigate with? Same as planes, of course - you plot your progress based on speed, known currents, etc. I have learned that the ocean is a huge place, and like the sky, it has gained my respect.

Cornstarch, water and Ellen

2008-06-22T21:58:00.001+08:00

Woolworths Australia introduces self-serve checkouts

2008-04-22T13:41:00.003+08:00

Way cool. Leave more work for the shopper, at the expense of labour costs. Pity, though, as interacting with sales staff is something I enjoy a lot. Trying to bring a smile to their face at the end of a long shift is a nice game to play. The service industry should never be the means to the end, interacting with people should be the end, and the purchase incidental, in my opinion.

Humans are social beings - something I am acutely aware of this week. My family is on holiday, and I am alone at home. Difficult to work, concentrate, and sometimes just plain lonely.

Don't get me wrong, I sometimes struggle to remember the above. But I will keep on trying.

My son walks

2008-04-10T23:30:00.000+08:00

And so the journey continues...

Climbing the corporate ladder to the top

2008-04-10T23:22:00.003+08:00

I like to move it

2008-04-05T20:02:00.001+08:00

Archery skills

2008-03-26T22:34:00.002+09:00

Archery skills - Metacafe is a click away
Apologies for the ads at the end. But I agree with the judge, I have never seen anything like this before. Very impressive.

Tree felling gone wrong

2008-03-09T18:02:00.002+09:00

Ouch. Trigonometry refresher required, I think...

Resources for small businesses

2008-02-29T12:28:00.005+09:00

Blog entries have been sparce, mostly because I have been working my proverbial off. And moved house.

Back to the topic. I have found frequently since November 2007 that when I was sitting at a client's site, I could receive email via Microsoft Outlook, but I was unable to send any email. To do that I had to wait until returning home the evening - very unproductive.

This, together with the need for centralised data, email, and a higher capacity backup system led me to take the plunge earlier the week - I purchased a Dell server, with Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 R2 and Symantec Backup Exec pre-installed.

What will this do for me?
Make available remote access via VPN.
Data storage
Data backups.
Set up the IT side of Vulcan Technologies Pty Ltd for further growth.

Whilst waiting for the box of goodies to arrive, I have been doing reserach on many things server-related. This site is quite useful.