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So, by now you've probably had some experience with or know someone who has had some experience with, Windows 10. They skipped 9, heading straight from Windows 8 to 10, which makes me think, how does Bill Gates tell time? Does he ever get up at 9am or is that just not an option? It's … View moreSo, by now you've probably had some experience with or know someone who has had some experience with, Windows 10. They skipped 9, heading straight from Windows 8 to 10, which makes me think, how does Bill Gates tell time? Does he ever get up at 9am or is that just not an option? It's probably good that they skipped the 9, mind you, because that might've meant they would've had to put more time into developing their ideas, instead of giving me something that I have to fix.
Literally every second call I get nowadays is about a problem relating to Windows 10. It used to be viruses. It used to be people deliberately trying to cause harm, instead of a silly company managing to incapacitate vast swaths of computers by doing things without checking first. Arguably, Windows 7 was the same in it's infancy. But Win10, bless it's ephemeral heart, keeps putting out a new version of itself every six months, forcing customers to upgrade and experience the same growing pains over and over again, whilst supplying new features that only an infinitesimal fraction of the population use.
How sad. It's telling, perhaps, that in the years since the release of Windows 8 the desktop market share of Windows has shrunk by 10%, while Apple's share has gone up 10%. Do I recommend Apple? Not particularly. They're great when they're working, but once they break they're designed to be chucked away, as they're generally very difficult to take apart. And having recently spent 2 hours on their customer support line, being passed between 7 people, to get a refund for a customer due to an ordering bungle on their part, let me tell you, their staff are not exactly ‘geniuses’.
Something else you can't rely on is Windows 7 being around forever; security patches for that operating system cease in January 2020*. And believe me, with the huge amount of vulnerabilities that are being uncovered in computer chips at the moment (google "Foreshadow intel" for a more recent one), you can't really afford to be online and unpatched. Which is another reason to upgrade from Windows Vista and XP, if you’re still using either of those*. Installing Linux instead is an option, but only if you're doing basic web browsing and email checking, and know a friendly IT person who can sort out your issues for you.
So what do I recommend if you already have Windows 10? Grin and bear it. If you have problems, write feedback to Microsoft through the Feedback Hub app in Windows 10, or call them out on twitter publicly. If you have the ‘pro’ edition of Win10 you can also delay the OS ‘upgrades’ by up to a year through the settings, avoiding many teething problems. Hopefully at some point a bright spark within that company will wake up and say: "I know what's wrong - we should’ve been making a solid product, rather than a broken yearly service!". Then perhaps we’ll get an operating system which doesn't make me money. I mean, I guess I hope that happens?
* Windows Vista and XP have not been supported by Microsoft for many years now and are not patched against any of the newer security vulnerabilities. Do not use them on the internet, though offline is fine. BTW, though the 'free upgrade' period for Windows 7 to Windows 10 has technically passed, any computer with a valid Windows 7 license can still be upgraded to Windows 10 for free by doing what is known as a 'clean install' using the Windows 7 key; a beyond-novice-level procedure, but certainly doable with the right IT person. Hint hint.
- Matt Bentley is the computer repair guy running Waikato Home PC Support.
Email info@homepcsupport.co.nz or phone 0211348576.
www.homepcsupport.co.nz...
I finally understood the meaning of a fishbowl moment when I, the fish, found myself looking at the …
Happy Monday everyone! Here's a beautiful video created by visual journalist Christel Yardley, of St Paul's Collegiate School students and St Joans rest home residents bonding over ukulele lessons.
We visited the rest home, along Peachgrove Rd, on Tuesday last week, and the activity … View moreHappy Monday everyone! Here's a beautiful video created by visual journalist Christel Yardley, of St Paul's Collegiate School students and St Joans rest home residents bonding over ukulele lessons.
We visited the rest home, along Peachgrove Rd, on Tuesday last week, and the activity room was full of joy.
Read more at the link below!
Exciting news! Our gorgeous bee-friendly September 2017 issue is up for Best Cover in the Magshop People's Choice Award 2018. We need your votes to come out on top! Click through the link to vote for us, and put yourself in the draw to win a De’longhi PrimaDonna coffee machine valued at … View moreExciting news! Our gorgeous bee-friendly September 2017 issue is up for Best Cover in the Magshop People's Choice Award 2018. We need your votes to come out on top! Click through the link to vote for us, and put yourself in the draw to win a De’longhi PrimaDonna coffee machine valued at $2,499.99, and two De’longhi Distinta Flair Breakfast packages valued at $419.98.
Got any great ways we can all help the environment? Any green tips, tricks or habits that others might not know about? Check out our page to see all the amazing entries we have received so far! Share your own and you could win one of 10 Countdown gift cards, worth $100 each! It’s all part of our … View moreGot any great ways we can all help the environment? Any green tips, tricks or habits that others might not know about? Check out our page to see all the amazing entries we have received so far! Share your own and you could win one of 10 Countdown gift cards, worth $100 each! It’s all part of our commitment to helping our environment thrive.
Personal trainer Alison Storey's weekly column, Storey on Sport, answers your questions on fitness a…
The initiative, aimed at clearing up the “silent epidemic” of sick cats and kittens overpopulating the suburb, came to fruition after a meeting of Carevets, Waikato SPCA and Melville Community House.
A $20,000 donation to the Waikato SPCA has enabled Keith Houston of the Carevet Veterinary … View moreThe initiative, aimed at clearing up the “silent epidemic” of sick cats and kittens overpopulating the suburb, came to fruition after a meeting of Carevets, Waikato SPCA and Melville Community House.
A $20,000 donation to the Waikato SPCA has enabled Keith Houston of the Carevet Veterinary clinics to provide a service to treat 300 cats of community card holders – making a huge difference to the community.
The desexing and health check initiative will be run by a booking system at the community house, where the van will be ready and waiting.
Te Whare Kokonga/Melvillle Community House co-ordinator Holly Snape confirmed the area has had a large number of strays.
“It is a unique initiative, to cater for the stray and unwell cats in the community. We want to up the treatment of flea problems, up the vaccinations, target cats that are breeding by having the cheap desexing facilities,” she said.
All community card holders are encouraged to bring their cats in.
According to Waikato RNZSPCA Branch Manager Tracy Wilde it is the cost for treatment and a slow realisation of how quickly a cat can get pregnant that is to blame for explosions of kittens.
“We get endless calls about cats, this is a guesstimate, but a good 80% of calls here are about cats,” she says. “It is amazing how upset people can get about stray cats.”
Doctor Keith Houston of Carevets funded the mobile de-sexing service off his own bat.
“This is our [Carevets] contribution to the greater welfare of the community, by helping the SPCA meet their aims,” said Dr Houston. It is not just the breeding that is causing the SPCA site to be inundated with cats, but the diseases that come from overpopulation and poor conditions as well.
With the larger numbers, both domestic and feral felines can become sick by contracting cat flu, parasites, worms or feline aids (mainly from males fighting).
According to Wilde there are a “horrendous amount” of cats and kittens that are sick and dying and the SPCA does not have enough resources and staff time to control it.
The “kitten season” brings an overload of pregnant and abandoned animals during the Christmas period when people cannot care for them.
“Colonies of abandoned and unwanted animals are living in communities and without de-sexing are increasing at an alarming rate. (One male and female cat can produce 400,000 offspring in seven years).”
As a result the cats turn into scared, starved and eventually sick animals.
The SPCA wants to address other problem areas such as Fairfield, Nawton, Ngarawahia and Huntly and is looking for more funding for continued treatment and expansion to the other areas in need.
Around 16-18 cats are hoped to be treated per day.
Freephone 0800 CareVets
Email info@carevets.co.nz
0800 227383
Hi neighbours, landlords, property managers, advocacy groups and tenants. With 18 years of experience in the New Zealand property industry, few are better placed than PQS to offer market leading advice, providing transparent outcomes for both renters and landlords.
Safe and Healthy Homes
… View moreHi neighbours, landlords, property managers, advocacy groups and tenants. With 18 years of experience in the New Zealand property industry, few are better placed than PQS to offer market leading advice, providing transparent outcomes for both renters and landlords.
Safe and Healthy Homes
Call PQS to check if your rental property is healthy, safe and secure and meets all current and upcoming legislative requirements.
Property Condition Assessments
Talk to PQS about a tailor-made software solution that has the flexibility to adapt to the constantly changing nature of property assessments, solving business problems with the smarter use of technology.
If you're a landlord, property manager, advocacy group or tenant - call us for help with all of your property needs. Let us find the right solution for you.
Phone PQS now on 09 271 6026 or visit the PQS website.
If you need any work done on your tv aerial BEWARE of Phillip Edwards of Aerial Plus! He did a TERRIBLE job for me and Ive had to get another company to come and fix it up. Apparently Im not the only person who has paid him to do such a shoddy job.
I m moving overseas, so need these gone:
Single bed and mattress 50$ sold
Closet 15$ sold
3 seat Sofa bed 120$
Dinner table and chairs 100$
Tv , sound bar, dvd player tv cabinet: 120$
Kitchen table without chairs 20$
Have child who wants to learn the violin? Or want to learn yourself?
Violin teacher available in Hillcrest/Riverlea area with a Bachelor of Music (First Class Honours) and 14 years teaching experience privately and in schools.
- Teaches ages 4 to adult, beginner to advanced, in a variety of … View moreHave child who wants to learn the violin? Or want to learn yourself?
Violin teacher available in Hillcrest/Riverlea area with a Bachelor of Music (First Class Honours) and 14 years teaching experience privately and in schools.
- Teaches ages 4 to adult, beginner to advanced, in a variety of methods. - Exam preparation available for those looking to push themselves.
- Concert, competition and performance opportunities.
- Fun positive learning environment with lessons tailored to the individual.
Contact details below for more information.
Text 0273324316
Email e.j.campbell@hotmail.com
We need your help! These five amazing Community Project applicants are finalists in Round Two of the 2018 AMI Community Grants. Now it's up to you to decide who should receive a share of the funds. Read a little information about each Project and how your support will help them - and then cast… View moreWe need your help! These five amazing Community Project applicants are finalists in Round Two of the 2018 AMI Community Grants. Now it's up to you to decide who should receive a share of the funds. Read a little information about each Project and how your support will help them - and then cast your vote below. Voting closes Sunday 2 September.
We need your help! These five amazing Organisation applicants are finalists in Round Two of the 2018 AMI Community Grants. Now it's up to you to decide who should receive a share of the funds. Read a little information about each Organisation and how your support will help them - and then cast… View moreWe need your help! These five amazing Organisation applicants are finalists in Round Two of the 2018 AMI Community Grants. Now it's up to you to decide who should receive a share of the funds. Read a little information about each Organisation and how your support will help them - and then cast your vote below. Voting closes Sunday 2 September
Hi neighbours,
Do you think primary teachers and principals should be striking? Thousands of teachers have taken industrial action on Wednesday, with dozens of rallies planned around the country. They aim to gain attention for better pay, conditions and incentives to attract new teachers. … View moreHi neighbours,
Do you think primary teachers and principals should be striking? Thousands of teachers have taken industrial action on Wednesday, with dozens of rallies planned around the country. They aim to gain attention for better pay, conditions and incentives to attract new teachers. Although about 30,000 people in the profession are involved in the strike, not everyone agrees with it.
So, what are your thoughts on the strike? Do you think teachers deserve better pay? Or should they have stayed around the negotiating table for longer? Are you a teacher or parent with views on the topic? Let us know in the replies!
(Please add "NFP/not for print" if you do not want your images/comments used on Stuff)
Hamiltonians are one step closer to getting their new kerbside collection service with Council yesterday approving the new level of service for the city. Hamilton City Council will roll out its new wheeled bin and more recycling options service from July 2020, which includes replacing the current … View moreHamiltonians are one step closer to getting their new kerbside collection service with Council yesterday approving the new level of service for the city. Hamilton City Council will roll out its new wheeled bin and more recycling options service from July 2020, which includes replacing the current black bag collection with separate wheeled bins for rubbish and recycling, a smaller separate food waste collection bin and using the existing recycling crates for glass only.
Waste Minimisation Advisor Charlotte Catmur says the current recycling service, which was established in 2002, is no longer ‘fit for purpose’ so the new service will be a major step forward for the city aligning it with other leading Councils in New Zealand. As part of the new service there will be assisted collections to help physically impaired or elderly residents and special services for intensive housing areas that cannot be serviced effectively through this kerbside collection service.
The new service is designed to increase Hamilton’s recycling rate from 29 per cent (by weight) to 50 per cent, which would mean diverting more than 100,000 tonnes of waste from landfill in the 10 years from 2020/21.
Check out Fight the Landfill to double check your collection days
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