My DELL monitor arrived a couple of days early and my laptop arrived about a week later. It also beat the original ETA by a couple of days.
After setting up both I was indeed very happy with both. A drawback was that three of my printers are pre Windows 7. New drivers are needed for Windows 7. Looking for the new driver some site which almost looked like a CANON site tried to sell me an automatice driver update service; luckily I recognised their guise and got onto the real site, downloading a driver for Windows 7 x32. Of course nothing happended as the OS is x64. After about 45 minutes I had 2 printers installed.
Next problem was that the only connector to the monitor is HDMI. The HDMI connector wants to also send the sound to the monitor which has no speakers. A call to DELL technical assistance solved the problem. A very pleasant consultant took over my computer for a 15 minutes and installed a driver and now the sound goes to my Logitech Z680 speakers. At this stage I can only talk very highly of DELL and their service.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Thursday, December 30, 2010
My DELL XPS 15
Finally I have ordered my new Laptop. After humming and harring for about 2-3 months I decided to go for the DELL XPS 15. My first thoughts were an ASUS machine which seem to be highly regarded.
My specs were: Price - around and preferably under AU$2000; Screen not too small but not too big to keep the weight down but with 1920x1080 pixels; Blueray if possible; i7 Intel chip and a decent graphics card.
After reading a few reviews my impression was that the ASUS machine may be a slightly superior machine but their after sales service was atrocious. Having had a DELL laptop previously and contacting them on a minor issue (which was resolve immediately) I felt I should stick with DELL.
After the decisiion was made, of course I'd look for the best price and my idea was to order online. Unfortunately I was unable to log into my (perhaps now lapsed) account to see if there are any discounts available to me. So I tried to ring DELL to find out if I still had an account.
The first person transferred me to the appropriate person who then transferred me to the appropriate person who then transferred me to the appropriate person who then...... you know the story. After six transfers I got to a person who sounded like the very first person - I told her that I already had six transfers so she said she'd transfer me to sales. This was of course what I wanted to avoid.
However once the consultant could smell a possible sale the whole process became a real joy. My idea that buying through a consultant would cost me more was wrong and I actually ended up saving a small amount. However I looked at the online options during the whole process.
The person I dealt with was very professional. Of course she tried to increase the sales value but certainly was not persistant. She did manage to "upsize" the additional monitor I wanted. All over I thought the whole process was a joy and I would certainly recommend her. I'd be happy to pass her name on if you are interested. There is any chance that if you came to this post that there would be a DELL ad on my blog - feel free to click on it to check out their site.
My specs were: Price - around and preferably under AU$2000; Screen not too small but not too big to keep the weight down but with 1920x1080 pixels; Blueray if possible; i7 Intel chip and a decent graphics card.
After reading a few reviews my impression was that the ASUS machine may be a slightly superior machine but their after sales service was atrocious. Having had a DELL laptop previously and contacting them on a minor issue (which was resolve immediately) I felt I should stick with DELL.
After the decisiion was made, of course I'd look for the best price and my idea was to order online. Unfortunately I was unable to log into my (perhaps now lapsed) account to see if there are any discounts available to me. So I tried to ring DELL to find out if I still had an account.
The first person transferred me to the appropriate person who then transferred me to the appropriate person who then transferred me to the appropriate person who then...... you know the story. After six transfers I got to a person who sounded like the very first person - I told her that I already had six transfers so she said she'd transfer me to sales. This was of course what I wanted to avoid.
However once the consultant could smell a possible sale the whole process became a real joy. My idea that buying through a consultant would cost me more was wrong and I actually ended up saving a small amount. However I looked at the online options during the whole process.
The person I dealt with was very professional. Of course she tried to increase the sales value but certainly was not persistant. She did manage to "upsize" the additional monitor I wanted. All over I thought the whole process was a joy and I would certainly recommend her. I'd be happy to pass her name on if you are interested. There is any chance that if you came to this post that there would be a DELL ad on my blog - feel free to click on it to check out their site.
A review of the monitor can be found at: http://www.cnet.com.au/dell-ultrasharp-u2410-339298064.htm
Monday, December 27, 2010
A New Computer - Dell xps16
I am hoping to order a new laptop shortly. At this stage a DELL XPS 16 with a 1920x1080 screen is my hope
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Revolving restaurants
Over the years I have been to a few revolving restaurants and it has become almost a hobby with me. If there is a chance to visit one I will take that opportunity.
My first one was of course in my home city of Adelaide in the suburb of Glenelg. The building itself has a rather fascinating history. It was labelled a "white elephant" when its construction stopped for a number of years. There were also rumours of an intended death when a plane plunged into the sea with a couple of persons involved in the building. When it finally was completed the restaurants also had a chequered history with it being referred to as the "revolting" restaurant at times. However I must say that the few times we dined or lunched there we were always happy.
Canberra: Our capital city has a revolving restaurant atop telstra tower which is on top of Black Mountain. As one expects of Canberra it is very clean. We only had a desert there but that alone was rather impressive.
Hobart: A rather anaemic casino is topped by their revolving restaurant. It did have wonderful views, unfortunately I can only remember the strong voiced old biddy on the table next to us who kept talking about the cartoons of Leunig. As much as I liked his cartoons it spoiled our lunch there.
Blue mountains: Its a bit of a Clayton's revolving restaurant; but it does have a revolving platform even though it is hardly off the ground.
Gold coast: This one sits on top of one of Gold Coast better hotels and its views are spectactular even though we found that in the evening half the time you look out to the sea which of course was dark.
Perth: In the CBD it had plenty of good views and we liked the menu.
Sydney: On top of centrepoint tower I found this perhaps Australias most exiting revolving restaurant with brilliant views of a brilliant city.
Hong Kong: Amazingly Hong Kong has only the one revolving restaurant. It is on the island part of HK in the Hopewell building. The lunch Smorgasboard was very good and reasonably priced. It amazed me that we were 62 floors above the ground yet in the distance one can see buildings which tower way above us being built on the mountains inside.
Penang: This one was on top a ten year old building which was mainly empty due to a new centre having been built across the road. However the restaurant was still nice; it looked like some renovations were taking place when we visited some years ago.
Kuala Lumpur: KL tower houses this revolving restaurant. Another restaurant which offers a very good lunch smorgasboard at good prices. I was somewhat concerned when the platform came to a clunking stop, but I think they reverse direction every now and then. Beutiful views of the city and surrounds. Also nice grounds around the tower for those who wish to walk off the calories they just acquired.
Auckland: We'll be there early next year.
My first one was of course in my home city of Adelaide in the suburb of Glenelg. The building itself has a rather fascinating history. It was labelled a "white elephant" when its construction stopped for a number of years. There were also rumours of an intended death when a plane plunged into the sea with a couple of persons involved in the building. When it finally was completed the restaurants also had a chequered history with it being referred to as the "revolting" restaurant at times. However I must say that the few times we dined or lunched there we were always happy.
Canberra: Our capital city has a revolving restaurant atop telstra tower which is on top of Black Mountain. As one expects of Canberra it is very clean. We only had a desert there but that alone was rather impressive.
Hobart: A rather anaemic casino is topped by their revolving restaurant. It did have wonderful views, unfortunately I can only remember the strong voiced old biddy on the table next to us who kept talking about the cartoons of Leunig. As much as I liked his cartoons it spoiled our lunch there.
Blue mountains: Its a bit of a Clayton's revolving restaurant; but it does have a revolving platform even though it is hardly off the ground.
Gold coast: This one sits on top of one of Gold Coast better hotels and its views are spectactular even though we found that in the evening half the time you look out to the sea which of course was dark.
Perth: In the CBD it had plenty of good views and we liked the menu.
Sydney: On top of centrepoint tower I found this perhaps Australias most exiting revolving restaurant with brilliant views of a brilliant city.
Hong Kong: Amazingly Hong Kong has only the one revolving restaurant. It is on the island part of HK in the Hopewell building. The lunch Smorgasboard was very good and reasonably priced. It amazed me that we were 62 floors above the ground yet in the distance one can see buildings which tower way above us being built on the mountains inside.
Penang: This one was on top a ten year old building which was mainly empty due to a new centre having been built across the road. However the restaurant was still nice; it looked like some renovations were taking place when we visited some years ago.
Kuala Lumpur: KL tower houses this revolving restaurant. Another restaurant which offers a very good lunch smorgasboard at good prices. I was somewhat concerned when the platform came to a clunking stop, but I think they reverse direction every now and then. Beutiful views of the city and surrounds. Also nice grounds around the tower for those who wish to walk off the calories they just acquired.
Auckland: We'll be there early next year.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
wikileaks bunker - any connection to the CIA?
Having seen pictures of Julian Assange's bunker one wonders how an individual can create such an underground palace. It makes me wonder whether he is bankrolled.
Could it be that an organisation such as the CIA is involved? One can imagine that such an institution may be aligned with the elements which are bot too happy with the Obama regime and are intend on discrediting them in any which way.
Could it be that an organisation such as the CIA is involved? One can imagine that such an institution may be aligned with the elements which are bot too happy with the Obama regime and are intend on discrediting them in any which way.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Epiphytic forest
Epiphytic forest - one of Adelaide's up and coming designarista produced this youtube video as part of his final subject http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxIGqGvO27c. Also the picture shows his award winning poster.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Australian Uranium companies
It has long been my belief that the price of uranium will start its climb upwards again. Hopefully its rise will be steady - rather than explosive and then end up in a burst bubble. This post and following comments will show companies which I have found or reasonably believe to be lookingfor uranium. Again - as in a previous post - THIS INFORMATION IS NOT ADVICE but rather intended as my mind jogger and for my family and close friends.
The big boys - BHP and RIO - are of course known to most people world over, have Uranium mines of significant sizes. Neither interest me as I am looking for the smaller producer/explorer. ERA falls in the same category as it is owned largely by RIO.
My main investment (atm intended as long term with the intention of building my holding is MEY. Marenica holds exploration licenses in Namibia. Its neighbours are the Rossing, Trekkopje and Langer Heinrich mines.
The big boys - BHP and RIO - are of course known to most people world over, have Uranium mines of significant sizes. Neither interest me as I am looking for the smaller producer/explorer. ERA falls in the same category as it is owned largely by RIO.
My main investment (atm intended as long term with the intention of building my holding is MEY. Marenica holds exploration licenses in Namibia. Its neighbours are the Rossing, Trekkopje and Langer Heinrich mines.
NTU A promising company with connections to AREVA the french uranium company. However when AREVA decided not to take up a recent issue in NTU I lost confidence and sold most my investment. Hence I found indications of HREE which had then become a market darling. My watch is on the above chart to see how the share price performs in the next couple of weeks. The company has options NTUOA and NTUOB. Both give good leverage if the sp rises.
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