Info Wiki - User contributions [en]

Talk:Scams

2017-07-09T02:30:41Z

Cwijones: Noted broken hyperlink.

The referenced "PCUG's scamwatch listinfo page" does not exist today (9 Jul 2017).
[[User:Cwijones|Cwijones]] ([[User talk:Cwijones|talk]]) 12:30, 9 July 2017 (AEST)

Internet Access Alternatives

2013-07-20T06:43:01Z

Cwijones: Changed initial hyperlink from "Internet Access Alternatives" to "Internet Access".

There are a wide range of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_access Internet Access] alternatives: wired and wireless, mobile and fixed, low and high usage. This page aims to briefly summarise the likely alternatives for PCUG members, with links to other sites with more information and comparisons of these alternatives.

== Lower Usage Access ==

To support basic email sending and receiving and modest web usage, with both wireless and dialup wired options possible.

=== Mobile Broadband ===

The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_broadband Mobile Broadband] service is provided using mobile phone technologies. In all cases a suitable mobile subscription (and SIM card) will be needed, with some amount of data included. This subscription may be either pre or post-paid, with data either included in the base subscription, or purchased using some form of "add-on" data pack. The basic choice here is which major network (Telstra, Optus or Vodafone) you choose to connect to, and whether to purchase your subscription from them or from one of their resellers (Telstra - Aldi, Kogan, Boost, etc; Optus - Amaysim, Virgin, Vaya, Woolworths, etc; Vodafone - PennyTel, GoTalk, etc ). There are a very large number of alternatives available.

You need to consider the mobile phone coverage area of the chosen network for the locations you want to access the service from, and be mindful of the various communication systems in use (3G-850/NextG, 3G-900, 3G-2100, 4G / LTE) as this will affect the hardware you will require.

There are several possibilities for accessing this service:

* using a mobile broadband hotspot - this is a small device that creates a small local wireless hotspot that several devices can connect to (including laptops, mobiles, tablets, wifi e-readers, etc) to share the mobile broadband link it manages. This is a flexible option that allows one link to be shared by several devices. The mobile SIM for this link is installed in the hotspot, and you would typically use a data-only mobile broadband subscription (either pre or post-paid).

* use of a tablet or smartphone with a data plan to directly access net services - where you tablet has a SIM with mobile (rather than just WiFi) data capability, or you have a smartphone with mobile SIM. You can use the applications provided on these to access Internet services using the respective data-only mobile broadband, or general mobile with data added, subscriptions on the device.

* share your smartphone's data connection - extending the above option, you could configure your tablet/smartphone as a WiFi hotspot to share it's Internet connection with other devices. The details for how to do this depend on the type of device you have.

=== Fixed Wireless Broadband ===

This service also uses wireless technology, but differs from mobile broadband in having a fixed access node attached to your house (or other building) that provides a direct link back to the provider's wireless tower. Because this uses a fixed node with a larger antenna, it can cover a wider area from the wireless tower, and hence may be able to reach into areas that mobile broadband does not. Availability of this service very much depends on the provider's infrastructure, but in the Canberra region, [http://www.netspeed.com.au/netspeed.cfm?action=p_15 NetSpeed's Longreach Broadband] service supports this option for those in suitable service areas.

=== Dialup ===

A continually decreasing number of ISPs also still offer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialup dialup Internet access] using a modem connected to your phone-line. However this provides limited speeds and download capabilities, and support is being discontinued by ISPs due to increasing costs. This is unlikely to be a long-term option.

== Higher Usage Access ==

To support those with heavy web usage and/or significant multimedia downloading or streaming.

=== National Broadband Network (NBN) ===

The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Broadband_Network National Broadband Network (NBN)] is a fibre to the premises ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FTTP FTTP]) (unless the Coalition cripple it to become a Fibre to the Node with deteriorating copper to you) network currently under construction in Australia. It will provide extremely fast download speeds to 93% of Australian homes and businesses. The remaining homes and businesses will be covered using wireless and satellite technologies. Its fibre network will replace most other wired (telephone twisted pair used by ADSL and coaxial cable as used by Bigpond & Optus in some major cities) connections. Once the NBN passes a location, these other wired networks will be shutdown 18 months later. Note that in limited areas of the ACT, Transact already provide a separate FTTP service. This FTTP network is in the process of being purchased by NBN Co.

To access the Internet via the NBN, you need to be connected to the NBN, and have a phone and/or Internet subscription with an NBN provider. More information on the NBN rollout, and NBN providers is available on the [http://www.nbnco.com.au/ NBN Co website].

=== ADSL ===

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADSL Asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL)] provides broadband data access over legacy (twisted-pair) phone-line connections much faster than a dialup modem, whilst still allowing standard phone calls to occur at the same time (unlike using dialup). In recent years this has been the main broadband alternative of choice, with a large number of providers offering it. However in Australia it is expected to be superseded by the NBN rollout in coming years.

To use ADSL for Internet access you need an "ADSL Gateway" (likely including a WiFi access point as well) in your home, which connects over the phone-lines to a "digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM)" at the local exchange. One key distinction between providers is whether they own their own DSLAMs you connect to at the exchange, or whether they lease access to these from another provider (usually Telstra).

In the ACT region there are many suppliers offering an ADSL service (for now, until the NBN rollout completes). The [http://bc.whirlpool.net.au/bc/ Whirlpool Broadband Choice] page can provide more information on them.

=== Cable ===

In the ACT region [http://transact.com.au/ TransACT] provide a cable ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VDSL VDSL1 or VDSL2]) service to some areas in Canberra, that can provide phone, broadband Internet and PayTV. These may be a suitable high-speed internet access option for those in cabled areas. These services are not subject to the shutdown after NBN rollout.

In some other major cities, Telstra and Optus operate a coaxial cable network that provides similar services. These are subject to shutdown after the NBN rollout.

== More Information ==

The following sites may assist with additional information. Whirlpool in particular has a large amount of comparative information, and user supplied commentary, on many aspects of Internet access.

* [http://bc.whirlpool.net.au/bc/ Whirlpool Broadband Choice]
* [http://bc.whirlpool.net.au/bc/?action=list&loc=8 Whirlpool ACT Service Providers]
* [http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/Choosing_a_Broadband_Provider_FAQ Whirlpool Choosing a Broadband Provider FAQ]
* [http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/NBN Whirlpool NBN Overview]
* [http://www.nbnco.com.au/ NBN Co website]

[[Category:Technical Info]]
[[Category:Internet]]

User:Pblair

2012-09-16T11:31:00Z

Cwijones: Note about old Win8 page still existing

Hi Paul

You posted "I added the colon that was meant to be in the original. Thanks for pointing out the poor header! Paul" on my User Page.

However, it seems that (whether intended or not) the PCUG Wiki now contains [http://pcug.org.au/info/index.php/Editing_Windows_8:_Usefuls the new page] as well as [http://pcug.org.au/info/index.php/Editing_Windows_8_Usefuls the original page].

It seems that your use of "Editing" in the Title is in the sense of "Modifying" or "Personalising".

Regards,
Peter

--[[User:Cwijones|Cwijones]] 21:31, 16 September 2012 (EST)

Booting from Removable Media

2012-09-08T08:52:59Z

Cwijones: Added links to information about UEFI

=== Scope ===
The following are now treated as removable media, in additon to the traditional Floppy & CD?DVD drives
*USB "flash/pen drives"
*USB card readers
*inbuilt SD readers
*external drives
**HDD
**CD/DVD/Blueray

=== Selecting Boot Device ===
#This task has become more complicated in recent years as a result of:
#*trend towards removable media devices being set to DISABLED by default, as a counter to malware
#*increasing variety of removable media devices
#*migration to UEFI firmware, which has different procedures
#possible device types i might be recognised as
#*"CDROM" for ''internal'' optical drive
#*"USB CDROM" for ''external'' optical drive
#*"USB CDROM" for USB drive written from standard dotISO
#*"USB HDD" for USB drive written from hybrid dotISO
#*"SD" for ''internal'' SD drive
#*USB card readers and flash/pen drives might appear to firmware as either
#**USB FDD or
#**USB HDD
#**depending on how the software installed to them was complied
#**no harm in trying one or the other, until boot is achieved
#The selection of "drive" and hence OS is done at POST stage and depends on type of firmware in the computer
==== BIOS ====
*usually by pressing F11 at POST stage - sometimes other keys such as F12, F8
#then select relevant device type
#then select relevant "drive"
#followed by relevant OS, if more than one on the drive
*computers earlier than about 2004 may have limited ability to boot external devices
==== UEFI ====
For an introduction, see [http://www.uefi.org/about/ About the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface Forum] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Extensible_Firmware_Interface Wikipedia article].

--[[User:Cwijones|Cwijones]] 18:52, 8 September 2012 (EST)

*usually requires entering "Setup" mode for firmware
**usually by pressing DEL at POST stage
*doing so will require password, if one set in CMOS
#navigate to "Boot" tab
#select "Boot Override"
#select relevant "drive"
#followed by relevant OS, if more than one on the drive

--[[User:Rpeters|Rpeters]]13:25, 24 August 2012 (EST)
--[[Category:Technical Info]]

Talk:Sharing Printers via CUPS

2012-09-08T08:39:04Z

Cwijones: Corrected link for TIP article

It would be helful to provide links to more information about "CUPS" - eg to [http://www.cups.org/ CUPS org site] and to [http://www.cups.org/articles.php?L176+TFAQ+Q What Is CUPS?] - and to explain that it was initially an acronym for 'Common UNIX Print Subsystem' (see [http://uw714doc.sco.com/cgi-bin/man?mansearchword=chprnsys&mansection=8 chprnsys(8)]).

Similar comments apply to the corresponding [http://www.tip.net.au/wiki/index.php/Sharing_Printers_via_CUPS TIP article].

--[[User:Cwijones|Cwijones]] 18:27, 8 September 2012 (EST)

Talk:Editing Windows 8 Usefuls

2012-09-08T08:34:46Z

Cwijones: Added line break

I don't understand why "Editing" is in the title.
Given that the title and first sentence are:
Editing Windows 8 Usefuls
To help make the transition
I think that a more suitable title would be "Making the transition to Windows 8 - Usefuls".

--[[User:Cwijones|Cwijones]] 17:28, 8 September 2012 (EST)

Talk:Sharing Printers via CUPS

2012-09-08T08:27:12Z

Cwijones: Added suggestion to provide more information.

It would be helful to provide links to more information about "CUPS" - eg to [http://www.cups.org/ CUPS org site] and to [http://www.cups.org/articles.php?L176+TFAQ+Q What Is CUPS?] - and to explain that it was initially an acronym for 'Common UNIX Print Subsystem' (see [http://uw714doc.sco.com/cgi-bin/man?mansearchword=chprnsys&mansection=8 chprnsys(8)]).

Similar comments apply to the corresponding [http://www.pcug.org.au/info/index.php/Sharing_Printers_via_CUPS TIP article].

--[[User:Cwijones|Cwijones]] 18:27, 8 September 2012 (EST)

Talk:Editing Windows 8 Usefuls

2012-09-08T07:28:37Z

Cwijones:

I don't understand why "Editing" is in the title.
Given that the title and first sentence are:
Editing Windows 8 Usefuls
To help make the transition
I think that a more suitable title would be "Making the transition to Windows 8 - Usefuls".
--[[User:Cwijones|Cwijones]] 17:28, 8 September 2012 (EST)

Talk:Editing Windows 8 Usefuls

2012-09-08T07:28:19Z

Cwijones: Added suggestion of more-suitable Title.

I don't understand why "Editing" is in the title.
Given that the title and first sentence are:
Editing Windows 8 Usefuls
To help make the transition
I think that a more suitable title would be "Making the transition to Windows 8 - Usefuls".
(Member: cwijones)
--[[User:Cwijones|Cwijones]] 17:28, 8 September 2012 (EST)