Zealous blog

Hidden Gecko

nospam@example.com (Daniel Broome) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:50:00 +1200

http://hidden-gecko.myminicity.com/

Algae is the fuel of the future?

nospam@example.com (Daniel Broome) — Tue, 04 May 2010 12:11:58 +1200

Algae is the fuel of the future?

Watch this video.

After allot of research, I was convinced that this is a good idea, however after a little further investigation, found that most of the videos were made between 2000 and 2006, with most of the promising a commercial product to be rolled out before 2008, where did they go? Most of the links, websites and companies no longer exist, there are no reports of failure that I could find.

I believe that algae is a better alternative to corn or sugar cane, and there are still numerous individuals who have successfully created a DIY algae farm for their own personal use. However this technology is not going to be commercially available till crude oil costs are so high that its actually cheaper to design and build an algae farm.

What are your thoughts? Leave a comment.

Every Geek Needs Tools

nospam@example.com (Daniel Broome) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:18:00 +1200

Hello welcome back, its been a while I know.
Since I started my own business I've found tools like USB Flash drives, very valuable.
Here is a list of my most favorite tools.

USB Flash Drive
If you work with computers and you don't have one, perhaps you should change careers..

Applications
Scanner 2.0
This tool uses a unique concentric pie chart to display the usage of your hard disk or other media. The chart shows all major files and folders from all directory levels at once. Saved me 10% Harddrive space so far.

Spybot
Removes nasty spyware, malware and adware. I prefer this program above all the others, including Paid spyware removal programs.

Google Chrome
Great browser for with no fuss, you cannot install add-ons but, for normal everyday users (my customers) its is highly recommended.

Update:
Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder
Despite is odd name, this keyfinder is great, I couldn't count on all my fingers and toes how may clients I've had who just threw away or lost their Office or OS CD's. just the other day a client had all the boxes but couldn't find the disks anywhere this way I could reinstall easy. I also always register the software Online with Microsoft.

Vodafone out of touch and living in the past..

nospam@example.com (Daniel Broome) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 14:31:46 +1300

vodafone are in the dark ages..

I realised recently that I was getting charged a heap for sending only a few txt perhaps 60-70 per month.

I remember when I was in college when txt first came about it used to cost 20c per txt, and now 10 years on it .. what! .. it still costs 20c. what is up with that vodafone..

Upon this discovery I dedided to email vodafone to see if they wanted me as a customer or give me a better deal, I emailed cause I didn't feel like paying the 30c to call vodafone's helpdesk.

This is the email I sent:

is there a cheaper txting addon, istead of having to pay 20c per txt. Or would I be best to change to telecom or 2 degrees? as both companies offer far lower competitive rates?

They reply:

At time of writing, our text charges are not scheduled to change. The choice ultimately will be yours.

Slack i reckon. Vodafone what are you thinking, your landline deal bombed out, and you broadband deal also stinks, don't you realise that you are helping telecom succeed?? guess not..

I'd just bought a new Nokia n96 and wanted to change to Telecoms XT network, but unfortunitly Telecom use WCDMA 2100 in the main citys, but use WCDMA 850 in small towns like where I live. whats worse I found a updated version Nokia n96-3 which does support it but wasn't in NZ at the time I bought my phone..

So if you are buying a new phone and want it to work on any netowrk in NZ it will need to support WCDMA 850, 900 and 2100 Mhz 900 is Vodafone, 850 is telcom, and 2100 is telecom and vodafone.

Site Updates

nospam@example.com (Daniel Broome) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 17:48:26 +1300

Hi there, just started up my own business don't have too much time to monitor this blog at the moment but check back soon.

Water Cars, Hydrogen Oxygen Booster, FACT of FICTION?

nospam@example.com (Daniel Broome) — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 11:29:47 +1300

Over the last few months I have been researching HHO (or hydrogen hydrogen oxygen gas), came across many websites, with scientific proof that in theory it wont work, but also found many more videos, schematics, patents and proof that they do work.

Firstly you need to understand how it works.
This is what I’ve found.
You’d need to create a machine to convert water into Hydrogen Oxygen GAS, by means of electrolysis device of similar design to the magdrive (which apparently is a waist of money) or something like Stan Myers device.

This would be powered by your alternator some models I've found boast only needing 12volt and 10amps, also use an amp regulator, set to max 20 amps.

Connect it to the fuel intake (after the fuel pump) which creates a vacuum to suck the gas out (remembering of course to install a flashback arrestor).
Of course this is not enough to power the car completely, but apparently can improve gas mileage on average up-to 40%.
In one case I found someone had increased there mileage by 70%.

The thing scientist argue is, Faraday's laws of electrolysis, meaning the required electricity to split water, outweighs the output.
However, home and amateur inventors have found, up to 300% increased output. Just search for hydrogen fuel cell on youtube. I’m not a scientist or an inventor, and as such am my thinking is not bound by such laws.
For those of you who do not think this will ever work, then why are there so many for sale?

There are also companies that exist that use this electrolysis process, not for cars but for other purposes like Xogen Technologies for the treatment of wastewater.

Conclusion
I think this is entirely possible, I would combine this with solar power, electrolysis and also John Whites invention that can burn salt water using radio waves.

Web Site Maintenance

nospam@example.com (Daniel Broome) — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 10:02:00 +1300

I am now offering my web design services.

If you need any work done on your website, updates or changes. Pick me.

I have now over 4 years experience, specalizing more in email forms and general updates and changes. And have experience in HTML, XML, CSS, PHP, and mySQL databases.

Most of my work is for small time webistes that just need a little attention.
Here is some of my most recient work.
www.nzfish.co.nz just some small changes and photo uploads for the gallery.
www.starstrust.org.nz a nice simple contact form thats protected from spam bots.
and of course this website, where I have installed a fully functional blog.
Empire Lodge A complete website, original website was made in publisher I have re-coded, it making the site 20 to 30 times faster and smaller.

If you wound like some work done please contact me.

Daniel Broome
Mob: 021-148-3387
Email: Click Here

Top Rated Websites

nospam@example.com (Daniel Broome) — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 16:06:40 +1200

Sometimes, (most of the time) the internet is messed up, when you want to find something you can't, so Here is a list of websites that my friends and I regularly use.

Gmail
Free Web-based email - Better than most ISPs even.

wikipedia.org
Find out all there is to know. (asside from the accusations of false entries)

Stage6
Share and view High quality videos, Trailers, and home videos.

iGoogle
Let Google take over your web experience, and add use gadgets to add stuff from your favorite websites, rss feeds, and even Gmail.

TradeMe
We all know what this is.

Wireless Security

nospam@example.com (Daniel Broome) — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 15:22:59 +1200

Currently I'm working on setting up a wireless repeater to cover my whole house.

I'm using two linksys WRT54G routers, I have found some great firmware for these called DD-WRT, and its very easy to set-up and even easier to unintentionally offer your neibours free wireless internet access.

Using the new firmware v24 beta there is a repeater mode you can use, however currently I have not been able to set-up, something to do with network, gateway etc.

When securing a wireless network be sure to use WPA or WPA2. WEP is old and seemingly easy for someone in the know to hack. Another thing is, never allow wireless users to access you routers config screen, and if your firmware supports it use HTTPS if you are connecting to it.
Some people also use DMZ and point it to a non existant IP on your network.

Edit: 2007-10-2 I have figured out how to set-up the linksys as a WLAN repeater see http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Wlan_Repeater

Internet 3c phone calls, comming.

nospam@example.com (Daniel Broome) — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 14:26:17 +1200

This is big news and Great, I will have to get it all. currently most NZ'ders pay around $90 plus for phone and Broadband, soon according to the press September, we can reduce that to something like $30 per month, depending on, of course our friend Telecom.

With the receint release of Naked DSL, (thats Broadband without an actual phone line) and the fact that ISPs like Orcon believe $10 Broadband is viable, (probably sometime next millennium) topped off with FX Networks VIOP service, announced a new network standard 3c flatrate calling worldwide.

We as the New Zealand Public are much closer to get rid of our telecommunications monopoly.

Of course that means that you may need a new phone, for VIOP there are adapters to use your current phone however, I have tested a few, and they all suck. The new phone I would like is the logitech internet handphone... Very Snazzy.

Anyway, it is good for us. Most of these changes are going to change in september, as far as the media can tell me.

Kiwisaver

nospam@example.com (Daniel Broome) — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 14:21:02 +1200

As you all know from, 1 July 2007 all new employees aged between 18 and 65 will be automatically enrolled in KiwiSaver.

It's best to make an informed decision. But where.. websites, phone calls, email???
There are so many different opinions, who are we supposed to listen to?
Well, I've taken this as an opportunity to collate some of the available information.

www.consumer.org.nz gives the best English in explaining about KiwiSaver.
www.Sorted.org.nz gives you an easy to use calculator to see just how much you can get.
www.kiwisaver.govt.nz finally gives you added info, yet tends to favour towards the scheme.

My Observations are, its easiest to decide depending on you age. There are three categories the elderly young and average.

Elderly Persons.
You Should take this scheme, its suggested there may not be enough time to invest money elsewhere to get a higher return.

The Young.
1. Starting with this scheme early means a higher return, *bonus* and if you are planning to purchase a house, this will give you an advantage.
2. Because you have more time to invest your 4% in different schemes, for example for my income, KiwiSaver can give me a large return of around $250,000 after 42 years or so, however, if I were to spread my money out through different savings and investment schemes, after 42 years of that I have an extra 100,000 or more, and growing beyond that time.

Average Persons.
A very large amount of these people already own a house and if you are still paying off a mortgage, it makes more sense to pay that off first. Then use that asset for there retirement.
If your a couple planning to grow old together, and happy with what you already own (asset wise), take KiwiSaver so you can both go for a cruse around the world when you retire.
If no house and no savings, and you are over 30 years old, take KiwiSaver, it could just be that is the only way you are going to be able to save for your retirement.

Conclusion: What I will do.
I am planning to purchase my first house next year, so the incentive of $1000 of the price it bonus for me.
But I also plan on purchasing several more.
I will take 4% KiwiSaver from 1st April 2008 when the employer contributions start. I will also save a seperate 4% in a higher risk investment scheme.

By My calculations; Investments or high interest savings like RaboPlus, calculate an extra $100,000 above the Kiwisaver scheme, but by taking both 4% with Kiwisaver and 4% with an investment company, here is a comparison of the two best solutions for me.

KiwiSaver 4% $252000
RaboPlus 4% $352000
Total after 42 years $604,000

KiwiSaver 8% Total after 42 years: $353,000

What would you choose?

Slow DSL Tips & Tricks

nospam@example.com (Daniel Broome) — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 13:56:35 +1200

Ever Wondered why so many people are consintly bad mouthing there ISP? More common than not, most noobs blame there ISP for there slow speed straight away, usually the problem lies between there keyboard and the back of there chair, ignorance mostly, not the ISP.

In NZ as you know there are major changes in DSL with the LLU and all, In some cases it may not be the User, but Telecom, in which case it is best to elliminate you as the one causing the error.

Here are some tips to take to avoid looking like a noob.

If you can't follow this, take your computer in for a clean-up at your local Computer repair shop.

1. Check that the cables are all connected.
- If you have DSL make sure you have filters on all phone eqipment.
- If you have dial-up Get Broadband.

2. Reset your Router.
- If you have a dsl modem, buy a DSL Router.

2. Update your Antivirus and run a deep scan,
- If you are using a free antivirus you may want to Download an Offline Virus Scanner.
- Or try an Online Scanner (this will take up large amounts of data, but you shouldn't have to install anything).

3. Install and Run Spyware/Adware Removal tools
- Best one's I've found are Adaware http://lavasoft.com and spybot http://spybot.com. These two will get most ad and spy ware.

4. Run Windows Update
- Open internet Explorer
- Click on Tools > Windows Update and go through the express setup.

5. Run Scandisk and defrag.
- Start the computer in Safe Mode (usually by pressing F8 every second, During startup)
- Click on Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter.

Edit: Firefox has settings that can also speed up your connection. More Details Will Follow