I found this very interesting article regarding the use of the command line interface (CLI) to teach new computer users rather than a GUI (mouse and windows and desktops and stuff). I have often thought the CLI is a more consistent interface, whereas a GUI tends to change often (across versions, applications, etc).

Click here for the article.

We have a new local Nelson phone number.

I have been having a bit of trouble with my Trixbox PABX lately. More specifically the clone X100P card used for interfacing with the Telecom analog phone line doesn't want to - interface, that is. Or is sporadic at best.

So I've decided to take the plunge and change the Freedom IT main phone number to a 2Talk VOIP local Nelson number:

03 929 5502

What does that mean for you? Nothing except a new number. Please update your records.

N.B. This is still a local Nelson number, even though it doesn't start with a 5!

My cellphone number is still the same and the 028 892 968 still works as well. The 542 3801 will work until next years white pages book update, at which time I will stop it.

I found this Newpaper Clipping Generator webpage today, that I thought was quite cool.

I created a headline that I thought I might like to see someday in a real newspaper somewhere :-)

The obvious challenge for me now is to 'make this happen'!

It looks like Yellow have updated the whitepages.co.nz search page (looks good too) and my search engine for Firefox/Internet Explorer no longer works!

So I have updated it and added a Nelson-specific one. If you would like a specific one for your area drop me line via the top menu Contact page.

If you have already installed my previous version then you'll need to 'Manage Your Search Engines', remove the old one, and then add the new one again.

For several reasons I had MS Exchange get into a state on a customers Windows 2003 SBS Server today, that required a re-install of Exchange over the top. I think this was mainly to correct IIS issues and related stuff.I did also need to backup and restore the information store since after the 'disasterrecovery' setup the correct information store data could not be seen by certain (Exchange) services.

Well, we've joined up to a new VOIP/SIP/IAX2 company: 2talk . Since the demise of 0064 (which was a company ahead of it's time, really - they even did IAX2 trunking) we have been reluctant to delve into the external VOIP scene due to, IMHO, exceptionally high prices for calls and per month fees.

But now 2talk have managed to come close, with their freebie package,  to what 0064 were offering. So we have another number you can contact us on: 028 892 968.

If you are also a 2talk customer the call will be free!

If not, then the call should cost you the same as a 'mobile' call. 

And there are real cost-savings when I use this as an outgoing trunk: 5c/minute national numbers, 25c/minute NZ mobile numbers.

Update: They now offer both SIP AND IAX2 trunking. This is sweet.