The Home of Ben May, Hervey Bay, QLD, Australia.Personal Blog of Ben May, Hervey bay

I was reinstalling XP on a computer today that orginally had XP x64 on it (big mistake there) but anyway, When downloading the drivers from Acers site, I took a quick screen shot, because it makes you appreciate a good internet connection.

At my office I have an Internet Direct ADSL2 connection, my modem tells me I’m connected at stupid speeds like 20mbps, but when it comes to downloading files from good hostes, like Microsoft, Apple or other companies that can affoard good bandwidth on the other end, it makes downloading files much more desireable. Almost like being in America, Europe or Germany, where the 20mbps line is like dial up.

Posted in Tech News, The Life of Ben | 6 Comments

Well, the time has come!

For the past 3 years (or so) I have been a first time mac user, on my beloved Macbook, that I purchased the day after Apple launched them. Over the last 3 years, the White 2ghz Core Duo Machine with a 250gb Drive and 2gb ram had never missed a beat. I have now sold it to a friend.

Tonight I sit here and write this post on my new Macbook Pro. It’s an upgrade I’ve wanted to make for quite a while and now that I have, I couldn’t be happier.

This Macbook Pro, I purchased only a few months old off someone I know, and it comes with a 2.33 ghz Core2Duo chip, with 3gb Ram, and a 500gb Sata Hard Drive, and a new Glossy Screen! 

As Leopard has the awesome feature called “Time Machine” built in, all I did, was format the Macbook pro and restore from Time Machine, and hey presto, all Settings, programs, files, preferences import straight across from how I had it set up on the Macbook. 

A Hat tip to Richard from Wide Bay Technology for his awesome as usual work and assistance in upgrading and doing up this awesome Macbook Pro.

Posted in Tech News, The Life of Ben | 3 Comments

Wow, just wow. I had someone send me this picture today as they drove through the Hungry Jacks drive through.

Appears to be a new high for HJ. At the launch of the Olympics, they introduced the “Ultimate Double Whopper” which was meant to be the burger of burgers. However, having one for tea one day when I was starving, it wasn’t really that ultimate, but never the less, these new burgers…. the Stackers! 

Look at the Quad Stacker! For those like me… first thought is.. mmmmmmmmmm…. then the brain kicks in and says, wow, that terribly un-healthy!!! 

The Double Whopper w/ Cheese is already known as the most un healthy hamburger on the market, last time I heard, but now, well, compared to the Quad stacker, it’s a dietary burger.

Posted in Hervey Bay News, The Life of Ben | 3 Comments

Well, if this post works then I can blog via my iphone.

Posted in Website Announcements | No Comments

This year, I’m lucky enough to be able to head down to Sydney for Web Directions South, the best Website Design Conference in Australia (To my knowledge) 

The Web Industry Association has an event the night before;

It’s now a tradition! Every year, the night before Web Directions South, web folk from across the nation meet to swap stories, share drinks and have fun. This year is no different - come along for a warm up social networking session with your industry peers. It’s free to drop in, and we’ve even organised a bar tab (thx to sponsors, Clever Starfish & Radharc)!  

It’s all kicks off at 6.30pm, September 24th 2008. Look for us at the 

Harlequin Inn
Cnr Harris & Union Streets
Pyrmont NSW 2009

For a map to the venue (and streetview), see http://rurl.org/xr2 

This venue is literally stumbling distance from the WDS08 venue, so here’s a chance to scope out where you’ll be for two days, and get to drink and meet your peers.

If you’ve got any questions, feel free to hit the Port80 forums at http://rurl.org/xqp 

For more information about Port80, see http://www.port80.asn.au or more about the Australian Web Industry Association at http://www.webindustry.asn.au

Posted in AWIA | No Comments

For anyone who is interested in American politics, when watching McCain’s advertising, it appears to have many similarities to the former PM, John Howard.

If the Australian Federal Election was anything to go off, simply saying how bad the opposition is and scaring them into not voting for the opposition - does not work.

We all remember the Kevin Rudd slander ads, that he’s a learner, and his party is corrupt etc.

I was just watching some McCain ads, and they have taken an interesting approach, and actually given Obama some credit, saying things like;

Yes, we know Obama’s really popular, and he’s a celebrety and he’s got nice eyes, but is he ready to lead?

As if that wasn’t extreme enough, just looking on the McCain website, the McCain team have even made some more ads for the “Obama Fan Club”

Membership to the club (Voting for Barack Obama) includes,

• Higher Taxes
• Leader with Limited experiences
• Leader has Dreamy Eyes!!!

Very interesting approach, however, I really cannot see the old fashioned McCain winning. Old thinking conservatives have got the United States to where it is now, and yes… who wouldn’t want that.

Posted in Politics | 2 Comments

Even if you’re like me and have lead feet, and can dance as co-ordinated as a washing machine on spin dry, you’d have to admit it is hard to keep your feet still when the latin music gets going. 

A Co-Worker is organising a Salsa party every so often to try get those who are around town, and like to dress up and go out for a nice night of food, fine wine and quality entertainment in a nice venue. 

To Learn more about Salsa Dancing in Hervey Bay, How to Learn Salsa and to Learn Latino dancing, visit salsagroup.com.au

Posted in Hervey Bay News | No Comments

I just read an interesting post, over on BrainGoodBye.com - outlining some of the terrific fast food options available for those who are in China for the olympics. Give Maccas a go, why not try “Deep Fried Star Fish and Sea Urchins” or perhaps some a bowl of “Dog Brain Soup “…

The appetizers continue with Turkey Vulture Schnitzels, Sea Snakes and Silk Worms.

To see the post and pictures, click here.

Posted in Useless Crap | No Comments

Google has launched the new addition to Google Maps and Google Earth, Google Street View. 

It is a new feature where Google has gone around driving up streets taking pictures of buildings from the streets view / perspective. Rather than from satellite, what we are use to on Google Maps / Earth. 

Tonight watching the News Reporter try and explain it, they typically had civil libertarians on there complaining that it is a grievous breach of security and invasion of personal privacy. 

Below are the best attempt the news could find to illustrate the breach of privacy. One “Expert” was even on a rant about Google thinking they are above the law, and the incumbent Australian government needs to filter Google, and “Put them in their place”. 

How pathetic, once again, if you want to walk into a porno store, you need to wear the consequences, if you do something in public, then its something, in the worst case, you need to feel OK around your grandma. 

Posted in Personal Opinion | No Comments

The saying goes around a lot and when it comes to breakfast TV the saying is true. 

I’ve never liked “Today” on Channel nine. Normally puts me back to sleep, however there are 2 things on that show that I like. 1) It starts at 5:30am, rather than Sunrise starting at 6am, and they have graphics come up and say what’s happening in the next hour, ie “Interview with Greg at 7:12″ etc. 

Funny enough, Sunrise are ahead in the rankings, they are more alive and interesting, but still, that isn’t enough. I saw an email from Sunrise yesterday, announcing they were starting at 5:30, and I saw the other morning graphics coming up saying what’s on the next hour. 

Posted in TV News | No Comments