Not quite a gold star, but still not too shabby...

Ailean Online has been certified (not me, I have been certifiable for years...) as a Purple Tick Business.

http://www.purpletick.org.au/results.aspx

This very positive program is a brainchild of the Chamber of Women in Business.

http://www.cwb.org.au/

This is very gratifying in one sense, as we are recognised as being a place where Women can come and be treated as normal people; sad in another sense that even though it is 2010, there is still a need to be conscious of Gender inequities - and people wonder how I can be such a cynic.

Admittedly, in the ITC sector, there is a huge dearth of female representation; but then this is in part, due to the rather pronounced arrogance and disdain, practiced by so many of the sectors' (mainly) male members.

For reasons, (the basis of which have eluded me for near 40 years in this industry) I cannot fathom,  so many IT types look down on all non IT people.

People, it is just another job/skill whatever!

However, if you want to let the female half of the world (actually, it is a bit higher than half.) know you are are a person whose sole interest is customer service, regardless of gender, and appreciate women have some extra issues to face when out in the world of retail, then I can only recommend you see how you stack up.

I admit to being a bit over the whole Blog thing - I don't write much as no one seems to read them.

However;

A little heads up to those running Windows 7 Release Candidate; it is about to expire, so be prepared to either have it stop - or buy a licence to keep it going - or just install something else. Either way, time is nearly up.

and no, I did not set myself up to fail by making any odd resolutions...

Now for some news on the computer front.

The new i3 and i5 cpu's are out from Intel. While the i3 range (all 2 of them) makes for some very good, low cost boxes, the integrated graphics in the cpu means gaming is possible on a (small) budget.

Yes people, they have finally built an integrated video solution that actually is good for more than displaying a word document.

In particular, the i5-661 has an overclocked (I kid you not) on board video chip - so you can have an mATX (ie small) case and budget motherboard to create a very cheap gaming rig. Now you can't go out and play Crysis 2 on full detail... but a lot of games that would not even install are now "playable" - which is a huge improvement for those people who cannot afford, (or just cannot justify) laying out a couple of thousand dollars for 2 video cards.

Bah, Humbug...

OK, the loony season is upon us - please note total lack of appalling decorations on web site, "Christmas Specials" et al.

For the 2 religious people in Australia, I hope for the peace of your beliefs. (General nut jobs who want to kill everyone are not, IMHO, religious...)

For the rest: Try not to drink yourself into oblivion - it is really expensive and you look a total dork; and you could hurt someone if you are a nasty drunk.

Try not to overspend your ability to repay your credit cards by too much - February is not far - and it is hot, steamy and a mess of over due bills is so not helpful...

Try to remember that in spite of all the crap crass advertising, your kids may just get more fun out of the box than the multi hundred dollar contents - here is a clue - try playing WITH your kids instead of shunting them off somewhere...

Do you know someone who will be alone this Christmas? Been there, it is not pretty  - and they don't call it Suicide Season for nothing... so how much does it cost to feed them on Christmas Day and maybe lift their feelings a bit.

So; enjoy your holidays and come back safe!

Review in this months Atomic magazine, gives 94% a "HOT" award (hey, I don't make these things up, I just write about them) to the new Samsung 120HZ LCD Monitor; model SyncMaster 2233RZ.

Ho Hum, I hear you say, so what is so important about ANOTHER 22" monitor???

WELL, my Doubting Thomases, note the refesh rate:- 120Hz - which is exactly DOUBLE the default of every other monitor on the market. (more yawning...)

This issue is, of course, this is the necessary refresh rate for 3D vision, and no, not the 2 coloured glad wrap in a cardboad frame type - I mean the extraordinay 3D glasses (cordless) from Nvidia.

All I can say is, if you REALLY are into "Immersive Gaming", then these are a MUST HAVE - oh yes, Nvidia only and minimum 9x, preferably 2xx series cards and latest drivers - ATI/AMD owners are currently Sxxx out of luck.

Seems to be ready for release; if you want to see one vendor's take on it, go here:

http://marketing.gigabyte.com.tw/eDM/20091124_USB3_PanAsia/Index_Reseller.htm

Not a bad write up (if a bit self serving) from Gigabyte - and I like their motherboards so its OK... :)

There are a lot more products in the cart now; just need to get some systems added in as well...

Well, sold my first set of NvIdia 3D glasses and Samsung 120Hz monitor - and thank goodness, it all worked fine. Customer is a WoW fan and reports the sensation of an Orc 3 inches from your face to be quite exhilirating... the strangest thing is I seem to be selling them at the lowest price around - go figure? Surely other Resellers would not charge a premium because the supply is a little short??? No. Of course not...

Unfortunately, the web site (shopping cart) has been monopolising my free time.

Win 7 is out and lots of complete waffle in the press - mostly from lazy journo's who read press releases and cannot think for themselves. Speaking of which, does anyone read David Frith in the IT page(s) of the Australian newspaper? The man is simply not firing on all cylinders - some of his columns are complete Verbal Diarrhoea.

I cannot understand why everyone is so "in love" with Windows 7; it is just Vista with (most) of the bugs removed. Just to add icing to the cake, Microsoft are making everyone buy a "NEW" operating system, at full price, instead of fixing Vista as they should have.

Under the Australian Trade Practices Act, there would be strong grounds for action by the ACC for goods "Not of merchantable quality" in respect of the original release of Vista.

Anyway, enough whinging; shopping cart is starting to populate slowly - so go and buy something - my creditors will thank you!

I can now source full Windows 7 DVD's.

BUT I cannot deliver them until the 22nd of October (must not upset Uncle Michael and the other multi incompotents).

So. order away - and you can be one of the first... (whoopdy do! do I have a deal for you.)