From michael at coolhelp.com.au  Tue Mar 17 23:47:41 2020
From: michael at coolhelp.com.au (Michael Kean)
Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2020 23:47:41 +1100
Subject: [CCC News] A quick update on Covid-19 :)
Message-ID: <CALs+vi+om5oDh1H1sAiAK7JmLzTiydpyjWoog8LZ3nXpiCNB4w@mail.gmail.com>

G'day all!

Just wanted to let you know that if you're looking at working from home,
you might be looking for a way to remotely access a work computer from home.

There's a few ways you can do this. The most well known is TeamViewer
<http://teamviewer.com>, but it's horrendously expensive. The one I
recommend the most is AnyDesk <http://anydesk.com> as it's much cheaper /
free, does the same thing and doesn't hassle you if they think you're
'using it too much'.

With these apps, you set a password when you install it on your work
computer, and use that password to access the computer from anywhere. (You
might need to tell your work computer not to sleep.)

Other useful things to consider are making use of Google Drive or OneDrive
so you can synchronise files between your work and home computer
effortlessly.

As for myself, I am a moderate risk person given I travel to many locations
and touch many mice and laptops. I'm doing what I can to keep clear of the
virus. If I get the symptoms I'll go into "work from home" mode. I can also
use either of the above apps to fix many problems remotely.

May your rice and toilet rolls be plentiful, your surroundings clean, and
your TV and radio entertaining!

Cheers, Mike.

-- 
*Proprietor, Cool Country Consulting.*
Trading Hours: 10am to 8pm weekdays.
Web: http://coolhelp.com.au/
SMS: 0427 644 825
Messenger: http://m.me/coolcountryconsulting
<http://facebook.com/coolcountryconsulting>
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From michael at coolhelp.com.au  Tue Mar 31 14:48:24 2020
From: michael at coolhelp.com.au (Michael Kean)
Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2020 14:48:24 +1100
Subject: [CCC News] Cool Country Consulting and Covid-19
Message-ID: <CALs+vi+Lu4i+6hKEtbEEyWTY4X1HqtOZyuha4hKWBE+_rE7j6w@mail.gmail.com>

G'day all!

Just an update on my current trading status. This may change if a stronger
lock-down is requested. I'm doing what I can to minimise risks to myself,
my business customers, and the presenters at 2ARM.

I have suspended all house calls, except in special circumstances.

Pickup and delivery in Armidale and Guyra is still an option, as well as
via CT Electrics.

I have configured my Guyra office <https://goo.gl/maps/UzduzHEFxPP7hQC58>
to be Covid-19 resistant:

   - positive ventilation. (Forced air flow from front of office through to
   outdoors.)
   - clear benches, wiped after each visitor
   - separate keyboard, mouse, big screen for collaborative work on laptops
   while retaining isolation.
   - Visa / Mastercard tap-and-go facilities available.
   - cash received cleaned with metho, cash change cleaned if desired.

I'm still offering assistance via Remote Control using AnyDesk
<https://anydesk.com/en> or TeamViewer <https://teamviewer.com>.

I now broadcast from home, and am working towards getting other 2ARM
presenters similarly set up.

If you're financially stressed, I'm happy to reduce rates to $50 an hour
instead of $70.

Trading hours still 10am to 8pm weekdays.

Hope you're all staying safe, sane and healthy!

Cheers, Mike.

You can subscribe or unsubscribe by clicking here. <You can subscribe or
unsubscribe at http://auzzie.net/mailman/listinfo/ccc-news_auzzie.net>

-- 
*Proprietor, Cool Country Consulting.*
Trading Hours: 10am to 8pm weekdays.
Web: http://coolhelp.com.au/
SMS: 0427 644 825
Messenger: http://m.me/coolcountryconsulting
<http://facebook.com/coolcountryconsulting>
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From michael at coolhelp.com.au  Tue May 12 18:27:22 2020
From: michael at coolhelp.com.au (Michael Kean)
Date: Tue, 12 May 2020 18:27:22 +1000
Subject: [CCC News] Assorted News 61: Unusually Busy in May.
Message-ID: <CALs+viJ3ng-hR8Fj-x-oha60d0PUm+++FUXy-RsRHwFMZhzVrg@mail.gmail.com>

*Unusually Busy in May - Tomato Farm automation project.*
*CovidSafe Download*
*Home Visits Resumed*
*SMS over WiFi has arrived for Telstra / Boost customers. *
*Where's the Commodore?*

*----------------------*

*Unusually Busy in May - **Tomato Farm automation project.*

Well, every day can bring something different in this game!

For the next two weeks or so I'll likely be tied up for most of the day
assisting with an automation project at the Guyra tomato farm. (Equipment
installers couldn't travel due to you-know-what.) I will probably still be
able to reply to texts etc, but may be unable to offer on-site or remote
control assistance during these days. For urgent problems you may need to
try:

   - Armidale Computers (67712712),
   - Ultramac (67712266),
   - David McKay (67792132),
   - NorthTEC (67720442) ,etc.
   - Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/groups/254099934760561/>.


*CovidSafe Downloads*

The CovidSafe app appears to be safe to download. People have examined the
source code to verify that it does what it says on the tin. Note that if
your mobile is more than a couple of years old, or is a cheapie, it might
not be able to run CovidSafe

Here's the download link for Android
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.gov.health.covidsafe&hl=en_AU>
 and iPhone <https://apps.apple.com/au/app/covidsafe/id1509242894>

*Home Visits Resumed.*

With the recent lifting of some restrictions, and the introduction of the
CovidSafe app, it seems safe for me to resume in-home services. I'm still
taking various precautions such as hand sanitiser, social distancing etc.
However, if an outbreak occurs in our region or the government switches us
back into the previous level of lockdown, I'll again cease home visits. My
Guyra office is still configured to be Covid-19 resistant.

*SMS over WiFi has arrived for Telstra / Boost customers. *

For those of you out on farms / living in mobile blackspots, the recent
introduction of SMS over WiFi will at last fully solve the problem of being
able to use your mobile without mobile reception. For more information head
to this Telstra page
<https://www.telstra.com.au/support/category/mobiles-tablets/telstra-wi-fi-calling/what-is-telstra-wi-fi-calling#wifi-sms>
.

If your phone isn't compatible, the Samsung A20 is probably your cheapest /
best value option at $229-$279. This handset supports WiFI calling and WiFi
SMS, as well as NFC, so you can use it to tap and pay.

By the way, I think Boost is still the best value plan at $150 for 80GB
<https://boost.com.au/shop/150-prepaid/> Internet + all Australian calls /
texts for a year, on the Telstra network. Covid-19 may delay sign-ups
though. Lots of good offers out there at the moment though.

*Where is the Commodore?*

At 540,000km it's developed a transmission leak, and the front wheel hubs
are getting noisy. The transmission leak from the pan is conveniently close
to the catalytic converter, so I'm often treated to a unique odour when
idle! Thus, I've put it in for repairs. The Bluebird and Magna are still
going fine. The Kingswood is off rego at the moment - needs a little
attention, which needs spare time!

---

Well, that's it for Newsletter 61. I hope you're all doing well and
surviving the enforced holiday that some of you got! I had a slowdown
through late March, early April but now days are full again.

-- 
*Proprietor, Cool Country Consulting.*
Trading Hours: 10am to 8pm weekdays.
Web: http://coolhelp.com.au/
SMS: 0427 644 825
Messenger: http://m.me/coolcountryconsulting
<http://facebook.com/coolcountryconsulting>
Guyra office: 2 Moore Street (Entry via Bradley Lane
<https://goo.gl/maps/Z4e3JWrT6N5gMjyX7>)
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From michael at coolhelp.com.au  Sun Jun 21 21:09:25 2020
From: michael at coolhelp.com.au (Michael Kean)
Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2020 21:09:25 +1000
Subject: [CCC News] Unusually busy until mid August.
Message-ID: <CALs+viL7q4OWbKqcSo86gXTmST0vxLUAtUr=SHeJ8Qc+5wAvfg@mail.gmail.com>

G'day all :)

Just a quick note that I'll probably be working close to full time hours
six days a week at the tomato farm until mid August. It may take longer
than usual to be able to help you during this time, and there is a small
queue forming.

Thanks for your patience!

Once this project is completed, I'll likely be back to my normal
availability.

Cheers, Mike.

-- 
*Proprietor, Cool Country Consulting.*
Trading Hours: 10am to 8pm weekdays.
Web: http://coolhelp.com.au/
SMS: 0427 644 825
Messenger: http://m.me/coolcountryconsulting
<http://facebook.com/coolcountryconsulting>
Guyra office: 2 Moore Street (Entry via Bradley Lane
<https://goo.gl/maps/Z4e3JWrT6N5gMjyX7>)
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