Printing newsletters

Nothing went right for this newsletter. The week before, after the last operating system upgrade, my mac decided that it wouldn’t open Word. OK - time was short, resort to Pages, the mac default. A basic programme and has some OK features, and I did use it last year, but bit the bullet and resumed Word, as it still has a lot more features - including indexing , which is vital. Frantic call to tech guy and after a couple of hours was all fixed. So, for the first time in nearly thirty years of mac use, there was a problem I needed help with.

Then deadlines from contributors were missed, and I was contacted to see if the article could still be used, which meant that all the formatting had to be changed when the article was inserted.

And that would have been OK, but then the printer decided to give out an error message, asking that the black cartridge be changed. Duly did so, as I am nothing if not prepared. Same error message. Another cartridge was purchased and installed - same message. Google was consulted. The HP website was consulted. No resolution. Went back through years worth of receipts and found purchase materials. Rang the number. Was talked through several scenarios, none worked, the technician then said he would transfer me to a hardware technician, but don’t worry if the call disconnected, they would definitely call back. Still waiting.

Luckily, there is another printer in the house. Only to be used as a last resort, the output was disappointing, especially when it wouldn’t print a pdf properly. Take the printer downstairs and print via my (now) reliable mac. No problem. But still not a good copy.

Too late to do anything else, so took to photocopier, and for once, it copied perfectly. No dramas. No running out of toner. All done. But, because it wasn’t a great copy in the first place, they’re not great.

Am now consulting google again to find a better printer, as this is the second HP printer that has quit because of a false error message.

Copies of the newsletter are at the Admin desk in the Market, and will be in the Post Office on Monday.

Cartoon is by Mark Parisi.

Ultimate live streaming

I remember watching a web cam from a waterhole in South Africa decades ago. They’ve come a long way! Check out some of these sites if you’re stuck for something to watch. It’s best to try and remember time zones. If you are watching during daylight hours, you need to watch a cam in your time zone. Night time - northern hemisphere is best. Some don’t buffer so well, some are pretty good. Some cams are also more sophisticated and follow the action!

https://www.earthcam.com/world/indonesia/bali/?cam=bali2

https://www.djuma.com/djuma-waterhole/

https://www.chobegamelodge.com/the-chobe-boardwalk-live-webcam/

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=viewing.webcams

April

Whilst the world grapples with the current crises, life goes on. The streets are quieter as we bunker down and learn how to cope with not being able to see and hug family and friends.

Keeping in touch via messaging on smart phones, Facebook, or any of the other social media sites, and for the more advanced, there is FaceTime, Skype, or apps like that. Chatting with the grandchildren takes on a whole new meaning as they learn to not drop phones and point it where they want you to look!

The kindness and resourcefulness of people never ceases to amaze me, and it seems most are determined that no-one is left behind. Disadvantage is a given, but hopefully governments of all persuasions will enact those provisions they’ve put in place before more damage is done.

In the meantime, fire up that sense of humour and buckle up - it may be a long ride!

COVID19 and the community

It seems that no-one is immune from the flow-on effects of the virus.

As many of our volunteers are older, groups are sensibly cancelling meetings for the next few months. Please check with your executive group either by phone or email to see what is happening with your group.