Wairoa looking North.

The Web Browser War and our opinion:
It has become increasing evident that the Windows Based browser Internet Explorer (released 1995) just wont perform as we the 'Home User' want it to. Page after page is not laying out as it should plus the security that Microsoft is trying to enforce with their latest version; Interent Explorer 8, allows only half the content to display. To say the least it is frustrating. The latest Stats show only 12% of the world's Internet users are using IE8 while Mozilla Firefox now polls in at 47%.
Our advise is to download and try some of the other Browsers out there and delete the Internet Explorer Icon from your desktop. There are many browsers out there you can play with, Mozilla Firefox (release 2004) or Google Chrome (Released 2008) would be our first suggestions. Opera (1996), Seamonkey (2006 Netscape\Mozilla), Safari (2003 Apple) and Avant (2006) are a few others also worth having a look at.
It may be of interest to you that Bill Gates, Founder of Microsoft, did not think the Interent would 'take off' and did not release a Web Browser initially. Back in 1994 we were using Netscape Navigator and IBM Web Explorer and life was simple :)

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Duty Doctor: For visitors to Wairoa and after 5-00pm, Phone 838 7099.

Local Chemists:

• Ray Lyall Pharmacy: 8.30am - 5.30pm, 838 7243.
• Wairoa Pharmacy: 8.30am - 5.30pm, 8387408.

Wairoa Hospital: Kitchener Street. Visiting Hours 2.00pm - 7.00pm Phone 838 7099

Wairoa Police: Wairoa Police Station, Queen Street. Station Phone: 838 8345.

Tuai Police: Tuai Police Station, Tuai. Station Phone: 837 3824.

Duty Dentist: R.G. Forbes, Locke Street 8.30am - 5.00pm 838 7144. After hours also Phone 838 7144.

All Emergencies & Civil Defence: 24 Hour Contact, Phone: 838 7309.

Fire, Ambulance & Police: 24 Hour Contact, Phone: 111 and select the Service required.

Emergency Vet: Coast Vet, Napier Road, 24 Hour Contact: Phone: 838 4053.

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Latest Software Updates.

NB: Before installing any new software it is always tidier and safer to uninstall your old programs using Add/Remove found in Control Panel.
AVG 9 Anti Virus for Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7:
The free edition of AVG 9 has now been released. Click on the link and download from Download.com.  When asked, select "Save to", and save it to your Desktop or remember where you have saved it for later installation. Full installation instructions may be printed out from our main menu on the left. Also print out AVG 9 Maintenance for instructions on Updating and Scanning.
Avast 4.8 Anti Virus for Windows 98, Windows 98SE and Windows ME:
For those of you still running Windows 98 or ME, AVG no longer supports these Operating Systems. Avast does and may be downloaded from Download.com. Save it to your Desktop. Once downloaded click on the icon on your desktop to install it. When asked if you wish to do a scan on each computer start, select no. Full Instructions and registration details can be printed from the main menu.
Spybot 1.6.2:
For those of you running Spybot check your version. Version 1.6.2 is the latest and can be downloaded from Spybot.com.  Save to Desktop and run installation. I suggest you untick all boxes when asked as they are unnecessary. Once installed run Spybot as usual and dont forget to update it by selecting "Search For Updates". Full instructions are on our Menu on the left.
Ad-Aware 8.0:
For those of you running Ad-Aware you can download Version 8 from Download.com also. If you do have an older version of Ad-aware our advice here is to replace it with Spybot 1.6.2. Our "in Workshop" testing suggests Spybot executes a better thorough scan and detection of spyware, malware, adware etc. This latest free version has too many features now disabled trying to force Users into purchasing the Pro version. Uninstall Ad-aware first in Control Panel - Add/Remove, before installing Spybot.
Microsoft Windows Updates:
To manually update Microsoft products you must use Microsoft Internet Explorer. It is important to download and install all Security Upgrades and Patches on a regular bases. Most of you will have 'Automatic Updates' turned on and hence Windows will do this for you. But it does no harm checking from time to time. I advise against updating any of the Drivers offered and also any Microsoft Office Updates. We have seen too many computers come through our workshop from these updates totally paralysed :) You may check for updates at the Microsoft Update Centre.  Instructions to assist here are on the bottom of the menu Windows Updates.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.42:
Malwarebytes is an excellent piece of software which removes malware and spyware. Use in conjunction with AVG and Spybot. Malwarebytes may be downloaded from Download.com. Save it to your Desktop. Once downloaded click on the icon on your desktop to install it. Full Instructions can be printed from the main menu.

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An excellent aerial of the Wairoa terrain taken above Kihitu, looking across towards Mahia Peninsular.
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Latest Reader's Cartoons

Technology for our Rural Folk - We have been sent a series of cartoon strips from the USA aimed at the rural sector of our community. We are not sure about the local farmers up there but we dont think Wairoa is this far behind in modem technology :)
Nonetheless we will run them over the next few weeks as they are cleverly amusing. This is the second strip in the series.
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Don't forget readers, if you have a cartoon that you think is funny or clever, please send it to us.
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