I know that over here I said that I wouldn’t be going through the cycle of trying to bring back the ausmicro.com Forums, well there’s some good news.
While I haven’t done much yet, I have started the research to bring ausmicro.com back.
Well the forum content, maybe even to the point of being able to open them up for use! It’s going to be a big job, but the least I can do is try and get some of the best RC info back online to honour those who contributed.
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about our trip to the Gunning Fireworks Festival. At the time I promised to promptly post up some videos from the night,
This video is shot handheld and is a slightly cut-down version of the Finale display. There’s the odd shake and movement but they help show the scale (and closeness) of the display.
The second video is filmed on a tripod, so a little steadier but still very much lacking the field of view to get the finale in all it’s glory.
There’s about 3 hours more footage to cut together of the demonstration which I’ll make into a couple of short videos. Kind of a “Best of”.
Next year the GoPro will have to come out
The Gunning Fireworks Festival is not a new thing, having been held for some 10 years as a trade display before becoming a Community festival in 2010.
The 2014 Festival was our 2nd, we were captivated in 2013 and after looking at our hand-held footage from the Lumx FT3 and iPhone knew we could do better in 2014.
So last Saturday (13th September 2014) we rugged up and headed out to Gunning. It’s a 45 minute drive on typical rural Australian roads. single lane in each direction, potholes and roadkill to remind you of the dangers of the road at night.
We found the Gunning Showground bustling with people enjoying the sideshow amusements. A stop at “Ze German Hut” for a Bratwurst in a roll was mandatory before finding a ringside location.
When I saw ringside I mean about 75-100m from ground zero of the displays. You don’t so much as watch the Fireworks as sit inside the display. As with 2013 we started out behind the VIP area. The crowd filled in around us and we waited for 18:30 when the action was to begin. The photos don’t do the sheer volume of fireworks on the Showground justice.
As darkness falls the anticipation builds and then it’s on. One by one single shots are fired, each announced by name; “Shot 5, 4 inch giant red ring” this continues for well over one hundred shots, some made up of hundreds or thousands of individual fireworks.
After the trade display is done there’s a pause while the setup for the finale is completed.
Then it starts. The finale display is amazing, it’s almost too close, the crowd is coated with falling ash and debris, an occasional still light piece falls still lit and fizzes about the feet and stamped out. The “pooh” and “ahhhh” continues, a monsoon of fire. Yes we’re so close that the human field of vision can’t take it all in, we’re so close that with each massive mortar explosion we can feel our organs compress.
And then, in a crescendo of explosions it’s over and we start to shuffle out.
There’s just one stop to make.
The last Kransky of the night, sustenance for the drive home.
Once I edit up the video I’ll link it here!
In the last few years Vodafone has been trying to claw back customers after the PR nightmare than was the collapse of their over-stretched network. The new – dare I say – revitalised carrier has been offering good deals and backing it up with solid network improvements.
I rolled my day-to-day mobile service back at the start of 2014 and have been generally satisfied. My iPhone4s doesn’t get to take advantage of the 4G spectrum and given the models lacklustre reception (even on Telstra NextG network) I could generally say that Vodafone more than met my needs.
I’ve held onto the iPhone 4S for 3 years now, waiting patiently for the iPhone6 release as it was about time to “upgrade” to resolve the issue of my 4s needing a replacement battery and struggling to cope with a days use.
I’ll let my complaint to Vodafone explain what happened:
Hi,
Like the rest of Australia I’m wanting to upgrade to an iPhone6. I missed out on the pre-orders on the 12th of September because like every other Telco (and Apple) your website was basically non-functional while a lucky few customers managed to place pre-orders.Over the subsequent days I confirmed that through the Online Store (now reporting wait times in the weeks) that it was possible to add an iPhone6 to my account as a Phone Only MPP. That is not bind the phone to a new contract. Sure it would cost “more” but honestly I’m happy to pay the price difference for the flexibility. I was once a 3/Vodafone customer with 5 services that got severely affected by those service quality issues a few years back and I’m not being locking into a plan again with any telco!
On Thursday the 18th I checked in the Tuggeranong Vodafone Store about stock levels and opening times, I was told that while “the company” didn’t like customers using MPP to buy new high-demand Handsets it was possible and they’d do it.
On Friday 19th at 7:30am I found myself at number 2 in the queue, and was informed that there was stock of my chosen model/capacity & colour. “Great”
Then it went wrong, The lady at “1” in the queue left looking agitated and without a phone, and I was asked what I was after, repeated my request to the staff member who used the computer system to open up my account details. He then told me that he “couldn’t” do MPP and I’d have to go on a plan. It was apparently a company policy and the system wouldn’t allow him to do it.
I politely declined and left the store. Your staff in Vodafone stores have always been helpful and polite, your service has improved dramatically in the past couple of years, so much so that I returned as a customer.
But why is it that you can “sell” one product through your on-line channel, and deny it via the face-to-face channel?
“It’s just a phone”, true, and I can easily wait until your “rule” changes or there’s no longer 2-3 weeks stock delays in the online store, but why wouldn’t I just walk to any of the other carriers within a few hundred metres of your Store and sign up for a contract?
No your policy meant that I’m a Post-Paid month-to-Month customer with no locked in commitment to your service, be that a Phone Plan or a MPP. Given the “cost” of regaining customers and the difficulty in restoring “faith” in your service the least I would have expected is a uniform policy on the use of MPP for iPhone6 sales for Existing customers.
All this doesn’t seem so hard does it? Sure if you would prefer customers signed for new contracts encourage them, a new contract is better value for the customer. If the customer knows about the Mobilie Payment Plan (MPP) option then let them exercise it. At least you’ve kept the customer locked into to something!
I shall see what I get back from Vodafone customer service in response!
Since taking the time to book my ticket through travel.com.au I’ve been watching for further deals and trying to get ideas together for what to do when I’m not at the Formula1. It’s been a while so I figure it’s time for an update on where my plans are at.
The sticking point to further plans was the lack of a set date for the Malaysian Formula1 race. Yesterday this was finally listed on Formula1.com as being the 27th to 29th of March 2015!
What else has happened? Well One of my flights has been changed by the airline, resulting in re-issuing of my ticket. A process that’s gone smoothly enough, and I’m reasonably certain it won’t be the last change.
I’ve yet to book accommodation, the next step is really for Tickets to go on sale! I’ll book my tickets with Sepang Circuit directly when they’re released. For the 2014 Formula1 Race this occurred in late October and an excellent early-bird discount was offered.
In 2014 I missed out on the super early bird and instead bought at a 25% discount in January. I only bought an single ticket, but for 2015 I’ll use the higher discount and get two tickets giving me more flexibility to move around during the race. (although I may have managed to occupy some other zones during the 2014 race I don’t want to “risk” it again).
Legoland Malaysia has opened the Star Wars exhibit and the Kampung Mini-Land so I’m going to have to head back to Johor Bahru for these, but that still leaves me with the need to find other things to do. Please leave me some suggestions!
Back in January I wrote about how I was so happy to be making 2.4c a day between this blog and Youtube content.
Well a solid 6 months has passed and it’s time to review the situation. I’ve not pumped this site full of content nor have I piled on the Youtube content so I guess in part it’s been a failure. As it turns out making interesting content is hard work!
As it turns out making interesting content is hard work!
What I can say is that typically my income is now much higher than 2.4c per day and peaked (after my March-April trip to Malaysia) at a massive 12.8c per day – a 500% increase in income!
So what have I “earned”?
| Jul 1, 2014 – Jul 31, 2014 | $2.43 |
| Jun 1, 2014 – Jun 30, 2014 | $1.73 |
| May 1, 2014 – May 31, 2014 | $3.93 |
| Apr 1, 2014 – Apr 30, 2014 | $2.75 |
| Mar 1, 2014 – Mar 31, 2014 | $1.12 |
| Feb 1, 2014 – Feb 28, 2014 | $2.97 |
| Jan 1, 2014 – Jan 31, 2014 | $0.88 |
| Total: | $15.81 |
| Daily (211 Days) | $0.07 |
I think that says it all, AUD0.07 per day on average for the 211 days through until the end of July 2014.
As you can see the income is sporadic and based heavily on how much effort I put into content and also into promotion. The Renault information certainly boosts the Google rankings and generates traffic but it’s also complex research to generate. Travel writing doesn’t generate much traffic, but I haven’t written much yet, and honestly really would need to start pushing it harder.
income is sporadic and based heavily on how much effort I put into content and also into promotion
What I do know and understand is that to build revenue I need to start pushing better content related advertisements. Perhaps Google Adsense isn’t the cash vehicle it’s cracked up to be? I presume using better targeted programs would work, or having a greater level of hits would drive up traffic? Maybe infusing some Airline ticket search engines would work, they can generate a decent return, assuming someone uses it to buy themselves tickets!
No matter what the outcomes are for me what I can definitely say is that unless a person has a lot of time on their hands and a fairly sizeable chunk of cash to spend on promoting their travel blog they’re not going to be living high on the proceeds of their words!
I’m also very happy to say that the experiment continues with my 7 cents per day almost 300% more than when I started!
Thanks for the Clicks on the ads and thanks for the page views.
After having a great time in Malaysia for the Formula1 in 2014 I was immediately keen to consider doing the same in 2015. It’s no secret I like the country and find it pretty easy to get about.
So when cheap flights started appearing on Skyscanner I was starting to get a twitchy desire to book early and hope to the heck that the Formula1 calendar would stick to the “normal” late March date for the Malaysia F1 race and Sepang International Circuit.
In 2014 I spent about AUD720 on flights from my home-base in Australia to Kuala Lumpur using a combination of AirAsiaX and Virgin Australia. The price crept up thanks to the me adding the Plaza Premium Lounge at the LCCT Terminal on departure from KL. I also had to add in the shuttle between Sydney International and Domestic terminals. I also up-specced my AirAsiaX ticket into the “Quiet Zone”.
So when flights started coming available via SkyScanners network of suppliers for around AUD630 including luggage, meals and all connections in Australia lets just say “Woohoo”.
Flying Malaysia Airline System (MAS)?
You bet, after air disasters there’s traditionally a massive cut in the cost of ticket prices as the airline affected struggles to attract customers back. We’ve flown with Malaysia Airline before in 2012 on one of the their older Boeing 747s and survived. I’m confident in 2015 the Boeing 777-200 will be an equally safe option.
Aren’t you taking a risk with the F1 dates?
Life without risk isn’t living. Well not quite but when just about every Formula1 race held in Malaysia has been on either of the last two weekends in March, two weeks after the Australian F1 race it’s hard to not see a pattern. I’ll be there for both those weekends but am confident the race will be on the 29th of March 2015.
Some reassurance comes when many of the ticket and event tour companies agree with my “guess”.
So there we have it, now to wait for the F1 calendar to be confirmed (probably December), then snap up some tickets for the Race via Sepang Circuit while they’re fresh (and discounted).
Last step organise the accommodation and a side trip or two. I’d love to spend more time down in Johor and as my only trip towards northern Malaysia was to Bota Kanan Terrapin Center I would like to go up to Ipoh and spend a few days exploring.
We shall see how things go!
I have been a little slow on writing the next installment of the ownership experience with the actual 12th months of ownership arriving in mid-June 2014. However as the car isn’t being driven much this 4 week lag really reflected a grand total of maybe 300km of driving!
The 6th month Review had seen us covering almost 7000km, which is a stark contrast to the barely 4000km covered in the last 6 months. So much so that over 25% of this distance was completed in a single week!
It’s amazing how cheap a car is to own when you don’t drive it! Fuel consumption is still averaging a low ~9L/100km in mostly city driving, although the usage pattern has a lot more short trips that are inevitably edging consumption higher.
| Total Distance (km): | 10706.9 |
| Total Fuel (l): | 994.28 |
| Average Consumption (l/100km): | 9.27 |
| Average Fuel Price: | $ 1.73 |
| Average Cost/KM: | $ 0.16 |
The numbers above are cumulative – that is based on the total 12 months of ownership – and I guess more than anything reflect a lack of change in the usage pattern.
Service costs on the other hand finally copped a hit with the required 10000km/12 Monthly servicing being completed slightly early in April. The cost was the fixed $299 Capped Price (Elf Oil used of course) and no other expense was incurred.
Nothing. Nada, Zip!
That’s not to say there’s not been a few quirks that have raised their head.
Quirk 1: I raised it in the last review installment but as a recap the car was delivered without a fairly simple rubber seal fitted across the bonnet shut-line. This seal doesn’t appear to do much except prevent bugs and dirt from getting into the engine bay from above, for someone with a bit of a detailing fetish like me this is a good thing. At any rate the missing seal was fitted during the first service in April. I’ve not noticed any impact of this change so I guess I didn’t have to demand it be fitted.
Quirk 2: The stereo, OK another repeat from the 6th month point, it’s not great but the real issue is that unless it’s placed into “Driver” Mode the tweeters aren’t being driven. This naturally produces a flat and somewhat muddy sound quality. Unfortunately “they all do that” and until Renault realises that EVERY Megane Wagon with the 2013/2014 stereo has this problem I’ve found a reasonable workaround with manual tweaking of the Driver mode (including changing the LHD bias) to make it “acceptable”.
Quirk 3: It’s actually a bit of a precious flower when it comes to fuel quality, in my town everything is just perfect with Shells 98RON fuel, switch to an alternative brand like Caltex and suddenly “starts second time every time” for cold starts comes into play. It’s not a big deal but something to keep in mind – change fuel brand to something more to her taste and voila problem solved.
Fault 1: Yes we have a fault, just one, and it’s not critical, but it can be annoying. The passenger seat base has a rattle, only without a passenger in it, and most likely related to something needing a little plastic sleeve or bit of tape around it, but not having that sleeve or tape. Either way bumps on the road or a light tap on top trigger it. The entire seat base is most likely to be replaced under warranty.
Earlier this year I did a couple of solo long runs in the car, in Australian terms they were not that long – round trips of 500 to 750km – completed in single days.
In both cases Celeste reaffirmed by confidence in her dynamic abilities and tourability.
The trip out to Temora was a great run on rural roads in generally poor conditions, with the highway run up to Sydney later that week tested the carrying capacity, and the driver aids late into the night.
The Visio (Lane Departure Warning) and the Adaptive BiXenons certainly work together very well, and when I was dead tired the beeping alerts of the Visio system were a great “NO, Seriously you need to take rest stop” reminder. The headlights themselves are stunningly effective in High-beam and it’s sad to hear that the 2014 Facelift models don’t get the Adaptive BiXenon lights – even as an option – then again there’s no more GT220 model available in Australia either.
The “white” leather has remained surprisingly resilient to staining with any marks coming off during regular cleaning and treating with Meguiars or Chemical Guys leather products. It’s still a little daunting when chucking unknown fabrics into the car though – I’m waiting for the day where there’s some strange coloured mark left that just won’t come out.
The Carminat (Tom Tom) navigation system has been updated quarterly as new maps have come available. The update service cost me AUD69.99 last year and the next 12 month renewal should be a lowly AUD49.95 as long as I don’t let the offer lapse. The update process is a little clunky requiring the SD-Card to be ejected from the SATNAV unit, then updated on a PC before being returned to the car. I’ve no complaints with the system itself, and while Tom Tom doesn’t make the LIVE or RDS Traffic services available in Australia it’s hardly Renaults fault.
There’s not much more to add, tyre wear has been good, despite the front end scrabbling for traction due to the lack of LSD. Brake wear is minimal despite the heavy layers of brake dust on the wheels (Bowdens Own Wheely Clean works wonders) and the pedal remains progressive with good feel. It turns out the front rotors and pads are shared with the Koleos soft-roader so there’s a few options available in the aftermarket when the time comes.
Hitting The Forage in the depths of Canberra winter is a cool experience, not only is the biting winter chill fighting through the layers of clothing but only the hippest folk in Canberra get out to these sort of events.
There’s a lot of that cultured hipster feeling that Canberra seems to do so well, the carefully manicured appearance of thrift and alternative so that it’s “an individual” yet someone exactly in the pattern locals are used to expecting.
Sure the battle for parking around the New Acton precinct can kick the evening off with a frustration – surely driving on the correct side of the road and following a few arrows isn’t that hard Canberra? However it’s nice once you’re in. Our first stop was the Peruvian Chanchito stand, my first introduction to such a beast and hopefully not my last. At $12 for a good sized (1.5 hander) burger heaped with pork belly and slaw, between a slice of sweet potato and a rustic roll it’s big on flavour providing ample fuel to ward off the cold.
We boosted our our inner warmth unloading a closet of rarely used blankets to the Vinnies Winter appeal, sadly it seemed so many of those hipsters among us forget the struggles of some and shied away from donations, be that of coin or warmth.
For the organisers there’s no doubt the formula worked, can it be repeated through the year as intended? Only time will tell.
Pretty much as the collection stands after unearthing from storage!
