Useful Links

Here are links that don't obviously live under any of the other categories, but which might still be useful. They include links to the websites for events or services mentioned in the Parish Magazine.

Opening Word2007 documents in older versions of Word.

Don't feel bullied into upgrading your software just because your flashy friends are sending you Word documents that your older version cannot read - install Microsoft's converter pack to solve the problem for nothing. Be warned - it is a 27Mb download, so don't try this without broadband.

Local Resiliance Forum

A website ..."where you can find information and advice to help you better prepare if there was an emergency in the county."

BT makes big increases to phone costs

See separate article.

Connecting computers through the mains

"Wifi" signals don't cope with the thick stone walls found in many Winster houses (and remember, if the signal needs to go through a wall at an angle, the wall appears that much thicker). The answer - if you need to link computers or modem/router units in different rooms - is to use "Homeplug" adapters. These work the same way as the old through-the-mains baby alarms one used to see, by "wobbling" the mains signal in a way that can be decoded at the other end. The signals should be usable throughout your house, but will not normally travel further (because coils in your electricity meter will filter out the high-frequency signals used). To be doubly sure, the adaptors allow you to set an encryption code on both of your units, so that nobody else can "listen in" to your signals.

The basic 14Mbps units are fine for normal use, and you can get a pair for just under £50 including delivery from www.solwise.co.uk. Installation is very easy. HOWEVER, please be warned that the setup program (which sets the password on each unit) does not currently work with Vista - so you would need to find a non-Vista computer to do the one-time initial setup.

Bonfires - see this very readable government guidance note.

There are various Preference Schemes that allow you to cut out a good proportion of unwanted mail, telephone selling calls, and junk faxes. There is also one for email, but it is not worth the effort to register.

Details of ways to reduce your risk of being stung by Premium-rate and International call Internet diallers cab be found at http://www.bt.com/premiumrates/

How many grams of salt in one teaspoonful? Convert almost any cooking unit to another (there's a massive database that knows about thousands of different ingredients) at http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/cookingconversions.asp

The government's "anywhere-to-anywhere" public transport journey planner is at www.transportdirect.info - which also offers up-to-the-minute roadworks information.

Links to other village-related websites

www.rural.co.uk - links to many village sites around the UK - with a map to help you find them

British and Irish Villages

Community Broadband Network

Other Stuff

A couple of really useful utilities: a Currency Converter - and a World Clock

Here's a note I have written about inserting tick-boxes into Word forms

Here is a Flowchart that allows you to work out whether you need a Temporary Events Notice for a public event at a venue that has a permanent licence for entertainment but not for alcohol

And finally, a link to a couple of small blogs created by John Geddes, who runs this Winster Website.

"For What It's Worth" is a selection of items that might be of use to others. I've gained enormous benefit from online resources created by others; this is my small contribution in return. There is no linking theme: the idea is simply to have items sit there so they can be found if anyone is doing a relevant search. This link helps make sure that they are findable (by making sure that the search engine systems find it).

"Stupid, Lazy or Mean?" is a series of short items about my worst experiences of bad behaviour by companies and government.

If anyone else in Winster wants a link to their sites, do let me know.