Here is a couple of interesting maps I came across, displaying areas of heat in Greater Melbourne and peninsulas on both sides of the bay and they rather surprised me.
Friday, November 24, 2023
I iz surprised
Thursday, November 23, 2023
Thoroughly Modern Millie
While I liked the convenience of just swiping my phone screen to make it operational, R convinced me it was not secure, which I already knew. Use a four digit PIN as I do, he suggested. Eventually I did and although I became used to entering the PIN to open the phone, I still found it a nuisance.
Although fingerprint recognition was an option on my last phone, after buying my latest, I decided to give it a try. Nothing gained, and all that. It wasn't too difficult, the only problem I had was that in sunlight I would have to swipe the screen to find the finger print symbol on the screen to wake the phone up, but the more I used the phone, I came to know exactly where to put my finger on the screen. All good.
I've been observing people using their phones at public transport card readers and paying for goods in shops. At times it seemed to be more trouble than it was worth, with card readers not responding but when I saw someone my age pay using their phone to pay, that was it. I will not be left behind.
I already use Stocard on my phone for large company loyalty cards, thanks to a former blogger who lives on the mid New South Wales coast. That helped me remove cards from wallet.
Again it was easier enough and an automated system contacted my bank and sent a six digit code to my phone to confirm my identity for both my debit card and separately my credit card and it was all done. I chose my debit card as the normal payment choice as I primarily use my debit card and so I have to open the app to choose my credit card. I only use my credit card when paying for internet purchases, holiday travel and accommodation.
But I didn't actually know how to use the system. Does the app need to open? Does the phone need to be unlocked? A little online research told me the app doesn't need to be open but normally you have to open your phone. I also discovered the centre of my phone is where the RFID reader is located. I was set to go.
Do you want a disaster story? Sorry it isn't. It works and does so brilliantly. I guess those who have trouble paying with phones are using older models. Now a further discovery from yesterday is that when paying over $100 in a shop, I no longer need to enter to enter my PIN as I did when tapping my card. I asked staff why and she said it was just tech stuff and because I must use fingerprint or face recognition on my phone.
I love tech but believe me, I will always have my physical low tech cards with me. I don't trust this higher tech stuff and our phone internet systems, as was recently proved with many hours of downtime by our second largest telco Optus, owned by the SingTel which is owned by the government of Singapore. As seems to be often happening, the female CEO of Optus Australia became the sacrificial lamb and subsequently resigned.
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
A Docklands Stroll
For Sale: One large wheel, hardly used, must be moved to a view other than of railway yards, not operating, vacant possession.
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
US Spellings
There a few words spelt differently in the US than here that have really stopped me in my tracks. I thought I generally knew them. I initially thought they were typos, but they aren't.
We spell the word mould and the US spells it mold. I think that was Steve, or it could have been Travel Penguin. My spell checker must be set to Australian or British English as it does not like the mold spelling. That really did stop me in my tracks.
Just when you think you know them all, another turns up, ax instead of axe, as we spell the word. Thanks for that one Debby.
Lordy, then another has just turned up, balk and not baulk. That would be Steve again.
And yet another, as Jackie in Canada where British spellings are often followed, writes tires and not tyres.
I have no problem with different spellings, except when I don't already know them and they break my reading concentration and distract me.
Have you been surprised by some differences in spellings between English speaking countries?
And here is the answer to something long wondered about by me.
An ass and a donkey are terms often used interchangeably to refer to the same animal, while a mule is a hybrid offspring produced by crossing a male donkey (jack) with a female horse (mare). It is understandable that these terms can become confused with each other since they are all similar in some ways. Moreover, many people use these terms incorrectly or differ according to culture.
Monday, November 20, 2023
Monday Mural
I'm joining with Sami and others for Monday Mural.
I do like a happy face, such as this featured in a Fitzroy Street, St Kilda mural. Such joie de vivre written upon his visage.
Sunday, November 19, 2023
Sunday Selections
I'm joining with Elephant's Child and River for Sunday Selections.
Our all over advertising trams generally look great but this is an 'art tram'. However with the windows covered over by advertising or art by Yarra Trams, it is a terrible experience for passengers. What is the point of tram windows if they are covered over?
I is a fashionista
I was kind of aware of a woman sitting nearby on her own when I brunched with Gazza. I thought she was going to give us tea and sympathy abo...
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This post will be all over the place, just as I am all over the place. I'm vacillating about going ahead with the carpet and painting. W...
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Friday, I paced the apartment, closing Ray's bedroom door and then opening it. It is closed at the moment, and to be sensible it will sa...
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Some as Elephant's Child and River join in with Sunday Selections, as I am doing and this week, and bar two, the photos are mine and ...