Hello Everyone!

 

It's been an extremely busy time for me and I apologize to those who I have not been able to get out and see as promptly as usual. There has been quite a flood of upgrades due to Windows XP being retired. It's good that people have heeded the advice and not continued using the Windows XP operating system as it is quite unsafe to continue using especially connected to internet. If you're still refusing to upgrade your Windows XP machine, I urge you think again about upgrading as all support for Windows XP has stopped and any security loopholes in it will not be fixed and you're extremely vulnerable to attacks from malicious software.

 

Windows 8 has now been the operating system of choice for around 18 months. It has had it's first major update (Windows 8.1) and another smaller update (Windows 8.1 Update 1), both of which have actually restored aspects to the operating system that many people complained had been removed. Windows 8 can be a bit daunting 'out of the box' as it does definitely do some things differently, but with tweaking it can be setup to behave a lot more like previous versions of Windows and be less of a pain to use.

 

You might recall in my last email that I will unavailable for work from 31st May to approximately the 13th June. So I ask you all to plan any computer servicing or upgrades to be done before or after these dates. I will be contactable at only some times while I'm away due to possible lack of phone/internet reception, sms or emails will probably be best.

 

My reason for being away is to take part in the Sh1tbox Rally which is a bunch of "Sh1tbox" cars (which must be valued under $1000) driving 3500km from Perth to Darwin via the Kimberley to raise money for the Cancer Council. 250 teams enter in the rally and this is the 5th year it has been run. It is the biggest fundraiser for Cancer Council and aims to raise $1.4 million this year. Myself and good friend Bruce Muller (thankfully a mechanic) will be driving a 1975 Valiant wagon, affectionately named Mr Hankey, inspired by it's lovely brown duco. It's the 2nd year the car has competed in the Rally, last year driving from Adelaide to Fremantle.

 

Many of you have already donated some fantastic amounts and we're extremely grateful to you all!! The keen eyed ones might notice Im calling it the Sh1tbox in this email.... didn't want any of your email filters to block me  :) If you're not comfortable calling it by it's actual name, call it the poobox I suppose.