Radio shows | Paul Wallbank - Communications Professional

ABC 702 Weekends: The spies in our pockets

Should we worry about our electronic devices tracking us?

You don’t have to be an FBI suspect to have your car tracked, recently the GPS manufacturer Tom-Tom admitted it sold users’ traffic data to Dutch police which was used to set speed traps and security researchers discovered Apple’s iPhone is storing location information that is used by Apple for research purposes.

On the 15 May 2011 702 Sydney program, Philip Clarke and Paul Wallbank discussed are our phones, GPS and other electronic devices tracking us and some of the things we should be aware of when using mobile phone and other GPS enabled technology.

We had a full board of callers and promised we’d get back to some of the following;

Images not showing in Internet Explorer

Kim called about her computer not showing images in Internet Explorer running on Windows Vista. This could be simply a matter of ticking the Show Pictures check box in the Advanced tab of the Internet Explorer Options settings. We explain how to do this, and how to handle further similar problems, on our IT Queries website.

Free Backup options

One of the most irritating things to lose when a computer crashes or you replace it are your email and contacts. Arthur asked about backing up this important data in Windows Hotmail Live on his Windows 7 computer.

Unlike some of the earlier versions, Windows 7 comes with its own backup program which Microsoft shows you how to use it on their website. Make sure you choose to backup your profile as this will save all your email, contacts and favorites along with your computer settings.

Once you’ve created the backup, we’d suggest using an online service like Dropbox or Box.net to keep a secure copy of these files.

Fixing a slow computer

Kristina asked about speeding up her computer that’s running slowly, particularly when Outlook 2003 is open. The first step is to backup your Outlook data which is saved in a PST file, just in case something goes wrong.

Next you should uninstall any programs and add ins that might be interfering with Outlook then run the Mailbox Clean Up Tool to get rid of anything you don’t need.

Having cleaned up Outlook, it’s time to run the Outlook Inbox repair tool which will fix any inconsistencies in the PST data store.

Once you’ve cleaned up Outlook, it’s time to do a general clean up of the computer that will flush out anything unnecessary on your system. Follow this with a drive check by running chkdsk which will clean up minor problems with the way your computer has saved data.

With all of these clean ups done you should have a much fast computer, if you don’t it may be time to call a computer technician.

Next 702 Sydney Weekend segment

We’ll have the date of the next 702 Weekends up on our events page in the next few days. The next Nighlife spot will be on June 16 where we’ll be discussing how to secure your data against incompetent organisations.

If you’d like to get advanced notice of radio programs and other events, subscribe to our newsletter at the right of this screen.

ABC Nightlife computers: What is cloud computing?

Is cloud computing really just vapour and wind?

Our regular ABC Nightlife radio spot explained cloud computing and had a look at the Sony PlayStation Network security problems.

The tech industry loves nothing more that to baffle us with new terms and one of the biggest terms we’re hearing is cloud computing. Paul and Tony discussed what cloud computing is and what people are using it for.

Aspects covered included;

What exactly is cloud computing?
Isn’t this just another name for the old mainframe computing systems?
What are the benefits of cloud computing?
Can you really save huge amounts of money?
What are the applications you can use?

A lot of what we discussed is covered in The Connected Business post and we’ve listed some useful cloud computing tools which can be used in the home or office at Ten Business Uses for Cloud Computing.

You can listen to the program’s podcast via the Nightlife website. We promised some of the listeners that we’d get back to them on the following topics;

What is my computer downloading?

Margaret called about her prepaid broadband usage being inconsistent, some days her system downloads more than on other days.

This is probably caused by email downloads and security updates. You shouldn’t avoid the program patches, but you can overcome the email downloading problem by using a webmail service like Hotmail or Gmail.

How do I check my computer is secure?

Two callers, Peter and Katherine, were unsure about how secure their computers are and asked how can they can be sure their systems are safe to use. We’d suggest downloading MalwareBytes and follow our Removing A Trojan instructions however if that’s too complex, it might be worthwhile calling a computer technician.

Viewing new PDF files on an old system

One of the problems with having an older computer is that newer files sometimes can’t be read by them. Rob called in to ask how he can read Adobe PDF files on his older Power PC Apple Mac.

The answer is to use Google Docs and upload the PDF into it as the service can read newer documents. If you’re using Gmail as we discuss above, then files sent with newer attachments will automatically open in the Google reader service.

The next Nightlife program will be on June 16. If you’d like to suggest topics contact us or join the conversation on the night with your on-air questions or comments by phoning 1300 800 222 within Australia or +61 2 8333 1000 from outside Australia.

ABC Nightlife: The business web revolution

Business is changing as customers move online

The March Nightlife technology segment looks at how the web is changing business as consumers go online and cheap, easy to use tools make it easier than ever to set up an effective Internet presence.

The podcast of the program is available for download or listening to from the Nightlife website. Some of the programs and online services we refer to on the program are listed below.

Last year’s Sensis e-business report found over two thirds of Australians had made a purchase online. Increasingly, customers are using the web to find shops and services rather than the phone directory or local classified adverts that local businesses have relied upon in the past.

At present only half of all businesses have a website despite customers using the net as their main way of researching purchases and finding local merchants. This is partly because of the cost, time and complexity involved in setting up a web presence.

Today it’s possible to set up a free website in half an hour and be listed on the main local search engines within an hour. On the March ABC Nightlife Tony and Paul looked at how to get online and use these tools.

Aspects we discussed include;

Can you really build a web page for free
What’s replacing Yellow Pages
How do businesses list on these services
Are they a substitute for a web page
Do consumers actually use local search
How to remove Norton 360
Protecting yourself online
Dust build up in systems
The next version of Windows

Our next spot is on April 28. Visit the events page or subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date with other ABC segments we might be doing.

Useful Links

Some of the software and webpages we discussed on the program included.

Getting Australian Business Online
Adding your website to Google Listings
Listing your business with local search
Norton 360º Removal Tool
Windows Scripting Host (for Windows XP)
Malwarebytes virus and spyware removal tool

If you have any suggestions for our April 24 show, please contact us. We love to hear your ideas and comments.

If you are in Sydney, our Web for Beginners seminar still has spaces available. In three hours, you’ll have your business online with an effective Internet presence.

Facebook explained

Nightlife technology’s February 2011 spot looks at the popular social networking site.

Tony Delroy and Paul Wallbank on the February 3 ABC Nightlife across Australia technology segment looked at how Facebook is taking over the world.

A recording of the program is available from the ABC Nightlife website until February 10.

Aspects we discussed included;

Is Facebook really worth 50 billion dollars
Where are they making money?
Can we trust them with our data?
How do we protect ourselves when using Facebook?

Your views are welcome and if you’d like to join the conversation with your questions or comments phone 1300 800 222 within Australia or +61 2 8333 1000 from outside Australia.

You can SMS Nightlife’s talkback on 19922702 or twitter @paulwallbank using the #abcnightlife hashtag

ABC Nightlife, 15 December 2010

The lessons from Wikileaks, online scams and rights management

Join Rod Quinn and Paul Wallbank for a look at what the Wikileaks Cablegate affair means to Internet users, including some serious questions for businesses moving onto the cloud.

The recording from the show in now online through the Nightlife website. It will be available until at least 22 December.

Aspects we discuss include;

How secure is our business information in a digital world?

Can we trust Internet providers to do the right thing

How reliable is cloud computing when Amazon can shut Wikileaks down?

Why writing unflattering things about your friends and business colleagues is rarely a good idea

Dealing with unethical telcos and Internet providers

Listeners’ questions
As usual we had plenty of listeners calls, these included the following who we said we’d get back to;

iTunes not recognising an iPod

Removing Installshield

The Paypal “horse float” scam

Your views are welcome and if you’d like to join the conversation in future shows with your questions or comments phone 1300 800 222 within Australia or +61 2 8333 1000 from outside Australia.

You can SMS Nightlife’s talkback on 19922702 or twitter @paulwallbank using the #abcnightlife hashtag

702 Sydney Weekend computers: December 2010

The Christmas lock down

The Christmas holidays are approaching and we take time out to look at what you can do to protect your home and business computers while you are on holiday.

Listeners’ questions we covered included;

Removing Trojan Horses from a computer
Computer virus infections often arrive in the form of Trojan Horses – programs that pretend to be something else such as an image viewer – removing them can be difficult.

The IT Queries website has the step-by-step instructions for removing a virus infection using the Malwarebytes program.

Ejecting a stuck DVD or CD
Steve asked about getting a stuck disk out of his computer. Luckily on most optical drives, at least those with trays, there is a pin hole where you can push in a straightened out paper clip to manually open the drive.

Tune into ABC 702 Sydney to hear Paul Wallbank and Simon Marnie discuss the tech issues that affect you or listen online through the ABC Sydney webpage.

We love to hear from listeners so feel free call in with your questions or comments on 1300 222 702 or text on 19922702. If you’re on Twitter you can tweet Paul at @paulwallbank and 702 Sydney on @702sydney.

ABC Nightlife: 2 December 2010

Windows celebrates 25 years while the web turns 20, where do we go next?

Microsoft Windows has celebrated its 25th birthday and the web turns 20 this month. Join Tony Delroy and Paul Wallbank to discuss where Windows has been and where computers are going over the next two decades.

If you missed the program, a recording is available on the Nightlife website.

Join us on your local ABC radio station or listen online at www.abc.net.au/nightlife.

If you’d like to join the conversation with your questions or comments phone 1300 800 222 within Australia or +61 2 8333 1000 from outside Australia.

You can SMS Nightlife’s talkback on 19922702 or twitter @paulwallbank using the #abcnightlife hashtag

ABC 702 Weekend Computers: Can you trust online reviews?

When should we trust comments on the Internet?

Tune into ABC 702 Sydney to hear Paul Wallbank and Simon Marnie discuss the tech issues that affect your home and business from 10am or listen online through the ABC Sydney webpage.

For October’s program, we’re looking at review sites asking how reliable they are and ways you can determine if an online review is real or fair.

Eight online tips for franchising

Is your franchise network part of the online economy, or becoming a relic of the past?

The world wide reach of the web has always been a problem for territory based franchises. As a consequence, many franchise networks have a token web presence which they use mainly as a recruitment tool for new franchisees.

An aversion to the web presents a difficulty for these franchisees as most customers are now online. By not actively using the net, those locally based franchise chains are finding themselves at a disadvantage to their non-franchised competitors.

The franchising industry’s problem was illustrated last week by Ben who called into to my ABC radio spot last week on Internet business trends to ask about how a territory based lawn mowing franchisee can use the web.

Ben’s question raised some important points that franchise holders — and anyone considering entering a franchise — should check to make sure that business is competing in today’s marketplace.

Does the franchise have an individual page for each territory?

Each franchise area should it’s own page within the chain’s site. While the contact details can redirect back to the central phone or form, the territory page should include some local testimonials and few other localised features.

Is the home page regularly updated?

A static index page that rarely changes isn’t attractive to search engines or customers. A vibrant business should be updating their page regularly. This is particularly true if there is a substantial network of franchisees.

How does the site rank?

When searching for the product or service the franchise sells, how high does the franchise’s page come up. If it doesn’t appear in the first page, then the franchise isn’t working.

Does local search work?

Type in a search for the franchise’s product and an established territory such as “lawn mowing Footscray”. If the Footscray franchise doesn’t appear in the local listings then the franchisor hasn’t listed their sites in the local search listings.

What does the site sell?

In researching this article, I found the biggest franchised lawn mowing chain appears in paid ads for “buy a lawn mowing franchise” but not for a actual lawn mowing. A site or digital strategy designed to sell franchises is good for the franchisor but doesn’t do much for the franchisee looking for customers.

Is the franchise engaging with social media?

Whether you trust social media or not, the market is talking about you on forums, blogs, Facebook, Twitter and other channels. A great example of this was Oporto last weekend. A franchise needs to be engaging with customers, critics and fans.

Where are the franchisees?

Are the franchisees listing themselves? This is always a worrying sign that a franchise isn’t controlling its marketing properly. On the other hand, if their personal profiles aren’t appearing on sites like LinkedIn, it can indicate too tight a control on franchises.

What is their media strategy?

The whole point of buying a franchise is to have a ready made brand and marketing strategy. If a franchise is locked into a print mindset with only at best a token online presence then they aren’t going where the customers are. Have a look at the online versus print effort before signing up.

Many franchisors are playing by 1990s rules. Which was great for the last twenty years, but the old models are evolved as customers and potential franchisees have changed the way they shop and do business.

The web and social media are more than just a passing fad or a blunt advertising and marketing tool. They are a key part of your business identity and are being used by suppliers, recruiters, job seekers and commercial partners to figure out whether you are worth doing business with.

A franchise that doesn’t use today’s media tools is stuck in yesterday’s market.

ABC Nightlife October 15 2010

The new business web trends

Update: You can download the show from the ABC Nightlife homepage included in the program are some ideas on how kids use the net, the challenges for franchises and the importance of search engine optimisation.

The Internet is changing how businesses are working online. Join Tony Delroy, Paul Wallbank and Chistena Singh from Sensis to discuss some of the ways customers and businesses are changing the way the buy and sell on the Internet.

Business has changing for last fifteen years as customers move online to check the deals and products available. With most people now on broadband and more using their mobiles, the game is changing again.

We’ll be looking at the e-business report which is a free download available from the Sensis website.

Tune in on your local ABC radio station or listen online at www.abc.net.au/nightlife.

If you’d like to join the conversation with your questions or comments phone 1300 800 222 within Australia or +61 2 8333 1000 from outside Australia.

You can SMS Nightlife’s talkback on 19922702 or twitter @paulwallbank using the #abcnightlife hashtag

ABC Nightlife Digital, 12 October 2010

Your say on the National Broadband Network

There’s been a lot of talk about the National Broadband Network, join Rod Quinn and Paul Wallbank to discuss what the NBN means to you.

We’ll be taking listeners’ calls to debate, explain and discuss the issues, costs and technology questions surrounding this massive project.

Please note that this segment will be going out on the ABC Local Digital Network in capital cities as the Commonwealth games will go out on the analogue network.

If you are outside of the capital cities, you can stream the program through the ABC Nightlife website. If you’d like to join the conversation with your questions or comments phone 1300 800 222 within Australia or +61 2 8333 1000 from outside Australia.

You can SMS Nightlife’s talkback on 19922702 or twitter @paulwallbank using the #abcnightlife hashtag