Just filled up with Biodiesel for the first time today from www.mckeownbiofuels.com in Bedminster (behind the Hen & Chicken on North St).

Here’s how it works.

Used cooking oil is collected across Bristol and processed onsite.

The processing involves filtering to remove all the food particles, then any water is removed. The next stages are a little involved here’s a link to the Wiki page if interested

It is dispensed from a normal petrol pump, and they fill it up for you, a bit like some old time garage.

The current rate is £1.29 a litre inc VAT, so a bit more than the current pump prices, but you do have the comfort of knowing you’re not burning a fossil fuel.

They currently are not processing card payments, so cash is required, they do provide a full VAT receipt though.

This recycled cooking oil method of fuel production seems sustainable on a small scale, just until all the used oil in the region has a home.

After the first tank of fuel has done through you are advised to change your fuel filter, and then include this on any future service.

The requirements are a Diesel car and that’s about it, the car I use is a VW Polo 1.4 TDI.

16-06-11 Just a quick update on this, there’s been no problems with the change of fuel in the last year, runs well on it.

Gildas Jones

Computer support for Mac or PC, Business or Home in the Bristol area 0800 955 78 78

www.dialageek.co.uk

The problem with letting the kids use the computer, apart from the sticky fingers is making sure they don’t see anything that is not age appropriate.

You’re sat with them looking at bmx videos or cartoons on YouTube, then the phone rings/door goes/sibling falls over,  you come back and he’s clicked on the handy next video suggestion….

Here’s where this great little piece of software comes in, it is called Kido’z, not a great name but a really good program,

It is a free program you install on your computer (works on Mac and PC) and creates a method for viewing only pre screened child friendly websites and YouTube videos.

To start off with you visit the Kido’z website (see the Kidoz link at the bottom of this page) and click the download link

Next you will be prompted to install Adobe Air and the program, Adobe Air is safe it’s a bit like flash player.

There wil be a pop up box asking if you want to open or install Kidoz, just click Install or open (install on PC, Open on a Mac)

Once running you will get a screen like this

Click continue and you’ll have to fill in some details, this will create your parental control account, I personally use the free account. there is a premium paid for version, which has some extra games etc.

Once the account has been created, you can login and you child can start using the program, it has a large number of websites already on there, all of which have been carefully checked so you can relax.

They also have YouTube videos these are arranged in channels, there is a classic cartoons channel also a Sesame St channel

One of the best points for me is the ability to add websites or YouTube content that know or have pre checked, this is good for 6 year olds to keep them interested and also add sites like CBBC game. To do this you’ll need to click on the login at the top left hand corner with the program

The next screen you’ll need to select ‘add a new website’

You’ll need to give it a title, and then copy and paste the web address into the next box, choose if you want to share it, then press save.

When you return to the childs screen there will be a button for my websites

There are loads of other features in the parental control such as password protecting the exit button, blocking any approved sites ect

It works on a Mac or PC,

I would say this is aimed at the under 10′s market, though a version for teenagers would be useful.

With all internet usage by children my general advice is to have the computer situated downstairs in a communal space, so you can keep an eye on it.

www.kidoz.net

November 2011: An Update on this post, recently Kidoz have changed their policy with the free edition after the trial, the cost is now £25 a year or £37.50 for a lifetime licence 

Gildas Jones

Computer support for Mac or PC, Business or Home in the Bristol area 0800 955 78 78

www.dialageek.co.uk

Not any more…

Now here’s the simple workaround, this works for Mac or PC

First you need to be running Firefox

Then install this simple add on for Firefox called Wisestamp

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/8206

Click on the link and select Add To Firefox

You’ll need to restart firefox once installed,

Once firefox is restarted, look for the small stamp icon in the bottom right Firefox

Click on there to configure

Configure Wisestamp

Once configured, this will put the HTML Signature into every email automaticaly, this also works for Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, AOL

There are also example signatures you can add, just click on the Signature Example link to the right of the edit box.

Many thanks to the people who created this Add On  http://www.wisestamp.com/

Hope this helps

Gildas Jones

I often get asked questions on basic Internet security, so I thought I’d
offer a few bite size tips to make security simpler.

One area you can improve security greatly is by the use of secure passwords.

A secure password is a string of random characters such as ‘H)n%yLf]0Ht”‘
that includes symbols, uppercase and lowercase letters, and numbers.

Trying to remember separate random passwords or even one for all your online
accounts is virtually impossible.

HOW TO CREATE LONG MEMORABLE PASSWORDS

-Creating Passphrases-

This is a method I’ve found to be very effective which uses a sentence
instead of random characters.

Instead  of  ‘beano123′  (the  dogs  name  and  a  few  numbers),  try
‘takingbeanoforawalktoday123′

or even better, ‘longerpasswordthantheoldBeano123′

This method can be extended to other phrases. Maybe you have some goals
you’d like to attain in the near future for example:

‘Giveupsmokingafternewyear2009′ or ‘100%Fitterthanlastyear’

To increase the security of this method you can use bad spelling or made up
words. You can also add in other characters such as % ” ? @…

You won’t be asked to repeat it so you can put what you like for a phrase,
song lyrics, quotes.

The funnier or more outrageous, the more likely you are to remember it.

-Best practise with Passphrases-

To  be  fully  secure a Passphrase needs to be more than 4 words long,
preferably at least 6, and include uppercase letters, numbers and symbols.

I hope you find this useful

Kind Regards

Gildas Jones

www.dialageek.co.uk