Manchester Idea Parties

One for the photographers amongst you...

Are you a photographer (amateur or professional) who would like to get your teeth into a new project? If that sounds like you, check out The Online Photographer's blog post about SoFoBoMo (short for Solo Photo Book Month) - a group event where a bunch of photographers all make solo photo books from start to finish in 31 days, at more or less the same time. The post contains a link to the SoFoBoMo site where you can sign up to join in the fun.

Getting started with Twitter

Barack Obama does it.  So do Britney Spears, Richard Branson and Russell Brand...  What am I talking about?  Twittering.  Tweating.  Microblogging.  Posting details of their everyday lives online in 140-character bursts. 

Even the Dalai Lama was reported to have signed up for Twitter - until it emerged that it wasn't really him at all - just an imposter.  If you want to get in on the act, check out Top Tips for Tweeting

Things you never knew you could do with a mobile phone - Part 2

If your mobile or cell phone is stolen, you can disable it by following these instructions:

1.  First of all, obtain your phone's serial number by keying in: *#06#

2.  Write down the code that appears on screen and keep it somewhere safe

3.  If your phone is stolen, contact your service provider and give them this code.  They will then block your handset so that, even if the SIM card is changed, your phone will be useless.

You may not ever get your phone back but at least you'll know that no-one else will benefit from using it.

Things you never knew you could do with a mobile phone - Part 1

Did you know that, in the event of an emergency, if you find yourself with no signal from your mobile phone network, you can dial the Emergency Number for the EU member states - 112 - and your phone will search every network to find the emergency number for you.  And, interestingly, this number can be called even when the keypad is locked.  Try it...

I'm back!

For some, the most wonderful sight in the world will be the face of their newborn child.  For me, it was the glowing, blue 'Broadband connected' button on my newly-installed Home Hub.

I've said elsewhere that, apart from loved ones, the first thing I would grab in the event of a fire would be my laptop...  However, a laptop is of limited use when it's not connected to the Internet and, as of 10.30 am today, I'm back in the land of the living!  Normal service has been resumed! Yippee!:-)

I'm technically challenged...

How can it possibly take 9 days to get Broadband connected up?

I finally moved over to Manchester permanently at the weekend and, on Monday, a chap from BT arrived to connect up my new phone line.  I naively thought that, once the phone was connected, I would just be able to get on to BT and order the Broadband - which would then, presumably, arrive next day or the day after and normal service would be resumed...  How wrong I was! 

First of all the new telephone line has to be connected for two working days whilst they test it to make sure it's working properly and can support Broadband.  Once BT are satisfied with this, they will then permit you to place your order for BB and, a week later, they'll send out the home hub...

Meanwhile, I'm struggling valiantly on with a mobile BB dongle that works for about half an hour a day and will allow me to read my email but won't let me reply to it.  My new best friends are the guys from the O2 Mobile Broadband Helpline who have been trying their best to get me a better connection but, despite all their efforts, I think I'm going to have to concede defeat and accept the fact that mobile Broadband and my new apartment building are not a match made in heaven.

So, if you subscribe to this blog's feed and you were wondering why I've suddenly stopped posting, now you know...  And if you've sent me an email, I will reply to you, I promise... just don't hold your breath!

Aged 16-25 and know your blog from your mouse? Why not help someone who doesn't?

Ad spotted on Manchester Gumtree:

Become a voluntary Digitall mentor and help the older generation get to grips with digital technology including the basics of computers as well as the Internet and email. The benefits? You'll boost your skills and it could help your CV stand out from the crowd plus you'll get a buzz out of helping someone else.

Digitall runs in Manchester City Centre, Rochdale, Stockport and Longsight.

Mentoring takes place over four two hour sessions in the evenings or weekends to suit you. You’ll be given an introduction to mentoring at the first session and a tutor will always be on hand to assist.

Dates and times for training and mentoring are pretty flexible so just give us a call to find out more and see what works for you.

To find out more visit www.digitall.org.uk

Do you want to pick a fight?

Do you like a good debate?  If you do, the people that brought us Squidoo have now provided you with a site where you can have your say on a whole range of subjects from 'The Office - Is the US or UK Version Better?' to 'Cell phones are the root of all evil'.

Either roll up your sleeves and join in somebody else's argument or start one of your own at HeyMonkeybrain!