Australia's Premier Blog Directory Since 2006
Want to win a RedBalloon gift certificate? Check out the campaign on KISS 1065′s Kyle and Jackie O show. Click on the link to listen in!
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This is just one of many of Ultimate Edge Communication‘s exciting client Christmas campaigns!
Here are my picks for my top 10 blog posts of 2014.
There is nothing more powerful than 20/20 Foresight to know what’s coming in 2015…Bonus Blog Posts:
An Oscar Award Winning Speech worthy of its own Oscar!
Enjoy the best of 2014 and may 2015 bring you all the wealth, health and happiness you deserve!
Every month, Australian Blogs selects an Australian Blog Of The Month from its registry of more than 5,000 blogs. This month’s featured blog is http://www.eastcoastsquashacademy.com.au/blog. Click on the image below to check it out.
Every month, Australian Blogs selects an Australian Blog Of The Month from its registry of more than 5,000 blogs. This month’s featured blog is http://www.marcdussault.com/mindset/blog/. Click on the image below to check it out.
Every month, Australian Blogs selects an Australian Blog Of The Month from its registry of more than 5,000 blogs. This month’s featured blog is http://blog.innerouterhealth.com.au/. Click on the image below to check it out.
Every month, Australian Blogs selects an Australian Blog Of The Month from its registry of more than 5,000 blogs. This month’s featured blog is http://www.maxpak.com.au/blog. Click on the image below to check it out.
Every month, Australian Blogs selects an Australian Blog Of The Month from its registry of more than 5,000 blogs.
This month’s featured blog is http://www.ultimateedgecommunications.com.au/blog. Click on the image below to check it out.
If you would like your blog to be featured, your blog needs to be registered and once that is done, contact us. Your blog must be “Australian” to be listed in the directory listing.
Every month, Australian Blogs selects an Australian Blog Of The Month from its registry of more than 5,000 blogs. This month’s featured blog is http://www.dogscountryclubandkennelresort.com.au/blogl. Click on the image below to check it out.
If you would like your blog to be featured, your blog needs to be registered and once that is done, contact us. Your blog must be “Australian” to be listed in the directory listing.
Every month, Australian Blogs selects an Australian Blog Of The Month from its registry of more than 5,000 blogs. This month’s featured blog is http://www.neboengineering.com.au/blog.html. Click on the image below to check it out.
If you would like your blog to be featured, your blog needs to be registered and once that is done, contact us. Your blog must be “Australian” to be listed in the directory listing.
Every month, Australian Blogs selects an Australian Blog Of The Month from its registry of more than 5,000 blogs. This month’s featured blog is www.successful.com.au/blog/. Click on the image below to check it out.
If you would like your blog to be featured, your blog needs to be registered and once that is done, contact us. Your blog must be “Australian” to be listed in the directory listing.
Every month, Australian Blogs selects a Blog Of The Month from its registry of more than 5,000 blogs. This month’s featured blog is www.paddingtonpups.com.au/blog/. Click on the image below to check it out.
If you would like your blog to be featured, your blog needs to be registered and once that is done, contact us. Your blog must be “Australian” to be listed in the directory listing.
Every month, Australian Blogs selects a Blog Of The Month from its registry of more than 5,000 blogs. This month’s featured blog is www.inspire-fitness.com.au/blog/. Click on the image below to check it out.
If you would like your blog to be featured, your blog needs to be registered and once that is done, contact us. Your blog must be “Australian” to be listed in the directory listing.
Every month, Australian Blogs selects a Blog Of The Month from its registry of more than 5,000 blogs. This month’s featured blog is www.FloatationTankMelbourne.com.au. Click on the image below to check it out.
If you would like your blog to be featured, your blog needs to be registered and once that is done, contact us. Your blog must be “Australian” to be listed in the directory listing.
2013 has been quite a year. Below is a list of the top 10 blog posts of the year. Enjoy a quick review and use the tips and techniques to make 2014 your best year ever!
Here is another funny comparison of the US and Australia… Provided by Ray Keefe of Successful Endeavours in Melbourne, Australia.
Click on the map image below for the original source of the image where lots of other great maps can be found.
The video below is from an Australian Astrographer, Colin Legg. The video won first prize in the animation category and the filming used a number of special techniques and captures some unique or unusual events such as:
1. Comet Lovejoy
2. Exploding Meteor and vapor train
3. A Total Lunar eclipse from start to finish
To see some stunning astronomical photos click on the hyperlink. This site runs a competition for their calendar each year. The link shows the entries and the winners.
Attached is a shot of the moon taken by Ray Keefe from his own 25cm Newtonian reflector telescope with a Canon 400D camera.
The square kilometre array in Australia will be a key part of an expansion in our ability to look in more detail at the universe about us.
SETI (Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence) will be using it once it is online and there is a detailed explanation for the technically minded in this IEEE article by the new head of SETI . The movie Contact is a popular film based on the life of Jill Tartar who headed SETI for most of its existence. (They did extrapolate a bit).
One thing most people have not considered is the ability for many researchers to get data from the array at the same time. Because each antenna has its own feed and can be accessed independently, many different parts of the sky can be searched simultaneously by combining these feeds together mathematically in different ways. The only restriction is that the dishes can only point in one direction at a time. But within their pickup zone everything is potentially accessible at once. This is the one of the most advanced applications of aperture synthesis undertaken so far.
And good thing we are doing the NBN because the ASKAP will generate massive amounts of data that will need to be moved to researchers all over the world!
Image courtesy of Photostock at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Second-hand stores are big business these days. Whether it’s due to a downturn in the economy or a desire to wear a unique look rather than the same high street trends as everyone else, more and more consumers are shopping for used clothing.
Charity shops, vintage boutiques, estate sales, and consignment stores are all great sources of high quality used duds. Yet you can also find even better bargains online, even buying used clothing using your mobile phone with apps like the one provided by Quicksales!
This and eBay are two of the biggest names in resale goods, yet there’s a wealth of designer and vintage clothing available at low cost for savvy shoppers. The following are a few tips to keep in mind as you start your hunt.
Set a Budget
It’s difficult to set a budget when you’re not really sure what things are going to cost until you start searching.
However, it’s wise to set an upper limit on what you’re willing to spend or you could get carried away bidding on sites like eBay and end up spending more than you would have on brand new clothing!
Know your Measurements
Even in most charity shops, you can try on used clothing to see if it fits. There’s a certain gamble when you shop for used clothing online, however, because you not only can’t try it on but you may be purchasing a vintage or unknown brand.
Most sellers will list the measurements of garments for sale, or should be able to provide this for you if you send a request. This can be far more accurate than the size on the label.
Image courtesy of Stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Try Different Keywords
One way to search for used clothing online is to browse through categories on sites like eBay. However, most ecommerce shops and online marketplaces also have a search function, so you can look for specific brand names.
Try different combinations of keywords to increase your chances of finding what you’re looking for. For example, instead of just searching for “women’s top,” you can look for “halter top vintage” to find a chic 70′s summer top.
Use Social Media
Many online shops will offer special deals or information about sales via their social media profiles or blogs. Big marketplaces like Quicksales.com.au have Facebook profiles which allow you to stay in touch with what’s happening. This could alert you to a sudden sale or new items of clothing coming in that match what you’re looking for.
Check the Shipping and Return Policies
If shipping and return policies aren’t made clear in a listing, it’s worth taking the time to contact the seller to find out more. Even with measurements and accurate photos, sometimes an article of clothing simply won’t be what you expected, and you don’t want to have to relist it yourself.
By shopping around and using all the online tools available, you can find some truly superb bargains online. Fill out your wardrobe with one-of-a-kind designer and vintage wear, or simply stock up on basics. The key is to have fun with it and don’t be afraid to keep looking for a better deal.
With the fast pace of the internet, one is most likely just a click away.
According to recent statistics compiled by competitions.com.au, 79% of Australians use the internet on a daily basis. They’re using the internet for communication, recreation, and for online shopping. This led to $33 billion dollars in ecommerce sales in 2012, with the number expected to increase to $37.1 billion in 2013.
If you’re a business owner who has yet to create an online presence, now’s the time to tap into the market. Yet while most businesses have websites, not all of these are seeing the brisk level of sales that they could.
A well-designed retail website will not only help draw in customers, but it will encourage them to visit time and again. There are a few tips that can help you make sure your website stands out from the competition.
Choose from hundreds of templates, which you can customise to fit your unique brand
Use Professional Templates If you run a small business and don’t have the time or money to hire a professional web design team, you may want to look into all-in-one web hosting solutions.
These website builders will offer you the ability to pick and choose from hundreds of templates, which you can then customise to fit your unique brand.
The best templates will be elegant and easy to navigate. At the moment, minimalism is a top trend in web design.
Don’t be afraid to try out several different designs, changing fonts, colours, or other small details every couple of weeks and analysing the results.
This will help you determine the layout that will give you the best results.
Post Great Photos
Choosing the best website builder will get you off to a great start when it comes to web design. Yet the actual content that you post is extremely important. For online retailers, this will usually include photos and descriptions of physical products. Be sure not to underestimate the importance of a stylish, flattering photo.
Because customers won’t be able to see or touch the product in person, they will be relying on photos to make their purchasing decision. Photograph as many small details as possible, using sufficient lighting. Offering a 360 degree view of the product or even a short video of its use by a model can also enhance your web design.
Integrate a Reliable Payment Gateway
Although many online retailers add a shopping cart as a last minute detail, this is actually one of the most important facets of designing a successful retail website. You can lure the customer in with your appealing design and top-notch products, but if the checkout system is too lengthy and confusing you’ll lose the sale.
There are numerous payment gateways that you can connect to your website, including credit card companies and third-party processors such as PayPal. Using ecommerce software is a good way to connect these gateways to your website with seamless integration. Allow friends to try out your shopping cart system to see how it can be improved, always striving for a one-page payment process.
By paying attention to the various design features on your website and how they work together, you can create a unique shopping experience for your online customers. This will put you in line to share in the booming ecommerce market in Australia.
Hiring A Car In Australia Via Expedia
Hiring a car can be a pretty daunting prospect and it’s no wonder why; All of the small print and multiple insurance options, what have I signed up for? Was breakdown cover included? What happens if I have an accident? All this isn’t helped by those horror stories of unscrupulous companies piling on extra charges that you need a degree in advanced algebra to understand.
However, using online companies means that you can compare car hire prices from different rental companies from the comfort of your laptop rather than ringing around or walking into the nearest rental company at the airport. And, in order to wade through the minefield of terms and conditions, we have created an Aussie rules guide to car hire, which will help to translate any of the lingo you may come across, into something resembling understandable.
Check The Fuel Policy
Different companies have their own policy when it comes to fuel. A common one is that you pick up the car with a full tank and return it as empty as you can. This is good if you are not feeling confident enough to use a petrol station abroad but, if you don’t travel enough to empty the tank, it means you are paying for fuel you don’t use. So decide what’s best for your circumstances and be aware of this policy when shopping around.
Common Extra Charges
Companies that do require the hire car to be returned with a full tank will charge you much more than the same amount at a gas station, so make the effort to find a gas station near to where the car is to be returned and do it yourself for less. Insurance excess, this is the same as your own car insurance excess if the vehicle is damaged on return. It’s so, so important to check the vehicle thoroughly for any existing damage before you drive it off the lot so you are not held liable for it. Some companies offer an extra insurance to even cover the excess, so regardless of damage, you won’t be liable for any charge. In Australia this is commonly termed a Loss Damage Waiver (LDW). A similar policy is the Excess Reduction Fee (ERF) which, as it sounds, just brings down the price of the excess. Make sure you take an accident report telephone number from the rental company at the time of booking.
Road Rules
These vary slightly from state to state, so if you’re travelling through more than one state, do your research on the driving laws in each one.
Are You Old Enough?
In Australia, most car rentals will require the driver to be 25 years of age and hold a full driving licence, which you will need to produce before you will be allowed to take the vehicle. Younger drivers may still be able to hire, but will have many additional charges, much higher insurance fees and only be permitted to hire a vehicle from a limited group. Your driving licence should be in English with your photo ID and signature.
Facility Charge
This is the charge you will pay for being picked up from the airport or hiring your vehicle at the airport. Airports charge the rental companies this fee, which they pass on to the customer. If you wanted to save some money, find a car hire company near the airport, but not in it.
And remember, read over the agreement before you sign it and ASK if there is any part you don’t understand. You won’t be the first.
Experienced freelance writer, Lara Anderson, wrote this article. Lara specializes in providing travel advice for all destinations around Australia.
The material for this post was provided by Ray Keefe of Successful Endeavours who is an amateur astronomer and member of IceInSpace, the Australian Amateur Astronomy community. Australian astronomers are a surprisingly active group with some recent recognition on the world stage.
First there was Australian Astrographer, Colin Legg, who won the first prize in the David Malin Awards animation category to be covered in a future blog post.
And now Martin Pugh has been recognised in the Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition held by the Royal Observatory for his picture of the Whirlpool Galaxy.
IceInSpace run a monthly newsletter and have an extremely active forum allowing interaction between members on a wide range of topics. Typically a forum is more interaction than a blog and is a better format for a widely varying multi-way dialogue like this. You can check out the IceInSpace forums at http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/index.php.
A good example of the sort of news you get from them is the upcoming Solar Eclipse on 13th November which is visible in Australia just after dawn. If you are in Western Australia the sun will rise eclipsed!
