Bogus technical support, 2011

Do not accept technical support phone calls from people you don't know.

There is a big scam about that involves people being called by fake technical support people. Accepting their advice may result in lost money and lost security of your PC.

The crooks cold-call people at home and claim to be calling from Microsoft or a well-known security firm and offering "free security checks".

See this link for more details of the scam.

Some websites have been behaving in the same way tricking folks into downloading expensive and bogus "Security programs" see for more details see this link.

For good advice on home internet security see books such as this.

Lets be safe out there.

Gannett

The last resort - Zimbabwe's story from the inside

I have just finished "The last resort" by Douglas Roger. A book about the author's retired parents struggle to hold on to a small bar and lodging business in Zimbabwe. Set during the difficult years after the shine and sanity of independence had disintegrated into rapacious tribal greed and decimating political turmoil.

This book is a great read documenting the true face of how post colonial Africa can go so very very wrong. A human story of courage and determination told from the ground floor of a society with a very broken government.

Read this book and understand just how bad the ordinary working folks of a once prosperous nation were driven into grinding poverty and destitution by a deluded political leader.

Cheers

Gannett

Wrz my cheezburger ?

Spent three days and nights game spotting in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi based at the delightful Masinda Lodge. The better weather in the area has enabled a recovery from the droughts of recent years so the game spotting was good. With Rhino, Elephant, Giraffe and Impala in abundance there were plenty of great photo opportunities. Also a pack of African wild dogs were spotted. Mr Hyena in photo was caught lurking round the BBQ pit.

More details about Hluhluwe game park here.

From Deepest Africa, An Innovation for open src..

Gnu porn

Shape Shifter Plagues Karoo Town - From Local South African News paper -

From "The Mercury (Independent newspaper of KwaZulu Natal) published Tuesday , April 26, 2011

Shape-shifter plagues Karoo town

A "MONSTER" plaguing the sleepy Karoo town of Steytierville struck again over the Easter weekend, Eastern Cape police said yesterday. Another two sightings of the "shape-shifting creature" were reported· on Sunday evening, said Warrant Officer Zandisile Nelani. "Two men were walking near a tavern when they saw a man wearing a black jacket. One of the men, identified only as Nozipho, went up to the stranger and asked him, "What is your problem?," said Nelani.

When the stranger did not respond, Nozipho went closer and saw that the man had no head. The man then turned into a dog that was "very angry" and "as big as a cow", Nelani said. He said that as they ran away, the monster allegedly turned on another group of people in the same road. "They said it turned into a big monkey, and then it was' gone," Nelani said. Last week police were told by residents that the monster changed shape while one looked at it. One man had reported that it changed from a man wearing a suit into a pig and then into a bat.

There had also been rumours that it could fly. Previously, it had only been seen near the church. It had even been seen peering through the windows during a service, but had vanished by the time the congregation went outside. Nelani said that the community had dubbed the monster "Bawokozi", meaning "brother-in-law". "It is a very strange thing happening in Steytierville, but no one has been hurt by it," Nelani said. - Sapa .

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I think the clue is in the Phrase " "Two men were walking near a tavern when ... "

Cheers

Gannett

Just Back from South Africa had a great time down there.

Just back from South Africa and had a great time down there.

In a local Spar store Marmite Cheese spread was discovered. I can report that this local South African delicacy has a mostly cheesy flavor with just a hint of Marmite. It may not be strong enough for the hard core Marmararti but does go well for a novelty. More notes here.

In a local book store "50 People who stuffed up South Africa" by Alexander Parker. These biting satirical portraits are complimented by sketches by Zapiero. A very good read that provides an insight into a cross section of South African history and the people who held key turning points in their hands and failed. More notes here.

Good times.

Gannett

And here is the perfect crossover product

In a neat follow up to the previous post we have the perfect cross over product between the Yin and Yang of fine foods.

"Very Peculiar Milk Chocolate, with A hint of marmite indulgaence a perplexing treat that bewilders the tastebuds."

Cheers

Gannett

The Yin and Yang of fine foods.

This wall hanging most certainly falls into the category of "It's not art but I like it."

On the top row we have a selection of 100g bars of Green and Black's.In order from left to right we have Myan Gold, Ginger, Butterscotch, Milk, 70% Dark and White. Certainly a fine collection of desirable chocolate.

On the bottom row we have even more objects of desire being a collection of special editions Marmites. From Left to right we have Original, Guinness, Champaign, Marston, XO and Squeesy. A real treat for the marmarati.

G&B chocolate and Marmite, the Yin and Yang of fine foods mmmmmmmmmm. All I need now to complete the display is a small metal hammer and a note saying "Break glass in case of emergency".

Cheers

Gannett

PS: Thanks to Steve for donating the display case, the like of which I had been looking for ages.