Just Not That

Here are a few dinosaur/reptile pictures I created from a photo taken at the South African Museum. Print it out and let the kids colour them in.

Stegosaurus

Styracosaurus

Tyrannosaurus Rex

Allosaurus

Tortoise

Crocodile

Macroplata

Diplodocus

Ankylosaurus

Snake

You often hear people talking about saving money by making phone calls over the internet. This may sound complicated but in reality it is easy. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is the term for voice communication over the internet.

VoIP requires a broadband / ADSL internet connection. In a previous post I explained what ADSL is and what equipment you need.

When you get started, try to use the same ITSP (Internet Telephony Service Provider) as the people you would like to phone most often. In order to phone people for free, you need to ensure that you are using the same provider.

Popular providers are SIP providers (e.g. Sipgate), Skype and Google Talk

From

Equipment

What you need to make VoIP calls (without a switched on PC)

• An ADSL modem/router with a VoIP/FXS port *** (the FXS port turn your standard or cordless telephone into a VoIP phone and allows you to make VoIP and normal PSTN calls) or
• a VoIP/Skype compatible cordless phone e.g. the RTX DUALphone 3088 for Skype, the Philips VOIP321 VoIP And Skype Compatible Digital Cordless Telephone
  or the Siemens Gigaset A580 IP DECT Cordless Phone – Black or
• an Internet Phone Adapter or
• an IP Phone

What you need to make VoIP calls using your PC

• One of the following options:
  • the best Logitech webcam you can afford with a built-in microphone for making calls with video and PC speakers or
  • a standalone microphone and PC speakers or
  • a headset or
  • a USB phone (only works when your PC is switched on) or
  • a downloaded Softphone like the X-Lite or Skype

*** Entry level ADSL modems with VoIP ports: Dlink DVA-G3672B, Siemens Gigaset 762SX, Billion 7401VGP, Netgear DG834GV, Billion 800VGT,

Broadband is a generic term for fast internet access. Broadband is typically available in three formats: ADSL, Wireless and 3G (mobile). The most suitable one depends on your requirements. If you have a desktop pc or require internet access mostly from home, then ADSL is probably the best choice as it gives the most consistent speed. ADSL is broadband that works through your existing phone line.

Why get ADSL?

1. You can access the internet between 7 and 73 times faster than a normal dial-up connection.
2. You can connect to the internet and still make and receive calls on your telephone.
3. ADSL is always connected to the internet (when your modem is switched on) and you are not charged per minute. Instead you pay a fixed monthly amount.

What do I need to get ADSL?

1. An ADSL enabled telephone line
2. Internet Service Provider (ISP)
3. ADSL Modem
4. Microfilters (one for each telephone in your household)

How do I get ADSL in South Africa?

Only Telkom can provide your ADSL line. You can order this through some ISPs if you do not want to deal with Telkom directly.

1. Ensure your PC meets the minimum requirements.
2. Verify ADSL availability in your area.
3. Order the ADSL line. I recommend calling 10219 as I had problems ordering through the web site. If you are reasonably computer literate then you can choose the cheaper self-install option. Make a note of the order number, you will need it later.
4. Buy an ADSL modem through Telkom or any other supplier. Which modem to choose depends again on your needs:
   • If you only have a desktop pc that stands close to your telephone socket, you do not need a wireless modem. This is the cheapest option.
   • If you want to access the modem e.g. from a laptop using wireless, then you need a modem with Wifi.
   • If you want to phone friends or family overseas using your normal phone, then I suggest getting a modem with at least one FXS port (supports voip/vobb). Examples of these are the Billion 800VGT and Siemens Gigaset 762SX.
5. Buy extra microfilters at your nearest Telkom Direct shop.
6. Sign up with an ISP. I currently use Afrihost
7. When Telkom notifies you that your ADSL line is ready, install all the equipment and enable the line.

Amazing to see that whenever you need something, somebody is ready to provide it. In my case I wanted to make potjiekos on a Weber. As potjiekos cooks for hours, one will have to add more charcoal/wood during the cooking process.

One solution would be to use a standard potjie stand (see below) and rest it on something like drip pans to prevent the legs from sticking through the bottom grid.

I found the perfect solution in a hardware store – a really good design that will work for both flat bottomed and legged potjies and keep the pot at the right level. The potjie fits perfectly in the centre and there is enough space to keep the fire going.

I received the following Weber cookbook as a gift and can recommend it.

If you are not in South Africa get some Weber grilling ideas from Weber cookbooks available onAmazon.com

Information on 24 hour pharmacies are difficult to find and I know how frustrating it can be when you need a pharmacy after hours. Please call the pharmacy to ensure the information is still correct before you drive there.

Atlantic Seaboard

Wheelers Pharmacy – The Passage Way, Main Road, Hout Bay (021 7903136) 08:30 – 19:00 (Mon-Fri), 08:30-18:00 (Sat), 09:00-18:00 (Sun & Public Holidays)
Glengariff Pharmacy – 2 Main Road, Three Anchor Bay (021 4348622) 08:00-22:00 09:00 – 22:00 (Wed), 09:00 – 21:00 (Sun & Public Holidays)

City

Litekem Pharmacy – 24 Darling Street, City Center near the station (021 4618040) 08:00 – 23:00 (Mon-Fri), 09:00 – 23:00 (Sat, Sun & Public Holidays)
Woolworths Pharmacy – Lifestyle Centre, 50 Kloof Street, Gardens (021 4220155) 09:00 – 19:00 (Mon-Fri), 09:00 – 14:00 (Sat, Sun)
Clicks V&A Waterfront – Shop 7113 Lower Level, Victoria Wharf, V&A Waterfront (021 4183800) 09:00-21:00
Clicks Gardens Centre – Gardens Centre Mill Street, Gardens 08:30-20:00 (Fri only)

Northern Suburbs

UniKem Pharmacy – International terminal – departures, Cape Town International Airport 24h
M-Kem Pharmacy – Durban Road, Bellville (021 9485702/6/7) 24h
Clicks Cape Gate – Shop No.S51 Cnr. De Bron & Okavango Rd, Kuils River (021 9820026) 09:00-21:00 09:00 – 17:00 (Sun & public holidays)
Durbell CapeGate – CapeGate Centre, Brackenfell (021 982 8077) 08:30-20:00 08:30-19:00 (Sat) 09:00-17:00 (Sun)
Durbell Palm Grove – Palm Grove Centre, Durbanville (021 975 6570) 08:00-21:00 09:00-18:00 (Sun)
Clicks Cobble Walk – Shop 55 Cobble Walk Shopping Centre CNR De Villiers & Verdi BLVD Sonstraal, Durbanville (021 9794277) 09:00-20:00 (Mon-Fri) 08:00-19:00 (Sat) 09:00-17:00 (Sun & Public Holidays)
Clicks Tygervalley Intercare – Tygervalley Health Centre 43 Old Oak Road (02 19142544) 07:00-21:00 (Mon-Fri) 08:00-21:00 (Sat, Sun & Public Holidays)

Southern Suburbs

Wynberg Pharmacy – 222 Main Road, Wynberg (021 7978141) Monday-Saturday: 8am-10pm. Sundays and public holidays: 8.30am-10pm
Webb & Savoy Pharmacy – 34 Main Road, Cnr Main & Gordon Road, Mowbray (021 6898923)
Clicks Central Square Pinelands – Shop 6, Central Building, Central Square, Pinelands (021 5310075) 08:30-20:00 09:00-08:00 (Sun & Public Holidays)
Clicks Kenilworth Centre – Shop 58 Kenilworth Centre Doncaster Road (021 6832942) 08:30-21:00 (Fri only)
Clicks Cavendish – Shop F13 Cavendish Square Cnr Cavendish & Dreyer Streets (021 6743115) 09:00-21:00 (Fri only)

West Coast

Dis-chem – Shop 41, Ground floor, Canal Walk, Century City (021 552 0161) 09:00 – 21:00
Clicks – 103 Lower Level, Canal Walk, Centre Century City (021 5551740) 09:00 – 21:00
JB’s Pharmacy – 15 Flamingo Square, Table View (021 557 4499) not 24h (to verify opening times)
Durbell Big Bay – Shop 9 Seaside Village, Big Bay (021 554 5037) 08:00-20:00
Clicks Eden on the Bay – Shop 65 Eden on the Bay Shopping Centre Big Bay Estate, Table View (021 5543702) 09:00-20:00 (Mon-Fri) 08:00-19:00 (Sat) 09:00 – 18:00 (Sun & Public Holidays)
Clicks Parklands Intercare – Shop 3 The Piazza Centre cnr Parklands Main Road & Link Road, Parklands (021 5561190) 08:00-20:00 (Mon-Fri) 08:00-18:00 (Sat) 08:00-16:00 (Sun)

Winelands

Die Boord Pharmacy – Safraan Avenue, Stellenbosch (021 8879400) 24h
Arcade Pharmacy – 122 Main Road, Somerset West (021 8517130) 24h

Let me know of other pharmacies that stay open till late…