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I just love history

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I just love history

Category Archives: Important news

World ??? Day

31 Saturday Mar 2018

Posted by Susie Zada in Important news, Warnings

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Backup, Data, Recover, Restore

They say a lovely image of animals will attract people to a blog more than a boring photo or no photo at all.

This blog is about a ‘boring’ subject and has absolutely nothing to do with those adorable meerkats!

Who is responsible for World ??? Days?  Who decides what and when?  Who is responsible for maintaining THE list?  And who backs-up the list?

Have you picked up the hint?

Do you know what today / tomorrow is?

World BACKUP Day!

And if you wanted a boring image then this has to be it!

The image may be boring but the subject is SO important.  Remember how many hours you’ve spent researching and collecting your local or family history?  Can you imagine if that was all lost in a flash?

We all know of someone or heard of someone who has lost everything – hard drive failure, bushfires, floods, human errors?

They say the date is important because it’s the day before April Fool’s Day and of course no-one wants to be an April Fool.  Although it is a little difficult from the various articles to tell if World Backup Day is 31st March or 1st April.

It really doesn’t matter because in reality EVERY day is important but today is a good reminder of what you should be doing – backing up your data!

Dick Eastman reminds us at the beginning of every month to BACK UP YOUR DATA.

I was once manager of the I.T. Department of a large public hospital.  Our procedures were locked in stone – backup two copies to tape, then cycle what was called Grandfather – Father – Son backups.  We never missed and the operator signed the daily ops sheet to confirm it was done.  When the backup was completed, one set was put aside to be transported off-site so if anything happened to the computer room, mainframe, hard drives or local backups, there was always a safe copy kept off-site.

What could go wrong with such watertight procedures?

WE DIDN’T REGULARLY REVERSE THE PROCEDURE – we didn’t check restoring from the backup tapes!  We found out the hard way – when we tried to restore from backup – we found that our tape unit had a parity error which meant that for months ALL tapes were useless.

To recover the hospital’s vital database an expert had to be flown out from Blue Bell, Pennsylvania to Australia to ‘recreate’ that part of the database that was corrupted with the parity error – literally bit by bit.

Remember to regularly test that you can restore and read the files that you’ve backed up.

Today I got a new external 4 TB (terabyte) hard drive to backup my Desktop Computer, my Notebook Computer, my iPad, and my smart phone.  There are 1,024 gigabytes in a terabyte, and 1,024 megabytes in a gigabyte.  4 TB = 4,194,304 MB – that’s a LOT of room for backups.

It’s a PORTABLE Drive – it fits in a small padded zippered pouch that can travel with me or be stored elsewhere.  It’s my newest backup but I have 2 TB drives that I’ve tested restoring.

No system will be totally perfect but it’s better than nothing.

Have you backed up your precious files?  If not, DO IT NOW!

VAFHO Family History Expo in Sale, April 2018

20 Tuesday Feb 2018

Posted by Susie Zada in Events, Important news, VAFHO

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Family History Expo, Sale 2018, VAFHO

Start planning NOW to get to the VAFHO Family History Expo in Sale – it’s just 2 months away so a good time to make bookings and plan your visit to Sale.

VAFHO has a web site and blog that will continue to give you updates on the Expo – the details, the speakers, the exhibitors, and anything you need to know about the Expo.

Geelong Heritage Centre – this weekend

16 Thursday Nov 2017

Posted by Susie Zada in Events, Important news

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Geelong Heritage Centre, Research

 

A great opportunity for locals and out-of-towners to research at the Geelong Heritage Centre this weekend.

As part of the Word for Word Festival the Heritage Centre will be open Saturday AND Sunday this weekend.

SATURDAY: 10am – 5pm

SUNDAY: 10am – 4pm

Shoes – Glorious Shoes!

28 Monday Aug 2017

Posted by Susie Zada in Events, Important news, My projects

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Mobile, Progress, Walking

Do you know how wonderful it is to wear a pair of shoes for the first time in more than 3 months?  Obviously VERY low heels – but I’ve long given up wearing high heels anyway.

BUT, most importantly, the swelling is down enough for me to actually get my feet in the shoes.  A couple of visits to the physio and meticulously doing my exercises have paid off!

Still need lots more exercises and physio appointments to get me back to where I was but well on the way.

And I AM VERY HAPPY! 

Where things come together!

27 Thursday Jul 2017

Posted by Susie Zada in Events, Important news, My Family

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Chris Paton, Dirk Weissleder, DNA, English research, European research, German research, Irish research, Researching Abroad, Scottish research, Unlock the past

 

 

 

 

 

It is just over three weeks before these three images connect for me – and if you have any German (or European) ancestors it might just be where things come together for you.

What I’m talking about is the Researching Abroad Roadshow in Melbourne on Friday 18th August and Saturday 19th August, or check out the web site for other locations.

It is not just my German ancestry that makes the ‘Researching Abroad Roadshow’ in Melbourne an essential date in my calendar:

  • I have other European ancestors
  • I have Irish and English ancestors
  • My brother and I have both done DNA tests

The last time I wrote about this fast-approaching roadshow I was celebrating the fact that by now I would be free of my moon-boot.  Unfortunately not quite there – 3 weeks added to the immobility – BUT I WILL be free of it by the time I head to Bulleen in Melbourne.

Something I’ll share with you – for many years I avoided researching my ‘foreign’ ancestors – put it in the too hard basket because of the ‘language’.  It was much easier to concentrate on my English-speaking ancestors.  The trigger to me plunging in off the deep end was reading various journals from the Burwood & District Family History Group that included many articles on German immigrants to Australia.  I made amazing progress and I am looking forward to the next chapter at the Researching Abroad Roadshow.  If you’ve been frightened to take that step into ‘foreign’ research, this is the opportunity you want to grab with both hands!

See you there.

ADDENDUM: Oh, and while you’re looking at the UTP web site about the Roadshow you’ll find references to ‘OFFICIAL AMBASSADORS’ as per the logo at the beginning of this blog.  Yes, I’m an Official Ambassador and really appreciate the opportunity to promote the Researching Abroad Roadshow.  There was always the possibility that I physically couldn’t get there due to my broken ankle and I’m so glad that I’m going to make it.

That advice?

03 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by Susie Zada in Events, Important news, Warnings

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Cat food, Customer Service NOT, Woolworths

OK – trying to count to 20 and take some deep breaths.  I can’t believe that a so-called Customer Service person can be so aggressive and use a tone of voice that was just outright bullying.  This is the continuing saga from my last blog!

Yep, I raised my voice in the end and then pulled myself up and lowered it.  I asked if he believed his attitude was that of a good Customer Service person and what happened to the old adage that a customer is always right?

I don’t think that some Customer Service people from WOOLWORTHS understand the term ‘Customer Service’.

He wasn’t interested in the mistakes or lack of Customer Service made by WOOLWORTHS – and that image above is straight from the WOOLWORTHS online ordering web site.  All the ‘Customer Service’ supervisor wanted was to tell me what was on the Whiskas site.

He tried to tell me that 1+ was for ALL cats – kittens, adult, senior.

Well, why have 7+ items on the Whiskas web site?

And why have ADULT ones on the WOOLWORTHS web site?  The Customer Service expert said it was a mistake and shouldn’t be there and he’d get it removed immediately!  I asked why I had received one of those exact same boxes in the delivery last Wednesday (together with two totally different boxes)?  Obviously the last one on the shelf said the Customer Service expert.  And kept referring me to the Whiskas web site.

Well, it wasn’t Whiskas who delivered the incorrect items – it was WOOLWORTHS.  It wasn’t Whiskas who made promises on the phone – it was WOOLWORTHS – although I’ve given WOOLWORTHS 72 hours – not the 24 or 48 they had promised would result in a least a phone call.

I asked for and received a refund for the last order – that will take 3-5 business days.  I think the ‘Customer Service’ expert was pleased to be able to tick off another successful customer put down!  Still no food for my cat but I honestly can’t put up with the sort of aggressive conversation I had on the phone tonight.  It’s hard enough not being able to go to a shop / supermarket and find something suitable for my elderly cat without having to put up with that as well.

Some really good advice!

02 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by Susie Zada in Events, Important news, Personal History

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Cat food, Kitten food, patience, supermarket deliveries

AdultCatFoodNOTI can hear you saying – what has this got to do with history?  Simple – it’s part of MY life that I am recording here as part of my personal / family history!  Apart from that, it was so ridiculous and unbelievable I needed to share it with you.

Large Companies and organisations pay mega-bucks to other companies to be consultants and provide a report full of ‘helpful’ advice.

I am not charging one cent to give some really good advice … do NOT aggravate or upset someone who:

  • is in pain
  • is forced to use a service they don’t want to use
  • has to rely on that service for essential items
  • is completely immobile (adding to the frustration levels)
  • has a lot of time on their hands
  • doesn’t appreciate non-delivery of a service – not ONCE, not TWICE, but THREE times
  • loves writing blogs

OK – I guess that sums me up at the moment.  The only thing I’m not doing in this blog is NAMING the company – that will happen if they don’t rectify the problem by midnight tonight – as requested.

If you haven’t caught up on ‘the news’ of the moment, have a read of an earlier blog.  And, yes, Virgin Airlines definitely did the right thing as you’ll find on the follow-up blog.

So what has upset me this time?

Due to my immobility I have had to use online supermarket shopping and delivery.  Initially I was reasonably impressed and I particularly like the way my previous purchases over a number of months were displayed to I could purchase EXACTLY THE SAME PRODUCT as when I was mobile.  My first order and delivery was early in June.  That order included 3 boxes of

Whiskas adult cat food oh so meaty poultry dishes 12x85g

And they delivered the correct items – selected from my previous purchase list!

My next two orders didn’t include this item but my order last Tuesday, for delivery on Wednesday, did include it – 3 boxes, again selected from my previous purchase list.

If you haven’t used this service before, the items are delivered in plastic shopping bags and placed on a bench or table.  You are then required to sign the order form or the iPad so the driver can leave and get onto the next delivery.  Then you start to unpack each bag full of items.

WEDNESDAY – what happened to my 3 boxes of the above item?  I got 3 DIFFERENT boxes – one box that I HAD ordered, one was meat chunks (not POULTRY) and one box was clearly marked “1+” meaning for a 1 year old kitten – definitely not ADULT.

I called the number you’re supposed to ring if your order wasn’t correct … and waited, and waited, and waited, and waited, and eventually got onto a human being.  I explained the problem and received the expected platitudes.  I explained that my ADULT cat would only each the poultry dishes.

Action:

  • was given credit for the two incorrect items
  • was given a bonus voucher for $15 for my angst
  • I had to put in a new order for the ‘correct’ items
  • I had to order a minimum of $50 worth of goods to get a free delivery
  • notes were taken to guarantee that the RIGHT items were delivered

NOT HAPPY but I put in a new order to be delivered the next day – Thursday – so my darling cat wouldn’t starve – I wanted the food to get ‘us’ through to the date I hoped I would be moon-boot free and have a bit bit of mobility.

Because I had to order $5

0 worth of goods, I ordered 5 x boxes of the ADULT POULTRY items and two packets of the Whiskas biscuits he eats – that got me over the limit to get free delivery.

THURSDAY – items delivered.  Stupid me let the driver leave as soon as I’d signed the delivery docket.  He plonked the bags down and was well gone by the time I limped to the table to unpack them.

2 packets of biscuits were the right ones – selected from my previously purchased list.

5 boxes of Adult Poultry items – WRONG!  Instead I received 5 boxes of 1+ kitten items.  Check the delivery docket – definitely had the ADULT ones I requested.

To say I was gob-smacked would be an understatement.

On the phone again – waiting, and waiting, and waiting etc. etc. etc. etc.

I politely made it clear that I WASN’T going to order another $50+ worth of goods to get free delivery.  I was reassured that as the impossible had happened – incorrect items two orders and days in a row, I would get an extra credit voucher, I would get an extra free delivery voucher, and on top of that I would receive a delivery the following day – FRIDAY – of the 5 boxes and no charge for anything.

So, it shouldn’t have happened twice but to be absolutely certain I asked if it would help if I photographed one of the correct boxes and emailed it to ensure the pickers couldn’t possibly get it wrong a third time.

What a great idea!  So I photographed the last box in my pantry and emailed it to ‘the Company’ ready for the delivery the next day.

FRIDAY – I’d been reassured it shouldn’t have happened twice in a row and that it definitely couldn’t happen three times / days in a row but guess what they delivered – 5 boxes of the 1+ KITTEN food!!!!!!!!!!!

When the driver arrived I said I wouldn’t sign anything until I’d inspected the contents of the bags,  I was explaining what had happened previously – and showed him the INCORRECT 5 boxes sitting on my table from Thursday’s delivery as well as the earlier 2 boxes from the Wednesday’s delivery.

We were both gobsmacked as we opened the bags he delivered to find the WRONG boxes – all 1+ KITTEN food.  He was furious, grabbed his phone, and rang the ‘special’ number.  11 minutes later he still hadn’t got through!

In the end he had to leave – and he left behind all the wrong boxes – said there was no point in taking them back until they delivered the RIGHT boxes.  He DID take an empty box from the delivery at the beginning of June – to make sure the pickers got it right – the FOURTH time!

Take a look at the picture at the top – can YOU pick the ONE correct box?

They deliver on the weekend – I requested a delivery Saturday or at least before midnight tonight (Sunday).

IT’S NOT LOOKING PROMISING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Less than 3 days – Vic BDMs

28 Wednesday Jun 2017

Posted by Susie Zada in Essentials, Events, Important news

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Increased cost, Price rise, Vic BDM Certificates

Read the details on my other blog – time to get a move on and save money!

Am I excited? YES!!

25 Sunday Jun 2017

Posted by Susie Zada in Events, Important news, My Family

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Chris Paton, Dirk Weissleder, DNA, English research, European research, German research, Irish research, Researching Abroad, Scottish research, Unlock the past

No – I’m not mobile yet – still in a moon-boot – BUT I have got something fantastic to look forward to.  I’m not sure how much the excitement is due to (fingers crossed) maybe getting rid of the moon-boot in 3 weeks and getting some mobility OR going to the ‘Researching Abroad Roadshow’ in Melbourne.  I think the latter – after all a bit of pain, discomfort and lack of mobility definitely doesn’t dampen the excitement of discovering more about my ancestors!

And why does this Roadshow excite me?

  • I have German ancestors
  • I have other European ancestors
  • I have Irish and English ancestors
  • My brother and I have both done DNA tests

I’ve got heaps more to say about this Roadshow but time for that in more blogs.  In the meantime reserve Friday 18th August and Saturday 19th August for the Melbourne Roadshow, or check out the web site for other locations.

I hope to see heaps of you at Bulleen in Melbourne – mobile and moon-boot free!

And something my caring and thoughtful brother posted on my Facebook page!

He really does care!

Image result for smiling emoji

ADDENDUM: Oh, and while you’re looking at the UTP web site about the Roadshow you’ll find references to ‘OFFICIAL AMBASSADORS’ as per the logo at the beginning of this blog.  Yes, I’m an Official Ambassador and really appreciate the opportunity to promote the Researching Abroad Roadshow.  There was always the possibility that I physically couldn’t get there due to my broken ankle and I’m so glad that I’m going to make it.

Moving ahead – with your help

08 Wednesday Feb 2017

Posted by Susie Zada in Database and Indexes, Essentials, Events, Important news, My projects

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database, Geelong and District, help needed

reallysadThings are starting to happen and with your help I can get rid of the really really sad face.

Here’s how you can contribute.

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Recent Posts

  • Always check the HOME page April 5, 2018
  • World ??? Day March 31, 2018
  • Finding records on PROV website March 27, 2018
  • Yarrawonga Family History Group March 18, 2018
  • VAFHO Family History Expo in Sale, April 2018 February 20, 2018

Upcoming Events

  • GDHA Meeting May 12, 2018 at 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Cape Clear Recreation Reserve Hall, Cape Clear, Victoria Geelong and District Historical Association quarterly meeting
  • Kings Genie Talk: Family History - Fun and Free May 16, 2018 at 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm 130 Bellarine Hwy, Newcomb VIC 3219, Australia Speaker: Susie Zada. Midwives and Nurses: researching female ancestors
  • Warrnambool Family History Seminar May 19, 2018 Warrnambool VIC 3280, Australia Various speakers
  • GFHG Meeting May 23, 2018 at 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm Belmont Library, 163 High St, Geelong VIC 3216, Australia Presenter: John Stewart. Topic: Getting the most out of TROVE
  • GSV Thursday Talk May 24, 2018 at 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Level 6, 85 Queen St, Melbourne Vic 3000 Speaker: Susie Zada. Topic: Victorian Land Titles and documents - from Old to New
  • GFHG Meeting June 27, 2018 at 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm Belmont Library, 163 High St, Geelong VIC 3216, Australia Presenter: Max Beck. Topic: Max will talk about his book A Different Earth - about his gg-grandparents journey from Cornwall to the Burra copper mines in South Australia.   
  • Wodonga Family History Group July 17, 2018 Speaker: Susie Zada. Topic: Australian Wills & Probate and Indexes
  • GFHG Meeting July 25, 2018 at 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm Belmont Library, 163 High St, Geelong VIC 3216, Australia Presenters: Two DNA gurus - confirmed but names will be divulged closer to the date! Topic: DNA Testing for Family History: Basics & Examples. A webinar / online presentation with a question and answer session at the end (technology permitting).

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  • World ??? Day
  • Finding records on PROV website
  • Yarrawonga Family History Group
  • VAFHO Family History Expo in Sale, April 2018

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