Obligatory first post – don’t expect Shakespeare

In preparation for my start with Readify in March 2008, now seemed as good a time as any to actually start my own blog.

While I read plenty (200+) of blogs, I’ve never really considered starting my own. But I figure with the shift to the virtual workforce, it might be worth playing around with the concept a little. At the very least it will give the rest of Readify an insight into my thoughts and what I have been up to. It remains to be seen whether this is a good or a bad thing.

This post is really more of a stream of consciousness for me to note down what I need to do in preparation for the move to Readify:

• Decide on any shift in internet plans. At this stage I am on Optus cable on the older ‘yes’ Sprint plan for about $36 a month – 2GB peak, 4GB offpeak (128kbps upload). This is currently fine for me – I only use the internet for light browsing and downloading podcasts for my Zune. But a shift to ‘yes’ Advantage for $45 a month may be in order – 7GB peak, 14GB offpeak (256kbps upload). That coupled with Vodafone’s 5GB mobile broadband for $39 a month is likely to cover most of my requirements (I think). Based on feedback I have been getting on the poor performance of Vodafone’s offering, I am leaning instead towards 20GB peak, 40GB offpeak with Optus cable, and no mobile solution.
• Setup new banking arrangements. If I ever work for a financial institution again and consider getting a credit card or variable interest rate loan with them, please smack me in the head (especially considering that our tax system calculates the reportable fringe benefit amount based on the statutory interest rate rather than the actual staff discount on the loan). Having to contact my telco, ISP, VoIP provider etc etc to give them new credit card details is going to suck. I should have just stuck with the Credit Union. Grrr.
• Decide on a new phone to buy. I’ve historically been a cheapskate on the mobile phone front. I’ve generally bought cheap Nokia phones and used prepaid SIM cards. Now I need to find one with Windows Mobile, (and hopefully GPS). But which to choose? And how long will I be able to hold out until replacing it with a Xperia?
• Decide on a new laptop to buy. I currently only have one laptop in the house, and that is to use as a portable DVD player for long trips in the car (for the kids). It sure isn’t useful for anything practical (256MB RAM – woohoo). I have to wait until my probationary period finishes up anyway – so maybe better to wait and see what the new Penryn-based models look like…
• Decide on a wireless router for at home. The ASUS WL-500gP and Linksys WRT54GL look to be the most appropriate. I generally prefer Linksys hardware (my VoIP box is a Linksys SPA3102) but the ASUS does include USB ports to allow sharing of USB printers (or sharing of 3G USB modems if you are willing to use third party firmware). Of course the Draytek Vigor 2910 would be a good option too – but at more than double the price we might have to knock it out of the running. Decisions, decisions…