COMPUTER and INTERNET HELP
for HOME and BUSINESS
Merlin's Computer and Interent Help for both novices and experts, at home and in business,
including a Glossary of computer and Internet terms,
a Web page full of popular Internet Search Engines and Directories, and
a full description of Rob's RITS! (Rampant Information Technology Syndrome).

QUICK Navigation

Site map
Search engines page (full list)
Search engines page (abridged)
Computer and Internet Tips and Hints
Govt and other Useful Information
on-line Glossary
Merlin's Techno-Guide
Rob's RITS!
Contact us
About us

To Search this site, see the
PicoSearch facility below

Hint#1 - Hold the mouse cursor over these Hint Buttons to display hints for newer Web Surfers. ?NEED HELP?
Is technology confusing?
Too much computer jargon?
Hard to keep up with computer developments?
Maybe you're a business manager and
not really a computer expert?
Perhaps a new-comer wanting to understand more?

(1) Internet Search Engines and Directories
A web page listing a number of Australian and international search engine web sites.

(2) Alternatives to Microsoft's expensive software.
You don't have to pay large sums of money for office productivity software.
There are alternatives. 
The Open Source community and Sun Microsystems continue to develop the OpenOffice software package.
I stopped using MS Office a while ago, and I use OpenOffice for almost everything I do.
That is, for written documents, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics.
Here is one link to get you started.

(3) Useful computer and Internet Tips, Hints and Shortcuts
plus Fact Sheets, and sample Policy documents for business (or home).
Some clues to help you with your use of computers, Microsoft Windows, software and the Internet; and keyboard shortcuts to help save you time and do less typing (lazy people and power users will love them).
Sample Policy documents (eg. "Acceptable web surfing habits", etc.).
Also Tables and Reference Information including:
Useful tables of special characters and codes.
Easily insert special characters into your documents, charts, etc. (eg. ©, ±, ¼, ÷, —).
Also information about number systems
(decimal, binary, hex); and a
table of ASCII character codes.

Hint#2(a) - The underlined blueish/purplish text here (like on many Web pages) is indicating a link to another Web page. Hold the mouse cursor over the text to possibly see more information about the next page. Click on the text to display that page. (4) On-line GLOSSARY Hint#2(b) - Once you have visited the web page that the link leads to, the link might be shown in a purplish colour and not blue. (These colours can vary from page to page as they are set by the Web page designer/programmer.)
of Terms and Jargon
including Web Terminology.

(5) Merlin's Techno Guide
Click here for information about the latest up-to-date desktop companion
of Computer Terms and Jargon.

(6) Beware - Rob's "RITS!"
(Rampant Information Technology Syndrome)
Click here for clues on how to avoid falling for the traps related to computer purchase and usage.

Trouble-shooting and Support Services
for home and business
in Melbourne's eastern suburbs.

Search this web site for keywords using the PicoSearch search engine:

PicoSearch

Hint#3 - After clicking on an option above, one way that you can return to this page is by clicking on the BACK button on your browser's toolbar near the top left corner of the screen. You may need to click it more than once. Hint#4 - NOTE: Some links on Web pages will display another Web page in the SAME window, but some links will open a NEW window to display the page. If a NEW window is opened, then the BACK button won't take you back to the previous page.
More and better hints are being added from time to time to help newer Web Surfers.

This site built and maintained by Robert B. Brain .
Please feel free to send feedback
and suggestions by email.
Send emails to: brain at the domain: hotkey.net.au
(Sorry, but this email address is coded to elude spammers).
© Copyright 1999-2008, Colonial Pioneer Publishing
(ABN: 52 791 744 975).

This site first put up on 9th June 1999, and
last updated on 5th September, 2008.

My ISP is Hotkey http://www.hotkey.net.au,
and I now use Trellian to maintain the Web pages
(a free Open Source tool).

Look here for a record of recent key site changes.

Search Engines and Directories
(in a new window)
(a) FULL LIST
or
(b) ABRIDGED LIST
(The Abridged List page is better if you have a slower modem as it will down-load faster.)

Australian On-line Telephone Directories
(in a new window)

Link to the AUSTRALIAN White Pages Telephone Directory Web Site
Link to the AUSTRALIAN Yellow Pages Telephone Directory Web Site

This site:

  • Contains no Flash
  • Contains no Java script
  • Does not use Cookies
  • Can be viewed with older browsers
  • Can be viewed at 600x480 or better
  • Is not optimised for higher resolutions and still works fine
  • Does not ask for, or capture, any of your personal information
  • Does not require you to register.

:-))

As Web Master of this site, and being very sympathetic to smaller businesses, I strive to keep updating this Web Site with useful information and tools for
people in business,
as well as people at home who are struggling to understand more about today's computers.

Robert B. Brain
(Consultant, author,
publisher and WebMaster)
Melbourne
Australia