Blogger custom domain not working without www

Tech Tip for blogger

Your www.<websitename>.com is working perfectly but without the 'www' it fails! Why? You need to 'forward' the domain.

1. Follow blogger instructions to setup your DNS CName settings with your domain supplier. Make sure its working with www.<websitename>.com (in Blogger and domain supplier)
2. Update your settings for 'forwarding' with domain supplier
3. Click the box next to Redirect <websitename>.com to www.<websitename>.com  in Blogger

Took me a while to figure out why the website name without the www was not working. Seems like a simple solution!

Cheers,
Kiwi Dee

Napier Art Deco Video 1980's Goodness

A friend of mine shared the below video on Facebook and I thought it was too good not to share on here.

Have a good wee giggle at the amazing 80s haircuts and fashion, plus the awkward pauses for effect in the video. But looking past that and the somewhat horrible music.. there is some good facts in there about Napier Art Deco!



Ahh just love the oldness goodness of it! It is a smidgeon long... I will hunt round for a more up to date, faster vid!

Hope you are having an awesome end to 2014!

Cheers,

Kiwi Dee xx

Top 5 Art Deco Buildings in Napier

If you are a cruise shipper, backpacker, day tripper, or even a local in Napier, New Zealand then if you go to these 5 buildings you will get a good sense of the architecture and feel of Art Deco Napier.

Stop faffing around with those boring brochures and get all you need from here!
Note - 4 of the buildings are walkable but the Tobacco building in Ahuriri is a ride away.

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1. National Tobacco Company 1933

Address: 1 Ossian St, Ahuriri, Napier 4110, New Zealand

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2. Municipal Theatre 1937

Our Theatre an ultimate site link

Address: 119 Tennyson St, Napier South, Napier 4110, New Zealand

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3. The Telegraph Building 1933

Address: 49 Tennyson Street Napier, New Zealand

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4. Hawkes Bay Museum and Art Gallery 1937
 

Address: Corner of Herschell and Browning Street Napier NZ

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5. ASB Building 1932

Address: 100 Hastings Street Napier, NZ

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This is the closest you will get to living in The Great Gatsby time. If you are fortunate to visit during Art Deco weekend in February it is an amazing site!

Hope you enjoy the beautiful city of Napier.

Kiwidee over and out! xx

10 Reasons to live in Hawkes Bay, NZ

Napier, Hawkes Bay 

In no particular order;

1. Vying for a seat at the corporate watering hole is nonexistent . Peace, sunshine, and lush grass at lunchtime is so easy.
2. Jandals and jeans are acceptable as work attire. Forget the blazer, you will feel overdressed.
3. Feel like you are on a constant holiday, slowed down pace, not too busy.
4. Napier I swear is growing more 'hipster'. Young people are taking back the town! In addition Havelock North seems to be developing a trendy foodie scene with popular eateries popping up left right and centre. Pipi, Mamacita and Namaskar India to name a few. No real clubbing scene but if you can't be bothered there's no pressure to go out. Save it for a trip to the big city.
5. You know someone wherever you go, but it's easy to avoid people too... Personal space is just a perfect amount.
6. Parking or travel times due to traffic is not a problem.
7. You can be super rural, or super townie within 10 mins 
8. The traffic is relaxing. You may think it's annoying going an average speed of 80kms on open rd but you will soon realise trying to go faster is a fruitless exercise. No other choice but to lax out and go with the flow. The commute does not exist. 
9. The people are down to earth and most have a warm smile on their dial. Plenty of clubs, societies and social groups to join. Personally I love the theatre scene. Napier operatic society is like having a rent-a-friend crowd. Awesome friends get made. It's hard if you don't get out and get involved though. Make an effort and people will pop out of the woodwork. Hawke's bay locals are cliquey but break into them and you will find the best friends you could ask for.
10. The weather is always great. Sunny Hawke's bay is what it's called. Best climate in NZ. Summer weather is beautiful.

Pano of the Open Air Black Barn Cinema in Havelock North Hawkes Bay.

I can still think of many good reasons to live in the bay but this is a good taster...

Some places to look up if wanting to live/work hb:

• Kiwibank call centre, 
• ABB
• No where! Do your own start up business.
• Watties
• Port of Napier
• Fastway
• Big Save HQ
• J.B Bostock
• Furnware
• Wineries galore
• Orchards
• SMEs
• Tourism

KiwiDee over and out xx

Turn off Automatic Mark as Unread in MS Outlook

If you are like me and skim read the messages in your Outlook first, then go back to action them then turning off the automatic 'mark as unread' is very useful.

See below for turning this function off in Microsoft Outlook 2010

1. Click View
2. Click Reading Pane
3. Click Options

3. Un-tick the 'Mark Item as read when selection changes'

4. Press OK and enjoy a more 'you' outlook!

Cheers,
KiwiDee

Easy Microsoft Project 2010 Tutorial

Watch the presentation below with easy context and YouTube videos embedded.
Note this is designed for students in a Project Management class so a few things may not make sense.



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The embedded Youtube videos (3 parts) are in the Prezi above but these are the direct links:



Part 1 of 3 Microsoft Project Tutorial 
How to get a kick start into using Microsoft Project 2010 - entering tasks, duration's and predecessors. 




Part 2 of 3 MS Project 2010
Shows grouping tasks, fixing up the chart, adding resources, assigning resources and setting baseline.




Part 3 of 3 MS Project Tutorial
Includes Task Completion, how to implement changes and view the tracking Gantt Chart, view overall budget and time changes.
_________________________________________________________________________________

Background
This was created as part of my studies required me to put together a digital technology learning module and I chose MS Project 2010. It follows the 4 stages of Project Management - Initiation, Planning, Implementation and Closing. I tried not to make it boring and really informative !

Cheers,
KiwiDee

How to Screenshot

Makes your life so much easier when you want to share something you find on your computer (and errors in software - really good to send to the IT crowd if you need serious help!).

Computer:

1. Ctrl, Alt, PrtSrn

2. Ctl C and Ctrl V into document or email

3. You can further crop the screen shot in Microsoft Word by clicking on the image and following the below:

iPhone: 

1. Top tun off button and main home button at the same time

2. You will find the image under your Photos in the phone

3. Click the wee square with arrow in it (share button) if you want to email or message others about it.

Other
Install a screen capture tool on your device like
- Green Shot on PC
- Just take a picture of the computer screen with your camera! easy :) Although wont be very nice quality image
- http://lifehacker.com/5218155/five-best-screen-capture-tools

Cheerio!

KiwiDee

Top Solo Girl Travel Tips

Roman Forum in Roma

In 2011 I had the time of my life, I packed up my bag put my courageous face on and ventured on my first adventure out of New Zealand.

With three months traveling around Europe/UK I quickly learnt ways to keep myself healthy and happy on the road. I have created a wee list of tips and tricks that I learnt in no particular order:

1. Favourite jeans. Trust me, you will miss them if you don't. Cool article on non-jean washing here.

2. Hair straightener. Having a bit of luxury when you have curly wild hair is so so nice. I ended up buying one over there and ditching it over there.

3. Take black lace up boots - doubles as hiking shoes, tourist wandering shoes and going out 'grunge look' towning shoes. Get the inside zip up ones so its easier to chuck shoe on and go.

4. Drink yoghurt drinks if you are a 'have a yoghurt everyday' type of girl. Keeps your stomach regular because you are eating 'not normal' everyday!

5. Buy Body Shop Tea Tree Exfoliating Pads - Cut them in half to make them last longer. They are great to quickly clean away the grime of travel and city pollution before you crawl into bed after a long day site seeing or travelling. You can use them on your face and feet! They are OK to take on planes as they are not liquid. So refreshing.

6. Cable ties. Really great way of securing bags to beds, or 'padlocking' your suitcases when going through airport customs. You will need scissors to cut them off at the other end!

7. Smartphone. The iPhone was my friend the whole time I backpacked. It was on me at all times so I felt a bit more safer. Wifi was your friend and communicator. I booked hostels, emailed, kept up with the news and created a 'Family' Facebook group.

8. Ditch the fanny pack. No one uses it and its a damn nuisance if you need something from it. Leave all small black shoulder bag that you have on your person at all times (even in the shower and sleeping). I kept my phone, money, itinerary and map of where I was with one hand firmly grasping it at all time. Note: Get one that has zips to get into it, make it look inconspicuous. If you look at pretty much all my travel photos, you will see it!

9. I brought my brother a Swiss Army Knife when I was in Switzerland. Lo and behold it was one of the most useful tools I had with me. Simply the scissors and knife came in handy! Remember to NOT carry it on the plane. Put it in your hold suitcase or get a cheap one while traveling and ditch it or pass it onto another traveller.

10. Do not be influenced by others buying a heap of souvenirs. They get very annoying in your luggage. Get small momentos for your closest family and friends. People understand when you don't have much money and spare room in your luggage! Plus you dont spend so much time in souveneer shops so you have more time to experience the place you are in.

11. Get a bag that has wheels and back straps. I think they are called hybrid bags. When you need to go big distances its actually easier to wheel it. However when you need to go up stairs (at most hostels and in the tube) or cobblestones, just whip out those straps and walk up/down them with ease. Good for the weaker armed gals... like myself...

12. Plaster a smile on your face, give the language a go, and have fun. There will be times of loneliness and home wanting.. but push through. Have a cup of tea, try contact your folks for a chat. Carry on.

13. Budget in buying fresh water bottles every few days. Recycle instead of bin of course ! Trust me.. its easier than washing your drink bottle in the hostel kitchen, laundry or hotel sink.

14. If taking part in the group tours like Top Deck or Contiki, make sure that you know not all meals and food is included. In fact a majority isn't. Budget this in and you can buy muesli bars, snacks and bread to get you through. Every time you hop on the bus for a long time just know you will most likely buy snacks at the stops (My weakness were Pringles... they were in every country without fail!).

15. Take a pashmina scarf. It can be a scarf, wrap, sarong, umbrella, blanket or something to lie on the grass with. So so useful and always looks pretty. Brightens up your day!

Loved my scarf!

16. If you have allergies (like I had hay hayfever), take your medication like antihistamines just in case. So important to feel your best and travelling through many countries with different climates/environments and some dusty lodgings... it will help you stay on top of your game!

Anything I have missed? Would love to hear more tips :)

I loved my long skirt too. Rolled it up and it squeezed down into nothing. In Scotland above

Tiny House Musings

Is anyone else fascinated by the Tiny House Movement, prefab, container houses, sustainable 'off grid' and modular houses? All designed to turn conventional having a large house (and a large life long mortgage) on its head.

New Zealand Perspective
Living in New Zealand we seem to have a common goal for home ownership - and try and get it as young as you can. This article describes it as it has been hardwired into Kiwis over generations which I think is totally on the button. It just does not make sense to buy a over price house where there most likely will be ongoing significant repairs, upgrades and maintenance that you need to invest into with money you don't have.

It would be cool to create what you need now within budget and add on to it when you need to (IE have children, family or friends). What you need and not what you want (all within your individual comfort levels). This societal pressure of owning a three bedroom place with a garage and nice yard is hard to look away from.

Look at doing the 'first home' in a different way, going back to grass roots and build only what you need now. Generally first homes are much larger than whats needed now and not at all sustainable for the future.

My definition of a Tiny House
A small comfortable dwelling, that is eco friendly in nature, which sits on a big trailer base. It is often referred to in the Tiny House Movement. It is a way for people to avoid a mortgage with constant bills & maintenance, and live large in a tiny space. People have the freedom to build what they need all within the space, as it avoids building restrictions (check with local authority just in case) as it is a non permanent structure. Generally the Tiny House owner is the person that dreamed about it and built the place. Budgets range from $10K to $30K depending on costs of the trailer, building materials, furnishings, appliances and electrical system.

Inspiration

A few links below to ignite those brain sparks

• Living Big in a Tiny House - Really cool video tours of Tiny Spaces in NZ
• DIY House Building - cool article on Shaye & Tom (The tiny home built for just $24,000 in Auckland, NZ)
• Wee make change - Based in Hawkes Bay this bloke really understands Tiny houses. He created a 3D model of his Tiny house concept  - fun!
• Tiny House Swoon - Fun Inspiration
• Just search 'tiny house' on Pinterest and you will be away laughing
• Wikihouse - Imagine a mash-up of wikihouse and tiny house. Wikihouse on a trailer!
• George Clark's Amazing Spaces TV Series - Will give you inspiration and power you forward into ideas

I am not 100% convinced yet of building and living in a tiny house but love researching different ways of living (although modern way of living). I got REALLY excited at one point and my favorite Tiny House Plan is below (the planner I used doesn't do split level so use your imagination!)

 I had an itch about a month ago to create something so I brought a pop-top caravan and am renovating it for summer living & holiday. I will write up a post on 'Spud' with lots of before and after photos!

The pop top renovation 'Spud' - Before photo

Tally ho!

KiwiDee

Leadership Lesson - Courageously Follow

Leadership Lesson

I really enjoy this video, especially since its a bit like David Attenborough observing animal characteristics.

See this guys website here

Key Message: "It was the first follower that transformed a lone nut into a leader.

The best way to make a movement, if you really care, is to courageously follow and show others how to follow."

KiwiDee

Change Default Duration in MS Project

Easy to change the type of default duration in MS Project 2010

1. File, Options

2. Schedule
Click whatever you want from the drop down under Duration

3. Voila! Yus changed from days to weeks thank gawd

Cheers,

KiwiDee

Insert tick on Google Docs

Instead of going through different tabs, properties and searching around Google Docs interface, just copy and paste the tick symbol below. Easy

✓

✔

DONE! ★

How To Add a Password On Excel Spreadsheet

Excel Tip
How To Add a Password On Microsoft Excel Workbook/Spreadsheet so others can't modify it but can read it. So peeps can't mess with your stuff! MY... PRECIOUS..

1. Have the spreadsheet open you want to put a password on.
2. Click File, Save as
3. Click bottom left button 'General Options' in the Save as window



4. Type in your preferred password in both fields. Tick the box and press OK.












5. Press Save.
6. Cancel out of document and test your password

DONE BOOM!



Your Welcome,
KiwiDee

Greece - Chaotic.Historical.Beautiful

KiwiDee at the Acropolis

In 2011 I went on a 3 month solo Europe trip. Never been out of NZ but had always wanted to experience other countries and cultures. One of the best places I visited was Greece, and below is blog post from my old travel blog.

I went sailing for three days in the Ionian Sea, went to Mykonos and had a few days in Athens. Each place held its own enchanting feel.

Chaotic Athens. Amazing! Coming from such a small country, I found the riots to be fascinating, especially since democracy was born here. This was my account of times in Athens...

29th June 2011, Athens, Greece.

While we were in Mykonos, we heard reports of rioting in central Athens. On the morning coach going into Athens Aiofe (tour guide) told us that the government would be making the decision to take the IMF loan or not, that afternoon. The majority of Greece did not want the government to accept the loan as it would mean higher taxes and pretty much hinder the next few generations.

People were protesting, and some were rioting. We decided anyway to go to the Acropolis as we were told it was quite a way from the rioting. We metro-ed into central city - went underneath the main square where all the rioting was happening, the doors opened and people were covered in white and wearing gas masks - we ended up at the Acropolis station and went up the hill to see my mecca.

I have never felt such an atmosphere before. There were hardly any tourists or people up at a normally extremely busy tourist attraction. There was no people sounds or traffic sounds. All you could hear was tear gas canisters cracking and chants on the wind from in Syntagma Square in front of Parliament. We could see the white tear gas cloud and people standing on the roofs around the central square. The rest of the city was unmoving. They were probably inside watching the television with family and friends. There was a feeling of tension but calmness in the air. Everyone was aware and watchful but quite silent.

We walked down to the Plaka where we had been told there was good food, so we found ourselves at Hadrians Arch. Hearing a bit of a ruckus, we looked up the road and saw two massive lines of fully kitted out riot police heading towards Syntagma Square. I did NOT want to get any closer! We wandered into the Plaka to find some Moussaka and some ladies told us to watch out for the tear gas! We were extremely close to the rioting. Many people walked past us with white faces from the tear gas. These people ranged from young adults to 50 plus. It amazed me how serious and determined everyone looked. We sat down, had some food and it looked it like it was all starting to settle down.

We wandered into a souvenir shop and next minute there was a massive crowd down the road blocking our exit route! We got a bit scared because we thought they might start rioting. But they were just protesters standing in a big group. We single filed through them holding hands and got to the other side and walked back to the Acropolis Metro where we went back to the Hotel.

What a day. I must say that this was one of the amazing parts of my Europe journey. I am so glad I got to experience it. I went out the next few days in central Athens and the vast difference of the day before and the next few days was amazing. Everything seemed back to normal. Tourists and people were everywhere. I walked through the main square where people were cleaning up burnt things, cracked concrete and rubbish. I used the Syntagma square metro where there was remnants of tear gas in the air and I could feel it in the back of my throat and eyes. What a time to be in Athens!

The following days I took my time to really check out Athens. It grew on me and describing it would be ramshackle, chaotic, passionate, historic, cultural, friendly, Metro and Acropolis! I was quite sad to leave, it felt like I still had a lot to do there. I will go back to Greece.

MS Project On Track Button Not Working

MS Project Tip
On Track Button Not Working Randomly Grr

If you have played around with the status date in the Project file and the 'mark on track' button does not work anymore to calculate % work complete, you need to reset the Status date to show current date. 

Type NA in the date field and it should reset it for you.

BOOM Easy as that!

Update: MS Project 2013 Screen shots below

FYI, I will be posting bite size easy info for things I come across in daily life. A record for me to find stuff I needed and might need again, also to help other fellas out.

Thanks Guys,
KiwiDee

Create a Dynamic Photo Frame

Hi Guys!

A while a go, I came up with the idea to create a photo frame that can be easily updated and be unique to you. Quite a few friends at Uni strung string or wire across a wall which looked fantastic but I always thought how cool it would be to create something you can move and contain in a particular space. Hence coming up with this...

You will need:

- 1 old photo frame (any frame really!) Up-cycle :)

- Black paper or backing paper of some sort

- Twine or old fashioned string

- Tiny wooden pegs (from a craft store or Dollar shop)

- Tape

1. Take the back off the frame and take the glass out

2. Paste or stick down the black/backing paper onto the back board of the frame.

3. Cut lengths of string wide enough for the frame.

4. Tape the strings down on the back of the backing board. Make sure there is a little a bit of slack on the strings on the front.

5. Put the backing board back into the frame and secure.

6. Place the pegs on the string at intervals you like.

7. Hang up photos, pictures, mementos that you love in the frame.

8.  Chuck it on the wall some where you will see!

I brought a small mobile printer (Instax Share by FujiFilm). It is quite pricey, and the refill paper is expensy BUT it is so cool to choose special pictures and print them out yourself! I tell ya, you really think about the pictures you print out coz of the price that comes with it.

Other ideas for it:

- Use old op shop picture frames and keep the back image on it and hang pictures in front (it may look quite busy, but its so creative!)

- Take one picture per weekend a put it in your frame to remind you of what you get up to when your not at work.

- Take images for the '#100happyday challenge' or 5 things I appreciate but instead of putting on Facebook, put in the frame.

- Have a Polaroid camera and put the photos up in the frame.

That's all from me for now! Hope you enjoy and make this awesome photo frame.

KiwiDee :)

Lean Canvas plus Sustainability

I have been doing a lot of reading on writing business cases and all that jazz. What I have found is that they are very word intensive and could be a potential put off if not careful. In my reading travels I stumbled across this idea of the Lean Canvas. Basically narrows down all your business thoughts into a concise easy to digest format. It follows along the idea of visual management and lean.

Why Lean Canvas? 

Its cool because you can write all your thoughts onto post-it notes, stick them in the relevant spaces and keep refining your business case. Finally a fluid document! (can that all be in the same statement!?).

I came across another version of the Lean Canvas that adds a sustainability element to it. After reading "Heart To Start" by Derek Handley, a large part of his journey was rethinking purpose and his idea of a successful business. Hence his current involvement with Virgins boss Richard Branson's The B Team. The below lean canvas I feel encompasses some of this people, planet and profit thinking.


Social Lean Canvas

Now the challenge is to develop a business case to fit in the parameters of a sustainable business. No easy feat - what businesses (big and small) are truly sustainable in their operations apart from NGOs?

As a Gen Y - I am finding I like to know what businesses contribute to the bigger picture. Not just to exist to take profit but to focus on things like Zero Harm, charity days, company creches or car pools, environmental awareness, giving back, building for the future, social teams.. bla bla bla. Ya know what I mean? Its important!

Over and Out!
Dee

Top 10 Old School Games

Going over to my friends place and watching her play Theme Hospital and looking through old photographs of the family made me realize the amount of time spent around computers. We always had computers and gadgets growing up as my dad was a computer lecturer since I was 2. Getting all sentimental I went through my top games when I was younger:


Theme Hospital
Didn't know to concentrate on research to get quickly to the other levels until now!!


Hover


The Sims


Yoda Stories


Monster Truck Madness


Fury


Age of Empires and Mythology


Donkey Kong


Mario Party


















Graal (I played offline)

Many a good time playing these awesome games. Now I must say I love to play some Modern Warfare on Xbox to zone out. Not very often but the boyfriend does find me in his gaming man cave from time to time!

Over and Out!
Dee x