Buying a Computer

If you're in High School or just starting University you probably want your own computer. But there are so many out there which is the right one? PC's tend to be cheaper but Mac's for some are "the ones to have". Bear in mind that most businesses still use PC's so a familiarity with these may be advantageous. Now all the companies are online you can check out prices and specs from home without having to walk around and be harrased by the sales staff.

The first step is to work out what you want the computer for? Is it just for doing assignments or surfing the web or do you want to play all the latest games? Check out what specs are necessary for what you want to do. Research is your best friend here, you don't want to get you're shinny new computer home just to find you can't do anything you bought it for.

Plan a budget and stick to it. We all want the best we can get but it won't be good if you can't afford to eat for the next week and a laptop doesn't offer very good shelter if you're evicted for non payment of rent. Remember to save some money for an extended warranty. The most reliable makes of computers have a 17ish% failure rate in the first three years.

 Shops don't make much profit on laptops but they may be able to offer you a discount on an extended warranty or throw in some periperals free or at a discount.

Check out the web as you may be able to get a student discount, always ask if a company offers discounts to students!

Last Updated on Tuesday, 13 September 2011 10:38 Written by Administrator Tuesday, 19 July 2011 09:28

Buying a Car

Having a car gives you more freedom and allows you to go back home for the weekend or not have to rely on anyone else to get home for the holidays. A used car is the only realistic option for most, especially if you're buying for yourself, but bear in mind that unless you are buying from a dealer (and sometimes even then) most transactions are on a bought as seen basis. This means that if something goes wrong, even on the first trip, you may have no comeback. Here are some tips when it comes to buying the right car:

Always have a mechanic check out the car BEFORE you buy. Unless you're a mechanic, just looking at the engine or driving the car once won't necessarily let you know something is wrong. Of course if it starts belching smoke or there's a continuous squeling coming from under the bonnet this mighty be a clue to even the most clueless, but chances are any problems won't be this obvious.

Don’t take the sellers word that there is nothing wrong with the car, they want to make a sale and, just because you're completly honest, don't take it that everyone is.

Choose a car for the quality and size of the engine, take into consideration how many km's are already on the clock, how many more you'll add, whether there is a service history and what repairs have been carried out. Also don't forget the bigger the engine the more it costs to drive and petrol is a big cost of ownership.

Another large cost is insurance. You don't have to have this but remeber if you have an accident, which is deemed your fault, you'll have to pay and this could run into the thousands. Having third party insurance at a minimum is advisable - this means you're covered for damage to others but not to your own car.

Buying a car is a major outlay, don't rush it just because you really want a car. If the seller has an objection to a mechanic checking it out then you know this is not the car for you.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 19 July 2011 21:11 Written by Administrator Tuesday, 19 July 2011 09:26

Dead Bodies Anyone?

Dane, a seventh form student from a small town has big plans for her future. She’s headed for Otago University to double major in forensics and anthropology

I caught up with Dane for a quick chat about her career choice. She told me that a career as a forensic anthropologist she would involve a lot of interaction with dead bodies, examination of old bones and remains, as well as facial and body reconstruction work to identify the remains. She would work closely with police and spend time in the lab carrying out her examinations. She sees it as a different way of helping people, in bringing closure to families.

I, of course, asked the inevitable question “like Bones?” to which Dane replied with a sigh and the weary ‘yes’ of somebody who has been asked that question too many times. But Dane was way ahead of TV. She’d researched and decided on her career path before the first series of the TV programme. “I initially wanted to be an archaeologist, but I also like forensics and found that this combines all my interests.”

Find out more about forensic anthropology at www.careers.govt.nz

Find out more about Otago University at www.otago.ac.nz

Many thanks to Dane

Last Updated on Tuesday, 19 July 2011 21:12 Written by Administrator Friday, 13 May 2011 13:19

Siberian Alien made by Students

The little Siberian alien found dead in the snow last week has turned out to be nothing more than somebody's dinner left overs.

Two students Timur Hilall, 18, and Krirll Vlasov, 19, admitted to creating and videoing the alien lying dead in the snow. The video recieved more than 700,000 hits on youtube.

The alien, which turned out to be made of stale bread crumbs and chicken skin was found under the bed of one of the students.

Whether the pair have comitted any crime is yet to be decided.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 19 July 2011 21:12 Written by AnnaM Tuesday, 26 April 2011 18:37