Items raised by this month’s Rustik discussion group included Facetime (Les); a 256 USB flash drive which connects to standard USB and phones (Terry); the NBN (Peter) and the interconnector to South Australia (Len).
Facetime, which is used by a number of U3A Benalla members, can only be used between two Macs of one form or another. Either WIFI or the mobile network can be used but using the mobile network would incur a charge depending on how long the call was and the users plan and how much data was left on the plan. For example, a one-hour call would use approximately 150 MB of data. If the call triggered the need for more data capacity then worst case for Telstra, $10 would be required for 1GB. This compares with $60 being required for a mobile voice call for one hour. Skype, Duo or Messenger would give similar results. WIFI is generally of much greater capacity and 150 MB would not impact it very much if at all and would be virtually free.
Regarding the interconnector to South Australia, many of us envisage lattice steel towers with wires on them which might fall over in the wind. Actually, there are 180 kilometres of two high voltage DC cables from Red Cliffs in Victoria to Berri in South Australia, very securely buried in the ground and completely safe from all the bad weather that could be thrown at them. (Note - for more reading about the interconnector, check out the Len's links on the Murraylink high voltage direct current electricity transmission link here.)
Bev Lee & Les Rodgers