As a relative newcomer to the world of smart phones (I finally picked up an iPhone a couple of months ago), I’ve really been enjoying my mobile upgrade and the wonderful world of ‘apps’.

Apps – or applications – are downloadable programs for your smart phone, which serve to either inform or entertain and can be purchased online (in App Word for BlackBerry, App Store for iPhone etc).  Some apps do come with a price tag, but a good percentage of the 200, 000 programs currently available can be downloaded onto your phone for free.

The beauty of apps is they can be accessed anywhere, any time on your mobile phone – without having to start up your PC or plug in your laptop. My iPhone apps have come to the rescue many times already. Here are a few examples:

“Let’s eat out tonight”

If you’re looking for inspiration on a place to eat, the Urbanspoon application comes to the rescue. It detects your current location and asks for your desired suburb, cuisine and price limit before displaying recommended eateries, their contact details and visitor reviews. Don’t know what you feel like? Randomise the search and treat your tastebuds to something new!

“Where’s that restaurant again?”

Finding the easiest route to unfamiliar places becomes easier thanks to the built in Google Maps program. So when you don’t know where you’re going (or where the restaurant is), just enter your current location and desired destination into the search fields for a detailed map and highlighted pathway from ‘A’ to ‘B’. Voila!

“We’re here, but there’s a wait for a table”

If you have a few spare minutes to kill, there are literally thousands of game apps on hand to pass the time. The iPhone’s touch screen means moving cards around while playing Solitaire is a cinch, and wordsmiths can do a quick crossword with Cross Light or build word lists playing Scramble. Failing that, there’s always Tetris!

“I’m too hungry to wait – let’s eat at home”

Yes, patience is a virtue but some of us have less of it than others. So if you give up on eating out in favour of cooking up something at home, inspiration is at hand. AllRecipes AU will generate a tasty recipe in seconds – just choose the dish type, ingredients you’ve on hand and how long you’ve got to cook them for detailed instructions.

So there you go – a failed attempt at eating out saved by the iPhone! All of these applications currently have a home on my mobile and were downloaded for free.  It’s important to remember many apps that do cost money – so try and keep your spending under control.

Similarly, many applications can use up mobile internet data. Many phone plans come with included data from your phone provider, but overuse can result in costly excess  data charges. If you have a smart phone, or are thinking of getting one, ask your provider if your plan comes with included data along with an overview of the associated costs for usage.

Like many things in life,  smart phone apps are all about moderation. Use them with some level of control and they can help answer a few hairy questions, or provide much-needed entertainment when boredom sets in!

Chances are you or someone you know has a Facebook account. After all, it’s the world’s most used social networking website, with over 400 million users across the world choosing Facebook to keep in touch with others online.

At Westnet, we’ve got in on the act with our own Facebook page, complete with the latest news, updates, product details, videos and everything else Westnet. It’s our way of keeping our Members ‘in the loop’, and helping those who aren’t with Westnet learn about what sets us apart.

If you’re also a Facebook user, you’d know it’s a great place to share photos, videos and messages, or keep in touch with family and friends abroad. What you might not know of some changes introduced by the team at Facebook with the potential to reshape (and smarten-up) your networking experience.

The honchos at Facebook have recently unveiled around 6.5 million Community Pages – specially designed info-pages within the realms of Facebook, covering a whole stack of topics. Think of them as information hubs on almost any topic, accessible by all members at any time.

Previously, users became ‘fans’ of certain topics, people or organisations, and received alerts direct to their profile on news, updates or opinions posted on these pages. Community Pages look set to simplify things a little; allowing users to ‘like’ certain pages and create a direct link from the topic to their Facebook profile. Facebook detects areas of interest entered into a users profile and recommends pages it thinks would be of benefit.

For example, our Westnet Facebook page could connect to Community Pages across topics you’d expect us to be interested in – like the internet and computers, and others that might come as a bit of a surprise – such as pigeon racing or neurophysics. (OK, maybe we’re not as keen on the last two – but you get the idea.)

Think of Community Pages as ways of sharing information, experiences and opinions on topics dear to your heart. If you consider yourself a bit of a whiz in the kitchen, ‘like’ a cooking page for inspiration on everything culinary; or if you ‘like’ bushwalking, you could discover the very best places to trek in your area.

The Facebook gurus have used the wonders of Wikipedia to initially source a range of information for some 6.5 million Community Pages, with the aim of eventually allowing individual users to contribute to pages and share their tips, tricks, experiences or opinions.

As a word of caution, it’s important to remember that these are public pages within the Facebook world.  While privacy setting are in place to control who sees your profile (and therefore links to your chosen Community Pages), anyone else visiting these pages will be able to see you’re connection to it.

So, it looks like Facebook continues to evolve into something much more than a space for sharing short messages and photos. Now with everything from business advertising and community-based support groups to online games and new Community Pages, this social networking leader is swiftly becoming an all-in one communications, entertainment, shopping and educational experience.

As the hot weather begins to make way for a cool change of season, it won’t be long until we’re all rugging up to beat the winter chill and avoid the dreaded flu.

While we’re all extra careful not to pick up any bugs or illnesses during the winter months, it’s important to remember your computer is potentially open to viruses all year round.  Computer viruses are small but nasty software programs designed to spread from one computer to another, disrupting or interfering with its operation.

They can delete important information from your computer, cause repeated crashes or unknowingly spread to your friend’s or family’s computers through your email programs. In fact, the most common cause of the spread of computer viruses is through email attachments or instant messaging programs. They’re often cleverly disguised in emails featuring funny photos, ‘important’ messages or audio and video files we’re encouraged to open.

Dangerous programs can also spread to your computer through dodgy internet downloads, so it’s best to keep to safe and secure websites when browsing the net. Downloading from unknown sources is an open invitation for spyware to find its way onto computers. Spyware programs quietly gather personal information like bank or credit card details via our internet connection and send them to someone else – probably on the other side of the word – to misuse.

So how do we protect our computers against these ‘IT illnesses’?

Unfortunately, wrapping our computers in warm blankets and keeping it out of the cold won’t help.  But with a little bit of caution, common sense and preparedness, we can limit the chances of our computers becoming ‘infected’.

Firstly, it’s important to consider using reputable antivirus software. These programs come pre-installed in computers or are available for purchase, and essentially take on the role of gatekeeper of a computer. Antivirus software detects suspicious material coming into contact with computers and will help protect against viruses and other unwanted programs that may corrupt it.

Never open email attachments from unknown senders either – no matter how enticing the subject line may be. Harmful emails are designed to trick us into opening them, so the virus can make its way onto our computers. So when that email titled ‘Free Caribbean Cruise’ seems too good to be true, chances are it is!

Remember, no security measures are guaranteed, so it’s a good idea to save back ups of important files and programs like bank records, photos, contact lists and any other personal information you couldn’t bare to lose. Back them up on CD or hard disk so they’re off the hard drive and safely tucked away!

Building your very own website has become so much easier thanks to Westnet Hosting. We’ve recently released a new website builder called WordPress, delivering the perfect administration tool for creating and managing your website.

Wordpress is super-easy to use, so you don’t have to be a computer whiz to put together a great site. Choose from a heap of different templates to design your website, change it at any time and start adding the content.

The beauty of WordPress is that changes made to your website become live within a matter of minutes. You don’t need the technical know-how to design a site from scratch, and you’ll still enjoy a clean, professional look.

In fact, the Westnet Newsletter is brought to you each month thanks to the wonders of Wordpress! We love its user-friendly format, attractive appearance and the ability to update the content when required – quickly and easily.

It’s simple to install and free to use when you take up a Hosting plan, meaning no costly web developer fees. For more information about WordPress and other web site builders, check out our website.

With news Westnet will be streaming coverage of Aussie games in the 2010 Invested Bank Super 14 Season, now’s the perfect time for a closer look at streaming and the loads of quota-free content streamed via Freezone.

Steaming is simply a way of viewing or listening to things on the internet that avoids having to wait for the file to fully download before you can see or hear it. So if you hate waiting around for things to load on your computer, you’ll be a big fan of streaming them instead.

You can stream heaps of different files such as video clips (like YouTube) and radio (think the Freezone stations), but if you stream a lot of content you’ll need to be aware of your internet plan’s download quota limits. Heavy amounts of internet streaming will chew through your download quota, so try to keep it under control keep an eye on how much quota you’ve used by logging into MyAccount.

But Westnet broadband Members needn’t worry – Freezone is bursting with heaps of great content that won’t eat up your monthly download quota.  On top of the 2010 Investec Bank Super 14 Season, sports fans will enjoy Barclays Premier League soccer streamed directly to your computer quota-free.

You can also catch up on your favourite television shows with ABC iView – featuring best of ABC TV, on-demand and immediately after it broadcasts. Then there’s Freezone Kids, our safe online entertainment playground designed especially for young ones!

All this quota-free viewing is a feast for the eyes, but Freezone offers something for your listening pleasure, too. Freezone Radio features heaps of popular stations from all over the country, streamed quota-free for your listening pleasure. Plus your music downloads are quota-free when you purchase them through iTunes.

The beauty of Freezone is you’re free to stream loads great online entertainment without sacrificing your monthly download quota.  So while it’s a good idea to keep your streaming outside of Freezone to a minimum, we’re pleased to offer a guilt-free streaming experience!

There’s nothing quite like curling up with a book and getting carried away in a good story, then passing it on to a friend or family member so they can enjoy the for themselves. But as more and more daily activities become accessible online, it comes as no surprise that new and (sometimes) improved ways of reading a good book are emerging.

Twenty years ago it would have been hard to believe that newsletters, newspapers, magazines and books would be readily available online and on demand. But with websites now dedicated to delivering around the clock news coverage, as it happens and with by-the-minute updates, technology is moving at a roaring pace.

Those with a soft spot for gadgets would probably be aware of a number of devices offering nifty alternatives to printed publications. For example, smartphone technology now allows iPhone owners to read newspapers or entire books via their mobile, flicking a finger over the screen to ‘turn’ the pages. (Keep this in mind the next time you’re on the bus or train and the person across from you can’t take their eyes off their phone – they just might be in the middle of a good story!)

And so sees the swift rise in the popularity of e-Books – publications sold and read completely online – and the products necessary to view them, known as e-Readers.

Amazon.com – one of the largest online book retailers – currently manufactures one of the world’s most popular e-Readers – the Kindle. It’s a hand held device that connects to the company’s website, offering loads of ‘paperless books’ to budding readers around the world.

Just like an iPod stores entire CD collections in pocket-sized hardware, the Kindle can deliver an entire library (up to 1,500 books) in the one handy device. The Kindle’s 15cm screen incorporates special lighting technology to create an appearance similar to paper which is easy on the eye. Its lightweight design (a touch over 300g and just 18mm thick) also means it fits snugly into a handbag or backpack for ease of travel.

Don’t be deceived, the Kindle is not a mobile computer; but it does use similar technology. Free wireless connection with Amazon.com, for instance, means users can browse online shelves, purchase a title at a reasonable price and have it on their Kindle screen in around 60 seconds. While the look and feel of a traditional book is unfortunately sacrificed, other features – such as increasing text size for a squint-free read and super-sharp display – prove winners.

It’s interesting to learn of the alternatives out there for people looking for a complete, on-the-go reading solution. While the convenience of a bookshelf at your fingertips is no doubt behind the success of the Kindle, technology will be hard pressed to beat the feeling of being immersed in a good old-fashioned paperback – a real page-turner.

Whether it’s to keep in touch with friends and relatives, stay on top of the news, view the latest YouTube sensation or download your favourite new song from iTunes, you can look at your web activity as the sending and receiving of information, or downloads and uploads.

Whenever you open a webpage or view an attachment, your computer is retrieving – or downloading – information from an outside source. When you send an email or update a blog, you’re sending out information – or uploading.

It’s worth noting that uploads aren’t counted towards your monthly quota, only downloads. Normal web browsing won’t consume large portions of your download quota, but it’s important to keep your browsing in check and ensure your plan suits your internet habits. You can see just how much quota you’ve used for the month by selecting ‘My Usage’ in MyAccount.

Dialup users generally appreciate sites that offer simple, easy-to-use designs. Google, for example, contains very few images and banners while free mail servers like Gmail and Hotmail also keep their pages uncluttered and download-friendly.

Using the net to buy new music or rent your favourite TV shows and movies tends to flitter away your quota if you’re not too careful. It kind of goes without saying that these file types use up loads of data, but the amount can vary depending on image or sound quality – so make sure you go with slightly lower quality if you’re not likely to notice it.

To give you a better idea of how much quota certain file types chew through, we’ve pulled some handy stats from the Australian Apple iTunes store.

• 4-minute song ≈ 4 MB
• 5-minute video ≈ 30 MB
• 45-minute TV show ≈ 200 MB
• 2-hour movie ≈ 1.0-1.5 GB

Of course, file size isn’t an issue if you’re downloading content from the Westnet Freezone. It’s stacked with loads of quota-free material including sports, television, online gaming and radio streaming, plus quota-free music, TV shows and films purchased or hired from the Apple iTunes Store. It’s our way of helping you enjoy more online goodies without sacrificing your monthly quota allowance.

If you’re unsure of the size of a file on your computer, there’s a simple way of finding out. Those running a Windows operating system can right click the file and select ‘Properties’ in My Computer or Explorer. Mac users can hold down the ‘Control’ key when clicking the file in Finder, then select ‘Get Info’. You can find more about file sizes and what they mean here.

In our October story, Which Browser Does What, we walked readers through some of the more popular web browsers on the scene. Just like the type of car you drive (or don’t), your choice in browser can speak volumes about your habits and who you are.

Our personal favourite (and CNET download.com’s most popular browser download) is none other than Mozilla’s Firefox. Why? Because Firefox provides its users with a whole lot of customisable options called Add-ons. This month, we’ll take a look at how add-ons can help make your browsing experience online more enjoyable and tailored to suit.

So, what exactly are add-ons? Add-ons are installable features which can be used with Firefox web browsers. Some of these can provide surface enhancements to a browser’s appearance (like changing a colour scheme or icons); others will modify how a browser works; while some can even add entirely new features.

By heading to Add-ons for Firefox, you’ll be able to browse through the hundreds upon hundreds of add-ons which have been created by developers, both hobbyists and serious corporations who are part of the Mozilla community. These add-ons are free and easy to add to Firefox, with some providing the option to donate funds to support their creator – a nice gesture, especially if you find the add-on really useful.

Add-ons are organised into neat categories – Alerts & Updates, Bookmarks, Download Management, Toolbars and loads more. Once you’ve selected a category, clicking your way through the ‘Top Downloads’ and ‘Top Rate’ will give you a decent idea of what add-ons are working for others in cyberspace. When you’re ready to give an add-on a go, installation is as simple as making a few clicks.

If you’re more used to using Internet Explorer, you can now also improve your browsing time with IE Add-ons. It’s taken the people from Microsoft a little longer to cotton on to a good thing, but their latest versions now support add-ons.

No matter what kind of browser you are (whether you’re always on top of the latest social media sites or if you’re content as a casual browser), you’re sure to find more than a handful of wonderful applications to help you save time and make browsing even better.