Paul Fookes

Jerry Brown wrote:Right now, the thing most likely to bring me there (in spite of budget woes) would be the prospect of changing scenery, maybe meeting some new people, and getting away from the same-old, same-old that rules my life just now. What options do you have that don't cost an arm and a leg, don't require the strength of a 20-year-old, and maybe let me join in group activities like cooking?

Thanks Jerry, this is really great feedback.

Rebekah Harmon wrote:Finishing the chicken pens! Let's get chickens at wheaton labs!!

Totally agree Rebekah.  And you can scythe dry grass for the nest boxes as well as scratch.
Turn the grass into mulch for heavy feeders.  Got my votes 👍

There is an international organisation called "infoxchange" which provides cheap computers. and software.  It runs "Connecting-up" which is to help not-for-profits upgrade its hardware.
I have bought a few things through both organisation and never had a problem.  They are very helpful if you call.
I tried to get the Canadian link but it looks at the IP address and will only let me log into the Australian site - sorry.

r ranson wrote: The world could do with more permaculture now more than ever.

 This could be the title of building a better world Volume 2.  The working title could be "the art, science and spirit of building a better world one back yard at a time"

From down under, it is a third party security platform and not Microsoft itself that is the issue.  There are some companies that have added their own patch to disable the third party platform but cyber experts are warning that the patch will potentially enable hackers free reign.  Experts are warning that the company will gradually roll out patches to correct the problem but it will take time. Thank goodness for Java Ranch and our Big D.

Jay Angler wrote:The thing I like the best about permies is that if someone has a problem, others always pitch in with ideas and information, willingly, enthusiastically, with kindness and understanding, respectfully, honestly, and if someone doesn't, the volunteer staff come along and remind the culprit firmly that we all agreed to "BE NICE" when we joined. Permies is the best place to hang out. A new server will help with that.

Now will I wake up tomorrow to see us over the target???

AND .......  we are a 24/7 family so there is always someone there being nice and providing help.  This is a great way to give something back for being able to be a part of the best family in the world.  

When looking at thermal heating and cooling, it is important to specify whether you are discussing this in the northern or southern hemisphere, or whether between the tropical bands (Cancer or Capricorn).

From my reading, the west side, especially during summer needs to be kept shaded which encourages cooling.  Between the tropical bands, the sun is pretty much overhead all year so a roof shade, with an air gap works very well.
In the southern hemisphere, we have trees at the south and western sides to stop the winter cold winds and make a winter heat trap.  The south-western quarter protects from the late afternoon summer heat.

Rachel Wards movie is now available via:

You Tube to buy or rent:  
Go to Youtube for the full movie
This movie is well worth shelling out a few dollars for

In 1986 we were quoted $125K to put the power on. We went solar and at that time, it was $10/ watt.  It is now $1.00 per watt.  At the heart of the issue is that most solar is grid connected and when the grid fails so does the home power.  There is a huge cry about the price of batteries.  It is in my mind media and power industry driven.  Tubular lead has a similar profile to lithium at 1/4 the cost.  We are using tubular lead batteries and only have a problem after 5 days overcast.

There is a simple solution of a mini grid or community grid where a number of people agree to power share.  Each puts in a small contribution to maintenance and replacement and receives credits for power in and deductions for power used.  At the end of a set period of time, plusses and minuses are worked out and finances are levelled reverting to zero,  When the system is fully charged, the community inputs are stopped, only recommencing when the available load drops below a preset threshold.  BP Solar is using this in remote Australian communities because it is way cheaper than running poles and wire, particularly after bush fires and floods.

Getting off the grid is doable but I think if this happened on a wide scale, the Government would jump in to change the rules in favour of the energy providers.

Good information about microgrids from our national broadcaster: https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2023-08-22/are-all-renewable-microgrids-the-future-for-regional-australia/102732654