Choice (Chippendale, Australia) articles from December 2002

Choice (Chippendale, Australia) archives from December 2002

Roses are red, fungi are thriving ...(Editorial)
December 1, 2002... It's the time of year for getting out and enjoying your garden again--but it's also the time garden pests and fungi thrive. Unless you're into homemade deterrents or pesticides you've probably bought a commercial spray or concentrate to deal...

Combo blenders/food processors. (Update).(Kenwood Multi Pro FP480 options)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... CHOICE, October 2002 The KENWOOD Multi Pro FP480 we bought had a thin slicer/shredder, a julienne disk and a storage unit for them. Kenwood has now told us these are only available as part of a `bonus' offer--you should be able to identify...

Fridges. (Update).(Kelvinator N300H improved over N300F)
December 1, 2002... CHOICE, November 2002 Since publication, the manufacturer has told us the KELVINATOR N300F has been upgraded technically and cosmetically, and that our test results no longer accurately represent the version of this model that's currently...

Digital cameras. (choice cuts).(Buyers Guide)
December 1, 2002... If you're thinking of buying a new compact camera, there's a good chance you're considering the pros and cons of going digital. Our sister publication, Computer CHOICE, recently tested 31 digital cameras across a range of prices. The test...

Good news soft-serve. (choice cuts).(bacteria counts improve for soft-serve ice cream)(Buyers Guide)
December 1, 2002... Seven years ago we tested soft-serve ice cream and found more than half the samples had unacceptably high levels of bacteria. In true wowser fashion we warned people off soft-serve ice cream, saying, "Such a poor-quality product is a...

DEET vs disease. (choice cuts).(Buyers Guide)
December 1, 2002... Worldwide, over 700 million people are infected with diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, and malaria alone kills three million every year. While malaria and other dangerous mosquito-borne diseases--such as dengue fever and yellow...

Yet another reason for children to drink cow's milk. (choice cuts).(osteoporosis prevention)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... In western countries, most dietary calcium comes from dairy products. Children need lots of calcium, especially in their growing years when the skeleton is forming, to prevent osteoporosis in later life. (See Food Bites, page 14, for more on...

Don't be misled. (choice cuts).(Phil and Teds Most Excellent Buggy Co.'s KIWI Espesso jogger stroller's safety problems)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... After the front wheel broke off two samples of the KIWI Espresso jogger stroller in our August 2002 test, we put it firmly in the `not recommended' basket. We were also concerned that a child could reach and release the lock for the forward...

Watch your mouth. (your letters).
December 1, 2002... I'm impressed you used a prominent sportsperson, John Eales, in your article on mouthguards in the July 2002 issue. My three boys all play rugby union and even though their club (The Waratahs JRUFC) provides a mouthguard to all registered...

Security industry responds. (your letters).
December 1, 2002... The Australian Security Industry Association (ASIAL) is disturbed to read in your August edition that offers for `free' home security systems, with certain conditions and financial obligations attached, are still being made to the general...

Thumbs up! (your letters).
December 1, 2002... * Julie Harm, via internet, awards a thumbs-up to Felgate & Moore, importer of Dr Stuart's Herbal Teas, which not only told her where she could find her favourite tea when she could no longer buy it in Wollongong, but also threw in a box of the...

Personalise your codes. (your letters).
December 1, 2002... I've had a nasty experience with our Panasonic phone with answering machine. It works very well. However, some sick person dialled into our phone and changed our greeting message to something quite revolting, so that anyone calling our phone...

Everyday reds: our test of 64 top-selling red wine blends found quite a few good-value bargains. (Test: red wine blends).(Buyers Guide)
December 1, 2002... IN A NUTSHELL * On test: 64 top-selling red wine blends--made from well- and lesser-known grape varieties. * Five experts identified quite a few good drops selling for around $10 or even less. Since the mid-1990s, wine production...

Christmas booze blues. (food bites).(calories found in common alcoholic drinks)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... We don't want to be party-poopers, but here's some information to keep in mind this festive season if you're watching your weight. While everyone knows Christmas treats such as mince pies and fruitcake are high in kilojoules, it's easy to...

Milk update. (food bites).(lower fat milk for children over two)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... In the October issue, page 36, we said full-cream milk is the best choice for children once they've finished breastfeeding or infant formula, up to the age of five. While this has been the accepted advice for a long time, new dietary guidelines...

Vintage sandwiches. (food bites).(development of sandwiches designed not to spoil)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... Fancy a sandwich? How about one that's up to three years old? The US army may be munching on just that in coming years, with the development of the `non-spoiling' sandwich. The fillings have humectants added to them, which absorb water and...

Don't trust the label: only four of the 11 garden sprays we tested met all their labelled concentrations of active ingredients. (Test: garden sprays).(Buyers Guide)
December 1, 2002... IN A NUTSHELL If you're after a garden spray similar to the ones we tested, our results indicate that to have the best chance of getting an effective product: * If you need a fungicide, look for an alcohol-based triforine product,...

Temptation time. (hip pocket).(comparing credit card rates and services)
December 1, 2002... At Christmas you might be tempted to spend more than you can afford on your credit card. It's always worth thinking ahead about how you'll manage to pay the bill in the New Year before you go on your gift-buying splurge. One thing to bear...

Complaints services linked. (hip pocket).(dispute resolution for financial services)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... By calling 1300 78 08 08 you can now contact four financial complaints services: * The Australian Banking Industry Ombudsman (ABIO) for help if you have a dispute with your bank. * The Credit Union Dispute Resolution Centre (CUDRC) if...

Stricter rules on credit card limits. (hip pocket).(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... A new law protecting financially vulnerable consumers came into effect last month in the ACT. It's designed to stop financial institutions from offering and granting credit card limit increases without checking a cardholder's financial capacity...

Smoked salmon: we asked some top foodies to taste 16 brands and tell you which they'd serve for Christmas. (Test: smoked salmon)(Cover Story).(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2002... IN A NUTSHELL * The good news: Our tests found no major bacterial problems with smoked salmon (unless you're pregnant and need to worry about listeria). But with vacuum-packed salmon look for a use-by date that's a long way off--bacteria...

Wheels for kids: getting the right bike for your child can help make cycling fun--and safe. (Buying guide: kid's bikes).
December 1, 2002... IN A NUTSHELL * The most important consideration when buying a kid's bike is size and fit--don't be tempted to buy a large bike they can `grow into.' * While all new bikes should meet the Australian standard for bike safety, it's...

In stitches: beginner or experienced sewer? These machines suit both. (Test: sewing machines).(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2002... IN A NUTSHELL * While all the machines in our test performed well on straightforward stitches and fabric, there were significant differences between the best and worst performers on more adventurous stitch and fabric options. * There...

Judgment day for exterior paints: our five-year durability test of paints has finally shown which can best withstand the wind, rain and sun. (Test: exterior paints).(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2002... IN A NUTSHELL * Most exterior paints finished our marathon test with credit, but... *... nine paints are best avoided: see What not to buy, far right. * Some paints are clearly better than others: see What to buy, far right. ...

Rubber gloves: which last the distance and are comfortable to wear? (Test: rubber gloves).(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2002... IN A NUTSHELL * Price is generally a good indicator of the quality and comfort of rubber gloves, but we did find a good pair among the top-rated brands that was quite a bit cheaper (see What to buy, right). When you have a huge pile of...

DVD players: excellent pictures, superior sound and ever-decreasing prices could make a DVD player an attractive item for your Christmas wish list. (Test: DVD players).(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2002... IN A NUTSHELL * On test: 18 DVD players, including two DVD-capable game consoles and two DVD-VCR combos. And of course they can all play CDs too. * All the regular DVD players tested give you superior picture and sound quality, even...

Recalls & bans.(assorted product recalls)
December 1, 2002... Nowadays there are so many product recalls we may not be able to print all of them in CHOICE. For comprehensive recall information go to the Federal Treasury website: www.recalls.gov.au. If you don't have web access, call the Safety Policy Unit...

Hard word.(assorted product news)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2002... A picture's worth... The pictured sewing suggestion shows, on our reckoning, at least four Weetbix (with some broken in half), and possibly as many as seven. This is somewhat at odds with the suggested sewing size of two biscuits--and...