Common Web Design Mistakes

NOT THINKING ABOUT THE VISITORS NEEDS – Too many web designers are too concerned about how they want their website to look and not what the visitors will appreciate. You need to provide the information that the visitor’s expect, otherwise you will loose them. It is therefore important to research your visitor’s needs and expectations before your Web Design begins.

POOR NAVIGATION – Navigation should be consistent throughout, and is an important part of the visitor experience. The most important pages should be one click away at all times, while ideally no page should be more than three clicks away from any other. Having a navigation bar at the top or side of the website that is the same across all pages is recommended.

LARGE IMAGES – Large images can take a long time to load. Not only that, but they result in the whole webpage loading slowly. This frustrates visitors as they want the page to appear as quickly as possible and get on with it. This also applies to video and other large media files.

NOT HAVING EASY TO READ TEXT – This sounds simple but is something many get wrong; your text needs to be easy to read. It is no good having lots of informal text if your visitors struggle to read it. You need the right contrast in colour between the text and the background. If you wish to have a background image it is important to consider this carefully. Detailed images behind text can cause difficulties for the reader.

TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE TEXT – Either too much or too little text can work against you. If you have too much it can be complex reading, especially if you are going into much more detail than necessary. Visitors may just give up and leave. More of a common mistake is not having enough text. The problem here is two fold. Firstly, it doesn’t give your visitors (and potential customers) enough information on your products or service, and secondly it is bad for SEO purposes.

NOT THINKING ABOUT THE TEXT CONTENT – Too many worry only about the design of a website and making it look good. Depending on the nature of the site, the text can be just as important. It gives visitors the information they are seeking and this is often the real purpose of the site. It is amazing how many websites are grammatically poor.

OVERUSING FLASH – A fancy flash graphic is really what people are visiting your site for. Flash may look good, but seeing it as they reach your site is not going to make visitors stay; it is more likely that they will be turned away. If visitors have to wait for a flash graphic to finish they may leave the site, especially if on a splash page. Splash pages are rarely useful to visitors, and often just the designer looking to show off. This is not what the website is for.

UNDER THINKING OR OVER THINKING SEO – You do not want to design the website purely for SEO purposes. Doing this means it won’t be built for the benefit of your visitors, but for the benefits of the search engines. Text needs to make sense to the visitor not just be written for SEO. It doesn’t matter how high you appear in the search engines, if your visitors never stay on the site and it never gets you any business. However, it doesn’t matter how impressive or useful the site is if people can’t find it, so SEO does need to be considered.


TOO MANY ADVERTS – You may want adverts to generate some extra income, but remember this isn’t the main purpose of the site. For business sites it would be recommended that there are no adverts, but if you do choose to have them make sure they do not take over. If they feel the website has been taken over by adverts, visitors will look to your competitors instead. They will be visiting the site looking for your products, services or information, not to be taken elsewhere via adverts.

LACK OF CONSITANCY – Some web designers do not think about consistency and design each page with an individual feel. Although the content of your site should differ throughout, the look and design should be consistent all the way through.

Andrew Marshall ©

China’s economic growth compared to India

China’s economy has grown massively in the last couple of decades. Although India’s economy has also grown in this period, in terns of numbers it cannot be compared to its Asian counterpart. The two countries have the two biggest populations on earth with 1.3 billion and 1.2 billion respectively. China has more than a billion more residence than the third biggest, the USA.

China’s economy grew by 10% on average every year in the 1990’s, and this growth has increased still further since. It currently has the third biggest economy, behind the US and Japan, and is expected to overtake both these in the next few years.

There are several reasons for China’s growth. Its population alone gives it a significant advantage, and is the reason why such rapid growth has been possible. Government stimulation has certainly helped, with large amounts of cash flow put towards infrastructure and transport. There are also many investment opportunities for foreign investors. Another major reason is the cheap labour available for companies coming into the country. This has been utilised by a number of large clothing corporations, with a large proportion of the world’s clothes manufactured in the country. Manufacturing has been the most significant growth area. It means that foreign companies can Manufacture their clothes significantly cheaper by going to China, rather than having them manufactured in their own country. Some companies have been criticised for providing poor working conditions for workers as there aren’t the same strict regulations as elsewhere. Living costs are lower in China, meaning its workers don’t demand the same wages, and therefore lower costs for the businesses.

India has not grown in the way China has but there has been an increase due to the cheap labour it offers. Several call centres have moved to the country in the last ten years. Some companies have received criticism for this for several reasons. One of these is that it has resulted in people elsewhere loosing their jobs in the name of bigger profits. Another reason is that it means that customers are not talking to someone in their own country, meaning they don’t speak to someone who can directly solve their query.

Call centres are the equivalent to clothing companies in China, when it comes to foreign businesses utilising the counties workforce. A major reason why China’s economy has grown more than India’s is the huge technological advances that have taken place. There has been a vast difference between the two countries in this area. India hasn’t had the same government investment either. It is also still relatively rural, with a large amount of urban migration having taken place in China. They are following the model of the west more and more, with large industrial cities such as Beijing and Shanghai. It has also been suggested that the stability of the Chinese government has been important, as the economic situation is not affected by political change. Does this mean that democracy is bad for the economy?

The recent worldwide recession has affected China though. Growth has been so rapid that it was bound to have an impact. However, it has recovered quicker than many other countries; partly due to government intervention and partly due to the fact that their economy had been growing so much.

Andrew Marshall ©

Wholesale Manufacturers China

How would we cope without Technology?

These days technology plays an integral part in our everyday lives. We use alarm clocks to wake us up in the mornings, heating systems to have a hot shower, transport to get to work, computers at work, watch television in the evening, and use ovens or microwaves for many of our meals. So how would we cope without all this technology?

Communication is a key human need, and technology is often used to communicate. Telephones, mobile phones,VoIP, and emails are used as forms of communications. A recent study in Italy highlighted how much we have come to rely on communication technology. The study deprived 300 people of their mobile phones for a week so see how they would cope. One in six said they experienced a loss of appetite, and 25% said they lost confidence resulting in sexual problems. This seems a little extreme but gives a flavour on how we’ve come to “need” technology.

It is especially young people who use mobile phones extensively. Text messaging has become extremely popular, and one of the most common forms of communicating. People, and especially children, use them as a safety net and concerned parents want their children to own a mobile phone just in case.

Families typically live further apart now than previously. Many have relatives not just across the country, but across the world. Therefore the only way to communicate with them is through technology. You can’t just pop in for a cup of tea.

Business is the area where technology probably has the biggest influence. Communication is again a large part of this, and email has taken over as possibly the most important form of communication in the business world. Without it processes would have to change dramatically. Many businesses are now global which makes this even more important. You can’t just arrange a quick meeting. This has made video conferencing and conference calls more common. Because of the worldwide nature of business, suppliers and customers can be anywhere. Many businesses have also become reliant on the internet. Some operate exclusively online, by selling things via internet and email, and these businesses simply wouldn’t survive without it. There are also sectors, such asWeb Design
, that only exist because of the internet. All businesses are expected to have a website, and no internet would hurt many. Research is also mostly done online.

It is not just business that is reliant on the internet for research; it also used personally and by schools. It has taken over from libraries as the main form of research. People have become used to using the internet to find information instantaneously and therefore would not be happy using alternative methods. As with many things it is more of a convenience than a need, and it would seem difficult without it.

Cars and other transport are a major technology used by many. Most people no longer work locally to where they live, so they can’t just walk down the road to work. Therefore cars are needed, especially for those who live or work in areas without good transport links. The way society has changed, without a shop on every corner, also means it is necessary to drive to many other places. Again the fact that families don’t all live locally means that transport is used to visit them. Without transport people would have to move to be able to work.

We also use technology for pleasure and entertainment, for example televisions and radios. We would therefore have to revert back to playing games and improvising. There is nothing wrong with this, but many would miss what we have now.

With many of today’s technology it is not a matter of not being able to cope without it, just that we would have to change the ways in which we live. We would obviously miss what we have now, but would eventually get used to it. It would, though, no doubt have a massive effect on our everyday lives. The area that would be affected most would be business. Some businesses would no longer be able to survive, while others would have to adjust or become more localised.

Andrew Marshall ©

Business VoIP


Web Design London

Different types of Phones

Over the last hundred years or more telephones have become an important part of many people’s daily lives. There are now three main types of phone or phone like devices available; landline telephones, mobile phones and VoIP phones. Each of these has come onto the market at a different moment in time, and they have all developed (and continue to do so) throughout their existence.

The traditional landline telephone has been around in some form since 1876, when Alexander Graham Bell first got a patent for an electrical phone. The technology had been developing previous to this, but 1876 was really the beginning of the telephone.

LANDLINE TELEPHONES

A phone system is connected by insulated wires that connect the entire network. Originally this was in the form over overland cables but over time having the cables underground has become more commonplace. Landline phones have a microphone and speaker like all telephone devises. This speaker allows the user to hear what the person they are communicating with is saying, while the microphone allows the users voice to be transmitted to the other end of the line. In the past it was necessary to call an operator, as the technology was not advanced enough for users to directly call each other. You would phone an operator stating who you would like to talk to, and they would then connect you to that person. Nowadays telephone users just call the number of the person they require.

To call people with traditional telephones a dialling system was used. This coined the term “dialling” a number that is still used to this day. Numbers one to zero (with two to nine in between) were on a dial, and when calling it was necessary to move the dial round from the required number to the end. This was necessary for each digit within a phone number. Each time the dial was turned a signal would be sent down the telephone line. This now works digitally; and it is only necessary to press the required buttons.


MOBILE PHONES

Mobile Phones (also referred to as Cell Phones) are phones that are, as the name suggests, mobile, and do not have to be physically connected to a telephone line. It works by sending radio waves. The progression towards some sort of radio wave technology had been experimented with since the 1940’s. The first device that really resembled a mobile phone wasn’t until 1979 though, in Japan. The technology greatly expanded during the 1980’s. Their mainstream popularity really took off in the mid 1990’s and from the late 90’s to the early 2000’s they had a major impact.

With a mobile phone you can do a lot more than make calls. The first text message was sent in 1992, and the technology available within the small mobile phone device has expanded ever since. Organisers, diaries, calculators and alarms are found on most modern mobiles, and they can even come with cameras, video recorders, the internet, and email capability. Advanced models are like mini computers.

Mobile phones send radio signals to a ‘base camp’. The signal travel from the phone device to base camp, and then from base camp to the phone device of the receiver.

VOIP PHONES

VoIP phones are likely to be the next major step in mainstream phone technology. VoIP is voice communication over the internet. The signal travels over a broadband connection, and is much like email but with voices.

VoIP has a reputation of being poor in quality. It is, though, improving all the time. It is dependant on the quality of the internet connection, which is the reason why the quality varies. The most common form of VoIP is to use a computer with a microphone and speakers. There are now VoIP phones on the market though, that look just like regular telephones. To the user they work in the same way, just with different technology. With some VoIP Providers it is now possible to use it as the main home telephone or as a Business VoIP solution.

Andrew Marshall ©

Why does India have such a low Divorce rate?

Divorce in India is extremely low compared to the United States. In America around half of marriages end in divorce, but in India it is a mere one per cent. It is so low that many have the idea that it is illegal. This is not the case but there are many reasons that could contribute to these contrasting figures.

One important factor could be that divorce is not deemed as socially acceptable in India. It is considered a blemish on your character, meaning it is something a lot of people won’t even contemplate no matter what situation they find themselves in. Some would suggest that family values are more important to Indians than Americans. People tend to live in larger family units, and when you marry someone you are in many respects marrying the whole family. It therefore has more of an impact on the wider family if people get divorced which means they tend to feel more shame.

It has been suggested that arranged marriage could be a positive as it means couples are more likely to stay together. Arranged marriage is still fairly common in India but rarely works the way many in the west think, with a man and woman forced to marry each other. Instead, it usually works by a couple being introduced if their respective parents believe they can build a successful relationship. It is more of a compromise between parents and their children to try to find someone compatible. There is therefore a more scientific approach rather than coming down to pure love. But is this a better way of doing things? Many would disagree, but it could mean people who are right for each other are brought together therefore making a break up less likely. Arranged marriage can mean a match-up of characters, rather than two people who are completely different falling in love and then eventually realising they are not right for each other.

Infidelity is seen as more of a sin in India than the US. As far as statistics tell us, it is much rarer. Infidelity is one of the main causes of the break up of marriages in America. Strong religious views are likely to be at the core of this, as is the general reluctance to get divorced.

The ease that a divorce can be obtained as been blamed for much of the increase in marriage break ups in America. It is easier than ever now, especially with the no-fault divorce law, which means couples can seek a divorce just because they simply don’t want to be married anymore. Family Law is much more complex in India, with a long and arduous legal process to go through.

It has been argued that the facts are distorted, as many Indian couples have been reported as not living together despite being technically married. This would mean the facts are right (they are still married) but don’t give a clear picture. This would also support the idea that divorce is not considered socially acceptable.

The position of women in society could also be a contributing factor. Women in India are generally considered less independent. They have a particular role in society (much like America in the past) and accept this. Is some ways this makes it easier for everyone; men and women have specific roles to play. In America women are more independent and want to have more of a choice in the way they live their lives. This can lead to a couple having conflicting ideas as to how they want to live their lives.

Andrew Marshall ©

Divorce Solicitors London


Family Law London

The Harley Street of……

Harley Street is possibly the world’s most famous area for medical practice. For around 150 years medical practitioners have been setting up practices in Harley Street and the surrounding areas. Around the 1960’s doctors began moving to this area of London, and some set up practices from their homes. This began a trend that transformed the area into the centre of excellence it has become. Once a few doctors began to work in the area it opened the flood gates. The success of these doctors encouraged other to move to the area too, and it almost became necessary for the best private doctors to work in the area, as it became the go-to place for those seeking quality private healthcare. This reputation continues to this day, with around 1,500 medical practitioners in and around Harley Street, across a broad range of different services. These days they include chiropractors, psychiatrists, and cosmetic surgeons.

The London Clinic is the most well known organisation in Harley Street, although most of its services now run nearby on the corner of Devonshire Place and Marylebone Road. The London Clinic is a private healthcare organisation which was established in 1932.

Harley Street’s reputation has meant the term “Harley Street of” has been used to describe other street around the world. So now let’s have a look at the Harley Street’s of the North, Australia, Enniskillen and Ramsgate.

Welbeck Street is in the West End of London, two block west of Harley Street, and also has a reputation for healthcare. A large part of this is due to its closeness to Harley Street. Because of its fame, property price and rent is high in Harley Street, so many practitioners unable to afford this have instead opted to practice close to, but not in, Harley Street. Welbeck Street is the best example of this. It’s most famous medical institution is The London Welbeck Hospital. In the 20th century it was a nationally know maternity hospital, but possibly as a sign of the times it now specialises in cosmetic surgery. The Welbeck Street Hospital and the British Institute of Radiology are two other well know institutions on the street. The Welbeck Street Hospital specialised in diseases of the nervous system, while the British Institute of Radiology is the oldest radiology society in the world, and dates back to the 1800’s.

Rodney Street in Liverpool is commonly known as the “Harley Street of the North”, due to the large number of doctors based there. It originated from the 1780’s and was mostly developed in the 1820’s. During this period it mostly housed the wealthy and former Prime Minister William Ewart was born there. A number of medical Consulting Rooms reside in Rodney Street, and anything from cosmetic surgeons to dentists practice there. It is still seen as an area for medical expertise to this day.

Macquarie Street in Sydney, Australia was once nicknamed “the Harley Street of Sydney”. Like much of the city the name bares that of Lachlan Macquarie, who was the governor of Sydney from 1810 until 1821. He was responsible for much of the early building of the City, including this street. Until around 20 years ago there were a large number of medical practices there, although this has mostly now been taken over by business premises, as the street runs through the City just east of the centre. One famous medical building that does remain though is the Sydney Hospital, which is the oldest hospital in Australia. It has been around since 1788 and at its present site since 1811. It specialises in ophthalmology and hand surgery, but also houses an emergency department.

Two other places that have had areas compared with Harley Street (though on much smaller scales) are Darling Street in Enniskillen in Ireland, and Chapel Place in Ramsgate in England.

Enniskillen is a town of approximately 13,000 people in the province of Ulster. It is a Georgian town with Victorian influences. Within the town lies Darling Street, which was referred to as, “the Harley Street of Enniskillen” in the 1840’s. This comes from the fact that nine of the eleven doctors surgeries in the town where based in this street.

Finally there is “the Harley Street of Ramsgate”, Chapel Place. Ramsgate is in the South-East of England on the peninsular of the Isle of Thanet in Kent. It is a seaside town of around 40,000 people. Chapel Place was a highly sort after area in the late 18th and early 19th century. Royalty and other wealthy people settled in the area around this time. Its Georgian buildings were once home to the surgeries of many doctors and dentists, hence it’s association with Harley Street. This is no longer the case though, and it is now populated by businesses and flats.

Andrew Marshall ©

Consulting Rooms Harley Street

Choosing a Colocation Provider

When choosing a Colocation provider there are many things to consider. Your choice will be depends on your specific requirement and the budget you have available.

One of the most important things to investigate is the provider’s track records, as this will give you an idea of the service you could experience. Their reputations are something to look at, and seeking others opinion will help. Online reviews are always worth a look. Although you can’t trust every review at face value it will give you a general overview of others experiences. If you are visiting colocation centre’s during the decision making process you should ask other customers their opinions if possible. They should give you direct and honest answers to any questions, and after all, they should know.

The technical side is very important. You need to make sure the colocation provider you choose has the capacity to host your server. There would be nothing worse than choosing a colocation provider only to realise they don’t meet your requirements. Amongst other thing you need to check bandwidth. Although most data centres have plenty, you need to check this before proceeding.

You should try to establish how much downtime is normal for a particular provider, and whether this is better or worse than others who you are considering. Also look at how long sites tend to be down for and whether they have any contingency plans for potential problems. Many providers have backup plans, which may mean these issues would not have too much of an affect.

The conditions the server will be hosted in should be a consideration. Most data centres control the air and temperature of the relevant areas of their premises so that they are optimised for hosting. The better controlled they are the more suitable the area is likely to be for hosting.

Another area to look at is security, as the security of your server is vital. The premises need to be protected from break-ins. The very nature of a colocation centre means that customers are in and out all the time, and therefore security is even more of an issue. You need to be sure that other customers cannot access your server. Protection from other problems such as fire is also important.

Some colocation centres have support on hand, while other don’t. Depending on your requirement this may be something you need to think about. You won’t want to pay extra for support that is not required, but if you are not confident in hosting you may need to make sure support is included.

A final consideration is price. It may not be the sole reason for choosing a host, but it will certainly come into the decision making process. Some go for the cheap option for obvious reasons, while others choose the more expensive providers because they think the service will be better. Sometime the old adage, “you get what you pay for” is true, but not always. Whether it is cheap or expensive is not the key; the key is value for money and making sure you get the service you need.

Andrew Marshall ©

PAT Testing Labels

PAT testing labels are used during PAT Testing so that appliance users can see when a test has been carried out, and whether or not the appliance passed. The labels are in the form of stickers which are placed on appliances after testing. This is easy for the user to see and they can immediately see the conditions of the appliance they are about to use. This may seem like an old fashioned approach, but it is simple and easy for everyone to understand.

The labels are colour coded making it even easier to see if the equipment has passed. Green labels denote that the appliance has passed, while a red label means it has failed and should not be used. There is also a blue label, which means it has passed but there are issues, and it should be tested regularly.

The pass or fail statement is obviously the most important information on the label. Either PASS or FAILED – DO NOT USE is already printed on the relevant coloured sticker so doesn’t need to be added by the testing engineer. There may be an Appliance ID Number that is attached to the specific equipment and entered onto the label. For green and blue labels the pass date and date when the next test should take place are entered. For blue labels the next test date will be closer to the present time than it will be for green labels. There is space for any additional information, such as more specific details as to the condition of the appliance, and a space for the testing engineer to sign. Red labels have a fail date space.

The above is only an example of the most common PAT testing labels. There is no industry standard but the majority tend to be similar. They come in different designs, possibly including the logo and name of the company who performed the PAT test.

A relatively new addition to some PAT testing labels are bar codes. These mean that the PAT testing history of equipment can be tracked. With these the details of the PAT test can be entered onto a scanner and then the bar code on the label is scanned. This associates the bar code with a record of the appliance. Prior to any future portable appliance testing, the previous label can be scanned to bring up the file, with details of the new test then added to the file. The new bar code will then be scanned so the two tests go onto the same file. Previous records can be viewed at any time by scanning the bar code on the label. This means that over time a complete record of the PAT testing of a particular appliance can be viewed at any time.

When testing appliances a testing engineer will arrive at the testing site with green, blue, and red labels. After each appliance has been tested the relevant colour label will be filled out and then placed onto the appliance. This then allows users to see the details of the PAT test when they come to use it.

Andrew Marshall ©

Adoption by Gay Couples

Gay Rights has become a highly debated subject in recent years. The majority of people now agree that gay people and gay couples deserve the same rights as anyone else, but there are still people with strong opposing view. This is especially the case when it comes to adoption.

Gay people have been granted equal rights in many areas, with civil partnerships the biggest victory for gay right campaigners. Civil Partnership were introduced in the UK in 2005 and are a form of gay couples registering their partnership; very much like marriage under a different name. This was a way of legalising a marriage type institution for gay people, but getting around the argument that marriage should be for male-female couples only.

Same-sex adoption is an area that has been pursued heavily, and one that produces much debate. Some think that there should be equal right in all areas and therefore same-sex adoption should be legal, while others are completely against it. This includes many religious groups, especially the Catholic Church. The UK is amongst many nations where same-sex adoption is now legal, and more countries are bringing in similar laws all the time.

Below are some of the points that are being put forward on both sides of the gay-adoption argument.

ARGUMENT FOR

• There are so many children waiting for adoption so it only makes sense to utilise gay couples wishing to adopt.
• One of the main points made against same-sex adoption is that children need male and female role models. However the traditional family is not as common as it once was, and therefore many children do not grow up with both biological parents anyway.
• It is morally right that gay couples should be given the same adoption rights as straight couples.
• There is no reason why gay people cannot be good parents.

ARGUMENTS AGAINST

• It is best for children to grow up with a male and female role model. Even when parents separate, the children see both in the majority of cases.
• Children could be bullied if their parents are gay.
• Children could suffer psychologically by being bought up by a gay couple.

The question has to be asked, what is most important with adoption?

The most important thing is that children are loved and cared for, and therefore does it matter if they are bought up by one male, one female, one of each, or two of either? And is sexuality important in someone’s ability to bring up children? If the answer to these questions is no, then this suggests that adoption should be allowed for gay couples.

Most of the argument against same-sex adoption can be countered.

• Many have claimed it is best children are bought up by both biological parents, but many do not stay together anyway.
• Emotional problems can stem from being bought up by gay parents - many studies that have been carried out looking into the subject though, suggest there are usually no psychological affects.
• Being bought up in a stable family is best for children – but civil partnerships can be just as stable as marriages.

THE LAW

Before the current laws came in one person was able to adopt a child. This meant that an adopted child could potentially live with this person and his or her partner, even if they were in a same-sex relationship. There were also situations where a gay woman would become pregnant through artificial insemination and then the child could live with her and her partner. This gave lesbian couples an advantage over all-male couples. In many ways then, it was possible for gay couples to bring up children.

New laws were implemented in 2006 so that same-sex couples could adopt a child together. There are strict adoption rules, but they are the same for gay and straight couples.

Many adoption agencies have ties with religious groups. Those with catholic connections refused to allow adoption by gay couples. This was ruled as being illegal in June 2009. Many of these organisations claimed they would rather close down than adopt to gay couples. However, most have abided by the rules.

Andrew Marshall ©

Civil Partnership Solicitors

Advantages of Shutters

Shutters are a type of window covering that can be on the interior or exterior of a building. They are most commonly used on residential houses. They can be used instead of or as well as curtains. Shutters frame the window area and often have louvers that can be opened or shut according to how the user see fit. Curtains and blinds have their own benefits but here we take a look at the advantages of shutters in comparison with curtains.

Many would agree that shutters are more aesthetically pleasing than curtains. They are a Mediterranean in style that many like. They give a house an old fashioned, elegant and homely feel. They can also be seen as an investment, as they can add value to the building. They are part of a building and aren’t just removed when the homeowner moves elsewhere.

Shutters can usually be made to specifically fit the customers’ requirements. Making shutters is more or an art, as they are crafted to fit the size, style and decoration of the house they are being made for. They can be designed with or without louvers and painted and designed in any style. Shutters can be painted in any colour. They can also be re-painted when the colour begins to be worn or if you want a change of colour.

Durability is another advantage of shutters. They typically last many years depending on the materials used to construct them. Some shutter makers offer lifetime guarantees as they are so confidant that they will last. Their durability comes from the solid wood materials that are used.

Curtains are much more high maintenance than shutters. When they need to be cleaned, for example, they must usually be taken down and dry cleaned. This isn’t necessary with shutters though; they can merely be wiped down with soap and water, just like cleaning furniture. Due to exposure to the weather conditions, exterior shutters may require cleaning more often than curtains, but it is only a small job.

Due to the design, variables such as the amount of light, air and heat being let through can be varied. This though, is specific to louvered shutters. The louvers can be opened or shut to let in the amount of light you want. They don’t have to be fully open or fully shut, so all possible light, no light, or anything in between can be let in. Using curtains there are two options available when it comes to letting air in – open the window or close it. Louvered shutters offer much more control than this. It means on a fairly warm day that is still not considered hot, you can have the louvers partly open.

Shutters, when closed, offer protection for windows. This is particularly an advantage if you live in an area where natural disasters are a common occurrence.

Andrew Marshall ©

What is Commercial Law?

Commercial Law is the name given to any legal issues around the area of business and commerce. Commercial Law is made up of many different areas.

CONTRACTS

Contracts are legally binding agreements, usually in the form of a document. Contrary to popular belief though, verbal agreements are also legally binding. Contract can be agreements with clients or customers, such as what work will be done, how and when. In a retailer, when an item is sold to a customer that automatically becomes a contract of sorts. The customer has certain rights, such as the right to a refund if the item is faulty.

Another area where contract are important, are employment contracts. Employment contracts dictate an employees’ salary, working hours, holiday entitlement and working conditions. The employer then has to abide by these agreements.

TAX

It is important that businesses pay the right amount of tax, or they will be held legally accountable. Solicitors can advice business on the areas where tax can be saved, and which tax breaks they are entitled to. For example charities are often entitled to certain tax reliefs.

EMPLOYMENT LAW

Employment Law regulates the legal rights of workers. Businesses have to make sure employees are paid correctly. This is even more important since the advent of the minimum wage in 2000. Employment Law also protects against discrimination; businesses are not allowed to discriminate in any situation, including during the recruitment stage. This area of commercial law also dictates the legal holiday entitlement and the maximum working hours allowed.

MERGERS & TAKEOVERS

There are a number of legal issues to consider when a business takeover or a merger between two or more businesses takes place.
Commercial Solicitors London are required to make sure everything is as the law dictates. Contracts must be sorted out to state the conditions of the takeover. This can include how the role of employees may change, any agreement as to the direction the company will take, and of course the financial agreements. Agreements as to when payments should be made, and whether it is in instalments or a lump sum are covered here. The company which is being taken over may demand certain conditions of the sale.

HEALTH & SAFETY

This is an area that has become increasingly important in recent years. This area of law covers the health and safety of employees and customers. Areas of operation must have potential dangers clearly marked and steps must be taken to prevent accidents where possible. Companies can be help responsible if accidents occur.

FINANCE

Finally, finance is an area that is relevant across business. Relationships between businesses and banks can be crucial to the financing of businesses so it is an important consideration. Finance overlaps with many other areas of commercial law, such as employment, tax and contracts.

Andrew Marshall ©


Commercial Solicitors London

Positives and Negatives of the Child Trust Fund

The Child Trust Fund is a government scheme introduced to encourage parents to save on behalf of their children. Depending on which way you look at the scheme it has both positives and negatives.

Those who are pro child trust fund claim that it helps people to save. This can be the case for both parents and children. Knowing that their parents are saving for them and that it works can get children to see the benefit. This can then encourage them to do likewise and continue to into adulthood. Many parents would not save on behalf of their children without the child trust fund. As they receive a CTF voucher and invest it for their newborn child it makes them think about the possibility of saving for their children. This may then encourage them to add the fund.

If the CTF has been added to throughout their childhood, once the fund matures when someone turns 18 they may have a decent sum of money available to them. The Child Trust Fundis only seven years old so it will be another eleven years before the first funds mature. 18 year olds wishing to go to university could be helped significantly. It may help them through their studies and mean they might not have to take on the large amount of debt that many young people do at present. This means money may not have to be the worry that it often is to people now, and they might not have to spend many years paying of the debt they have accrued.

Whatever they choose to do with the money, there is no doubt that if the Child Trust Fund has been embraced by their families and topped up regularly, 18 year olds could start off adulthood with a good start financially. There are several things they could potentially do with the money. It could, for example, help get them on the housing ladder, or it could just mean they have some spare funds it case they need it. It means money may not be such a worry.

Although there are certainly positives, there are ways that the Child Trust Fund can be perceived as a negative.

Many (including two of the three main political parties) claim that the states money could be better spend in other ways. The Liberal Democrats believe the money should be spent in other areas to help children. They think helping under privileged children should be more of a priority and that spending it on education and childcare would have a more significant impact in helping today’s children. £500 million is spent on the fund each year, which is undoubtedly a large amount.

With the current recession the amount spent by the government on this scheme seems even more significant. Many have the opinion that there are more important things to be spending this money on and that the Child Trust Fund should not be a priority. Is it an area where a large amount of state money could be saved?

In reality the scheme doesn’t help everyone. Not all parents are able or wiling to invest in the fund. And without extra investment it won’t be that affective. Some say it only helps children from wealthy backgrounds as their families can afford to top-up regularly. Poorer families have other priorities and less disposable income.

Some argue that 18 year olds are not always best placed to be given a significant (relatively speaking) amount of money. They could blow it all on a car or in the pub? Most would say that this isn’t something their tax should be spent on.

The Child Trust Fund is often debated. There are good points on both sides of the argument. All three main political parties have differing opinions on the scheme so it will be interesting to see what the future holds.

Andrew Marshall ©

Choosing a Managed Hosting Provider

When choosing a managed hosting provider there are many things to consider. Different people have differing criteria as to what constitutes a good host, and different areas of hosting will be important to each prospective client.

There are many different types of managed hosting. Some are fully managed with everything taken care of for clients, while others are only partly managed. This means some parts of the hosting are managed while others are not. It is therefore important that you know what you are getting for your money. You don’t want to think that you are getting a fully managed service only to realise that you have to perform a lot of the hosting tasks yourself. People and companies have different interpretations on the definition of managed hosting so make sure you don’t assume something is included without having it confirmed.

When choosing a managed hosting provider it is best to focus on the areas that are most important to you. Everyone’s requirements are different so you need to find a host that performs well in the areas that suit your specific needs.

Bandwidth is one of the most important factors to many. Not having enough bandwidth could be problematic for large sites or if you have many visitors. So you need to be sure you have enough bandwidth for your needs. At the same time you don’t want to pay for unnecessary bandwidth as this will obviously drive up the costs. Of course you want some extra bandwidth in case it is needed unexpectedly. It is a similar principle when it comes to support. Not enough support could be an issue if you come into problems but you don’t want to pay for support that you are unlikely to use. If you have knowledge in hosting you may not want certain areas covered, but then you might not want the hassle of this. It may be important that the servers are monitored so any problems can be spotted.

You might want to consider the expertise of the managed hosting provider’s staff. After all, they are looking after the hosting of your website so they should know what they are doing. The experience of the host might also be something to consider, for example how long they have been in the business and how many clients they have had.

Price is inevitably a consideration. The saying, “you get what you pay for”, has often been used, and that can sometimes be the case. It isn’t always though and you can get deals from good quality hosts. The cheapest option is unlikely to be the best but that doesn’t mean you should use the most expensive. Price is one of many areas that can come into the decision of where to take your managed hosting.

It is always good to look at reviews of managed hosting companies. Don’t rely on reviews on their own websites, as they will only use the positive ones. Web hosting forums like web hosting talk, can be good portals to see what other have to say. Many who comment on web hosting forums have knowledge of hosting so know what they are talking about. Decisions shouldn’t be made on one or two good or bad reviews as these could be due to unreasonable clients or one individual’s experience. Look for patterns; if something has been said by many people it can probably be trusted.

There are so many areas of managed hosting that can contribute towards your decision. Some factors will be more important to you than others so this should be considered, and you should try to make the decision based on the balance between them.

Andrew Marshall ©

Popularity of Colocation

Colocation is a popular form of web hosting, where clients can hire rack space at a data centre to host their servers. This prevents them from having to host their own servers, saving on inconvenience and cost.

Colocation usage is increasing and is now one of the most popular types of web hosting. It is much in demand and more Colocation centres are being opened all the time. It is becoming big business and many data centres are continually investing in their infrastructure to provide the best service possible.

The Internet is more integrated into business than ever before. You rarely find a business that does not have a website, meaning millions of new websites every year. On top of this there are many information and personal sites; although most data centre clients are businesses. With the Internet being used for a wide variety of business purposes, complex hosting solutions are often sought after. They often require individual servers, with basic hosting not enough for many. This is one of the reasons why colocation is more in demand than ever before.

Data centres infrastructure is shared between many clients and this spreads the costs, meaning a cheaper service for clients. Everything that is needed for high quality hosting is in place. Many clients who require their own server would not want to go through the costs and effort to build the infrastructure required just for a single server. Therefore they turn to colocation where all this is already in place. This makes colocation both cost affective and less work than hosting your own server.

Support is another reason for colocation’s increasing popularity. There was a time when co-locating your server meant performing all hosting and maintenance tasks yourself. This can still be the case with some packages but support is often available. This is becoming more and more common. Sometimes this is merely support while at other times hosting can be managed by the data centre’s staff. This is referred to as managed colocation (like Managed Hosting but within a colocation environment). Many who require hosting do not have the necessary expertise but with managed colocation they can get the assistance they require. This makes colocation accessible to all.

Colocation services are improving all the time. There are more choices of colocation packages meaning a large number of website owners are able to find a package that suits them. With more websites being built all the time hosting is more in demand than ever, and colocation is a good choice for many. The most common clients are businesses who require their own server but do not want the hassle of hosting it at their own premises. They can host the server at a data centre, often meaning they have support at hand should they need it.

Andrew Marshall ©

VoIP Bans

Several countries have either banned VoIP or talked about banning VoIP over the last few years. VoIP is cheaper than other forms of telephony and some counties are looking at this as a negative for a variety of reasons. VoIP Providers can often be based anywhere in the world, so as opposed to telephone providers, the profits may leave the country. There are several reasons why VoIP has been banned in certain territories.

Part of the reason is competition. Some claim it is unfair on local telecommunications companies as VoIP providers can offer a cheaper service. This brings up the debate of a free market. Should it be completely free and open to everyone or should steps be made to support local business? If local business cannot complete should they just be allowed to go out of business? The increasing popularity of VoIP will obviously be bad for traditional telecommunications companies. Some have accused countries, such as Russia, of hiding behind the reason of unfair competition, with security being the actual reason.

Many telecommunications networks around the world are state controlled. Therefore VoIP can literally threaten governments’ income. This is obviously an incentive for countries to stop VoIP usage.

Whether or not telecoms companies are private or run by the state, it can still be bad for the economy. If overseas VoIP providers are taking the majority of the business, then certain parts of the national economy could suffer. This can lead to the loss of jobs meaning rising unemployment.

Some countries are concerned about security problems around VoIP. It is much more difficult to track VoIP calls than regular telephone calls. This is because signals travel over an Internet connection rather than a common telephone line that connects the entire network. This is partly as VoIP technology is relatively new though, and this could become easier as the technology is worked out. Some believe that tracking calls is necessary for national security reasons, while others think that tracking private conversations should be against human rights laws. Whichever side of the debate you are, it is something that some governments will take into consideration.

The debate of banning VoIP has taken place in countries such as Germany, Russia and the United Arab Emirates amongst other places. In Germany the telecoms provider Deutsche Telekom had banned the use of VoIP over their network stating unfair competition as the main reason. It looks as though this ban will be lifted though, but there may still be a surcharge. The banning of VoIP has been discussed in Russia but as yet there hasn’t been any ban. As mentioned above they have said it is for competition reasons, but many believe it is really because they would like to track calls easily. In the UAE VoIP is currently banned in certain areas, such as Dubai. However there are reports that this ban could soon be lifted.

Andrew Marshall ©

Business VoIP

Who can benefit from Managed Hosting?

For a website to be visible to Internet users you need webhosting. There are many forms of webhosting from basic hosting to more complex solutions such as Colocation or managed hosting. Managed hosting does what it says on the tin – you hosting is managed by the hosting provider. But who can benefit?

This option is mostly used by businesses, especially those whose staff have little or no experience of web hosting. Basic hosting can be relatively easy to run after a little research, even for those with no prior knowledge. But more complex packages are different. Those who don’t believe they have the necessary skills and are not confident that they can manage their hosting, often prefer to pass it on to someone they think they can trust.

Many business owners are not confident in web hosting problem solving. They don’t want to risk having their server down for long periods, an eventuality that could happen if server problems are not rectified quickly. Managed Hosting is sometimes chosen for this reason alone, as having a team of experts can both prevent many problems and solve them when they do occur.

For those who have lots of website traffic or need a high-end hosting solution, a dedicated server is often what is required. A dedicated server means a website (or a group of websites) has its own server, which isn’t shared with others. Most cases of managed hosting is where a dedicated server is in use. Having a dedicated server is more complex than being on a shared server and many aren’t able to control this themselves. It is harder for novices as it isn’t just simply controlled with a control panel (although some areas are).

Businesses usually want to spend the majority of their time focussing on their core business. They do not want to spend half of their time trying to figure out how to run their website hosting. Some will want to outsource all of their IT, while others may only outsource certain areas, such as the hosting.

The day to day running and updating of a website is not usually included in a managed hosting package. Hosting is related to the servers that keep the website online, not the website itself. This is more likely to be taken care of by website maintenance companies or the company who built the website. Some managed hosting packages do include website maintenance though. This may be an add-on on top of the hosting services, and therefore may be cheaper than hiring a company just for this purpose. Customers with very limited knowledge, or those who just don’t want to worry about the website at all, are those who will pay for this.

Administration is something that many people dislike, and they would rather pass it on to someone else if at all possible. Managed hosting sometimes includes certain admin tasks. Although it is rare that someone would pay for managed hosting just for the admin, if it is included it may encourage businesses to use the service.

There are many reasons why managed hosting may be chosen. Businesses are the most common customers, but others may also use the service. For basic hosting managed hosting is rarely the best option as it can be expensive, but for complex solutions it can solve a lot of time and stress and therefore can give value for money.

Andrew Marshall ©

More divorce after Christmas that at any other time

The New Year period is traditionally the busiest time of year for divorce solicitors. They have more enquiries that at any other time, and more couples enter divorce proceeding in the post-Christmas period of January and February.

Couples often spend a lot of time together over the Christmas period. Whereas the rest of the year they have the distractions of work, over the holiday period their personal life is what is most important and what they focus on most. For many this is a positive thing, but some may realise at this time that their relationship is not working. The lack of distractions outside of the family also means that you cannot get away from your problems at home in the same way. Another issue can be that couples are more likely to fall out and argue if they are spending several days together.

Divorce Solicitors have said that many of their post-Christmas female clients complain that there husbands have been spending Christmas in the pub and not with them. They had been hoping that spending time together over this period would help solve their marriage problems, but this has not been possible as her husband has spent much of his time elsewhere. It therefore ends up having the opposite to the desired effect. If couples realise things are not improving, the Christmas period is more likely to make up their mind about separating than any other time.

When a New Year begins people reflect on the previous year and look ahead to the next. In someone has been unhappy in their marriage they may reflect on this, and if they see no light at the end of the tunnel for the upcoming year they may decide a divorce is the best option. Another factor is that people think things will be different when a New Year begins, but in reality the calendar doesn’t change anything.

The stress of financial trouble is one of the most common reasons why families separate, and Christmas can be expensive. Existing difficulty with finances can get worse over this period and this can lead to increased problems within a marriage. Christmas has also been identified as the most common time for people cheating on their spouse. Festive activities such as office parties can lead to this type of thing, and inevitably end relationships in many cases.

Post-Christmas divorces are also more common due to people not wanting to get divorced prior to the festive season. Divorce Solicitors often receive enquiries late in the year but divorce proceedings don’t begin until January. Christmas is seen as a special time so people do not want to get divorced soon before. This is even more likely to be the case for couples with children. This means those who would start divorced proceedings anytime after September may wait until January, meaning there could be 3 months worth of divorces happening early in the year.

Andrew Marshall ©

Divorce Solicitors London

Is now a good time to start a VoIP business?

VoIP communication has become increasingly popular over the last few years. There are more VoIP providers than there have ever been offering a wide range of services, from cheap personal services, to complex Business VoIP solutions. So is now a good time to start a VoIP business?

The major negative of starting a VoIP business now is the saturation of the market, although there are still gaps in the market that have not been fully explored. There is a lot of competition meaning if you want to be a significant player you need to offer an excellent services. There are, however, many advantages of moving into the market at this time.

Unlike the pioneers of VoIP technology, the improving reputation of VoIP could be of use to newly formed VoIP Provider. The technology was once considered poor, and only a way of getting cheap calls. It was a case of choosing between quality (telephone) and price (VoIP). This is no longer the case to the same extent, and the technology has been steadily improving over the years. This means there are many more potential customers out there. With improved quality comes an improved reputation. Although many still think VoIP’s quality is poor, people are beginning to realise this isn’t always the case. Therefore, many are wiling to consider a switch to VoIP communication. The technology is still not perfect, but this could be looked at as an opportunity; those who can provide excellent call quality can rise above the competition.

Another major reason why now could be the right time to start a VoIP business is the global recession. Many people now feel they need a telephone of some description. With the recession, though, anything that can be provided cheaper is a plus point, as is the case with VoIP. The cost savings are something that can be an advantage for both individuals and businesses. Most businesses are currently looking to cut costs wherever they can, and this is leading to an increase in VoIP customers. It is one of the few industries that can actually benefit from such as economic downturn.

Landline telephones are less-widely used now than previously due to the popularity of mobile phones. An increasing number of people no longer have a landline and only use their mobile. This is especially the case with those who move house; the just don’t get around to having a landline installed. If they have a broadband Internet connection though, they can have VoIP installed without too much hassle. This could lead to significant cost savings compared with making all their calls on mobile phones.

There are many advantages of starting a VoIP business at present. From the recession meaning more people and business are looking for cheaper ways of operating, to the improved quality and reputation of VoIP, it is part of the telecommunications market where there is still plenty of room for growth.

Andrew Marshall ©

Why Colocation is Cheaper

There are several advantages to Colocation hosting. Amongst these is the price; it can be cheaper than some of the other hosting options. Although not cheaper than basic hosting, for those who have complex requirements it does offer cost savings.

With Colocation the same network is used for many servers, meaning several customers are essentially sharing the network. This can mean significant savings when compared to hosting your own server. The whole infrastructure is shared with the costs spread between the customers. The alterative would either be managed hosting, which is more expensive, or hosting your server yourself, which would mean having to invest individually in a lot of equipment. With Colocation the only major equipment you would have to purchase is be the server itself.

Bandwidth use is an area that can be a lot simpler and a lot cheaper if you choose Colocation. With most hosting packages you have a specific bandwidth limit, with a higher limit entailing a high price. If you unexpectedly need more bandwidth than normal you have a problem. This leads to most customers purchasing more bandwidth than necessary, something that obviously makes it more expensive. This basically works as an insurance policy. The fact that only certain options are available means that you can’t specify the exact amount and only choose the package that fits more closely to you requirements. This is not necessary with Colocation. There is a total bandwidth available for all the servers within a data centre and this is distributed according to what is necessary at any one time. There is always extra bandwidth so you do not have to worry about running out. If you only use a little bandwidth within a month, that is what you pay for. But if you use more than usual it is automatically added to your bill. This saves money when you use less than normal, but doesn’t cause any problems when you use more.

Hosting your own server will require employing your own IT staff specifically to look after the network. At a data centre, though, it is taken care of as they have plenty of support staff (depending on the data centre). They are there to support all customers so you are not paying for them yourselves, only contributing towards paying for it along with all the other customers. That the support staff are experts in their field means that you know they will do a good job, meaning value for money. You can therefore focus on your core business, saving time and money.

As a data centre has many customer, it means the provider can afford to keep the costs down. All services available are shared between all these customers, meaning you don’t have to worry about forking out a much larger amount for each area of hosting yourself.

Andrew Marshall ©

Education Law – An Overview

Education Law takes care of any legal issues around education. There are many areas of education where law dictates how things work. Here we take a brief look at some areas that are covered by education law.

EMPLOYMENT
Just like any other business anyone who works for an educational institution, such as a school, college or university, must act and be treated according to the normal employment laws.

EUROPEAN LAW
There are European laws that dictate certain areas of education law. This is likely to increase in the near future, with the Lisbon Treaty going through. This means that many of the education laws are likely to be uniform across Europe.

INSTITUTION RESPONSIBILITIES
There are certain responsibilities set out by law that educational institutions must abide by. They have a duty to teach certain things (depending on the type of institution) and sometimes they have certain procedures which they must follow. For example secondary schools must teach certain subject, such as English, Maths and Science.

TRAINING
Anyone working in education must be trained sufficiently to fulfil their specific role. School teachers have to have formal training, both to make sure they have the skills to teach children and to make sure they know their subject areas sufficiently.

CHILD CARE
Educational institutions have a duty of care. Those looking after children must be deemed fit to take on such a role. This can include background checks so everything possible is done to make sure children are safe in their care.

SPECIAL NEEDS
Institutions have a legal obligation to meet the needs of those with special needs to make sure that they are given the same opportunities as others.

HEALTH & SAFETY
There are health and safety guidelines that must be followed. Premises must be deemed safe for purpose. Compensation might be payable if an institution is found to be liable for an injury that has occurred while the victim was at the premises.

DISCRIMINATION
Students (and teachers) cannot be discriminated against for any reason. Everyone must be treated equally irrespective of gender, age, race, sexuality or religion.

FINANCE & FUNDING
Certain rules apply as to how different institutions can acquire funding. For example, states schools have to be free for all. Different regulations apply to state and private institutions, as they do depending on what type of institution they are (e.g. schools and universities are treated differently).

STUDENT ADMISSION
This is an area that has been much debated recently. Rules that decide who has the right to attend a specific school are set out by law, something that is based on the geographical areas in which they live. Many parents have been known to dispute these decisions.

STUDENTS TAKING ACTION AGAINST EACH OTHER
Although rare, there are some occasions where students have taken legal action against each other using Education Law Solicitors, with the most common reason being that they have been bullied by the student in question.

DISCIPLINE
There are laws stating forms of discipline that can be carried out. In the past physical punishment was legal but this is no longer the case. There can also be disputes where children have been excluded from school.

POSSESSION OF SUBSTANCES
Certain substances are banned by law from premises. Illegal drugs are obviously not allowed, but cigarettes and alcohol are also not deemed acceptable at certain premises. This mostly applies to schools.

SEARCHING
Students are allowed to be searched on occasions but only when there is sufficient suspicion that they have broken rules. This can include searching pocket, bags and lockers.

Andrew Marshall ©

Affects of the Conservatives Child Trust Fund policy

The worth of the Child Trust Fund is a subject that has been much debated since its inception in 2002. The Conservative Party have now said that they will reduce the Child Trust Fund so only children from the poorest families will receive it should they win the 2010 general election. The have not yet specified by which specifications it will be decided who will receive it, and who will not.

Most people would agree that the poorer areas of society should receive more help from the state than those who don’t need it, and this is something that the Conservatives have taken on board with their Child Trust Fund policy. Poorer children can have a disadvantage when they are young adults, as wealthier parents are more able to help their children with University or getting on the housing ladder. Less wealthy parents are unable to help in this way even if they would like to. Some though, have argued that this benefit should not be limited in this way. Is this something that all children should be entitled to and not based on a child’s background? After all, is their any guarantee you will be wealthy just because your parents are.

Another question that has to be asked: are children from middle income families stuck in the middle. They may no longer be entitled to the Child Trust Fund and their families won’t be able to help them in the same way as the wealthiest. Although they have higher incomes than the poorest, they may also have higher overheads, such as a mortgage, so their disposable income is not necessarily any higher.

In theory children from the wealthiest families will not need the benefits of a Child Trust Fund. Certainly the Child Trust Fund amount (two payments of £250) is not a lot to the very richest members of society. Some parents, though, believe that children should find their own way in life so won’t give payouts to their children the way others might. Where this is the case, children will be punished because their parents are wealthy. Is it fair that children (and young adults) are treated according to their parents’ income?

The problems the Conservative Parties Child Trust Fund policy could cause can be compared to some of the issues of student loans and frees. These are means tested but not always to the benefit of those who need assistance. There are loop holes that mean those from wealthier backgrounds can end up benefitting from the system. Parents who are wealthy enough to be able to retire early do not count as being employed (especially if they are not receiving a pension). Therefore their children get the same assistance as students whose parents are unemployed. This is likely to apply to the very wealthiest families, so the extreme rich can benefit from a scheme that is supposed to help the poorest most. Another issue with this is that students whose parents are divorced get their assistance based on the parent they live with. Therefore if the parent they live with is relatively poor but their other parent is wealthy, then they will still receive the benefits. This means they could be receiving high student loans and having their fees paid, and at the same time be receiving money from one of their parents.

In theory the Conservatives Child Trust Fund policy is a good idea; it is most important to help those who need it. It needs to be dealt with the right way though, so those who do need this extra benefit don’t loose out, and there are no loop holes which mean the wealthiest are able to benefit from something not designed for them.

Andrew Marshall ©

Importance of IT in Business

These days IT is crucial to the majority of businesses. Almost all companies use IT to some extent, making it important for employees to have proficient knowledge in the area. It is not longer just IT jobs where staff need a good knowledge of IT. Almost all office based jobs are now almost entirely based around computers and IT.

Having good IT skills gives you a major advantage over those who do not. Even if a role is not an IT job per se, IT knowledge may give you an advantage over other candidates and help you once you are employed. Employees are expected to know the basics of IT in most jobs and there is an assumption that you are able to perform basic computer related tasks. Email is often the main mode of communication, while employees are also expected to be able to write documents and use spreadsheets. In most cases the Internet is the main research method, so being confident using Google, for example, can be a must.

Most admin tasks in any business are now performed through the use of IT and for the large part the traditional numerous filing cabinets are gone. Accounting is usually done with spreadsheets, so accounting staff also need knowledge of IT. Even those working in shops and restaurant will use IT is certain ways, such as the tills. Anyone working in management in any job will need to be able to use computers to either a small or large extend, depending on the nature of their particular job.

With IT playing such an important role in business today, good IT training, either in education or once in employment, can make an important difference. IT is there to make life easier, but if you do not have the necessary confidence it can turn into a nightmare. Staff need to understand the processes they are using, and this requires sufficient training.

IT can be complex, especially in businesses that use it to a large degree, and as with all technologies there will be things that go wrong. Therefore support staff who can solve any issues are useful. Some companies will have a person, or even a whole team of people, whose sole job it is to run and maintain the IT systems and networks. IT is there to help, not hider, but if things are not managed properly it can cause a whole host of problems. The IT department and processes need to be managed for IT to have the best possible impact on a business. Things need to be in place so the business can make the most of the advantages IT offers.

Some will use some kind of IT methodology to keep their IT management on track. The most widely used methodology is ITIL, which stands for Information Technology Infrastructure Library. ITIL is a set of concept and policies for managing the IT within a business. Essentially it is the IT best practice.

Andrew Marshall ©

ITIL Training

Family Law in the UK

Family Law is the sets of laws that relate to any family and relationship matters. These include marriage, divorce, civil partnerships and many areas relating to children and parenting.

When two people get married they must sign a marriage certificate to confirm that they are a married couple. This must be witnessed by at least two people and the ceremony, whether it be in a church, registry office, or anywhere else, must be conducted by someone who is authorised to register marriages. This is necessary for the marriage to be recognised under UK law. Those marriages that take place in another country according to their own law, still stand in the UK. Anyone in a legally binding marriage must go through divorce proceeding if they no longer wish to be married.

Anyone getting married in the UK must be over 16 years of age; those under 18 must seek written permission from their parents. It is illegal to get married at the age of 16 or 17 without this permission, but the marriage will still stand. You cannot be married to more than one person at a time, although this is not the case in all countries. If you are married to multiple people it is called bigamy, and this can carry a jail sentence. Another legal requirement is that two people who are closely related can not get married to one another.

To get a divorce a couple must go through a legal process. This can sometimes be simple, but it can be extremely complex depending on the couples circumstances. This can especially be the case if the couple have children together. During the divorce process possessions and finances have to be split and this can be a long and arduous process. Around 10 per cent of divorces end up going to court.

When a couple separated (whether married or not) and have children together there are family laws that play their part in dictating with which parent the child or children live with, although this can be split. This is the most common point of dispute with separating couples and can often end up be deciding in the courts. Visiting rights for the parent who doesn’t have custody can also be determined by a Judge. Family law with regard to children is often criticised for the fact that in the majority of cases custody goes to the Mother, especially if the couples had not been previously married. Maintenance payments also have to be determined.

A significant development in family law in the last few years was the introduction of civil partnerships in 2005. A Civil Partnership is essentially the registration of a partnership of a same sex couple. In many ways it is like marriage under a different name. Civil partners have many of the same rights, such as tax breaks, as married couples and there is also a process that must be followed to end the relationship – this is called a civil partnership dissolution.

There are stringent adoption laws put in place for the safety of children who are to be adopted. If someone adopts a child it means that they are the legal parent, and for this to happen there is a sometimes lengthy process to go through. Adoption authorities have to make sure they have done everything necessary to make sure children are adopted by the right people.

Driving Offense Punishments

There are a number of crimes related to driving in the UK, with some more serious than others. Different punishments apply depending on the offense as well as its nature and whether it is a minor infraction of the law or a more serious one.

DRINK DRIVING

Drink driving is an issue that has got more and more coverage in the media, and is being cracked down more than ever. The legal drink driving limit in the UK is 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. Being caught drink driving, or driving under the influence of drug (including some prescription drugs) could lead to up to six month imprisonment and a fine of anything up to £5,000. In most cases this will include a driving ban of between one and three years. Refusing to co-operate if stopped by police is also an offence and can carry the same punishment. By law, anyone who is asked by police must agree to a breath test, and failure to do so is illegal.

If a death has been caused by someone driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, then the potential punishment is more severe. There could be a jail sentence of up to 14 years and an unlimited fine. At least a two year driving ban will be given, but this could be much longer depending on the nature of the offence.

SPEEDING

The seriousness of speeding depends on a variety of factors, such as the area where the offense is committed, prior driving offenses, and how far over the speed limit you are. Minor offenses will result in a £60 fine and 3 penalty points. Driving around 10 miles per hour over the speed limit will usually result in this, although it does depend. More serious speeding offenses could carry a fine of £1,000, or £2,500 on a motorway. These could mean 6 penalty points, although a very serious offense could mean a driving ban.

DANGEROUS DRIVING

Many offenses could come under the heading of dangerous driving. This could be excessive speed, or driving without due care in other ways. Dangerous driving will lead to a court case, and if found guilt will mean a ban of at least a year. On top of this there will be either a fine, community service or in more serious cases, a prison sentence.

DRIVING WITHOUT INSURANCE OR LICENCE

Driving without the correct insurance or without a license are considered serious offenses.

Driving without insurance carries a 6 to 8 point penalty is most cases, but can lead to a driving ban, and a fine of up to £5,000. If someone is not insured on the specific car they are driving, but have insurance for their car, the offense is still considered as serious as not having any insurance. Letting an uninsured driver drive your car is also illegal.

Driving without a licence will incur a penalty of between 3 and 6 penalty points, which will be added if the person in question ever gets a driving licence. This would mean an immediate ban, and then having to re-take a driving test once the ban is over.

DRIVING WITHOUT AN MOT OR ROAD TAX

These offenses are less serious, but will still result in a fine if caught. Being caught driving without an MOT will mean a fine of less than £100, and your licence may be revoked until you have had the MOT completed. This is to prevent you from continuing to drive without the MOT. Driving without a valid tax disk will result in an £80 fine, and a warning to renew the road tax.

OTHER

There are other driving offenses as well, including driving without a seatbelt, having lights that are broken or not working, or driving where not permitted (e.g. wrong way down a one-way system). This will usually just mean an on the spot fine and a warning of future conduct.

Offenses that can lead to serious accidents are treated most seriously, while there is some leniency to those that could only cause minor problems. Drink driving and dangerous driving are most likely to cause serious accidents so are punished more severely. Speeding is dealt with according to the offense. It is easy to drive a few miles per hour over the limit without realising it and it is unlikely to make the situation much more dangerous. Driving an excessive speed could cause a very serious accident so are punished accordingly. Someone driving without insurance is deemed more of an infraction of the law than someone driving without an up to date MOT or road tax. Causing injury to someone or damaging someone’s property or vehicle without insurance will mean you are not covered for damage that could cost a vast amount. It would, however, be easy to forget to update an MOT or road tax, and it would not cause an accident (unless an MOT is way over due) so the punishments are not so severe.

Andrew Marshall ©

Criminal Law Solicitors

Principles of Graphic Design

Graphic Design covers a wide range of areas. It covers the Internet, brochures, leaflets, branding, and all sorts of advertising. Below are some graphic design principles.

EVERYTHING SHOULD BE RELEVANT

Everything on the page should have some relevance. If an item is not necessary to put across your message then it does not need to be there. The fewer items there are the more there is for the audience to make sense of, so they are more likely to focus on what is there. A few relevant items will work much more affectively than a large number of irrelevant items.

DESIGN REPETITIVENESS

There should be a consistency throughout design materials. This is more relevant for media with many pages, such as websites, brochures and leaflets. If design is similar throughout then it gives a campaign a theme and therefore helps the audience connect. If a campaign has a website, print advertisements and a brochure then they should have similar design features so the public see the connection. This is all part of successful branding. The more the audience sees the same message and design the more likely it is to be at the forefront of their mind.

PROXIMITY OF RELEVENT ITEMS

Items that are related should be place close to one another, while items that are not should be separated. This allows the audience to see the relationship between items and get an idea of their relevance towards each other. This is something that plays on the subconscious mind of the viewer. If they see items together they subconsciously think of them as being important to each other.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

Simplicity is key. You cannot afford to overwork the view as they will get bored. You need to catch people’s attention by being simplistic but convincing. You don’t have long to get your audience involved; you need to get their attention quickly as they may not have time to read and take in a complex graphic. You shouldn’t overdo the detail.

TEXT

Text needs to be easy to read. To use the example of a poster, the viewer doesn’t want to stand in front of the poster intensively focussing to read the text. (S)he needs to be able to read it quickly and easily. The text should be fairly consistent throughout, although larger text for important parts of the message can make it stand out.

LANGUAGE

You should use similar language throughout. Don’t’ talk in the present and then in the past as though it is the same thing. Another thing you should avoid where possible is referring to things in the first, second and third person at different times. Speaking to the audience means using language they will understand, and not language you would use within your industry. The language will depend on who your audience is; professional language might be relevant in the business world.

PLAY ON EXPECTATIONS

If people expect something to be associated with a certain design, use this to your advantage. For example, people expect red to signify danger, to if you are trying to use the thought of danger in your campaign, you should use red.

Andrew Marshall ©

Graphic Design London

Investing in Stock and there Advantages and Disadvantages

There are a number of different types of investment available to today’s investor. One of these is buying into a company by purchasing stocks or shares.

When you buy stocks in a company you are essentially buying part of the company. You will receive a certain number of shares, depending on how many you have bought. The amount of profit or loss a company make will then affect the worth of your shares. The share value can go up or down, and you can sell at any time. So if you sell when shares are higher than when you bought them you will make a profit, while if they are lower you will make a loss.

There are many reasons why someone will make investments. Some would just like to make a little extra money by buying a few shares in a company they hope will grow, or continue to grow. Others though, look to make a significant amount and spread their investment around many investment opportunities, worth large amounts. This is obviously more risky. Some people invest as part of their retirement plans.

There are investors who really look at their investment as more of a project. This may be the case if they are investing in a company they are genuinely interested in or believe has a future. They may purchase a number of shares to try and have a say in the business.

That is one of the advantages or owning stock in a company. You have a part to play in decision making by having a vote on important issues. Normally when certain decisions are being made each person who owns shares will have a vote, with each share meaning a vote. Therefore someone who owns fifteen shares will have fifteen votes. A high percentage of shares, and therefore votes, will mean you can have a significant say in the direction the business takes. If you own 80% of a company’s shares then you have more say than everyone else put together. Having this amount of shares means you can really be part of the business.

Another major advantage in stock investment is that it typically out-performs other types of investment.

There is a risk with stocks, though, as shares can go down as well as up. Returns are never guaranteed. There are times when the value of a companies shares fall dramatically in a short space of time. It is therefore important to get out at the right time. If you envisage a fall it is best to sell while you can for a good price. The best time to sell your shares is when they are at their peak. If there has recently been a significant rise in the share price, you then have to decide whether to sell and make a good profit, or risk keeping hold of them and hoping the rise continues. This could mean massive returns, but could also mean they fall and your shares loose all of their value.

Investing in stocks is often all about timing. Buying shares just before they have a significant rise can bring an excellent return, but buying them just before a dramatic fall will have the opposite effect. The challenge is knowing the right time to buy and the right time to sell.

Andrew Marshall ©

Investment Trusts

Why Charities must prove they are genuine

By law any charity has to fit certain specification to prove that they are a genuine charitable organisation. Although some would not agree with who should be considered a charity and who should not, there are important reasons why only genuine charities should be given charity status. It is crucial that bogus charities are not allowed to be given the status and kudos of genuine ones.

There are a number of criteria that those wishing to receive charity status need to meet. The most obvious is that they must show they have a charitable purpose. They must fit within one of several categories of charity that include the following: -

• Promoting the Relief of Poverty
• Promoting Human Rights
• Promoting Animal Welfare
• An Educational Organisation
• Promotion of / Education about Religion
• Health Services
• Involved in Art, Heritage or Science

These organisations must also be able to show they are working for the public benefit. If they are unable to do this they will not be deemed a charity, even if they have a charitable purpose. If they are not working in the public interest (in the UK or internationally) then they are not considered to be achieving something important enough to be given charity status.

One important reason why charities need to reach the criteria is that they are more likely to receive donations if they are a registered charity. Due to the rise in bogus charities more and more people are double checking charities are registered as such before they give donations. It is therefore crucial non-charities are unable to get away with claiming they are one. Charities with small incomes do not have to prove their charitable existence but many are choosing to do so for this very reason; that they are more likely to receive support from the public.

Other reasons why it is important for charities to prove they are genuine is because there are tax benefits and they can receive legal aid

Tax breaks mean that charities are able to put more of their income towards the causes they exists to help or promote. It is though, important non charitable organisations are not able to benefit from this same assistance. If organisations that should be paying the full amount of tax are not doing so the general public are affected. Less people and organisations paying the normal rate of tax, means that the average person will have to pay more to compensate, or there is less available for the government to spend on public services.

There is only a certain amount of legal aid that is put aside for charities to use. Therefore it is important only genuine charities are able to receive these funds. If non-charities are getting this aid then there is less to be split amongst the charities who need it.

Andrew Marshall ©

Charity Law Solicitors

Types of Solicitor

There are many different types of solicitors operating in the legal world. Here is a short synopsis of the roles of 10 areas of solicitor practise.

FAMILY / DIVORCE

It is always a good idea to use a divorce solicitor when going through a divorce, to make sure you get what you deserve. If you ex spouse has a solicitor and you don’t, you may have a significant disadvantage. This is still the case if you will not be going to court and are trying to come to an agreement with your former partner. Your solicitor will advice you of your rights and double check everything.

A Divorce Lawyer is almost essential if you will be going to court; whether it comes to splitting property, finances or anything else. When it comes to children a solicitors could help you get custody or sufficient visiting rights. They may also help if you should be receiving child maintenance from the other parent.

COMMERCIAL

Commercial, or corporate lawyers, work within the business sphere. They deal with a whole host of areas that a business may be involved in. This could be a dispute between two businesses or a business and another organisation or individual. Any legal documentation, including contracts, will be dealt with.

EMPLOYMENT

Employment could also come under a commercial lawyer, or it could be dealt with a specialist. This area of law often refers to disputes between an employer and employee. If someone doesn’t believe they are being given their employee rights or are being treated unfairly they may seek an employment solicitor’s advice. This may include a claim of unfair dismissal.

A business may also use an employment solicitor when sorting out compensation packages when someone is being made redundant, and to make sure everything is being dealt with in the right way if they are terminating an employee’s contract.

CRIMINAL

Criminal Solicitors are used by those accused of committing a crime. If contesting the accusation a lawyer will gather evidence to try to prove the innocence of their client. Lawyers are important in giving the accused a fair trial, and making sure someone is not wrongly convicted. Those who admit guilt may still want legal assistance; to try to get the best, or least worst, possible punishment.

The state will also use a criminal solicitor in the case of a court case. Their lawyers’ job is to prove that the defendant is guilty.

WILLS AND PROBATE

Wills and probate is the legal term used for anything involving wills. A lawyer can be consulted when writing a will to make sure things are legally in place so it will be honoured when the person in question dies. Once the person has died a solicitor will be used to make sure the will is executed as the deceased wished. Friends or family of the deceased will used a lawyer if they would like to contest the will.

PROPERTY

Property, or conveyancing solicitors, are required when someone is wishing to purchase a home or other property. They are necessary to deal with any legal issues involved. Their roles include taking care of stamp duty, looking into land registry issues and reviewing contracts. If a mortgage is being taken out by their client they liaise with the lender to make sure everything is in order. Fees are usually dependant on the price of the property being purchased, and are normally in the region of half a per cent of the properties value.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Intellectual property refers not to property as in a building, but property as a result of creation. This will include trademarks and copyright. Anything that is created by someone will come under this. If something you have created has been unlawfully used or copied by somebody else then you might consult an intellectual property lawyer.

TAX

There are lawyers who specialise in tax disputes. If someone either believes they are paying too much tax or has been accused of avoiding tax, a solicitor can help. Like in criminal law, the state may also use a lawyer, if they believe someone has been withholding tax.

INJURY

If you have an accident and believe you deserve compensation then an injury solicitor can help. First of all you will be able to seek advice as to whether your case is worth pursuing. If you accident is due to negligence of another party you solicitor will help you receive the necessary compensation. Such examples could be if you have had a slip or fall, an accident in a dangerous area that had not been clearly marked, or an accident in a public building where health and safety rules have been broken.

IMMIGRATION

Immigration solicitors are used in the case of somebody trying to move into the country from overseas. They can help with any legal issues and paperwork. This could include those seeking asylum, applications to become a citizen, and sorting out work permits.

Andrew Marshall ©

Solicitors London


Divorce Lawyer London