How Shutters can Complement the Interior of a Room

Both interior and exterior window shutters can add elegance to a home. Exterior shutters can be used to protect a home against the natural elements while giving it an aesthetically pleasing look from the outside, while interior shutters allow control over the amount of air and light entering a room at any given time. They can also be chosen so that they complement the interior décor.

There are many benefits to interior window shutters, in terms of both practicality and design. Home owners can control the temperature of a room by opening and closing the shutter louvres, also known as slats, as required to let in the optimum amount of air and light. There are a wide range of design and colour choices with shutters and, by choosing carefully, people can ensure their shutters fit well with the interior of a room.  

For rooms with a summery feel full-height shutters are a good choice. They cover the entire window, with louvres running from top to bottom. They are ideal for tall windows or exterior doors. They allow for letting in a large amount of sunlight when required, so they can complement the summery atmosphere of the inside of a room. These are ideally light colours, such as yellows or whites.

Light coloured shutters generally go well with interiors that are bright and cheery, such as pinks and yellows. In these instances dark shutters would not fit well with the décor of the rest of the room.

For a room with a homely and cosy feel the style of shutters should give a warm feeling. Solid shutters can work here, even though they may not be as practically beneficial. Wooden shutters work best, possibly with a natural wood colour. Solid shutters can also suit rooms with black or grey furnishings. Here though, darker colours, such as dark reds, may work best.

Where pine furnishing has been used, dark shutters will not work. Their colour should be similar to the furniture, with a natural wood colour working best. Louvred shutters will work better than solid ones, as light entering the room will complement the furnishing style. Traditional or old fashioned interiors will benefit from natural wood grain colours; if they are too bright they will clash with the rest of the room.

If shutters are to be installed in an office, then in the majority of cases white, or similar colours, will work best. They will give a clean, professional look. This is particular the case if the office is decorated in natural colours, as is usually the case.

There are many choices of design and colour for window shutters. If installed, they become a real part of the interior of a room to the same extent as a piece of furniture or the walls. Therefore, it is important to choose some that fully complement the interior of a room and improve its design. Both practical and design elements should be taken into consideration when choosing which window shutters to go for.

Andrew Marshall ©

Why More Divorce at Christmas?

Christmas is the time to be jolly! That’s right, isn’t it? Well, that isn’t always the case for everyone. While for many of us it is the time of year that we get together with our families, surrounded by exited children and enjoying each other’s company, for some it is not such as happy time. Contrary to the popular notion of Christmas joy, the festive period is when many couples begin to think about separating.

In many cases Christmas seems to be a catalyst for divorce. Generally, divorce solicitors report more enquiries regarding separations in January than at any other time of the year, with many of these eventually leading to a permanent separation. So, what are the reasons that so many begin to consider divorce over Christmas or soon after.

One theory is that some families spend “too much time together” at this time of year. That isn’t to say they spend more time together than other families but that either they are not used to being together so much, or there are underlying problems meaning spending time together highlights these issues. Some people are very busy throughout the year and don’t spend too much time together as a family, or at least not continuously. Suddenly at Christmas they are spending all of their time together, which can be difficult. Things that may have been stewing under the surface can suddenly boil over and arguments can begin. Things that may not be particularly noticeable when they aren’t spending a large amount of time together become major points of conflict. This can lead some to realise that their relationship isn’t really working. If couples are doing more together, and making more decisions together, it can lead to more disagreements.

The thought of a new year and a new beginning is something that encourages people to think about the future. For those who don’t believe their marriage is all that they hoped this can lead them to do something about it. This can go either way. They might decide to really try to work on their marriage to resolve any problems, or to move on and seek a divorce. There is also the new hope of a new year, something that doesn’t always prove to be a reality. With a new year beginning some become more determined that their marriage will work. However, just because the calendar changes from one year to the next does not mean that a struggling marriage turns into a blissful one. The realisation of this can be difficult, and can therefore lead to thoughts of divorce.

Some hope Christmas will change the fortunes of their marriage. Couples may know things are not going well but hope that Christmas will help them; that a week or two off work and spending time together will improve their relationship. While this can be true in some cases, if often isn’t. Deep-rooted problems are not resolved by spending a little time together. Sometimes Christmas is the last hope and when this doesn’t work they realise that ending the relationship is for the best.

Ultimately Christmas doesn’t cause divorce. A happy couple don’t suddenly become unhappy over the Christmas period. It can, though, put the spotlight on any issues that are leading to an unsuccessful marriage and make people realise they are in a relationship doomed to failure.

Andrew Marshall ©

For more information on divorce and family law visit Divorce Solicitors London or Family Solicitors London.

Standing Order vs. Direct Debit

Standing orders and direct debits are easier ways of making regular payments such as household bills. As they are automated setting up payments through a standing order or direct debit means customers don’t have to go through the hassle of making the payments every month. They are mostly used for monthly payments but can be set at any interval; whether weekly, quarterly or annually.

What is a Standing Order?

A standing order is an instruction to your bank. If you are setting up a standing order payment you are instructing your bank to pay someone a set amount at a specific time. They can be used to pay an individual, a business or another organisation. Standing orders are fixed amounts, meaning they cannot be changed month on month. If the terms have to be changed (whether the amount, the recipient’s account details or the frequency of the payment) then it has to be cancelled and another one set up to replace it. In most cases a payment made by standing order will take three days from leaving one bank account to arriving in another.

What is a Direct Debit?

Rather than personally instructing your bank to make a payment, with a direct debit you are giving the authority to take a payment to an organisation, with two of the most common examples being energy providers and loan companies. The organisation can make changes to the payments, or they can vary month on month, although customers have to be made aware of these alterations. Unlike a standing order, therefore, the size of the payments can be variable. The transfer of funds from one account to another is instantaneous.

Direct debits are not as risky as they might sound. You might be wondering if organisations could get away with taking higher sums, or more frequent payments, than they should. In reality, this is very unlikely. Only certain organisations are approved to set them up and they are carefully monitored. A bank will reimburse a customer any disputed payments while an investigation, where necessary, takes place.

What are the Key Differences?

Even though standing orders and direct debits can be used for similar things there are some key differences. A customer controls a standing order while the organisation they are paying controls a direct debit. While amounts remain the same continuously for standing orders, they are variable in the case of a direct debit.

Which Should You Use?

The answer to this question depends on their purpose. Standing orders are useful for anything that remains the same every month, such as some loans, rent and mortgages. They can also be used for a one-off payment. Direct debits are the most appropriate choice for bills such as gas, electricity, water and phone bills that may vary depending on usage.

Tips

It is important that you keep an eye on your standing orders and direct debits as you don’t want to be paying for something once the term of agreement has passed. You should look out for discounts for paying via direct debit, something that is often offered, especially by utility companies. Organisations know a direct debit payment is guaranteed so they will offer discounts to encourage customers to use them. It is also cheaper for them and payments are instantaneous.

Andrew Marshall ©

Different Areas of Law in the UK

Law is a complex a wide reaching area. Law is essentially a system that consists of rules which govern what people are, and are not allowed to do, as well as consequences for those who fail to abide by the law. Punishments are dependent on the type of crime and severity of the crime that has been committed.

Like in any country, in the UK there are many different types of law. This article looks at five of these. It is far from an exhaustive list as that could never be covered in one article.

Criminal Law

Criminal Law is the area of law that is related to criminal offenses having being committed. This covers a huge range of offenses; anything from murder to fraud and driving over the speed limit. The most serious crimes within criminal law are instances of serious physical abuse. The most serious criminal offences carry strong punishments, in some cases leading to someone spending the rest of their life in prison.

Family Law

As the name suggests, family law is an area of law relating to family. The most obvious area here is divorce. Any legal aspect around the break-up of a relationship is covered, including the splitting of assets such as property and finances. Decisions regarding children after a separation is another area that comes under this umbrella of law. This includes deciding which parent will primarily care for children thereafter, the rights of each parent to see their children, and where one parent must pay child maintenance to the other. Civil partnerships, including the dissolution of civil partnerships, are also covered here as are adoptions.

Employment Law

Anything related to being employed or employing people is covered under employment law. There is a set of regulations that employers must adhere to when employing people, during their employment and when ending an employee’s role in their organisation. This includes not being able to discriminate against someone for any reason, and supplying good working conditions as are dictated by employment regulations. People cannot be sacked without good reason, and depending on the length a member of staff has been with the company and the nature of their dismissal, sufficient warning may need to be given. There are also rules around redundancy; there must be an adequate reason for the redundancy and if employment has lasted longer than two years redundancy compensation must be paid. In most cases this equates to one week’s pay for every year someone has been with the company.

Estate Law

This area refers to someone’s estate after they die, including their finances and their assets. This begins before someone dies when a will is written. It is important this is written according to the law otherwise there is a danger of it being challenged at a later date. At the end of someone’s life estate law involves their wishes being followed and the execution of their will.

Real Estate Law

Legal aspects around property are covered under real estate law. This generally refers to buildings and land. This includes people’s homes and commercial real estate, from shops and offices to factories and farmland. When someone is buying or selling a home they must make sure they adhere to real estate law. This is also the case when renting a home or letting one out.

Andrew Marshall ©

Lester Aldridge is a law firm who cover a wide range of different areas of law.

Children and Divorce Report: Are Its Findings a Reality?

A report has been published that suggests that family breakdown is just as devastating to children today as it was in the past. The report states that although divorce is more common and more accepted now it doesn’t make it any easier for children of the divorcing couple. The paper, which was produced by a team of academics, argues that family breakdown is consistently associated with psychological distress into adulthood of those whose parents separated during their childhood. It says that despite it becoming more common it has not reduced the mental scars and that a stable family background is crucial for a child’s wellbeing.

Reporting on this paper the Daily Mail claimed, “the findings undermine the claims of politicians, lawyers and activists who have argued for years that divorce causes no harm to children if parents part amicably and without conflict”.

I will, in the remainder of this article, argue that this statement is not so black and white and that although divorce can have a profound impact on children, it doesn’t have to and doesn’t in all cases.

There is no doubt that divorce can be harmful to children. If they no longer see one parent, or only see one parent sporadically, then it can not only be upsetting but it can also have a more psychological effect, potentially having an influence on their behaviour and development. Similarly, if can be troubling for children if they see their parents constantly in conflict with one another or if they are lied to by one parent about the other. This, though, does not mean that family breakdown must have such an impact. While the findings of this report state that the psychological wounds can be profound, this does not prove that this is the case in all circumstances. It only appears to be looking at the very basic fact that divorce has an impact on some children, with some continuing to suffer well into adulthood.

I would, like many others, argue that parents staying together “for the sake of the children” does not always work. Not only does this lead to unhappy parents but unhappy children too. Children can sense if parents are in conflict with each other and where this is the case they are not living together as a family in the real sense. A family unit does not work if a husband and wife do not get along. The biggest impact on children is often said to be due to an absent parent, something this report appears to acknowledge. If a child remains in regular contact with both their Mother and Father then a large part of the psychological damage can be avoided. Divorce dealt with in the right way is better than an unhappy couple remaining together; living in one house but living in misery and conflict.

After a separation it is possible for both parents to remain close to their children, and in the majority of cases this is what happens. The problems do not occur when parents separate amicable and both continue to have a healthy relationship with their children to the same extent as it does when they are both bitter towards one another or one parent loses contact with a child. Whatever the circumstances of a divorce, children may feel a sense of loss and be sad for a period of time. This is, though, very different from suffering serious psychological harm indefinitely. In my opinion there is no doubt that an amicable breakup where the feelings of children are taken into account is preferable to parents remaining together in an unhappy marriage. The report referred to above as well as some articles written about it have looked at the subject from a very simplistic point of view and only seem to have covered how divorce can affect children and not how it affects them differently depending on the circumstances.

Andrew Marshall ©

Divorce Solicitors London - It is possible for parents to divorce while limiting the impact on children.

Reasons Children Can be Taken Into Care

The number of children taken into child care in the UK has risen recently. Sometimes the authorities are accused of too easily taking children into care but in the majority of these cases they are being removed from unsafe environments for their own safety. Circumstances whereby child care is considered the best option includes situations of abuse, neglect, abandonment, parents being incapable of looking after their children, parents with addictions and children being offenders.

Physical Abuse

When there are instances of physical abuse towards children it is imperative that they are immediately removed from their environment. If parents are involved in this abuse then they are removed for their safety and parents will be dealt with by the legal system. Children may also be taken into care if parents are implicit in abuse by others, are aware of the abuse but have ignored it, or are seen to be putting their child into dangerous situations. This can include where a single parent has a partner with a history of abuse, whether toward children or adults.

Mental Abuse

While physical abuse is more obviously harmful, emotional abuse can be just as serious. In fact, it is the more common reason of the two for children being removed from their primary carer. Mental abuse includes being insulted and being made to feel worthless due to the actions of parents. It can lead to depression as well as behavioural problem, having a significant impact on a young person’s life, especially if it has been occurring over a long period of time.

Neglect

Neglect is where children are not cared for properly, whether they are being completely ignored or simply not being cared for the way that they need to be. As well as emotionally difficult it can also be unsafe, especially for small children who need to be supervised closely. This can include anything from not being fed properly, which has obvious ill effects on their health, to not been given attention, something which is more likely to impact their behaviour. Poor behaviour in some children is a cry for help with many children diagnosed with behavioural conditions due to being neglected by their parents.

Abandonment

This covers parents who have literally abandoned their children in the case of leaving them in the street or at school, for example, as well as where parents have died or been sentenced to time in prison. In all of these cases parents aren’t there to look after their children and they have to be taken into child care. Sometimes they are taken on by other relatives, such as their grandparents or aunties and uncles, while in other cases another suitable home has to be found.

Parents Incapable of Looking After Children

There are wide ranging reasons for parents being incapable of looking after their children. Mental or physical illness making it impossible to carry out parental responsibilities is one reason, but there are many other circumstances that will be deemed a reason for children having to be taken into care.

Addictions

If parents are addicted to drugs or alcohol it severely limits their capability of being a good parent. It can make it dangerous for children to be around, for example in cases where parents turn violent. Even where this isn’t the case, though, parents may be incapable of doing everything that is required in looking after children.

Children Become Offenders

In some, but not all circumstances, children can be taken into care if they have committed a criminal offense, particularly where it has become an on-going problem. Parents can be seen to blame, especially where they are not willing or able to prevent these instances from happening. A lack of discipline or lack of attention can be reasons given.

One the face of it increasing numbers of children being taken into care is a worrying trend. However, as some of the above reasons highlight, there are many circumstances where children are better off in care.

Andrew Marshall ©

For more information visit Child Care Law

The Benefits of Renting a Home

In the UK we very much live in a culture of wanting to own our own home. It is something that has become an aspiration for the majority of those who do not already own their home, something that isn’t the case to the same extent throughout the rest of Europe.

In the economic downturn over the last few years it has become more difficult for many to reach this aspiration, especially for those looking to become first time buyers. Over the long-term property prices have risen drastically and since the economic problems began it has become tougher for people to acquire mortgages. From bordering on irresponsible in the early 2000’s, mortgage lenders have become much more cautious, making it more difficult to obtain a mortgage and meaning a higher deposit is required. Having to rent a home, though, is not the end of the world. Here are some of the benefits that renting has over owning your own home.

No Long-Term Commitment

Purchasing a home requires a long-term commitment, something that is not the case when renting. Buying will most likely require a deposit of thousands of pounds while committing to a mortgage that is usually a six-figure sum. You are committing to a long-term contract with a mortgage provider, perhaps over twenty, twenty-five or even thirty years. Renting, on the other hand, will rarely require a contract of more than six months, while a deposit is more likely to be a few hundred pounds rather than tens of thousands of pounds.

Simpler If Circumstances Change

Anyone’s circumstances can change. You might change your job where relocation is required. You may find your financial circumstances change and you need to move somewhere cheaper or if you are starting a family you might need extra space. These are all things that will require having to move home, something that is a lot simpler if you are renting. If you own a home and need to sell and buy another one then there is a lengthy process to go through. Your current home will need to be put on the market and you’ll need to wait for the right buyer who is willing to pay the right price. You will then have to find a new home and negotiate on that. This all leads to having to go through legal processes and great expense. Having to move from one rented property to another is much easier. You will just need to give a short period of notice to your current landlord and find somewhere else to rent.

There Is Less Risk

If you own a home you are at the mercy of property prices. If your own property decreases in value and you wish to move you are going to lose out financially. Although rental prices change over time, they are less likely to be as significant.

There Is Less Responsibility

Landlords may apply certain rules that lead to a little less freedom but renting means the landlord is responsible for a lot of things that you need to worry about if you own your home. If something breaks, for example, then they will either have to employ someone to fix it or do it themselves. Renting also means you don’t have the cost of any work that needs to be done.

Owning your own home clearly has some advantages. If you want to make alterations you can and you might benefit long-term from the investment. There are, though, also many benefits to renting. It can be a lot simpler while moving in the future is less stressful.

Andrew Marshall ©

For more information on renting property visit Flats to Rent in Wimbledon

Ways of Protecting Your Home From Noise

Do you live by a busy road or near a railway line? You might be wondering if there are things you can do to block out the noise. One way of doing this is to use earplugs but you might find they are not particularly comfortable or that they irritate your ears. There are, though, a number of things that can be done to limit the amount of external noise that comes into a room.

It is important to identify the noise first and, more importantly, where it is coming from, meaning you will be better placed to prevent it. In the case of road traffic, for example, it will be easily identifiable, but sometimes it isn’t so simple. Some people believe they are hearing external noises when it is internal; that is to say problems in their ears such as tinnitus. Assuming this is not the case, below are some ways of protecting against noise coming into a home or room.

Double Glazing Windows

The majority of noise that comes into a home is through windows and doors rather than through walls which are thicker and more solid. In regard to windows, upgrading from single glazing to double glazing can make a big difference in the amount of noise coming through, as well as keeping warmth in.

Window Shutters

Window shutters can have much the same benefit as double glazing by providing an extra level of noise protection. Whether you have single or double glazing there is still a small amount of space between the frame and the opening of a window. Wooden window shutters are particularly effective at keeping this noise out, with solid shutters being preferable if the sole purpose of them is to keep the noise to a minimum. Wood is very effective in keeping out noise and investing in double glazing (if you don’t have it already) as well as window shutters will significantly reduce noise.

Insulation

If noise is consistently a major problem then you may wish to go as far as to improve the insulation of your home or certain rooms. At the extreme end is professional sound proofing, which is fairly expensive. Other things that can be done include adding dry wall between the two boards that typically make up a wall in modern homes or to use foam-like insulation as you usually find in lofts.

Towel Under the Door

If noise through a door is the problem, for example in an apartment block, then simply placing a towel at the bottom of the door will deaden the noise coming through the gap at the bottom. This could prevent low level noise from coming through or simply quieten the noise you can here. This might be sufficient to make the difference between getting a good night’s sleep and lying awake.

Carpet

For those living in flats where noise from the flat below is a problem, having carpet is much more effective at preventing you from hearing noise than wooden flooring is. Even using a mat can help a little, although that is unlikely to completely block noise out.

External noise is something that many find a problem. There are things you can do to prevent this being an issue though. If it is unrealistic for you to keep noise out you could use other sounds to prevent external noise from frustrating you. You can use a fan or music for this effect.

Andrew Marshall ©

A Profile of Robert Metcalfe

Robert Metcalfe is famous for changing the world of computer networks, in particular co-founding ethernet alongside David Boggs. Ethernet has been a significant breakthrough in computer technology since the 1980’s.

Metcalfe’s student days saw him educated at the Massachusetts Institute for Technology and from Harvard, from where he graduated in 1970. After graduating Metcalfe attempted to persuade Harvard to let him connect them to the ARPAnet, the packet switching network that was a precursor to the internet. They refused and he therefore joined the team working for Project MAC at the Massachusetts Institute for Technology. Project MAC stood for Project for Mathematics and Computation and it produced groundbreaking research in operating systems and artificial intelligence. At its inception it had received a $2 million grant from the Defence Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) to help it on its way.

The next step for Robert Metcalfe was to join Xeron, where Ethernet technology was developed between 1973 and 1974. It was partly inspired by ALOHAnet, the first wireless packet data network which Metcalfe had studies at college. He left Xeron in 1979 but convinced the company to work in partnership with Digital Equipment Corporation the Intel to establish Ethernet as a standard. This partnership became known as DIX and they achieved their objective of developing Ethernet into the standard for connecting computers over a short distance. The standard specified ten megabit per second Ethernet with a forty-eight bit destination and source address and a global sixteen-bit Ethernet type field.

After leaving Xeron Metcalfe formed a new company, 3Com, alongside Howard Charney, Greg Shaw and Bruce Borden. 3Com became a manufacturer of computer network equipment with the name coming from “the 3 coms”; computers, communication and compatibility. They produced Ethernet technology and a range of software to provide shared services over local area networks. Metcalfe left 3Com in 1990 after a dispute over the contest to become the new CEO, a post Metcalfe contested but did not win. He became a writer and publisher, writing for InfoWorld amongst other publications.

While Robert Metcalfe is clearly a very intelligent man, in his writing career he has been guilty of the odd bad prediction. The first of these was his prediction that wireless mobile wouldn’t last beyond the mid-1990’s, something that has, in fact, gone from strength to strength since. It may seem very short sighted now but at the time he claimed that it would be much like bathrooms, in that they are still plumbed, and computers would remained wired for the same reason. Another incorrect prediction meant he had to eat his own words… literally. In 1995 he predicted the internet would collapse in the following year and promised to eat his words if he was wrong. When this proved to be incorrect he put his column where he’d published this prediction through a blender and proceeded to drink the contents. Another incorrect prediction saw him state that Linux would disappear post-Windows 2000 in one of his many attacks on open source technology, something he likened to communism.

Robert Metcalfe has been instrumental in the world of computerisation and technology and is seen as a crucial figure in the success of computer networks. Due to this he has received many awards including the National Medal for Technology and the IEEE Medal of Honour. He is currently the Professor of Electrical Engineering and Director of Innovation at the University of Texas.

Andrew Marshall ©

Fast Ethernet has been crucial in the development of computer technology.

Paying For What You Use: Mobile Phones and Web Hosting

It can often be better to pay for what you use rather than what you think you’ll use. For many types of services there are payment options whereby customers can pay what they use rather than an overall service charge.

The obvious example of this is with gas and electricity. These are always paid for according to usage. It wouldn’t work in any other way as it varies depending on the time of year; the heating required is very different in the middle of winter compare to the middle of summer. While gas and electricity has traditionally worked in this way, there are a number of other services that are now available on a pay-as-you-use basis.

Mobile Phones

Mobile phones is one well-known example of a service where you can pay for what you use, rather than paying an on-going fee. With a pay-as-you-go package, the only initial payment is to purchase the phone. Once this has been paid for customers simple top-up their phone with a certain amount, which then runs out once the credit has been used up. Except for emergency calls, no more calls can be made once the credit has been used until it is topped up once more. Topping up a mobile phone has been traditionally done through top-up vouchers purchased from outlets such as newsagents and supermarkets but can now also be done online, over the phone via credit card or debit card or at some ATM’s.

The alternative to pay-as-you-go are contracts with the mobile phone provider. Here, the phone costs less, and is sometimes free, as the provider is tying customers into an on-going contract. A contract requires a customer to make a monthly payment and in exchange they receive a certain amount of call time and text messages without incurring any extra charge. More calls can be made (and more text messages sent) additionally to this but they will cost more.

For those who make a low number of calls or only use it for an emergency the pay-as-you-go option is likely to be more cost-effective. On the other hand, a contract is the better option for those who use it more regularly. A contract can often be tailored to the needs of the customer and it is likely to prove cheaper in the long run.

Web Hosting

Traditionally, web hosting is paid for by paying a monthly fee to a web hosting provider. This will include a particular amount of disk space and bandwidth being dedicated to a website. When deciding on a package or the type of hosting they require, website owners must try to anticipate the amount of traffic the site will attract. This is not always easy and getting it wrong can mean ending up with too little bandwidth (meaning people won’t be able to view the site) or too much (resulting in paying more than is required). Cloud hosting is a solution. It allows customers to pay for the hosting resource that they require at any particular time. When additional resource becomes necessary it is automatically dedicated to a site. This is then charged for, but is only charged for when it is being utilised.

Cloud hosting is a good option for websites that have fluctuating traffic levels. It prevents them from being left short or having to pay for something all year round that is only required during busy periods.

Andrew Marshall ©

Junior ISA One Year Old

Having been in operation for a year it is time to look at whether the Junior ISA has been a success. This savings plan for children was set up by the government as a way for parents to invest on behalf of their children.

A Junior ISA allows parents to invest up to £3,600 every year with no tax having to be paid on interest or capital gains. A child will gain access to their ISA upon their eighteenth birthday. At that point they can transfer it into a regular ISA and, should they so choose, start to use the money as they see fit.

Whether the first year of this children’s ISA can be considered a success or not depends on how you perceive success in this instance. An obvious comparison that will be made is with its predecessor, the Child Trust Fund, which was introduced by the Labour government in 2005, with children born from 2002 eligible. Under that scheme parents were given a £250 CTF voucher upon their child’s birth to invest on their behalf. Had this not been invested after a year then an account was automatically opened for them. They could then contribute up to £1,200 a year towards the fund and were given another £250 voucher when their child turned seven years old (although very few reached this age before it was discontinued). There is one main benefit and one main disadvantage of the JISA compared to the CFT. The main benefit is the higher allowance with the lack of the initial government contribution being the key disadvantage.

If comparing the Junior ISA with the Child Trust Fund, the number of accounts opened has been significantly lower than the number of accounts opened in the first year of the Child Trust Fund. This isn’t really an accurate comparison, though. Not only does it include accounts that were automatically opened after a year, but parents had more of an incentive to open an account. With no government Junior ISA contribution it means that those who are not planning to make regular contributions do not have the same incentive to open an account. On the other hand, of the accounts that have been opened the average contributions have been higher. These two comparisons suggest that fewer parents have had sufficient incentive or funds to open an account but, of those who have, they are contributing more. This is, in part, because they are able to contribute more due to the allowance being three times as much.

There may have been more Junior ISA accounts opened were it not for the regular adult ISA, which has a much higher allowance of £11,280. It has been suggested that many parents are choosing to use part of this ISA allowance to effectively invest on behalf of their children. For example, parents that might wish to invest £2,000 on behalf of themselves and other £2,000 on behalf of their child might invest the full £4,000 in their ISA, rather than putting £2,000 of it towards a Junior ISA.

The long term success of the Junior ISA remains to be seen. Though we can look at trends, one year is too soon to realistically judge how successful it will be, especially considering the current economic climate.

Andrew Marshall ©

Examples of Renewable Energy Sources

We have all become more aware of the environment in recent years and the impact that our lives are having on it. This includes the problem of energy resources. We know we are running out of certain energy sources, such as oil, and in the future renewable sources are likely to become a priority, a trend that has begun but still has a long way to go. So what are some of the renewable energy sources that we are beginning to utilise more extensively?

Solar Power

The sun produces the energy for trees and plants to grow and we humans can also take advantage of the sun to produce the energy we need. This is done by using solar panels, something that, while not utilised by the majority, are becoming more common on homes and other buildings. In an individual home solar panels can be used to heat the home and the water used within it. Solar energy can also be harnessed and stored for use elsewhere.

Wind Power

Wind power is a completely clean energy source as wind turbines don’t produce any emissions at all. It does, though, require wine turbines to stand in open countryside, often in coastal areas to benefit from where the highest wind speeds are. Some are against this as they consider them to be a blot on the landscape they are situated in. Currently, wind power is the fastest growing renewable energy source and it could be key in the future.

Biomass

Biomass can be turned into an energy source by it being burnt. This is currently done by burning products such as plastic, insulation and fabric. This isn’t particularly clean energy and replacing this with burning biomass products will lead to fewer harmful emissions being released into the atmosphere. Biomass products that could be used to replace things like plastic include trees, dead plants and food wastage, all of which are natural products.

Water

Referred to as hydropower, water can be an extremely effective source of power. This can be achieved by utilising waves or falling water in the form waterfalls or building purpose built dams. The most common way in which water is used for energy is through hydroelectric power, which is the process of turning this energy into electricity. This is the most extensively used form of renewable energy used worldwide. The cost of hydroelectric power is relatively low due to the natural gravitational force of waterfalls or flowing water often being utilised. Even where investment is required - for example because a dam has to be built - once completed it is cost effective.

These are just some of the renewable energy sources that could be used more extensively in the future. These are the most common, but there are others too, and there are sure to be more developments over time. The efficiency of renewable sources of energy is likely to improve. With the human population continually growing and technology advancing we are going to require even more energy in the future. The need for clean and renewable forms of energy is a pressing concern and something that will become more necessary as time goes by.

Andrew Marshall ©

Due to developments in the energy sector it is important that energy providers keep up with Energy Law.

How Technology has Increase the Productivity of Mobile Employees

Over the last couple of decades technology has played an important role in making things easier for employees who need to travel for their work. Technology has led to improved communication, both internally and with customers, and has increased productivity.

Mobile Phones

There was a time when communication between mobile employees and their colleagues and customers was difficult. Often communication required planning in advance. If an employee had to contact their office they might have needed to find a telephone box to make a call. While this might not have been particularly complex it was hardly ideal and it would have been much more difficult in reverse. If someone needed to contact a mobile employee urgently they may have had no way of achieving this.

The mobile phone has come to the rescue. They were first used by business people in the nineteen-eighties, but it wasn’t really until the late nineteen-nineties that they became the norm. Because of mobile phones travelling employees can now be contacted at any time. If every employee has one, which they generally do, then any two employees can get hold of one another easily. Contacting and being contacted by customers is just as easy.

Laptops

The development of laptop computers has revolutionised the way in which mobile employees can operate. They don’t have to take stacks of paperwork everywhere they go, it makes presentations easier and they can access any information they have stored quickly and easily.

The Internet

The internet has made business easier in many ways. These days it is the prime tool that businesses use to carry out research, and if travelling, it can be accessed using a laptop or mobile device, such as a smart phone or a tablet. If an employee needs to quickly research something while on the move, then they can.

Email

Email is the biggest example of how mobile business people use the internet to increase their productivity. Email has had a significant impact on business communication in general and is a good way of communicating with employees who are on the move. If they need a document it can be instantaneously sent and received.

VPN and Other Security Barriers

Virtual private networks and other security barriers make accessing the internet and computer networks much safer. There are many security concerns related to accessing a network, especially if using a wi-fi connection. This can, to a large extent, be alleviated using a VPN or another method of security. Making networks secure is just as important as having them to begin with.

Video Conferencing

Using the right technology means that employees can have conferences wherever they may be. For example, using their laptop they can have a video conference with someone in another location. They can also communicate from various offices with those who are elsewhere. As well as improving the productivity of employees on the move, in some cases it can make travelling less of a requirement. There are times when a video conference can be used instead of a face-to-face meeting.

Technology is constantly making it easier for businesses that have employees who regularly travel. It has had a massive impact on how such employees operate on a day-to-day basis. Over the coming years we can expect new technologies to come to the fore to further increase productivity.

Andrew Marshall ©

Types of Websites that can Benefit from Cloud Hosting

Cloud hosting is a form of web hosting that has been growing in popularity over recent years. The main advantages are cost, stability and scalability and there are various types of websites that can benefit from being hosted in the cloud. These include large websites that receive a high number of visitors, seasonal sites and growing sites.

Large, High Traffic Websites

The major benefits of cloud hosting for high traffic sites are scalability and cost. With traffic levels high it makes it difficult to judge the amount of hosting resource that is required, particularly as high traffic sites tends to have constant fluctuations in traffic. With cloud hosting, resource is allocated towards a website as it is needed and removed when it is no longer required. Therefore, when the capacity needed is high it is available but when it is not then it is no longer paid for. The other main hosting option for large sites with high traffic levels is dedicated hosting. There are two major disadvantages to this though, the cost and the limits there are. Cost wise, dedicated hosting means paying for the maximum resource at all times regardless of whether or not this capacity is being utilised. There are always limitations with dedicated hosting. You can buy more servers as a site grows but however many servers are dedicated towards a site the capacity stops there, and if more is needed it is not available instantaneously. With cloud hosting, on the other hand, more resource is automatically allocated to a site as required without the client having to take action.

Seasonal Websites

Seasonal websites possibly benefit from cloud hosting more than others. Below are some examples of these types of sites:

Travel agents who tend to have peaks in the summer and in the lead up to the school holidays

Some ecommerce sites that are particularly busy prior to Christmas

Websites of events, for example the London 2012 website that would have been busier during the Olympic Games than prior to them

The cloud hosting benefit for these types of sites is that they can cope with the increase in traffic during peaks without paying for the same high capacity during the troughs. For example, site owners don’t want to be paying for the hosting resource required for the thousands of visitors they might get for a short period every year when they are only getting a fraction of this for the rest of the year. The London 2012 website had its problems due to the high volume of traffic when people were trying to purchase tickets for the Olympic Games. Perhaps some of the issues could have been avoided with the right web hosting. The site would have performed better if more servers had been available, as would have been the case with a cloud hosting service.
Fast Growing Websites

The scalability of cloud hosting can make it a good option for websites that are quickly growing. Below are some examples:

The websites of businesses that are growing

New businesses that are expected to grow as they are coming from nothing

Websites set up for an event where content and traffic will increase as the event nears and then even more so once it begins

Those who run the above websites might know that traffic will increase, but it may be difficult to predict the exact level of these increases. Utilising cloud hosting means the site owners won’t need to predict the traffic levels. As the popularity of the site increases the hosting resource will be automatically increased to keep pace with this. This means not having to constantly update hosting packages. Otherwise site owners may start off with basic shared hosting and gradually upgrade to dedicated hosting, and then add more dedicated servers should growth continue.

The above examples are the main types of websites that can find cloud hosting advantageous. The main reasons for this is the scalability on offer and the fact that site owners have additional resource should they require it without having to pay for it unless it is being utilised.

Andrew Marshall ©

Different Investments for Different People

Different investments are suitable for people in difference situations. Choosing how to invest comes down to many factors, including the amount of available funds, the aim of the investment, the point in which the investor finds themselves in their life, and personal preference. Below are some of the investments that should be considered by people in different circumstances.

Those with Limited to Medium Funds

For those with less than £12,000 to invest a year an ISA might be worth considering. The current ISA limit is set at £11,280. All of this can be put towards a stocks and shares ISA but it can be split between a stocks and shares ISA and a cash ISA; up to half of it can be put towards the cash ISA. The advantage of an ISA is the tax benefit; no tax has to be paid on interest or capital gains, something that can make a significant difference over several years. ISA’s are ideal to those investing over a long period. Riskier, but potentially higher reward investments, might be more attractive to those investing a similar amount over a short period, although here it is advisable to split it across a number of investments to spread the risk.

Wealthy Investors

An ISA will not be sufficient for those wishing to invest particularly large amounts, although they will be able to invest up to £11,280 in one. Property investment is possibly the most appropriate as, despite the current market, house prices are still likely to rise in the future. With housing, though, it is important to choose homes in the right areas. If investing in real estate properties can be rented out and sold once the value has increased. It is likely that property will continue to be a way that people can make big investment gains in the future.

Investing on Behalf of Children

There are a number of children’s savings plans out there, with the relatively new Junior ISA the best known of these. The Junior ISA works in a similar way to a regular ISA with a set maximum allowance and no tax being payable on interest or capital gains. There are two important distinctions though; the limit is lower than a regular ISA - currently £3,600 - and it can’t be touched until the child turns eighteen. At this point they gain control of the ISA and can withdraw the accumulated funds if they like.

The Young and Middle Aged

There is a pension problem amongst young people and even those in their forties and fifties, with many yet to have started planning for their retirement. This is partly due to a lack of good employer pensions as well as the failure of individuals to start their own. Those who are able to should start to pay into a pension plan as soon as possible. The younger someone is when they start a pension the better, and a few years can make a big difference come retirement.

The Retired

Those already retired will hopefully already have an adequate pension, so what are good investments for them? The answer might lie in investing in companies through stocks and shares. Asian investment funds are one option due to the current growth of the Asian stock market, although there are many other options too.

Andrew Marshall ©

Review of the London Olympic Park

The London Olympic and Paralympic Games of 2012 are now over, with the Games generally considered very successful with plenty of home success. Now that it’s over, it’s time to review the Olympic Park. The park is located in the East London district of Stratford and played host to sports including Athletics, Swimming, Diving, track and BMX Cycling, Basketball, Hockey and Handball.

Transport

There was easy access to the London Olympic Park during the games via the London Underground, which is how the majority of spectators accessed the park. Stratford Underground Station is right on the door step. The only downside was that it could get particularly busy after the evening Athletics sessions, with eighty-thousand people leaving on mass. Many chose to take the thirty minute walk to West Ham Station instead, as the wait would often be longer than this at Stratford.

Reaching Stratford Station was easy from Central London and the main London Train Stations. It was reachable directly on the Central Line from Central London and directly on the Jubilee Line from Waterloo. Spectators coming from King’s Cross or Victoria had one stop on their journey to the Olympic Park; the Northern Line changing at Bank from King’s Cross and the Victoria Line changing at Oxford Circus from Victoria.

While the Underground links to the park were good, this was really the only option for spectators. With no parking it was not possible to drive making it problematic for some, but in some ways this made sense due to the large numbers of people and the congestion that would otherwise have occurred.

Entrance and Security

Entrance to the Olympic Park was quick and easy most of the time. There were generally no queues or very short queues due to the arrival of spectators being spread across the day and the large size of the entrance area. Security was perhaps a little over the top with all spectators having to go through airport-style security and even water being confiscated. There was, though, drinking water available from inside and it was possible to take empty bottles in.

To access the venues themselves there was no further security. All that was required was to show your ticket and have it scanned by one of the volunteers. This meant a speedy entrance.

Volunteers

The Olympic volunteers, who have been nicknamed the “games makers”, have been widely praised amongst London 2012 organisers and the media, and rightly so. They were all very friendly and upbeat and were happy to help whenever requested to by spectators.

Getting Around the Olympic Park

The Olympic Park was vast in size, with many surprised as to just how big it was. Walking from one end to the other took around thirty minutes even via the most direct route. It was, though, easy to get around. Wheelchairs were available free of charge to those who required them and there were golf-buggy like vehicles passing regularly that those finding it difficult to walk around could board. Despite there being many thousands of people around it wasn’t difficult to get around. The main walk-ways were very wide, everything was well sign posted and there were maps dotted all around the park.

Things To Do

Outside of live sport there was plenty else to do at the London Olympic Park. There was a large grass area in the middle of the park that included large screens with sports action and a stage with live music. There was also the Olympic Orbit, a tower with an observation deck at the top. From here there were views over the Olympic Park to one side and the River Thames and the Canary Warf area to the other. This may have been better situated had it been more central as it would have offered a better view of the park. The Orbit wasn’t the best looking structure within the park and divided opinion.

Facilities and Food

There were plenty of food outlets throughout the park with a large variety of food available. Although expensive, it was no more than most other sporting venues tend to be. The Olympic Park had the world’s largest McDonald restaurant, perhaps not the most appropriate message for an event that should be promoting sport and healthy living.

Although well stocked with Olympic merchandise, the official Olympic Shop had massive queues; sometimes you would have to queue for two hours just to get in the door. This could have been better managed, perhaps with more shops situated in different areas of the park.

Throughout the park there were plenty of toilets and, as a consequence, no big queues. They could get busier at times within the venues themselves just prior to and just after an event, especially the Ladies toilets. The standard of cleanliness was average.

Venue: Olympic Stadium

The Athletics stadium was the centre-piece of the Olympic Park (although not located in the centre). It was always full and there was always a good atmosphere. The stadium was well designed and even the cheapest seats offered an excellent view. During Athletics events there was commentary over the loud speaker making the action easy to follow, although it could have been a little better for the field events.

Venue: Aquatics Centre

Host to the Swimming and Diving events, the Aquatics Centre had a compact feel. The spectators were always enthusiastic and supported athletes from all nations. One weakness was that despite it being “sold out” there were sometimes empty seats. There were some complaints about the quality of the seating for the Diving events, with some claiming they couldn’t see the action properly.

Venue: Veledrome

Many described the track Cycling venue as being the loudest of all the venues, no doubt helped by the amount of success for Team GB. There were good views of the action from everywhere and it was the best looking building from the outside, which was party wooden.

Venue: Basketball Arena

The Basketball Arena had a bubble-like look on the outside, which wasn’t to the taste of everyone. Inside, though, there was a good atmosphere with an intimate feel.

Overall, London 2012 was a huge success, much helped by the spectacular Olympic Park and some world class venues. Some of the venues will now be removed and some altered, with others remaining as they are.

Andrew Marshall ©

Visit Solicitors London for legal advice in the London area.

A Brief History of Music Piracy

Music piracy has been in the news recently as the BBC has compiled a list of the most illegally downloaded musicians for difference areas of the UK as well as the UK as a whole, with Ed Sheeran named the most downloaded artist in the country. While this may be a bit of fun, it highlights a serious subject. Music piracy is illegal and illegally downloading music or selling pirated music can lead to criminal charges. When music is pirated artists are not making money from the product they have produced and it is breaking intellectual property law. Any creators, including creators of art such as music, have the legal right to do as they please with their creations, including the right to sell them or let others broadcast them. 

History of Music Piracy

The history of music piracy doesn’t just go back to being able to download music via the internet. It can be traced back to the 1920’s and radio stations playing music without the permission of writers or performers. 

Tapes and Bootlegs

The beginning of music piracy being carried out by regular consumers goes back to cassette tapes and the 1960’s. From the 1960’s it became common for people to record music using blank cassette tapes either from vinyl or other tapes. The quality wasn’t great – nowhere near that of purchasing a record – but it was a way of acquiring music without paying for it apart from the cost of the blank cassettes. Although most of this was fairly low-level, such as children recording a tape of their friend’s records, there were some who were making money from this by mass-recording and selling copies onto others. It was not easy to make large amounts, though, due to the lack of quality. 

Tapes made it possible to record live music, which led to an illegal bootleg industry. Some recorded live concerts, in some cases mass-producing copies of a performance and selling them to fans. Some of these became collector’s items as it was an opportunity to have a copy of your favourite artist performing live, something that often wasn’t available from shops. 

CD’s

Compact discs came along in the 1980’s and were better quality and longer lasting than vinyl. To begin with theses couldn’t be copied as they were read-only. However, computer technology improved and it became possible to copy CD’s to the same quality as the original record. This was an opportunity for some recording and selling on copied records to make large amounts of money. 

Digital

The more recent rise of digital music has led to much more piracy of music. A number of websites appeared offering user’s fee, or very cheap, recordings. This has been clamped down on with legal action taken against these sites with them being taken down as a consequence. There are websites where people can download music legally. This is often cheaper than buying the physical record, for example the CD. Illegal sites are still a problem though. It is possible to record multiple digital copies of music that can be passed on or sold to others. CD’s can also be imported into MP3 software many times over, so people can borrow other peoples CD’s and make their own digital copies. 

Music piracy is not new but it has become more of an issue since the invention of digital music. It is something that may never completely go away but it is being clamped down on by the authorities to limit the chances of guilty parties getting away with copyright theft. 

Andrew Marshall ©

Visit Intellectual Property Solicitors for more information about copyright infringement and intellectual property law.

How we are Becoming more Paperless

Paperless is a term that is used to describe a situation or a place, such as an office, that doesn’t use paper, usually due to the usage of computers. Although paper is still used extensively, due to technology it is not used as widely as it once was. There are many examples of how the world is becoming “more paperless”.

An Office Environment

Originally offices were full of paper. The only way of recording anything in physical form was by using a pencil and paper. The invention of the typewriter became a hugely important moment in the productivity of office work but it didn’t do anything to reduce the amount of paper that was used. Things have been much different over the last decade or two. Computers have taken over and you won’t find an office without them these days. While documents do sometimes need to be printed out, this is more often not the case. Email has become the most widely used form of communication within businesses and in dealing with customers and other companies. This saves on paper compared with sending a letter, which may previously have been required.

Newsletters

Many of us receive local newsletters through our front doors. Newsletter communication, however, is now often done via emails. Documents, including an entire newsletter, can be attached to an email and read on the computer screen. If an organisation is sending out three-thousand newsletters each with twelve pages, then that adds up to thirty-six thousand pages. If this is sent on a monthly basis then that is four-hundred-and-thirty-two-thousand pages a year. If this is sent via email instead then that is a lot of paper saved. And that is only one monthly newsletter from one organisation. Although some may print newsletters out, the majority won’t.

Magazines and Newspapers

Magazines and newspapers are still printed in large numbers in the traditional form and sold through outlets such as newsagents and supermarkets. Increasing numbers, though, are choosing to read up on news online – either through official newspaper or magazine websites or through other sites – so less paper is being used through these mediums.

Books

Although still in its infancy, reading books via kindles is becoming more popular. Benefits from a consumer’s point of view include only having to carry a small device, which is especially convenient if travelling with several books. In the long run this could have a significant impact on how many books are printed, while authors will still be making their money through sales in a different way.

There are numerous ways in which we are, as a whole, becoming less reliant on paper, with the above just some of the more obvious ones. The rise of email is a key reason for this with banks emailing statements to customers rather than printing and sending them via post, advertisers emailing potential customers instead of producing “junk mail”, and in some circumstances receipt being email. Other ways in which paper is being saved includes insurance documents and instruction manuals being available online. This is having a positive impact on the environment and means people aren’t left having to store endless numbers of important documents.

Andrew Marshall ©

For more information visit Paper Suppliers.

Mobile Device Security

Mobile devices have become increasingly popular over the last ten to fifteen years. The number of mobile phone users exploded in the late nineteen-nineties and the early two-thousands and these days the vast majority of people own a mobile phone. More recently tablets have become the craze, with the number of users increasing continuously. Both mobile phones and tablets are being used for a variety of tasks, both business related and for personal tasks. There are undoubtedly many benefits to using mobile devices, including being able to carry out tasks from anywhere. One thing they are used for is to gain internet access when on the move. While this has obvious advantages there is also one potential downside: security.

An increasing number of mobile devices now allow users to gain access to the internet. However, these don’t always have the security that computers and laptops do. Most people who use desktop and laptop computers install firewalls and anti-virus software to protect against potential dangers. This is not usually the case, though, with mobile devices. Users often obliviously use them without taking into consideration security issues. Many users access the internet over a mobile device in the same way as they would with any other device.

For a number of years it has been common for people to read up on news and access emails via a mobile phone. It has now reached a stage where smart phones and tablets are often being used to carry out business tasks. A particular danger is that people are carrying out internet banking over their mobile devices. Carrying out these tasks without the necessary security measures means there is the potential for security problems.

Using Wi-Fi hotspots is something that carries a particular danger. It is not the most secure of environments. As it is not a wired connection and anyone with an enabled device can access them, it makes Wi-Fi hotspots the wild west of internet access. While users are accessing the internet in this way it makes them particularly susceptible to being hacked, something that can be relatively easy for those with the required knowledge.

Hackers have targeted regular computers for years. With more internet enabled mobile devices than ever before it means it could only be a matter of time before criminals target these as well. And as things stands, they are possibly an easier target.

There are potential security issues with mobile devices, but that doesn’t mean it is time to panic and stop using them for accessing the internet. There are things that can be done to limit the chances of suffering from security problems. Using mobile devices sensibly is one of these. If security cannot be guaranteed then not carrying out tasks like internet banking and making payments over mobile devices is wise. Intercepting these are the things that could most likely lead to financial loss. Using a VPN is another option. A VPN, which stands for Virtual Private Network, can be used to enhance security. They use encryption to make sure the transfer of data – in this case between a mobile device and the internet – is not interpreted by others. Many mobile devices have encryption options installed, although they are not always automatically switched on. Users should, therefore, ensure that these are enabled at all times.

While the main benefit of a mobile device is that it can be easily transported, taking it everywhere means they are commonly misplaced. It is important, therefore, to make sure anyone who finds a lost device does not have easy access to any data that they can use for sinister means.

Mobile devices have many benefits but security is a concern. However, if the right precautions are in place and users use them sensibly then they can be protected against.

Andrew Marshall ©

The Importance of Choosing Adequate Hosting for your Blog

Choosing the right web hosting for a blog can be just as important as for a regular website. You want your blog to be able to cope with the content in contains as well as the traffic it attracts.

With many blogging platforms there is free hosting available, with Wordpress and Blogger two popular examples. But is free blog hosting adequate? The answer to this is sometimes yes, but this often isn’t the case. If you plan on the occasional basic post and don’t expect a large amount of traffic then the free hosting that comes with many blogging platforms might be adequate. This is more likely to be the case for personal and general interest blogs than for business blogs.

The main reason why free blog hosting is not always appropriate is that you can’t usually have your own domain name; you normally have to use a sub-domain of the platform you are using. For example, if your blog is called Chocolate News rather than having a domain name of ‘chocolatenews.com’, it would have to be something along the lines of ‘chocolatenews.blogspot.com’ or ‘chocolatenews.wordpress.org’. A business really needs its own, completely unique, domain name but there are also other reasons why free blog hosting might not be sufficient. It can, for one, only cope with a limited amount of traffic. For many blogs this isn’t a concern but for those that aim to attract thousands of visitors every week it will likely prove problematic.

Some don’t have the same thought process when hosting a blog as they do when hosting a website. It can, though, be just as important to make the right decision. After all, there is little point in having a blog if your potential visitors cannot view it. There are a number of factors that need consideration.

With any website, whether it is a blog or not, reliability is crucial. Web hosting is the most important factor in whether or not a blog is reliable. Unreliable hosting could result in a site regularly being offline meaning no-one can view it. Poor hosting can also lead to slower load times, thus meaning frustrated visitors resulting in them leaving the blog. This could include those who would return to the blog, therefore losing potential repeat visitors.

Prior to choosing your hosting provider you need to think about the amount of traffic you expect to attract. It is wise to discuss this with potential providers so you have the adequate bandwidth dedicated to the blog. The more bandwidth you have, the more traffic the blog can deal with while remaining online and without its performance being impacted.

While most blogs have relatively simple functionality – such as a series of text-based blog posts – if you have a more complex blog then the hosting will need to be chosen accordingly. An example of this is where audio and video files are included in posts.

So which type of hosting do you need for your blog? This comes down to many factors, with the main options being free blog hosting, shared hosting and dedicated hosting.

As mentioned above, free hosting isn’t always ideal but that doesn’t mean it never is. For a personal blog with basic content and a relatively low number of visitors this may be perfectly adequate. It is certainly not the best option, though, for a business blog, particularly due to the domain name restrictions.

Shared hosting is possibly the most common choice. You can have your own unique domain name and for most blogs is suitable. It can deal with the functionality of the majority of blogs and if traffic levels aren’t sky-high the bandwidth will be sufficient.

Dedicated hosting may be required for larger or more complex blogs. For those that drive thousands of visits a week, or even a day, then dedicated hosting should be the preferred choice.

Choosing the right web hosting for a blog is important. While free or cheap hosting might seem tempting, it may lead to problems with the blog. As well as the practical problem of people struggling to view the site, it can also harm the blogs reputation. That doesn’t mean that these cheaper options are never suitable though.

Andrew Marshall ©

Why the Right Website is Important for a Business

Having a website is important for all businesses these days. For one, customers expect it; if they search for a business online they expect to find it and if they can’t they are likely to go to a competitors website instead. Something that has become increasingly important is to catch the passive online market; those looking for certain products and services online who aren’t looking for any particular provider. If people can find your business when searching online for the products or services you offer then it can become a major income stream. To some the online shop window is their main source of generating business.

It is not just having a website that is important but having the right website. You need to provide what customers expect. A company that sells products and has a physical shop as well as a website might benefit from having an e-commerce site rather than just a flat brochure site. Some customers want to purchase products online and expect to be able to do so with certain items. People expect to be able to buy clothes, books and CD’s online so businesses that sell these may need an e-commerce site. On the other hand, they probably won’t expect to be able to buy products such as window shutters or flooring for their home. Important considerations for e-commerce sites should include giving clear information about products, such as what they are, what they do and the price. Navigation should be simple with easy and secure payment methods available. You can’t usually sell services through a website so websites of relevant companies are more likely to be brochure sites. These should supply information about the company and, importantly, information about their services. The contact details need to be clear, including the email address, telephone number and physical address.

Quality web design is important for any website, but especially a business site. It needs to look professional and needs to clearly display the relevant information and meet the requirements of customers. For some sites simplicity is the most important thing while for others impressive design is more important, for example design related businesses. Being able to show what you can do is also beneficial, visually or otherwise. Interior designers, artists and photographers, for example, should be able to show examples of what they can do. For those in industries where this is not possible it is good to give information about the work they have done or the customers they have worked with.  

The navigation and functionality of a website is important. Simple navigation is always preferable as you don’t want to leave visitors frustrated. They should be able to find what they are looking for easily and quickly. The required functionality depends on the type of website it is. Some will have very basic functionality while others might contain audio and video files or large databases.

With any website the content is crucial. There is little point in having a website if it doesn’t contain the right content. It needs to provide the information potential customers are looking for. Before having a website designed and built it is important to carry out market research. The most important thing for a business website is to provide what potential customers want, not what you think they want.

Andrew Marshall ©

What Will Happen to Divorce Rates in the Future?

Since the middle part of the twentieth century divorce rates in the UK, and across the world, have increased. Over time the family law legal system has been simplified and society has become more accepting of married couples separating. Some have criticised the simplification of divorce for it becoming too easy and making marriage less of a lifelong commitment while others believe it to be a positive step as it allows those in unhappy marriages to move on. While the numbers divorcing rose steeply from the mid-1900’s until the 1980’s it has since plateaued. Around thirty percent of first marriages now end in divorce while around fifty percent of total marriages end.

What will happen in the future? Will divorce rates increase, decrease or remain similar? And what are the factors that might contribute to this? There is no real answer to this but we can speculate. Below are some of the current trends that may influence the divorce rates of the future.

Age of Marriage

On average people are getting married later than ever before. The average age of marriage has increased significantly over the last thirty years with it having increased from twenty-three to thirty for women and from twenty-five to thirty-two for men since 1981. It could be suggested that this will have a positive impact on divorce rates in the future. People might be taking a more considered approach to marriage and not rushing into it, meaning they are less likely to enter into a marriage that doesn’t work out. Couples are often together for several years prior to tying the knot, meaning they might be more aware and more certain of the path they are choosing. Conversely, some might argue the opposite; that waiting to marry shows that the constitution of marriage is not as important to some people, and therefore means marriages are more likely to end.

Living Together before Marriage

The number of couples living together before getting married has increased hugely, with this figure reported to be around eighty percent. There are three main reasons why this might be the case. Marriage is more expensive than ever so people are saving up for marriage over a long period. Others are choosing to live together as a trial before deciding whether or not to get married. There is also the financial aspect of living with someone else rather than living alone. The divorce rate of those who live together before marriage is actually higher than for those who don’t. The theory of this is that some cohabiting couples “fall into marriage” because it seems like an obvious step, rather than it being something they choose as such. Does this mean this particular trend could contribute to a higher divorce rate? Not necessarily as it really depends on each couple’s reason for getting married. For those who feel they should marry rather than fully committing to it, for example where there is pressure from family members, then perhaps they are more likely to separate. For others, though, living together might have made them realise being together is what they really want and it has therefore led to marriage.  

More Relationships

Another trend is that many have more relationships prior to the one with the person they end up marrying. This could have either a positive or negative impact on divorce rates. On one hand someone who has had a number of relationships might find it difficult to settle down with one person. It may show others what they want and what they don’t want from a relationship which could help them to make the right decisions.

It is difficult to predict divorce trends for the future. All of the above trends could have a positive impact on divorce rates in certain circumstances but could have a negative one in others. The likelihood is that divorce is unlikely to end but we are also unlikely to see the extreme rates of the 1980’s.

Andrew Marshall ©

Video Conferencing Robot for Improved Patient Care

Technology has always played an important role in medicine, and in Northern Ireland a new robot with video conferencing technology is being used to improve patient care.

The robot is being used at Daisy Hill Hospital in County Down, which doesn’t have an intensive care unit. It has allowed intensive care specialists at the Craigavon Area Hospital to analyse patients at Daisy Hill and advice staff based there. They are able to easily communicate with doctors, nurses and patients through the video conferencing technology.

The robot being used has been equipped with a camera, microphone, and a video screen with speakers and is controlled by doctors from Craigavon. They control the movements of the robot and then use it to communicate with staff and patients at Daisy Hill. Those at Daisy Hill, including the patient, are able to see the Craigavon based doctor on the flat-screen monitor on the robot, which is about the same size as the average computer screen. The doctor uses the computer at their base where they are filmed via a webcam and can view those at the other end through their own monitor. Not only can they see the patient themselves but they are able to view charts and monitoring equipment as well. Additionally, they can also listen to the heart and lungs of patient’s through a stethoscope which is attached to the back of the robot. The main purpose is to allow doctors to offer their specialist advice to the staff at Daisy Hill as well as to the patient’s. In the main it is about a better level of communication rather than them providing treatment. They can, though, advice the Daisy Hill based doctors of any treatment they are able to perform.

So far this robot with video conferencing technology has proved successful, with staff at both hospitals as well as patients having given positive feedback. It has resulted in improved patient care, particularly as they can be better monitored. Should this be expanded to other areas there could be a number of benefits. It will ease the pressure on certain hospitals, such as those with the specialists needed for particular patients, as they will be able to offer some of the same patient care from elsewhere. It will also limit the need for doctors to travel from one hospital to another, meaning possible cost benefits. It is not suitable to all circumstances but there are many areas where it can make a difference.

Technology is always improving and there are always technological developments that can benefit the health industry. This is just the latest example of this. If this experiment is proved a success, as seems likely judging on the early feedback, then it may be something that is expanded throughout the United Kingdom. If it improves patient care and is cost effective then there is no reason why it will not be adopted more widely. With technology constantly improving there may be further advancements in how this particular robot, or others similar, could be used.

Andrew Marshall ©

Increasing Asian Business and Investment Around the World

Asia is playing more of a role in business across the world in a wide range of sectors. Asians account for around sixty percent of the world’s total population but Asian businesses and Asian people haven’t always been as proactive in the business world as they have become in recent times. Most of us are aware that Asian business is booming and this is not just within the continent itself. Money coming from Asian - whether from the state, from businesses or from individuals – is having an impact worldwide in the form of investment in industries and corporations throughout the globe. As the wealth of Asians has grown it has had an impact on the rest of the world.

Asian companies have become more international over time as they have looked to expand and sell to a worldwide market. More than ever companies that originated in Asian have become multinational enterprises with offices and departments in all parts of the world. They have invested in local economies in all regions, thus creating jobs both directly by employing local residents, and indirectly via suppliers.

As well as simply growing their businesses throughout the globe, China in particular, is investing in energy projects outside of its own boundaries. Africa and Australia are two examples where this type of investment has taken place.

The Chinese government as well as individual businesses have strongly invested in African industry, and especially the energy industry. There is much untapped potential in relatively poor countries that cannot afford to take full advantage themselves. The Chinese have invested in projects that have included the building of roads and other infrastructure needed to support them that would not otherwise have been built. This, in turn, has benefitted the local populations.

There is currently a potential boom in the mineral, energy and agricultural industries in Australia. However, foreign investment in required and China is investing in the mining and energy sectors, thus benefiting Australian business as well as Chinese business.

It is not just in business in the narrow sense than Asian investment is having an influence but in sport as well. Several European football clubs are now run by Asian owners. The millions of Mansour bin Zayed Sultan Al Nahyan from the United Arab Emirates have assisted Manchester City in winning the English Premier League title, while clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain and Malaga are also owned by Asians.

Asia’s influence throughout the world is likely to increase over time with Asian business likely to dominate certain sectors. As its wealth grows its influence can be expected to accelerate. More Asian products are sold worldwide, which has been a growing trend for some time and looks set to continue. Asia as a whole has become more business minded and more globally minded. The real impact, though, is coming through investment in businesses and industries around the world. Much of this is coming from China, due to its large population and growing wealth. Other countries are playing their part as well, though, and this is likely to increase. A country such as India, for example, has this same potential for growth in the future.

Andrew Marshall ©

Interesting Things about Marylebone

Marylebone is an area of London in the City of Westminster district. It is an interesting place full of history. It is situated in West London with nearby areas including as Mayfair, Regents Park and St. John’s Wood. Buckingham Palace is around a mile to the south of Marylebone. Below are some interesting facts and stories about this area of London.

The area got its name from a church originally known as St. Mary’s Church. This is situated on a stream, with streams once commonly referred to as Bourne’s. Due to this the wider area around the church became known as “St. Mary at Bourne”. This name developed into Marylebone.

The world famous Harley Street is situated in Marylebone. The medical profession is what it is known for due to the large number of private medical practices which have operated out of Harley Street over the years. There are currently believed to be more than 3,000 people working there related to medicine. It was named after the Harley Estate, the estate of the Harley family.

Marylebone is home to one of the four stations in the original Monopoly board game. The others are King’s Cross, Liverpool Street and Franchurch Street. The history of Marylebone Station goes back to the nineteenth century having been opened in 1899. It is the only terminal station in London to host only diesel trains.

The area has connections to the so-called “home of Cricket”, Lords Cricket Ground. Originally the ground was in Marylebone but the current ground, which was the third built, stands in nearby St. Johns Wood.

The area is mentioned in the Doomsday Book, although referred to as the Manor of Tyburn. The Doomsday Book states that the population at the time was less than 50 people.

Marylebone hasn’t always been part of London; it was formally its own town. As London and Marylebone both grew, though, they eventually merged and Marylebone officially became part of the city of London.

The fictional character Sherlock Holmes lived at 221B Baker Street and Baker Street is in Marylebone. The 221B address didn’t exist at the time of the stories being published as the numbers of Baker Street didn’t reach 221. It has since expanded, though, and does now reach this number. Number 221 has been the address of the Abbey National Building Society, and they used to employ a secretary whose sole responsibility was to answer mail addressed to Sherlock Holmes. There is a plaque on number 221 describing it as Sherlock Holmes’s address with a museum in the characters honour nearby.

Many famous people have lived in this areas of London, which is a much sought after location. Charles Dickens lived at Devonshire Terrace and Jimi Hendrix lived in Brook Street and died in the nearby Samarkand Hotel. John Lennon and Yoko Ono had a home in the area while fellow Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr have also lived there at one time or another. Other famous residents have included Madonna and the poet T.S. Eliot.

Andrew Marshall ©

If you are looking for a home in Marylebone visit Estate Agents Marylebone.

Investment Questions for Parents

All parents want to help their children in every way possible. This includes assisting them financially where they are able to do so. Many parents, including new parents, are interested in making investments on behalf of their children to build a nest egg for their adulthood. Of course, everyone is in a different position financially, meaning there is no black and white answer as to the best way of making such investments. Below are some questions parents may have regarding investment for children.

Should you give your children a lump sum once they reach a certain age, such as 18?

With some investment plans children (or young adults by then) get control of the funds that have been saved for them once they turn a certain age, usually eighteen. Some parents may decide to give their son or daughter a lump sum of money at a particular age even where an investment plan isn’t involved. So is this a good idea? Parents may have certain concerns about doing this, after all, those in their late teens don’t always make the best decisions, especially where money is concerned. Despite what some might believe, though, most won’t spend thousands in the pub; they are much more likely to pay for driving lessons or a car. This is up to individual parents and some children are more sensible than others. Remember, though, that with some child investment plans you will not have a choice with young adults automatically gaining control once they turn eighteen. This means you need to think about these issues a lot earlier than this. 

Would parents be better off paying for certain things for their children rather than just giving them the money? 

This is something that will be preferable for many parents as they are in control and can make sure their hard earned cash is spent on something worthwhile. Some will prefer to pay for their children’s driving lessons, for example, rather than give them the equivalent money that they could spend on anything they like. 

Should we pay regularly into an investment plan?

Is it better to pay regularly into a child savings plan or when you have the money available? This really depends on what you can afford. Where possible it can be beneficial to save on a monthly basis so the fund builds up over time. Not everyone is able to do this though, so for some parents putting in funds when they can is a better option. The more you can put in earlier the better, as it will leave more time for the value to grow in the form of interest. 

Is the Junior ISA advantageous to us?

Again, this is dependent on a families individual circumstances. If you believe you may need the funds you are putting towards a junior ISA then it is not the right option for you as the money in locked-in and you will not be able to have access to it. If you can be confident this won’t be the case then it may well be the best option due to the tax advantages. 

If we pay into a Junior ISA should we use the entire allowance at the beginning of the year?

The Junior ISA allowance is currently £3,600 a year, the equivalent to £300 a month. If you are able to then investing the whole £3,600 at the beginning of the year is financially beneficial rather than paying in some each month. This will mean gathering more interest throughout the year. 

Is the Child Trust Fund still worth investing in?

The situation whereby those with a child trust fund account cannot transfer it into a junior ISA has been criticised as some providers are not offering as favourable interest rates for child trust funds. If you have set up a child trust fund for your child, though, it can still be worth investment. To judge its value you will have to compare it with other investment opportunities. 

Andrew Marshall ©

What is Intellectual Property?

Something is described as intellectual property when it is a creation of the mind. Anything that someone has created can be intellectual property falling under intellectual property law. This can include the following creations:

Inventions; this includes new technology

Names; including business names, names of buildings and performance names, such as a musical group

Images; including paintings, drawings and photography

Designs; including logos and advertising material

Music; including pop songs, classical music pieces, and in some cases live performances

Literature; including novels and poems

The fundamental premise of intellectual property is that people have the right to the protection of their own creations, with any creation becoming the property of the creator. In some ways intellectual property is like, and treated like, the ownership of physical property such as real estate or a car. You have the right to do with it as you please and others cannot take this right away. Intellectual property law, often referred to as IP law, protects the right of people who own “non-physical” property.

There are two main categories to intellectual property; industrial property and copyright. Industrial property covers inventions and trademarks with copyright covering literature, music, films, paintings, drawings and photographs amongst other things.

Part of the reason for the laws surrounding intellectual property is for the financial benefit of creators. People have the right to benefit financially from their creations where possible and have the right to prevent others from gaining financially from their work. A creator can decide what they wish to happen with their creation. Some examples are below:

Music; can decide to record and sell it themselves and can give permission to others to record it being paid commission on any sales

Paintings; can keep it to themselves or decide to sell it, can choose whether or not to let others reprint it

Novels; can choose a publisher with financial agreements around this

Inventions; can sell the invention, develop it or sell it to someone else to further develop

One of the original reasons for IP law was as an incentive for creation. The thought process behind this is that a lack of financial incentive stifles the possibility of creation. In turn, the whole of society benefits as positive creations are good for society as a whole. Intellectual property theft is illegal and can carry legal action being taken against guilty parties.

Different areas of intellectual property are dealt with in different ways. Inventions are managed through patents, where inventors are granted rights to either an entire invention or certain aspects of an invention. Trademarks are for the protection of logos and brands meaning other cannot copy them. Copyright can be claimed for art pieces, including visual and audio art.

In summary, the point of intellectual property is to prevent people from using other people’s ideas or work for their own benefit and to ensure that those who have created something have the right to choose what happens with their work and are the ones who can benefit financially from them. Almost all works and creations are covered under intellectual property law.

Andrew Marshall ©