Common Examples of how we use SaaS

You are probably using cloud computing more than you realise. A number of reports have stated that many who aren’t aware of cloud computing are, in fact, using it. Using one such example, a Citrix survey concluded that 54 percent of online users say they never use the cloud, whereas 95 percent of those who think they’re not using it actually are. In the majority of cases these people are using SaaS offerings.

The term SaaS, or Software as a Service to give it its full name, refers to any cloud service which user’s access over the internet. This includes software accessed via the internet rather than being purchased by buying a hard copy. Many such services are paid for via a monthly or annual subscription, although some are free of charge.

Now we’ll look at some examples of how you might be using Software as a Service.

Google

Google has many products that can be accessed via the internet because of cloud computing. If you are using a Google product you are almost certainly using SaaS. Google Docs is a good example of this, whereby users have the ability to use and save documents that can then be accessed via the internet. Documents can be shared between users with authorised users able to make edits. Other Google products such as Blogger, Calendar, Gmail (see email section), Bookmarks and much more also rely on cloud computing.

Email

Popular email clients, with Gmail and Hotmail being examples, are SaaS products. Users access their account via the internet, with them being accessible from any internet enabled device. This is done by simply visiting the appropriate website and users log in by using their email address or username and password. All emails can then be accessed. These are all saved, via the cloud, so they can be viewed unless they have been deleted by the user. Emails can be sent and newly received ones can be read.

Computer Games

These days computer games can be available via the cloud, which is another example of software as a service. Users access the games via the internet rather than purchasing a disk. If a game has been saved it can be restored from this stage of the game. There can be the negative of them not being available without an internet connection which has led to it not being as positively received as some computer games and console manufactures would have liked. Games for smartphones and tablets are possible because of cloud computing.

Social Media

Most social media is possible because of cloud computing. Users access their own account via the internet and wherever they access the account from their experience is the same – such as what they can view and what they can do with the site.  

Spotify

Spotify, the music streaming service, is another example of how many are using the cloud without being aware of it. Users download the application onto their computer from the internet. Apps are also available for smartphones and tablets. Access is gained by logging in using a username and password, allowing users to access the available music and any playlists they have set up.

Business Software

The above widely used examples of SaaS tend to be used for personal use. However, there are numerous business software offerings that are also accessed via the cloud, which are therefore examples of software as a service. Examples of the type of things people use such services for at work include planning software, systems for tracking work, services to book and manage holiday and online calendars. 

As you can see, there are many SaaS products that are used by the general public on a regular basis. Not everyone is aware of the impact cloud computing is having on their lives but most of us are using this technology in one form or another.

Andrew Marshall ©

Signs and Symptoms of Dementia

Dementia is a loss of cognitive ability that is best known for leading to memory loss, particularly short term memory loss. It is often confused with Alzheimer’s but Alzheimer’s is, in fact, a cause of dementia. Dementia is where impairment of the brain impacts the memory and how one thinks. It is most common in older people and is where someone’s cognitive ability deteriorates at a quicker rate than is expected from normal aging. The probability of developing dementia is increased when there is a family history of it.

Dementia, then, is not a decease as such, but rather a collection of symptoms.  The condition can impact every aspect of someone’s life, meaning that getting the right dementia care is crucial. Ideally the signs and symptoms should be spotted early. Some of these are outlined below.

The best known and easiest to spot sign of dementia is memory loss. Short term memory loss and problems remembering recent events is particularly common, with long term memory sometime unaffected. In some patients memory fades gradually, sometimes over a period of several years, while in other cases it can deteriorate significantly over a short period. Memory loss in a dementia patient can be as extreme as not remembering where they live, leading then to feel unfamiliar in their own home, and not recognising loved ones. This can even include their spouse or children. Regression to an earlier stage of life is another common symptom. This leads some to remember things as they did at this earlier stage in their life. This can result in them believing they are still at school or long-gone parents are still alive. This often causes much confusion in certain circumstances and there can be a time when someone has a very clear memory of sixty years earlier, for example, but has very little memory, or even no memory, of what happened a week previous or a few hours ago.

Issues with organisation and planning can be another problem. This is because the brain can have trouble with attention to detail and piecing things together. It also affects the ability to be able to think on a number of different levels. Handling numbers can be particularly troublesome for dementia sufferers. This can be an early sign of memory loss that may, ultimately, be the early stages of dementia. Problems processing numbers and making calculations can lead to having difficulty with simple Maths and paying for items in a shop.

Dementia can lead to mood swings and depression. Sufferers can lose control of their life and be unable to cope on their own and perform tasks that would have been natural in the past. Many find this difficult to accept, which therefore results in depression.

Muscle memory can become a problem and is more common in later stages of dementia. This can impact movement and lead to clumsiness and being unable to perform simple tasks, such as pouring a drink. Muscle memory issues can also result in difficulty with speech. Incontinence is another symptom that increases in likelihood in the later stages of dementia. Bladder incontinence is most common but bowel incontinence can also affect patients.

There are many signs and symptoms of dementia. The above isn’t an exhaustive list but some of those that are more common.

Andrew Marshall ©

Types of websites that may require dedicated hosting

Often there is a difficult decision to be made as to the type of web hosting required for a website. The main decision here is whether to opt for shared hosting or dedicated hosting. This articles looks into some of the factors and type of websites that make dedicated hosting a requirement.

So, what is dedicated hosting and how does if differ from shared hosting? The easiest way to explain this is to start by looking at what shared hosting is. Essentially, with shared hosting you are sharing a web server with various websites. A shared hosting provider will dedicate a portion of a server to each website sharing that server. Dedicated hosting, on the other hand, is where an entire web server is dedicated to your website; your website or your group of websites is all that is hosted on the server. There are a number of benefits to this and it is preferable to those who want control over their server and their hosting. It allows webmasters to configure their server how they wish and manage it themselves.  So, for who is dedicated hosting required?

High Traffic Websites

Being the only website hosted on a server means a site is better able to cope with a high volume of traffic, something that isn’t always the case with shared hosting. High traffic websites hosted on a shared platform can result in slow load times, thus frustrating visitors. During particularly busy periods this can lead to a site being unavailable.

Organisations with Multiple Websites

Depending on the size of the sites and the traffic being received, you can host a number of sites on the same server. If you run a number of sites, though, it makes more sense to host them all on your own dedicated server rather than opting for shared hosting for each of them. This will allow you to have control over your server, something you wouldn’t have with shared hosting, meaning you can manage it according to your needs. Using a server, or a number of servers, for just your own websites means that you cannot be impacted by what is happening with sites run by someone else, something that can be an issue with shared hosting.

Sites with Multimedia

Having multimedia files on your website means that more bandwidth is required. Therefore, if you have a site that contains a lot of video and audio files then dedicated hosting may be required. Shared hosting is not as likely to be able to cope with these.

A Business that is Expected to Grow

Some websites may not require dedicated hosting now but might in the future. The website of a business that is expected to grow is an example of this. The volume of traffic may not be particularly significant at present, but if expected growth is realised this volume is likely to increase. It is important this is considered prior to deciding on the type of hosting required.

E-commerce Sites

There are a number of issues with e-commerce sites that can make dedicated hosting a necessity rather than a want. Security is one of these; e-commerce sites will deal with customer’s payment details and keeping these details secure is of utmost importance. Security is much easier to maintain if you have a dedicated server, as there are fewer external factors that can influence it. Typically, e-commerce sites have periods of particularly high traffic. Christmas is a good example of this; in the lead up to Christmas many people may wish to purchase products from a website. Dedicated hosting may be required to cope with this.

Andrew Marshall ©

How Call Centres are making use of VoIP

The number of businesses who use VoIP systems has increased rapidly over recent years. Due to the very nature of what they do call centres can particularly benefit from VoIP because of the cost savings on offer. This article looks into how VoIP usage has increased and why call centres, in particular, are opting for VoIP.

In most cases the aims of a business comes down to two things; offering the best service possible to their customers while making the biggest profit they can. An important part of making a profit is not over spending and saving money wherever possible. For call centres saving money on calls can make a big different to their profit margins.

What are Call Centres?

A call centre is essentially a centralised office used for making and receiving calls. Amongst other things companies use call centres for marketing calls, contacting customers, sales and receiving calls from customers and potential customers. The main overheads are rent, wages/salaries, utility bills and, of course, the cost of calls. While paying the bills and paying staff, like any other business, cannot be avoided, money can be saved on calls. VoIP has made these potential savings more significant.

VoIP and Cost Savings

In many instances cost savings has been the primary reason for both people and businesses using VoIP services. Individuals have made use of this technology by making personal calls over a VoIP platform, with Skype being the best know example. International call and video calls via such a platform have become extremely common. These are significantly cheaper with VoIP than with a traditional phone system and can even be free.

Businesses have also been making use of these cost savings, but by using very different services. The free services individuals use to call relatives abroad, for example, are cheap but quality can be an issue (although it has improved). While this may not be a major issue when making personal calls it is not acceptable for a business. Businesses will generally use more advanced, integrated business VoIP systems. They are more expensive but still offer cost savings compared to traditional phone systems. Due to the cost savings and improving quality the number of businesses using VoIP as their main business phone system is continually increasing.

Call Centres & VoIP

Call centres have been able to make particularly good use of VoIP services. Due to the sheer number of calls that go through a call centre, any cost savings in this area make a huge difference to their overheads and, therefore, to their profits.

VoIP has been used by call centres in one form or another for some time. In the past there were certain criticisms for this due to quality issues. A good internet connection is required, which in the past wasn’t always something that could be relied upon. Any internet inference leads to call interference, which was deemed unacceptable by many, leading to criticisms of call centres. This limited the numbers wishing to adopt VoIP; while they could save money the services they were offering was being negatively impacted.

As quality has improved this has become less of a factor. Call centres can still save money but it doesn’t have to lead to a lesser service. As a result more and more call centres are using VoIP with this trend likely to continue in the future. It is no longer seen as a risk and call centres can be confident it will help them deliver a good quality service.

Andrew Marshall ©

Humorous Excuses For Not Paying a TV Licence

The BBC has reported that 400,000 people were caught watching television without a TV licence in 2012. The reasons given for them not being paid include genuine errors, but also some humorous excuses.

There are a number of reasons for genuine errors that lead people to believe they don’t have to pay for a TV licence when, in fact, they do. Students who are living in halls of residence are one such example. They may believe that having a TV licence in an entire hall or flat is all that is required, whereas in reality they require one for each apartment. Each apartment/room has their own lock and they are numbered as separate flats, meaning they count as one flat and require a television licence each.

When a TV licence is and isn’t required can be another area of confusion. For example, people can or cannot watch different types of television through the BBC iPlayer without paying the licence fee. If live TV is viewed through the BBC iPlayer then a TV licence is required by law. If it is only used for on-demand television, however, then a TV licence is not required meaning people can watch programmes that were viewed the previous day, for example, without paying the licence fee.

The fees gathered from people paying a TV licence fee go towards funding the BBC and has to be paid by all television viewers even if they don’t watch any BBC channels. Bizarrely, those who only watch satellite TV have to pay a licence fee while those who watch on-demand programmes on the BBC iPlayer don’t have to pay.

As mentioned earlier in this article, there have been some humorous excuses used by some caught not paying their licence fee. Some of these are below:

Someone claimed that their dog is related to the Queen’s Corgi’s so they didn’t think they had to pay. Not sure this would make a difference even if they were related to the Queen’s Corgi’s… or even the Queen herself.

Another queried why they would have to pay for a TV licence for a TV they stole as no-one knew they had it. Two points here; firstly, you are not paying for a licence for a particular TV but to watch television, and secondly, confessing to the offense of not paying the licence fee is probably preferable to admitting to the crime of theft as well.

Somebody said their three year old son should pay as he is the only one who watches the television. I’m not sure a three year olds allowance would stretch that far and even if it did whether he could be expected to be aware of this particular law.

Losing weight was another excuse, with one guilty partly claiming that they had had to spend all their money on new clothes. Not wishing to pay for a full year because they might die in six months’ time and only paying for a black and white TV licence because they don’t watch much TV were two other attempts at excuses that were never likely to work.

There is constant debate regarding the TV licence. Some don’t believe they should be “funding the BBC”, as they see it, especially if they don’t watch their channels. Others believe it is worth the cost for the lack of adverts and the quality programming, such as documentaries, other broadcasters cannot afford to make.

Written by Lester Aldridge ©

The Importance of Branding

Getting the branding of a business right is crucial. Creating a positive reputation in the eyes of the public can play a large part in the growth of a business while a negative reputation can be extremely damaging.

The reputation a business gains may be based on a variety of factors. A major one, of course, is the work that a business has done and whether this is to their customer’s satisfaction. A positive reputation partly comes from pleasing customers and offering value for money. If a business is constantly upsetting customers their reputation will suffer. A reputation can, though, also be gained through the right marketing and branding; presenting a brand in a positive light.

Means of Enhancing a Brand

There are a number of avenues that can be utilised to get a company’s brand into the public consciousness. Having a memorable logo is one of these. Many brands become known due to their logo, or at least partly due to it. It can help a company to become better known and stand-out. It is usually part of a more holistic marketing approach, but an important part, and something that many businesses use to become more recognised. Advertising also plays an important role in branding; after all if people aren’t aware of a company they cannot purchase their products or services. How a business presents themselves in their advertising - whether it is through television adverts, online marketing, or other forms of advertising – will influence their reputation. It can help them appear modern, exciting or trustworthy. One of the other tools businesses use for branding is their website, something that is gaining in importance. Websites have become a great means of organisations being able to inform customers and potential customers and influence their reputation. It can be used to accentuate their positives. There are now social media platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook, which can also be used to enhance a brand.

Impact of Branding

Good branding can play a large part in gaining the trust of the general public. It can be used to inform what a company does, how they do it and what they do well; how customers can benefit from using them. The right branding can be utilised to not only make the public aware of a business but to give them a positive reputation. Poor branding, on the other hand, can be disastrous. A negative reputation will have a major impact on the amount of business that is generated. A reputation can play on the subconscious mind of the public. As soon as a brand is mentioned many will have an instinctive picture in their mind based on their reputation and their branding.

The most successful brands are able to position themselves in a positive light to the public, or at least in the mind of those they see as their target audience. Therefore, deciding on branding is not a task that should be taken lightly. It is important to get it right and a small mistake can have troubling consequences for their reputation.

Andrew Marshall ©

Impact of Legal Aid Changes

There has been a lot of talk across the UK legal sector recently about the legal aid changes that have now come into force. As part of their cost saving strategy, the government is aiming to significantly reduce the amount spent on legal aid each year. Their target is to reduce the previous figure of around £2.2 billion a year by £350 million.

The government’s stated aim is to safeguard legal aid for those who really need it by ensuring there isn’t wastage elsewhere. They have therefore made reforms to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (LASPO).

There will be a number of areas of law that will be hit the most, namely family law, employment law, clinical negligence law and immigration law. Those going through divorce or separation are no longer able to claim legal aid in most cases. This includes separations that impact children, something that has been highly criticised. Those taking legal action against a former employer, for example those claiming unfair dismissal, will also be impacted. An area of law which is often referred to when discussing wastage is negligence and these changes will make it more difficult for many to gain compensation in situations of clinical negligence. Another area where there will be an impact is immigration where a person is not detained.

There will be some areas where legal aid will still be available within family law and immigration law. Some involved in family law cases where domestic violence can be proven, child abduction has occurred or someone has been forced into marriage will still be entitled to legal aid. It will also still be available in asylum cases.

There are fears amongst many in the legal sector that these cuts could have a major negative impact on certain areas of law. According to the Guardian, research has suggested that 25 percent of lawyers and advisors fear the knock-on effect will lose them their jobs. Another concern is that many will be unable to afford good legal advice and will take the law into their own hands as a result; that more people will attempt to represent themselves.

A general consensus is that vulnerable people will suffer, with some claiming it is an attack on the poor. While wealthier members of society will always be able to afford legal representation, some cannot, and this could mean that those without the necessary funds will not be able to carry out justifiable legal action in certain circumstances. For example, those impacted by medical negligence might not be able to begin proceedings for compensation which they may be fully entitled to. There has clearly been wastage in this sector, and it is right that this is looked at, but the danger is that it will lead to people not getting the compensation they are entitled to. These changes could lead to people remaining in unhappy marriages, and children remaining in unhappy households, as divorce becomes unaffordable to some. There are suggestions that there will be instances where one party in a separation will be able to afford legal representation while the other will not be able to, meaning the wealthier party is more likely to come out of a divorce better placed.

There certainly is the opportunity to save costs within the legal sector, but is ending legal aid in certain legal sectors really the best way of saving money? When looking to save on costs it is difficult to get the balance right. The reality is that money can be saved in legal aid and there are circumstances where legal aid isn’t required. Rather than targeting whole areas of legislation, though, would it not make more sense to reduce the amount people are entitled to or the number of people who qualify? For example, the threshold of those who can receive financial assistance could be changed. It is important to support those who need it, while not using tax payer’s money unnecessarily. If the government is attempting to safeguard legal aid for those who really need it, why are they taking its availability completely away from certain sectors?   

Andrew Marshall ©

Home Improvement Trends

The housing market is slow at the moment, making it difficult for some to sell their home, or at least at a price that they would be willing to sell at. Partly due to this, there has been an increasing trend in the numbers making home improvements instead. Rather than moving to an “improved home”, they are improving the one that they already live in. So, what are some of the current home improvement trends?

More people appear to be keen on adding character to their home. In recent years having a home that appears to have “more character” is something that has been deemed more attractive. There are many things that can be done to achieve this, with changes to doors and windows amongst the most popular. Some are brightening doorways to make them more attractive, while adding shutters to windows is a popular addition. These, along with many other alterations, are small changes that can make a big difference to the appearance of a home. Other examples that are fashionable at the moment are changes to lighting fixtures, decorations and doing something different with house numbers.

Outdoor living space is something that is often talked about with regards to home improvement. This isn’t just in reference to doing the garden up though, but creating (or improving) the outdoor living space; that is to say outdoor seating areas and outdoor eating areas so the living room and the dining room can be brought outside during the summer. People like to live a more Mediterranean lifestyle. Despite the rainy summers we’ve had in Britain of late, we enjoy living a more outdoor lifestyle when we can these days. Having somewhere to entertain, or simply relax, is something more of us want.

Colour-wise, white is particularly popular right now. This neutral colour is often preferred, whether it is white walls or white fixtures. White kitchens are a particularly good example of this. The popularity of white is not reflected in soft furnishings, though. Here, colourful furnishing, often with stripes and patterns, are seen as more trendy.

A trend that can be particularly put down to the current housing market is extending the size of a home, with loft extensions common right now. In many cases moving to a larger home may not be realistic, but increasing the size of their current home is possible for some. It is a big job, and not inexpensive, but it is almost guaranteed to increase the value of a home. Typically an extra bedroom and bathroom, or an en-suite bedroom, can be added to a home, turning a three bedroom house into a four bedroom house, for example.

Modern kitchens can add significant value to a home, and be significantly more pleasant to use. There has, therefore, been a rise in the number of people modernising their kitchens. While some are making small changes, others are having theirs completely remodelled. Island units and bold splashbacks are two things that are fashionable at the moment.

Andrew Marshall ©

Security Challenges and Benefits of Cloud Computing

Is security in the cloud a challenge or a benefit? The accurate answer is both; there can be both disadvantages and advantages. Security within cloud computing is something that seems to be discussed constantly with some believing data can be more secure if hosted within a cloud environment and others having their doubts. Let’s take a look at some security factors and look at both the negative and positive arguments.

Security Challenges

When storing data in the cloud it is hosted across multiple servers and not knowing the exact location of their data is a concern to many. It is something that is confusing to some and therefore worries them. This concern is, though, partly borne out of a lack of understanding. It is not as though data is floating around the clouds with anyone able to lay their hands on it. Where hosted on one, single dedicated server organisations know where their data is. They can therefore put certain protections in place, something which they aren’t able to do when it is stored in a virtualised environment as it is in the cloud.

Data stored in the cloud is typically stored in a shared environment. Within any shared hosting the risk of others accessing your data is greater than when stored on a dedicated server. Where full encryption is not in place this is a particular concern. There is also a security risk when accessing services over the internet, as is the case with cloud computing.

Cloud hosting is very different to hosting data yourself. This can be a concern as data is being handed to someone else. It is therefore important to use a reputable provider where data should be in safe hands.

Privacy is something that can potentially be compromised. Anyone with the right permissions can log in from any location. If strong usernames and passwords are not used and there isn’t other authentication then there is the possibility of access being gained by unauthorised persons.

Security Benefits

As already mentioned, data being stored on multiple server can be worrying, but there are security benefits of this. If a server encounters problems then these can be counteracted by another server being able to take the load. In some instances an entire data centre could be offline without disruption. Where data is stored on one dedicated server and it goes offline, then data cannot be accessed until the issue has been resolved. When stored in the cloud and a data centre is impacted by a fire, for example, then data could still be accessed.

Storing data locally, for example on an individual laptop, has potential security issues that cloud computing can prevent. If the device is lost or stolen then everything is lost. If this data was instead stored in the cloud then it can still be accessed via another device.

Being able to gain access from anywhere is something else that can be a security benefit of cloud computing. If you urgently need to gain access then it doesn’t matter which location you are in – as long as you have an internet enabled device with an internet connection.

As can be seen in the points covered in this article, security can be both a challenge and a benefit of cloud computing. Overall, security is improving, and most of the potential problems can be protected against if the right security measures are put in place.

Andrew Marshall ©

Problems that can be Solved with Managed Hosting

A managed hosting solution is where hardware is leased to a client and the hosting service is managed by the hosting provider. This can include a wide range of management services, which vary from provider to provider. Services range from basic managed hosting to fully managed hosting, as more advanced offerings are sometimes referred to. Here we look at some examples of what can be included in a managed hosting package and some of the possible problems managed hosting can protect against.

Server Monitoring

One of the services that can be included within a managed hosting solution is server monitoring. Here, servers are scanned in an attempt to spot any possible failures. This means that any problems, and certainly major problems, can be protected against before they occur. This is preferable to a server failure that then has to be resolved while data can’t be accessed in the meantime.

Security

Security is always crucial and this is generally more robust with managed hosting. The hosting provider is responsible for insuring that your data is secure and will therefore put a number of security measures in place. These typically include firewalls and virus scanning.

Data Backup

The reason you may use a hosting company for data storage is that you want that data to be secure. If losing it will be catastrophic then opting for a managed hosting service is a good idea, partly due to the security reasons already mentioned. Another reason is that of data backup. With a managed hosting service, backup should be provided meaning, put simply, if you lose data there will be another copy.

Server Configuration and Maintenance

With a managed hosting solution, indeed with any dedicated hosting solution, a server is dedicated to a single client. It can, therefore, be configured to a client’s specific requirements, meaning it is better placed to meet the individual challenges you may face. This gives it an advantage over shared hosting, where there will be more of a generic configuration that can work for a variety of the hosting providers clients. As well as server configuration, the server will also be maintained. Just like a car that is regularly serviced, this means it will be more likely to run smoothly in the long term.

Support

Some would describe support as the key benefit of managed hosting. Support is available if any issues arise. If you have any problems or concerns you should be able to easily contact your provider. This may be via a control panel, email, an instant messaging service, or even via telephone. They should be able to offer you the assistance you need. This ultimately means that where you have any problems there should be experts on hand who can resolve them. Where any issues are urgent, this support should be immediately available as it is usually available on a 24/7 basis.

There are many benefits to managed hosting. The very nature of hosting, and the technology behind it, means that there is the possibility of problems arising. In many cases, though, these are less likely to occur, and more likely to be resolved where they do, under a managed hosting solution.

Andrew Marshall © 

How Paying via Mobile Phone is becoming more common

Mobile phones have made a huge impact on society over the last fifteen years or so. Two decades ago they were a rare site but now almost everyone owns one. Over this period there has been a big shift in the way that mobile phones are used as their technology has developed. They are no longer simply telephones, where you can make and receive calls and text messages, but they now also serve as cameras, MP3 players and web browsers. 

One task mobile phones can be used for these days is to pay for products and services. Of course, any payment that can be made over the telephone can be done via a mobile phone, but there have also been other initiatives developed that make certain forms of payment simpler. Some of these are where payments are made via a credit or debit card, whereas in other circumstances it can be added to a phone bill. 

One of the most common payments that can be made via a mobile phone is for parking, something that could, in most cases, only have been done with cash in the past. This was often a problem as you needed the exact change, something that is resolved when paying via a mobile phone. This is done by calling the given number from the car park and choosing the number id given to that car park. Payment is then taken from a debit or credit card. It can be set up so once you’ve used this system once it is much quicker and simpler thereafter. 

Many charities have promoted donations via text messaging, as making donations easier means people are more likely to give. Certain charity donations can be made by simply sending a text message to the relevant number. The user is charged for the text message plus a pre-determined amount. For example, if their text message rate is 12p, then £5.12 will be added to their phone bill with £5 of this going directly to the charity. Charities including Children in Need and Comic Relief have set up this type of payment. 

Contactless payments is something that has started to be introduction recently. Here, people can make small payments (usually less than £10) by holding their card briefly against a reader and it will take the payment without the need of a PIN or signature. Technology has been developed so contactless payments can be made using a mobile phone. Although this is still in its infancy it is available in conjunction with some banks. Payments are made by holding a phone up against a reader. 

Another mobile phone assisted payment that is likely to grow in use in the future is paying an individual or a small business. Technology has been created that allows someone to transfer funds from their bank account, via online banking on a mobile phone, to pay another person just by using their mobile phone number if they, too, are set up with this capability. 

The number of payment methods available via a mobile phone is increasing. More technologies are being developed, therefore increasing the type of payments that can be made in this way. This trend can be expected to continue in the future. 

Andrew Marshall ©

Methods used to Pay with Mobile Phone have increased in recent years and is likely to continue in the future. 

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.