The Changing Role of Women

In the past women were in many ways thought of as being inferior to men. The typical lifestyle among families was for women to stay at home while men worked, and this was the accepted way of life for both parties. Although certain generalisations still exist much of this has changed, especially over the last hundred years.

A decade ago women there thought so inferior that they were not even allowed to vote. Early in the twentieth century things began to change though. Many protests took place amongst women seeking to gain voting rights, and this led to them being given the vote in 1918. But even then it was only women over the age of 21 who could vote, while the voting age for men stood at 18. It took until 1928 for women to be given equal voting rights. The rights of women across the board have continued to grow ever since.

The old way of life was very rigid in terms of the gender roles and the majority of people lived according to this. The role of a woman was to get married, have children and spend her days at home looking after the children and doing the housework. The workplace was almost exclusively male dominated.

The start of women in the workplace can be attributed to the Second World War. A large number of men were involved in fighting meaning less were available to work in their regular jobs. This meant women had to step in and many worked in factories during this period. Many enjoyed this sense of freedom and wanted to continue once the war was over.

After this women started to want more from their lives and didn’t want to just accept their standing in society. This has led to more working women as time has gone on, something which particularly grew in the 1960’s. Their role in society in general has become more significant across many areas. Much of this came from the rise of feminism with women wanting to be treated equally to men.

Women these days tend to me more independent. They want more from their lives and want to choose how they live. This could be once reason for the increasing divorce statistics over the last fifty years. Women no longer just accept things the way they are; if they are unhappy in their marriage they won’t take it. Could this be one positive of increasing divorce for women? This independence has also meant many more single women.

These days women are generally treated equally to men although some would argue this isn’t always the case. They tend to run their own lives and live how they want, without being pigeon holed by society. They have bigger expectation about what they want to gain from life. Some want to be stay-at-home Mums in the traditional sense but they have more of a choice.

Andrew Marshall ©

Divorce Solicitors London

Divorce Solicitors Bath

Colocation vs. Managed Hosting

Web Hosting is crucial to the success of any website. There are a large number of options available to you when you are picking a host for your website and the best option depends on many factors. Factor around the individual site are important as different sites need different things from their hosting. Your own experience and expertise are also important; if you are a novice you will need assistance but this may not be necessary if you are knowledgably around the subject. Other factors, like budget, may also come into the decision making process.

There really is no definitive answer as to what the best type of hosting is; it does all depend on your situation. Here though, we’ll look at two of these types -Colocation and Managed Hosting. Colocation is where customers rent rack space from at a data centre and host their server there. The customer provides the server and all the equipment and runs the hosting themselves. Managed Hosting is, as the name suggests, where the hosting company manages the hosting for the customer, allowing them to concentrate on their core business.

The amount of control and amount of help you want is important to your decision. With Colocation you get complete control as you are only renting rack space. You are in charge of your hosting, which can be a negative when things go wrong, but it does allow you to have more of a say. If you don’t want this control and want everything taken care of by somebody else then Managed Hosting may be preferable. It means you don’t have to be too concerned with the hosting as experts are looking after you website. If you have no hosting knowledge but need complex hosting this could be the best option. There are many different types of managed hosting though, from partly managed to fully managed (although different providers have different definitions of fully managed).

Technical support is one of the main features of managed hosting. So if you need plenty of expert assistance this is the way to go. 24/7 monitoring is usually included which will put your mind at ease. Colocation doesn’t normally include support but many are starting to offer this with some packages. You may consider this if you think you might need a little support from time to time. This support will not be at the same level as Managed Hosting but depending on your circumstances, could be sufficient.

Your specific requirements are obviously key to your decision. Both Colocation and Managed Hosting are good for large websites, but not usually necessary for small, simple ones. For small sites basic hosting may be more cost effective.

Price shouldn’t be the only reason why you choose your host, but it can be a determining factor. Everyone has a maximum budget that cannot be exceeded so this needs to be thought about. If you can’t afford a particular package then you will have to choose something else. This is an area where Colocation has an advantage over Managed Hosting, as it is significantly cheaper. Managed Hosting is quite expensive but if you need your web hosting managed for you it can be very cost effective.

Andrew Marshall ©

The Affect of Divorce on Children

When a couple divorce it isn’t just them who are affected, but their children too. Their lives can also change significantly. A routine can be important for children and when their parents separate, these routines can completely change due to the disruptions of the whole family unit. In reality children’s lives change as much as parents.

A divorce can have many affects on children. They often irrationally blame themselves for their parents’ troubles. Although it is rarely their fault, several studies have shown that this self blame is a common reaction when faced with this situation. They feel the stress of the separation so it can disrupt their lives, including their schooling if they are constantly distracted by events at home. Most children are upset when their parents are going through a divorce, especially when they don’t understand the reasons for it. All the changes happening in their lives can make them insecure. They don’t always know what the future has in store; they may be wondering which parent they will live with, and how often they will see their other parent. They may also worry that they will not be wanted by either. The whole episode can be very confusing and stressful; especially for children old enough to understand what is happening, but not old enough to really understand why.

Throughout a divorce process there are difficulties to get through, for both parents and children. Family Law can be complex, with Family Law Solicitors solicitors fighting it out on behalf of their clients. It can therefore be a battle between the two parents. Children may suddenly see what they used to consider a team as being opponent, and this will further hit home the negative thoughts they may be having. It is much better for children if the divorce process is dealt with amicably.

Some say that a divorce can never be a positive thing, but others argue that in some families divorce can be the best solution, including for children. If they are constantly arguing this does children no good anyway, so it may be better to separate. It can be the better of two evils rather than being bought up in an unhappy household.

A divorce is always going to cause some stress and unease but it doesn’t have to be as difficult as it can be. If parents can still get along as best as possible, especially in front of children, then it can be significantly easier, and children won’t be as adversely affected. Parents shouldn’t blame each other in front of children, either while going through the separation process or after it has gone through.

After a divorce things will be different, but if dealt with well children can get into a new routine relatively quickly. Where possible both parents should be involved in their upbringing, and children should see them both regularly. Parents should not talk about the other parent in negative language as this will only cause upset.

Andrew Marshall ©

Mobile VoIP

VoIP has become increasing popular in recent years. VoIP uses an internet connection to transmit voices from one user to the other and allow conversations to take place as they do over a telephone. This was originally achieved by the use of a microphone and speakers on a computer, but now can be done using VoIP phones (much like telephones) or telephone adapters, meaning users can use their existing telephones.

The key to VoIP’s popularity is the cost savings that are possible. The technology is much cheaper to run than landline telephones, meaning providers are able to charge their customers less. The quality, which was previously poor, is improving, meaning the previous disadvantages are often not relevant. This is dependant on the internet connection and the quality of the provider.

VoIP over mobile (cell) phones is also beginning to become very popular. There are numerous VoIP applications available that can be used with certain phones. Mobile networks are to some degree reluctant to allow the use of VoIP over their networks though, as it can lead to a loss of revenue if customers use this cheaper option. Many have at some point banned its use. More networks are now allowing this though, as they see a trend and know it could be a mistake to ignore it. They are likely to try to exploit this themselves by coming up with their own VoIP technology. There is no advantage in them resisting the future as it will only work against them in the long run. Mobile operators need to keep moving forward to keep up and stay in business.

Smartphone’s have coming onto the market in recent times. This allows users to use their mobile phone for a large number of purposes. The iPhone from Apple was in many ways the start of a new era, with it able to perform so many more functions than anything that preceded it. They haven’t yet created a VoIP application but they are likely to in the near future. Mobile Phone technology has grown dramatically in the last fifteen years. Originally it was just a mobile version of the landline telephone, allowing users to make and receive calls on the move. This then developed to include text messaging, and has continues to develop since. People can perform all sorts of tasks using their mobile phone, and they often include diaries, cameras and video cameras. In recent years using the Internet has also become possible, and this has meant the technology for mobile VoIP is possible. This could become one of the new battlegrounds for providers.

One area where mobile phones have become the norm to a large degree is for business. It means business people can make call on the move, while at meetings, and on the train. No matter where they are in the world they can stay in touch with what is going on if necessary. Business VoIP has also become increasingly popular; once again due to the cost savings. Combining the two for business VoIP over mobile could be a winning formula for providers.

Andrew Marshall ©

Designing a Website that stands out

One of the most important things to take into consideration with web design is that a website needs to stand out amongst the millions of sites across the internet. It doesn’t matter how many people visit your website if they all leave within seconds. You need to engage the audience and get your message across.

Animation can be very important in the success or failure of a website. They shouldn’t complicate, but rather compliment the rest of the site. They should be relevant to the rest of the website and the purpose that it serves. If you can make animations convey a message about what the website or your business is about then you are on the right track. Animations should fit in with the rest of the site and help achieve the goals of the website. Photographs can be key. The quality of them can make or break the website. You shouldn’t have too many though; quality is more important than quantity.

In certain niche’s all sites tend to be the same, with very similar designs. There are times when you may want to conform with some of these “rules”, but not too much. It can help show what your site is about as visitors may recognise trends. It is best to be original when possible though. You want to stand out and grad the attention of the audience. You gain no real benefit from being just like every other site in your niche. Your site will have no advantage over the competition if it is exactly the same; you need to be different. Many are afraid of being too radical, but this is not necessarily a bad thing as long as you can pull it off successfully. Again you need to think about your visitors; you don’t want a flashy, modern website if you are targeting the elderly, for example. The key here is to get the balance right.
A website is not for a Web Designer to experiment with, but for the visitors. You need to think about who the site is for, and what is likely to attract them. Your design should then be based on this. The focus should be on the message you are attempting to convey.

The colour and layout should have the role of being attractive so they grab the attention of the visitor. The colours need to go together though, as your site is useless if nobody can read the text over the background colours.

It is a good idea to look at others for inspiration, but don’t copy them. Look at websites you like and use them to come up with ideas of your own. You can then use these websites and develop some of their features into your own unique design.

Andrew Marshall ©

Web Design London

The Roman Baths in Bath

The Roman Baths are the best know tourist attraction in the English city of Bath. In fact the cities name is derived from these baths. They attract over a million visitors a year and, like all roman baths, are surrounded by the bath’s buildings. They are situated in the city centre.

All Roman cities had similar public baths, but this was the only one in the United Kingdom. It is now a world heritage centre. In the Roman period it was almost unheard of for anyone but the very wealthiest to have baths in their homes, due to the difficulty of heating water and large families meaning there wasn’t enough space for bathrooms and baths that are so common now. The public baths were used by everyone, both rich and poor. There was an entrance fee but they were low so even the poor were able to afford to visit them weekly. The baths were owned and maintained by the government. The main reason for the Roman baths were for people to clean themselves but visiting them also became an important social activity; it was a place to meet people and meet with friends. It was also a way for men, in particular, to exercise. This was not just by swimming but also by using other facilities that were provided. In many ways they were a precursor to gyms, with even competitions taking place. Many baths also had gardens which visitors could use. In short public baths were the hub of the Roman society in all Roman cities across the globe.

In Bath rainfall percolates through the limestone and once undergrounds is warmed by the earth’s properties. This water then travels underground and reappears via a natural spring. When the Romans first came to Bath they were immediately attracted to this spring and created the baths that still exist to the present day. Using this natural spring they used a clever system of pumps to move the water into the pool area the Romans had created. Heaters were used to maintain the warm temperature.

These Roman baths have now been developed into a major tourist attraction. They are the largest Roman baths still available for visitors to view in the world. These baths are world famous and is what the city is known for by many. The buildings around the baths that used to hold changing rooms and other facilities, now mainly houses a museum. In the museum are many artefacts from the Roman period from throughout the United Kingdom. There is also a restaurant where visitors can have a meal while overlooking the famous baths below. They still contain water that flows from the natural spring, but visitors are not permitted to bath in them.

Andrew Marshall ©
Solicitors Bath

Window Decorations: Curtains, Blinds and Shutters

Most windows are decorated with either curtains, blinds or shutters, both for decorative and practical reasons. In historic times window gaps were just that – gaps. They were just a space which air (as well as rain, snow, or intruders) could get through. The earliest thing that was placed in the window gaps were stones which would protect buildings to some extent. This idea developed and a variety of different window coverings were eventually used. Even when the now common glass was introduced to windows, decorative coverings have continued to be popular.

Curtains

Curtains are most common in Europe. They are made from a cloth material, and its main purpose is to block light, especially at night when people are trying to sleep. They are most widely used in homes.

They are pulled over windows form the side to close, and held open by tie backs when necessary. Most people leave their curtains open during the day and closed by night. They are also used for decorative purposes, and people usually choose which curtains they will purchase based on how they look. They can come in an extremely large variety of designs, patterns and colours, and are normally chosen to fit well within the decoration of the room in which they will be placed.

Advantages of Curtains

Curtains can keep a home warm, due to the cloth materials used. They are generally more decorative than blinds but not as expensive as shutters. They can come in almost any design so there is a lot of choice in how people would like them to look. They are also relatively easy to design so people can make their own.

Blinds

Blinds are made with plastic or wood, and are held together with string. The slats overlap so light is blocked out. The slats are opened and closed by turning a rod, and when closed there should be no gap between them. That they can be adjusted accordingly means it is easy to control the amount of light let in, as they can be partially closed. To open and close blinds completely, a string is used. They are though, usually less decorative than curtains or shutters.

Advantages of Blinds

The main advantage is the control of light as well as the price. They are relatively cheap, although it does depend on the design. If the aim is to go for the cheapest option possible then it blinds are they way to go with many simple ones available at a low cost.

Shutters

In some ways shutters are similar to blinds, as they have louvres. These are like slats, and are controlled in much the same way. They are though much more solid than blinds. With Shutters, there is a frame around the whole window space, and the louvres are attached at either end to the frame. They can be used on the interior or exterior of a building. When open completely, they are opened from the centre outwards. Shutters are mostly used in Mediterranean countries and in the United States. The Southern states of the U.S. is where plantation shutters come from, so named as they were originally used on buildings in the cotton plantation areas.

Advantages of Shutters

Like curtains, shutters can be extremely decorative, possibly even more so. They can also keep a building warm due to the solid wood used. They are sometimes used in areas prone to natural disasters such as hurricanes, as they can prevent windows from breaking. Unlike curtains or blinds they are a real fixture of a home and can increase its value. Shutters are frequently custom made, meaning the customer can have a real choice is how they look.

Andrew Marshall ©