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Know where you are indoors with Google Maps 6.0 for Android

January 18, 2012 — 1:46 pm

Are you in a large airport sprawled for acres trying to find its ticket counter or washroom? Or searching for your favourite brand showroom in a huge shopping mall? With the new Google Maps 6.0 specially for Android, there is no need for you to run around looking for enquiry counter at an airport or a shopping mall.

Till now, Google Maps guided us to find the way outdoors with the usual blue dot that indicates where you are right now. But now Google has partnered with “some of the largest retailers, airports and transit stations in United States and Japan” and helps you find where you are and what you are looking for in these places with its new Google Maps 6.0. Google Maps for Android now “enables you to figure out where you are and see where you might want to go when you’re indoors”. In other words, it helps you determine which floor you are on and where the place you are looking for is. Android users can also use other available features such as finding out restaurants and stores in the vicinity of a few metres.

With Google Maps 6.0, when you enter these selected places and open the Google Maps, their detailed floor plans would appear. As you move around, the interface would automatically get updated to show the location where you are right now. Google has added a few airports and stores for the time being; however, in course of time it would be adding more locations around the United States and Japan. Currently, this facility is for Android devices including mobile phones and tablets. IPhone users might have to wait for some more time.

The help centre for Google Maps for Android has the complete list of indoor locations in the United States and Japan where you could avail this facility for now. In fact, if you have a business of your own and wish to add the floor plan of your store in the Maps, you could do that as well through the help centre. Very soon, your customers could find you through Google Maps and thus reach you faster and easier.

Source: http://www.thewebclinic.co.uk/blog/know-where-you-are-indoors-with-google-maps-6-0-for-android/

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Latest Technology, Technology Details, World Technology
Admin BCE

EMS Launches ‘Technology in a Box’ Solution for New Clients

January 16, 2012 — 3:14 pm

Roadshow promotions specialists Event Marketing Solutions (EMS) have launched their innovative new ‘technology in a box’ solution for new clients.

The film showcases the tremendous success EMS has had managing campaigns for big technology brands such as Ciena, Lenovo and Motorola.

These brands have been taking advantage of EMS’ unique expertise in providing mobile trailer-based event marketing roadshows to give customers hands-on experience of products and services across the globe.

EMS Managing Director Keith Austin said: “With a decade of experience behind us, we can deliver a logistically complex operation to customers’ doorsteps anywhere in the world for international technology companies.”

Keith added that years of experience and know-how allows EMS to put together bespoke event roadshows in as little as eight weeks, from concept to delivery.

He said: “We are experts in finding solutions that allow our clients to demonstrate and store their high-tech equipment safely and effectively.

“This expertise has not only contributed to our tech clients’ global success – but also to EMS’ growing worldwide reputation as we head for another record-breaking year.”

If you would like more information on how EMS can create tailor-made event marketing roadshows and deliver ‘technology in a box’ for your company, get in touch:

Event Marketing Solutions
+44 (0) 151 350 1500
info@eventms.com
www.eventms.com

Ref: EMS-HS-110112

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Technology Details
Admin IQY

Searching for an IT Support Company in London?

January 5, 2012 — 1:35 pm

If you are searching for IT Support London in Google here are 4 ways that you might select companies from the list Google returns:

1. Look beyond page 1

It seems obvious, but the companies that have been around the longest and Google regards as having comprehensive websites are the most likely to be at the top. Companies can get higher up the list than they have any right to be using SEO. However you could argue that good marketing is an indicator of professionalism! Everybody looks above the fold on page 1. I suggest that you look to at least page 3, picking out a couple of dozen websites.

2. Take Location Into Account

The search engines give more prominence to local businesses. For example if you search for “IT Support London”, Google will present you with a map on page 1 of the results. It’s useful in finding the IT Support London companies closest to you.

3. Are There Any Familiar “IT Support London” Companies?

There may be a few names that you recognise in the search results. If you do that’s a bonus. It’s probably a good sign and they may be worth looking at first.

4. Trust Your Instincts

Sometimes it’s difficult to know why a company just doesn’t feel quite right. It may be an impression that they won’t work well with your values and culture. The look and feel of a company’s website tells you tells you about them. Are they enterprise level, home support focused, very technical, lacking in people skills, etc. Using these 4 techniques should help you find 6 IT Support London companies that are suitable candidates to research further. The next step is to call them and reduce it down to a list of 3 to meet. Then all you need to do is make the final selection!

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Technology Details
Admin BCE

EMS Healthcare unveils latest hi-tech mobile healthcare unit to industry

January 4, 2012 — 5:01 pm

EMS Healthcare is unveiling the latest addition to its fleet of state-of-the-art mobile medical units at an open day for healthcare professionals this month.

The invitation-only event will be held on 23rd and 24th January 2012 at the company’s HQ in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. The EMS Healthcare team will be showcasing the company’s new Liberty Quad medical vehicle, one of which is already being used to provide vital community-based dialysis treatment to patients in North Wales.

The innovative dialysis unit is created by linking four 13.6m medical trailers together to reveal a high-quality eight-bed ward and two private isolation rooms for patients.

Invited guests will be able to witness first-hand the variety of clinical environments that can be created via EMS Healthcare’s wide range of bespoke medical trailers, whether it is to provide healthcare closer to patients’ homes or as a temporary solution during new-build or refurbishment projects.

EMS-Healthcare Business Development Manager Rob Jordan said: “We are immensely proud of this latest addition to our growing fleet of mobile medical units. Our highly versatile solutions offer cost-effective and flexible temporary accommodation that is already being used successfully by public and private sector healthcare professionals in a variety of settings.”

If you are interested in attending this EMS Healthcare event, please get in touch using the contact details below:

Rob Jordan (Business Development Manager)
07917 395 563 | robert.jordan@ems-healthcare.com

Kate Price (Marketing Manager)
0151 350 1509 | kate.price@ems-healthcare.com

Ref: EMS-HS-040112

[Ends]

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Technology Details
Admin IQY

A Rant about IT project costs and ongoing Business IT Support costs

December 16, 2011 — 3:13 pm

Elegantly simple and appropriate engineering is something that very few IT Support Companies seem to understand or bother with. Sadly I see over-engineering and bad engineering on a regular basis.

It really annoys me. Not only is over-engineering expensive, but it’s sloppy, lazy work by the IT Support Companies involved. Many IT Support Companies seem to find it easier to apply a one-size-fits-all solution to every one of their clients from the smallest business to the largest enterprise.

Most business IT networking infrastructure requirements and IT Support requirements are really quite simple and don’t cost as much as many businesses seem willing to pay.

Of course that’s easy for me to say. I’ve been involved in Business IT Support for 20 years.

If you are a business owner without IT Support or computer expertise how can you avoid these expensive and frequent IT errors?

In my experience there are 3 basic business tests you should apply when hiring a new Business IT Support Company. They actually apply to the purchase of any new product or service in an area that you do not have expertise in.

1. Get at least 3 IT Support quotes. This sounds basic, but so few companies do it. I know it’s time-consuming, but I’ve found it to be worth the effort in my own business.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask “stupid” questions! You are the customer, the business owner who will be parting with his or her hard earned money. If they can’t answer it in a way that you can understand then move onto another Business IT Support Company with better customer service.
3. Select an IT Support Company that specialises in your scale of business. If you are a small business and they support Enterprise clients that doesn’t make them better for you. It actually makes them worse for you. They will try to force large company technology solutions into your small business – it’s expensive and ultimately it won’t work.

Using these 3 at least will dramatically reduce the chance of making a Business IT Support error, or an error in almost any important purchasing decision.

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Technology Details
Admin BCE

How Technology Can Prevent Crime

December 7, 2011 — 9:51 am

One of the top uses for modern technology is to make our homes and families safer than ever before. I finally realised when my home got broken into a couple of years back that I didn’t have any sort of protection at all on the property. I didn’t even leave the lights on when I went out all day.

The first step I took afterwards – after I had kicked the cat – was to start leaving the lights on, but obviously this little trick wasn’t going to fool all but the dimmest and least persistent thieves.  No, it was clearly time to get up to speed with the latest anti burglar technology at last.

CCTV Cameras

I had always been a little bit wary of professional CCTV systems to be honest. They always reminded me of harsh speeding fines and Big Brother style street surveillance. However, for protecting a home from the bad guys they are the bee’s knees alright. One sight of your camera looking down at them and most thieves will decide to look elsewhere. My DIY skills amount to being able to turn a screwdriver in the right direction and I was amazed to see that I was able to fit one of these systems all by myself.

Burglar Alarms

I was sitting at my desk in the office one day about 15 years ago when the alarm went off. Good lord, the clanging almost burst my ear drums. It turned out to be a false alarm as well, as a pigeon or some other undesirable creature had set it off. Anyway, I only mention this because I had assumed that modern burglar alarms were like the old ones only shinier. It turns out that they aren’t, and with a smart new wireless burglar alarm you can keep a home well protected without any hassle. As it is wireless it once again falls in my “can do” column and I got mine set up without any problems. There are now types of alarm for all types of home, and even if you live in a rambling mansion you can use the wireless aspect to cover all of your property very easily. As my mansion is pretty compact and semi detached-like I didn’t really have to spend too much time thinking about this aspect anyway.

Not Getting Paranoid

For me the really big benefit of using this crime prevention technology is that I haven’t turned into a nervous wreck or a curtain twitcher. My Mum’s home got broken into years ago and it took her ages to get over it. She used to phone me up at work when a strange car appeared in the street and I think she was even considering buying a ferocious dog at one point. Instead of living like this it is far better to simply protect yourself and breathe easily again. By making technology work for you burglars will be scared off and you can reclaim your property as a haven of peace and security again.

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Admin ISK

Solar PV Technology Offers a DIY energy Solution

December 5, 2011 — 11:58 am

Do a bit of DIY, get cheap energy and save the planet. It sounds like a great idea, doesn’t it? Where’s the catch? Rather strangely, there is none.

Solar PV technology is what we are talking about, and if you have been waiting for the chance to make your home more ecologically then this could be your chance to do it. If you have also been waiting for the chance to impress your friends with some complex sounding but simple DIY then this is ideal for you as well, coupled with basic energy efficiency practices such as double glazing windows Solar energy can make a real difference.

This got me thinking about what other DIY jobs are easier than they sound and could do a bit to help save the planet. Here are some ideas to get you looking out the tool box.

A Compost Toilet

Do you know how much water you use every time you flush the toilet? The answer is lots and if you want to go truly green then a compost toilet is easy to make. You need sand, empty bottles, bamboo, clay and a few other things. Don’t worry, there are step by step instructions with photos on a number of internet sites, so you won’t get lost along the way. If a compost toilet just sounds too far out then simply adding something like a brick inside your cistern will take up space and ensure that you use less water every time you flush.

Grow More Plants

There are lots of different benefits to be had from growing your own plants. Apart from it being a fun hobby you can also recycle some household items as pots, get some compost heap fun going on and grow your own fruit and vegetables. You will be amazed at how many people are genuinely impressed at your gardening skills without realising that it is actually one of the simplest and most natural tasks around. If you have children in the house then you should get them involved as well, as they will love it.

Recycle Your Clothes and Make Something New

If you have a really badly treated old t-shirt or pair of trousers then maybe the only thing you can do with them is turn them into rags for cleaning up the house. However, for anything in a better condition you should use your creativity before throwing them out. Sometimes cutting off legs, adding buttons or dyeing can turn a useless piece of clothing into something which can still give you some use. If you are planning to do a few more DIY jobs then you will want some more clothes which you don’t need to worry about getting dirty or ripped as you work. The same goes for jewellery, as lone earnings can be added to necklaces and broken necklaces can sometimes be turned into earrings. Just take your time and look over anything you are planning to throw out. Once you get used to the idea of seeing new uses for old things it will start to come naturally to you to think this way.

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Science Technology
Admin ISK

Portable & Desktop External Hard Drives – What’s The Difference?

— 10:40 am

With sales of portable and desktop external hard drives on the rise, many home and business owners are now discovering the benefits of these useful peripherals. However, there are still large numbers of people who perhaps do not understand the latest computer jargon and technology, and are missing out on all the benefits that external hard drives have to offer.

If you tend to veer away from “technical” stuff, and don’t know your hard drives from your CD-rewriters, this advice is for you. I explained in simple terms exactly what external hard drives are, the benefits of using them, and the differences between portable and desktop external hard drives.  With this information at hand, you’ll soon be ready to decide whether you need an external hard drive and what type to use.

What are external hard drives?

Every computer contains a hard drive, also called a hard disk, which functions as a storage device for files, programmes and information. In some ways, the hard disk could be thought of as the brain of the computer. External hard drives serve exactly the same purpose as internal hard drives, but they are completely separate from the computer, sealed in plastic casing to protect the working parts. As I will explain in more detail later on, external hard drives come in two formats – portable and desktop.

Why do I need an external hard drive?

Over the past ten years, computers have entered almost every area of our daily lives.  We use computers to stay in contact with our friends and family, manage our finances, shop, plan holidays and even work. This means that most us of store information on our computer hard drive which may be sensitive – like your banking details or tax records. Identity theft is on the rise, so it is important to take steps to keep your computer secure. External hard drives can help with this because you can disconnect the external hard drive after you are finished using it, and store it away, reducing the risk of theft and hacking.

A second reason that external hard drives are so popular is that they allow computer users to back up (make a copy of) the internal hard drive. If the internal hard drive is damaged, either physically or by a virus, the owner of an external hard drive will have a copy of all their programs and files. Basically, an external hard drive acts as a kind of insurance – if you do have a problem with the internal drive, you won’t lose have to worry about losing documents, photos and files.

What are the differences between portable and desktop external hard drives?

The main difference between portable and desktop external hard drives is size. Portable versions are designed to be carried around, and are packaged in a slim-line casing, while desktop drives are larger and often have integrated fans which help extend the life of the equipment. Portable drives tend to have a lower storage capacity than desktop ones,  some of which can hold up to 1Terabyte of information. Generally, people choose external hard drives by weighing up the importance of storage volume and size, depending on their personal requirements.

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Admin ISK

Don’t let Technology Ruin Your Cinema Experience

December 1, 2011 — 4:08 pm

On a recent trip to my local movie theatre to check cinema times for new releases, I got talking with some other film fans. Somehow, our conversation drifted onto the theme of annoying habits of other cinema users and how technology was a big part of the issue.  This sparked an (unscientific) survey amongst my friends and family, all of whom agreed that while there are some unspoken rules of cinema etiquette, they nevertheless had broken at least one of them on a visit to see the latest movies.  This got me thinking – perhaps it is time to finally get these cinema etiquette rules down in writing, and solve the problem of the annoying film-goer forever. Of course, these rules don’t cover things that are just common sense and basic good manners– like switching off your mobile phone and not talking loudly during the film, but more subtle things which can make going to the cinema more pleasurable for everyone.

Rule Number One : Check Cinema Times Before Arrival

One of the top dislikes of film fans is people who stroll into the movie theatre when the main feature has already started. Those early moments of a film can be vital in understanding the plot-line, so people bustling by and causing a distraction are likely to be frowned upon by those already seated. Cinema times are easy to check due to advancements in technology (you can even get an I-Phone App to do the hard work for you), so allow yourself enough time to get to the venue and make you way to your seat before the film begins!

Rule Number Two : Ill? Stay At Home…

It is unfortunate if you have been checking the cinema times and planned to see a movie, then come down with a cold or flu. However, for other peoples sake – stay at home, and book a ticket to see the film when you are feeling better. Quite apart from the fact that you might be passing germs to other people, do you really want to be the person who ruins that tense movie moment with your coughing and sneezing?

Rule Number Three : The Reason You Can’t Take Your Own Food

People are always complaining that most cinemas prohibit customers from taking food and drinks purchased elsewhere into the movie theatre. However, there is a very good reason for this, which was well illustrated when I visited a cinema in Spain. All was well, until the person sitting beside me began to unpack what looked like a three course lunch. While I normally love garlic, being assailed by the pungent odour throughout the entire film was a little off-putting to say the least….not to mention being showered with breadcrumbs, when the guy stood up. I suppose the moral to this story is that some foods are rather unsociable…so if you are not going to share, leave the contents of your fridge at home!

These are my top three rules of “unspoken” cinema etiquette. Do other cinema-goers agree with these rules and are there more to add to the list?

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Admin ISK

Lawn Mower Deals and Reviews

November 16, 2011 — 3:49 pm

Get lawnmower deals online. Check out the lawn mower reviews so you can find out what others say about each product you are interested in. online you will find lawn mowers below $180, and as much as $1700 depending on what you want and can afford.

You can find deals and reviews online for all riding and push lawnmowers including the gas, electric and Green mowers.

Brands available online include

  • Honda
  • John Deere
  • Craftsman
  • Yard Man
  • MDT Universal Lawn Tractors
  • Sears
  • Husqvarna

This is the top brands listed in the article but other models are available and probably less costly. You can go online to look at lawnmower reviews to see what other brands are available and to find out what others are saying about Honda, John Deere, Craftsman, and Yard Man, MDT, and Sears models. Get reviews on self-propelled gas mowers, gas push mowers, electric models, real lawnmowers, and other styles.

Honda makes the self-propelled gas machines including the HRX and GCV models. You can get reviews online including prices, cons, pros, warranty details and other information from reviews online.

Honda and Husqvarna make the push mowers at affordable cost. 7012P is made by Husqvarna and the HRS models are made by Honda.

Ho-ho-ho Christmas is around the corner so why not invest in the latest Robotic Robo-mowers with my name written all over it. Wahoo – this mower is awesome. Rather than do the work yourself, the robo-mower will do the work for you. The cost for this mower is around $1000, but hey if you have a robot taking care of your lawn that cares. You can make up the money in another area. However, keep in mind that some robot owners claim that these robotic machines do not meet up to their expectations. Apparently, some of the mowers take around one week to set up perimeter wiring. This is an appointment process since the mower needs to know where to go. Some claim that the robot machines take longer to get the grass mowed.

Apparently, I will have to pull out my inventor cap to create one of the top-of-the-line robot mowers that does exactly what people ask in less time. In the meantime, take a browse on the Internet to find out more about the electronic, push mowers, riding machines, and other brands.

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Admin JHS
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