Author: MattRawlings

Matt's Author Bio: Matt Rawlings is a UK-based writer with a real passion for all things gadget related. Whether it's a new laptop, the latest all-singing all-dancing smartphone or just an exciting upgrade, Matt's all over it!

How the Latest Tech Can Help Meet Deadlines

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It seems that it doesn’t matter what industry you work in, you’re always faced by deadlines that loom large above your head, waiting to strike. Whether you’re a journalist facing daily deadlines to get your copy written and published, or a warehouse worker tasked with creating so many of your products each day or an agency worker tasked with getting a job done before the end of the month, we’ve all got them.

Computing from the cloudIf only there was some way of making things simpler, taking the stress away and helping us to relax a bit more and get the job done without the typical end of month stress. Fortunately, thanks to the developments in technology over the past decade, there is. Developers are now working on software packages designed to make the hard, laborious tasks much simpler allowing us to focus our time, effort and resources on other areas of the business, like discussions with clients and ensuring that the marketing goes as well as possible so that you can expand the company at your own pace and in the right areas.

Let’s look at one particular example. Sorting out the rota for the next few weeks can be one of the hardest task faced by any member of the management, having to deal with holidays, sickness and ensuring that the optimum number of people are in on the busiest and quietest days of the week, and covering themselves for a quiet day turning into chaos, too. The installation of shift scheduling software can help those tasked with organizing the rota to ensure that the right people are in on the right day, and that people who are booked off aren’t included in the plans so they can adjust accordingly. It’s far more efficient and professional than using a pen and paper and saves an incredible amount of time.

Cloud solutions have proven to be another fine example of helping to meet deadlines. You might be faced with one strict deadline, and get called away from the office for an important meeting. Alternatively you may have a family emergency that means you have to work from home at the worst possible time. Cloud storage, however, enables you to access all of your work files wherever you are and upload the updated versions ready for someone else to access them and put them to print, send to the relevant people or save for the finishing touches from a member of another department.

No matter whether you’re a large or small, established or fledgling business, there are now all kinds of technologies and software packages designed to make our lives easier on both a personal and professional level.

How maintenance can lengthen the life of your tech

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Kitchen appliances are very expensive and in the current struggling economic climate making do and looking after these expensive items is more important than ever. Below, are some tips to help you go the extra mile for your machines and make their lives longer.

Air purifiers and humidifiers need regular filter changes and routine deep cleaning to ensure they continue to work efficiently. Bosch appliances often give alerts on their items when they need filters changing or maintaining in any way.

Their storage is also intrinsic to it’s good order, so when you’re stashing these away at the change of the season make sure it will not be knocked or leaked upon.

A mug of coffeeCoffee makers are known for their short life span, which makes sense as it is used so often as well as left switched on for long periods of time. To keep the insides of your pride and joy working a great tip is to process a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar, followed by a couple of clear water run. This will ensure the mineral build up will be removed and the coffee will come out tasting like you’ve bought a new machine.

The dishwasher is one appliance that does often get cleaned but not to the extent it needs. This is essential to ensure the cleanliness of your cutlery and crockery, so just bunging in a dishwasher cleaner tab isn’t enough on its own. Mould often accrues around the rubber seal, due to being damp so much of the time, this needs to be cleaned with mould and mildew spray or if severe enough, completely replaced.

The clothes dryer is another appliance that is fairly easily damaged. It is common for people to overload their dryers, as they don’t know how much weight it can comfortably cope with. By doing this, the belt is stretched and damaged which is costly to repair. You can also save energy as well money and operating time by using the correct settings, so make sure you read that manual as it could hold many benefits!

Freezers should ideally be located away from direct light sources or heat as this affects the items efficiency. Removing ice from the interior improves airflow and helps to maintain the optimum freezer temperature.

To keep your fridge ticking over there are several things you can do to help it. The compressor coils located at the back can be vacuumed to keep them dust free and help to maintain the correct temperature. A seal in perfect condition will also help this as well as avoiding leaving the door stood open for prolonged amounts of time.

The hoover has fairly simple needs in that changing the dust bag and the filter are about all it needs and should be done regularly as well as checking the hose and attachments for debris blocking the suction, making the appliance less efficient.

Careers in the ICT Industry

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A lot of University students will be turning their attentions to their long-term futures over the coming months with millions graduating from their courses this summer. As a result the demand for jobs is likely to increase and, as we all know too well, the number of positions available is far outweighed by the number of applicants.

This can cause many job seekers to get disheartened and end up working in fields that have no use for their skills or abilities. The whole three years at Uni can seem like a complete waste of time, while the debt continues to rise making you even more frustrated!

For those completing computer or media-related courses, the opportunities are always on the rise, with more and more brands looking to move into the online space and with those that are there already trying to expand wherever possible. Traditional newspapers and magazines are moving into digital sectors and many companies and brands are looking to develop their existing websites or to create new ones that will help them to grow their brand identity.

This means that even if you had your sights set on a career in PR or journalism, for example, you could be presented with a series of opportunities that are not exactly what you may have wanted or what you had considered previously but could suit you to a T. For instance:

Web Design

You might have been the sort of person who loved coming up with innovative designs and you spent every spare few minutes you had doodling on pieces of scrap paper to stay entertained and develop your skills. The graphic design industry is one that’s difficult to get into, but web design is a sector that is growing rapidly.

As the demand for game-changing websites continues to grow, more and more creative people are needed. If you have knowledge of how websites work as another string to your bow, you might find your true calling in web design.

SEO

Google SEO Ranking Chart

SEO is a rapidly growing industry, and is now a major global employer.

Search engine optimisation has turned from a small acorn into a mighty oak in the past decade or so as a result of technology and websites developing. Site and company owners all want to reach the top of the search engine results for specific terms and phrases so that they get as much business as possible. The higher up the rankings you are, the more likely you are to be seen and that is their target.

To do this, you need experts who are capable of implementing a series of strategies to help find their way to the top. Anyone with knowledge of how sites work, meta descriptions, link building and other forms of “tech wizardry,” can get into SEO a growing and ever-evolving sector.