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| Title: | Consultant Technologies - Umbrella Company - http://www.consultant-tech.co.uk | | Pagerank: |  | | Description: | Provides IR35 compliant administration solutions for IT contractors including IR35 assessment and personalized earnings calculator. | | Category: | BUSINESS : Consulting | Link Owner: | Kevin Gibbons | | Date Added: | March 12, 2008 02:50:29 PM | | Rss Feed: | Consultant Tech | | Resources: | IT Contracting UK
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| | Number Hits: | 0 | | Latest Feed: | Silly, Smart and Stealthy: 5 Fun USB Gadgets
The number of accessories available for you to plug into a USB port is truly incredible. Ranging from the silly to the smart, these gadgets allow users to personalise their PCs and introduce a range of new functions.Creative Commons Image Credit: darktek13All the toys listed here are available online with a quick search. The only thing that limits you is the number of ports you can access…Gadget number one: The StealthSwitchDo you ever mess about on Facebook in the office? Ever play Patience when you are meant to be sorting out that report for your boss? No, of course you don't - but in case you know someone who does, you may want to invest in the StealthSwitch.These devices plug a foot-operated switch into a computer's USB port, which then sits under the desk – kind of like the pedal on a sewing machine.Should your boss make a surprise trip to your part of the office, one swift tap can minimise all the job searches or auction sites you are browsing. You can even set it to hide certain windows while leaving others open – meaning your work spreadsheets are maximised, while your game of Tetris vanishes.Gadget number two: USB keystrokerThis is a fun toy for winding up colleagues or family members but should really only be used on those with a sense of humour. When it is plugged into the PC, it will delay for a set period of time and then cause mayhem on the victim's PC.It will suddenly lock the CAPS button, move the mouse uncontrollably and even hit random keys, depending on what you have set it to do.A word of warning, though: it is advisable to remain in the room when perpetrating this mayhem. The last thing you want is for your hapless victim to decide they have a virus they can't fix and wipe their hard drive. That would rather ruin the comedy. Gadget number three: The EcobuttonPerhaps one of the most useful USB-powered developments, this button serves as a helpful reminder to shutdown your computer at the end of the day.You plug it into your computer and sit the green, illuminated button on the desk, next to your keyboard. It does not just remind you to shut down your desktop, though, this gadget monitors how much energy is saved through turning off the computer and keeps an on-screen tally to keep you motivated.Since, according to the Big Green Switch campaign, putting computers into standby mode instead of turning them off could cost an extra 17 per cent in energy consumption over seven days, this green gadget can help you save money and emissions.Gadget number four: The USB-powered fridgeSometimes a gadget is so unnecessary that you cannot help but want it. The USB-powered fridge is one such toy. Big enough to fit just one can of drink, this miniscule cooler looks like a scaled down version of the real thing.With four feet of wire, it can run straight from your USB port to your desk and provide the ultimate in geek chic on those hot summer days.It works with both Macs and PCs, meaning everyone can use this unfathomably unnecessary gadget.Gadget number five: USB-warmed slippersFor those older technophiles, or anyone shivering in an inadequately-heated office, these unlikely slippers may be just what you need.They contain heat pads and plug into your USB port to charge and warm up. Once they are charged, they can be easily disconnected, allowing the wearer to enjoy full mobility at the same time as toasty toes.Alas, these slippers are not particularly snazzy, so the wearer may not look particularly cool. You should get extra geek points, though, for finding a way to plug feet into a PC.
Obsolete Equipment: 5 Ethical Ways to Dispose of PCs
Greening IT is an issue for many companies looking to reduce their carbon footprints. However, for many people, this means looking at the energy their technology uses rather than taking into account its lifespan and the environmental costs of its construction and disposal.CC Image Credit: Flickr Businesses usually want up-to-date computers, meaning they bring in the latest machines and throw away PCs which could still have a useful life.So, what are the options? How can a company safely and ethically dispose of equipment it no longer needs?ReuseThe first thing to do is check whether or not a PC can be used elsewhere. Alright, if you're the CIO of an engineering firm then it may be up to you to ensure your engineers have the newest equipment, but perhaps your admin staff can use the older machines.It could even be an upgrade to their technology and means the company does not have to worry about parting with computers containing corporate information.Another option is to look at upgrading the computers so they meet the needs of your team. Look at all the options before ditching the equipment.Offer to staffIt may be that your staff would leap at the chance to rehome an old PC. Perhaps they have a computer themselves but could do with one for their offspring. Maybe their niece is starting at university and needs one, however old and however clunky. You won't know until you offer them.Allowing staff to take home unwanted computers can be a perk for your team, making them happier, as well as ensuring the PC is used for the longest time possible. You could even sell the computers at a discounted rate and give the proceeds to a charity or to a carbon offsetting organisation.FreecycleFreecycle is an online community devoted to keeping useful items out of landfill. Essentially, people with unwanted but potentially reusable items give them away by offering them on a forum.As strangers will be gaining access to your equipment, you may chose to exercise extreme caution and only give away keyboards, monitors and so on. However, if you remove the hard drive and check no one has left a disc in the tray, this can be a safe way to ensure PCs are reused.Offer to the communityBy giving old computers to local schools or other organisations in the local community, a company can get some decent press coverage and have the satisfaction of knowing its computers are being reused by those who can really benefit from them.It is worth asking around your community to see if anyone has a use for the equipment. This may cost you some time and effort, but it is worth it for the benefits to your corporate image.DonateIn response to the high levels of electronics that end up in landfill, a number of charities have sprung up which take unwanted PCs to developing world countries to allow schoolchildren and start-up firms to make use of them.Some of these organisations will wipe your information for you, others request the PCs are data cleansed before they receive the equipment.A quick web search will throw up a variety of charities offering this service. Many will offer photos of the equipment in use, which can be extremely useful for internal or external publicity.A word of cautionHowever you choose to dispose of your obsolete PCs, it is not enough to simply delete all the files they contained. It is not that difficult to retrieve information from a hard drive and the last thing a company wants is an altruistic gesture to result in an embarrassing data loss incident.There exist programs which can wipe files but many firms may prefer to destroy hard drives. Whatever you do, make sure you are confident your company data is safe.
Gone Phishing: 5 Frequents Online Frauds
Just when the world got savvy to emailed viruses and people thought it was safe to go back in the water, the phishing menace reared its head.CC Image Credit: FlickrIt is a frustrating fact that for many of us, email has always been a platform we have to view with suspicion. Banks find it difficult to use the medium without encouraging fraudulent emails and whole online communities have sprung up to share warnings and even fight back.But what are the worst phishing emails to date? Continuing our 'worst ever' theme, we have chosen the five frauds listed below. Do you agree? Feel we've missed a worse one? Feel free to add your thoughts in a comment.First frustrating phishing fraud: The Spanish LotteryIf you have an email account, chances are you've been hit by this gem. You may never have entered the Euro Millions Spanish Lottery International draw but that does not stop the organisers wanting to pay you hundreds of thousands of euros.These benevolent individuals do not need anyone to buy a ticket, they attach random email addresses to various numbers and then simply give the cash away. What are the odds?More seriously, these crooks will demand the bank details from susceptible recipients and perhaps even request an initial payment. While most people are now aware of this sort of scam, many internet newcomers are not and the news often carries tales of gullible grannies losing their savings to these scammers.Second frustrating phishing fraud: Nigerian heirDear friend. I have never met you, have no connection with you and yet would like to deposit my family's entire and substantial fortune in your bank account while I fight the courts/avenge my father's death/flee persecution.There are a range of these emails but they all come down to the same thing – we will give you a large amount of cash, please send us a deposit and your bank details first so that we know you are honourable.Perhaps the worst thing about these messages is that they try to sound trustworthy by declaring that sender trusts the recipient – even though they do not know them! "Though, I do not know you in person but I still maintain my father's philosophy that business is people and contacts. Business is always based on trust and open mindedness and it is on this note I act." Excellent copywriting too, these emails!Third frustrating phishing fraud: Update your bank details now!One of the more common phishing techniques is for the cybercriminal to pretend to be a person's bank. They claim the recipient needs to verify their details or their account could be closed. Some will sound convincing, others will be filled with the kind of laughably bad grammar seen only online.Because of the numbers of people falling for these messages, however, many banks had to scrap using email altogether. Some of the fraudsters even added security messages to their emails, and directed recipients to elaborate fake websites, where the victim would willingly enter all of their bank details.Fourth frustrating phishing fraud: FakebookSocial networks have been plagued with phishing issues, particularly the massively popular Facebook – its size making it a prime target for online villains.Fraudsters use email or the website's own messaging system to post teasers designed to entice the user to explore further. "lol i cant believe these pics got posted….its going to be BADDDD when her boyfriend sees these," gushed some of these messages, directing the recipient to a fresh login page which looked like Facebook, acted like Facebook, but wasn't Facebook.Of course, once that victim's account is hacked and their personal details stolen, these fraudsters would also contact that person's friends, family and associates, meaning whole communities were put at risk.Fifth frustrating phishing fraud: HMRC… or notEverybody wants to believe that there could be a rebate coming their way and that makes the public additionally vulnerable when it comes to phishing.In the US, the IRS is constantly warning people not to be taken in by these messages and here in the UK, HM Revenue & Customs is also fighting an ongoing battle with scammers.Unlike the Spanish Lottery or Nigerian billionaire-type emails, many of these are plausible and well-written, containing HMRC logos, banners and ID numbers.They inform the recipient that they are owed a refund and invite them to click on a link which transports them to a credible website and then proceeds to steal vast quantities of sensitive data from them.
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