It was my son-in-law who pointed me towards a web site that asks for the use of idle time on your computer to help find a cure for diseases like cancer and aids, study global warming, discover pulsars, and do many other types of scientific research.
The software - called Bionic - works on Windows, MAC and Linux systems and can be set to run only when your system is idle. It's like thousands of computers each doing a small bit to help find cures and solutions, so enabling scientific research that couldn't be done otherwise.
I have it running on both my MAC desktop and MACBOOK, with no problems at all. Individually, it may not be much but added together, it's helping to make a difference.
Why not take a few moments to find out more. Working together, we can all help: http://boinc.berkeley.edu/
Monday, 26 July 2010
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
The Benefits of Co-operation
In an age of what often seems like continuous change, it's not uncommon to hear some people refer to the good old days where everything, it seems, was better!
In many cases, this may hold some truth but I never cease to appreciate how much things have changed for the better in relation to location photography.
In the 'Old Days', it was not uncommon to be taken to the shop floor - or wherever the location was - and be told to 'take some pictures!' You were then left to your own devices and inevitably, no one knew what was wanted or needed - and sometimes didn't even know you were coming.
This usually resulted in photographs that were below the expectation of all concerned and although this didn't happen on every occasion, it was the scenario more times that not. It also highlights the dread of having a client who has no idea of what they want.
Fast forward to today's environment where, almost without exception, the customer knows exactly what he or she wants in terms of photographic content and works with you - and often beside you - to produce the required result.
When co-operation comes from every level of the business, there is almost never any hassle, the job is usually finished faster, the photographs are spot on and everyone is happy!!
This is one area where I'm happy to forget the not-so-good-old-days from the past!!
In many cases, this may hold some truth but I never cease to appreciate how much things have changed for the better in relation to location photography.
In the 'Old Days', it was not uncommon to be taken to the shop floor - or wherever the location was - and be told to 'take some pictures!' You were then left to your own devices and inevitably, no one knew what was wanted or needed - and sometimes didn't even know you were coming.
This usually resulted in photographs that were below the expectation of all concerned and although this didn't happen on every occasion, it was the scenario more times that not. It also highlights the dread of having a client who has no idea of what they want.
Fast forward to today's environment where, almost without exception, the customer knows exactly what he or she wants in terms of photographic content and works with you - and often beside you - to produce the required result.
When co-operation comes from every level of the business, there is almost never any hassle, the job is usually finished faster, the photographs are spot on and everyone is happy!!
This is one area where I'm happy to forget the not-so-good-old-days from the past!!
Monday, 12 July 2010
Advertising - but not as we know it.
I've been feeling more than a bit guilty of late as I haven't been updating my blog as planned. However, my excuse is that I've been working on a few business projects, mainly in the form of three new web sites for the business.
Over the the years, we have never had any real success as a result of advertising of any kind. We are very methodical when it comes to noting the source of any new business and advertising is always at the bottom of the list. I've no idea why this is but, nevertheless, it is a mysterious fact of our business life!
However, at the end of our last financial year, we decided to take a few active promotional steps by way of three new web sites.
Over the years our business has developed in a way that responded to the requests of our clients. It all started with photography of course but, after after a few years, customers began asking for additional services. It's no surprise that these were 'complimentary' to photography and they can be categorised as Graphic Design and Printing.
Trading as 194media, these, along with some 'spin-off' services, were - and still are - featured on our web site: www.194media.com
However, we realised that the word 'media' covers a wide range of products and services and that perhaps we should be a bit more direct in our approach. The result was a decision to set up three new web sites, all with names relating to the products and services we provide and the first of these is now live.
As the name suggests, PrintingWestLothian.com highlights an expanded range of printing services including: Leaflets & Brochures, Business Stationery, Carbonless Forms, Posters and more. Although the site is live, we haven't yet began any active promotion, but this will kick in, hopefully, within the next 14 days at which time customers and potential customers will be able to consider what Printing West Lothian has to offer.
The other two sites will be started very soon and we look forward to working on these exciting new developments!
Over the the years, we have never had any real success as a result of advertising of any kind. We are very methodical when it comes to noting the source of any new business and advertising is always at the bottom of the list. I've no idea why this is but, nevertheless, it is a mysterious fact of our business life!
However, at the end of our last financial year, we decided to take a few active promotional steps by way of three new web sites.
Over the years our business has developed in a way that responded to the requests of our clients. It all started with photography of course but, after after a few years, customers began asking for additional services. It's no surprise that these were 'complimentary' to photography and they can be categorised as Graphic Design and Printing.
Trading as 194media, these, along with some 'spin-off' services, were - and still are - featured on our web site: www.194media.com
However, we realised that the word 'media' covers a wide range of products and services and that perhaps we should be a bit more direct in our approach. The result was a decision to set up three new web sites, all with names relating to the products and services we provide and the first of these is now live.
As the name suggests, PrintingWestLothian.com highlights an expanded range of printing services including: Leaflets & Brochures, Business Stationery, Carbonless Forms, Posters and more. Although the site is live, we haven't yet began any active promotion, but this will kick in, hopefully, within the next 14 days at which time customers and potential customers will be able to consider what Printing West Lothian has to offer.
The other two sites will be started very soon and we look forward to working on these exciting new developments!
Friday, 7 May 2010
Life and business goes on
Well, the election is over, and although there is a lot of negotiation still to come, our new government will be much different from the one before.
But regardless of who is in power, life - and business - goes on. We had already decided to create three new web sites, each one focusing on a different area of of the business. Despite of the economic situation, we feel there are many opportunities in the marketplace and that this is not a time to be timid.
Any new business initiative is exciting and we look forward to creating new opportunities for the future. We hope to have the first site up and running in about two weeks and the others will follow on as soon as is possible.
Our aim has always been to provide high quality products and services to our customers and this policy will continue as we move forward.
But regardless of who is in power, life - and business - goes on. We had already decided to create three new web sites, each one focusing on a different area of of the business. Despite of the economic situation, we feel there are many opportunities in the marketplace and that this is not a time to be timid.
Any new business initiative is exciting and we look forward to creating new opportunities for the future. We hope to have the first site up and running in about two weeks and the others will follow on as soon as is possible.
Our aim has always been to provide high quality products and services to our customers and this policy will continue as we move forward.
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Sponsored Walk in aid of 'Help for Heroes'
'Help for Heroes' is an organisation formed to help those who have been wounded in Britain's current conflicts and I'm both delighted and proud to be taking part in a sponsored walk on Saturday 22nd May to raise funds for such a worthwhile cause.
As it says on the 'Help for Heroes' website, the charity was founded by Bryn and Emma Parry after a profoundly moving visit to Selly Oak Hospital in the summer of 2007.
Bryn and Emma met some extraordinary brave young people who had been badly wounded and they just wanted to do something to help.
The walk of about 11 miles, starting from Kirkliston (West Lothian) bowling club at 9.30am, going across the Forth Road Bridge to Inverkeithing and then back to Kirkliston.
That same night, there will be a fund-raising social evening, also at Kirkliston Bowling Club, starting at 7pm with tickets priced at £5 each.
I've set up a 'Just Giving' page and if you can help in any way, that would be great. You can visit the page by clicking here.
If you live in the area and would like to take part, or perhaps attend the social evening, please get in touch.
As it says on the 'Help for Heroes' website, the charity was founded by Bryn and Emma Parry after a profoundly moving visit to Selly Oak Hospital in the summer of 2007.
Bryn and Emma met some extraordinary brave young people who had been badly wounded and they just wanted to do something to help.
The walk of about 11 miles, starting from Kirkliston (West Lothian) bowling club at 9.30am, going across the Forth Road Bridge to Inverkeithing and then back to Kirkliston.
That same night, there will be a fund-raising social evening, also at Kirkliston Bowling Club, starting at 7pm with tickets priced at £5 each.
I've set up a 'Just Giving' page and if you can help in any way, that would be great. You can visit the page by clicking here.
If you live in the area and would like to take part, or perhaps attend the social evening, please get in touch.
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Scary online stuff
There's usually never a day goes by with some kind of scare about online security but this story on the BBC technology pages illustrates just how sophisticated cyber criminals have become.
Toolkits are being created and sold that allow novice cyber criminals to build their own malware - and the 'makers' are even offering telephone support to help them on their way!!
Well worth a look and you can see the full story here.
Toolkits are being created and sold that allow novice cyber criminals to build their own malware - and the 'makers' are even offering telephone support to help them on their way!!
Well worth a look and you can see the full story here.
Training not plane-ing!!
With the disruption in air travel, lots of commuters are being forced to switch to alternative forms of transport. I've joined that club today as I travel by rail in the company of a client for a photo-shoot in Stratford.
In terms of journey time, it is of course much slower, but It's also easy to forget the advantages of rail travel.
No need to be at the departure point two hours in advance, none of the increasingly more invasive security measures and when 'on board' much more comfortable - and roomy - seats.
But it wouldn't be the done thing not to have a gripe and in our online age, it's a bit disappointing for the train not to have free wifi.
Not that I'm mean in any way but even when traveling on a Stagecoach bus, there's free wifi. They are looking for more business passengers and this is a naturally attractive feature.
I do have a dongle for web access but even in the short time since leaving Edinburgh, I've had to reconnect numerous times.
If the rail companies want to attract more customers - of both the business and leisure variety - I think this had to be a 'given'.
Train travel allows passengers to work while on the move but as railways, by their very nature, are routed through the countryside, mobile reception can be somewhat intermittent. Wifi would surely eliminate that problem.
Apart from this, it's nice to enjoy the space and not having to obey the 'fasten seatbelt' sign!!
Of course, I'll be returning by the same route tomorrow evening and I wonder if I'll still feel the same way after my almost 7 hour homeward journey!!
Anyway, what next?? A Chris Ryan novel or my trusty iPod ... ??
In terms of journey time, it is of course much slower, but It's also easy to forget the advantages of rail travel.
No need to be at the departure point two hours in advance, none of the increasingly more invasive security measures and when 'on board' much more comfortable - and roomy - seats.
But it wouldn't be the done thing not to have a gripe and in our online age, it's a bit disappointing for the train not to have free wifi.
Not that I'm mean in any way but even when traveling on a Stagecoach bus, there's free wifi. They are looking for more business passengers and this is a naturally attractive feature.
I do have a dongle for web access but even in the short time since leaving Edinburgh, I've had to reconnect numerous times.
If the rail companies want to attract more customers - of both the business and leisure variety - I think this had to be a 'given'.
Train travel allows passengers to work while on the move but as railways, by their very nature, are routed through the countryside, mobile reception can be somewhat intermittent. Wifi would surely eliminate that problem.
Apart from this, it's nice to enjoy the space and not having to obey the 'fasten seatbelt' sign!!
Of course, I'll be returning by the same route tomorrow evening and I wonder if I'll still feel the same way after my almost 7 hour homeward journey!!
Anyway, what next?? A Chris Ryan novel or my trusty iPod ... ??
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