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Leading Construction Company Builds Virtual Reliability With Help From LIMA Networks

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A world leading construction company has overhauled its IT systems with the help of IT solutions specialists LIMA Networks and, as a result, has cut its downtime and improved efficiency by no end.

The company, Tensar Technologies, is at the forefront of technology-driven civil engineering and road building and provides services that utilise modern technologies. Rather than following traditional methods of construction, Tensar is constantly searching for newer and better ways in which it can develop sustainable solutions for its clients. The Blackburn-based company employs over 800 people and has clients in many different countries.

However, due to its high-demand, Tensar requires a fully operational storage area network (SAN) system that is both flexible and stable, as well as giving a high standard of return on investment. According to Tensar’s Network Manager, Steve Carroll, its current SAN solution was ‘taking an unacceptably long time’, which led to downtime that cost the company money.

At this point, Tensar Technologies turned to LIMA Networks for help. As a NetApp Gold Partner, LIMA Networks was able to present a new SAN solution that would enable Tensar to achieve its desired levels of storage efficiency, storage utilisation, backup ability and virtual system changes.

LIMA Networks installed a new SAN architecture with a VMware vSphere 4.1 operating system that allowed Exchange and SQL databases to be accessed by all users. LIMA Networks also fitted a NetApp FAS2040 as a primary storage device and a FAS2020 as a secondary device, which was located at the disaster recovery site. These devices made backups take minutes rather than hours, making Tensar Technologies more efficient, and helped to improve storage utilisation by up to 40 per cent.

“We worked closely with LIMA Networks who understood our business requirements,” said Steve Carroll. “I can now be confident a user in China who needs servicing can be helped, no matter what time it is in the UK; the flexibility and reliability of the new solution absolutely enables us to maintain service delivery 24×7.”

LIMA Networks has helped Tensar Technologies in upgrading its IT systems to a level that allows the company to get a much better grip on its services. To find out more about LIMA Networks, visit www.limanetworks.com now.

Via EPR Network
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B2C, eCommerce, Entertainment, Events, Internet, Online, Services, Shopping, Web

Lulu.com Launches New Ecommerce Platform

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Lulu.com, the leader in self-publishing, has launched a new ecommerce platform along with major site upgrades that will give authors and readers the absolute best self-publishing experience for buying and selling books in any format across the globe.

Powered by leading ecommerce platform provider Elastic Path, the upgrades are designed to maximize author agility in a rapidly changing publishing industry and ensure that readers can easily buy books online anywhere in the world, including the places they already shop like Amazon.com, the iBookstore, and Barnes and Noble’s NOOK Bookstore. Customers can expect an even easier to use Lulu.com with new capabilities such as registration-less checkout, faster browsing times, enhanced international language and currency support, improved address validation, and customizable marketing tools for authors, adding to Lulu.com’s already free ebook publishing services.

“Lulu and Elastic Path have made publishing and buying quick and easy,” says Matt Dion, Vice President of Marketing for Elastic Path. “Lulu is a great example of an innovative company providing their customers with a compelling value proposition, cementing Lulu’s leadership position in the publishing technology arena for years to come.”

The new platform creates an entirely new infrastructure for Lulu.com to build upon, which greatly increases the speed at which the company can release new features and updates in the future to better equip customers with the tools they need, when they need them. For example, Lulu.com’s soon to be available ecommerce APIs (Application Programmer Interfaces) enables businesses and publishers to build Lulu.com and Elastic Path’s ecommerce tools into their own branded websites, absolutely free.

“We’re constantly looking for ways to make it easier for our customers to take advantage of the ever-increasing opportunities in publishing today, from easily creating print and eBooks, to expanding author reach to more places,” said Bob Young, CEO of Lulu.com. “We’re in the business of removing limitations for creators and with these upgrades, we’re providing publishers, authors, and their readers, with a world-class ecommerce experience.”

With just a few clicks of a button, anyone can upload content to Lulu once, and sell it through a global network of premier retail channels as a print book or eBook, all for free. Creators set their own price for their titles and keep up to 90 per cent of the profit whenever their works sell.

Interested parties can learn more about self-publishing and the new and improved Lulu.com by visiting, www.lulu.com, while British users can visit Lulu UK at www.lulu.com/uk.

Via EPR Network
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B2C, eCommerce, Internet, Online, Services, Shopping, Web

DiscountVouchers.co.uk Announces New Deals to Help Brits Save on Spring Styles

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Sprucing up a spring wardrobe can now be more affordable for UK shoppers thanks to new deals for savings at top fashion stores available via DiscountVouchers.co.uk. The online voucher codes specialist – which helps consumers to save money at over 800 stores – has this week sourced new deals for money off at New Look, Urban Outfitters and ASOS.

New stylish fashions for spring from popular high street outlet New Look can be had on a budget right now thanks to the new deals sourced by DiscountVouchers.co.uk. Both women’s and men’s clothing can be had with savings thanks to New Look discount code choices including Men’s Clothing Sale, Free Delivery To Your Local UK Store on Orders Over £20 and Up to £10 Off Women’s Denim.

Another of the country’s top fashion outlets to featured on the DiscountVouchers.co.uk website this week is ASOS, which offers women’s and men’s clothing via a regularly-updated online store. This week sees the voucher codes specialist offering new ASOS discount vouchers such as Save Up To 70% in the Clearance Subject to terms and conditions.

Urban Outfitters is a well-known supplier of street clothing and quality youth wear, and DiscountVouchers.co.uk can this week help shoppers get more for their money there as well. The DiscountVouchers.co.uk site is right now offering a choice of Urban Outfitters discount vouchers such as Save Up To 70% in the Sale.

Doug Scott, managing director of DiscountVouchers.co.uk, says, “With the spring weather kicking in people are looking to get some new clothing from famous stores – but they are still working to tight budgets. With that in mind our latest deals for top stores like Urban Outfitters, ASOS and New Look are perfectly-timed for helping people maximise their spends right now.”

DiscountVouchers.co.uk offers consumers money saving deals at major high street brands and specialist retailers, including stores like Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Travelodge, First Choice, lastminute.com and Boden.

For more information visit www.discountvouchers.co.uk.

Via EPR Network
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Entertainment, Internet, Online, Web

Soda Poker, A Whole New Way Of Enjoying Online Poker!

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A new multilingual poker room has just been launched by one on the main online poker publishers with the intention of becoming an alternative to the current online poker monopoly.

POKER hit the web in the mid 00’s and has since never ceased to grow in popularity. But governments around the world have decided that now is the time to impose regulations on online gambling and as a result you may have noticed that playing poker with real money is getting tougher and tougher (especially if you are living in the US!).

In the mean time, playing poker with virtual chips on social networks has never been as trendy, fun and easy! Don’t deny it; even your mom and your little sister are on it… These so called social poker games owe their popularity to the fact that while being built around a game you usually find in a casino; because you can’t cash out your winnings, for legislators, it’s not gambling so you (and the companies running them) are alright with them.

Now the companies running these models are seriously considering adding cash out options once the game will be regulated, and the companies running real money poker rooms are looking at social poker games as a way of not only offering a different version of the game, but also penetrating virgin territories such as social networks or mobile devices.

It’s going to be a war of the worlds when these gaming giants collide, but undoubtedly poker players will come out as winners, as the competition will generate new products and new offers for the end users…

In the mist of it all, Cmedia, a company based on the Spanish coast of Barcelona has launched Soda Poker, a social poker room that aims to offer a serious alternative to other poker rooms.

The name Cmedia may not ring a bell, but if you have ever been on a website related to poker or any other form of online gambling, chances are you were on one of theirs: with over 1000 websites online, they are amongst the biggest online gambling publishers in the world… so you can trust they know what they are doing when it comes to online poker. They are the people behind Freepoker.org and Pokerholdem.com.

Soda Poker is easy because unlike any other Texas Holdem poker site you can register and play for free in just a few clicks. It’s quick, easy and simple. It gets you seated at the poker table in just a few seconds without asking you for your bank account details, or your grand mother’s maiden name. And it’s freemium, meaning that every day; you can come back and play without having to deposit real money. But if you want to play the higher stakes you can always buy into the premium model and get more chips allowing you to play at a higher level. Because players don’t actually bet with real money, Soda Poker is a totally risk free game, you can just play for the fun of the game! It’s really the closest you’ll get to playing a home game with your friends, and that’s why it’s one of the fastest growing social poker communities and one of the hottest places to be dealt cards on the web right now!

Via EPR Network
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Advertising, B2b, Internet, Online, Search, Searching, SEM, SEO, Social Networking, Web Marketing

Google To Move Underwater And Take Internet Surfers For A Dive, Says SEO Company SachaMango

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From September, the Catlin Seaview Survey, run by the University of Queensland in conjunction with insurers the Caitlin Group, will take to the water to conduct 360 degree panoramic filming of the greatest reef on earth, with Google making all 50,000 images available on Google Results, Google Earth and Google Maps through a new feature in Panaramio. There will also be a dedicated YouTube channel and live streams of the expedition team at work.

Professor Hoegh-Guldberg, Director of the Global Chane Institute and Chief Scientist on the project, said “The Catlin Seaview Survey comprises a series of studies which will reveal to the public one of the last frontiers on Earth: the oceans.

“For the first time in history, we have the technology to broadcast the findings and expedition through Google. Millions of people will be able to experience the life, the science and the magic that exists under the surface of our oceans. This project is very exciting.”

The survey will take place in three stages; a shallow reef survey of 20 sites across the2300km of the reef, a deep water survey using robots to depths of 30-100 metres, and finally a mega-fauna survey that will explore how green turtles, tiger sharks and manta rays migrate in response to ocean temperatures.

A spokesperson for SEO Company SachaMango Media, said: “This is a great example of how technology can be used to not only to help make ground-breaking research a reality, but also to educate and inspire the public to learn more about the underwater world around us. It forms an important link between scientific knowledge and public awareness, and gives people an opportunity to see rare sites that they might never get to see unless they actually visited Australia and went underwater themselves. The project will allow us all to go for a virtual dive without ever leaving the comfort of our own armchairs!

The survey is set to begin in September, although the project’s website already has some images from initial equipment testing and a demo of how the panaramio images will be viewed. However, there are already plans underway to document some of the most important oceans in the rest of the world.

“It’s no surprise that Google has got involved,” said the spokesperson.” As the biggest occupier of search space in the UK – some 93% – and with the features like Google Results, Earth and Maps already popular with the public, it makes sense they should be the partner of choice to develop the applications needed on its advanced platforms to view the incredible images that will come from the project.”

Via EPR Network
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Internet, ISPs, Online, Services

Plusnet Reveals Nine Out Of Ten Mums Rely On The Internet For Parental Advice

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Plusnet has revealed that a staggering eight out of 10 (82%) mums rely on the internet for parental advice.

According to the survey* carried out by home phone and business broadband company, two in five (41%) mums say they do their weekly shop online to save time, with almost the same amount again (40%) banking online to avoid long in-branch queues. A massive 99% of mums spend up to four hours of their own ‘me time’ online each day.

The new generation of mothers are an internet-savvy audience with more than half (51%) researching their children’s homework online. Asking more than 3,300 mums, the study found that a quarter of mothers consider themselves as “networking mothers” who use online forums and other social media to get parenting advice. It is clear the internet has a big part to play in motherhood with well over a third of these networking mums (39%) finding it a vital resource when their child is ill and they need to look up symptoms.

It is not just parenting issues that these networking mums are clued up on, as half of those asked also liked the fact that while housebound with the kids, they can seek “adult conversation” from peers online through sites such as Twitter and Facebook.

Speaking about the survey results, Plusnet ambassador and Dancing on Ice Star Jennifer Ellison said: “It’s great that mums can find a quick way to get advice online when it’s needed. I personally really value being able to use the net to speak to my family when I’m away. Doing Dancing on Ice has made me realise how valuable something like video calls are – it’s fantastic to be able to see your little boy as well as talk to him on the phone. I’m also a big fan of online shopping – the last thing I want to do after a hard day’s training is go shopping – and I’d much rather spend any spare time with my family.”

The study conducted by Plusnet among the netmums community, also asked about favourite ‘mum moments’ in film and TV. Mother’s instincts struck a chord with this audience, with nearly a third (31%) voting for the most touching moment as that in the 2003 movie “Cheaper by the Dozen”, when Kate Baker, (played by actress Bonnie Hunt), sacrifices her career to care for her children at home. Meanwhile, Rachel Green from sitcom ‘Friends’ was voted the most admired mum character with more than a third (35%) of the results.

Jamie Ford, CEO of Plusnet said: “Through this study we can see how vital the internet is when you are a parent, in fact even us Dads are partial to turning to the net, especially for things like help with homework. With more and more people using the web for everyday needs Plusnet is committed to providing reliable and competitively priced broadband, perfect for family life.”

Via EPR Network
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FastVision Web Hosting Success

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FastVision the UK based hosting company in Cheltenham has been growing rapidly making it one of the fastest growing hosting companies in the UK. In its 10th year of Business FastVision has now not only won hosting awards but also the hearts of the customers. The great lengths that the customer service team and technical support guys have gone to is clear as FastVision has glowing reviews all over the internet when other Hosting providers seem to be struggling with negative reviews and even hate sites setup informing potential new customers about terrible experiences.

As with all business with company growth the most important factor of success is planning ahead and ensuring that the resources are available before the growth of clients and in the hosting environment this is far more important to get right than any other business.

Investment into hardware ensuring that the servers are running fast and load balancing clients across servers to keep the servers running optimal. Web services can be difficult to manage if the process is not controlled due to the nature of hosting as individuals or companies using shared hosting will be in control of uploading files that can potentially have problems. This is where most hosting companies fall over with failures to other clients due to one client doing something wrong.

Speaking with the Director of FastVision, he explained how his passion for success is fuelled by the glowing reviews and all the investment into new hardware, bespoke hosting software and data centre facilities has been a major part of the success story of FastVision as a business. He also explained that FastVision on a daily basis has people moving from other hosting providers to the FastVision network when the drop off of clients from FastVision is minimal and this gives a good indication that we are doing something right.

Customer service is something that every hosting company should invest in and yet the competitors appear to focus less on this, but this lack of customer care has helped with FastVision’s growth.

The FastVision network is one of the fastest hosting networks available in the shared and business hosting areas and this is something that FastVision work very hard to get right. The pricing structure is also one of the most competitive available with starter hosting at only £1.49 per month and this hosting package allows you to host unlimited websites within a single account, something no other hosting company can compete with.

The high end Business hosting is one of FastVision most popular accounts offer everything from 100,000 MB of web space and 200 IMAP / POP mail boxes with 400,000 MB of space for emails, 15 x MySQL Databases with 15,000 MB of storage space and to top it off the business hosting also comes with a FREE 2048 bit SSL certificate and all this for only £9.99 a month.

Dedicated server hosting and cloud hosting is something that FastVision are now pushing hard and it seems again that they have ticked all the boxes and the planning for the services before going live will make this a massive success.

For more information about the FastVision hosting services visit fastvision.com/Hosting.fvnx

FastVision are also starting to dominate the domain registrations of .co.uk domain names due to being selling domain names at the lowest prices available on the internet.

The domain name search checker page offers at a quick glance a list of all types of domains avaialble and registered.

Via EPR Network
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B2b, Internet, ISPs, Online, Programming, Services, Software, Web, Web Design & Development

Increasing Numbers Of Pensioners Turn To Freelancing

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An increasing number of pensioners are turning to freelance work in order to boost their pension pots, according to research carried out by Future Foundation.

The study conducted for pension provider Friends Life suggests that enterprising pensioners take freelance jobs as consultants, set up as online traders and establish their own businesses, in order to supplement their retirement savings.

Researchers tagged the group ‘wearies’ (working, entrepreneurial and active retirees), saying that due to inadequate savings, by 2020 many people who are in their seventies will simply not be able to afford to completely give up work.

Martin Palmer, Head of Corporate Benefits Marketing at Friends Life, said: “Necessity is the mother of invention and ‘wearies’ will be among the most innovative and entrepreneurial contributors to the UK economy, despite their senior years.”

Just over half of the people surveyed who had already retired said they would be prepared to work part-time if it meant they could boost their pension pot, with three-quarters of those yet to retire saying they would be willing to do the same.

Unemployment could be set to rise further, potentially leading even more people to consider freelance work in the very near future. According to the Wall Street Journal, Adam Posen suggested in a speech at Nottingham Business School that hoarding of labour may have restricted productivity growth in certain sections of the UK economy, saying: “If market discipline hits the dawdlers, then most of the productivity puzzle goes away.”

However, Mr. Posen suggested that many of those made redundant would eventually find new work as the economy adjusts towards more productive industries. He also insisted that the financial crisis had not permanently damaged Britain’s economy, and that it could resume growth further down the line.

It’s thanks to the capabilities of the internet that continually aids freelancers in finding work, especially the many outsourcing websites. One outsourcing website in particular, called OutsourceMyProject, has seen a noticeable increase in the amount of freelancers bidding on the projects posted on the website, by many different companies.

Loren Holland, Managing Director of OutsourceMyProject said: ”The demand for freelance work is continually increasing. With over £1 million worth of projects posted on our site last year alone, freelancers of all ages are securing work everyday.”

He went on to say: “The service OutsourceMyProject provides is hassle-free and the ideal way for businesses to find the exact talent they are looking for. By choosing a quote that fits within their budget, businesses are able to increase their chances of surviving a recession by saving money at every opportunity, while freelancers are able to boost their income by putting their knowledge and skills to good use.”

OutsourceMyProject is a UK based platform that’s been created to open up the global market place for professional services across a wide range of sectors. To date, the concept of outsourcing professional services has been limited to large companies and organisations. However, OutsourceMyProject enables small and medium sized organisations, entrepreneurs and individuals to successfully outsource business both at home and abroad too.

Via EPR Network
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New Poll from DiscountVouchers.co.uk Finds Middle Classes Most Regular Voucher Users

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The UK’s middle classes are those most likely to utilise online voucher codes to save according to a new survey. The poll has been carried out by leading retail deals website DiscountVouchers.co.uk, and found that more well off areas of the country are home to the most voucher users.

Respondents to the poll conducted by the money-saving website showed that the middle classes around the country are those who most regularly use retail vouchers to get themselves savings on their favourite, must-have labels.

In order, the top ten UK places for using voucher codes were revealed to be:

• Twickenham
• Guildford
• Truro
• Chester
• Canterbury
• Durham
• Dorchester
• Doncaster
• Motherwell
• Chelmsford

Gerard Doyle, DiscountVouchers.co.uk CEO, commented: “Interestingly the more traditionally middle class places like Twickenham and Guildford were shown to be the places in the UK where shoppers are most likely to save money using online voucher codes.”

“However at the opposite end of the survey were cities like Liverpool and Leeds, places where consumers were shown to be up to three times less likely to use money-saving voucher codes to get more for their budgets.”

The DiscountVouchers.co.uk service has seen ‘middle class’ stores like Ocado, White Stuff, M&S and French Connection prove particularly popular with users in recent times.

The DiscountVouchers.co.uk poll found the ten least likely users of voucher codes to be located in:

• Liverpool
• Leeds
• Sunderland
• Telford
• Dundee
• Luton
• Glasgow
• Wolverhampton
• Bradford
• Edinburgh

For more information visit www.discountvouchers.co.uk

Via EPR Network
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Internet, ISPs, Online, Services

Plusnet Reveals Smart Internet Will Help Manage Homes And Lives By 2027

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Plusnet, the home phone and broadband specialist, has published a new report revealing that the internet will become ubiquitous in many people’s lives, transforming the way people shop, eat and run their homes.

The award-winning super-fast broadband provider renowned for bringing value to its customers, commissioned the research to celebrate its 15th birthday. The detailed research, which was conducted by globally renowned futurist think tank, Centre for Future Studies, shows that the internet of 15 years’ time will become the internet of services.

Written by a team headed by Dr. Frank Shaw, who has been described by Time Magazine as one of the 10 most influential thinkers in the world, the report unveils that the internet will include everything from smart appliances that talk to each other to clothes that monitor health; from cars that can’t crash to mobile technologies and cloud platforms that run businesses.

However these benefits will not be felt by all of society. There are currently still 8.43 million adults in the UK who have never used the internet and it is estimated that digitally challenged households face £560* of extra costs per year as a result of missing out on online discounts and opportunities.

With people already using the internet for activities including shopping, banking, study, job application and government services, the availability and affordable pricing ofbroadband will be crucial in terms of household finances and also social mobility.

Providing some of the best value home phone and broadband packages available in the UK, Plusnet is committed to enabling people to experience the benefits of being online; something which is going to become increasingly important in the future.

Jamie Ford, CEO of Plusnet, said: “So far, the internet has been all about sharing, communicating and engaging with content online. The next 15 years will see an exciting transformation take place, where we integrate ‘smart devices’ into the home, and the net becomes much more about rich services. Since our launch 15 years ago we’ve moved from dial-up services to wireless connection transmitted through fibre optics at superfast speeds, yet our commitment to providing a reliable service at a competitive price remains the same. We intend to continue this pledge in years
to come.

“Helping people to discover the internet is key to the progress of technology and just by giving an hour of your time to teach the basics of computing and the internet to a friend or family member could completely change their life.”

The research shows that while the internet is the most fundamental life changing event since the Industrial Revolution the public is, incredibly, only predicted to be 15 per cent of the way through it and that future developments will have radical life enhancing benefits, therefore placing even greater importance on providing access to the internet at an affordable price.

The home internet of the future will change the way people run their homes, how they enjoy entertainment, the way they work, the way they shop and the way they communicate and, as a result, place even greater emphasis on the importance of being able to access affordable internet.

Via EPR Network
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Findmypast.ie announces 1.2 million Irish Petty Session Records now searchable online

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findmypast.ie, the Irish family history website, has launched the Petty Sessions Order Books (1850-1910) online for the first time, one of the greatest untapped resources for those tracing their Irish roots.

The original Petty Sessions records are held at the National Archives of Ireland were scanned by Family Search and have now been transcribed and made fully searchable by findmypast.ie. They cover all types of cases, from allowing trespass of cattle to being drunk in charge of an ass and cart. These were the lowest courts in the country who dealt with the vast bulk of legal cases, both civil and criminal. This first batch of entries contains details of 1.2 million cases, with most records giving comprehensive details of the case including: name of complainant, name of defendant, names of witnesses, cause of complaint, details of the judgement, details of a fine if any, and details of a sentence passed down if any. Another 15 million cases are to follow throughout 2012.

This first batch of records is particularly useful for areas of the country for which family history records are notoriously sparse such as Connaught and Donegal.

The reasons for cases being brought before the Petty Sessions Court are incredibly varied, but unsurprisingly the most common offence was drunkenness, which accounted for over a third of all cases. The top five offences tried before the courts were:
Drunkenness – 33%
Revenue/Tax offences – 21%
Assault – 16%
Local acts of nuisance – 5%
Destruction of property – 4%

The nature of these cases was significantly different from those in England. Figures show that the rate of conviction for drunkenness was three times greater, four times greater for tax offences, 65% higher for assault, and twice as likely for “malicious and wilful destruction of property” than that of our nearest neighbours*.

The records are full of the minor incidents which are representative of the vast majority of cases which were brought before the Resident Magistrates. For example, Michael Downey of Athlone, Co. Westmeath was charged with being “drunk while in charge of an ass and cart in a public area” and Pat Curley of Cloonakilla, Co. Westmeath who was charged with causing “malicious injury to a bicycle”.

Brian Donovan, Director of findmypast.ie, commented: “These court records open up a unique window into Irish society in the 19th century. Most families interacted with the law in one way or another, being perpetrators or victims of petty crime, resolving civil disputes, to applying for a dog licence. The records are full of the trauma and tragedy of local life, as family members squabbled, shop keepers recovered debt, and the police imposed order. These records help fulfil our mission to provide more than just names and dates, to get to the stories of our ancestors’ lives.”

Via EPR Network
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Fasthosts Urges Small Firms To Work More Closely With Their Tech Suppliers

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Fasthosts has revealed that 48 per cent of firms regularly make substantial purchases of new technology without being certain they fully need them.

According to the new research from the UK web hosting provider, data from 788 UK small firms* found a huge divide in terms of success with using technology in the workplace. For 1 in 3 firms, implementing new business technology such as smartphones, notepads and computer software, has failed to improve efficiencies. Only 1 in 4 SMEs seeks advice from an IT professional. Furthermore, only 1 in 10 firms disappointed with a piece of technology has gone back to their technology supplier or IT advisor to ask for help. The study concludes that it is vital for businesses to plan technology investments properly, working with suppliers to ensure the correct systems are purchased to address the required needs. Firms can save money by evaluating their needs earlier in the process.

Fasthosts’ ‘Business Technology Audit’ found that too many firms today struggle with the way they buy and use technology for their work. Whilst the vast majority are upbeat about technology, many find success with new technology items to be rather hit-or-miss. A total of 35 per cent admit that their latest technology purchases have either led them to work longer hours or failed to impact their work efficiencies. Furthermore, only 41 per cent of respondents believe that staff find using technology to be enjoyable, and 1 in 5 firms employ staff who are frightened of receiving new technology. Some 48 per cent have indeed achieved more efficient or ‘smarter working’ through their use of technology.

Stephen Holford, Marketing Director, Fasthosts Internet Ltd, commented: “Busy business owners can struggle to find the time and advice needed to ensure all technology investments are well placed. A lacks approach to researching technology in relation to their needs can lead firms to waste money on solutions that simply do not perform”.

Alarmingly, only 11 per cent of UK small firms review whether a technology has worked well after every new piece is introduced. Only 1 in 10 disappointed with the impact a technology has made, has addressed this with either the supplier or IT advisor who provided it. Surprisingly, only 1 in 4 firms seek the advice of an IT professional before they make substantial investments in technology, a worrying trend which shows businesses should work with their suppliers before purchase to ensure they buy the right solution.

Holford added: “It is vital to plan technology investments properly, working with suppliers to ensure the correct systems are purchased to address the required needs. Knowledge is often the key, so contact suppliers to ask for advice, guidelines, case studies or examples of best-practice usage before an investment and on an on-going basis”.

Via EPR Network
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B2b, Database, Services, Software

Stellar Phoenix releases SQL Recovery V4

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Software to repair severely damaged MS SQL server database that is now enhanced with upto 15% faster scanning engine.

Edison, NJ, February 22nd, 2012: Stellar Data Recovery a landmark for data recovery products and services today announced the release of Stellar Phoenix SQL Recovery version 4; software that repairs corrupt or damaged Microsoft SQL Server database (.mdf & .ndf) files in a safe and non-destructive manner. The new version is updated with features such as upto 15% faster scanning engine, improved support for SQL Server 2008 R2, full support for NDF Files and detailed preview.

“Database corruption is one of the biggest nightmares in the life of a Database administrator that can occur due scenarios like improper shutdown of SQL Server, sudden application exit or virus attack. It not only puts the data at risk, also threatens to take a toll on businesses and revenues. Stellar Phoenix SQL Recovery software is a complete solution that can deal with all possible instances of SQL Server failure and recovers the components from any damage either in .mdf or .ndf file.” said Mr. Sunil Chandna, CEO Stellar Data Recovery.

Stellar Phoenix SQL Recovery v4 uses powerful algorithms to perform thorough scan, gives an option of selective recovery, and repairs all your SQL Server Tables, Views, User Defined Functions, Stored Procedures, Triggers, Rules and Indexes. Additionally you can try the software available in a free download version to scan the damaged SQL databases and preview all the recoverable objects. Stellar Phoenix supports MS SQL Server 2008 R2, 2008, 2008*64, 2008 Express, 2005, 2005*64, Express, 2000, 2000*64, 7.0 and mixed formats.

Pricing and Availability

Stellar Phoenix SQL Recovery Version 4.0 is available for immediate download and is available at a starting price point of $349.

Via EPR Network
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B2C, Chat, Internet, Online, Services, Software, VOIP, Web

Sophisticated VoIP Service and Provider Hosting

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VoIP – the communication system, providing the transmission of voice signals over the Internet or any other IP-based networks. The signal is transmitted over a communication channel in a digital form and, as a rule, before sending the converted (compressed) in order to remove redundancy.

Voice and video calls through computer networks has become popular throughout the world since the beginning of the XXI century and is now widely used by private users and the corporate sector. The use of IP-telephony systems allows telecom operators to significantly reduce the cost of calls (especially international), and integrate telephony services with the Internet, to provide intelligent services.

VoIP technology realizes the problem and solutions that are using technology to implement PSTN will be more difficult or more expensive. Ability to transmit more than one telephone call within the high-speed telephone connection. Therefore, VoIP technology is used as a simple way to add extra phone line at home or office. Secure calls, with a standardized protocol (such as SRTP). Most of the difficulties to enable secure telephone connections to the traditional telephone lines, such as the digitization of the signal, digital signal transmission, have been solved in the framework of the technology VoIP. It is only necessary to produce a signal encryption and authentication for an existing data stream. Location independence. One need only an Internet connection to connect to your ISP VoIP. For example, call center operators with VoIP-phones can work from any office where there is available an effective fast and stable Internet connection. Available integration with other services via the Internet, including video calls, messaging and data during the conversation, audio conferencing, managing address book and receive information about available is to call other subscribers. Additional phone features – such as routing calls, pop, alternative GSM-roaming and implementation of IVR – easier and cheaper to implement and integrate. The fact that a call is in the same data network as the PC user opens the door to many new opportunities. Portability of telephone numbers (English Mobile number portability, MNP and LNP, Eng. Local Number Portability) – a service that allows its users to keep an existing phone number from one mobile operator to another. Ability to transfer phone numbers depends on the laws of the country. Challenges in IP-telephony system is considered the least cost call routing (LCR, Least Cost Routing system), which is based on the fact that checks the destination of each telephone call as soon as it is made within the network that gives the consumer the lowest price. Therefore, VoIP-solutions are also needed to manage the compatibility of mobile numbers of MNP when routing a voice call. In countries without a central database, such as the UK, it is sometimes necessary to send a request to the GSM-network on which network (which operator) owns the cell phone. Because VoIP is beginning to gain momentum in the market companies through the use of system features a minimal cost call routing, you must provide a certain level of reliability in the management of calls. One of the voip services and hostings are www.voipclub.biz and www.dataclub.biz.

Via EPR Network
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B2C, eCommerce, Internet, Online, Services, Shopping, Web

New Deals for Top Stores on DiscountVouchers.co.uk Help UK Consumers

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Retail vouchers site DiscountVouchers.co.uk has this week introduced new deals to help people save money on DIY kit, home furnishings, ebooks, toys and more from top stores. Shoppers can visit the website – which offers deals redeemable at over 800 famous retailers – and download the very latest Argos, Amazon and B&Q deals.

One of the UK’s top DIY and homeware retailers is available on a budget through DiscountVouchers.co.uk this February, in the shape of B&Q. A visit to the retail deals website right now lets consumers get hold of a new batch of B and Q vouchersredeemable against 15% off all doors, 2 for £25 on Crown Magnolia matt emulsion 10L and up to 50% off sale.

Also on show among the new DiscountVouchers.co.uk deals is a choice of Amazon vouchers to help people save on ebooks, DVDs, music and more from the leading e-tailer. Shoppers can right now get their hands on deals such as Special Book Deal for today only in the Kindle Daily Deal at Amazon and new Kindle just £89.

UK consumers rely on DiscountVouchers.co.uk to get them the very latest bargain retail deals at all times, and this February the site is also offering new Argos vouchers to help people get more for their money. The latest deals offer shoppers the opportunity get half price on selected hair care, half price on selected toys and 15% off all divans, mattresses, bedroom & nursery furniture.

Doug Scott, managing director of DiscountVouchers.co.uk, commented, “It is never a bad time to save money, so we’re pleased to be able to help people get the best value around on DIY kit, toys, home furnishings and more right now. By using our latest deals people can enjoy savings at top stores like B&Q, Amazon and Argos this month.”

DiscountVouchers.co.uk offers consumers money saving deals at major high street brands and specialist retailers, including stores like Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Travelodge, First Choice, lastminute.com and Boden.

For more information visit www.discountvouchers.co.uk.

Via EPR Network
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APIs, Apps, B2C, Internet, ISPs, Online, Services, Web

Huge Demand Inspires Edulabs to Reschedule Critical Webinar Series on Tablet Buying for Education

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Edulabs Learning Solutions Ltd., a leading Thai-based innovator of 21st Century electronic teaching systems (www.edulabsglobal.com), has received overwhelmingly positive daily responses and a higher-than-anticipated demand for its “must attend” Webinar series. The Webinar www.edulabsglobal.com/webinar) cover CRUCIAL considerations that buyers of tablets for educational institutions MUST understand before buying. The Webinars became immediately over-subscribed at launch, and so Edulabs Global has decided to re-launch the Webinar series with new times and dates in order to accommodate the increased interest and demand for registered seats.

Gregory Pommerenk, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Edulabs Learning Solutions, Ltd., explains, “There is no doubt that the world-wide demand and excitement for Tablet computers and Smartphones in education is growing stronger and stronger each and every day, and has fueled this increased interest in Edulabs’ Webinar series. With this also comes the need for knowledge and information that will assist the educational communities around the world to make sure that the money they are about to collectively spend is invested wisely, effectively and accurately.”

The digital learning revolution

Schools around the world are starting to proactively adopt mobile learning programs and initiatives, establish or upgrade their broadband infrastructures and also replace traditional textbooks with digital textbooks at an unprecedented rate. Top online learning institutions such as www.learning.com and www.epals.com have created eLearning material which has revolutionized the global education industry.

It is estimated by respected research organizations that in the K-12 (Primary and Secondary) educational sector alone, there will be a need for in excess of 200 million Tablet computers and over 400 million Smartphones within the next 3-5 years. This is not including the huge need and demand in developing countries and underdeveloped areas of countries such as China, India and Brazil, which affects hundreds of millions of school-aged children and teens.

Explosion in educational demand for eLearning solutions.

In today’s interconnected and inter-dependent globalized world, the global community at large has finally awoken to the fact that having billions of uneducated and unskilled people, especially youth, affects the entire world, and is subsequently striving more proactively than ever to improve the state of education amongst youths. Edulabs Global feels that all of these additional areas are poised to soon explode in terms of demand. The countries of Africa, China, India, Brazil and many ASEAN countries have combined populations in excess of 3 billion people, of which hundreds of millions of youth desperately need much improved and affordable educational solutions.

Subsequently, more digital educational content and applications are becoming available at affordable prices and more and more verifiable studies are proving the value of digital web-based education. This in turn prompts more countries, especially developing counties, to get wired with hi-speed infrastructures that are finally including even the most remote and previously unwired areas of these countries.

New times and dates for Edulabs Webinar Series

The new Webinar times and dates will be announced via our website and a formal press release during the week of February 20th, 2012. In addition to the impressive list of guest presenters and speakers that are already confirmed to attend, Edulabs is also in the process of adding several additional Tablet and Smartphone, Cyber-safety, Edu-tech and Digital Contents and Applications (including Digital Textbooks) companies that wish to participate in the Webinar series.

Please stay tuned to the Edulabs web site and news wires for upcoming announcements regarding the new times and dates of the Webinar series, and take part in these“cannot miss” exciting events!

Via EPR Network
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B2b, Internet, ISPs, Online, Programming, Services, Software, Web, Web Design & Development

Entrepreneurs get backing from both David Cameron and the Federation of Small Businesses

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A pressure group that aims to promote the interests of small businesses in the UK has launched a campaign designed to celebrate the country’s entrepreneurs.

The Federation of Small Business (FSB) has said it wants to celebrate “real life entrepreneurs” who take the risk of following an idea, start up on their own and work to grow a business. Starting last Monday, a roadshow commenced visiting various locations across England to provide advice and networking support to independent workers.

As part of the events, serial entrepreneur and regular Financial Times columnist Mike Southon will speak about the main themes of the FSB’s manifesto. Key areas include reducing and simplifying tax issues faced by small businesses, taking a new approach to regulation, and opening up export markets.

FSB Chairman John Walker wants to see an “atmosphere of entrepreneurship” created in the UK, allowing anyone with a good idea to potentially set up and run their own business. He said: “In short, turning a good idea into a business is one of the most positive acts an individual can perform for themselves and the community in which they live.”

In addition to the comments from the FSB, David Cameron has praised the spirit of entrepreneurs who are brave enough to follow their dreams to become freelance workers and start their own business.

Giving a speech last month in central London on responsible capitalism, the prime minister said that more than anything he admired “the bravery of those who turn their back on the security of a regular wage to follow their dreams and start a company”, adding that he believed the UK was “fizzing with business potential”.

He said: “When people take risks, with their own ideas, energy and money, when they succeed in a competitive market where anyone can come and knock them off their perch at any time, we should celebrate entrepreneurs who get rich in that way.”

Outsourcing to freelance workers is a concept that has made it possible for many entrepreneurs to successfully get their ideas off the ground and established as profitable businesses.

Loren Holland, Managing Director of OutsourceMyProject said: “Outsourcing is providing a welcome boost to the economy, especially for the many entrepreneurs and small businesses who would otherwise be struggling to access the skilled services they require at an affordable price.”

Official figures released last month revealed a significant increase in the number of people who have chosen to become self-employed and take on freelance projects. More than 100,000 people took on self-employed status during the period, taking the total number of independent workers in the UK up to 4.2 million, according to a report by the BBC.

A report published by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) yesterday said people from a much wider array of backgrounds and occupations had now turned to self-employment. However, Dr John Philpott, chief economic adviser at the CIPD, suggested many would move back to full-time employment if the jobs were available.

Loren Holland went on to say: “The freelance sector is booming at present, with a wealth of skilled and experienced workers available on flexible and affordable contracts. Entrepreneurs and start up businesses are tapping into the freelance market and this is clearly benefiting the economy”.

Via EPR Network
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Advertising, B2b, Internet, Online, Search, Searching, SEM, SEO, Services, Social Networking, Web, Web Marketing

Ikroh SEO Rank 6th Best Enterprise SEO Company In February 2012

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Ikroh SEO has once again ranked 6th on this month’s list of the best enterprise SEO companies. topseos release monthly rankings lists following rigorous evaluations, delivering a list of the best of the best internet marketing vendors working in the SEO industry in the United Kingdom.

“It is always a great honor for Ikroh SEO to be presented with such an acknowledgement. We hold topseos in high regard and being part of this ranking is an indication of our hard work and efforts,” said Daniel Wright, Managing Director.

Ikroh SEO has been included in this list for some time due to our consistent performance and the delivery of superior services to our clients. As always, this doesn’t mean Ikroh SEO are planning to stand still – they intend to continue to strive to be even better. The staff at Ikroh SEO prize customer service and want their clients to be happy with the services they receive as well as the way those services are delivered. Despite being the smallest company in the top ten, that definitely doesn’t reflect the size of Ikroh’s aspirations, so they have every intention of continuing to move up that list!

Via EPR Network
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B2b, Internet, ISPs, Online, Programming, Services, Software, Web, Web Design & Development

Is A Double Dip Recession Around The Corner?

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The looming possibility of a double dip recession is likely to see more UK businesses striving to cut costs in 2012, with figures recently released by the Office for National Statistics suggesting the UK could be heading for its first double dip recession since 1975.

The British economy shrank by 0.2% during the three months to December and the Bank of England has warned that the private sector is planning job cuts. The accountancy firm Deloitte claimed that half of all chief financial officers in the UK see cutting costs as a priority over the next 12 months. The growing prospect of a double dip recession is set to cement this view, with more businesses taking a proactive approach by turning to freelancers and switching to outsourcing in an attempt to reduce overheads.

Chairman of the National Outsourcing Association, Martyn Hart, said recently that as well as the upfront cost savings, outsourcing jobs such as copywriting and web design to specialists allows firms to concentrate on their core business. “It is better to focus on things like customer satisfaction, outmaneuvering the competition and securing new business. Outsourcing frees up resources to be the best you can be, in the business you are truly in,” he said.

Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Ed Balls insisted Osborne should be blamed for putting the economy into reverse, saying: “Far from the eurozone crisis being to blame, it is only rising exports that kept us out of recession last year. By clobbering the economy with spending cuts and tax rises that go too far and too fast, the government has left us badly exposed if the eurozone crisis deepens this year.”

These poor economic growth figures have resulted in many businesses gearing up for a likely double dip recession, keen to cut unnecessary head count and overheads. Many companies are achieving this through outsourcing particular business functions to freelancers, who charge a far lower price when compared with what can be found on the high street or through employing an internal resource.

There are several online outsourcing marketplaces that offer a hassle free outsourcing service, where freelancers can sign up and offer their services to companies who post details of the work they need completing.

Helping businesses to be more robust against the looming recession, OutsourceMyProject is an example of an outsourcing website that is reaping the benefits of the outsourcing boom, with over £1 million worth of projects posted in the past twelve months.

Loren Holland, Managing Director of OutsourceMyProject said: “We have seen a significant increase in the number of companies taking proactive measures in preparation for another recession.”

He went on to say: “The service Outsource My Project provides is hassle-free and the ideal way for businesses to find the perfect freelance worker to outsource their business functions too.”

Via EPR Network
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B2b, eCommerce, Internet, Search, Searching, Services, Social Networking, Traffic, Web, Web 2.0, Web Directories, Web Marketing

New Player in the Market Will Compete with LinkedIn

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Rumors have abounded about Masterseek.com’s professional profile site’s imminent introduction to the World Wide Web. Still under development, it boasts the world’s largest business database with over 145 million personal professional profiles from around the world—that’s more than LinkedIn which is currently estimated to have just over 125 million professional profiles.

What makes Masterseek’s profile database so competitive?
Masterseek is already the largest B2B search engine, with 40 million more businesses listed than the nearest competitor and growing at a faster pace. Masterseek.com’s service is free, like most similar databases. Where it differes is in its ability to allow businesses full control over their profile. In addition the actual search functions are more intuitve, with more accurate local results or global results if that is the user’s search preference.

This is what has attracted so many businesses, and so many professionals to the website. Upon launch Masterseek.com’s professional profile section is fully expected to perform as well as the business search portion of the site. It seems to be the natural evolution of a business search engine, that it should incorporate professional profiles as well. However other sites have not done so, at least not to this degree. There in lies the power of Masterseek, and why it is expected to replace LinkedIn at some point in the near future.

How will Masterseek’s professional profiles work?
Currently it is very similar to LinkedIn it looks like. As of now the primary difference is in the numbers. Masterseek already has more, and if past growth is any evidence it will soon be one of the new places to search for professionals. Masterseek’s site is also free and it gives users control over their own profile. It is expected to use Masterseek’s primary search engine application from the business listing side of the site. If so expect it to have faster, more complete, more specific and more accurate search functionality both locally or for any specified geographic search.

We got a hold of Masterseek President Rasmus Refer who preferred not to comment on current plans,

“We are working on many new activities with the objective to become the largest global provider of business information, but cannot tell you more about our plans right now” –Rasmus Refer

Despite details being kept close to the vest, we have dug up a number of key points:

• Masterseek will have more profiles right off the bat as mentioned, 145M to LinkedIn’s 125M.
• It will use a different search platform, if it is the same as the Business Listings section it will be faster, more accurate and more comprehensive locally and globally.
• Listings will be 100% free.
• Those making a profile will have as much or more control to share information than those using LinkedIn.

Via EPR Network
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