Good News for Cyclist on Our latest Website

Our latest website is for cycling enthusiasts, visit the site www.mybikeCOVER.com, and let me know if you recognise anyone.   

mybike REGO have launched their latest offering a dynamic stand-alone bicycle insurance product just released in Australia for those people passionate about cycling.  

 

mybikeCOVER offers bicycle insurance cover for accidents, racing and theft quickly and efficiently. You can obtain instant online bicycle insurance quotes as well as take out cover online! Go to www.mybikeCOVER.com

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That's Not My Job

I found this story when helping to tidy out my father in laws house, some things never change.

Thats not my job!

This is the story about 4 people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody & Nobody.

There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.

Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry because it was Everybody's job!

Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realised that Everybody wouldn't do it!

It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have!

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Tired of charging your Smartphone on daily basis

Are you getting tired of charging your smartphone often? I think all of us are. Benefits of mobile devices contradicts greatly with their battery life and the lenght of time they need for a full recharge. Apple is the world leader in this as their batteries in combination with smart resource usage can produce up to 10hrs of usage for the iPad which is really great if you compare it to other market products of this category.
However what would you say if you wouldnt have to look for your charger for few more extra days?
On one of Apples presentation there was 100 hour battery life for ipad mentioned. How could that be possible in the next few years without making the battery of a double or triple size?

By technology inovation. There are at least two types of battery inovation that are very close to be introduced to public and put into practical use.

1. Litium-ion batteries

Enginners at Northwestern University have accomplished a great improvement. By poking millions of tiny holes in it, the battery can hold a charge ten times longer and can recharge ten times faster. These super batteries could dramatically reduce how often you have to recharge your mobile device. Predictions are quite optimistic. 5 years from now, these batteries can hit the market.
Dr. Kung of Northwestern University claims that they are able to make this possible because they are now able to squeeze more ions into the battery and increase their movement velocity. The charge time with this technology for a regular phone will be aproximately 15 minutes and last much more with this single charge.
Long-term use of these batteries should not be an issue either, after 150 charges (at least whole year use), the battery will still ne five times more effective than any lithium-ion battery on the current market.

2. Hydrogen Fuel Cells

This new technology is looked upon as for a savior in mobile devices market. They are lightweight, and it seems that Apple is focusing their attentions here, because they got accepted two patents
recently dealing with this technology. This new type of battery could go some way to making batteries live longer and also allow a move away from the traditional reliance on fossil fuels, they even make a note of this in their patent application.
The big challenge in making the technology portable is what Apple has theoretically figured out in these patent designs, which "eliminates the need for a bulky and heavy battery within the fuel cell system, which can significantly reduce the size, weight and cost of the fuel cell system.” If this design can be made a reality, it would create a power system which could power a mobile device for days or even weeks, but let's not hold our breath that it will happen any time soon.

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Top 5 Reasons to Use Dropbox

For those of you who don’t know what Dropbox is all about, it is a website that provides online storage and backup, while syncing your information across multiple devices. In simple terms, you have a folder with all your files, and it’s automatically replicated to your laptop and office computer. Cool.

 

Reason 1: Data Backup

Any geek will tell you that having a backup of your information is great. Why? Because if your computer fails you don’t have to pull out all your hair! Could you imagine if your favourite family photographs, 3 month work project or your favourite recipes were  suddenly all gone?

By using Dropbox you can automatically sync your files to an online repository and never have to worry about your computer crashing again. (To be fair, you still have to worry about your computer crashing, but you don’t have to worry about losing all your information!)

Reason 2: Access from Anywhere

You’ve worked all night on your home computer finishing many little projects and you rush in early to work, just to realize you didn’t copy the files you needed to your USB drive, you call your wife but she’s already left for work, frantically you call home, but that lazy kid is still sleeping and can’t email you the file… oh no!

Oh yes! If you had been using drop box, your computer or laptop would have been automatically synced to the copy from your home computer and instead of running around frantically, you could have been sipping a cup of coffee enjoying the scenery of the Vancouver waterfront.

Dropbox installs as a client on each of your internet enable devices, from iPads and iPhones to Laptops and Desktop computers – you will get an up to date synced copy of your information everywhere. It doesn’t matter where you are sitting and working, you update one location, all the others get updated, it’s just easy.

Reason 3: File Sharing

Once you have installed drop box there is a couple of really interesting ways to share files. You can create entire folders which can be shared out to one or more people, or you can send a public link to a specific file for people to download.

If you decide to share out a folder, you can specify who has access to the folder and they can actually collaborate on the file.

Reason 4: Old Versions of your files

I don’t know about you, but from time to time I’ll be working on a file, then I will accidently delete something from the file, hit save, close the program, suddenly realise my error – then with my heart beating faster I open the program to my dismay to see all the work gone.

Dropbox gives you the ability to recover previous version of your files. By default you can recover up to three versions of your files, but if you pay a little more you can actually get unlimited versioning!

Reason 5: It’s pretty cheap

Dropbox gives you 2GB of storage for free, and you can get a little more if you refer friends, but honestly for $99/year for 50GB of storage, it’s a pretty darn good deal if you ask me.

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7 Best Business Apps for iPad

If you were to define iPads purpose as a device, you would probably say that its mostly an entertainment device. It is not quite often refered to as a high end business device that can make your daily business life much easier. Basically, iPad can offer almost the same business opportunities as any laptop. But iPad itself is only a piece of hardware.
To fully ulitise its capabilities you need to know what to use in business. Here are the 10 best Apps you really need to have a look at in terms of business use:

1. Pages (PAYED)

A very nice word processor made by Apple which is compatible with Microsoft Word. It allows you create but also design your own documents, so you are not limited at all.
It is very easy to use. You are able to created high quality documents, brochures, designs or reports. You will be also able to edit MS Word documents and export your files to Word or PDF. Mutual iPad and Windows/Mac files sharing (through iCloud) is also possible. Seems like the greatest word processor zou can find for a mobile device, quite worth the money.




2. Numbers (PAYED)

Apples native application for creating and editing spredsheet documents, alternative to MS Excel. Over 250 functions are available for use. Also various templates are present.
You can create formulas and dynamic tables with charts easily. Similar as with Pages, you can open and edit a MS Excel document and use PDF export, or export as Numbers 09 format.
You can use iTunes to share spreadsheet files between Windows, Mac and iPad. If you know Media Browser you can access your photos and movies from iPhoto.
Current version is from October 2011 with CSV spport drag and drop interface for iOS devices and improved compatibility with MS Excel.





3. Dropbox (FREE)

Powerfull tool for sharing files via within cloud. After installation any file you save to your Dropbox will be automatically saved to all your computers and apple devices such as iPad, iPhone and even the dropbox website. You can take everything that matters for your business with you on the go.
The first 2GB of storage space is free. If you decide to go for a paid subscription you can get 50, 100GB or even a special Team Account of 1TB. The only difference between functionality of paid and unpaid subscription is the amounth of space you get. 




 
4. WebEx for iPad (FREE)

Application used for online meetings on iPad. Since iPad2, 2-way video is available.  Simultaneous data and audio transfer. Voice activated video switching similar to the Google Hangout which spotlight active talker is present. The app has one catch - if you want to schedule a WebEx meeting, you have to have a WebEx subscription and you must start the meeting from PC or Mac. 





5. Dictionary & Thesaurus (FREE)

This dictionary can be used for personal or business use. It has over one million words and definitions based on Random House Unabridged Dictionary. It also includes Roget’s 21st Century Thesaurus with more than 90 000 synonyms. You dont need to be connected to the internet as the database is offline. Searching for words is very simple, similar to that you use on dictionary.com - you are given  suggestions to find match to the words that you entered.





6. GoodReader (PAYED)

This application is a very-robust PDF reader for Ipad. Its the number 1 best sellin non-Apple app for iPad in 2010 in USA. You can use it for reading books, magazines viewing maps, pictures. Files of size over 100MB can be opened and operated quickly. Surprisingly it can also handle MS Office files as well as most of audio and video files.
Files can be imported from various online services and then organized in apps interface.





7. Evernote (FREE)

A powerfull notepad application which allows you to note everything down using any other devices. You can build your own digital scrapbook compiled of links, pictures, texts,
sounds. You can organize and tag any items in your collection, use filters and search through your stuff. This app was introduced to apples App hall of fame.

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Google Dart

Recently Google revealed the new programming language named Google Dart.

Dart is a new class-based programming language for creating structured web applications. Developed with the goals of simplicity, efficiency, and scalability, the Dart language combines powerful new language features with familiar language constructs into a clear, readable syntax. Dart has several key features:

Classes

Classes and interfaces provide a well understood mechanism for efficiently defining APIs. These constructs enable encapsulation and reuse of methods and data.

Optional types

Dart programmers can optionally add static types to their code. Depending on programmer preference and stage of application development, the code can migrate from a simple, untyped experimental prototype to a complex, modular application with typing. Because types state programmer intent, less documentation is required to explain what is happening in the code, and type-checking tools can be used for debugging.

Libraries

Developers can create and use libraries that are guaranteed not to change during runtime. Independently developed pieces of code can therefore rely on shared libraries.
Tooling

Dart will include a rich set of execution environments, libraries, and development tools built to support the language. These tools will enable productive and dynamic development, including edit-and-continue debugging and beyond—up to a style where you program an application outline, run it, and fill in the blanks as you run.

This is very early stage of this project but it looks like to be a very powerful tool in the future. At the moment there are several ways how you can run the Dart code:
ompile Dart code to JavaScript that can run in any modern browser:
Chrome, Safari 5+, and Firefox 4+ (more browser support coming shortly)

• Use Dartboard to write, modify, and execute small Dart programs within any browser window

• Soon: Execute Dart code directly in a VM on your computer

• Soon: With a new MIME type, use Dart in a browser without first compiling to JavaScript

Dart Editor supports Dart-to-JavaScript compilation now. The command-line tools, such as the VM and Dart-to-JavaScript compiler, aren't yet ready for general use. However, you can build the command-line tools using the source code in the Dart project. With the new MIME type application/dart you will be able to embed a Dart program directly on an HTML page, or you will be able to use a #import or #source statement to pull in external files.

Code Editor

If you want to write the Dart code in very comfortable way, you can use the Dart editor which is already available for Linux, Windows and Mac platforms.Dart Editor is a lightweight, open-source editor based on Eclipse components. In addition to editing Dart programs, you can use Dart Editor to invoke the Dart-to-JavaScript compiler and launch Dart-based web apps.

The next development will be based on feedback received from the people who will use it.

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SME's stuck in technology dark ages

Research carried out by Intel suggests smaller businesses are placing themselves at a disadvantage by failing to embrace new technologies.

"SMEs just like any business are trying to cut costs but they also want to offer more flexibility to employees and customers. They need to invest in IT to deliver that,” said Graham Palmer, managing director of Intel UK.

IT is one of the few areas of investment that can pretty much guarantee that flexibility and improvement in efficiency. 

Full Article By Maggie Holland available at IT Pro

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Is your Website in Shape

Making the best use of your Website asset  provides a cost effective marketing tool

Does your website:-

1. Download quickly.
2. Is it appealling aesthetically.
3. Is the information well written.
4. Is the content up-to-date.
5. Does it have clear call to action ‘buttons’ (‘buy now’, ‘register' etc).
6. Is it search engine friendly.
7. Can it be viewed on smartphones and tablets.

If you would like to gain a competitive edge, recieve free leads, gain credibility, proivide 24/7 business information and attract new customers, take a look at your website and see if its ready for a summer makeover or tone up.

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Google Art Project

For the last 18 months google was working hard on a new project. This one is very interesting and focuseed on art galleries. The purpose of the project is to introduce famouse pieces of art from museums and galleries to the public. For free.

The artworks are presented in a form of virtual presentation which are processed with the same technology as the well known google street view. There are 17 museums available at the moment:

•     Alte Nationalgalerie, Berlin - Germany
•     Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian, Washington DC - USA
•     The Frick Collection, NYC - USA
•     Gemäldegalerie, Berlin - Germany
•     The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC - USA
•     MoMA, The Museum of Modern Art, NYC - USA
•     Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid - Spain
•     Museo Thyssen - Bornemisza, Madrid - Spain
•     Museum Kampa, Prague - Czech Republic
•     National Gallery, London - UK
•     Palace of Versailles - France
•     Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam - The Netherlands
•     The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg - Russia
•     State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow - Russia
•     Tate Britain, London - UK
•     Uffizi Gallery, Florence - Italy
•     Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam - The Netherlands

More museums will be probably added soon. The tour in the museums are sometimes limited and not all pieces all artwork are presented to the public. Sometimes the images are blurred to protect the copyright. Each museum took a specific approach.

If you have ever used the Google street view, you would know, that the images are not specifically sharp or with alligned perspective. Google solvet this problem too. There are alltogether 1061 high resolution photographs included.
They reporesent the artworks themselves (you can view it directly by clicking onto the artwork) or you can choose it from the list of the museum. The most valuable artwork of the museum is created in a form of a super high resolution photograph. The resolution is amazing 7000 megapixels.
You can also make your own favorite collection from the list of the arwork and also add comments.

If you always wanted to visit a specific museum and never had the chance, you can now, while sipping your coffee.

 

 

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Top 4 Technologies for 2012?

Gartner Group has released their predictions for the “Top Strategic Technologies for 2012”. The following ideas evolved from the Gartner Symposium held recently in Orlando.

1. Media Tablets & greater use of mobile & cloud technology.
2. More Interactive applications - based on touch, gesture, search, video & voice.
3. Sensory Internet - eg internet linked to your car to let you know if your battery is going flat.

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