Sungard Availability Services strengthens its commitment to Irish growth with new appointment #Cloud #IT

Sungard Availability Services®  a leading provider of information availability through managed IT, cloud and recovery services, is further boosting its presence in Ireland with the appointment of Noel O’Grady as the new Senior Sales Director in Ireland, to lead the organisation’s growth in the country.

O’Grady will work closely with the commercial and public sector in Ireland, helping them strengthen their resilience and expand Sungard AS’s presence in several vertical markets, including finance, SaaS, transportation, manufacturing, retail, insurance and healthcare.

The appointment follows Noel’s three years as Senior Business Development Manager at Sungard AS Ireland, where he supported some of Sungard AS’ biggest customers with their production and recovery infrastructures; workplace facility and business continuity needs and delivered tailored services to help them achieve their desired business outcomes.

Noel O’Grady, Sungard Availability Services
Photo Iain White / Fennell Photography

Calling on over 18 years’ experience working in consultative roles for several IaaS and information security firms, Noel will help clients plan their IT architecture roadmap, secure their data and help them to move mission-critical business applications to the cloud.

Speaking of the appointment, Carmel Owens, Sungard AS’s Director, Sales and Strategic Services and Country Manager for Ireland said: “We are delighted to welcome Noel to the leadership team in Ireland. Resilience is more and more important for today’s organisations to thrive in the face of continued disruptions across the business landscape. His deep expertise in IaaS and information security will be invaluable for helping our customers’ to address these challenges and opportunities.”

Remarking on his new role, Noel O’Grady said: “We’ve continued to achieve consistent growth in sales over the past few years, fueled by our ability to understand the needs of our customers and deliver cutting-edge solutions to meet them. We live in uncertain times, and as technology continues to permeate every aspect of modern-day business, it is more important than ever for organisations to be resilient to sudden change. In the short-term, the global economic and political situation is turbulent, so I’m thrilled to enter this new role to strengthen the resilience of our Irish customers.”

Review – The Jabra Move Style Edition. #Jabra #JabraMove #Tech #Headphones

Jabra recently announced some cool products at CES this year and we have their all new Jabra Move Style Edition and have been testing them out. Since the last pair of Move we had these are a great improvement in every aspect but keeping things original from the past so for those looking to upgrade it will be a simple process.

Build quality to start with is excellent and with metal arms they are robust and stealthy looking, The headband is fabric coated and has very comfortable padding on the underside and will be easy to wear for long periods with the cups also being soft.

Connectivity is simple as always just switch them on and your phone will find them instantly and pair and you will get that lovely Jabra voice prompt to tell you that you are connected you will also get a battery low warning voice prompt at 50% which is a bit premature?? . Controls are simple as before yet on the small side but we go through that in the video review below.

On the left we have our music controls skip/pause/stop and volume, redial and we also have the 3.5mm headphone jack should you run out of juice on the go but with battery life on these up to 14 hours you should easily get two days or more on long commutes but Jabra are always spot on with battery time if not better than slated.

On the right side is the power on/off and bluetooth settings along with two led lights for status. The main thing though people want to know is how they sound… As a whole they are great with great soundstage and balance however not very loud nor much bass but with an equaliser you can fix that. For the music lover on the go they will be pleased with the performance having tried highs,mids and lows the sound was crisp and clear and balanced well with no hissing or tinny at max volume, You can turn these up full blast and enjoy and also the leakage is minimal too and most of the external noise is isolated despite being on-ears which was better than I expected.

Two gripes with these is they are Micro USB and short a carry case which is now becoming the norm but I can live with it..

Key features of the Jabra Move Style Edition:

  • Sound: Superior wireless sound with music control
  • Battery life: Enjoy up to 14 hours of play
  • Design: Ultra-light headband tested to withstand life on the go
  • Stylish: New colour shades – Titanium Black, Gold Beige and Navy

BUY FROM JABRA

Three quarters of Irish users have been the target of online scams – Google/YouGov survey #Scams #SaferInternetDay2019

Internet users in Ireland score highly in relation to password security but fail to maintain good online safety habits, a survey by YouGov commissioned by Google has found. As scams are an ongoing thing and get more realistic looking by great landing pages they will continue to catch people out and we have featured many of such scams here before which has been featured in the media. One thing to note too for your own benefit is passwords to,A poll has been conducted and you get check this out and get some tips below..

The poll was conducted in advance of Safer Internet Day which occurs tomorrow, Tuesday 5th February. Safer Internet Day is an EU-wide initiative to promote a safer internet for all users, especially young people, and is promoted in Ireland by the PDST Technology in Education and Webwise. Last year saw 100,000 young people get involved in the initiative.

The Google/YouGov survey found that majority of Irish people (39%) state that they follow the recommended practice of using different passwords for each of their online accounts, with only 4.5% admitting the more risky approach of using one password for all services.  However a significant proportion (45%) claim to only to change their password either less than every 6 months or never, thereby considerably reducing the effectiveness of the multiple password approach.

Similarly, half of Irish internet users use two-step verification for ‘some but not all’ of their online accounts, with a further 20% claiming to use this highly secure method of log-in for all their internet services. But again, a majority (33%) of people have never used an online tool such as Google Security Checkup to review their online security settings, with another 13% only referring to them less than every 6 months. By not using an online security auditing tool, users are exposed to a number of risks such as remaining logged in on old devices or not maintaining the correct account recovery details.

 

Safer Internet Day is the ideal opportunity for people in Ireland to review their online security credentials, especially in light of the Google/YouGov survey which found that three quarters of Irish users have experienced some sort of online scam or security breach: 54% of people have been the target of ‘phishing’ scams; 23% have been victims of viruses or malware which has stolen personal data; 17% have had their social media accounts hacked; and 15% have parted with money for goods or services that did not exist.*

Commenting on the findings, Ryan Meade, Public Policy Manager at Google said, “It’s great to see that so many Irish people are aware of good security techniques such as multiple passwords and two-factor authentication, and more importantly the YouGov survey shows that we actually follow these good practices too. However all this good work can easily be undone by not staying on top of security settings and regularly monitoring permissions and account activity. Services such as Google Security Checkup are clean and simple one-stop-shops for a regular “internet security NCT”, which will significantly reduce the risk posed by ever-changing and increasingly sophisticated attacks on your personal information online”.

Tips on How to Stay Safe Online this Internet Safety Day

  • Ensure your browser is up to date. The internet security community is a collaborative one, with developers on the most popular browsers such as Google Chrome, Apple Safari and Mozilla Firefox working together to keep web surfers safe. One way they do this is by using the open-source Google Safe Browsing platform, which they all contribute to continually, so as new threats and scams develop it is important that your browser is the latest version available. Thankfully, half the world’s online population is protected by Safe Browsing today.
  • Check the URL. Many online scams stem from websites that are posing as legitimate services – such as a bank, insurance company, or even Google – which ask you for sensitive information such as passwords or financial details. The best way to avoid this is to check the URL, otherwise known as the web address. Unless it’s clearly belonging to the website in question – for example Google, not Go0gle or Goggle – then it’s most likely fraudulent. The better browsers, such as Google Chrome, should alert you to this, but it’s always worth double-checking to be sure.
  • Vary your passwords. Thankfully, the majority of Irish people follow the recommended practice of using different passwords for each of their online accounts, according to the survey by YouGov. However almost half only change their password either less than every 6 months or never, effectively undoing most of this good work. This may be driven by a fear of forgetting new passwords, something which most browsers such as Chrome can easily resolve thanks to Password Manager, which automatically enters usernames and passwords for your favourite sites, and can even offer highly secure suggestions.

Review – AlcoSense excel digital breathalyser. #Motoring #SelfTesting #Safety #Drinking #Driving

Self testing is a touchy subject for some in some circumstances and this topic today is one of those subjects. For me this is an important topic and many others and a gadget like this should be in every drivers arson for their own safety yet alone others.

OK.. Here is where I have an issue with the current law recently set. Lets take a look at the limits.. There is two…First of all this is wrong and leaves a window of opportunity leaving one to think they will get away with just the one drink. (The second test conducted proves for me I can drive under the higher limit but not on the lower,this is where the problem is with ZERO TOLERANCE and how we react differently on an individual basis to alcohol intake)We are all different and have different metabolism levels and some can handle their drinks better than others it has always been that way and always will.. So lets look at these levels..

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit is 50 milligrams (mg) for all drivers, and 20mg for specified drivers, defined as learner or newly qualified drivers (for a period of two years after passing their driving test) or professional drivers (of buses, goods vehicles and public service vehicles).

The problem I have with the above is the limit should be the same for all and ONE limit.If you are licensed to drive a vehicle you should abide by the rules simple as and two BAC limits is rather stupid. As is when we pass our test it is a lifetime ticket to drive I also have an issue with that but that is a discussion for another day.

Source of info 

Recently in the news it has been said we should avoid self testing as it is not accurate and I find this reactive when people are willingly trying to be pro active and a simple test like this can ultimately stop you being banned from driving or killing someone. OK it might not be accurate according to calibration levels set by the garda but lets be honest here they have not had a great run either when it comes to figures either,its the world we live in.

 

So what is Alco sense which has recently hit Ireland..

The Alcosense Excel senses the volume of breath exhaled during the test and takes a reading after 1.2 litres of air – ensuring the most accurate and consistent sample is always taken.  Easy-to-read on-screen prompts coach you on how to, and when to, stop blowing.  If you make a mistake, it tells you that too.  And if you’re using your breathalyser in low light, such as a dark Winter morning, there is a light to ensure you put the blow tube into the machine correctly.

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To improve accuracy even further, readings are fine-tuned according to temperature so even if there is the biggest snowfall for 30 years, the Excel will compensate to ensure the correct reading.

The AlcoSense Excel can also be set to any worldwide limit­.  With detailed, clear readings in traffic light colours, the Excel will clearly alert you not to drive if you are close to or over the limit.

OK so that is AlcoSense and it is really meant for the morning after which is when many people get caught out thinking it is ok to drive which is fine. For me you should test before you go to bed so you can allow more time next day if required So I tested this out over a period of time and tested before I drank and had a meal and after my meal at both allowances here in Ireland to see how effective it is on both sides of the fence and I found it to be accurate with one small issue but nonetheless it works and results conclusive.

Set up is simple and its slide form factor reminds me of slider phones and its also a very portable unit. Once set up and to your PERSONAL limit of 20 or 50mg you will blow into the tube,there is several provided in the box and blow for around 6 seconds,don’t worry if you get it wrong it will tell you. Then you await the result to your set limit and your faith awaits you.

 

One issue I found was a Sensory Overload where by the manual it tells you have consumed more than a human can take in which is a false negative and means you just blew into the tube directly after having a drink and this will lock you out of the system for 24 Hours and acts as a sensor saturation repair so if you are not familiar or unsure how to use it and want to test before you go to bed don’t because you will not be able to use it the next morning which what the product is designed for but as mentioned there is no harm to check the night before either. Other than that it just works and would certainly recommend one even though they might seem pricey its a cheap price to pay if you have to use your car or drive a vehicle when you think about it.

 

The AlcoSense breathalyser range is available in Ireland from Halfords or direct from the company’s website – www.alcosense.ie

Note. This test was based purely on my Alcohol intake over an 6 hour period between a meal. 2 pub shots baileys and 5 pub measure shots of Captain Morgans with Orange. Results will vary per person.

Cadoo’s €250K investment funds 20 new jobs and new messaging app launch. #Jobs #Apps #IrishBiz

Cadoo, a leading Irish provider of messaging services, today announces a €250,000 investment in its new free messaging app, also called Cadoo. The funding will lead to the creation of 20 new jobs over the next two years.

The company has received a €250,000 from the founders of IT services company, Paradyn, along with a grant from Enterprise Ireland. Currently, Cadoo is recruiting software developers, user support personnel and business development executives.

The Cadoo app aims to reach one million users by the end of 2020, including 700,000 internationally. To realise its global growth targets, the company plan to open a UK office later this year.

Pictured announcing 20 new jobs and a €250,000 investment in Cadoo’s new free messaging app are (L-R) Mike Basile, product director, Cadoo; Cillian McCarthy, CEO, Paradyn; and students from St. Mary’s National School, Lamb’s Cross, Sandyford, Dublin 18.

The app is aimed primarily at schools and universities with 4,000 active users currently signed up to the Cadoo platform following a successful pilot programme. The app enables educational institutions to send unlimited free messages such as school closure alerts, notification of events, and appointment reminders to an unlimited number of contacts.

The user-friendly dashboard means that users can manage contact lists, create messages and monitor responses, with the ability to send rich media files such as JPEG and PDF, for free. Uniquely the Cadoo platform allows receivers to respond to the sender privately, on a one-to-one basis. There are no set-up costs, download charges, monthly charges or flat fees.

The messaging platform also offers senders the option to identify communications as high priority and in circumstances where the Cadoo message hasn’t been opened within a specified timeframe, the app resends the message as an SMS. For recipients who have not signed up for the service, the platform sends the message as an SMS. Recipients can easily unfollow organisations they no longer wish to hear from.

Pictured announcing 20 new jobs and a €250,000 investment in Cadoo’s new free messaging app are (L-R) Mike Basile, product director, Cadoo; Cillian McCarthy, CEO, Paradyn; students from St. Mary’s National School, Lamb’s Cross, Sandyford, Dublin 18.

Mike Basile, product director, Cadoo, said: “We have ambitious growth plans for Cadoo, which include opening an office in the UK later this year, the app reaching one million users by 2020, not just in Ireland but in overseas markets, such as the US, the UK and Australia.

“The free Cadoo app gives schools, colleges and universities more control over their communications, whilst cutting both their costs and admin time spent managing these communications. Educational institutions have the option of sending media-rich messages to large numbers of students or students’ parents for free and Cadoo also gives them the ability to send and receive communications in one app.

“Recipients also benefit by getting immediate and important updates, as well as being able to respond directly and privately.”

Investor, Cillian McCarthy, CEO, Paradyn, said: “We’re very excited to invest in Cadoo, there is huge potential for the app, not just in Ireland but globally. The pilot programme has shown that the user-friendly platform saves schools and colleges both time and money managing phone messaging. We expect strong uptake from the educational sector worldwide.”

DesignCap, An Alternative to Canva to Create Posters/Flyers Blog headers and more. #Web #Bloggers

If you are looking for a professional website that will help you create posters and flyers in a completely free way, you will realize that the web is full graphics programs easy to use even by beginners. So you have to select the best ones that can offer you reliable service and give you a wide choice of different models and available resources. The leading software of this category is definitely Canva. But today, we have tested DesignCap for you. I have used canva multiple times to create headers for posts on my own site and other things. 

 

Why you should give DesignCap a try?

– Registration is free.

– No download is required.
– Many professional templates.
– Full poster and flyer customization.

– Posters and flyers to meet every need.
– Choose elements and retouch the way you want.
– Unlimited possibilities. Just unleash your creativity on DesignCap.com.

Many people prefer to try their hand in the realization of graphic design projects, and that is why they are always looking for the simple, intuitive and fast services. DesignCap is suitable for those unfamiliar with the professional graphics programs but wants to create something beautiful and professional.

 

As you can see from the image above, the DesignCap interface is straightforward and intuitive; through the left section you can choose between:

Template – where different templates are divided into categories;
Photo – where you can upload a photo taken from your computer or Facebook album;
Text – to add texts to your own works;
Clipart – to add icons and similar elements;
BKGround – to choose the background of your creations.

Each design can be downloaded to your Windows or Mac computer, but it is also possible to save the project and edit it later, so you must register with the service to keep your projects in memory.

DesignCap is a totally free service and to use it you only need to go to the official website https://www.designcap.com and eventually register.

You can get inspiration by looking at hundreds of professional templates for various occasions and events offered on the website. DesignCap offers users a wide range of editing tools that help to customize posters and flyers with just a few clicks of the mouse, ensuring satisfactory and professional results.

 


To make your design even more unique, you can search for the right image among those available on the site, or upload the most beautiful and original photo suits. On Designcap.com you can also find an extensive library full of fonts, clip-art images, shapes and touches of various kinds.

 

If you want to embark on a journey in poster and flyer designs, DesignCap is the ideal site available. You can create graphics projects to meet various needs and cover different themes such as sales, advertising, sports, marriage, holidays and much more.

Overall, you can customize the posters and flyers as you like in DesignCap. Just take a try and have fun making fantastic posters and flyers to amaze your audience.

Review – Mozo Fabric And Leather Back Covers for the Nokia 7.1 #Nokia7 #Ireland #Mozo

Mozo have sent us their latest cases for the Nokia 7.1 and for those who are familiar with the company they make really stylish simple cases for smartphones giving them a really nice look and feel. The Nokia 7.1 is a tad slippy but these case sort that issue out and give you some form or protection too.

These cases are minimalist yet offer some protection with a small lip on the front of the device and all the corners are catered for. All ports and keys are easily accessible and there is not much thickness added to the device yet you gain extra grip. The two tone look is really nice and stands out sat on a table or flat surface yet will last some time depending on the person themselves.

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Designed in Helsinki, this case is a classic example of Mozo design and represents Mozo’s long legacy and passion for Nokia devices!

Created to be the perfect fit, this handmade case with light grey texture and beautiful Spanish leather seamlessly styles up your Nokia 7.1. Slim yet protective, it adds extra grip which is essential in everyday use.

Minimal and sophisticated.

  • Ultra slim & a perfect fit for Nokia 7.1
  • Material: textile, premium Spanish leather, non-toxic water-based edge paint, and PU
  • Extra layer of protection & grip for your device
  • Handmade in Europe

BUY – LEATHER AND LIGHT GREY FABRIC

BUY – LEATHER AND BLACK FABRIC

Gaming – First look at the HyperX Pulsefire Core RGB mouse and Alloy Core RGB keyboard. #Gaming #Tech

For the gamers we have two new products in from HYPERX. We have the Pulsfire Core RGB gaming Mouse and to match it we also have the Alloy Core RGB keyboard which when lit together both look really cool under dark conditions. Today is a quick first look and unboxing of the pair and we will have a review in the coming week or two, If these are something that you might be interested in head to the links below to check em out.

ALLOY CORE RGB KEYBOARD

PULSEFIRE CORE RGB MOUSE

Review – Devolo Magic 2 Wi-Fi. #Devolo #WiFi #Mesh #Tech #Home #Office

The Devolo Magic 2 Wi-Fi box is heavy with typical Devolo features clearly visible on the box.  The three sockets are heavy and solid. The most noticeable feature of the kit is the plug socket allowing a separate plug to be plugged into the socket. The traditional socket means that you lose a wall socket when using a power extender.  The socket is physically wider than a typical plug which may result in two plugs not fitting into the same socket.  The Devolo focuses on magic but the technology via the home plugs allows broadband via the plug socket and then Wi-Fi to the other area expanding the home. The Devolo Magic 2 Wi-Fi Powerline used the power cable in the property to carry the data around your home or office.

 

Box Contains:

  • 2 x Devolo magic 2 Wi-Fi add-on adapters
  • 1 x Devolo magic 2 LAN add-on adapter
  • 1 x Ethernet
  • User guide

 

The Devolo Magic 2 Wi-Fi features:

  • Powerline
  • Speeds up to 2400 Mbps
  • Over distances up to 500 metres
  • Security – with 128-bit AES Powerline encryption

 

  • An integrated electrical socket
  • A PLC button with LED status display
  • A Wi-Fi button with LED status display
  • Four internal Wi-Fi antennas,
  • Two gigabit network connectors
  • A reset button (next to the network connectors).
  • Enchanting mesh Wi-Fi: Devolo Magic 2 Wi-Fi transmits data amazingly fast via the power lines thanks to the latest G.hn-standard, setting up its magical Wi-Fi umbrella with Wi-Fi ac, at any power socket
  • Compatible with all routers, Devolo Magic adapters and HomeGrid Forum certified products; dLAN Powerline adapters and other HomePlug AV products are not supported
  • Magical Internet from your wall socket: Incredible transmission speeds of up to 2400 Mbps and a range of up to 500 metres characterise the Devolo Powerline adapters;
  • Enchantingly integrated: You can use Devolo Magic two Wi-Fi to connect mobile and stationary terminal devices quickly with the home network – wirelessly or via two Gigabit LAN connections on the housing
  • Devolo Magic 2 Wi-Fi is compatible with all routers, Devolo Magic adapters and G.hn-based products.
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Setup:

The basic setup is easy; plug in the Devolo Magic Lan directly to the router, initially plug the other plug in the same room and allow the light to change to white (max 3 minutes). The initial setup requires the home plug connected to a max of 10 meters and wait for a white light.  Press the home button and press the WPS button on the router within 2 min. Take a note of the Wi-Fi code on the back of the 2 Wi-Fi add-on adapters for use afterwards. Once the setup is done the individual Wi-Fi add-on adapters can be moved to other sockets in the house or garden. The plug socket must be on the same supply line and cannot be used with a surge protection extension socket.

Search for the Wi-Fi as normal and enter the Wi-Fi code on the back on the plugs. Once the setup has been completed the display is a white light which is better than a red light which is less distracting. Once set up, the speed was increased in the furthest bedroom. One of the Wi-Fi add-on adapters was placed in an external shed, this resulted in Wi-Fi signal at the end of the garden which normally had no Wi-Fi coverage. The internet speed increased with increased stability.  The speed was listed as 2400 Mbps with a range of 500 m.

 

Software: Devolo Cockpit 5.0.1 – Windows

The software is optional and not required for normal use but if used it can give the option to use advanced features which you would expect in a business environment, this can enhance the security in your network. The setup of the software was not as straight forward as the initial setup. The initial setup required my antivirus to change and a reboot to pick up the Wi-Fi add-on adapter on the network.

The basic setup is easy for use with a standard setup to extend the coverage in a home. The advance (optional) setup in the software Devolo Cockpit had a few setup issues.  The unit was connected in areas in the home that traditionally would have dropouts when watching Netflix and WhatsApp videos. These areas normally had no coverage or limited coverage. When using the Devolo Magic 2 Wi-Fi add-on adapters the coverage was excellent, validated with speed test sites getting a similar speed as connected beside the router. The Wi-Fi add-on adapter was connected to an IP CCTV, the connection was instant with no manual adjustment required, allowing IP video feeds to transfer clearly without latency. The Devolo kit will only expand the range of the current broadband from the router. If the Broadband speed is poor to the router / home the Wi-Fi add-on adapter will only expand the signal and not improve this.

The use of the Powerline cable within a property that has thick walls, floors, ceilings or foil back stud partitions block the signal and is overcome using the Devolo Magic 2 Wi-Fi box which used the internal wiring of the property. The Devolo Magic 2 Wi-Fi box has the added advantage of creating a new Wi-Fi hotspot or a wireless Mesh network which extends the range of the broadband. This is a genius bonus over the lower range having the extended Wi-Fi.  The Devolo Magic 2 Wi-Fi has an advantage of allowing the use of a pass through plug but can be classed as large visually out of place in a home setting.

The initial cost of the unit may be classed as expensive but when struggling with poor broadband in an area, the Devolo Magic 2 Wi-Fi solves this problem effectively and easily. Technically this product does exactly as one would expect from a quality brand with a big thumbs up.

Amazon

DEVOLO