Asus EEE Pad Transformer review

Written by Phil Battrick of Strategic IT Management Ltd

So, I finally managed to get my hands on the latest offering from Asus, the EEE Pad Transformer.

For those of you not familiar with Asus as a brand, they did for the Netbook market what Apple has done for the Tablet market, i.e. created it from nothing. They are a global manufacturer of PCs, laptops, motherboards, and other peripherals, but it was the EEE PC which really made them stand out from the crowd when it was released in late 2007. It was the first Netbook, and was responsible for creating the category.

Jump forward to today, and they have decided to take on the mighty Apple at their own game by releasing a Tablet PC into an already crowded marketplace. Despite it sounding like a kid’s toy, on paper at least, it looks like a formidable device, with good specifications. What really interested me though is the fact it can be used as a tablet, or can be docked into a dedicated keyboard, converting it (transforming if you like) into a Netbook, complete with Trackpad.

It comes with the latest version of Android, and having been won over by Android as a Phone operating system, I had high hopes for this device.

Initial impressions were good, and it appears to be solidly made. Maybe not the same build quality as the iPad, but very good nonetheless. The tablet element has an excellent screen which is bright and crisp in use, and claims a battery life of almost 10 hours. The Android operating system works quickly and smoothly, and it will play content on flash-enabled websites. Which is nice.

It was easy to connect to my wireless network, and from there, my email server (MS Exchange). There’s no 3G facility, so you’ll be relying on public wireless access, but I don’t see that as a massive problem. However, you’ll need to think about your usage patterns before deciding you can manage without 3G access (I could probably have tethered it to my mobile via Bluetooth, but didn’t bother...).

Now for its party trick, the keyboard dock. Having seen several attempts at this kind of thing, I was a bit dubious as to how robust it would be. I needn’t have worried, it’s very well built, and feels extremely well put together. The tablet docks positively, and I’d be willing to bet that if you saw one docked, you would be hard pressed to know it was 2 separate devices. There’s a silver switch near the hinge that you slide to release the tablet.

Once docked, you can use the keyboard, trackpad, or the touchscreen for control. If you prefer, you can plug an external mouse into one of the USB ports on the dock. This also means you can plug in external storage. An added bonus of using the dock is that it has another battery, extending the battery life to around 16 hours. It’s also clever enough to know that if the tablet battery is low on charge, but the dock battery is fully charged, the dock will charge up the tablet. Neat!

The tablet has a Micro SD card slot for extra storage, and the dock has an SD card slot.

It has 2 cameras, a 5Megapixel rear-facing, and 1.3Megapixel front-facing for video chat, and if I had to be critical, neither camera is great. However, I don’t think too many people will be buying this (or any other tablet for that matter) with photography as a primary requirement...

But, is it really better than an iPad?

I think it is. In fact I think it’s the best tablet on the market at the moment because of its flexibility. It could genuinely replace my laptop, and I was very sad when I had to hand it over to the customer for whom it was purchased (who loves it).

The Car Insurance Problem – COST!

Written by Jim, JSF Driving School

I was going to write an article about the importance of getting experience on the road before taking your practical driving test, as I believe a good driver should not only have mastered the skills and techniques as taught by their Instructor during driving lessons, but also have the experience of knowing how to apply them in as many situations as possible. The governing DSA actually states that the average learner needs 45 hours professional tuition, with 22 hours of private practice before passing their test. It is this ‘private practice’ that has distracted me away from my original topic as it has become a real issue for responsible learners, and usually, their parents too!

I have had increasing numbers of worried parents and learners tell me that they cannot afford the ridiculous prices quoted to add their learner son or daughter to their insurance, let alone find their own insurance, and therefore find private practice impossible. This can result in learners needing to pay for more lessons with their insured Instructor, even though I am more than happy to liaise with parents/experienced drivers who wish to support their learner gain that experience once competent and confident enough to do so without dual controls.

Estimates show that there are currently 1.7 million motorists driving around without insurance in Britain, with insurance companies paying out £200 million on accident claims against those uninsured drivers. That equates to £30 per head on each honest, insured motorists premium. The maximum penalty for driving without insurance is £5000, though rarely imposed, but it is much more likely to be a £200 fine.....sadly, cheaper than the cost of insurance in the first place!

This is borne out by an amazing item published in a recent newspaper where a young driver was quoted a premium of £27000 to drive his old banger of a car worth no more than £400! Insurers admit to being caught in a catch 22 situation in that under 24 year olds are more likely to be involved in an accident, so their premiums are increased, resulting in more youngsters deciding to risk driving without insurance cover. Research shows that 93 per cent of young drivers state that ‘unreasonable’ insurance costs are pricing them off the road.

Learner driver insurance specialist Provisional Marmalade, surveyed 3500 learners to find 9 out of 10 said that costs were ‘unrealistic’. Nigel Lacy explained: “This is a very concerning trend as it will have a damaging effect on the economic mobility of this age group. Young people cannot afford to leave the parental home, tuition fees are scaring many away from further education and now we have restricted mobility through exceptionally high motoring costs.”

Then you can look at costs caused by insurance rackets or scams. Ross Clark of the Daily Mail stated that the main cause of rising insurance costs is “fraud on a massive scale”. He noted that whiplash injuries alone cost the NHS £38 million in 2010, yet the insurance industry had paid out £2 billion for whiplash claims. Ironically, whiplash injuries should have reduced drastically since the introduction of head restraints!

I won’t even start on the ‘No Win, No Fee’ culture promoted by unsolicited calls from companies.....we all know the ones! It has emerged that insurance companies have actually been selling the names of claimants to these ‘ambulance chasers’ for a referral fee of a few hundred pounds. The insurance companies have a win-win situation as they earn extra for passing on the claimant information, and add £50 onto everyone’s premium to cover the extra claims they inspired.

So what to do about responsibly insuring your Learner driver? One big tip applies to all insurance companies, whether car insurance or otherwise, in that moving your insurance every year will result in better premiums being offered. This is based on the fact that new customers attract more offers and loyalty is not valued. A different broker may well offer you a cheaper price with the same original insurance company!

Shopping around will pay off, but make sure that you are very clear about the cover needed, and never assume that you are covered. Responsibility for supply of information rests with you, and may well result with the insurer refusing to payout as you omitted to reveal all appropriate information.

There is talk of a scheme whereby younger drivers will be able to ‘pay as you go’ with an insurance policy that involves fitting a satellite tracking device that feeds back the drivers behaviour to the insurance company. The premium cost depends on where and when the driver drives. A little ‘big brother-ish’ but if it results in more insured drivers the cost might be worth it!

T: 0800 3777 138/01452 290278 E: sharn@jsfdrivingschool.co.uk

JSF Driving School provides professional tuition that gets results, at competitive prices. We cover the whole of Gloucestershire, and are currently recruiting for dynamic, like-minded Instructors who wish to join the JSF team. Give Sharn or Jim a call for further information on the number provided above.

Thursday Silks - The 'joys' of modern technology

The Employment Tribunal has recently decided that an offensive email sent by an employee to a colleague using his private email address at the weekend could warrant summary dismissal.

In the case of Gosden v Lifeline Project Limited, Mr Gosden was employed by LP who provided services to HM Prison Service. Mr Gosden sent a racist chain email to a colleague at the weekend using a private email address. The email ended by saying "It is your duty to pass this on".

It soon got forwarded into the HMPS email system, who found out about it and that Mr Gosden was the source. LP was informed that HMPS did not want Mr Gosden working in any of its prisons. LP dismissed Mr Gosden for gross misconduct, claiming he had damaged their reputation with HMPS, one of their biggest clients.

The Tribunal found that LP’s reputation had in fact been damaged and held that the dismissal was fair. The Tribunal also considered the effect of the Human Rights Act and the right to privacy.

It considered that as the email had been sent with the intention that it be passed on, it was not a confidential communication and had no privacy attached to it.

This case, although only first instance, is interesting and the principle could extend to social networking. It might be thought that monitoring an employee’s online profile would interfere with their right to privacy. However on the basis of the Tribunal’s decision in this case, it may be that an employee’s online profile on a website designed for public dissemination would not be considered part of an individual’s private life.
A Staff Handbook has become an essential document for any employer, and the availability of clear and lawful policies can
prove critical to the successful resolution of difficult staff issues like these.
However, the speed at which employment law changes means that keeping a Handbook up to date can feel like a never ending task. For example, with the use of social media becoming more and more commonplace in and regarding the workplace, employers are finding themselves in a difficult position where they need to make decisions regarding the reputation of their business whilst entitling their staff to a private life.

Having dealt with a number of these problems Rickerbys’ Employment team have developed a comprehensive Social Media Policy incorporated in our handbook servicing package which provides a professional, sensitive and above all reliable solution to social media usage as well as all other essential policies found in a thoroughly drafted handbook.

We are happy to discuss with you the production and maintenance of staff contracts in line with the requirements of your organisation, which work in conjunction with your Staff Handbook.

For more information on the Staff Handbook service please contact Rachel Roberts on:

Email: rachel.roberts@rickerbys.com
Direct Dial: 01242 246455

Mirror mirror on the wall - How to choose the perfect hair colour for you

If, like most people, you want Jennifer Aniston's blonde one moment and Penelope Cruz's raven locks the next, then here's the truth – it's just not going to happen. The sad fact is that not only will dramatic colour changes ruin your hair and ravage your wallet, the chances are that your face and skin tone simply won't suit two such opposing styles.

The trick to making a change is to find the colour that suits you, be it blonde, brunette or red and then experiment with the shade.

If you want to inject a healthy glow into your appearance this summer you need to ensure that the colour of your highlights enhances your face and doesn't detract from it.

Philip Lester, Creative Director at Scene – The Salon in Charlton Kings, says: “It's important to pair warm skin colour with warm hair colours, while cool skin colours should be matched with cooler colours. So if you've got a warm skin tone opt for auburns, reds, coppers and gold. If your skin tone is cool you should be experimenting with colours that are ash-based.”

*Top tip - Not sure what skin colours you have? Check the veins on the inside of your wrist; rumour has it that blue veins signify a cool complexion, while green veins indicate a warm one. Also, blue or green eyes are generally a sign of cool skin while hazel and browns represent a warmer colouring.

If you're keen to make a change and you're lucky enough to have green eyes, then go red – it will look trendy and make your eyes pop! There are plenty of different shades, certainly one for most complexions.

JOIN US AT OUR SALON OPEN DAYS – CHELTENHAM - AUG 23-24, 6-7pm

If you're keen to make a colour change but want some FREE expert advice, stop by the Scene – The Salon Open Days on Wednesday August 24^th from 6-9pm. These relaxed events will give you a chance to quiz our stylists and colour technicians about your hair or discuss styles you would like to try. You can also take a look around our brand new salon and walk away with products from Moroccan Oil and Wella, as well as vouchers for 25% off Salon services.

We look forward to meeting you, please bring a friend along!

The Scene team x

Scene – The Salon, 207 London Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, GL52 6HY.

01242 524135
www.scenethesalon.com