Online Freelance Copywriter | Greatfields Blog | Mun Yin Liu

3 items that will help motivate you to be active over summer

2009-07-23T10:14:00.001+01:00

Passing time can be extremely frustrating for all people. There is nothing worse than being cooped up inside with nothing interesting to do. If you need a bit of motivation, try investing in some equipment and make sure it does not go to waste!

School has finished and summer is here. Holidays are being embarked upon and families will be making excursions across the world. Endless summer holidays are trademarks for this time of year, however, the same problem also arises with them. People are often left wondering what they should do with this added free time, and in particular, how they can go about completing suggestions. It is abundantly clear that too much free time can cause boredom. One surefire way of making the most of the holidays is to provide motivation to be active. Making small investments in equipment can help keep you motivated, so as not to be wasteful.

One of the first things that any budding outdoors enthusiast might want is GPS navigation system. It may not seem obvious, but a sat nav system can be an ideal partner in crime. Having one installed in your car will safely allow you to find new destinations as it guides you along the network of roads. Regardless of whether you live along country lanes or in city centers, a just by having a GPS navigation will encourage you to go for a drive. If possible, you can wind the windows down, crank up the radio and feel the wind rushing through your hair! It sounds idyllic, and may just be unreachable for a lot of people, but although the journey might be a struggle, the destination will at least be up to you to decide upon. So think of the places you’ve wanted to go to that are within driving range and get ready to set off on a road trip.

Sat navs can also be used outside of the car too. Taking it along with you on walks will have the same function. However, if you know where you are going, but just want to find out the distance that you have traveled, there is no need to spend so much. Quite simply, you can purchase a small pedometer to keep by your side when you are out walking. They now come in many different designs and with varying features as well. Some pedometers simply count steps, distances and calories, but now some will even tell you the time, allow you to listen to the radio and even come with a panic alarm for added safety. Pedometers may be small, but they provide fairly accurate data and extremely low cost. Of course, this portable sidekick will also be suitable for people who are looking for running motivation so they can track their progress.

The great outdoors pose many more problems than just keeping tabs on where you are going. Summer time is an ideal time for people to go camping, and the warm evenings mean that more will spend time outside for longer. In any case, being in the dark can bring its own problems too, so always keep a flashlight handy. LED flashlights perform this role perfectly. In comparison to heavy duty torches, an LED flashlight can be compact, rechargeable and shine with great power. There are many types of LED flashlights, and some will be simply for fashion accessories and some will be for serious tactical adventures.

Regardless of how you decide to spend the next few weeks, try to stay active. Staying indoors may seem like a good idea, but getting fresh air will be much healthier. Find what works for you and enjoy the holidays.

Replacing the old technology with the new

2009-07-17T05:37:00.000+01:00

From cassettes to CDs, then MP3 players evolve into MP4 players. A look back at the how music has moved from concert halls to people’s backpockets.

Music has a long history, one so long that it is not really possible to pinpoint its creation. A collection of sounds and noises, in rhythm, time and harmony, music has provided entertainment and inspiration throughout its existence. In modern times, music has remained just as influential. So much, in fact, that it is extremely common to see people taking their music with them.

Before it was possible to record music to be listened to at leisure at a later time, people would have to have attended recitals to experience music. However, since the creation of analogue media such as cassettes and tapes, music has been passed around, shared, sold and taken home with ease. If recording music was revolutionary, the invention of the CD made things even easier as well as resigning cassette tapes to the bin. Unfortunately for the CD, MP3 files have developed and have well been on the way to laying the discs to rest.

Gone are the days when people carry portable CD players in their bags or grip them tightly in their hands. Now, the unit has been replaced by MP3 players. However, due to the virtual nature of the media they play, these come in all different shapes and sizes. Most of them will fit nicely into pockets, although the option of leaving it in the bag is still very much in use. Because of the flexible nature of their size, it’s also not uncommon to see them being clipped to garments and straps. Even smaller, lighter MP3 players can also be found dangling around owners’ necks.

Portable entertainment is no longer bound to just listening to music. Although portable TVs never really became genuinely mainstream, looking around a packed train will probably result in witnessing a good number of people who are watching something on electronic devices. Whether it’s an MP4 player, a specialist video player or a mobile phone, catching up with missed TV shows on the move is becoming a more popular activity of late. With this increasing trend of on demand viewing, perhaps the MP4 player will begin to push the MP3 player out of the way.

It is strange how things so similar can represent the changing of the guard. Whilst the contrast between cassettes and CDs is huge, MP3 and MP4 players essentially do the same thing; MP4 players just play videos in addition. A CD trumps a cassette with capacity, quality and longevity, but an MP3 player can match an MP4 player in just about every department. The biggest difference would be the most fundamental one. Similarities include using headphones or portable speakers, size and weight, battery life and styling designs, but an MP4 file will always be able to play video whereas an MP3 file is simply audio.

So, as we witness the rise of MP4 players, and possibly the demise of MP3 players, history and advances in technology would suggest that something new will come along and replace MP4s. The computing world is surely furiously working on an update that will be known as MP5, and a new breed of players will take on these incremental advances.

Explore wholesale electronics to earn a bit extra in tough times

2009-06-19T02:24:00.001+01:00

There is certainly no need for another article informing you of the global financial crisis that is taking place right now. Many people are finding themselves considerably worse off than they were before. With no indication that this situation is going to change overnight, or even any time soon, some action may need to be taken. Regardless of whether you have a full time job or not, consider the possibility of starting up your own retail business.

At first, this may well sound like a very daunting prospect. After all, to sell things, you need to own a shop, or at least a place in town where people can see it. Then you need to buy furnishings to make it look authentic and genuine. Then you might also need to hire a few extra hands to help you run the store, as well as being able to advertise and market the store. Finally, you also need to buy stock; otherwise you will just be minding an empty room. Setting up a retail business has followed this route in the past, but things are a bit different now.

The Internet is not just a tool to help keep you in touch with your friends, play games or catch up with TV. It’s also a place where people trade and do business. There is absolutely no reason why you cannot do the same. It’s true that you will need to learn a bit of technical knowledge to create a usable website, but you could enlist the help of a friend or freelance designer to get you through this tricky part. Perhaps you don’t even need a website; a phone number will do and you can advertise locally through newspapers and flyers. Whichever route you decide to take, you then need to decide upon what you are going to sell.

Think about costs and mark up. There is no point in selling something that will cost you too much to sell, as you will then lose your profits. However, there is a relatively untapped market that will allow you to purchase at low costs, but sell for quite high profit margins. Wholesale electronics from China will allow you to buy in bulk directly from manufacturers. You may well be concerned about the quality of the products that you are purchasing, particularly from that part of the world. However, there are reputable wholesale electronics sellers that provide only good quality products.

Tradestead is one such seller. Not only are they able to offer low cost bulk purchases on electronic wholesale goods, but they can help you deliver direct to the customer too. This takes away two major problems for a sole trader – holding stock and logistics. This dropshipping service can be a valuable tool for you. By employing it, you will be able to move goods straight to your customers seamlessly, giving a superbly professional impression to them.

It is true that the global recession has taken a lot of victims. However, it is possible to thrive during this worldwide problem. Although it won’t be easy, investing in wholesale electronics for trading can provide you with excellent returns. This gap will not stay unfilled forever, so move swiftly to exploit it.

More headgear with fewer wires

2009-06-12T09:53:00.000+01:00

This world that we live in today is increasingly obsessed with convenience and gaining any sort of efficiency advantage that is possible. How we gain these small advantages to save a bit of time or effort is by investing in and using technology. With its help, we are able to free up time by multitasking or just look a little tidier.

Heavy users of cell phones will be able to testify that they can now answer calls at the push of a button in almost any situation imaginable. Up until quite recently, there was no genuinely safe way of answering a call whilst driving. Now, hands-free kits are readily available. The earliest iterations of this revolutionary device physically connected the user to the cell phone. Now, as technology has advanced, a Bluetooth headset is increasingly common place.

Another headset that has evolved with the changes of technology is headphones. Although much older than hands free kits, headphones now come in various different shapes and sizes. Today, it is not only nightclub DJs that wear headphones, but ordinary people who listen to music on the go also use them. Wireless headphones are not out of place and allow people to go about their daily lives without fiddly wires getting in the way. From skateboarders to commuters, all sorts of people can be witnessed going about their business in a wire free environment.

Of course, both wireless headphones and Bluetooth headsets are up against the same foe. Wired earphones can easily be used as substitutes for either, although they may need further adaptors too. Although they have more substance, wired earphones are cheaper as technology has the perverse logic that less on show or smaller devices are more expensive. In their own right, earphones are probably just as convenient in that they are not easily seen and take up negligible space when not being used. However, they are frustratingly easy to get tangled up.

Wireless headphones and Bluetooth headsets are probably only just an indicator of what the future holds. In their respective fields, both have managed to drive advances. Futuristic designs and usages are becoming very much part of the present world. This is possibly just the start and we may well expect to see more headsets appearing outside of call centers.

Consumers get more choices and products perform more than 1 function

2009-05-16T04:51:00.003+01:00

Even though the financial stability of the global economy stares down the barrel of a gun, manufacturers continue to roll items off the production line. Through retailers and distributors, these manufacturers are exposing consumers to a wall of products in the hope that they will be able to reignite the sales boom. Although it might seem like wishful thinking, the only guarantee that has been made is that consumers now find themselves with so much choice that it makes sense for them to shop around for not only the best deal, but for a versatile product too.

The aggressive nature that can be seen by the manufacturers has resulted in almost a surplus of appliances and goods on offer. Whilst this is good for the consumer, the manufacturer now finds itself competing against much more and failure to sell boxes results in wasted time and effort. However, should the manufacturer prepare and develop its products properly, it can find itself reaping in far more than expected. For example, digital cameras have plenty of substitutes and variations in the market. Truthfully, each digital camera performs the same function, simply to a greater or lesser extent. Taking photos is so common place now that even cell phones are even seen as a threat to digital cameras.

MP3 players are also coming under threat from cell phones. Increasingly, people are leaving music players on the shelves as they prefer to only take one gadget with them. MP3 players may well be on the decline as manufacturers such as Sony and Apple begin to integrate Walkman and iPod features into cell phones, perhaps signaling the beginning of the end for digital music players.

Cell phones are not the only electrical goods learning new tricks. Even LCD TVs are evolving. The long lasting living room center piece is doubling up as digital photo frame in some instances. Samsung has begun to include USB ports into its LCD TVs. This allows users to simply plug in their portable storage devices straight into their LCD TV and begin viewing their photos. Some video files can also be played straight off flash drives too.

In conclusion, manufacturers have to be extra creative in producing new items. Innovations in the market place will lead to increased sales and profits. The development of cell phones is frightening, particularly for digital cameras and MP3 players, however, cramming so much into 1 device might make it a mediocre performer in all areas. Regardless, the overall winner in this situation is the consumer, as they will be able to pick and choose which products match their needs and wallets.

Marketing during a financial crisis

2009-02-20T15:00:00.000Z

So, what do we do then? Marketing by definition is a task that requires the expenditure of money. It can’t be helped. In order to do a proper job, cash needs to be spent as free marketing will only get you so far. As that’s the case, marketing spend needs to be kept tightly in check, else that all important marketing yardstick known as ROI will be unacceptably low. Fortunately, online marketing is extremely measurable and there are a number of ways to exploit this, as well as making the most of performance based budgets. This post will cover 2 distinct areas that you can quickly and immediately try to optimise.

Let others do the hard work

Unless you’ve found a truly magical niche market where you’re the only player, the chances are pretty good that you have competitors. Just about everybody’s who’s anybody is going to have a presence on search engines’ paid ads areas. There you’ll be fighting against all sorts of online competitors, some who will be selling the same products and those who are just comparing them or talking about them. But do you really need to have a presence for every product class and type that you sell? Probably not, as you might find that you only sell a small percentage of your product portfolio, or that only some of them will be able to sufficiently cover the costs of your marketing spend. So you can instantly cut out the chaff and focus on your bread and butter products.

Then there are the keywords that you’re bidding for. The high level, broad, generic keywords are the most competitive and are a great statement of intent. It shows everybody what exactly you’re about and corporate responsibility may dictate that you have to be here as it is your Oxford Street. But, in belt tightening times, it might be more prudent to let these slip a bit. There are far better converting keywords that you could be focusing on. If you have a big brand to protect, then it might not be possible to drop the Oxford Street generic keywords. If, however, you’re a much smaller organisation without much of a brand, it’s probably safe to be a bit sneaky. Let the bigger fish get their speculative traffic, target those people who are ready to purchase, those who are right at the end of their purchasing cycle. These long tail keywords are probably your best bet, particularly if you’re price competitive too.

Collaboration is the key

Love them or hate them, affiliate marketing is probably the best model for online marketing. Remember, it’s a win-win situation a lot of the time. You might be giving a bit away in terms of profit margin, but it is for a guaranteed sale. If anybody approached me and said that my marketing spend would come in every week at exactly 4% of overall sales, I’d call them crazy. Although it’s probably unrealistic to make affiliate marketing your entire marketing plan, it is possible to make them a bigger part of it instead. Provide as much information as you can and try to meet as many of them as possible. In an industry with seemingly little loyalty, you’re going to have to work very hard to get hard working affiliates onside.

Also put a bit of thought into your commission structure and levels. Big market players who have massive brand strength will automatically draw the attention themselves. They’ll get the lion’s share of the affiliates, as well as the lion’s share of the end users. Smaller guys will struggle a little more, but is there an alternative to just offering more commission. If you happen to be a market leader in price, you should definitely consider offering slightly less than the going rate and convince your extended sales force with your undoubtedly stronger conversion. If your conversion is not so good, even though your prices are low, then you probably want to focus on fixing your site!

More to it than that

Of course, this is certainly not everything that you should do with online marketing in a recession. There’s much more stuff you can look at, including improving relevancy with email communications and website personalisation. However, these are quicker fixes than everything else that makes up your online marketing mix and if you are struggling to know where to begin, PPC and affiliates are a good starting point.

Online versus offline marketing

2009-01-16T19:32:00.000Z

I’m going to try to explain a little bit about the differences between online marketing and offline marketing based on my experience. It’s a good exercise to do, especially when you have to pitch to a potential client or when you’re trying to convert a new supplier to online retailing. For me, the first step is to understand the differences between online and offline shopping behaviour.

Offline shopping

For those who are “nonline”, shopping is all about the experience – wandering around, browsing, chatting to those who you’re with and enjoying a bit of spending therapy. As a result, all the marketing campaigns that surround you have got a tough job in catching your attention. Advertisers have their work cut out to produce the most outrageous bill boards or point of sale posters, whist marketers will be trying to catch you when you’re actively looking for something to buy. It’s extremely likely that you will miss a lot of the activity around you. Marketers will be looking to drive footfall with their work, though they will not really be able to track how successful they will be. Adverts, posters, gimmicks, short skirts… they’re all out there and they’re all trying to generate leads.

Online shopping

Online shoppers know what they’re looking for and are not prepared to be interrupted when looking for it. Advertisers must understand that their messages have to be targeted. Banner blindness exists mainly in mature online shopping communities such as that in the UK, but not so much in countries such as Hong Kong, where online shopping has not taken off. Trigger happy surfers will be the advertisers’ best friends. Marketing activity online will then be focussed around converting the long tail searchers, people who are ready to buy and looking for the best deal. PPC, affiliates and shopping comparison sites will be the core of your marketing activity and you’ll be able to distinguish between which ones are your best performers.

Integrated campaigns

If you are able to do both online and offline marketing, don’t treat them in isolation. From my time at Comet, I knew of an online marketing manager who was prepared to remove his best selling “TVs” PPC campaign on Boxing Day, the busiest trading day of the entire year, because he was afraid that he’d only end up driving footfall instead of increasing ROI on paid search. It made no sense, TVs are the bread and butter of Comet, easily the largest product in the sales mix, but this marketing manager didn’t care, and it seemed that he just wanted to protect his reputation. Flip this example on its head and you could imagine TV adverts that didn’t have website addresses written in at the very end. Would this be marketing suicide?

The most fundamental thing to remember is that more and more people are using both online and offline to shop. People are quite happy to put physical effort into going to see a product before looking for a bargain online. It’s perfectly normal to do so. If you want the product today, then you might even look online to see if your local store has it in stock or at least sells the item you’re looking for.

Conclusions

So, there you go, a very brief explanation on what the differences between online and offline marketing are. There is so much more detail to get into, and it would be impossible for me to put it into a blog post, it would turn into something more like a white paper. If you’re going to take anything away from reading this, remember that you need to remind yourself of the modern day shopper that will use as many forms of research as possible. This population of shoppers is growing all the time, so if you think the Internet is still a fad then you’re going to be in for a bit of a surprise. Define the boundaries and objectives of online and offline marketing and make sure you mesh them together.

Back in Stamford

2009-01-13T23:28:00.002Z

So, here I am, back in Stamford, just like I was 2 years ago - jobless and just sat in my room. There are some differences, though. First of all, I have more shit in my room, there's plenty more stuff that I've accumulated over time. Secondly, I resigned from this last job of mine, a calculated decision and one that weighs very heavily on my heart, such is my affection for my previous role. And finally (because all good lists come in 3s), I have my new life/adventure to look forward to - I'll be working in Hong Kong, fulfilling an ambition to live and work over there.

It's amazing thinking about how far I've come over these past two years. I'll never forget my time at Crave, it really gave me a head start on life in online and allowed me to cut my teeth in the harsh retail world. But it's my time at Comet that has seriously sculpted me into what I am now. Under the supervision of so many good managers, colleagues and friends, I had learnt so much and developed into a strong, competent marketer that the job that I loved so dearly became a bit drab. And now, based on that experience, I've been offered the best opportunity that could have possibly come my way. I can't wait.

It's been far too long again....

2009-01-05T22:33:00.001Z

Ah ha! Well, it's certainly something that I've not been paying much attention to, but I do plan on cranking up blogging activity. Why? Well, for the simple reason that I'm going to be embarking on a new adventure.

Yes, I'm going to be leaving the UK, moving to Hong Kong where I will start a new job and new life. I reckon I'll keep a diary, so I might save myself some petty cash and just write on this blog instead. I don't know yet, I might just keep everything private instead. But 1 thing is for sure, and that is that I'm dead excited and scared in equal measures. I just need a bit of courage, but once I'm out there, I'm sure I'll be just fine.

It's been a while

2008-11-02T14:23:00.003Z

Well, I know it's been a while since I last posted anything on my little blog, but there has been good reason for it. I've been busy, not only with work, but with my course as well.

I recently enrolled in a course with the British College of Journalism and by the end of it, I will have a diploma in Freelance Journalism. I have so far had 1 assignment, with another one on its way sometime this weekend. I'm really enjoying it, although all I've really done is research topics to write about. I'm going to be writing up one of my follow up ideas with the next assignment, 800 words to be precise and I can't wait. I've made a start on it already, racking up about 600 words already, so I guess I'm nearly finished. Not quite sure about what I'm trying to say with it, but I am trying to make it as professional as possible. Going to have to give the tutorial a good read through before I submit it, as I'm sure it'll give me an indication of quotes and stuff like that, and maybe basic interviewing techniques.

I shall let you know how it goes.

Beef jerky addiction

2008-10-15T21:57:00.003+01:00

Since getting back from their cruise around North America, my parents have been lavishing me with gifts. Typical tourist style clothing, an endless supply of playing cards, a wooden yoyo, a set of Russian dolls and holiday snaps and video footage make up the treats. However, the only one to really catch my attention is the beef jerky. Oh my, it's wonderful, it's tasty, it's almost wrong, but it tastes sooooo good! I've gorged myself silly on two flavours, teriyaki and smoked. I can confirm that both are exquisite and urge everyone who has never tried beef jerky to give their teeth a good work out and take the plunge.

PS3 withdrawal symptoms?

2008-10-13T21:02:00.000+01:00

Since I completed Metal Gear 4: Guns of the Patriots, I have found myself both relieved and a little bit at a loss. Having spent a good month or so playing the game for a couple of hours every night, I’ve now come to realise just how big a part of my life the PS3 is. I now spend a lot of my time working out instead as there’s almost always nothing on TV to interest me. This isn’t all bad. In reality, it’s probably a good thing as now more parts of my body get a work out instead of just my thumbs.

It’s certainly an impressive console. For those who like to justify things before purchasing, you might want to also consider the implications on your life. Once you find a really good game to play, you may as well say goodbye to a lot of the past times you had before. Maybe I’m just an addict, but I like to throw myself into these things and fully absorb myself in the action. So, whilst I spent a large portion of my life playing Metal Gear Solid, I never thought about what I’d do after it, in this post MGS period I now find myself in. I’m thinking that I should probably invest in a new game to lose myself in, but at the same time, I can’t really afford it. Justifiers, take note – once the grip of the PS3 takes hold, you need money to feed your addiction. I’ve got a few games, but maybe it’s part of my all or nothing personality that makes playing so many a bit of a chore. I have to be really up for it, really want to play it to get me to stick the disk in and go. I know that once I start, I’ll be lost for a few hours, which is never a good thing if you want to sleep. Always try to wind down before hitting the hay.

I am, however, pleased to say that I don’t miss sitting on my beanbags (I have two for the ultimate in comfort) hammering away with my digits. Getting back into the real world has been a painless process and I’m enjoying it. I will no doubt save up a few quid to splash out on a new game sometimes soon in the future, so don’t worry too much about that. The new Tomb Raider game will be out, so I’ll be extra keen to give that a go. I’m lucky that I’m quite sensible. I’ve never really done the thing where I’ve turned down going to the pub so I can play games. Some people I know have stayed in to play online poker all night, but this could be more to do with a gambling addiction. The PS3 though, is a different animal. Getting hooked on this could be a lot worse to your health.

Having said all of that, it’s still the best ‘investment’ I’ve made in a long time. It’s an all singing and all dancing machine.

SEO, online marketing and what else?

2008-10-08T18:37:00.000+01:00

So, now that I've decided that I'm going to be a writer of sorts, I figured that I ought to be writing. But what should I write about? A pretty obvious question with a fairly straightforward answer; I should begin with something that I know a lot about. With this in mind, I've decided that I'll start with my job - online marketing.

I've been involved with online marketing for just over 3 years and over the course of these 3 years, I've ended up specialising in SEO, or search engine optimisation for those who aren't familiar with the acronym. However, my exposure in the general online marketing field has been very broad and as a result, I also have a great deal of experience in affiliate, email, PPC, price comparison and Web 2.0 marketing too. But I'll begin with a bit about SEO.

What is SEO?

It's a fair question. Pre search engine optimisation experience, I was none the wiser about how websites were ranked by Google. Who'd bother thinking about that anyway? Well, I'm assuming that most people wouldn't really dwell too much on the topic, but as soon as I found out about SEO, I was totally blown away. People actually tweak websites to make them more attractive to the search engines and some even try to fool them. It's crazy, but it's true. There are a number of ways of optimising a website for certain search terms. The main bits that you'd want to look at would be the page title tags, the linking structure, the quality of the HTML code and more importantly, the website content or copy. There's a saying in the SEO industry that sums this last point up perfectly: Content is King. It's obvious, a search engine returns results based on something that someone's looking for, so a website that talks about that certain something must be best. That used to be the case and some devious people knew it and took advantage of it, but there are external factors too that affect a website's overall performance.

Inbound linking from external websites is essentially the crux of SEO. In its crudest form, search engine optimisation is a popularity contest. If you're out with your mates and a really attractive member of the opposite sex were to approach you and say, "I think your friend over there is really good looking", you might laugh. But at some point, you might even think to yourself that if this attractive person really rates your friend, then that must make your friend attractive too. Google will look at the sites linking into a website and then determine how good those links actually are and this forms part of the big algorithm that orders websites in the results pages. If an authoratative site, such as the BBC, were to link to yours, you can expect your website to perform quite well.

I've tried to avoid going into too much detail on this subject, as there's a lot of literature about SEO out there already. I don't want to go into the specifics about how you'd go about executing your SEO strategy, just wanted to share an insight into the subject. If you want to know more, don't hesitate to get in touch. Next time, I'll write about a different online marketing discipline. Bye for now.

The beginning

2008-10-06T22:44:00.000+01:00

OK, this is it. I'm really going to do this, right now. This little post here, it's the beginning of something (as the title would suggest). I'm not quite sure what it's the beginning of, but it's definitely the start. If you've made it this far, I'll tell you what I'm embarking on. I'm going to become a copywriter. Starting out, I'm going to be a freelance writer. I'm going to get writing jobs, and build up a huge portfolio of articles and blogs, and people are going to read them - and enjoy them.

What am I going to write about? Well, Confucious said something along the lines of "Find a job that you enjoy doing, and you'll never have to do a day's work again". So, I'm going to write about stuff that I enjoy, like sport, music, films, games and technology in general. If you, for some reason, have read some of the previous posts on my blog here, you'll notice that they're about washing machines and TVs. Well, that's because I write these for my day job too. I work for an electrical retailer, so it kind of comes with the territory. I'm not sure if I really enjoy these, but I definitely have interest in them, even washing machines. I'm not just looking to regurgitate the same pieces of information. No, I'm looking to provide another point of view, to add something to the mass of information that's already out there. There's no point in reinventing the wheel afterall, so I might as well provide an analytical and logical take on whatever topic pops into my head.

So, just you wait, keep an eye out on here and you'll see me. I'm going to become a copywriter.

Trendsetting American kitchens indicate what the future holds for the UK

2008-09-21T17:54:00.000+01:00

Renowned for influencing global changes, the USA provides a good indicator of what’s to come for the UK. This rule also applies for the seemingly conspicuous matter of kitchen designs.

Envious glances from the UK are often cast across the Atlantic towards the United States of America as they seem to get all the good stuff first. Blockbuster movies get screened there before releasing in the UK, console games are usually started and finished before coming to our own households and other technological gizmos seem to find their way into American hands before passing into British ownership. In some ways, it’s almost as if the UK is always playing catch up with America, but this needn’t be seen in negative light. The USA can provide a glimpse into what fashion trends will be most popular and which fads are destined to fail. With kitchens appearing more prominent, there are some features that are set to change the aesthetics even more.

American fridge freezers with ice dispensers and chilled water on demand have already found a foothold in Britain’s kitchens, but the ones now appearing in the US are starting to evolve. The traditional American fridge freezer has 2 doors, side by side, one being the fridge and the other reserved for the refrigerator. A demand for more refrigeration space has given birth to a new 3 door version. The freezer compartment is now in the form of a pull out drawer positioned at the bottom of the unit. The refrigerator section now has 2 doors dedicated to it. The humble fridge is now beginning to look more and more like a fashion accessory or a wardrobe.

It’s much more important now that the kitchen looks as good as possible. The slow migration towards open plan living spaces has meant that fashionable kitchens have crept up on us. It’s no longer possible to hide the kitchen by closing the door, the living area and the kitchen have merged and the definitions between private and show rooms have become fuzzier. The meteoric rise of the popularity of TV programmes including a kitchen on set has also lent a hand to change perceptions of the cooking area. With a larger emphasis on healthier eating, everyone is encouraged to take more care with their cooking and now all seem to diligently wash and chop vegetables with the panache that Jamie Oliver would demonstrate. Quite naturally, all would be chefs will require the very best in equipment too, and it would need a suitable looking kitchen too.

The fashion conscious have been recently trying to get kitchen designs that speak volumes about and express themselves. One recurring method of doing so is by installing stone worktops and features. Even cooker hoods have been carved out of stone into magnificent designs, and worktops are polished to the point that they reflect beautifully. Various different types of stone are used, such as marble, limestone, granite and onyx. Sometimes the stones are mixed together for different effects and vibrant colours. These contemporary designs are looking like they’re going to be a continuing trend so it will be a matter of time before these make their way into more and more British kitchens.

Another trend appearing more often in the USA is of a much different ilk to the cosmetic themes already described. Often blamed for destroying the environment, American kitchens are now becoming equipped with waste disposal units in their sinks. Although they are unlikely to be able to save the world from the seemingly inevitable, they are one of the smaller steps that count towards the greater good. They’re able to grind down just about anything, from celery to rib bones and are able to automatically increase their torque when they meet something tougher than usual. By grinding stuff right down to the finest of powders, it means that the rubbish that usually ends up in the sink hole can be washed away with the water, cutting down on household waste. As some high pollution emitting habits are a little harder to break, the step to reducing household waste through this ingenious method could prove to be priceless, especially if pick up gathers considerably.

Fashionable kitchens are becoming increasingly normal, and there might be a time where we’ll stop being so impressed! For the time being, the Americans are setting the standards with some impressive ideas that ought to stay fashionable for a long time. For the UK, having America to try out their eccentric and outrageous designs is a decent advantage to have. It’s possible to see what works and what doesn’t. Although tastes might differ slightly, successful translations have occurred, and it’s likely that there will be more. At the moment, the UK residents can stare in wonder and marvel at their American counterparts’ kitchens, and can then pick and choose their next kitchen. With this in mind, it makes getting things second better knowing that you’ll get it right first time round.

Super technologies making life easier in the kitchen

2008-09-21T17:52:00.000+01:00

Home technologies have traditionally been associated with televisions, hi-fis and other various entertainment systems. As the kitchen has shifted into everyday life prominence, emphasis on technology in there has also grown. This shift of focus for technology is quite natural, as more time is seemingly spent in the kitchen, the need to make life easier for would be chefs becomes more important too. As a result, all sorts of innovative inventions have appeared and found a place in people’s lives in the kitchen.

Siemens have been known to lead the charge into the final frontiers of kitchen space age technologies, and are looking to revolutionise the way ovens are used. Traditionally, people are required to bend down to gain access to the oven door to get to the baking area. This could well become a thing of the past, as the Liftmatic wall mounted oven would have you believe. Almost totally indescribable, this contraption is truly ingenious. Positioned at a comfortable height on the kitchen wall, the bottom of the oven drops down to allow you to place your food on the shelf with ease. When that’s in place, the bottom returns to its rightful place, lifting the food into the oven with it at the touch of a button.

This ingenious development from Siemens isn’t thoughtless showing off. It is truly something that can make people’s lives easier, especially for those who have trouble with bending down to their ovens to open doors. In addition to being able to cook pizzas, the Liftmatic oven can also clean itself. Just press the right button on it, and it will burn the inside of the oven at temperatures so high that everything turns to ash, leaving users to just wipe clean. The oven is also very safe. If there are any obstacles blocking the way for the lift underneath or preventing it from closing, sensors will detect the blockage, switch the heating element off and stop in its tracks. In terms of actual cooking ability, the oven also has its own fast cook mode that cooks food quicker than the average oven.

Waste disposal units have already made a bit of a buzz, by helping people with reducing waste that would otherwise clog up their sinks. By churning and grinding up food into fine sediments, they get flushed away with the water. These units are highly powerful, and can easily detect tougher items and increase their torque to combat them and reduce them to the fine dust particles they are destined to become. These little motors are serving more than one job though, and by reducing the household waste, they are also playing a part in saving the environment. This is a theme that is fairly synonymous with the advances of technology, and today’s appliances are far more economical than those produced 10 years ago. For example, a modern day washing machine uses approximately 40% less electricity, and about 60% less water.

Recycling no longer restricted to paper, plastics, cans and cardboard

2008-09-21T17:50:00.001+01:00

As of July 1st 2007, all electrical goods producers will hold full responsibility of ensuring that their products comply with the new EU legislation regarding the safe disposal of their goods.

April 2007 – The landfills in the UK and Europe are getting increasingly filled up with electrical and electronic goods. Fortunately, the WEEE Directive (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) will hopefully go some way to slowing down this process. This Directive is essentially set in place to recycle, recover and reuse as much equipment as possible. Electrical and electronic equipment is a fairly broad definition, and rightly so, as portables such as mobile phones and MP3 players fall into this description. However, although the directive covers these, it is mostly concerned with larger equipment, such as TVs and domestic appliances like refrigerators and washing machines – items that we cannot possibly go without. The impact of the WEEE Directive is huge, and will affect everyone from the producer right through to the end users.

Producers and manufacturers will soon become liable for branding and marking their products as WEEE. This will involve displaying the crossed out wheelie bin diagram, a producer identifier mark and a date to prove that the product has been placed on the market after 13th August 2005. Not only that, but producers will also by now be a part of an approved Producer Compliance Scheme. These Compliance Schemes will then collect data from their members regarding all of the types and quantities of new products placed on the UK market. Environmental agencies will then receive reports from the Schemes on a quarterly basis detailing how much has been collected. By doing so, it means that manufacturers cannot fail to conform to the directive.

Retailers and distributors will also find themselves with implications. Under the WEEE Directive, they will now be required to provide some sort of recollection process for any electrical goods that they sell. However they do it is entirely down to their discretion, but they must remain convenient for the customer. In store returns when a customer is purchasing to replace a product is fine. Local authorities are not officially obliged to adhere to the directive, but it is widely expected that they will comply via the UK’s civic amenity sites. Local authorities will be able to sign up voluntarily, meaning that their amenity sites become Designated Collection Facilities (DCFs). Only then will they need to comply with the WEEE Directive’s strict code of practice. For doing all this, they will receive funding from the Distributor Take-back Scheme and will have their WEEE taken away for them. They will also no longer be financially responsible for disposing of WEEE at their sites.

Another stakeholder group that does not have any legal obligation to formally act under the WEEE directive is the waste management industry. However, it is possible for the industry to get involved by providing some form of compliance scheme with producers. To ensure that the treatment undertaken by the industry meets WEEE directive regulations, waste management licences will need to be obtained from various official authorities. Organisations in the industry who do not wish to supply any form of services will be seen simply as business users of EEE (Electrical and Electronic Equipment), who do have the legal obligation to act under Duty of Care.

End users in the household will have an enormous role to play in the whole WEEE directive. After all, most EEE will be used in the home, and when consumers look to replace their faulty equipment, they will need to do something with their older goods. There is no legal obligation to comply with the WEEE directive, but home end users will be strongly encouraged to recycle their EEE in a way that’s suitable. Unfortunately, home end users are not entitled to receive free collection of any electrical waste, but retailers should be able to offer some sort of take back scheme. Lists of publicly accessible collection sites should also be made easily available.

It’s fair to say that the WEEE Directive will affect just about everybody, as EEE are a big part of every day life. Brown, grey and white goods will all be under scrutiny to ensure that they fully comply with the rulings. Due to the ever increasing range of options and reduction in prices, consumers are changing their mobile phones, TVs, fridge freezers and tumble dryers more and more often, and that in turn leads to more waste. Manufacturers are trying to keep up with this cycle, so the resources, in particular metals and plastics, and raw materials that they’re using to keep pace are putting an enormous strain on the environment.

The WEEE Directive is certainly no sure fire way to save the globe from overflowing land fill sites. Although informal recycling of WEEE does exist, it is by no means safe. People may in fact be harming themselves by collecting others’ unwanted fridges for parts. Without proper equipment to extract wiring from cables, burning through the rubber casing causes toxic fumes. Potentially, it means that the WEEE Directive could save lives as well as the environment.

Laptops make a connection on the catwalk

2008-09-17T20:40:00.005+01:00

Today portable computers are no longer restricted to a stereotype, and the search for a unique selling point in technological jungle has facilitated this shift as physical features become more prominent.

As technology advances at breakneck speeds, the scope for improvement and diversification becomes increasingly more difficult. As a result, innovation now comes in the form of superficial and cosmetic enhancements. What was once a corporate tool to work on has now become a fashion accessory to fit into today’s hi-tech sophisticated world.

It’s pretty fascinating how opinions on laptops have changed over recent years. Not too long ago, laptops were strictly for business purposes only, and were only placed on public display by people who were using them for serious work. With the advent of wireless internet and networking, coffee shops, hotels and even trains have become hotspots for laptop owners. Suddenly, people could do what they would normally do at home in a public place, on a social level in the presence of their friends. With consumer tastes becoming more and more sensitive, laptop computers could no longer look cumbersome and ordinary – aesthetics began to matter.

Before laptops became fashionable, PC modifications existed in a way similar to how some people modify their cars. Fluorescent light tubes, water cooling systems, personalised cases and exaggerated fans started to appear in desktop towers. Apple also redesigned itself with the successful launch of the iMac which came in various different vibrant colours, transforming the consumer expectations as to what a computer could, and maybe even should, look like. Apple has managed to sustain this level of innovation with the latest evolutions of the iMac and, as a corporation, is now known for its styling across various electrical markets. As a result, Apple has managed to carve out a comfortable niche for itself. Shortly after they turned the computing industry on its head with their sense of style, Sony responded with their Vaio laptop and desktop computers. As more people begin to own computers, and as they become more of a household fixture, what a computer looks like becomes just as important as what it can do.

Microprocessor giant Intel has been busy coming up with concept ideas for new fashionable laptops. This has seen the birth of the slimmest and lightest laptop computer ever. Under the code name “Intel mobile Metro notebook”, it was designed with the intent to replicate Motorola’s Razr mobile phone design. With that in mind, their engineers have managed to produce a machine that measures just 1.78cm in thickness, and weighs a mere 1kg. Not only is it slim and lightweight, but it meets all the latest technological benchmarks. One outstanding feature is the 2nd screen on the outside and the shoulder strap that comes attached to the chassis is a nice touch. Quite naturally, the machines will be available in a variety of different colours to match different tastes.

The Tulip E-Go Diamond laptop has also featured on the catwalk. Built sturdily with solid white gold plates and a specifically cut ruby tulip logo, this piece of equipment retails at a staggering US$350,000. Strip away the cosmetic element to it, and you will find a very capable and advanced computer, with the ability to access applications at the touch of a button and it can even be used as a PDA without booting Windows. The E-Go, short for ‘Easy Going’, truly is a lifestyle device, aimed directly at women with the need for good looks as well as high end functionality. Unfortunately, not all fashion laptops manage to tick all the internal and external boxes. A Taiwanese company called Dialogue managed to create their Flybook, that isn’t much larger than a DVD case and looks stunning. However, the size of the laptop really means that it’s difficult to use, and it isn’t capable of competing with normal sized laptops.

As we’ve seen in recent times with portable items, it’s a matter of time before laptop computers become fashion accessories rather than just functional equipment. Like mobile phones and MP3 players before them, laptops are slowly becoming extensions of body parts. If they become any smaller and more aesthetically orientated, they could well become just as portable and desirable to carry around. With free internet connections and social networking sites combining to pull people onto the web, it’s becoming increasingly normal to see all types of people using laptops, not just suited and booted business men on their travels.

The public has demanded that laptops should not only perform to a high level, but should also look the part too. Manufacturers have responded, delivering visually stunning alternatives to standard machines; they now come in differing sizes and shapes, with different accessories and ports, different colours and some even allow for customisable fascias. Black and grey are now joined by pink, green, blue, red and white, the fashion conscious can now match their laptops with their shoes! They’re not only becoming better looking, but they’re more capable than ever too. Laptops can connect easily to a range of access points, they have built in cameras and microphones, so many different jacks and ports for various inputs and outputs and they can store more data and are still getting faster. Now that the physical factor has come to the fore, consumers can consider themselves incredibly spoilt for choice.

Fashionable kitchen appliances start with black

2008-09-17T20:40:00.004+01:00

Fashion, style and elegance has begun to enter the kitchen. Rather than just the chefs looking great, their tools are beginning to take on a more contemporary visage. What started out as a niche market with small appliances increasingly straying from the tried and tested blueprint of a white outer shell, refrigerators and cookers are now changing too; perhaps the term “white goods” is outdated in today’s cosmopolitan world as manufacturers are producing appliances with a glossy black appearance.

With reality TV and celebrity chefs combining to influence much of the general public’s everyday life, it’s no wonder that there’s a shift in the focal point of the modern day family. The kitchen has been moved more into the eye line with open plan living areas, thus coordination and design have also become just as important for the cooking space. Just like furniture, kitchen appliances aren’t being bought just because of their functionality, but increasingly because of their design and desirability.

Maytag have responded to consumer wishes by producing a range of black USA style refrigerators. The glossy, reflective black fascia is technology borrowed from the more traditionally luxurious car market. The end product is a brilliant mirror-like finish that appeals to emotions rather than just the practical senses. Samsung have also entered the black refrigerator market, with 3 different models in its RS21 range. The trademark glass black finish usually reserved for their TVs and mobile phones has been translated flawlessly to add sophistication to the market.

Whirlpool, Bosch and SMEG haven’t been left out of the black refrigerator market, either. All three manufacturers have produced highly desirable classy American fridge freezers, all intended to appeal to the fashion conscious, with Bosch declaring that ‘black is back’. SMEG have taken styling and design in the kitchen even further by making standing fridges available with a Union Jack themed livery.

Design, sophistication, flair – all these terms are the messages that black glossy appliances are designed to convey. It’s easy to forget that this latest fashion accessory is just a fridge, but this statement itself would be some way off the mark too. These USA fridge freezers invariably come with the same features as those seen on American TV sitcoms. They open up like wardrobes, revealing a huge amount of storage space, and plenty of flexibility with the arrangement of shelving. Humidity control, frost free freezing, special cooling technology and an external ice dispenser generally come as standard. Rest assured that different manufacturers will have differing technologies to sell, so potential buyers will have plenty to choose from.

The fashionable trend setters among us will be clamouring to get their hands on this new wave of trendy kitchen appliances, and many people will also discover how hard it is to resist these gorgeous items. It’s a trend that’s likely to continue, and there will probably be even better looking designs and objects available for the kitchen in the future. Like football boots, where the traditional all black leather design is now a rarity, white coloured kitchen appliances could well become retro in a few years. It’s conceivable that in the near future black won’t be cool, but rather just another colour available to an ever discerning consumer.

1080p high definition TV means consumers get more choice with viewing

2008-09-17T20:40:00.003+01:00

The hype surrounding 1080p technology from Sony has died down a bit, but the question still facing consumers is whether or not they should take the plunge.

Sony’s incredible BRAVIA range has been available for about a year now, and with it carries advancement in high definition technology. With first generation HDTVs displaying their high definition content in 1080i resolution, the Sony BRAVIA range looked to turn the arena on its head by introducing 1080p resolution – but has it? With the honeymoon period for the BRAVIA range now over, and with people now beginning to invest in high definition equipment, they also have to decide on whether they want 1080i resolution or 1080p.

First of all, consumers have to try to understand the differences between 1080i and 1080p, and to do that, they need to understand what each is. Both high definition resolutions produce the same sized image, 1920 pixels by 1080 lines. The main difference is the way that they render the final image on screen. With 1080i, the image is interlaced, with odd numbered lines appearing a split second before the even numbered lines. This “painting” effect happens incredibly quickly, all within 1/30 of a second to be exact, so that the eye is tricked into seeing everything appear instantaneously. With 1080p, the image is scanned progressively, whereby the all the lines are conveyed sequentially in one single pass. This means that at any one time, 1080p displays twice the number of lines of resolution, and the resulting image is crisp and flicker free.

Choosing which type of picture is only half of the battle when purchasing a new TV. In its simplest form, a TV is merely an output device, a vehicle in which to carry and display something that is inputted into it. This means that to display high definition content, the TV requires something else that plays in high definition. Currently, high definition sources include digital TV channels, HD-DVD players, Blu-Ray DVD players and a couple of games consoles. At the moment, HD channels from digital TV broadcasts and satellite channels are done using 1080i signals. This in itself causes a bit of a problem. Unfortunately, a lot of HDTVs are not physically able to display an interlaced signal as an image. In situations like this, the HDTV will de-interlace the signal and convert it into a progressive scan signal. So theoretically speaking, this means that all TVs display a 1080i image in 1080p format. Unfortunately, practice does not follow theory perfectly in tow. Complications exist in the de-interlacing process that causes a few problems. The refresh rate of the TV will also have a bearing on the output. All in all, it means that there is a good chance that you will end up with a lower resolution than what you intended.

Currently, HD-DVD players and Blu-Ray DVD players, as well as the PS3, are the only current sources that can output in 1080p signals. HD-DVD is able to output in both progressive and interlaced signals, where as Blu-Ray outputs in 1080p only. In terms of watching a movie in either signal, there is very little difference, and 1080p has a very slight edge in sharpening the images. However, the results are absolutely stunning, and provided that each and every movie is shot in 1080p mode, you should be very much in for a treat. With regards to the PS3, more and more games are being released in 1080p mode. The experience from playing a game in this sharper than sharp resolution is something that cannot be easily described, and it is safe to assume that the results are truly amazing.

1080p is probably the signal that will become the future, as it does seem to be superior as long as all the right and necessary equipment is available. That said, Sony BRAVIA TVs that carry the 1080p ability are more expensive than their 1080i or 720p equivalents. This is typical of Sony, where consumers can expect to pay premium prices for their guaranteed premium quality.. Until there are more 1080p TVs, consumers may still go for the cheaper 1080i versions. However if you do have the budget, you’ll definitely be future proofing your living room with a 1080p.

30 degree washing a good starting point for saving the environment

2008-09-17T20:40:00.002+01:00

Retailers and manufacturers alike are urging the consumer to reduce the temperature at which they wash their clothes in a bid to reduce wasted energy.

With a third of the UK’s population believing that climate change is the biggest challenge facing the world, the time to start taking collective responsibility is now. Every household in the country is now being urged to take more interest in reducing their energy wastage. As it stands, there are indeed plenty of ways to be more efficient in an effort to slow down the planet’s deterioration. Simply washing your clothes at temperatures 10 degrees cooler is one of them.

Recently, the nation has been exposed to a series of TV advertisements highlighting the dangers of climate change and promoting the government’s climate challenge aims. The adverts included visible CO2 emissions and encouraging cycling over driving have also been aired. All of this goes to show how easy it can be to help to reduce the factors causing climate change. Consumer goods manufacturer Proctor & Gamble has also taken the initiative with it’s washing detergent brand Ariel, by releasing a new range of tablets that clean specifically at the lower 30 degree temperature. Retail giants Marks & Spencer and ASDA have also started adding 30 degree recommendations to the labels of their clothes. By having constant reminders such as these in consumers’ views, it is hoped that the changes will begin to happen.

The campaign to reduce washing temperatures by 10 degrees has also managed to split opinions. Many people are sceptical over whether or not all types of germs and bugs are sufficiently destroyed at 30 degrees. Although switching from 40 degrees to 30 degrees would save approximately 40% in energy costs, the trade off could be an inefficiency regarding the removal of dust mites. Various other allergens are also said to be less effectively removed during a 30 degree wash, including pollen and dog dander. However, washing at 30 degrees should not pose too much of a threat, and there is a solution available. By rinsing the fabrics in cold water 3 or 4 times after a cooler wash will provide results that are almost on par with a higher temperature wash.

Modern home appliances will now tell you what efficiency rating they are, and this is an important step to helping to tackle the climate challenge. Most washing machines will also have an economy setting, to save both water and energy used for heating washes. Clearly, every manufacturer is taking a keen interest in somehow reducing energy wastage by the consumer, and by reinforcing the messaging from DEFRA and the government they are playing a huge role in getting everybody to take responsibility and action. Home appliances are stress buys, and just about every household will need them. Television sets are soon going to be produced without standby functions to help reduce energy wastage. By eliminating opportunities to waste energy at the production phase, slowing down climate change can be achieved.

It would be far too early to predict whether or not climate change can be prevented, and many experts will say with full confidence that it is an unavoidable eventuality. Washing clothes at 30 degrees cannot possibly save the environment on its own, and will need a lot of support from other areas, but it is a positive step that can be taken by every household. The kitchen provides a raft of ideas whereby the average household will be able to cut down on wasting energy. These are truly simple ideas that just need good habits and a bit of discipline to execute. Kettles should be boiled with the correct amount of water for intended usage, microwaves and toasters should be switched off at the plug and saucepans should always be used with the lid on to minimise heat loss. With regards to the kitchen, every appliance, large and small, should be switched off at the mains socket with the exception of the refrigerator and freezer. It’s possible to move around every room in your home and you will find opportunities to save energy. Switching lights off as you leave one room for another is an easy example, and using energy saving light bulbs in conjunction will save a pretty penny, too. If at all possible, everything should be switched off at the plug socket rather than being left on standby, and curtains should be drawn as soon as it gets dark to retain the heat.

The government supports the idea that a 60% reduction of carbon emissions is required to prevent global meltdown, but also concedes that the UK makes up a mere 2% of the worldwide issue. Savings within the household may not have any impact on reducing CO2 emissions, so is it worth the effort? Reducing energy wastage within the home will mean that there will be financial gains, which is a good incentive for most households. Collective responsibility needs to be taken, so this is a great way to start. Charity starts at home after all, and saving the planet can’t be bad either!

The digital switchover is happening whether you like it or not

2008-09-17T20:40:00.001+01:00

It has recently been announced that the digital switchover for the UK will begin later this year in the Cumbrian town of Whitehaven. Although there’s been a lot of publicity regarding the switchover plans, many people are still unaware as to what it is, and what it means.

TV as we know it will be changing as soon as the end of this year. Analogue TV signals will be switched off and replaced by digital signals. The sleepy town of Whitehaven in Cumbria will be the first in the country to go digital, with the rest of the country following, region by region until the whole of the British Isles will be digitalised in 2012.

Plasma TVs and LCD TVs are already changing the cosmetic aspect of television, and now the way in which we receive our favourite programs is changing. The reason behind this is relatively simple; the government has decided that all areas of the country should be able to watch as many TV channels as possible. By switching off the analogue signals, the digital signals can be boosted to provide crisper receptions to all parts of the country. The end result will be that we will all have a greater choice of TV channels to pick from. For every household, though, there are a few changes that need to be made, as receiving digital signals requires extra equipment.

Since the digital switchover has been announced, technology has also advanced over time. For people who don’t already have satellite or cable TV, stand alone Freeview set top boxes were introduced. Now, a new breed of television set has evolved: plasma and LCD TVs with integrated digital tuners (IDTV). All of this means that there’s a great deal of choice available to the public even just to decide how to receive digital TV! Unfortunately, this may have inadvertently caused a great deal of resistance towards the digital switchover.

Whilst attitudes towards the move are generally positive, an alarming number of the population say that they don’t want to switch to digital, or even that they won’t switch. These reluctant few will argue that the current system doesn’t need fixing, but the fact that many households can’t view the five terrestrial channels clearly suggests that something needs to be done. Although not an obvious place to lead a national change, Whitehaven appears to be the ideal environment in which to pilot the switching. A diverse demographic with mixed levels of rural and urban developments, coupled with the fact that analogue reception is quite poor, means that Whitehaven stands out as being a near perfect test region.

Not all of the local population knows exactly what is to come, but it is certainly no disaster. Many people understand that they’ll be able to use satellite television to watch digital TV after the switchover date, and that’s fine, but they might not be aware that every television set will require a digital connection. Set top boxes will become the obvious and easiest choice, and many people will also be buying new LCD TVs with integrated tuners. Help and information is available, it just needs to be communicated better. Only having one digital receiver will also mean that people will no longer be able to record something on their VCR whilst watching something else. A solution around this would be to buy a DVD recorder with a built in digital tuner, allowing you to continue this pastime.

Although the transition from analogue technology would appear to be somewhat troublesome, the benefits of digital TV should outweigh the hassle substantially. As running analogue signals alongside digital ones would be economically unfeasible, the space vacated by the analogue signals can be redistributed to enhance the digital signals, allowing for more channels or can be used for other technologies such as mobile TV, mobile phones and high definition TV. Digital TV is seen by many as the future, albeit one that is available today and it will pave the way for further developments.

It’s faster than the speed of gas – and more economical, too.

2008-09-17T20:40:00.000+01:00

A small revolution is happening regarding kitchen cook tops, as induction hobs are slowly developing into a serious contender to the traditional gas hobs. The environment and modern lifestyles will surely demand the newcomer to become more prominent.

As society turns to a more environmentally friendly attitude in the face of further global warming issues, a new technology is becoming more and more prominent in a bid to save the planet. The art of induction cooking might have appeared to have been lost, but as gas and electric hobs begin to find their grips on the market loosened, induction hobs have appeared as the catalyst of this slip.

Cooking purists will always hold gas hobs very close to their hearts, and it is unlikely that any other hob will ever change that easily. The traditional method of heating up a pan and cooking with it is simple, especially with the high degree of control over the heat available to the chef. However, we are living in an ever changing world, where people are increasingly dependant on technology to make tasks more convenient. Induction hobs can do just that, especially as they are almost twice as fast as gas equivalents when it comes to cooking. Speed has been king for a long time, in many different aspects of everyday life, and now there’s an improved method to allow for quicker cooking, saving more time in general life.

Induction hobs are also said to be considerably more energy efficient than gas hobs, using up to 90% of the energy produced in comparison to 55%, making them more economical. This could well be something of a false economy, seeing as the equipment required to use it is more expensive. However, as induction cooking becomes increasingly mainstream, the prices will tumble in accordance. Market experts believe that it is only a matter of time before induction hobs will begin to challenge gas hobs for market share, and over the next 5 years they expect induction hobs to double or even treble their 5-7% of the market. Just like the DVD replaced the VHS cassette, induction hobs look set to overtake and replace their gas counterparts.

As we saw with DVDs, the induction equipment is expensive in comparison to gas. In addition, regular pots and pans will not work on induction hobs. Pans made from a ferrous metal are required, in order to pass through the electro magnetic currents created by the induction hobs. Once the ferrous pan is in contact with the induction hob, heat is generated in the pan, rather than from the hob. The temperature can be controlled by adjusting the electric currents from the hob. All of this means that the hob itself won’t heat up, it will only be the pan so there are safety advantages to be had too. Do not be put off by the fact that ferrous pans are required – it just means that your pots and pans will need to be made from steel or iron, rather than traditional Pyrex or aluminium. The required equipment is readily available from both the high street and from online stores, and there are different levels of quality with a wide range of prices to suit.

The hobs themselves are also more expensive than both the traditional gas hob and standard electrical ones. However, the technology involved in using them to cook is one of the reasons why. As previously stated, the hobs themselves don’t heat up; they simply provide a source for the pan to heat up. Beneath the ceramic surface lies sophisticated set of electronics that make up the element, which in turn power a coil to produce a high frequency electromagnetic field. This action does not generate heat, but it is the circulating electric current that occurs when a ferrous object comes in to contact with it that does. As a result, even though the ferrous object will invariably transfer some heat to the cook top, it is by no means hot enough to burn, and will very quickly return to normal temperature. Temperature control during cooking is also as good as instantaneous, as it is simply a case of altering the electric current.

The future of induction hobs looks pretty secure, and could become even more readily available. Currently, German manufacturers such as AEG, Bosch and Siemens are the dominant forces in the induction hob market, and Smeg are also big players. Japanese companies are also beginning to develop induction technology that can be used with standard pots and pans, although this is probably a few years away yet, but the general consensus is that induction hobs will fall in price, and will then be much more accessible to all. The benefits of induction cooking will also become more apparent as its popularity increases with the public.

In terms of maintenance, induction hobs are much easier to clean than gas hobs. Because the heat only occurs with the pan, it means that spillages do not get baked on top. It’s also a continuous surface, so there are no obstacles to clean around. There’s no energy wastage either, as the electromagnetic field transfers its energy directly to the pan. The hobs also begin to cool down as soon as the pan is taken away, meaning that they are very safe to touch. In comparison to gas, there are no emissions, and hence no fears about any gas leaks.

Gas hobs are still very much the choice of the majority of people, but it seems that it is only a matter of time before induction equivalents will be looked upon as a serious everyday alternative to the traditional option. The evidence of the benefits are there to be seen, but change won’t happen quickly. As induction hobs gain more popularity, prices will fall, and perhaps they will become the norm. With the environment becoming a bigger issue and people’s lifestyles getting even busier, induction hobs could even be promoted by more advocates sooner rather than later.