Monday, 5 January 2015
Myth of Common Law Wife
Living together? What are your rights? While many still believe in the myth of the 'common law wife', in reality there is little legal protection for unmarried women if their relationship breaks down or their partner dies.
No matter how long you've shared a home, ownership of everything is decided by property law, rather than the courts as it is with divorcing couples.
In 2011, the Government announced it would NOT be implementing a scheme of financial rights for cohabitants recommended by the Law Commission and there are currently no plans for reform.
Good Housekeeping, October 2013
Sunday, 4 January 2015
Prolonging Mobile Phone Battery Life
iPhone
- Reduce brightness by going to settings Settings>Wallpapers>Brightness
- Check your settings to see if you you have an auto power saving mode and use it. It keeps a mobile running for longer when the battery reaches a certain level by adjusting settings (e.g. how quicky the screensaver appears) and turning off functions like the camera flash.
- Switch off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi by going to Settings; GPS at Privacy>Location and mobile data at Settings.
- Double click on the home button and all the apps will appear. To stop one from running, simply swipe it upwards.
- Reduce brightness by going to settings Settings>Display>Brightness
- Check your settings to see if you you have an auto power saving mode and use it. It keeps a mobile running for longer when the battery reaches a certain level by adjusting settings (e.g. how quicky the screensaver appears) and turning off functions like the camera flash.
- Switch off 3G, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi by going to Settings>Wireless>Network; GPS can be turned off using the Location and Security option.
- Go to the Google Play store online and download the free Watchdog Task Manager app to monitor your all usage.
Saturday, 3 January 2015
How to be Confident
Act confident and you will start to feel confident as well as appear confident to others.
- Keep feet less than shoulder-width apart, with weight evenly balanced.
- Lift your chin, keep your eyes on the horizon, let your shoulders relax and lift your chest slightly. Stand up straight, don't slouch or lean on one leg.
- Don't fold your arms, it makes you look smaller.
- When in doubt, be a great listener - this involves eye contact, nodding, mirroring (subtly mimicry) and facing the speaker.
- Practise this exercise: Sit comfortably in a quiet place and allow your mind to bring forward a memory of a time - any time - when you felt confident. Then observe the feeling.
- Practise your speech in front of a mirror. Record yourself on your phone and watch it back.
- Still nervous? On the day, pretend your audience are your favourite cartoon or TV characters, or focus on a dot at the back of the room, not on the sea of faces.
- Remember that the audience has chosen to come to your talk or event and want to hear about your topic - they want you to do well.
- Have a 3 second pause between sentences or the points you want to make. It may feel long but will help you deliver your message.
Friday, 2 January 2015
Sharing Digital Files
What's a quick and easy way to share screenshots? There are a number of these, including Kwout (http://kwout.com) and Awesome Screenshot (http://awesomescreenshot.com). You can add them onto your browser bar, find the image that you want, capture the screen or part of the screen, save it or post is online to a URL they provide. You can then send your friend or colleague an email linking them directly to the image. Really simple and straightforward.
Want to share family photos but limit access? (1) If you have a Flickr account (or simply create one if you haven't) upload the images but make them private (Flickr gives you this option during the upload process) and only accessible by friends/family or both. If other members of your family get accounts, you can add them as friends or family and they'll be able to view them. (2) If a number of you want to share your images, you could create a private, invitation-only Flickr group. As Administrator you can decide who is able to join the group and then view/post photographs. (3) Create your own private portal at somewhere like Zimbio.com.
Want to send really large files to colleagues that are too big to go in an email? There are lots of applications on the web, which allow you to upload a file onto their server space and then provide colleague email addresses. The application sends them an email and they can then log on to the site and let the browser download the file. There are limitations on file size (but these can be somewhere in the range of 1 GB or more) and how long the file will be stored for, but they're usually free, and sometimes you don't even have to register. Examples are: Megashares, Bigupload and YouSendIt.
Looking for a resource that allows you to upload files and let colleagues share them, and possibly add their own? Try Drop.io (http://drop.io). It allows you to upload presentations, documents and so on to a specific URL it provides. You can view files directly on the site, and chat with anyone else who is there at the same time. Each 'drop' is limited to a total suze of 100MB, but there is a commercial version available if you find it really addictive.
Phil Bradley in CILIP Update (various dates)
Want to share family photos but limit access? (1) If you have a Flickr account (or simply create one if you haven't) upload the images but make them private (Flickr gives you this option during the upload process) and only accessible by friends/family or both. If other members of your family get accounts, you can add them as friends or family and they'll be able to view them. (2) If a number of you want to share your images, you could create a private, invitation-only Flickr group. As Administrator you can decide who is able to join the group and then view/post photographs. (3) Create your own private portal at somewhere like Zimbio.com.
Want to send really large files to colleagues that are too big to go in an email? There are lots of applications on the web, which allow you to upload a file onto their server space and then provide colleague email addresses. The application sends them an email and they can then log on to the site and let the browser download the file. There are limitations on file size (but these can be somewhere in the range of 1 GB or more) and how long the file will be stored for, but they're usually free, and sometimes you don't even have to register. Examples are: Megashares, Bigupload and YouSendIt.
Looking for a resource that allows you to upload files and let colleagues share them, and possibly add their own? Try Drop.io (http://drop.io). It allows you to upload presentations, documents and so on to a specific URL it provides. You can view files directly on the site, and chat with anyone else who is there at the same time. Each 'drop' is limited to a total suze of 100MB, but there is a commercial version available if you find it really addictive.
Phil Bradley in CILIP Update (various dates)
Thursday, 1 January 2015
Weight Loss Facts
Weight loss research can be technical, confusing and contradictory. So here's a quick run down on the latest thinking.
True: Exercise does not burn off pounds: Moderate workouts don't lead to weight loss, probably because they make us hungrier. But another reason is that one of the ways your body adapts to an increase in exercise is to lower your metabolic rate by about 7% - so you end up burning fewer calories (anywhere between 50 and 75) per day. On the other hand, it does boost your Trousers Fit Factor as exercise helps reduce your waist and gives you a firmer, leaner shape overall.
True: Three square meals a day: Dieters who stick to breakfast, lunch and dinner are often no hungrier than those who eat frequent small meals and snacks through the day. People mis-interpret the size of a mini meal and end up taking in far more calories than they realise. Also more meals means more exposure to food, which creates more opportunities for overeating.
True: Set Challenging Goals: Dutch researchers found that the more weight loss participants strived for, the more effort they made and the more weight they reported losing after two months. It is thought that being ambitious has a psychologically energising effect, reinforcing your commitment and drive.
False: Cut calories, lose pounds equation: The much-quoted equation 'to lose a pound, cut 3,500 calories' doesn't account for the slowdown in your metabolism as you lose weight. As you continue with calorie cutting, the weight loss will slow down. Knowing that this is not true can keep you from getting discouraged when the scale seems stuck.
False: Milk helps you lose weight: While dairy products may help dieters in the short term, ultimately it is not a successful strategy. To satisfy your dairy cravings, opt for yogurt as this does seem to help with weight loss in the long term.
False: YoYo Dieting is bad for weight loss: Recent research shows that a history of losing, gaining and losing weight wasn't linked to negative effects on metabolism. However, yoyo dieters often try one crash diet after another; they should look for a plan that focuses on healthy lifestyle changes that lead to slow and steady weight loss.
True: Watch what you eat - for ever: The constant bombardment of food temptations has led to a situation where self-control is essential. But don't outlaw a long list of favourite foods. Instead practise flexible restraint - leaving out puddings or chips most days, but occasionally allowing yourself those treats. To monitor how well you are balancing restraint with indulgence, step on your scales at least once a week to alert youto the need to rein in your eating.
False: Track carbs to keep weight off: A balanced diet is better than counting carbohydrates or fat grams. Carb-counting plans can cause an increase in cortisol and C-reactive protein levels - factors that may elevate your risk of cardio-vascular disease. Fat-counting plans can cause a big slowdown in metabolism, leading dieters to burn an average of 423 fewer calories a day. A balanced (low-glycemic) plan includes lots of whole grains, fresh vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, healthy fats like olive oil. and lean fish and meats. It is based on regulating blood sugar and hormone levels, and can be easier to stick to as it does not restrict entire classes of food.
Be Informed: A European study of diet and exercise found that participants who were given detailed explanations of the research were more likely to exercise more, eat better or both, than a less clued up group.
Good Housekeeping August 2013
True: Exercise does not burn off pounds: Moderate workouts don't lead to weight loss, probably because they make us hungrier. But another reason is that one of the ways your body adapts to an increase in exercise is to lower your metabolic rate by about 7% - so you end up burning fewer calories (anywhere between 50 and 75) per day. On the other hand, it does boost your Trousers Fit Factor as exercise helps reduce your waist and gives you a firmer, leaner shape overall.
True: Three square meals a day: Dieters who stick to breakfast, lunch and dinner are often no hungrier than those who eat frequent small meals and snacks through the day. People mis-interpret the size of a mini meal and end up taking in far more calories than they realise. Also more meals means more exposure to food, which creates more opportunities for overeating.
True: Set Challenging Goals: Dutch researchers found that the more weight loss participants strived for, the more effort they made and the more weight they reported losing after two months. It is thought that being ambitious has a psychologically energising effect, reinforcing your commitment and drive.
False: Cut calories, lose pounds equation: The much-quoted equation 'to lose a pound, cut 3,500 calories' doesn't account for the slowdown in your metabolism as you lose weight. As you continue with calorie cutting, the weight loss will slow down. Knowing that this is not true can keep you from getting discouraged when the scale seems stuck.
False: Milk helps you lose weight: While dairy products may help dieters in the short term, ultimately it is not a successful strategy. To satisfy your dairy cravings, opt for yogurt as this does seem to help with weight loss in the long term.
False: YoYo Dieting is bad for weight loss: Recent research shows that a history of losing, gaining and losing weight wasn't linked to negative effects on metabolism. However, yoyo dieters often try one crash diet after another; they should look for a plan that focuses on healthy lifestyle changes that lead to slow and steady weight loss.
True: Watch what you eat - for ever: The constant bombardment of food temptations has led to a situation where self-control is essential. But don't outlaw a long list of favourite foods. Instead practise flexible restraint - leaving out puddings or chips most days, but occasionally allowing yourself those treats. To monitor how well you are balancing restraint with indulgence, step on your scales at least once a week to alert youto the need to rein in your eating.
False: Track carbs to keep weight off: A balanced diet is better than counting carbohydrates or fat grams. Carb-counting plans can cause an increase in cortisol and C-reactive protein levels - factors that may elevate your risk of cardio-vascular disease. Fat-counting plans can cause a big slowdown in metabolism, leading dieters to burn an average of 423 fewer calories a day. A balanced (low-glycemic) plan includes lots of whole grains, fresh vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, healthy fats like olive oil. and lean fish and meats. It is based on regulating blood sugar and hormone levels, and can be easier to stick to as it does not restrict entire classes of food.
Be Informed: A European study of diet and exercise found that participants who were given detailed explanations of the research were more likely to exercise more, eat better or both, than a less clued up group.
Good Housekeeping August 2013
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