Month: January 2022

Plumber
Insights

Is a Gas Plumber the Same as a Plumber?

Do they really need a gas plumber or any ordinary plumber will do? This is a question that often confuses homeowners and they often end up making the wrong choice. As a matter of fact, some plumbing services do offer gas fitting services but homeowners are required to understand that plumbing natural gas lines are an area that requires specialized knowledge.  

Plumbing services normally deal with water and sewer lines and gas plumbing is only a specialized area in the field that requires special knowledge and training on the part of the professionals.  

What is plumbing work? 

Defined by Australian standard regulation plumbing services can undertake operations or work-related with installation, repairing, replacement, maintenance, and removal of pipe systems and fixtures that carry clean water inside a house and liquid waste out of it. In Australia, every plumber is required to undergo a four years apprenticeship at the completion of which he can apply for a professional license for offering Plumbing Sydney services.  

Basic gas fitting is included in this course and plumbers are required to procure an interim gas license to qualify for undertaking gas works. But they can still operate only under the supervision of a gas fitter who is fully qualified.  

What is gas plumbing? 

Australian standard regulations define gas plumbing as operations or work-related with installation, repairing, maintenance, or replacement of gas installations and for undertaking such projects plumbers are required to procure a full license from the department of mines and energy. For getting this license and operating as gas services Sydney professional plumbers are required to complete certificate IV in plumbing.  

For obtaining a full gas license, plumbers are also required to work on an interim license for a minimum period of 12 months after successfully completing level IV certification.  

Important differences between a plumber and a gas plumber 

Some of the notable differences between plumbers and gas plumbers that homeowners are required to take into consideration are –  

  • They are different occupations with different training and qualification requirements  
  • It is the building construction commissions those issue plumbing license 
  • Gas licenses are issued by the department of mines and energy  

When to call a gas plumber? 

There are a number of situations for which homeowners should seek services from licensed and fully qualified gas plumbers for ordinary plumbers are not qualified to handle those projects. Some of those situations are –  

  • Issues with furnaces or HVAC systems  
  • Water heaters and dryers 
  • Stoves, outdoor grills, or fireplaces those run-on natural gas  
  • For repairing gas pipeline leaks etc. 

Advantages of hiring a qualified gas plumber 

Pipes are used to transporting gas

Some of the major advantages of hiring qualified gas plumbers when there is a situation are –  

  • They can safely handle all-natural gas projects  
  • Ensuring all your gas-powered appliances are correctly installed and safely operating  
  • They are capable of doing work to the code that is required for passing building inspections  
  • Most professional gas plumbers in Sydney are known to offer excellent customer service and guarantee their work so you don’t have to worry about the safety of your appliances or family members. 
Data
Insights

How to Protect Your Data When Working from Home

The health crisis has caused many companies to decide and let their employees stay at home and work remotely. Businesses have been forced to adhere to strict social distancing measures and implement health protocols to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.  

Although the transition to the work-from-home setup appears seamless to many businesses, there are unseen security risks that come with it. To ensure business continuity, they have to provide their employees with the necessary tools and technologies to make it possible to work from home. This is obviously a challenge to the entire business, not only for their respective IT departments.   

Now, employees, on their part, can do something to make the WFH transition seamless, and at the same time, minimize the security risks involved. In this article, we’ll enumerate some handy tips to protect any forms of data when working from home.  

Tip #1: Protect your home office  

Cybersecurity and information protection must begin with the physical setup. The same as when you shut down your office computer when you wrap up your day, you have to do the same when you’re working from home.   

At home, there is a chance that your devices can get stolen. So, when you go out for lunch or when you prepare dinner, lock the screen of your device. This is an important tip to secure your home office.  

Tip #2: Secure your router

After protecting your home office, the next thing you should do is to secure your router. Cybercriminals nowadays take advantage of the default passwords of routers because not many users bother to change it. As a result, their home network becomes vulnerable and at risk.  

Changing the password of your router from the default to something strong and unique is an easy step to protect your network from threats. Once you have changed the password, you can take further security measures, such as installing firmware updates.  

Tip #3: Keep personal and work devices separate

This may sound easier said than done, but it is essential to set boundaries between your personal and work life, especially when working from home.  

Yes, there are instances when you need to log in to your device to perform a quick online transaction. But as much as possible, keep your personal and work computer separate. Otherwise, both personal and work information will be compromised in the event of a data breach.  

Tip #4: Make sure to encrypt your device

If your device hasn’t been encrypted yet, enable it as soon as you can. This can help in reducing the risks involved when devices get stolen or lost. When encryption is enabled, strangers and cybercriminals cannot access files and information without the PIN or password.  

How you enable encryption depends on the device that you are using. For Windows devices, you can use third-party tools and apps like BitLocker. For macOS, FileVault can be used.  

Tip #5: Update your operating system

Ensure all the devices you use for work are updated. If security patches for the operating system are available, install them right away. Though some modern devices will automatically install the updates for you, sometimes you need to manually restart your PC to apply the changes.  

Tip #6: Keep your applications up to date  

Always remember that operating systems are not the only aspects that can be exploited by hackers. Any applications or programs can also be targets. So, just like your operating system, it is important to keep any installed program or app up to date.  

Tip #7: Set your device to automatically lock when not used

If you are on break, lock your computer or device. While many already practice this, by nature, humans tend to forget. So, to prevent the worse from happening, set your PC to lock automatically when unattended.  

Set a specific amount of time that is reasonable. For desktops, five minutes is ideal. But for mobile devices, 30 seconds is recommended.  

Tip #8: Use a strong password

All the previous tips will be useless if you don’t use a unique password. If possible, do not use a password that is easy to guess. Also, do not repeat number sequences nor use common passwords.  

When generating passwords, you can use a password manager. This way, you can keep yourself from using any information that is related to you, such as your contact number or home address. A strong password is one that looks random to any stranger. Think you’re safe? Here’s how long it takes a hacker to guess your password.  

Tip #9: Install an anti-malware suite

An anti-malware program can protect your PC from threats like spyware, ransomware, Trojans, and other malware entities. As the name suggests, an anti-malware suite is a program designed to work against threats. It can identify threats and remove them from your system.  

Tip #10: Enable two-factor verification

Two-factor authentication is a new authentication method that only grants access to a user when two pieces of evidence are presented to an authentication mechanism. This method has been used to reduce the risk of malware infections and phishing scams. With this authentication method, the attackers cannot log into an account because they don’t have access to another piece of evidence.  

Tip #11: Clean and wipe any devices before sharing or disposing of them

Yes, you can always clean up your junk files and folders, but that isn’t enough. Expert hackers can still access your data when you just delete them temporarily. What you should do is return your devices to factory settings should you plan to lend, give away, or throw them.   

Tip #12: Use a VPN

VPN
The woman is holding a tablet with a VPN sign-up tab opened

If you are trying to access data from your company’s servers, make sure you use a virtual private network. This private network secures your data, allowing you to send and receive packets safely, anytime, and anywhere. A VPN establishes an encrypted network over the internet, so all your traffic is routed through it.  

Wrapping Up  

We can never tell how long this COVID-19 pandemic will last. What we can conclude at the moment is that this health crisis will force people to continue working from home. So, to adapt to the new normal and keep information secure, consider these tips and equip yourself with basic PC repair knowledge. 

Laptop
Martech

5 Tips for Creating Engaging Content

By now, everyone understands the importance of content creation to the success of an entrepreneurial venture. However, publishing material online that will attract the intended audience can be a colossal undertaking when you consider the sheer volume of articles, blog posts, and other pieces of digital content, all vying for the attention of the targeted users.   

So, how do you make the content you produce compelling enough to stand out amongst the competition? You’ll be happy to know that the answer is much more straightforward than you think. In this guide, we’ll discuss five simple tips to ensure that yours is as engaging as possible.   

1. Diversify your content 

While carefully produced blog posts remain the standard, it’s crucial not to limit yourself to written pieces. After all, other mediums for the delivery of information like podcasts and videos are growing in popularity, and if you don’t take advantage of them, you’ll miss out on opportunities to reel in your audience. For this reason, you must diversify your content offerings. 

The addition of infographics, illustrations, and many others might sound like more work — and in reality, it is. However, it’s an investment of time and effort worth taking when you consider the fact that you’ll reach a broader audience by doing so. 

2. Make it more accessible 

Many businesses forget that not everyone has the same level of access to digital content. For example, the disabled community can’t engage with articles, videos, and other types of content in the same way that everybody else can. Therefore, you must make sure that yours is as accessible.  

From the use of automatic video captioning software to keep those with hearing problems in the look for your video content, to alt text for images to accommodate people with vision impairment, making your content more inclusive can go a long way in improving its engagement. 

3. Create compelling titles 

Whether or not it’s fair, users tend to judge content based on its title. Most people these days have limited time and attention span, making them more likely to scroll past material that doesn’t strike them as immediately compelling. And for many, the most common indicator of this is the title of the content. As such, you must make sure that yours is compelling. 

For example, instead of a title like “How to Organize the Workplace,” you can use “Beautiful Ways for Organizing an Office.” This may not sound like a significant change, but you’ll be surprised at how much more enticing it’ll be for users. Always remember to tug into the emotional strings of your audience whenever possible. As long as they react to it, any emotion you inspire will always be a good thing.

4. Look at your competitors for inspiration 

Competitor's website
Schematic representation of the relationship between your and a competitor’s website

There’s a good chance that your competitors are producing content of their own. If their material is engaging users in ways that you’re not, it’s always a good idea to look at what they’re doing and see if you can adopt some of the strengths of their content creation practices. You may even find new ideas for topics and subjects to produce content about.

5. Make the content interactive

 Last but not least, one of the best ways to create more engaging content is to make content interactive. Whether it’s a visual element that’s displayed whenever the mouse cursor hits a specific part of the page or including a few buttons or links on it, interactivity can make a difference when it comes to engagement. 

Conclusion 

Drawing in an audience is one thing. Keeping them engaged is another. When leads and conversions hinge on engagement, it makes sense to craft material that’s engaging to users. By following these tips, not only will you attract your audience, but you’ll be able to keep their interest too. 

Bulb
DevelopmentInsights

How Technology Can Help Your Business Stay Environmentally Friendly

Globalization embodies growth and progress but it also has major negative impacts on the environment. The production, importation, and exportation of goods produce waste, carbon emission, and pollution, and consumers are being alarmed by this matter, now more than ever. This amplifies the need for conversation and action towards becoming environmentally friendly, from the smallest ways to bigger commercial and industrial-scale initiatives.

From a macro perspective, major corporations have been making pledges to be more environmentally friendly, especially in cutting their carbon emissions. But the pressure is also on smaller startups, who must consciously work to avoid increasing the carbon footprint. Ambitious goals like going green can be costly but have become a necessary consideration for businesses to serve customers in a way that does not harm the environment.

How Technology Can Help Businesses Stay Environmentally Friendly

  1. Go Paperless

About 399 million metric tons of paper was consumed globally in 2020, and these numbers are projected only to increase yearly. As wood is required for more paper production, going paperless and saving trees can help reduce emissions.

Going digital can be a huge adjustment for any company considering the time, cost, and learning curve. But it doesn’t have to be a major leap. There are simple tools and solutions for a business to transition from paper to paperless. Starting with easy-to-use web-based project management and customer relationship management systems can help reduce the need for paper forms and files. 

There are also communication solutions that leave minimal physical paper trails in processes, especially cloud-based telephony systems or VoIPs. To learn more about how VoIP is used in business, a quick search on what is VoIP lists its numerous advantages. 

  1. Work Remotely to Reduce Carbon Emissions

Almost 25 percent of the global carbon emission comes from the transport sector, and among the major contributors are cities with business districts and heavy traffic. One way to reduce your business’s carbon footprint is by considering remote work—even if it’s once a week. Eliminating the need to commute to work also reduces the usage of office facilities and energy while also empowering your employees to support a significant cause.

  1. Use Renewable Energy

Any business in almost all industries requires power to operate and produce products or deliver services. However, electrical energy, which is commonly used globally, negatively affects the environment, but there are several alternative sustainable energy sources. 

Renewable or clean energy basically comes from sustainable sources or materials that do not deplete. This includes solar, wind, water, and biomass. These energy sources generate electricity with lower carbon emissions. It may need a significant investment, but switching to clean energy is an ideal step if the goal is to be eco-friendly on a larger scale. It can also help cut costs on energy bills, generating a long-term benefit for a business.

There are renewable energy systems that can be used in today’s businesses, like wind, solar, and geothermal power, but this will depend on your business’s location. It is also important to note that some jurisdictions require regulatory and legal permissions before using or installing renewable energy technology. So be sure to plan and research what renewable energy will work best for your business.

  1. Improve Office Recycling
Office paper is ready to be recycled

Among the most known ways to be environmentally friendly is the “3 Rs”: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Even in business, this still applies and must be employed. Prioritize implementing responsible waste disposal and strengthening recycling initiatives in the workplace. You can invest in waste management technology, like bins with sensors, and this can make recycling more interesting for employees, encouraging more enthusiastic participation. 

Using recycled products like pens and notepads for your daily business needs also encourages the eco-friendly efforts of others. It just needs mindful planning and research to find the materials that will work best for your business.

Committing to becoming an eco-friendly business requires long-term efforts. More than the potential positive impact on your brand, making your business more environmentally friendly is also a social responsibility. Studies suggest that environmental and climate issues will only progress as time passes. The combined efforts of individuals and businesses can drastically slow down climate changes. And as you grow your business, relish the opportunity to be part of the solution in facing and addressing environmental issues today.