In this issue:

• Quicksilva's Spine-Synchronised Patient Index (S-SPI)
• Christmas at the Winter Palace
• Tory Manifesto has records for all
• MP3 players face noise limits recommended by EU
• One in 200 success rate keeps phishing economy ticking over
• Broadband tax included in pre-Budget report
• Online retailers predict record sales on busiest day

Happy New Year, Happy New Decade

Well it's started as a frozen waste...with business nightmares for lots of people in terms of loss of productivity and loss of service....well, I'm pleased to say that here at Quicksilva it's "business as usual" with all our staff able to get the job done from wherever they are...either at home or at the winter wonderland that is Langley Gate. The lawns are still pristine white as it's just been too cold for a snowball fight this year...perhaps as things start to warm up we'll get round to it...

Our team spirit and work ethic is what keeps us going...no-one wants to leave their colleagues in the mire (or the slush), or to pick up the bulk of the work while they are unable to pull their weight and contribute to the output...

The Company's Person Profile describes what we do as "going the extra mile" and where our customers are concerned we will do what it takes to keep them up and running...we have even had customers arriving here this week for meetings and so I guess they could be described as People Like Us...it's always a good feeling to work with kindred spirits...maybe we could challenge them to a snowball fight...?

Gayna

Tory Manifesto has records for all

From E-Health Insider

David Cameron has promised that online health records will underpin a new direction for the NHS if the Conservative Party is elected in this year’s general election.

Quicksilva thoughts...

The Conservatives have had a batch of mixed press recently, with rumours that they plan to scrap the National Programme for IT being one of the bigger talking points that has split public opinion. Some view this approach as potentially saving the tax payer money, where as others take the view that the Programme is taking shape and the benefits are clear to see. The latest Tory statement on the matter is that that they plan to offer the public access to their own health care records, and put patients in charge of these. To me this statement shows that they plan in some way to continue with the principles of the National Programme for IT.

Political persuasions aside it’s my view that the best way forward regardless of who is in the driving seat is to continue making patient records available to the patient, whilst ensuring that correct security levels and information are in place so that the public understand who they are sharing their records with and understand the consequences of doing so. Ensuring that Hospitals and other NHS based healthcare providers are scored on the level of care that they provide for each type of treatment, and continuing down the path of allowing patients to choose where they receive care based on these scores is also vital to ensuring that we all have access to the best possible care.

MP3 players face noise limits recommended by EU

From BBC News

The European Commission is calling for a suggested maximum volume to be set on MP3 players, to protect users' hearing.

Quicksilva thoughts...

The European Commission's suggestion of a maximum volume to be set on MP3 players has got people calling that familiar 'nanny state' accusation. There is most definitely a personal responsibility aspect to this debate; noise reducing headphones in place of the cheap, poor quality ones that are shipped as default would mean that music volume would not have to be increased to compensate.

Noise reducing headphones would also help with those annoying people that insist on travelling on public transport and subjecting other travelers to their cacophony of rap, rock and other rubbish music. Ultimately though, if doing this will prevent hundreds or thousands of hearing related problems in the coming years then this can only be a positive step in preventing the overburdened health system from dealing with another technology related issue.

One in 200 success rate keeps phishing economy ticking over

From The Register

Phishers only need to land a minute percentage of victims to make scams worthwhile.

Quicksilva thoughts...

Internet Security has long been a problem for businesses and home users alike, and this article goes on to emphasise this more. The fact that phishers are still able to generate between $2.4m-$9.4m from (on average) 1 million spam emails, indicates how big this problem still is.

Even with the enhanced information and improved software available, phishers are still able to bypass or fool users into handing over confidential information via a simple email. It has always been the same process to avoid getting caught out by these emails; never follow the links held within, never use the numbers supplied and if something seems too good to be true, it normally is!

Broadband tax included in pre-Budget report

From BBC News

The government's controversial broadband tax has been given the green light by chancellor Alistair Darling in his pre-Budget report.

Quicksilva thoughts...

For several years the digital divide has been discussed. With more and more services going online including the explosive media streaming from BBC iPlayer, film rentals and dedicated devices for internet radio, the debate seems as valid as ever.

The proposed £6-a-year tax level will only raise about £170m somewhat short of the £5bn required estimate from BT. With the Conservatives favouring a market led approach and vowing to scrap the tax if they come into government, the future still looks to be unclear.

BT are currently committed to rolling out next-generation broadband to 40% of UK homes and Virgin Media are offering speeds up to 50Mbps. Why not checkout your current bandwidth through one of the on-line tests available? For example www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/diagnostics.

Online retailers predict record sales on busiest day

From BBC News

Amazon has said business has been "extremely busy" on the day when online retailers are expected to take a record amount of sales.

Quicksilva thoughts...

'Christmas Shopping'... is that a collective groan I can hear...?

Like most things you either love it or hate it. With the 'recession' and all the doom and gloom that is associated with it, who could blame us all for not wanting to part with our hard earned pennies this time? But it seems that Christmas has given us all an excuse to go out and splash the cash for a treat this year even more than normal.

As for the internet versus high street shopping battle, well the ease of just clicking a button is very tempting but when all is said and done would you really not want to get out there and hit the high street (if you can park first that is), feel the festive cheer and find the bargains (if you can elbow your way through the crowds, oh and the rain) and then race home to wrap your pressies all nice and pretty (after you have spent an hour trying to get out of the car park)...

Hmmm, click, click, click...!

"Adding manpower to a late software project makes it later" F. Brooks, The Mythical Man-Month.

Quicksilva: Langley Gate, Kington Langley, Wiltshire, SN15 5SE. United Kingdom

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