Richard Tubb's Blog, page 92

Why Hotel WiFi should be free

I spend a lot of time travelling for business and spending time in hotels. One of my pet peeves about staying in hotels – especially the more expensive, brand-name hotels – is that there is no free hotel WiFi provided. In fact, not only is the WiFi not free, but it’s insanely expensive – £6 for an hours access or a “deal” of £20 for 24 hours access is not unusual.

£20 for a days worth of Internet access. Are you kidding me? Most of us pay less than that for our unlimited Broadband Internet at home!

The frustration of expensive Hotel WiFi

UK hotels are the worst for this, although US and European hotels aren’t above charging for WiFi either. There is nothing more frustrating than checking into your hotel room after a long trip, ideas of work on your mind and then firing up your laptop to see that if you want to do any work – you need to pay for the privilege. Also, I’m sure I’m not alone in noticing expensive WiFi access seems to come hand-in-hand with a poor mobile ‘phone signal, meaning you can’t even tether your Smartphone to your laptop or tablet to avoid the charges.

Walk 5 minutes out of the hotel in any direction and you’ll find a Starbucks, McDonalds or a local Coffee Shop that’s offering WiFi for free with a cup of Latte costing next to nothing. Why though, should you be forced to leave your hotel room to get any work done?

WiFi has never been more crucial to hotel guests

Due to the rise in popularity of Smartphones and tablets, reliable, free WiFi has never been more crucial to hotel guests as they want to connect to the Internet from anywhere. The GB Hotel Guest Survey 2013 report by BDRC Continental has found that hotel guests believe a good WiFi service is just as important as a good night’s sleep.

I understand that hotels need to make money, but in this day and age, charging for WiFi feels akin to charging for the water used from your hotel bathroom taps, or paying extra for your room to be heated. And if budget hotels and B&B’s can offer free WiFi, why can’t more upmarket hotels offer the same?

BT WiFi now available for free at all Thistle Hotels in UK

Thistle Hotels recently announced they are one of the first to break with the pack and offer free BT WiFi in their hotels across the UK. BT was the first supplier of public WiFi over 10 years ago, and the Thistle Hotels service, in partnership with glh., is free, fast and unlimited to all Thistle Hotel guests across the country. What’s more, logging on is a “one-click” service – allowing guests to log on to the Internet instantly, without the hassle of signing up and giving their details.

For me, as a regular traveller, this news means I’m more likely to book into a Thistle Hotel knowing I can access free WiFi above using other hotel chains.

Free Wi-Fi in all UK hotels please!

I genuinely hope this news is a catalyst for a change in how upmarket UK hotels view WiFi. For the vast majority of travellers, free, reliable WiFi is no longer a “nice to have” when visiting a hotel, it’s an expectation.

 

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Jelly – Search the group mind of your Social Networks

For the past couple of years, every Friday I’ve posted my “Friday Favourites” – quick links to cool content, apps and tools that I’d found that week.

For 2014, I thought I’d mix the format up a bit and focus a bit deeper onto the single piece of content, app or tool that’s really caught my eye in the week. Goodbye Friday Favourites, hello Friday Favourite!

My Friday Favourite for this week was recommended to me by James Kimbley of Kimbley IT and it’s an app for iOS and Android called Jelly.

Jelly’s tagline is “Let’s help each other” and is best described as giving you the ability to search the group mind of your Social Networks.

It’s similar to using a traditional Search Engine to ask questions, but it uses pictures and your existing social network connections to submit your questions to others. Your connections, in turn, can ask questions which you might be able to answer.

As Jelly puts it “No matter how sophisticated our algorithms become, they are still no match for the experience, inventiveness, and creativity of the human mind.”

I’ve been trying Jelly for the past week, and it’s good fun. Give it a go!

Friday Favourites – 20th December, 2013

Welcome to my Friday Favourites! Every Friday I try to share my favourites — links to cool content, apps and other tools that I’ve either found or had recommended to me.

Cool stuff I’ve found this week, ending 20th December, 2013:-

Uber – The app that connects drivers to riders. Avoid queuing for a Taxi and use Uber to quickly hail a ride. Available in 25 countries and 50 Cities worldwide.
Symphonical – An easy way to organise your projects and tasks. Simple and intuitive task management for teams using a sticky note wall system. Thanks to Andre Marcos of Vercov Consulting for the link!
Just Delete Me – A directory of direct links to delete your account from web services. Super useful for removing your account and details from unused web services!

Do you have cool content, apps or other tools to share with me? Why not e-mail me, Tweet me, or share with me on Google+ and I if I feature them in my blog you can be sure I’ll give you credit and a shout-out!

Have a great weekend!

 

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Friday Favourites – 13th December, 2013

On a Friday I try to post my favourites from the week – links to cool content and tools that I’ve found or had recommended to me.

Cool stuff I’ve found this week, ending 13th December, 2013:-

Copy.com – A recently launched Cloud Backup/Storage from noted security firm Barracuda Networks and a competitor to Dropbox. Like Dropbox, any files or folders copied into your Copy.com folder are synchronised to all your other devices. And like Dropbox you can also share files with friends. But whereas Dropbox gives away 2GB for new accounts, Copy.com offers a generous 15GB. You can also use this special link for us both to get 5GB of additional bonus space! Thanks David Eaton of the Co-Operative Web for introducing me to the service!
StreetBank – Share things with your neighbours. Allows you to exchange or lend items, and give away your skills in your local neighbourhood. A modern take on the old Community noticeboard.
CamCard – Professional Business Card reader. Use your mobile device (all major platforms supported) to take a snapshot of those business cards you collect and CamCard will automatically scan the text and add the persons details to your contact list. Unlike similar Business Card tools, I’m impressed with the quality of the scans in CamCard – very accurate.

Do you have any cool content or tools to share with me? Why not e-mail me, Tweet me, or share with me on Google+ and I if I feature them in my blog then you can be sure I’ll give you credit!

Have a great weekend!

 

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Friday Favourites – 6th December, 2013

On a Friday I try to post my favourites from the week – links to cool content and tools that I’ve found or had recommended to me.

Cool stuff I’ve found this week, ending 6th December, 2013:-

Lumosity -  Challenge your brain with scientifically designed training. Use every day and become smarter. Brain training and it’s very addictive too! Apps for iOS and Android.
Lift – Build better habits using this tool via the web, iOS and Android Apps. Helps keep you accountable for building positive new habits. Browse the most popular habits within the Lift community or build your own.
F.lux – Adjust your computer monitor to match the day light – warm at night and like sunlight during the day. Can be an aid to sleep if you’re a night owl working late. Thanks to Yvonne Miaoulis of MSP Builder for the link!

Do you have any cool content or tools to share with me? Why not e-mail me, Tweet me, or share with me on Google+ and I if I feature them in my blog you can be sure to give you credit!

Have a great weekend!

 

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Friday Favourites – 29th November, 2013 – File Tools Special!

Every Friday I try to post my favourites from the week – links to cool content and tools that I’ve’ve found or had recommended to me.

This week is a Friday Favourite Special focusing on File Tools!

PipeApp – Send and receive files via Facebook. Free to sign-up and use. The interface is simplicity itself so suitable for all level of user.
Bulk Rename Utility – Free Windows file tool allows you to easily rename files and entire folders based upon extremely flexible criteria. Thanks to Garrett Murphy for the link!
Recuva – Undelete, Unerase, File and Disk Recovery utility for Windows. Free download with more fully featured Professional version available. An essential tool for anyone who’s ever lost an important file.

Do you have any cool content or tools to share with me? Why not e-mail me, Tweet me, or share with me on Google+ and I if I feature them in my blog you can be sure to give you credit!

Have a great weekend!

 

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We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives

“We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.” said John F. Kennedy.

Today is Thanksgiving, a public holiday in the United States where people show gratitude and celebrate all they have to be thankful for. Every time I read the above quote from JFK — which is commonly shared at this time of year — I stop to consider those people I want (need?) to show gratitude to.

Be Remarkable, Give Gratitude!

Sadly, it’s actually somewhat remarkable to be shown gratitude nowadays. Whether that is a comment on peoples attitude towards giving gratitude or a commentary on the busy nature of our lives — where many of us are so wrapped up in our own busyness that we often forget to pause and say thank you — I’m not sure.

What I do know is that — while I’m a Brit and so don’t celebrate Thanksgiving as a public holiday — I do set regular reminders for myself to prompt me to show gratitude to those who make my life better. I believe it’s not only good to let others know I’m grateful for their support, but it’s actually good for me too!

Whether it’s friends and family, colleagues, peers or clients, when I show gratitude I often find one or both of the following happens:-

I personally get a warm glow, a boost to my personal energy and a spring in my step for the rest of the day.
the person who I’ve’ve shown gratitude towards is more likely to repeat whatever it is I’ve’ve shown them gratitude for!

For instance – there’s few of us who wouldn’t appreciate getting more comments on our blog posts, more re-tweets on Twitter and more business through referrals. So while I’m’m not advocating showing gratitude with the expectation of receiving a reward, what I do know is that it’s human nature to be predisposed to helping those who we know are grateful for our help!

How Can I Show Gratitude?

Try making the act of showing gratitude a part of your daily routine. It’s fairly easy to do when you think about it!

If you have an article shared or a comment retweeted on Twitter – make time to express thanks for those who re-tweet you.
If a colleague or friend has referred business your way – try sending a handwritten thank you note in the post.
Have you read a good book recently?  Why not send a good book to someone who you recall has recently recommended a good book to you.
Can you think of a colleague who has made your life easier? Consider writing a colleague LinkedIn recommendation.

Conclusion

Showing gratitude to others is often a fairly small task on your part but can mean a great deal to others. [Tweet This!]

Try incorporating gratitude into your daily routine. At worst, you’ll feel better about yourself and you may just be surprised at the difference it makes to your relationships with others too!

To my friends and family in the United States, Happy Thanksgiving – I’m’m grateful for you friendship and support!

Friday Favourites – 22nd November, 2013

On a Friday I try to post my favourites from the week – links to cool content and tools that I’ve found or had recommended to me.

Cool stuff I’ve found this week, ending 22nd November, 2013:-

Nextly – Browse handpicked collections of webpages and curate your own pages. Build collections of your favourite web-pages and easily browse the latest stories. I’ve found this a fantastic way to keep up to date with blogs and news sites. Thanks Yvonne Miaoulis of MSP Builder for the link!
Lync Custom Status 2014 – An app that eases the pain of creating custom status options for the Microsoft Lync client. Rather than just telling your contacts you are away or busy, you can now give them more insight into what you are away doing. Thanks to Mike Hudson for sharing his latest App with us!
DeskBeers – A selection of high quality craft Beers from London breweries delivered to your office every Friday. What more could you want! Make your team happy and subscribe now! Thanks to Nicholas Bate for sharing.

Do you have any cool content or tools to share with me? Why not e-mail me, Tweet me, or share with me on Google+ and I if I feature them in my blog you can be sure to give you credit!

Have a great weekend!

 

photo credit: ulianne via photopin cc

Friday Favourites – 21st November, 2013

On a Friday I try to post my favourites from the week – links to cool content and tools that I’ve found or had recommended to me.

Cool stuff I’ve found this week, ending 21st November, 2013:-

Nextly – Browse handpicked collections of webpages and curate your own pages. Build collections of your favourite web-pages and easily browse the latest stories. I’ve found this a fantastic way to keep up to date with blogs and news sites. Thanks Yvonne Miaoulis of MSP Builder for the link!
Lync Custom Status 2014 – An app that eases the pain of creating custom status options for the Microsoft Lync client. Rather than just telling your contacts you are away or busy, you can now give them more insight into what you are away doing. Thanks to Mike Hudson for sharing his latest App with us!
DeskBeers – A selection of high quality craft Beers from London breweries delivered to your office every Friday. What more could you want! Make your team happy and subscribe now! Thanks to Nicholas Bate for sharing.

Do you have any cool content or tools to share with me? Why not e-mail me, Tweet me, or share with me on Google+ and I if I feature them in my blog you can be sure to give you credit!

Have a great weekend!

 

photo credit: ulianne via photopin cc

Webinar – The 5 Top Mistakes MSP’s Make

A heads-up that I’m joining my friend Rich Akullian of Autotask on Tuesday 26th November, 2013 at 4pm GMT (11am EST) for what I think will be a really valuable free webinar for IT business owners entitled The 5 Top Mistakes MSP’s Make.

Common Mistakes Which Cost Time and Money

Do you know the five most important mistakes that IT Solution Providers make which cost them time and money?

In this one hour free webinar, Rich and I will share the most common mistakes that your Managed Service Provider (MSP) business should avoid to ensure you are both profitable and successful.

You can also take this opportunity to ask any questions that will help your own MSP business avoid costly mistakes and grow. So a free webinar and the chance to get some free MSP Consultancy — what’s not to like?

How to Register

For those that can’t make it for the live webinar, a link to the recording of the event will be sent to all registrants.

Register now for The 5 Top Mistakes MSP’s Make! I hope to see you on Tuesday!

 

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