ACOMSDave

Community Journalist

Archives for February 2018

Be Aware, Be Safe

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Be Aware

Be aware Be safe

We all take the new technology at our fingertips for granted, whether it be mobile phones, apps to do anything, tablets or laptops.  We also all make use of the various ‘free’ WiFi hotspots, but we all need to be more security conscious – be safe be aware.

Be Safe

Firstly Password

Don’t, repeat, Don’t use the same password for every device.  With social media scamming these days, you would be surprised on how easy it is for someone to get your second middle name or birthday date which surprisingly so many use!Be aware Be Safe

Remembering different passwords is difficult, but if you must write them down, do so in an address book under a fictitious name and disguise.  Or use a memorable sentence and exchange some of the letters for numbers or special characters e.g. E becomes 3, S becomes 5 and also throw in as I said a special character if allowed.  Be safe Be aware.

Be Safe Outside

For those of you who know how never make your phone or tablet discoverable by other devices.  When connecting to different WiFi outlet, use a different password each time!

Protect Your Device

Whenever possible have an anti-virus on your device, and keep it up to date.  If in doubt ask, better still learn, BE SAFE, NOT SORRY!

USB Memory Sticks

USB - Be Safe Be AwareWe all probably have at least one on which we have phtos etc for giving to our family or friends, or we may use them for transferring documents between computers.  But again, we rarely have these USB devices password protected or even better encrypted.

A free program like ‘Veracrypt’ is one of best programs currently available for this job.  There are others, and if you need help then please get some.

And lastly, if you find a USB stick anywhere and it is not yours, or if you lose your own and then refind it, never assume it is safe.  An old trick is to add malware or a virus to a stick – you gain a problem and/or they gain access to your device(s).  Be safe Be aware.

 

 

 

 

Planning for Christmas

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Planning for ChristmasPlanning your Christmas JourneySuccessful planning

 

Planning now for Christmas! Believe it or not, Christmas is now a month plus past!  We are all looking towards our bank balances and credit card statements and reflecting that we need to do something different this year.  Start planning early!

With this in mind, I am going to suggest a few planning strategies that you can put in place now to make Christmas 2018 easier.

  • Start researching for discount codes etc.  Cut them out of magazines, newspapers etc make certain you use them before they are out of date.  Remember those deals at Argos, or with those Tesco vouchers, or indeed Sainsbury Nectar points.  Planning ahead saves money and time.

Discount Codes - Planning

  • Depending on your child’s/children’s ages, simple things like old traditions ‘putting a carrot out for the reindeer’, ‘leaving a mince pie and milk out for Santa’, ‘tracking Santa’s journey (www.norasanta.org)’ can all help with keeping the kids focus away from presents.  Planning is key.

Christmas Tradition - Planning NORADSANTA - planning

  • Start budgeting and planning now.  Write out a list of what you spent money on last Christmas (with costs) and then total it up.  When you look at the total were you able to afford it?  Budget now, set your amount and budget within that amount.

Christmas Budget Planning

  • If you have to send presents, think about shipping early online and have them deliver.

Shop Online Planning

  • Make your Christmas card list early and post early using the 2nd class post.  Postage is expensive, it makes sense to post early.

Post Early - Planning for Christmas

  • Don’t rack up credit card bills.  They are expensive.  Buy early in the year, keep your eye open for bargains, and don’t forget what you have bought.  Make a list of who you have to buy for and note against each person when you buy something.

Planning your early buy list

 

Some links for printable lists:

2017 – Royal Ulster Academy of Arts Exhibition

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The RUA (Royal Ulster Academy of Arts) 136 Annual Exhibition took place last year in the Ulster Museum, Belfast.   The exhibition was on the 5th floor of the museum (one floor up from the Game of Thrones (GOT) tapestry) and the consisted of works by 266 artists, 169 of whom had been selected from countries, including Germany, Poland, USA< France, Italy, Finland and Denmark.

A backdrop to the RUA’s exhibition was the display of Poppies: Weeping Window sculpture by artist Paul Cumins and designer Tom Piper.  The original installation ‘Blood Swept Lands and Sea of Red’ was originally at HM Tower of London in 2014.  This installation was to reflect, as with all 14-18 NOW projects,  aims to prompt a new, nationwide dialogue around the legacy of the First World War.

 

 

Whilst there is no direct link between the two events, the sculpture of poppies certainly made for an interesting talking point for many visitors, whether this is outside, in the refreshment area, the shop or the other areas of the museum.

Returning to the RUA exhibition, for myself, I did not find any of the items on display stood out as exceptional.  They were obviously all of a high calibre, selected for their excellence by the panels, however, I did go back to the exhibition three times and from my visits I came away with these artists as someone to relook at:

 

Crossing - RUA Exhibition

Crossing

Kevin - RUA Exhibition

Kevin

As I said I did go back to the exhibition a number of times and was drawn over that time by a few pieces which seem to hold an affinity for me.  They stopped me, made me think and reflect, and after all that is what art in any shape or form should do – I look forward to this years exhibition, and again will be asking what would I like on my wall, what could and would I talk about but wouldn’t have on my wall?