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True – twit validation – Was it a turn off – the end result of the experiment?

In an earlier post http://bit.ly/9Z24bL I asked if using true-twit validation software was a turn off to attracting new followers.
Well I ran the programme for three weeks and it is now turned off. 
Did it achieve what I wanted?
The aim was to save time looking at twitter streams to see if people following me were automated bots or whether they were REAL people http://bit.ly/6lCw67 that I want to connect and interact with.
After three weeks I turned off true-twit validation because:

1. Some of the verified accounts were “bots” that occasionally morphed into humans and “verified” their accounts and
2. Some of the humans tweeted more gibberish and rubbish than I wanted to see in a lifetime, let alone in a day!
3. I started to ignore the validations and was checking the twitter stream anyway (defeating the purpose of the programme)

On the plus side the number of followers increased much faster (even allowing for the bots that I did not follow back) and
The final solution:
I found another programme called “cool previews” (an add-on to Firefox only) which allows to me look at the twitter stream without having to click through.
So true-twit validation has been banished into cyberspace and will not be making a re-appearance any time soon as part of my social media tools.

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Why is Bill Gates is so rich – Answer: versions!!

A tale of woe or two

For many months, I have had internet connectivity issues – particularly if I want to go from the first page of a website to another page in the site.  This has been the source of many hours of customer support queries with my ISP EFTEL, based in WA, a rewiring of the connection from the phone direct to the PC in question and the final attempt – upgrading to Windows 7.

All should be well now, so says my IT guru.  I wish – Using Windows 7 64 bit, I am now stuck with the following issues:

1. Adobe Professional Version 7.01 will not install the PDF printer driver

2. ACT version 10.0 can only be run in a “virtual” system (ie Windows XP runs inside Windows 7)

Many fruitless hours spent research Adobe and Microsoft’s knowledge base has not yielded any solutions, so now when I want to convert a doc to a PDF I must use another computer – bad Microsoft.

The new Adobe Professional Version 9.0 was written in 2008 and will no doubt have it’s own problems (not least of which is that it will not be written for Windows 7)

Quote from the Adobe website

Note: There is a known issue with 64-bit versions of these operating systems which causes the Adobe PDF Printer to not work correctly. Microsoft has released a Hot Fix for this issue which is documented in Microsoft Knowledge Base Article #930627 available http://support.microsoft.com/kb/930627. Adobe has tested and will support the Adobe PDF Printer with this Hot Fix installed.

Funny that: the link takes me to the following:
“The private data of the DEVMODE data structure may be corrupted when you use raw mode to print a document in a 32-bit application on a computer that is running a 64-bit version of Windows”

Further investigation relation to Windows XP x64 Windows server 2003 and Windows Vista – nothing for Windows 7.

I have trawled knowledge bases, forums and websites and I have to say that today I would certainly NOT recommend anyone upgrade to Windows 7 until they have fixed this and the many other more issues. Their forum has 545 pages of questions when you search for printer driver problems!!

And don’t even get me started on ACT – I haven’t even looked at finding solutions for this programme.

It would be nice, if just once, they could release a programme – any programme that does what it is supposed to do and is not an inferior product.

PS  The internet connectivity is marginally faster.

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Definitions

Non-hostile work environment
In many work environments, certain electrical equipment does not need a rigorous inspection and testing procedure due to its inherent low level of risk.  These areas are likely to be offices and clean work environments and are considered to be non-hostile work areas.
Hostile work environment

This is a work environment where normal operating of any electrical equipment may:

1.      Cause mechanical damage to the item of equipment or

2.      Expose the item of equipment to moisture, heat, vibration, corrosive substances or dust that is likely to result in damage to the equipment

Low risk electrical equipment

This includes:

1.      Electric kettles, toasters, computers, and similar electrical appliances commonly used in small business offices

2.      Equipment that is fixed and stationary when being used, eg photocopiers.  Its size requires that it is located in a specific location.

3.      Stationary equipment that does not have carrying handles and has a mass exceeding 18 kg

Equipment that is not likely to be damaged when being used, eg non-moveable equipment and includes electrical equipment and flexible supply leads that we use in our non-hostile work environment.
High risk electrical equipment
The following are examples of high risk electrical equipment used in a hostile environment that requires regular testing and tagging.
Examples of electrical equipment to be tested & tagged

Competent person
A competent person to test and tag electrical equipment is someone who has through training / experience (or a combination) the knowledge and skills to perform the task. 
This includes:

1.      Licensed electricians

2.      Persons with restricted electrical licenses – issued by the NSW Office of Fair Trading or equivalent State agency.

What you need to do
Develop an electrical checklist to determine if there is a need for maintenance, service, repair or testing and tagging or electrical equipment.
Check that you:

1.      Have not located extensions cords, cables or fittings where they are likely to be damaged or across areas where people walk, unless suitably protected.

2.      You have installed fixed or portable residual current devices (RCDs) more commonly known as safety switches

3.      Have provided training and instruction in the safe use of the electrical equipment and

4.      If necessary as a result of your risk assessment, implemented inspection and testing of identified electrical equipment.

The inspection and testing intervals in AS/NZS 3760 needs to be applied to electrical equipment that you have assessed as operating in your hostile operating environment
Arrange the necessary regular testing and tagging of all electrical equipment that is more than 12 months old that falls into the “high risk” and/or a “hostile” work environment category.
Construction work environment

In addition to the above:

1.      Make sure that all electrical appliances in amenities sheds/site offices are inspected and tagged upon arrival or relocation on site.

2.      Comply with NSW WorkCover Code of Practice – Electrical practices for construction work for plant inspection and testing & tagging.

3.      Ensure that all electrical plant that you hire is inspected, tested, tagged and recorded before you use.

The full requirements for recording the results of inspections and tests carried out on construction sites are outlined in the WorkCover Code of Practice – Electrical practices for construction work.

Record keeping

If as a result of your inspection, you require testing and tagging use an Electrical equipment inspection – register or  documents provided by a licensed electrical or “competent person” to record any testing and tagging that you do.

Record information of maintenance and testing on electrical equipment (not including supply) on your Electrical equipment inspection register including:

1.      Name of the person who carried out the inspection, test or maintenance

2.      The date or dates on which testing was conducted

3.      The result of the outcome

4.      Date of next test/maintenance or service.

In accordance with AS/NZS 3760 keep inspection and testing records for a period of not less than seven years.
Monitor and review

Conduct regular reviews in line with the timeframes specified in Table 4 of the Australian Standard AS/NZS 3760: as appropriate and this will include a re-evaluation of the risk assessment when:

1.      There is evidence that your risk assessment is no longer valid or an injury results from exposure to an electrical hazard or

2.      A significant change occurs in your work environment, location or use of the electrical equipment.

3.      An injury results from exposure to an electrical hazard to which the risk assessment relates

Notes

The testing timeframes recommended in AS/NZS 3760: can be varied by you, subject to a risk assessment being carried out in accordance with the risk management provisions of the NSW OHS Regulation 200l. 
Any variation of the testing timeframes that are recommended in AS/NZS 3760 must be supported by documentation that is retained by the employer in accordance with the record keeping provisions of clause 65 of the OHS Regulation 2001.
WorkCover Code of Practice – Electrical practices for construction work, 2007

Work safe – stay well, it’s your choice

Posted via email from The Detail Devils

Guest post by Wayne Wright, Principal WM Wright & Co, Chartered Accountants

How much is your business worth?

How do I know how much my business is really worth?  We’ve been talking to a new investor and are starting to doubt our assumptions about its value.

Business owners are often so invested in their business they lose sight of what the value of their business really is.  If you put your heart and soul, and sweat and tears into the business you expect it will be worth the effort. 

If you own a publicly listed company or an interest in one, you know what the market says your interest in that business is worth on any day of the year.  A private business is very different.  For most businesses, like yours, there is no ready or automatic market that will tell you what the business is worth.

So, how do you know if your perception of the value of your business is fair, below what it should be, or totally unrealistic?  Knowing what your business is worth should be a fundamental of being in business not just for sale or succession.   Proving the value of your business is critical if you are looking to borrow, to understand where you are growing the business, for assessing business performance and the adequacy of your profits, or if you are looking to complete a restructure.

The value of your business is a key benchmark.  If you don’t know what it is worth then you have no real frame of reference against which to measure your performance and this could cost you a lifetime of under-performance.  But this you know. 

Not all businesses are measured in the same way.  One reason why many business owners misunderstand the value of their business is because they compare it to another business which may be fundamentally quite different.   There are a number of different generally accepted valuation methods for small and medium businesses.  At a high level, the majority of businesses will be valued on their earnings, their cash flow, or their assets.   Different approaches will produce different results.  

The right answer is not the one that produces the best result but rather the one that is in line with the fundamentals of the business.  For example, a business that has a limited life with a defined income stream will be valued on the cash stream it will produce.  Whereas a mature business, like a wholesale business being valued as a going concern (that is, as an ongoing business), is likely to be valued on a multiple of its earnings.  A business, like a farm, is more likely to be valued on its tangible assets. 

Risk also influences business value.  The higher the risk, in most cases, the lower the relative value.  Risk impacts the ability of the business to maintain its earnings, the stability of the cash flow or the reliability of the assets.  Irrespective of the valuation method employed, variations in risk will influence value.  Risk is measured at an economic, industry, business and ownership level.  If you want to enhance business value, then look at areas where you can ‘de-risk’ the business without impacting on earnings.

Ideally, your business should generate and grow its earnings, its free cash flow, and its asset base. These factors, and a positive growth trend, are indicators of real value and a business that is likely to be growing in value.  The absence of these factors may bring into question the value that really exists.

If you are basing commercial or tax decisions on your business value, have a business valuation completed.  At least then you have a third party opinion of what your business is really worth.

The material and contents provided in this article are informative in nature only.  It is not intended to be advice and you should not act specifically on the basis of this information alone.  If expert assistance is required, please obtain professional advice

Contact Wayne at wmw@wmwright.com.au. All new clients or people looking to speak with an accounting professional are offered an initial consultation with the first hour at no charge. If you have some concerns and wish to take advantage of a confidential personal discussion simply call me 4721 7444 to arrange a meeting.

Posted via email from Simply Business

Managers and supervisors responsibilities

Managers are responsible for ensuring that all employees understand that bullying is not tolerated in the workplace.  They are responsible for taking early corrective action to deal with behaviour which may be offensive or intimidating.

Provide information and education about bullying and harassment to your employees. Make sure they know the type of behaviour that is not acceptable and how you will deal with that type of behaviour if it occurs.

If a manager or supervisor feels that a reported incident might constitute bullying and they feel that the nature of the complaint is outside their expertise, then refer the matter to senior management.

The prevention of all inappropriate behaviours including bullying requires managers and supervisors to:

·          be aware of, identify and help in preventing bullying in the workplace

·          not engage in inappropriate behaviour

·          encourage all workers to behave in accordance with the principles of equal opportunity and anti discrimination

·          provide leadership and a role model of appropriate and professional behaviour in the workplace and

·          respond promptly, sensitively and confidentially to all situations where inappropriate behaviour is identified or alleged to have occurred

Employees and other workers responsibilities

The prevention of bullying requires employees and other workers to act responsibly and professionally and:

·          be aware of and identify bullying behaviour and assist in preventing instances of bullying behaviour

·          behave in accordance with the principles of equal opportunity and anti-discrimination

·          if bullying behaviour is witnessed or experienced and the employee feels able, speak with the alleged bully to object to their bullying behaviour

·          offer to act as a witness if the person being bullied decides to report the incident

·          keep a record or diary of incidents noting what happened, when and the names of witnesses.

In the workplace

·          support fellow employees – don’t accept inappropriate behaviour

·          set good standards in dealing with others

·          speak out against inappropriate behaviour (eg report it, don’t ignore it)

Identify risk factors

These risk factors require looking closely at the organisation to identify how they can increase the likelihood of bullying occurring and putting in place measures that reduce that risk.

The risk factors can be grouped into these categories:

1.       Organisational change (eg: restructuring & major technological change)

2.       Workplace characteristics (eg new employees, casuals & apprentices)

3.       Workplace relationships (eg leadership styles, autocratic or lack of supervision etc)

4.       Workplace communication (eg poor communication & information flow)

5.       Work systems (eg poor policies and procedures, inconsistent approach to managing the issues, employee shortages)

Schedule information sessions

It is not sufficient to do it once and think that it’s covered.  It needs to be a part of regular discussions with managers, supervisors, and employees.

The following are suggestions for you to inform workers of the nature of bullying and harassment and the effects that it has on the workplace.

1.       Schedule toolbox talks – explain "zero tolerance" of such behaviour (why it is bad for the individual, the workplace and for the health and safety of workers)

2.       Include in OHS induction training

3.       Encourage reporting of incidents – make it easy to report such behaviour

4.       Explain the process of informal and formal measures the company will take when advised of incidents

Control the risks

Introduce preventative measures by including one or more of the following actions. 

1.       Create awareness of the types and effects of bullying and harassment through employee OHS induction programme, information sessions, toolbox talks, risk assessments 

2.       Redesign of job roles to prevent conflicts

3.       Clear definition of job roles

4.       Developing a conflict management process and clear guidelines for behaviour

5.       Providing ongoing training (eg diversity and tolerance, conflict in the workplace, communication and interaction)

6.       Develop and put in place informal and formal processes to manage instances of bullying and harassment

7.       Communicate the policy and procedures to all employees

8.       Provide training and information sessions for all employees

Warning came too late for bullied Brodie

Two of them were warned, after they put Ratsak in her handbag, to stop their relentless bullying or they’d have ”blood on their hands”. But the warning came too late to save Brodie Panlock.

At just 19, she took her life after months of degrading treatment at the hands of work colleagues at Hawthorn’s trendy Cafe Vamp between 2005 & 2006.

Marc Da Cruz, 43, Nicholas Smallwood, 26, Rhys MacAlpine, 28, and Gabriel Toomey, 23, in the Melbourne Magistrates Court and Da Cruz’s company pleaded guilty to workplace charges.

Garry Livermore, for WorkSafe Victoria, said Brodie, friendly and bubbly but emotionally vulnerable, was subjected to a ”range of repeated direct and indirect physical and non-physical bullying”

Mr Livermore said Da Cruz, sole owner of the business, was aware of some aspects of the bullying, was present on occasions and allowed it to continue and sometimes condoned it.

After her first suicide attempt, in which she tried to poison herself, Smallwood taunted her that ”you can’t even kill yourself properly”. He and MacAlpine mocked her when she found the Ratsak in her bag, and then poured fish sauce over her.

In September 2006, after an employee had told Smallwood and MacAlpine that if they didn’t stop, ”you’re going to have blood on your hands”, Brodie jumped from a car park and died three days later.

Nicholas Smallwood, 26, Rhys MacAlpine, 28, and Gabriel Toomey, 23, all pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates Court to failing to take reasonable care for the health and safety of persons.

Magistrate Peter Lauritsen described their actions as "the most serious case of bullying", adding that he would have doubled the penalties if they had not pled guilty. Smallwood was fined $45,000, MacAlpine $30,000 and Toomey $10,000. Da Cruz, 43, was fined $30,000 and his company $220,000.

Source: www.theage.com.au and www.news.com.au

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Posted via web from Simply Stuff

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Bothered by automated followers and bots following me that in the main do nothing to enhance the twitter experience and certainly do not engage and interact I was intrigued when I saw the following tweet from

@ideaswoman

“Followers I want to read YOUR tweets, but you have to reply to the True Twit email sent 2 you! I do not follow automated followers”

As always in search of twitter tools to improve the twitter experience, I had a look at www.truetwit.com and on face value I liked what I saw. 

True twit- home page blurb

“Twitter spam is a drag. What if you could know for sure that your followers are truly human, and not some cyborg? TrueTwit is designed to help you:

• Verify people from robots
• Avoid Twitter spam
• Save time managing your followers”

Always game to try something new, I signed up for the True Twit Basic to experiment and see what would happen.

Shortly after singing up I received this direct message from one of my followers

“I don’t do validations, that’s how you lose your account “

Obviously I didn’t want to get my account suspended, so thought I’d better dig a little deeper.  Sent the following email to info@truetwit.com

“I’ve been advised that validating accounts leads to a twitter blocking or suspending your account – Is this true?”

Less than 24 hours later received the following response:

Hi:

Absolutely not. There have been a few far-fetched things said about TrueTwit, but that’s a new one. We have no idea where this stuff comes from.

What happens is when a TrueTwit user’s follower clicks on a validation link, they go to our validation web page where they are asked to complete a simple capcha. If they do, we know they are not a bot. That’s it in a nutshell. 

Our application has been whitelisted with Twitter since last June, so you can be assured they are fully aware of what we do.

Hope that helps!!

TheTrueTwitTeam

So at this point my validation service remains on and if real people are put off by a friendly captcha – well there’s nothing I can do about that.

Perhaps they should read my blog post “What makes a REAL person on twitter”

Then this message from one of my favourite tweeple in Minnesota

ToyotaEquipment

@detaildevils Good day, have you seen the verification some twitters use? Thought of trying it, afraid it might turn real people off

Truetwit has only been active for a day and these are the results so far.

48 validations were sent to new followers

31 accounts have not been validated

17 people validated their accounts

22 accounts/bots have not been followed back

26 people were followed back

Yes I know the numbers don’t add up.  I still had to look at the twitter stream of those that did not validate – so that I could identify if I wanted to follow.

What does this mean to my twitter experience?

1.      Most people don’t want to validate their accounts?

2.      There are more bots out there than real people !#@

3.      That I’ll still need to look at the twitter stream of followers before I follow back

4.      The number of twitter streams that I’ll need to look at has been reduced (in one day from 48 to 34 – a small time saver but nonetheless a time saver)

So I’ll keep running truetwit for a couple of weeks and see what happens.

What do you think?

Posted via email from Simply Business