Articles written by Frances Laing in Computers & Technology

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What is Helium

About me - Frances Laing

I'm a freelance writer, journalist and blogger. My focus is people and the environment.

I write challenging, investigative features and articles as well as the ones about people enjoying themselves with travel, tourism, nature and their gardens. I try to

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Computers & Technology > Internet Trends Getting started with podcasting: 1 of 12
Prepare and define your subject area carefully A pod cast is usually fairly short (for a beginner - five or ten minutes is plenty). It may sound like an obvious point but - don't expect yourself to be able to analyse the complete works of Shakespeare. Find a subject area which you can comfortably cover in the time you have a... More..
Computers & Technology > Internet Trends Is online video/Internet TV here to stay?: 12 of 78
On-line video and Internet TV look set to stay because the use of both technologies have become deeply embedded in our cultures. Those of us who use the Internet frequently have come to expect and even demand the presence of on line videos, and the helium site is just one example of how they are put to use in an advertising ... More..
Computers & Technology > Identity Theft & Internet Scams How to spot Internet phishing scams: 4 of 26
You've been there. The recession is making you feel hard up. You check your email in-box and find an email. You don't immediately recognise the sender, but the header is interesting. 'Urgent message' - you're told. 'Inheritance for Mr. X (insert your name) - it reads. The first time I got one of these I was horribly naive an... More..
Computers & Technology > Internet Trends The long term implications of online social networking websites: 4 of 25
I find on-line social networking sites really exciting. So what I'm going to say will come as a surprise. The long term implications of these sites that I can think of are mostly negative ones. The Internet has served to liberate some, myself included. But it has also fuelled a widening income, generational and experience ga... More..
Computers & Technology > Internet Security & Safety (Other) Child safety on the Internet: Tips to help parents keep kids safe: 3 of 18
Keeping your child safe on the Internet means putting your (probably hard won) parenting skills to work in a fast moving world. How you introduce your child to the Internet and what you allow them to do with Internet technologies will ultimately depend on the age of your child and your parenting style. Think of it like this:... More..
Computers & Technology > Internet Trends Pros and cons of blogging: 3 of 18
Five Pros 1. It is relatively easy (at least initially) to set yourself up with a blog using off-the-shelf websites such as Wordpress and Blogger. You don't need to learn hyper text mark up language to get up and running. 2. In contrast to other publicity and communication methods in it's basic form it is also relatively ine... More..
Computers & Technology > Website Reviews Website reviews: Youtube.com: 5 of 28
Youtube.com encapsulates everything that is good (or bad) about the Internet. It's a simple idea and a good design for a site. On the one hand, I love Youtube. I'm a retro music freak. Where else can you get access to those rarely seen and beautiful blasts from the past like Gwen Guthrie's 'Nothing going on but the rent'? Or... More..
Computers & Technology > Phone Buying Tips Pay-as-you-go cellular plans: 2 of 11
There are a number of good reasons why pay-as-you-go cellular (or mobile phone) plans might well work for you or your friends and family. Here are some good points about them: In contrast to a credit plan, you're going to find out straightaway how much you will be spending. If you have a credit based cellular plan, it's very... More..
Computers & Technology > Internet Tips Tips for Internet freelancers: 1 of 5
With the economic downturn, lots of us are choosing a freelance career as the way forward. Bear these pointers in mind: Remember - you're a small business manager You're a freelance writer, I.T. expert, graphic designer. This means that you're running a small business - and you need a small business infrastructure to be succ... More..
Computers & Technology > Computers & Technology (Other) Does technology impoverish the mind?: 11 of 54
Far from it. Technologies, especially complex technologies like the Internet and computers can serve as a hugely important mental stimulus for us all. Monotony is not good for the brain or the soul. Repetitive tasks when taken to extremes can prove to be exhausting and even depressing. Working on a production line or a conve... More..