IT training news archive - December 2008

IT industry must embrace a green agenda
The IT industry is not doing enough to implement environmentally-friendly measures, says a report.These are the findings of a study jointly conducted by iomart and Green IT magazine and unveiled in early...

Internet regulations proposed by culture secretary
Websites could be awarded ratings to indicate the suitability of content for young people, it has been reported.Culture secretary Andy Burnham stated his concern in an interview with the Daily Telegraph...

Credit crisis will not jeopardise school IT funding, says teaching union
The credit crisis may be making its mark across all industries but school unions are remaining confident that they will receive the funding they have been promised for the upgrade of their IT provision.The...

Online CVs should contain keywords, says recruitment expert
The year ahead is expected to throw up many challenges in the job market so prospective employees are being urged to harness IT technology to their advantage by an online recruitment specialist.Applying...

IT progress making users 'impatient'
The accelerated pace of technological progress has made individuals more impatient, says an IT industry insider.Tom Stewart, joint managing director of System Concepts, has said that the instant nature...

A computer a day is lost by UK government
It has been revealed that the government has been losing one computer a day since 2002.Almost 3,000 computers have either been lost or stolen by Whitehall and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is proving the...

IT innovation could consign to history the need to carry a computer around
The availability of computers and internet access could be so pervasive in the future that it will be unusual to enter a space that does not have a computer facility.This is the view of Systems Concept,...

IT professionals go green to survive credit crunch
A recent study has revealed that businesses are being persuaded to adopt environmentally-friendly IT policies because to do so could save them money.The survey by IDC asked 1,500 businesses in ten countries...

Technology helps young people deal with their problems, says study
The YoungMinds organisation that campaigns on issues affecting young people has published a report highlighting the increased anxiety experienced by the emerging generation.'Stressed Out and Struggling'...

Emailing lacks etiquette
The temptation to hit the send button in a moment of anger or emotion when emailing is a sign of the times, says Web-User Magazine.People write things in emails that they would never dare say in a face-to-face...

FilmOn facility will revolutionise online movie-watching
Film buffs can now enjoy top quality film-watching via the internet, thanks to innovative new software.FilmOn is an entertainment facility that offers films for rental or free-to-view through the use of...

VDI use will take off in the near future says survey
The use of virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) by UK businesses is set to sky-rocket, reports the British Computing Society.A survey by the National Computing Centre has shown that a growing number of...

Mobile phone users accessing social networking sites while on the go
Mobile phone users are intensifying internet traffic by using their devices for checking social networking websites.The proliferation of such sites has risen by 277 per cent in the period between June...

Christmas computer gift ideas
Those hunting for great Christmas gifts for IT fanatics should take heed of the advice offered by vnunet.com.A top ten of Christmas presents any techie would love is compiled by Iain Thomson and Shaun...

Winners of Grid Computing Now! computing for a greener planet competition announced
Knowledge transfer network Grid Computing Now! forms part of a government funded initiative and has announced the results of its latest competition, reports the British Computer Society (BCS).The grid...

Forestry Commission utilises IT system to help combat climate change
The Forestry Commission has announced the launch of the COA Solutions' Employee Expense Management (EEM) system to help it combat climate change.This is not a device related to trees and forests, but is...

Brits can't live without broadband
British consumers are feeling the squeeze of the credit crunch and have tightened their purses to contend with a diminishing disposable income.Almost three-quarters of people questioned in a survey for...

IT use becoming more mobile
IT professionals must adapt to the growing expectation of mobility among domestic IT users as well as those in the workplace.Such is the prevalence of laptops and smartphones, office workers often need...

Ireland set for IT and technology innovation
A massive cash injection by the government, industry and educational and professional bodies is set to create three centres of IT excellence.Over the next five years, £55 million will be pumped into...

Green IT bucks downturn trend
A new report has revealed that the green IT industry is thriving despite the current economic difficulties experienced throughout the world.'Market Overview: A slowing economy won't slow down corporate...

Working long hours may be in vain
Those who toil away in the office hoping that their dedication will be rewarded may be interested to learn the results of a new survey that suggests their efforts are for nothing.A survey carried out by...

Skills shortage is pervasive throughout the IT sector, says report
Research published today by The IT Job Board has revealed that there is a skills shortage in the IT sector.Despite regular newspaper headlines lamenting growing numbers of unemployed people, 56 per cent...

Ofcom welcomes Virgin Media's fast-speed broadband service
Ofcom announced on Monday (December 15th) that the organisation welcomed plans by Virgin Media to introduce a fast-speed broadband facility.The upgraded service has been achieved by tripling the capacity...

IT companies vying for major energy contract
IT companies are vying for a deal to manage the installation of smart electricity meters proposed by the government.In a scheme to be put before the energy sector at the beginning of 2009, IT companies...

IT network spending by business and consumers up
Recent research has revealed that spending on network equipment has risen by four per cent in the third quarter of 2008 when compared with spending during the previous three months.Consumers and businesses...

British Computer Society sets up online crime task force
The British Computer Society (BCS) has launched a new think-tank dedicated to tackling cyber-crime.BCS Cybercrime Forensics Specialist Group will provide vital resources to the security services as well...

IT skills enhance quality of life of older people
IT proficiency is opening up new horizons for older people, according to a leading charity.Age Concern has stated the benefits of IT training for older people as the use of the internet enables many people...

IT professionals rival banking and consultancy sector in mobility terms
The capability of IT professionals to work remotely and take their expertise out of the office is enough to rival the banking and consultancy sector, says an industry insider.IT professionals view skills...

UK companies to radically alter IT strategy in face of recession, reports NCC
The prospect of a looming recession has prompted businesses to overhaul their IT systems, says the National Computing Centre (NCC).Pressing concerns about the volatility of the economy and the need for...

Job boards should be IT recruiters' method of choice, says IT recruitment company
Job boards are an effective resource and the IT sector should rely upon them when trying to recruit staff, reveals an IT recruitment expert.The credit crunch is causing many UK businesses to look for ways...

Training more of an incentive to IT professionals than a pay rise
IT professionals are more motivated by training opportunities at work than the promise of a pay rise, reveals an industry insider.With innovations in IT moving at such a rapid pace, IT professionals require...

English schools IT-ready, says teaching union
Schools in England are well-placed to provide IT teaching, says a leading teachers' union.Deputy general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) Martin Johnson was responding to Sir...

IT software companies must do more to close deals, says expert
IT software companies are not closing deals and should make a concerted effort to do so if they are to survive the economic downturn, says an industry insider.Jass Sarai, head of software and IT services...

IT professionals must continuously update skills to survive credit crunch
The current economic malaise requires IT professionals to be even more up-to-date with their IT training, says the British Computer Society (BCS).BCS is urging IT practitioners to continuously review their...

Businesses could turn to IT skills and software during recession
An IT expert has claimed that the recession could prompt small and medium-sized enterprises to invest more in IT software and training.Cynthia Lers, director of investor relations at Sage, said that attempts...

Chad Fulgham to head up FBI IT operations
A former IT executive at Lehman Brothers has been recruited by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).Chad Fulgham takes over the role of chief information officer at the security services agency and...

Research reveals lack of PC training costing business huge amounts of money
PCs left on and unused are costing businesses inordinate amounts of money, according to a new survey entitled 'How much money are your idle PCs wasting?', by Doug Washburn.Published by Forrester last week...

Annual Innovation Report good news for IT training
The Annual Innovation Report was launched at Downing Street last week in an event urging UK businesses to utilise developments in technology to survive the economic downturn.Prime minister Gordon Brown,...

Primary schools must embrace IT, says report
A report out today has said that primary schools must tap into the IT skills of youngsters.The comprehensive review of the primary school curriculums also suggested that cross-curricular teaching should...

Businesses must guard against latest trends in IT fraud
The Malicious Code Research Centre (MCRC) has identified emerging and established trends in online fraud and has urged business to invest in IT training to keep ahead of IT fraudsters.It reveals that previously...

School announces new IT training initiative
A school in the north-east of England is set to roll out a series of courses for people keen to develop their IT skills, it has been announced. Following the recent news that Bydales specialist technology...

Female IT workers seeking more training
A significant proportion of female IT workers believe that the need to work on their career management and business skills, it has been revealed. While the number of women pursuing careers in IT has soared...

Millions earmarked for IT and science training
Millions of pounds are to be invested in a number of IT training projects as part of a nationwide effort aimed at tackling some of the major problems facing the UK. Under the new £250 million initiative...

IT workers say discrimination against older people a problem
Those working within the IT sector feel that the industry is ageist, reveals a survey by silicon.com.Silicon.com's 2008 Skills Survey showed that 52 per cent of those who were questioned said they agreed...

Skills Framework for the Information Age version 4 is launched
The SFA Foundation launched version four of the Skills Framework for the Information Age at its Skills Management conference on Thursday (December 4th).Initially launched seven years ago, the publication...

BCS Industry Awards winners named
The great and the good from the IT industry gathered on December 4th for the British Computer Society (BCS) Industry Awards.Innovation and professionalism were recognised by the judging panel which bestowed...

IT experts have much work to do before a remote-control home becomes realistic, says editor
The idea of a remote control home may sound like a wonderful fantasy but IT experts will need to pool all their efforts and resources to enable it to happen any time soon, claims the editor of CNET.Andrew...

SEO could help companies survive economic downturn
The editor of Build A Skill, which provides solutions for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), advises companies to look into search engine optimisation (SEO).As the economic downturn bites, Mike Tekula...

Pitcom acknowledges demand for next-generation broadband
Next-generation broadband is the future of online media, according to the Parliamentary Information Technology Committee (Pitcom).The credit crunch may be dampening the IT ambitions of businesses and domestic...

Inverness set to receive IT training boost
An IT company in Inverness is taking steps to equip locals with vital IT skills to ensure they can maintain a competitive edge during the economic downturn.Up to 50 jobs will be created if the proposals...

Report urges companies not to under-estimate role of CIO
A report jointly produced by Deloitte and Cranfield School of Management has revealed that businesses need to invest in a chief information officer (CIO) to remain competitive in the current market.The...

Businesses should embrace online potential to survive credit crunch, says expert
The economic downturn has impacted upon the business sector with many small retailers currently struggling to survive.However, some companies are seizing the online initiative and investing in IT training...

Small businesses must invest in IT training to survive
Small businesses would do well to embrace advances in information technology in order to maintain their competitive edge during the economic downturn, writes Alun Thorne in the Birmingham Post.BT Local...

IT training should focus on fundamental skills says study
International research carried out by Micro Focus has revealed that businesses are neglecting fundamental IT training for employees.The report entitled Safeguarding the Corporate IT Assets examined 450...

IT sector to share £30 million funding
Business secretary Peter Mandelson announced on Monday (December 1st) that the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform would be making £30 million available to small technology companies.The...

IT professionals rising to the challenge
IT departments across the UK are in buoyant mood despite the current economic malaise, reports vnunet.com.A survey commissioned by Cisco revealed that 68 per cent of IT leaders were confident that they...

IT training for green initiative needed
A study by Local Government IT in Use magazine (LGITU) has been conducted in an effort to establish the extent of green IT measures being introduced within the public sector.Almost all Local Area Agreements...

Research shows small businesses confused by Data Protection Act
Small businesses are slow to realise the importance of implementing IT systems in order to prevent data loss, according to a study.Research undertaken by YouGov has shown that SMEs are confused by the...

British IT expert to help US create robot soldier
A British IT expert has been hired by the US government to join a team of scientists attempting to create a robot soldier.Colin Allen is a historian and philosopher of cognitive science at Indiana University...

Mouse celebrates 40th birthday
A fundamental tool in computer innovation will be celebrating its 40th birthday next week.The mouse is now synonymous with computers and the rather ungainly name needs no explanation despite the inventors...

Survey reveals chief executives held responsible for IT security breaches
A survey by the technology website vnunet.com has shown that companies are under increasing pressure to ensure their IT systems are secure.Despite the credit crunch when companies are looking to make savings...