EM - February/March 2014 - (Page 26)

26 February/March 2014 www.esb.ie/em ESB ROAD SAFETY BUREAU HEALTH & HABITAT Image in-box a selection of your photography 1. 2. DON'T DRIVE TIRED - MAKE TIME FOR A BREAK By Grainne Coogan 3. 4. 5. 1. 'Skansen Stockholm' by Suzana Svarcova. 2.'Sandymount Strand' by Michael Hughes. 3. 'Plump Robin' by Liam Kenny. 4. 'Fanad Head Donegal' by Kevin Grace. 5. 'Mother and Child at Dublin Zoo' by A. Carroll. WHAT'S NEW? DROPBOX - FOR ONCE A WELCOME CLOUD By Dave Washe THE AVAILABILITY of online storage is becoming ubiquitous. This means in basic terms that instead of storing important files and pictures on your computer you can back them up to the famous 'Cloud'. Before I lose you because your previous efforts to do this never worked, let me introduce Dropbox. This is a multi-platform 'app' that backs up only those files that you want backed up be they on your phone, tablet or computer. It all happens when you are connected to your broadband be it by direct connection or wirelessly. All you do is download the app and register with Dropbox (2GB). The interface to select those files you want backed up could not be simpler. They have taken the pain out of backing up files and simplified it. It appears as just another drive making copy, paste and move all very easy. Now, you need never worry if your PC, tablet or Phone goes on the blink because all your files are still available online. When you get your replacement device, or have it repaired, and re-install the app again and login - hey presto, all your files are there safe and secure. So you never need worry about losing a photo again. There are other similar offerings like Google Drive (15GB) and SkyDrive (7GB) by Microsoft. Storage capacity depends on what you pick but it is my experience that this expands as you need it - miraculously and freely. If you refer a friend to Dropbox they give you more space. Flickr.com recently announced that they will give you 1TB of online storage for all you photos. So you could even split where you store your files by putting all your pictures on Flickr and the rest of your data, especially your contacts, on Dropbox. IF, WHILE YOU'RE DRIVING, you are having difficulty concentrating, are yawning and experiencing 'head-nodding', you need to stop as soon as possible (in a safe place - never on the hard shoulder), drink a high-caffeine drink or two cups of coffee and take a fifteen minute rest. However, remember, the effects of caffeine are only temporary (60 - 90mins). The only real solution to tiredness is a good night's sleep. Driving when fatigued may not be illegal, but research suggests that it can be as dangerous as drink driving. Being fatigued significantly raises the risk of a collision. It makes us less alert to what is happening on the road, and less able to react quickly and safely if a dangerous situation arises. People often think that driver fatigue means falling asleep at the wheel. Falling asleep however is an extreme form of fatigue. Fatigue is tiredness, weariness or exhaustion. You may be at risk if you: * Drive in the early morning(1.00am6.00am), when you would normally be sleeping. * Travel in the 'afternoon lull' (1.004.00pm), when the 'biological clock' makes us feel sleepy. * Start a long journey after a long day's work. * Are a shift worker. * Have a sleep disorder such as sleep apnoea. Symptoms include heavy snoring broken by sudden The mysterious Cloud is not to be feared but embraced and used wisely to keep all your data and files safe. n periods of silence, restless sleep and constantly being tired during the day. n HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR ALERTNESS? * Make sure you regularly get enough sleep. * Plan your journeys - identify places where you know you can stop safely to rest. * Be aware of your biological clock or circadian rhythms - increased collision risk between 1.00-6.00am and 1.00-4.00pm. * Understand the sleep apnoea risks - visit doctor if concerned. * Don't start a long journey after a long day's work. * Take regular rest breaks to help avoid the onset of fatigue. * Eat proper well-balanced meals, preferably at your normal meal times. * Avoid all alcohol before and during the journey. * A bad sitting position can make you drowsy. * Somemedicinesmaycause or increase drowsiness. * Share the driving with someone else if possible. For more information email safedriving@esb.ie or visit the ESB Road Safety Bureau website: http://esbnet/safedriving For more visit www.dropbox.com. Google Drive is a feature of your Google account as is SkyDrive a feature of your www.live.com http://www.esb.ie/em http://esbnet/safedriving http://www.dropbox.com http://www.live.com http://www.Flickr.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of EM - February/March 2014

EM - February/March 2014
Contents
News
Innovation
Generation & Wholesale Markets
BSC & Electric Ireland
ESB Networks Ltd
Health & Habitat

EM - February/March 2014