The EU Working Time Directive has been proven to be as flimsy as the paper it is written on, not least for those self employed within the transport industry.
The Working Time directive was is also known as the 48 hour week, and was brought in an attempt to regulate a standard working week.
In the past people worked a 7 day week, then a 6 day, or a Monday to Friday and Saturday morning.
These days times have moved on, many enjoy 35 hour weeks, and the act covers every profession except for workers if the job is: Where you decide your own work pattern, like perhaps a CEO, or a Minicab Driver Job, servants in private houses or a sea transport worker. So, what about Taxis drivers? Well, there are 4,600 'self-employed' minicab drivers in London, UK. It comes as no surprise then that these workers are often putting in 12-16 Hour shifts, 6 or 7 days a week.
London PCO Driving Jobs for example should certainly be regulated, as bus drivers cannot work over a certain number of hours, or like truck drivers who use a tachograph to record hours behind the wheel.
A Minicab Driver in London will typically work a 65 Hour week, taking home close to £800 (top end) or around £500 for the bottom end of the scale.
It might sound a lot, but for many the profession offers up pay equivalent to Minimum wage.
Have you thought when picking calling your Covent Garden Minicab or from London to your home that the driver may make less than £10 for the hour spent weaving in and out of congested roads?
At firms like London Taxi company 'Addison Lee', drivers are obliged to pay over £400 in fees for Car, Radio and Insurance - all to Addison Lee sister companies - for the privilege of driving for the company.
In the old days paying over the odds for a Taxi Elephant & Castle after a night out at Ministry of Sound has long gone. Richard Langholme of Vauxhall Minicabs points out that the Mayor of London regulates all Cabs via Transport for London and encourages Londoners to stay legal, pre book and use a PCO Private Hireor local taxi service.
Full-time London minicab drivers usually work a couple of shifts a day, starting in the morning rush hour, then coming back out on call for the evening shift which is anything from 6pm until 3am. The hours are unsociable, Bank holidays, early starts and late finishes are not uncommon.
Of course, all these obligations come without any rights as an employee, which is the standard for almost all cab firms in London.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Thursday, September 29, 2011
It's a new year, it's a new life
For the Jewish Rosh Ha'Shana, I want, first off to say I am hoping and praying the current unbearable scenario surrounding the Palestinian state shall come to an end soon. These people deserve their own land, as any other people do. On the other hand, it is not up to them to decide anything regarding the Jewish territories. They must acknowledge their neighboring countries, and treat them respectfully. They should base their economy upon relations with the Arab countries around them, rather than try to (yet again) completely rely on Israel. There must be peace established between the two states, but that doesn't mean anything else much - they shouldn't remain isolated from the world, and should have proper ways where they can reach out... but it is Israel's self-born right to cease integrating them into Israeli-based projects. They should find their way in life.
Else than that, I wanted to remind everyone that Christmas is coming soon, and Xmas is the time where you'll be spending more on gift than ever before.
If you are looking for the "default gift" then you should definitely try sites like Fragrance that helps you decide which specific perfume you'll be buying your loved one, and where to buy it so Christmas will not consume a part of your savings (like it usually does). You can try to go always for Creative Christmas Ideas but if you're wife comes throwing you out of the staircase, don't point any fingers at me. I know I am going for normal fashion/clothing/beauty gifts as I always do.
Happy Rosh Ha'Shana! Stay safe.
Else than that, I wanted to remind everyone that Christmas is coming soon, and Xmas is the time where you'll be spending more on gift than ever before.
If you are looking for the "default gift" then you should definitely try sites like Fragrance that helps you decide which specific perfume you'll be buying your loved one, and where to buy it so Christmas will not consume a part of your savings (like it usually does). You can try to go always for Creative Christmas Ideas but if you're wife comes throwing you out of the staircase, don't point any fingers at me. I know I am going for normal fashion/clothing/beauty gifts as I always do.
Happy Rosh Ha'Shana! Stay safe.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Silo 18 Develops New X-Bingo Software
Silo 18 is a company based in Norwich that develops internet bingo software platforms. The company has spent the past eighteen months developing a new bingo platform that’s going to run on the X-Bingo platform. XBingo is owned by Mandalay Gaming Holdings and based out of Gibraltor. Right now XBingo is only open to bingo players in the UK, but the company wants to move into new international markets as soon as possible.
The software is brand new (and actually similar to the big brother bingo site) , but it has already been beta tested by thousands of bingo players through Facebook. Social media has played a huge role in making sure that the software has been tested thoroughly before being released to the public. When a new bingo platform is released there is usually a period of time where bugs need to be worked out, but Silo 18 is confident that the majority of bugs have already been fixed during the Facebook beta testing process.
XBingo and Silo 18 decided to partner up because the owners know each other. Silo 18 decided to build the new bingo platform for the X-Bingo platform because the owner of Mandalay wanted to differentiate XBingo from other bingo sites. XBingo was also restricted to operating in the UK only, but that’s no longer going to be the case. Right now the company is trying to roll out the new XBingo software in Canada and there are plans to open in Australia and other European countries. Xbingo are in the process of building an application for mobile bingo sites which can be used across all platforms such as android and iphones interfaces.
The main focus of XBingo is to be ready to open to the US market - something which would be amazing for public relations departments of all online gaming companies if gaming in the US becomes regulated. The company is waiting for the gaming laws to change in the United States before they roll out the new software in the USA. Silo 18 did an excellent job building the software, as it looks incredible. There are also lots of unique social features included on the software such as being able to invite friends to the bingo game you’re playing and much more.
XBingo definitely has an excellent bingo platform now, but it’ll be interesting to see how they do in the countries they plan on opening up to in the future. There are lots of bingo sites available in every country already, so it’ll be interesting to see how XBingo plans on marketing their new platform to players. Right now players that are allowed to join XBingo will be able to claim a huge 300% sign-up bonus to try out the new bingo games.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Cookie Monster Commeth
All you need to know about the EU e-Privacy Directive
In the past it was sufficient to inform users that cookies were used, however this change requires explicit consent from users for each and every cookie used – permanent, session, and ‘super cookies’ must all be accounted for.
The change applies to all computers and terminal equipment that track via cookies. So computers, phones and any type of browser based application must comply.
While the UK offered a grace period, Ireland has given an interpretation of EU Directive where all tracking cookies are forbidden. Now it is for companies to find a seamless technical solution for meeting this requirement.
For brevity visit this EU Cookie Law website where the solution is in place. Not the accordion drop down which asks for your consent. In the past this website might have chosen to hide the cookie tracking information in their terms and conditions, with a claim that users had been “informed”.
All websites by May 26 2012 are directed to comply with the new EU Cookie Legislation.
The law has been on a backburner for a year since passing into UK Law on May 26 2011, with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) laying down a one year grace period to comply, will be statute from 2012 – or face a fine of up to £500k.
While this all sounds heavy and legal-like the reality is a much more technical issue: How will you gain consent from your users for every cookie dropped on their machines?
What happens on 26th May 2012?
Who is exempt from the change?
Strictly speaking no one, however where the use of cookies is “Strictly necessary” to the user consent is not needed. Say for instance, when a cookie is session based and used for calculating an iCommerce shopping cart. In short, where the integrity of a user experience is lost while performing session based activities.
The exception is narrow and should be treated as such. As a rule of thumb, all cookies need consent from May 26th 2011, but with a delay to the cookie law enforcement of the rule is now from May 26 2012.
Cookie Law and Google Analytics
Surprisingly GA is a first party cookie, but is not “strictly necessary” and to that end must be consented before dropped on a user’s machine.
What has yet to be seen is if the suggestion that a Browser solution can be applied. This would mean granting consent to all cookies at browser level. A ‘once and for all’ type of consent, rather than site by site, application by application.
This would solve the issue of The EU Directive for Google Analytics cookies which are found on 85% of the top websites including NT Times, Financial Times, Mashable, Techcrunch....and even MSN!
If I use Google Analytics should I expect trouble?
The EU Legislation says: "The government's view is that there should be a phased approach to the implementation of these changes. In light of this if the ICO were to receive a complaint about a website, we would expect an organisation's response to set out how they have considered the points above and that they have a realistic plan to achieve compliance. We would handle this sort of response very differently to one from an organisation which decides to avoid making any change to current practice. The key point is that you cannot ignore these rules.
Types of Google Analytics Cookies
Globally and in the European Union member states Google sets the following cookies
utma Cookie
This is a a persistent cookie – and does not automatically delete unless it expires. Typically the expiration is 2 years in the future.. Tracks visitors (first visit (unique), last visit (returning). Used for iCommerce www.icommerce.co.uk
will also register the “Days and Visits to conversion” information.
utmb Cookie & utmc Cookies
These are the ‘twins’ of Google Analytics and both need to be present to function correctly. This is because utmb and utmc calculate length of visit. These are the least “serious” of Google Analyrics cookies.
This is a session based cookie.
utmz Cookie
Cookie utmz tracks HTTP Referrer details such as the type of referrer (Google or PPC), direct, social, mobile or PC or sometimes unaccounted visits like ‘bots’. Using HTTP Referrer utmz will note the referring keyword and geo information of the visitor.
This cookie is permanent and last 6 months. It is a heavy weight and provides much of the information we use each day in Google Analytics, not least for conversion tracking information like source, medium, keyword to attribute the info to a Goal Conversion.
utmv Cookie
This cookie is not always included by GA, but is dropped on a machine when segmentation, retargeting or data experimentation is set up. Google utmv Cookie lasts ‘forever. It is a persistent cookie. Utmv and utmz in tandem do much of the legwork around ad retargeting capabilities.
The takeaway: Act If you have.....
1 Any Terminal equipment, application or websites hosted in the United Kingdom or EU targeting users in those territories
2. Any Terminal equipment, application or websites hosted in the United Kingdom or EU targeting users in outside territories
3. Any Terminal equipment, application or websites hosted in another country targeting the United Kingdom or EU users.
4. Any Terminal equipment, application or websites hosted in another country using a CDN or proxy in the United Kingdom or EU to serve content..
Read the full text of the The European Commission's Directive of Privacy and Electronic Communications 2002/58/EC (known also as the e-Privacy Directive or Cookie Law www.cookielaw.org)
In the past it was sufficient to inform users that cookies were used, however this change requires explicit consent from users for each and every cookie used – permanent, session, and ‘super cookies’ must all be accounted for.
The change applies to all computers and terminal equipment that track via cookies. So computers, phones and any type of browser based application must comply.
While the UK offered a grace period, Ireland has given an interpretation of EU Directive where all tracking cookies are forbidden. Now it is for companies to find a seamless technical solution for meeting this requirement.
For brevity visit this EU Cookie Law website where the solution is in place. Not the accordion drop down which asks for your consent. In the past this website might have chosen to hide the cookie tracking information in their terms and conditions, with a claim that users had been “informed”.
All websites by May 26 2012 are directed to comply with the new EU Cookie Legislation.
The law has been on a backburner for a year since passing into UK Law on May 26 2011, with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) laying down a one year grace period to comply, will be statute from 2012 – or face a fine of up to £500k.
While this all sounds heavy and legal-like the reality is a much more technical issue: How will you gain consent from your users for every cookie dropped on their machines?
What happens on 26th May 2012?
The date is significant as all websites hosted, or operated in the UK must comply with the Information Commissioners Office instructions by this date – after May 26 the ICO will begin enforcement of the cookie law.
Opt-Out to Opt-In – Why?
The change is seen as a move to get users explicitly consent, while commentators note the change is likely to thwart 3rd party tracking, building profiles based on cookie sharing and permanent “zombie cookies” such as flash based reigniting cookies which have become the cookie du jour for serious marketers due to how these cookies avoid detection of browser cookie deletion. More on Zombie Cookies here.
Opt-Out to Opt-In – Why?
The change is seen as a move to get users explicitly consent, while commentators note the change is likely to thwart 3rd party tracking, building profiles based on cookie sharing and permanent “zombie cookies” such as flash based reigniting cookies which have become the cookie du jour for serious marketers due to how these cookies avoid detection of browser cookie deletion. More on Zombie Cookies here.
Who is exempt from the change?
Strictly speaking no one, however where the use of cookies is “Strictly necessary” to the user consent is not needed. Say for instance, when a cookie is session based and used for calculating an iCommerce shopping cart. In short, where the integrity of a user experience is lost while performing session based activities.
The exception is narrow and should be treated as such. As a rule of thumb, all cookies need consent from May 26th 2011, but with a delay to the cookie law enforcement of the rule is now from May 26 2012.
Cookie Law and Google Analytics
Surprisingly GA is a first party cookie, but is not “strictly necessary” and to that end must be consented before dropped on a user’s machine.
What has yet to be seen is if the suggestion that a Browser solution can be applied. This would mean granting consent to all cookies at browser level. A ‘once and for all’ type of consent, rather than site by site, application by application.
This would solve the issue of The EU Directive for Google Analytics cookies which are found on 85% of the top websites including NT Times, Financial Times, Mashable, Techcrunch....and even MSN!
If I use Google Analytics should I expect trouble?
The EU Legislation says: "The government's view is that there should be a phased approach to the implementation of these changes. In light of this if the ICO were to receive a complaint about a website, we would expect an organisation's response to set out how they have considered the points above and that they have a realistic plan to achieve compliance. We would handle this sort of response very differently to one from an organisation which decides to avoid making any change to current practice. The key point is that you cannot ignore these rules.
Types of Google Analytics Cookies
Globally and in the European Union member states Google sets the following cookies
utma Cookie
This is a a persistent cookie – and does not automatically delete unless it expires. Typically the expiration is 2 years in the future.. Tracks visitors (first visit (unique), last visit (returning). Used for iCommerce www.icommerce.co.uk
will also register the “Days and Visits to conversion” information.
utmb Cookie & utmc Cookies
These are the ‘twins’ of Google Analytics and both need to be present to function correctly. This is because utmb and utmc calculate length of visit. These are the least “serious” of Google Analyrics cookies.
This is a session based cookie.
utmz Cookie
Cookie utmz tracks HTTP Referrer details such as the type of referrer (Google or PPC), direct, social, mobile or PC or sometimes unaccounted visits like ‘bots’. Using HTTP Referrer utmz will note the referring keyword and geo information of the visitor.
This cookie is permanent and last 6 months. It is a heavy weight and provides much of the information we use each day in Google Analytics, not least for conversion tracking information like source, medium, keyword to attribute the info to a Goal Conversion.
utmv Cookie
This cookie is not always included by GA, but is dropped on a machine when segmentation, retargeting or data experimentation is set up. Google utmv Cookie lasts ‘forever. It is a persistent cookie. Utmv and utmz in tandem do much of the legwork around ad retargeting capabilities.
The takeaway: Act If you have.....
1 Any Terminal equipment, application or websites hosted in the United Kingdom or EU targeting users in those territories
2. Any Terminal equipment, application or websites hosted in the United Kingdom or EU targeting users in outside territories
3. Any Terminal equipment, application or websites hosted in another country targeting the United Kingdom or EU users.
4. Any Terminal equipment, application or websites hosted in another country using a CDN or proxy in the United Kingdom or EU to serve content..
Read the full text of the The European Commission's Directive of Privacy and Electronic Communications 2002/58/EC (known also as the e-Privacy Directive or Cookie Law www.cookielaw.org)
Friday, August 5, 2011
Civil casualties in Lybia
August 5th 2011 - Two young children whose only crime was residing too close to Moammar Gadhafi residence were buried yesterday. The world stands silent, as the all honor-able goal justifies all necessary means. Following that, one may ask where the line is drawn? when does collateral becomes unbearable? Why are the children of Lybia, Iraq or other places that were trampled by aggressive US/NATO, any different than children anywhere else on the globe.
US residents and politicians, European population and leaders, for the first time in your phony life, become completely honest with yourselves. Next time you protest against injustice in some remote location on the other side of the globe, take a deep look at the mirror, and come to realize that we are all basically the same. We do whatever we feel is necessary to ensure our own safety. Each one of us, the so-called western people, shares a common responsibility - we knowingly supported an army that killed children. These army-men were nothing more than our heralds, our protectors, the ones brave enough to perform the action - but we were the ones cheering for justice, for revenge.As such, we are not longer allowed to critic nations who do the exact same thing, anywhere.
US residents and politicians, European population and leaders, for the first time in your phony life, become completely honest with yourselves. Next time you protest against injustice in some remote location on the other side of the globe, take a deep look at the mirror, and come to realize that we are all basically the same. We do whatever we feel is necessary to ensure our own safety. Each one of us, the so-called western people, shares a common responsibility - we knowingly supported an army that killed children. These army-men were nothing more than our heralds, our protectors, the ones brave enough to perform the action - but we were the ones cheering for justice, for revenge.As such, we are not longer allowed to critic nations who do the exact same thing, anywhere.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
I'm at Wimbledon 2011 - New Balls Please!
So I'm in sunny Wimbledon, SW19, London - having flown over to watch the Federer vs Tsonga match yesterday. I don't really do tennis very often - I'm a rugby man at heart (waiting for the rugby world cup and Champions league odds to go live so that I can bet the farm on the All-Blacks!)
Anyway, Wimbledon. Where to start? We were treated to a thrilling centre court game, and a bit of an upset with Frenchman Tsonga's killer serve eliminating world #3 Roger Federer from the 2011 Wimbledon Championship - after Federer had a 2 set lead. Unlikely result with the final score favouring Tsonga - 3-6, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 (stay current with all scores at Wimbledon on tennis-results.org)
I'm betting on the wimbledon men's final as I do every year - this time I think it's gotta be Tsonga or Nadal (probably the latter - but he's had a foot injury - so anything can happen).
I'm betting on the wimbledon men's final as I do every year - this time I think it's gotta be Tsonga or Nadal (probably the latter - but he's had a foot injury - so anything can happen).
Aside from the tennis itself - I've yet to see one of these legendary Wimbledon streakers. If nobody does it by the final I guess I'll have to pay £3000 for a ticket and do it myself! Stay tuned - you may see me streaking on centre court in 3D! New balls please! Not bingo balls either! :)
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Payoneer and Clickbank
It's been almost a year since ClickBank affiliate network has proudly announced that would start a collaboration with payoneer. It has too long, and many CB affiliates suffer from it! Clickbank follow their own announcement and make it happen. It can help us affiliates and can help clickbank in attracting a far broader audience.
Monday, May 2, 2011
My own new project
Hey - I started recently writing for perfume store reviews and made a first template of a website. What do you think of it? I think it can be a great comparison between all perfume stores.
Cya soon!
Cya soon!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Cheltenham Festival is here again
In Horseracing in the UK, the Cheltenham Festival is one of the biggest and most prestigious meeting in the national hunt race calendar. Over £500 mill is wagered during this week of races, and prizes are second only to the Grand National. Of course it's a great day out for the family too I am assured!
So lucky old me has been fortunate enough to win tickets for the cheltenham festival tomorrow (thorough a caption competition - perhaps my luck changed because my only ever previous claim to being "lucky" was winning a Ski Holiday, it's next month!) - so I'll be heading to Cheltenham on the train and hopefully we'll have a sunny day to to accompany my free beer tab!
Expect a trip report and some pics of sweaty horses in a subsequent blog post! Horses , odds and anything to do with and sportsbetting is an alien world to me, however I do like a good day trip [and free beer!] and I'll try anything once!
So lucky old me has been fortunate enough to win tickets for the cheltenham festival tomorrow (thorough a caption competition - perhaps my luck changed because my only ever previous claim to being "lucky" was winning a Ski Holiday, it's next month!) - so I'll be heading to Cheltenham on the train and hopefully we'll have a sunny day to to accompany my free beer tab!
Expect a trip report and some pics of sweaty horses in a subsequent blog post! Horses , odds and anything to do with and sportsbetting is an alien world to me, however I do like a good day trip [and free beer!] and I'll try anything once!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Are children nowadays smarter
I have been hearing a few opposite opinions in regards to the intelligence of todlers and children nowadays. Some researches claim that the quick penetration of technology has made children smarter as there's much more information accessible for them, whilst other claim that automation of some processes makes various parts of the brain numb.
I personally think both are right. The humankind is ever-eveloving. The men of today, in the western world, has no need for certain skills that previous generations have wielded. So, the adaptive human brain makes room and leaves one aptitude out in order to improve others.
Today's children aren't more , or less intelligent, they are just different.
I personally think both are right. The humankind is ever-eveloving. The men of today, in the western world, has no need for certain skills that previous generations have wielded. So, the adaptive human brain makes room and leaves one aptitude out in order to improve others.
Today's children aren't more , or less intelligent, they are just different.
Destructive earthquake hits NZ
If you have been residing or travelling Mars in the last few days or month you must have not heard of the earthqake that shook the southern Island of NZ. There over 100 reported confirmed deaths and it is expected that it would end up being much more than that.
I have been reading about the sad, sad, incident in many small-scale websites which were opened for comments and I was absolutley shocked that many religious fanatics claim that it's god wrath hitting upon those who were unloyal - a punishment for blashpemy, so to speak.
I have very little respect to preachers and even less to those who abuse such unfortunae situation to spread hate. I thought that these people wield harmony, carrying messiah's message of being more humane towards one another - but this people prove again that they are doing it for a sole purpose - getting more suckers to join the circle, that could preach to others and abuse their misfurtune.
I have been reading about the sad, sad, incident in many small-scale websites which were opened for comments and I was absolutley shocked that many religious fanatics claim that it's god wrath hitting upon those who were unloyal - a punishment for blashpemy, so to speak.
I have very little respect to preachers and even less to those who abuse such unfortunae situation to spread hate. I thought that these people wield harmony, carrying messiah's message of being more humane towards one another - but this people prove again that they are doing it for a sole purpose - getting more suckers to join the circle, that could preach to others and abuse their misfurtune.
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