The Northern Territory news Mon 25 Jan 2021
NT news
The Northern Territory news; NewspaperNT
2021-01-25
English
Community newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin.; Australian newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin.
News Corp Australia
Darwin
application/pdf
Copyright. Made available by the publisher under licence.
News Corp Australia
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/823248
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/823644
40 LIFESTYLE MONDAY JANUARY 25 2021 NTNE01Z01MA - V1 Business as usual is no longer enough in the new world, says Business Australia chief customer experience offer Richard Spencer. He expects 2021 to deliver a rise in video conferencing fatigue, more blurring of work and home life and possibly re-examination of the working week, and says a key way to future-proof jobs and businesses is to operate confidently in the digital world. Workers and business owners need to be digital, able to re-skill and adapt, Spencer says. He says now is the time to stay agile and seek ways to trim unnecessary costs without reducing your quality of work. For example, try negotiating more flexible terms with your suppliers or premises, compare utility prices or move operations online if possible. Customers are critical for all businesses and employees, and Spencer says keeping them happy can include things like surprising customers and over-delivering on promises. Council of Small Business Organisations Australia CEO Peter Strong says communication is a key to future survival. Future-proofing involves being ready to take advantage of opportunities, he says. Get your staff ready. Talk to them say if theres another lockdown this is what happens. Strong says business owners and workers should talk with their family about experiences in lockdowns and how they would handle it next time. Examine areas such as debts, cash reserves and controlling costs. BUSINESSES and career paths have changed dramatically during the pandemic, putting Australians on notice to future-proof their finances. Whether youre an employer, sole trader or employee, the lessons learned from 2020 can put you in much stronger shape to handle the next big financial challenge. ANTHONY KEANE Ways to future-proof yourself for business shocks computer for kids to take to school has become a widespread concern in Australia as more students complete their work on screens. The biggest traps for parents and guardians, she warns, are failing to understand the requirements, not realising when software will be provided by a school, and buying the cheapest computer or tablet they can find. Always check with the school, she says. Some schools will only want Apple devices, some schools will only want Google. Find out whether the school provides any educational software and dont buy any extra software like Adobe Creative Suite until you can find out. Smith also recommends opting for a computer or tablet with generous storage to give the computer the longest life possible, and to make sure they choose a hardy device and cover it in a clip-on case, like those from Speck, and a padded laptop bag. Aussie YouTube education influencer Samuel Suresh, who boasts more than 230,000 subscribers and recently featured on Apples education page, says students and parents should not dismiss the benefits of using a tablet too. Suresh, who is studying science and business at Western Sydney University, says iPads will not replace a laptop for many students but can be a study tool for creative minds and those tackling highly visual subjects, such as science and medicine, that involve graphs and diagrams. The iPad is just a tool and to the student who is a curious creative who feels limited by traditional technology, it allows their mind to feel free and to express their creativity, he says. Its also worth noting that some brands and retailers offer educational discounts. Harvey Norman currently has a deal offering 10 per cent off some Microsoft devices, for example, while JB Hi-Fi has discounts on Google Chromebooks, and Bing Lee is hosting a sale on some laptops, monitors, and Samsung tablets. Lenovo also offers discounts to students on its website, and Apple recently launched an offer for free AirPods with a Mac or iPad purchase, as well as 20 per cent off AppleCare+ for students and educators. PARENTS and studentsacross Australia areright now tackling booklists and school bags,hunting lunch box lids,unearthing food scraps, and printing all manner of labels. But the modern back-to-school scramble often involves procuring tablet and laptop computers too; making sure they meet requirements, finding the best ways to protect them, and considering insurance plans. Even some primary school students will be required to show up with gear as recharged as they are this year, and experts say the new requirements are giving some families anxiety. Georgie Smith, from Sydney, says the eldest child in her family of five needs a laptop for his high-school debut this year, and its giving her and her husband plenty of homework of their own. It can be quite confusing because theres lots of information out there, she says. Were looking for something with good storage, battery life, and something that isnt too heavy but is durable. Another big concern, she says, is ensuring they make the right choice this year so 11-year-old Angus can use the same machine for years to come. Cyber safety educator Leonie Smith says choosing the right JENNIFER DUDLEY-NICHOLSON Many primary and high school students now require their own laptop to complete work in class and at home. How to tackle back-to-school tech troubles IT WILL REQUIRE YOU TO DO SOME HOMEWORK BEFORE BUYING A LAPTOP TECHNOLOGY SOME OF THE BEST LAPTOPS & TABLETS FOR SCHOOL Microsoft Surface Laptop Go From $999, microsoft.com Microsofts lightest laptop clocks in at just over 1kg, with a body that is just 1.5cm thick but promises plenty of grunt. Its features include battery life of up to 13 hours, a 12.4-inch touchscreen, a high-definition camera in case learning goes remote again, and both full-size and USB-C ports to connect peripherals without searching for an adaptor. Apple MacBook Air (M1) From $1599, apple.com/au Students in 2021 can take advantage of a serious power and battery boost inside Apples slimmest computer, thanks to its newly added M1 chip. The new 13-inch models dont have a fan, making them extra quiet, but even more handy is a battery boost delivering up to 15 hours of web use, and an eight-core chip that Apple says boosts processing by 3.5 times that of its predecessor. Lenovo ThinkPad L390 $999, lenovo.com/au Recommended for schoolbag durability, this Lenovo ThinkPad computer is also heavily discounted during the back-to-school rush. The 13.3-inch laptop promises a 14-hour battery life, Windows 10 operating system, an Intel Core i5 chip, and a 256GB hard drive. It can be customised, adding a touchscreen and fingerprint scanner if required. HP Envy 13-inch From $1599, hp.com.au On sale with a $400 discount until just after school starts, this 13.3-inch HP laptop features Windows 10 software, a touch-sensitive screen, generously sized keyboard, and a weight of just 1.3kg. It also comes with a full-sized USB port, Intel Core i7 chip, and up to 512GB storage. Apple iPad From $499, apple.com/au A favourite of many schools due to its built-in software controls, the eighth generation Apple iPad is the cheapest model in the range. It features a 10.2-inch touchscreen, a fingerprint scanner, and its compatible with the first-generation Apple Pencil and the companys Smart Keyboard. SMART daily 000000 00 Q