The 21st Annual Canadian Telecom Summit NOVEMBER 21-23, 2022 THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • TORONTO, ON Now in its 21st year, The Canadian Telecom Summit is Canada’s leading Information and Communication Technology event, attracting the most influential people who shape the future direction of communications and information technology in Canada. Open intelligent 5G connectivity, artificial intelligence, cloud, immersive content, and the internet of things, are all poised to disrupt how we do business. How will the promise of new transformational technology be realized over the decades ahead? How will the industry evolve and grow to meet the challenges of climate change, digital trust, and cyber security? In a digital, interconnected world that increasingly relies on light-speed sharing of information, the ICT sector is more than indispensable; it is the lynchpin of the global economy. Not only does it continue to enable business and consumer interaction at the micro level, but also fundamental to driving Canada’s leadership, growth, and innovation position in a global eco-system. The range of issues examined by the conferences in-depth panels : • Environmental Sustainability • Actionable Intelligence of Data for Automation and Orchestration • 5G Edge and Cloud – Innovation for Consumer • Cyber Security – Threat Landscape, Mitigation, Identity, and Data Privacy • 5G Edge and Cloud Innovation for Government, Enterprise, and SMB • Regulation • Talent and Organization – Inclusion and Diversity • Open Platforms for Brokered Service Development • Connectivity for All – Accessibility and Affordability • Innovating Customer Experience – Digital, Personalized, Proactive, Self-Care, and Field • Force Transformation The conference website can be found at https://www.telecomsummit.com
XP What Does “End of the Line” Mean for You? Alert: If you’re a Windows XP user, attention! On April 8, XP, the popular Windows operating system will have reached the “end of the line”. Microsoft has announced support for Windows XP is finished. Here are some questions and answers to help understand this event. Q – “If I’m still using XP, what bearing does this have on me?” A – There won’t be further security updates. Your computer’s already significant vulnerability will skyrocket. Since it’s introduction, in 2001, XP’s been very popular and not coincidentally, one of the most popular targets as well. Users lax about updating to the most current security patches, and even those who weren’t, have been deluged with the entire gamut of viruses, malware, adware, etc. Anti-virus software has, for the most part, been ineffective in protecting users from serious exploitation. An astounding ninety percent of computers we’ve cleansed of malware, had current, updated anti-virus software running. In some cases, people had two of them running simultaneously (Bad move! It can create major interference with the other antivirus App and the Operating System). New exploits, and there will be many, engineered just for XP diehards, will take you down. Antivirus software, which relies on OS cooperation, will be unable to provide protection. From April 8th on, using Windows XP will be at your own significant risk. In order to be secure you’ll need to change operating systems, updating either to more current Windows operating systems, such as 7 or 8, Linux or Mac OS. Q – “Why can’t my anti-virus software keep my computer safe?” A – Because XP will be vulnerable to cracks developing and widening, without patching by Microsoft. Even if viruses are detected and eliminated, other types of attacks will remain undetected. In addition, once XP is “unsupported”, the developers of Apps, extensions, plug-ins, etc. will no longer update their XP versions of software. A major case in point, Adobe Flashplayer, required to play YouTube and other videos within your browser, and AcrobatReader will no longer be updated. Since exploits can been delivered through Flashplayer, Adobe has been updating it almost weekly. This will end and the bad guys will be free to deliver their payloads through Flash and other XP Apps, including Adobe Acrobat and PDFs. Q – “If I never connect my XP PC to the Internet again, won’t that keep it safe?” A – Sorry, even sacrificing Internet use won’t be sufficient. Since there are exploits that attach themselves to the boot level of any attachable media, you’d have to add never connecting your computer to anything other than a printer, to transfer data in or out. No more network, external drive, CD/DVD or memory cards! If you have any questions regarding the topic of this article, please call TECHSPA at 450-227-4118 or email info@techspa.ca.
Top 10 Ways to Save for Post-Secondary Education There are a number of things that parents need to do in order to maximize the savings for their child’s future education needs. Take a look at these tips from the innovative Registered Education Savings Plan provider, giraffe & friends: • Understand who to talk to and what they’re talking about. Pick an RESP provider with a website full of information that’s easy to understand. • Skip the savings account. Your RESP grows tax-free until your child withdraws it at their own lower tax rate, so it grows faster than a regular savings account. • Get a Social Insurance Number (SIN) for your child. You can apply for an RESP without one, but your savings won’t start earning grants or interest until you provide it. • Do your research. Not all RESPs are created equal; return rates and fees will vary. Watch out for MER charges (management expense ratio) and other management fees. • Select a program that doesn’t gamble your savings. For example, giraffe & friends point out that their plan is worry-free and maintenance-free; your investment won’t be impacted by stock market dips or even a crash – and you don’t have to keep up with financial news or lift a finger to keep your money safe. • Don’t forget about other sources of financial support. An RESP can be combined with scholarships or student loans to pay for post-secondary education. • Maximize your grants. Federal government grants have a cap of $500/year and a total contribution cap of $7,200 over the life of the RESP. Your provider should guarantee that you won’t miss out on any available grant money. • Set up automatic payments. This is convenient and reliable and it means you’ll never miss a contribution. • Don’t think that it’s just for university or college. An RESP can be applied to most post-secondary education that results in a degree, diploma or occupational skill, even international schools. • Use it for anything your child needs when they’re at school. As long as your child is enrolled in some form of approved post-secondary education, from university to a trade school, their RESP can be applied to anything including tuition, food, apprenticeship tools or books. More information is available online at giraffeandfriends.com. www.newscanada.com
The Numerous Benefits of Time Management Skills By Ann Marie It’s normal to hear time management discussed in business circles; yet, it is a topic that can be of great benefit to everybody. Time is a challenge for all of us, whether we’re business people, workers, students or stay at home moms or dads. There seems to be less time in today’s world, and that’s why it’s a lot more important to learn how to properly manage our time. In this article, we are going to be discussing a few key reasons why time management is so important. A big benefit of time management is just how that it boosts your productivity. It is something that almost everybody hopes to be able to do. Seldom do you hear of individuals who feel that they’ve got adequate time to do the things they need and wish to do. In lots of instances, the problem is not not enough time but rather the fact that you do not have an efficient way of managing your time. Time management shows you how to set priorities, and to focus on how much time you’re wasting every day. The idea is not really to put yourself under more pressure to try and do more, but to utilize your time more wisely so you appear to have more of it. One positive advantage of time management is decreased levels of stress. Not having enough time is one of the main reasons we experience stress. Think about how tense you feel if you are worrying about being late for a scheduled visit or if you’re stuck in traffic. These issues relate to time, and if you have this type of situation often you could probably benefit from some training in time management. Learning how to control schedule so that overwhelmed us and become an issue indicates that you are supervising your time efficiently. We often believe that the solution to our problems is doing things faster, but it could be even better and more relaxing if we learn how to manage our time better. Time management doesn’t just includes boosting your productivity and efficiency; you also want to feel more pleasure and a better quality of life. Time is an important component of life and so we feel better about our lives when we have the ability to control our time. Conversely, feeling that we’re running out of time can create an overall feeling that we aren’t good in some part of life. Those who are genuinely successful are aware that time management is a crucial skill they have to get good at. It could be the one determining factor that lets you live in the moment and appreciate your life instead of feeling that time is a merciless boss. Time management is very significant in our present times, even more so than in previous decades. Existing technology allows us to do things faster than before and yet we feel forced to continually increase the pace. As an example, we continue to have difficulty keeping track of the large number of available information even with computers and other gadgets that are extremely powerful. Time management is the component that can give us a sense of control over time so we can quit rushing and loosen up. articlecity.com
Join a book club with a twist Book clubs are popular because readers like to share their thoughts about the books they’ve read, and discuss the ideas or themes with other people. Recently the human rights organization, Amnesty International, launched a book club with a unique twist— it offers participants a special opportunity to make the world a better place. What makes this book club so special, says Amnesty, is that after people read the book, they have the chance to take action to help other people in the same kind of situation. And their reading will be informed by a discussion guide specially-prepared for book club members. According to Amnesty, it’s a unique combination. “At its heart, our organization has always been about individuals taking action to protect the human rights of other people at risk,” says David Griffiths of Amnesty International Canada. “Our book club is very much in this tradition.” It’s free to join as well, and every month participants receive the current month’s book recommendation, a discussion guide including background information and discussion questions, an action case on a current human rights issue, and notification of next month’s book. More information is available at amnestybookclub.ca. www.newscanada.com
3 brainy tips to boost weight-loss hormones It’s not just your imagination. Staying slim in the winter truly is more difficult. Winter signals a change in our bodies’ chemistry: one for the worse when it comes to weight-management. Blame shorter days. We need sunlight to produce serotonin, a ‘feel-good’ hormone that also regulates appetite. When enough serotonin is coursing through the brain, we feel satiated sooner, and it’s easier to resist comfort foods like the simple carbohydrates that give us a temporary lift. As every dieter knows, sugar is a fleeting fix. It leaves us depleted and hungry, on the prowl for more calories. But never fear, there are ways to boost your serotonin and manage winter weight-gain. Try these simple tips: 1. Take a winter walk: Take every opportunity on clear days to get out in natural light. A brisk walk may be just what you need to boost serotonin and resist the siren call of sweets. 2. Increase your vitamin intake: Supplementing your diet can impact hormone health. Magnesium aids in the conversion of the amino acid tryptophan into serotonin, regulating appetite and exerting a powerful influence on our mood. Canadian actor Sitara Hewitt says that using a magnesium supplement called Natural Calm magnesium has helped in her own resolution to kick sugar. This thirty-something mother and natural health advocate explains: “My energy is much more level now. I don’t feel drained, and so I’m not driven by the sugar impulse. It feels great.” 3. Explore alternatives: Who among us doesn’t get a little more domestic when the weather is forbidding? Convert your guilty-pleasure recipes by experimenting with coconut sugar, organic maple syrup and stevia to sweeten. Sugar not only adds empty calories, it depletes our magnesium stores, triggering the vicious craving cycle. A combination of natural light therapy and nutrition may be all you need to your balance hormones and keep your weight in-check this winter. www.newscanada.com
9 tips to help you raise money for your favourite charity Making a donation to a charity is a true act of generosity that millions of Canadians do each year. But raising money for your favourite charity by holding a fundraising event can be more fun and even more rewarding. Here are nine tips to get you started. • Keep it fun and simple: Remember, you need to make sure that both you and your participants enjoy the event, so keep it simple and make sure that you add an element of fun, whether it’s special decoration, a tote bag for each participant or guest, or a creative theme. • Share the load—get team support: Turn to friends to help share ideas and workload. Brainstorming at the beginning may give you some new ideas and help give a unique twist to your event. Make sure that you break down the work among your team and delegate so that you are not overstretched. Again, sometimes the simplest ideas are the ones that work the best. Your goal is to work towards your ambitious fundraising goal and aim to beat it. • Plan for the ‘what ifs?’: If you are planning to hold an event outdoors, or if you are relying on a local celebrity as a guest of honour, make sure you think of a few possible alternatives if it starts raining or if your celebrity doesn’t show up. This is the key to successful event planning. • Timing is everything: Check your community calendar to make sure there are no important community events and fundraisers on the day that you are planning your event. You might want to check with other community or regional non-profit organizations. Try to pick the date that will bring in optimal attendance. • Watch the dollars: Keep your costs down by getting items donated. Many grocery stores or restaurants will donate food or other items to your event. Very often events do not raise money as a result of overspending. • Take stock: If your event is a large one, make sure you assign a reliable volunteer to collect all the money and send it back to your charity within 30 days of the event taking place. • A warm ‘thank you’ goes a long way: Always remember to thank your guests or anyone who has donated towards your fundraising efforts. • Tell your charity about your event: Once you choose how you’d like to raise money for your favourite charity, make sure to tell the charity about your event. • Check out your favourite charity’s website for ideas: Many charities’ websites offer advice on how to raise money. For example, the human rights charity Amnesty International lists events and ideas at amnesty.ca/special-events. www.newscanada.com
