How to boost your Wi-Fi Signal

 

George is a graduate working in Inverness. An avid gamer in his free time, George used to experience poor connection problems in his house but thanks to some affordable, easy-to-install hardware, George is now able to enjoy a faster, more reliable connection. Here, he shares his tips on how to avoid connection frustration!

One of the main reasons why your internet connection keeps dropping out is because of the actual structure of the building.  Wi-Fi works by your device (such as a computer or tablet etc.) and your internet router being able to connect with each other and transfer data. If both can connect, this means that your device should have access to the internet. However, in some houses your device may experience difficulties in receiving signals from your router or vice versa. This could be due to the fact that your router is not in the best location, your device’s network card isn’t good enough to pick up and keep the signal, or most commonly, it could be as simple as the walls being too thick in your house. In this case, the signal may not be able to pass through and reach your device.

Luckily, there are quite a few items of handy hardware available to help fix this problem which could give you a more stable internet connection

1. Power Line Adapters

This is a device that connects your computer or laptop to your router through the power lines in your house. This adapter is just like a normal plug but at the top there is a port to connect an Ethernet cable (which will probably come with the set) and you connect the Ethernet cable from the adapter into the router and then plugging it near your router. Then, you plug the second adapter into a plug point near your computer and it works the same as the first half with the Ethernet cable going into your computer this time. With the connection finished, this effectively creates a massive Ethernet cable giving you a constant and secure connection without having to have cables visibly snake their way through your house, whilst being able to enjoy the same level of connection as if your computer is connected directly to the router. Power line adapters are best used for devices in your home that don’t tend to move around such as games consoles, computers, TVs etc.

 

 

2. Wi-Fi Adapters

These work very much like the power line adapters, except your devices can wirelessly connect to it. You plug the first adapter into a plug socket near the router and attach the Ethernet cable from the adapter to the router. Then, you wirelessly connect the second adapter to your router (there will be instructions to on how to do this) and place it in a room that struggles to get a good Wi-Fi signal. Once set up, this should provide the room with a stronger, more consistent signal. It can take a few days for the router and the adapter to settle down and communicate properly but this usually sorts itself out after they have configured themselves. Wi-Fi adapters are best for your portable devices, such as tablets.

These two solutions are cheap and easy ways to boost the quality of your internet connection. A good Power line adapter usually comes in at around £30-35 and you’re looking at around £40 for the Wi-Fi adapter.  Both of these are easy to set up and can help fix the main problems you may be experiencing with your internet connection.

If you want to find where you can purchase these products, a simple Google search will help you find what you’re looking for.

Happy Browsing!

The North Highland school pupils making big waves in App Development

Pupils in a north of Scotland high school are looking at ways to explore some of society’s biggest issues by developing and building apps. Led by the inspirational Chris Aitken, Chris’ pupils not only learn the basics of coding and programming but also, they get a taste of real-life problem-solving as they develop new and easy-to-use software packages.

Since 2012, Chris has been using the ‘Apps for Good’ framework to teach his pupils not only the basics of computer science but to boost creativity and imagination in the classroom. ‘Apps for Good’ is an open-source technology education movement who partner with educators across the UK to help deliver their course.

Chris said: “When we got involved three years ago, Apps for Good had just run a pilot scheme in London and they were looking to expand it across England; I don’t think Scotland was even on their radar at that point.”

“We were the first school in Scotland to sign up for Apps for Good. It was quite interesting to see a map of the UK, with everyone teaching Apps for Good down and around London or surrounding areas and then just Wick in the very far north.”

Not only have Wick High School seen an increase in the number of pupils taking Computer Science into National 5 and beyond, they’ve also enjoyed national success every year at the Apps for Good awards in London. This year saw three teams reach the finals with their apps. One was for metal detecting enthusiasts to use historical map data to find interesting sites to search; another app helps people to make charitable donations; and the third was designed to help teenagers get more interested in politics.

S3 pupils John Sutherland and Konrad Szewczyk’s team won in the Thomson Reuters’ Information category for their app, ‘One Click Politics’ which was created after the team saw a need to get more young people interested in politics. Konrad said: “20,000 people entered the Apps for Good awards and for a group from a rural place in the Highlands to win is amazing.”

One of the most interesting aspects of the curriculum is that a lot of girls are becoming interested in the technology. Chris said: “Girls are seeing Apps for Good as a way into computer science and we’re starting to see more and more girls choosing it at National 5 and beyond.

One girl who has been inspired by the Apps for Good programme is Ellora James, who helped to create ‘Envirocache’, an app designed to provide a fun and educational way of getting children outside to engage in outdoor exercise and other activities. Her passion for Apps for Good has seen her future ambitions move towards a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

Ellora said: “I completely changed my mind because I wanted to be a vet and then I did Apps for Good. Apps for Good has helped me because I have never done coding in computing and so when I did the course I thought, I want to be a software developer now.”

Wick High School has enjoyed a lot of success with Apps for Good over the past three years and Chris credits that to his pupil’s drive to succeed, their rural location not preventing them from participating in the digital world. Chris said: “Although they’re from Wick, a remote area in the far north of Scotland, they are no longer constrained by their geographic location. Due to advances in digital technology and broadband access, Wick High School can compete with anyone.”

See the pupils in action below:

 

How do I order Fibre Broadband?

So, you’ve been following all of our updates, you’ve entered your telephone number or postcode into our availability checker and you’ve seen the exciting message – You can now receive fibre broadband!

Great news! However, it is important to bear a few things in mind.

Upgrading to fibre broadband does not happen automatically. Instead, you’ll need to begin the process of ordering a fibre broadband connection to your home or business.

First of all, there are a number of companies that can provide you with a fibre broadband connection so you will need to decide upon which service provider you wish to choose to supply you. All of these service providers offer plans for both individuals and businesses that suit everyone’s needs and budgets. You can take a look at the different service providers here: www.broadbandchoices.co.uk

Shop around to get the deal and the contract that’s best for you. Whatever provider you decide to go with, they will tell you what kinds of speeds are available on your connection and what they need to do to upgrade you.

You will be given a connection date and will probably receive a new router for the house. On the day, an engineer will carry out connection work outside of your house and may also need access to your home to replace some of your existing kit. In some cases, you can self-install the new equipment. This shouldn’t take long though and soon enough, you’ll be set up and ready to ‘conquer a new digital frontier’ (or begin a Netflix marathon).

Once you’re all set up, you may wonder what on earth to do with your new better broadband. If you’re a business and are looking at ways to increase your digital participation, our IT Business and Community support programme in partnership with Business Gateway offers free advice, information, online resources and events. Or, if you know someone that needs help getting online, we also work with Citizens Online to help people make the most of the internet via their ‘Get IT Together’ project.

And there you have it! Ordering fibre broadband is a simple process and if you do need a helping hand to get online, there’s plenty of support available.

If you’ve recently had a fibre connection installed into your home or business, we want to hear from you! Let us know how you’re getting on with your new speedy connection.

And for those of you who won’t be reached during the current phase of the roll-out, we haven’t forgotten about you. Every part of the region is important to HIE and there are a range of initiatives already started to find solutions and to help you make the most out of whatever broadband connection you’ve got.

You can access more information on our website www.hie.co.uk/digital Remember, you can also keep informed by signing up to our e-newsletter, that will ‘ping’ you when your area becomes live here and for all of our latest news and updates, follow us on Twitter @HIEdigital

Area Update: August 2015

We’re about halfway through the roll-out of superfast broadband throughout the Highlands and Islands and we’re pleased to update you about how the project is progressing. The latest figures for the next-generation broadband roll-out shows that around 86,000 premises can now access superfast broadband.

Premises in the following areas are able to start accessing fibre services. It’s important to point out that in many of these areas, roll-out is not complete and more coverage is coming soon.

In addtion to the locations above, work will be starting soon in the following areas:

If you would like more information on how the roll-out is progressing in your area, you can enter your details into our interactive fibre checker here or visit our website www.hie.co.uk/digital

For all the latest updates and information, follow us on Twitter @HIEdigital

What was the one thing you wish you had known when you first started online?

Work on our superfast broadband project is continuing across the Highlands and Islands and with places like the Outer Hebrides now connected, more people than ever are starting to realise the benefits of having a superfast broadband connection.

However, for people experiencing this wealth of opportunities for the first time, it’s hard to know where to start. After all, it’s all well and good that the majority of the region will be able to access superfast broadband but how do we help people make the most of it? Of course, there is plenty of help available out there in the form of programmes and events but sometimes, the best way to grasp a new skill is simply by learning from another.

That’s why we’re asking you: What was the one thing you wish you had known when you first started online?

For me, it’s using keyboard shortcuts so that I can complete tasks on the computer more efficiently, especially being able to quickly minimise all of my open programs and go straight to my desktop. See the video below for how to do it.

Share your digital expertise and submit your best #digitips – we’ll showcase them on our twitter!

“I never expected to see this much of a change in myself, but I can’t wait to see where it takes me”

‘Special Edition’ is a programme run by TRC Media designed to give ambitious women in the digital sector the skills and confidence they need to achieve their career aspirations. Aside from a number of skill-based sessions, the programme also includes a four-day trip to San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Our guest blogger this week is Louisa Gallie, a senior 2D artist at Hunted Cow Studios in Elgin. In her blog, she talks about getting onto the programme and how it helped her focus her personal development.

The first thing I’ll say to any woman reading is this: If you don’t think you’re experienced enough, senior enough or confident enough to apply for ‘Special Edition’ – apply anyway. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

I didn’t think I would get in. Once I did and I saw the list of incredibly talented women I had been selected alongside, with titles like ‘Head of Design’ and ‘Founder’, I was sure there had been a terrible mistake. I was clearly the most inexperienced woman there and thought I would be completely out of my depth. However, it wasn’t until the first day when we all stood up and gave a short presentation about ourselves that I realised every single one of us felt the same way.

Kirsten Murray, the one brave enough to give her presentation first described it as“Imposter Syndrome” I remember a lot of enthusiastic nodding and laughing from around the table. We all came from different backgrounds, levels of experience and disciplines, yet we shared so many insecurities and challenges and ‘Special Edition’ is designed to turn our doubts into confidence. After all, if we knew it all, why would we need to apply for a training course?

We had six sessions in total, with wonderful speakers coaching us in everything from teamwork to time management. The absolute highlight of these sessions for me was from Alex Dalton. She worked through our daily schedules, helped us highlight our “time gremlins” (my new favourite phrase for the habits and tasks that suck time from us), and then showed us how to build and carry out our plans for ‘world domination’ through structured goals and steps. Okay, so maybe our individual goals were on a smaller scale than that (for now) but the practical skills she taught us left me feeling more energised and motivated than ever before.

Then of course, we went on a trip to San Francisco, visiting loads of high-profile digital companies. It was a jam-packed whirlwind, visiting companies like Pixar, Pinterest, Facebook, Pixar, Design Studio, IDEO…( and did I mention Pixar?) The creative spirit and energy running through so many of these companies was palpable, from the newer ones like Pinterest to the more established ones like Facebook.

However, the most fun and rewarding aspect of my time San Francisco came from getting to spend four days with the wonderful women on the programme. Together, we soaked up the inspiration from our visits, and bounced them around the minibus between visits, over breakfast and of course, when clinking the occasional glass at night. There’s no doubt that the San Francisco trip is an incredible experience but it’s the support and friendships you’ll gain from Special Edition that will make the biggest impact on you.

I thought when I was accepted onto the programme that it would be an exciting six months but I can confidently say that the effect is ongoing. Since ‘Special Edition’ finished, I’ve approached each day with a newfound sense of energy, optimism and enthusiasm. I’ve learned techniques and skills that are helping me to live each day more productively and speak more confidently. And the progress I’ve made in developing my personal goals in the past five months has been more than I have achieved in the last two years. I never expected to see this much of a change in myself, but I can’t wait to see where it takes me.

The deadline for applications for ‘Special Edition’ is Friday 12^th June. For more information and application form visit here: http://trcmedia.org/training-development/special-edition/

If you would like to see some of Louisa’s artwork work, you can access her website here at http://www.louisagallie.com

Also, you can follow her on Twitter @LouisaGallie

Roll-Out in Numbers

Broadband in the Highlands and Islands is Changing

Modern, fast and reliable broadband will make a game changing contribution to our communities’ prosperity, offering new ways of living and working.”

Alex Paterson, Chief Executive

Whether you’re a business wanting to market your products world-wide, streamlining your business processes or you’re an individual wanting to keep in touch with friends and family, catching up on the latest TV shows, we all know that the benefits of being digitally connected are almost unlimited.

Everyone wants a connection that will open the door to these benefits. Huge parts of our region have been struggling with some pretty basic broadband and for many, even the joys of streaming have been beyond their grasp… until now.

Broadband in the Highlands and Islands is changing. Highlands and Islands Enterprise is leading on work to not only improve fibre broadband connections for our communities but also to help people make the most of whatever connection they have.

We’ve teamed up with the Scottish Government, Broadband Delivery UK and BT to bring to our region one of the most ambitious digital projects ever attempted in the UK. The current phase of the roll-out aims to connect 84% of premises in the Highlands and Islands to high-speed broadband by 2016, a huge and exciting challenge. We’re building a fibre optic network around the area which will not only provide a superfast broadband connection to most premises but also, revolutionise the high speed capacity we need to build on into the future, in order to achieve the Scottish Government’s vision of Scotland as a superfast nation by 2020.

Despite all of our success so far, we’ve still got a long way to go. Join us on our journey as we work towards getting the Highlands and Islands better connected.