People & Technology – Issue 4/2011

People & Technology – Issue 4/2011

Christmas is almost upon us once again, and this issue of the People & Technology Newsletter contains tips from the TÜV SÜD experts on secure and successful online shopping. After all, both young and old are increasingly relying on the Internet to choose their gifts instead of fighting their way through packed city-centre stores. Advent and Christmastime are also the perfect time for mulled wine – but the alcoholic drink is a no-no for work situations, so we've assembled some recipes for non-alcoholic Christmas drinks that can be served in the office – or to drivers. And last but not least, we have some advice on battling the winter blues.

 Topics in this issue

Christmas is approaching by leaps and bounds, and the hunt for the perfect presents for family and friends is on with a vengeance. As an alternative to overcrowded shopping streets and stores where pushing and shoving are the order of the day, more and more people are choosing to do their Christmas shopping from the convenience of their own sofa or desk.  Rainer Seidlitz, Head of the IT Security Strategic Business Unit at TÜV SÜD Management Service GmbH, knows what to look out for when online shopping to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Once shoppers have tracked down a suitable gift in an online store, they should first check out the reputation of the store operator. "A website must show complete contact details with name and address – this is essential for customers to inform themselves about the company's management and business location", explains Seidlitz. The latter can be crucial, because if the company is based abroad different legal conditions may apply, and higher shipping costs and perhaps also customs duties may be involved. If the product ordered proves to be a fake or if the goods are faulty, asserting the buyer's rights can often be difficult when the seller is abroad. In addition, the online store operator's general terms and conditions of business must be posted in full for shoppers to consult. 

Ensure that all price information is clearly stated and includes all costs such as VAT, shipping and other supplementary charges. 

In addition, to avoid disappointment around the Christmas tree it is important to note the availability and delivery period of the goods. Ordering in good time is particularly vital before Christmas to bypass any delivery bottlenecks or delays. Your guiding principle should be 'It is never too early'! To be on the safe side in case goods prove to be faulty or even fail to arrive at all, purchasers should print out all order confirmation and product details so that they have them to hand in black and white. Potential delivery problems or other difficulties with an online store can also be checked in advance by examining the buyers' feedback. If negative reports predominate, the store is best avoided! This naturally also applies to feedback given for individual products.

Once these issues are checked, shoppers can proceed to their order. But care is needed here too! "Especially where payments are made by bank card or credit card, a secure connection should be provided for data transmission. This can be identified by the address line in the browser – a secure connection is designated by the prefix 'https' instead of 'http' ", advises IT expert Seidlitz.

Further indication of a reputable online store is given by quality marks such as TÜV SÜD's s@fer Shopping mark, which inform potential purchasers that their customer data will be treated with confidentiality. To ensure that the quality mark is genuine and not a forgery, buyers should check with the organizations issuing the marks. Websites like www.safer-shopping.depublish lists of certified online stores.

Once these tips for online shopping are observed, nothing more can stand in the way of a lavish Christmas piled with presents!

Christmassy drinks – also delicious without alcohol

At one of the many Christmas markets, meeting friends or simply curled up on the sofa at home – year after year, the heady scent of Christmas beverages laced with cloves and cinnamon sweetens the chilly winter weather for us. But the most popular choice of mulled wine is not the only way to create a Christmas atmosphere and warm up the winter from the inside out. Delicious alcohol-free alternatives are available that can also be enjoyed at the office or by drivers!

What about a home-made fruit punch, for instance? To make three litres of this alcohol-free beverage, heat 1.5 litres of fruit tea or fruit infusion, one litre of apple juice, half a litre of orange juice and a freshly squeezed orange, and add cinnamon, vanilla sugar and honey to taste. Served with a few Christmas cookies, it's the ideal way to brighten up a dull winter's day.

Fans of berries and fruits of the forest will be delighted with this alcohol-free berry punch. For around 2.5 litres of punch, take 0.75 litre of blackcurrant juice and add 0.75 litre of both red and white grape juice plus 500 grams of frozen mixed berries. Heat together, spicing it up with two cinnamon sticks and eight cloves - and enjoy.

Not a fan of fruity drinks? Then what about a hot chocolate? This choice can naturally also be given the Christmas touch with traditional spices like cinnamon and cloves and a spoonful of honey. To give an ultra-rich chocolate flavour, break up 250 grams of block chocolate –or white chocolate if you prefer – and heat in a saucepan with one litre of fresh whole milk and two tablespoons of mixed or gingerbread spice. Stir the chocolate into the milk until melted. Whip 250 millilitres of cream with two tablespoons of cocoa powder. Beat the hot chocolate with a stick mixer until frothy and pour into preheated mugs or glasses, topping it with the whipped cream. The result is four mugfuls of creamy chocolate heaven – but be warned, you may not want to share!

Winter depressions

As the days grow shorter and colder, many people start to suffer from 'winter blues' or mild winter depression. The lack of sunshine and frequently dull, grey weather causes our bodies to suffer from lack of light and triggers what is known as 'seasonal affective disorder' or SAD. In limited light we produce less of the 'happy hormone' serotonin, while melatonin production rises. Melatonin makes us tired and lethargic as its real task is to control our sleep patterns during the night. As a result, we suffer from exhaustion, listlessness, increased need for sleep, cravings for sweet and fatty foods, poor concentration and the desire to withdraw into our shell. SAD is primarily characterized by lack of energy rather than an actual mood of depression; we tend to withdraw into our metaphorical dens. However, a more effective cure is to head outside into the fresh air and to get as much sunshine as possible. "Spending one or two hours in the open air can kick-start serotonin production again", advises Kerstin Reviol, Head Industrial Psychologist at TÜV SÜD Life Service GmbH. Active sports such as jogging or cycling are additional ways to boost the production of mood-improving hormones and fight the winter blues.  "Treatment with a special lamp can also help", notes Reviol. "These lamps are significantly brighter than normal household lamps and can help to create almost summery feelings in the body." They should be used for at least half an hour every day - preferably in the morning, to provide an immediate energy boost. Natural remedies such as St. John's wort also improve the mood. However, herbal infusions and remedies that are freely available in supermarkets are likely to be ineffective. It is better to seek advice from a pharmacist and buy a product with the right dose for your personal needs. 

If the methods described, such as active sports outdoors or daylight lamps, are ineffective and your depression is particularly persistent or heavy, a visit to the doctor may be necessary. Your doctor may be able to suggest a remedy; however, if he or she is quick to prescribe antidepressants you should seek a second opinion before taking them, and consult a specialist if necessary. In general, in treatment of medium to heavy depression a combination of antidepressants and an out-patient course of cognitive behavioural therapy has proved to be particularly effective.

Contact: Heidi Atzler