Costa del Sol Guide

Online Gifts

With the massive popularity of the Internet and now the huge uptake in smartphones, more and more everyday activity is done online.

When was the last time you went into a travel agent to book a flight? Exactly it is all done online now.

It is not just travel done online. Many of us now do our gift shopping online too. It is much easier to research gift ideas on the Internet and then at the click of a button add to a shopping cart, enter a delivery address and pay. Job done! No more wasting those precious evenings or weekends walking aimlessly around shopping centres looking for some inspiration as to what to buy.

With this modern way of shopping comes a magnificent new website which goes a step further and actually has reminders so you receive an alert when a birthday or other celebration is approaching. It will also do the research for you and based upon the age, sex and profile of the recipient it will recommend the perfect gifts.

If you want to learn more about this new shopping website check out their Facebook page here

GPS

Laptops and Smartphone’s are extremely popular devices today and it’s great to know that you can empower these gadgets with the GPS technology. Let’s find out what GPS is and how it can benefit you.

Yes, laptops and Smartphone’s have become increasingly popular devices and it is great to know that you can now empower these gadgets with GPS equipment. Just like desktop computers, these devices offer super fast processing and easy integration with digital maps, mapping software and a whole choice of GPS receivers to choose from.

Our ancestors had to go to pretty extreme lengths to prevent themselves from getting lost. They erected monuments and landmarks, laboriously drafted intricate maps and even learned to read the stars at night in order to find their way back home. Today however, things are a lot easier. For less than a hundred dollars, you can now get yourself a pocket-sized gadget that will you precisely where you are at any given moment. As long as you are equipped with a good GPS receiver and a clear view of the sky, you’ll never find yourself lost again.

GPS or Global Positioning System is a highly expensive and vast concept that involves a lot of technical ingenuity. When you hear people talking about the GPS, they usually mean a GPS receiver. The Global Positioning System in fact is a constellation of 27 satellites that orbit the Earth. This satellite network was developed and implemented by the U.S. Military as a form of military navigation system. But today, it is open for everyone.

Each of these satellites circles the Earth at about 12,000 miles, making two whole rotations every day. The orbits are arranged in such a way so that at anytime and anywhere on Earth, there are at least 4 of these satellites visible in the sky. Your GPS receiver on the other hand, will locate 4 or more of these satellites and figure out the distance to each, and then use this information to determine its own location. This operation is based on a mathematical principle called trilateration.

But how does GPS help you track your stolen laptops or mobile phones?

Ever heard of LoJack? It’s a device that has made it harder for car thieves to get away with a crime. This is how it works – the GPS chip that calls home is hidden on the car. Once the car is stolen, it will notify you and the police will be able to track the car through the device.

Don’t you wish you had something similar for your laptop or mobile phone? You do actually and it won’t cost you a bomb. Snuko is an anti-theft device with a built-in GPS system that can help track your laptop or mobile phone easily and quickly, giving you the precise location through the GPS chip or by analyzing the various WiFi networks nearby. It will also provide you with screenshots of the thief and what they are doing on your laptop.

Not many thieves are as smart as you think actually. You’d be very surprised to find out how many thieves will start-up a stolen laptop or phone without considering the possibility of there being a GPS tracking software on it. It is also possible that a thief will start-up your laptop o mobile phone in order to find out private information about you. But with an anti-theft device like Snuko, you’d probably end up getting private information about them!

Yes, GPS can help save your laptop or mobile phone. Devices like Snuko are affordable and can be installed easily, thus giving you the peace of mind that you crave.

Snuko anti theft software is a really cool tool with an in-built GPS tracking device. There have been plenty of users who have successfully used Snuko to track their stolen laptops and mobile phones.

Building Surveys

When buying a property in Spain it is rare that anybody actually gets a building survey carried out on a property. Surveyors are not very easy to find in Spain for this specific function although there are a few UK companies that now offer these services to expat property buyers.

We always recommend that with older properties it is a good idea to have a survey completed in order to assess any work that might need to be done.

Most buyers think becuase the climate is so good most of the year there are not the usual problems like damp etc. However, most parts of Spain to get heavy rains in the winter and although not for a long period of time, there can be torrential downpours resulting in damp problems for some properties.

Most properties in Spain are not damp proofed and over the years it can cause some problems for some homes.

If you have any doubts we recommend you have a survey completed by a reputable company who will be able to tell you if there are any major defects that will require capital outlay to rectify.

In the UK it is normal to have a survey conducted on any property whether residential or commercial. Back in the UK there are many firms that offer these services such as WA Surveyors, leading building surveyors Dorset who cover many of the neibouring counties. Sadly they only operate in the UK so in Spain you will have to check the local press or ask your agent for details of surveyors.

Mobile and Laptop Tips

When people come on holiday to somewhere like the Costa del Sol these days they tend to bring with them their new smartphones or laptops and unfortunately they become careless and don’t pay as much attention as they should. This makes them ideal targets for thieves, especially when they have had a few drinks and are not quite as aware as they would normally be.

So here are some important tips about keeping laptops and smartphones safe when in Spain as well as some additional security measures you can take to actaully protect your data.

1) Don’t leave the device on a table in full view of eveyone

2) Try not to keep using it in crowded places as you will just be drawing attention from would be thieves

3) Don’t leave it on display in parked cars

4) Don’t leave it out in full view in hotel rooms or rented accommodation

Now here are some things you can do to protect your data should you end up losing your device or if it is stolen.

Anti-theft software is available so that you can protect your data in the horrible event that you lose you phone or laptop. All you do is log on to your control panel (yes you will need access to a computer or phone with internet browser) and press the report lost button.

This will lock down the device and encrypt the data. Now many of the solutions also have tracking mechanisms in place so that you can actually see on a map where teh device is (to within a few meters).

This type of software should be a must for people with laptops or mobiles.

For more information on how you can protect your data take a look at Snuko Anti-Theft Software or see their Facebook Page

Robin Hood Estepona

The famous Robin Hood pub located between Marbella and Estepona has undegone major refurbishment and is due to open its doors once again very soon.

As a way of celebrating they are running a competition where you can win a Champagne meal for 2.

All you need to do is visit their blog here » and post your favourite Drink quote.

More information on the launch and the Robin Hood will appear here soon.

Luxury Development Planned in Estepona

It looks like the luxury of the Marbella Golden Mile is about to head west in the direction of Estepona.

For decades the Marbella Golden Mile has been home to the rich and famous and the Saudi Royal family built a huge luxury development and mosque overlooking the stunning Marbella coastline. Now it seems they want to head west and develop a plot they purchased many years ago in Estepona.

The Saudi Royal family are planning to build a luxury property development in Estepona complete with 1,477 homes, a luxury golf course and a hotel.

This is great news for Estepona and having not been given the publicity during the Michelle Obama visit this is going to be a real boost to the town.

It will also help areas as far west as Sotogrande as it lifts the profile of the entire area and being that Sotogrande is a luxury marina, it is sure to benefit from the whole project.

For details on Sotogrande property we recommend GetSpain-Sotogrande.com

Welcome

At long last we have added a BLOG section to our popular Costa del Sol Guide where we will bring you some of the latest news and events on the Costa del Sol.

We will also bring you details of useful websites relating to the Costa del Sol such as Hen Parties Marbella and the massively popular Celebrities in Marbella where you can keep up to date with the latest Marbella gossip, celebrity news and details of the best clubs and restaurants you are likely to bump into a famous face.