How to Prevent Yourself from Becoming A Victim of Identity Theft

Twelve million Americans become a victim of identity theft each year. Fortunately, you do not have to be one of them. You should never use a public Wi-Fi network to make a financial transaction. A hacker could very easily access your username, password and account number if you use a public Wi-Fi network.

You also want to make sure that you avoid posting a picture of your debit or credit card online. That might seem like a given, but it is something that many people do anyway. If you post a picture of your credit or debit card, then you are asking for someone to steal the number off of it.

When you are setting passwords, you should make them long. You should also make sure that you use several different characters and avoid using a password that people could very easily figure out, such as 1234567. Additionally, you should make sure that you change your password often.

Source: The Stupidest Things You're Doing to Put Your Identity at Risk

Source: The Stupidest Things You're Doing to Put Your Identity at Risk

The Grinch and his data theft antics 2012

Your smartphone and your laptop are used day in and day out. They are your companions most of the time since they are with you wherever you go. And with the help of these devices and internet, you can enter into the cyber verse where everything becomes defined by data packets. Of course you have your own unique data which allows you to socialize, work, and keep accounts on different networks, shop and whatnot. However, there are breeds of Grinches that sulk around the cyber verse, poor perverse forms that are constantly plotting to steal your precious data. They aren’t as harmless as you think as they have a good number of tricks up their sleeves. From using keyloggers, bugs, backdoor exploits, and other notorious methods, they’ve managed to target a good number of users and their data. So the goodies and spoils in 2012 are piling up for them. 

"The Grinch who stole data" is an infographic which shows us the 2012 data theft trends. It was developed by Mobistealth.com, developers of keylogger software.

Source: MobiStealth.com

Are You A Trekkie or a Star Wars Fan?

The fight between Star Trek fans and Star Wars fans will never end. Both franchises are science fiction legends in their own right, and if you want to make sure that you have plenty of ammunition for the battle, there are some facts that can help you make your point.

First, start comparing the Galactic Empire from Star Wars with the United Federation of Planets from Star Trek. The Galactic Empire has more numbers by far, featuring more than 1,000,000 planetary systems. The United Federation of Planets has a more modest number, ranging between 1,000 and 1,500 planetary systems.

On the other hand, look at their weaponized space stations. The Death Star is the size of a moon, with the amazingly power beam. However, though Borg’s Tactical Cube is smaller, it has a similar command station, while featuring many multipurpose weapons at its disposal. The Cube is simply more versatile, making it the better choice of the two.

Source: Best Online Engineering Degree

Learn about infographic design.

LG Optimus L9: Is this a success for LG?

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Design

The LG Optimus L9 is a thin and light phone. Its dimensions are 5.03 inches tall by 2.63 inches wide, 0.36 inches thick, and weighs just 4.16 ounces. The design features a power button, volume rocker, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a Mirco-USB charging port. The display features a 4.5 inch qHD screen. It has good sharpness and colors and responds well to the touch of a human finger.


Hardware, Software, & Performance

The LG Optimus L9 runs on Google’s Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. The user interface, LG’s Optimus 3.0, has great functionality and works well with the operating system. The Optimus L9 has a 1GHz dual-core Central processing unit for decent speed and performance. It supports Wi-Fi and 4G networks, adding to its potential speed. The 2,150mAh battery is removable and has average life. The call quality is also just average, and the speakerphone is subpar.


Features and Apps

The LG Optimus L9 comes preloaded with lots of features and apps. Google preloads the L9 with apps like Gmail, Chrome, Google+, Search, YouTube, Maps and Navigation, and Play Store for downloading movies, music, and more. T-Mobile added apps like hotline, 411 & more, Game Base, and More for Me which finds local deals based on the users interests.

Third party and other apps and features include mobile hot spot capabilities, visual voicemail, Lookout Security, Smartshare, FileShare, Amazon Kindle, Slacker Radio, Polaris Office 4.0, calculator, clock, address book, and QuickMemo which allows the user to take notes or draw sketches with their fingers or using a stylus.

The Optimus L9 has a 5MP rear facing camera. The camera has features like autofocus, flash, touch focus, 15x digital zoom, face tracking, geotagging, timer, continuous shot, panorama, scene modes, balances, effects, and a voice shutter function that allows the user to command the phone to take a picture using only their voice.

The user can also change background or distort faces using live modes, and can take a picture while recording video.  The Optimus L9 also has a VGA front facing camera. The front facing camera and 1080p HD video recording function have a lot of the same features as the 5MP camera does. Overall, the photo and video quality are very good.


Pros

The LG Optimus L9 runs on Android 4.0, supports 4G networks, has a fast dual-core CPU, and the camera and 1080p HD video have decent quality images with lots of features.


Cons

The Optimus L9 comes with lots of bloatware, the battery life is short, and the speakerphone quality is below average.

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It is a good idea to check out up-to-date reviews on the latest mobile phones.  Compare the Optimus L9 with other LG products to figure out which mobile phone best suits your needs.

Reed Waters - writer interested in mobile and PC technology; committed to providing the reader with unbiased and up-to-date information on various products

How Soldiers Protect Their Eyes in the Field

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Everyone is at risk for eye injuries whether it is from sports, or the elements; however, some people are at a higher risk than others. Men and women in the armed forces are part of this high risk group. Approximately 10 percent of all nonlethal military engagements result in injury to the eye, and 90 percent of these eye injuries are preventable.

Since March of 2003, ocular (eye) injuries have comprised about 16 percent of all medical evacuations from combat areas. In the Gulf War and Vietnam, only 9 percent of all medical evacuations included eye injuries. The most common causes of these eye injuries include:

• Dust

• Low-velocity fragments

• High-velocity impact

• Laser radiation

The military has become more conscientious regarding ocular injuries in recent years, and has developed the APEL (Authorized Protective Eyewear List). This list is updated twice a year with the newest eyewear that meets military standards.

The Combat Eye Protective program, or CEP, issues eyewear to soldiers during basic training and instructs them on the importance of wearing protective eyewear during training exercises and in combat. Protective eyewear is also issued to those soldiers already in the field. Standard issue protective eyewear typically falls into one of three groups:

• Ballistic Laser Protective Spectacles (BLPS)

• Special Protective Eyewear Cylindrical System (SPECS)

• Sun, Wind and Dust Goggles (SWDG)

Soldiers are also informed about the difference between sports or “performance” safety glasses (which can actually be a hazard) and commercially available products that meet military standards. Eyewear approved by the military offers ballistic and UVA/UVB protection and is only available in clear or gray tints. Other tints such as yellow, rose, orange and tints called “blue blockers” are not authorized because they interfere with color perception, which can affect the soldier’s ability to complete combat missions.

Most ocular injuries can be easily prevented with the use of polycarbonate safety lenses in spectacles and goggles. There are several options available from manufacturers whose products meet or exceed the military standards, and almost all of them can be modified to accommodate soldiers who need prescription glasses.

Revision Eyewear

Revision Eyewear, Inc. of Williston, VT is one of the leading manufacturers of protective eyewear for the United States military. They manufacture the Desert Locust Sunglasses and the Sawfly Eyeglasses. The Desert Locust line is extremely versatile and is compatible with weapons’ sights, night vision goggles and binoculars. It uses a one-piece high-impact shield that can withstand a 12 gauge shotgun blast (using #6 lead) from about 15 feet and has the option to add an anti-fog fan system. The Desert Locust has been heavily used in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Sawfly Military Eyewear System has interchangeable lenses, and is capable of accommodating a prescription insert for those soldiers who need visual correction. The Sawfly is designed to work with most equipment flawlessly, including headsets. Three different sizes are available.

Eye Safety Systems

Eye Safety Systems, or ESS, is another major provider of protective eyewear for the military and is based in Idaho. Goggles by ESS have a compact design that allows them to be used with all standard helmets. The shield is made of thick polycarbonate lenses, and they goggles provide an extra wide field of vision. ESS carries several different lines of protective eyewear including their Turbofan and Profile lines.

The Turbofan line has an anti-fog fan built into the frame. This fan blows fresh air up through the bottom of the spectacle, and humid air escapes through the top of the frame. They also have an anti-fog and anti-scratch coating. ESS goggles are fitted with tear-off sheets similar to the tear-off sheets on NASCAR windshields. The sheets are stacked on the outside of the lens and when dirt, mud or other debris begins to interfere with vision, the soldier can tear the top layer off the lens, restoring visual clarity.

ESS also has the Profile line of goggles specifically designed to be compact to enable them to function with night vision goggles, helmets and weapons’ sights. The Profile line also has laser protective lenses available.

Standard Issue Combat Protective Eyewear

There are different choices for soldiers who wear prescription glasses and those who do not. Standard issue safety eyewear for soldiers who do not wear prescription glasses includes:

• Oakley SI M frame Spectacles

• ESS Profile Night Vision Goggles

For those who require prescription visual correction, the ESS Land Operations goggle, is standard issue and fits over a pair of prescription glasses. The UVEX XC Spectacles made by the Bacou-Dalloz Group is also standard issue and can be fit with a prescription lens insert.

Laser Protection Lenses

One area of eyewear that is still undergoing intense research is laser protective lenses. Laser radiation poses a problem because of the many different wavelengths. Each wavelength requires a different lens to filter the radiation. At this time, there are protective goggles with interchangeable lenses to protect soldiers from this radiation on the battle field.

Are you curious if you can recieve Laser Eye Surgery in Dallas? Maybe you just want to speak to a real doctor about whether your vision can be corrected. Either way, contact the Carter Eye Center to have a free, hassle-free consultation.

The Essential Buyer's Guide to Cloud Apps

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Have you tapped into the power of the cloud computing market yet? This ever-growing industry now tops $150 billion, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. The cloud, which delivers computing, storage and applications as an ongoing service to users, can be used for a variety of business operations ranging from human resources functions to accounting. You’ve probably heard of SaaS, which is an acronym for Software as a Service, or the basic premise behind cloud computing. This model saves organizations hundreds of thousands of dollars in development and ongoing IT costs, because these core application services are provided on an as-needed basis. Security and updates, for instance, are handled by the original development team and the benefits spread across the entire group of companies utilizing the service. Cloud-based applications are almost constantly available; most have availability of 99 percent or more. That means you’ll have near-constant access to your data and applications—no more lengthy down times while the IT department works out a system glitch. Find out more about why you should be embracing the cloud; check out our infographic below!

This infographic was developed by Veracode, providers of the world's leading Application Risk Management Platform. Find out more about Veracode's wireless packet sniffer on Veracode.com.

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Infographic by Veracode Application Security

Smart Phones, Devoted Users

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The infographic is about the different users of smartphones and the high demands for iPhones. There are 65% of consumers who said that they cannot live without their iPhones. This only shows how it captures most of the users through its competitive features and applications available for download. Top downloads include Games, Weather, Social Networking, Maps and Music. Most users of smartphones are students and they maximize the use of the device by making it a habit to study even if they are not home. Sports-minded individuals get to have their share of benefits from smartphones. In the first 2 days of NCAA 2012, report shows 83% of increase in sport consumption and there is a 20% traffic coming from smartphones an tablets during the tournament. These consumers are usually coming from high-earning income of $75,000 monthly compare to the lower income bracket who cannot afford this expensive gadget and mostly living in urban areas rather than the rural dwellers.

An infographic by the team at CouponAudit, you can purchase Smartphones from QVC, while purchasing you can use QVC coupon to save money on your order.

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An infographic by the team at CouponAudit

Microsoft Rumored to Launch 'Windows Phone 7.8'

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Rumors break down any barriers and sometimes imagination spreads like wild fire. Rumors usually surround Apple products. This time around, Microsoft has attracted the attention and its new product Windows Phone 7.8 has been targeted to be rumored. Toni Tech Blog has stated that Microsoft is all set to release its new mobile operating system, Windows Phone 7.8. Microsoft had earlier stated that its upcoming product will be released by the beginning of 2013. This little rumor of the product being launched on Wednesday has been spotted in a number of sites including WMPower User and Mashable.

The rumor must have started from a tip that was found in the Microsoft centered blog. The blog spoke about the latest arrival of new software for Smartphones like Lumia 900 and 510 which belong to Nokia. WMPower User is not able to verify the tip or get a clear understanding of it, because Nokia and Microsoft have been teasing about Windows Phone 7.8. They have been talking about it for months and so, coming to a conclusion with a single line is impossible.

Microsoft comes up with special operating systems for mobiles and PCs frequently. The much expected operating system, Windows Phone 8 was released by the end of October with great pomp. Windows Phone 8 from Microsoft is the first platform which has the capability to share building blocks. Many are still confused over Windows 8 OS and Windows Phone 8 OS. Both the operating systems share common features starting from the live-tile interface which is the signature style of Windows 8.

Meanwhile, WPCentral has stated that it landed upon some promotional materials in Finnish which reveals that there will be a new update following the 7.8 update. It has also mentioned that the materials threw some light on a few new features of 7.8. The 7.8 phone OS is expected to have a unique start screen and plenty of color themes which can be chosen based on convenience.

It is expected to have a lock screen based on Bing and a Wi-Fi connection that can be kept alive even when the Nokia devices are in suspend mode. Every individual tile can be moved around and placed at your convenience. You have the liberty to arrange the screen in such a way that all your apps are in order. For example: All business apps can be placed on top of the screen and all the personal apps at the bottom of the screen. It is also expected to carry the ability to receive and send files using the “Bluetooth File Transfer” which is also a rumor.

Supposedly, CNET is expected to contact Microsoft and learn more about the rumors surrounding it. However, TechCrunch says that a Microsoft spokesman told that complete details about Windows Phone 7.8 will be disclosed by the company in the future.

This news might be a little comforting to the WP7 OS phone owners because Microsoft announced that the new WP8 OS cannot be upgraded by customers who are using the old version. Customers of Nokia Lumia 710 and 900 were disappointed over this announcement. However, back in June when Windows Phone 8 made its official debut, Microsoft and Nokia promised that a new OS carrying the similar features will be sported to an updated version of WP7. This was specifically designed for the WP7 customers. So, this new Windows Phone 7.8 version can be upgraded by Windows Phone 7 customers. Until Microsoft opens up, the rumor is going to be up in the air. I guess the company is going to let the rumors stay in the air a little longer. What do you think?

Randy Collins likes writing articles related to Technology News, Gadget Reviews and How To. He also does guest posting for buycharter.com - a site that offers savings and current information on charter internet.

Nintendo

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New trend is in: Remote support online

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Can you imagine a day of your life without your gadgets like laptop, computer, etc. of which you have become used to? Hope not as we all have become addictive to these things in our daily life as we are to food. Since, we use the PC’s daily, they do need some sort of technical improvements to run them for a long period. Many a times, we suffer the unavailability of proper remote support that initializes the technical problems and solve them for our convenience. As we all our concerned about the protection and maintenance of our computers, we all would like to indulge such support system which ensures longevity and effectiveness in its performance.

With the growing technological improvement many industries have immensely demanded online support system. Those who have multiple computers working together need regular maintenance in quick time. In such cases, they demand such secure services that allow a delegate to assist the customer in solving computer related issues either by personal visit or by assessing through internet. This is the reason which has risen up the demand and trend of using support system through internet.

The growing trend of the online support system can deeply be understood by the following:

# Easy availability: This feature describes the utmost importance of using online support system in the sense that in whichever location you are residing or running your business, you can have the technical support for all your computer problems within minutes with the help of internet. Various IT companies are providing the online support in almost every region of the world despite of its location and distance. This enables the users to get free from all their computer technical issues within stipulated time and in an effective manner.

# Cost-effective: Cost is the most important factor to be concerned be it a home-owner or a business person. Many firms incur lots of expenses to maintain their computers like yearly maintenance charges, cost for purchasing new software’s, hardware equipments, etc. Online remote technical support system helps the users to save their money from such expenses as the services of technical support available online are very much cost-effective as compared to others. This online support system proved to be one time investment which saves your money.

# Safety from threats: Data is what is important for everyone. Every person wants to save the data in the computers at a safe place free from any kind of threats. Various tools are used to recover the data but it become useless many times. With online remote support system it becomes almost easy to have backup of the data with complete privacy and security. The online support guarantees the full security and safety of the PC and the data in it.

Concluding the above, we can say that opting online support system instead of offline sound best as it saves time, energy, cost, and increases productivity of the employees too. Many companies are following this highly prevailing trend for their computers maintenance as it sounds more effective, quick, and affordable system which not only give maintenance facility rather helps to save the data more securely than others.

Author Bio : Stanley is the author of the article who loves to writes guest blogs on technology. He also writes guest articles for Computer Softwares like – Remote Support, Remote access, Remote desktop, Online meeting.

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How to Move From WordPress.com to WordPress.org

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There could be several reasons as to why you want to shift from WordPress.com to WordPress.org. The latter offers many advantages over the former. Some of them are - including advertisements on your blog, installing themes that you like, the ability to use advanced tracking software etc. Whatever the reason, moving your blog is not as difficult as you think. Simply follow the steps below and you’ll soon be on your way.

1. Get a domain name: This is the first and most important thing you should do. Renting server space is another requirement. You have the option of buying a web domain from sites such as Network Solutions or Google Apps. Alternatively, you can use web hosting services (such as KnowHost, Rackspace, Blue Host etc). It does not matter which hosting provider you choose, but do ensure that the hosting account includes details such as PHP compatibility, domain registration and MySOL databases.

2. Transfer posts: Once you have your domain name and server space sorted out, you will need to transfer your posts. Most web hosting companies offer a pre-written installation for WordPress, so this should be easy. Note that the WordPress software should be installed in a sub directory. Once this is done, you will need to click Tools- Exports on your old WordPress.com administration dashboard. Save the XML file on your desktop. Then on your new website’s administration dashboard, you need to click on Tools – Import and select WordPress. Choose the file you have downloaded previously. Then check the box which reads Import Attachments. By doing the above, all information from your old blog will be imported into your new blog at WordPress.org.

3. Direct traffic to the new site: You will need to ensure that followers of your blog and search engines will still be able to find your site. In order to do this, you will need to login to the company you registered your domain with (your domain registrar). Go to your domain’s DNS settings to make the change. Click on Configure DNS Servers and change the name to ns1, wordpress.com . Be sure you write down your existing server addresses before you make the change. Now select Upgrades – Domains from the new website’s dashboard. Enter the new address and select Add domain to blog. Click on Map Domain when you are asked to confirm this. Once this is done, go back to the dashboard and click on Upgrades – Domains. Check Update Primary Domain on the box where you have the domain name.

4. Save the changes: The last step in this process is to save the above mentioned changes. Now both your old and new domains will take visitors and search engines to your new site. Do keep in mind that Domain mapping is a paid service and you will have to renew this from Wordpress.com on a yearly basis.

These are the steps that must be followed carefully to export your blog to the new site. As you can see, that’s all it takes to move from WordPress.com to WordPress.org. Once you have done this, sit back and enjoy all the features you can use to enhance your blog.

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Randy Collins likes writing articles related to Technology News, Gadget Reviews and How To. He also does guest posting for buycharter.com - a site that offers savings and current information on charter internet, as well as charter.com services

Do You Need to Upgrade Your Telephone System, or Can You Simply Maximise What You've Got?

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There are some people who would argue that the only way to adapt to the modern telecoms requirements that face most businesses today is to completely upgrade and overhaul on-site systems.

This can be a costly process and it might not even be necessary. Many companies are not currently maximising the potential of their existing telephone systems, which means that by tapping into this unused capacity it can be possible to save money and improve your available resources.

In order to achieve this and avoid a costly upgrade it makes sense to look for a provider that is willing to work with your business in order to meet your needs.

Of course, in some cases you will find that picking the right provider will actually let you fully assess the requirements of your business so that an appropriate telephone system and tariff package can be chosen.

While not all providers that encourage you to make a complete upgrade are unscrupulous, you should be suspicious of a company that is overly willing to dismiss the capabilities of your current set-up and recommend making an upgrade before they have taken into account what you have to hand and what you actually need to achieve with it.

If you are looking to upgrade from an older analogue landline service to a new network-based VoIP package, you may already have equipment that is up to the task of handling the changeover. Backwards compatibility and incremental improvements allow businesses to adopt new technologies with ease over time, rather than requiring an outright upgrade that has a high one-off cost.

Those businesses that do decide to upgrade a telephone system should make sure that they are choosing one which will be relatively future proof, allowing for further expansion and technological changes further down the line.

You can get advice on all of these important matters from your provider, although if the firm is unable to guide you adequately, or you find that there is a better deal elsewhere, it may be sensible to switch to a more accommodating rival.

Finding a provider that will be more sensitive to the needs of your business will not only streamline the process of upgrading or maximizing what you have already got, it will also help you to save money, because better cost efficiency should come from enlisting the services of a telecoms provider that knows how to communicate and assess what approach is required in a given situation.

Thanks to the power of digital communications it is now possible to outsource services such as system infrastructure to third parties, which helps to reduce the amount of money that your business needs to spend on the installation and maintenance of complicated in-house set-ups.

If you take the VoIP approach you will be able to add extensions and use computer workstations to host voice calls, with things like call routing, forwarding and answering services hosted externally. This should relieve the financial pressure on your business since the need for a high-end exchange located on site is negated.

Not every business will find this approach appropriate, but it does draw attention to the idea that a communicative telecoms provider will be better able to meet your needs than one which is simply trying to sell you packages that are only beneficial because you will be paying large amounts of money.

The route towards having an optimised telephone system that is operating at the peak of its potential is not easy, unless you choose a provider that will work with you to meet your needs.

Daisy Group can offer a range of bespoke telephony solutions to any sized business or organization. Find out more on their website at www.daisygroupplc.com.

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The Best Web Analytics Plugins for WordPress

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Online businesses have been gaining a lot of attention along with time. Most of the companies focus on increasing the traffic to their sites and blogging is one sure way to gain attention. When there is more traffic, the sales figure is bound to increase. This industry is not restricted to one particular location. In order to market your product effectively, you need to drive traffic to your site at all costs. When you use targeted keywords, there is a better chance to increase the traffic. If you surf the web, you will come across several sources which not only assist you in tracking the visitors, but you can also get targeted keywords. However, it would be much better if these options are available in the form of WordPress plug-ins. Here is a list of such top rated plug-ins.

1. Woopra Analytics plug-in – This is one of the plug-ins that include everything. It is packed with data and you can use it with ease. Woopra performs Web tracking and it also analyses data. This analytics plug-in has the ability to track information live along with various other Web Statistics. It consists of a rich interface and has the capability to manage several blogs and websites simultaneously. Woopra can analyze data to the core and has extraordinary search capacities. You will constantly receive updates and important notifications. It also allows you to chat with visitors. The good thing about this analytics plug-in is that the installation process is hassle free and it also updates information.

2. WP SlimStat- It is considered an effective real time WordPress plug-in. You will receive reports regarding the analysis of a particular data. The interface can be customized according to your requirements and it is quite simple and user friendly. It observes and provides crisp and clear information on the number of visitors who visit your website. SlimStat has the ability to filter statistical information based on different criteria. You can even track locations and get information about your visitors using world map that has zooming option. Reports can be generated in no time.

3. Web Ninja Google Analytics WordPress Plug-in- This is one plug-in which you can use for all type of requirements related to Google analytics. You can add Google Analytics JavaScript on all the pages of your site. You will be able to view all the statistical information and also individual stats and posts. You can configure Web Ninja according to your specifications. If you want to include JavaScript tracker code to one of the pages of your site, then it is advisable to place it at the end of the section. Some plug-ins place the tracker code in the head. As a result, your page takes a lot of time to get loaded.

4. Google Analyticator- This is one of the most reputed Google analytic plug-ins and has gained considerable amount of attention. This plug-in makes use of JavaScript code effortlessly. With this plug-in, you can avail a dashboard widget which helps you to track the number of people who visited your site in the last one month. Moreover, there is also a front-end widget which gathers and provides details of the visitors. You can also avail both download and outbound link tracking. So, it comes as no surprise to know that Google analyticator is a top rated plug-in with hundreds of reviews.

This is a guest post by Jena Branch of Buycox.com, a site that offers savings and current information on cox cable packages.

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3D Printers Will Change The World: Let's Take A Look Inside

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Do you remember when printers were first invented and everyone thought it was the greatest invention in the world? The ability to take something from a screen and turn it into a real life replica was pretty amazing. Everyone thinks nothing of a printer these days. You can walk into any library in the world and have something printed for a few cents. I bet you couldn't even imagine business being able to operate without them. At the moment most businesses definitely couldn't.

But there's a new kid in town. People don't really know about it because it's so new. It's now possible to actually print 3D models, from the computer to an actual living creation. There's some huge projects deep in development and soon they will revolutionize the way everything is built. Can you picture a massive printer that actually builds houses with the click of a button? Soon, my friend, they will be here. Let's have a look at some of the different techniques they use to print 3D models.

Fused deposition modeling

FDM is the technique that's used by the largest number of people at the moment. All the commercial machines will use this and if you wanted anything done, you'd use it too. They basically take a big spool of metal wire or plastic and it's melted then placed next to the nozzle of the printer. One layer is done at a time and it's hardened before the printer moves onto the next layer.

Inkjet printing

This one is a little like your printer at home, although it's a long time yet before you can turn your work into 3D models. Special inks are used and they are inclusive of resins and binders. Now layer upon layer is added to the model until your chosen 3D shape is formed. This is unfortunately the only way you can print something with custom colors at the moment.

Selective laser sintering

Sintering means the product is created from powders. You're probably wondering how you could ever create a solid object from powder, but this powder can be anything: metals, glass, even ceramics. The laser basically solidifies the powder as it draws the shape. As you can imagine, the laser involved has to be very powerful, so you'll only see this type of thing happening in industrial projects.

Digital light processing

Now we move onto liquids which are solidified by light. It's also a very powerful light and will only ever be seen on industrial projects. The light is not something you'd want to look directly at unless you wanted your eyeballs to melt. The best thing about this method is the accuracy you can achieve, so for more complex projects it's definitely top drawer. Think space shuttle parts.

And the rest

There's a few other ways that are not nearly as popular is the methods already mentioned. As time progresses they will keep coming and eventually we will find a great technique that's easy to use in a commercial setting.

The future is coming

As I mentioned before, when you think of printers in business it's hard to imagine them not being around. The exact same thing will eventually happen with 3D printers. It's going to replace millions of jobs around the world and will eventually replace most methods of manufacturing. When it does we will only need people to operate and perform maintenance on the printers. The world is going to change in the next 50 years and it's going to be an exciting time indeed. Let's hope we are all around to see it because we're going to be amazed. Now try to imagine what you could do to change the world if you had the power of a 3D printer at your disposal.

Jayden Corris is the author of the article who loves to writes guest blogs on technology and  business. He also writes guest articles for On Time Screen who deals with screen printing and printed t-shirts in Connecticut.

Malware Mucks Up Business

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Each year, businesses are hit with malware infections. Malicious software may damage computers, enable corporate thieves to steal proprietary data or simply slow the network to a crawl. Regardless of the motivation behind malware attacks and infections, large corporations are not the only targets of malicious software. Smaller companies are also affected every year.

Malware Affects Big and Small Businesses Alike

Though 50 percent of all companies affected by malware employ 2500 or more individuals, smaller companies must deal with the problems caused by malicious software, as well. Eighteen percent of companies that are affected by malware employ fewer than 250 people. No matter the size of the company, malware is always a concern.

Malicious software may pose a security threat to companies. Not only are trade secrets and proprietary information at risk, but individuals may also have their identities stolen though malware infected computers. Over 187 million people have had their identities stolen as the result of hacking attacks.

Malware Threatens Productivity Levels

At the very least, loss of productivity may occur due to infected computers rendered inoperable or slow at the workplace. No matter the size of the business, training employees about the cost of malware, as well as how to avoid malware infection, is important. When training employees about mitigating risk of malware infections, it is important to discuss that malware is spread through infected websites that install the malicious software on the computer through the web browser.

Although most malware is spread through webpages, a computer could also be infected via email attachments. During training, be sure to cover that an estimated 1 in 239 emails contain malware in attachments. Train employees to avoid websites that are not work related while on the job. In addition, train employees to never open email attachments unless they know and trust the sender.

Security Awareness Training Can Help Stop a Growing Problem

Malware is a growing problem. Between 2010 and 2011, the incidence of malware increased by nearly 41 percent. Training employees and ensuring that the latest anti-virus sofware is installed on all company machines will help to mitigate the risk of malicious software infecting the company network.

Malware is Everywhere infographic brought to you by Inspired eLearning. Visit their site to learn about security awareness training and more tips for avoiding malware.

Essential Blogging Tips Every Local Business Should Know

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Professionals and Armatures both use blogging as an important tool to promote their websites and to make money while doing so. It is important to know how to manage time doing the right things that will increase traffic and flow of money. The basic assumption is that doing a lot of research for writing articles and blogs and using other social marketing tools will increase the traffic flow to one’s website. This is not entirely true, as one should know when to use the right blogging tools to make it easy for bloggers and their websites.

There are multiple blogging tools available and different tools have different features. Different bloggers employ different tools for various purposes. For bloggers who have been blogging for a while will know that different blogs have to be employed for blogging and some of the best blogging tools available are:

Gravatar:

Gravatar is an open source software that lets the user set up his or hers profile pictures to appear besides a person’s name and details, while commenting and posting on a blog. Gravatar is also known as Avatars that help bloggers identify their blog posts in blogs and from various forums the blogger has visited or posted comments on.

MailChimp:

MailChimp is a management system for emails that tracks down all the emails sent form the users account. MailChimp also provides statistics for the number of emails sent on any given date and it will also give information on the number of emails that have been opened and how many emails end up as spam.

Real Time Analytics:

Analytical tools are most essential when it comes to blogging, and Real Time Analytics is one of the best analytical tools available. A blogger cannot measure the amount of traffic flow to determine on how much the blogger is profiting, what is attracting traffic and what articles and blog posts are being viewed the most.

Ping Optimizer:

Excessive pings for a blog makes it high risk for the blog from being banned entirely from a pinging service. Excessive pings will appear as if the blogger is trying to spam. Ping optimizer is one of the best Max Blog Press plug-ins available, it helps the blogger to keep control and keep track on the number of pings.

Social Sharing Buttons:

In order to share a bloggers web content with others to maximize the bloggers web presence, it is absolutely necessary to employ share buttons as a feature on the blog. These share buttons can be placed any were on the web page according to the bloggers convenience, on top of the given content or below it and can be place on either sides.

Here are some important blogging and SEO tips for small business and local business:

Analytics:

Analytics helps a web site owner to discover content and data relating to the owners website. The various features included in an analytics plug-in are the amount of time each person has spent going through the owner’s website and it also takes into account the number of visitors to a particular website.

SEO:

As most of us know SEO is the full for search engine optimization, but very few know what it really means and how to benefit from it. In simple words SEO is used to promote one’s website by increasing the traffic flow to the website and for the website to increase the page rank of the website. A web site with a good page rank is likely to appear on the first page of any search engine.

Patrick Hudson likes writing articles related to Technology News, Gadget Reviews and How To. He also does guest posting for buycharter.com - a site that offers savings and current information on charter cable, as well as charter.com services Gravatar: phudson126@gmail.com

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Need Of Internet: How Did It Started?

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Can you still imagine living in a world without Internet? Probably not. In the fast-paced society people live in nowadays, it's quite difficult to adjust to a life without such a convenience. True enough; the Internet had somehow dictated the way people deal with their day-to-day activities.

Processes and systems are a lot more integrated and polished because of the Internet. Virtual connections aren't seen as a luxury anymore. Instead, it is a default necessity especially for professionals.

But, have you tried asking about its origins? Let's trace how the need for Internet came about.

No single creator

Experts and scholars advised that the creation of the Internet can't be attributed to one person or organization alone. Reading through the history tells people that it's actually a brainchild of numerous individuals from all over the world.

From the 60's to the 70's, the term Internet was just used to denote computers linked together to form a network. The networks were initially meant to serve scientific and military purposes. It was Tim Berners-Lee, however, who was responsible for creating the "world wide web" which is the basic software used to access and categorize online documents. During this time, "Internet" and "world wide web" mean two separate things. Further developments on the networks and World Wide Web then gave birth to what we now call the Internet.

Need to connect

While the Internet serves many purposes nowadays, it's initial goal is to connect computers. The purpose then expanded to greater heights as people found new needs.

If one would look at a single theme behind the need for the Internet, it's easy to pinpoint that it all boils down to convenience. People found a need for the Internet because of many conveniences such as connection, faster processing of systems, and quicker access to information.

Over time, technological innovations enable people to talk to others who are located in different parts of the world. Although interactions weren't real time at first, however, everything when on thorough enhancements. Today, virtual communication is so close to offline person-to-person conversations.

With the advent of real-time connections, people were also enabled to create, store, and retrieve files and images online. Medium progress showed people using emails as a means to communicate. Later on, the demands of technology became higher with people requiring mobility. This eventually gave rise to the use of mobile devices to get Internet access. The rise of which, removed previous limitations that the virtual world can be accessed only through computers.

Levels of needs

As technology experts see, there seems to be no stopping major technologies such as the Internet. Although the development of the Internet was fast-tracked, there would surely be more to come. As new needs arise, there would be demands for more dynamic Internet options. Eventually, it will be a cycle of development that will continue to loop as long as people find more needs. In time, the Internet might be replaced with a wider network that would further serve demands of changing lifestyles.

Author’s Bio:
Krystine Joy Sitjar has been studying IT processes and developments for years. His articles on Internet trends and processes have been published in many publications both offline and online. Although a self-confessed Internet fanatic, this savvy writer still believes that waking up with your loved one beside you is still the best gift the world and the World Wide Web could offer.
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The New Apple Maps App

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So there has been a lot of words about the new Apple iPhone Maps application. Some seem to be completely enamored by the product, while others say that the cool technology doesn't quite make up of the antiquated maps. Most of the criticism isn’t coming from users of the IPhone 5, where product satisfaction is still very high. iPhone users do show some sign of apprehension, but overall the app does not seem to be hurting sales or the iPhone, which was released almost 2 weeks ago.

Apple recently released the iOS 6, which incorporates the new map functions, as well as slight changes that you can imagine come with software updates. While the numbers of satisfaction are similar, a small .1 dip occurred, going from a 7.75 user rating with the iOS 5, to a 7.65 with the iOS 6. Those numbers aren’t dramatic, but a drop is still a drop. Some speculation is because of the flawed maps application. This is also the first time Apple has used its own map function, having previous operating systems using a Google based mapping system.

The fact that Apple stopped using the Google based has not gone unnoticed either. The higher ups at Google have noted that Apple probably would have been better off not changing to it’s own mapping system, and sticking with Google. That is a good point, considering that Google Maps has become one of the widest used and trusted GPS based applications. Though, in a time in the digital market where everyone is trying to stay self sufficient, that would be a hard sell to Apple developers.

It is fair to say that Apple has also done something cool with the Apple map application, and can maybe take some of the pressure off. The new app does feature a 3-D view option, and while it might not be super useful, it does have a pull with users. Apple does have a history of being on the cutting edge, and this might be a rare miss for them, but until sales dramatically drop, specifically due to this issue, there is no need to panic

So is there any real need for the folks at Apple to start worrying? Steve Wozniak sure isn’t worrying, admitting that there is an issue, but nothing that they think will affect the sales of iPhone and Apple products. There are also other navigation apps available and in the pipeline for Apple, so there is a fix out there for Apple users. Though the map application should not be overlooked.

Apple will continue to be a mobile tech giant, and there is no need for them to panic. We will see how quick Apple will put out an update to this app, as there are definite fixes that need to be made. Regardless, sales for the iPhone 5 have skyrockets, and there is no need to think that will stop anytime soon. 

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Peter is a tech enthusiast, mainly being an Apple fiend. On top of that, he is a media blogger, often writing about the best options in Direct TV entertainment packages , as well as entertainment reviews.

Graduating with Technology

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Provide By:http://www.learnstuff.com/
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Top 10 Free Apps to Download from the Nokia Ovi Store

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Ovi Store – Nokia’s services for its users to provide some cool applications has been categorized into Games, Music, maps, media and much more. Let’s look at some of the best apps that you can download from the store for free:

Adaffix Caller ID:

First of all, let me tell you that this is an award winning app for business. The application has the ability to display the caller information such as name, address and other details even if the number is not from your contacts list or is an unknown number. Furthermore, this app even suggests alternative ways to reach the person whom you are trying to call, in case if the person is unavailable. Nice app to simplify your productivity tasks.

Music Web:

For those of you who consider music as your best friend, this app might prove helpful. The app gives you all the information on the latest album releases, news about music and musicians, celeb-gossips and speculations on singers and albums and much more. Spice up your ears and your heart with this cool app.

Road To Hell 3D:

A gaming app! Choose and compete in over 13 different racing levels as you cruise down the track and find the right way. Work out on your driving skill because you will need them to win this game. Select your favorite terrain ranging from snow clad mountains to sand covered desserts as you beat your opponents to the finish line. A great app!

LockOnGallery:

Our phones are the easiest things on earth to get stolen or misplaced. The vulnerability they have towards inappropriate data usage is very high, so it is our primary duty to keep a check and secure the data present in our memory card. That’s where this app comes in handy. LockOnGalelry app helps secure all your personal data like photos, videos, music and other confidential files from abusers. The app locks your memory card to avoid intrusion and can only be opened after specifying a valid password. It also keeps a constant check on your phone usage and locks it if found idle.

Facebook Chat:

One of the widely used social networking site chat is now available on your Nokia handset. Use this app and get connected to your friends and family instantly.

Easy Effects:

Now give cool and attractive effects to your images using this simple and easy to use app. Once done, save them and share it with your friends and families, all for free!

Talking Dictionary:

It is an app that not only offers you with the meaning of the word but even speaks it up for you, so that you get a glimpse of the pronunciation. Apart from offering thesaurus facility, this app also helps in translation. The languages to which the app can translate include German, Spanish, French, Italian and Arabic.

YouTube downloader:

Perhaps this is one of the most convenient apps for your phone. We often look up to YouTube and watch some videos whenever we are bored or on the go. And, sometimes we come across certain interesting videos that we feel like retaining them for future views and shares. So, now you can use this app, browse for your favorite videos and download them any time. It supports a video quality of up to 720p HD.

Tube Map:

Now, Ovi store is known for its offering on maps and routes, so how can we miss that? The Tube Map offers you a complete map and route coverage of the London Underground, constant updates about stations and lines and a planner that tells you the best and shortest route to reach a particular destination.

AroundMe:

I’m sure you would have guessed what the app is used for by now. This app offers you information on any services that are requested by you and that are available in areas surrounding you. It requires a GPS though.

This is a guest post by Jena Branch of Buycox.com, a site that offers savings and current information on cox communications.

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Apps That Help In Business Development

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Many applications have been/ are being built to support and aid business development. The apps fall into many categories like those that help increase productivity, those which serve in documentation, apps that help with data security etc. Any application which assists employees and managers to work faster and more efficiently and apps that give a hand in keeping clients happy would be a desirable addition to the business scenario.

Here is a glimpse into some apps that benefit business development:

Data Security apps –

Mobile monitoring apps for Smartphones including iPhones and Android mobiles help to backup phone data and to ensure that employees don’t reveal critical business information to competitors. Apps like the Mobile Spy can be quickly installed on a target mobile; they begin to run in stealth mode and record information on a server which can be viewed by the person who is scrutinizing the mobile phone activity.

Smartphone apps for accepting payments –

Application like Intuit GoPayment is very simple to use and makes life easy for businessmen and customers. It is especially suitable for transactions that happen outside the office. By downloading this app on to a Smartphone such as iPhone, Android phones or iPad, users can employ it for accepting payments anywhere, anytime.

With Intuit GoPayment app, cards can be swiped with a card reader; once the card is accepted, customers are enabled to sign on the mobile phone’s touch screen and authorize the business transactions to get concluded. The receipts for payments are emailed to the customers immediately, on the spot.

Online meeting apps for Smartphones –

WebEx meeting Center is an app that allows employees on the go to participate in online meetings – just as though they were sitting at their desks. This app is ideal for iPhone and iPad. There are apps like Cisco WebEx Meetings for Android, which lets users attend, schedule, cancel, begin and end online meetings - without requiring them to be at their office desks.

Productivity improvement apps –

Dropbox – For business folks, documentation is an important task. Say, a doc file needs to be updated from home or a presentation has to be made to a client; he neither needs to carry his laptop nor has to email the file to himself.

With the Dropbox app (which is compatible with iPhone or Android or Windows phone), the user has the capability to access the document instantly. A special Dropbox folder is created when the app is installed - where the user puts in documents, audio or video files he wants to access. These files are made available to designated phones and other computers. This app saves valuable time and makes critical files accessible from anywhere.

Evernote – Another productivity app for Smartphones like iPhone, Android, Windows etc. which can be used to stay organized. This app provides a place where users can store all that they think is relevant to their business and access the same from anywhere. Making notes, storing documents, recording an audio, capturing pictures – can all be done with Evernote app. The app can also be synchronized across multiple devices like PCs and laptops.

Cynthia is an active blogger who loves to blog on latest Mobile Technology and Applications. Visit her website to learn more about mobile spyware and follow her updates.

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Advantages & Disadvantages of PPC advertising

Stuart Henderson, a Canadian-based historian, rightly points out - doing business without proper advertisements is the same as winking at a girl in the dark. Only you know what you‘ve done, others don’t.

When it comes to Internet marketing, the goal is to achieve a decent position in the search engine for specific keywords. In other words, when customers online, search for a specific keywords or phrases, you would want them to be landing on your website. This can be achieved by some smart SEO work that will rank your website on the first page of a search engine.

The PPC or Pay Per Click is one method introduced by Google for ranking your website. As a matter of fact, everything is not green about the PPC advertising. This method has its own merits and demerits as pointed out below.

Advantages and Disadvantages of PPC

• PPC works faster than any other conventional methods. It can bring in visitors to your website in a matter of hours. 

• Maximizes your traffic: Bloggers and website owners develop their sites by publishing the text ads along with other affiliate programs. Your advertisement will be posted online and will reach millions of visitors within a week or month depending on your everyday budget.

• The Trust Factor: When you use the organic SEO method to develop your website, you may never be sure of a great position in the search engine. It does not matter even if you have the world’s best contents in your website, it still may not prove its worth if your SEO is done badly. Your competitors are paying heavy on PPC and the search engine will bring up several other websites that are in the same niche as yours.

• The Stability Factor: Billions of websites try to make it big by fighting for a position on the search engine’s top page. To achieve this, a lot of shortcut techniques are attempted to cheat or beat the search engine rules. When these attempts fail, websites are penalized sometimes to the extent of not being indexed. But this is not the same in the case of Pay Per Click method. As long as you are paying, you will be safe and will continue to top the search engine results.

As mentioned earlier, everything is not clean about the PPC advertising.

• The Cost Factor: Pay Per Click can prove to be very costly. It works by making online visitors click on advertisements. Such clicks can be very expensive and new users might be charged more. 

• Click Fraud: A popular search engine terminology you might have come across many times, happens in the case of PPC or text ads. Some publishers will click ads on their own websites in an attempt to make more money, while others will get their friends and families to do it. This may result in users being banned from the company. 

• Results of accidental clicks: Accidently clicking on ads can also grab your money. Lots of visitors assume that text ads are part of the actual website and click on them. On realizing their mistake, they immediately close the window without paying attention to it. Hence you would be losing money without gaining a new reader or customer. 

• In spite of paying PPC heavily, there is no guarantee that you will make money through the accrued clicks. Every click may not really translate into sales. 

• As there are number of large companies with big budgets making use of the PPC service, it has become very competitive and difficult for small and medium business owners.

To sum up, PPC is a great tool for advertising but one has to do their homework before using it. Traffic analysis, search volume and many other key indicators are to be studied in detail. As the saying goes - success is a ladder that cannot be climbed with your hands in the pocket.

This article has been brought to you by Travis Ramsy of Buycharter.com - a site that offers savings and current information on charter tv, as well as charter.com services