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Is it Possible to be Too Digital?

December 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

I am an avid reader. I devour book after book on a weekly basis. Like Robot #5 in the 1986 movie Short Circuit, I constantly require more input. I love my Iphone. It has made it possible to text message at every stop light and even while in the bathroom. My preteen son is not the only one in my household who loves Youtube. As much as I love technology I’m not so sure about this new Nook.

Should a little computerized tablet be replacing my beloved books? First of all, this thing is not so easy to use. I’m pretty computer savvy and it took me five days to get it completely up and running. Thank God Barnes and Noble provides live technical support. I love the little touch screen. It makes for a nifty toy but can it replace the smell of a book or feel of turning a page? I don’t think so.

These large corporations have a good marketing scheme going. Download a book for $10, maybe share it with one other person and then be done with it. Actual books can be passed around from person to person. Wear and tear is a books’ badge of honor. It means that it was well read and well loved. Dog eared pages are not a bad thing. Passing down my childhood favorites to my children gave me great joy. Even my cynical high school students fought over who was going to get to use the copy of MacBeth I read in high school.

No one can stop the hands of time. The world moves forward and progress is made every day. Not all progress is good though. Although we have more gadgets and more things designed to make our lives easier our lives are more hectic than ever. I for one don’t want more gadgets. I want my books.

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Too Close for Comfort

December 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Who out there in cyberspace does not,by now, have a Facebook or Twitter account? Is there anyone out their that does not like to follow the trials and tribulations of their favorite movie icon or see the constantly updated pictures of their cousins’ new baby from overseas? As much as we hate to admit it there’s a little voyeur, and a little exhibitionist, in all of us. Social media networks have become valuable commodities. They help fulfill our human desire to be heard and to stay connected, but have some of these sites gone a little too far?

Did you know that some of these networking sites reserve the right to keep all of the pictures you’ve posted on them, even long after you’ve closed your account? Were you aware that law enforcement agencies, employers and schools regularly check these sites in an effort to get the inside scoop on people that they’re looking to arrest, convict, hire or accept for enrollment? It is all fair and good to stay connected with old friends and relatives living far away. Everyone is curious to see whatever became of the prom queen, the class valedictorian and the captain of the football time. But how much of our privacy are we sacrificing in order to satisfy our curiousity?

Most of us try to be very careful about what we post on the internet. The problem is that sometimes what seems like the most trivial thing to you can be completely misconstrued by someone else. Criminals and predators alike can use any tiny piece of information that they’ve gleened about you from the internet to their advantage. Employers can use the internet to discriminate against you. It is illegal for a potential employer to ask you if you have children but it is not illegal for that employer to view their smiling faces on Facebook. Are these sites really worth the risk?

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Educate Yourself Online

December 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Teachers, like most other professionals these days, need to take a certain amount of continuing education classes every year in order to keep their licenses. This is not a task that most teachers enjoy. Many of these continuing education classes are long and tedious and held at a location that is central to everyone, but you. Although they are sometimes held during the normal instructional day more and more principals are encouraging their staff to take these classes on their own time. Sometimes even on their own dime.

Thankfully the internet is becoming an ever increasing option for people who are seeking high quality professional development classes at bargain basement prices. The internet has a quite a large range of options. Teachers in my district have been able to attend professional development webinars on topics as varied as classroom management, mandated state testing and suicide prevention. Each one of these webinars was attended from the comfort of ones’ own home and on ones’ own time. A short test was given at the end of each webinar and if you passed you were able to print out your own certificate from your own computer. Webinars such as these are both money savers for the district and time savers for the teachers.

Some of the best webinars out there are given completely free of charge by www.pbs.org. PBS.Org provides webinars on literature, history, science and nature. PBS.org has its’ own online teaching community where teachers can bounce ideas off on another and offer each other support. They also host live chats. Many of their webinars even come with completely dowloadable teaching materials, saving teachers even more time. As a high school English teacher, I am especially looking forward to an upcoming webinar taking a fresh look at teaching The Diary of Anne Frank. Check out one of these webinars. There really is something for everyone out there.

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Building a Web Business in the US

December 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Bunker Hill in downtown Los Angeles as seen fr...
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When it comes to having your own business, there are plenty of ways to get one started.  Los Angeles apartments and other businesses have made the smart move to online business dealings. Someone can find  great Los Angeles apartments online quicker than the old ways of finding great Los Angeles apartments. A lot of people create a business online, because it has the lowest overhead and costs the least to get set up and started. If you think you want to start up a web business, it’s important to keep in mind that low overhead and low start-up costs don’t necessarily guarantee success or an easy road ahead of you as a business owner. While they let you get going quickly, you’re responsible for maintaining your business once you get it up and running.

A web business can encompass almost anything you want, too. You can sell a product or a service (or both) and you can be an affiliate of another company or strike out completely on your own. A lot of people choose a hobby that they have, and they find a way to make it profitable. If you decide to do that, make sure you’re good at your hobby and that there’s a market for selling it to other people. You can do everything from setting up a site where people can find Los Angeles apartments to creating a site where they can buy handmade gifts.

It’s great that there are so many people finding ways to build their web businesses today, and the US provides them a lot of freedom to do so. They can also sell whatever they have to offer globally, too, so there are no worries about being restricted or not having a market that’s large enough. Being able to go global is one of the most significant factors when it comes to a web business, since it really doesn’t cost anything extra to be seen by people all over the planet.

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Backing Up Your Data

December 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Too many users do not back up their data, which can lead to a number of problems. Backing up your data is an essential thing to do if you own and use a computer on a normal basis, or keep important or sentimental information or data on your computer.

One large misconception is that backing up your data is only for those that have extremely important information. Yes, there are many who hold valuable information on their computer, such as those who freelance or work on the computer primarily.

Yet even the average home user keeps important data on the computer. Many families in this age have pictures that can be found on the computer. Even technology-conscious families see the value of having important receipts and documents on their computers as well.

On even a lower level, small items can prove frustrating if lost. Imagine if you kept all of your important data, but failed to back up your bookmarks in your Internet browser. For many who keep tens or even hundreds of bookmarks in their browser, and others who have them organized quite well, you can begin to see how potential headaches can occur if even seemingly unimportant data is not backed up.

Backing up your data is not difficult. You can check out freeware that will back up your data in a number of locations to one spot. Some freeware, and other software for backing up data, can include additional features, such as running on a schedule.

If you use this to back up your data, you should probably use an external medium. A DVD disc or an external hard drive are two popular choices.

Other options include those such as backing up data on the Internet. There you can store files for free or for a small charge, which can be convenient, especially for those who use multiple computers or who travel.

Take some time to look at how you back up your data. If you don’t currently back up your data, now is the perfect time to start and prevent potential problems in the future.

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How to Choose a Mouse for Your Computer

December 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment
My wireless mouse.
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For the casual observer, choosing a mouse for your computer is no big deal. After all, it is just a basic accessory that requires little research to purchase. At least, that is the thought of some at first glance.

However, it is not really that simple. Have you used a notebook-sized mouse for hours on end on your desktop computer? Have you traveled with a mouse and the connection device with your notebook, which was not designed for travel? Even gamers would balk at the notion of using an “ordinary” mouse.

The difference between a $10 and $25 mouse can be drastic, at least relative to the computer experience. If you use the computer for a considerable amount of time, the price difference is negligible for a product that can make your experience easier for years to come.

The first thing to do is to identify your situation. Do you travel a lot with a notebook? Do you need something for gaming? Do you need a full-sized mouse for your office?

Other dynamics can help you identify a mouse to purchase. For instance, if you have Bluetooth, this can provide a convenient connection. Otherwise, you may need to choose whether you want a wired mouse, or use a wireless connection with some other means, such as a USB receiver.

Pay attention to the design of the mouse. You may also want buttons on the side, or room for your thumb to rest while on the mouse.

Don’t forget to do your research on mice you are considering. Often user reviews can help you make quick decisions about particular mice that aren’t working out. This is especially useful with popular battery life issues that seem to come up in a computer mouse.

Overall take what you need in a mouse into consideration with your budget. For many that use a computer, an extra $10 or $20 is well worth the features and ease a quality mouse has to offer.

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Elf Yourself

December 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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There is a new kind of social pressure this holiday season: coming up with the best JibJab holiday card. This once little known novelty on Facebook has slowly become a suburban sensation. Unfortunately, it’s also become the latest way of keeping up with the Joneses. Last year all one had to do was elf oneself in order to be considered stylish and chic. This year there is an ever expanding set of ways to wish your friends and loved ones a happy holiday.

I thought I was being exceptionally clever when I sent my friends and family a Jibjab of of my two sons dancing to the disco version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas". Nothing is cute than little white boys with giant afros. Lo and behold my girlfriend responds in kind with a Jinjab of her family doing the "Menorah Hora", complete with side curls and all. And, the very next day I receive "A Chippendale’s Christmas" from the California cousins. Their abs have never looked so good! What’s an original mom to do?

Do I start sending Jibjab birthday cards as well, or is this overkill? My sister in laws birthday is coming up. I can send her the "Wanna Bang" birthday card. Three former U.S. presidents (Bill Clinton, Richard Nixon and George Washington) comment on how good you look and then John F. Kennedy asks if you "wanna bang". Clever or vulgar, you decide? Or I could send, "Looking Back on Your Birthday" so that she may be reminded that she never became doctor, a rock star of the sexiest person alive. Rather she’s just an ordinary pencil pusher. It’s an amusing card, but it might start an all out war. To the creators of Jibjab I only have one thing to say: Stop It! I can’t take all this pressure!!!

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Googler: Heal Thyself

December 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The old adage used to be “physician: heal thyself”. Now it has become “googler: heal thyself”. With the proliferation of more and more websites dedicated to medicine and general health more and more people are looking to the internet when suffering from an ailment not to their doctors. Is this really a turn for the better?

A few weeks ago I was suffering from a urinary tract infection. I was prescribed antibiotics for the infection which worked well in the beginning but after a while the antibiotics seemed to make me itchy and they made my face flush. It turns out I was having an allergic reaction to sulfur, one of the components in the medication. I figured this out by perusing WebMd and some other health related sites on the internet. I cofirmed my diagnosis by instant messaging some pharmacist friends of mine on Facebook. Luckily, as soon as I stopped taking the medication the itchiness and facial redness went away.

The internet worked for me, but I wonder is this really the best way to diagnose and treat oneself? Should I have just called my doctor? I’m sure that if things had not gone as well for me I would have regretted not making that phone call. Yet with insurance premiums skyrocketing and doctors spending less and less time with their patients the internet is really becoming a viable option.

Medical information is available on the internet 24 hours a day and it is totally free making it very appealing to those with a sick child in the middle of the night or a wierd rash on a Sunday. The problem is that although this information is 100% free it is not 100% reliable. Although there are many reputable sites out there, such as Webmd, there are just as many site filled with quackery. So when looking to the web for medical information Buyer Beware!

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Building Your Web Business: Do you Need Insurance?

December 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Having a web-based business is becoming so common today that most people don’t even look surprised anymore, when someone says that’s what he or she does for a living. Even a few short years ago, it was almost unheard of for someone to operate a business from home, strictly on the Internet, and actually make any money at it. Of course, that doesn’t mean that everyone accepts people who work online, even today. There are plenty of people who don’t think that working from home, on the computer, is a ‘real’ job – even though many people who have web businesses put in long hours and work harder than people with 9-to-5 employment.

Depending on what you’re selling through your web-based business, you may or may not need to be insured. In order to find out what you need so that you’re well-protected, it’s a good idea to get insurance information from a company that you trust. Talk with more than one if you need to, so that you’re able to get good information and compare quotes and rates. Insurance isn’t the only issue you’ll have to consider, of course. You’ll also want to determine whether you need employees, if the computer you use will handle email and other requests from your customers, and if your website is what it should be to attract those customers.

Your website should be easy to navigate, so that potential customers can get around it quickly and not get confused. If they can’t find what they’re looking for, make their purchase, and go on with their lives, they may not stick around to buy anything – and they sure won’t be back, even if they buy something the first time. Research into the right way to build a web business is a good idea, so you can get started off on the right foot.

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