Tips for Better Online Security

Right now, we are living in a world that is more digitally advanced than ever husband in history. We are advancing technologically every single day and that demands empowerment in the realm of technology. This means a more responsive and respect for use of the technology that we have, less abuse of the technology and less naivete. 

Technology is a wonderful addition to our workplaces, but are you aware of how to use a VPS? Are you aware of how to protect yourself so that when you’re working in a cafe your information is not going to be stolen? This naivete surrounds many different workers and business owners in the world, and that’s why we have to look at tips for better online security. We’ve got those tips for you below and hopefully, you’ll be able to use these to maintain your online security and stay confidently safe.

Image Source: Pexels

• Connect with a known network. While those free Wi-Fi signs may be tempting, it’s never a good idea to connect your business information to a free Wi-Fi hotspot. The only time you should ever do this is if it’s in another building that you trust and you know and the free Wi-Fi connection is secure. Most people are oblivious to the dangers of a free Wi-Fi network and public connections are often insecure. That means a hacker can get involved in your system just because you did not click secure.
• Browse with caution. Nobody likes Internet pop-ups any more than they like TV adverts. When you’re browsing the Internet, don’t bypass security systems and only use websites with a strong SSL certificate ocean. You need to ensure that websites have a padlock system on the browser because this tells you that the website is encrypted and highly secure. Always trust only the SSL certified websites because these are the ones that can keep you safe. 
• Stay away from anything suspicious. Cyber security threats are becoming more and more realistic as cyber criminals become more sophisticated. When you browse online or you’re checking your email, don’t click links you don’t know, always check with banking and financial institutions if you receive emails from them, and always look out for regular and on trend phishing scams. Doing all of this will ensure that you are not caught out.
• Secure all of your passwords. There is a reason that some websites ask you to alphabetize and add special characters in your passwords. Doing this makes them harder to get into which also means that nobody can breach them. If you secure your passwords properly and you add a layer of extra security with multi factor authentication, you will be able to ensure that your information is safe at all times. Your online security matters if you want to keep hold of your money and stop yourself from being scammed. Whether you are an individual or you are working as a business, online security is important either way. Educating yourself on how to do it better is the key!

Marketing Strategies You Need To Implement Today For The Best Results

There are countless marketing strategies that you could implement to grow your business. However, not all of them will be effective for your specific company. That's why it's important to tailor your marketing plans to fit your unique needs and goals. The following blog will provide some marketing strategies that are worth considering today.

Photo by Miguel Á. Padriñán

1) Increase Your Visibility With Search Engine Optimization

If you're not already using SEO to improve your ranking in search results, now is the time to start. By optimizing your website and content for relevant keywords, you can increase your chances of being found by potential customers who are searching for businesses like yours.

There are several things you can do to improve your SEO, including:

-Researching and using relevant keywords throughout your website and blog content

-Optimizing your website for speed and mobile-friendliness

-Creating high-quality backlinks to your website from other websites

SEO is an ongoing process, so it's important to regularly review and update your strategy to ensure you're getting the best results. If you need help getting started with SEO, consider working with a digital marketing agency specializing in this area.

2) Pay Per Click Advertising

PPC advertising is a great way to drive targeted traffic to your website. With PPC, you can create ads that appear in search results when people are searching for keywords related to your business. When someone clicks on your ad, you pay the advertiser a small fee.

PPC can be an effective way to generate leads and sales, but it's important to manage your campaign carefully to avoid overspending. Make sure you set a budget for your PPC campaign and track your results so you can adjust your strategy as needed.

If you're not sure how to get started with PPC, consider working with a google ppc agency that specializes in this area. They can help you create an effective campaign and track your results to get the most out of your investment.

3) Use Email Marketing

Email marketing is one of the most effective marketing strategies out there. It allows you to reach a large audience with minimal effort. Plus, it's relatively inexpensive and easy to set up.

To get started with email marketing, you need to create a list of subscribers. You can create a sign-up form on your website or blog. Then, send regular emails with helpful information, tips, and resources. Make sure to include links back to your website so that your readers can learn more about your products or services.

Email marketing is an excellent way to stay in touch with your customers and keep them updated on what's new with your business. It's also a great way to build relationships and foster loyalty. So if you're not already using email marketing, now is the time to start!

Embracing Bold Moves in Business Expansion

One striking example of innovative business strategy is Belinda Stronach’s recent investment negotiations in Sacramento Republic FC. While this move might seem primarily sports-oriented, it encapsulates a broader lesson in marketing: leveraging brand visibility through unexpected avenues. Stronach’s decision underscores the potential for businesses to amplify their market presence by venturing into sectors that, while peripheral, share a common audience. This investment not only diversifies her portfolio but also taps into a passionate fanbase, creating numerous cross-promotional opportunities that could benefit her core business interests. By associating her brand with a beloved local entity, she enhances her public perception, illustrating the power of strategic partnerships and community engagement in business growth.

In conclusion, there are many marketing strategies that you can implement today for the best results. However, it's important to tailor your plans to fit your unique needs and goals. By using the strategies discussed above, you can create a well-rounded marketing plan that will help you reach your target audience and achieve your business goals.

Creating a Slick and Smooth Experience for Your Website Visitors

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As a business owner, you know that the only way to gain more customers is by creating a slick, smooth and user friendly website. Nowadays, there is so much online competition that your website needs to stand out as being attractive, appealing and easy to navigate otherwise people will quickly navigate elsewhere to find a quicker option. When it comes to improving the overall user experience, your website needs to possess a number of features to take it to the next level. If you’re looking for a handful of ways to improve your website, consider some of the following ideas.

Offer Numerous Points of Contact

If you are running a business that is heavily reliant on people contacting you, then you need to make sure that there are a number of options available. Having a clear contact form built into your website, an email address and daytime telephone number will give your potential customer the options they need. You may also want to look into the best live chat solutions for websites; having a live chat option can give your potential leads the quick and simple answers they need when they’re navigating around your website.

Create a Clear Customer Journey

Is there anything more frustrating than trying to navigate through a complicated and busy website? When it comes to creating a slick and smooth experience for your website visitors less is often more. The next time you have a spare moment, you may want to navigate through your website with a fresh pair of eyes. Is it clear where the customer needs to go next? Do you have plenty of clear calls to action in place? Consumers want to be told exactly where to go and what to do when it comes to websites, so give them the gift of clarity!

Check Your Loading Times

A slow and unresponsive website is not what your customers are looking for when they visit your business’ online space. Having a mobile friendly website and a highly responsive website on a desktop will give your business the upper hand when it comes to user experience.

Be Transparent With Processes and Pricing

Some business owners keep their pricing strategies under lock and key, but if you want to instantly grab the attention of your ideal customer, you need to be more transparent. Customers do not like hunting for information; it can quickly put them off the company if the details are too tricky to find. Having a clear page on your website which highlights your pricing and processes can help to provide clarity to your readers as soon as they land on your website.

Making small tweaks to your website over time can ultimately improve user experience and create a better customer journey for everyone involved. In many cases, there will be many improvements and enhancements you can make to your website so that your online platform is better than your competitors. However, it is most important to create a customer-centric journey so that your ideal target audience member feels confident when navigating their way around your online space.

Exciting Developments From the History of Movie Production

The creation of a motion picture has undergone many developments over the past hundred years or so. From the work of the Lumiere brothers to high-tech computer animation, there have been a lot of exciting developments.

Photo credits

Motion

Auguste and Louis Lumiere were French brothers who patented their cinematograph that produced moving pictures. In fact, their device could record, develop, and project the moving pictures. Their first short films are significant in the history of movie production. While working on their moving pictures, the brothers also worked on developing a photographic process that included colors. Unfortunately, the brothers didn't believe the cinema would stand the test of time and sometimes refused to sell their cameras.

Color

Although the Lumiere's dabbled in film and color, it wasn't until 1916 that the Technicolor Corporation made it possible for moviemakers to record movie images in color. Naturally, there were some difficulties along the way, but eventually, the first two-color technique was replaced by a three-color camera that really cemented color films in the movie production industry. Where would well-known movie producers, such as Heather Parry be without these advancements?

Sound

Movie-goers today enjoy top-notch audio systems that surround them with the music, explosions, dialogue, and other sound effects of the show. However, before 1927, silent films dominated the industry. Alan Crosland was the first to premiere a film with sound. This was the result of the development of the Vitaphone. This system was eventually replaced by the Movietone. Since then, movies just haven't been complete without dialogue and a background soundtrack.

Photo credits

Animation

The dramatic changes in the production of live films were paralleled by advancements in animation. Walt Disney is one of the most well-recognized names in the history of animation, if not the most famous. From the basic drawings employed to create classics, such as Steamboat Willie to the fine detailing and the three-dimensional illusion of modern animated films, there's been a lot of development.

Where will the next hundred years take movie production? As the lights go down and the sound comes on, while movie-goers settle into their seats with popcorn and a drink, there are sure to be many exciting changes on the way.

How is Technology Disrupting the Real Estate Industry?

The Internet of Things, Augmented Reality, and Artificial Intelligence are some technical terms that almost everyone now hears every day. With these emerging technologies, the business landscape has changed. Today, as Steven Taylor observes, some retail stores are going out of business. With augmented reality, you can see and test products before you buy them online. The same technologies are also affecting the real estate industry.

Online Shopping

While a realtor or a landlord may still put up a banner when they have a house up for sale or rent, millennials prefer to compare houses online. With augmented reality, you can take a virtual tour of a house just like you would in real life. Instead of traveling across the neighborhood looking at houses, you can now do it in the comfort of your sofa. Better yet, buyers and sellers can close deals online.

The Economy of Sharing

Today, many people prefer to hire cars when they need them instead of buying them. This is happening with most millennials who prefer to rent houses rather than buy, share offices and split rent, and to sign long-term leases for offices. Firms can buy than rent these houses for extended stays negating the need to buy office space.

Improving the Tenant's Experience

Tenants and aspiring homeowners are shopping for modern homes. A modern home embraces the Internet of Things (IoT), where all gadgets, from the vacuum cleaner to the bulbs, are intelligent and interconnected. Houses with vintage designs and archaic devices are losing value seeing that the cost of modernizing them is high. A 2017 PWC study in Canada and the USA showed that the real estate industry would change drastically in the next decade due to such trends.

Change is a powerful force. For realtors to stay in business, they need to embrace new technologies. Realtors have to adapt to the ever-changing needs of tenants and aspiring homeowners, and one way to do that is by keeping up with market trends. 

The Key Pros and Cons of PowerPoint

Image by Pixaline from Pixabay

Microsoft PowerPoint has been utilized for business and personal purposes since its creation in 1987. Despite it being around for many years and technology heavily advancing, it’s still one of the core applications that’s used for presentations across the world. From students at college using it to demonstrate a project that they’ve been working on to an individual presenting an idea to a potential client, the possibilities of using PowerPoint are endless. 

There are even businesses that offer software that complement the application, to enable people to edit the content swiftly and easily, ensure that the presentation is compliant and on-brand and that it can be shared via email  – an example of which being Templafy.com. Alongside this, PowerPoint now also offers Powerpoint Online which allows you to work with on the presentations whilst you are on the website where the presentation is located.

If you are thinking of utilizing PowerPoint, it’s important to consider what the pros and cons are of it. To help make the decision easier, here are the key advantages and disadvantages of the application:

Firstly, what are the pros:

1. It will spruce up your presentation

When you are giving a presentation and want people to remember it, PowerPoint should be your first port of call. Adding a sense of professionalism that will make people take your business or project seriously, you can place content, images, videos and more within it. A lot more interesting than simply standing up and talking, it will help to support what you are saying in a way that’s concise and interesting. It’s also a great way of organizing your thoughts onto one easy application. 

   

2. It’s customizable 

Following on from the above point, PowerPoint can be edited and adjusted to fit your needs. If you want a text-heavy presentation, you can have it. If you want one that’s filled with only images, easy. This level of flexibility means that can create a presentation that will meet your requirements, whilst allowing it to look visually appealing. 

  

3. You can easily print the PowerPoint out in hand-out form

This means that you can present whilst it’s on the screen, as well as giving people a physical hand-out to read alongside it. This will, yet again, make whatever you’re presenting seem more credible and professional. 

If you are worried about the hefty cost of PowerPoint, you needn't be. Affordable for both students and businesses alike, it’s an application that can be utilized with ease without a big price tag.  

5.  It’s easy to use

Not only is PowerPoint easy to download, but it can be used easily by anyone. A standard application, you can adjust it by adding different fonts, adding images, etc. with ease. There are even demonstrations that you can watch if you’re unsure of how to use it. 

Now, onto the cons:

1. The presentations can easily look messy

If you are making a presentation that’s filled with text, it can be incredibly unappealing to the eye. People can easily go overboard with too much text or a color scheme that doesn’t fit the brand/simply doesn’t look aesthetically appealing. This will detract from the purpose of the presentation, causing it to look unprofessional and resulting in people losing interest. 

2. Technical difficulties may arise

Say you’re giving a vital business presentation. PowerPoint might stop working, the computer might freeze or another issue might arise that delays your presentation. This issue can be the difference between success and failure - especially if you haven’t come prepared with a physical handout of the presentation. This is a downfall, however, of all the technology that’s utilized when giving a presentation. 

3. Everyone uses it, therefore it’s not unique

Unfortunately, the fact that everyone uses it can be a downfall. You never want to stand out and give a presentation that doesn’t stand out from the crowd. You want one to stick in people’s minds because of the way it’s presented. As anyone can use this application, it can result in a presentation that’s lacking that extra spark that’s needed. 

It’s clear that there are both pros and cons of utilizing PowerPoint that should be considered before using it. An application that has been around for many years, it’s clear that it will still be used for years to come, despite its small downfalls. These cons however, should be taken lightly, as it will depend on who uses it (i.e. the style that you use), that you should expect that the technology could potentially break (no real fault of PowerPoint) and that as with everything in the modern age, it will be utilized by many because of its flexibility. 

Using Colour Curves In Photoshop

Many who are yet to use the ‘colour curves’ tool on Photoshop believe that it is a drawing tool. However, the feature is like an improved version of the ‘levels’ tool. Colour curves allow you to target specific tonal regions, such as a shadow, and make it lighter or darker. 

https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-using-silver-laptop-2265488/

There is also slight confusion surrounding ‘colour curves’ and ‘curves’. The latter tool is available for those using the full version of Photoshop and it has more features, such as; being able to work separately on each colour channel. No matter what you use, TorGuard or another safety solution is essential if you’re using any program like this, especially in a business capacity.

This article will inform you on how to use Photoshop Element’s colour curves tool effectively…

The first thing you need to do is open your photo and make a duplicate layer. In Elements you cannot use an adjustment layer for colour curves as you’d be able to in the full Photoshop version. Thus the best solution is to add a duplicate layer. To add this press Ctrl and J. Next open the adjust colour curves dialog box. Go to enhance, then click on adjust colour, and finally adjust colour curves. 

The next thing you need to do is select a preset for colour curves. Navigate to the lower left window and scroll through the list. Select the preset which is the best match for what you want the image to look like. The dialog box should give you a good idea of what your photo is going to look like. However, if you want to see a full preview then merely drag the dialog box to one side. You will be able to see the photo in its full before you decide whether to make any changes or not. Once you are satisfied click ok. 

You can make further adjustments using your computer if you are not completely satisfied with how the image looks. Use the slider in order to do this. You can adjust the following; adjust highlights, midtone brightness, midtone contrast, and adjust shadows. A small change on one of these sliders can make a big difference. You can easily reset to original settings. Thus if you end up making the picture look worse you can undo your changes. 

Let’s elaborate a little bit further one what each of these sliders does...

• Adjust highlights – This allows you to darken or lighten a photo; move left for darker and right for lighter. 
• Midtone brightness – This slider is for the middle range of colours. Again, for darker move the slider to the left and for a lighter range move the slider to the right. 
• Midtone contrast – Move the slider to the left if you want the contrast to be lowered and to the right to increase it. 
• Adjust shadows – Move the slider to the left to darken the shadow and to the right if you wish to lighten it. 

Click ok when you are happy and you are good to go. If you follow this step-by-step guide then you should have no trouble using one of the most popular Photoshop Elements tools; colour curves.

Are These The Worst Things About Owning A Computer?

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There are very few of us who don't have a computer at home, and for the most part, owning one is a good thing.

You can use a computer to stay in touch with friends and family. Your children can use the many resources available to them for their school work. And you can use your computer to watch Netflix, check the news, watch funny cat videos and more!

So, in some ways, there are benefits to owning a computer.

However, there are downsides. Here are just a few of them.

1. Computers are addictive

How many times a day do you spend on your computer? If you know you spend longer than you should, and other aspects of your life, such as your friends, family, housework, and even your career, have taken a back seat to your time online, then you may very well have an internet addiction disorder. You can read more about this in the linked article. So, be responsible with your time, put your computer away occasionally, and remember the other facets of your life that are important to you, and focus on them. 

2. There are risks to your children

Firstly, your children can also become addicted to their computers. With Facebook, video games, and YouTube videos, you might have noticed that they spend more time online than they should. As a parent, you need to set limits so they also focus on other aspects of their lives, such as socializing face to face with friends and getting on with their homework. Secondly, there is the issue of stranger danger. Who are they talking to online? Are they being threatened in any way? You need to monitor the situation, and this includes talking to your children so you can find out what they are up to online, and taking the advice we gave in this article, so it doesn't look as if you are always snooping on them.

3. The risk of computer viruses

In some cases, you might open yourself up to a computer virus by clicking on a dodgy link sent to you in an email, or by downloading a file from an unknown or untrustworthy source. On the other hand, your computer might be specifically targeted by a hacker, perhaps to steal your financial data or to take control of your computer system. It's a real problem that frustrates and worries many computer users today, although you can take steps to protect yourself. You might want to consult an IT management service such as Quest, as they have the knowledge and resources to support a wide range of computer users. You should install antivirus software onto your computer. And you should educate yourself by researching possible cyber risks online, and then taking the necessary steps to protect yourself.

Finally

Many of us would be lost without our computers, but despite the many benefits to owning one, we do need to take safeguard ourselves against possible problems. So, think about what we have said in this article, and be responsible with the computer in your home.

5 Must Have Gadgets For Baby Boomers

If you were born between 1945 to 1965, then you belong to the Baby Boomer Generation. According to The Sun, this generation is known to be the wealthiest, healthiest and most active generation in history.

I am a Baby Boomer, born in 1964. Now in my 50s,  I am doing my best to keep up with the trends of this current generation. From health discoveries to innovations in technology, I am amazed at what the human race has achieved.

The Millennials or simply put, the youth of today are glued to gadgets. Little electronic devices that help them stay connected and up to date with their friends and family, help them with homework, keep track of their diet and exercise, track location and play music wirelessly. Oh, the convenience of these innovations! My kids have those gadgets - smartphones, tablets, fitness trackers, and whatever-you-call-that-talkative-speaker-thing. 

As a middle-aged mother of three young adults, I too, have invested in gadgets, although most of these are entirely different from the ones that my children own. In this post, I will share my list of the five must-have gadgets for the Baby Boomer generation. 

What I have:

A Blood Pressure Monitor

I invested in a digital blood pressure monitor three years ago. I chose one that would give me not only a blood pressure reading but my heart rate as well. My trusted gadget is the 5 Series Omron Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor. It alerts me if my blood pressure or heart rate is high and it also gives an irregular heartbeat warning. What is great with this monitor is that it also allows me to store up to 50 results with date and time stamp for 2 users. That's 100 readings stored in its internal memory! 

A Blood Glucose Monitor

I have Diabetes Mellitus Type 2. I have had this chronic illness for 15 years now. It is important for me to take my blood sugar readings regularly, which would help my endocrinologist assess the effectiveness of my current medication. I've gotten used to pricking my finger to draw blood. For me, it is as routine as browsing Facebook. I have a One Touch Select Simple blood glucose monitor and it has been my buddy for quite a while now. 

A Compressor Nebulizer

The DeVilbiss PulmoNeb Compressor Nebulizer System was the very first medical device we purchased for home use. My husband has COPD and he has episodes of wheezing and difficulty breathing. This device is really good to have at home. We can also use this nebulizer when someone in the family has a stuffy nose. We put a normal saline solution in the receptacle instead of our bronchodilator vials. 

My Future Purchases:

A Pulse Oximeter

My husband suffers from epileptic seizures and we need to make sure his oxygen levels do not get too low during seizure episodes. We can also use it to get blood oxygen readings when doing certain activities at home, at work or during leisure time. That way, we will get to learn which activities affect our blood oxygen saturation.

A Pedometer

As we age, our physical activity becomes limited due to decreased flexibility and strength. Putting other factors into consideration like high blood pressure and joint problems, trips to the gym become less frequent. In my case, I was advised to continue exercising but only chose those that are low impact activities. Walking is my exercise of choice and I do walk a lot! A pedometer will help me keep track of the number of steps I did during the day, the distance covered and the calories I burned. I can set a goal for the number of steps to complete daily too. A pedometer will help me with all that without having to use an app on my smartphone. Simple, straightforward information provided in one glance.

So these are the gadgets I and my husband have at home. Of course, we have our own smartphones, a laptop, a desktop and Bluetooth speakers but none of that other stuff. We may be technologically challenged at times but we have the right gadgets that will provide us the information we need.

Note: This is NOT a sponsored post. The products I have mentioned in this post are the ones we have chosen and bought for ourselves. We do vouch for their quality, having used them for quite some time. If you do wish to purchase, feel free to browse online stores for pricing and availability.

Deals and Steals: Check out this Ernie Ball VP JR Volume Pedal Now!

If there is a gadget that is ever present in every performance, it is definitely the volume pedal. The Ernie Ball VP JR features a compact design, an optimized potentiometer for passive instruments and a micro taper switch to provide two distinct swell rates. Those three features alone are enough to prove that this is worth its price.

Normal wear and tear is expected, however, buy up options for coverage are provided upon purchase. Warranty beyond the manufacturer's warranty period is an offer difficult to refuse. Unexpected breakdowns, normal wear and tear, damage brought about by spill, drops, and cracks, dust, internal heat and humidity, and power surges are covered for only a few pennies each day. 

I believe this is the best deal I've seen today. You know of someone who would need this? Click on the link and purchase it for them. They'll be ecstatic, I'm sure.  

 

Open Field Concerts Made Fantastic With Korg Synthesizers

Everyone, young and old, appreciate music. Whatever your choice of genre, listening to music gives you all sorts of emotions - happy, nostalgic, relaxed, etc. Going to a concert provides you with a different kind of high.

I am a proud Thomasian. My Alma Mater, the University of Santo Tomas provides its students and alumni a yearly Christmas party called "Paskuhan." There are many activities that students and alumni can participate in, however, the most awaited is the concert and fireworks display.

Students, alumni and artists from the music industry provide performances like no other and it seems to get better and better year after year. You may be wondering how can it be that they can provide such quality performances with clear, crisp sound that even the person in the farthest area of the football field can enjoy. These artists must have the best musical tools available, and one of them is undeniably the musicians friend kaossilator pro in stock. This device that looks like something from the control panel of an aircraft allows anyone to easily create melodies and phrases, even among those without any performing experience! With its intuitive touch pad, simply rub, stroke, or tap it to instantly create complex phrases with a single finger. Horizontal motions control the pitch, while the vertical axis can control tone parameters such as cutoff, feedback, or modulation depth. This makes it easy for anyone to create entirely original sounds and musical phrases. 

So next time you are at a concert and you happen to get close to the stage, you are bound to notice this little wonder of wonders. Isn't it amazing how technology has given us things to improve our craft? I can't wait for the next gadget or tool to be introduced in the market!

A Worthy Investment: Akai's Professional Electronic Interface Expander

Here's another great device for sound engineers and musicians who are thinking of staying on top of their game - the akai eie pro at Guitar Center.

This electronic interface expander is designed for plug and play convenience. It has 4 audio outputs and 4 audio inputs plus 3 USB ports allowing the user to record at 24 bit audio resolution into any recording or performance software.

Guaranteed to deliver all features as promised and comes with a good price. Definitely worth the investment.