Pet Sitting – A pet sitting or dog walking business can be a very profitable small business. Talk to people in your area who have done some pet sitting and ask questions about the rate of pay, what you are expected to do, etc. You can earn a lot of money by just walking dogs. Say you charge $10 per walk and you are walking 4 dogs that day. You can make $40 that day!

Fitness Coach – A fitness coach is someone who helps people with exercise and health. You may need to get some experience before you become a fitness coach. You will need to be physically fit. When becoming a fitness coach, you want to start with something that you will be most comfortable with and will make the most sense.

There are many other ideas for small businesses that can prove to be very profitable. Investing in UFX markets is a great way to help you budget. The important thing is that you find something you love to do and will have fun with. Many small businesses can be started in your own home.

EReaders are becoming more popular and eBook sales are increasing. EReaders use Wi-Fi and 3G networks to wirelessly receive materials, which is quicker and more efficient than downloading to a computer and then transferring the publications to the eReader from the computer. Libraries are offering lending for digital publications as well as physical books. Magazine and newspaper subscriptions are also available, which is great news for people concerned with environmental issues associated with print publications.

Cell phones like a blackberry smart phone can do everything a computer can do. Many coffee shops, fast food restaurants, and even stores, especially bookstores, allow you to connect to the internet via Wi-Fi or 3G technology on your cell phone, IPad, or laptop. You can surf the web, download music and even play games at an online casino. Applications now make it possible to access and view information on a computer in another location, allowing you the freedom of mobility without losing access to any important information.

The downside to being connected all the time, no matter where you go, is that you are connected all the time. It is harder to get away from work, to go on vacation and escape the everyday when everything is will you in your pocket. If you are watching your child’s soccer game and texting or working via your portable device, are you really paying attention to your child’s activity or just there in body but not mind. When things are important remember to disconnect, leave your phone in the car during the game, unless you are an on-call doctor, most likely whatever is happening can wait one hour for your attention.

Image by xeeliz via Flickr

It’s a familiar warning — a message opens on your screen, citing software advancements and the need to claim them. You frown, uncertain if you can spare the time (or the hard-drive space). Downloading is tedious and seems to offer few rewards. Any attempts to secure supposedly better programs have failed: yielding indecipherable results and unimpressive new features. There’s nothing to gain from progress. You think it’s instead a mere sales tactic.

That sales tactic is essential, however — and you discover this when a virus infects your computer, old software allowing it to slither in. An update would have saved your system. Now you’re left with a blank screen and a battered connection.

Software is ever-changing. Progress defines source codes, allows them to perpetually transform. Such transformations aren’t fickle, though — offered for the sake of simply being different. Instead they’re meant to keep pace with the endless viruses and spamming Trojans. Advancements aren’t just given to computers. They’re instead claimed by hackers.

As of 2011, there are 1,000,000 unique strands of malware (with all of these shifting to new formulas, the algorithms mutating often). Users master these, shoving them into systems and stealing information. It’s necessary therefore to prepare for any possible invasion — and software updates offer such preparation.

Choosing every possible new program is essential. Frequent installations provide protection, helping networks battle any concerns. The advancements offered to software match the dangers that try to infiltrate them. Achieving a balance between these is vital.

You must not ignore updates. Instead you must embrace them.

The WordPress software is a great tool for webmasters, writers, and bloggers to enhance the look and functionality of websites. WordPress offers two plug-ins that are ideal for collaboration and discussion for those who are in different places, tele-work, or have limited access to Internet connectivity at sporadic times. The plug-ins work well for note-taking and keeping all interested parties on a project abreast of developments and changes.  They are also compatible with any type of computer applications, from Apple tablets to laptops to HP desktop computers.

- Peter’s Post Notes

Peter’s Post Notes is one of the optimal WordPress plug-ins used for issue collaboration and discussion. The plug-in allows you to add notes, edit them, and edit the pages screen on the sidebar in the tool. This feature is available on versions of WordPress that are 2.8 and up. In this feature, the user also has the capability to send the sidebar notes along with any emails. You can use the settings to send notes that are in the collaboration workflow. You can set the plug-in so the notes system on the dashboard is available for general or private viewing. This security feature works well for large workgroups or for information that is confidential among the group. You can use the plug-in for brainstorming among the group and creative thinking dialogue between members.

In the summary on the dashboard of the WordPress plug-in, it shows a summation of notes and collaborative markings from the participants. You can convert this information into a discussion panel for team building or use it to compile information for another note-taking session.

- Peter’s Collaboration Emails 1.2 and Up

This comprehensive plug-in enables you to send automatic emails to the pertinent users of a project at various post-status transitions. This includes post information like pending posts, posts tagged for approval, or scheduled posts. You can use it when posts are in the pending-, draft-, rejected-, or approved-status.

In using this plug-in, you can email a list of approved statuses to the owner letting him know when a post is ready for review/acceptance once a contributor submits an article or a post for submission. The plug-in provides a link to the post, which allows the owner to edit the post as necessary.

After approval, the post contributor receives an email stating who approved her post and whether the company published the item. If an editor approved the item, there will be a link that will take the poster directly to the page. The plug-in can notify the author with a date and time for publication if the article is not live on the site. When it goes live, the author will get another indicator email with the new link. When you use this plug-in with versions of WordPress 2.7 and higher, users have the option to leave notes that accompany the emails for each step in the project’s workflow.

For the 2011 college graduate, the following is a list of tragic hardships:

• Leaving the house without your cell phone
• No cable box in your bedroom (you can only watch basic cable)
• No GPS – how will you ever find the fraternity party
• The microwave is broken (I’ll starve!)
• The oven? Seriously?
• Not allowed to text while driving (obedient and scared of Dad)
• Get a job. Now!
• Here’s the title to the car we’ve allowed you to drive. Start paying for gas and insurance using prepaid card.

All of the above items involve high tech luxuries many of us didn’t know about when we were 21. Baby Boomers, who will always represent the majority of the American population (until we die off), witnessed the arrival of many technological advances:

• Automatic transmissions
• Color TV
• Neil Armstrong walking on the moon
• Microwave Ovens
• Beta Max
• ’67 Mustangs
• SSTs and 747s
• Personal Computers
• The Space Shuttle
• Disney World
• Digital cameras
• CDs and DVDs
• Microchips for pets
• Cell Phones
• The Internet
• Global Positioning Systems
• Lo Jack
• iPods
• Kindles

In the next generation, today’s college graduates will be telling their kids about all the stuff that wasn’t invented yet when they were growing up. It won’t make an impression on those kids, either.

It surprised the entire computer industry when the state of Minnesota bought lots of Apple 2 computers to put in their schools. They had educational programs written for their new computers, which started a frenzy of Apple 2 units being purchased by school systems all over America. Districts knew they could buy the units from the new Apple Computer Company and educational programs from Minnesota. Schools started writing additional programs for the computers, and so software applications for teaching increased exponentially in just a few years.

There were computer applications appropriate for every age learner. Young children learned to identify shapes, colors, letters, and numbers by matching pictures on the screen at their own pace. Elementary students learned sight words and math concepts through simple computer games. Students increased competency and speed by playing against classmates or by trying to better their own scores.

Since the Internet and access to the Internet became readily available, a new dimension has been added to the existing educational applications.

In the 30 years since computers were first introduced into classrooms, they have improved dramatically. It is the norm these days to find several computer units in every classroom – not to mention the one on the teacher’s desk.

Thankfully, those days are over. Every salesperson now has an identification number, and every item has a stock number. When orders are received, the items are entered into inventory. When someone rings up a sale, they enter their employee ID, the inventory number assigned to the product(s) being sold, and the quantity of items. The computer already knows the price of the item so, with the small amount of information entered at point of sale, the computer updates the inventory and can yield reports corresponding to:

• Number of products sold
• Dollar amount of products sold
• Collectible amounts, including applicable taxes
• Products sold by  each salesperson
• Dollar sales by salesperson

If the management has sales expectations for each salesperson, they are stored as quotas. The computer can spit out a summary of the percentage of quota achieved on any given dollar amount or specific products at any given time.

With a computer keeping track, products, dollar sales, and quotas are much more likely to balance. Discrepancies, if any, are easier to find. The green widgets should be all present and accounted for.

In 1997, a usable version of Microsoft PowerPoint became available and changed the way most major training materials were prepared. With PowerPoint, the various slides became a slide show, built or loaded on a laptop computer wired to a small projector. The final appearance of a PowerPoint presentation is determined by the person who builds the presentation within the PowerPoint software. This need not be a software programmer. While PowerPoint is somewhat intimidating to the newbie, it gets easier with practice. Visual effects of sliding or fading are worked into the presentation along with other visual effects. The graphics available in PowerPoint are very strong, and illustrations from other programs or photo files are easily imported.

The most recent development in training is the “Webinar,” or seminar presented over the Internet. Once registered for the event, an attendee is given an Internet link to click when it’s time to log onto the scheduled presentation. Unlimited numbers of students can get the same training simultaneously. Many college courses are now taught via webinar. Education resource sites such as eLearners offer access to thousands of online training courses and colleges who may offer this feature. There is usually a mechanism for interacting with the instructor via microphone or keyboard. Tests are conducted over the Internet. It’s like attending college without leaving home.

There is a saying about dressing for success. “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” You want your dress, speech, demeanor, and communication to exude competence, business etiquette, and maturity. Keep personal chitchat to a minimum. It’s OK to ask in an email  if a coworker had a good weekend, but it’s probably a bad idea to ask him whether he made the spread on the Laker’s game. It would be career suicide to defame your superior or any management staff. For example, “As much as I hate that stupid project of Jim’s, we better get on it.”  Wouldn’t you think common sense would prohibit that type of email chat? You’d be surprised.

Keep in mind that anything on the Internet can live forever. It can be used against you. This is especially true of social network sites. It has become commonplace for prospective employers to check out employees’ comments and pictures on FaceBook and other sites. If you have pictures of yourself and/or coworkers in an intoxicated state, for heaven’s sake, don’t post them! Teenagers love to post pictures of themselves in all sorts of questionable situations. It seems funny to them at the time, but those photos may cost them a job. Much can be interpreted about a person’s character by what they publish about themselves. Employers are using this to gain insight about potential employees.

Last but not least, control your urge to use common texting abbreviations like bff, brb, cya, etc. A woman recently asked, “What does lol mean?” On being told it was short for Laughing out loud,” she seemed relieved. “Oh good,” she said. “I thought people were calling me a little old lady.”

In following generations, the worldwide race for technological advances became increasingly competitive. The American government and society increased pressure on educators to elevate academic achievement. Standardized testing became the means by which educational competency was measured. English grammar and vocabulary, math, and science scores became the indicators of competence for schools, school districts, states, and teachers. There came to be an unfortunate – but necessary – teaching trend called “Teaching to the Test.” Schools and teachers learned that students’ performance on standardized tests became correlated with school funding and teacher retention. Standardized tests were objectively scored by computers, which read and recorded patterns of dots blackened by students using soft lead pencils. There was no mechanism in the standardized tests to measure the growth of softer subjects, such as art, music, physical education, and penmanship.

Unfortunately, some of the less quantifiable skills received less classroom time in favor of the skills that could, and would, be measured by standardized tests. While many young adults excel in math and science, they might be hard pressed to write a legible shopping list. Luckily, most of us have easy access to computers and online courses. For those of us who still value the elegance of cursive penmanship, there are computer fonts for that.

Another option to ensure the safety of a home wireless network is to change the visibility of the network. This should only be done by those who are comfortable with changing their Internet settings. It does involve making it impossible for others to see your wireless network and will be specific to the hardware you are using.

Another way in which you can secure wireless network would be to add an administrator password. This is a password that can only give the person who owns the computer the right to enter it files and make any changes. If you already have an administrator’s password on your computer, you can also consider changing this password on a regular basis. The best password is one that is a combination of letters and numbers. In this way, you will know that someone cannot access your computer using this method.

Just in the same way that regular Internet can be hacked, wireless Internet has its own threats. If they have an in-house computer department or an outside computer consultant firm, a business will usually have its wireless network secured. However, residential wireless networks will not have this luxury. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure your home wireless network is secure from intruders and other potential threats.

One of the main ways that a home wireless connection can be used is in the case of “piggybacking.” This is a simple turn in which neighbors or other people in the area will pick up the signals of the wireless Internet. There is no malicious intent involved and they are just “piggybacking” off of someone else’s Internet. Usually this threat does not involve anything serious and the person who owns the wireless Internet might not even know there are others accessing their wireless network.

However, a more advanced scenario is when someone tries to access your home wireless network for malicious intent. These are the people who try to hack into your system to access your bank details or steal your identity. In recent times, it is also possible to use a unsecured home wireless network for malicious intent against another computer or business, other than your own. In some instances, it might look as if you are responsible for this hack.

All these processes run while you use your computer to watch movies, read e-mails or play games. Thy can be representative of a function of the operating system of your computer. Processes result in activities that support each task on your computer and ensures the use of the  relevant resources. Sometimes software applications come with integrated processes that run in a background and are not visible to you. However, some of these processes can use your system’s memory resources to a high degree.

Some applications can do things on your system you do not want it to do, such as the transfer of your personal information to another person or computer. This is why security is another reason for you to know what processes are running. Now that you are aware of what a process is and how it works on your computer, it is a great idea to spend time reading about the tools available to display the list of processes running on a computer. But keep in mind that this will depend on your current operating system.

Ask your friends and family which device they use and why. Ask what they like about it and what they don’t like.

Ask the salesperson in the store which devices they personally own and use and find out the positive and negatives they have encountered.

Survey online (using online survey software), through the product websites, reviews, and even Consumer Reports. Post questions on your Facebook or LinkedIn profile to get feedback from your social network. Visit forum discussions about the devices you are considering purchasing to see what technology junkies are saying about them.

Be aware, you will probably get mixed reviews of all the devices you are looking at. Some people will love the IPad, others will not. Some will swear by the Kindle eReader and others will insist the Barnes and Noble Nook is the best. Once you have the information, you need to sift through and see what makes sense to you as a user.

However, once you have asked everyone, read all the information, checked the facts and reviews, and compared prices, the final decision remains up to you. You need to be comfortable and able to learn and use the device or all the options, applications, and software programs are useless. A Blackberry might be the best choice for many of your friends, but if you don’t plan on having a data plan on your phone, then does it really matter if your phone can do all kinds of fancy things? Keep your usage needs in mind when you are looking to make your next purchase. Based on the information you obtain, most likely you will know exactly which device is right for you.

Microsoft Office Home and Student is the least expensive option. It includes Word 2010, Excel 2010, PowerPoint 2010, and OneNote 2010. Though this version allows for installation on up to 3 computers, it is not meant for businesses.

Microsoft Office Home and Business comes with the software mentioned in Microsoft Office Home and Student, but then it also has Outlook 2010.

Microsoft Office Professional is the most complete package. In addition to the programs in the Home and Office version, it also has Access 2010 and Publisher 2010.

Microsoft Office Professional Academic offers all the software included in Office Professional, but at a more affordable price for students. If you are a student, check with your school, or the Microsoft Office website to see if this option is available to you.

If you are a business owner, volume licensing is available.

If you do not know what software you need here are basic descriptions of the software programs mentioned here,

Microsoft Word 2010 – is used to create documents

Excel 2010 – is a spreadsheet program with tools for analyzing data

PowerPoint 2010 – allows you to create visual presentations

OneNote 2010 – allows you to take notes and keep all your information in one place

Outlook 2010 – is a program to organize and read your email accounts and manage your calendar

Access 2010 – database tools to help you track and report information

Publisher 2010 – create marketing material and publications, such as newsletters or brochures

The software also includes numerous templates to help you easily create professional looking documents quickly and easily, including resumes.

Microsoft offers training and certification on its software as well. For more information about Microsoft Office Suite visit http://office.microsoft.com

Companies have been able to find out a great deal from online surveys. This level of feedback, combined with the convenience of being online and automated, certainly allows the business a level of clarity and direction. Additionally, businesses are learning about their net promoter score – a value that measures the company’s growth engine – from the ever-important online survey tool.

Hence it becomes important to be aware of the key elements which comprise the online survey. In order for customers to be attracted to it, it must first have a pleasant appearance. A modern feel that is not too strong visually is a well-received way to design the survey, aesthetically-speaking. This should attract customers to the survey itself.

The survey should also be well-formatted. It is no surprise that customers will not proceed with any type of survey, if it is not written well, just as we have seen previously with the pleasant look of the survey. Ensure that the positive aesthetics of the survey are matched with its execution in regards to format.

These key elements will ensure that customers are able to easily engage in the survey. With some work, the survey will hopefully attract customers on the website in order to gain prospective to the net promoter score.

The net promoter score remains an important evaluating tool to see how the business will be able to grow. As you design the survey to attract customers, you will be able to find out more about the score and improve it in time.

The Benefits of becoming Microsoft Certified include:
-    Access to the MCP members site if you have technical certifications
-    Access to the MOS members site if you have Microsoft Office certifications
-    Member area to meet others and a profile with your contact information
-    Certification Planner
-    Microsoft Certified trainer tool
-    Ability to create and download personalized certification logos

Benefits to companies who hire Microsoft Certified employees include:
-    Prove knowledge and skill mastery
-    Higher productivity – less training required
-    Employee retention increases – you know they are committed to their field and bettering their skills and knowledge base

If you want to take an exam to become certified, you need to choose which certification. Then you need to find an exam and register to take the exam. If you plan on obtaining several Microsoft certifications, consider purchasing a Microsoft Certification Pack, which includes free second chances and a discount on the total cost for the exams.

Being Microsoft Certified can help open doors and get you the job you have been searching for, and can maybe even give you an edge over the competition in a tough job market.

Lynda.com is website that offers tutorials on many software programs. With a subscription to Lynda.com you will have online access to more than 975 training courses. The site offers training on Adobe, Microsoft, Apple and more. Their video segments allow you to pause or rewind at any time. The courses are independent study, so you can be as flexible as you need and move though as quickly or as slowly as your schedule permits.

All of the courses offer a free tutorial to give you an idea of the course to see if it is right for you. Some tutorials are available without a subscription, though all are available to subscribers.

They offer four subscription options: monthly, monthly premium, annually, and annually premium. You will save 2 months of service fees of you purchase the annual plan. The premium plans include exercise files. The monthly plans begin as low as $25.00 per month.

Minimum system requirements to use the resources at Lynda.com are:
-    Internet Explore 7.0 or higher, Firefox 3.0 or higher, or Safari 2.0 or higher
-    Cookies and JavaScript must be enabled
-    Apple QuickTime 7.5 or better
-    Windows Media Player version 10 and up

Additionally you will need an internet connection with enough bandwidth to watch the videos. Try one of the tutorials before subscribing to ensure you can use the service efficiently.

Lynda.com has a free newsletter, as well as a managed multi-user program.

Lynda.com is looking for qualified trainers; so if you are an expert, consider sharing your software knowledge with others. More information is available on the website.

Some software will require you to update to a newer version in order to run the program, if a newer version is available, such as with ITunes.

If you do not update your software regularly, you may begin to have problems when you are using the software and you may end up having to pull out your prepaid credit card and buying an new version. Some updates repair or patch glitch discovered in earlier versions. In order to keep up with changing technology, data and system requirements, your computer and software will run and perform more efficiently and effectively if you are using the most current version.

The easiest way for busy people is to set the software up to look for updates on a set schedule, at a certain time, or when your computer connects to the internet. If you have DSL or other high-speed, always connected internet service, it is a good idea to schedule your automatic updates at a time of day when you will not be trying to do other things on your computer, since updates often require restarting the computer to complete the installation of the update.

If you prefer to update on your own, set a schedule on your calendar, including email or text reminders if necessary, so you remember to check the website of the software for any updates. This option is not advisable for your anti-virus software, because virus definitions and such change so often, so your anti-virus software should set to automatically update daily if you want to most effective coverage available.

To become certified, two exams are necessary, the first is the Essentials exam and the second is the Practical Application exam.

The Essentials exam is used to test the skills and knowledge of technicians with over 500 hours in the lab or field. The Practical Applications exam is a more “hands-on” troubleshooting based examination of the IT technician’s abilities to assess and fix problems with the network, technology and security of computer systems.

If you hire a CompTIA A+ certified IT technician, you know they are likely to be a qualified and successful employee. They are knowledgeable, dedicated and committed. They have been properly trained to troubleshoot problems and maintain a wide variety of networks and security technology systems.

CompTIA certifications are also available in a variety of more advanced topics such as Linux, Networking, RFID, CTP, CTT, CDIA, project management, security and servers.

The tests can be taken at Pearson VUE and Prometric testing centers. Visit their website at www.comptia.org to find a testing center near you, register for the exam or get more information. There are classes or self-study programs. It more helps to student who are pursuing online college degrees in computer related course. The training materials cover the exam objectives, design principles, and review of information to help student determine when they are ready to take the exams.

If you are looking to begin a career as an IT technician, consider advancing your career objectives by becoming CompTIA A+ certified.