Author Archives: TechBlogger

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How Military Technologies are Being Used by Modern Businesses

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As strange as it may sound, many of today’s most important technologies were actually only originally developed for the military. Perhaps more surprisingly though, is what exactly the military has used in the past, or continues to use today, that is still used by businesses in a variety of industries. With that in mind, here’s a quick look at some of the best examples, as well as what impact they’re having today.

Metal Casings

While metal casings clearly have a number of uses for the military, including the most obvious, ammunition, it’s actually just as useful for agriculture. In a way, it’s almost ironic that they same system used to destroy land is also used to help make it grow. Still, there are plenty of magnesium casting companies today that have worked in both the agricultural and military industrial complexes. With that in mind, it’s interesting to see the parallels in technological needs, as well as how those technologies eventually moved somewhat away from the military to enter into commercial products and services.

Drones

Drones were originally used by the military as a scouting tool. Since then, they have also taken on a more aggressive role in the military, which doesn’t look to be stopping anytime soon. Still, drones have now also risen to become one of the most popular technological gadgets on the market today. For those who enjoy flying their drone and catching high resolution photos of the landscape, you kind of have the military to thank for that.

GPS

As it turns out, GPS was actually originally invented as a means for the military to better navigate around the world. In hindsight it seems like an obvious origin, but it doesn’t make its use in private life any less meaningful. In reality, the GPS just serves as further proof of what can be accomplished when something receives an investment from the might of the military.

While there are plenty of other examples of gadgets that were originally used or invented by the military, these are just some of the many interesting ones out there. If you’d like to find out more, then feel free to do your own research and see what you come up with. There are so many different technologies out there that originated thanks to the military, that it’d be almost impossible to list all of them. Still, it’s worth thinking about just how many gadgets we take for granted today because of the military.

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The Dangers of Social Networking

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There are many social networking sites like MySpace that are a wonderful place to meet friends that share the same interests as you. However, social sites pose a threat to you if you are not careful enough to use with caution. Here are some of the possible dangers:

1. Very often, people will not be who they claim to be. People in general tend to overemphasize their achievements, and make their lives appear to be more successful than they might be in reality. After all, nobody on the Internet knows who they really are. There is nothing which prohibits them from pretending to be somebody else.

2. Belonging to a social network might be addictive. Be careful not to start neglecting your family, friends, or work. On the other hand, if you simply like to participate in a social network a lot it doesn�t have to mean that there is a problem. It is good to have a hobby.

3. I know that people like sharing their personal information on the Net. However, if you are not careful, you risk being spammed, scammed, or even stalked. Do not give out your address to anyone, unless there is really a need for it. I also recommend not giving out your email details until you know that you can trust a particular person.

4. Stay alert if somebody asks you for your personal details such as passwords, bank account etc. If that happens, stop the conversation as soon as possible, as many predators and scammers are involved in social networks in order to find potential victims.

Overall, participating in social networking can be a great way to spend your time, but it is important to recognize potential dangers and be prepared for them.

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The Power in Rediscovering the Moments

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Most of us would agree that we all live busy demanding lives. It’s easy to get lost in the soup and lose sight of many of the things that are important to us. When we are caught up with all the events, demands, and details of our lives we lose our perspective and a part of ourselves.

Missing Moments
We all know how easy it is to miss the subtle details and moments of life when we are ultra busy. We may miss the roses blooming in our front yard, in a rush to get to the car and leave for work. We may also miss more significant events like our son’s first football game. When we are ultra-busy we neglect to slow down and inspect our lives. We live each day on the run, trying to get to the next even or obligation.

The Power in Rediscovering the Moments
Unfortunately, it often takes missing some important moment or event for us to realize how caught up and detached we are from the moments in our lives. However, the beauty in these moments of stark realization is the opportunity to change direction. This opportunity is often illuminated because we begin to realize how many precious moments we’ve lost. At this point, we naturally slow down for fear of missing another precious moment.

A New Approach
Regardless of what we’re involved with, looking for endoscope repair companies or searching for a new job, we learn to take the time to pay more attention to the moments in our life. We no longer let the excuse of being busy prevent us from taking part and bearing witness to many of the special moments in our lives. Perhaps it’s because we realize that many of the moments we experience are once in a lifetime moments, like your baby’s first steps.

The simple yet powerful truth is that many of the moments in our lives are the once in a lifetime kind. This is why it’s important to slow down enough to recognize these moments and bear witness to them. When we do this, we find that life becomes fuller and more enjoyable. Our memories become more vivid and sentimental to us as well. Life is busy for most of us. However, we can’t let life become so busy that we miss the most important parts of it.

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Brains and Computers

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Ever wondered how brains are different from computers? This article shows how. Read on to find out.

Brains consist of cells called neurons and they connect with millions of other neurons and information gets transferred across connection gaps called synapses. Inside the cells data are processed which gives rise to an idea, concept or understanding.

Computers are built of hardware chips and the central processing unit (CPU) processes data after receiving them from the other chips. How it processes data consists of several steps but the main outline is that software programs are fed into the CPU and processed. They provide end result information depending on how the programs are furnished with data and what the query is that is fed into the system. If some information is asked that is outside the scope of the software programs, the computer gets limited in functioning.

Brains, however, are limitless. From childhood until adulthood, the brain gets more and more developed and mature. It can process unknown data or abstract data as well and provide insights and knowledge.

The brain is more complex than the CPU and therefore, with neurons and synaptic connections, it is possible to process all kinds of information. It uses the five senses: touch, smell, hearing, taste and sight and takes in information and produces knowledge.

On the other hand, the CPU of computers takes in data from the typing of the keyboard and processes it, which is very limited. However, it is only human beings feeding data, writing software programs and making the computer behave like a brain although not quite so.

The brain is still more intelligent than the CPU of computers and has yet to train the computer to behave like the brain of a human being.

Yes, computers will be able to take over many tasks of human beings but without human beings, they are lifeless because humans have to give life to these computers, operate on them and have regular updating, monitoring and maintenance on them.

Just as a brain needs to rest and relax, computers will also need that from time to time but they can operate longer times than the average brain. While the brain sleeps, the computer can carry on with its duties of processing data and converting them to knowledge and information.

Summing up, although the CPU is sometimes called the brain of the computer, it is actually a misnomer because as I have outlined in this article, the brain is definitely different from the computer in varying ways and the brain has yet to teach the computer to behave 100% like a brain.

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Resources to Help You Find the Best Truck Parts

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You should settle for nothing less than the best when it comes to parts for your truck. Simply walking into your local auto parts store and buying the first thing you see on the shelf would not be a smart move on your part. You need to consider the big picture. Spending a little more money to buy higher quality truck parts now will eventually save you money because you will have fewer repairs. Buying better parts for your truck is a very wise investment. However, finding the best parts can sometimes be a bit tricky. Here are some of the resources you can use in your quest to obtain excellent parts for your truck.

1. Online forums where people discuss their trucks would be a great place to learn a lot about truck parts.

Online forums have been around since the dawn of the Internet. There are still outstanding places to gather info on just about anything. There are many forums that focus on trucks. In fact, you will even be able to find forums that are specifically geared towards a particular brand of truck. Interact with the other people who post comments on these forums. Ask them questions about truck parts. Which parts do they think are the best? Why do they feel this way? Get the opinions of many different people.

2. You can talk to mechanics in your area to find out their thoughts regarding where to buy great truck parts.

A professional mechanic will definitely be able to give you some advice when it comes to buying truck parts. This is something he does almost every day of his life. Mechanics are able to track down truck parts in places that most regular consumers do not know about. Find out where these mechanics get their Kenworth t600 parts. They might reveal some secrets to you that you were unaware of before.

3. Pay a visit to some auto shows and conventions in your area.

There are many cities that have auto shows and conventions on a regular basis. People who are passionate about cars will display their vehicles for other people to look at. Talk to some of the people who are displaying their vehicles. Find out where they buy their truck parts. You might get lucky by gathering some info that turns out to be very useful.

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Beware of Dangers on the Internet

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I am a person that surfs the Internet every day and that is because I simply enjoy it. I have been doing it for many years and will keep doing so. However, I am also aware of many dangers on the Internet. Dangers on the Internet are real and they are not just something that parents should warn their children about. The Internet can cause some harm in adult people�s lives too. If you keep this in mind and take some precautions, then you will enjoy surfing the Web even more. Here is what you should watch for:
-Phishing Scams. Such scams are a deception in order to steal a person�s personal information. Such information might include a credit card number, social security number, online banking password, and many other details. Losing such data can often result in monetary loss and that is why they are dangerous. It is important not to access important websites by clicking their link in an email as there are many phishing emails that try to steal your data.
-Spyware and virus infections can be dangerous as well. The main reason Internet users get their computer infected is that they download files from untrusted sites.It is safer to visit websites that you trust. If you want to be visiting completely random pages, then you can use a Firefox browser plug-in that blocks all scripts unless you manually allow them. This prevents viruses from being downloaded to your computer just by visiting a site.
-Another danger on the Internet is that you never know who you are talking to. You might receive an email from a Nigerian �prince�, but he may not be who he claims to be. A boy on a chatroom may want to meet with your children, but in reality it might be a grown man. You may be looking for a date online, but you may talk to someone who is using someone�s picture.
I gave you a few examples of what you should watch out for. While it may seem that the Internet is a dangerous place, the truth is that if you know what the dangers are you are a lot less likely to fall for any tricks. I hope that now you will even more enjoy surfing the Web.

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Situations When You Might Need a Gun

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One of the great rights that American citizens have is the right to bear arms. People in the United States must never take this right for granted because a huge portion of the global population is not allowed to own a gun. There are many examples of times that a person would be better off with a gun. You just need to make sure that you have all of the necessary training before you start handling a gun. Here are a few of the situations when a gun might come in handy.

1. You have just moved into a bad neighborhood.

Not every neighborhood can be great. Therefore, you need to take the right steps to protect yourself if you are now living in a neighborhood that is less than ideal. Your personal safety should always be your top concern. Carrying a gun at all times when you are outside will ensure that you will always be able to defend yourself no matter what the situation is. However, you need to make sure you get a conceal and carry permit to make sure everything is legal. You should then take a gun safety course so you know all of the correct ways to carry your gun.

2. You are a woman and you like to go walking, running or bike riding alone.

Women who do these activities alone are prime targets for criminals. You should never put yourself in a position where you are easy prey for criminals. Carrying a gun would ensure that any person who tried to assault you would get a very big surprise. You might want to start looking at competition hand guns to see what options are available at the moment. Going to a shooting range and getting the feel of it is advisable. This is especially true if you have never fired a gun before in your life.

3. You ride the subway late at night.

Anyone who has ridden the subway late at night knows that it can be a very scary place. All sorts of criminals ride the subway late at night when there is nobody else around. This allows them to pick out easy targets when people are sitting alone. Do not allow yourself to become a victim. Stand up for yourself and keep yourself safe in the dangerous environment that a subway present to you.

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Reading Digitally

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Has the title question ever struck you? What do you think? Read on for lovely highlights.

It is a subtle question. Since our childhood we have studied books in print when the digital devices for reading were nonexistent. We had no other option other than to read in print.

Now that the digital age is here, how has digital reading changed things for us? We like to read fictions or self-help eBooks or any other eBook in another niche in kindle devices, iPads, tabs, notebooks and laptops where the reading format of the eBook needs to match the particular reading device. It’s more complex now. But have all the new digital devices made things really easier for us?

In fact, yes. You choose an eBook format and its compatible reading device and get habituated to it. They are easier to concentrate and we can go on reading for hours. All the same if the body of the eBook is too concise and full of information in lengthy paragraphs, you will naturally want to skim and lose your patience.

How about books in print? We are more comfortable with print in concise form full of information. We cannot disagree with this fact. We are able to take in more information by reading in print.

On the other hand, kindle devices, tabs, iPads, notebooks and laptops all need to have their batteries recharged from time to time. Sometimes it becomes an added burden for us to recharge these devices just because we want to read something.

However, reading in print is convenient anytime. We just have to open the required books and novels when we are in a mood to read. We don’t have the additional task of recharging our digital devices. They are free open reads for us whenever we want wherever we like.

Summing up, while digital devices have the upper advantage of making digital reading more convenient for us, they do have their downsides that I have just mentioned, which reading in print doesn’t have.

All the same, this is the digital era and we cannot stay backdated. We need to familiarize ourselves with the various digital reading devices and their corresponding reading formats.

For example, ePub format is an open format designed by the Open eBook Forum and developed by the International Digital Publishing Forum. Devices that can open this file include the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and the Nook from Barnes & Noble. The e-book format MOBI used by the MobiPocket Reader can be opened by Kindle for PC and Mac.

The Portable Document Format (PDF) was created by Adobe for its Acrobat products. This is a very popular e-book format since software support for this format exists for a lot of devices including notebooks, laptops and PC’s.

Once we have become accustomed to the eBook reading formats and their corresponding digital reading devices, only then we are able to cherish life fully.

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Why Arc Flash Training Is Necessary

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Many people work in areas that are prone to electrical safety hazards. However, a lot of those same people are not educated enough to know how to handle these situations in order to stay safe and avoid serious injuries. Even if you are aware of the hazards of electrical dangers, you may not know exactly what an arc flash is. Arc flash safety is extremely important when working in and around certain environments. In order to stay as safe as possible, it is important to get training from companies such as facilityresults.com. Below are some of the main reasons arc flashes occur and why they are important for knowing how to prevent them.

Human Errors

No matter what type of work many people do, it is very easy to get into a routine and develop certain lazy tendencies while working. This can, however, lead to unsafe work procedures which may lead to mistakes in the quality of the job being done. In other instances, honest mistakes can happen to people while they are working even if they are doing their best. Unfortunately, when working with electrical equipment, mistakes can turn out to be deadly.

Improperly Designed Electrical Systems

This mistake will primarily fall upon whoever is in charge of doing the installation. If the installation gets done using faulty equipment or tools, then the probability of an arc flash occurring is higher. Neglect and improper maintenance of electrical equipment is necessary to keep it running safely. Neglect can come in many forms including passing over necessary performance tests and not checking the wiring during regular inspections. Electrical equipment can malfunction when debris, dust and other impurities build up on the electrical equipment. It can cause the equipment not to operate properly and can cause serious problems.

Negligent Maintenance

Like stated earlier, it is important for all electrical systems throughout the design to be properly maintained to keep it running smooth and keep occurrences of arc flashes at a minimum. All tests need to be performed according to OSHA standards. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration created standards and rules for workplaces to follow in order to minimize hazards in the workplace.

Arc flashes are very dangerous and training on how to prevent them is essential to creating a safe environment in the workplace. Training can teach employers and employees how to analyze and handle electrical equipment safely to avoid any potential hazardous occurrences.

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Skill for Every IT Professional

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In this day and age, our clients rely on us more than ever before and have much larger demands. After all, we’re the IT people, the experts. We must provide a one-stop shop for all of our clients. If clients had the technical know-how, we wouldn’t be needed. We must not only possess the technical skills, but the skills to effectively communicate with our clients, both internal and external. Why must we have great communication skills in our arsenal? We didn’t go into IT to deal with customer service concerns. The reality of today’s IT market is that we’re not only expected to be on top of the latest technological advances, but we must also be able to clearly convey the 5 “W’s” for our customers to perceive that we’ve not only addressed their concerns; but to make them feel as if they’ve received some value-added benefit. Let’s face it, while we all have different skill sets and talents, at the end of the day the result is tantamount to any developer.

What sets one IT company apart from another is in the how we present the information to the client, and if they feel that the benefit they’re receiving is worth writing our paycheck. Delivering results is no longer what impresses a client, anyone can do that, it’s the expectation, not a luxury.

This article will reveal several tips that are incredibly easy to implement and will not only earn a client’s business but retain it throughout the years. With little to no expense, you can wow your clients and cut down on unnecessary time spent making corrections.

We hope you enjoy these tips and will consider implementing them into your daily routine to make a positive impact.

How does this affect me?

If you’re not getting great reviews from your clients and repeat business, something’s getting lost in translation.

A Harris Poll of hiring managers shows that 77 percent of employers consider soft skills to be as important as technical skills.

Now that we’ve properly identified the issues it’s time to find a solution. What skills exactly are we needing to work on?

It’s no secret that IT professionals embrace jargon. After all speaking in “code” keeps us relevant and makes us sound intelligent. The problem is that we sometimes forget that we need to put away the jargon. Translate the information into “plain” language. If this seems to be quite a challenge, consider re-evaluating the information as if you were going to teach it to a high school or junior college class. Check for understanding. Ask your client if he or she is following what you’re saying. Another great way to check for understanding is to ask the client what he or she thinks or how it sounds so far. This tip will go a long way. If they don’t understand, they’ll most likely tell you, after all, they’re paying you a generous fee for your services, not to hear the alphabet in incorrect order. “The people who will thrive are the strong technologists who are capable of translating their expertise into terms that nontechnical people can understand.” -Ben Gaucherin, Harvard University

Role play meetings and presentations with co-workers

You wouldn’t state that a project was complete without testing it, right? It’s a great idea to do a “dry run” with co-workers or even your family if permitted. Have them ask questions you may anticipate, or if they have any questions. Choose the most brutally honest co-worker to throw you some questions or concerns, also ask them what they liked about the presentation.

Take a public speaking class and join a meetup group

Chances are you’re not the only person that is interested in personal and professional growth. Classes and groups provide a great opportunity to brainstorm with other professionals groups will often provide you with a wealth of networking opportunities and are localized and even specialized, so you can discuss any matters relevant to the area you work in.

Keep your skills sharp

We’ve established that communication can be a problem in the IT world. Communicating outdated information ineffectively can only lead to impending doom. Be certain to stay ahead of the curve to avoid the pitfall(s) of being (or becoming) irreverent.