Tips for Quickly Finding Information Online

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As the Internet grows exponentially, finding information online can be a challenging task. Even browsing through websites like www.direct.tv can be arduous if you don’t know what you’re doing. With the massive amount of content available to you online, you need strategies for quickly landing on the right page. Here are a few helpful tips.

Finding the Right Search Engine

While Google is the most widely used search engine, others do exist, such as Bing, Yahoo! and many others. Many of the search engines implement similar strategies for ensuring that your keywords take you to desired content, but they do differ from one another. Conduct a search for a list of search engines and study the list before selecting your tool of choice.

Using Keywords and Synonyms

When searching online, think of how the average person would search for the information you are seeking. Search engines are also sophisticated enough to handle long phrases and synonyms for locating your desired content. Still, the more specific you are in your search, the faster you will find what you need. Always remove extraneous words to narrow your search.

Locating Specific Types of Websites

In your research for school or work or when researching a medical condition, you might want to limit your search to educational or governmental sites. In this case, enter “site:.edu” or “site:.gov” into the search field. Additionally, if you are interested in searching information located on a particular website, you can go to the website and use its search feature. Alternatively, use your search engine and enter “site:cnn.com” if searching only for CNN articles.

With a few tips and tricks, finding information online can be a speedy experience.

 

 

 

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Teaching Computer Skills to Older Adults

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Older adults didn’t grow up with computers and the Internet. Whereas today’s teenager or young adult has experienced computers since birth and early childhood, the computer and the web are relatively new inventions for older adults. For this reason, teaching seniors how to use a computer and navigate the web requires a comprehensive approach.

Computer Skills: Children vs. Seniors

If you’ve ever watched a room full of children interact with computers, you’ve noticed that they jump to the task. They are many steps ahead of you and do not hesitate to push the keyboard buttons and move the mouse. This is in direct contrast to older adults who constantly ask, “Is it okay if I click on this?”

Children are fearless in regards to computers because they do not realize the consequences. Adults, on the other hand, are afraid that they will cause some kind of damage or create a problem they don’t know how to fix.

Breaking Things Down

When teaching adults how to use a computer, break down all steps to their smallest components. Don’t take for granted that they will know the meaning of “right-click.” Explain how to use a mouse and the difference between right- and left-clicking.  Computer terminology such as “desktop” and “tool bar” should also be explained.

Repetition is Key

Adults often need to practice their computer skills repeatedly before the steps become second nature. Instruct the adult(s) you’re teaching to take notes. Provide screen shots of computer images so that when they are going through the steps without you present, they have visual tools to guide the way.

 

 

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The Impact of an Internet Outage on Your Home Business

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Anyone who has used the Internet for a home business can attest that an ill-timed and unexpected Internet outage is a stressful occurrence. Missing an important video conference meeting or the inability to send a completed document to a client can hinder the bottom line of your home business. While many Internet services are reliable, having a backup plan can reduce your stress during emergencies.

Dealing With a Power Outage

One of the more common ways to lose Internet access is during a power outage. Your electricity may be out due to weather conditions, a neighborhood electrical repair issue or your electric company not having received your payment. Often in such cases, your electricity may be out for hours or days, so having an Internet backup plan will be important.

Equipment Malfunction

In some cases, your Internet connection may be interrupted due to equipment malfunction. If your wireless router gives out, you can always plug your computer directly into the cable modem. However, a defective modem must be replaced, which can take time.

Internet Company Connectivity Issues

Sometimes the problem is with the Internet service provider itself. The signal may not be strong enough in your area or it may be intermittent. Getting to the bottom of the issues with the Internet connection provider can also be difficult if you rely on an Internet phone.

A Backup Plan

Create a list ahead of time of the locations you can visit for free Internet access. A public library, coffee shop or even a relative’s home may be options. In some cities, airports and downtown regions also have free Internet access.

 

 

 

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Equipping a Home Office With the Right Technology

My New Home Office

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With easy access to the Internet, more and more people are working from home. Setting up a home office that is equipped with all of the right technological devices takes a bit of thought. Here are a few things to remember.

Establish a Secure Internet Connection

While establishing a stable Internet connection is a given, you’ll want to do your research to select the most reliable Internet provider. Speak to your neighbors and conduct research to determine which companies are considered the most reliable and affordable in your area. The last thing you want to be faced with is intermittent Internet service when you are pressed with client deadlines and the need to email important files and information.

Set Up a Wireless Router

A wireless router will give you the freedom to work from any room in your home. It also allows you to avoid the cluttered look of cables running from your cable modem to your laptop in your home office. Be sure to also password-protect your wireless connection so that others cannot use it without your permission.

Buying the Right Office Equipment

In addition to buying a computer, a wireless router and a printer, you might want a scanner and a fax. When faced with having to print and sign paperwork to then email to a client or other individuals, a scanner is an important device. It allows you to sign the paperwork, scan it and email it.

While each office will have different needs, setting up your home office with basic technological necessities will make your work much easier and more enjoyable.

 

 

 

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Honeycomb: The Tablet-Optimized OS for Android

If you have been considering getting a tablet PC, you may be overwhelmed by all of the options. There are main-stream brands and names out there, such as the iPad, and there are things that you may have never heard of before. If you are looking for a tablet that has an Android operating system, you will be looking at a Honeycomb operating system.

There are a few different Android-based operating systems out there, but Honeycomb is the talk of the town. Currently, it is the only Android-based operating system that is made specifically for tablets. Many people have tried using other operating systems for their tablet PCs, but find that there are many things that hinder performance, simply because they are not optimized for tablets.

There is a ton of praise out there for the Honeycomb system. In fact, there is only one thing that many people have commented on negatively about this system, and that is that in portrait mode, moving between home screens can be a little bit slow. Otherwise, this operating system has been made and optimized to work perfectly on a tablet.

Though you may not think at first that it is important to have an operating system that is specifically for a tablet, you will quickly find that if you try to use an operating system that is not for this type of computer, things will not look or work correctly. In fact, there are many games, apps, and more that will not work correctly if you have an incorrect operating system for the type of device that you have.

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Understanding Internet Addiction

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As addictions go, Internet addiction may seem tame. It’s true that being addicted to the Internet is not as damaging as alcohol, drug or gambling addiction. Still, Internet addiction does have its negative effects by limiting productivity on the job and reducing social engagement.

Fascination With the Internet

When the world wide web first emerged, people were fascinated by the ability to communicate instantly via email and instant message with others across the world. Seeing someone on a video camera online or accessing important information are productive ways of using the Internet. These capabilities enhance productivity and increase social engagement.

Drawing Limits

Internet addiction can creep up on a person. He may start by writing emails and looking up interesting information on websites. Before long, he may find that he’s addicted to discussion forums and constructing long emails that can be communicated more easily over the phone or in person. His social life may be affected because he does not want to be away for too long from his computer for fear of missing an email or reading an interesting news story.

Achieving Moderation

Many things are useful and enjoyable in moderation. It’s when excessive time is spent doing any one activity that problems arise. When a person turns down plans to attend an exciting event or take part in his favorite outdoor activity simply because he does not want to leave his computer, an addiction or compulsive behavior may be at play.

Solutions to Internet addiction require self-awareness. Saying yes more often to social invitations will help to remind a person that there’s more to life than just the Internet.

 

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LG G2x: A Dream Come True for Gamers

The LG G2x deserves to be high on any gamer’s list of smartphones. This new offering from T-Mobile has the features to make any gamer happy, regardless of whether he or she is mobile or not. The following is just a taste of why the LG G2x is certainly a dream come true for gamers everywhere.

This is an LG Android Phone, which means you’ll be living off the powerful and popular Android platform. Coupled with the Android platform is the G2x’s dual-core mobile processor, the first from T-Mobile. This processor, the NVIDIA Tegra 2, will provide an amazing amount of power for your gaming needs.

The graphics are also amazing. HD gaming is available, which is commonly found on smartphones, if you have been looking to choose a smartphone lately. However, the G2x goes above and beyond, offering HD graphics on its 4-inch screen in 3D. You’ll be able to play the latest games in 3D HD, which is a dream for any gamer.

Plenty of other features round out the G2x’s gaming and multimedia abilities. Consider that the G2x, with the help of DLNA, can stream 1080p HD movies and games from the phone to your TV. Both sides of the phone capture video and 1080p recording. With the 4G network from T-Mobile, whatever you send and receive will be done at blazing speeds.

If you’re a gamer or if you’re interested in some of these exciting features, perhaps the LG G2x is right for you.

Popular Technical Careers 2011

You want to know what career in technology you should shoot for in 2011. One that will not only pay you the money that you want and need, but one that will bring you the joy you’ve been searching for.

Here’s what you need to know:

Technical writers are in need, especially when it comes to new gadgets and understanding an instruction manual. If you can turn hardcore technical terms into understanding for the average Joe, you may just be the man or woman for the job.

Computer technicians will always been in need so long as we have our fingers on a computer keyboard. See what jobs are available through websites and blogs on the Internet. Take some online college classes to sharpen your skills.

Technical analysts are into programming, database, desktop support, benefit plans and more. Be a technical leader of Linux or a quality assurance analyst.

Project managers and solutions developers in need of certification to perform their job functions are always in need.

Biomedical engineers provide medical processes, artificial hearts, prosthetic limbs; they help the individual not only function, but live.

Civil engineers focus on roads, pipelines, power plants, and may work for the government or an architectural firm. A civil engineer makes everyone else’s life that much easier, especially when the duties involve hazardous waste or traffic control help.

The career of your choice may indeed reflect your interests as well as the all-powerful paycheck. Do some searching here, and then continue your search to find even more popular technical careers in 2011

 

Free Cell Phone Applications

One of the best parts of owning a cell phone, particularly a smartphone, is the ability to buy and utilize some of the many applications that are now available.  This is also true for the prepaid Blackberry Curve. Cell phone apps can tell you the weather forecast, the movie listing for the night and much, much more.  After purchasing your first few apps, you may begin to notice that your app bill is building rather quickly and in today’s economic climate; we cannot afford to purchase apps the way we all want to.

Not all apps that you find will be lifesavers, but allowing yourself time to download and try the apps out will save you money in the long run.  The prepaid Blackberry Curve has the functionality to allow you to try out apps and if those apps are not what you are looking for, you can then delete and look for another app that may be better suited to your needs.

However, there are many free cell phone apps to be found on your phone. Yes!  Free!  While the selection of free apps are not always as extensive and the apps themselves are not always as nice and user friendly, as the pay apps, there are many that are worth your time. It’s a matter of searching hard enough and spending a few more minutes trying the free apps out. You may find yourself downloading a free app that is just as good, if not better, than a similar application that you would have paid $5 to download.

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