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Convincing Arguments on Why You Shouldn’t Reuse an Old Password

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You might have noticed that when you try to return to and old password on some service they will tell you, you can’t do that. Have you ever wondered why that is? I mean, for you it would certainly be easier to go to an old password, right? For example, you’ll find it much easier to remember. You could be forgiven for thinking the only reason companies do it is because it makes them more secure – the extra difficulties to the user he damned. Is that what is going on?

In a word, no. There are some very good reasons why companies don’t allow you to return to old passwords. For these same reasons it’s generally a good idea not to recycle old passwords you’ve used somewhere else on other websites. Let’s explore them, shall we?

One of the reasons companies ask you to change your passwords is because there is a security breach

Sometimes companies will ask you to change your password every few months, to aid their security. Other times, however, they know that there has been some sort of breach and they want you to change your password so as to make sure people don’t have access to your account.

Obviously, if you change back to that password somewhere in the future, that means that you are once again compromising your account and allowing such hackers access to it.

When I recently gave that reply to somebody, they said “But they’re not going to try the password if they realize it doesn’t work the first time.”

Oh no? And how are you so sure of that? Do you think only companies know that people like to go back to their old passwords? Hackers are perfectly aware of that fact as well and will therefore not just try the password they got for your account the one time, but will retry it every few months for years to come.

Remember, that’s pretty easy for them to do. All they have to do is put your password into a script and then let that run in the background. No more effort required on their part! And then when you go back to that password they’ve got access again.

Sometimes companies aren’t aware of their security breach

Another big problem is that sometimes it can take months for companies to realize they’ve been breached. And sometimes even when they realize, they don’t tell their users. After all, to admit to a security breach does serious damage to their reputation.

Better to try and resolve the problem internally and push a password change as a standard procedure just in case.

So yeah, it’s totally possible that outsiders have breached your account without you ever becoming aware that this has happened. The only way to make your account secure again? By changing the password to something new that you haven’t used before.

If you use a compromised password elsewhere

It gets worse, because many people have a tendency to take passwords that they’ve used on one site – say their gmail account – and then use it somewhere else – like at supremedissertations.com website . But if they’re compromised, that means you’re exporting that problem to new accounts and giving hackers access to huge swaths of your life.

Don’t think they’ll be able to find those accounts? Think again. After all, most of use the same user names in different places. Heck, often we’re required to use the same user name – for example when we’re asked to fill in our email address. That means really your password is the only line of defense between a secure account and one that isn’t. And obviously, if that password isn’t secure – well you can do the math.

But I can’t remember that many passwords!

Of course, that isn’t really new. We all know that its’ much better to have strong passwords, change them regularly and switch them up from one device to the other. The thing is, though we understand the theory, the practice is a lot harder. We can’t remember those really hard passwords and we’re not supposed to write them down either.

The result? We end up locked out of our accounts and unable to live our lives as we depend on what we do online to do so. Really, the memory problems we’ve got are one of the primary reasons why the person sitting in front of the keyboard is still considered the biggest security problem out there.

The worst part? It’s not their fault! We’re simply not built to remember strings of letters and characters. Heck, reading and writing is only a few thousand years old! Our brains haven’t yet fully adapted.

So, what to do?

Fortunately, it’s not all bad news. There are a number of ways that you can secure yourself without having to remember dozens of random strings of letters and words. Probably the best is to use a password manager. There are a lot of them out there. Of course, if you’re going to go this way then you’ll want to make sure that the one you’re using is as secure as it can be.

For this reason, many firewall providers and virus killers are offering password manager services now. These will protect your passwords behind a single master password, which will then be the only one you’ll have to remember. Of course, some people don’t like them and don’t want to use them. So what to do, then?

You can use the strategy of information overload. For example, you can use a book that you carry with you and use the first (or third or eighth) letter on the page and then read downwards from there to get a random string of letters. Some things to note if you use this strategy:

  • Don’t use the first word on the first page. This only works if people don’t know where your password starts.
  • Don’t go from left to write as words follow patterns and are easier for hackers to crack.
  • Make sure you use an old book as otherwise it will be incredibly easy for people to figure out which page you’re flipping to. Also, don’t trace the letters with your finger, as this will leave a mark.
  • By changing passwords often, you’ll end up using a lot of different pages, which will make it far harder for people to figure you out.

Another good way to create information overload is to create a group of pages of random characters and imbed your passwords in them. As long as they are just as random as the rest (in deed, if you select a group of characters from this page) then people will not know where to start.

Do note, this is only so effective. If people figure out where your passwords are written down, they’ll probably be able to crack them eventually. So, make sure that if you use this strategy your source is not in plain sight. Put the book back in the cupboard and hide the character sheet under some incongruous name people will not be able to recognize.


4 Ways To Get Something Out of Your Old Phone After An Upgrade

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When you get the chance to upgrade to a new phone, it can quite often be a long time before there is anything actually all that wrong with your old one. While it is definitely nice to get hold of a new device with improved features, it can seem like a bit of a waste to simply shut your old handset away in a drawer and forget about it when it still has use left in it, even if it was starting to have some of the problems older devices can get like reduced battery life or a slightly chipped screen.

If you are in this situation, there are actually quite a few ways you can still do something useful with your old phone, and here are a few of them:

Sell Your Old Phone

There are various options for selling old phones, and which is best for you will depend on the model and condition of the device. If it is a fairly high-end phone and in good condition, for instance, the last generation of iPhone or premium Galaxy phone, you may be able to fetch a good price by selling it on eBay or advertising it on Craigslist. You can check out all of the listings for phones like yours to get an idea of how much you should charge for it by taking a look at zoomthelist.com.

If your phone isn’t worth much, you can still get something for it by selling it to a phone recycling company, and you can find plenty of these online, even ones that pay for broken phones.

Use It As A Media Player

If you have a good set of speakers that work from a device like your phone, you could keep your old phone connected to them permanently and use its entire library space to store music, effectively making it into a touchscreen interface for selecting music to play on your speakers whenever you like. This can be a good way to use a phone that doesn’t have a very good battery life anymore, as you can keep it plugged in at all times.

Give It To A Friend or Swap It For Something

You may know someone whose current phone isn’t as good as your old one, or who is having problems with their phone and isn’t able to upgrade. They may well be grateful for your old handset, and you might even be able to agree to swap it with them for something they have that you want – most people have some stuff they aren’t using anymore!

Keep It as A Backup Phone

If none of these ideas work for you, you can also consider just keeping the old device as a backup in case your new phone breaks. You can get more out of doing this if you keep the old phone charged up and carry it in the bag you use for work or school, so you always have it on hand. In this way, you can even use it if the battery on your new phone dies, simply by putting the SIM card in the charged up older model.

You don’t have to leave an old phone gathering dust, so why not try one of these ideas for extending its use to you?

How Much Does a Website Cost using WordPress?

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If you are wondering how much does a website cost, when built with WordPress, there is no straightforward answer. All businesses and projects are different and so are their websites.

Fitting in your initial budget is important, but estimating the cost of a software asset is not about the initial amount spent. The lifetime value of a website depends on its stability and flexibility over time. Maintaining any website includes recurring yearly costs as well.

Let’s look at what you can achieve, using WordPress on a different budget.

The domain name is a part of any website cost. Depending on the popularity, availability and the type of extension, the domain cost typically starts at around $12 per year.

Here are the three main factors, determining the cost of your self-hosted WordPress website:

  1. Hosting Configuration and Yearly Plan
  2. Initial Build and Design
  3. Monthly Maintenance

In this article we will break down how those three factors add to the cost of the three most popular groups of self-hosted WordPress websites.

“The Self-Made Site”: Using WordPress to Create Small Showcase Websites or Personal Blogs

The WordPress Core is a free open source platform. It is highly competitive amongst users, looking to quickly build functional and beautiful websites. If you are building a showcase website to establish your digital presence, you can start small, choosing basic free or premium theme and plugins.

If you cannot handle the installations yourself, you can hire a WordPress-savvy freelancer to make them for you. You may want your freelancer to enhance your galleries, customize your premium theme, add slider integrations, etc., which may amount to 50 – 80 working hours. In this case your total set up cost could add up to anywhere between $500 and $4,000, depending on the chosen functionality, design and on the freelancer’s hourly fee.

You could easily install any of the popular security scanning plugins, but your website appearance and availability would still be at risk. Different plugins scan for a little portion of known threats. Actual security maintenance is done by humans, using technology to prevent attacks in the first place, analyze data and perform security testing.

If you handle small traffic and do not collect personal data, you could use a shared hosting plan. This is not the best option in terms of security and performance, but could meet your current needs, keeping your hosting costs under $100. A better decision would be to use a small-size virtual private hosting configuration.

If you know how to analyze the performance metrics of your website, you can dive in your hosting cPanel or install the basic features of tools such as GTMetrix to generate your own page speed reports. Professional agencies use PRO tools and automate a lot of the aspects of performance testing in order to save time. Doing that yourself, you would have to allocate time to perform daily monitoring. You would have to check on the resources your plugins, scripts and 3rd party installations use and compare those to your website performance metrics.

Using a low-level WordPress Maintenance Plan of a WordPress agency or a Hosting provider would be anywhere between $30 – 50 per month. The service will allow you to keep your small site away from security threats, downtime and data loss.

In total: Your basic WordPress installation could amount to $0 – $8,000, depending on the functionality and billing hours. If your website operations and bandwidth needs do not grow, your recurring costs for hosting and maintenance could be kept below $1000 per year.

“The Professional Solution”: Using WordPress for Enterprise Websites, Professional Service Portfolios or E-commerce

A website is a core digital corporate asset and the only source of income for online businesses. Your alternative costs of not building it on WordPress would be related to building a custom solution, using one of the tech stacks web developers use.

For a WordPress solution, you need to employ a Web Development Agency, building solutions on top of the WordPress Core. The design and features in your website will vary, depending on your industry and features required. Customizing ready premium themes and plugins may come at a lower cost, than building custom solutions from scratch. It all depends on the individual situation, but you will be flexible to choose an option, fitting in your budget and needs.

Even though Professional WordPress Agencies build custom solutions when they are needed, they take advantages of the robustness of the Core and build functionality on top of it, without changing the initial code from the inside. They do that to minimize your future costs, by not “trapping” you inside proprietary pieces of technology.

If you maintain user database and handle user transactions, you will need to enhance the security of your website. Apart from installing an SSL certificate, hosting your website on a VPS is a must. Hosting plans of Pagely WordPress VPS, Amazon Web Services, Digital Ocean and many other providers are a good choice, providing different amount of storage for about $100 to $1,000+ per month.

According to Post Status, most WordPress agencies typically charge anywhere between $50 – 275 per hour to build a website. Their billable hours include a lot of services, including analysis of your business, cost estimation, database and hosting architecture, design, frontend and backend, integrations, revisions, code reviews and testing, project management. Some full stack agencies offer marketing automation integrations, creation and management of SEO and content strategies as well.

In total: Depending on your needs, the cost of your website can be between $10,000 – $50,000 and your maintenance and ongoing development costs – between $80 and $220 per hour each month.

“The Vendor’s Asset”: Using WordPress to build Large Multisites, SaaS and Large Enterprise Solutions

SaaS solutions and complex multisite networks, such as learning platforms, social networks, custom corporate CRMs take a long time for project optimization and development. If your platform handles high volumes of traffic or the number of visitors is rapidly changing, you need to start thinking about modularity and adaptivity. To ensure speed, availability and security, your development company will evaluate your requirements and build a WordPress architecture, best suited to your needs, including the right configuration of virtual or cloud servers to host your platform. Ensuring the best possible user experience for your customers and visitors would be a must to optimize SEO and monetization.

Your design and features may have the be highly-customized to ensure future scalability. A big chunk of the hours, spent on the project, will come from continuous analysis of your business, market and operations. Large platforms cannot be sustainably created at once. The agency will develop your platform in iterations, starting from the basic functionality. You may have a ready solution for a month or two, so you can start your operations, grow your customer base and measure your performance. Based on your business results, the agency will work with you to add on the existing functionality with each iteration to come.

In total: The costs of your platform in the initial installation could be kept between $50,000 – $150,000. Depending on the scale of your business, you can add on the existing functionality with ongoing development and maintenance plans, growing your platform to be worth $500,000 or more.

In Conclusion

Acquiring a website is similar to buying any other asset out there. Whether you buy property, vehicles or professional equipment, the cost will largely depend on the scale of your business and the nature of your operations. When it comes to websites, the larger your operations are, the higher your cost will be.

Using WordPress you can keep yourself from overspending and avoid being “trapped” in proprietary technology. Spend enough time on defining your business goals, so that you can build the best configuration up front.

Guest article written by: Georgi Todorov is an independent digital marketer, specializing in Outreach strategies and International SEO. Besides his passion about digital marketing, he has graduated from university with a bachelor degree in Cultural Anthropology which makes him extremely curious about anything “foreign” and “international”. He is always happy to talk with new people and you can reach him at his Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin. He has recently started his own blog about digital marketing. Georgi is also a partner at FortuneLords.

Why Your Business Needs Video Content

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The world is becoming more digital every day, so keeping up with the trends of technology has never been more important for businesses. Social media has become the main platform for communication, not just directly through messaging or commenting, but what we see online is what we discuss offline with our colleagues and friends. Whilst most businesses have an online presence, the very best utilise that with video. Quality content will get traffic, shares, and spark discussion. More and more businesses are realising the power of film as an essential part of building brand awareness and promoting their services. The most effective video content is that which is digestible and engaging.

On The Go

Why exactly is video the future? Because all methods of communication are becoming increasingly more visual. People now often watch instructional videos rather than reading manuals or recipes when they need to make or fix something. What’s more, they are faced with multiple screens daily – smartphones, monitors, laptops, televisions, all of which are tailored to watchable content. Most people use their mobile phone every day, especially during breaks from work or a commute. Most often, this use revolves around browsing various social media feeds, articles, websites or forums that are related to their interests.

Video content is the single most likely form of online communication to appear outside its original domain and in social media or forums. Even a link to a video on the original website is more likely to be clicked than lengthy text content that appears directly on a social media feed. Video is digestible, especially when it is brief and requires less effort on the part of the viewer. This makes it more likely that they will watch to the end of the video compared to reading to the end of an article.

Online Potential

Video is possibly the most versatile form of digital marketing as it works with equal effect across multiple digital platforms such as all the major social media sites, corporate events and TV advertising. People don’t all access the same online content, so it is essential to employ a method that can work across the board to reach the widest possible audience.

The use of video can also be great for your measuring the return on your investment. One of the greatest benefits of digital marketing is that all activity is trackable, meaning that every click and share of your video can be recorded. Higher hit rates and number of shares or links to your website that appear on other sites will increase your ranking on Google, making you appear higher on the search results. As a business, it’s always going to be in your best interests to use a strategy where you can really analyse and measure the effectiveness.

The Personal Touch

Using video allows your business to tell its story in a far more compelling way than other types of content. Video provides a better picture of who you are as a company because it allows you to share more of your personality with your audience. Because video addresses the senses more directly, audiences are more likely to have an emotional response to what they see. Often, video can also communicate information more effectively than text, especially if that information involves technical or trade-specific language that might be difficult for the average consumer to understand.

The social media friendly nature of visual content allows you to reach a wider audience, especially those who may not be actively looking for the services your company provides but, upon being made aware of you, realise they may have need for them. Even those unlikely to be consumers of the services can play an important role because they will still share content they have found engaging, interesting or humorous, and those shares will spread the name and message of your business and allow you to reach more potential consumers.

Is Video Right For You?

If your business isn’t using video content, it may be time to reconsider. It doesn’t matter whether you think your business or product is suitable for a visual medium. With the digital world growing every day, it’s important to be part of it. The bottom line is that your business isn’t fulfilling its online potential without using video content, and the best content is that which engages and informs your audience in a brief period of time. With that said, keep your video succinct, be true to the spirit of your business, and you will reach a much wider audience than you thought possible.

Guest article written by: Kingdom Creative is an innovate video production company with a straightforward vision – to tell the client’s story in a compelling way that their audience will enjoy watching and want to share. Kingdom Creative have worked with clients such as Formula 1, the London 2012 Olympics, the Royal British Legion, Windsor Horse Show, Porsche, Bentley, Aston Martin and many more.

How to Boost Your Brand Using Video Walls

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In the era of smartphones, video walls are the best way to engage a large group of people at one time to promote a brand or promote a message.

The concept behind video walls is basic but very useful. The brand you are trying to promote will catch the attention of all the people who walk by it. It will constantly catch their eye as long as it is in their range of sight. Video walls can be quite large in size and too bright and animated to not look at. The idea that they try to send through the screen seems too important to miss. If a video wall is interactive, it increases socializing amongst the people in the area and engages them in small, non-time consuming activities. Video walls can be multiple smaller screens put together to form one large screen, which is a rare sight to behold on its own, regardless of the material is it displaying, and will always be the center of attention of everyone who is present in its vicinity.

In the case that the video wall has touch sensors, it makes for an immensely large touchscreen. Interacting with the message being displayed, promotes the message and leaves a strong subconscious effect on the minds of people who, although are not directed interested in the message, but by interacting with some part of the screen, the message or product will be entered into their minds subconsciously. Another way companies can use video walls to promote their brands is by drawing the audience to the screen by displaying that it is an interactive screen, and when there is some sort of interaction of the people with the screen, the message can be displayed as a surprise to the audience which will surely leave a lasting impression on the users.

Video walls can be customized and modified according to the brands’ necessities. The details regarding a company’s brand can be displayed on the video wall such that it makes a memorable effect on the consumers and target audience of the brand or product. The presentation, the software being used or what should be displayed when the screen has not been interacted with for a long time, can be discussed and changed to meet the brand’s requirements.

Video walls are increasing in number and can be seen being used by multinational brands such as Coca Cola, to promote their newly shaped bottle, or a new flavor of a drink. A new grocery store can be advertised using video walls by taking short surveys or polls, or presenting a mini-game for people to interact with while waiting or passing time. Video walls should be placed in prime locations, where there is a great flow of people, either walking past it or in waiting areas, train stations, airports or any other place where people are expected to wait or hang out. Video walls should be bright, in order to be eye catching and provide short messages that are easily understandable to passers-by and people who do not have the time to stop and listen to the whole message being transmitted.

Guest article written by: Mia Clarke is part of the content and community team at Userful.com, experts in all things video wall and display solutions. When Mia is not spreading the word about video walls she is often found discovering the great outdoors, walking or cycling.

5 Ways How Virtual Reality Helps Create Opportunities For Brands

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VR is just the tip of the iceberg in this digital world , and while we become aware of all the technologies prevalent today , marketers are using this trend early and utilizing it to achieve brand objectives. VR is opening opportunities for new and existing businesses.

VR technology might seem intimidating because of its perceived cost and the exposure it has received from the users, however, there seem to no such industry where VR cannot be put to use. In Spite of being so new and complex , it is very convenient and accessible.

These days businesses provide shoppers with the ability to remotely interact with products places and brands. VR has the power to change the world as it blurs the line between a private web-based research and clients’ interaction with the business online/offline.

Here are 5 ways that VR presents to the marketers to engage their customers and create more opportunities for their brand.

International Expansion:

VR has made remote management easier which means business can now employ talent anywhere in the world. Virtual teams can be set up to support customers in any country regardless of their location.
VR has made international expansion possible for businesses such that they can establish themselves anywhere in the world. Also This has paved the path to sieve through the right candidates and give them a virtual experience of what their job would be like .

Retail Transformation :

VR has leaped a step further than other technologies to give the shoppers a whole new experience of try before you buy. This helps to save their time and inspires them to buy your product. The use of such virtual walkthroughs in construction, fashion , & real estate industries have provided these organisations an edge over the other industries in which gauging the outcome of the project becomes difficult.

Product Makeover :

VR has helped many industries to get innovative and more customer engaging with their products and services. This has enabled marketers to deliver their products to customers in a brand new style. Businesses can even launch their products with customisable option which in turn helps to strike a virtual conversation with the brand and the product. VR makeovers of your product boosts customer’s confidence in your product.

Omnichannel Approach:

Adding an omnichannel touch & experience to your brand can drive better engagement and increased sales and offer your customers a seamless experience. Omnichannel incorporation of VR can take shopping to a whole new level by creating a virtual world that VR viewers can experience in a simulated environment regardless of the device or channel they use to engage with your brand.

Virtual Yet Live Engagement:

One can be present in the real world and yet take the advantage of a realistic, 1st person experience in the virtual space relaxing in their couch. VR allows sellers to provide such an awesome experience that gives a real sense of what it would be like and sells it like no other medium. Using this live engagement medium brands interact with viewers by answering their queries and develop a stronger brand connectivity.

VR has already changed the face of digital marketing to a great extent. If you are looking forward to connect to a tech-savvy consumer base then VR should be your solution. By 2020 the virtual reality industry is predicted to reach $70 billion, and this is the cutting edge technology that we have been looking forward to in this decade of technical innovation.

Guest article written by: Aradhana works for [x]cube LABS, a digital strategy and technology innovation company working for Fortune 5000 and several disruptive startups. [x]cube LABS is a digital transformation agency that helps innovate and deliver desired market success.

How to Convert Mac Outlook OLM File to Outlook PST Format?

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MS Outlook has come up with both Windows and MAC operating system. Although Windows and Mac support the same email application, the functionality and database of MS Outlook in both platforms are different. Earlier Microsoft Outlook was not a part of MS Office suite for MAC but had to be downloaded separately. Whereas Windows Outlook was a part of the Microsoft Office from the beginning. Both Outlook for Mac and Windows Outlook have their own advantages but some MAC users cannot able to access their OLM files on Windows Outlook. In this case, they decide to convert OLM to PST. Thus, in this article, we are going to discuss how to convert Mac Outlook OLM file to Outlook PST. In addition, we will also talk about why it is necessary to import Mac Outlook OLM to PST format.

Need to Convert Mac Outlook OLM File to PST

Before discussing how to import OLM file to Outlook, I would like to tell you the reasons behind this requirement.
If a user was using Outlook for Mac previously, but now he or she is using Windows Outlook program. Then, they need to convert OLM to PST.
When one has received an OLM file from his/her friend or a client and they don’t have Mac Outlook. In this situation, it is required to import OLM file to PST.
Windows offers a better option for communication with similar software that is why a user wants to transfer their all OLM data into Windows Outlook.

How to Convert Mac Outlook OLM File to Outlook PST?

To convert OLM to PST manually, you have to follow these four steps:

Step 1: Setup an IMAP account using Gmail

  • First of all, open the Gmail account.
  • Then, click on the Gear icon on right-hand side of Gmail account.
  • After that, click on the Settings button.
  • Now, click on the Forwarding & POP/IMAP tab.
  • Finally, check the status of IMAP Access whether it is enabled or not. If it is disabled then enable it.

Step 2: Add IMAP account to Microsoft Outlook for Mac

  • In this step, open Microsoft Outlook for Mac.
  • Then, click on Menu >> Tools >> Accounts >> Email.
  • Now, enter the credentials and other information in the vacant fields then, click on the Add Account.
  • After completion of the above process, check the IMAP Mail account.

Step 3: Create a Label in Gmail Account

  • For converting OLM to PST, now, you have to create a label in Gmail. For this, open your Gmail account.
  • Then, click on the Gear icon on right-hand side of Gmail account. After that, click on the Settings button.
  • Now, on the Settings tab, click on the Labels.
  • Next, click on the Create New Label option. Also, ensure that Show in IMAP box is checked.
  • After following all these procedures, go to your Mac Outlook and click on the Send/Receive option.

Step 4: Move Emails from Mac Outlook to IMAP mailbox

  • In this step, open Outlook for Mac account.
  • Then, right click on the mailbox item that you want to transfer into Outlook.
  • After that, select Move >> Copy to Folder.
  • Now, provide a name of your IMAP folder & click on the Copy.
  • Next, click on the Send/Receive or refresh the folder on Gmail to update the mailbox.
  • Finally, all the copied mailbox data items have been synchronized into the IMAP folder.

A Reliable Solution for OLM to PST Conversion

You will definitely able to convert OLM to PST manually but, these steps are very long and highly technical. However, the manual method is not enough to convert Mac Outlook OLM file to Outlook PST because this process poses lots of drawbacks like data loss, integrity problem, etc. Thus, for 100 % assurance of conversation and overcome the all limitations of the manual method, it is advised to opt a third-party solution like OLM to PST Converter tool. It can perform smooth conversion from OLM to PST format in just no time.

The Final Words

There are many Mac Outlook users who have faced the problem in OLM to PST conversion process. However, the above mention manual describe briefly in four steps that shows how to convert Mac Outlook OLM file to Outlook PST. But, the manual process is very lengthy and needs an advanced technical skill, so one can take help from the third-party tool. By using the professional utility, a user can easily convert OLM file to PST format without facing any problem.

Guest article written by: Justin Hansen, Technical Blogger and Owner @ https://technodiary365.wordpress.com. I am working as IT Consultant and offer my services as Freelancer to small and large multinational organizations. I am addicted to working hard and after work party harder. This is the motto of my life. I am always thankful to God for all his mercy and help. I never feel regret for my decisions. This is what makes me strong and optimistic.

8 Incredible Technological Advancements In Gaming

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Huge technological advancements have been made in the gaming industry, since gaming became a “thing” back in the 1980’s.

There is still a strong market and fondness of all things retro and many gamers continue to enjoy the exploits of Mario and Sonic, but the division between reality and fantasy is starting to blur as technology makes gaming an almost realistic experience.

Games feature technological advancements that belonged in a science fiction novel, in the not too distant past. This article aims to look at how gaming has progressed.

Mobile gaming

It was only a matter of time before major players in the gaming industry took advantage of smartphone technology. At first we downloaded apps featuring games to play on the move, which featured simple but addictive games such as Colour switch and Flappy Bird. Apps allowed us to track our exercise, what we ate and even provided us with motivational quotes of the day. Apps are being created at a rate of knots and some become extremely popular.

It is now possible to download mobile apps for games that were previously only available on consoles and PC’s for example the Final Fantasy 15 app allowing you to become the hero of your own adventure whilst waiting for a bus or travelling to work.

Mobile apps have made gaming accessible to a larger number of people rather than the “hardcore” gamer. Not everyone is prepared to invest in the most up to date console, but the majority of the population do own a smartphone.

Virtual reality

Virtual reality headsets allow you to completely lose yourself in another world. Whilst wearing the headset it is as if you’re actually there. Many apps are available to download on your smartphone to use with VR headsets. There are apps suitable for children (with supervision) allowing them to explore the inside of a volcano, discover creatures that live underwater and walk around an international space station.

Although this technology has not yet been developed into an actual gaming console, it is predicted that it will only be a matter of time. The VR headsets in the meantime are becoming ever more realistic in what they offer.

3D technology

3D scanning technology actually allows you to literally be the character in your game. Almost like creating your own movie, with yourself as the main character. 3D scanning technology is now being enhanced further by advancements in facial recognition. Meaning that the avatar looks just like you and also your facial expressions are translated to the avatar. The technology can recognise emotions such as feeling happy, sad and angry, by recognising tiny facial movements. These emotions are then interpreted into the game play.

This can be achieved by a standard webcam, however a better effect is created by a sensor such as those created by Facewear. The sensors are able to cope with low lighting conditions, have high pixels and wide lenses.

This development really blurs the boundaries between reality and fantasy. The technology allows for a more realistic player to player game play.

Graphics

Everytime a new game is published or the most up to date version is released, the question most people ask is “what are the graphics like?” Every year we are more impressed than the previous and graphics now resemble photograph quality. It is possible to buy graphic cards for PC’s used for gaming that promise the ultimate in graphics experience.

There have been huge developments in gaming graphics over the last 20 years, some games have stood the test of time and are still as relevant today such as Zelda, whereas others now look somewhat ridiculous in comparison to today’s technology. With multi-player games becoming ever more popular the graphics in 2018 really add to the experience.

Cloud

Games require a lot of storage and memory. Most of the games produced nowadays require fairly powerful hardware to play fully. Not everyone has access to such hardware and don’t have the finance to keep upgrading consoles. This is where cloud gaming comes into its own, rather like the photo storage clouds you use with your smartphone and PC.

Using cloud opens up access to huge server-size limits, which can allow gaming images to be streamed through your internet.

Of course this streaming service comes at a price and monthly subscriptions normally allow access. You also need compatible devices as PS4 and XBox One have developed their own cloud services.

DLC (downloadable content)

Downloadable content (DLC) is additional content produced for video games, usually in the form of expansion packs which provides access to special aesthetics, such as character changes and storyline extensions. The DLC lengthens the enjoyment of an original game, as buying more and more expansion packs mean that the game has no end.

Critics would say DLC is just another way for publishers to gain more revenue from the original game, as it is an additional cost to gamers following purchasing the original title. Sometimes the cost can mount up considerably.

DLC is distributed through the internet and console networks like XBox Live and Playstation Network.

Voice recognition

We’ve already mentioned facial recognition, advancements in technology have now allowed voice recognition to become reality too. Devices such as echo and alexa have been extremely popular with households this year. Game publishers are keen to get in on the popularity of voice recognition and are in the process of developing games to be played through Alexa and Echo.

Advancements in voice technology in gaming means that it is now possible to turn consoles on and off by your voice, but it can also be used to control in gameplay, interact on social media and search the web, simply by voice command.

Movement recognition

The invention of 3D cameras mean that game controllers may soon be a thing of the past! Cameras pinpoint and track movements in your hand, which are then interpreted into gameplay. This is excellent for playing games that include shooting or leading people into battle or safety.

With technology advancing so quickly, who knows what the future holds!


Best Online Games for Android in 2018

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The mobile gaming industry has expanded a lot in the past couple of years with statistics showing that a majority of mobile phone owners utilize applications. With downloads skyrocketing, smartphone app designers are focusing on new application designs every day. In this post, we are going to provide the best Android games of 2018. So let’s take a look:

Super Mario Run (Best Action Game)

A fresh new take by the developers at Nintendo, this one keeps the funfest going for fans around the globe. The game offers brilliant graphics with easy to adapt gameplay. Control Mario with a single button while running through hurdles and amassing coins. The game is free to download and play directly from the Google Play Store, which also offers in-app purchasable items. Released in 2017, this side-scrolling runner game is addictive and pleasing to look at due to its elegant design.

Real Racing 3 (Best Racing Game)

With over 200 million downloads, Real Racing 3 is an award-winning game for Android users. Even though the game was released by Firemonkeys Studios in 2013, the game’s content is still fresh with an ever-expanding roster. There are over 39 licensed tracks to explore and over a dozen real-world locations to visit. Choose from over 140 exotic cars to ride in various in-game modes like Time Trials, Night Racing, and Multiplayer Challenges. New cars and new seasons are added to the game to keep your adrenaline pumping.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (Best Role Playing Game)

Developed and released by Electronic Arts in coalition with Aspyr, BioWare, and Obsidian Entertainment in 2003. The game takes elements of RPG video games into the gameplay for an immersive experience. One important aspect to be noted here is that the Android version of the game is, in fact, the complete game without being slimmed down for smartphone users. Which means you can play the game in its full capacity, but keep in mind that the file size is also big and may take some time when downloading, unless of course you use high speed internet service to download quickly.

FIFA Mobile (Best Sports Game)

Released in 2016 by developers EA Canada and EA Mobile, FIFA Mobile is an exceptional sports game for soccer fans and Android smartphone users. This reimagining offers very authentic soccer gameplay. Users can control Cristiano Ronaldo and then get more experience to start managing and building their own dream teams. An absolute marvelous game for soccer fans to enjoy and is free to play and download, which is always a positive for the gaming community.

Clash of Clans (Best Strategy Game)

What more can I say than that my boss also plays this game? Clash of Clans was released in 2012 by developers Supercell and since then it has captivated audiences around the globe. Addictive and aesthetically pleasing to look at, it free to play the game with in-app purchasable items. The game does require you to be connected to the internet in order to experience the full features of the game. Join fellow clan members online and make your clan the best among the millions of others that are present in the virtual arena. The game offers a fun experience complete with foolish barbarians, wizards, and a wide range of troops that are all under your command.

That’s it for our list of the best Android games available for smartphone users. These games are popular and if you haven’t already, then you should probably should give them a shot sometime soon. Most of them require you to connect your devices to an internet service to take advantage of the in-app purchases, but most of them are free to download and play.

Why your online presence is vital for business growth

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Like it or not, the way in which we currently conduct and grow a business is changing fast. Gone are the days of door-to-door salespeople, billboards, and even television advertising, as in today’s increasingly digitalized world you need to get online to be seen and make a scene. No matter the market in which your business operates, or even how many years since you have launched your venture, if you want to see your business grow and reap the rewards, then you need to make sure that you have a firm and established presence online. So, if you have been putting off that website refresh project for a short while now, then it may be time to have a rethink.

The Internet is a free and essential resource for any business. Consumers and potential clients are much less likely to call your firm up, or even ask for a brochure to be sent out in the mail. Now, you can tap into the perks of online digital marketing, e-blasts and even set up campaigns all from your office, without even having to speak to another individual – unless you want to! The way that people consume information is changing, and so you need to make sure that you tailor your business plans and requirements to do so too. A few years ago you might have thought that social media, blogs, and even video content were a waste of company time and budget. However, you may now need to rethink how you spend your annual budget, as these are all key tools that will enable you to grow your online presence and help to position your firm in a positive light, helping you stand out from your competitors.

Luckily, if you are short on both time and resources, you can still find ways to easily keep your online presence updated and relevant, meaning that you can target potential customers and still keep engaged with your long-standing consumers and clients. First, you will need to consider starting a monthly editorial calendar to enable you to get planning and preparing. Begin by keeping tabs on relevant international events, trade shows and even news items that you think are worth sharing with your online followers. Next, consider any relevant international days or holidays that you want to highlight – maybe you are running a flash sale, or perhaps your products are designed for a particular demographic that you can tap into. If you want to improve your online presence, then you will need to start getting more organized. Even if this sounds like a lot of effort, in the long term, you will be able to reap the rewards. So start scanning the headlines and get ready to think outside of the box, to ensure that your business presence booms online.

Create copy

Writing and using persuasive and relevant copy on your company website, social channels and blog can be a tall order, in particular, if your marketing team are still in the dark ages, and have previously only written for print media. Don’t worry, as writing for the web is not as complex as you might think. Begin by coming up with a relevant and snappy headline to engage and attract users to your website or page. Remember that this headline will also be included in your page URL too, so it is important that it is not too long or complex. Unlike writing for print media, when you are writing for the web, you can use shorter sentences and less complex vocabulary also. The idea is that you keep visitors on your page rather than scaring them off with the first paragraph. Feel free to break up lengthy text with relevant imagery and videos, as this will ensure that users spend longer on your page, rather than bouncing off during the first few seconds. Finally, make sure that any copy you create has something of an evergreen value, which means you can chop, change and re-use it time and time again, without losing any of the initial value. Not only does this reduce your workload, but it also ensures that you can continue to drive more traffic to your website over the coming days and months.

Use videos

The way that website users consume information is changing fast, and video is now one of the top tools to share important company messages or information about a new product line, rather than by creating a long-form article. Video content is shaping the way that the Internet operates, with users consuming all kinds of information, from Youtube clips to news broadcasts and even Instagram feeds via videos, either on mobile or desktop devices whenever they feel like it. Keep this in mind when you are producing video content for your website and social media channels. A video is a powerful tool, so it is vital that you treat it with the respect that it deserves. When dreaming up any video ideas consider that you need to keep your content short and relevant. Any videos over three minutes risk being too long and you could even lose followers rather than gain new ones. Next, consider keeping costs down by creating videos in-house. All you need is a tablet or smartphone and a willing employee to help you to film engaging content that takes a matter of minutes to edit and upload. Finally, consider which channels your video will work best on; are you planning to launch a video campaign on social media or perhaps you want to create new video content for your website. You will need to plan and prepare accordingly, so be sure to film enough content to enable you to chop and change where needed.

Consider your user experience

No matter who uses your corporate website or follows you on social media, it is crucial that you consider how the experience is for every user when you are creating online content. When it comes to your company website, you will want to make sure that your site is fully mobile responsive, so that users can access information and engage with your company while on the go. If you are keen to find out more about responsive web design, then read more here. Next, make sure that you complete testing to check just how easy your site is to navigate. If you cannot find information quickly and easily, then the chances are that your users will be unable to either. So, make sure that you consider this vital step if you are planning to make changes to your site. Finally, consider your sitemap. If you do not have an easy to navigate website, then you are seriously impacting your overall user experience. So, if you want to build on your online presence, then you should place your users at the top of your list of considerations.

Use social media

If you thought that social media was purely for millennials and teenagers, then think again! If you want to be a successful online business, then it is vital that you make good use of social media channels to grow your follower base and increase traffic to all of your online sites. Your social media plan should marry up with your website content planning too, meaning that you can repurpose and change content to use uniformly across your entire digital channels. When deciding which social media platforms work best for you, consider your business needs first. Are you trying to showcase products? Perhaps you are looking to grow your online community? Or maybe you are currently going through a recruitment drive? Once you have decided, it is time to ensure that you use your company branding effectively and consistently across all of your channels. From LinkedIn to Twitter and even Instagram, make sure that you complete this step, to boost your overall online presence. Messy branding reflects poorly on your business. Finally, make sure that you post regularly and engage with comments and criticisms. If you fail to do so, then you risk losing followers and even receiving even more negative responses. Little and often is the key to ensuring that you make the most of social media while growing your business presence.

For many firms, launching a new company website is enough when it comes to their current digital plan. However, the reality is that if you want to grow your online business presence, then you need to make sure that you get organized and start planning weeks in advance. Be sure to write regular and relevant content for your blog or corporate website. Be sure to consider using videos as a tool to share information and increase interest. Make sure that you review your user experience, to ensure that your site is easy to use and the information is displayed correctly. Finally, make sure that you use social media to drive traffic to your website and engage with your online followers. Once you have begun to build your online presence, remember to ensure that you regularly review all of your channels to ensure that you are keeping up the positive results.

How to Market your Products More Effectively

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This year has been a complete change for the marketing world, and as we all know marketing isn’t easy, so the question we all have on our minds is how we can effectively optimize our companies’ products with minimal money.

We can look at numerous methods on Google, but I’m here going to tell you the back alley plot holes of marketing, that are completely legal, that will make your product one of the hottest brands of the season.

1. Online Marketing

You probably already know this by now but in case you didn’t, the future of all marketing is online! It’s a huge fact that people are more connected to their mobile, laptops and other electronics in the 21st century and that will more than likely continue till the very end of mankind.

So, thus people look for safe, reliable, diverse, cheap and accessible products more often than most and because, it’s enormous knowledge on anything people look to the internet for answer, thus if your company is not online by now it should be!

2. SEO

Search Engine Optimization, once you established the basic concept of modern marketing and your company has finally gone live online, the next step is optimizing your site activity, and in all honesty it takes effort to get to the top.

SEO was born the acronym basically states that every time you search something on Google a complicated algorithm will assess each word and give you all possible sites that have the same wording. These words normally called ‘keywords’ have a huge impact on how popular your site will get or how fast your product will sell.

3. Strategize, Prioritize and Eliminate

Now that the easy part is done you must plan a strategy for how your company or product can move forward, what demographic does it focus on? And what are you giving that is unique to all other products that are out there? Prioritize your work and you will be rewarded focus on a specific type of customers based on whatever your product is. Moreover, eliminate any or all distraction that are completely useless on your site like ads, people wish to see a more simple and straightforward page.

4. Analyze

The key to an active and healthy site is constant evaluation and analytics, what is main demographic? And how can you relate to them? What is your connection to them? The more you understand your customer the more popular your product will become.

5. Socialize

Facebook alone has over 2 billion users and Instagram and Twitter can probably turn your company into in a fortune 500 overnight almost, if you learn to communicate your product with everyone, the more the fan base the most people will get interested in your product, I cannot stress this enough when I say communication is key!

There are many businesses that run online and make profit every year. The number is increasing day by day such as AliBaba, Olx, TopVouchersCode.co.uk, Walmart online store and many others.

6. Paid Promotion

After your site has become rather famous with all your optimizing skills you will have to broaden your perspective a little more, start thinking about paid promotions which is essentially paying a little money to famous Youtuber’s or recognized bands to promote your product on an international level and there by broadening your demographic a whole lot more.

7. Competitive market

Trust me when I say when you become a huge corporation you will enter a completive market especially if your product is an everyday selling product like milk or bread, you are not to get discouraged by the competition in this market but always say to yourself, never back down.

8.Change isn’t a bad thing

Change is always the most constant thing you will see, wherever you go, and a little change isn’t necessarily a bad thing, I guess what I’m trying to say is product diversity is the next goal you should have in mind, the more diversity in your product the more recognition you will get, granted your current product has now reached the pinnacle of its optimization, literally!

However, when diversifying your product be sure to have a backup plan if all goes south, cause in reality your just starting all over again which is a huge risk, but if done correctly can double your income.

9. A Blank Canvas

Don’t be afraid to be creative, a powerful company should rely on the creativity of its employers, that’s why companies like Google are incredibly powerful and their employees have a whole of creativity to envision new products.

10. Be grateful

Now that your company is on the correct path never back down from always congratulating your employees a happy workforce is a powerful company. Hold company picnics or annual appraisals whatever keeps the mood lively.

If you follow all these steps your company and product or products, are bound to be known worldwide. However, you must always be wary as life isn’t as simple as it may seem, always have a backup plan for everything and try to focus on one thing at a time.

Guest article written by: Catriona Jasica. I love to analyze things and to write about them. Just love reading books, traveling and movies which is basically my ultimate inspiration for writing different kinds of blogs. I find all these things very interesting and always eager to share my views with other people. You can find my other blogs at Top Vouchers Code.

4 Ways to Know Whether You’ve Developed a Quality Brand for Your Company

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Developing what kind of branding you want for your business is not always easy, and it can also often change throughout the course of owning your company. The success of your branding also can be a little bit difficult to determine if you have no experience or you are looking to measure success after a rebrand. The good news is that there are signs to know whether you have created positive changes for your brand or whether you need to take a deeper look.

Here are 4 ways you can determine the success of the branding for your business.

1. Listen to customer feedback

One of the most obvious ways to know whether or not you are reaching your branding goals as a business is to ask customers how they are feeling. What they say about the overall experience your company provides can determine a lot about whether you should make changes or not. Make some time to talk to both satisfied and dissatisfied clients to learn what you can improve on and what your brand means to them.

2. Take a look at engagement

How engaged both established and potential customers are with your website, social media, and other marketing efforts can determine how well your branding efforts are coming along. These numbers (along with website analytics and tracking purchases) will be what you want to look to when you are deciding whether or not you are going the right direction with your brand and marketing.

3. Look at the competition

The other businesses within your industry can be essential for helping you to gauge if you are hitting the marks with your branding. How your competitors choose to reach their customers’ demographics can give you insight on how you want to approach your marketing strategy. Which ways do you think they succeed and which ways are they missing the mark? By thinking about these things, you’re taking the time to see what strategies would be best to implement in your own business and how you can improve.

4. Give it time

It’s unlikely that you will know immediately whether or not your brand is doing well. If you are rebranding, it might even take longer for you to know whether or not it works for your business. Make sure you give it a few months before you make any major changes so you know which ones should be made for certain. It’s usually best not to rush into a new strategy, but to take some time and see which ones were successful and appealed to clients. By taking the time to learn from your mistakes, you’re taking a step closer to developing a brand that will stand the test of time.

Developing a successful brand takes the investment of time, some money, and really getting to know your client. Once you’ve taken the time to analyze what your company needs and how you can approach your marketing strategy, you can create a company that is loyal to customers and has branding that works.

Guest article written by: Alex Schnee

Benefits of outsourcing payroll processing for your business

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Payroll processing can become a challenge for any business especially when dealing with numerous employees. So much goes on into the processing of payrolls. You have to factor in the basic salaries, allowances, deductions, statutory payments among other elements. The processing of the payroll takes a substantial amount of time for your accounts department. This can be quite overwhelming, especially if your accounts department has to deal with other aspects of your business that directly affect your business functions.

The best solution to this is outsourcing this task to a professional firm that offers payroll services. The good news is that you will find firms such as Qualitas Payroll that offer exclusive payroll services. Such gives you better confidence that your payroll will receive the attention it needs for best results. Going for professional firms with the experience and ability to handle your payroll also assures you of reliability, quality, and expertise. At the end of the day, you will have met all requirements as far as the law is concerned.

Freedom to focus on other core issues

Outsourcing frees your accounts department to concentrate on other core tasks that have direct financial benefits for the business. You will have help receiving of customer payments, disbursement to vendors, reconciling the accounting records, and numerous other tasks. These tasks are vital to the function of the business more than the processing of payroll. While employee payments are in no way not important, they take up time that you can use to catch up with other accounting tasks that will affect the functions of the business even more.

More cost effectiveness

Dealing with payroll issues will require having additional staff just to do this. You will incur additional operation cost in terms of salaries, allowances, and other employment costs. By outsourcing, you reduce the number of people on payroll. You will pay just a fraction of this to cover the fees that the service provider will request from you. Your business will therefore save money that you can use on other activities in the business that will generate income. You can only reap this benefit and many others if you choose the best company to provide you with this service.

Efficient payroll processing

You will have enhanced efficiency in processing of your payroll. The service providers have the expertise and experience that will see them cover all angels of payroll processing. You can be sure that at the end of the process, the employees will receive their dues without any hitches. You can only get this assurance if the company you pick utilizes the best technology and professionalism to make this happen. It should have the right number of employees to deal with the workload. Since this is not the only account, then the company should have the capability to cater for thousands of employees without a delay.

Meeting legal requirements

With rules regulating payroll, you need to be compliant. Experts ensure that you meet the requirements and keeps your business compliant with what the government requires.

5 Ways Virtual Reality Can Help You Build the House of Your Dreams

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Architects have been using computer software to generate rudimentary 3D models of future projects for decades now. The only problem with these 3D models is that they’re difficult to imagine to scale, and they don’t offer a lot of detail. Perception of size is slightly difficult to translate, and you don’t always get a panoramic experience in those simulations.

With virtual reality, the entire game is about to change.

1. Eliminating Communication Errors

Communication errors happen all the time, like getting crispy chicken instead of grilled chicken in your salad. This is a communication error that’s easy to fix. What’s not easy to fix is an error in the expensive construction of your home. You don’t want to see a chimney in the wrong place – this is expensive and time consuming to fix. VR models can be used to close gaps in communication and assure that both parties have a mutual understanding of what the desired outcome should be.

2. Trying Before You Buy

You might think that your design ideas are the best possible thing, but getting them out of your head and into the real world could make you change your mind. VR will allow you to do a dry run. Maybe full glass walls aren’t a great idea in your living room, because you don’t like the lack of privacy. You may not know until you experience it. Virtual reality will allow you first hand experience with a design before you’ve fully committed to it. You’re less likely to have buyer’s remorse, because you can virtually encounter problems before they become a part of your home.

3. Making Changes Before The Build

Even if you have all the big stuff ironed out, you might have some gripes about the small details. If anything needs to be changed, you’ll know before the construction starts. Maybe it’s something as simple as the wall texture or the lighting fixtures. Whatever it is, you’ll know preemptively. You’ll be able to walk into the build of your home with a strengthen and perfected vision, and the home will be more than move-in ready by the time you’re starting to unpack.

4. Accurate Cost Estimates

Building a home is very costly. You don’t want to find out that you’re going to run thousands of dollars above your budget, particularly if you only have a finite amount of money set aside to find the project. By using virtual reality to make your vision come to life, you’ll be able to measure the costs down to the dollar. Sometimes unforeseen costs are inevitable, but you’ll be able to keep them under control if you have an exact model that’s already been budgeted and you’re attempting to perfectly match it.

5. Creating Perfect Plans

Before you start building, you’re going to need plans. You’ll have to buy the land you need to build on and make sure there won’t be any restrictions with that land in terms of price, terrain, or what’s acceptable in that area. The plans themselves are costly, and you don’t want to have to continuously revise them. If you can get them drafted and approved the right way the first time, you’ll be able to avoid any red tape or restrictions you may not have previously known about.

Virtual reality is rapidly becoming the future of architecture, and everyone is embracing the convenience and experience it can provide. If you’re trying make the vision for your dream house become a reality, VR will always be the perfect starting point.

Guest article written by: Audrey Robinson is a technology enthusiast and a careers expert, currently supporting Datastical, an online knowledge library. With her unquenchable thirst for knowledge, she can often be found online, learning about new technological advancements and sharing her ideas with others. 

What is Your Movie Collection Software Doing for You?

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Online Movie Rental Program for Enhanced Convenience

Automation the world over is moving along the digital information highway at faster than breakneck speed. People who are still unaware of specialized software like movie rental system are missing something important. Cluttering up your hard disk with an ever-increasing barrage of information and data is apt to make you confused at a later stage. Buying and installing this software system is one of the smartest thing that busy people are doing around the world. Streamlining data and stored information helps in accessing at a moment’s notice. The technological development of the web, easy access to the internet and online assessment tools has made sharing a favourite past time.

Friends or families are spread out across the globe seemingly with 24 hours flight distance. Yet, lightning speed communications have never been faster and are still getting faster by the day. Online service providers provides detailed information on matters related to movie rental computer system to all kinds of consumers. Individuals or groups can use it for non-commercial purposes. These software programs are revolutionizing the way businesses are handling their movie rentals. If your current software program is not satisfying your needs, maybe it is time to replace it with innovative and state-of-the-art rental computer systems. A movie rental software should work to your advantage for the trouble and money you spent on acquiring it.

Organizing Your Movies

Movie database increases at a fast pace. Pictures, videos, movies and graphics take up huge storage space. Simply keeping on buying extra storage is not the right or complete answer. If you can’t afford to do this, you may want to sort through the collections in order to review and manage it. You need to spend time and effort at selecting tittles, genres or ratings to decide what to discard and what to keep. Today’s customers are a demanding lot and are forever on the lookout for newer scintillating titillations. If you cannot shuffle collections, you probably will not be able to keep up with your social circles either. Subscribing to online movie rental program could be one definite smart move.

Managing movies either for personal use, sharing or renting out, is getting more and more complicated day by day. Creating and inserting new categories and linking them to a centralized access is what automation all about. Next generation is taking to online living; yes living, as fishes take to water. Certain psyches are made for the digital world. Give them the latest artificial intelligence innovations and they will make the best use of it. Even if are or are not one of them will not matter if you have the right online movie rental software working for you. Get instant free online quotes today to save money and be surprised that you can now actually save TIME too!


Things to Consider when Hiring a Printing Company

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If you want your business to be associated with quality and professionalism, every aspect of your operations is essential. From consistency to marketing, how you run your business says a lot about you. Hiring a quality printing service can have a significant impact on perceptions of your company.

Results

A printing service is expected to guarantee exceptional results by ensuring that printed items meets clients’ expectations and the desired effects are achieved. Issues such as uneven cuts or blurry images can diminish the impact of your printed materials on potential customers.

References

A reputable printing company should be willing to provide references that you can contact. Any printer that is reluctant to refer you to previous customers or share past experiences regarding the quality of their work should be avoided.

Affordability

Printing services offer affordability and competitive pricing. While pricing is an important consideration, it is important to prioritize quality rather than cost. Quality prints can be produced at affordable prices without compromising on results.

Professional Help

A good printer will provide professional assistance whenever you need it and guide you along the way, from concepts to the final product. This is especially important for inexperienced entrepreneurs and startup businesses that may not be familiar with the intricacies of the printing process. You need to be assured that help will always be available when the need for it arises.

Samples

A quality printing service can provide samples that serve as a representation of the type of prints that you should look forward to. This helps to give insight into the quality of their printed items. Find out more about Brisbane Printing Services here.

Knowledge

Extensive printing knowledge is necessary for ever step of the process from the beginning until completion. Without relevant knowledge of aspects such as the best printing methods, machines and colors that can be used, you may not be able to get the guidance and results that you seek from the printing company.

Options

Different options of ink, paper and stock are usually available, including environmentally sound alternatives. You can make comparisons between different printing materials.

Techniques

Various specialized techniques are used in the printing industry. In order for you to gain a competitive edge, options like die cutting, foil stamping and embossing can be implemented during different stages of the printing process to enhance your products.

High Quality Printing

Brochures, pocket folders, mailing labels, envelopes, letterheads and business cards are all essential for communicating the initial impression that will be created among your customers.

  • Printing companies are equipped with a range of supplies to produce both short and long-term work as well as the staff and creativity required to help you make all your projects outstanding.
  • Jobs of varying complexities such as flyers, newsletters, books, product catalogues, annual reports and booklets require the skills of dedicated and experienced people who can navigate the project during the production process.
  • Services include prepress, offset printing, social printing, bindery, digital black and white printing and digital color printing.
  • Customers can choose from a variety of options that range from laminating to sparkling finishes. Regardless of whether a printing job is big or small, every effort is made to take proper care of customer’s requirements.

How digital marketing is necessary for your startup

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It’s a significant achievement in this day and age where the global business industry is exceptionally tightly packed to be able to launch your startup. Not only you dreamt big, but also planned and strategized things along the way. It takes sincere efforts and dedication, and you pulled it off! A pat on the back for you.

You have yet to go stronger to grow stronger!

In today’s fast-paced world where everything has taken the digital route, the ways of effectively marketing your startup have also changed drastically. Globalization has made this world a smaller place, and while traditional marketing methods are useful, they fail if you are looking for a more extensive reach. They’re helpful for providing you local customer and connections, but you don’t want just that, right?

Enter Digital Marketing.

Digital marketing has proven to be more than just a powerful tool over the last decade. The world has seen tremendous growth regarding the usage of mobile and Internet-connected devices. Combine that with a round-the-clock easy and relatively cheaper accessibility of the internet, and you’ll see the need for digital marketing.

Digital Marketing, in straightforward language, refers to reaching out to your customers even in the farthest corners of the world using digital mediums like social media, emails, search engine marketing, and others. Today, every organization, however big or small, is looking to capitalize on Digital Marketing strategies to promote their brands. It is a potent tool and can help you build a substantial online presence, and positively impact your bottom line. Everything you do towards building your online/digital presence counts towards your brand getting known. This will increase your reach, and eventually, your revenues.

Unlike traditional methods of marketing which required you to shell out a considerable sum of money to promote your brand, digital marketing can be initiated without you spending a penny. Because of this reason, it makes more sense for startups first to build an online presence, and then venture into the offline world – if need be.

The digital media scene is perfect for startups looking to validate, collaborate, or promote their products and services. Like traditional marketing, digital marketing, too, comes in a variety of flavors:

Email Marketing: This is as simple as it sounds. An extremely cost-effective, customizable, and measurable tool, email marketing allows you to communicate with any number of people. Organizations have used digital marketing to build credibility, inform the masses about your products and services, improve communication, and eventually boost sales.

Social Media Marketing: Over the years, organizations have started using Social Media as their voice. There are numerous social media platforms present, like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, and you should pick one depending on your business requirements. Not only does this help an organization seamlessly communicate with existing customers, but it also helps find new customers.

PPC Marketing (Pay-per-click): Startups who are wanting to stay lean or are in a very nascent/unfunded stage having a limited budget often look for ways to make every penny count, especially when it comes to marketing and advertising. PPC is handy if done right. Marketers need to learn to work with PPC budgets to get the highest ROIs.

Search Engine Optimization: SEO provides long-term benefits, but unlike the other methods, it might demand a little technical bent of mind. It is responsible for increasing the visibility of your brand, and thereby ensuring that more organic traffic reaches you. Bringing you up in the search results is a way SEO builds credibility in front of your potential customers. Ways of achieving this include ensuring optimization and responsiveness of your website, thoroughly check all the pages for broken links, use appropriate heads/descriptions, and create excellent non-plagiarized content. Get users to talk about your site.

Content Marketing: They say that content is king, and for you to take your startup a long way, you need to how to crown that king. It plays a crucial role in making any startup huge. Content marketing aims to convey your brand voice interestingly. Content marketing is known to generate a lot of traffic and leads. The trick is to publish relevant content and be regular at it.

If you look into the growth of successful startups, you’ll come across a digital marketing strategy composed of a few (or many) of the techniques mentioned above. While startups like HubSpot and Mint thrive on Content Marketing, there are others like Wendy’s who’re taking social media marketing to an altogether new level. In the end, it all boils down to your requirements and goals.

Let’s look some reasons how Digital Marketing is your ticket to the top:

  • Allows you to gauge the online marketplace: A clear digital marketing strategy will give you insights into things like consumer behavior, competition analysis, and even the words being said about your organization.
  • Develop a value proposition: Your marketing strategy will be your startup’s voice. Building a good roadmap is similar to making your voice be heard and developing a value proposition for your organization.
  • Saves time and money: A successful digital marketing strategy requires very little time and money as compared to the traditional methods of marketing. And in that respect, it provides much more than just value for money.

So, just to summarize, a well-planned approach can help your startup:

  • Enhance brand visibility
  • Increase customer loyalty
  • Offer better and transparent interaction with customers
  • Gather more customers
  • Build the overall brand name and credibility.

However, you need to be aware and up to date on the latest tools, techniques, and practices used for a successful digital marketing plan. There are many online digital marketing certifications and courses that can help you with exactly that. So, if you’re a budding entrepreneur looking to get your voice heard, Digital Marketing is the way to go!

Where will progress lead us and what to expect next year in the world of technology?

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What can predict and how people react to technology is amazing. We’ve got some amazing tools around us that people didn’t even predict would exist 20 years ago, like smartphones and the internet, that we’re entirely blasé about. Other technologies, on the other hand, which we’re absolutely certain are just a few years away, like flying cars, are never actually seem to come from around that proverbial corner that they’re hiding behind.

That means it’s hard to make any long-term predictions about technology. You’re almost inevitably going to find yourself with egg on your face. Fortunately, in the shorter term we’re able to make some more accurate predictions.

For that reason, let’s take a bit of time and look at what technological innovations we’re going to see in the next year.

Metal printing

3D printing has been discussed a lot in the last decades. It’s been poised to take off for a while now. And indeed there are lots of companies out there doing things with it. For example, they’ve printing a bridge in the Netherlands. At the same time, it has not yet taken off in the way we expected it to.

That might finally change with one of the final hurdles of 3D printing being overcome. What hurdle is that? The one of printing metal, of course. So far, printing in anything about plastic has been prohibitively expensive and that has meant that it was only for big companies to invest in. And as many of those big companies weren’t yet all that confident of the technology, they’ve steered away.

Now, that the costs of printing things in metal are starting to come down, however, we should start seeing smaller operations who are willing to jump in and create everyday use items using less materials and thereby having less overhead. And once they prove the concept, the big companies will have no choice but to embrace this technology more broadly as well. 2018 might well the year that starts to happen on a bigger scale.

Artificial embryos

Over in Cambridge they’ve managed to create embryos using nothing but stem cells. This is a huge step forward, as it means that as many artificial embryos for research purposes can be built as we might need – all without harming any original animals (or indeed people).

This will greatly speed up research purposes and allow scientists to tease apart the early stages of our development. And that can give us a huge amount of insight into our own development – correct or incorrect.

And yes, it also means that we really need to start tackling those ethical questions about what is real and what is not and what it will mean if these artificial embryos end up being indistinguishable from the real thing. So far, they are, you can tell the difference, by the way. It isn’t certain whether these cells can grow into actual living organisms. So that might be a relief!

Smart cities

Alphabet labs and collaborating with the Canadian government to build a city that is loaded with sensors, so that decisions about how it should run and what problems should be tackled aren’t being brought in top down but are instead developed bottom up.

Quayside, will gather information about how people are using it, where pollution is coming from, noise levels and more to understand where changes need to be made. Also, the city will be multi-level, with a whole underground network of robots performing such tasks as delivering mail and other projects, while on top people travel through shared smart cars.

The whole network will be built on open source software, so that just like with their android platform, people can build other ‘apps’ on top of the framework and innovate based on the city.

Obviously, what will work there will then be expanded and exported to other parts of the world, so that cities respond and grow in real time to accommodate the needs and wants of the people who live there.

Translating airbuds

This one might not seem as big at first blush as the other technologies we’ve mentioned. I mean, airbuds, right? At the same time, the possibility that we can simply put in airbuds and understand what other people are saying to us in another language is a big deal – particularly if they’re actually accurate.

So far the technology requires two devices, a smartphone and the airbuds, with the person indicating when they’re speaking by pressing a button. This overcomes a lot of the problems that translation software has had overcoming background noise and knowing when they need to start translating.

And the closer that these devices are going to come to translating in real time (which they don’t yet do – they make mistakes during normal conversation, so don’t even talk about something like being a college essay service), the more useful they become. And the more useful they become, the more data they will start to receive as they are being used.

From there such translation software will certainly accelerate.

Cloud based AI

To date, AI hasn’t really been available to us normal people. Instead, its only the big companies like Google, Amazon and Baidu who have been able to work and experiment with these amazing new tools. That looks to be changing, however, with more and more companies offering AI services through the cloud.

The leader of these has to be AWS, which is an Amazon subsidiary, but Google isn’t far behind with their own offered service. Naturally, the more fierce their competition becomes, the more we’re going to benefit as prices come down into the range where modern-day startups can start affording them. From there, we’ll no doubt see a great deal of competition as people roll out new ideas and concepts with these technologies.

At that point, the AI revolution can really begin. The question we’re all dying to know the answer to is: How long will that be? Are we looking at years or is this another flying car?

The short view

The great things about all these technologies is that they’re here right now. They are not some pipe dream. Instead they’re being employed and experimented with. And though not all of them will live up to the hype (I mean, where is VR now?) a few of them no doubt will. Then, in a few decades, we can act just as blasé about them as we now are about some of other technological miracles in our lives.

Top Computers for Students

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Most upcoming college students will sooner or later have to invest in a computer.

It’s common that people either buy an overkill device or a cheap that breaks down.

This can be tricky. You want something that are capable of fulfilling the necessary tasks, while not accidentally charging unnecessary money for features that you won’t use.

It can be hard to navigate the market when every website is trying to push their products down your throat..

That’s the problem we’re going to discuss & solve today. To help you find the type of computer that is good enough to fulfill your needs while not being overpriced.

What you need to ask yourself is: What’s my budget? & What programs am I going to use?

Ask your school if they have any recommendations or/and requirements for computers in order to run programs related to the courses you’ll be attending.

If you’re going to work with programs like Photoshop you’ll need at least 8GB of RAM and an i5 processor. 2GB is possible but not recommended according to Adobe’s website.

On this list we are assuming that you will not be using the computer to play demanding games with hardcore graphic. The main focus is around work & studies, not entertainment.

Laptops vs Desktops

Ultimately, we decided to mainly have laptops on this list. Why? The reason we choose laptops is because of how flexible they are.

Pros

  • You can bring them with you easily.
  • Where the student goes, the laptop goes.

Cons

  • Compared to Desktops you will get more computing power for the same money when buying a Desktop.

However, desktops are too big to bring with you, which means you won’t be able to take notes or research anything until you get home.

Some people may prefer writing by hand and researching library books, but the most of don’t in this era of tech.

Extra: Chromebooks vs Laptops

What about touch pads?

Tablets like Ipads are very portable, however they are not good to write on.
Some versions have a 2 in 1 design that can provide a detachable keyboard, but these can generally just recreate a fraction of a real laptop experience. This is because they often are of smaller size & have a restrictive design.

Touch tablets will also always require some manual operation on the touchscreen regardless of the pros a detachable keyboard gives. Thus, there are no tablets included on this list.

So, the solution? Chromebooks.

Chromebooks give you “the best of 2 worlds” by combining a touchscreen together with a keyboard. The chromebook we have included on this list has a display with 4 different modes.

Our top 3 picks

Best All Around: HP Probook M serie

The HP Probook M serie has many computers and most of them are being sold at a justified price for what you get.

Almost all of them are perfect for doing school work and won’t end up getting destroyed after 2 years like many other cheap computers.

HP Probook MT41 is one of the most popular computers in this serie for students in high school and collage.

Portable

The M serie from HP is designed with a aluminium and magnesium case that is very thin. This makes them easy to move from place to place which is perfect for students switching classrooms.

According to us, most of the HP computers are also good looking so don’t you worry about that!

The only negative is the high price & angle sensitive display. When working with it, you want to sit right in front of the screen. If you turn the screen too much up, down, left or right this will affect the screens visibility.

Specs

  • Screen: 14 inches
  • Memory type: DDR3 SDRAM
  • Memory: 128-960 GB SSD
  • Processor: AMD, 2 cores, 2.5 GHz
  • Ram: 8GB
  • Operating system: Windows 10

Price
The price ranges from £270 to £500 depending on the specs you want to have. This computer is all around the best on this list because of the performance you get for the price. It is not the cheapest but not expensive either. Also because of the multiple spec choices you have, this laptop could be a good fit for many people.

  • Cheapest option cost around £270
    • 4GB RAM & 128 GB memory
  • The most expensive option cost around £500
    • 8GB RAM & 950 GM memory

Dell XPS 13

The Dell XPS 13 has a simplistic design and performs well for its price.

Specs

  • CPU: Intel Core i5 or i7 (8th-generation)
  • Graphic card: Intel UHD Graphics 620
  • RAM: 4GB to 16GB
  • Screen size: 13.3 inch
  • Storage: 128GB to 1000GB (1TB) SSD

CPU and RAM is enough for using more demanding editing programs like photoshop or even adobe after effects for example. It will always be best to use these on the right kind of desktop but it’s good to keep in mind.

Display
It has an anti-glare display which is great for external bright light. This makes it easier to see the display on a sunny day outside. Most students will probably study inside so this feature may not be the most necessary feature. However, with this in mind maybe you should try to get some fresh air while studying?

Design
Dell XPS 13 comes in multiple colors so you can choose one that you prefer. What’s negative though if you change the color is that it get slightly more expensive. Yet, the price is relatively cheap for what you get in my perspective.

Conclusion
According to us this laptop is appropriate for all students and even for more advanced work. It will not break quick if you treat it with normal care (like you would do with any computer of course). It is the most expensive on this list but also the best. You can decide if you want to have Intel Core i5 or i7 as CPU and what RAM ranging from 4GB to 16GB.

Acer Chromebook R 11 Convertible

Nominated as the best Chromebook 2016 by verge this one had many reasons to end up on this list.

The screens ability to flip 360 degrees together with the touch screen makes this a hybrid between a touch pad and computer. With both touch and an in-built keyboard you have a lot of options on how to use it.

What kind of computer is this?
It’s the cheapest “laptop” on this list and also the one with fewest features. This however does not mean the other 2 are better. It’s all about preference. The price lies around 300£, and there are no other versions with different specs.

Pros

  • Easy to bring with you
    Being small & portable it’s easy to bring with you & use at different places.
  • Reasonable price
    It comes at a reasonable price point to, which is always appreciated for college students with a tight economy.

Design

The ability to switch between tablet and laptop mode makes it good for both relaxing and working.

Material and colour
The computer is made out of plastic with a white finish. This is not exactly “premium looking” but more simplistic. It’s not something that will draw attention from people in awe, but not in a bad way either. It’s plain and simple.

The laptop has a comfortable grip when you grab it. Also thanks to the plastic it does not have that “cold” touch that aluminium or metal can get.

Size & Weight
Size and weight are one of the main benefits. It weighs around 2.76 pounds (1.25 kg) and its dimensions are 11.57 x 8.03 x 0.76 inches (29 x 20.3 x 1.9cm) (W x D x H). This is not heave to carry around but still gives you a screen large enough to work on.

Display modes

There are 4 different display modes you can have the laptop in.

  • Laptop mode
  • Display mode
  • Tent mode
  • Pad mode

Besides the touchscreen you also have a touch panel on the keyboard.

Specs

  • Processor: Intel Celeron N3150
  • Ram: either 2GB or 4GB.
  • Storage: 32 GB
  • Graphics: Integrated Intel HD Graphics
  • Camera: 720 Webcam
  • Weight: 2.76 ibs (1.25 kg)

Comment on specs
Judging from the specs this is not something you will be running photoshop on. Overall this is a computer meant for google browsing and maybe a few apps. It’s named “Chromebook” after all.

Conclusion
In conclusion this is for someone that want a cheap laptop to run browser based programs like google docs. If your college duties is mostly about writing essays on google documents then this would definitely be enough.

Guest article written by: John Andersen is a tech enthusiast that writes daily about tips and tricks related to home electronics on his blog electrotip.com.

5 Tips for Managing a Successful Brand Activation Campaign

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In 2016, companies in the United States spent a total of $595 billion on their brand activation campaigns. They invested money, time and effort in building an impressive brand activation portfolio; implementing impressive consumer promotions, digital campaigns and experiential marketing. All this to invoke more interest in their brand.

This is a clear indication of what businesses think about brand activation: it is a marketing strategy worth investing in.

Brand activation refers to the process of getting more people to know and love your brand. The primary goal of these campaigns is to get consumers to act in ways that will be beneficial for your product or service and make it stand out.

Managing Your Campaign

If it’s your first time in developing and implementing a brand activation strategy, you can follow these tips for staging a successful campaign:

1. Determine your campaign goals

Your goals should be determined by specific actions you want your target audience to take.

  • Do you want them to join an online contest or share your latest content?
  • Maybe you would like them to sign up for an upcoming event and share this info with others?

Whatever your objectives are, make sure they are specific and measurable. By setting quantifiable goals, you can have an easier time measuring and evaluating the success of your campaign.

2. Understand your target audience

After listing your goals for the campaign, take the time to understand your current and potential customers or clients and their differences.

Use data acquired now to determine what they find interesting and relevant and what turns them into paying consumers.

Your campaign should then focus on driving your audience to act in ways that will help you meet your goals. This means developing and running a campaign that is fully actionable.

3. Study your competition

Understanding what your competition is doing with their own brand activation campaign will help you greatly during your brainstorming and planning stages.

Keep in mind that consumers are bombarded by hundreds of messages every day. Making sure you stand out from the competition is crucial to having a successful campaign.

Do this by implementing a strategy that gives your audience experiences. Start by studying their benefits, sales messages and prices. Be on the lookout for weaknesses and gaps in the market and use them as a basis for creating standout and compelling messages.

4. Select marketing channels carefully

Consider all the options available to you that will work within your budget and timeframe. It is best to prioritize channels where you know your customers are present, and you can get the best ROI.

You can enhance customer interest and engagement by combining cross-channel efforts. Ensure these efforts are complementary to each other and always involve digital. This will ensure top of mind awareness in consumers.

When identifying your channels, ensure you focus on multi-sensory experiences so that you can reach out to your audience on an emotional level at multiple places and times in their customer journey with your product.

5. Monitor and fine-tune your campaign regularly

Before running your campaign, make sure you set up all the analytic tools you need to keep track of the campaign’s progress.

Evaluate your campaigns’ capability to encourage customer interaction and capture data.

With this data on hand, ensure that your campaign is consistently tweaked according to feedback, and amplify the results. Simple modifications in the message based on real data (as opposed to stereotypical assumptions) can assist you in reaching other segments, such as millennials, and even possible consumers both regionally and internationally.

One last important point to remember with brand activation is thinking of the long-term goals rather than solely focusing on immediate sales. As such, you will have your work cut out for you if you want to have an effective campaign in the short and long run.

To make sure that you invest your money and time well in experimenting with different strategies and channels, get help from a brand activation agency. They can help you create a campaign that is tailor-fit to your company and target market. This will enable you to achieve your goals.

Guest article written by: Tony Youssef is the co-founder and CEO of Pulsar Group. Pulsar Activation is a full-fledged hassle-free brand activation agency that has been based in the UAE for 10 years, with branches in Beirut and Cairo. Pulsar Production is the “State of the Art” manufacturing facility in the MENA region. Prior to Pulsar, Tony was Managing Director of Mobile – freshness MENA Marketing Solution Company.

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