Protect computer files before it's too late

The nightmare has happened to most people: You are half-way through completing an important file on your computer when the program freezes or the computer crashes, and you have just lost all of your hard work. Although losing computer files can cost you time and be a minor inconvenience, many times the lost data and productivity can cost much, much more. Protecting computer files is the way to safeguard important information from being lost forever.

According to professors of computer science at Georgetown University, computers crash due to an error in the operating system, software or computer hardware. Software issues are more common, and hardware errors can be difficult to diagnose. Errors are often transient and there is no way to predict when they may occur. That makes protecting files even more important.

There are different ways to safeguard files while working. Many different computer programs have automated saving programming built right in. That means if you have not physically hit the "save" function in the document, the software will automatically save the file at preset intervals. Usually help topics of the software or an IT professional will provide the instructions to set up automatic saving.

Autonomy is also essential when backing up files. You may become distracted or fail to back up files at specified times. This may result in lost data. Instead, there is software that can be programmed to back up select or all files to a particular location. Usually this is an external hard drive that will store the information. Should a computer crash occur, you can restore the information from the last automatic back up. In the event that a computer's hard drive is unsalvageable, files can be imported onto a new computer from the external hard drive.

Although crashes caused by hardware are possible, most computer errors are caused by glitches in the operating system. Some errors are inherent at the time of manufacture, but others may be introduced thanks to the information you download or share. Viruses are common and can take over a computer and make it function abnormally. To safeguard against lost data, routinely scan any document downloaded or shared with a virus detection product. If an e-mail or file is unknown, it is safer to ignore it than risk getting a computer virus. There are many different virus protection programs available and different levels of protection that can be set.

One of the most secure methods of protecting files is to upload them to an offsite back-up source. This service is typically offered by companies that have a remote vault server to which you can save files. There may be a monthly service fee involved. It is important to verify that the remote server is encrypted so that files cannot be stolen during transit. Some services will also offer file back-up and sync to multiple computers, keeping all data up-to-date. You also may be able to access your files from any computer with your login identification.

Now that digital information is the primary mode of business and personal communication, protecting files should be a priority.

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How to hide the TV when it's not in use

People have a love affair with their electronics, which play an integral role at households across the globe. Statistics from Nielsen's Television Audience Report indicate that the average American household has 2.86 television sets, despite having just 2.5 people. It is also estimated that those in the U.S. will have watched the equivalent of 9 years' worth of TV by the age of 65. Canadians spend 1,500 hours each year watching TV, and 128,000 Canadians have a TV in the bathroom.

Though TVs are located throughout the typical household, homeowners don't always appreciate the look of a TV and how it fits in with their design scheme. That is why many seek ways to camouflage a television when it is not in use.

There are many ways to mask a television when not in use. Homeowners can explore different options, depending on their particular budget and the available space.

* Furniture: Television armoires and cabinetry are some of the most basic ways to hide a TV. The unit is housed behind doors that are closed when the TVis not on and can be opened and recessed when it's time to watch a show. These pieces of furniture can match other items in the room and create a flawless appeal.

* Cover up: Wall-hung flat screen televisions can be camouflaged with a piece of artwork or another wall decoration. Many times the TVis recessed into the wall, and the canvas or mirror is mounted on a device that can move it out of the way to reveal the screen.

* On the move: There are mechanisms that can lower or raise a TV from a hidden location, whether in the floor or ceiling. The TV can descend or ascend vertically, or a hinged device can flip the TV up or down, depending on need, much like a small LCD television that mounts on the underside of a kitchen cabinet.

* Under the bed: People have long embraced the under-the-bed storage options, but what about using that space for a TV? Homeowners who have $10,000 lying around can purchase a mounting device that stores the TV under the bed, and then raises it into position at the foot of the bed with the touch of a remote control.

* Track TV: With a system of trackwork, a television can swivel out of a hiding spot in a closet, cabinet or soffit and move into position on a pole connected to the track. Both manual and motorized tracks can be installed for a few hundred dollars.

* Canvas cover: A less expensive option than some of the motorized devices available, a shade or tapestry on a manual device (think the window shades that you tug and the shade rolls up onto itself) can also conceal a television. Lower or raise the shade as needed.

* Smaller scale: Smaller TVs are easier to camouflage. Think scale when placing a TV in a bedroom, bathroom or kitchen. Simple decor accessories may do the trick of hiding the TV from view.

Although most people can't get enough of their television viewing, the caveat is they don't want the television to be an eyesore when not in use. Different concealment strategies can help mask a TVwhen it is not in use. 

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Tech tips Clean out your computer to improve performance

Few computer users have not experienced the rotating hourglass icon or the spinning rainbow ball that signifies that the system is working or bogged down by something. Over time computers can collect bits of information, fragmented files and other data that might wreak havoc on the inner workings that make a computer tick.

While some people are tech wizards, much of the general public is not so knowledgeable when it comes to understanding computer language or even moving beyond basic tasks. However, taking the time to run maintenance on the machine or asking an IT professional to assess your computer and make recommendations can improve the function of the computer and reduce stress over the slowing down or freezing of applications. Depending on the platform you use (PC or Mac), there will be certain procedures exclusive to that platform. But in general there are strategies anyone can take to clean out their computers and keep them running optimally.

* Free disk space.One of the first steps is to take inventory of what you have saved on the computer and delete extraneous or unused program files and other items. Delete optional factory-installed components that you don't use as well. Check out files that you have personally saved and get rid of old things, especially photos, videos and other data that takes up a lot of space. Temporary Internet files take up a lot of space because the browser caches each page you visit for faster access at another time. Removing these temporary files can make your computer run more quickly.

* Update software. Both Mac and PC platforms have routine updates that are recommended for the operating system and the programs installed. Some software errors may be remedied by the updating of applications when indicated.

* Use spyware and virus protection.Visiting the Internet opens you up to contamination by any virus or spyware software contained on that site and through downloads you may do. Protection products will locate errant files on the hard drive and notify you for deletion.

* Back up files to external sources. Having your full photo and video compilation stored on your computer may be convenient, but what will happen should the hard drive become damaged and data not recoverable? Protecting yourself by keeping backups of important files and information can prove a saving grace should anything happen to the computer down the line.

* Inspect start-up items. Certain applications can be designated to launch with start-up, and this can bog down the machine and cause sluggishness. If speed issues are behind the clean-out, consider modifying the number of applications that you have in the start-up menu.

* Monitor activity. There may be something that is hogging your processor or using a lot of RAM. By seeing what is being used on the machine and when, you can make adjustments.

While not every tip will be applicable to your particular situation, it is important to realize that a computer is a machine and it will need maintenance. Also, as technology advances at light speed, it will be necessary to keep up with the proper updates that will enable the computer to work at full capacity. 

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Herbicide technology improves weed control

It may be well worth the effort to make the lawn around our home lush-green and weed free, but with the herbicide restrictions of today, achieving this has become a big effort indeed.

Excessive weeds on the front lawn are as unsightly, homeowners say, as the appearance of excessive peeling paint. A weed-infested back lawn is also a downer if all you want for your summer is a pretty retreat where the kids can play, without the fear of twisting an ankle or knee on poor turf, and where adults can rest and revitalize.

"Lawn care scientists have been experimenting tirelessly with herbicides to create products that work effectively to kill weeds, but are far less damaging to the environment," says Reinie Drygala, lawncare products manager for Clear Choice, a leading name in innovative garden products. "Our researchers, with the assistance of many leading university turf scientists over a six year period, produced a breakthrough in selective weed control technology.

When shopping for greener products, do take a look at the claims on the Clear Choice label. The product contains up to 85 percent less active ingredients as compared to other products using the same ingredients. As important, Clear Choice, utilizing microtechnology, delivers an advanced formula of very tiny droplets that penetrate into the weed more efficiently.

"This consistency reduces the amount of active ingredient required to kill the majority of broadleaf weeds," Drygala explains. "It is effective on at least 60 varieties, including dandelions, clover and plantains while being friendly to your lawn."

Currently this product is only available at specialty lawn and garden stores with information at: www.todaysclearchoice.com. For spot-spraying of weeds, the uniquely designed 24 fluid ounce bottle will do the job. For those with a larger property with many weeds, the larger (1 US Gallon) size bottle is likely best for the job.

"If you're also growing flowers, fruits vegetables or shrubs, the sister product called PureSpray Green offers year-round disease and insect control," says Drygala. "The all-in-one, 'organic listed' formula is green enough so that gardeners can feel fine about spraying it on vegetables, fruit, flowers and shrubs."

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Secure your identity when shopping online

There is no denying that shopping online is the quickest and easiest way to zip through a holiday shopping list. With a few clicks and keystrokes, it's possible to have all of your Christmas shopping done in no time. But as many people have found out -- the hard way -- purchasing via the Internet can be risky business, especially during the holiday season when shoppers are pressed for time and make hasty decisions. While identity theft and fraud can occur at any time of the year, the holiday shopping season leaves consumers particularly vulnerable to hackers and identity thieves.

According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, a San Diego-based nonprofit, there are several important steps that consumers should take to ensure that their online transactions are conducted both safely and securely. First and foremost, the ITRC recommends that consumers shop only on sites that use technology that encrypts -- or encodes -- both your personal and financial information before sending it for payment processing. Encrypting sensitive information makes it inaccessible to anyone outside the system, and all of the Web's major retailers secure customer data in this manner. Nevertheless, it's a good idea to ensure that a shopping site is secure, particularly if you have not made purchases there in the past. Any page on a site that asks for personal or financial information will have a URL or Web address beginning with https:// as opposed to the usual http://.

Shopping only on the sites of merchants you know and trust is another critical means of ensuring your online safety. However, if you decide to order from a Web site you have never patronized before, it's a good idea to spend a few minutes investigating the site. For starters, reliable Internet retailers always include a business address and contact telephone number on their sites, as well as information about site security, their return and refund policies, shipping practices and privacy policy. This information should be easily located on the Web site, often along the bottom of the company's home page. If you can't find this information or suspect that the business might not be legitimate, contact the Better Business Bureau or your state's Attorney General's office to determine if there are outstanding complaints against the company.

Another critical step in securing your personal and financial data is to provide only the information necessary to complete the transaction -- and no more. Social Security numbers are not required to complete an online purchase and consumers should never provide this information. Being asked to reveal sensitive information, such as a Social Security number, on a retail Web site is an automatic red flag indicating that something is not right. Your best bet? Close your browser window and search for another, reputable source for the item you want.

Finally, whenever you shop online, it's best to pay with credit cards, which are protected by the federal Fair Credit Billing Act -- a law that entitles cardholders to dispute charges made to their accounts. Unfortunately, there is no other form of payment that provides this type or level of protection.

The good news? Once you are assured that a site is secure and the retailer is reputable, shop away. Chances are good that you'll not only save time, but money and energy as well.

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How technology eliminates jobs

You can't argue that technology has changed the world dramatically. From the industrial revolution to the widespread reach of the Internet, technology has changed how just about everything is done. Although technology has proven beneficial in many ways, technological advancements have proven costly as well.

Automation and technology has made humans expendable in many professional arenas. Couple that with the current economic downturn and the National Employment Law Project says that there is a deficit in good jobs, or the high- to medium-paying ones. Low-wage occupations saw job growth of 3.2 percent from the beginning of 2010 to the beginning of 2011, while mid-wage jobs only grew by 1.2 percent, according to NELP.

Technology often reduces costs after the initial investment is made, eventually helping to produce commodities or provide services at a reduced rate. Labor costs money, and reducing the labor involved and speeding up production increases profits -- something that benefits a business' bottom line.

There are a number of jobs that have been eliminated by technology, and more face a similar fate.

Labor-displacing technology

Any technology that enables an untrained individual to perform a specific service will remove jobs. Self-scanning checkout lines at a supermarket and automatic teller machines are examples. Automated kiosks and even car toll lines that scan a device instead of requiring interaction with a booth employee are other instances of labor-displacing technology. In a late 2010 Los Angeles Times interview, "about 70 percent of travelers said they were ready to use self-serve devices to board planes, check bags, change flights, rent cars, and book hotel rooms, according to a recent survey of nearly 2,500 airline passengers."

Automation

Automation has helped eliminate millions of jobs in many industries. Estimates suggest that 35 million jobs have been lost to automation in the last decade. Robots have assumed the roles of employees in auto manufacturing plants. One robot may be able to work 24 hours a day, replacing four humans. Computers and robots have also eliminated many of the workers in production lines because they may be able to do the job faster and more efficiently.

Farming

Automatic crop pickers, fertilizers and tillers have replaced manual workers in fields. These machines can accomplish most of the tasks typically performed by a person. They can also be programmed to sense when crops should be planted and picked. Cows have long been milked by machines rather than people, and technology has helped genetic engineering evolve, making livestock and crops less susceptible to illness.

Telephone Operators

"For customer service, press 0 ..." People have grown accustomed to hearing an automated voice on the end of the phone whenever calling a company's phone number. Automated response systems that require callers to push a digit to bring on a new menu of options have replaced receptionists and operators at many companies, reducing customer service staffs considerably.

Sales Professionals

With the advent of online shopping, many industries have taken a serious hit. Travel sites have virtually eliminated brick-and-mortar travel agencies. Bookstores are facing financial ruin from e-reader devices and the ability to order paper books online. Today people are using sites to shop for groceries, furnish a home and a host of other tasks that once required visiting a store. The convenience of the Internet offers fast research on the pricing of different items, doesn't require consumers to leave the house, and allows shipping directly to the house. Each of these things are compelling reasons to shop online. But everyone from cashiers to stock personnel could be paying the price.

The Great Recession has permanently removed 7.9 million jobs from the worldwide economy, and technology continues to remove many others. Individuals seeking jobs have even more difficult hurdles in the years to come. 

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Boredom be gone! Gadgets a friend to road weary travelers

In the past, road trip entertainment consisted of conversation between passengers or listening to the radio. In most cases, that radio was tuned to the oldies station, much to the chagrin of anyone under the age of 40 in the car. Nowadays, the bevy of electronic gadgets to entertain bored or road weary travelers has grown by leaps and bounds.

The travel portion of any road trip was often something to dread. Children chanting the incessant "are we there yet" could often push adults to the brink of insanity. Luckily, today's road trippers have a number of devices at their disposal to help keep people, including the kids, entertained.

It used to be that AM or FM radio was the standard choice when driving. While it's true that some taking road trips packed enough CDs along to keep on rotation, most others relied on the radio. But as anyone who has driven 100 miles or more from their home base knows, stations change and static prevails on many numbers on the dial. Satellite radio is one option that can keep favorite tunes playing consistently. Others prefer to load up the Mp3 player with a long catalog of songs so there is always something being played.

For kids riding along, many a parent has uttered a sigh of relief when turning on a DVD player in the car. Many family mobiles feature the option for an onboard DVD player, but they tend to be expensive. DVD units with headrest screens are available at many big box retailers for a fraction of the cost and just as much convenience. Audio may be transmitted to the car's speakers or headsets, depending on personal preference.

Digital games in handheld devices can ease the boredom of long car trips. Having a game on hand passes time and can also stimulate the brain.

For those who want to enjoy a little relaxation along the way, seat massagers that plug into a DC power outlet in the car or even through a USB port can offer a soothing massage while on the road.

For those who cannot live without an Internet connection, a mobile WiFi account enables everyone in the car to go online while on the road. This can also be an advantage if the GPSsystem breaks down or if you need to search for a restaurant or pit stop.

The conveniences of modern technology take the work and boredom out of long road trips and can turn a driving vacation into something fun. As a safety precaution, the majority of these gadgets should never be operated by the driver while the vehicle is in motion.

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