Author Archives: Guest Author

Best Free DAWs You Can Try For Producing Music

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Before the era of digital recording, no one knew what a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) was. But with the advent of technology, it has become an integral part of recording studios. Finding the right workstation is important if you are planning to have one for your home recording studio because it determines the quality of music you produce. As a beginner, it makes sense to use a free one and later graduate to a paid one. These have limited features but are good enough till you learn advanced music production. Here are some free DAWs you can try. Garageband Apple…

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Top Trendy Gadgets for Mums

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Fissler Pressure Cooker When parents and technology mix, it’s often with hilarious consquences. But if you’re looking to buy a thoughtful and useful gift for your mum that she’ll actually appreciate, it can often be hard to find something that’s just right. Whether your mum is sporty or stylish, super tech-savvy or barely knows how to answer her smart phone, here are our top gadget gift ideas for mums. All of them are available now at your favourite online tech stores like ThinkGeek, The Good Guys and Apple.

Sporty mums

Sporty mums will appreciate anything that helps them keep fit and active, and that complements their sporty lifestyle perfectly. Aim for gifts like a trendy new watch she can wear running, a new MP3 player for her to take to the gym, or a super slick new set of headphones for running. We like the Garmin Forerunner 10, which is a GPS running watch that’s super easy to use. It lets you start your run with the press of just one button, and automatically tracks how far and how fast you’ve gone. There’s even a free online community – Garmin Connect – where users can upload their run data, see it on a map, keep track of their personal records, and share them with friends.

Stylish mums

For stylish mums, hair styling tools are the ultimate option in gadget gifting. Try the new Vidal Sassoon Total Conditioning Ionic Steam System, which conditions hair as it straightens. Or, try the latest Remington S6500 Sleek and Curl Straightener, which allows you to both straighten and curl hair. It’s also a bargain at just $42.50.

Foodie mums

Kitchen gadgets are some of the most fun to use, whether you consider yourself a bit of a Master Chef or not. They’re also perfect for mums who love whipping up delicious concoctions in the kitchen. For the latest in super high-tech cooking devices, check out the Vitaquick Pressure Cooker by Fissler, which cooks meals in a flash on the stovetop. Or, for mums who rely on their iPad or tablet device to access their recipes in the kitchen, Chef Sleeve has an innovative range of trendy products for mums who want to keep their iPad or iPhone safe and clean in the kitchen. They offer products like disposable iPad and iPhone sleeves, and dishwasher-safe iPad stands. Our favourite? The iPad Stand Cutting Board.

Travelling mums

If your mum is constantly hitting the road, there are a plethora of travel gadgets that are perfect for her wanderlust-filled adventures. Check out the recently-released Amazon Kindle PaperWhite, which offers the ultimate in portable reading devices. It’s got an 8-week battery life, built in reading light (for easy reading even in bright sunlight) and holds up to 1,100 books at a time, so even the biggest bookworm mums will be able to take all her favourites with her on her travel journeys.

Interior design savvy mums

Got a mum who’s always filling her house with the latest and greatest in super trendy gadgets, and items that look like they wouldn’t be out of place on the set of Battle Star Galactica? Then a stylish design object which also doubles as a functional appliance is the perfect gadget gift for this kind of mum. Check out the Ergorapido vacuum cleaner from Electrolux. This space-age worthy appliance is a 2-in-1 cordless stick that’s super sleek, minimalist, bagless, and comes in a whole range of stylish metallic colours. It can be used either as a full-sized vacuum, for cleaning hard-to-reach areas, or a small dust-buster type device. It’s even under $100, so it’s perfect if you’re after a budget-friendly gift choice.

What are your no-fail gadget gift ideas for your mum?

Just Like the Real Thing – Digital Gaming’s Pursuit of the Perfect Simulation

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NFSMW_Wii_U_Co_Driver The evolution of the digital games and entertainment industry over the last three decades has been incredibly rapid. There is now a Digital Games Museum in San Francisco, commemorating and collecting some of the much-loved games of the 1980s and 90s (Mega Man 2 anyone?!), alongside the latest incredibly realistic game offerings. It’s quite startling how things have developed.

Nowhere is this digital evolution more evident than in the world of the virtual casino, where designers are constantly challenged to create faster, more navigable and more realistic simulations to recreate the real casino environment. Players too have become more discerning in what they expect from a virtual casino, whether they are playing for real money or taking part in one of the many free games on offer.

Live casinos are the latest online gaming sensation, with live games available to gamers 24/7 on smart phones, tablets as well as on their PC. Exploring an established real live gaming site such as Supercasino, reviewed on roulette.co.uk, gives an idea of the level of choice available; from live TV games to presenter-free games streamed live online.

Jeff Karp of GSN Digital (a branch of the Game Show Network that’s become a leader in social casino games) described in a recent interview how GSN are working on reinventing virtual casino games to keep players engaged, and that means inventing new storylines, narratives and mini-games. With well over 2,000 online casinos competing for players, the pressure is on to keep loyalty by offering new versions of the most popular slots and casino games. Whether hyper realism is the key to sustaining this engagement remains to be seen, but with many popular games now based on popular TV shows, classic myths and fairytales, the secret could be getting the balance right between realism and fantasy.

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Ibis Sleep Art

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sleep art screenshot3

It’s not often that a truly new and innovative app comes along, one that does something really different to the thousands that have gone before it. But the Ibis Sleep Art app does just that.

Developed by the Ibis hotel chain in collaboration with BETC Digital, this app grew from Ibis’s 2011/2012 company-wide re-branding exercise and its determination that every customer in every hotel would experience a good night’s sleep.

In an experiment in October 2012, Ibis hooked up one of its trademark Sweet Beds to eighty sensors and a robotic arm holding a paint brush. As the customer slept, the arm – in real-time – created a piece of artwork of paint on canvas that charted the sleeper’s breathing and movement patterns throughout the night. The experiment was so successful that Ibis and BETC Digital have teamed up with Apple to create the Ibis Sleep Art App.

sleep art screenshot2sleep art screenshot1

The premise is surprisingly simple; the iPhone user downloads the Sleep Art app, sets the Sleep Art alarm for the next morning, connects the phone to its charger and places the phone on the mattress beside them. The app runs throughout the night. The iPhone’s hyper-sensitive accelerometer monitors breathing, sound and movement, with each of these creating swirls and blazes of light in real-time so that when the sleeper awakes the next morning, their night’s sleep is displayed to them as a digital work of art, unique and surprisingly delicate.

A completely different work of art will be created each night and these are automatically saved to the device’s gallery; a user can therefore compare each night’s rest and, because they are created in real-time, users can fast-forward through the image’s creation to see how various episodes in their sleep were created.
If they know they woke up, for instance, they can see what effect on the artwork that had and even gauge how long it took them to fall asleep again.

The app is available for download now – for free – from the Apple Store. It is compatible with the latest iPhone models and iOS5 and iOS6 operating systems. The images can be shared via email , Facebook and twitter.

Best Software Available for Starting a Business

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easycall When you are in the process of starting up a business there will be a million and one things that you need to address to ensure that things run smoothly and to make sure you get the word out there that your company is here to stay. With so much to consider, it is essential that you utilise the right software to allow you to operate smoothly and reach your target audience. Today, we outline some of the best software packages out there which all benefit from sliding pay scales and remote access, freeing you up to focus your attentions on that to-do list…

Easy call now
This is an excellent, all-encompassing telephony system that caters to all of your companies contact needs and which perhaps most importantly, you can try for free. This hosted online dialler system allows you to quickly and efficiently contact and be contacted by your customers, ensures they will never hear an engaged tone or dial out, you will never miss a call and maximises your call time.

As part of the great software package, you will have access to comprehensive reports that can help you to analyse your contact list and business patterns. This, in turn, grants you access to the information that you require in order to improve upon the service that you offer. Another great feature of Easy Call Now is that this software is pay-as-you-go. This means you can start off small and increase your package as your business grows.

Google Aps
Five million business owners can’t really be wrong can they? This simple to set up software package is a cloud-based productivity suite which allows you and your team to operate from any location. Their web-based email, calendar and documents system is just the easy to use package you need to get that business off to a flying start.

Clearbooks
Managing your accounts efficiently without being buried in spreadsheets is an essential part of any business and Clearbooks is a great software package which allows you to do this as well as the fact that it is self-explanatory and cheap!

Prices start from as little as £9 for sole traders and charities and go up to £39 for bigger organisations. The package allows you to monitor your accounts from anywhere. Its automated invoicing feature allows you to pay and be paid easier and faster and all data is secure and encrypted for complete peace of mind.

Mailchimp
2.5 million businesses utilise Mailchimp as a way of email marketing their contacts list. The package, which like all of the above, you can trial for a month for free, allows you to design email newsletters and share everything on social networks. The package provides easy-to-understand reports which allow you to focus on the areas you need to concentrate on to improve and grow your service.

The Future of 3D Printing

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3dprint-hp3D Printing has been around for a while, but it’s only in the past year that it’s really taken off as the “next big thing” in printing. For anyone who does not have any idea about 3D printing, let me explain…

Basically 3D printing is being able to make a three-dimensional solid object from a digital model. So if you can imagine it and be able to make a digital model then you are able to print anything that can be constructed from the materials used. 3D printing has redefined the printing industry, with both hobbyists and manufacturers sitting up and taking notice. After reading this article I’ll guarantee that you’ll want your own 3D printer.

Many industries have been taking advantage of the benefits of 3D printing. Cars are now better thanks to motor vehicle companies using 3D models to find out if a car is structurally sound and use them for aerodynamic and crash tests. Even the medical industry has found a use for these printers, with body parts such as jaw bones and hips, being replaced by 3D printers. Many inventors also use them to create new items that will make life more convenient for us.

So far those are just a few of the things that a 3D printer is capable of, and in the future, it will be difficult to define what they can and can’t do. Industries use them daily to create products, individuals are creating their own home-items like Christmas decorations and hobbyists like arts and crafts gurus can create pottery, art and the likes.

I really am surprised that many households do not have a 3D printer at home since it just takes a PC that is capable of using 3D software, and printer cartridges like the ones you can get from Cartridges Direct Projections show that it will take until the year 2040 for the majority of PC owners to have one in their homes. Personally I think it will happen faster than that once people start learning the many wonderful ways in which a 3D printer creates.

Top Notch Google Extensions to Help you Work More Efficiently

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google-extension The popularity of Google and all its products in the Internet world needs no introduction. Today and for the past several years, Google has been the most successful and the most favorite search engines. Indeed, it is far ahead, when you compare its competitors like Yahoo, Bing, MSN and other popular search engines.

The success of Google would not have been a complete story without all its extensions. Yes, there are several of them and it would be a tough task to make a choice between them. Here is my list of unique, yet useful Google extensions for you.

Download Master

Have you ever been to a website where you have found it necessary to download a couple of files that you are interested in? Well if you come across such a situation again, make use of Download Master extension which lets you download several files with just a single click of your mouse. You can select the links that you wish to download and go ahead. The built-in manager will take over and do the rest for you.

Google Dictionary

No more fumbling with words and wondering what on earth they could mean. Google Dictionary is here to bail you out. It is user-friendly, fast and reliable. All you need to do when you encounter a difficult word is to double click on it, and a pop-up will tell you the whole story in detail (it gives you the definition of the word) You could also use the tool bar dictionary to get more complete definitions of a particular word or phrase. You can also get meanings of words in foreign languages, for which you need to have the appropriate extension on your browser.

Rapportive

This is a unique Gmail extension that lets you create your own social profile for any friend, family or acquaintance whose email address you need to enter. It pulls all the information and feeds from the Web. This enhances your Gmail experience to a great extent. Experiment with it today and build a good rapport with people.

Addthis

What with social media sites being very active, and every second or third person being a member in one or more of the sites. Sharing content online has become a fad today; however, it is a tedious affair as well. Addthis is here to remove the drudgery and help you share content on Twitter and Facebook in addition to many more. You can even translate your pages, print or bookmark them for later reference. You can even personalize and customize the list of services you need.

Pocket

The new avatar of Read it Later is Pocket. This is for people who are terribly busy and just can’t find the time to read their favourite blogs or film reviews. All you need to do is to save it to Pocket and read it at leisure. Pocket is designed to automatically sync to your mobile phone, computer or tablet. This makes it convenient for you to view the saved information even while you are offline. It has options for one-click saving through integrated buttons, on Google Reader and Twitter.com. Enhance your everyday reading with Pocket.

So that makes my unique and useful list of Google extensions. Hope they help you make your work faster and more efficient. Play around with them and share your thoughts. After all sharing helps us make our world, a better place to live in.

Author Bio

Sanjay Kumar is a tech and entertainment blogger. He identifies various free and discounted stuff like the couponcode2013, deals and offers. He also regularly contributes his findings related to internet marketing, blogging, and other technical stuff.

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Important Features of Colocations Services: Three Things to Look For

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datacenter Colocation services are increasingly important to businesses, particularly those in the IT sector. The number of companies offering these services is growing, and as a result, deciding which data centre is right for your business can be difficult. The individual needs of your business will dictate which service provider is best for you, but there are a few basic components that are absolutely essential in a data centre.

Power
Regardless of how large or small the storage space you require, you need to ensure that a data centre has a reliable power supply and backup options. A steady connection to the grid is not enough. A centre needs to provide details of their contingency plans in case of power outages and surges. Ask about the quantity and quality of onsite backup generators, and ensure that there are procedures in place for long-term outages.

Data centres also must defend your information from other threats, like fire, flooding and problems with the computer hardware. Enquire about the protection measures in place for such situations. Facilities should have extensive fire suppression, well-maintained, watertight buildings, and adequate cooling and ventilation systems to prolong the life and performance of the computer hardware.

If you are to trust a third-party with your vital data, you need to be absolutely certain that your information won’t be lost due to a short-term power blackout or easily containable fire.

Security
Obviously, power isn’t the only potential threat to the safety of your data. The sensitivity of that information can make it an enticing target for corporate espionage, so ensure the data centres you are using have adequate security measures throughout their facility. Most will advertise the extent of their safety features, but it pays to do some additional probing when shopping around for a suitable data host.

The measures you require can vary depending on the manner of your business, and the type of data being stored, but a data centre should at the very least utilise security cameras to monitor halls, entrances and especially the computer rooms, alarm systems, and guards or other security staff onsite at all times. Other facilities may contain systems like automated locking doors, biometric hand scanners and mantraps. Depending on the sensitivity of your information, it may be best to invest in a data centre with these additional security measures in place.

Not all security threats come from onsite attacks: data centres, like those run by Macquarie Telecom, protect businesses against external security breaches over the network by encrypting data, and providing their clients with a secure link to their information.

Support
The information you store with a data centre may need to be accessed without warning, or outside of business hours. After all, it is still the property of your company, and a facility needs to allow you access to it whenever you require. You’re better off not settling for a service that doesn’t allow access 24/7: even if your routine rarely requires after hours work, it’s best to allow yourself the convenience in case of unexpected emergencies.

Companies offering total managed colocation are your best options. These facilities have staff onsite at all times for security, maintenance and support, and many can provide you with remote technical support, to help resolve issues as quickly as possible.

Author bio: Michael Irving is a freelance writer and blogger, who’s been studying the business of managed colocation services lately, from companies like Macquarie Telecom.

Telecommunications: The way forward?

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2428 The IT profession can seem pretty hard to not just progress in, but enter. However, speaking to an IT recruitment agency will show reports of an upswing in one particular field: telecoms. The reasons are various, and while certain other fields can be stagnant in any economic environment, telecoms is surging because of the ever-changing nature of technology. It is also a very specialised field. Also, one thing that will never change is that companies will always need to keep in touch with a vast web of resources, not least being their customers.

So who is looking?

The people who are looking to recruit are not just large telecom multinationals like Siemens, Motorola, and BT, but also financial services, the public sector and SMEs. There is very little doubt that the importance of having a well prepared communications system is every bit as important as working IT systems and a robust compliance staff.

The choices for a telecoms career are more varied than you might think, too. Jobs in telecommunications can range from being a member of a call centre to Project Management and beyond, invoking all the skills you will have learned in IT.

Misconceptions

Lots of people in your company may think of telecoms people as just those ones to call to replace a dud phone, or replace cables, and so on. You know that is not true, any more than any IT support department is just there to say ‘Turn it off and on again’.

The life blood of any company is the ability to communicate with the outside world, which is why you matter so. It’s not a nine to five job; it is imperative to have everything available 24/7 in these days of disaster recovery and market wobbles. That’s why companies want people like with the experience and knowledge to carry them through anything.

Truth

The scope of working in telecommunications is staggering, even beyond your immediate duties. The implications of such a job can make everything go smooth as silk, or foul everything up. Big Businesses and Small/Medium enterprises know this so they are in the market for talent they can foster and train. There is nothing to lose by looking around at what’s available with an IT recruitment agency and the chance to grow will always help you.

You have the skills so it would be silly not to capitalise on them whilst bolstering your career.