What If the Corporation Tells You to Lie in a Disclaimer?

It has been a long time since I wrote here at this page, and yet, it seems to be just at the right time.

This article is about disclaimers. We've all seen the disclaimers, on the back of the product packages, and on television commercials, and sometimes even in the oddest of places, like on plastic bags - disclaimers that say silly things like, "do not put over your head". Duh, so who's going to do that anyway?

For the most part, the majority of disclaimers are simply tools that corporations and that lawyers use to make sure that if someone sues, they don't get harmed or they can get away with claiming innocence.

Yet, some disclaimers are needed, and some make sense and some are quite helpful. So, how does one distinguish between the ordinary, useful disclaimers and the ones that are, so obviously, lawyer's tools and corporations' tools to simply stop you from having recourse after one of their products or services has really harmed you? How do you decide which disclaimers are important and which are just plain annoying, and a waste of time, and space and, in many cases, a waste of good human energy?

Or does it really make a difference if we distinguish them, separate them or not? Only you know the answer to that question.

I am writing this article to bring attention, to you, and to the public, the new use of 'specifically-worded' disclaimers that are now being demanded for display on some community access channels, and shows. The disclaimer for television is not a real problem. Many producers put disclaimers on their shows, without even being asked to do so.

The huge problem for the latest development in community access television corporations is that 'specifically-worded' disclaimer. That's it --- the "specific words". And when I read the specific disclaimer, I saw, quite quickly, that it simply wasn't the truth.

So, I ask you. Can a corporation demand that you lie on television (if the disclaimer is obviously not the truth) and if you don't agree to the lie, can the corporation or the Board of Directors or the boss say that you can not air your show on community television?

Good question!

While I am not sure that I can answer this question directly, I'm pretty sure that I can answer the question by a process of elimination technique. I'll try that here.

So, by process of elimination, I'll say that for the most part, on many of the community access television shows, there usually is, more than one person, sometimes as many as four or five guests on the show or four or five "talents" on the show. And, if you think about this logically, you have to know that all those people do not have identical ideas and probably not talking about identical problems or issues.

One guest on the show could be an author, while another guest could be a singer, and another guest could be a folk-song writer, and one guest could be a lawyer. Yes, all those guests can be on one single community access television show. And then there is the Executive Producer. So with the specifically-worded disclaimer notice, it states that the opinions you hear on the show are "solely" of the Producer. And that clearly could not be the truth. There are many times in a show when an Executive Producer can or does invite someone to the show that has a different or even opposite opinion than the guest(s) might have.

So, a more appropriate disclaimer, a more truthful disclaimer might be worded like this, "Disclaimer: The opinions on this show are not the opinions of staff or admin. but they are the opinions / facts of the Executive Producer or of the guests, host or talent on this episode".

Now, that's honest, and that's more truthful and that's way more acceptable than the other cookie-cutter disclaimer that isn't truthful.

Yet, in a particular community access studio, the other "specifically worded" disclaimer that doesn't always represent the truth, is the disclaimer that is being pushed by (some in) the corporation.

Even a member of the Board of Directors has stated that the show will not be aired without the proper (specifically-worded) disclaimer.

So, what does an Executive Producer do, in this case, when the Producer wants to promote a true disclaimer, one that is more accurate than the mis-statement of the 'specifically -worded' disclaimer?

Producers' choices are either:

1. Say the lie on television (if the show has more than one opinion from various persons), to have their own show aired.
2. Not put the specifically-worded disclaimer and as a result of that not have the Producer's show aired on community access television.
3. Produce the shows somewhere else, in a place that is not requiring the producers to lie on air.
4. Stop creating television shows.
5. Wait until the lawyers have their meeting and see what the outcome of the meeting is -regarding the disclaimer notice.
6. Do the research and the footwork that will come up with better answers than the above answers.

And there are other solutions also, when one really thinks about it. But those are the most obvious solutions, for now.

I invite you to put your input here on this topic. Your opinions are valuable.

DISCLAIMER: (Smiles). Any of these articles are for entertainment purposes only and are never intended as substitution for any legal or medical or other professional advice.

Linda writes on various topics from A to Z. And this topic is on television and disclaimers. Community Television Producers are members of the community who present various topics to air on public television. It's nice to have some shows that are not governed by commercials or by sponsors. Now, it appears that the corporations are demanding specifically worded disclaimers. What is the future of community television?

7 Hot Apps That Will Skyrocket Your Productivity At Work

You can't avoid new technology these days, especially from a marketing standpoint. While it can seem intimidating to stay on top of the times, it is emphatically laborious for any marketer to be on top of his game if he is not palpable to new trends.

Here are seven marketing apps that you'll want to get acquainted with sooner rather than later.

1. Jelly

Google does a pretty good job answering all of our questions from "Why is the sky blue?" to more advanced queries like "How can I prove the ROI of inbound marketing to my boss?"

However, sometimes we are troubled by questions that don't translate well into a traditional search engine field. Jelly app is the solution to this predicament.

I'm not talking about fruit preserves here, but rather an innovative social Q&A app derived from the creative mind of Twitter co-founder, Biz Stone.

The crowdsourcing style app allows you to query your social network contacts, and lend them a helping hand when they're in need of an answer. Jelly doesn't rely on just text-based questions, but it actually allows users to use pictures to probe their questions.

Let's say, for example, you see someone in a magazine sporting a jacket you really like. Simply take a picture of the jacket, and post it alongside a question like: "Does anyone know who makes this jacket, or where I can find one like it?"

While Jelly is a promising app, the potential for marketing incorporation appears to be enthralling. Customer service, product marketing, and crowdsourcing are a handful of ways many people are making use of the Jelly app from a business standpoint.

2. Pocket

You just stumbled upon an awesome article on how to increase your conversion rates, but your next meeting starts in 2 minutes. No worries, just put it in your pocket.

Formerly known as Read It Later, Pocket is a bookmarking app that makes it easy for users to store articles and videos to queue up at their convenience. The read-later experience doesn't rely on an internet connection, so you can revisit your findings pretty much anywhere. Sounds like a great way to increase your productivity on lengthy plane, train, or automobile rides, huh?

Best of all, Pocket will sync across all of your devices, providing users with a hassle-free way to resume reading on their preferred device.

3. Directr for Business

Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Wolf of Wall Street, what do all of these box office hits have in common? Scorsese.

Behind every great video production is a talented director, and the Directr for Business app is aiming to be just that.

While 71% of consumers feel positively about brands that publish videos, 85% of consumers are more likely to buy after viewing product videos (Source: Inbound Marketing Agents). If bandwidth is holding your business back from producing quality video content, Directr for Business has an entire library of production templates to make it easy for just about anyone to make video content.

The templates are divided into categories that range anywhere from product announcement, to how-to tutorials, to company culture insight. Each template contains a storyboard style shot list that lays out how to approach each shot - for example the first shot in a "how-to" video prompts users to answer the question "who are you and what are you teaching?"

Aside from a prompt, each shot comes complete with directors notes, and visual suggestions that explain how to position the shot. They've pretty much covered it all, all that's left for you to do is look pretty and nail your dialogue.

4. Any.Do Moment / Cal

I don't like to think of Any.do as an app, but rather a morning ritual.

The first stop in any Monday morning grind should be this user-friendly planning tool. On paper, Any.do can best be referred to as a to do list application designed to help you plan out your busy day, but it's really more than that.

Any.do helps you manage your life, both professional and personal, by inputting tasks into it's sleek and simple interface. Users have the option to schedule tasks into 4 categories, (Today, Tomorrow, Upcoming, and Someday) making it fun to plan tomorrow's blog post and someday's vacation. Tasks can be sorted into different folders to optimize organization, and notes and contacts can be added for added clarification.

Additionally, Any.Do is highly integrated with the calendar application, Cal. So much so that one might say they're "going steady." You can even sign into Cal using your Any.Do account, and all of your tasks will carry over into its interactive internal calendar. Adding events to the calendar is simple, and it even gives you the option to enter a location name so that Cal can map out a route for you. Any.Do Moment and Cal provides busy marketers with a lens through which they can focus their tasks and interactions.

5. Asana

Asana is a task management tool that makes collaboration on team projects easier than ever.

Created by Facebook co-founder, Dustin Moskovitz, Asana is a free* application that provides real-time interaction through a user-friendly interface. Asana users can create tasks, assign them to team members, set due dates, add notes, attach files, create internal checklists, and communicate with others through comments. Once tasks are created, you can group them into projects, and invite team members so that they can brainstorm, assign subtasks, and work toward accomplishing their goals.

The thing that makes Asana the perfect tool for marketers is its ability to present conversations and projects side-by-side, eliminating the hassle of scattered emails and missed messages. No more digging through your inbox to find that file John sent you, and that set of images Bobby wrapped up last week. Asana keeps everything you need neatly in one place.

6. IFTTT

Pronounced like gift without the 'G', IFTTT is a innovative new app that stands for "if this than that."

IFTTT provides users with a tool to mix up custom "recipes" that trigger a particular action. Sound confusing? It's not.

The average IFTTT recipe contains the following elements:

Channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Evernote, iOS photos, Weather, Dropbox, Email, Feedly, iOS Reminders, LinkedIn and 70 more.
Triggers: "I upload a photo to Instagram", "I'm tagged in a photo on Facebook", "I set an iOS reminder"
Actions: "Send me a text message", "Add it to my Dropbox", "Post to Facebook"
Let's say you want to keep your branding consistent across the board, and you want your Twitter avatar to match your Facebook profile photo. Simply use this "recipe":

If my Facebook profile pictures changes, then update my Twitter profile picture.

A lot of the time when I am working on a "how-to" blog post I reference screenshots from my phone. Oh, you do too? Use this recipe:

If I take a screenshot on iOS, then save it to my Evernote notebook.

With seemingly endless combinations, IFTTT provides busy marketers with a way to automate simple tasks that save a lot of time.

7. LIfe Graphy

Life Graphy presents users with a totally unique approach to the average productivity app concept.

The colorful app breaks your tasks down into mini pie charts that can contain up to ten segments (1 segment per task). As you complete tasks, the individual sections within the chart begin to fill up. A completed circle is something to smile about.

Life Graphy offers users 3 views: Day, Month, and Year. By switching between the 3 views, you can get a good visual idea of how much you have accomplished.

While the functionality of the app is enough reason to try it out, it's the interface that really does it for me.

Committing to a task-based planning app is easier said than done, but Life Graphy makes you want to keep trucking along because its fun!

New technology isn't going to slow down anytime soon. As the pace for innovation quickens, we can expect that there will be a whole lot of new advances coming our way whether we think we're ready for them or not.

It isn't possible to know everything, but if you equip your team with the right tools, you'll notice how much easier it is for your business to remain relevant and increase productivity.

How to Make A QR Codes In 4 Quick Steps

This post is to help marketers reach more audience using QR codes. Learn how to create your own, and how you can augment the chance of consumers scanning them. These are the 4 quick steps to creating your QR code and a start to reaching more audience

Step 1: Select a QR code generator
There are tons of generators out there, but a few of the popular ones are Kaywa, GOQR.me, Visualead, and QR Stuff. Things to search for when choosing a code generator are whether you can track and analyze performance, if it allows you to design a code that's unique to your brand, and if it is compatible with common QR code readers.

Step 2: Design and link it up
The mesmerizing part of creating QR is customizing the design of the code to your brand. Want your code to look like your logo? Go for it. Want it to reflect your website's design scheme? Choose it.

Let's take an example of a QR code generator and walk you through the steps to creating it. I will recommend GOQR.me. When you launch it, Do these:

1. Select what type of content you want your QR to send the consumer to - you can choose a URL.

2. Insert the content (Embed the URL)

3. Check out the preview, customize as desired, then download and/or embed where needed.

Step 3: Test the QR code
With all the euphoria in creating your first QR, don't forget to check that the code "reads" correctly, and be sure to try more than just one reader. A good place to start is the free tool Google Goggles, which takes a picture and then tells you what link or item it "reads to." Another free tool is QR Code Reader, which automatically takes you to whatever it "reads." Apple's Passbook also offers a built-in code reader on iOS 7, so you should test to make sure your code is readable there, as well.

Step 4: Track and analyze performance
As a marketing ordeal, you should follow up on any campaigns using QR to see whether they're actually working. How much traffic comes from each specific code? Are people scanning your code but not redeeming their offer once they get to the landing page? Or are they not even cajoled to scan your code? Comprehending this will hep troubleshoot and churn your poorly performing QR to viable ensembles. I recommend you include a UTM tracking code on your URL so you can better measure performance - this is particularly important if you are a marketer who needs more in-depth reporting on your campaigns.

QR Code Best Practices: Some Important Do's and Don'ts
Now that you know simple the creation is, let's talk about some best practices that will help increase the precipice of your users scanning it.

QR Code Do's
1. Put codes in places where scanning is easy, and there is enough for the consumer to actually scan the code. While you incessantly see QR codes on billboards and TV commercials, they're not exactly the most user-friendly locations. Think of places and mediums where consumers have the time to scan the code.

2. Is your website optimized for mobile? Consumers will be on their phone when scanning the QR code, so they should be brought to a page with a positive mobile experience.

3. Offer a call-to-action with the code - that is to say, tell people explicitly what they're supposed to do when they see the code, and what they'll receive if they do it.

QR Code Don'ts
1. Don't require a special QR scanner. Your Qr code should be app-agnostic so anyone can scan your code with any reader. Alleviating barrier to entry makes success more likely for you and the user.

2. Don't use a QR code just for the sake of using one. For instance, it's common for marketers to think, "How can I bridge the offline experience with the online experience? " That's not wrong... but it's not always right, either. If you have content that is valuable to a mobile user, then use the QR. It will not only spur new consumers but also create a colossal success for you because most people don't do it.

I hope this has been helpful.

Some Useful Free Software Applications For Your Computer

Sometimes you may need free software for your computer and note book. When you are browsing, you may find some websites which offers free software. However, you should be careful since some of them might be viruses. These viruses have the ability to harm your computer. Because of this reason, you should be careful. Some companies give free software in order to advertise the full versions. The commercial full versions provide more features for the users. For the people who like the free version, you are recommended to get the full versions.

Some free versions are open source projects. They are made and maintained by volunteers. For the people who enjoy these programs, it is possible for you to support the continued development by giving donation to the developer team.

When you are looking for free software, you are recommended to get some program types. Those are including office software, network clients, security tools, and other utilities.

Some programs which you can choose for network clients are including Mozilla Firefox, Opera, NVU, and some other programs. You may consider getting Firefox software. Firefox is highly recommended for your computer since it is better and safer browser than other browsers such as Internet explorer. Another advantage of Firefox is providing the ability for the users to use many free add-ons. You may consider getting Adblock plus, Video DownloadHelper, and No Script. The Video DownloadHelper will help you to save videos from YouTube or Vimeo. No script will allow you to block flash, Java, or Javacript on the website which you visit. The blocking process is done selectively. By installing this program, you will be able to use Mozilla thunderbird icon which can be good replacement for Microsoft Outlook Express and Windows Mail.

Another alternative for Mozilla software is Opera. This program is including email client and other various features. You do not need to worry about the security of opera. It is equipped with security tools. The users can install opera for Microsoft Windows, Macintoch, and other systems.

Another free software program which is recommended for you is OpenOffice program. It will be good replacement for Microsoft Office. OpenOffice has the ability to do almost the same things like Microsoft Office. It can open and save compatible documents such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It also offers the ability to save PDF file.

For the people who like to play video in their computer or notebook, you should get VLC Media Player. This program is able to play various video types. Another benefit of this program is small size and fast operation. You are also recommended to install other utilities such as Adobe Acrobat Reader and Java. By using Java program, you can run Java based programs on your desktop computer. Java also helps some website applications.

Nowadays have knowledge related with computer is so much fun. And its more important because computer would save your time to finish your current job task. There are so much office productivity software that available in as free accounting software directory. All you thing to do, is read a software review, spesification and read documentation after installed it on your computer.

Finding a Better Mouse

Several years ago, I found myself wanting a better mouse. My computer at the time was a Mac Pro provided by my employer, and the aluminum keyboard and Mighty Mouse that came with it were downright awful. The laptop-style, low profile keyboard was terrible to type on and the mouse had a tiny ball for scrolling, which would get gummed up very easily.

At first, I simply traded them in for a Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse set which I used for quite some time. It was a basic rubber dome keyboard and standard wireless optical mouse. They were okay. They worked. Ultimately, I wanted something better.

I noticed that my boss would try out other mice, but ultimately return to his old trackball. He explained that it was more ergonomic and he found it easier to use. Unfortunately, the model he used had long been discontinued and regularly sold for over $300 on eBay. Too rich for me. But I figured there must be some modern equivalents.

So I went on a search. My initial requirements were simple. It needed to cost less than $50 and I didn't want to give up my scroll wheel, which seemed to be a commonly missing feature amongst trackball mice.

Logitech M570

My first stop was the trackball mouse everyone seems to go to when they ditch a regular mouse: the Logitech M570. It is a thumb style trackball with 3 buttons, a scroll wheel and a pair of back/forward buttons. The buttons and scroll wheel performed just like the other Logitech mice I had used. That meant the ball was the only thing I would need to get used to.

Unfortunately, this mouse has a relatively small ball that doesn't have much weight to it. Because of this, I had difficulty moving the pointer any distance by spinning the ball. I also had quite a bit of difficulty with accuracy. The pointer seemed to jump around a bit. To be fair, I think I must have a thumb impediment. I never could get it to do what I wanted it to do. I can't exactly blame that on the mouse. Even though I used it for over a month, I never really felt comfortable with it.

Pros:

• Extra navigation buttons
• Standard scroll wheel
• Mouse buttons are operated with the usual fingers

Cons:

• Small, lightweight ball tended to lift out of its place a bit
• For me, movement was awkward with my thumb

Kensington Orbit with Scroll Wheel

The other mouse I tested was the Kensington Orbit with Scroll Ring which I was able to find on sale. The name is quite a mouthful. There is a previous version without a scroll ring simply called the Orbit. I'm not sure why they didn't just rename it when they added a scroll ring. Anyway, it's a center ball with two buttons and a scroll ring, which I thought was very intriguing. The ball is a bit bigger than the Logitech M570 and the buttons are noticeably firm.

I quickly adapted to using the trackball with my index and middle fingers, and the scroll ring seemed completely natural after the first few days. It took a short while to get accustomed to left-clicking with my thumb, which does present a bit of finger confusion if I need to use a regular mouse for some reason.

It was easy to spin the ball to bring the pointer from one end of a dual monitor setup to the other. I was able to accurately place the pointer where I wanted, and I found that I preferred the firmness of the buttons. This became my new favorite mouse after only a few days.

Pros:

• Larger, heavier ball with smooth movement
• Center ball that you move with your fingers (or whole hand) instead of your thumb
• Smooth scroll ring

Cons:

• Using your thumb for left click can result in a little finger confusion when switching to use regular mice for gaming or at another machine
• Only the two buttons. It could use a third button or some navigation buttons

Conclusion

If I had less than $50 to spend on a trackball mouse, I would choose the Kensington Orbit with Scroll Ring. I prefer the middle ball, and the scroll ring is nice and smooth. Having only two buttons may be an issue for some people, but made little difference to me.

If, however, you prefer to operate the ball with your thumb, the Logitech M570 is an excellent choice for the price.

Chris Meyers is a software developer and writer. He enjoys writing software, playing with new technology and writing fantasy stories. You can read more of his stuff here: http://www.chrislmeyers.com

Free Antivirus Software

It is important for you to install antivirus software at your computer or notebook. Antivirus software will give protection from various harmful things such as viruses, spywares, adwares, worms, Trojans, rootkit infections, and much more. The old version of antivirus only detected the viruses while the old version of spyware removers just detected spyware. Now, the limit between antivirus and spyware removers is unclear. The antivirus software available today provides better detection rates for various malwares.

Those malwares are including viruses, worms, adware, keyloggers, and many dangerous threats for your computer. Since the number of malware keeps increasing, it is impossible for antivirus software to keep up. However, using more than one antivirus can cause the conflicts and reduce the protection. Because of this reason, it is more recommended for you to choose the best antivirus for real time protection. You will be able to increase the protection using security software. Here are some free antivirus software programs which can be your consideration.

The first program is Avira AntiVir Personal Edition. Due to its high quality, many people choose to use this program. Avira faced some controversies related to re-branded Ask toolbar in their installer and temporary spate of advertisement to promote a possible scareware company. Despite of its negative issues, Antivir is still top notch antivirus. It offers outstanding detection rates of malware. The ability is higher than other antivirus programs. Because of the ability, Antivir is still a good choice for free antivirus software programs especially for high risk users.

When you are using Avira, you will not be able to scan any website or e-mail. You can only get this feature from commercial versions. For the people who are using the free version, you will not get any warn of an infected emails before you open it. However, when you open the infected email, Avira will take the action.

Another option you can get is AVG Anti virus. In the past days, this antivirus provides some shaky results in detection. Current AVG antivirus provides higher level protection due to Identity Protection. It provides very important layer of protection. The weakness of AVG free antivirus software is its big size and slow scan speeds. It also has advertisements but you can disable them.

Avast free antivirus software can also be good option. This program improves the detection rates over these past years. It offers real-time capabilities such as web, e-mail, IM, behavioral blocker, and much more. The latest version even offers more features such as internet site ratings plugin, script malware, and much more.

You may also consider using Microsoft Security Essentials. It provides outstanding detection rates. This program is suitable option for average users due to the minimal user interaction required. The update process is done automatically. When your computer is attacked by viruses, the program will remove the threat automatically. If those programs are not suitable for you, you are recommended to try other free software antivirus such as Panda Cloud Antivirus.

Nowadays have knowledge related with computer is so much fun. And its more important because computer would save your time to finish your current job task. There are so much update antivirus software that available in as free accounting software directory. All you thing to do, is read a software review, specification and read documentation after installed it on your computer.

Some Freeware Data Recovery Programs for Your Computer

Sometimes when people delete a file, they think that they cannot find that file anymore. The deleted file has been moved to the Recycle Bin. If the file remains there, it is possible for the users to restore the file to the original location. However, when you click the empty Recycle Bin, the file there is deleted permanently from the computer and you will not be able to restore the file anymore.

In some cases, people accidentally delete their important files and then realize that they need them later. You can still restore them when you install freeware data recovery software. Nowadays, you may find many types of this program in the market. Freeware data recovery software allows you to use them without any cost.

EASEUS data recovery might be the first option you can choose for freeware data recovery. This program was published by EASUS Company which specializes in file recovery and data compression software. The main concern of the company is the recovery system. EASUS offers two options of the recovery program. They are freeware data recovery and commercial version. You should purchase the commercial version before you can use it. This version has an ability to recover files from formatted sectors or deleted hard drive partitions.

However, the freeware version will be enough for the average computer users. By using EASUS data recovery, you will be able to recover the deleted and removed files from Recycle Bin. This program works well on all Windows platforms. It also offers the features for recovery in Linux system. You can also use the program on network storage devices including dynamic disk drives.

Another freeware data recovery program is NTFS or New Technology File System Reader. It has the ability to perform various server functions like creating and managing hard drive partitions. It can also encrypt the data which is found on hard drive and manage the high volume storage devices such as RAID disk drives. An advantage of this program is easy to use. You can use the program on all versions of Windows. It can also be used with Windows NT.

You may also consider using PC Inspector file recovery. This program is quiet popular among the consumers. The main reason is because it works on any computer. This program will not only recover the files from the computers, but also the data from File Allocation Tables (FAT). It supports all versions of Windows. PC Inspector file recovery has the ability to understand older or newer file architecture.

If the programs above do not meet your requirement, then you may consider other program, such as Convar PC Inspector File Recovery 4.X, Tokiwa DataRecovery 2.4.6, and many more.

Nowadays have knowledge related with computer is so much fun. And its more important because computer would save your time to finish your current job task. There are so much backup data recovery tools that available in as free accounting software directory. All you thing to do, is read a software review, specification and read documentation after installed it on your computer.

How to Make a Video Using Windows Movie Maker

One thing I like to do to professionalize my videos I record on my digital camera is that I like to use a free software called the Windows Movie Maker and this software actually comes with any PC, it is absolutely free. You will find it under your start menu. Windows Movie Maker is basically a free editing software that allows you to add titles, transition, credits and music.

The way that I use this system is that I take my raw video that I record on my canon digital camera and upload it straight up into Windows Movie Maker. Pretty much everybody has a digital camera, and most digital cameras these days have a video recording. Movie Maker tells you exactly how to do this, so I am going to walk you threw it. What you want to do is go to where it says capture video. Now you might have a webcam or you might have to import the video using a USB device, the cord that connects the computer to the camera. Then you want to click on import.

Now you are going to be able to edit it. What I like to do usually on the end of my videos I have, I like to add a title. The way I like to add a title is that I like to give them a call to action. You want to send them to your capture page or your blog etc. Some sort of call to action to go and do something.

When editing the video you want to get creative. You can get fancy with it and change the color and customize it. I like black background. Just make shore that it is easy to read. The worst thing you can do is create a call to action and the person would have to watch it like four times to be able to read it. You can make it bold so that they clearly are going to be able to see what you are trying to tell them.

I like to put music to this. We are not only here to educate people but we are also here to entertain them as well. And we want to make sense on all the different senses. And that might not only be digitally.

Now at the end of every video between the clip and the title I like to add a transition and this is to make it look a little better. There are different transitions here to choose from.

I also like to add low volume of music in my videos. I think it makes it more enjoyable to listen to. Or at the end you want some music to go with that. Just be creative with it.

If you just play with Movie Maker a little bit you get the hang of it. It is all pretty basic and intuitive stuff. Making videos is not a tech thing at all. It is just learning a few simple skill sets and you can start do video marketing which is a core marketing strategy. You can really not underestimate the power of video marketing.

Free Software - Or Maybe Not?

So, I finally decided to splash out on some new Movie Maker or Video Editing software. Like most people probably would I opted to do a spot of research before I committed. I would rather have good free software if I can get it but I am also prepared to pay for it if required.

Anyone having gone through this painful exercise before will appreciate how time consuming it is. Firstly you have to beware of all those helpful folk who creatively explain how wonderful this or that software is - usually under a title such as "Top Free Video Editors" or "Best Free Movie Editing Programs" or similar enticing titles which ultimately end up with a bias write up and a referral link to the provider through their commission account URL.

Sometimes it becomes quite clear that the writer has not even bothered to download and use the software. When they have used the software the bias is often always towards their best commission provider. This does not bother me too much.

What does bother me is the blatant advertising of products under the banner of "Free Software" which you either have to download to find that half the features do not work unless you opt for the full upgrade or when they imply "Free" they were referring to the 30 day trial.

Suffice to say that we all end up downloading tons of useless software only to have to uninstall it all again. I have made a conscious decision to no longer look at the free software unless it comes by recommendation. It simply is not worth all the trouble, deceit and broken promises.

Seriously, life is too short. If you want something then go straight to the branded products where the price is clearly stated, the support outlined in writing, and if anything is dubious then move on to the next big player. At least the branded goods have reputations they can ill afford to lose if they get things wrong.

We have all spent hours struggling with this install or that install which for one reason or another refuses to do what it is supposed to do. Our computers are all configured differently and we have a variety of programs of which any one could be causing a conflict with the new install. This is accepted. This is the norm.

However, when you are stuck, and you have reached the point where your PC is about to become airborne, you will think about contacting support and you will want that support to be there when you call.

5 Mobile Application Development Trends for 2016

1. Hybrid apps are in

Hybrid applications using technologies such as Ionic and HTML5 are gaining traction for the amount time and cost savings they account for. With Swift 3, and rumours that Android will soon adopt it, going for JavaScript over Linux, we look at a more integrated platform base. Word is out that Swift 3 will be available for Windows Phone too. For enterprise and consumer apps, HTML 5 continues to remain the platform of choice for app development. Frameworks such as Ionic, JQuery Mobile, Mobile Angular UI and Native Script have mature languages that deliver high performing user experience. Even Facebook has hopped the hybrid app development bandwagon with the React Native framework. They are currently experimenting with Linux and Windows platform to render a complete service.

2. IoT integration

IoT technologies such as GPS, Beacon and location-based Wi-Fi will be integral to many applications. We are looking at a mature Home Application on iOS 10 which will enable iPhone and iPad users to operate household appliances with instructions delivered to Siri. The Android Wear and Apple Watch will do more than track health and fitness, and go a step further to perform more complex functions. Android's biometric scanning for unlocking the device is the most rudimentary utilization of IoT technology and its voice recognition technology is fairly advanced.

3. Rapid mobile app development technologies

With growing demand for app-related services, and also the tight cost schedules, mobile application development companies are using rapid development technologies such as AngularJS and NodeJS with their reusable components. More development tools and frameworks have made their entry into the market to meet customer expectations and the technology has matured, so quality remains uncompromised. In the foreseeable future rapid development and shortest time-to-market will be an imperative so as to capitalise on the early adopters' trend. With the number of applications crossing the 1 million mark on prominent platforms such as Apple's iOS and Google's Android, to gain visibility app development companies will have to pace their new launches at a greater speed.

4. Cloud Storage

Cloud technology plays a key role in mobile app development and storage from device is shifted to a centralised cloud server for apps and device. As multiple connected devices become common, smartphone, wearable device and other internet-enabled devices will share data over the cloud. Mobile applications will also have to have cloud storage and the data will have to be stored for real-time access across devices. With free storage space of up to 10GB, and easy integration via email address authentication, people are easily adopting the technology and immersing themselves into its utility, so the next step will be to follow the maturity in usage and new application of cloud storage, going beyond storing and sharing data.

5. App Security

Security continues to remain a worrying issue for device manufacturers and more so for mobile app developers. A Gartner report from 2015 predicts that 75% mobile applications will fail security tests and present gaping holes for hackers to exploit. A uniform security guideline for mobile app developers will have to be soon arrived at to ensure app data security across devices, platforms and the cloud.

There are more complex issues that will be face by mobile app development companies while compiling an application. However, evolving development platforms and sophisticated programming languages are increasingly consolidating the app development process. With its new Swift Playground, Apple is already making app development possible for the common user.

I am Cris, A great artist, Love to develop app. I am working with Solution Analysts Mobile App Development Company as Mobile Application Developer and Web Development have expertise in developing iBeacon, iOS Swift, Android, ionic, PhoneGap mobile apps.

Battery Boots: The Alternative Power Source For The Amazon Echo

The Amazon Echo touted as a bestselling voice activated wireless speaker and personal digital assistant. Most owners of this device use it for more than listening to music or asking interesting questions and requests. Other applications include being able to obtain transportation, order a pizza and the ability to control integrated smart devices inside their home.

According to the Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRPs), it estimates that 3 million units of the Amazon Echo were sold in the United States. The data does not account for the sales of the new additions to the line, the Tap and Echo Dot. Novelty aside, the Echo is growing in popularity on a daily basis. The reviews of the device are above average, while the benefits are even more surprising.

Amazon is one of the leaders in digital media, but it didn't have any idea how well consumers would receive the Echo. It started out being a sleeper item until word of mouth made it a household name and not to mention, the recent appearance of commercials showing off its neat features.

The "skills" utilized by the device through the digital assistant are updated periodically and now open to outside developers to add their innovative and well-meaning list of skills for more technological enhancement. Because of the Echo is the first of its kind so to speak, they have competitors clamoring for their piece of the pie. Such as Google Home, which will have a better interactive interface and then, of course, the re-emergence of Apple TV.

The number of consumers that own the Echo is quite impressive. However, some have complained about the cost and the inconvenience of having to move it from room to room. To address these issues, Amazon introduced two additional Echo models.

The Tap, which is the portable version of the speaker, does not need to be plugged in unless the battery is being recharged. It functions the same as the Echo, but is not voice activated. The talk button has to be pressed for interaction with the device, thus the name Tap. The other new member is the Echo Dot. It is as small as a hockey-puck but has the same voice activation as the Echo. A Bluetooth speaker or stereo system can be connected to it.

I own an Echo, but for it to work efficiently, there must be a Wi-Fi connection and electricity. Without either, it will not function. Because of the need for electricity, some consumers have taken to purchasing one for each room in their house. It saves them time from having to move it from room to room and waiting for it to reboot once it is plugged into an electric outlet.

Some consumers debated whether to purchase the Tap since it's portable. However, lucky for them they procrastinated, because a few third party vendors have introduced a new accessory for the Echo, a battery boot or base.

It is now possible to enjoy the device in more than one room without having to be tethered to an electric outlet. However, there is still a need for a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection. There are several battery boots to choose from according to the needs of the user. The more popular model has its own 18-volt proprietary power adapter that will charge up to 18 hours.

There are other battery boots that can hold a charge for up to six hours. For these models, the Echo's power adapter cord can be used to recharge them. The Echo can be used while it is charging. The battery will remain in a standby state, so it does not drain while plugged in.

The bases fit snugly on the bottom of the Echo like a cup and does not present a bulky appearance. Both devices appear to meld together once fitted properly. The bottom of the boots is composed of non-slip materials that provide stability for the Echo.

A couple of the battery bases have LED lights on the front for low battery and charging status. Portability and convenience make these battery cases a welcome power alternative option for the Amazon Echo.

Since the battery boots have been introduced, the Echo can be used anywhere without worrying about the location of an electrical outlet. For additional information and more, visit my blog at http://www.coolgadgetsforyou.net.

HTML5 Mobile Application Development for Flawless App Performance

If you want an innovative and out-of-the box mobile app, then harnessing the potential of the cutting edge HTML5 technology is just the right answer. Today, it has become possible to develop feature-rich and business-centric mobile apps that are highly scalable and robust as well. In this manner, you can enhance the way your business is capable of interacting with your target audience.

Today, many companies are in the fray to offer innovative as well as highly interactive HTML5 mobile applications for various industry verticals. Such HTML5 mobile apps have all the necessary rich features along with elevated performance and latest technology trends. Besides they complement your business insights. Most HTML5 mobile app development companies have proven expertise in applications development, so that you also get value added services for your company or organization along with the best development practices.

Today, because of the high levels of competition, companies offer cost effective services to ensure high Return on Investment (ROI) and also offer 24/7 technical support alongside. They have become extremely customer focused and offer the highest level of technical support through various complex communication systems.

Besides, such application development companies now hire expert developers who are proficient and dynamic in their work and outlook. They are provided the latest development tools as well as platforms so that they can ensure the production and delivery of client-centric mobile solutions using proven methodologies. Thus, by adopting best practices and following the highest international standards for development, such as ISO 9001 processes, high performance execution is achieved during the entire project cycle.

This has resulted in acceleration in the development of mobile apps using HTML5 as the preferred standard for developing cross-platform mobile applications. Since HTML5 is written in Java Script, it is capable of running in web browsers. Hence, it is seen as a favorite platform that can provide rich user experience demanded by new platforms.

Users can expect powerful audio and video support, increased device storage capabilities and advanced capabilities. Also, the incorporation of auto-updating in major browsers gives developers more confidence using the features offered by HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. All this gives greater flexibility at lower costs.

Moreover, web developers are now capable of creating apps for all major platforms in one go, using advanced features available in modern smart phones. Native mobile app development is also possible using the familiar HTML5 and Java Script technologies.

Hence, HTML5 mobile application development allows developers to combine the stability and performance of native applications with the web in reach as well. HTML5 mobile app development makes it possible to provide users a fast, responsive, secure, and beautiful app for your product or service across multiple platforms.

With features such as cross platform compatibility, video and audio playback without third party plug-ins, and improved 2D and 3D effects, the HTML5 standard is now supported by all the latest version of mobile browsers. So, for developers who want to develop fully functional and beautiful apps that work flawlessly on mobiles, and yet do not want to code separately for each platform, HTML5 is their best choice.

Ania Maken is a article writer and internet marketer working in US based company Pacific App Design which offering services and solution relevant to HTML5 mobile application development and design by expert team of developers.

Patent Application and Debut of Samsung's Flexible Smartphone

In early 2017, we can expect Samsung Electronics Co. to release the first foldable smartphone models in the market. Over the past few months, the company has been gaining buzz for their flexible electronic device concept. And just recently, a copy surfaced on the internet of their application for a patent filed on the 20th of April this year with the Korean Intellectual Property Office. The company also filed for a utility patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office last November. The application with publication number US 2016-0187994 A1 is now pending approval.

The device uses organic LED technology for its flexible display. While the use of OLED is nothing new with Samsung, having used it in all their flagship devices, the newest model is set to be the first commercially available bendable smartphone.

Before the release of this concept, Samsung launched its Galaxy Note 7. The public generally received it in a positive light until units began catching fire and soon exploded when they were charged. Lawsuits followed when unit after unit started blowing up. Then an inevitable and highly damaging PR incident happened, and Samsung had to undergo a recall process with a staggering estimated cost of two billion dollars. Samsung then had no choice but to discontinue the sale of Galaxy Note 7, losing around 5 billion dollars up front plus an evaluated 95 percent of the year's operating profit.

And so, with the recent setbacks Samsung faced, the integration of OLED tech with a design that allows users to fold their phones might just give Samsung the edge they need to boost their sales, reacquire what they lost, and rebuild their corporate reputation. Prepaid Phone Cards

How the flexible electronic device works

As presented in the patent application, the model will have an 8-inch screen when unfurled and when used as a handset, will reduce into a 5-inch display. For the two screens to work in a single phone, the patented images showed a hinge specifically designed to keep the smartphone upright and help keep it perfectly fit in one's pocket when folded.

Although other details remain undisclosed until now, people are aware that many parts of a regular, unbendable smartphone will have to function differently. Aside from coming up with a functional and flexible display, the minds behind this innovative gadget will have to think of a way to install a battery that not only remains intact without overheating but will also work well whether the device is folded or not.

In comparison with Microsoft Surface Book

The phone's axis is similar to the flexible hinge of Microsoft's Surface Book, something which the company patented last year. Samsung's hinge is also similar to Microsoft's multi-pivot armadillo hinge that has a pending patent application with the USPTO, publication number US 2016-0132075 A1. And while Samsung also filed a patent request for their flexible device concept, and with Microsoft's application having a final rejection status, it is still quite early to tell if there will be possible infringement cases once the products hit the market of both countries where the inventions can be sold.

However, buyers of the first gen Microsoft Surface Book noted that dust tends to settle on the inner sides of the hinge. On the other hand, images of Samsung's flexible device shows the hinge has a different arrangement where each fold curves in a way that fits the next. The patent application of Samsung also suggests that the hinge, unlike Microsoft's, can work in a way that allows the device to be folded and unfolded semi-automatically.

Project Valley

It was in 2015 that Samsung announced it was working on a foldable display, naming the research then as Project Valley. People expect the model to be released under the name Galaxy X. But this model is not the first product under Samsung's work on flexible screens. Galaxy Note Edge and its curved screen gave us the first glimpse of this tech back in 2014. Soon after, being the largest supplier of OLED panels used in mobile products, Samsung continued to develop pioneering formats of displays for smartphones. Samsung is counting on the OLED tech to generate large orders that could take them back to the front lines after the overwhelming recall of phones.

And now with the flexible OLED technology, smartphones can be designed thinner yet able to display brighter images and videos without quickly draining the battery, unlike phones with LCD screens. Tech analysts and enthusiasts are excited to see these elements in Samsung's Project Valley next year.

Author's Bio

Vincent G. Spivey is a legal researcher at the Livingston Loeffler Law Firm. His work focuses on intellectual property law and matters of patent and copyright infringement. Vincent has spent years providing clients a legal perspective on ownership and the protection of creative and intellectual works. He also finds the time to write about current legal issues to help people learn about their rights.

How to Create an Android App

A very simple and easy business model for making money online is to build an Android app.

Mobile apps are relatively simple to make when compared with PC software and distribution is also very easy thanks to the existence of mobile app stores that let people search for an easily download and buy your software.

Android in particular makes the process even simpler, thanks to the much simpler approval process for new apps compared with Apple and the lower cost for becoming a developer.

Getting Started - The Conventional Route

When you first get started, you will most likely take the conventional route of using Android Studio. This is the main 'IDE' (Integrated Development Environment') that can provide you with all the necessary tools in one place and streamline the process with helpful tips, straightforward testing and the like.

This can be downloaded from the Android developers website and should come with the Android SDK included. That SDK is one of the key tools that you'll need - it's a set of instructions you can access that specifically relate to the capabilities of Android. You will also need the Java Development Kit (JDK).

From here you'll be programming in Java and writing code that refers to the Android SDK. Unfortunately, you'll likely find that this is all a little complex not only to use but also to set up.

For that reason, many people will decide to take other routes...

Other Options

There are several other options when it comes to building Android apps. One is to use 'app builder' software which will allow you to build apps without knowing any code. These are very limited in terms of what you can build though and they take away a lot of freedom.

A 'compromise' position then would be to use something like Basic4Android. Basic4Android is a tool that makes coding for Android much simpler and easier and even streamlines the testing process. If it's a game you're looking to make, then a similar options is to use Unity which will make it much easier.

Then of course you can always outsource the creation of your app, though it's often harder than you might expect to find a capable of coder.

The best option for a marketer interested in making money then? That would be to simply buy an app and then promote it! Find a good app that isn't selling much, email the creator and make it your own!

To read more articles on how to make a living with an Internet Business, please visit my site: http://internetbusiness-howto.com

What to Do When Google Chrome Crashes

You may need to repair Google Chrome if it keeps crashing, freezing and stops working, or if it won't start at all. What steps do you take? Read on to find out.

A) As a first step, try the following Chrome crash fixes:

1) Your device may have run out of memory and you are unable to load the site while also running your apps, extensions and programs.

To free up memory:

a) Close every tab except the one that's showing the error message.

b) Quit other apps or programs that are running and pause any app or file downloads.

On your computer uninstall unnecessary extensions from Chrome.

2) Quit Chrome and reopen it. For windows: Press Ctrl+q. Try loading the page again.

3) Programs and apps sometimes keep the page from loading correctly.

a) Restart your computer.

b) Try loading the page again.

B) If the above steps didn't work, troubleshoot Chrome crash problems.

a) If you are on Windows, use "Chrome Clean Up" tool to find and remove unwanted software.

b) To figure out whether there is a problem with the webpage or Chrome, try opening the page in another browser. For example, try using Firefox or Safari to load the page.

If it works in another browser, try the following steps:

1) Uninstall and reinstall Chrome.

2) Uninstall and reinstall extensions.

3) Fix hardware acceleration issues: There could be a problem with how your computer or device's hard drive works with Chrome. To fix:

Open Settings >System> Show Acceleration Settings

Uncheck the box next to "Use hardware accelerator when available."

4) Restart chrome.

If it doesn't work with another browser, it could be a problem with your network or the website itself.

C) Fix problems if Chrome won't open at all on your computer. Chrome might already be running in the background on your computer. To see if Chrome opens, force quit it and follow the steps below for your operating system.

a) Run ctrl+alt+delete

b) Click Start Task Manager

c) Under "Processes", look for "Google Chrome" or "Chrome.exe".

d) Click it and click "End Process" if applicable.

e) Next adjust antivirus and check for malware.

It is possible that either your antivirus software or unwanted malware is preventing Chrome from opening. To fix, check if chrome is blocked by antivirus or other software on your computer.

f) Restart your computer because a program or process running in your computer might become a problem with Chrome.

D) If the above solutions don't work, I would suggest that you uninstall and reinstall Chrome.

What if Chrome is still not working? Then turn on crash report to provide

information. And also you are free to post a comment on "Chrome Help Forum."

Rosina S Khan has authored this article, highlighting ways to work around when Google Chrome crashes.

For a wealth of free resources based on an Academic Guide on Databases, quality scholar papers, valuable blogs, stunning fiction stories, amazing self-help eBooks and commendable articles, all authored by her, and much more, visit: http://rosinaskhan.weebly.com. You will be glad that you did.

Your App Can Make You More MONEY

Now a days, we are living in an era of technology. Almost all of us use smartphones with different apps. There are some apps which can help you to earn money on one click. These apps are available free for both Android and iOS users. Let's have a look at those apps which will help you earn money.

1. YUMCHEK

Your App Can Make You More MONEY

This is an app for both Android and iOS users. If you are a foodie, then make your each meal count with the help of this app. This app is linked with your Paytm account. You just have to upload a bill receipt of your meal. After you upload the bill, the app will pay you 5rs per uploaded bill and the amount will be credited to your Paytm account. Also for every upload you will be rewarded with loyalty points (Yumies), which can be used to play Yotto to win exciting prizes. There are Reserved/Live offers where you can find some specific hotels or restaurants in your area which offers you more yummies for limited time. The app also shows the nearby hotels with their distances from your place.

2. KEETTOO Keyboard

It is also a free app for Android users. With the help of this app, your keyboard is used as a platform for advertising different brands. After you install the app, push notifications will appear on your mobile screen to watch the advertisements. You will be rewarded with 1rs per advertisement you watch. The amount will be credited to either Paytm account or Mobikwik account.

3. TENGI

This is a free app for Android and iOS. This app doesn't give you direct money. You will be rewarded by tickets when you chat or invite people from your contacts. You can use these tickets in weekly lucky draw. If you win you will get a notification. There is option to transfer your winning amount directly to your bank account. The winning amount can given to you in form amazon or flipkart gift vouchers.

4. FOAP

This is a free app for Android and iOS. This app turns your photos into real money. You need to sign up for free on Foap to use it. You have to upload your photos to 'Foap MarketPlace' to make them ready for sell. When photo is sold, the author will get 5$. Every mission is rewarded with a prize starting from 100$. The payments will be processed by PayPal.

5. 1 PAISA/MECNT

These two are free apps for android. The money from these two apps can be used to recharge your prepaid mobile numbers. After signing up, you will be provided with a list of apps which you can download. When you will download apps from the list, points/balance is added to your account. Mcent will only give you list of apps. In 1 Paisa, you will be rewarded with points for watching videos. You will also be credited to points when you invite your friends.

6. SLIDEJOY

It is a free Android app. After downloading this app, you will see advertisements on your lock screen. You will be rewarded with carats. 1000 carats equals to 1$. With the help of PayPal account, you can convert your carats into money on 15th of every month.

7. WALLETS

There are various online shopping sites available now. There are different wallets like Paytm, freecharge, Mobikwik which offer users cashback when you buy some stuffs online. There are different offers on different products and the cashback amount varies from product to product. The cashback is credited to your wallet and can be used for further transactions.

So what are you waiting for? Go to the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, Download these apps and start making money...! Refill Prepaid Cell Phones for Less

Find Your Router IP Address Easily

Routers act as the mediator between your computer and broadband connection. It selects the best route to deliver your data packet to the host, boosting speed significantly. They are located at a gateway, the converging point for two or more networks. Broadband and wireless routers are the two most commonly used types of routers.

The IP address translates to the Internet Protocol address. Every router has one. It is a string of numbers that acts as an identifying label for the device participating in the computer network. Here's a list of the default IP addresses according to the brand.

· Linksys - 192.168.1.1

· Netgear and D-Link - 192.168.0.1

· Belkin and SMC - 192.168.2.1

It is necessary to know the router's IP address if you want to access the web-based configuration page. While there are websites listing the default router IP address, yours might have changed due to the following reasons. There might have been an infrastructure change on the ISP end. You might have updated the firmware, resulting in a change in the interface. There might have been an interception, where someone could have gained access to your device and changed the settings on your network. Unknown to you, there is a possibility it was changed during router setup.

A router works with two IP addresses. The external one is the numerical label that it uses to communicate across the Internet. On the other hand, the private one is the device identity on a local areas network.

Steps to Find Your Router IP Address

The router should be connected to an internet connection to get the IP address. You can use an Ethernet cable or do so wirelessly. This is a primary requirement.

A. Internal IP Address

· Step 1: Open up the "Start" Menu on your PC.

· Step 2: In the search box, type "cmd", you will see a listing with "cmd.exe". Click to open a Windows system dialog box. There is alternate Step 2. After clicking the "Start" Menu, click the "Run" command. In the dialogue box that appears, type "cmd" and press "OK". It will open the same, Windows System dialog box.

· Step 3: Type "ipconfig" and press "Enter"

· Step 4: This displays in front of you various values under Ethernet Adapter Local Area Connection. You have to check the numerical string listed as "Default Gateway".

On a Mac, the procedure looks like this:

· Step 1: Access the "System Preferences" section and click "Network" icon.

· Step 2: Along the left pane, you will see options such as "Wi-Fi", "Bluetooth Pan" etc.

· Step 3: If you are connected to the "Wi-Fi" network, the radio button shows green. In the right pane, the Status shows "Connected" and below you will read a sentence such as the following " Wi-Fi is connected to ______ and has the IP address _____"

If you are not very tech savvy and would like to skip the hassles of these two procedures, you can simply use a router detector software to find your router IP address online easily. You can also use Google to find out the same.

At RouterIPAddress.com you will find a comprehensive list of router configurations by brand and by model. You can look up the required information right here. Also, if there is a router that is not listed here, you can request for it to be added.

What 3D Printing Material Options Are There?

3D printing has indeed made creation and productions of different kinds of models easy for designers and manufacturers. Whatever your reasons for taking an interest in the printing, you need to get a machine that can accommodate the kind of printing needs you have. One of the most important considerations to make is the types of materials the printer can handle. When you understand the materials you will most likely use in your productions, you will have an easier time choosing the best printer that will actually serve your needs.

Whether you are looking to create a unique 3d gift or you want to create a prototype, the material options are numerous and you will only need to make the best decision. When you know the options available to you, it becomes easy to select what you feel will work for the kind of creation you have in mind. The different materials have different properties and what might work for one creation may not always be the best for another, hence the need to select the most suitable material every time.

ABS and PLA - Most printers use spool filaments in ABS or PLA. The Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene and Polylactic Acid are plastic materials also known as thermoplastics. They can be heated to be semi-liquid and flexible and go back to a solid state once cooled. The ABS printing material is strong, highly resistant to temperature and flexible, making it a preference for many professionals. PLA on the other hand, produces thin layer thicknesses and sharper corners and it comes in a variant of colors so you can choose according to your preferences.

Nylon - Polyamide is a strong and flexible plastic that is made from powder. It is also called white and is flexible and durable. Whereas this material is naturally white you can still find it in different colors, giving you the freedom to select what suits your production best. The material can handle different creations, including moving parts and interlocking parts. It offers a minimum of 1mm in wall thickness.

Resin - It is a great material choice for precise and smooth objects that are rich in texture. It is however important to note that objects made from this material should not be exposed to UV light otherwise they risk discoloration. It could be advisable to consider varnishing the objects after printing to counter this effect. The material is rigid, but a little delicate and comes in mostly transparent, black and white colors.

Stainless steel - It is a mix of bronze and hybrid stainless steel. It is the hardest 3D printing material there is and desktop 3d printers cannot accommodate it. The material is very strong and made using multiple steps or it can be from powder directly. It is a great choice for those wishing to create serious objects that need to be strong and durable.

Wood - It might seem impossible, but it is actually possible to make a 3d object using wood. The filament is made using recycled wood and a binding polymer so you are able to create objects that not only look like wood but also smell like it. The printing process using wood is similar to that of PLA and ABS. Titanium, gold and silver, gypsum and ceramic are the other possibilities.

Commercial 3D printing is serious, but with the many material options, you will be in a position to choose what best suits your area in terms of object requirements and applications.

How to Find Printer Drivers and Software for Your Old Printer and Old Operating System?

Reliable and durable printers, such as HP printers or Brother printers, work fine even if they are almost a decade old. This is the reason why many people still buy secondhand HP printers. But the problem with old printers is that it's sometimes hard to find old printer driver that you can use. This isn't only the case for old printers, though. It's also difficult to find printer drivers and printer software for old Windows or Mac operating systems. So, how can you use an old printer on your computer, or how can you use one in an old operating system? Here are some tips on how to find old printer drivers and software for your old printer driver and old operating system.

* Look for or the printer's original installation disk. Installation disks contain the original printer driver for your printer. Check the box the printer came in; you should find the installation disk there. If you bought a secondhand printer from a friend or from a store, be sure to ask for the installation disk of that printer. All the important drivers and software are in that disk.

* Check the manufacturer's website. HP drivers can be found and downloaded from the official HP website. Go online and check the website of Hewlett-Packard. There should be a page there dedicated to printer drivers and even other software that you can download driver for free. Be sure to download the correct printer drivers for your operating system.

* Browse through shareware sites to look for old drivers for old operating systems. There are a lot of websites that offer old printer driver as shareware. Use your search engine and the proper keywords to locate the correct ones for your operating system.

* Look through online computer stores. Check online stores that sell the brand of your printer, like HP printers or Epson printers. They should have different versions of drivers for different operating systems. Check if the online store has the driver you need and download from there. Most online stores offer these as free downloads.

* Ask friends or relatives if they have old drivers or software for your printer. Check if your friends or relatives use the same as you. You should also find out if they use the same operating system as yours. Ask if you can have a copy of the installation disk of the driver or software that they use.

* If you are using a Mac, check the official Apple website. Mac users are lucky; the official Apple site offers different versions of printer drivers and software. If you are a Mac user, go to the Apple website and click on "Downloads;" you should be able to find the driver or software you need.

Do you have old printers, like secondhand HP printers, but don't have the appropriate driver for your operating system? Go over the list above to help you locate the correct driver to make the old ones work properly with your system.

This Article is written by John C Arkinn from News.PrintCountry the contributor of Printer & Printer Ink Cartridges News. More information on the subject is at News.PrintCountry.com, and related resources can be found at Compatible Printer Driver Download.

How Printers Should Sell Variable Data Printing Services

Variable date printing (VDP) is a service that printers with digital presses can offer to differentiate themselves from their competitors, adding value to their clients and so improving profit margins and avoiding the commodity print pricing trap. But in addition to the equipment and technical know-how needed to produce VDP work, printers need to understand how to sell it, especially if their clients are not familiar with the concept or are not actively asking their print service providers for it.

The key to offering successful VDP services lies in printers adopting a project management perspective. This means working with clients to help them achieve their broader objectives, identifying where VDP could add value to a marketing campaign and justifying its use.

Print providers can help their clients plan marketing campaigns by understanding the clients' marketing goals, which could be customer retention, re-activation, lead generation or conversion. Reviewing previous campaigns should reveal which techniques have been used previously, how successful they were and which formats their customers prefer; in personalised communication, customer preference is key, so effective marketing must address them on their own terms.

The kind of documents that lend themselves to a personalised approach are those that are designed to generate demand. These include catalogues, brochures, inserts, flyers, newsletters and other promotional items.

If it looks like a personalised print campaign (possibly in addition to online multi-channel or interactive cross-media elements) is appropriate, the next question is what customer data is available to personalise it. Many companies already have a customer and prospect database built up through events, direct mail, previous sales or support activity, possibly held in a customer relationship management (CRM) system, so a VDP campaign is simply a way of using this data to establish a more personal relationship with customers.

If this database doesn't exist or when approaching a new market, for example, it may be possible to purchase one commercially, provided that it contains the relevant type of information needed to make the variable element work meaningfully. This could be just address and gender, or considerably more detailed.

One of the best aspects of getting started in VDP is that initial projects don't necessarily have to be very complex, especially with clients who are new to personalised print marketing. Because digital printing doesn't require long runs in order to become cost-effective, it's possible to carry out small-scale trials to test what kind of mailing works best and to refine the variable data documents before committing to larger-scale mailings. Depending on the client's business and the quality of the data available, it may be that a series of shorter, more tightly targeted mailings is the more effective option. Whichever approach is taken, it will be possible to learn from and build on the success of each project as both printer and client gain experience and confidence.

In any marketing project it's usually a good idea to focus on a select set of customers that is likely to yield the highest returns, either by value of spend or ease of sale. Print providers who want to optimise the opportunities for VDP and make the most of their investment in digital presses should do the same by identifying the clients who would be most receptive to campaign ideas that include personalisation. VDP can be particularly effective when combined with 'pull' marketing in which the customer identifies him- or herself so the vendor prints brochures or other collaterals only for customers who have already expressed an interest, thus maximising impact while minimising costs.

This might include those who are currently using direct mail, who want to increase repeat business in sectors where customer acquisition costs are high, who already have a database of customer information or have a website capable of capturing it. Those customers with high-margin products and services or large marketing budgets are also good prospects for VDP.

As VDP is an inherently more consultative sale, it's going to cost more than static print, so the printer will need to be able to justify these costs through improved returns on the client's marketing spend. There must be a means of gathering data on the end-customer's response to the campaign. This can be as simple as records of purchases or phone calls, or could be information captured via a website or mobile app.

The response data should be gathered and reported over a period appropriate to the length of the campaign and the typical buying cycle. From this, an ROI calculation can be made comparing campaign costs to value of sales generated. In most cases, printers won't be gathering the response data or performing this analysis themselves but it's important that they ensure these tasks are performed so that the value of VDP can be demonstrated.

Successful VDP service providers integrate print expertise with database knowledge, graphic design skills and marketing know-how to help their customers look beyond the cost of printing to the overall effectiveness of the marketing campaign. Thus they move up the value chain to become marketing partners rather than commodity suppliers.

This is one of a series of articles based on The ABCs of VDP, a free e-book from EFI that explains the benefits of variable data printing (VDP) and describes with examples how print service providers can produce, promote and sell VDP services to their customers, expanding their business portfolio and increasing profit margins.

7 Tips to Increase Your Laptop's Battery Life

1. Turn On the Battery Saver Mode 
Every laptop is equipped with a battery saver mode or economy mode which puts the machine in a low power consumption state. The processor, memory, hard disk, etc. all start consuming less power by reducing their performance. This allows you to lengthen the time before the battery dies.

2. Reduce the Screen Brightness 
As with any electronic device including your mobile phone, you should lower the brightness of your laptop's screen. In fact, if the battery is about to die, lower it to the lowest setting. Most modern laptop screens consist of LEDs to provide the backlighting and hence, they do take up power.

3. Switch Off Unused Devices 
Unless you are using them, turn off the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth because these are radio devices which consume quite a bit of battery power. Additionally, you can also turn off unused peripherals like a high performance graphic card (you obviously won't need it to make a presentation), one or more USB ports (most laptops contain two to three ports, so you can turn off one), and any underutilized optical drives.

4. Lower the Resolution 
Modern laptops contain high resolution screens which draw a lot of battery power; reducing the resolution to a basic one when you wish to have more battery time is an efficient way to decrease the power consumption.

5. Turn Off the Keyboard's Backlight 
Unless you don't have a laptop with a keyboard that features a backlight, switching off the backlight helps to further increase the time before the battery runs out.

6. Close Any Unnecessary Apps and Processes 
Hardware is not the only component consuming your battery, it is the software too. So start by closing any programs running in the background; for example, processes related to sound, music players, video players, or cloud services can be safely closed.

7. Don't Let Your Laptop Overheat 
Do you use your laptop on your bed, blanket, or pillow? If so, chances are you risk damaging the battery and the internal components; excessive heat will not only cause damage, but will shorten the battery life as well. Therefore, place your laptop on a hard surface like a desk or a table and if you are feeling lazy, use a portable table like a lapdesk.

Furthermore, dust and debris accumulate on the ventilation ports, fans, and air vents of a laptop which blocks the heat from escaping. Blowing out the vents with compressed air helps in improving the performance and extending the battery life of a laptop.

Laptops are expensive, there's no tiptoeing around it; it's a lot of hard-earned cash out of your pocket. However, they're also incredibly useful and you're likely to have a lot of personal data stored on yours along with photos and videos you won't want to lose it. Unfortunately, accidents can and do happen. Strongly consider getting Laptop Insurance, from just £1.49 per month: https://row.co.uk/laptop-insurance