How to Polish Your LinkedIn Account

he people I'm connected to on LinkedIn fall into two categories: those who use the professional networking site to discuss ideas, connect with new people, drum up work, and seize opportunities they wouldn't find elsewhere; and those who set up a skeleton profile and never returned.

If you fall into the latter category, it may be time to reevaluate what LinkedIn has to offer so that you can take full advantage of it. You don't need to be a power user to start reaping the benefits, but you should try to log in to the site at least once a month to improve your visibility and reputation to the point where people and opportunities can find you.

And it's not just about finding a full-time job either. If you've ever made a few hundred bucks consulting, you know there's real monetary value in telling other people about your areas of expertise. If you have a business, LinkedIn provides another way for clients and business partners to find you. And if someone in your network has a need that you can fill, whether for payment or for the benefit of building your reputation as a community-oriented person, LinkedIn can facilitate all aspects of the transaction.
Here are five things you can do to instantly make LinkedIn more valuable.

1. Update or completely fill in your profile. When someone enters your full name in an online search, they often expect to find a LinkedIn webpage near the top of the results. If they click through to a page that isn't up to date or is missing swatches of information, it sends a message that you aren't committed to completing things and aren't up to date with the technology. Whether it's true is another story, but that's the first impression.
Complete your profile. Update the resume section with recent achievements. Thoroughly updating your profile should take an hour at most (and you can reuse the same points and highlights to update your offline resume while you're at it). Be sure to include a headshot so people can identify you. There are very few reasons not to use a headshot, but if for some reason you can't, upload some kind of image that relates to something striking about you.

2. Frontload keywords in your profile. If you want people to approach you via LinkedIn for unforeseen opportunities, from consulting work to a media appearance based on your areas of expertise, you need to tell them what it is you do with prominently displayed keywords. These key pieces of information need to come first in your "summary," and be repeated in the "experience" section.
Examples of keywords are contingent on your field of work. Programmers should list the languages they know best. Advertising professionals should name the categories and mediums they've worked in. PhD scholars need to list the subject they studied and the "elevator-pitch" summary of their dissertation. Even if the information is implied elsewhere, like in a department name or your professional title, you want to use keywords so that search engines can find them as well as human beings who are visually scanning your page.

3. Connect with former colleagues—not just people you've met recently. One of LinkedIn's primary functions is as a professional address book. What's great about LinkedIn is you don't have to update anyone's information—your contacts do that part for you (yet another reason to keep your profile current). The reason you should stay connected with former colleagues in particular is that they are well-established connections that you already have. You have history with these people. And if they're "former" colleagues, that implies either you or they (or both) have since moved on and forged new professional relationships with an even wider network. Connect with these people, and your own network will grow overnight.

4. Sync with Twitter. Don't duplicate your efforts. If you're already taking part in discussions that are relevant to your work life on Twitter, sync your LinkedIn profile to republish all the great content you're already posting. You'll find the option for connecting a Twitter account under Profile > Edit Profile. Don't sync with Twitter if the content you post there is only tangentially or unrelated to your professional life. If you keep them separate, potential employers and business partners will treat them as separate entities, too, even when your other accounts are publicly available.

5. Join groups. I am of the opinion that not everyone on LinkedIn needs to join groups, but, in many cases, it helps. If you belong to a community that tends to seek out resources (including suggestions for products, services, consultants, and new hires) from other community members, it may be in your interest to join a select few groups to keep tabs on trends and topics of discussion. However, if you join, you should participate. Joining groups willy-nilly and then not contributing to them will be obvious

How to transmit video to an iPad wirelessly using Air Video app

In this clip, you'll learn how to use the Air Video iPad app to wirelessly transmit video to your Apple iPad. Whether you're the proud owner of an Apple iPad or perhaps just considering picking one up, you're sure to benefit from this free video tutorial. For more information, including a detailed overview, watch this iPad user's guide.


Hosted by youtube.com
Creator's Site www.mikekukielka.com

How to clean your laptop keyboard

Is your keyboard on your laptop getting a bit sticky? Have years of sweaty fingers and bits of lunch found there way down between the keys? Is there moss growing out of there? Well, panic no more, see how to clean your laptops keyboard completely. In order to clean your laptop or PC keyboard, you will need compressed air, cotton swabs, cleaning solution, and a cleaning cloth (cotton t-shirt).


Hosted by youtube.com
Creator's Site www.darrenjames.biz

Using iPhone 3GS as a wireless camera for iPad

This tutorial learns how to use two iPhone/iPad apps to use your iPhone as a wireless camera for the iPad. These apps run on Bluetooth, so no USB cable is necessary. If you love your iPad, but miss the camera, this is the perfect set up for you.
So, until Apple comes out with a new camera-ready model, check out this clip and make one on your own!


Hosted by you tube.com
Creator's Site www.365geeks.com

Things to Automate When a Forgetful Parent Wants to Continue Living at Home

1. Order groceries online.
   For parents with transportation or mobility issues, online grocery orders and home delivery save you trips to the store and let you rest easy that there's something in the fridge. Safeway.com, Albertsons.com, Planetorganics.com, and Peapod.com offer online ordering and home delivery. Some of these services will save your shopping history so you can place the same order for basics every week with just a couple of clicks.
   
   
2. If your parent isn't up to cooking, have meals delivered.
   Meals on Wheels brings prepared meals to frail seniors. Find your local organization at Mowaa.org.
   
   
3. Set up regular pet care through a local service.
   If you can't afford to hire someone to do walk your parents' dog or take care of other pet chores, check local nonprofit and charity organizations, such as Volunteers of America, which do this for free for seniors.
   
   
4. Hire a regular housekeeping service.
   Be sure to schedule it for the day before garbage day so the trash gets taken out. The bigger companies like Merrymaids.com and Mollymaids.com allow you to set up payments through your bank's online bill pay service.
   
   
5. Set up automatic payments for regular bills from your parents' checking account or your own.
   Register on your bank's website as an online user, then specify which bills you want to automate. If you're worried about overdrafting, you can choose to be e-mailed for approval before each payment is sent out.
   
6. Deposit government payments directly into your parents' checking account.
   Use Godirect.org to have your parents' Social Security and other government payments deposited directly into their checking account. This helps protect against overdrafting and cuts down on organizing trips to the bank. (A help line is available at 800-333-1795.)
   
   
7. Renew bus passes and pay for transportation services online.
   You can usually do this online by going to the website for each local transportation service.
   
   
8. Sign up at your parents' pharmacy for online prescription refills.
   Walgreens.com and Walmart.com are two that offer this service. Some pharmacies will e-mail you a reminder when a prescription is ready and follow up when your parent is due for a refill.
   
   
9. Simplify your parents' yard care.
   Install low-maintenance landscaping and an irrigation system with timers in your parent's yard. Arrange for regular yard care service if necessary, and ask to be billed directly.
   

How to Share Music Wirelessly by Tapping Two Android Devices Together

Android users are probably already familiar with the doubleTwist Player (free) from doubleTwist, available on the Android Market. They recently added AirPlay support for users with AirSync ($4.99) that allows streaming to Apple TV and DLNA devices, which is sure to provoke some cease and desist requests from Apple. But their second, newly unveiled feature is more enticing—doubleTap, which adds proximity-based file sharing for Android devices.
What does that mean?
doubleTap lets you wirelessly transfer videos and songs just by tapping two Android smartphones together that have the doubleTwist app installed.
The catch?
They must be devices with NFC (Near Field Communication) integrated, which Android 2.3 Gingerbread supports, though only one notable device has shipped with NFC built-in—Samsung's Google Nexus S. But Google predicts that between 40 and 100 million NFC-enabled phones will ship out this year, including the Samsung Galaxy S due for a May 26th release date.
How does it work?
NFC initiates the file sharing, with the actual file transfer happening over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Check out the official demo unveiled at Google I/O 2011 to see it in action:



Just as Apple is sure to hate AirPlay support on non-Apple products, the RIAA is sure to hate doubleTap. But only time will tell...

How to get helps when You Go Off Road (GPS Tuner)

If the cabin you're planning to retreat to is off the beaten path or you're looking for a place to take your truck or bike off-roading but don't want to leave the gadgets behind in exchange for a pack of maps, GPS Tuner is a new iPhone application that can help. The app helps you find the best off-road paths for biking, hiking, or driving, and help you avoid rough terrain or obstacles at the same time.

The utility takes hundreds of terrain maps and puts them in the palm of your hand, marks your position on the map via GPS, and even stores the maps on your device for offline access in case you lose signal when you're out in the wilderness.

GPS Tuner is designed for people who like to spend time hiking, biking, or off-roading in their trucks or ATVs. The app gives you a number of tools to use to plan your route without running into a mountain or a body of water without expecting it, and tools to help you determine how long it will take you to get from point to point on your outdoor trip. The app lets you draw on-screen to estimate distance and time to your destination, and has a virtual compass to help you make sure you're going the right way.

The app includes a host of terrain and satellite maps that give you a full top-down perspective on the area you're planning to visit. Whether you're looking for a secluded place in the wilderness to go camping or you just want a day-hike, GPS Tuner can guide you to your destination. If you're ever worried you've gotten yourself lost, you can always look at a top-down map with your origin and destination on it, and GPS Tuner will show you where you are in relation to your destination.

If all GPS Tuner did was help you get around when the roads end and the wilderness begins, that would be enough, but the app also has social features to help you share your trip with friends. The app lets you take snapshots with your iPhone's camera, and then geo-tag them with your current GPS coordinates. You can update Twitter and Facebook through the app with photos and notes about where you are, the points of interest you've seen, or where you're going.


You can see a video of some of the app's features here.

How to Buy a Point-and-Shoot Digital Camera

Deciding to buy a point-and-shoot camera is the simple part, but with hundreds of models to choose from, selecting the best one for your needs and budget is no easy feat. Following our seven rules will help bring your perfect camera into focus.


Rule #1: Do your research. Read lots of reviews, and don't buy based on name brand alone.
Big-name manufacturers like Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Panasonic have all produced top-notch compact cameras, but that doesn't mean they don't slip a lemon or two into their lineups every now and then. Even when a major manufacturer partners with another key industry player, such as Sony with prestigious lens manufacturer Carl Zeiss, or Panasonic with Leica, you can't be assured that you'll always get a top-notch camera. So read the reviews before settling on a particular model—the brand of camera you end up choosing might surprise you.

Rule #2: Megapixels mean less than sensor size.
Higher megapixel count doesn't necessarily mean better pictures, it just means larger images. You'd be hard-pressed to find a recent-model camera for sale today with a resolution of less than 8 megapixels, and that's enough to print up to 11-by-17-inch images. If you're just making 4-by-6-inch prints or viewing your pictures online, megapixel count means even less. A better indicator of photo quality is the size of the camera's image sensor. Here, bigger is definitely better. Image sensors range in size from 25mm² (surface area) for inexpensive point-and-shoot cameras, all the way up to 1,977mm² for high-end D-SLRs. (See this image for a side-by-side size comparison.) Our Editors' Choice high-end pocket camera, the Canon PowerShot  looks like a run-of-the-mill pocket camera, but in its tiny body it houses an image sensor that's roughly twice as large as most cameras its size.

Rule #3: Pay attention to must-have features.
Image stabilization, which helps reduce the blur that can come from shaky hands, is an important feature to have. If a camera has digital image stabilization, that's fine, but it should have optical or sensor-shift stabilization as well. Virtually all modern cameras include face-detection technology, which finds and focuses on faces in the frame and improves the image's overall composition and quality by optimizing the color and white balance. Just make sure you turn it on before you shoot portraits or group photos. Optical zoom specs are also important, especially if you plan on taking a lot of landscape photos. The benefits of optical zoom are obvious: The higher the zoom level, the closer you can get to your subject. In this class you're likely to get a 3x or a 5x zoom lens, but we've seen compact models that offer up to 10x. And if you're willing to carry a slightly larger camera, a superzoom camera can provide up to 18x, like the still-pocketable Nikon Coolpix. Now, more about the size of your compact camera...


Rule #4: Size matters, but not for everyone.
One of the major benefits of a point-and-shoot camera is its small size, but thinner cameras are typically more expensive and sometimes sacrifice features. Unless you plan to keep your camera in a jeans pocket, there's no need to spend a premium on a super-slim camera. With a larger camera, it will still fit in a jacket pocket, but you'll likely get a bigger LCD, a longer zoom lens, and easier-to-manipulate controls, especially if you have larger hands and fingers.

Rule #5: Don't overlook the display.
Pretty much all pocket cameras have abandoned traditional viewfinders in favor of LCDs for framing your shots. So it's important to focus on getting the best LCD you can find. For point-and-shoot cameras, LCD sizes start at 2.5 inches and go all the way up to 3.5 inches, but there aren't many 3.5-inchers out there, and the ones we've seen are typically on the expensive side. Currently, the sweet spot for screen size is 2.7 or 3 inches. Resolution on the LCD is measured in dots—the higher the number of dots, the more detail you'll see, and the resolution is independent of the display's physical size. A decent camera LCD should have at least 230,000 dots. On the top end, the  Olympus XZ-1 offers an incredibly sharp 3-inch display packed with 610k dots—it's also OLED, rather than standard LCD, which means higher image contrast and less motion blur as images move across the screen.

Display contrast is important too; LCDs that are too bright without equally high contrast will make images appear washed out, and they might also be difficult to see in direct sunlight. Touch screens are making their way onto more and more compact cameras, but before you go that route, make sure the on-screen controls are easy to use. And beware: Touch-screen cameras are notorious power hogs. If long battery life is important to you, skip the touch screen. If you can, it's always best to get your (eyes and) hands on the camera to check out the screen and the controls before you buy it. A camera like the Canon PowerShot Elph 300 HS is very solid overall, but its tiny buttons could make it challenging to operate if you have large fingers.

Rule #6: Go for HD Video.
In addition to still images, almost all of today's point-and-shoot cameras can capture standard-definition video (640 by 480 at 30 frames per second). Models that shoot high-definition video are starting to become commonplace and affordable, with prices starting as low as $150. The resolution and frame rate of the HD video recorded by low-end or midrange point-and-shoot cameras is typically 1,280 by 720 pixels at 30 progressive frames per second (720p30). For most casual users, this is sufficient, especially if you're just sharing your footage on Facebook, YouTube, or other online services. You can find several pocket cameras that capture video in full 1080p HD, but it's a high-end feature that will likely cost you a little more. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 gives you the option to record in 1080p at various bitrates. Also, if you want to watch your captured videos (or even view a still-image slideshow) on your HDTV, consider a camera with an integrated HDMI connector.


Rule #7: Save a bundle on a great camera—from last year.
While camera innovation often advances at a similar pace to that of computers and cell phones, those products become obsolete at a much faster clip. If a camera took great pictures last year, it will take great pictures now. You might not get some of the cutting-edge features you'd get with a brand-new model, but you can save a lot. Some of our favorite cameras from last year, such as the Editors' Choice Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2 and the Canon PowerShot SX210 are still widely available, but they're selling for as much as below their original list prices.

How to check if Your Home Has Illegal Electronic Surveillance

A man's home may be his castle, but even a fortress is not impervious to illegal electronic surveillance. Bugs and spycams have become smaller, cheaper, and sometimes nearly impossible to detect. Fortunately, counter-surveillance technology has kept with new devices and can identify even the most sophisticated bugs. With a little vigilance and anti-bugging equipment, you can protect your domicile from

Instructions:

• Use a standard bug detector. Many surveillance cameras and audio bugs emit radio waves and can be identified by a standard RF (radio frequency) detection device.
  
  
• Conduct a "sweep" of your home with your bug detector. Surveillance devices are often hidden in walls or ceilings, so look for any spots that appear to be spackled or recently spackled. However, with the decreasing size of surveillance equipment, they can be concealed virtually anywhere. Household objects such as pens, clocks, lamps and even watches may contain devices to see and hear what you are doing. Also, keep in mind that exterior windows are excellent places for installing devices since no one has to break into your home to install surveillance equipment.
  
  
• Don't let down your guard even if you haven't found anything. Many surveillance devices can switch frequencies or shut on or off to avoid standard detection equipment. And, of course, a device might simply have a dead battery (until someone replaces it). If you think someone has the cash and motivation to install more sophisticated bugs, purchase a counter-surveillance device that can detect the magnetic fields and electrical "noise" produced by computer circuitry.
  
  
• Conduct "sweeps" of your home on a regular basis. Keep an eye out for any signs of a break-in as well as any strangers that come inside or even near your home. A phony meter reader or telephone repairmen is an old trick, but that doesn't mean an estranged spouse or business partner won't give it a shot. Also, securing the perimeter of your home prevents someone from installing surveillance equipment at the outset. Consider purchasing a home security system to prevent break-ins.

Tips and Warnings
No matter how much you stay on guard, the best way of keeping others from hearing sensitive information is to discuss it outside of your home, office, or other common hangouts. Walking and talking with someone on a busy street is an excellent way to avoid surveillance.

things you'll need:
•RF (radio frequency) bug detector
•Advanced bug detection kit
•Home security system (optional)

How to prepare your vacation trip

1. Compare Your Options.
Before you book a flight, hotel room, or vacation package, check the price on each of the individual vendor’s sites. Oftentimes, cutting out the middle man and booking separately is cheaper than buying a package on sites like Expedia or Orbitz. Furthermore, buying directly from the airline gives you more flexibility to manage your flights, and calling the hotel can result in unadvertised savings (especially during low season and if you are celebrating a special occasion). Remember, third party sites require full payment up front, so do your homework before plunking down the plastic.


2. Be Direct.
Sometimes you won’t find your favorite or most convenient airlines on these sites. Southwest Airlines doesn’t list its flights with any third party vendors, while American Airlines is missing from both Orbitz and Expedia. When in doubt, search your itinerary directly with airlines to ensure that you don’t miss a cheap rate.

3. Consult A Travel Agent For Cruises.
Don’t book a cruise on any of these consolidation sites. A travel agent specializing in cruises is always the better option because they have relationships with cruise lines, which means discounted rates; and they can score you deals on the cruise ship and with shore excursions.

But most importantly, there are a lot of moving parts on a cruise trip (flight, transfer to ship, the cruise itself, etc.) and if one part goes awry, an experienced travel agent can use his or her connections to fix it. Meanwhile, if you’d booked your cruise via an aggregation site, you’d be stuck doing phone battle without a life preserver (see Customer Service in the chart above).

4. Read The Label.
Beware of hotels or airlines labeled “top picks” in your search results. These aren’t necessarily of a higher quality or better value. Instead, they are often a business partner of the booking site, and therefore get populated at the top of your search.

5. Travel Smart
Now that you’ve booked your flight, learn how to stick to your travel budget.

Get ready for international travel with our tips on getting your finances in order.

Become a packing maven with our tips for every suitcase.

How to prepare your wedding florist

Here you can get What to Ask Your Wedding Florist.

1. Will you set the flowers up at the site according to my specifications?
If not, you may need to hire a wedding coordinator. If the florist will be setting up, make sure you both go over a diagram of where everything will be.

2. Will you take away the arrangements at the end?
This could incur an extra fee, but it might be worth the price if it allows you and your wedding party to depart without a backward glance. If you are renting containers or other decorative items, don’t assume the florist will retrieve them. Check the contract to make sure who’s responsible. And be sure you know the venue’s policies about cleanup.

3. Who will be in charge of my wedding flowers?
For quality control―and to make sure all your conversations haven’t gone to waste―get confirmation that the floral designer you’ve been dealing with will do the arranging. If you’re having a large wedding, it may be too much work for one florist, so she should be aided by a trusted associate.

4. Do you typically limit the number of weddings you have slated on a weekend?
Ideally, the answer to this is yes―the florist should have one or two, max. However, this may depend on the size of your wedding and the size of the florist. If the florist seems to have an astronomical amount of weddings on her plate, make sure she is confident that she can devote ample time to your event.

5. What would you consider suitable substitutions for the flowers we have discussed if these are unavailable?
Hammer this out now so you aren’t surprised minutes before you hit the aisle. The florist should guarantee color harmony, size, look, and price. You may even want to request a picture of what the florist has in mind before approving.

6. How will I reach you on the wedding day?
The florist should give you a cell-phone or pager number.

7. When will the flowers arrive, how will they be transported, and how will they be packaged when they arrive?
Flowers should be delivered at the last possible moment, even if the building is air-conditioned, to prevent wilting. Bouquets should be delivered about half an hour before photography is scheduled to begin. Your florist will determine the delivery time, taking into account the time of year, the temperature, and the sun’s brightness. Florists use climate-controlled vehicles (some have refrigeration), so the blooms arrive fresh.

8. Can you advise me on which flowers would be best for my wedding?
o:p>You and your florist should discuss whether it’s an indoor or outdoor event (with sun exposure a factor), the length of the photo session, the gap between ceremony and reception, and so on. These factors will help determine if the flowers you select will be hardy enough.

9. Are there any taxes, overtime charges, gratuities, or fees that aren’t included in the contract?
You don’t want hidden fees to pop up after the wedding (there will be enough last-minute expenses as it is). Make sure the cancellation policy and associated fees are also in the contract.

10. When will the balance be due?
While there’s no hard and fast rule, florists generally request payment about two weeks before the wedding.

Windows key Tips

For most people, the Windows key (you know, the one with the flag on it?) Just sat ignored on your keyboard. It's pretty well known that when Vista was released (and not reviled), then a new OS, including new ways to shuffle through an open application window. Using the Windows key while pressing the successive appearance of the tabs displayed Aero Flip 3-D from the windows you are flying with in mid-screen. Well, that still works on Windows 7, although it may be just as comfortable to stick with less luxury-Alt tab to switch through the window, or simply choose the one you want from the Taskbar now-larger.

But the Windows key is not much more than rolling luxury. Windows 7 adds new ways to hide all windows at once reveal the desktop that involve moving the mouse pointer all the way down to the bottom right corner of your screen. While the new Aero Peek cold, sometimes you want a quick way to see the desktop. For example, pressing the Windows key + D reveal your desktop much faster than moving the pointer into a corner. If you just want a peek, be more susceptible to Windows key + Space.

I found this and open the Start menu with a simple press of the most useful button, but according to Windows Help, there are 30 whopping use the key. For example, if you know you can press the Windows key along with a number pinned to launch the program in position on your Taskbar? Adding Shift to mix starts a new instance of embedded applications. Speaking of the Taskbar, Windows key + T to cycle through the items there. If you want to quickly log out, just press the Windows key + L.

You can find all 30 in Windows Help, but here are my favorite uses for the Windows key:

Keyboard Shortcut	Effect
Windows+D	Show the Desktop. Press again to bring back your open windows.
Windows+Spacebar	Peek the desktop—releasing brings back all your displaying windows.
Windows-M	Minimize all windows.
Shift+Window+[number]	Opens the window of the corresponding-numbered Taskbar button, starting from the left as 1, next 2, and so on.
Windows +E	Open Computer window to show drives and their used space and devices in Explorer.
Windows+Home	Minimize all but the active window.
Windows-Up Arrow	Maximize window—this is probably just as easy to do with Aero by dragging the window header to the top of the screen or just double-clicking it.
Windows+Shift+Up Arrow	Stretch the window to the top and bottom of the screen.
Windows+Shift+Left Arrow or Right Arrow	Move a window from one monitor to another—this one is a little complicated, but if you use multiple monitors, it pays off.
Windows-L	Lock the system—i.e., log out and require a log-in to use the system.
Windows-P	Show display and projector options.
Windows+X	Open Windows Mobility Center—You may not even know there's such a thing as the Mobility Center, but it gives easy access to things like screen brightness and volume. It also lets presenters turn on an external display.

How to Avoid Phishing Attacks

Violations such as Sony's PlayStation Network hack to bear spear phishing attacks, which target individuals and more dangerous than ordinary varieties. It is not clear how much personal data perpetrators hack the Sony PlayStation Network is obtained, but clearly much worse that the data breach earlier this month Epsilon. The Epsilon exposed to violations of just names and email addresses, information that is fairly easy to obtain. PSN exposed to violations of the full name, password, email address, home address, and purchase history. This may have been exposed credit card numbers too, although Sony reports that credit card data was encrypted.

If you have not seen the costs outlined on your bill yet, maybe they do not get your credit card number. However, the wealth of other personal data exposed to allow criminals to create phishing messages are far more convincing. Types of attacks have been aimed dubbed "spear phishing." They will get a credit card yet, if you're not careful.

Eternal Vigilance
Vigilance is key to staying safe from spear phishing attacks. Do not let any personal information in a quiet close your messages into a false sense of security. Here are some examples:

Just because a message containing your home address does not mean it is valid. In fact, a legitimate letter from a bank or vendors generally do not have to include this information, unless the notification delivery to that address. You may be surprised how easy it is to get anyone's home address using a tool such as ZabaSearch or Spokeo
The presence of your home phone number in the message means nothing. In addition to those lookup website, there's always the phone book.
Only the vendor knows the password of your website, right? So the message contains a password and a warning to change it must be valid? Wrong! A legitimate vendor will never send your password in an email.

An email message that contains a social security number (or last four digits) should be examined carefully. This information is not too difficult to obtain, and once again a legitimate sender will not expose it in an email.

Fundamental Things Apply
The point is, you do not have to automatically trust the message email. These rules apply even if the fundamentals of email messages that look legitimate because they already have some of your personal information.

Here they are:
Do not click on links in e-mails claiming to be from your bank. If the message warned of the problem accounts that require your attention, run your browser and go directly to the bank site.

If you are at all suspicious links in e-mail message, mouse over the link. Most of the e-mail client will reveal the URL destination. A URL link that does not fit with other objectives link is a red flag.

Note the URL in the Address bar browser. Many phishing sites do not even try to use a trusted URL. Others use a misleading version of the URL is correct, perhaps paypla.com or ebay.something.com. If the URL looks wrong, leaving the site and enter the real URL by hand.

Do not submit your data. Yes, you can save time on multiple vendor Web sites to register with your credit card and other personal details. But it puts your data at the mercy of hackers who breach security vendors.

Go for green! modern browser address bar green when they have been validated a site EV (Extended Validation) certificates of safety. A green address bar means that the site is legitimate.

Use a password management tool such as LastPass 1.72 Premium to store your login. The utility will automatically fill in your credentials at the correct Web site but not on a counterfeit copy.

Install a security suite that includes an effective phishing protection. Norton Internet Security 2011  and BitDefender Total Security 2011 is the best in phishing detection.

Data breach gives the bad guys ammo to phishing attacks. Phishing attacks, in turn, can lead to violations of the new data. It is a vicious circle that will only stop when we all started paying attention.

Things you should beware in your marriage relationship

While healing an ailing relationship is usually what we all want, sometimes it’s wise to know when it’s time to let go. Every marriage is different, but here are some universal truths.

• The Clock's Ticking
  Time is a factor: “The clock starts ticking on the end of a marriage as soon as one spouse puts the [couple’s] problems out in the open,” says Bryce Kaye, Ph.D., author of The Marriage First Aid Kit. “The more time that passes after that without any effort made, the lower the odds are that you’ll stay together.”
  
  
• You’ve “Uncoupled”
  Couples whose marriages are over, or nearly over, have usually uncoupled, or disconnected from each other, says Elayne Savage Ph.D., author of Breathing Room: Creating Space to Be a Couple. “If you’re no longer spending any time together — and if it feels like a relief not to be with each other — it’s a sign that you’ve already disengaged from the marriage.”
  
  
• Your Issues Go Unsolved
  Alisa Bowman, author of Project: Happily Ever After, says that if one spouse repeatedly brings up an issue, asks for help and makes it clear that the marriage will not last unless they both commit to solving it, but the other spouse refuses to go along, the marriage is in trouble.
  
  
• One Spouse Won't Try
  “One partner can’t do all the trying on his or her own,” says Bowman. “You can’t go anywhere like that.” A good rule of thumb: If it’s been a year with no progress, it may be time to call it quits.
  
  
• There’s No Respect
  One of the most important aspects of a healthy marriage is mutual respect, says Savage. When that’s gone — when one partner consistently feels dismissed, rejected and condescended to you’re in a bad place. “Marriages that reach this place are toxic — you’re no longer civil, and all discourse is either attacking or defending.”
  
  
• You're Not a Team
  In healthily humming-along marriages, both partners work as a team on everything from parenting to supporting each other in career and personal ambitions. “If you’ve both started moving in completely separate orbits, or if you’re not working together on day-to-day issues, it’s a sign of serious trouble,” says Savage.
  
  
• An Unfaithful Spouse is Pals with an Ex-lover
  Infidelity is an enormous hurdle for a marriage to overcome, but just ending the affair is not enough, says Kaye. For a marriage to fully get past one spouse’s adultery, the unfaithful half of the couple cannot maintain a “friendship” with the former lover.
  
  
• There’s No Compromise
  A major part of marriage involves trying to fulfill your partner’s needs while also making sure your own needs are met. It’s a lifelong dance, a give and take, and it requires constant communication. But if your partner continually refuses to listen to what you need or refuses to share his own needs, you’re not in a good place, says Kaye.
  
  
• One Spouse is a Serial Cheater
  After the kind of affair a couple can recover from, “there are regrets, apologies and a promise to put an end to it and seek counseling.” Not so with the serial cheater; that’s a problem you can’t fix, and likely spells the end of your marriage.
  
  
• The Cheater Blames the Other Spouse
  “Some men — and stereotypically this is men — are just not cut out for marriage; they are unable to remain monogamous, even if they seemed to have wanted to get married,” says Bowman. What’s worse, they manage to put the blame for their philandering on you, usually for being too jealous or controlling.
  
  
• You Disagree on Having Kids
  “If someone’s close to either side of the will-we-or-won’t-we-have-children fence, you can work through it. But if not, and having a child is a life goal of yours, you may be looking at the end of your marriage,” says Bowman.
  
  
• You Don’t Communicate
  No problem in a marriage can be solved without open, honest communication. If you’ve reached a point where all you ever talk about is mundane things, like who needs to buy milk, you’re in trouble, says Savage. “Lack of personal, intimate exchange in a marriage is a very bad sign, especially if you are talking to others.”
  

How to Use Twitter for Business - for beginner

Twitter is a wonderful business tool, not least because it's free. All it will cost is your time (and if that's in short supply, you can hire a social media marketer to manage it for you).

Used well, Twitter can provide good exposure for your business, but you can also damage your brand with social media marketing if you're not careful, so it's worth learning the biggest do's and don'ts before you start using Twitter.

Tip 1: Be Yourself and Be Human

The beauty of Twitter is that it's a huge global community of human beings (mostly; there are spammer accounts but they're easy to spot, block and report). So do show your human side, especially when using your business account. Talk about things that matter to you: funny things your children say, recent achievements, your favorite band or TV show, and so on. Join in with conversations that interest you - be friendly, show emotion, and use smilies if you want to.
On the other hand, don't be too human. Don't share anything you wouldn't share at a real-world business networking event; keep intimate health problems and controversial or potentially offensive opinions to yourself.

Tip 2: Watch How You Write

Some people write well, others don't - that's true in all areas of life, not just on Twitter. You don't need to be a bestselling novelist to use Twitter, but it helps if you have basic literacy skills (and if you use Twitter at the website instead of through a client, your Tweets will be spellchecked as you type anyway - which helps).

However good (or bad) your writing skills are, with Twitter's 140-character limit you'll need to be creative with your Tweets. Your Tweets need to be concise yet informative, and often you'll be trying to squeeze in a URL too (URL shortening services like bit.ly and tinyurl.com are lifesavers).

One definite don't is using text speak. Text speak is fine if you're 13, but as a professional adúlt promoting your business you're just going to look silly, and won't communicate your messages efficiently - unless you're targeting 13 year olds.

Tip 3: Share and Share Alike

If you have some good news - related to your business or your personal life - share it; everybody loves a good news story.

Do share links - to your website, your blog, your local news service, or anything else that interests your followers. This is a great way to get conversations going. But do remember to explain what the link's about, or your followers will feel less inclined to click it. And don't Tweet the same link over and over; people will quickly become bored and may stop following you.

Do retweet your friends' links, too. They'll be grateful, and so will your followers if the link is interesting and relevant. But here's a very big 'do' - DO make sure you click the link and read the content before sharing it with your followers, or you could end up sharing a page that's irrelevant or offensive, or which contradicts your usual position on the subject.

Tip 4: Be Part of the Community

Don't treat Twitter as your personal billboard. It's not. It's a community, millions of members strong, and the community as a whole is not very tolerant of users who constantly advertise. Try to stick to the 80-20 rule when you use Twitter for business: no more than 20% of your Tweets should advertise or self-promote, and at least 80% should be non-promotional. If you can get the ratio down to 90-10 or 95-5, even better.

Listen to what people are saying, and join in. Twitter is a network of conversations, so it's good practice to listen and respond to parts of those conversations that interest you. Don't just stand in the middle of the room with a megaphone, shouting "I'm fabulous! I'm selling widgets at 20% off this wéek!" Again, if you wouldn't do it at a business networking event, don't do it on Twitter.

Do retweet your friends' requests for help (for example, charity appeals and sponsorship requests), and do introduce friends that are new to Twitter and could do with some followers. And again - do retweet useful, interesting links from people you follow, but always check links before sending.

Tip 5: Mind Your Language

Don't use offensive language when representing your business on Twitter; even mild swearwords can put sensitive souls off following you (and besides - cursing in public is hardly professional).

Use Twitter to answer customer questions and solve their problems by all means. Many organizations use Twitter as a customer services tool very effectively. But don't ever, ever use an impolite or impatient tone with a customer. On Twitter, everything you say is out there for everyóne to see, so leave your followers with the best possible impression of your brand at all times... the Internet has a very long memory!

Finally - consider this a bonus tip, since it's not really connected to any of the previous ones. Try to enjoy yourself when you use Twitter. Try to embrace all that's good about Twitter - the new friendships and business contacts you'll make, the fun hashtags and trending topics, the strong community spirit - and before long you'll be singing (or is that Tweeting?) Twitter's praises to anyone who'll listen.

13 Numbers Everyone Should Know about heart health

A long life free of heart disease does not come just from controlling the standard measures like blood pressure and cholesterol. Sure, keeping tabs on these indicators is essential to gauging your heart's health, but a few other numbers—some surprising—can be meaningful as well.

It's awareness worth having. The American Heart Association noted in its annual review for 2010 that while the death rate due to cardiovascular disease in the United States fell between 1996 and 2006, the burden of the disease is still high. More than 1 in 3 deaths was related to heart disease in 2006.
U.S. News consulted with cardiology experts to round up the target numbers you should strive for to keep your ticker in good working condition over the long haul.

1. Alcohol intake
Those fond of tipple may be dismayed, but the science on alcohol as an agent to promote heart health is just not definitive. "If you have heart disease, alcohol plays no role in your medicine cabinet; if [you do] not, alcohol is not the right way to reduce your risk," says Jonathan Whiteson, director of the Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Program at New York University Langone Medical Center. Some research has suggested that drinking red wine may increase one's HDL, or "good" cholesterol, but Whiteson notes that the boost is minimal. "Exercise [offers] a better increase in HDL," he says.

While he's not against a drink in a social setting, it's certainly not something folks—especially those with heart disease—should engage in with the idea that it will offer a heart benefit, says Whiteson. In fact, medications' effectiveness can be either hampered or heightened by alcohol, sometimes to a dangerous extent. (Common herbal supplements can interact with heart drugs, too). And drinking too much can lead to high blood pressure or increased blood levels of triglycerides, a type of fat.

Bottom line: The American Heart Association suggests that otherwise healthy individuals who drink should do so in moderation. That is defined as one to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. And be careful with that pour: The AHA defines a drink as one 12-ounce beer, a 4 ounce glass of wine, 1.5 ounce of 80-proof spirits, or 1 ounce of 100-proof spirits.

2. Salt intake
Some experts say that the pervasive use of sodium in the America diet is wreaking havoc on our cardiovascular systems. "Sodium causes retention of fluid within the circulation, and if you're sodium-sensitive, it expands your blood volume and can contribute to high blood pressure, stroke, and other heart disease," explains Clyde Yancy, medical director of the Baylor Heart and Vascular Institute at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas and spokesman for the American Heart Association.

A report in the New England Journal of Medicine suggested that if Americans reduced daily salt intake by 3 grams, we could significantly lower the annual number of new cases of coronary heart disease (by between 60,000 and 120,000), stroke (by 32,000 to 66,000), heart attack (by 54,000 to 99,000), and even the number of deaths from any cause (by 44,000 to 92,000). The paper's authors noted previous research that showed the average American man consumes 10.4 grams of salt daily, while the average American woman gets 7.3 grams.

Bottom line: The AHA recommends Americans limit salt intake to 1.5 grams daily. Be wary: Sodium creeps in via unexpected sources, and it's not so much the salt shaker on our table that's to blame. Research suggests we get as much as 80 percent of our daily salt intake from processed foods.

3. Sugar intake
It's not just the savory flavors that'll get you; sweets, too, can ultimately become a cause for concern, says the American Heart Association. Like salt, sugar creeps into the processed foods that make up much of the American diet, and sweetened beverages—soda, juices, and sports drinks—are especially loaded with the stuff. Here's some disturbing math for you: A 12-ounce can of soda has about 8 teaspoons (or 33 grams) of added sugars, totaling about 130 calories. (A gram of sugar translates into 4 calories.)
A can of Coke or Pepsi, then, basically takes you to the AHA's new upper limit on the recommended amount of added sugar Americans should ingest on a daily basis. The association's primary concern is the number of excess calories that added sugars sneak into our diets and pile onto our waistlines, which can contribute to metabolic changes that increase the chances of developing a host of diseases.

Bottom line: According to the AHA, women should get no more than 100 calories per day of added sugars and men should stop at 150 calories per day.

4. Resting heart rate
How hard does your heart have to work—and how fast does it have to pump—to get oxygen-rich blood throughout your body? A lower number suggests your cardiovascular system is more efficient at doing this. Thus, a highly trained athlete can have a resting heart rate in the 40s, says Whiteson.
And while the research is still emerging on what one's resting heart rate predicts about heart disease risk, a picture is beginning to take shape. "There is certain evidence to support [the idea that] a higher resting heart rate is associated with heart disease," especially ischemic heart disease, he says, which involves reduced blood flow (and oxygen) getting to heart arteries and the heart muscle. This effect seems to be more pronounced in women than in men, but a study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health suggested that in women up to the age of 70, every 10-beats-per-minute increase in resting heart rate boosted the risk of dying from ischemic heart disease by 18 percent. In men, the risk was increased by 10 percent for every extra 10 beats per minute, and age didn't have an impact.
The study also found that women who got high levels of physical activity were able to reduce their risk of death considerably, compared with those who did little or no activity. The same effect was not found in men, but the researchers suggest the results may have been skewed because men tend to overestimate how much exercise they get.

Bottom line: A normal resting heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Check yours by finding your wrist's pulse, counting the beats in a 15-second period, then multiplying by four.

5. Hours of sleep per night
An overcaffeinated America seems to perpetually crave more shut-eye. And evidence is cropping up to suggest that a poor night's sleep is not only felt the next day but could have implications for one's heart over the long term. It is well established that sleep apnea, which results in numerous interruptions to breathing while asleep, is associated with stroke and coronary artery disease.

The reason is not clear, says Whiteson, but it's been hypothesized that people with disrupted sleep breathing have higher blood pressure overall because they don't get the restorative sleep that normally allows blood pressure to go down and gives the cardiovascular system a break during slumber. And a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that middle-aged people who got five hours of shut-eye or less a night had a greater risk of developing coronary artery disease than those who got eight hours. The clue was the beginnings of calcium buildup in their arteries, found by CT scanning long before the disease process would normally be picked up.

Bottom line: Get eight hours of sleep per night. Making it happen isn't easy, we know.

6. Exercises
You've heard it a thousand times over, and the message stays the same: Regular, heart-thumping exercise offers a multitude of health benefits, particularly for cardiovascular fitness. Perhaps clinicians (and health writers) keep bashing us over the head with that fact because of the eye-popping number of American adults who reported getting zero vigorous activity in a 2008 Centers of Disease Control and Prevention survey: 59 percent.

Bottom line: For a clean bill of health, the major health associations (including the AHA and the American College of Sports Medicine) suggest a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week—say, brisk walking that boosts your heart rate. This translates into 30 minutes of exercise on five days of the week. Twice-weekly strength training of eight to 10 exercises, up to 12 reps each, is also on their to-do list.

Whiteson at NYU Langone Medical Center suggests that those who don't have heart disease should bump that recommendation up to 60 minutes a day, five days a week of vigorous activity, where you're breathing pretty heavily and sweating. But he offers a concession: "You can break it up" into, say, three 20-minute sessions per day, since "the effect of aerobic exercise is cumulative." He also thinks those without heart disease should do strength training thrice weekly. Individuals with heart disease should always discuss a new exercise regimen with a doctor first, he says.

7. Cigarettes
A 2009 study of Norwegians found that heavy smokers—those who puff at least 20 cigarettes per day—were 2.5 times more likely to die over a 30-year period than nonsmokers. But the cardiovascular risks associated with smoking aren't just seen in chain smokers.
The more nuanced message that doesn't always get across is the risk that the occasional smoker is exposed to. Even 10 minutes of secondhand smoke exposure may affect cardiovascular function. Just because you might not smoke a pack a day or even a week doesn't mean you're in the clear. "There is no safe level of exposure" to tobacco smoke, says Yancy.

Bottom line To protect against heart disease (not to mention cancer, stroke, and reproductive problems), the goal is to smoke exactly zero cigarettes.

8. Blood sugar
Over time, high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes can damage nerves and blood vessels. This can spur the buildup of fat on blood vessel walls, which can impede blood flow and promote atherosclerosis. Having diabetes increases one's risk of cardiovascular disease considerably. Three quarters of those with diabetes die of heart or blood vessel disease.
Your body's ability to use glucose (blood sugar) properly can be tested by getting a fasting blood glucose test, which is a snapshot of your blood sugar at the time, or by getting a hemoglobin A1C test, which measures overall blood glucose over the previous three months. Both can be insightful. "There is data to suggest that there is a significant decrease in the risk of heart and vascular disease with every 1 percent reduction in hemoglobin A1C," says Whiteson.

Bottom line: The more controlled, the better. The normal range for a fasting blood glucose test is typically less than 100 milligrams per deciliter; prediabetes is indicated by a level between 100 and 125 mg/dL and diabetes by a reading of 126 mg/dL or above. A normal hemoglobin A1C level is below 6 percent, and those with diabetes should aim to keep it under 7 percent.

9. C-reactive protein
Inflammation is a process our body uses to fight off an assault, like a cold or injury, in order to heal. But over the long term, chronic inflammation plays a detrimental role to health because the nasty byproducts—inflammatory molecules like cytokines—are believed to be part of several disease processes, including atherosclerosis, obesity, and Alzheimer's disease. In the realm of heart disease, much ado has been made of c-reactive protein, a marker for one's level of inflammation that can be picked up through a blood test called hs-CRP, for high-sensitivity c-reactive protein.

Who should get the test, and what are doctors to do with the results? Those are matters of considerable debate. "We can't treat high [c-reactive protein]," says Whiteson. It's an indicator of potential heart trouble, but medicine doesn't have the tools, via medications or procedures, to bring an elevated c-reactive protein down to normal. It is possible, however, to directly treat other critical risk factors like high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Doing so can bring down the risk of future cardiac events and death. A landmark study from late 2008 found that subjects who did not have heart disease and had normal cholesterol and who took statins had a lower risk of heart attack and stroke and also had fewer angioplasties and bypass surgeries over the course of the study, compared with the group who took a placebo. But too many questions remain about the study to make a blanket statement that folks should be taking statins more liberally.

Bottom line: According to the American Heart Association, a hs-CRP measure of 1 mg/L means you are at low risk of developing cardiovascular disease, a measure between 1 and 3 mg/L means you are at average risk, and levels above 3 mg/L means your risk is high. Getting the test may be helpful, says Yancy, if you are at intermediate risk for heart disease based on other risk factors and your doctors would like another data point to determine treatment. But "there is no need to check CRP if a person already has high risk or truly is in the healthy bracket," he says.
10. Waist circumference
While not a direct measure of heart disease, a high waist circumference tracks with increased risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes—all of which have a direct impact on heart health. And the bigger the belly, the heavier one tends to be. Obesity, of course, is a well-known risk factor for a range of diseases, including heart disease.

Importantly, a higher waist circumference indicates distribution of fat around the abdomen and packing fat around vital organs, which research has indicated is more dangerous than carrying weight in the thighs or buttocks. Be sure you're measuring properly. The correct waist circumference measurement is taken by wrapping a measuring tape around the natural waist at the belly button, not around the hips.

Bottom line: Men should have a waist circumference of less than 40 inches. The figure for women is less than 35 inches.

11. Body mass index
Your weight matters, but it has to be considered in the context of how tall you are. Body mass index takes the two numbers into account. Like waist circumference, BMI is an indirect measure of risk, but a higher measure correlates with greater risk. The catch, however, is that it is not always entirely accurate. A person in excellent condition who has a lot of muscle mass may have a high BMI.
Too much excess weight is associated with diabetes, heart disease and stroke, some cancers, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, fatty liver disease, and complications in pregnancy.

Bottom line: People with BMIs less than 18.5 are underweight. Target BMI range is between 18.5 and 24.9. Overweight is considered between 25 and 30, and a BMI above 30 puts you in the obese category.

12. Blood pressure
This one is critical to heart health. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, 1 in 3 Americans have high blood pressure. When a nurse wraps the cuff around your arm, she's taking a reading of the force on the walls of your arteries, which is subject to fluctuating pressure as the heart beats to push blood through your body. The trouble is, high blood pressure doesn't have any telltale symptoms, so a person might be living with hypertension unknowingly. Over the long haul, elevated blood pressure can damage organs and fuel a cascade of problems.
Action to lower blood pressure can include medications, but diet and exercise can really beat those numbers back into submission. The DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)—high in veggies, fruit, fish, and whole grains but low in red meat fat and sugar—has been shown to lower blood pressure significantly. And research has suggested that the DASH diet packs an especially powerful wallop when people simultaneously work to reduce salt intake, a known blood pressure booster.

Bottom line: "The only number that really matters is 120 over 80," which is the cutoff for a normal blood pressure reading, says Yancy. The more one's blood pressure surpasses that level, the more damage to the vascular system, heart, and kidneys. The top number is called systolic blood pressure and is the measure of pressure while the heart beats. The bottom number is called diastolic and is the measure of pressure between heart beats. A reading above 120/80 but below 140/90 is considered prehypertension; anything above that is high blood pressure. Both require attention and steps to bring the blood pressure back under control.

13. Cholesterol
Your cholesterol level is a measure of the fats circulating in your bloodstream. With out-of-whack cholesterol levels comes greater risk for coronary artery disease and stroke. Reducing saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and total fat can help bring down your cholesterol level. And exercise, says Whiteson, "is one pill that treats all ills. It can touch all risk factors for heart disease," including reducing weight, reducing stress, improving blood sugar profiles, bringing down high blood pressure, and lowering total cholesterol, lowering LDL (the "bad" cholesterol), increasing HDL (the "good" cholesterol), and lowering triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood.

Bottom line: You're aiming for total cholesterol below 200 mg/DL; above 240 mg/DL puts you at twice the risk of coronary artery disease as a person within the normal range. HDL should be above 40 mg/DL for men and above 50 mg/DL for women (women tend to have higher HDL before menopause); above 60 mg/DL is categorized as protective to your heart. LDL ideally should be below 100 mg/DL, though up to 129 mg/DL is near optimal. High LDL is considered 160 mg/DL or above. Triglycerides should be below 150 mg/DL; a measure above 200 mg/DL is considered high.

USNews.com
Thu, Feb 03, 2011