Tag Archives: technology

Nov14

Why Your Smartphone Could Be Damaging Your Health

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Why Your Smartphone Could Be Damaging Your Health

It’s becoming hard to imagine a time when we didn’t have smartphones. Despite their small size, these devices have become something we cannot leave the house without. They provide us with entertainment, help us stay connected, and give us the ability to capture the world around us. But despite all of the benefits they can give to us, there is a downside to using a smartphone regularly. As our dependence on them has increased, so have the amount of smartphone-related health conditions. While they might not sound severe, they can be extremely damaging to your health. Read through these health issues which can be a result of using your phone too much.

Insufficient sleep: Sleep helps our bodies to repair and regenerate at the end of each day. This allows it to function correctly while also giving us the energy we need for the following day. However, smartphones can prevent many of us from getting the vital sleep our bodies need. The light on your phone screen can trick your body into thinking it is daytime. This can prevent you from feeling tired while also encouraging you to stay up later. It can also disrupt your body’s production of the hormone melatonin which tells your body when it’s time to sleep. To increase the amount of sleep you get each night, keep your smartphone away from your bedroom or shut it off at a certain time each evening to prevent those late night Facebook binges.

Repetitive Strain Injury: Repetitive strain injuries, otherwise known as RSI, is a health condition that has seen a significant increase in recent years. It causes pain and even numbing in the hands, wrists, and arms. It is caused by doing the same task continually over a prolonged period of time. Medical experts believe that texting on a smartphone is the reason why many people have developed this condition. If left to progress, this condition can intensify and could result in a disability. You might need to wear compression gloves, take medication, or need specialist massages to help you manage your symptoms. The best way to reduce your chance of developing an RSI is by reducing the amount of texting that you do on a daily basis.

Depression: Recent studies have found that spending too much time on your phone can increase your chances of developing depression and anxiety. Being constantly connected can make you overly reliant on the comments and status updates of your friends and family. When you don’t get a response straight away, this can cause you to feel anxious and question your relationships. Spending every spare moment on your phone can make it harder to care for your mental health. You don’t have time to cook healthy meals, exercise, or see friends in person because you’re permanently attached to your handset. To reduce the risk of your developing depression and anxiety, you need to decrease your usage immediately.

Each of these conditions can progress and become more severe. While you might not want to give up using your smartphone altogether, make an effort to reduce how often you use it so you can remain both healthy and connected.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Nov2

Six Useful Technical Skills You Can Make A Living From

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Six Useful Technical Skills You Can Make A Living From

When it comes to considering a career, nothing beats having technical skills. Having the ability to do something practical which many people can’t do will instantly stand out to employers. Not only that, but you can often make your own business or freelancing venture with your technical skills. The best thing is that you can learn many of these skills without having to take a college course. All it takes is some time and dedication. You can learn many of these through short training sessions or even at home!

Many kinds of technical skills can help you make a living. Almost all of these revolve around using a computer. That makes them even easier to learn, as often all you need is your computer and the internet to learn them. A lot of the times, these skills also involve a lot of creativity. It makes for a much more fulfilling job than simply filling in data or working at a cash register.

If you’re feeling ambitious, you could even learn more than one. Having a range of practical skills is useful for getting hired. Many can also be used to offer profitable freelance services. If you’re ready to start learning a technical skill, here are some of the most useful ones to learn.

Graphic Designing: Excellent graphic designing is a skill that’s in high demand and people will pay a lot for ones that do a fantastic job. There are many routes that you can take with graphic designing. Learning how to use Adobe PhotoShop allows you to create enticing posters, flyers, and other materials. Businesses will appreciate this, as they often need these kinds of images created for them.

Graphic designing also comes in handy when it comes to creating websites. Web designers often need someone to design the graphical interface of a website. If you learn both graphic design and web coding, you could become a skilled solo web designer. Nonetheless, even knowing how to create attractive web graphics by yourself will pay off.

Graphic designing is a skill which yields many opportunities for employment. But a lot of people who are skilled create their own businesses. You can appeal to both businesses and individuals with graphics design skills. People need all kinds of things designed – from leaflets to t-shirt designs. If you want to take things a step further, you could even learn about 3D designing and modeling. This is a skill often used in animation, product design, and things like architecture and interior design.

Video Editing: With YouTube becoming the second most popular website in the world, video editing skills are more valued than ever. All kinds of businesses want to create video content for their company these days. People even pay for video editing skills for personal projects. Of course, learning video editing can also come in handy if you plan to become a content creator yourself.

Adobe’s Premiere Pro is a world-leader when it comes to video editing, as it works well on both Mac and Windows. Other software such as Apple Final Cut and Sony Vegas Pro is also useful for advanced video editing. It doesn’t hurt to become proficient in multiple programs.

It’s easy to get started in video editing. You can invest in some video editing software and start practicing yourself. There are also training courses which can help you learn fast. For instance, you could take Premiere Pro training classes to learn the software in less than a week.

Many companies hire video editors as part of their media operations. You can also offer your skills on a freelance basis, editing videos for various people. You might want to dabble in video creating and editing yourself by building a YouTube channel. If you become a video-editing whiz, you might even be able to achieve heights of becoming a film or TV editor.

Languages: Having a good command of more than one language is an extremely valued skill. Businesses who need to communicate with international clients will need someone to translate. Some companies need people who can speak multiple languages to deal with overseas colleagues and customers.

In fact, there’s never been a better time to learn new languages. Being able to speak a foreign language is the hottest job skill right now, with 25,000 jobs for interpreters expected to open up by 2020. Government institutions often need those who can speak different languages. The military also hires foreign interpreters relentlessly. Even Fortune 500 companies value multi-linguists.

It’s also a great skill to have for freelancers. Those offering their interpreting skills on a freelance basis can make a serious amount of money. You could also get some exciting opportunities. For instance, you could translate and interpret interviews at sporting events.

A degree will help you get the best opportunities. But you can also learn new languages at home with sites like Duolingo. Usually, the lesser-spoken languages are more valuable. You can get lucrative opportunities by learning Arabic, Farsi, and Asian languages. You could also teach in foreign countries or tutor language students.

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Pixabay Image

Coding And Programming: Learning how to code a website or program some great software is a highly useful and profitable practical skill. There are many different coding and programming languages you can learn. But if you learn one, you’ll be able to pick others up much easier.

You might want to start with HTML. It’s the primary language used in creating websites. There are many online resources which can help you get started. The fundamentals only take a short time to learn, but it’ll take more time to create more advanced websites. Make sure you find out how to code a site that’s functional on all browsers. Learning to code to W3C standards is also helpful.

Learning PHP and JavaScript is also necessary for professional web designing. You can add things like forms and dynamic web apps using these languages. You should also learn CSS, which is used to style websites. You should also become familiar with MySQL databases. These are often used for managing databases on sites with a base of users.

When it comes to programming software, Java, C, and C++ are the most popular programming languages. You might also want to learn some of the top programming languages for mobile development. The smartphone app market is becoming huge. Learning to create useful and engaging apps is a highly valued skill. You could get paid to develop apps for business, or even create your own and profit from them.

Writing: Writing is becoming more and more valued in today’s content-heavy market. Businesses often hire talented writers to create blogs and promotional materials for them. Those with creative copy-writing skills could also work in advertising writing jingles and scripts.

You should also look into technical writing. It involves simplifying complex materials for a wider audience. It’s a valuable skill, particularly for writing things like instruction manuals and white papers.

The best way to develop writing skills is to get plenty of practice. Creating a blog and taking on freelance writing jobs will help you to develop a portfolio. Although education can help, your body of work will be the most important factor in getting lucrative opportunities.

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Pexels Image

Sound Editing: Audio editing is another skill that comes in handy, especially for freelancers. You can use free software like Audacity for basic editing jobs. Becoming proficient in programs like Adobe Audition and Avid Pro Tools will allow you to take on more complicated jobs.

You can take on various sound editing tasks, like editing radio advertisements and video voice-overs. Those who want to take things a step further may want to get into audio engineering. Those who master sound engineering software are capable of becoming music producers or working on sound for films.

Like other technical skills, you can find resources such as YouTube tutorials and courses to learn. It’s a talent that can take you a long way if you dedicate yourself to it.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Oct28

Ways To Wrap Your Mind Around New Technology

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Ways To Wrap Your Mind Around New Technology

Technology is at the center of everything. With new developments happening every day, it can sometimes feel as though gadgets are taking over. But when things are advancing so fast, how can we keep up? As soon as you get the hang of one new gizmo, there’s another one to get to grips with. There’s no denying that technology has made a lot of things easier, but what do you do when you can’t get the hang of it? There’s no stopping the pace of technology but you can at least take steps to help you get to grip with things a little faster.

Instructional Videos: Presumably, the computer is one thing you are comfortable with. You found this blog post, after all! It may seem crazy to use one form of technology to help with another, but it’s a good tip. A computer can help you with an abundance of things. There is a wealth of information on the internet so it would be silly not to use it. Watching videos is a fantastic way to get the hang of new technology. There are videos on just about anything. Whether you’re struggling with a phone, a camera, or a microphone, there’s sure to be a video showing you how to use it. These videos are fantastic because they’re easy to follow and you can see the steps to take. You don’t have to worry about understanding instructions when you can watch (and rewatch!) somebody show you how.

Product Reviews: If you’re struggling with knowing which product is the right match, reviews could be a great help. It’s worth checking out thesmartcave. They have some fantastic product reviews that are sure to help you navigate the technological minefield. From phones to thermostats, they’ve got you covered. Reviews are excellent at laying out in simple terms what features a product has to offer. You don’t want all the fancy lingo and sales pitches. You just want an easy to understand lowdown of what a product can do! That’s exactly what reviews offer you.

Ask The Kids: This might sound strange, but it works! Kids are growing up in this technological age where there’s a new gadget for them to play with every week. And what’s more, they’re picking them all up extremely quickly. Kids approach technology in an entirely fearless way. Even better, they are fantastic at using it. If there’s something you’re struggling with and you know some technically minded kids, then don’t be afraid to ask for their help. A kid who started using a smartphone before they started walking will be able to set up your new Sat Nav with ease.

The trick is not to let technology overwhelm you. Even if the instruction manual makes no sense, don’t let yourself get disheartened. There is always an easier way. Use old technology to help you understand new technology. Alternatively, use those who have grown up using these confusing gadgets. Either way, persevere. With a little effort, you’ll be a technological whizz in no time!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Oct18

The Tech We Simply Can’t Live Without

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The Tech We Simply Can’t Live Without

In a world where it seems like there is a new iPhone coming out every other weekend, it can be hard to keep track of all of the latest amazing technology that is available. Here are some of the top “must haves” for the tech savvy 2016-er. Take a look:

The Tech We Simply Can’t Live Without:

Do you ever watch really old movies and wonder how on earth they survived without having a smartphone? It’s really hard to imagine needing only a roof over your head and a well in your garden! Life today can seem like a world away from how things were just thirty years ago, before the internet. But it’s not just our online lives that rely on tech. Our home life is pretty dependent on it too:

Smart TV: TVs have been around for decades, but these days, they need to be able to connect to the internet. After all, how would we access all our favorite shows through services like Netflix? Then, of course, are all those cute YouTube videos of kittens chasing laser lights and puppies falling over their tails. TVs are bigger than they’ve ever been, but how we use them has changed a lot over the years.

My family actually just recently indulged in a Smart TV and, I must say, it is fantastic. The convenience of being able to connect to Netflix with the literal touch of a button and binge watch your day away is heavenly. Our Smart TV came just at the right time – when I was binging on Breaking Bad. With the Smart TV handy, I was able to complete the entire series during my two week summer break from school/work. Impressive? Kind of. A little sad? TOTALLY! 😉

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Image courtesy of Flickr

Smart Phone: A lot of tech is ‘smart’ these days, but none quite so smart as our humble mobile phone. Many of us have our entire lives on these little devices. Almost all of our communications are done on them, online and offline. You can work remotely, video call with friends on the other side of the world, and take photos for your blog. Apps like those at https://play.google.com/store/apps make it all happen. There are thousands to choose from. Being so dependent on these little babies can definitely make your stomach drop when you realize you left it at home!

Wireless Headphones: Cords and cables used to be everywhere. They were hanging out of the back of your TV. They were running riot from your modem. And they tethered you to your music player or phone. Now everything is wireless and that includes the headphones you use to listen to media and music. Websites like www.dextroaudio.com specialize in reviewing the latest models. You can get headphones, earbuds, and headsets to suit you.

GPS: Gone are the days of pulling over to the side of the road to unfold a paper map. No longer do we need to purchase a new map book publication every year. With GPS, everything is updated and accurate all the time. It knows where you are and where you’re going. It will verbally tell you all of the turns you need to take to get there, too. It’s like having the world’s best map reader with you for every journey you take. Of course, map reading skills aren’t quite what they used to be!

GPS is a Lil Red must have. I am the most directionally challenged gal on the planet. Thanks to no sense of direction, I am extremely dependent on my GPS. It is the best for helping me to get to different meet up areas with friends as well as assist me with the traveling that I do for my job. Thank goodness for it because I don’t think that I will be learning how to read a map any time soon!

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Image courtesy of Flickr

Fitness Band: Whether you have a pedometer or just a band around your wrist, you know how many steps you’ve covered. There aren’t many people that leave them behind when they go for a long walk. Each of them hooks up to an app on your smartphone to detail your progress each day. Some will buzz you to remind you to get moving while others sit passively around your wrist fitting awkwardly in with your outfit. These things are the beginning of highly functional wearable tech. Are they just a fad, or the most essential tech in your life?

With new advances being made in technology daily, who knows what the newest tech must have will be? What is one piece of tech gear that you can’t live without? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov14

Letgo App

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Letgo App

Heyy everyone and happy Saturday! Usually I’m not big on “apps” or technology in general (ha!) but I found a handy little download for smartphones or iPods that has proven to be very beneficial in my effort to clear up some closet clutter. I decided to give the app, Letgo, a try after my semi annual closet clean out. The app is basically like an online garage sale where you can post pictures of your items, a brief description, and price, then whomever is interested in buying it can message you to make an offer.

I’m not really keen to going to resale shops like Plato’s Closet because I feel like you never get enough money for your items and they often pass on some really nice pieces. I also felt like I wanted to give making some money off of my more used items a shot because despite their wear they were still in fairly good condition. I like that this app lets you control how much you would like for each product you list and gives your not so “next to new” pieces a chance at going to another owner.

Thanks to the Letgo app, I was able to get rid of five pairs of shoes yesterday that have been sitting in my closet for months waiting to go to a new home. I had a brief meeting with my customer in Starbucks where she looked at the shoes that she was interested in from my listings, picked the ones that she wanted, and paid me the price that I determined. I made some quick cash (much more than I would ever get if I brought them to Plato’s), eliminated some clutter, and met someone who wanted to meet up again to look at more of my items. Score!

I’ve always toyed around with the idea of selling items online but I never knew how to go about doing it. Letgo makes the selling process so simple because your listings are shown to people who are within a 15 or so mile radius from you so it’s easy to find a good public meeting spot that is within a short driving distance for the seller and customer. I drove about seven minutes to meet with the darling lady and her daughter that I sold to yesterday and made enough money that the trip was worthwhile twenty fold. You can’t beat that!

I can’t recommend Letgo enough and you can download the app on their website at: http://us.letgo.com/en !

^^^ It seemed appropriate!

I hope all of you are having a great start to your weekend so far! Has anyone used the Letgo app or anything similar? What was your best purchase or sale story from a resale shop or app? I wanna hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah