Category Archives: Tech

by

Business on Instagram: Does it Work?

Instagram is a widely used social media network. It’s popular among users from all walks of life. Today, Instagram has over 200 million users visiting a business profile per day. Over 25 million companies globally are using Instagram. In total, Instagram has more than 700 million active monthly users.

These users present a great opportunity for businesses to market their services and products to a more targeted audience. It’s therefore, not surprising to find many businesses creating accounts and trying to get more followers on Instagram. But, does creating a business account on Instagram help in increasing the selling rates via business promotion? Sure, however, businesses must follow contemporary trends in social networks in order to receive interest from Instagram users. For example, post a story with a shrug Emoji and a questionnaire.

Why a Business Account can Increase Sales Rate 

Creating an Instagram business account works in boosting sales but it depends on the overall quality of the account and the accompanying content. Essentially, having an Instagram page can help or harm your business. But, when used properly, Instagram can help a business increase sales.

The Power of Numbers 

When it comes to social media marketing, the number of followers, subscribers, and likes matter. As of June 2018, Instagram had hit 1billion active monthly users and 400 million daily active Instagram Story users. And, these numbers are growing every day. The social media platform has more than 1 million active monthly advertisers. More than 40 billion photos have been shared on Instagram.

Instagram users share around 95 million videos and photos every day. These are attractive numbers to any marketer. They are just mouth-watering. Where there are numbers there is a possibility of making sales. And just like with other platforms, what matters is how a marketer or product owner present their sales message to the audience. So, if the sales message is packaged and presented properly, it can help increase the sales of a business.

Boosting Brand Visibility 

More people are using mobile devices to access the internet than those using desktop computers. With more people using Smartphones to access the internet, it means they can access and share videos and photos. Instagram was initially meant to be a photo-sharing platform. So, if businesses can use their accounts to post relevant and quality content, they can increase boost their visibilities. Posting quality content via a business account can lead to more mentions of a brand. And, this can increase the interest people will have in a brand, which is a first step in the process of generating leads.

Improved Engagements 

Increased engagement is among the secrets to internet marketing success. And, Instagram is the best social media for engagements. Instagram provides an engagement rate of around 4.2 per follower. This is about 58 times the engagement delivered by Facebook.

As such, Instagram is the best place to start building a brand and boosting conversion. As long as business posts quality content, more users will like and share it. They will also leave comments. Such activities will boost engagement between the business and prospects.

Multi-Channel Marketing 

A major reason why Instagram works when it comes to promoting a business on social media is the fact that it allows brands to use videos, photos, and texts. And, once a business or brand has come up with videos or images for use on Instagram, it can use them on its website and other social media networks. If a business comes up with well-designed posts, it can reach a more targeted, wider audience. Thus, people that are not following a business on Instagram can still discover the brand and share its images.

Tips for Increasing Selling Rates with Instagram Business Account 

Many brands are competing with yours to increase their selling rates with Instagram. To beat your competitors, try the following tips.

Create a Good Business Profile 

If your business offers more solutions or does many things, it’s easy to be caught up trying to fit all the information in a profile. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to focus on the most important unique selling points of your business. You can also disclose the next big thing for your business. This can be a product launch, promotion, or event. Also, include a clickable link in the bio and make sure it’s working.

Use Instagram Features and Hashtags 

Try things like Instagram Stories to ensure your business stories are displayed at the top of the timelines of your followers prominently. And to increase the reach of your business posts, use hashtags. You can use general hashtags or campaign-specific hashtags. The most important thing is to ensure that every hashtag that you use is relevant.

Know Your Audience

Just like with any other marketing platform, it’s important to know the target audience when it comes to doing business on Instagram. For instance, a business should start by finding out what followers like. It’s easy to know this by finding out what they share. A business can also read comments of the audience to learn the best ways to improve its services and products.

Show Creativity 

When it comes to promoting a business on Instagram, focus on how you want to solve the problems the audiences are facing, not the product you are selling. The goal should be to show the audience how your product can add value to them. And, make sure that you look good when doing it.

Never forget that Instagram was meant to be a photo-sharing platform. Therefore, visual content is the most important asset when it comes to promoting a business, product, or service on Instagram.

If you run a service-oriented business, focus on showing prospects or customers the process of offering the service. For instance, you can share the mission of your mission and its culture. You can also share how-to guides or tips. If possible, upload short videos or photos. The best videos for Instagram are up to 1 minute long.

The Bottom Line 

Whether creating an Instagram account for business increases the selling rates for businesses depends on the account quality and the accompanying content. Overall, a business Instagram account works. Nevertheless, more effort should be put into the quality of the account and content.

by

Necessity of Cybersecurity in Digital Era

We live in the beginning of the digital era. Essentially, what that means is that we are living in a modern world that is paved to the brim with good intentions, digitalisation, and technological advancement. This is a world of our own creation, and so we should not be at all surprised at the way that this world has unfolded and continued to evolve and expand since the dawn of its introduction to the big, wide world. Today, modern society is more hinged on technologies than it has ever been, and it continues to become more so every single day. At the core of that realisation lies the distinct realisation that we are growing more comfortable, more familiar, with technological innovation than we are in its absence. In this way (and so many others), this truly is a whole (digitally empowered) new world.

The technologies that have changed the world

So, in a world that is steadily becoming more technologically inclined all the time, it comes as no surprise that our reliance on technological innovations like the worldwide web has become stronger and stronger too. The internet has been remarkable since it was first introduced to the world, changing life as we knew it forever. Over the years, the enhancements to the internet have only gotten more advanced and more impressive. In many ways, this is a positive, but it can and does also inevitably open doors that pose potential risks. Protecting ourselves has never been so important – especially online.

The necessity of cybersecurity measures today

This is exactly why cybersecurity is so important in this day and age. Now that we are engaging online more than ever and thus investing more and more of ourselves and our lives into the virtual landscape that is the worldwide web, it becomes more and more obvious that there is a growing necessity for cybersecurity measures. Essentially, cybersecurity is all about protecting online activity and users by initiating and upholding several different virtual security measures. Each of these measures is designed to protect the privacy and safety of a user’s online activity. In a time like today, this type of innovation is more important than it has ever been.

What we can expect going into the future now

There are so many cybersecurity options out there today, thankfully. Whether it is anti-malware programs or a standard VPN (to name a few examples among the many), cybersecurity is more powerful than it has ever been. What is more, is that it seems to only continue its upward trajectory, getting better and better all the time. Having a reliable, secure and private connection really can make the difference between being protected online and needing to get your ducks in a row when you find you have been too lax. Going forward, we can almost certainly expect more advancement. Cybersecurity continues to step it up all the time these days, and there is no reason to think that will change any time soon.

by

Why Do Canadians Use VPNs?

The internet might seem like a place of freedom but the sad reality is the average online user will be restricted when it comes to what they can watch and access. Big corporations, governments and authorities often use software designed to block certain sites, track users and steal their data.

This is certainly true for the citizens of Canada. In order for them to stay protected and get passed restrictions they too will have utilize effective software. That is why so many Canadians are turning to virtual private networks (VPNs). These are not only versatile and effective. They are also perfectly legal in Canada.

In simple terms a VPN connects a user to the internet in a secure way. Their data traffic will go through an encrypted virtual tunnel. Therefore the user will be less vulnerable to trackers, hackers and cyber criminals. A VPN extends the amount of freedom Canadians can have when browsing the internet and deep web. The main advantages of having one installed are anonymity, security and the ability to bypass blocks.

Torrenting

Torrenting is enjoyed by people all over the world. The ability to share data files with others in a free and easy way is a wonderful thing. However, this activity can potentially expose sensitive user information. If someone in Canada started downloading or uploading on a torrent site their IP address would most likely be visible.

An IP address can also reveal the user’s geographic location. In some cases this may be enough to expose their identity as well. People who regularly engage in P2P sharing run the risk of this exposure every time they torrent. If anyone can see their IP address it is only a matter of time before a malicious entity takes advantage of the sensitive information.

A VPN will conceal a person’s true IP and make it appear as though they are located somewhere else, ideally in a completely different country. The biggest VPN companies give their users access to thousands of global servers. If a Canadian used a server in Europe their IP origin would appear to be from that continent. Masking an IP with VPN technology is an essential aspect of modern torrenting. Without it the consequences can be disastrous.

Bypassing Geo Blocks

Numerous sites and services on the internet have geo based restrictions in place. This is especially true when it comes to streaming sites such as Netflix, iPlayer, Prime Video and many others. A person in Canada would not be able to watch the British version of Netflix without a VPN.

Conversely, if a Canadian ex-pat wanted to watch geo-blocked television station content from their home country they would also need to utilize a VPN. This technology is not however a way to watch restricted content for free. The user will still have to register and pay for the streaming service content.

Live sporting events are notorious for “black outs”. This is when the event is not allowed to be broadcast to a certain territory because the network is not local. A black out can be very frustrating for sports fans. VPNs let users watch sports through an international server, preventing this issue.

Keeping Data Protected

Accessing the internet without any security software in place is risky. There is always the potential that a third party is monitoring the user’s activity. They will need to be protected from malware, ransomware and other malicious software.

When people use the internet for extended periods of time they will inevitably have to share sensitive information. This could include bank details, login usernames and passwords, personal information, medical history or work files. Their connection will have to be safe and a VPN is ideal for this. It stops hackers in their tracks and secures user traffic.

Staying Anonymous

It is becoming increasingly difficult for the average person to keep their identity hidden when online. Criminals are not the only ones who want to get their hands on the general public’s data. Many legitimate but intrusive organizations try to collect user data. This could be for research and marketing purposes.

It is not uncommon for Canadians to search for items to buy and then be targeted by ads for these products. They have not had their mind read, instead their search information has been covertly collected. With this info a company can create an entire consumer profile and continue to target them with tailor made ads.

The practice of brazen data collection has become so disturbing that people use VPNs simply to stay anonymous. This does not mean they have anything to hide. They simply want to avoid creepy marketing practices.

Conclusion

VPNs have revolutionized the safety and freedom of regular people who use the internet. It is likely that the popularity of VPNs will increase even more in the near future.

by

The Most Popular Approaches to Translating and Localizing Movies

Having a movie converted into multiple languages is one of the guarantees of its success. Read about the ways to translate films for massive audiences.

Through correct movie translation, it is possible to apply to the hearts of millions of people around the globe. Modern cinemas took care of advanced translations of the films they show to collect more money from their viewers. Even though English is considered an international language, and Chinese is the most spoken one, people prefer watching motion pictures in their native language to understand every single word, joke, and idiom. To succeed, movie makers turn to professional translation services and choose one of the available methods to localize their masterpieces. We will discuss them in this article.

The Role of Audiovisual Content

One of the most effective methods to convert films in various languages is, no doubt, audiovisual translation. Globalizing audiovisual content means expanding the target audience significantly and increasing the number of regions where people watch the movie or show. It is like website optimization. It might cost your business a bit, but the outcomes are usually worth investing in. Special language services providers usually offer audiovisual translation in numerous languages, and the fee usually depends on the number or complexity of the chosen languages. Commercial movie makers never use to consult the websites that offer free translation online. These companies hire the services of some professional translators to convert and add audiovisual effects in the movies. This is an extremely sensitive task because the translator has to produce the audiovisual content compatible with the cultural and emotional context of the source language. 

At the same time, the cultural aspect should be taken into consideration as direct translation will not bring the desired effect. Except for the cultural, political, religious, and economic factors are critical to take into account when dealing with movie translation. A movie maker should also consider various approaches to translating films:

  • Subtitling;
  • Voice-over;
  • Lip-sync dubbing

They all come at different costs. They also demonstrate different effectiveness. Those are just the most popular approaches that one should use if he or she wants the film to be equally successful in various languages and cultures. We should briefly discuss each method.

Subtitling

It was noticed that smaller regions choose subtitles when it comes to translations of movies. Under small countries, we mean those with populations around 10 million people or even less. The approach is known as relatively cheap. Thus, it is also popular among independent movie makes who do not receive enough budget for their masterpieces. 

In such countries as Spain and Portugal, subtitles are often applied to foreign television shows. Also, many countries today have more than two official languages, and that is another thing that makes subtitling quite wide-spread: language minorities especially benefit from this method. To sum up, the pros of subtitling include:

  • Comparatively low costs (15 times cheaper than dubbing on the average!);
  • Original language is still heard (it helps many people to learn new languages);
  • The plot’s main message is delivered way better (the main idea remains the same as it is not important to sync the dialogues and the actors’ lips).

Of course, like in any situation, there are some disadvantages to using subtitles. Perhaps, you can guess some of them, but here is the top of disadvantages that might even prevent some filmmakers from subtitling:

  • This method slows down the watcher (having to read comments whenever the dialogues are on may distract the viewer from the plotline);
  • Limited space is required (when subtitling, the translators have to meet several strict conditions);
  • The production time becomes longer;
  • The overlapping colors may become an obstacle.

Dubbing

The next common method is so-called dubbing. The idea is to remove the source audio track to include a recorded one in the required language. The central European countries prefer this method on TV and in the cinema industry in general. This approach suits regions with large populations more. As some countries have just one officially recognized language, dubbing is their best choice. No cultural factors or religion usually matter but politics. It is still critical to obey censorship. 

What about the advantages of this method? They include:

  • Increased film’s appeal to mainstream watchers (provides a sense of national identity and comfort in general);
  • Guarantees successful motion picture localization (dubbing the movie in their native language makes the audience understand the plot better; when mixed along with subtitles, the effect is the best);
  • Humor and idioms become better to understand (dubbing allows accepting the joke or anecdote converted into the language that the local population understands).

So, the greatest advantage of dubbing is localizing the content so that the audience perceives the movie as the one produced by the domestic filmmaker. Of course, some cons were admitted by the experts, too:

  • Selection of voice may be improper (often, the same actors dub the same original actors in movies, and audience sooner or later gets acquainted with that; but when it comes to some regions, a single actor dubs all actors, and it is not really comfortable as people should watch the picture all the time to get who is talking);
  • Sync of the voices (it is not easy to synchronize the voices with the mouths of actors);
  • Some voices may sound irritating to the watcher.

How to Translate a Film Step-by-Step

We have discussed a couple of the most commonly applied approaches to movie translation. Now, it is time to have a look at the steps a crew should do to implement each of them. So, we will start with the guide to adding subtitles:

  • Collect the requirements by identifying the nature/scope of the film;
  • Come up with the necessary assets (transcript and framework);
  • The translation of the dialogue itself;
  • Adjustment of settings and timing;
  • Implement quality assurance tests;
  • The last few steps in engineering.

The process of dubbing looks pretty much similar with some differences. For example, once the translators are done with their job, it is necessary to apply instruments to count the script’s syllables to adapt the translated material. Then, the actors may view the translation while voiceover. At the same time, one should control their tone, intonation, expressions, etc. The last steps are the same as in the case of subtitling: quality assurance and engineering.

So, Which One to Choose?

No matter which of the discussed techniques you choose, you will benefit from converting and localizing your project. It refers not only to movies: the entire business world works this way today. When translating a movie, consider the regions you plan to target as well as some other factors such as costs and voiceover actors’ availability. Then, your film is doomed to succeed (taking into account an interesting plot and good acting, of course).

by

The company providing solutions for the entire pet industry

BabelBark was started by Roy Stein and Bill Rebozo. They created a solution for a personal problem. Stein and Rebozo wanted to leave for vacation. The problem with traveling as a pet parent is that must leave their fur loved one with someone they trust. Although boarding is an option, it’s often wildly expensive and also can cause emotional stress on the animal because it’s taken out of its natural environment. Pet sitters are increasing in number as the amount of pet owners continues to grow.

As friends, co-workers, and software engineers, both men decided to create an app that helped find care givers. Not only did it connect the pet parents with their community, it also provided updates on the pet while the parent was away. It’s a revolutionary idea that creates a simple solution to a present day issue.

“The idea for BabelBark came about in early 2015 when we were planning an extended vacation—and worried about leaving our dogs with sitters. So, we created an app to help the care givers out and enable us keep tabs on what’s happening with our dogs.” – Roy Stein

The app usage started with just two guys and then spread to their community. The men saw and conquered a business opportunity to make it available to the public. They did a soft launch in 2018 and a full launch in 2019. Since then, the company is growing in investments, services offered, and brand awareness.

The company has a competitive advantage in their market for a few reasons. The primary reason they will continually see growth and success is that they are the first to enter a market. In a way, they created the market and then dived into other facets of the pet industry. An app that helps connect pet owners and care givers will give the owners a peace of mind while traveling and also provide the care givers with new clients.

“Since the idea for the app came about, BabelBark has grown into a Pet Suite of products including the BabelBark app for pet owners, BabelVet software for veterinary hospitals + clinics and BizBark software for businesses + shelters—all designed to work together to

redefine the connection between pets and everyone who cares for them.” -Roy Stein

When researching their audience, BabelBark owners realized a few key factors played into their hopeful success. A generational and demographic shift means that millennials are holding off on kids. Research demonstrates that the millennial generation is getting waiting to get married and have children, and thus, have opted to raise furry friends. Because they all aren’t paying for weddings or children in their twenties, some of them are more likely to pay for luxury pet items and be much more invested in the lives of their pets.

“Pet parents have different needs now than 10 years ago due to a number of factors. Verticality is out and old thinking – Horizontality is the new way to think and what millennials expect. Pet businesses need to ensure they are prepared because the new digital mobile practice is a horizontal movement. They now need to be connected to the entire pet ecosystem and ONLY BabelBark does this.” – Bill Rebozo

Their company provides a full service and horizontal integration approach to users. So not only does it focus on care givers, the company also provides other services like BizBark and BabelVet. Those two services help connect pet businesses and vet providers to owners. The app can essentially be a one stop shop for owners. Because it is a multi-faceted provider, businesses and vet clinics are likely to use it on their end to connect with pet owners. As a mutually beneficial product, the horizontal approach helps every notch in the system.

Although the startup came about just a few years ago, the two men have successful raised $8.6M in funding and are continually hoping for growth in their idea. The American Animal Hospital Association (AHAA) chose BabelBark as the exclusive vet-pet platform until December 2021. The app has the ability to benefit animal hospitals and vet clinics by advertising their services on the app. Because it provides global services, BabelBark is able target in local markets. Unlike purchasing a product, sometimes buying a service, like vet care, is preferred to be done locally by pet parents. For this reason, BabelBark connects local pet parents with the local businesses and vets available to them. This powerhouse system of data is beneficial for all users involved and gives BabelBark an upper hand when it comes to future investments and business endeavors.

“By connecting the whole eco-system of pet parents with veterinary and other pet caregiver businesses through a single platform, our platform delivers mutually-reinforcing benefits with a robust data base enabling predictive analytics on what product and service is needed & when.” –Bill Rebozo

by

Why coding is becoming such a coveted career in the digital era

It is no secret that we are diving deeper and further into the digital era with every new day. These days, technological advancement and rapid digitalisation are as common as the air we breathe. We have become so comfortable, familiar, and even reliant on these modern innovations. Every facet of modern life, from the way we interact with one another and animals and experience the world around us, to the way we learn and work, has been fundamentally changed from the inside out.

Consider the way we work, for example. Careers in computer science, coding, IT, and programming are becoming more popular choices all the time. It is obvious that this is because we are all pining for a world where technological absolution rules, but it is about so much more than that. Essentially, the lure of careers in these technologically-driven fields is all about being able to do something important, rather than doing something for the sake of it. So, if a career in coding and the like is so important today, why is that?

The advantage of having a digital skillset

Here’s the thing. Individuals with careers in fields like coding and programming today have a distinct advantage over their competitors. When going for jobs these days, even if there is no strict coding and programming involved, there is something to be said about having a skillset that gives you an edge. Employers today look for candidates who have a skillset that sets them apart from the rest, and could potentially make them better at their job, and able to help elsewhere in the company if the opportunity arises. Whether that skillset is a degree in information technology, Masters in computer science, or expertise in big data engineering, or any other manner of tech-savvy qualifications, the point remains the same: a tech skillset is a direct advantage.

The benefit of having a high-paying, high-impact career

The students of today who are studying degrees in coding and the like, are the very same individuals who will likely go on to become the leading minds in some of the most important careers in the world. because of the exceedingly important impact that careers in areas like coding are having on the world, they are in high demand, and they pay exceptionally well. Students who have the passion, skills, and the determined mindset to excel in a career field like this are drawn to it because of its income bracket, its challenging nature, and its ability to make them not only better at their jobs, but more skilled in life in general.

The allure of contributing to the future of the world

Careers in coding, computer science, information technology, and programming are some of the most instrumental pillars of the future of the world. As we become more digitally inclined, the world has more need for individuals who can contribute to the most important parts of modern society. Coding and programming are important because the more digitally inclined we become, the more coding and programming become an instrumental part of modern society. With digitalisation comes the coding and programming that spurs it onward.

by

Home décor industry trends

From technology that allows people to bathe in colors to minimalist furniture with rustic energy, there have been many changes in the trends of the home décor industry. While the discussion on the decrease of people interested in home ownership continues, it is evident that those who do own a home want it to look magnificent. The home décor trends have seen major changes in the past few years especially with the rise of technology in the home design industry providing even more options to consumers. For example, rather than buying simple curtains, people can now choose to use smart blinds in their homes that are not only convenient, but a great way to save energy. Additionally, millennials have also acquired different tastes in how they want their homes to look. This is clear through the rise of minimalist home décor which has currently become one of the biggest trends in the industry. The options of designing homes are not only affordable and convenient in today’s world, but also make ones home look like it is straight out of a magazine page. Either way, all these new innovations and interests in the industry allow one to choose the best design to create a comfortable and fulfilling living space.

Technology has disrupted almost every industry, including that of home décor and design. Technological trends in home décor are not just purchasing smart home gadgets, but also using technology as a means to figure out how to decorate one’s home in the first place. For example, several apps, including some with virtual technology, allow one to take pictures of their living space and use a device to fill it with different furniture and décor. Additionally, smart home technology is an ever growing trend of home décor especially as more companies focus on creating technological products with added style. For example, people can now purchase smart speakers, or smart trashcans, or integrate thermostats into one’s home to create the best living environment. Home technology can also be beneficial as it can serve many different purposes with less equipment, enhancing one of the other rising trends in home décor, minimalism. With shows such as Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, more and more individuals are creating minimalist homes. Moreover, the minimalist approach is used increasingly by millennials who are constantly traveling and hence do not require a lot of home décor in the first place. A lot of companies are using this trend and creating more options for homeowners in the minimalist space. For example, providing multi-use furniture to reduce space and increase affordability in the purchase of home décor.

Overall, many trends are changing the home décor industry, creating a wider range of cost-effective products with added convenience. Home décor today is also highly influenced by social media as more people choose to share images of their living space online, inspiring others to create similar living spaces. The home décor industry is constantly growing, as can be seen by the various companies starting to invest time and effort into it. It is interesting to see the manner in which the trends will continue to change and create new options for one to choose from to create the decorated and designed home of one’s dreams.

by

4 New Technologies That Will Disrupt the Legal Industry

Law is one of the world’s oldest and most well-respected professions. Its legacy extends back hundreds of years and due to the enormous amount of education, work, and dedication required to become an effective practitioner, a position at a tried-and-tested legal firm is one of modern society’s most stereotypical status symbols. But new technologies are coming – or have come already – that aim to change the world, and the legal industry will be forced to adapt. The conversation about the changes underway in the world of law is already underway, but some technologies look to be more significant than others.

Self-driving cars

Inevitably, the first industry on people’s lips when self-driving cars come up is transportation. Full-time truck drivers and package and post delivery drivers are alleged to be particularly vulnerable, but somewhat less frequently mentioned is how automated cars will affect the way traffic violations and accidents are litigated. Car accidents are a major subset of personal injury law, a broad canopy under which many lawyers make a living. It’s tempting to think that without drivers to hold accountable, there can be no lawsuits or paychecks, but that’s not necessarily true, although the landscape will change. Forward-thinking firms like Seattle’s Davis Law Group are optimistic about their ability to help their clients navigate an unfamiliar landscape, where many of the defendants will likely be larger tech companies.

DNA databases

The use of genetics in the legal system is a relatively new phenomenon; even the forensic science of fingerprinting is surprisingly recent. Non-profit groups like the Innocence Project make headlines by lobbying for the application of new DNA evidence to exonerate criminals believed to have been wrongly convicted. But the newest development is a sort of Facebook of genetic data, a growing collection of information submitted by people for ancestry tests and entertainment value that police are now accessing in order to try and incriminate family members who may be suspects in a criminal investigation.

Automation

Automation won’t replace lawyers, but it will replace a lot of the work that they – and especially paralegals and assistants – do on a regular basis. Two things are likely: First, the adoption of software that automates the more menial and mechanical aspects of legal work will become necessary for success in a competitive marketplace, and it will significantly change how legal professionals bill their hours and what kind of work they focus on. Second, the firms that truly excel will be the ones who use advanced technology creatively, to help predict odds in trial cases and parse relevant case information.

Home Assistants and the internet of things

This is a technology that’s already here, but as the biggest technology companies engage in mortal combat for custody of our personal data, the portable and in-home devices they use to collect it will become a new variable lawyers will have to contend with as they work to protect their clients’ confidentiality and manage control over their cases. The possibility that the unassuming little robot might suddenly decide to send privileged conversations to randomly-selected third parties is an unfortunate reality that tomorrow’s attorneys will have to deal with.

by

Internet Privacy in the Age of Facebook

Instant connectivity has transformed our lives for the better, but this comes at a perennial cost: personal privacy. Internet privacy, also known as online privacy, is the privacy and security of personal data that is published on the internet. Internet privacy is a fundamental human right today. But it is also a growing concern as traditional notions of privacy are being challenged by advancements in digital technology. Companies track online behavior for targeted advertising, governments monitor online behavior to control the citizens and cybercriminals steal data for their nefarious activities.

The common issues surrounding online privacy are tracking, surveillance and theft. Tracking refers to the tracking of online movement by websites and advertisers through cookie profiling and other techniques. Governments are conducting surveillance on the internet usage of their citizens, with the help of internet service providers, for the ostensible purpose of maintaining law and order. And almost a staggering 20 million Americans were affected by identity theft in 2017 as cybercriminals used malware and other phishing techniques to break into online accounts and steal personal information.

Internet behavior has a huge impact on personal privacy. Using the same credentials for multiple accounts can leave a person totally vulnerable to cybercrime, as access into one account can lead the cybercriminals into other accounts. Remaining logged into websites may sound convenient, but can leave the online accounts susceptible to hacking. Opening suspicious attachments and downloading malicious files is wrought with danger as these can contain malware and viruses.

Thankfully, there are ways to ensure internet privacy and security. The browser is the main program that is used for going online and securing it would be the first step to pre-empt an invasion of privacy. Using a VPN service would go a long way in protecting internet privacy as a VPN changes the IP address and protects both incoming and outgoing traffic with military-grade encryption. Constant software updating is crucial to internet security as software vulnerabilities can be easily exploited by the bad guys. An anti-virus program is a handy tool in the fight against online attacks as it keeps the digital devices free from malware. One should look out for a padlock in the web browser address window as it is an indicator of safety. A two-factor authentication can also go a long way in preventing hacking.

Some words of caution: Many social media sites and search engines may be free to use, but do carry an immense cost in terms of internet privacy. Private browsing prevents the browser from recording private information, but does not protect privacy as an individual’s online activities can still be monitored. The ISP saves and archives every online activity for posterity.

It is a fallacy to suggest that the Facebook generation is indifferent about privacy. If there is one issue that unites everyone who goes online, it is privacy. We need to do our best to protect online privacy and ensure that personal information does not fall into the wrong hands.

by

Overuse of computer screens may be damaging students eyes

You rely on your eyes for so much–but could your work habits be killing your vision? If you experience eyestrain, vision problems, dry eyes, headaches, fatigue, or other problems after long hours in front of a computer screen, you’re not alone. You’re also probably causing some of your own misery.

Thankfully, there’s actually a lot you can do to help give your eyes a break. It’s worth it to try a few (or all) of these ideas to see if any of these tips make an impact:

1. Take a Break

It’s simple, but easily overlooked. Many of us overwork our eyes and that’s a significant contributing factor to our vision problems.

Try to aim for the 20/20/20 rule. Take a break every twenty minutes, look at an object twenty feet away, and hold your gaze for twenty seconds.

2. Blink More Often

Believe it or not, part of the reason why your eyes may hurt is because you’re probably not blinking enough.

Blinking your eyelids lubricates your eyes with tears, restoring the moisture your eyes lose from evaporation. Keeping your eyes hydrated helps prevent excessive dryness.

To keep your eyes feeling great, try to consciously blink more often. In fact, try blinking every time you think about it.

3. Use Your Prescription

If you have prescription eyewear, you may need to wear it even when you’re on the computer. Or, wear it when you’re away from your computer and use computer glasses when you’re in front of a screen.

Your eyestrain could be caused by the fact that your eyes are having to work harder to compensate for any vision challenges you experience, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or other issues.

4. Use Computer Lenses

Computer lenses are designed to be worn while using digital devices such as computers, smartphones, tablets, and televisions. Since our eyes are not designed for staring at screens, they sometimes need help.

Available in a wide range of frame designs, you can get computer lenses custom-made to your individual eyewear needs, fashion tastes, and vision prescription.

5. Adjust Your Screen Settings

Depending on the device you’re using, you may also be able to make adjustments to the screen so it causes less eyestrain. For instance, you could reduce the amount of blue light emitted by your computer screen so it doesn’t interfere as much with your sleep.

Too much blue light may reduce melatonin production in the body, causing sleep to become more difficult. Thankfully, it’s usually easy to change the settings on your computer, phone, or other device. You may even set up your device to reduce blue light before bedtime or for late night work.

Protect Your Vision

With these tips, you can reduce the strain your eyes undergo during your day-to-day use of electronics. Computer use doesn’t have to damage your eyes–by taking these steps, you can improve your comfort and productivity even while relying on computers to get your work done.