Google Glass: An Etiquette Guide-Here, an open letter to very early adopters

wildcat2030:

See on Scoop.it - Cyborg Lives

These high-tech specs with a built-in computer have the geek world abuzz, but wearing them in polite society requires decorum. Here, an open letter to very early adopters.

See on online.wsj.com

Maximize Profits By Outscouring Your SQL Server Administration

You have a huge rack of servers and an army of DBAs administering your databases, but did you know that you can save yourself a lot of headache, and more importantly, money, by outsourcing your SQL server administration to another company? There are many companies that perform this service, and the benefits are myriad, so let’s explore each of the benefits in turn.

Cost

The most obvious benefit to outsourcing your database management is that it’s dirt cheap, provided you select the right company. For one thing, many companies that perform this service are located offshore, which means they have to pay their employees less.

Additionally, these companies make money by serving many clients at once, so they can serve each individual client more cheaply than it would be to keep database administration in-house.

Finally, outsourcing your database administration means that you don’t need to pay for huge amounts of equipment. Let the outsourcing company deal with the servers and all the other equipment required to keep your data safe and secure.

Better Technology

Everyone has heard about the company that won’t upgrade their five year-old server infrastructure because the bean counters don’t want to spend the money. If you outsource your database administration to a dedicated firm, you can totally avoid this problem, as the company needs to have the latest and greatest technology to keep pace with customer needs

A Backup of a Backup of a Backup

Continuing the theme of the previous heading, database outsourcing companies have the resources to back up your data not once, but three or four times. That means that if your company headquarters are suddenly flooded and your onsite backups rendered useless, you can simply call up the outsourcing company and start downloading your backed up data. Even better, you can sell this as part of a complete disaster recovery plan to the higher-ups!

Transfer Liability to Another Party

Is your company holding sensitive data that would cause you to incur liability should the data be lost or otherwise damaged? If so, using an outsourcing firm might allow you to transfer liability to that party, provided you draw up the contract properly. 

For example, suppose a flood wipes out the outsourcing company’s headquarters, causing it to lose all of your data. This is rather better than having the data onsite when a flood hits YOUR company, as the outsourcing company will have to pay your company to settle all of your clients’ claims.

Flexibility

Having all of your database administration processes in-house locks you into certain business processes. While outsourcing your database administration to another party doesn’t entirely free you of these constraints, it may make your company much more agile should your business processes change in the future.

Suppose your business relies on process A, which has a database architecture to support it. Now, suppose business conditions change, and you want to change over to process B. If your process is in-house, you have to get everyone used to the new process.  If your processes are outsourced, the outsourcing company may be able to respond to your needs much faster than you can train new personnel or retrain existing personnel.

Fast Access

If your database is private, you probably haven’t considered the speed and reliability of remote access, but many companies have their databases accessed by outside parties. In this case, the speed and reliability of the Internet link connecting your company’s database to the outside world is important.

If you outsourcing your database administration, they are likely to be paying for a premium Internet link to its servers. That means that any third parties that access your data will be blown away by how fast, reliable, and secure the connection feels. This also makes collaborating using the data from the database a snap.

Data Security

All companies’ worst fear is the dreaded data breach. Many businesses have had their reputations permanently tarnished when sensitive personal information fell into the hands of hackers or other rogue operators. If you outsource your databases to a company that focuses solely on database security, the probability of a data breach goes way down.

Also consider the positive benefit of the database not being on your network. If you move the database elsewhere, hackers that try to penetrate your company’s network will find that they are unable to locate juicy targets to steal.

Data Cross-Referencing

Many companies have reason to cross-reference their data with data from other companies or entities. This becomes much easier when you outsource your database administration. If you have your databases in-house, the company would have to send its data to your company for this cross-referencing, which raises security concerns about personal information, trade secrets, etc.

If you send your data to a third party, the data can be cross-referenced automatically without company personnel ever seeing the data. This means you can potentially improve your business processes significantly.

Get Rid of Useless Duplicate Data

Any production database is going to fill up with huge amounts of junk records after a while. It’s a real drag to get DBAs to keep writing scripts to keep up with the mass of useless data that creeps into your databases. Outsourcing services often offer services to write these scripts and scrub duplicate or outdated data from your databases. This gives your DBAs and sysadmins more time to focus on the important tasks of updating the database to account for new products and other tasks that actually generate profit.

So Go for It!

If all of these reasons to upgrade to an outsources, managed solution didn’t convince you to trust your database to a qualified and reliable administration company, then nothing will. If you’re a smart systems administrator, however, you will have figured out that moving to an outsourced solution will save you huge amounts of time and money, not to mention simplify your business processes. So what are you waiting for? Start moving your databases to their new home today.

Overview Of Inbound Marketing: Easy Ways To Implement It

There are many easy ways to advertise your company through inbound marketing. Inbound marketing is simply a way of advertising your company on the internet. There are many easy ways to use the internet to gain customers to your site. Here are a few that are quick and easy and will give you more customers than you can handle if you do a bit of simple legwork at the beginning. Once this legwork is complete, your customers should flow in readily.

Be Found

In order for your website to be found you’ll need to do a bit of legwork. Instead of focusing on yourself and your company, lets take a look at the customer we wish to bring in. By creating a persona of the ideal customer we can design a website that will suit the desired clientËle and focus on their needs. Will the site appeal more to a single parent? A single mom? A young couple starting out in life? Or, will it focus more on a family or a specific niche? Once we know what to focus on we can begin to design the website for our specific persona. 

If we keep in mind that a busy single parent will need to be able to access the site quickly and while on the go we then know that we will need to be mobile accessible. Parents are busy and might only have a few minutes between soccer practice and drama practice. Making the site mobile accessible will go far in reaching this type of audience.

Easy Navigation

Once someone is on the website easy navigation will help them to find exactly what they’re looking for in record time. This navigation should work well whether the customer is using a desk top, tablet, smart phone or lap top device. This is also a good time to capture an email address to send newsletters to (as you update your site you can also send out updates). This opt in question should flow smoothly on the site and be easy for customers to use. Now they will have a reason to keep coming back. You’ll send them a nice monthly newsletter detailing new products or improvements. An occasional coupon will also encourage repeat customers.

Share the Wealth

Now that you have a few customers give them a bit of incentive to bring in more. If a customer makes a referral, and that referral purchases an item give the original customer a small discount. This can easily be a simple code they type in at checkout. Now you are bringing in more customers and your inbound marketing is in full swing. But let’s not stop here, we have even more ways we can bring in more customers using inbound marketing.

Social Networking

Is your business taking advantage of social networking? If not, it’s time to do so. Get yourself signed up for twitter and tweet about it. Tweet links for your newsletter and discounts. Gather twitter followers and encourage repostings by posting valuable content. Use facebook and set up a fan page for your website. Encourage likes on your page by having a ìlikeî drive and giving the 100th like a special discount. Keep it rolling and give a discount to the 500th like as well. 

Don’t forget to use Linkedin, google+, reddit and digg to spread the word even further. Consider a short Youtube video promoting one of your best products. Promote the video on Stumbleupon and rave about the benefits of your website.

Email Signature

No matter who you’re sending emails to, use and email signature that includes your website. This is a quick and easy promotional method that will often work better than you think. 

Back Links

Get a few great testimonials from your great customers and add in a few back links to the site. Have someone write up a great press release and link back to your web site as well. Blog about the products and include a link. Reply in comments to similar blogs and include a link to your site. 

Study Your SEO

Study your SEO and drive traffic to your site by using key words that will draw in the crowds. To find these key words go to your favorite search engine and type in a few of the top words for your site. What comes up? Is it your site? If not, keep looking. Consider using a key word finder and placing key words that are higher on the scale in your web site. 

Create A Solid Landing Page

A landing page is the first page someone sees when they pull up your web site. Is it easy to navigate? Can people easily find what they’re looking for? Do the pages load easily? Are the colors inviting or garish? Do pictures load quickly and not glitch a mobile device? All of these questions should be answered in a positive manner in order to have a solid landing page. 

When In Doubt

Start with a small customer base and ask for feedback. Give customers a choice between A and B and see which one gets the better feedback. This can be done for landing pages, order forms (which colors are easier to read etc.) and more. Building up a solid site using inbound marketing may take a few strategic moves on your part but it can be done readily if you simply explore every possibility. Sometimes the easiest solutions is the most simple.

Continuously analyze your web site so that you can improve it. Think about how often facebook (for example) changes out your main page. Yes, on facebook it can get annoying but some of their improvements are good. So when you find something that you like and your customers seem to like and you get positive feedback, stick with it for a time. 

Using these methods should convert your web site visitors to leads, and your leads to sales. Happy customers come back and they bring their friends. Then, their friends come back and bring their friends. Before you know it you will have a thriving business all by using inbound marketing. Quick, easy and simple. 

Kefir And The Array Of Health Benefits It Can Offer

Having gained increased popularity in recent years, the fermented drink known as kefir is reputed to provide health benefits that far exceed those of common yogurt, which itself is known for its healthy probiotic qualities. Fortunately, kefir is now more widely available than ever before, making it a good choice for many health conscious individuals.

Kefir is a beverage of fermented milk, created with the help of kefir grains. Originating in the Caucasus region of Russia, the drink is produced by introducing kefir grains to milk from either sheep or goats. The history of kefir dates back centuries, and the drink itself was even included in the travel diaries of Marco Polo.

Kefir grains, one of the key elements in the creation of this healthy beverage, are essentially a mixture of yeast and bacteria that are brought together with lipds, proteins and sugars. The resultant grains look something like cauliflower and represent a complicated colony of useful dietary agents. While these grains are used in the production of traditional kefir, modern-day kefir products are made not with grains, but with a scientifically coordinated mix of yeasts and bacteria.

Among the things that comprise kefir are vital elements such as yeast, lactic acid, protein, polysaccharide, iron, calcium, iodine,thiamine folic acid as well as vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, K2 and D. In addition, kefir includes an impressive variety of microbiotic elements that greatly benefit the digestive systems of humans.

The amino acid content of kefir plays a key role in fostering the body’s ability to repair and heal itself. The proteins in kefir are partially digested already and can therefore be absorbed and utilized by the body in an expedited manner. 

One of the most highly coveted characteristics of kefir is its ability to guard against the development of gastrointestinal ailments. Folks who are lactose intolerant have often found kefir to be entirely acceptable to their fragile systems. Furthermore, kefir has been shown to provide remarkable antibacterial and antifungal capabilities. Those suffering from colitis have responded positively to some of the bacterial strains found in kefir, largely due to the ability of those strains to alleviate cellular inflammation of the intestines.

The vitamin K2 content of kefir gives Americans something which most of their diets lack to a serious degree. This vitamin is essential to calcium metabolic processes, whereby calcium is sent to needed areas within the body, including teeth and bones. It prevents calcium from being diverted to regions of the body where it can be harmful, such as arterial structures and soft tissues. In conjunction with the phosphorus and calcium also found in kefir, vitamin K2 serves to encourage the growth and health of strong bones, making kefir an ideal addition to almost anyone’s diet.

Research also suggests that the vital components in kefir can help normalize allergic responses, immune functions and inflammation throughout the body. These properties can vastly improve the lives of those dealing with chronic health conditions when they are introduced to the digestive system on a regular basis.

Studies have shown promising links between kefir consumption and the ability to fight tumors. One research study found that drinking kefir resulted in a slowing of tumor growth and also pointed toward the potential of kefir to aid in the prevention of cancer.

Because of the incredible promise kefir has shown in alleviating a wide array of health concerns and conditions, many people have become increasingly interested in making it a part of their daily diet. Kefir is appearing in more and more grocery stores, supermarkets and specialty shops than it has in the past due to increased demand. It is important, however, to seek versions that are made without excessive additives or unnecessary ingredients.

However, for those who live in areas where quality kefir is not readily available for purchase, it is possible to make it at home. Producing kefir is not a particularly complicated process for those with the desire to do so. Kefir grains can be purchased online, and with proper maintenance and care, can last for an indefinite period of time. 

It is best to make kefir from raw milk products, but if that is simply an impossibility, it is better to use full-fat dairy from an organic source. Milk from grass-fed animals is ideal. If a non-dairy product is desired, coconut water or milk can also be used. Many of the health benefits of dairy-based kefir will still be retained.

The health-boosting attributes of kefir are gaining increasing recognition, seemingly by the day. As more and more people become aware of everything this miracle food has to offer, interest in it only continues to grow. If you have a desire to enhance your own level of digestive health and perhaps prevent the onset of some difficult, chronic ailments, kefir may be worth a try.

Benefits Of Krill Oil - Is It Effective?

If you haven’t already heard of krill oil then you are missing out on an incredible supplement. It is a wonder that krill oil isn’t handed out and encouraged more enthusiastically. The truth is that it is relatively unknown in nutritional circles, but this is quickly changing. 

Where Does Krill Oil Come From?

Krill is largely an asian delicacy and is consumed as a seafood. It is a shrimp-like crustacean (pinkish in color) found in the Pacific ocean near the coast of Japan. They can vary in length from about 1-6 centimeters and they feed on phytoplankton. Krill oil is naturally present in krill and is extracted to be sold in supplement form. 

Krill oil is becoming popular as an alternative to cod liver oil because of its high content of omega 3 fatty acids. It is more expensive however because it is a lot more potent and effective than cod liver oil. There are many incredible benefits of krill oil and this is the reason that it is garnering a lot of attention in the alternative health field. 

What Are The Benefits Of Krill Oil?

-Full Of Antioxidants

Krill oil contains an antioxidant known as astaxanthin. This antioxidant is special because of its ability to cross the blood brain barrier. What this essentially means is that it can protect the brain, eye and central nervous system from free radical deterioration. Most other antioxidants are not able to achieve this.

As you probably already know, free radicals have been proven to cause chronic illnesses and premature aging. Krill is common in the asian diet and as a result asians are much more healthy than their western counterparts. 

- Protects Your Heart

Clinical results have shown that krill oil has the ability to protect against heart disease. In fact, it is the best oil to maintain healthy heart function. Basically, krill oil enhances your lipid profile - this includes cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides. There are all essential to maintain healthy heart rhythm and function.

This is why sea mammals have extremely healthy and powerful hearts. They are always swimming in icy water and their hearts are working hard to supply oxygen to their bodies. The secret to keeping their hearts functioning in tip top condition is their ingestion of large quantities of krill.

- Improves Cardiovascular System

The cardiovascular system as a whole is improved by the ingestion of omega 3. This is why the American Heart Association encouraged people to eat at least 2 portions of fish a week because of its omega 3 content. Unfortunately many fish sources suffer from heavy metal pollution such as mercury. Krill is a lot safer in this respect and has a much higher concentration of omega 3 than conventional fish oils. 

- Good For Bones And Teeth

The vitamin D within krill oil helps to improve the absorption and metabolism of phosphorous and calcium. These are both essential in keeping bones strong and healthy. 

- Good Source Of Omega 3

You have probably already heard about the benefits of Omega 3. Krill oil is a powerful provider of these essential omega 3s. Basically, omega 3 is instrumental in helping with all diseases that are inflammation based. Such diseases include arthritis, cancer, diabetes, joint pain, fibromyalgia, allergies etc. All chronic diseases will be alleviated and improved with an increased ingestion of omega 3. 

- Enhances Brain Function

This is incredibly important in today’s society because of the prevalence of age related diseases such as dementia and alzheimer’s. Cognitive decline is due to in large part to heavy metal poisoning like mercury and aluminum. 

To understand how krill oil helps the brain you have to comprehend brain composition. The brain is composed of 50% fat called DHA. To ensure the proper functioning of the brain you have to ingest top quality omega 3 fats that have not been oxidized. Unlike other fish oils, krill oil contains a unique antioxidant that prevents the oxidation of the omega 3 so that it is not destroyed. 

- Helps With Premenstrual Cramping

Krill oil can substantially alleviate the negative symptoms of menstruation such as bloating, abdominal and lower back pain as well as anxiety. 

- Keeps Skin Young And Beautiful

Krill oil slows down the aging process and improves the overall condition and structure of your skin. It does this by neutralizing the free radicals in our bodies - preventing them from damaging the skin tissue. This free radical neutralization protects elastin and collagen proteins in the skin which are essential for skin elasticity and structure, keeping it supple and youthful looking.

- Is More Easily Absorbed Than Conventional Fish Oils

Krill oil consists of phospholipids. They make it much easier for the body to absorb all of the vital nutrients and enzymes that it requires to function optimally. 

This also means that it is not necessary to take as much krill oil as you would other fish oils. In fact, for the same level of omega 3 absorption with fish oil, you only have to take half the amount of krill oil. 

These are just some of the benefits of krill oil, it is an all rounder  with the ability to enhance and boost your entire body. Many people have reported decreased symptoms associated with many diseases, increased brain function and seen an improvement in overall health. This miracle supplement will be making waves in more mainstream circles in the future, so reap the benefits of it as soon as you can.