TECHNOLOGY and Global News » everything under the sun

Early Summer Vacation Planning

geek mom — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:28:41 +0000

It must be the heat or the sudden flash of memories, my 9-year old son suddenly asked me this morning while having breakfast: “Mom, can we go to Baguio again this summer?”

Baguio is Philippine’s summer capital because of it’s cold weather and inviting natural environment full of trees and flowers. It’s also a favorite destination among Metro Manilans because of its proximity to Metro Manila, just a 4 to 5 hours drive from the city. It’s also our family’s favorite destination.

During our last visit to Baguio, I actually wondered if we can get a small and cheap summer home there. It was more of a dream actually because even with our combined household income, it’s impossible for us to afford a place in the city of pines. I would have loved designing the summer house with lodge furniture and rustic outdoor pieces to create that summery and natural feel. It would be one summer home our family and friends would enjoy and love.

Who knows, maybe my and my husband’s retirement pay would be able to accommodate this dream in the future. Nothing is lost yet. Maybe if I dream harder and work even harder, this summer dream may come true.

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Downloading Videos from You Tube

geek mom — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:38:34 +0000

The academic world is among the beneficiaries of free online resources. As an academician myself, I can humbly attest to this. In many occasions, I have used articles, photos and videos from the internet as my reference and visual learning materials in executing my lessons.

One of my favorite download sites for videos is You Tube. It is where I get free videos I show during classroom discussions to emphasize learning points.

Downloading you tube videos can be time consuming and busy people like me do not have the time to wait. Fortunately, there are free applications online for youtube download like the “best video downloader” which features fast, easy and reliable downloads at the format of your choosing (maybe in MP3, MP4, FLV and MPEG). After downloading the videos that are available for use publicly, you may now store them in your PC or burn in a CD or in a USB for future use.

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Power of Political Social Media

geek mom — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:31:01 +0000

Progressive use of internet has made impacts in the different facets of society. Not surprisingly, even politicians now recognize the use of internet in promoting their political agenda.

Just last year, US President Barrack Obama made the already popular social networking site “Twitter” more known by conducting the first live town hall using the site. Twitter users were encouraged to interact live with the president during the live webcast throwing questions on the state of US economy and employment .

More and more politicians and wannabes are now creating their blog sites and social sites to make their presence known virtually. In short, subtly campaigning and politicking online. Some called this online marketing political social media targeting netizens or internet-patronizing citizens.

In the debates against SOPA and PIPA, netizens all over the world are on the lookout on whose politicians will vote for or against the controversial anti-piracy and copyright laws. One thing is for sure, the choice of politicians which side to support will have an impact on their political ambitions and plans as the online community is a huge force to content with these days.

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Virtual Presence in Business Management

geek mom — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:41:57 +0000

More and more businesses are now conducting businesses virtually to manage physical limitations when communicating with partners, suppliers, and clients worldwide.

Diversity in workplaces in terms of geographical distance is now being addressed by use of technological facilities and services. With the use of today’s technology, communicating and transacting with people from different parts of the world without living the comfort of one’s own office/workplace has become possible and is now a regular practice.

Whether we deny or recognize the fact that we are living in an information age, it’s important to note that more and more services such as video conferencing and telemediation are now being patronized by companies to increase the productivity of organizational members while saving time and money.

Through video conferencing, decisions are made quickly even when decision makers do not physically meet. Fast decision making and actions are important in businesses to overcome the competition and become industry leaders. Companies also save a lot of money on traveling costs and eliminate the risks and other issues concerning traveling such as safety and hazards. More importantly, this mode of information communication saves important business time.

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SOPA and PIPA Legislations Shaking Online Community

geek mom — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:14:40 +0000

Online piracy and copyrights law are hot issues all over the world but more so in the United States.

In fact, there are already two proposed bills in Congress aiming to strengthen copyright laws with internet buzz words SOPA and PIPA. SOPA stands for Stop Online Piracy Act and PIPA means Protect Intellectual Property Act. These two laws are lobbied by powerful supporters of the present administration composing of lawmakers and known personalities from business and movie and music industries.

Since passage of SOPA and PIPA may alter how netizens access and utilize the internet, many social media network users expressed their sentiments, frustration in the site. Powerful and known website, Wikipedia, urged its supporters and users to boycott SOPA and PIPA and manifested its protest by blocking out their site for one whole day or twenty four (24) hours last Wednesday. About 7,000 websites also joined the protest against the anti-piracy and copyright bills.

One of the fears for the passage of SOPA and PIPA is the jail time of three (3) to four (4) years for any infringement of piracy. The biggest fear however is censorship of online contents which is at present, self-regulated.

According to Google, about 4.5 million internet users signed the online petition to Congress against the hated legislation.

As an online fanatic, what is your stand on this issue?

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Tips on Starting 2012 with Home Makeover and Renovation

geek mom — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 02:56:38 +0000

If you are thinking of a minor or even major home makeover to start your 2012, do not rush and make instant and impulsive decisions and shopping.

It’s important to plan, as in visualize first in your mind what you kind of renovation you wanted, the look you wanted to achieve for your home, and the kind of stuff and home accessories and materials you need to achieve that look.

Next, research a bit. Look at home magazines and websites for ideas on how to implement your home makeover plan. By browsing beautiful homes, furniture and accessories, you can concretize your ideas of the theme or look you wanted without employing an interior home designer.

Third, do not be an impulsive buyer. Canvass prices from different stores. Check out online sales and home depot coupons to save a lot of money in shopping. Malls and online shopping sites usually hold sales and promos during the first months of the year. This is the right time to shop, but do it wisely!

Lastly, Enjoy the whole process of renovating and doing a home makeover and take time to marvel at your output — your new and more pleasant-looking home.

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Asus Transformer Prime, the Must-Have Tablet

geek mom — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 07:30:36 +0000

In today’s highly-technological world, tech gadgets are in-demand and rule people’s lifestyle. The best and the latest top the market and developers and makers of electronics are bent on surpassing their competitors by introducing top-of-the-line computers, mobile phones, gaming devices, music players, and digital cameras.

Speaking of the “best of the bests,” one tablet PC (personal computer) running on Android is dominating the market — the Asus Transformer Prime. This tablet is the upgraded version of it’s predecessor, Asus Transformer tablet, which became popular because of its competitive features that exceeds the overpriced iPad by Apple but is cheaper in price.

Here’s the Asus Transformers Prime’s most popular features:

Quad-core CPU (NVIDIA Tegra 3 SoC), making it the first Quad-core tablet in the market!
Android latest 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich ready but will be shipped with 3.2.1 Honeycomb
8.35mm thick slick chrome package (making it the thinnest tablet today)
16-hour battery life if put in dock and up to 14 hours if stand alone.

Great already right?

There’s more. The Prime also feature an 8-megapixel camera and 10.1-inch Super IPS + LCD Gorilla Glass display. It comes with a microSD slot and a mini HDMI port and like others, have Bluetooth and WiFi capabilities. With a 32GB storage under $500, this tablet is hailed so far as the best in the market today.

(photo: digitaltrends.com)

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Jobs for 2012

geek mom — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 03:06:53 +0000

May the year 2012 brings everyone good luck, success and fortune! For those hoping for employment this year, take note that there remains to be demands for workers in the fields of information technology or IT, health care, and interestingly, science and technology.

In the health care industry, the demand is driven by increasing number of retirees who opt to stay at home and be taken cared of by home health aides who will ran errands and do chores for them as well as take care of their homes. Note that from 2004 to 2014, Department of Labor calculates that home health aide will be the fastest-growing career with 56 percent growth and approximately 350,000 available new jobs (source: dailygalaxy.com).

There will also be consistent demand for nurses and Nursing Aide Jobs in hospitals and medical clinics to take care of elderly who frequent these medical institutions. If you wanted to get into this industry, you can enroll in a short-term course on caregiving or health care and must develop your people skills.

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Spa and Massage Promo and Deals

geek mom — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 08:49:04 +0000

To help set your positive outlook and mindset for 2012, relax and put away those stresses through these cheap, low-priced and must-grab spa deals and promos from my favorite online buying sites providing great bargains from merchants in the Philippines, mostly in Metro Manila:

1. 70% off on Rejuvenating Massages at DeStress Express Spa in Shopwise, Libis Quezon City. Choose from the following options:

P150 (P350 value) for a 60-minute basic massage (shiatsu, Swedish or combination)
P260 (P650 value) for a 90-minute aromatherapy massage + foot reflexology
P300 (P1000 value) for a 90-minute aromatherapy massage + apricot body scrub
Choose from basic massage or aromatherapy massage + foot reflexology/apricot body scrub
Swedish massage with choice of aromatherapy essential oils
Groupon is valid for 6 months
May purchase multiple Groupons
Groupons may be given as gifts
Operating hours: Monday – Thursday from 11:00am – 9:00pm; Friday – Sunday from 11:00am – 11:00pm
Groupons may be used 48 hours after purchase
Click here to purchase the deal.

2. Only P579 for a Honey vanilla mask, choco scrub and 60-minute massage from Oils and Scrubs! That is a sweet 68% OFF deal from Oils and Scrubs located on Amorsolo Street in Makati.

Valid from Valid January 6 to April 6, 2012.
Relaxing treatment that uses real chocolate syrup on the skin, not just flavoring!
Exfoliation for smoother and polished skin!
Perfect for relaxation and stress reduction!
Perfectly situated in the busy city of Makati!
Click here to buy the deal.

3. Only Php99 instead of Php400 for a Pampering 60-Minute Foot Spa Combo with Massage and Scrub at Lemon Spa located in Sampaloc, Manila. Automatic 75% off savings!

Includes relaxing foot soak, foot scrub, foot massage and pedicure
Relieve tired, aching feet with an hour of rejuvenating foot spa treatment
Luxuriate in the feel of soft, smooth feel of fresh and moisturized limbs
Quality imported nail polish for gleaming nail color that lasts
Foot Spa Combo is available for both men and women
Voucher Validity: Jan. 17, 2012 until July 17, 2012
Price is Net (Includes VAT and service charge)
Click here to buy the deal.

(photo source: great-birthday-party-ideas.com)

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Going Environmental

geek mom — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 03:33:22 +0000

Around the world, effects of environmental destruction are felt. It’s not just time to become environmental activists, it’s crucial to decide and become one. Our non-action have climatic costs and the time is ticking fast.

Environmental activism need not be radical or revolutionary. We can become ecological activists by adopting simple practices that would show our concern and care for the environment. Our little individual efforts, if put together, will create a big impact that may slow down the process and effects of climate change.

There are numerous practices that can be adopted in the household level. Some of the popular practices are recycling and composting. Recycling is so easy to do, we just need to provide garbage bins or containers for different types of wastes so we can segregate waste materials that can still be recycled such as plastics, papers, and bottles. For those with backyards, composting is good as you can use food wastes to good use by putting them in a compost bin and turning them into fertilizers for your plants.

Let’s not waste more opportunities to help and save our only planet from complete destruction. Let us turn ourselves into environmental, caring earthlings and let us act fast!

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