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While it’s true that the most popular social media platforms are doing a great job in helping businesses market their products and services, the webinar system has its own advantage over them. For one, it generates a low cost for every lead and a high level of engagement with target audience. Secondly, it is considered the second most effective method in terms of content marketing and thirdly, it promotes greater satisfaction among students thereby contributing to a higher study success rate.

Webinar vs Podcast

Compared to the podcast, the webinar has an edge in that it allows real time interaction with the attendees. This is efficient in clarifying certain issues clients and potential clients have about a particular product or service. Engagement is also assured in this method of communication.

Webinar vs Video

With video, users can create them ahead of time to promote a product or service and post them on various social media sites that host this kind of format. However, webinars have an edge primarily because of the real time interaction that it allows between presenters and their target audience.

The web conferencing capability of webinars allows people to see and interact with each other and discuss issues regardless of their geographical location. The audience have an opportunity to ask questions and the host is also given the chance to address such issues right at that time.

Through the webinar system, there is an opportunity as well to use slides during the presentation as additional support to the topic being discussed. While the host is talking, these slides can be showed simultaneously to provide additional details on specific categories involved in the discussion.

Businesses can gain many benefits when they decide to use this highly effective marketing tool. They can increase their leads, lower their expenses particularly with regards to travel costs for managers and employees thereby promoting a green movement in their organization, achieve greater reach at a lower cost and allow easy access via the PC, laptop, tablet and smartphones.

With such benefits provided, business organizations should incorporate the webinar in their online marketing strategies. They can choose from the different plans available some of which even offer the pay as you go option.

An important step to take before deciding on subscribing to a system is to review some of the best webinar tools available today. This will let you compare features and their prices.

Next to your internet connection, this is a very important service anybody should think about subscribing to today. It’s all about ensuring your privacy and safety online amidst the ongoing hacking, scamming and phishing activities on the internet.

What is a Virtual Private Network?

A VPN is a public network of computers. Individuals can use to access network resources not covered in their local area network (LAN) or simply to secure their communications when using a public network such as in an internet café. Businesses also use it to connect to their remote servers or datacenters. Primarily, its objective is to ensure a secure and encrypted communication to protect people’s personal information and identity.

How Does it Work?

When an individual connects to a VPN, the first step is to do is log in using his credentials. Once the person’s computer and the remote server have verified each other as authentic, a secure and encrypted internet communication is then achieved. This will keep other internet users from getting a person’s information including his IP address. Whatever data a user sends out and receives will be kept from the public eye.

A VPN also has the capability of hiding an IP address which normally contains vital data as well including a user’s location.

Who Can Benefit from it?

Students who may need to access their school’s resources while at home or while traveling can benefit from a VPN. They don’t even have to subscribe to a service as most schools are already paying for this.

Workers who also need to access their company’s resources can do so securely with a VPN connection. Similar to students, they can enjoy free service as companies are the ones who normally pay for this.

Private individuals who are fond of downloading music or games and those who are just particular about their privacy online can benefit from a VPN. The service is also ideal for frequent travelers who want to access another country’s resources such as local TV shows they want to watch live on their PCs. This way, they need not worry about other people or companies knowing about their activities and comments even when they’re going online in public places and Wi-Fi hotspot areas.

You can learn about the various VPN providers available at Best VPN.

People use the internet for varied reasons. Some use it for personal reasons such as to entertain themselves by browsing through websites to watch news or videos on YouTube, connect with friends on social networks or download music. Others use it for work and business purposes.

Whatever the reason, one will need to store files in his computer or mobile device. And as time goes by, these files can take up disk or storage space which can result in a slow performance of your device.

With the introduction of cloud storage service, however, people can now back up their files without causing trouble to their desktop or laptop computer. As files can be stored in a separate server, internet users can enjoy seamless browsing. This type of storage service is also very beneficial as files can easily be accessed by the user in various devices as long as they are all synched together.

A 2010 survey of Storage magazine entitled SearchStorage Purchasing Intentions showed that most respondents use of cloud storage for disaster recovery. Some use it to keep primary data from their data centers while the others use it for nearline data storage.

This kind of service is indeed very attractive and useful but before you sign up with a provider, it is advised that you consider certain factors. These should include the cost, security and do take into account your storage needs as well.

Your storage requirement is very important as most providers often set a limit to the storage space it offers. Even the free plans have a limit. Amazon Cloud Drive, Box, Google Drive, SugarSync and Apple iCloud, for instance, only allow 5GB storage for its free plan while DropBox has a lower limit of 2GB. Get to know the cloud storage services for various operating systems for both PC and mobile devices at www.bestbackups.com.

Types of Cloud Storage Users

Basically, there are two types of users – the personal and business users. Those in business normally have a larger requirement what with the large volume of documents they need to keep. Their storage need can range from 50 GB to 100 GB or more. The regular consumers can make do with a free account that provides from 2 GB to 5 GB storage space.

Using a cloud storage service is a straightforward process. One just needs to log into the service, upload files and organize them in specific folders. But then again if you’re opting for a paid plan, make sure to know the cost per gigabyte per month depending on your needs. Also, read the service agreements very carefully and be aware of hidden costs that might be charged to you. Knowing all of these will prevent problems later on.

Image via krypto.ku.edu

The fact remains, though, that local tech communities have to find their own way by building their own scene and adapting strategies and techniques to their own particular circumstances. In Australia, the tech scene is just as prolific, with a considerable number of events slated to happen this year. If you are looking at expanding your knowledge and your network, here are some Australian tech events scheduled for 2013. Take your pick!

AlwaysOn Australia 2013

This two-day event will be held in Sydney sometime in the middle of 2013. The exact dates have not been determined, but participants can expect top executives, entrepreneurs, and venture capital investors from Australia, the United States, and other key economic regions. AlwaysOn Australia is part of a series of events all over the world.

Persuasive 2013

From April 3-5, the 8th International Conference on Persuasive Technology will be held in Sydney. Persuasive Technology is a field which takes a look at interactive technologies and services and how they can be utilised to impact people’s behaviours. The field is a great combination of technology and humans.

YOW!2013

The software developer conference conceptualised by developers themselves – that’s the theme of this conference. From May 16-17, this event will be held in Brisbane, where functional programmers are encouraged to share their knowledge, and maybe pick up a think or two as well.

CeBIT 2013

This conference highlights technologies that can be used by businesses to gain the edge that they need. This event is a melting pot of industries, ranging from commerce to skilled trades to services to mobile. The conference will be held from May 28-30 in Sydney.

Startup Tas Guest Speaker Event

Startups in Tasmania will want to attend an individual event to be held on the 18th of April. This specific event will feature serial entrepreneur and University entrepreneurship lecturer, Dr Colin Jones. It may not be as laser-focused on technology as other events, but it does take into consideration the business development aspect that many startups need.

Depending on your particular interests or field of expertise, you can surely find one tech event in Australia which you can engage in to benefit your endeavours. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to juggle your activities to schedule in more than one!

About the Author
Jacques is a serial tech entrepreneur who is based in Singapore. He makes it a point to attend tech events in the Asia-Pacific region to keep updated and make new contacts. He has several stops in Australia this year, and for likeminded individuals, he suggests planning as early as now so that you can compare options for car rentals, accommodations, and even sightseeing trips on the side, and make the most out of your trip.

Image via svprojectmanagement

With the advancements in modern technology, what used to take huge computers can now fit in the palm of your hand. And true enough, the technology does exist to this day through smartphones. Today’s smartphones can practically do anything – even help you out in keeping your home safe from intruders.

DIY Home Security

With today’s technology, you can now use your smartphone to connect to the internet and access cameras you can place all over your home through internet camera software – kind of like broadcasting a live feed of your home via webcam that only you can access.

Smartphone + Home Security System

Coupled with a home security system, however, and your smartphone becomes one of the most useful tools for home security purposes as it then adds the capability to remotely control your entire home security network. Through your smartphone, you can check on the status of your home alarm system, enable or disable your security system from virtually anywhere, access your security camera feeds in real time, even take control of your home’s thermostat and lights!

Green Security

Another bonus of making use of your smartphone for home security purposes is in creating a greener, eco-friendlier home. Through your smartphone + home security hookup, you can control your home from afar – meaning being able to turn on your lights when it’s nighttime at your place to lessen the chances of break-ins, then turning it off again in the morning. You can also adjust your thermostat in case you forgot to before you left, saving you a lot of energy.

About the guest author:

Martha is a freelance blogger who specializes in matters of keeping a safe and comfortable home. A mother of 2, Martha gets all her security services from www.HomeSecuritySystems.com

While millions of users posted Facebook status updates and more than 20 million tweets were delivered, a study released this morning by Sandvine found that most social network users tweeted from the comfort of their living room as they watched the big game.

According to Sandvine:

“While many might think the big game might cause big demand on fixed access networks. The truth is while everyone is watching the game on their television they are actually giving the network a break from usage.”

A drop in internet usage because of the Super Bowl is known as the “Super Dip” and it has continued despite the fact that Super Bowl coverage is available for free. Users could visit CBSports.com or use the NFL.com and CBS Sports mobile apps to catch the game on their mobile devices. 

In other cases live streaming was used to generate quite a bit of interest. According to Sandvine:

“For cord cutters or those not near a TV [the stream] would have been their only legitimate option, and thanks to the demand from these users the Super Bowl stream accounted for over 3 percent of total network traffic for the evening.”

Even with cord cutting becoming more commonplace TV’s have remained a staple of the living room. In many cases cord cutters choose to hook there TV sets up to their computers, smartphones and tablet devices in order to offer a more immersive experience.

Despite internet providers best efforts the “super dip”  continues, proving yet again that the days of the television are far from behind us.

About the Guest Author

Matthew is an expert satellite technician who writes about the effects of the internet on the cable TV and satellite industries.

There are many sources online to get music that you can then download to your mobile phone. We’re not talking about illegal means of getting files but rather the legal sources for getting music. Below are some of the best sources for getting legal music files online:

Rhapsody

One of the biggest and fastest growing online music service is Rhapsody. The online service boasts of millions of users and offers a wide array of music from different genres. The Rhapsody service allows you to download playlists, full albums and singles directly on to your mobile phone through its official apps (available for Android, iOS, BlackBerry and Windows Phone). As an additional service – and one that is gaining a lot of popularity, Rhapsody compatible equipment like DVRs, home audio systems, TVs and audio players can access Rhapsody’s service. This truly frees up music and allows you to enjoy it in different venues.

Bearshare

Bearshare is a peer-to-peer music application that allows you to download completely legal music files. Bearshare.com’s free music downloads are some of the most diverse online. Fans of different music genres will definitely have something to enjoy through the Bearshare service.

Spotify

Another popular music service is Spotify. The service, which originated in Europe, is one of the most popular services around. Much like Rhapsody, it is a music service where you can listen to music streamed to your device of choice. There is also an option to download the music so you can listen to it when you are not connected to the internet. Spotify also has Spotify Radio, which is a cool feature that allows you to discover more new music.

Pandora

Pandora is another music service that offers users a way to discover more music based on a single song, artist or genre. Your initial “seed” will be used by Pandora to find other songs that have the same musical qualities as the one you suggested. Your initial seed is fed through the service’s proprietary Music Genome Project, which is an extremely exhaustive analysis of music.

You can create various stations based on those suggestions, which you can then listen to on your mobile phone.

Here are some awesome couponing apps you should check out:

Grocery Smarts

Personally, I think coupons are at their most useful when redeeming it at grocery stores. I love that you can get a lot of savings from grocery items since they’re highly consumable products. That’s why I think Grocery Smarts is a very useful app. This app goes through various grocery store ads and presents you with a more organized list of deals that are currently active. It even lists deals that does not require you to present a coupon. As an added feature, you can add items to the list so it can give you a projected total of all your purchases. You can then save the list and retrieve it anytime when you’re shopping.

GeoQpon

Location based services have grown tremendously over the last couple of years, and the technology for couponing is very smart. GeoQpon is an app that lists coupon deals based on your location, which is genius. The app will tell you of the great deals that you can find near your general location. When you choose a good deal, the app can open Google Maps so you can find the general direction of the store. It’s extremely useful and also provides you with great deals even when you’re travelling.

WMC Couponing Spreadsheet

Sorting through various coupons can get very confusing, that’s why organization is really important when couponing. The WMC Couponing Spreadsheet is a cool way of sorting through and organizing your coupons. The app provides you with a way to organize your coupons by inputting the store, the store information and even its couponing policies. The app will then make the calculations automatically.

About The Author

Susan is a big fan of couponing and loves to find various deals online. She contributes articles for Cheap Sally, a coupons and deals site.

You’d think that they’re harmless pieces of hardware. But what you may be surprised to find out is that it has the capability to kill you.  No, it’s not the “rise of the machines” Terminator-style kind of carnage, but a more subtle one.

Using your computer extensively actually contributes to poor health. Bad posture leads to chronic pain, you can get addicted to games, it can make you fat from the lack of physical activity. All of these problems can be caused by that computer in your home office. So take heed and lead a healthier lifestyle – and turn your back from your computer from time to time.

Image via CrunchBase

With the launch of Research in Motion’s major operating system update, BlackBerry 10, just a few days away, the company has been releasing many articles that extol their new OS and also giving the media updates about what has been happening with the OS.

One of the newest updates is seen as quite important. According to RIM, BlackBerry 10 smartphones as well as the company’s Enterprise Service 10 management console has received Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 security certification. The certification was awarded by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.  This is the first time that a BlackBerry product has been given an FIPS certification way ahead of its launch date. The certification would mean that US and Canadian government entities can use BlackBerry devices for their work functions.

RIM is, of course, thrilled by the early certification since it will now have more time to entice government agencies to use BlackBerry devices for their offices. The company has lost a lot of market share because of many companies abandoning BlackBerry in favor of the iPhone or Android smartphones. RIM’s level of security is one of its strongest selling points so a certification like this is definitely welcome news for the company and will understandably be hyped up in order to regain the corporate clients it lost.