On-Site SEO Guide for Beginners

Many people think that recent Google changes killed SEO, which is far from truth. Although Google algorithm is constantly improving, white hat SEO techniques still play major role in website rankings. In this article we shared a few tips for on-site SEO that will help your new website gain popularity and traffic.

Source Code

Source code is the code web browsers read and turn into website layouts we know and love. There are more than a few elements that can be optimized in website’s source code. These are just some of them:

Title tag– This tag is the first line you see in Google Search and it should contain one of a few keywords.

Meta name and description– page’s meta description is read by search engine crawlers and placed under title tag in search results. That’s why making attractive meta description is a good way to use search engines for effective advertising;

Content

Content is the most important part of page or blog post. When it comes to SEO there are several parameters website content needs to satisfy to add up a few points to its Google ranking. Content needs to be:

• Original – copying someone else’s content without author’s consent or a link to the original page can lead to harsh Google penalties and in some cases cease-and-desist letters and lawsuits;
• Relevant – content needs to be interesting and useful to target audience, because only this way you will make them stay on the page longer and lower down bounce rate figures;
• Well-Formatted – visitors don’t like reading badly formatted text. Reading articles without paragraphs or with tiny font size can be tiresome;
• Long enough – when it comes to articles, most SEO experts agree that longer articles are better. Each article should be at least 500 word long.
• Natural links – links and their anchor text should be natural and usable;

Keywords

Although keywords are not as big as they used to be, they are still one of the most important page rank parameters. First thing web administrators needs to do, is to decide what keywords to include on each web page. There are several Google tools that can be used for keyword research.

• Google Trends – this tool provides users with search engine statistics that can be categorized with different filters that include: countries, keywords, trends, events, etc.
• Google AdWords Keyword Tool – this is one of the most popular keyword research tools that is originally designed for choosing keyword lists for AdWords platform, but it can also be used for checking popularity and competition for certain keywords and creating keyword lists that can be used on websites.

Keywords need to be placed through-out page content. Most SEO experts agree that the optimal keyword density is from 1% to 3%, and adding keywords to headings (from h6 to h1) and headlines emphasizes their importance.

Images

For placing images on web pages, administrators need to receive permission from photographer. Since sometimes photographers are hard to reach, website administrators can use other ways to find photos they can use freely.

• Free or paid stock photos – there are many different free and paid stock photo resources website administrators can use for finding photos made by professionals.
• Creative Commons – different Creative Commons licenses enable website administrators to add photos to their websites for free, with mentioning the author and the name of the Creative Commons license under which photographs are protected.

Important thing for web administrators is to restrain from placing copyright content on their pages. This includes: photos, videos, sketches, info graphics, etc. Photos also need to be formatted and shrank to size that doesn’t slow down page loading.

Image alt attributes and captions, should also contain keywords, because many people use Google Images for image search and optimizing images for this tool can bring more visitors to the website.

Social Media

Social networks can be used for boosting website’s popularity and there are many different things web administrators can do to increase social network’s performance of website’s content. They can include social sharing buttons on each website page, that enable visitors to like, follow or share website’s content. “Pin It” buttons are also very useful, and they can be added to images, which than can be easily shared on Pinterest, one of the fastest growing social networks. Website content should also be linkable and shareable and contain encouragements for visitors to share and comment content on social media.

These few tips can drastically increase website’s traffic. Results can be checked on Google Analytics or any of the SEO checkers, which are very useful tools that can check website’s optimization and give advice to administrators that will help them to make their websites even more optimized and available to search engine trackers.   

Website administrators should also use off-page SEO techniques for improving their site ranking. These techniques include: running social network pages and accounts, writing website reviews, link building, Google AdWords, etc.  

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/marcusjensen/on-site-seo-guide-for-beginners/

6 Writing Hacks I Wish I Knew When I Was in College

It seems that college is a time of reckoning for all the times you dozed off in composition or fundamentals of research class in high school. All your classes will have at least one writing assignment, be it an essay, book review, or term paper, and they all have deadlines.

It can drive anyone to desperation, even students that actually enjoy writing. Wouldn’t it be nice if you knew of ways on how to speed up the writing process? Here are some writing hacks I wish I knew when I was in college, which I now use in my work. Business writing. Check. Research. Check. Content Marketing Hacks. Check.

Wikipedia rules!

Most writing assignments will stress that Wikipedia is not an acceptable reference, but who says you have to cite it in your paper?  Wikipedia articles themselves may not be a reliable source of information, but in most cases it includes a reference section.

You can check out the cited sources and use those, if appropriate. Not all of them will be acceptable references, and quite a few are broken links, but it does help narrow your search for material.

Additionally, many Wikipedia articles follow a standard structure, so you can use the same outline for your own paper. You can sometimes paraphrase the contents of a Wikipedia article and use the same references for a quick fix when time is running short. There is no crime in that if you use your own words. Think of it as Cliff notes for term papers.

Real Life Application: Now, at work, Wikipedia is a definite go-to when I need to understand something easily be it buzzwords or latest technical jargon. Keeps me up to par with my colleagues and a definite heaven sent.

To walk out is to be productive

When you have to really concentrate on a writing assignment, working at home or in your room can be distracting. It is better to go to a quiet corner of the library (alone) or a coffee shop to do your work.

Your attention is less likely to wander if you are in a place where nobody knows you. You don’t have to filter out the noise of a television or your roommate chatting with friends. You also won’t be tempted to do chores or check what’s in the refrigerator.If you can afford it, consider getting a room in a motel and shut all distractions out, including your mobile phone. In fact, Western Governors University outlines the 11 ways study environment affects productivity.

Real Life Application: As a blogger and content writer, I do find myself in a rut sometimes. In cases where inspiration fails to strike, I walk it off. When I go back to my desk I see things with new perspective and able to spin something interesting and intriguing from the seemingly mundane.

Begin the writing process with a title

If you are having a hard time getting started, play around with titles. Generating a title that sounds right for you can get the ideas and associations started. You can jot down these ideas at random, and use them to create an outline. There are several title generators you can use including Random Academic Essay Title Generator, Content Idea Generator, and Content Ideator. All you have to do is enter your subject or topic and voila! instant content ideas. Now, you have a starting point (a writing prompt, if you will) for your paper.

Real Life Application: This tip is also a great productivity hack for content marketers. By starting your writing process with a title, you get to map out and picture what the flow of the article would be like. It helps to check out the must-have tools stated above as well.

Check out online articles to review related literature

Make an online search of the topic you have been assigned. Read what others have written about it to get an idea of what you can do. You don’t have to be terribly original when you do a writing assignment, so it is acceptable to imitate other people’s work. If you like a particular article, you can use it to create your own paper as long as you don’t copy it verbatim. That’s the difference between copying and research. There are a lot of free online articles you can check out for reference including the New York Public Library and the Directory of Open Access Journals can save you lots of time in doing your research at the comfort of your home rather than in the library.

Real Life Application: There is no need for your to reinvent the wheel. As Steve Jobs aptly stated, “Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while.” The key to innovation at work, is to look for what is already there, make it better, and add your personal touch.

Outsource the legwork

When you are feeling particularly harried, you can consider outsourcing some of the work. Professional writing services can help with putting together an outline, research summary and/or reference page for your chosen topic.  That is a perfectly legitimate shortcut to write your paper. You can save a serious amount of time when you delegate these tasks to others, and you can concentrate on writing the actual paper and impressing your professor with your well-substantiated arguments.

Real Life Application: Delegate. If you want to be a top performer, keep the Pareto Principle in mind: 80% of the result comes from 20% of the effort. Focus on the 20% of the effort that will give you the results that you want.

Use online tools

College students have no excuse for sloppy work because everything they need is available online. Use them to your advantage. You have basic tools such as:

Spelling and Grammar Checkers
Reverso – Boasts of an intelligent spelling and grammar checker. It can automatically correct a word and offer alternatives. The downside is that this tool can check up to 600 characters only. Hence, it may take a while to run an entire essay or research paper.

Ginger – This awesome tool comes with a plugin that spell checks even your emails as you write them. It efficiently corrects texts using the context of sentence syntax.

BestEssays – While software checkers are good, nothing beats having professional writers look through your work. Apart from the usual spelling and grammar check, they will give you comments on how to improve your work and nail your paper.

Plagiarism Checkers
PlagTracker – With plagiarism as a major no-no (both in school and in your post-college life), this tool is the perfect companion to help you a major gaffe. With its unique plagiarism checking algorithm, this tool is very easy to use and provides an easy to understand report.

Plagiarism Checker – With its simple interface, you need only to paste your content and the tool will check it for possible duplicate content. It scans your text and shows in red those that already exist online. Hence, commonly-used phrases will definitely trip a filter and trigger red flag.

Reference Creators
Citation Machine – Whether you are a student or a professional researcher, this tool is very helpful in cutting your citation time in half. You can choose from APA, MLA, or Chicago, enter details in the required fields and this tool will generate the reference for you.

BibMe – Another reference creator option that works pretty much the same as the previous one. You can choose the style guide you want (or required) and use either auto-fill or manual entry modes to generate your reference.

Real Life Application: These online tools can help you out no matter what stage you are in your university life or career. Having a good spelling app and grammar editor can go a long way in establishing you as a credible person people should watch out for in your field.

Writing assignments are a necessary evil for many college students, so it will not do to bury your head in the sand and hope they will go away. They won’t, and you have to do them before the deadline. These writing tips are definitely going to help you get through them quickly and well.

So just bear your coursework requirements and leverage the advantages of these writing hacks, because they are not just applicable in college but when you start working as well.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/twitter-verylastpaige/6-writing-hacks-i-wish-i-knew-when-i-was-in-college/

The Fading Belief in a Music “Industry” and Its New “Middle-Class”

We’ve all heard the claim a couple hundred times. “Internet streaming and downloading is killing the music industry.” It’s easily believable. Popular bit-torrent site The Pirate Bay illegally provides millions of albums for those looking to possess digital copies without paying for them. Services like Spotify and Pandora allow users to listen to music for free, with a few ads interrupting now and again or pay a small sum for unlimited, uninterrupted streaming. Artist compensation for these streams has been called unfair, leading popular acts such as Taylor Swift to pull their music from the services.

But this is oversimplifying the infinitely-faceted giant that is the world wide web. For smaller artists who don’t have the widespread appeal of Taylor Swift, who is the #1 most popular artist in 36 of the 50 states, the internet is an invaluable resource for getting their music heard and, consequently, gaining fans. The days of MySpace band profiles have given way to sites like Soundcloud and Bandcamp, which host artists’ music and give access to listeners around the world. In almost all instances this won’t catapult these bands to the top of the pop charts, but it puts them a notch higher than “local bar band.”

 

The Ever-Expanding “Middle Class” of Modern Music

The music industry of the 20th century is an anomaly. The fact that so many people could list “recording artist” as their profession and sole source of income borders on absurdity. Imagine if for every musician who made a living off of their art there was a painter, a poet, a filmmaker, and a novelist who made it just as big. Being an “artist” would become one of the best jobs in America. The truth of it is, however, that being a painter doesn’t pay enough, and being a musician is catching up with that trend.

Last year Jack Conte of Pomplamoose, a band that rose to relative stardom through quirky music videos on YouTube, published an article detailing the band’s tour expenses for their 28-day U.S. tour. The cost of the tour was $11,819 more than what the band brought in from tickets, merchandise, and albums sold on the road. And they’re a popular band. Their most-viewed video with original music has nearly 4 million views, while their cover of Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” has over 10 million. Conte goes on to explain that through donations, per video pledges, and online sales, the duo makes about $5000 monthly.

Pomplamoose got to travel and play for fans who sincerely dig their music. Despite the debt this was not a failure. This is the reality of the new “middle class,” or “creative class” as Conte puts it, who aren’t selling out stadiums or performing for ten people at a local open-mic night. Soundcloud, Bandcamp, and Spotify are putting more and more musicians in this position. They make some money but aren’t booking five star hotel suites on their world tour.

Losing the Label

Record labels used to be absolutely necessary if you wanted to make money playing music. You signed a contract and the label would pay for a studio to record in, a producer, someone to mix and master the album, printing copies of it, and lastly distribution. This doesn’t need to happen anymore. Artists can record it at home, mix it at home, upload it at home, and promote it at home, resulting in more music being made by more people. Crowdfunding has also become a popular replacement for the funding labels traditionally provide for artists who require studio time, help from recording experts, and tour expenses. In many ways, viewing the music industry as—well…an “industry” in the traditional sense has become outdated.

None of this is killing these major labels. They still have their Taylor Swift’s, their Beyoncé’s, their Kanye’s, etc. that rake in billions of dollars. Online piracy has put music sales on the decline, but this hurts the labels more than the artists. As record producer Steve Albini pointed out last year, “The internet has facilitated the most direct and efficient, compact relationship ever between band and audience.”

This is good news for people who like making music and having people listen to it.

And really…why else would you make music anyway?

 

(Image by Holmes Palacios Jr.)

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/dylanellison/the-fading-belief-in-a-music-industry-and-its-new-middle-class/

How Has Technology Improved Vehicle Security on the Road?

As all gear-heads know, we have seen a lot of new car technologies emerge in the past couple of decades, and while it’s easy to get excited about powerful engines and comfortable rides, road safety has increased significantly as well. In this article we will be looking at a few of the biggest innovations that help millions of people stay safe on the road.

The ABS system

This is one of the systems responsible for the highest reduction in car accidents all over the world. The technology was first developed for airline companies and has gradually become a part of all vehicles produced around the globe. The system was created to help the driver brake more easily, without using various techniques for different road conditions.

The system is connected to the brakes on all four wheels and it greatly increases handling capabilities in emergency braking situations. Judging from all the experiments and research, the conclusion is that this system tremendously reduces the braking distance, while keeping the car’s stability intact. According to a study published by the Australian Monash University, the ABS system is responsible for reducing the risk of a car accident by 18%.

The system reduces the risk of sliding off the road by an incredible 35%. When the system has activated you can recognize it as strong vibrations coming from the brake pedal as you press it down. The system is being further developed even today, to maximize safety levels and further reduce the number of accidents.

The ESC system

The electronic stability control system is responsible for helping the driver in emergency situations. The system constantly monitors the speed of all four wheels. In case you lose control, the system can reduce the speed of a single wheel or several wheels in order to put the vehicle back on the driver’s intended path. In some cases, the system can lower the power of the engine to passively reduce the speed.

The only problem is that some drivers believe that this system can help them get out of any sort of dangerous situation, which is impossible. Therefore, big car companies have created a warning – an indicator that flashes whenever the system is activated, in order to warn the driver to drive less aggressively.

International studies, which were confirmed by the NHTSA in the United States, indicate that ESC reduces the number of crashes by an astonishing 35% and that the SUVs that are equipped with the system are engaged in 67% less accidents in comparison to SUVs not equipped with the system. These numbers are so high because the ESC system significantly reduces the possibility of a rollover. These results are incredible and prove how much technology has increased the safety of car passengers around the globe.

Custom parts and minor technologies

The above-mentioned technologies are have the biggest influence on the driver’s safety. However, there are also those minor ones, which passively assure the driver that everything is in order with their vehicle. A very important part of the vehicle is the suspension system, which is responsible for the stability of your car on different types of surfaces.

The majority of vehicles come with a good suspension system, however as parts should be changed every few years, numerous custom part creators use advanced technologies in creating custom suspension systems that greatly improve the stability of a car and ensure a much smoother ride. Another crucial element of a car’s safety on the road are the tires. A lot of advanced systems that constantly measure the tire’s air pressure are slowly becoming a standard part of every vehicle’s basic gear kit.

A light on the dashboard is responsible for warning you about your vehicle’s tire pressure and whether the tires are underinflated or overinflated. This prolongs the tire’s durability, improves fuel economy and tremendously increases safety as a great percentage of accidents occur when a tire blows out.
These are interesting technology elements that greatly increase the safety of car drivers and passengers around the world. There are more systems dedicated to the safety of people operating vehicles, however these are the ones that have helped increase car safety the most in the past couple of decades.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/ivandseo/how-has-technology-improved-vehicle-security-on-the-road/

WordPress: CMS for Everything and for Everybody

Hosting your own website or a page is never an easy task. Regardless of the reason behind this, whether you do it for living or for fun, there is a fat chance that you have invested hundreds of hours polishing it. Therefore, it is important that it runs admirably. The easiest way to achieve this is by choosing the best content management system (CMS). Here, WordPress (WP) simply has no equal. It is a reliable system with a user friendly layout and on top of it all, it has some of the most amazing plug-ins out there. This being said, WordPress truly has something for everyone.

Direct Control

The best thing about WordPress is a fact that by being so simple to use, you can have a direct control over your websites design. This means that you will no longer have to worry about not being able to explain the idea to your designers. Sometimes, things are perfectly clear but you don’t have adequate words to express it. Now, you can simply put your plan into action without having to include anyone else to the project. As simple as that.

Utilizing Plugins

With the cunning use of software known as plug-ins, WordPress enables you to add any function to your page whatsoever. This can go from making it more secure, to making it faster. Furthermore, each of these plugins is extremely easy to implement making them ideal for various purposes. Most popular use of plug-ins is either for making sales or for creation of social media share buttons which every respectful page simply must have.

• Boosting Speed: If you believe that the speed of your website is not satisfactory, installing a speed boost WP plugin like WP Rocket, might be a good idea. The improvement, although slight, is more than enough to make a difference in visitor experience.
• Enhancing Security: As a website owner, there is nothing that can earn you bad reputation quicker than compromised security. Because of this, you should at least contemplate on installing WP security plugin.
• Social Media Share Buttons: Another thing every site needs is a social media share buttons, but their mere presence is not enough. What you need is to make them of appropriate size and design so that they create a positive visual impression on your visitors. Here, your safest choice would be to go with Social Media Feather.

Earning More

Including third party is always quite expensive and finding a way in which you can exclude it is always good for your profit. Replacing third party with a third party software is one of the best business moves your website can make. Imagine for a second that you are in event management industry. Even after you arrange everything and send out invitations, you would have to include a middleman to sell and distribute your tickets. On the other hand, with a proper WordPress event ticket system plugin, you can completely avoid this step. A plugin like this can allow you to completely assume command over both distribution and sales on your website.

Attracting Attention

Even though some claim that this is nothing but an urban myth, there is a belief that WP plugins work as a genuine Google magnet. Looking for any irregularities and anomalies on their browser, Google always looks out for plug-ins. This in turn leads to pages with plug-ins being detected more easily than those without and therefore being quickly indexed. The same goes for any change on your page.

You owe it to yourself to do all that it takes to succeed in this dog-eat-dog world of modern business, and having an admirable website is a solid strategy. When you want to make things right you must start from the very foundation. By choosing an adequate CMS like WP, you can easily ensure that both you and your site are off to a good start. You owe it to yourself to do all that it takes to succeed in this dog-eat-dog world of modern business, and having an admirable website is a solid strategy.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/marcusjensen/wordpress-cms-for-everything-and-for-everybody/

Reducing control room risk: keeping SNAFUs at bay

It’s a given among data center professionals that the control room is at the heart of everything that happens.  A properly run control room monitors the center’s devices, their functionality and ensures that the applications and data contained on the machines are constantly available.  It’s one thing to have a device or system monitored by the control room go down; it’s another to have the control room itself cease functioning…that’s a recipe for a true data disaster, the kind that no company can afford.

Which explains why so many professionals are likely to lose sleep over how to reduce the risk involved in keeping their control rooms up and running.  The chances are pretty good that, at one point or another, you’ve been one of them.

We’d like to suggest three key ways you can reduce your control room risk, and in doing so, improve your uptime capability:

• Increase the flexibility for accessing and managing your computing resources
• Create an environment that’s designed to minimize unscheduled downtime and reduce the Mean Time to Repair (MTTR)
• Leverage centralized remote management to lower the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Flexibility in the control room does not mean “anything goes,” mind you; it does refer to the ability to remotely access and manage your resources in a way that best meets your security and operational needs.  Often, that may mean moving devices into a highly secure data center, where they can be better protected from potential risks in a way that increases uptime and reliability.  Experts will remind you that in this scenario, remote management should include centralized authentication and access controls, so that you can govern who has access to which machines and information.

Remote management also enables you to centralize your resources in a remote location, where you can control temperature, moisture and access.    It also enables you to cut your costs by sharing resources efficiently and seamlessly, which gives your IT staff more time to do really important stuff instead of scurrying around when something goes wrong.

Remote management and access enable you to:

• Centralize your systems in a secure, environmentally controlled location
• Efficiently share your expensive equipment and enable collaboration
• Activate a redundant failover within seconds, making sure your systems stay up and running

There’s more, of course.   At Emerson Network Power, we’ve developed a short paper, which addresses these three key steps to drive risk from your control room.  You can get a copy at www.URLgoeshere.com.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/twitter-easyvince/reducing-control-room-risk-keeping-snafus-at-bay/

Antivirus Software Is Dead

Until recently, most of us placed a surreal amount of faith into our antivirus programs. But a months-long hacking attack on the office and work computers of the New York Times revealed a stunning result: the company employed an antivirus software… but that software utterly missed all but one component of the malware the Chinese hackers installed. For anyone who thought they were well protected, it’s a difficult taste of reality.

 

Unfortunately, hackers can change tactics faster than most antivirus software can catch up. And gone are the days of large, widely blasted viruses and attacks. These days, hackers work more on targeting high value clients. But just because they’re seeking better targets doesn’t mean that you might not be affected.

 

According to releases made by the New York Times, they had the antivirus program Symantec installed on their computers. And Symantec is a big brand which ranks up there with McAfee in terms of consumer recognition. And while officials within Symantec were quick to confirm that they offer more robust and advanced security programs than the one that the New York Times happened to use, it should make anyone question the value of going with the most established brands for their security.

 

Startlingly, the officials at Symantec themselves released the very statement which confirmed that antivirus software is dead. According to their written press release, “We encourage customers to be very aggressive in deploying solutions that offer a combined approach to security. Anti-virus software alone is not enough.”

 

So, no one solution can take care of all potential threats to your computer. The sophistication of hackers and malware writers is above even the most seemingly-solid cybersecurity program. But what combined solutions can offer real security?

 

According to PCMag’s detailed and tested ranking, the top 20 options are rounded out by aggressive smaller companies like ZoneAlarm, Malwarebytes, and Avast. Having either more than one program, or programs which specialize in specific areas all operating simultaneously, can offer immense benefits. But just installing the program isn’t enough: it needs to be run regularly, and updated often.

 

Another big tip? Employ security solutions which update often automatically, but that also keep a close enough eye on your system to raise the alarm when anything suspicious happens. That way, if you absolutely cannot prevent malicious activity, at least you’ve set up enough tripwires to minimize the damage.

 

Even the New York Times story has a good ending: while their antivirus software wasn’t enough on its own, they had made arrangements with their internet service provider to secure another layer of protection. Luckily, their provider (AT&T) picked up on the hacking attempts, and managed to secure enough data on the hackers so that the New York Times could track the hackers and the damage they did.

 

So, antivirus software might be dead… on its own. But coupled with additional alternatives, it’s still important to enable. Often, the first step to being truly secure is to know when you aren’t.

 

And it’s important to remember that the casual computer user isn’t going to be under the same threat as a company. Some might liken Antivirus to the seatbelt in a car: a necessary component of driving safety, but not the end-all be-all. There’s still antilock brakes, side-impact bars, and airbags to think about!

 

And of course, some solutions are better than others, and when you’re shopping for security programs to install, it’s important to disregard name brand and just look at the facts, at testing, at how frequently the program is updated, and the strength of the team behind it. And don’t just stop at securing your computer; but take steps to secure your network and cloud as well!

 

And of course, just in the event of the worst-case scenario, never forget to secure your own data by making regular backups. Consider it a little like home insurance for all the things you keep on your computer: the tedium will all feel worth it if you have to wipe your computer and start back at square one.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/nick-chalker/antivirus-software-is-dead/

6 Essential Ways to Improve Your Website Security

Almost every day, we hear of some new attack on websites done by professional hackers and we witness the incredible damage they deal to large corporations. When you hear such news, you cannot help but wonder whether your website is secure enough. If you happen to have a small business, you may think that there’s no real reason for hackers to attack your website, but that’s where you’re wrong, since they usually get to the big targets via small businesses.

All they need to do is upload a malicious code on a website someone in your company goes to frequently, and the damage is done. Not only do you lose your reputation that way, but that also leads the authorities to your door. The consequences can be tremendous, so you need to have measures to protect your website and your business from such incidents. Here are the essential things you need to pay attention to in order to protect your website.

Keep Your Software Up-to-Date

Keeping your software updated at all times is crucial for keeping your website secure. Hackers scan thousands of websites looking for a way in, so you should never delay an update, because new vulnerabilities are being found all the time and you need to patch your software to keep it secure. This is especially important if you’re using third-party software, as new updates are released regularly. So, you need to keep track of those. If there are plugins you don’t use anymore, which haven’t been updated for quite some time, you should get rid of them, as they are an easy way in for hackers.

 

Have a Strong Password Policy

It goes without saying that you need to have strong passwords to protect your website from a potential hacker attack. It is imperative that you change them regularly if you want to optimize your security. Having strong passwords is not only important for financial transactions and your e-mails, but also for your website server and your database. Your passwords need to be a strong combination of alphanumeric characters and symbols, as well as both upper and lower case characters.

They also need to be at least 12 characters long to be able to not only protect your website from brute and dictionary attacks, but also to potentially eliminate all other forms of attack. It is vital that you keep your passwords encrypted, since that would make it almost impossible for anyone to crack them.

Use SSL Certificate

SSL will provide extra security for your website, since it is a protocol used to protect any information when in transit between the website and your database or server. Whenever personal information is being transferred between those, this security certificate will keep it secure and there would be no chance of hackers gaining access to your personal data or login information.

 

Choose a Good Hosting Provider

Having a good hosting provider is one of the most important things you can do for your website security. Your hosting provider should upload your data on a remote server in case an attack on your website occurs and you lose all of your files. A good web host needs to be aware of all the website security threats and the damage hackers can do, so that maximum security can be provided. Your hosting provider should also offer the best technical support at all times and have a team that is available 24/7.

Backup Your Data Regularly

While your hosting provider should backup your files on their remote servers, you should also do that on a daily basis, just in case the worst case scenario happens and you lose your data. Hard drives fail all the time, so you need to make sure you have all of your data backed up. Every file that is saved should automatically be backed up on several locations and you should also be able to do this manually. Doing this regularly will protect your database if you should lose them.

Install a Web Application Firewall

Web application firewalls will provide your website with extra security, as it will not only block anyone from hacking in, but it will also block spammers and malicious bots. It is a protection between your website server and the Internet and it protects every piece of information passing in between. Most web application firewalls are cloud-based and they will give you peace of mind whenever information is being transferred between your website server and data connection.

Protecting your website from potential hacker attacks is of the utmost importance and it should be at the top of your list. You need your files and all of your personal information secure at all times, so you need to implement all the security measures you can to ensure you don’t leave any gateway open for hackers to enter freely. Invest your time in your website security and provide your site with the best protection possible.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/ivandseo/6-essential-ways-to-improve-your-website-security/

Sell Everything Ahead of Stock Market Crash, RBS Says

Royal Bank of Scotland warns of cataclysmic year with slumps in shares and oil and advises clients to shift to bonds

Investors face a cataclysmic year where stock markets could fall by up to 20% and oil could slump to $16 (11) a barrel, economists at the Royal Bank of Scotland have warned.

In a note to its clients the bank said: Sell everything except high quality bonds. This is about return of capital, not return on capital. In a crowded hall, exit doors are small. It said the current situation was reminiscent of 2008, when the collapse of the Lehman Brothers investment bank led to the global financial crisis. This time China could be the crisis point.

Stock markets have already come under severe pressure in 2016, with the FTSE 100 down more than 5% in its worst start since 2000. In the US, the Dow Jones industrial average has made its poorest ever start to a year.

Oil prices have also fallen sharply on fears of lower demand and a supply glut, especially with Iran due to start exporting once more when sanctions are lifted. Tensions between Iran and Saudia Arabia make it less likely that Opec can agree to cut production to halt the slide in prices. Brent crude is down another 1% at $31.18, its lowest level since April 2004.

Investors have been spooked by fears of a severe slowdown in the Chinese economy and a fall in the value of the yuan, not helped by a crash in the countrys stock market despite attempts by the countrys authorities to curtail selling.

Andrew Roberts, RBSs credit chief, said: China has set off a major correction and it is going to snowball. Equities and credit have become very dangerous, and we have hardly even begun to retrace the Goldilocks love-in of the last two years.

Markets have been supported for some time by low interest rates, stimulus measures from central banks including quantitative easing, and hopes of economic recovery. But with the Federal Reserve raising rates and the Bank of England expected to follow suit, that prop is being removed.

Roberts said European and US markets could fall by 10% to 20%, with the FTSE 100 particularly at risk due to the predominance of commodity companies in the UK index. London is vulnerable to a negative shock. All these people who are long [buyers of] oil and mining companies thinking that the dividends are safe are going to discover that theyre not at all safe.

We suspect 2016 will be characterised by more focus on how the exiting occurs of positions in the three main asset classes that benefited from quantitative easing: 1) emerging markets, 2) credit, 3) equities Risks are high.

RBS is not the only negative voice at the moment. Analysts at JP Morgan have advised clients to sell stocks on any bounce.

Morgan Stanley has said oil could fall to $20 a barrel, while Standard Chartered has predicted an even bigger slide, to as low as $10. Standard said: Given that no fundamental relationship is currently driving the oil market towards any equilibrium, prices are being moved almost entirely by financial flows caused by fluctuations in other asset prices, including the US dollar and equity markets.

We think prices could fall as low as $10 a barrel before most of the money managers in the market conceded that matters had gone too far.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/admin/sell-everything-ahead-of-stock-market-crash-rbs-says/

The Real Reason Introverts Dread Small Talk

This article first appeared on QuietRev.com

Just the other day, you avoided making eye contact with your chatty neighbor when you saw her unexpectedly at the grocery store. And you skipped the office holiday party so you wouldn’t have to make awkward small talk all night with your co-workers.These weren’t your first transgressions against polite society, and they probably won’t be your last.

Why do we introverts dislike small talk? Some argue that if we were better at it, we wouldn’t dread it so much. It’s true that just like salsa dancing or cooking, the skill of small talk can be learned and refined—and as our level of mastery increases so does our confidence. But this doesn’t explain why introverts feel the impulse to hide behind frozen broccoli to avoid small talk in the first place. 

In reality, most introverts are drained by small talk because it feels fake and meaningless. When you exchange pleasantries or chat about the weather to avoid silence, you don’t learn anything new or gain a better understanding of your conversation partner. Psychologist Laurie Helgoe, author of Introvert Power: Why Your Inner Life Is Your Hidden Strength, argues that small talk actually blocks honest interaction. “Introverts do not hate small talk because we dislike people,” she writes in her book. “We hate small talk because we hate the barrier it creates between people.”

Along with feeling meaningless, small talk saps an introvert’s limited “people” energy. Imagine that introverts walk around with an invisible battery inside them that contains all their juice for social interaction. When they leave in the morning for school or work, the battery is probably close to full (if they’ve had enough downtime). Throughout the day, the battery gains or loses energy, depending on the situation. They talk to a good friend about a topic that interests them, and zip!—their battery is topped up. They make awkward small talk with an energetic acquaintance for a long time, and slurch!—their juice level dips.

Author Diane Cameron aptly states, “Introverts crave meaning, so party chitchat feels like sandpaper to our psyche,” or like the depleting of precious, precious energy.

The regrettable news for us introverts is that small talk is a necessary evil. It makes us appear friendly and approachable and can open the door to deeper connections. If you never make small talk, you’ll never make a new friend, go on a first date, close a business deal or convince your co-workers you tolerate their daily presence. Small talk makes the social wheel go ‘round.

The key to making small talk more useful and less draining is to steer the conversation toward topics that are actually interesting (the sooner the better)—something that will fill our battery, not drain it. So what do introverts like talking about? Ideas, ideas, ideas.

Helgoe writes in Introvert Power,

“Introverts are energized and excited by ideas. Simply talking about people, what they do and who they know, is noise for the introvert. He’ll be looking between the lines for some meaning, and this can be hard work! Before long, he’ll be looking for a way out of the conversation.”

Here are more tips to survive small talk and turn it into something meaningful:

1. If you feel anxious about making small talk, remind yourself that your nervousness is coming from you and your beliefs, not the situation. Ask yourself: what’s the worse that can happen? If the small talk fails and the other person doesn’t like me, so what? Also, just because small talk was awkward in the past doesn’t mean it will be that way again.

2. Take the spotlight off yourself by asking questions. We introverts tend to be private and reserved, so we feel uncomfortable disclosing a lot of personal information right away—at least not until we trust the other person or make a meaningful connection. Take the pressure off yourself, and get the other person talking by asking questions about his or her life.

3. Embellish your responses. Of course, if you relentlessly bombard the other person with questions, it will feel like an interrogation. Eventually, you’ll have to answer some questions yourself. To avoid cutting the conversation short, share more than just one-word, closed answers. Add some intriguing tidbits to your responses so you provide “hooks” for the other person to continue the exchange. For example, when someone asks how you are, instead of replying, “Fine,” say, “Good, thanks. I jogged on my favorite trail this morning, and I’m feeling great!” Or, “Good, although with the holidays just around the corner, I’m feeling a little stressed about all the shopping and food prep I have to do.”

4. Deepen the conversation with open-ended questions. You’ll actually get to know your conversation partner, and you might stumble across something meaningful in the process. Open-ended questions invite the other person to say more than just a few words. Try things like:

“Are you working on anything exciting lately?”

“What has been the highlight of your week?”

“When you were a kid, what was your dream job? Is any part of that still true?”

“What are your thoughts on [insert recent issue in the news lately]?”

5. Go easy on yourself. Introverts tend to be introspective souls who think deeply about things. However, this incredible gift can become a curse when we use it to brood about our mistakes. If a conversation didn’t go according to plan or ended on an awkward note, be kind to yourself. Everyone messes up sometimes. Spend a few moments reflecting and focusing on your takeaway lesson for next time. As author and motivational speaker Denis Waitley writes, “Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker.” You should expect that to accomplish something worthwhile, you’d have to deal with the occasional blunder.

. Follow Quiet Revolution on Facebook and Twitter

 

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/admin/the-real-reason-introverts-dread-small-talk/

The 19th Century Plug That’s Still Being Used – BBC News

This Inflatable Sleep Hoodie Lets You Nap Anywhere

You’re a successful 21st century citizen of the world, but your regular, naturally sourced hoodie is holding you back. After all, if your hoodie doesn’t have a discreet inflatable pillow hidden in its hood, what good is it? Well, lucky for you, California based Hypnos is giving out tickets to Sleep City, and you’re invited!

Designed by Josh Woodle, the Hypnos sleep hoodie will let you nap anywhere. The starting at 46 USD garment comes with an inflatable pillow in the hood: blow up the pillow, and it’s nap time, all the time! The successfully funded Kickstarter project comes in three colors and a fitted or relaxed fit; most of the sweaters are made of 100% cotton, although the jacket version is made of nylon.

See the hoodie in action below:

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/admin/this-inflatable-sleep-hoodie-lets-you-nap-anywhere/

How to Best Market Yourself on College Applications

The act of applying to colleges can feel overwhelming—deciding which schools you’d potentially like to attend, considering scholarship and other financial aid opportunities, and exploring living options is a lot to consider. But once you’ve narrowed down your schools, you’ll want to give each application your all, which can require some clever marketing on your part.

Getting into college isn’t what it used to be—now, it requires a complete academic portfolio, a well-written essay, and a whole lot of creativity.

Evaluate your social media

College admissions officers are at least as social media savvy as you are, so you’ll want to prepare your accounts accordingly. First, make the profile image of yourself one that the general public sees a positive one. This might mean adjusting your privacy settings or even deleting pictures that might cast you in an unflattering light.

You might also curate your social media profiles to reflect your interest in a particular school—a photograph of you on campus, a picture of the school mascot, or sharing one of the school’s relevant posts can send the message that you’re committed to the school. Assume that admissions officers will be performing a Google search on you as well and make sure the results say what you want them to say.

Focus on creating a personal brand

A great way to market yourself to a college is by working to create a comprehensive personal brand. This helps ensure that the image you’re projecting on social media is consistent with your personality and also your academics. Your personal brand should make you a memorable candidate as well as tie every aspect of your college application materials together. It should present you as a student, a professional, and a contributing member of your community. A good personal brand should also show a school why you wish to attend—after all, they want students who want them!

Highlight your uniqueness

Colleges respond to people who demonstrate diversity in a number of ways. Before you even begin the application process, think about what makes you a unique and uniquely qualified applicant. Perhaps it is that you grew up in a foreign country or started a community garden—whatever the case, find ways to play it up.

Think outside the box when thinking about what makes you a unique applicant. Maybe you’re the oldest of ten children or hold a school record for the most spelling bee wins. Find ways to draw attention to these interesting tidbits.

You can highlight your uniqueness on your social media profiles, in your admissions essay, or through any other means that feels both professional and appropriate. Find a way to stand out amongst the thousands of other applicants and you’ll be much more likely to leave a lasting impression.

Think multidimensional

Most students are going to submit application materials that are relatively simple—typewritten essays that may contain great content, but lack visual interest, for example. To catch the attention of admissions representatives, you might try doing something more uncommon. Consider attaching links to your YouTube channel and submitting a visual essay, or highlight your podcast.

If you’re feeling slightly less adventurous, you may also try playing with the visual format of something, such as your typed college admissions essay. Something as simple as taking a conversational (but appropriate) tone can be just enough of a deviation in form to make you stand out.

Of course, you’ll want to check the school’s application rules (probably by calling them or thoroughly exploring the website). You’ll also want to make sure that your nontraditional application materials address everything the application asks for—and does so in a professional way. While you want to stand out, you also want colleges to take note of you in a positive way.

Nail the interview

A great way to market yourself to colleges is by way of the interview. While not all schools conduct admissions interviews, it is a great way to stand out. Make sure that you dress professionally and conduct yourself as you would during a job interview. Be conversational and friendly, but remember that you’re there to prove that you’ve got a place at their school.

Don’t underestimate the importance of eye contact and a firm handshake—and don’t forget to do a little bit of research on the school before you head in. Use the interview to prove that you’re the best student for this particular college.

Let your hard work pay off

Finally, let all of your years of hard work pay off. Chances are, you’ve put together an impressive academic and extracurricular portfolio, which does a lot of the marketing for you. Think about why you want to attend a particular school and you’ll be able to reasonably market yourself—let your passion do the work!
Heather Hamilton is a contributing writer for Varsity Tutors, a live learning platform that connects students with personalized instruction to accelerate academic achievement.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/varsitytutors/how-to-best-market-yourself-on-college-applications/

9 Common & Lesser-Known Ways to Keep WordPress Secure

Has one of your WordPress sites ever been hacked?

If it has, you know the frustration, time, and money it takes to fix the problem and get everything cleaned up. Skilled hackers will plant a virus deep in your file structure to make it exceptionally difficult to remove. And while you’re trying to figure it out, your website will be doing the hacker’s bidding, whatever that may be – spreading a virus, creating parasite pages for SEO, etc.

Basically, it’s a nightmare.

Securing your site to prevent a hack in the first place is absolutely crucial. Take a few minutes to follow the steps below and you’ll be more secure than of 99% of WordPress users out there. We’ll even give you ways to prevent hackers and spammers from knowing you’re on WordPress in the first place. Read on.

1.Limit Login Attempts

Seriously? You don’t have this installed yet? Without Limit Login Attempts (or another similar plugin), any hacker can “try out” an almost infinite number of combinations on your login screen. If the hacker has another one of your passwords from a compromised database, it may be a matter of trying just a few variations until he’s through.

Download for free from the WordPress repository, or, install automatically upon installing WordPress if you’re using a platform like Softaculous.

2.From now on, you’re not called “admin”

Most webmasters will use admin as a username simply due to the fact that it’s the defaulted text value on installation. With a random password, admin as a username can be okay, but with a custom, easy-to-crack password, the combination is risky.

Use different usernames for all of your websites, and of course, use random strings of numbers, letters and symbols for your passwords. WordPress has a built-in password generator now, or, you can use a browser extension like LastPass to generate passwords and keep them handy.

3.Change the locations of important URLs

Another default you should change is the login and admin URLs. Often times, hackers will scrape for WordPress footprints and append the default folders onto the root URL for quick brute-force access. Plugins like Custom Login URL and Protect Your Admin can help prevent that.

4.Remove WordPress footprints

Prevent your site from getting on a hacker’s “list” of websites to try out in the first place with a plugin like Hide My WP, one of the most popular plugins on Code Canyon.

5.Never mess with cracked plugins or themes

There is no incentive for someone to crack a plugin or theme and release it for free on the internet. Rather, most crackers are profit-driven, meaning they slip something into the code that will make them money.

Most commonly, this is script to steal ad placement or traffic. More malicious versions will auto-install malicious files (such as .exe files) on visitors’ computers, and the script will only run for a percentage of your traffic, so you will likely have no idea it’s running in the first place (until Google deindexes your site).

Don’t risk it. Get the official version, support the developers, and sleep safely at night knowing some random person doesn’t have complete access over your site(s).

6.Delete plugins (and limit plugin use in general)

Any single plugin leaves your WordPress site open to vulnerabilities – even the simple ones.

• Deactivate and delete the plugins you’re not using.
• Don’t use big plugins for small tasks. Adding meta descriptions can be done without installing a massive SEO plugin like Yoast.
• Do things manually wherever possible. If you’re verifying through Google Analytics with a meta tag, go to the Editor and insert the tag into header.php yourself. The fewer plugins you have, the more secure you are – period.

7.Update automatically

Set both your WordPress core and your plugins to update automatically.

If the developers of a plugin or the WordPress team discovers a vulnerability, they will release a new version with the quiet description of minor bug fixes. You want to download these updates immediately – the easiest way is through doing it automatically.

8.Keep track of logins, just in case

Use a plugin like WP Security Audit Log to see who is coming and going on your website. It’s an easy way to spot a hack (if something does happen) and get to work on fixing it before any serious damage is done.

9.Keylog hackers are just as prominent as WordPress hackers

Keep in mind that if a malicious keylogger is on your computer, it’s absolutely pulling any WordPress credentials you enter. Be just as vigilant with your personal computer’s safety as you are with WordPress’ safety. And, if you have other admins on your site(s), make sure they are being vigilant, too.

Taking preventive action with the above nine steps will take you under an hour, and can potentially prevent hours to days of wasted time and hundreds to thousands of wasted dollars down the line. Be smart and prepare for the worst – good luck!

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/leurypichardo/ways-to-keep-wordpress-secure/

Turning Customers into Promoters

Word of mouth is the best way to have your company promoted. It is affordable, with a cost to you as low as zero. More importantly, person to person promotion is effective, since your potential customers are more likely to be persuaded by the experiences of those who already use your goods and services than by the controlled messages you offer.

The reality is that consumers are savvy and quite cautious in today’s marketplace. They resist being sold anything. The good news is that you can use their informed, wary approach to your advantage by making them happy to promote your brand and offerings. Let’s explore how to make your customers do the marketing for you – here are four ways to get customers to be very positive about your company as they eagerly promote it to others!

 

Make your website interactive with review and Q&A options.

Amazon is the model for doing this effectively. Customers are encouraged to rate the product they’ve bought as well as the purchasing experience, and they do so in droves in reviews from a few words to several thousand. If you’ve bought anything from Amazon recently, you’ve probably received a follow-up email from the company encouraging you to review your purchase. Amazon knows this method works and promotes it heavily.

When you offer customer reviews, your current customers promote to new visitors to your site; some of those visitors convert to customers who leave their own reviews. In addition, many customers will say to friends something like, “the product gets really good reviews,” which encourages the next wave of visits to your site.

Here’s another feature from Amazon that might increase your sales. Shoppers can submit a question to be answered by those who’ve purchased the item. The Q&A hold people on the site and keep them coming back to look for answers to their queries. The longer shoppers are on your site and the more often they visit, the more likely they are to buy.

 

Add video to your site.

Videos can be used to promote your brand and your products, show how to use your services, talk about your company’s social advocacy and be used in other promotional ways. The value of videos is that they are easy to share, so your customers are likely to pass them on to their friends either with a link or by saying, “Hey, you should take a look at the video for product X or service B.” The video doesn’t have to be Hollywood slick. Dropbox used a simple demo as its first promotional video, and it went viral through customer shares. Even a small investment in video can yield tremendous return.

 

Join a mobile app program that rewards sharing.

Retailers of all size can promote their goods and services through mobile apps like Shopkick and Shopular by offering discounts and loyalty rewards. Importantly for our discussion here, users of these and similar services earn extra points when their friends download the app.

In other words, when your company becomes one of the services promoted via the app, the app’s users spread the word about you by encouraging their friends to download the app. With more than 30 million downloads of such apps, a figure growing quickly, your pool of potential customers gets bigger every day.

 

Enhance the value of the goods and services you offer.

Here are a few examples of how companies are making use of this tip.

Sellers of products such as boomerangs that require technical skill to master produce how-to videos or put on workshops for their customers. The education increases the enjoyment of using the product. In turn, the customers promote the products and hobbies.

Schools offer employment services to their students that help them land jobs. For example, ITIC in Sydney assists with resume writing, interview skills, coaching and internship/work experience programs that ready students to find employment. A high percentage of them do. Those grateful graduates who have become IT professionals earning an outstanding salary are very happy to share their success story including the help they received along the way.

Cosmetic companies produce videos that teach users how to apply makeup to get the look they want. The videos, like these from Maybelline, are recommended by mother to daughter, sister to sister and friend to friend. Each video is a commercial for the products used, essentially, with viewers eager to watch.
Which of these promotional methods will work for you? Most growing companies are employing more than one of these tools to build their ongoing success.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/twitter-epicninjadaboss/turning-customers-into-promoters/

4 Fabulous Car Brands That Should Be in Your Garage at Some Point of Your Life

One of the most useful inventions in modern history is certainly the car. During the last century, auto expansion and development brought about a great change in the world of traveling. In the beginning, some brands focused on the car’s performance, others focused on comfort. After centuries of development, the majority of car brands strived to create a high performance vehicle that spends a low amount of fuel and is as comfortable as possible. Even though a lot of different brands try to achieve this, there are those that simply offer a unique driving experience. These are the cars that should definately be found in your garage at some point in your life.

Nissan

This is an incredible brand coming from the Land of the Rising Sun. The company was founded in 1914, however, the name Nissan was first used back in 1930. Throughout the years, the company has grown and manufactured some of the best cars in the world. We can easily say that Nissan’s crown jewel is definitely the GT-R. Its rich history suggests that this sporty ride is the biggest pride of the Japanese company. The amazing flexibility of the car offers ultimate driving comfort, however, in a matter of moments, it becomes an untamable beast with insane sports performance. However, what makes this brand perfect is its high reliability, which can be attested to in various consumer reports.

Mazda

Another incredible brand that is loved by millions around the globe is definitely Mazda. Over its long and rich history, this company has become one of the giants that offer a comfortable ride in both stylish and aggressive cars. The reliability is incredible, according to consumer reports in the US. The company produces cars that run on traditional piston engines, however, it has managed to successfully implement the rotary Wankel engine.

The most popular model running on this type of engine is the Mazda RX-8. Even though the model is currently discontinued, the successor of this incredible car has already been announced at the Tokyo motor show. If you are a family guy, Mazda delivers a wide range of classic, reliable and comfortable family cars but, if you want to get a vehicle that is fun to drive, RX-8 might be the perfect car for you – it will certainly make you feel a big adrenaline rush.

Audi

The German auto moto industry is famous for creating several high performance brands that have become world renowned for their quality. However, judging from the consumer reports in 2015, Audi was the best rated brand coming from Europe. The incredible history of this company is just one of the things that makes the company stand out. The high level of luxurious comfort and incredible performance is the trademark of this company. This statement is ultimately confirmed by the S class vehicles, which run on incredibly powerful engines, yet also remain perfectly comfortable family cars. Another innovative feature is the company’s unique Quattro system, which played a key role in earning the brand it’s immense worldwide success. The amazing comfort and insane performance makes this car the perfect candidate for your garage.

Tesla

As you may have heard, this brand is relatively new. Even though it does not have an astounding history as the other brands on this list, it is a new and innovative brand that promises a perfect transition from fossil fuel to electricity as the car’s main power source. The Tesla Company has so far created the Tesla Model S, which has left many people surprised with its insane performance. Owing to the fact that the car runs on electricity, the amount of baggage space leaves the customers speechless. The car’s claim to fame was the impressive fact that it can exceed 220 miles per hour, and is backed up with free fast charging networks. If you are thinking of acquiring a future-proof means of transportation, this electrically powered vehicle is a must have.

These are only some of the companies that have earned their success in the car industry, but there are many more that offer quite unique vehicles. However, if you are a person who believes in statistics, according to various different consumer reports, these are the most popular and reliable brands in the world.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/ivandseo/4-fabulous-car-brands-that-should-be-in-your-garage-at-some-point-of-your-life/

Three Strange Ways Fashion Meets Smart Tech

When talking about wearable technology, the first things that come to mind are health trackers, computerized glasses and smartwatches. However, there is far more going on, especially when we talk about the cooperation between fashion and tech industries. Designers and entrepreneurs are constantly finding bizarre and brand new ways to make the regular clothes we wear smarter without jeopardizing our style. Some of these products are truly revolutionary and useful while others are just plain novelties that don’t have much durability. Most combinations of these two are still pretty strange to many people. However, for those who follow current trends, we have picked the three most unusual tech fashion items.

Clothing items that can charge devices

What will happen when you are traveling or out on a business event and your tablet or phone battery dies? You will need an outlet to charge the battery of your device or you won’t be able to use it further. This is why a fashion designer from Netherlands, Pauline van Dongen, teamed up with many experts and scientist to create a brand new clothing line – a prototype coat and dress. However, the interesting thing about this piece of clothing is that it will have flexible solar panels which are built into the wear. The coat has around 50 solar cells and the dress has around 70 solar cells which are all flexible.

If any of the two clothing items is worn in the sun for two hours, they can store enough solar energy to fully charge a regular smartphone, says van Dongen. One interesting thing about these items is that the solar cells can be revealed according to your need, as well as hidden away and totally unnoticeable. It may sound like impractical, but the reality is quite the opposite and the clothes don’t look bad at all.

Social media hoodie

If you are a social media junkie and like checking your Facebook all the time, then I suggest taking a look at this thing. Ping is a design coming from Seattle’s Electricfoxy, which is a wearables designer firm that started a couple of years ago. What is Ping? Basically, it’s a hoodie without sleeves that allows its wearers to connect to their Facebook accounts using a wireless connection. The person wearing this hoodie can use this item to connect to some social network via using a series of different “natural gestures”, rather than a typical app.

For example, when using a sensor integrated into the hood, the wearer can receive and send messages by moving the hood up and down. Messages are customizable and can be assigned to a group of people, and the user can also manage different messages based on where he or she is, what mood the person is in, or to whom the message is being pinged. If a certain friend sends a message to the user, he or she will feel a tap on the shoulder as a sign of an incoming message.

A dress that can pour drinks

You never expected that a bartender or a waitress will wear a dress similar to this one. The DareDroid is a brand new biomechanical dress that makes cocktails. However, there is a catch, and if you want to get a drink, you will first have to play a game with the person who wears the dress. The sensors located around the neck detect the presence of nearby people and allow the system to release non-alcoholic liquid.

If you want alcohol, then you will have to play a game of truth or dear on the touch screen and use your charm to convince the dress to give you more than just soda. This may seem a bit ridiculous, but it has the potential to break the ice and get people to interact with each other, instead of being locked into their phones, so why not?

The future is all about fashion and tech combining their efforts for creating even better and unusual clothing items. Not only that our clothes will look pretty, but they will also have practical applications. The only thing we can do is wait and see what fashion designers and tech experts will come up with in the future.

 

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/ivandseo/three-strange-ways-fashion-meets-smart-tech/