Technology

If you are willing to run a business and make profits from currency trading, Forex will be the best platform for that. A participant will have a lot more opportunities of making money from the markets. Since the volatility is too much, it provides frequent shots at earning. However, without having prepared for that, no one can make money from currency trading. If someone rushes for winnings, his approaches will end in vain. That’s because he will not manage a decent profit potential from the business. The money management and market analysis will be faulty. As a result, the position sizing of the trades will be poor. Ultimately, it will result in the demise of the trading capital. If someone is not careful about it, he might lose a lot of money as well.

So, a trader should learn how to manage his trading business properly. Instead of alluring for profit margins, everyone should try to be efficient with their professions. And their approaches should indicate safe trading ideas. Otherwise, the losses will be prominent and high, which can cause a displeasing end to the trading career. If you are concerned about your investment, learn to create a systematic strategy for executing your trades.

Using a practical trading mindset

Without a trading mindset, no trader can run his business in Forex. It helps to identify the market sentiments. At the same time, it also dictates the money management procedure in the trading business. In a nutshell, a trading mindset creates a suitable environment for trading currencies in Forex. So, a trader cannot neglect it. Instead of behaving rationally, everyone should implement the most efficient plans for their trades. And for that, they should accept the valuables of currency trading. Everyone should consider crucial elements like risk management, market analysis, a risk to reward ratio, position sizing. Then a trader should implement those terms in the trading process. When he develops a plan to position the trades efficiently, it will benefit that individual with better profit potential.

If you think systematically about placing an order, it will benefit you. Then your mindset will be ready to deal with the volatility. Even frequent faulty signals will not bother you. That’s because you will have the audacity to deal with it. As a result, while trading futures, you will have a low loss potential and a better winning rate.

Implementing risk exposures

In every business, risk management is crucial. It is the first step to minimize the expense. So, you are starting to increase the profit potential with risk management. In the trading profession, risk management works for the investment process and to create the trade setups. So, a participant gets the most positive influence with risk management. For a rookie, it is highly efficient to implement risk management. However, every newbie should take some time to develop risk management plans. If a trader does not take care of his investment and increases the risk exposure, it will affect the business potential.

So, everyone should develop their unique risk management procedure to invest in the purchases. While making plans for it, no one should concentrate on profits. Everyone should take an interest in pips and use the risk exposure as a shield against loss potential.

Predefining the position sizes

Alongside money management, proper control is also crucial for a successful trading business. If a trader wants to succeed in his profession, every execution of his should be in control. Otherwise, the volatile market conditions can make a purchase out of the hands. In that case, an individual will only lose money from the trading account. However, every trader should implement crucial ideas and strategies to size the purchases first. And then, they should look for valuable price trends which will support the risk to reward ratio. In this systematic approach, every execution will be efficient and profitable for a trader. And it will increase the confidence level of a trader as well.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Technology category

Almost everyone reaches a point in their life where they wonder – what is my purpose? While you don’t need a straightforward path to give your life meaning, there are some ways to spend your time that’ll make you feel a little prouder of the life you’ve led. Don’t worry – you don’t need to become a superhero or donate millions to make a difference.

If you are someone who cares about the earth and the people on it, then here’s how to use your time to improve the world as a whole.

Choose a Career that Helps People

For those that have a genuine passion for helping people, there are plenty of careers out there to pursue. Not all of them are easy; in fact, most are downright challenging on a daily basis, but they do provide a career that is both inspiring and emotionally rewarding.

If you like to integrate yourself into communities and you care about social issues like economic injustice, then a career in social work would be the perfect fit for you. As a social worker, you would work with the underserved members of society, providing them with the support network needed to better their lives. Other careers that involve hands-on care for the public include becoming a nurse, paramedic, doctor, and dentist.

Volunteer for Charities 

One of the most philanthropic activities you can do with the time you have is volunteering for charity. Luckily, there are thousands of charities in the world waiting on people like you to donate your time. Of course, you can’t volunteer for every single one, so choose causes that you genuinely care about. You could volunteer to feed the homeless, help rescued animals, read to the blind, and much, much more.

Start Your Own Charity 

You could even take it one step further and start a charity! It isn’t an option for everyone, but if you have a cause you’re passionate about that isn’t getting enough funding or attention, starting your own charity is a brilliant way to put a spotlight on the cause. Just remember to do plenty of research before you dive in – there are a couple of obstacles to starting a charity, such as initial fundraising and effective marketing.

Think About What You Buy 

Where you put your money is just as important as how you spend your time. A lot of big corporations contribute to some of the less humane parts of humanity. For example, you might discover a cheap clothing brand you previously bought from that massively underpays their staff or uses sweatshops in other countries. Likewise, you might discover your skincare products test on animals.

Before jumping into your next purchase, it’s important to do a little background research into the company. For a safer bet, try to put your money toward smaller, independent businesses.

Be More Eco-Friendly 

One of the biggest problems faced by the earth in the twentieth century is all the damage caused by waste and pollution. While no one can’t reverse the damage alone, if everyone does their bit to help save the earth, the outcome becomes much kinder. Don’t know where to begin your journey to a greener life? Start with doing these:

. Recycle

. Walk and Cycle More

. Reduce Energy Use

. Avoid Single-Use Plastics

Spend Time with Loved Ones 

Bettering the world isn’t always about making huge changes. Sometimes, it’s enough to improve the lives of those you are closest to, like your friends and family. No matter how busy you are or how stressful your job is, it’s always important to spend enough time with your loved ones. Not only does this strengthen your relationships, but it also ensures no one in your life is lonely.

Shop Locally 

One simple way to spend your money ethically is to shop locally. There are numerous reasons for this. Firstly, shopping locally generally gives your money to smaller, independent businesses that rely on your transactions to support their family. On top of that, you’re not contributing to vehicle pollution by spending money somewhere that sends their produce across the country or world. It might sometimes be a little more expensive to shop locally, but it helps build better communities and fights against climate change if you can afford it.

Go to Protests You Believe In 

Protests are a way to enact change, so if you want to make a real difference, attend the ones you believe in most. That might mean fighting for animal rights, against homelessness, or to aid the fight against climate change. The more people show that they care, the more chance that something will get done about it.

Educate Yourself About World Issues 

Education is the key to change. Without knowing what is going on in the world, how can you use your time to improve it? Of course, don’t stress yourself out too much – if you feel you’re getting overwhelmed with all the negative news, it’s more than okay to take a step back. Do try to educate yourself on the issues you care about, though, as this will help you take action for good as well as educate others.

Be a Part of Your Community 

To help change the world for the better, you must start with smaller communities. After all, unless you are a politician, you can’t exactly change an entire country by yourself. So, be an active part of your community by joining clubs, attending local events, and getting to know the people around you. In particular, try spending time with some of the older generations, as you’ll learn a lot more about the world while providing company to those who might need it most. Talk to people from different cultures, too, as this will widen your perspective.

Create Art 

Art is such an important part of culture. You don’t have to be a talented artist to create art that shapes the world for the better, either. A simple painting of your garden-grown flowers or a short story based on your nearby city can be enough. It is more than worth it if you can brighten the day of at least one person with your art.

Foster Animals

For the animal lovers out there, one of the best ways you can spend your time is by fostering an animal that needs care. You could foster dogs, kittens, rabbits, birds, and more. Not only will you be doing something extremely kind, but you’ll also get the boost from watching the animals flourish in your care. It’s sometimes a lot of work to take on, but if you have the time, you’ll be contributing to a world with fewer suffering animals.

Plant a Garden 

A peaceful way to spend your time contributing to a better earth is to plant a garden, especially one full of bee-friendly plants. With the number of buildings taking up green spaces, people need to give back to nature, even if that’s just with a small back garden full of plants, insects, and wildlife. Not only is it doing something for good, but it also provides you with a relaxing hobby that is extremely rewarding. You could even hop on the self-sustainable train and grow your own fruits and vegetables!

Donate Old Items to Charity 

Having a house declutter? Instead of throwing items away, consider donating the stuff that’s still in good condition to charity. You might not want that old biker jacket, but there’ll be someone out there who does. Not only does it contribute to less waste, but it also helps charities raise money for their good causes – it’s a win-win! For anything that you can’t donate because of its poor condition, consider whether you can recycle it first before choosing to send it to a landfill.

Smile at Strangers 

Many people complain that the world isn’t as friendly as it used to be. Maybe that’s nostalgia talking, or maybe there’s some truth to it, possibly due to how often people spend time looking down at their smartphones rather than greeting people in real life. To add a little more friendliness into the world, try smiling at strangers more. It’s a simple act, but it is one that just might lift someone’s day, which could, in turn, inspire them to smile at another stranger, creating a cycle of friendliness.

Use Your Voice 

Doing your bit for the benefit of the world is excellent, but it’s even better to inspire others to join you on your journey. That doesn’t mean telling people what to do – instead, use your voice to spread knowledge about subjects that might change other people’s ways. For example, if you have a friend who buys from an unethical brand, inform them of its poor practices and show them other ethical stores that sell similar products.

Using your time to improve the world doesn’t have to involve numerous, huge lifestyle changes. By taking a few of these ideas on board, you can rest assured that you are contributing to a kinder planet overall.

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Many experts out there would argue that you can never be too educated and get too many degrees, but is that the case? Does pursuing higher education truly set you up for a more successful and happier future? For many, the answer isn’t a simple yes or no as so much of it comes down to your expectations, goals in life, and what you feel passionate and excited about. Those who choose a career in nursing are seen as some of the hardest most incredible workers out there, but your career as an RN (registered nurse) may not seem like enough for you. Maybe you want more.

If you’ve been considering pursuing an advanced nursing degree, it’s normal to have questions and some apprehensions about the move. Does it make sense for your future? Will it pay off? Here we’ll take a look at some of the top benefits in gaining an advanced nursing degree, helping you to make a more informed decision that you can feel secure in.

The Next Step on the Career Ladder

When you begin a career you typically start on the bottom of the career ladder. This is normal, natural and there is no shame in it. This is your opportunity to grow, learn, build your skills and have some wonderful experiences that will make you better at your job. After some time passes it’s normal to start feeling stagnant and no longer challenged. It’s at this point that people often look for ways to climb the career ladder.

Registered nurses who feel like they’ve done a fair amount of learning and seen quite a bit may be ready for the next challenge, and an advanced nursing degree can be the foundation you need to move up to that next job level.

There Is a Need for Nurses with Advanced Degrees

Then there is the fact that there is an actual need for nurses with advanced degrees. They are very much in demand, so it makes sense to pursue higher education at this time. In particular, there is a need for those with system leadership skills, that can embrace nursing education (teaching others), that can help with policy and public health and so much more.

A DNP or a Doctor of Nursing Practice is a great avenue to pursue if you want to advance your education. Keep in mind a DNP is very different from a PhD – although both are advanced degrees. When it comes to DNP vs PhD, the DNP career will focus on nursing practice whereas a PhD career path will have you focusing on research.

One simply has to look at the career of a nurse practitioner, which is possible with a DNP. This particular field is expected to grow 28% by the year 2028. This translates to all kinds of new jobs available, somewhere in the field of about 50,000 new positions that will be created within 10 years. If you look at how much the field of registered nurses is growing it is still a healthy amount – 12% – but that doesn’t come close to a more advanced career path.

Some Incredibly Exciting Career Options

And just what are the career options that will be available to you with an advanced nursing degree such as a DNP? Some of the more popular routes graduates can take are:

• Nursing faculty
• Health care executive
• Health care lobbyist
• Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)
• Clinical researcher
• Family nurse practitioner (FNP)
• Psychiatric nurse practitioner (PNP)
• Chief nursing officer
• University or college professor
• Adult nurse practitioner (ANP)

These are very exciting career paths, each with its pros and cons. This means you can choose the one that speaks to you and that you feel most passionate about.

Nursing Education Gets a Special Mention

While it was mentioned above that nursing education is a career path that can be taken, it’s important to give this one a shout out. There is a real emphasis right now on nursing education careers. What this means is that you will be teaching and training the nurses of the future. You will be playing a direct role in the quality of care people will be getting since you will be preparing a whole generation of nurses. If you want a feel-good job, this can be that job.

What’s great about this job is that you have a role in the health care industry but at the same time, you’re not working the front lines. The front lines are both mentally and physically exhausting and maybe you’re ready to hang up that hat. You’ll be able to enjoy much more regular hours, no shift work, no long hours on your feet racing from patient to patient, and there isn’t that same on-the-job stress that a hospital or clinic is notorious for. You can continue in the field you love but in a much less stressful manner.

As for this particular career path, this one is set to grow 20% by 2028, again, another exciting path that you could follow. Keep in mind you can teach at state colleges, state universities, private schools, and state community colleges.

Own Your Practice

An advanced nursing degree will allow you to work in a variety of environments, but if you had dreams and plans of one day owning a practice, this degree can make it happen. As a nurse practitioner, you can open your practice in 22 states. These states offer full practice authority, and also include Washington, DC. For those states that don’t offer full practice authority, you will work in collaboration with various physicians and/or supervisors.

Owning a practice means you call the shots. You decide how many patients you will see, your hours, what kind of issues you choose to focus on, the location – where you want to set up shop, and more. You are in complete control of your career destiny.

Nip Boredom in the Bud

Outsiders looking into a nurse’s typical day may decide it looks very exciting and fast-paced. While it’s true that nurses don’t get much in terms of downtime, it doesn’t mean they feel fulfilled, challenged, and excited by their job. They may feel quite bored with their current career. It can start to feel monotonous, going about the same things day in and day out.

Choosing to go back to school and earn your advanced nursing degree means you’ll soon be moving on to a new career and boredom will be a thing of the past.

Command a Higher Salary

There are a lot of elements that go into making a career “perfect” for you, and the reality is that your salary is one of those elements. You want to know that you’ll be paid fairly for the job you do and that you can have the kind of lifestyle you envision. Once you get an advanced nursing degree you will be able to command a much higher salary. It opens a whole new pay level since you will have moved up the career ladder.

As an example, here are some of the careers listed above and their average annual salary as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

• Nurse practitioners – $111,670
• Postsecondary teachers – $80,790
• Medical and health services managers – $104,280

In comparison, the salary for a registered nurse is $75,330, so it’s clear there is a step up in salary with these types of careers.

Beat Out the Competition

If you’ve ever had to go up against another applicant when applying for a job, then you know better than anyone just how competitive it can be. Whatever you can do to boost your appeal in the eyes of the employer to be, will be helpful. Being able to list your advanced nursing degree on your resume will certainly garner attention and could help move you to the top of the pile. At the very least it shows potential employers that you are serious about your career, you have the skills and knowledge necessary, and that you will be prepared to handle the job.

There Is a Sense of Accomplishment

Anytime you can advance your career there is bound to feel a sense of accomplishment. Just the fact you are going back to school and working on your degree is enough to feel proud about. It is all about investing in yourself and your future and recognizing that you are worth the effort. Nothing beats the feeling of graduating from an advanced nursing degree program, getting to say you did it all yourself and put in all the hard work necessary.

A Long List of Pros and Benefits to Earning that Advanced Nursing Degree

So, if you’re on the fence about whether to pursue an advanced nursing degree, then let these many benefits sink in. It’s important to do as much research as possible, be realistic about your goals and expectations, and ask yourself what this type of degree could mean for your career and life in general. Is it worth it? The answer could be a resounding “yes”.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Technology category

When you are running a business, it’s important that everyone in your company is on the same page. This means having the smoothest and most seamless workflow possible. Nonetheless, whether you have just launched a start-up or are running a large business with a variety of different moving parts, it can be hard to make sure that your business is working to the best of its ability. However, no matter whether you are a CEO, project manager or working as an office manager, you are in the right place as this guide has been created to make sure that your workplace is as seamless as possible. Read on now to learn all about it.

Invest in Project Management Software

To make sure that you have a clear overview on who is working on what and when, it is essential to have the right project management software. Without it, your business could get quickly bogged down in figuring out exactly who should be doing which particular task. Thankfully, there are now a whole variety of different project management suites out there that you can use. For a great business productivity suite, it’s worth checking out the amazing features available at CoAmplifi.

Have Great Internal Chat Software

It’s important to have clear and coherent communication when wanting to ensure a seamless workflow. Email, falling out of favour with the younger generation, is slowly on the wane, while chat services allow for the simplest and most direct communication possible. It’s best not to rely on personal messaging services such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, but instead to go for a business chat platform that allows you to create separate chat pockets for your different users. Take a look around to find the right platform that will work for your business.

Use Videoconferencing Software

It’s likely that, due to the coronavirus pandemic, many of your workers will still be working remotely. This is likely to keep on being a feature of modern life even when the pandemic is over. This means that your business simply has to be properly prepared. One way to do so is by installing the perfect videoconferencing software. This means that no matter whether your workers are in the office or working in another part of the country or the world, they can easily log into a virtual meeting and be able to communicate what they are working on. Make sure to find a service that allows for unlimited meeting times as well as the ability to record meetings for further reference.

Download the Cloud

The time of sending emails back and forth with large files is definitely over. Instead, more and more businesses are now moving towards the cloud. Cloud computing allows for files to be stored in one central location, meaning that people can collaborate in real time on ideas as well as allowing you to see who is currently working on any given project. It also allows for swift backups in case of an emergency.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Technology category

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter provide users with a voice online, help them connect with people from all corners of the globe, and learn the latest news and trends with ease.

Yet, the networks feature various risks that could impact a user’s safety, financial security, or mental health. Therefore, you must familiarize yourself with the potential dangers and learn how to protect yourself on social media.

Be Aware of Stranger Danger

While most social media users use platforms to connect with loved ones, find fun memes, or watch interesting videos, many unscrupulous people lurk online. For instance, con artists are promising to pay females’ bills and shower them with gifts in return for companionship. However, before you reply to a direct message from a stranger, you must read “Beware Of The Sugar Daddy Scam” to learn about the tricksters and how you can protect yourself from their tactics.

Avoid Prolonged Use

Various studies have found that social media can have a detrimental effect on a person’s mental health. As humans are sociable by nature, the disconnection from the real world can lead to feelings of isolation, which can increase a user’s likelihood of developing anxiety or depression.

Also, it is believed females are more likely to experience a mental health condition when using social media, as they might find it impossible to live up to the standards portrayed by other users online.

Prevent the development of a mental health disorder by avoiding prolonged use of one or more social media platforms. In addition, it is vital to seek medical help when struggling with a mental health issue, as you could benefit from counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, or prescription medication.

Turn Off Social Media Before Bed

Many people scroll through Instagram or watch TikTok videos when lying in bed. However, your smartphone or tablet will emit blue light that can interrupt your sleep cycle. If you follow the same routine every night, you could struggle to fall asleep and then suffer from excessive sleep deprivation. As a result, you can develop various health problems, such as:

• Heart disease
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Mental health conditions

Enjoy a good night’s sleep by avoiding devices that emit blue light at least one hour before bed. Twitter and TikTok can wait until the next day, and you will feel more refreshed and alert when you wake up.

Set Your Profiles to Private

Adults and children can experience cyberbullying. For example, a person may pass judgment on another person’s life, outfit, or parenting style. Also, children can become victims of targeted attacks by other kids, which may impact their mental health, self-esteem, and feelings of security.

Adults can avoid being trolled by turning off comments or avoiding social media altogether. Also, you could set your profile to private, which will ensure only your chosen friends and family members can view your posts. If you are a parent, you must monitor your child’s technology usage and introduce time restrictions to prevent them from spending many hours online.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Technology category

The jewelry industry maintains its standing as one of the largest profit-making enterprises across the world. In places like the United States and the Republic of Turkey, people purchase these stylish keepsakes on a daily, if not minute by minute basis. Many people purchase jewelry to give to loved one’s on special holidays like Mother’s Day. Some individuals use purchasing these stylish keepsakes to show off their status to others. In some cases people might even purchase jewelry to then sell to others to make some immediate cash. Whatever the reason, purchasing these glittering adornments is something that many people do in North America and across the world.

Some of the most popular pieces of jewelry include gold bracelets, fine watches, drop earrings, stylish luxury watches, necklaces composed of precious metals and gemstones, hoop earrings, stud earrings, and diamond rings. In 2018, jewelry stores in the United States made approximately $39.7 billion in sales. The global market, including North America, was valued at approximately $279 billion. People have a love and desire for these stylish keepsakes and are willing to spend whatever amount of money needed to purchase such items. When becoming a retailer of such stylish adornments at either a pawn shop in Beverly Hills or a mall storefront in the Republic of Turkey, it helps to learn everything you can about jewelry manufacturing. When you know how your wares are produced it helps to increase your knowledge of the items you’re selling to customers. We’ll focus on everything you need to know about manufacturing such items.

3D Design & Assembly

Technology has become extremely helpful in the stylish keepsake market. These machines help you to create a physical piece of jewelry from a sketch concept. A 3D designer will take your uploaded sketch or concept and turn it into a digital render of the bracelet, pair earrings, a necklace, or diamond rings you’re attempting to make. A 3D wax model piece is then created from this render using a 3D printing machine. This process usually takes up to 48 hours.

Once you create the wax mold or model, the piece will go through a casting process. As the wax is melted away, your mold will start to look like the stylish keepsake that you will see in a store. It’s replaced by your metal of choice in molten form. This can include yellow gold, sterling silver, or even platinum. As the metal dries into your desired shape, it goes through the process of “lost wax” casting.

Basic Assembly & Stone Setting

After the process of design and casting takes place, then the last step of basic assembly can take from 3 days to 3 weeks. The process operates in the same way, no matter the jeweler. If you’re looking at getting a custom set of diamond rings made from a Beverly Hills pawn shop that specializes in such things, there’s a chance that this set of stylish keepsakes has undergone this process. Casting will take the jewelry towards its fine metal stage, and at this point, a jeweler can make any aesthetic changes needed.

This might include adding shaping the piece to a preferred shape, which might not be how it is normally shaped. A jeweler will file down the casting skin to get to the metal that is underneath the cast or mold. This helps to get the molded piece to the desired shape or form that has been requested. Once a mount is created, then stones are set into the final piece. These stones can include gemstones, such as diamonds or rubies. A microscope is then used to complete this painstaking process in such stylish keepsakes as necklaces, stud earrings, and even bracelets which are fashioned with ounces of gold from Alamos Gold, Turkey. Alamos Gold mines are known for their social responsibility when it comes to avoiding dangerous materials, like cyanide, and to replacing the number of trees that may have been destroyed during the time it takes to mine many ounces of gold. Another thing to note is that after the mount is completed if the created piece warrants enameling work or even design work, this would take place before any of the stone settings. This will ensure that the setting can go off without a hitch, and not require “double work”.

Polishing & Finishing

Once you’ve set your stones in a necklace, pair of stud earrings, or bracelets then you can move on to the polishing and finishing stage. Here you work to ensure that your metal is polished and cleaned to perfection. You want this final piece to shine to perfection. Afterward, check every part of the final piece for imperfections. You can also use this opportunity to add any engravings or special messages to the finished piece. Some examples of these might include a special message to a loved one, or maybe a line of remembrance for someone who has passed away.

Sometimes this might increase the overall value of the finished keepsake but in the long run, it’s worth it. If no imperfections are found at this point, then you are finished with the jewelry manufacturing process.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Technology category

Optimizing your business is important if you want to ensure that you can run an efficient and modern company that is ready to meet the demands of your industry, all while avoiding wasting extensive amounts of your capital. Technology can help you to get the most out of your business and to maximize its potential, and here are some of the key ways that you can optimize your business using technology.

Invest in a Consultant

If your business is struggling with the many different challenges that the modern world presents to it, then you should consider hiring a consultant who will enable you to make changes that can enable your business to become more successful and productive. At Shipware, their shipping consulting service can allow you to utilize the latest technology that is available, including advanced data modeling and insights, to understand how your company is operating in terms of shipping and ensuring that you can get the contracts that work in your favor and negotiate the rates that you are looking for.

Hire an IT Team

You can also optimize your business using technology by investing in an IT team that can work round the clock to make sure that your business can overcome the barriers and issues that the modern tech-centric world presents. Having your own IT team at your beck and call can allow you to develop an excellent website, ensure that your technology remains efficient at all times, and can ensure that you are using the latest models and technology to allow your company to thrive.

Automate Your Processes

For your business to be fully optimized and efficient, you should consider automating the majority of your processes, especially those that you do not need humans to oversee. This can help to speed up your operations, minimize human error, and ensure that your human resources can be more effectively put to use. Some of the best processes that you can automate with artificial intelligence and robotics include those surrounding customer service, administration, manufacturing, and marketing. These tasks can be as simple as scheduling your marketing content on blogs, to more complex procedures within manufacturing companies.

Use Personalized Solutions

The best way for you to optimize your business with technology, though, is to use personalized solutions and software applications every step of the way. Rather than simply draining your business bank account on software that may be of no advantage to your business, investing in personalized and custom solutions will ensure that the applications that you are using have been developed with your business in mind. This can ensure that they can make more of an impact on your company, and can be upscaled to suit your business’s new needs as it begins to grow. However, when you decide to invest in personalized solutions, you will need to find a reliable company to make this software for your business otherwise this could affect the efficiency and success of your company in the long run.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Technology category

Back in 2017 we saw what was widely considered to be the first bull run in the history of cryptocurrency. Bitcoin and Ethereum very much lead the charge with regards to this, and a lot of smart investors like financial expert Robert Testagrossa certainly saw the fruits of it. Unfortunately however there were many late to the game who saw coins such as Bitcoin plummet from $20,000 down to around $3,000. The bear run that followed in 2017 was pretty savage and many lost a great deal of money from their investments.

Currently cryptocurrency is very much inside a bull run, but even if there is a bear run to follow, it will not be anywhere near as savage as what happened back in 2017, and here is why.

Massive Investments

The main criticism of those coins which had big market cap back in 2017 was that the whales controlled the price. Whales are investors or groups of investors who have huge holdings of crypto, who can alter the price with a quick sale or dump, or indeed big buys which lead to a pump. Regarding those coins with big market caps now, the whales have very much been diluted and that means that they can affect the price less.

Acceptance in the Community

The bear run back in 2017 served as a reminder to many of the volatility of crypt, and those traditional thinkers were almost proved right about their opinions on crypto. During this bull run however we are seeing some of the world’s biggest companies get on board. Tesla has bought up huge figures of crypto, MasterCard and PayPal now allow for crypto purchases and even the likes of Bear Sterns are getting involved. The oldest bank in New York, BNY Mellon, is even allowing its clients to hold crypto with them. This shows the acceptance of crypto and why the crash won’t get close to what we saw in 2017.

Palpable

One of the biggest criticisms of cryptocurrency through the years was that it had no real value because you couldn’t buy anything with it. This of course was a valid concern which many had. These days however this just isn’t the same and there is much that you can purchase with the likes of Bitcoin. In Miami there is a trial where you can pay taxes and earn salary in Bitcoin, Tesla allow you to buy a vehicle with the cryptocurrency and there are even towns in Japan which are operating using the currency. Tis will continue to grow and making the coin a palpable asset is exactly why we won’t see a monster plunge in price.

Higher Security

What many people didn’t know about that tough bull run in 2017 was that it was mainly caused because of a massive hack which saw huge volumes of crypto stolen from wallets. These days however there is much tighter security which can prevent this from happening. This isn’t to say that a hack is impossible, but it is far less likely than ever before.

The market is volatile of course, but when the bull run comes, it is worth ensuring that you don’t panic.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Technology category

Online security isn’t as easy as installing and running the most secure VPN available, as much as we’d like it to be that way. It definitely puts you at an advantage, but there are areas VPNs simply don’t cover in terms of security – mostly because that’s not what they’re built for.

If you’re looking for the most secure VPN options at the moment, discover ProPrivacy’s recommendations here. Read on to find out how to cover your bases and enhance the security offered by your VPN.

What Are VPNs Vulnerable Against?

Security-wise, VPNs are built for two things:

• Masking your IP address – which can be used to find out your approximate location, right down to the ZIP code. Hiding your location with a VPN also lets you get past irritating geo-blocks, so that’s a big plus.
• Encrypting your online data – essentially, hiding it from the prying eyes of greedy ISPs, government surveillance, and cyber attackers.

You have the odd provider here and there that offers built-in tracking and malware protection, as well. Despite being a helpful addition, they’re no substitute for decent anti-malware and a tracking script blocker like Privacy Badger or uBlock Origin.

That being said, VPNs can’t protect you from everything we’re about to discuss. For one, they’d be overstepping their boundaries. No one app should gain this much access to the inner workings of your device.

Second of all, let’s consider a situation where this doesn’t pose such a security risk. It would still be difficult to create a catch-all app like that and not have it be an absolute mess. “Jack of all trades, master of none,” as they say. Let’s see what threatens your VPN security and what you can do about it.

1. Cookies

Despite the outright annoying cookie policy pop-ups you get on every website, cookies can actually be useful. For example, a cookie file on your device can keep you logged in to a website so you don’t have to insert your details every session.

However, cookies can also be used to create specialized profiles about you that are used for targeted advertising. If this sounds bad, wait till you hear that cookie data can help the NSA find targets for hacking.

VPNs can’t access your cookies (at least, not any trustworthy provider), so they can’t keep you safe from them. Fortunately, it’s easy enough to clear cookies. True, you’ll lose some convenience of modern browsing – but overall it’s a small sacrifice for security.

2. Web Beacons

We won’t get into the technical details, but you can consider web beacons to be cookies’ insidious little brother. They are invisible, don’t require consent to be used, and they can basically gain just as much data about you as a cookie would.

Want an idea about how bad they are? Here’s an example using the most known JavaScript-based web beacon at the moment, Facebook Pixel. Belgian courts have deemed Facebook Pixel illegal, because it can track non-users.

You can prevent tracking through web beacons by using one of the two all-purpose blockers we mentioned before. uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger, specifically.

3. Browser Fingerprinting

Another one you can add to the long list of ad tracking methods. Mozilla have a great piece about browser fingerprinting right here if you’re interested in the technical side. The gist of it is that your browser sends a few bits of information to every website you access. This allows them to serve you an optimized version of their website (e.g. mobile versions if you’re on a phone).

However, those bits of info can be used to track your behavior, as well. It may not be useful to identify you by name or anything similar, but it’s still something to keep in mind. For the most part, you can’t prevent browser fingerprinting. Your best shot is using Tor over VPN; and even then you’re just mitigating, rather than completely solving the problem.

One thing that should interest you is that websites can detect VPN usage through your system’s time settings. When you connect to a different region with a VPN, your browser basically tells websites: “Hey, I’m from this specific region, please look the other way.”

However, your browser fingerprint contains your local system time. If the two time zones aren’t in sync, websites can tell something’s fishy. Even if you don’t plan on using Tor, you can at least change your system’s time to reflect your VPN server location.

4. Smartphone Location Data

Speaking of location, your smartphone can be your greatest enemy when it comes to online privacy. Using the most secure VPN to hide your location and encrypt your data? The myriad apps on your phone don’t care, and can still transmit this info if you don’t take app permissions seriously.

The New York Times has done a great investigative piece on the subject, and a guide to prevent location data sharing to go along with it. Check them out, use one of ProPrivacy’s top VPN picks, and you’re as close to bulletproof security as can be – short of going off the grid entirely.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Technology category

Technology often seems like it’s aimed firmly at the young, with older people feeling left out and left behind by new advancements. However, there are actually lots of devices and services being developed—especially for the elderly—in order to help them stay healthy and independent for as long as possible. Here are just some of the ways in which technology can help senior citizens, whether it’s in their own home or at an assisted living facility.

Building social connections

Maintaining meaningful social connections is one of the most important factors for older people, as loneliness has been associated with a higher risk of health conditions such as stroke, depression, and dementia. Seniors with untreated hearing loss are less likely to participate in social activities (those who do not wear hearing aids for seniors)Yet, this can be difficult for those who live far from their family, or who have mobility problems that make socializing tricky. This is where technology can be a huge help. From email and instant messaging to video calls and group chats, connecting with others from home has never been easier. The current COVID-19 pandemic has sped up the development of these services, with community groups, places of worship, and other organizations all now increasing their online provision. So if your elderly relative is somewhat technophobic, see if you can teach them the basics and help them to widen their social network.

Improving physical health

Taking care of our physical health only gets more important as we age, and nowadays there are lots of devices, apps, and games we can use to boost our fitness. Even senior living facilities are getting in on the act, with companies such as Sentrics senior living solutions providing services that enable residents to follow along with age-appropriate exercise classes on their TV. Even simple wearable tech such as pedometers to track how many steps your elderly relatives takes in a day can help motivate them to become more active.

Increasing safety

Safety is often one of the biggest concerns people have regarding their elderly relatives, and luckily technology can be a huge help here, too. For example, you can get emergency buttons to be worn around the neck in case of a fall, which your loved one can use to call for help if they can’t get up. Likewise, you can install a stairlift to help them move around the house more easily, put in voice-activated lights to avoid them tripping in the dark, or get memory aids that will remind them to take their medication.

Keeping the mind active

Just as we need to exercise the body to stay healthy, we also need to exercise the mind to keep our cognitive powers strong. Of course, there are plenty of pen-and-paper methods such as crossword puzzles that your relative can use, but technology is a great way to make it more fun. Brain-training games have become hugely popular in recent years as a way to keep the brain active, with many designed specifically for the elderly. Whether it’s on their smartphone or a handheld gaming device, it can be an enjoyable way for your loved one to boost their memory and brainpower.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Technology category