Month: April 2010

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End of an Era

It’s finally time to say goodbye! Sony announced their decision to stop producing 3.5-inch floppy disks. The disks were a very popular way of storing information for many years. Unfortunately, newer technologies have taken over and the floppy is no longer needed. It will be missed by millions of sentimental people.

There is still hope for those who may have a box or two of floppies in their closet. I do have a floppy drive reader on my computer and would be glad to help anyone who needs to transfer their valuable information to another format. I guess it’s just the way of things that stuff goes out of date. I think I’ll put my floppies in the box I store my 8 track tapes in.

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Small Businesses

One of the driving forces in our economy is small business. That’s why I always support them when I can. One way to do that is to give practical advice to a business owner when I can. One area that I know a lot about is the online realm. Doing business online is the latest trend and can support a business if properly done. The only problem is that it can be very difficult for those who are not up to speed on the latest technologies.

One of the most difficult tasks for an online business is setting up a site online. It takes skill as well as the right equipment. That’s why I usually recommend that people use a dedicated server hosting service for their online needs. This allows the business owners to concentrate on business instead of worrying about their site crashing. By utilizing managed hosting solutions they can ensure their site will be running no matter what happens.

For people who are more computer literate, there are other options. Time, money, and space are limited assets. If you already have a server, you may want to think about collocation services. Allowing others to maintain your equipment may be a great idea. It can be a time and money saver for most people. I hope everyone will look into their options and make the best decision possible.

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Volcanoes and travel

Europe is still reeling from the volcano that erupted in Iceland. The volcano has been spewing out smoke and ash that has left nearly every airport in Europe closed. The ash presents a threat to planes as it clogs up their engines creating an unsafe condition. This has led to many questions being asked as to the future of air travel in Europe.

Iceland’s volcano could erupt many more times in the future. It could also erupt for long periods of time. This could affect industry as well as health for millions of people. Trains and boats are trying to keep up with the increase in usage as people turn to these modes of travel to get around. I imagine we will have to wait and see what the results are of this travel interruption.

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Ground Floor

Since the economy seems to be recovering a bit, people are losing their fear of investing in the stock market again. While we still have a way to go, the signs of positive activity in the market are appearing. This has led many of my friends to begin asking advice on the best way to proceed. I always tell them to take control of their own assets by using the modern technologies that are available.

One good way to make trades or manage your assets is by doing it online. It can be done quickly, cheaply, and securely. Online Trading is the best option for millions of Americans who want to enter the trading world. There are many great sites out there such as firstrade.com that can speed you on your way. They can help you get the most out of assets such as your IRA Accounts. The future is near and you should be a part of it.

For anyone just beginning, I would suggest that knowledge is a key to doing well. There is a lot of good information available and it would be wise to learn all you can before starting. Another strategy would be to use an Online Broker to help you through the rough spots. No matter how you go, there is a lot of money to be made and getting in on the ground floor is necessary. I hope you don’t delay!

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Gas mileage

The federal government announced new rules that will drive up the gas mileage of newly made cars. The standards will increase MPGs to a level of around 35.5 mpg for all cars by 2016. While the decision is controversial, I believe it is the right thing to do. Critics say the move will drive up new car prices, while environmentalists say the laws will help the environment.

As a consumer, I would be glad to know that every new car will have better gas mileage each year. This will help drive down the need for foreign oil by reducing the amounts of gas needed. I think this plan is based on common sense and I agree with it 100 percent.

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Getting Ahead

One thing that can be difficult in this life is getting ahead. Working for someone else has many advantages, but that also means that you are losing out on a lot of the money that is made. Owning your own business can be a way of earning the most from the opportunities you have. That’s why I told my friend James to look into buying his own franchise while he had the chance.

James is in a unique situation. He has recently come into some money and wants to use it wisely. He is a little older and has learned many lessons in his life. I believe that he is at a point in his life where he would do well to own his own business. I encouraged him to look into the situation. I also steered him toward a site called franchiseadvantage.com.

This site offers a wide variety of opportunities for those looking for a franchise for sale. Starting his own business would be easy as most of the work is already done. Other people have gone before him and forged the way to a successful future. I am hoping that James will take this moment to start a new career and step toward the future. I know he has the tools to do it with!

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Aral Sea

One thing that threatens our planet is the lack of fresh water. Evidence of this can be found in the Aral Sea that has lost over 90 percent of its water over the last several decades. The sea is located in Central Asia and used to be a major source of wealth in the fishing industry. Many ships now stand abandoned and rusting in the sand.

One of the contributors to the problem is the diversion of streams that used to flow into the sea for farming use. The production of cotton has drained the sea dry. The water problem has caused a concern about social issues as well as economic ones. We all hope that some solution can be found soon.

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Census

We’ve all been hearing about the census lately. It is important that everyone fills theirs out and mails it back in. The census helps the government decide how to allocate money. It’s all a part of being a good citizen. I filled mine out and sent it back in as soon as I got it. I hope everyone else does the same. I think it is important to do your part in helping out the government; they need all the help they can get!

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A Deal gone Right??

During the 2008 credit crises, the Treasury Department received 7.7 billion shares of the Citigroup Company for the $25 billion dollars it loaned to the bank. The Treasury plans to sell the shares throughout the coming year. If stock prices for the company stay high, the department could actually make a profit on the deal.

The shares were bought for $3.25 each. The current stock price is about $4.23 dollars. Citigroup has already paid back an additional $20 billion dollars it borrowed from the government during the crisis. It’s wonderful that the government may actually profit on the deal. I hope they can use the money to pay down the debt!!

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Hello Doc

While I am happy that the Obama administration has been successful in passing the new health care bill, it seems that it may have certain drawbacks. One problem that may crop up is the need for more doctors. With the millions of additional patients that will be seen, a good doctor will be hard to find.

The government is working on ways to increase the amount of doctors available by offering bonuses to doctors who serve in priority areas. They are also considering using doctor led nurse teams to provide for additional patients. I think that becoming a doctor would be a great idea for some of the young people who are in need of a good career.