Many of us get our entertainment, news, and pay our bills via the Internet. So, it’s not a shock that we access our music over the Internet as well. Many people subscribe to on-line music-streaming services that are either free or cost money. The advantages are many. People don’t have to transfer their music files onto different devices plus they can listen to it anywhere they have internet access.

But which music-streaming services are the best? Below are a few recommendations:

Pandora: Pandora has been around awhile, and it is very widely used. It’s clear to see why: it is simple. After navigating to the website, type in the name of a song or artist you like and Pandora will create a radio station based on that information. It chooses songs by artists with a comparable sound. As you listen to your station you can click the thumbs up or thumbs down symbol on the songs and Pandora will adjust your station based on this new information. In addition, you can “seed” you station with different artists to even further personalize it. You can listen to Pandora without setting up an account but in order to save your stations, you will need to create an account.

Grooveshark: Grooveshark is similar to Pandora. But you can also make your own playlists manually, all without creating an account. However, people who want to save their play lists will have to sign up for a free account. Like Pandora, Grooveshark also provides suggestions for songs that you might like determined by your past musical selections. Grooveshark also has an interesting feature: You can improve the service’s database of music by adding your own favorite songs and artists if you don’t find them in Grooveshark’s existing collection.

Rhapsody: Rhapsody has quickly made a name for itself because of its huge database of more than 14 million songs. Users must pay for the service – $10 a month – but by doing this, they’ll be able to stream any song from the service’s huge collection.

Spotify: Spotify is one of the most widely known music-streaming services out there. After its launch in 2008, it expanded rapidly. Spotify has a user friendly interface. You can enjoy entire albums, choose to create a “radio” station based on your tastes, or create playlists that you can share with other Spotify users. This is attractive to people who enjoy the nostalgia of making mix tapes. Many people love Spotify’s integration with Facebook. By utilizing the Facebook app, Spotify creates a running list of what you are playing day by day. You can also see what your Facebook friends are listening too, in real-time.

Remember when Windows was regarded as cool? It’s been a long time. Nevertheless, the Kinect – a motion and voice-sensing device originally meant as a nifty feature for the Xbox gaming console – may help Windows regain its long-lost coolness quotient.

Not surprisingly, a version of the Kinect is compatible with Windows-operated PCs. So shortly after this new version was released in February, companies started coming up with creative, out-of-the-box uses for it.

Innovative Uses for the Kinect

For instance, at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this year, the chief marketing manager for Nissan North America used Kinect for Windows to generate a virtual tour of the Pathfinder’s upgraded interior. This proved especially beneficial since the marketing manager only had the Pathfinder’s empty shell to exhibit at the Auto Show. A large screen powered by Kinect showed visitors just what they’d be viewing if they were actually sitting within the finished body of the new Pathfinder. The screen, for instance, displayed the car’s dual moon roofs and several other features.

Microsoft is encouraging companies to find different uses for the Kinect and even cooperating with them to develop applications for it. This is a good move on their part, as it not only encourages creativity but it also puts a Microsoft product at the heart of the creative development. One company that has worked with Microsoft in this way is Boeing. They’ve used the Kinect to develop virtual tours of their jets. Another exciting use of the Kinect was discovered by a medical facility in Canada. They are using the Kinect’s gesture-recognition to swipe through CT scans. This greatly lessens, if not removes, the possibility of spreading germs as you don’t have to touch the computer.

Kinect: A Solid Hit

When Microsoft created the Kinect for Windows they hit a home run. Last year the Xbox 360 was the best selling gaming console. In fact, since November 2010, more then 18 million Kinect devices have been sold. This is definitely changing the way that the consumer views Microsoft products.

It might seem hard to believe, but Windows and its creator may have actually found something that’s not only useful, but cool, which can do nothing but good for their reputation.

There are lots of people searching for jobs today. However, as an employer, you are not looking for just anyone. You want to hire the best, most creative employees to work at your business. You recognize that your company is only as strong as your workers. How do you hire the most suitable people? It all begins with the interview.

Make sure that your interview questions solicit the information that will help you find the individual with the qualities you want. If you use a cookie cutter approach to the interview, you are likely to get uninspired, cookie cutter answers.

Ask the Right Questions

Rather then asking people what their previous positions were, ask them the way they positively impacted their positions at their previous employers. Did they develop any processes that improved efficiency? Did they help their employers save money, if so, how?

Another common interview question is to ask about the individual’s strengths and weaknesses. Most of us have a canned answer to this, as they know it might be asked in an interview. Instead have them tell you the things they add to the culture of a company, what do they do in tense situations, or what are some ways they keep themselves satisfied at their jobs. These answers will clue you in to the personality of the person you are interviewing, and if they will fit in with your company and the position.

Another simple way to measure a prospective employee’s creativity is to ask them to perform a task. For instance, you could ask them to brainstorm ideas for an ad campaign, or write a brief essay about their ideal workplace. Whatever it is, it is something your interviewee will not expect and it will give you a picture of their creativity.

Today’s job market is such that it’s probable that many skilled people will apply to your open position. So, in order to sift through these applicants and find the most creative and inventive individuals, change your interview tactics to hone in on these traits.

No one likes traveling for business. Airports can be a hassle, with all of that business of removing your shoes, shelling out extra to stow bags, as well as the constant delays and cancellations. We often overeat on bad fast food or at hotel buffets, as well, when we’re traveling for business. Plus there is the lack of sleep. It’s no wonder that so many business people are longing for enhancements in videoconferencing technology. After all, if this technology improves sufficiently – the logic goes – maybe off-site business meetings, and the business travel that accompanies this, will be a thing of the past.

The End of Business Travel?

But is this something that we should strive for in business? Is it the best thing if videoconferencing replaces face-to-face meetings altogether? Maybe not, consider the differences between meetings that are face-to-face versus videoconferencing.

During a videoconference, people from around the world sign on, say their hellos, and get to the business at hand. The amount of brainstorming is usually limited because people worry about the stability of their connections or give in to the distractions of the offices in which they sit.

The Benefits of Face-to-Face Time

At in-person meetings, however, agendas have a way of falling by the wayside, and that is a good thing. Meetings may start only after a few minutes of personal chit chat and they may end with attendees swapping office stories. Again, this is good. Often, the most effective business ideas arise from these moments of off-topic discussion.

Business Travel is Here to Stay

While many businesses turn toward videoconferencing because of the cost and ease of it, it is doubtful that business travel will disappear altogether. When we develop business relationships, just like any relationships, we want to meet face-to-face because we are a social species. The advantages of face-to-face meetings are enough that savvy business owners will not eliminate business travel altogether.

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Doesn’t it seem like we should already have jetpacks? Teleporters? Or meals in tablet form? We already have some incredible technology, like tablets, which are small computers that we can carry around. We can take advantage of the GPS in our cars to navigate around town. We can post an update to our social media sites and reach thousands of people at once.

So, with all of this technology, why don’t we have jet packs yet? What factors are preventing us from making these technological leaps?

Building a Better Battery

First, there is battery power. The bottomline is, the batteries running our smartphones and tablets have to be recharged too frequently. A more powerful battery will permit us to run our gadgets for weeks at a time and then charge them again in just minutes. This battery doesn’t exist yet. However, it might be coming: researchers at Chicago’s Northwestern University are creating a far more powerful lithium-ion battery. If their prototype becomes commercially viable, it will be a game-changer.

Improving Internet Access

It may seem like everybody is linked to the Internet, but this is a misconception. The majority of the world doesn’t have access to the Internet. Although this may not seem like it could suppress technological advancements, it does. The reasoning is that by limiting the number of people who can contribute to the interconnectedness the Internet provides, we are restricting the amount of individuals who can collaborate. Until the majority of individuals are connected, technological breakthroughs will not happen as quickly as they could.

The Business of New Tech

Last but not least there is the red tape. Business matters, like patent laws, can impede technological progress. Individuals and businesses that come up with revolutionary things have to first traverse these waters. But if government regulations are clear and simple to understand, it could reduce some of this.

While these are some of the things that prevent technology from advancing, it still is progressing at a rapid pace. So who knows what is waiting for us in the next year or two.

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Businesses can use Adobe Photoshop to generate professional marketing material easily. It is a very powerful program with many features so it’s no wonder that it can cost over $600, depending on the version. Many small business owners don’t want to spend this much, and they don’t require all the features that come with it. However, there are some alternatives to Photoshop that are economical or free.

These solutions are not quite as robust as Photoshop but they provide enough of the elements to be beneficial to the small business owner. This is a list of three that make photo-manipulation easy, without straining the wallet.

GIMP

GIMP means GNU image manipulation program. It is extremely easy to use and contains the most used features of Photoshop. There are several versions of GIMP and best of all it’s totally free.

Paint.NET

Do you recall MSPaint? It came standard with the Windows operating system. Paint.NET is its successor and is a really powerful and free photo editor. It comes with its own special effects and an limitless undo; this is ideal for people who want to experiment with the effects. The one negative of this program is it only works with Windows.

Picnik

Picnik is fast, free, and easy to use. It works on the Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems and you don’t need to download files to use it. It has some exciting special effects as well, making it a very popular photo-editing program.

In the end, if you’re searching for a program that lets you create professional marketing material, there is no need to spend a lot. These programs will let you accomplish this task at no cost.

Have you ever needed your smartphone only to find that the battery has died and you’re nowhere near an outlet? It’s annoying, but in a couple of years, it may be a thing of the past.

A Better Battery on the Way?

A team of engineers at Chicago’s Northwestern University may have found a way to make a battery that lasts longer and charges itself within minutes, instead of overnight. This story reports on these research efforts. This is great news for smartphone users worldwide.

Northwestern’s researchers have found a way to prolong the charge of lithium-ion batteries by more then 10 times the current lithium-ion battery life. They’re even boasting that after 150 charges, which they believe represents about a year of operation, the new lithium-ion battery will be 5 times more effective than batteries currently.

A Charged Battery for a Week

Ultimately, this new cell phone battery could stay charged for a whole week, even with all the apps we use daily. And the charging time? Less than 15 minutes. That will sure make our lives easier, but more than this, this new battery technology may lead to smaller and more efficient batteries for electric cars.  This could consequently, have a dramatic effect on our reliance on fossil fuels.

Batteries Powering Technological Change

The new battery technology isn’t available yet for consumers, but the Northwestern researchers say that it could hit the market in 3 to 5 years. This is a big step. When we look at breakthroughs in technology, we tend to forget about the batteries that power our latest gadgets. Battery constraints are one of the factors holding back an even greater technology revolution. The hope is that the research done at Northwestern University changes this.

When searching for something on the Internet, the majority of people automatically go to Google. We even use it as a verb when we “Google” something. However, a lesser-used yet powerful search engine is Microsoft’s Bing. While Bing may be often overlooked, it actually has a lot to offer surfers of the Web.

Taking Another Look at Bing

When searching on Bing you may get more information about your search results then you do from Google. There is a navigation panel on the left that features related searches; this can help you refine your search if you didn’t get the information you were in need of. There is also a “search history” navigation panel to help you easily navigate to past pages if needed. This feature can be toggled on and off.

Bing Goes Beyond Search Results

Bing also brings more than just search results. Say users search for websites about pop star Lady Gaga. Bing will also bring up Lady Gaga’s most current videos. For users looking for a flight out of town, Bing beats Google easily. The search engine incorporates something it calls Farecast Technology in its Bing Travel site. This allows users quickly locate the least expensive airfare to particular destinations.

Bing Video Search Shines

Bing stands out from Google with regards to searching for videos as well. Bing allows users to specify how long they would like videos to be, what resolution they would like, and what screen size they would prefer. In addition, to get a preview of the video, users only need to hover their cursor over the video to play a part of it without clicking on it.

These are a few reasons why computer users should not disregard Bing. While Google is a household name, it’s not the only search engine out there.

Cloud computing is quite common these days. The cloud is essentially a group of remote servers where people can store and access their information. People can store music, powerful programs, and important files in the cloud. As information stored in the cloud isn’t stored on personal computers this saves lots of computer memory. The outcome of this is that people can access more data without having to waste space on their computer, which can slow it down.

Not All Clouds are the Same

However, not all clouds are the same. There’s the public cloud, the one with which we are most familiar. But then there’s the hybrid cloud as well. As its name indicates, the hybrid cloud is a combination of two different types of clouds, the public cloud and a private cloud.

For a business to provide a hybrid cloud, they store a client’s most confidential data on their in-house private cloud, and data that needs less protection on a public cloud. For example, archived files and big programs.

The Hybrid Cloud Approach Makes Sense

Taking a hybrid cloud approach to data storage allows businesses to take advantage of the space-saving features of the public cloud without also exposing their sensitive current data to third-party providers. In other words, the hybrid cloud provides businesses with security, cost-savings, and efficiency.

Because of this it’s not surprising that the hybrid cloud is so widely used. Businesses today have too much data to store on their own servers but they don’t want the security risk that can come with the public cloud. Utilizing the hybrid cloud they can keep space in their systems free while safeguarding their data.

A growing number of employees today work remotely. This is possible due to advancements in technology. The benefits are many for both employee and employer. Employers can spend less money as they have less people that need space in the workplace. Employees that work remotely are often more productive; they spend less time commuting, and they have the flexibility to adjust their work around their life rather than working 9 hours straight, which can cause burnout.

Remote Worker Challenges

A major concern for a lot of managers when choosing to have remote workers is, how do you monitor their work? How do you know that they are actually working and not simply watching movies all day?

By setting sensible deadlines employers can monitor their remote workers successfully. This is a change in managerial strategy; it puts the focus on the goal rather then the amount of time that the employee works. In the end, employees are the only ones who know when they perform most optimally, even if it is from midnight to 4am.

Setting Remote Worker Deadlines

This can be the easiest way to monitor your remote workers. Employers may decide that a certain amount of work needs to be completed by Friday. Another way would be to set up weekly or bi-weekly meetings via phone or video chat. To resolve any feelings of detachment some employers may ask that a remote worker spend one day a week in the office. This will help to keep everyone on course and informed.

Off-Site Not a Permanent Condition

Employers must remember, too, that remote workers do not have to stay that way. If employers see that their off-site workers are not meeting deadlines or are turning in sub-par work, they can require that these workers return to the office on a full-time basis. Trust remains the key element of a remote working relationship. Companies must place some trust in their workers that they will finish their jobs on time. Workers must demonstrate that they are deserving of this trust by hitting their deadlines, turning in quality work, and responding quickly to phone calls or email messages.