Yes, it is that time again, getting ready for hurricane season.
Here is a list of useful websites, so you can get together your go bags for you and your family and pets now.
hurricane and disaster preparedness for families
www.semo.state.ny.us
www.ready.gov
www.floodsmart.com
nyredcross.org
national hurricane center nhc.noaa,gov
national weather service www.weather.gov
www.fema.gov
For those of you who have heard about Satellite Radio, Sirius has introduced
the Stiletto 2. It is a portable satellite radio and MP3 player in one. The
sleek and compact design only weighs four ounces, but more than that it has the
capability of receiving both satellite and Wi-Fi signals live.
Complete with Sirius Studio Software, the Stiletto 2 is compatible with most
music downloads on the internet. In addition, it carries more than 130 channels
and 69 channels of commercial-free music as well as 65 channels of news, sports,
talk shows, and weather forecasts. In addition, Sirius is the official radio
partner of the NBA, NFL and NASCAR, which affords you the opportunity to receive
live games for a monthly subscription fee.
The Sirius Stiletto 2 features:
* Robust and versatile 2 GB MP3 player with Sirius satellite radio reception
* Schedule recordings to capture up to 100 hours of favorite Sirius shows or
programs; brilliant 2.2-inch full-color display
* Enhanced WiFi 802.11 and direct satellite connectivity
* Press single button to store favorite individual songs heard live on any
Sirius music channel
* MicroSD media slot to augment internal memory; measures 1.9 x 4.3 x 0.6
inches; weighs 4.3 ounces
* Model Number: SL2PK1
* Tuner: Sirius satellite
* Satellite frequencies: 2322.293/2330.207 MHz
* Terrestrial frequencies: 2326.250 MHz
* Internal storage: 2 GB flash memory
* External storage: MicroSD card (up to 8 GB)
* Audio files: MP3, WMA
* Audio capacity: Up to 2000 songs (MP3)
* Audio playback time: Up to 100
hours
* Power requirements: 5 volts, 2.0 A negative ground, DC
* Battery: Rechargeable battery pack, AC adapter (included)
* Battery life: Up to 4 hours (live satellite), up to 10 hours (WiFi), up to 20
hours (non-live)
* Display: 2.2-inch color LCD
* Audio interface: 3.5-millimeter stereo mini jack
* Headphone output: 20 mW at 16 ohms
* Signal-to-noise (S/N): 90 db (MP3)
* Wi-Fi standard: 802.11b/g
* Wi-Fi security: WEP and WPA(2) Personal
* Wi-Fi antenna: Internal
* Internal antenna type: Integrated, low profile patch
* Operational temperature: 23 to 104 degrees F / -5 to 40 degrees C
* Dimensions: 1.9 x 4.3 x 0.62 inches / 50 x 110 x 16 millimeters (W x H x D)
* Weight: 4.3 ounces / 121 grams
* What’s in the box: Stiletto 2 receiver/MP3 player, battery, AC power
adapter, Altec Lansing headphones, earbuds, PC cable, My Sirius Studio software
The Sirius Stiletto 2 is a fantastic gadget to own or give to a friend or loved
one as a present. With the ability to record shows or sports events and upload
favorite songs, this is one radio/MP3 player that is a must have for anyone who
loves electronics.
Asset management seems like a fancy term for people who are not much into investing and into business but the truth is, it is something that all people need to survive the rising costs of living and inflation rates.
The concept is actually similar in a way to putting the money that you earn in banks but the difference is, asset management makes use of stocks, mutual funds, properties and bonds to further increase your wealth and assets. You see, putting your money in the bank is not enough. You can only do this for the money that you feel you will need during emergencies. You can put it there and let it earn a small interest, so that you can easily withdraw It when you need it.
For the extra money that you have that you donít really need, invest it. Mutual funds, bonds and stocks yield higher rewards than the measly interests that banksí provide. In just a few years, you can earn half of what you invested, something that you canít do with the bank.
But before you get into asset management and hire yourself a professional, read through the items below to help orient yourself to the field of investing.
1. There are a lot of scams and con artists in the world
Money can make people do things that they will not normally do. This is a fact of life that you need to know before you start hiring somebody to handle your assets and properties. That way, you will be more careful when looking for asset managers.
When hiring somebody, make sure that you have done some background checks on the person first. As far as possible, hire only those that you know personally. If you donít know anyone who can handle your finances, ask the people that you know to make recommendations. Start with your family and friends as they will give you a good recommendation.
But before you hire the guy, set up a meeting first. Even if he or she is recommended by your most trusted friend, you cannot be too sure.
And after you have hired him or her, still take an active part with the investing of your money. Make sure that you are informed about every investment made. Do not give full power to the asset manager to decide on investing issues. Your approval must always be asked before making an investment.
2. Diversify
This is the golden rule that asset managers go by. Diversification means that you need to put investments in more than one product and not in one investment product. The yield can be good but it isnít worth it to risk your entire savings in one go.
If your asset manager has not done this, think twice before continuing the service. The adage “Do not put all your eggs in one basket” holds true for this field. You see, investments can also be very risky. Even those that are considered a surefire success can suddenly fold, leaving you with big losses.
That is why you need to make sure that you have something to fall back on if one investment falls through. If you diversified your investments in asset management, you can still count on your other investments to prop you up on your feet again.
One drawback to certain types of diversification is that some markets are interlocked. For instance, the stock market and bond markets will generally go in opposite directions. So investing in both will pretty much guarantee that if you are gaining in one, you will be losing in the other and achieving zero growth at best. Stocks are generally more volatile than bonds. If stocks drop they will generally lose value much more rapidly than any gains in the bond market.
3. Greed versus Need
In any plan for investing, you should always set clear goals and guide your decisions on what you need rather than what you want. How much risk can you afford? The greater risks must be balanced by a realistic expectation of greater gains but you have to ask yourself if you can afford the great losses that might result.
One crucial aspect in any investment decision is an accurate risk assessment using the best information you can get. But research as you will, there will always be information that you can’t get or circumstances you can’t predict. So your assments will always be inaccurate, perhaps disastrously so.
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by Jacinta Carey
One of the most technological challenges in the field of communication was to
somehow come up with a device that one can wear as a headset, that could be worn
comfortably, and achieve the highest quality of sound transmission. The new
generation of Bluetooth headsets emerged and the Plantronics Voyager 510 has far
exceeded anyone’s expectations.
The Plantronics Voyager features include:
* Windsmart Technology allows you to seamlessly switch between two Bluetooth®
devices
* Noise-canceling microphone for superior sound quality
* Up to 6 hours talk time and up to 100 hours standby time
* One-touch call answer/end, last number redial and voice activated dialing
* Compatible with Bluetooth devices supporting the headset or hands-free
profile
* With exclusive Multipoint Technology, your headset seamlessly transforms into
a powerful communication solution for up to two Bluetooth devices.
* The 510 is comfortable and light enough for all day wear, and it offers
unprecedented clarity and sound quality.
* With Multipoint technology you can switch between your voice-enabled
Bluetooth mobile phone, PDA or laptop.
* The headset’s smart technology knows which device you are using and
allows you to take calls from any device at the touch of a button.
* The 510 features a noise-canceling microphone for clearer conversations, and
it folds for easy storage.
* The boom also swivels for perfect positioning on either ear.
* One-touch call control buttons are placed for easy access, and you can easily
redial the last number dialed and initiate voice-activated calls from
the headset.
* The 510 is Bluetooth 1.2 specification enabled, which means you can roam up
to 33 feet from your Bluetooth device.
* The 510 supports adaptive frequency hopping (AFH) which helps avoid
interference from wi-fi networks.
* Ample talk time is provided by the built-in rechargeable battery.
Consumers who have purchased the Plantronics Voyager have asserted that this
device works perfectly in any type of noisy environment. It is easy to program,
stays in place, is comfortable to wear, can answer and close a call by one touch
of a button, and has a long-lasting battery life. Most users state that the
Voyager lasts up to seven or eight hours.
In addition, the Plantronics Voyager features three different ear pieces so
that you can choose the one that has the best fit. Also, you can purchase the
optional Plantronics Deskphone adapter which allows you to switch between the
office phone and your mobile phone as well.
The Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth headset is a remarkable piece of
technology and with its great sound quality, has become the most innovative
headset on the market to date.
The need for effective and efficient asset management has given way to a range of asset management solutions. The assets of a company all play significant roles in the achievement of corporate goals, and therefore must be utilized and managed optimally. Asset management in the modern age has become all the more critical, seeing that technological and information changes have shifted the way industry managers and company leaders make vital decisions.
The core of industry asset management
Any organization or industry is held together by assets, both tangible and intangible. The assets of a business can range from the simple, like a piece of furniture, to the more complex and expensive, as in a transport system. The company personnel or human resources can be counted as assets as well.
Intangible assets can include copyrights and patents, as well the digital systems and information circulating within the business and across units. In asset management, the assets of an industry must be made to function optimally and to be maintained in such a manner that decreases costs and maximizes value.
When assets become mismanaged, the industry could suffer seriously. From the equipment to the personnel, the assets and resources of the business must be optimized for better productivity and value. In any organization, knowing the depreciation and the value of fixed assets is important, just as understanding how the work flow systems can be best applied by the employees or the organization personnel.
Simply put, assets should be viewed as profit sources, and it is important for any industry to be able to tap into the money-making potentials of assets. Managers should be able to identify assets from liabilities so as to improve on capital.
The central role of asset management systems
These solutions, or otherwise termed as asset management services, all serve to assist organizations in identifying the assets that they possess and effectively calculate the value that they are able to provide for the company. Presently, these solutions are available in software form, and are available from a host of asset management services providers.
These services are geared towards the effective organization of various asset types, from production and facilities to transportation and human resources. Both the hardware and software resources must be given due importance, seeing that information technology within the company also needs due focus. These management tools also aim to analyze the depreciation trends of fixed assets so as to help industry managers in valuable decision making.
Physical assets need to be estimated according to their depreciation value, and to arrive at a conclusion whether to reinstate, repair or replace the physical asset, whichever is most cost-effective.
What to look for in the best asset management services
There are presently wide ranging asset management systems offered by vendors. It is important, therefore, to find the one model well-suited to the needs of your company or organization. Asset management can be narrowed down to specific types like investment management, IT asset management, digital asset management, and fixed assets management.
A good asset management system should be able to enhance assets return and minimize costs of operation and maintenance, as well as calculate risk. It should also promote labor efficiency and increase output efficiency. It must also provide information on how to effectively track hardware and software assets and to evaluate their functions both in the short-term and long-term sense.
The realm of business has become more competitive than ever, and with this knowledge, organizations need to keep pace with global competition and shifts in technology through timely and valuable asset management solutions.
Software asset management is one of the things you can do to ensure that you are on par with the influx of computers and technology in the corporate world. Few people are familiar with the concept of software management, but it is as important as other aspects of asset management in the organization or company.
Software is an Asset
One of the concepts that must be considered as a fact is that software is an asset. It is an asset in the sense that it can make a lot of favorable returns when you install it. At a fairly minimal cost, you will be able to get back what you invested in a particular software, especially if it is in a business setting. The thing about managing software assets is that you must first inherently believe that it is an asset to the company.
What are the software assets popular today?
Some of the more popular software assets today depend on the nature of your company operations. For example, if you are oriented on spatial data, you will find mapping software to be one of your greatest assets. Licenses for highly upgraded and updated software are quite expensive, so they need to be managed more carefully and in full detail. If you happen to be on a software business, the software inventory might be more than just a means of managing your software assets.
How do you manage your software asset?
Software assets may basically be managed by checking out license receipts and the like all over the company’s operations. This way, duplication of purchases are prevented and you will know which software needs more updating than the others. A good record of the software bought will also ensure that you are able to keep track of your expenses when you are purchasing software. You might also consider getting a software that will actually help you manage not just your software assets but all the other physical assets in your company.
Constantly upgrading your software
Aside from taking inventory, part of software asset management is scheduling your upgrades. You must do it quite regularly so that you can be ensured that you get the best of all your software. Periodically inspect if the upgrades are working properly, and replace them immediately if they malfunction in one way or another. These little things may seem insignificant, but nothing beats the frustration of having wasted time because of menial things such as not having the right software when you need it the most.
Software Asset Management in the Organization
In the organization, a unified software asset management strategy is needed to be able to efficiently function with all the right updates needed by the company. If one component is updated and the others are falling behind, this still doesn’t constitute effective software asset management. If you are really serious about getting it all right, all the other components within the organization must support your endeavors of making software asset management a habit.
Salient issues pertaining to Software asset management
Salient issues pertaining to software asset management involve miscommunication on the part of the software asset manager and the other end users of the software. Duplications due to loopholes in the updates of the software inventory may also cause a dent in the integrity of the software asset management system.
