Shedding Light on the Audio Visual Industry

What HDTVs Have to Do with the Hottest Home Improvement Trend of 2008

2008-02-04T12:42:46Z

What HDTVs Have to Do with the Hottest Home Improvement Trend of 2008

(ARA) – Upgrading your family room to a family entertainment room is expected to be one of the hottest home improvement projects for 2008, and if you’re among the millions planning to do it, the best place to start is by deciding how to put the main attraction, your new HDTV, on display.

Not only do these TVs offer clearer, crisper pictures than older sets, but flexibility as well. They are so lightweight and small, you can put them pretty much anywhere, and they’ve come down in price significantly this year so they are relatively affordable.

Popular installation methods include sitting on top of a furniture cabinet, hanging from the wall, or even mounted overhead in the corner of a room. “The possibilities are really endless thanks to innovations in the technology available to support these TVs,” says Keith Pribyl, vice president of retail sales for Sanus Systems, a manufacturer of audio video furnishings, mounts and accessories.

Among Sanus Systems’ most popular accessories this year are four new VisionMount full-motion wall mounts for medium flat-panel TVs. The new mounts offer features such as tilt, swivel, pan and extend motions, and Virtual Axis 3-D technology for smooth, effortless tilting with the touch of a finger. Depending on the model you choose, they support TVs from 20 to 37 inches.

Before you make a final decision on how you’ll display your TV though, you’ll also want to take into consideration how to enhance your sound. If your set is attached to one of Sanus Systems’ full-motion mounts, you’ll want to add either their LAS1A or XAS1A side speaker mounts for large and extra large TV mounts, respectively. Both mounts can extend up to 12 inches horizontally from the TV mount and are capable of supporting speakers up to 20 pounds. They are available in both black and silver finishes.

“These new speaker mounts improve the listening experience by attaching directly to our full-motion TV mounts, which allows the sound to follow the direction of the TV,” says Pribyl. “These mounts allow for a cleaner, more modern look by mounting your speakers next to your TV.”

Once you’ve figured out where your television set is going to go, then you can determine your seating needs. If you have enough room, theater seating may be the way to go. Otherwise, you may want to go with a wrap around sofa that can seat up to six, or if you have a small family, you can get matching easy chairs for everyone.

Another accessory that’s expected to be hot in 2008 -- movie theater style popcorn machines. They’ve become so popular that you can find them in most furniture stores these days.

Sanus Systems products are available at thousands of retail locations nationwide. A store locator is available at www.sanus.com.

Thanks for the Memory: Tips to Make the Most of Your Tech Toys

2008-02-04T12:22:12Z

Thanks for the Memory: Tips to Make the Most of Your Tech Toys

(ARA) – One out of every four gifts purchased this year will be an electronic item, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. With all those tech toys flying off the shelves as Valentine’s Day approaches, consumers will need all the help they can to get the most out of their technology.

“Whether you are just getting familiar with your new digital gadgets or dusting off old ones, choosing the right memory card or other upgrade option is one of the most important considerations to ensure the best performance,” says Tony Gomez of PNY Technologies.

Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your tech toy, be it a digital camera, cell phone or other device:

* Digital Picture Frames – Digital picture frames make a great solution for sharing and displaying your favorite holiday, vacation, family or other photos. However, most frames have little or no internal memory, so you can only view your pictures from an SD memory card (or other compatible media), otherwise you're stuck staring at a blank screen. With an extra SD Memory Card, you can keep one in your camera to take more great photos and leave one in the frame so your favorites are always there for your viewing pleasure.

* Cell or Smart Phone – Today’s cell phones are more advanced than ever, and now let you capture, store and play pictures, video, music, games and more. By adding a MicroSD memory card, you can store more information, and with the proper adapters can use that same storage card in other SD-compatible devices, or even on your USB-port equipped PC.

“A 2GB, 4-In-1 Mobile Media Kit from PNY is an excellent upgrade option that allows you to capture and transport your favorite content on multiple devices using the same memory card,” Gomez adds. With the kit, you can choose a single memory device to work with virtually all digital cameras, mobile phones, PDAs, MP3 players, laptops, smart phones or any device that supports an SD card or USB drive. The 4-In-1 Mobile Media Kit contains a MicroSD card and three adapters, converting the MicroSD to a MiniSD card, standard SD card, or a USB drive.

* Point and Shoot Digital Camera – Even many of today’s basic digital cameras shoot high-resolution photos at 10 mega pixels and beyond, and also can take video at up to 30 frames per second. The result is great-looking images and videos you can treasure for years to come. These picture and movie files can get quite large, however, and quickly fill-up older, lower-density memory cards. A Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) Memory Card provides photo enthusiasts and other mobile device users the speed and capacity needed to capture the high volume of files to store and share.

* Laptop Computer – While notebook PCs have become more affordable than ever, entry-level models often have small storage capacities or slow performance. Add some memory and a new USB Flash Drive to complement your new laptop. Flash drives are portable, reusable storage devices make a great solution to transport and share digital pictures, music, documents, and more. A USB flash drive provides the ultimate mobile storage solution for anyone on the go. It can be carried in a pocket, a backpack or briefcase. To access files, simply plug the USB drive into virtually any PC or MAC without the need for bulky cables or adapters. The drive performs in a variety of climates, weather conditions and temperature extremes. Plus, some drives are even enhanced for Windows ReadyBoost to boost system performance if you’re running Windows Vista.

* Desktop Computer – If your old PC is due for a tune-up, or perhaps your new PC does not have the capacity to take advantage of the latest features in Windows Vista Home Premium, a simple memory upgrade can improve overall system performance. If you would like to have a better overall visual experience, view and edit photos, appreciate the features of Vista Aero, or perhaps play the latest DirectX 10 games, consider upgrading your graphics card.

* Digital SLR Camera – Digital SLR cameras are now available to aspiring and professional photographers alike. However, with their often-higher resolutions and ability to shoot multiple frames per second, these cameras put higher demands on the memory cards that store your photos. A 4GB CompactFlash card is a high-performance, flash memory card that improves click-to-click speed and write time, so you never miss out on the action.

For more tech tips or to purchase the right memory solution for your hardware, please visit www.pny.com.

Stop Junk Mail Dead in Its Tracks

2008-02-04T12:15:48Z

Stop Junk Mail Dead in Its Tracks

(ARA) – Ever stop and wonder how that mortgage broker from out of state managed to find your name and address? Or how the unfamiliar home improvement company that called you last night knew you were shopping around for windows?

We often give out our name, address and phone number without a second thought -- to the salesman at the home improvement store, to the sweepstakes company promising the chance at a $1 million prize, to the marketers who promise to send free samples in exchange for completing a survey. In a perfect world, all companies would protect our personal information. Unfortunately, that is often not the case.

“There is a $10 billion industry profiting from the trading and selling of consumers’ personal information -- without consumers’ knowledge or their consent,” says Steven Gal, CEO of ProQuo.com, a La Jolla, Calif. company founded to help provide consumers with meaningful choice and control over how their personal information is used. Gal points out that in many cases, these so-called “data brokers” get their lists from reputable companies the consumer has done business with, but had no idea would be selling their personal information.

Companies are now realizing that in this day and age many of their customers are skittish about the idea of their personal information falling into the wrong hands, especially due to the threat of identity theft. As a result, many are now offering their customers opportunities to “opt-out,” or to keep their information private. You likely received an opt-out offer hidden in the privacy notice that came with your latest phone or credit card bill.

According to the Federal Trade Commission’s latest Identity Theft Survey, nearly two million Americans have had their personal information used to open fraudulent accounts. In addition, the practices of data brokers lead to massive amounts of junk mail -- Americans now receive nearly four tons of junk mail annually.

Here are five easy steps you can take to help prevent misuse of your personal information and reduce junk mail:

1. Many stores offer "rewards" or "points" programs. Often stores consider your participation as consent to share your information without directly asking for your permission. If you want to avoid getting junk mail or other promotional material, either don't join these programs, or ask the stores not to share your personal information.

2. Take advantage of a free service like ProQuo.com to remove your name and personal information from thousands of marketing lists, data brokers and other organizations that send you unsolicited mail. ProQuo.com is a free Web site where you easily set up an account and choose the organizations that you want to stop using your personal information and sending you unwanted mail.

3. The next time you buy something that comes with a warranty card, do not send it back. These are used primarily to market more products to you, and you are not required to send in a completed warranty card -- your receipt is all you need to make a warranty claim.

4. If you don't want your personal information in the hands of data brokers, avoid putting your name and address in the box for a free drawing or other promotion. These are surefire ways to get your name, address and telephone number on multiple junk mail or telemarketing lists.

5. Avoid the urge to enter sweepstakes that require you to provide your contact information. Many times these are a front to build mailing databases, and the only guaranteed prize you will win is a mailbox overloaded with marketing offers.

For more information on how to take control of your personal information from marketers, log on to www.proquo.com and establish your free account today. ProQuo says the site can help people reduce their junk mail by 50 to 90 percent within just three months.

Career

2008-02-04T12:03:41Z

Want an Exciting Career? Think Technology – Really!

(ARA) – Long gone are the days when the “computer nerd” labored alone and unappreciated in his parents’ garage. Today, self-professed technology geeks like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are business world superstars and pop culture icons. Is it any wonder that technology now provides the fastest growing, most diverse and exciting range of career opportunities?

What may surprise some college-bound high-school grads, however, is that so few of their peers seem to be pursuing technology careers, despite ever-growing demand for qualified professionals. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of college graduates obtaining bachelor’s degrees in computer and information technology sciences dropped from 2004 to 2005. Yet federal agencies anticipate demand for technology professionals will continue to grow over the next decade.

Attracting more people to technology professions may be a matter of breaking down some long-held stereotypes, says Amita Suhrid, associate dean of the College of Engineering and Information Sciences at DeVry University, a leader in technology education.

“Stereotypes that label technology, engineering, math and science careers as dull, and the people who pursue them as isolated from human interaction by the nature of their jobs, couldn’t be farther from modern reality,” Suhrid says. “Technology touches virtually every aspect of our lives, and that means a technology degree can open a door for you in many fields outside the immediate world of computers.”

The Information Technology Association of America reports that 92 percent of all information technology graduates are employed outside the industry. Technology degree holders are finding rewarding, profitable employment in a range of fields – from health care, pharmaceutical development and finance to education, automotive, security, environmental protection and even the military.

And anyone who wants a technology career that encompasses creativity and human interaction will have no trouble finding hundreds of applications for their degree and skills, Suhrid adds.

Tina Gaddy, Director of Career Services at DeVry’s Pennsylvania campus, often advises people-focused technology students to consider a career in education. “The idea of working in a hands-on repair capacity may not appeal to them,” she says. “But they can put their education and skills to good uses – and enjoy a career working with people – by teaching others, either at the high school or collegiate level.”

Health information technology also offers a wealth of diverse opportunities, as well as the chance to work in the largest industry in the United States without having to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars and more than a decade in school. Clinical coders, data analysts, patient information coordinators and health record technicians are in high demand, and the training for these jobs can be completed in as little as two years. The same amount of time could be spent earning an associate degree that would prepare a graduate to land a position with pharmaceutical companies, educational institutions and government agencies as well.

The rapid growth of the healthcare field also is driving demand for graduates with degrees in biomedical engineering technology. The combination of traditional engineering expertise and an understanding of biology enables these degree holders to work with physicians, therapists and other technicians to design, construct, implement and maintain the high-tech devices used in modern hospitals to save lives and improve health.

Finally, the really creative technology graduate can find a job playing games, despite any dire predictions their mothers might have made that playing video games would never put bread on the table. Video game enthusiasts pour more than $10 billion into the industry each year, and demand for new, exciting and creative games – and the people who create them – continues to be high. And, a game and simulation programming degree can also help keep our nation safe – the United States Army plans to spend $100 million for training games and simulations in the next few years.

To learn more about alternative careers in technology, visit www.devry.com.

Best Blogs...

2007-12-18T15:02:23Z

OK so today started out like any ordinary day when out of the blue I received this e-mail to do something nice for someone else. Well, I'm in the "hospitality industry" and we are supposed to do something nice for others everyday. (Which it seems that the guests just take for granted and expects more).

Then I decided to do something nice to those comrades that selflessly do for others... So I decided to stop by Starbucks and pick up a few extra coffees for the other employees in different departments that I "share" an office with both whom could go postal on me any day now.
They actually smiled and said "Thank You". Which is amazing! I thought that only in front of guests they could do that. LOL!

Where to Find the Best Deals on Technology this Holiday Season

2007-12-18T12:58:35Z

Where to Find the Best Deals on Technology this Holiday Season

The holiday season is fast approaching and according to a recent survey conducted by Bizrate.com, people have already started shopping for those all important gifts. The most popular of which, so far, are the new iPhone, flat screen televisions, gaming systems, jewelry, digital photo frames and laptop computers.

While everyone's list is going to be a little different, chances are good that yours too will have a lot of technology on it. After all, the kids started asking for a new gaming system and iPod months ago. Your significant other has been hinting about the need to upgrade the family's digital camera equipment, and you finally want to get a flat screen television for the living room.

But when it comes time to start shopping, where will you begin? If you want to save time, energy and money, make this the year you bypass the Sunday circulars and shop on line. eMarketer predicts 2007 will be the biggest online shopping year yet. Web merchants are expected to ring up sales worth $24.3 billion during the upcoming holiday season.

If you plan to be among those who add to the bottom line, don't just log on to the Web site of a well-known brick-and-mortar store. Start your shopping adventure at the place where the real tech deals can be found.

Since 1999, Techbargains.com has served as an online portal where technology-insiders have found bargains on consumer technology products of every kind. The site also features reviews on tech products, side-by-side comparisons of the features and costs of popular items and a weekly newsletter filled with offers.

"Our staffers are constantly surfing the Web, reading through the periodicals, visiting trade shows and the like to find the best deals out there, then posting them in one place for all to see. We've gotten phenomenal feedback from appreciative shoppers," says the site's Chief Bargainmeister, Norman Fong.

Take, for example, a recent deal on the site for the HP DV6426-Intel Core Duo T2450 15-inch Laptop with 1GB RAM. It retails for $849.99, but was being offered on the TechBargains.com Web site for just $646.99 - 30 percent off, with free shipping. Meantime, a kit featuring Nikon's newest consumer digital camera, the D40, along with 2 lenses (an 18-55 mm and 55-200 mm) was being offered for $100 under the retail value of $799.99.

More than 500 different companies' deals are featured on the site, and they are offered through a wide variety of retailers, including Best Buy, Circuit City and Dell. Buyers can use gift cards from these merchants directly on the site. To comparison shop for this season's best holiday bargains, find trustworthy information and reviews of the latest technology devices and gadgets, or to sign up for the deal alerts and free informational newsletter, log on to www.techbargains.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Season's Hottest Gagets

2007-12-17T14:48:04Z

Season's Hottest Gadget: A Personal Media Viewer

(ARA) - Looking for the perfect gift for your favorite gadget fanatic or frequent flyer? How about a personal media viewer?

The two latest editions of the award-winning myvu personal media viewers - myvu solo plus and myvu universal, let users watch their favorite movies, TV shows and more on a private screen anytime, anywhere. The solo plus is designed specifically for iPods, including the new nano, iPod touch and iPod classic. The universal edition works with multiple devices like mobile phones, portable DVD players, iPods and other media players such as Archos, Zen and Microsoft's Zune.

With myvu, you won't have to watch a two-hour feature film on a small 2.5-inch screen that you have to hold up to your face. It's not a very comfortable or practical situation - especially if you're traveling. The funky eyewear puts a crisp hands-free viewing experience right in front of your eyes on a vivid virtual screen. The display and audio systems are built right into the eyewear, so it can be worn in any on-the-go situation or while relaxing at home. Catch up on your favorite TV shows while commuting to work on the subway or sit back and relax while watching a movie on your red eye back home - all on a full-sized screen.

Myvu offers users a personal TV-like viewing experience while still maintaining the mobility that today's media players offer. Resembling a pair of sleek, dark sunglasses, the patented display system with a see-through and see-around design lets you maintain awareness of your surroundings while catching up on your favorite videos. Also, don't worry if you wear glasses. You can purchase a clip-on lens that fits right into myvu to suit your viewing needs.

"Unlike an immersive headset system that blocks users from seeing anything but the screen, myvu offers 'situational awareness,'" says Kip Kokinakis, CEO of myvu. "We use a thin optical bridge that lets you see over and under the screen so that you're aware of what's going on around you. That makes it ideal for today's multitasking lifestyle -- whether you want to have your own movie marathon on a cross-country flight or catch up on your favorite show while texting your buddies."

What's more, you'll be in stylish, hip company -- myvu was featured at this year's Maxim Style Awards in Los Angeles and presented to Hollywood's top celebrities and trendsetters. So you may have something in common with some of your favorite celebs!

Myvu universal and solo plus are currently available from select retailers throughout the United States. You can also purchase them online at www.myvu.com.

How to Easily Resolve Your Family's Data-Storage Issue

2007-12-18T13:08:55Z

With more families using home networking for everything from storing photos to downloading music and videos, a new challenge has evolved: how to store large amounts of data in a way that can be accessed by every member of the family.

"While technology has improved our lives in so many ways, it's also created an issue within the household -- how to store data so that anyone in the family can access it at any time from a number of different devices," says Dennis Gentles, chief executive officer of Klegg Electronics, a manufacturer and distributor focused on producing consumer electronics products that work seamlessly within the home. "Research shows that 67 percent of families have three or more computers connected to a home network. That's a lot of opportunity for conflict over data sharing."

As American families increasingly network multiple computers and other electronic components, the need grows for a way to store data so that everyone can access it quickly and easily from a variety of devices. And backing up data becomes more important than ever.

Businesses have wrestled with the dilemma for years, and network server technology evolved to meet corporations' needs. For home users, however, servers have been impractical for reasons ranging from high cost to slow access times and even the need to store a bulky server in the house.

"The solution is Network Direct Attached Storage," says Gentles. "NDAS devices, such as Klegg's NetDisk, plug into the Ethernet ports already available on most home computers and allows all users on a system to directly control, use and share information from all digital devices also connected to the network."

Multiple users can access data stored on the NetDisk directly, without having to go through a server that may slow down the process. PCs, laptops, PDAs, TVs, audio components and more can be networked to access the NetDisk. All standard storage types, from hard drives and DVDs to flash memory and tape drives, can be converted into network storage.

Because NetDisk is strictly dedicated to one task -- storing centralized data -- and is not a multi-tasking server, speed and storage capacity are significantly increased across the network. NetDisk is virtually safe from hacking because it can't be seen or accessed by anyone intruding on the home network through the Internet.

The device also addresses another significant issue for tech-savvy, time-pressed American families -- data backup. While 95 percent of us still use our PC hard drives to store large data files, less than a quarter of us back up that data once a week. Less than 9 percent back up daily, while the majority -- more than half -- back up once a month or every few months.

Yet 66 percent of Americans say they would back up a little more or even much more frequently if the process were easy and fast.

"NetDisk eliminates the need for a dedicated external backup device, because it actually acts as the backup," says Gentles. "Now protecting data is easier than ever before."

To learn more about NetDisk and NDAS technology and how it can address your family's data storage needs, visit www.klegg.com.

Don't Let the Grinch Steal Your Laptop

2007-11-13T14:07:00Z

Don't Let the Grinch Steal Your Laptop

(ARA) - The scheming, green sourpuss is not the only villain who is hard at work over the holidays. As we approach the celebrations and festivities, a host of everyday thieves find the lure of loot too strong to resist; high-tech gear, including laptops, are certainly no exception.

So what can you do to protect your own computer or a no-expense-spared present for a loved one? These top tips can help you lock down your laptop and keep thieves from hijacking your holiday.

TIP: Common sense and a locked cabinet
Here's a wonderfully clever idea: use reason this season!

Don't leave laptops unattended. Lock them in cupboards or other secure places. If a vehicle is your only option, cover up the laptop or lock it in the trunk. And avoid those tell-tale laptop bags and opt instead for a backpack or tote bag to keep laptops more inconspicuous.

TIP: Locks and cables
Make thieves think twice before not being nice.

Don't make it easy for someone to steal your laptop -- a cable lock or other locking mechanism can act as a visual deterrent to would-be criminals. Although they can be ripped off the exterior of a laptop with a strong tug, they do force some thieves to waver before taking the risk. Even the Grinch might hesitate over heisting a roped-up computer!

TIP: Laptop tracking and recovery software, Computrace LoJack for Laptops
A shocking surprise that will pop your eyes!

We all know that laptops are magnets for theft, but did you know that one is actually stolen every 53 seconds? With Absolute Software's Computrace LoJack for Laptops, you can fight these odds and get your gear back. This stealthy software also helps law enforcement catch thieves red-handed, or green-handed in the case of our anti-hero.

TIP: Passwords and backing up
Choose passwords with attention and care; if your laptop is nabbed, there's nothing to share!

Laptops are appealing for black market sale but, for most of us, the personal information they contain is just as valuable. Don't use simple passwords that even little Cindy-Lou Hoo could guess; always combine numbers and letters and never leave passwords in obvious places on or near the computer. Change passwords regularly as well. And remember to back up! Some things are simply irreplaceable if lost.

TIP: Additional security software tools
A layered way to keep thieves at bay.

For increased security, use a number of different software applications, including anti-virus software, encryption solutions, anti-spyware and firewalls. Prevent unauthorized access and spyware from ransacking your computer and protect valuable information from pillaging with data encryption software.

So follow these tips, if you haven't before,
And your laptop will surely be more secure
From seasonal tricks played with merciless gall
By hearts that won't grow three sizes at all.

For more information, visit lojackforlaptops.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent>

Technology that Opens Up Your Entertainment World

2007-11-07T10:49:08Z

Technology that Opens Up Your Entertainment World

Shortly after good old Alex Bell first transmitted the human voice, people realized the entertainment value of new technology. In a historical blink of an eye, technology, ever evolving and improving, became an integral part of our leisure life.

"Our grandparents were blown away by radio, and that technology was the entertainment hub of the American home during their generation," said Craig Cincotta, senior product manager for Windows Vista at Microsoft Corp. "Our parents saw the arrival of color TV and VCRs. They were proud to have their TV, radio and stereo all in one beautiful cabinet."

"Our children have already begun to tap the next great development in entertainment technology," Cincotta said. "Thanks to the Internet and media center features in Windows Vista, it's possible to find, record, view, download and access all our digital entertainment right on our PCs."

In the early days of television, few people would have thought of being able to watch a program at any time other than when it was scheduled to air. "You made sure you were in front of the tube at the appointed hour, or you missed your show, simple as that," Cincotta said. Videocassette recorders revolutionized entertainment by allowing you to record your program when it aired and then watch it later. Today, digital video recording (DVR) technology has helped take digital entertainment to the next level.

By connecting a Windows Vista-based PC to your cable TV line, high-speed home Internet network, big-screen TV and stereo system, you can easily navigate through your favorite television programs, and record and play back content. Taking it a few steps further, you can also view vacation photos, play video games and listen to your favorite tunes - all from the home computer.

"You can now watch your favorite TV program while another person watches a previously recorded show in a separate room," Cincotta said. The content comes from the same PC, at the same time - made possible by using Xbox 360 and a Windows Media Center Extender to stream the experience throughout your house.

Here are some more ways the latest technology can help you and your family enjoy digital entertainment in your own home. All of the following are included as part of Windows Vista consumer editions:
* The built-in DVR helps ensure you never miss an episode of your favorite TV show. Connect it to a service that provides a constantly updated, Web-based program guide, and it's easy to record programs. If your system has more than one TV tuner, you can record more than one show at the same time.
* If you have friends over and want to share recent vacation photos, you can impress them with a digital photo slide show set to music. It takes no time at all to pull the slide show together on your PC and display it on your big-screen TV.
* Are your music CDs all over the house? You can cut the clutter by transferring your entire music collection to your Windows Vista-based PC. Just click the remote control to instantly access your albums (which will be displayed with cover art), and enjoy.
* If you have an Xbox 360 console, you can use a home wired or wireless network to link it to your PC, and then use its remote control to let Xbox 360 dispense your digital treasures to any room in the house.

More information about Windows Vista and how Americans use technology to access entertainment is available at www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/mediacenter/default.mspx.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Photographing Snowflakes

2007-11-04T17:38:18Z

As I was surfing the net today I cam across a cool website: http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/photo2/photo2.htm

They show how to photograph individual snowflakes. They also have three galleries showing some of their work.

See you on www.ProjectionLogic.com!

M Logic

...

Tips and Tricks II

2007-10-15T15:34:40Z

Getting PC Image On Screen

The most common method is to toggle a keystroke, hot key (something like; "fn+F4" or "fn+F8") Check for small video monitor icon, usually in blue, on the function key (top row) of the keyboard.

www.ProjectionLogic.com

The Typical Office Is About To Change...

2007-10-09T17:23:16Z

You might not know it yet, but the days of walking into work, grabbing a cup of coffee, strolling into your office and closing the door behind you may soon be a thing of the past.

Although people still spend approximately two-thirds of their day working individually, more so now than ever, businesses are relying on teamwork and creative collaboration to generate success. As this collaborative approach to business continues to grow, the landscape of the typical office is evolving to reflect this change.

"As rigid thinking in the business world is replaced by office environments that rely on teamwork and dynamic participation, closed doors and individual spaces are slowly giving way to more open work areas that easily allow for group interaction," says John Boot, Gunlocke Vice President Product Design and Development. "More and more businesses are carving out floor plans that address the need for collaboration among employees."

At the same time, today's companies are also aware that office comfort and well-thought-out workplace design can have significant impact on individual productivity and concentration levels. Employees are continually being asked to do more with less. Work pressures are increasing as a growing number of employees across a wide-range of job classifications are expected to work longer hours and significantly increase their productivity. So, it's no secret that employees want to be comfortable and care greatly about their work environment.

Just how much do they care? According to an independent 2006 U.S. Workplace Survey conducted on behalf of Gensler, a global design, planning and strategic consulting firm, design does matter. Sixty-five percent of workers asked said that the design and layout of their workplace is "extremely" or "very" important to them. And, more than ninety-percent surveyed said the quality of their working environment affects their attitude about their work.

The bottom line, companies have their work cut out for them. Forward thinking companies need to allocate dedicated space for collaboration while taking into consideration individual employee's needs. Keeping this in mind, many of them are providing employees with teaming and collaboration space in combination with nearby, open individual work areas. This collaborative space might be off to one side, or in some cases centrally located in the middle of the individual work spaces.

Other companies are exploring the idea of maintaining private offices while also creating relaxed, informal areas to spur spontaneous and informal collaborative sessions, such as office cafes and recreational areas. These spaces are easily accessible by all employees and meant to excite and inspire, rather than dull the senses.

Another new focus is on providing formal and informal conferencing space that is user friendly and able to integrate the most up-to-date technology as easily and effectively as possible. Many times project work takes place in a traditional conference room, but increasingly it may be held in nontraditional areas, such as an employee's personal office. In order to adapt, companies have begun utilizing mobile furniture, AV carts and whiteboards, such as those found in the new Converge Conference Room Furniture Collection by Gunlocke.

Looking forward, as technology evolves and the need for creative collaboration expands, businesses will continue to be challenged to provide office environments that not only facilitate the lively exchange of ideas, but also protect the individual employee's privacy and ability to concentrate. Every company should keep in mind that good, sound office space design should make for happy workers which, in turn, creates a more productive, successful business.

For more information about Converge or other Gunlocke furniture, contact Gunlocke at (800) 828-6300, or visit www.gunlocke.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tips and Tricks

2007-10-04T08:47:12Z

The first thing every technician / presenter should do with a laptop is to ensure that the screen saver is off and that the computer doesn't go into battery saver mode.
Here's how:

Screen Saver: right click on the desktop and select Properties. From the dialog box select the Screen Saver tab and using the pull-down menu, select (None). Press OK.

Power: From the Start Menu select Control Panel, then Power Options. There are several pull-down menus for setting how long things should wait before they "off" (monitor, hard disk, etc.). Set them all to Never.

Free!

2007-10-04T09:31:34Z

When you have your next business meeting impress your collegues and clients with a little something special! The best part of this tip it's free to try!

Here's some blog search site we found...

Blogarama

http://www.blogcatalog.com/directory/business

Changes!

2007-09-11T13:32:40Z

As you can see we have upgraded and added a new logo for Projection Logic!

Thanks to Trisha Robertson, Graphics Artist of www.TrishaRoberston.com for putting up with us as she revamped this logo!

Creative input.

2007-08-25T12:34:50Z

Talk to the audio visual department; tell them your vision for the event. If you have tight budget restrictions let them know so they know all the parameters they have to work in.

For instance, a few years ago, we were having a slow month at the hotel where I was working and a non profit organization was doing a charity event. The event planner talked to me about a Harley Davidson motorcycle they were giving away they wanted a really cool way to unveil the motorcycle at a particular point during their function. Of course being a non-profit they didn't have much money to spend.

After thinking about this I decided that we would put the motorcycle up on stage and surround it by a black curtain adding mystique and anticipation. Before the motorcycle was to be unveiled we started a smoke machine and the colored up-lights. The curtain was suspended by a monofilament line so it looked like it floated in air. The line was tied off at the podium and when the presenter was ready, they discreetly cut the line and with one swoop the motorcycle was unveiled, the curtain pooled around the motorcycle adding a classy look. The motorcycle was a hit!

The best part for the non profit it didn't cost that much to setup.

The Audiovisual team can come up with a creative way to highlight an event on any budget but you must talk to them directly. The catering manager can coordinate the food but the audiovisual team adds the pizzazz.

Setting the date

2007-11-07T10:54:36Z

If you are looking at your calendar to set the date for your meeting consider the "off seasons". Just like the vacation desinations like Florida have the off season so do meetings!

Naturally some months are more popular with meetings than others in order to get the best price for your meeting and the most guests plan on months like August and June. Usually the meeting planners have more open rooms and are dying to fill up the calendar at a discount!

Also the Audio Visual department will be able to focus on your meeting and the director will be able to make a ho-hum presentation into an event that people will be talking about for years to come.
Believe me you don't want the to talk about what they ate but your presentation. See our blog on Creative Input!

Additions

2007-09-06T15:19:15Z

Watch your last minute additions: the $200 projector you decided to add at the last minute can very well cost you over a $1,000 and alot of headaches.

Because the room is already set to your specifications, the hotel would need to move the tables, chairs etc. the audiovisual department would have to get a person in to setup the screen and run the cords for the projector plus a cart to put the projector on (which is separate) the added labor to accommodate this little addition can very well set you back.

Talk to your hotel audiovisual sales person prior to your meeting to coordinate all your audiovisual needs. They should be able to make suggestions to complete the look and feel of your meeting. Also, by using the in-house audiovisual company you will have the assurance that if anything goes wrong a spare will be on-site, not down at the warehouse.

Looking to save money?

2007-08-28T20:53:56Z

Are you looking to save money on your next hotel / destination meeting? Here are a few tips from an insider in the hotel audiovisual industry...

Talk to your hotel meeting planner
   Make sure you are getting the best price for your food and lodging
   --Many times they have some wiggle room in this area. Consider eating off property for at least one meal per day, it will save you money and give your participants a change of scenery. Do the math to when considering food minimums set by the hotel, with sodas at $2.50 – 4.50 per bottle it doesn’t take long to reach a few thousand dollars.

   Watch your cancellation period.
   --Many hotels have a 72-24 hour cancellation period and if you decide that you have too many rooms or
      don't need an additional meeting space make sure you cancel it before you have to pay for something
       you don't need.

   Watch your guests.
   --Remember you are not the only one having a meeting on a particular day if you under-book many times
      they don't have the extra space or food to accomodate extra guests.
    --If you request a small room and end up with more persons than you have space it will cost you more!
    --It is better to plan for more and cancel what you don't need than to scramble at the last minute and not
      be able to have your meeting due to the lack of space.

Expect nothing less than PERFECTION!

Most companies are happy with excellence, by definition that means you do it better than others. Perfection means you do it without a flaw. If you don't get perfection talk to the hotel management and request a discount, they are sure to give you the discount if you can justify it wasn't what you expected.

www.projectionlogic.com