Engineering Technology Fields See Continued Job Growth

Technology has become a seamless part of our everyday lives, from the time we wake up until we go to bed. Both at work and at home, we use technology to some extent in completing the majority of personal and professional tasks – from downloading music and playing games to communicating with clients and personal banking.

In this fast-paced world, relevance is fleeting, and new product launches make existing technologies obsolete seemingly overnight. The constant evolution of the industry means new job opportunities will continue to rise for professionals with relevant skills. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment of computer software engineers is expected to increase by 32 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations, particularly for those with bachelor’s degrees.

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Take Advantage of Programmable Thermostats to Maximize Energy Savings

From smart phones to programmable thermostats, today’s electronics come equipped with advanced operating systems that make life easier and more efficient. The challenge is knowing how to take full advantage of the capabilities of these devices.

Consider indoor environment devices like programmable thermostats. Programmable thermostats are capable of controlling the entire heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system – from heating to indoor air quality and energy management.

“Adjusting the temperature up and down doesn’t equate to savings or even comfort in the home,” said Jonathan Payne, product manager of programmable controls at Carrier. “The key to total comfort is the homeowner’s ability to control the temperature, humidity, air circulation and energy use.”

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Music Industry Refashions Itself, Embraces iPod Era

Five words or less(NewsUSA) – The sounds that are changing the music world are not the voices of artists unknown, but rather the faint click of a computer mouse.
It used to be that singers and musicians had to rely on an agent (or more likely sheer hope) to get their music played or their album in a store — both unlikely unless the artist was either well-known or touring nationally with someone else who was already famous.
Fast forward to present day, and sites like YouTube are creating overnight world-wide pop sensations like Justin Bieber and, more recently, 13-year-old Rebecca Black, whose video “Friday” has more views than Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” and Bieber’s “Pray.”
Truth be told, anyone with an adequate computer and a decent Internet connection can hear music in various formats, on dozens of sites.
While it’s clear what the digital age does for an artist, it has created a major opportunity for indie music labels such as Big Jake Music, a New York-based entertainment company.
“The upside of digital distribution is the global market you have access to, which you can promote to in different ways,” said Jake Shapiro, founder of Big Jake Music.
“For these reasons,” added Shapiro, “we believe it is critical for us to aggressively pursue digital distribution as part of our marketing strategy.”
These days, with more customers spending time on their computers than in brick-and-mortar retail outlets (think the now-defunct Tower Records stores), entertainment companies would be foolish not to capitalize on this potential revenue stream.
Which is why smart independent music labels are leveraging the Internet for commercial success.
Although music executives say that sales have struggled in recent years (Apple would most likely disagree), music usage has never been more popular on formats like social networks and mobile devices.
“This tidal wave created by digital distribution is here to stay,” said Shapiro. “And it is only going to get stronger.”
For more information, visit www.bigjakemusic.com.

Recipes to Bring Home for the Holidays

Five words or less(NewsUSA) – Coming home for the holidays gives busy adults an excuse to celebrate with their families and show their national pride. National pride signifies something different for everyone. Some might take the time to send holiday care packages to U.S. troops overseas, some may volunteer in homeless shelters, while others may simply whisper a prayer of thanks.
However you express your national appreciation, holidays and patriotism go hand-in-hand. So, what better way to share tidings of liberty and peace than by serving American-grown food during the holidays?
Delight family and friends with these two delicious holiday recipes using American-grown RiceSelect rice as you give thanks this season.

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Avocado Oil Is Picking Up Steam in the Kitchen

Five words or less(NewsUSA) – Watch out olive oil, chefs of all varieties have a new oil option under their apron that’s as pleasing to people’s health as it is to their taste buds — avocado oil.
“My favorite at the moment is that wonderful New Zealand invention, avocado oil. It has a delectable bright green color and a delicious avocado flavor and is incredibly good for your health,” says Ray McVinne, a celebrity chef and author.
Avocado oil packs a Superman-like punch with nearly 20 vitamins and minerals. Plus, it can be infused with other savory flavors like Lemon and Rosemary to add real variety to your meals.
Avocado oil is a rich source of antioxidants, folate, fiber and vitamins E and C. Avocados are virtually the only fruit with monounsaturated fats, which are the good fats recommended by the American Heart Association. Recent studies from the Nutrition Institute uncovered even more health benefits in avocado oil.
An extra-virgin avocado oil from a New Zealand company called Olivado was found to be the best source of a much sought-after vitamin-like substance, CoQ10. Olivado avocado oil contains more CoQ10, also called “ubiquinone,” than anything, even meat.
Other international chefs, like Peter Gordon and Jamie Oliver, call avocado oil the next big ingredient. Experiment with it at home using this recipe from www.Olivado.com:
Butterflied Leg of Lamb
125 grams almonds (roasted, chopped)
3 cloves garlic (peeled)
1 teaspoons paprika
2 tablespoons cumin and coriander seeds (roasted)
1/2 teaspoon chopped dried chilli
1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 cup Olivado Extra Virgin Avocado Oil
Grated rind/juice of one lemon
Combine the first seven ingredients in food processor till texture is even, fairly fine. Add avocado oil, lemon rind and juice. Evenly rub the mixture over both sides of the prepared leg, then roast (don’t sear the lamb prior to cooking).
Place the rubbed leg cut side up, on a rack over a roasting tray. Fan-bake in pre-heated oven at 190 degrees C for 15 minutes. Turn lamb over, continue to roast for another 15-20 minutes or till cooked to your liking. Rest in a warm place for 10-15 minutes before carving.

Switch to Smartphones and Reap Rewards

Believe it or not, some people are afraid of switching to smartphones. Only youth still abide by the “smaller is better” mentality, and some adults are boggled by handheld devices with more bells and whistles and fewer tactile buttons. Not to mention the data plan that costs extra each month. Despite these heavy considerations, upgrading to a smartphone yields enough savings to outweigh the other impacts – if you do it right.

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Public Safety and Business Security Turn to HD Technology

Five words or less(NewsUSA) – Although cities are vibrant centers of culture and business, city dwellers must deal with public safety issues like theft, assault and vandalism. When law enforcement is stretched thin, who is held accountable for such crime, and how can individuals and businesses tighten security?
When a theft at his former business remained unsolved despite a significant investment in surveillance equipment, business owner Alexander Fernandes had a vision — build the world’s best surveillance systems based on emerging high-definition (HD) technology.
“Low-quality surveillance footage simply isn’t cutting it anymore. If the image is fuzzy and grainy, what kind of evidence is it? What kind of deterrent is it?” asks Fernandes, now the co-founder and CEO of Avigilon, a global supplier of HD video surveillance solutions. “Businesses, governments and other organizations need quality images that can be used to provide usable evidence in order to promote public safety, manage liability and ultimately detect and deter crimes.”
High-definition images can provide irrefutable evidence, which is revolutionizing security-monitoring systems for public transportation, government organizations and businesses on a global scale.
Despite the availability of higher-quality HD solutions most installed surveillance systems still use analog technology, which results in grainy footage because of low-resolution cameras and poor-quality recording equipment. The perceived higher cost of HD is a reason why some organizations are not jumping to upgrade. Buyers won’t, or can’t, pay a premium for better technology. Related is the fact that new HD components must be compatible with existing analog surveillance equipment and IT infrastructure.
Avigilon has responded to the demand and barriers of adopting HD surveillance by architecting a complete system that delivers the best image detail, yet also eases the burden of cost, installation and support. To-date, Avigilon systems have been installed in more than 80 countries as organizations recognize the advantages of HD technology.
“We can cover 50,000 spectators in a stadium with 10 of our cameras and get facial recognition and valid, usable evidence,” says Fernandes. “It could literally take over a thousand analog cameras to get that extreme detail.”
Many other valuable non-security uses for HD surveillance are also emerging, such as analyzing traffic flow and staffing productivity.
Learn more about using HD digital surveillance systems to protect and enhance your business or community by visiting www.avigilon.com.

Digital Networking: How to Build Strong Career Connections

A strong network is a key building block for career success. Whether you’re looking for a new job or connecting with peers in your industry, building a strong set of connections to help advance your career is vital.

While older generations used to build their networks one handshake at a time, today’s networkers foster and maintain connections online through the use of social media tools.

Whether you’re a social media novice or aficionado, it is important to remember that unlike connections made through face-to-face contact, when building an online network, credibility is assessed via digital profiles.

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Tech Programs Cultivate Digital Literacy for Future Success

Among the latest tech gadgets, cell phones and social media sites, today’s teens are more connected than ever. Although teens are surrounded by a flurry of electronics and digital media, are they gaining the skills needed to succeed in a technology-driven world?

According to the Department of Commerce, students educated in science, technology, engineering and math at any level make 26 percent more money overall than counterparts who have studied in other fields.

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How to Prep a Fruitful School Snack

Five words or less(NewsUSA) – A healthy diet is a necessity for individuals of all ages, but getting enough nutrients is especially important for school-age children. Not only are children learning and developing eating habits that will follow them throughout their adult life, they also need the right kind of fuel to stay focussed during the school day.
At times, children can be tricky. They may not always agree to eat celery sticks and peanut butter as a school-day snack. However, natural sugars, like those in fruit, instead of processed and value-less candy and potato chips, can play a key role in getting children to snack healthily — especially when they may be short on time.
Fruit offers fiber and minerals to improve performance in class, provide energy for sports and curb appetites. Encouraging children to eat fruit as their snack may also help reduce their risk for cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and strokes later on in life.
Get creative during the school year with your afternoon snack preparations. One way to go is to stuff different fruit concoctions in whole wheat tortilla wraps to add a hearty twist to a sweet snack. For example, try this quick and easy Banana and Raisin Wrap recipe from La Tortilla Factory:

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