Social Networking

The other day, my daughter told me that she’s been challenging and having Math wars with other students from around the world. This is a teaching tool the school encouraged and that she’s able to do from home as well as school. She’s been meeting other kids from Egypt, Haiti, Kuwait, and others! I got to thinking, “Who are these kids?” “How old are they?” “Are they being supervised?”

I happened to run across this article in the office and thought best to share with all of you!

2007 Federal Trade Commission printed the following:
SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES: A PARENT’S GUIDE

“It’s 10 p.m. Do you know where your children are?”

Remember that phrase from your childhood? It’s still a valid question, but now it comes with a twist: “Do you know where your kids are – and who they’re chatting with online?”

Social Networking sites have become the mainstream for adults, teens, and now children. These sites encourage and enable people to exchange information about themselves, share pictures, videos, blogs, and use private messaging to communicate with friends and others who share interests.

When it comes to young kids, the law provides some protections and gives parents some control over the type of information that children can disclose online. For sites directed to children under 13, and for general audience site that know they’re working with younger children, there’s the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). It requires these sites to get parental consent before they collect, maintain, or uses kids’ information. COPPA also allows parents to review their children’s online profiles and blog pages.

Help kids socialize safely online! Talk to your teen and children about social networking sites and offer times for using the sites safely.

1. Help kids understand what information should be private. Information like their full names, address, phone numbers, and tell them not to choose a screen name that gives away too much personal information.

2. Use privacy settings to restrict who can access and post on your child’s website.

3. Remind kids that once they post information online, they can’t take it back!

4. Talk to your kids about bullying. Online bullying can take many forms from spreading rumors online and posting or forwarding private messages without the senders okay. Tell your kids that the words they type and the images they post can have real-world consequences.

5. Go where your kids go online. Sign up for, and use, the networking sites they use.

6. Review your kid’s friends list.

7 . Tell your kids to trust their gut! Most sites have links where users can report abusive, suspicious, or inappropriate online behavior.

For more information, check out Federal Trade Commission: www.onguardonline.gov
To get free information on consumer issues visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)

Quotes

I like quotes. They can be meaningful, spiritual, something to ponder, and something to laugh about.

Since I haven't posted anything for the last month I figured I'd switch things up a bit and share a few quotes related to computers!

1. The great thing about a computer notebook is that no matter how much you stuff into it, it doesn't get bigger or heavier. ~ Bill Gates

2. Home computers are being called upon to perform many new functions, including the consumption of homework formerly eaten by the dog. ~ Doug Larson

3. To err is human, but to really foul things up requires a computer. ~ Farmers Almanac

4. In a few minutes a computer can make a mistake so great that it would have taken many men months to equal it. ~ Unknown

5. The more you know, the more you realize you know nothing.~Socrates

6. Pessimists, we’re told, look at a glass containing 50% air and 50% water and see it as half empty. Optimists, in contrast, see it as half full. Engineers, of course, understand the glass is twice as big as it needs to be. ~ Bob Lewis

7. Commenting your code is like cleaning your bathroom — you never want to do it, but it really does create a more pleasant experience for you and your guests. ~ Ryan Campbell

8. SUPERCOMPUTER: what it sounded like before you bought it.

9. 1f u c4n r34d th1s u r34lly n33d t0 g37 l41d

10. To go forward, you must backup.

So, until next time.....Enjoy

Data Backup

You never know do you? You never can tell when your computer is going to crash and then, just in that single moment, you realize......Why didn't I backup my information!?

Funny thing, one of our ODI technician was called out to a job for standard computer repair. While onsite, he and the client began discussing data backup and that any backup is beter than no back up. The client recalled she had actuallay performed a quick backup onto a USB; the problem though was that it was crushed into several small peices!

ODI can perform most data recovery on various types of media; hard drives, CD's, DVD's, Flash Drives, etc.

Check out the ingenuity...... In a short moment, we were pulling data and saving a backup for the backup! Great Job!!

Happy New Year - Welcome 2010!!

Happy New Year to Everyone!

As ODI welcomes in the New Year we would like to wish everyone a happy New Year and may it be a prosperous one! It’s the end of an era and 2009 has been a rough year for many and ODI owes a big Thank You to to all of it's partners and clients. You have been a major contributor to ODI's success and we thank you! Hopefully 2010 is going to be an exciting year for us. There are going to be many new products and technologies emerging this year and along with them will be technical challenges to overcome. We can't wait for them and we look forward to the challenge!

ODI can help you and your company stay in tune with new technologies in 2010. ODI offer's free evaluations of the technologies you have in your home or business and can make recommendations of new technologies to increase not only productivity, but enjoyment as well. ODI also offers Web Design and Hosting solutions ranging from personal web pages to large-scale enterprise and e-commerce solutions. Give us a call and we will conduct a free analysis of your web site and meet with you to discuss how we can help maximize its potential. Your website should be making you money, not costing you money. If you are experiencing problems with your computers or networking on your home or business ODI is here to help. Highly skilled technicians are standing by to solve your problems.

Remember, whatever your needs may be this year ODI is here for you!

Customer service opens up many new doors for businesses to stand out. Some companies may not be known for their exceptional products, but they are known for their exceptional service, such as Amazon. Businesses should adopt this customer service model for their own use.

Now a days, it helps for businesses to provide a customer-friendly website experience. Recruit a group of outsiders to test your site regularly to make sure it is functioning properly. Also, remember to keep your site up-to-date since customers expect the latest technological advances. Another possibility is a partnership. By joining forces with a complimentary company, you could not only save costs, but could also give your business additional exposure that you may not have gotten on your own.

Additionally, businesses should utilize social networks if they aren't already. Social media allows businesses to build their brands and reputations in the places their customers already occupy. It is important to update these social networks regularly since it will show consumers your level of commitment. Some people may frown upon this strategy, but it's another positive opportunity.

Happy Thanksgiving

The staff at ODI Consulting wishes you a Thanksgiving that is filled with gratitude and love.

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to? Be thankful when you don't know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow. Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement. Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons. Be thankful when you're tired and weary, because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks. Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings. ~ Author Unknown

Written by ODI, published by Sunbelt Software...

VIPRE Is Like My Rottweiler

Hi Larry, I have to tell you I laughed when I read the latest SSN newsletter. What you said contradicts something I tell people all the time but you are 100% correct. Often times I have said that I will leave my home and leave my windows open and doors unlocked feeling secure in knowing that when I return everything will still be there. But I not dare go one second without my computers and network being protected.

I guess I only say that because I have a 160+ pound Rottweiler so I'm not too worried. I can say that VIPRE is like my Rottie - a trustworthy defender living inside of my computer ready to attack any would-be infiltrators. It's nice knowing I have protection on my computer that I can instill the same trust in as my dog. I have not a worry and VIPRE has never let me down and proven itself time and time again. Of course, you can never let your guard down. You never know when some would-be hacker is going to come around with a T-bone steak in their back pocket. T. G.