Searching the web is GOOD for you.

A recent study conducted by researchers at UCLA concluded that using search engines, such as Google, can stimulate more brain activity in elderly individuals than reading a book.

Scientists examined two groups of adults between the ages of 55 and 76; one group consisted of habitual internet users, and the other consisted of less tech-savvy individuals.

Researchers found that “there was twice as much activity in those areas of the brain linked to decision making and reasoning” in the habitual internet users when compared to the less tech-savvy participants.

(To read more about this study, click here.)

What does this study mean for Arkiva? Using Arkiva’s search function and Media Share feature can only improve your mind; yet another fantastic reason to utilize all the functions of Arkiva’s web portal.

That’s my bit of information for today. Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Cori

Every day the news of damage caused by torrential hurricanes, earthquakes, rains and fires affect people all over our beautiful planet. The lamentable thing of all this is that many of these people lose everything. People not only lose their physical possessions but also their homes and memories like photographs, videos and documents that can never be recovered.

 After the devastation of a natural disaster many people reflect on the things that they must do. Some say, “If I had had taken the precaution of…” In 2005, after hurricane Katrina in south Florida, Bruce Roberson, founder of Orb24 decided to create a single place on the Web where people can safely store all their information. They can preserve their photographs in digital format and at the same time turn their old videos or other obsolete formats into DVDs. Orb24 offers the tools to create a personal digital “Cyber home ”

www.orb24.com is a great idea for the world today. A fire occurs every two (2) seconds in the United States, one out of five people are vulnerable to a loss every year due to a robbery and 100% of all computers are vulnerable to a virus or loss of information by other computer problems.

The one thing we can count on is the need to store our information, photos, videos, and music in one centralized location on a safe site.  This has become a prevailing necessity. We know that making file copies or “back ups” of the information does not offer security.

 Be prepared for any situation. Keep your information safe while sharing it with relatives and friends. Obtain a FREE Orb24 account and let Orb24 become a tool for your work whether in your personal life or businesses.

 

Orb24.com

TIPS FOR “GOING GREEN” AT WORK

With the growing popularity and necessity of “going green” at home finally beginning to take root, the focus is now shifting to the work place. Both small and large businesses alike are searching for practices that will help to cut down on expense, excessive waste and needless energy consumption. It takes just a few simple steps and before you know it your business will be “green!” 

Here are some Top TIPS to “green-up” your business:

1. Consider going paperless: You’ll have to decide whether or not to go back in order to convert all your existing hard copy files and other outdated media to digital for safe, offsite storage, or if you’ll just start NOW going forward. Either way, you’ll need to use a digital file storage and conversion service such as Orb24 (http://www.orb24.com/). This service allows users a centralized, secure offsite file storage and conversion solution. What’s more, your account will allow you to backup, edit and share your files, as well as converting obsolete media to digital which can then be stored and shared on your account. This is truly the way of the future. Bonus you can usually get up to one free gigabyte of storage and upgraded storage space or businesses is extremely reasonable. Long term this is an option that is the most cost effective and most beneficial for the environment. By going paperless, it most obviously will significantly reduce paper usage, as well as reducing the associated energy usage and carbon emissions that result from production, transport and disposal.

2. If going entirely paperless is NOT an option…then think before you print: Did you know that the average U.S. office worker goes through 10,000 sheets of copy paper a year?

First, don’t just print mindlessly…question whether or not what you’re reading or working on actually requires printing?

Companies should make it standard practice to purchase office supplies and equipment/furniture that is recycled. Starting with paper (that’s an easy one) buy only recycled, lighter stock paper and recycle toner and ink cartridges buying only remanufactured.

For all other office needs there are many companies now that provide recycled materials ONLY; consider companies like Green Earth Office Supplies (http://greenearthofficesupply.stores.yahoo.net/).

3. Recycling is Essential: Seriously, recycle everything!

Copy paper, faxes, envelopes, soda cans, junk mail, catalogs, ink toners, old computer hardware, software, furniture etc…can be recycled.

Cell phones and other electronics can be dropped off at your local Staples store. CollectiveGood (http://www.collectivegood.com/) and Staples now offer a nationwide Mobile Devices Recycling program in all Staples stores that makes it easy to recycle used cell phones, PDA’s, pagers and rechargeable batteries.

Make recycling bins easily accessible and educate employees on appropriate recycling habits. Offer incentives such as restaurant gift cards or free pair of free movie tickets once a month to both the “greenest” employee, as well as the “most improved-green” employee.

4. Turn Off The Lights: Conserve Energy & Save Money! According to the Energy Information Administration (http://eia.doe.gov/), office buildings use 198 billion kWh (or 676 trillion Btu) of site electricity each year.The majority of this electricity is used for lighting and office equipment (such as computers, printers, faxes and photocopiers).

Companies should replace regular lighting with energy efficient bulbs and/or fixtures. Replacing office lighting with ENERGY STAR (http://www.energystar.gov/) lighting, it uses about 75% less energy than standard lighting, produces 75% less heat, and lasts up to 10 times longer.

Install timers or motion sensors that automatically shut lights off when they’re not needed.

5. Make Your Computers Work Smarter: Computers are the worst culprits when it comes to excessive energy consumption.

Start by turning your computer off at the end of the day (TIP: make sure that your computer does not have to be on for auto updates during the night).

Have all your employees set their computers to sleep mode (not screen savers) when on breaks or away from their desks, even for short periods of time. This can save up to 70% of energy usage a year.

Recycle old equipment with reputable hardware recycling company (http://www.computertakeback.com/) and/or donate equipment to schools etc…

6. Rethink Your Commute: Most of us wake up in the morning and without even thinking get into our cars, solo, for the commute to work.

Consider carpooling with a few people from work or search for online carpool groups in your area, the Sierra Club offers a search tool online (http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife/).

As a business owner you can encourage telecommuting, which saves energy and saves you money in energy usage and productivity loss.

Encourage your employees to choose alternative transportation by providing credits to carpoolers or free transit passes.

7. Ban Plastic Throw Away Products: There’s absolutely no need to use disposable paper and/or plastic plates & utensils anymore.

Sources: http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife/ www.abcnews.go.com/ http://money.cnn.com/2007/03/26/magazines/fsb/green.fsb/index.htm

Are you ready for a challenge? Grab a pen and paper and now just from memory, list the entire contents of your home, room by room. Could you do it? Did you include absolutely everything (lamps, throw pillows, mattress, pictures…)? If the answer is “no” then Orb24 is the perfect answer!

Can you imagine having to create this list after a devastating fire, flood, earthquake, hurricane or burglary? An up-to-date household inventory makes it easy to identify everything that must be replaced. It can also help to settle insurance claims quickly and accurately. A home inventory is also a good tool in determining the value of your belongings and thus your precise insurance requirements.

Orb24 offers a terrific Home Inventory section that will archive a comprehensive inventory of your home and/or business with photos and/or video. By using Orb24 an offsite secure data storage facility, you are protecting yourself even further by ensuring that you can access this crucial information from anywhere and at any time. In the event that your home PC is damaged or stolen…a digital storage service like Orb24 is a must!

Lists are essential! You should start by listing and taking photos/video of all major items in each room, making sure to note serial numbers, purchase prices, present value and dates of purchase. Remember to include minor items as well such as many common household items; luggage, clothing, appliances and sporting goods.  The Government and industry officials also recommend taking photos of the outside of your home as well. Furthermore, your home inventory should be updated each year. Remember…the best defense is a good offense, so be prepared. Don’t delay, have your home inventory ready in the event that you might need it…and hopefully you never will.  

Preparation = Peace of Mind!