Are You Allowed to Tweet On the Job?
By Deanna Hartley on 10-09-2009
If so, your organization is one of only a select few to allow employees to use various social networking sites — such as Twitter, Facebook and MySpace — while on the clock.
In fact, a whopping 54 percent of CIOs of larger companies in the United States completely prohibit the use of such tools out of fear it will result in lower productivity levels, according to a recent survey by Robert Half Technology.
Then again, 19 percent of CIOs do allow employees to leverage such tools, but strictly for business purposes.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Should companies leave it to employees to use their discretion and exercise common sense while accessing these sites? Or should they be off limits entirely?
Share your thoughts on the CertMag Network.
Web Security Scare
By Deanna Hartley on 09-16-2009
Whether you're a regular New York Times reader or not, you've probably heard about the stir caused by a malicious ad on the newspaper's Web site over the weekend.
The scare raised red flags for me as I sometimes fail to exercise due diligence when it comes to keeping my antivirus software up to date, thereby increasing my risk of being crippled by malicious attacks. Further, the incident proved that even the most legitimate Web sites inadvertently leave room for flaws.
What steps do you take to safeguard your computer against potentially dangerous, yet innocently disguised pop-ups and ads?
Microsoft-Yahoo Deal: Will It Shake Up the Future of Search Engines?
By Deanna Hartley on 08-12-2009
I'm sure millions around the world waited with bated breath until two IT giants, Microsoft and Yahoo, signed on the dotted line to solidify their partnership - and their mutual goal of dethroning Internet search king Google.
Well, the deal finally went through, but the hard work is far from over. It's now up to the two bigwigs to try to entice users like you and me away from what has been our faithful companion through the years: Google.
No question, it will be an uphill battle. But do you think the new partners will be successful in racking up traffic and boosting ad revenue? What do you newly converted Bing users think?
Credentialing: Does It Give You an Edge?
By Deanna Hartley on 07-14-2009
It’s common knowledge that employers look at a variety of factors, such as academic background and prior work experience, during the recruiting process. But how much attention do they pay to certifications?
Well, as a CNN article points out, credentials do play a significant role in the hiring process and are particularly important today, given the uber-competitive marketplace. In fact, one recruiter was quoted in the article as saying: “Especially in today’s business climate, anything that differentiates you from the crowd and emphasizes your commitment to your profession is career critical.”
That, of course, includes certifications. Contrary to popular opinion, certifications are relevant in fields other than traditional IT. Today, professionals in areas such as public relations are adding one or more certifications to their resumes to try to give themselves an advantage over the competition.
What do you think: Do certifications really give individuals an edge, or is this a myth? Have you personally benefited from having an acronym after your name?
Finally, Competition for Google?
By Agatha Gilmore on 05-26-2009
It’s no secret that more and more people are going mobile when it comes to computing. The success of the iPhone and, more specifically, iPhone apps, speaks volumes in terms of understanding how people are getting their information these days. But perhaps most interesting, a recent TechRepublic.com blog pointed out that the trend toward using mobile devices to access the Internet actually might give Google a run for its money when it comes to online searches.
“In my tests with the iPhone, I discovered that Google is usually my last resort for finding information,” writer Jason Hiner explained. “Typing is just not as fast on a smartphone (even with the full qwerty keyboard on BlackBerry). Pointing, scrolling, and selecting are all much easier and quicker. As a result, many of the things that I would usually do with a Google search from my computer, I do through an app on the iPhone.”
It’s too early to predict whether the rise of mobile technology will negate the need for Google in the long run, but it’s likely going to necessitate some functionality changes or updates to adapt to the times in the meantime.
Internship Seekers Endure Tough Times
By Deanna Hartley on 05-12-2009
Want to know how your state stacks up to the rest of the U.S. in terms of entry-level job and internship opportunities? Turn to CollegeRecruiter.com, which has published a list of the best and worst states to find these types of positions.
Some states — including Ohio, New Jersey and Georgia — appear to be faring better than others, with significant increases in both categories between April and May 2009.
Recent graduates have had some luck securing seeking full- or part-time positions.
“It appears that the entry-level market has stabilized,” Steven Rothberg, founder of the CollegeRecruiter.com job board, was quoted as saying in a recent press release.
While the number of entry-level job opportunities has remained largely unchanged, internship seekers have a few more hurdles to cross, as the number of internship opportunities plummeted in May.
Are you or have you recently been on the job market? How have you been faring? Are things really as dismal as they sound?
Share your thoughts with us on the CertMag Network.
Overstepping Privacy Norms?
By Deanna Hartley on 03-03-2009
Here’s one recent White House development that’s likely to spark controversy: A number of Republican politicians want to approve a new federal law that would force both Internet providers as well as Wi-Fi access locations to keep Internet users’ information on file for a period of two years, according to a CNN report.
What’s the reasoning behind this decision? It seems the information could come in handy during police investigations, especially in heavily computer-related cases such as child pornography.
So far, two bills have been introduced, each titled the Internet Stopping Adults Facilitating the Exploitation of Today’s Youth (SAFETY) Act.
What do you think about the bill? Does it overstep privacy norms by negating one’s ability to remain anonymous while surfing the Web? Or would its benefits offset privacy rights?
Queen of Spam
By Deanna Hartley on 01-30-2009
U.S. Inauguration Day may have come and gone, but the event is still on the minds of people everywhere — even spammers.
In the month of December, the new first lady bypassed A-list celebrities such as Angelina Jolie and Britney Spears to claim the crown of “most spammed subject,” according to anti-spam company SPAMfighter. Out of a total of 1.4 million spam emails, Jolie received 195 hits and the pop singer scored 468, while Mrs. Obama’s name appeared in nearly 2,000 emails. (Whether or not these statistics are flattering is an entirely different question.)
SPAMfighter urges Internet surfers to be cautious of unsolicited emails — even if it sounds like breaking news or juicy gossip. Do you exercise caution when opening emails from unknown sources? What are some practical things you have tried to outsmart spammers?
Finally, A Solution to Spam?
By Certmag Editor on 12-02-2008
The people who make a habit — perhaps even a living — out of spamming innocent employees may think twice after learning about the settlement of a certain multimillion dollar lawsuit this past week.
According to a DailyTech article, a spammer allegedly sent out more than 4 million unwanted e-mail messages to Facebook users, resulting in an $873 million fine.
Talk about a slap on the wrist!
And this isn’t the first lawsuit of its kind. According to the report, MySpace has won similar suits against spammers for a total of $236 million.
Do you think these mega-fines will dissuade spammers? Or is there a better long-term solution to prevent illegitimate e-mail from clogging your inbox?
Road to the White House: A Two-Way Street?
By Certmag Editor on 11-13-2008
According to a recent CNN article, the U.S. president and the public might soon enjoy unprecedented interactivity, thanks in part to the Internet.
Change.gov, an official Barack Obama-inspired Web site launched the day after his election to the White House, features a political newsroom, blog and more. Prior to signing any nonemergency legislation, the president-elect has agreed to wait a period of five days, during which Americans can log on to Change.gov and comment.
Will this lead to an even more robust democracy, or is it all for show? What do you think of this initiative?
Caution: Web-Traffic Patrol
By CertMag Editor on 10-30-2008
The ubiquitous nature of the Internet is one of its defining characteristics — that is, unless you’re in Thailand.According to a recent CNN article , the government of the Far East country is planning to create a massive Internet firewall that would essentially block certain Web sites — a functionality that is expected to cost somewhere between $2.9 million to $14.6 million.
On the chopping block are pornographic sites, sites that are offensive to Thailand’s royal family, terrorism-related sites and others that are deemed to have inappropriate content. In fact, some of these sites have already been blocked, but the intention is to make the process more systematic.
What do you think about the enforcement of censorship on the Internet? Should some have the power to monitor or block certain sites, or should the regulation of the Internet be up to the individual?
