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The following is an excerpt from our upcoming white paper on using smart Wi-Fi to enhance business communications, coming out soon on the Industry Insights page.

With Wi-Fi becoming more of a “must” for any business, our upcoming white paper examines the value in smart Wi-Fi for business and what it takes to build a network that works for you. But before we get to all of that, there are two big reasons why Wi-Fi has become so essential to running an efficient workplace. Workers On-The-Go

Everyone wants to be mobile. Consumers, employees, managers, executives, teens, kids, all have either a need or a very strong want to have access to everyone and everything everywhere they go. And technology developers are doing their best to provide options to satisfy the market. The cell phone, laptop and tablet are replacing the desktop phone and desktop PC, and that means a big shift for the way companies go about their business.

When it comes to communication specifically, the push for mobility has affected two elements of workplace technology: devices on which people communicate and the software/programs that people communicate on. These two components are, of course, intrinsically linked to one another. The smartphone has enabled software development that renders certain “desktop technology” (for lack of a better term) obsolete. “Voice” as it applies to telecommunication doesn’t just mean a phone call anymore. People can “call” one another from their tablet or video chat from their laptop, for example.

Almost all of these applications require high-speed Internet access to function, therefore all of these devices need to be online just about all the time. Yet you will be hard-pressed to find a smartphone with an ether-net port. Ethernet ports are even disappearing from laptops as they become slimmer and lighter. All of these factors combine to highlight the importance of a strong Wi-Fi network.

Embracing a Unified Communications Future

No application or technology typifies the mobilization revolution more than unified communications. UC is the integration of all devices, functionality, software and media into one communications platform. It means employees can communicate from their smartphone with all the functionality of their typical office desktop phone, for example.

UC represents a push for efficiency, but that efficiency relies heavily on the network the UC platform and connected device are running on. A bad network will create bad user experiences, which reduces adoption. No adoption means you are minimizing, if not eliminating, any and all value this technology has to offer. And it has a lot of value to offer. This makes it absolutely critical to have a reliable Wi-Fi network as the backbone of your communication platform. Your devices need it and the systems they integrate with need it.

Heading to the Bahamas for your first vacation? There are more than 700 tropical islands in this paradise and each one can offer a slightly different mix of activities.

Islands of a Different Color

Grand Bahama is probably the most visited island in the Bahamas. It has clear turquoise waters lapping white sand and a dynamic metro area. Bring a snorkel, bathing suit and clothes to go out at night. For a twist, visit Andros Island, it is the largest island but most infrequently visited. This island is spectacular for snorkeling and diving. It is home to the biggest barrier reef on the planet.

The Eleuthera and Harbour Island Getaways

These are two quiet islands in the Bahamas and they are ideal for romantic escapes. These two islands feature some historic sites as well. There are colonial villages and pineapple plantations on Eleuthera Island which are worth a visit. Enjoy the fabulous buildings and sites, then relax on the warm, sunny beaches. On Harbour Island is the Pink Sands resort which has a number of cottages that are perfect for couples. Another option is Rock House, which has modern conveniences.

Atlantis Resorts and Casino

The Atlantis offers entertainment for every taste. At this resort you can scuba dive for free, snorkel along the beach or just enjoy the sun. It also features golf on a course with views of the Caribbean Ocean. For entertainment there are amusement rides, dancing and dining. The best feature is the lagoon filled with tropical fish. You can also experience ocean life in the large, open air aquarium.

Last week, before the Super Bowl, we took a look at what search terms were trending leading up to the game. But even if it’s not something as widely watched and discussed as the Super Bowl, outside events can have an impact on search terms for top brands.

Last week, before Super Bowl XLVI even happened, we took a look at what search terms were trending leading up to the game, and also made a bold prediction:

Now, as we just witnessed the biggest television spectacle of the year, the talk around the office was not surprisingly similar to what people were searching for on Google.

The pre-game trends were focused on the players and teams…with much more attention on the Patriots and their star players than on the Giants. But the post-game focus shifted dramatically to the halftime show and the commercials. The only exception was searches for the Super Bowl MVP, Eli Manning, who came in at the #10 spot.

The two trends that were on both lists? Tom Brady and Giselle Bundchen. Apparently Giselle did not want to be overshadowed by her husband and decided to throw his teammates under the bus after the game. Go figure…

Google also tells us that the most-searched for commercials were for the Acura NSX, featuring Jerry Seinfeld and the Chrysler halftime ad, featuring Clint Eastwood. I don’t know about your office, but these were definitely topics of conversations around my water cooler, and apparently those around the country as well.

Even if it’s not the Super Bowl, here at Star Group we understand that outside events can have an impact on search terms for top brands. When it comes to marketing strategies that include Search Engine Optimization, we know that tracking keywords and making adjustments to content can help keep brands relevant and up to date.

It takes quick thinking and execution to win…Are you setting your strategy and then letting it run down the field, or are you adapting to changes on the fly?

Traveling can be expensive with the added expense of attractions. However, London has implemented a pass program that gives you access to many attractions for one low price.

Attractions

The London Pass is valid at 55 attractions in London. These include the Tower of London, the London Zoo, Kensington Palace and Kew Gardens.

Travel

If you need travel around London, you can add unlimited access to the tube and bus lines for an extra fee. One of the best ways to go sightseeing around London is by bus so this is a good feature to add on. When traveling on bus, you can see where everything is in relation to each other and see the city quicker than walking.

Time Frame

The London Pass can be purchased for one, two, three or six days. If you are planning a long trip, the six-days pass is one of the cheapest ways to go.

Advantages

With the London Pass, you can save hundreds of dollars. Most attractions in London cost a decent amount of money per person when converted. However, with the pass, you spend a fraction of that for unlimited use. Another advantage is you do not have to stand in long lines at the ticket booth or to enter; you get to jump the line with your pass.

Discounts

Some travel Websites have discounts on The London Pass for even more savings. Viator.com, for example, offers a six-day pass for 30 percent less.

Robots were and still are in my geek opinion, one of the coolest toys ever! With their sparkly metal and tin parts, flashing lights, and hand wound mechanisms, vintage robots make up a part of childhood once lost but never forgotten. Now these nostalgic toys from the past are turning up once again all over the place. Parents with fond memories of playing with these toys are in high hopes of enlightening their kids with real imagination and enthusiasm for something 3D rather than just blinking links on an iphone screen.

The first toy robots emerged after the war in the mid 1940′s. They were friction or clockwork powered and made of stamped steel or tin. The Japanese introduced the classic yellow, Lilliput Tin Robot preceding the Atomic Robot Man which made an appearance at the New York Sci-Fi convention in 1950. Quickly these toys became a big hit with both kids and adults.

Today, vintage robots have made a big comeback and are more popular now than ever with robot designed clothing, bedding, recyclables, and more. If you are still looking to find that perfect vintage robot you or your child can play with and evoke wonderful memories of a past time, than look no further than Amazon or your perhaps if you are lucky- a local toy store.

I am certain that you’ve heard of Feng Shui – an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics believed to use the laws of both Heaven (astronomy) and Earth (geography) to help one improve life by receiving positive Qi (chi)…..quite a mouthful….isn’t it?

I must admit….I always was somewhat intrigued by Feng Shui following,but never took the time to really learn about it.

Many books and articles have been written about Feng Shui. Feng Shui has many followers and practitioners who believe that certain objects and their placement can improve or change your life.

Here are few examples how simple changes following Feng Shui according to the experts can make your life better.

Hey, I’ll try everything…..ONCE….so it’s worth the try. Are you with me?

Feng Shui your way to SLIMMER you.

If everywhere you look you see knickknacks and you are still trying to lose last few pounds it’s time for clean up.

According to Feng Shui experts all you knickknacks are unconsciously keeping you from reaching your weight goal bye bye knickknacks – hello bikinis.

Feng Shui your way to ENERGETIC you.

Is your home cluttered and messy?

Everywhere you look there are toys lying around, kids games and books spread out? Are you tripping over exercise equipment in my case using it as a clothes hanger ?

This mess and chaos can be the reason why you feel tired and drained I thought it was the constant stepping over things and bending down picking them up that made me tired.

The Feng Shui experts tell us that keeping everything organized and put away in it’s spot will allow “QI” – the energizing life force to flow freely. As a result it will bring balance, promote harmony and unleash energy in my house cleaning after yourself = happy mom = harmony.

Feng Shui your way to BETTER MOOD.

If you are feeling blue and sad you can blame it on stuff piled up on the floor.

According to Feng Shui any items that don’t belong on the floor will bring low and sad energy. If you want to boost your mood even more Feng Shui can help. Just move your plants off the floor and raise them to table height.

Feng Shui your way to SERENITY and PEACE by putting up round mirrors.

Sharp edges and corners block Qi.

Feng Shui experts claim that round mirrors promote never ending flow of positive energy. The round shape helps energy to move freely and fills the room with a relaxing calm.

Feng Shui away from JEALOUSY.

We all are guilty of getting the green-eyed monster the best of us once in awhile.

According to Feng Shui teaching placing one or two bamboo shoots in a vase will keep our jealousy at bay.

I know there is way more into Feng Shui that just a few tips and changes and I could spend hours learning about it and changing my life around it….for right now I will start with baby steps and see where it takes me.

I am ready to try some FENG SHUI to better my life…..How about you?

Have you ever wanted to travel in style? Everyone loves to go around looking stylish and not spending too much money at the same time. This is where the best limo hire prom comes into the picture. Not only will you make heads turn when you arrive at a party wear or a function but you will also not burn a hole in your pocket when you hire a Limo from the best Limo service. There are a number of people that often wonder how they can go about hiring a limo and why they should do so. First off you need to contact the best Limousine hiring service that you have in the city. The services have the best limos and they also provide the best customer service that you can ever imagine. There are also a number of benefits that you get when you hire a Limo from the best Limo service. Here is a look at some of the best services that are on offer.

Familiarity

When you hire a local Limousine service you will get a driver that is familiar with the area and will not waste your time driving around. The driver will also know where there are traffic spots and which are the best roads to take you to your destination. In this way you will not waste a lot of time travelling around in the limo and you will reach your destination on time.

Reliable

When you hire a reliable Limo service you know that the Limo will come to pick you up at the time that you mentioned. You will not have to call up a number of times in order to check where the limo is and what time it will come to pick you up. All you need to do is get ready and the limo will arrive to take you to your destination.

Save Money

With the best limo service you will be able to save on a lot of money. Imagine having to hire a number of vehicles just to get your destination. When you hire a car from other services, you will even have to drive there because not a lot of other car rental services provide you with a driver. With reliable Limo service you will get a driver and you will be able to save on a lot of money because these services are affordable. You will not even have to pay for being stuck in traffic because the driver will know which route to take you from and how to save on your money. You will also save on a lot of time when you hire the best limo service in town.

Create An Impression

When you arrive in a Limo you will create a massive impression on the people that are there. It is not every day that people arrive in a limo for a party or a function. Imagine getting out of a limo for your office party. That will be quite an impression that you would make on your office colleagues as well as your bosses. You can also imagine driving to a party with your family and arriving there in style. This is an experience that none of your family members will forget and none of the people at the party will also forget.

With the best Limo service you will be able to be the talk of the town all the time. You will also be able to save on a lot of time and money each and every time you travel by limo. You will not have to worry about how to get to your destination on time and what time the Limo is going to arrive. One of the best things is you will also be able to give your family a once in a lifetime experience. This is something that not everyone is able to do for the family members.

Another thing that you can do when you hire this service is take your wife or your girlfriend out in style. You will be able to make quite an impression on your loved one just by hiring a Limo service. You will get a personalized chauffer service as well as you will be able to drive around in style.

A number of people hesitate before hiring a Limo service because they think it is a waste of time. However when you create a positive impression on minds of people hiring the Limo service then it will be worth it. You will also be able to make sure that you get the right kind of service that you have paid for. If you do not contact the right Limo service you will not get the kind of experience that you are hoping for and you will end up not hiring a Limo again for the rest of your life. Always go online and check the services that are on offer. Read reviews from previous customers and see how they have benefited from the Limo service and what the kinds of services that they took are. Once you get the right services you know that you will get your money’s worth and you will not have to worry about how the Limo service is going to be.

You can also book a Limo service for your sons or your daughters 16th birthday. This is something they will never forget as a 16th birthday is an important milestone in their life. You will be able to make it a birthday that day will never forget and all this will be because of the Limo service that you hired. You will never have to even worry about how your family is going to be able to afford a Limo service. Just contact the best Limo service in town and you will get affordable Limo services at your doorstep. You will be able to live a dream and make sure that you get the right experience when you pick the right limo service. You will never have to rely on a normal car rental when you have a limo service at your disposal.

A camping stove with a griddle – a flat iron pan that fits onto the stove – gives you the chance to deal with foods like canned meals, pancakes, smaller sausages and meats that a regular stove might not be able to handle.

Charcoal

Charcoal camp stoves with a griddle come in two varieties. The first has the griddle built into the stove, while the second uses a griddle that slides into the stove, but comes with other types of cooking surfaces. If you opt for a charcoal stove, you’ll need to purchase the coals in advance of your trip, but you can use any type of charcoal. You’ll also want to bring extra charcoal with you since the amount in the stove will only last for one cooking session.

Propane

Propane camping stoves with a griddle are more popular than charcoal because the attached can of propane lasts longer than a bag of charcoal. Some have the griddle placed on the side away from the burners with an additional heat source underneath the griddle, which allows you to use the burners and griddle at the same time or only use one at a time. Other models use two burners on the main part of the stove, with the griddle placed directly beside the burners. This type of stove uses one main heat source, which heats all burners and the griddle at the same time.

Do It Yourself

If you’re looking for something even more convenient to carry, then you should consider a do-it-yourself method by using a griddle pan like you would use in your home and a campfire. Made of cast iron or aluminum, the pan has a flat surface and two carrying handles. The pan slides directly onto the fire where it heats up slowly until you’re ready to use it. You simply put your food in the pan, which you place back on the fire. This is best for camping in remote areas accessible only by long hikes that make carrying one of the heavier propane or charcoal stoves less than ideal.

Legs

A few versions of griddle stoves come with legs. These stoves otherwise work exactly the same as their tabletop versions, with the advantage that you can set it up in any location. You also have the option of purchasing a stove with a work-space beside it or extra storage underneath the table.

Warning

Avoid smoking around the stove. Ensure that the stove is put together properly and that there are no leaks in the line or tank. Parents should also be alert when small children are around; they can easily burn themselves on the griddle portion, which stays hot even after the stove is turned off.

If the idea of having sex on a beach, imbibing nothing but wine, appetizers and dessert and avoiding children like the plague is your idea of a great vacation, you’ll be ready to pack a bathing suit (or not) and take a leave of absence from your job for an erotic romp on the wild side at a hedonism resort. It’s possible to find a destination that caters to middle-aged folks and fits you like a glove if you follow the tips in this article. Just don’t forget to leave your inhibitions and laptop at home, because hedonism resorts are designed to make your fantasies come true, one erotic experience at a time.

Step 1

Shop around for the best deals. There are chains of hedonism-style resorts that are marketed under one brand name (e.g., Sandals, Hedonism) and independents that are owned and operated as franchises or by individuals seeking a single venue on which to lavish their time and attention. Consider more than just price and age demographics when you choose from these types of accommodations.

Step 2

Get recommendations. Have your middle-aged friends holidayed at a hedonism resort? Did they come away with very few photos but plenty of racy memories? That’s where you want to go for your getaway. Ask your friends about everything from cleanliness to food and weather to atmosphere. The goal here is to get away—really away—yet know that a management team is nearby to solve dilemmas that have been known to arise even during the most idyllic vacation.

Step 3

Connect with travel agents, even if you don’t intend to book your hedonism-focused trip with them (though many are in a position to get you better deals than you might find on the Internet). These folks know where middle-aged clients have had terrific experiences and the places to avoid.

Step 4

Check with the State Department to make certain locations you’re considering aren’t dangerous to visit. Traveling outside the United States isn’t the carefree experience it was in the past. The government monitors trouble spots so tourists can travel with full knowledge of what to expect in different parts of the world. If you have concerns about this, focus your search for the perfect hedonism resort catering to middle-aged adults within the 50 states.

Step 5

Narrow down your top picks to get an accurate assessment of the demographic picture each resort paints. Finding yourself on-site with a predominant mix of young couples, each of whom looks suspiciously around the ages of your children, can be a downer for middle-age travelers. Since the objective of a trip to a hedonism resort is to abandon one’s inhibitions, learning the age range of a resort’s populace is nearly as important as getting the privacy you seek.

Step 6

Eschew the most extreme resorts on your list if you want to go wild but have been known to put checks and balances on your behaviors when push comes to shove. If the thought of nude bathing makes your pulse rate jump but you know that even a couple of glasses of wine couldn’t get you to strip down and step into the hot tub with your pals, you can still go crazy by finding a middle-aged destination that offers you the chance to don a thong or a skimpy Speedo. Don’t pay extra for nude beaches when the chances you’ll skinny-dip are iffy.

Step 7

Feel free to negotiate your package once you’ve made a final choice. Speak with sales and marketing staff. Ask about specials and amenities by playing the research card. If you’ve found a hedonism resort on Jamaica that has everything you want but the crowd is simply too young, contact others in the area. Tell them what you’ve been offered and see if you can build another day’s stay or a massage into the package as an incentive for switching venues (which you intend to do anyway).

Step 8

Find out if the hedonism resort you’ve chosen offers a frequent stay program. Once you walk on the wild side and realize that the term “middle-age” really is relative, you might never again be satisfied with touring museums and churches. After all, you’ve earned those birthdays and the right to call your own shots—dressed or not so much.

EGGS……have you ever thought about using fresh eggs for anything , but cooking and baking?

Nooooo?…….Well, I am here to show you 5 smart ways…… 5 different ways to use EGGS…..so lets get CRACK-IN’, shall we?

#1 Having problems with puffy eyes?…..crack an egg into a bowl and rub the inside of the shell gently with your finger. Apply the clear film onto the puffy under-eye area. Let it dry and gently rinse with cool water.

#2 Grow Beautiful & Healthy Plants……keep your leftover eggshells and once you have few just crush the eggshells and sprinkle them over the soil. The calcium in the eggshells will help your plants grown…..plus sharp edges of the eggshells also act as perfect pest repellent.

#3 Enjoy Black Coffee Without Cream & Bitter Taste……if you are trying to cut down on calories, but you just can’t bring yourself to drink your coffee without cream or milk……just add 1 teaspoon of dry crushed eggshells into your coffee grounds before brewing.The calcium carbonate in eggshells will neutralize the acid in coffee grounds and the result will be smooth coffee without the strong bitter taste.

#4 Give Tired Leather a New Life……if your leather purse or shoes are looking tired and scruffy give it a new life with little help from egg white. In a bowl separate egg white from egg yolks. Use dry cloth to apply egg whites onto the leather in circular motions.The protein in egg whites will give your old tired leather a new shine.

#5 Plug a Leaky Car Radiator…..no this will not fix your leaky radiator, but it will give you few days or running car till you can get your car fixed…..pour 1 egg white into the radiator (the coolant opening) right after turning the car off. The heat from engine will cook the egg white and the solid particles will sink into holes and will block the leak TEMPORARILY.

How about you? Do you have any smart ways to use EGGS….other then for cooking or baking?