Christmas Shopping Without Going Overboard

There are many ways to save money if you are determined enough to look for practical solutions to your financial dilemmas. Even if Christmas is fast approaching, it is not an excuse to spend money like there is no tomorrow. Remember that whatever you swipe for now and in the next few days or weeks, you still have to pay for tomorrow. It’s not like your expenses will magically disappear because Santa Claus came to say hi during the holidays. It’s nice to give gifts and receive gifts in return but remember to spend only within your means. Do not try to impress other people and end up with a big stack of credit card bills come January. It’s not the right way to start the New Year.

You can be a little creative in trying to save money. Buying on sale is one thing and listing down all those people you have to give presents to can help you allocate your funds better. You won’t end up spending more for the gift of this person and much less on the other just because you forgot to include the latter on your list in the first place. Sticking to that budget is just as crucial too as you may easily lose track once you are out in the mall and end up buying more than what you intended. Hence as much as possible, try to pay with cash. It is easy to keep on swiping that card until you max it out when you do your Christmas shopping, so try to avoid that mistake as much as you can by ditching the plastic and paying with cash all the time.

“You can get some good deals online, especially if you have friends or family overseas,” Ms Loyez said. “Buying something online in the country you need to send it to is a lot cheaper than buying it where you are and then posting it.

“Take advantage of mid-season sales. There is always a July toy sale, even if it can be difficult to stay on top of what people are into by the time Christmas rolls around.”

Taking stock of some financial loose ends in the household budget can also offset upcoming expenditure.

“Combining home phone and broadband is an example of a small saving that can work. I have just done this and it means a saving of $30 a month, which could take care of a present,” Ms Loyez said.

(Via: http://www.news.com.au/finance/money/budgeting/cutting-costs-to-pay-for-christmas-spend-can-save-financial-stress-in-january/news-story/4007196120300bae2d127ab19bed295a)

If you think you’ve got your list figured out to a tee and there’s no other remedy there, try looking out of the box for other alternative money-saving tips in your daily life. Simple energy-saving measures that can reduce your monthly electrical costs or some adjustments in your usual grocery shopping are great ways to save money gradually and help cover for additional expenses incurred by your Christmas shopping. Do this as early as you can and if possible, all-year-round not only in an effort to save money but to help the environment as well. It’s the type of positive domino effect that the world needs the most now.

Don’t use credit

One common holiday shopping mistake is to put everything on the credit card given to you by your bank for those of us in Nigeria, especially the middle class. You can end up paying for Christmas for several months this way. People tend to overspend more when they use credit cards as well. Use your debit card or cash to purchase your Christmas gifts. If you plan carefull, you do not need to use credit to buy anything associated with the holidays. This is one gift you ought to give yourself.

Don’t buy to impress

It is tempting when you finally have some money to go out and buy extravagant gifts for everyone on your list. You may want to buy an extra nice gift for your parents or a close friend but try not to go overboard on everyone’s gift. Most people will prefer a well-thought out gift that matches their personality and interests to something you bought simply for how much it cost you. You should be able to see when you are crossing that line.

(Via: http://punchng.com/financial-mistakes-to-avoid-during-yuletide-shopping/)

You don’t have to be rich in order to give the perfect presents to the people who mean a lot to you. Just being prepared for the coming holidays the soonest possible that you can is the best way you can face the coming Christmas season with the peace of mind knowing your loved ones will feel your love and affection for them through the gifts that you share without you necessarily going bankrupt and suffer financially once the New Year starts. Truly preparation is the key to be able to enjoy the holidays without suffering from the irreparable financial repercussions once the holiday is over.

The article Christmas Shopping Without Going Overboard Read more on: SoulVisual

source https://www.soulvisual.com/blog/christmas-shopping-without-going-overboard/

Tech Life-Hacks Employees Must Know

Almost everyone uses tech gadgets now. They are a staple in life and are used in just about every aspect of living. Can you imagine not having your trusted smartphone with you? You feel empty, right. It’s even enough to prompt people to go back home just to get their gadget back. And whether you are at work or school, you can’t just avoid having to use a tech gadget of sort like a computer because that is how everything works right now. If you have a business, it is even more crucial for you to transform your business and take it online because of the enormous amount of potential there is for the growth of your business.

Since you are not alone in running your shop/store and there is a likelihood you employ other people to get things going, it is likewise a must for you to ensure they are familiar and savvy in operating tech devices needed to run your shop or risk sabotaging your business without you knowing. Your employees may also be required to manage your business online like what other businesses do, so you do not just let loose individuals who know nothing about all these things especially if your business is your bread and butter in life.

  How to Use Search Engines in an Advanced Way: Everyone knows how to use a search engine but here I am not talking about only typing words to Google. What I mean is using search engines in a more advanced way such as adding quotation marks or Boolean operators like AND, OR, NOT. As a result, you can save a lot of time and eliminate the unwanted results from the beginning. Also, while scanning through the returned search results, you need to know how to distinguish a good reliable resource from a bad one.

  How to Back up Your Data: You never know when your computer will crash or be stolen or any other disastrous event will happen. Therefore, it is always recommended to back up your important files, photos or documents. In this way, you can prevent data loss. It is best to use cloud systems for backing up data such as Dropbox or Box or you can try old fashioned alternatives like using a hard drive. There are also tools available that are built in computers. These are Windows Backup or Apple’s Time Machine. You can set them up in order to back your data up with an external hard drive.

(Via: http://www.business2community.com/tech-gadgets/basic-tech-skills-every-employee-know-01937915#S5RAWPAeAMVGqP06.97)

Computers may be a science but at least it is not rocket science that can leave one dumbfounded. Meaning, a little common sense, and some practical knowledge is all you need to learn how to navigate from one device to the other and how to keep your business running in the virtual world. Moreover, they must know the importance of data and what they should do to keep those data protected from unintentional loss or prevent it from getting corrupted somewhere along the way.

Mr Khamis said internal attacks largely occur when an employee helps the attacker due to their lack of understanding of the threats.

“These days, the one-click processes that most banks are trying to achieve for any kind of application they want to enhance customer experience actually lead to some of these incidents that we currently face in the financial sector,” he said.

“I always tell my team to go back to the basics, [especially when] organisations in the Arab world depend on people more than the process, so when that person leaves, it goes back to zero.”

(Via: https://www.thenational.ae/uae/staff-are-biggest-cyber-attack-threat-to-organisations-security-officials-1.668037)

As progress continues and takes the world in the direction of more complex and sophisticated technologies, there will likely be a breach along the way. Criminals will look for the weakest link somewhere and concentrate their attack there. Constantly telling your staff to be cautious in opening dubious-looking emails is not enough. It is especially true in the case of ransomware attacks that spread like wildfire because the person on the receiving end unintentionally corrupted the system because of their carelessness or ignorance. Entrepreneurs should not overlook and invest on these things as much as well if they want their businesses to prosper and bring in the bacon in the years to come.

The following article Tech Life-Hacks Employees Must Know is available on SoulVisual Blog

source https://www.soulvisual.com/blog/tech-life-hacks-employees-must-know/

Technology’s Role In Education

Gone were the days when things were mostly done manually by hand. Technology has made things so much simpler for us and at the same time quite complex too considering the number of gadgets and contrivances we must familiarize ourselves with over time. Now, we are not even including in the equation the amount of money we have to spend in acquiring all these so-called tech necessities (yes, they’re no longer considered as mere luxuries) that are supposed to make our lives easier and more convenient but do they really do that?

Children these days learn about technology at a young age. Most toddlers right now actually know how to navigate an iPad or any Android tablet to pass the time. Hence, it is no longer surprising to see curriculums being updated or revised entirely to ensure technology is included in just about everything because that is definitely the direction we are heading. Think about the future and you’d likely have something highly digital in your mind. That future has already started now and kids are taught everything they need to know about tech use and the web to ensure they will thrive in the future world we are carving right now.

The most amazing thing that technology in education does is that it allows for learning to become self-paced, personalised. Education that truly makes the individual the focus of the learning system. After having spent my Tuesday at the Sandton Convention Centre, during day one of the EduTech Africa Conference, I am completely blown away. The number of applications and platforms, both online and offline, that are available to assist the future of this country in conquering their everyday academic challenges, is staggering. Yes we ought to invest a whole lot more in this and move beyond thinking about tech in education as the mini-PCs that we buy for children.

One of the buzzwords that were thrown around at the conference which would easily make one think that this was a private school event, was personalized learning. This phenomenon that every child actually could benefit from, is actually available to a lot more people than one would think.

(Via: http://www.news24.com/MyNews24/technology-can-make-all-the-difference-in-education-20171004)

Not only is the planet changing, the way the youth is educated changes as well to keep up with all the changes that are likewise taking place in our surroundings. Only change is constant, keep that in mind. Technology has its pros and cons but when used properly and in moderation, technology is a powerful medium whatever your industry may be. Students can optimize their learning through the help of technology, something most adults did not have the luxury of having while they were growing up.

Of the propaganda that generally swirls around public education, none is more prominent than the claim that technological “personalized learning” can transform learning. Ed-tech companies trumpet how “innovative” and “engaging” their products are, perfect for efficiently training the 21st-century drones needed by the global economy. Buy our digital devices for your students, they urge, and we’ll throw in the apps for free! Act now! Don’t be left behind!

Not so fast. University of Colorado researchers recently released a report analyzing the myriad problems with “personalized learning” schemes. Every legislator, education professional, and parent should read this report and slam on the brakes.

(Via: https://spectator.org/is-technology-really-better-for-education/)

Innovation is a big word often used when talks about tech use in education are brought up. We must learn to innovate as the world progresses. It’s supposedly a given. The concept of personalized learning has become our reality although some are still doubtful whether it is as effective as teaching done the old way. Yet we can’t revert back to the past that is devoid of tech advancements. Whether some people like it or not, technology is a major part of our lives right now and the only way for us to succeed in the future is if the youth of today can master the tools in place right now.

Technology’s Role In Education is available on www.soulvisual.com

source https://www.soulvisual.com/blog/technologys-role-in-education/

Are You All Ready For The 2017 Nobel Prize In Literature?

Not everyone is destined for greatness but there are those a handful of individuals that defy the usual limitations faced by man and go the extra mile by achieving more in life. These people have a big impact on society and even do things that deserve them a place in history books. The Nobel Prize is a major honor bestowed to individuals with great contributions to the academe, cultural, and scientific advancements most people won’t even be able to dream of. Norwegian and Swedish institutions give this recognition to deserving people and this time around, we got our eyes on the literary winners.

As the years go by, the judges taste also change with the times. Last year’s winner was a big surprise to everyone and it’s the reason why many are curious as to this year’s winner this time around. Only the individual who has produced the most distinctive and outstanding literary work in an ideal direction will be given the honor of winning Alfred Nobel’s award for Literature. There are rumors circulating as to who this year’s winner will be but they are simply hearsay. Let’s all leave it at that.

When Alfred Nobel established the literature prize in his name, he perhaps could have benefited from an editor. The terms of his will leave the prize's exact intentions tantalizingly vague - making the literature award one of the most debated and entertaining of the Nobel Prizes.

The Swedish industrialist said he wanted the prize to recognize “the person who shall have produced in the field of literature the most outstanding work in an ideal direction.”

On Thursday, theSwedish Academy will announce whom it considers to have met the criterion of "ideal" for the 2017 laurels.

(Via: https://www.voanews.com/a/nobel-literature-prize/4052908.html)

From the very beginning, the standards set by Nobel when it comes to awarding literary works is subject to interpretation since it talks about the ideal direction. Just what the ideal direction is actually is a case-to-case basis and subject to the person’s interpretation of what is ideal for them and what is not. No wonder there have been controversial winners in the past that have raised the public’s eyebrow and questioned the very foundation of this award-giving body. Yet they continue to exist because people look up to them and are always inspired by the great works produced by individuals who get the award.

A year after the Swedish Academy shocked the world with its choice of Bob Dylan as the Nobel laureate for literature, the jury is preparing to unveil this year’s winner of the prestigious honour.

The academy, an assembly of 18 Swedes who are elected by secret ballot to their roles and hold them for life, has revealed that the Nobel laureate in literature will be announced on 5 October. More than half of the academy’s members must vote for the eventual winner, who is chosen from about 350 proposals made by literary experts and former Nobel laureates from around the world. Intended to honour Alfred Nobel’s desire to reward “the person who shall have produced in the field of literature the most outstanding work in an ideal direction”, the SEK9m (£832,000) award has gone to 113 writers since 1901 – of whom 14 were women, 28 wrote in English and 77 wrote in prose.

(Via: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/oct/03/nobel-prize-for-literature-set-to-reveal-2017-winner)

If it were you, can you imagine the honor of winning such a prestigious award that only the truly great intellectuals of their time win? There are always controversies in any award-giving body and the Nobel Prize is no exception. They have more to prove now with their choice as last year’s winner caused so much ruckus up to several months after the announcement. Moreover, literature in itself is a broad category. Meaning, an expert on various aspects of literature can emerge as the winner, so the element of surprise will always be there. We can only keep guessing but it won’t be for long as the winner will be announced momentarily and show us what a real literary genius is made of.

Are You All Ready For The 2017 Nobel Prize In Literature? was initially published on https://www.soulvisual.com/

source https://www.soulvisual.com/blog/are-you-all-ready-for-the-2017-nobel-prize-in-literature/

How Society Now Views Human Rights Organizations

There must be law and order for society to exist and thrive. A world in chaos is not an ideal place to live in, it's as simple as that. Yet no matter how much we try to be civilized and respect one another, there are those who have no regards for society and do things that are the complete opposite of what’s expected from a decent human being. It is the reason why human rights organizations exist – to ensure that human rights are upheld and not violated while at the same time fighting for a person’s human right in the unlikely situation that it has been violated by another person/s.

As the years go by, people start to develop a love-hate relationship towards human rights organizations especially that politics has not waned over time. Despite the influence of politics, though, many people have high regard for these human rights organizations in different parts of the globe. These organizations mediate on behalf of the people and have a big (positive) impact on the lives of millions of people in these places. They serve as an extra pair of hands in addressing important issues that the government can no longer or take time to address and help uplift people’s lives through various activities and programs they implement.

Most see human rights organizations in a positive light. Slightly more than eight-in-ten Kenyans and Indonesians said that such organizations are having a good influence on how things are going in their countries, while roughly two-thirds expressed this view in India and Mexico. Compared with the other major institutions tested, human rights organizations stacked up well. Overall, only the military and media tended to get better ratings, while court systems and police received the most negative reviews.

At 65%, Mexico had the smallest share of the public saying human rights groups are having a positive impact, though Mexicans generally expressed less positive views about national institutions than the other three publics surveyed.

(Via: http://www.pewglobal.org/2017/10/03/attitudes-toward-human-rights-organizations-india-indonesia-kenya-mexico/)

Human rights organizations have its limitations but it does not lessen their clout or influence on a great number of people. It is especially true in third-world countries that are riddled with poverty, corruption, and endless senseless violence that always leaves the innocent aggrieved. Through human rights organizations, the victims are able to claim justice and make the perpetrators or criminals pay for their crimes even if they have no money to pay for a lawyer by themselves.

The implementation of human rights is in crisis worldwide. The annual reports of Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other human rights organizations continue to reveal widespread gross violations of human rights in numerous countries the world over and South Asia region is not an exception. Democracy is non-existent or a sham in many countries in our part of the world. National resources are squandered by despotic rulers instead of being used to satisfy the basic economic and social needs of their people. Corruption is rife. The judiciary lacks the strength, the means, or the will to protect human rights in many places. The national human rights institutions are non-existent or non-performing in some cases in South Asia and elsewhere. In South Asia, many countries ratify human rights treaties without making the slightest attempt to give effect to them. The self-righteous representatives gather in the halls of the United Nations and use their majorities to insist that countries are grossly violating human rights be treated with kid gloves through dialogue and cooperation, instead of through forthright condemnation of atrocities. The UN Human Rights Council does little for the actual protection of human rights, and its Universal Periodic Reporting Process, for the time being, lacks teeth. The situation is dire.

(Via: http://www.livelaw.in/human-rights-discourse-south-asia/)

Whether in the local arena or the global one, human rights is a hot topic as you can all see how much hatred and violence there is in the world right now. We not only regard wars and political conflicts as the only cause of human rights abuse but even the fact that most people can’t meet their basic needs and live in extreme poverty is a human rights issue in itself. And seeing how complex the world has become, the list of human needs and rights likewise grows but it isn’t an assurance that they are met despite the many tech advancements the rest of the world now enjoys. Humans will continue to struggle and meeting their needs isn't always a walk in the park but they are not alone in their journey - that they can count on.

How Society Now Views Human Rights Organizations Find more on: SoulVisual

source https://www.soulvisual.com/blog/how-society-now-views-human-rights-organizations/

Protective Measures Against Malware

The Internet is a wonderful place but it can be dangerous too. People young and old can get lost in the web for hours and having the time of their lives but there are hidden dangers to its use, too. Of course, it all has to deal with cybersecurity. And it is no easy feat knowing how knowledgeable, skilled, and ingenious modern-day hackers are. No amount of data protection can get in their way if they want something so bad. Over recent years, the rise of malware has been so prominent in the tech sector that it has crippled businesses and organizations by the thousands in various parts of the globe. Sometimes, you wonder why people just don't give up and read a book!

If you are someone who knows your way with technology and is savvy when navigating the web, chances are you own your own tech device as well. It can be a smart gadget or a computer or laptop. You are not simply using these gadgets but you have to care for them too because they are somehow mighty expensive investments. However, you can’t tell when your device becomes at risk for malware. The risks are especially high if you are using computers running on old operating systems that do not have what it takes to fight off these tech nightmares.

The following article Protective Measures Against Malware Read more on: www.soulvisual.com

source https://www.soulvisual.com/blog/protective-measures-against-malware/

Does It Make Sense To Worry Over An Eclipse?

For the longest time, mankind has been coming up with various superstitions and nonsense beliefs if they can’t explain something logically or scientifically. We try to make sense of everything that’s happening around us, so many freaks out when something happens that is out of the ordinary. An eclipse is something that has captivated us for years and left us in awe on the many mysteries that surround us. There have been numerous stories and myths but nothing really factual aside from the fact that there are instances during the moon’s orbit between the earth and the sun, it blocks the sun casting a shadow onto the planet.

People believe a long list of Eclipse-related superstitions but why do you think these stories became popular in the first place? Pregnant women are advised to avoid it because it is bad for the unborn child. People are also advised not to look at it directly even with sunglasses on as it can harm your vision. Sorry to burst your bubble but eclipses aren’t really a big threat to us. Well, you should actually feel relieved. The sun’s radiation may be even harmful than eclipses and we get exposed to sunlight every single day, yet we don’t make a big deal out of it.

On Aug. 21, a 70-mile-wide ribbon from Oregon to South Carolina called the "path of totality" will experience a total solar eclipse. Large swaths of farmland in the Great Plains and Midwest will be plunged into darkness for 2 1/2 minutes, and temperatures will drop about 10 degrees in the middle of the day.

But as millions of people look up at the sky, many Midwest scientists will turn their eyes and cameras toward the plants and animals on the ground. And they're not sure what will happen.

"It's never really been studied systematically," says Angela Speck, director of astronomy at the University of Missouri, Columbia.

Speck says different parts of the Earth experience a total eclipse about once a year, and that makes tracking changes in animal and plant behavior challenging.

(Via: http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/08/17/543741919/will-the-eclipse-make-crops-and-animals-flip-out-scientists-ask-really)

Not just solely obsessed with unfounded doubts and stories, scientists now look somewhere else during eclipses – down. Given that there are certain changes in our surroundings as the moon covers the sun for a short period of time, they want to know more about its effects to living things on the planet like plants and animals. It makes perfect sense because even if plants can’t talk, there are certain movements that indicate how plants cope to changes in the environment. Scientists want to know how plants will cope to the sudden darkness and drop in temperature because it hasn’t been fully studied in the past.

Crickets will chirp, cows will march back to their barns and swarms of once-busy honeybees will fly hurriedly home to their hives when a total solar eclipse sweeps across the U.S. next week.

The sudden darkness that comes when the moon momentarily blocks the entire sun on Aug. 21 will cause some animals to experience a range of reactions, including confusion, fright and excitement, experts say. While animals like insects and bats behave as if nighttime has simply come early, other more intelligent animals — chimpanzees, dolphins and llamas — appear to stop and stare at the sky, showing signs of understanding a celestial phenomenon is occurring, or at least that something is off.

“The smarter animals freak out,” said Dr. Douglas Duncan, the director of the Fiske Planetarium at the University of Colorado. “I think it’s likely that really smart animals react differently.”

(Via: http://time.com/4882733/total-solar-eclipse-animals-react/)

Animals also act a little strange in response to these changes like eclipses no matter how short it may seem. But of course, various animals react differently. Smarter animals pause for a while and direct all their attention to the sky, as if understanding that a phenomenon beyond our power is happening that very moment. Meanwhile, not so intelligent animals cower in fear and wait for the sun to shine again during solar eclipses. Unlike plants, scientists have already spent a great deal of time studying animal behaviors in response to these scenarios.

Now, is an eclipse really something you should be alarmed of? Learn from plants and animals that have been more observant of their surroundings than humans do. These things happen and are normal. While we don’t always get the answers we want to hear, it is safe to say now that life will go on as usual after eclipses happen. It’s been that way for millions of years. The best thing you could do is to enjoy the experience and learn from it because not everyone gets to see an eclipse in their lifetime.

The post Does It Make Sense To Worry Over An Eclipse? See more on: SoulVisual.com Blog

source https://www.soulvisual.com/blog/does-it-make-sense-to-worry-over-an-eclipse/

Supercomputer To Mars

We all know that computers are crucial to space exploration. How can you fly anywhere without it? Even planes use sophisticated aviation technology to take us from one destination to another, what more to take people to space. Ever since man landed on the moon, we haven’t really achieved much when it comes to space exploration. Things have pretty much stagnated, to say the least. It’s probably why news about sending supercomputers to Mars is exciting everyone right now because it may be the breakthrough we have all been waiting for over the years.

It is not at all impossible for us to develop computers just for this purpose when consumer tech goods are actually pretty advanced these days. Many experts are hard at work in developing this supercomputer that will soon set foot in Mars to ensure the comfort and safety of astronauts sent to explore the red planet. Supercomputers are needed in space to speed up research that is slowly inching its way at a snail’s pace. Although we are not new to Mars, it is undeniably farther than the moon and the environment may be a bit more hostile too. Hence, distance has a lot to do with how well gadgets work out there.

A mission to Mars requires sophisticated computing capabilities to cut down on communication latencies and ensure astronauts’ survival. To advance this mission, HPE and NASA launched a supercomputer into space on the SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft.

This supercomputer, called the Spaceborne Computer, is part of a year-long experiment conducted by HPE and NASA to run a high performance commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) computer system in space, which has never been done before. The goal is for the system to operate seamlessly in the harsh conditions of space for one year – roughly the amount of time it will take to travel to Mars.

(Via: https://www.enterpriseinnovation.net/article/supercomputer-sent-space-accelerate-mission-mars-9484975)

Many things have changed and improved ever since man first went out to space. These achievements encouraged scientists to push the technology even further and the very same thing may also happen if this mission to Mars proves to be successful. It can propel space exploration even further and be instrumental for us to achieve even more in the future.

NASA and Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE) are sending a supercomputer into space.

The not-so-shrewdly named Spaceborne Computer, scheduled for launch today from Kennedy Space Center, is part of a year-long experiment.

The high-performance commercial machine will, fingers crossed, operate seamlessly in the “harsh conditions” of the cosmos.

In space, where no one can hear you scream, limited computing capabilities are sufficient for a visit to the moon or hanging out in low Earth orbit. But travel a bit further into the ether—to Mars, for instance—and it becomes much more difficult to keep in touch: It could take up to 20 minutes for someone on the Red Planet to contact Earth, and another 20 minutes to receive a response.

“Such a long communication lag would make any on-the-ground exploration challenging and potentially dangerous if astronauts are met with any mission critical scenarios that they’re not able to solve themselves,” Alain Andreoli, senior vice president and general manager of HPE’s Data Center Infrastructure Group, wrote in a blog post.

(Via: https://www.geek.com/tech/hp-supercomputer-headed-to-mars-on-spacex-rocket-1711877/)

Upgrading the computers used in space is the only way to further the exploration of space especially that conditions aren’t always great. This partnership between Hewlett-Packard Enterprise and NASA promises better computing performance that will not only help astronauts work more efficiently in the vast realms of outer space but allow experts on the ground to monitor their work and maintain regular communication with the team. Space experts and both those from HPE are hopeful that through this, advance computing will be made possible in space and pave the way for other discoveries and advancements to be made sooner rather than later.

Supercomputer To Mars is republished from The SoulVisual Blog

source https://www.soulvisual.com/blog/supercomputer-to-mars/

Ecologists Lose Funds For Environmental Efforts

The onset of global warming and climate change has made the majority of the population more aware of the state of the environment nowadays. It has triggered the public to contribute more when it comes to environmental conservation efforts in an attempt to salvage what’s left of the planet. While many participate in such activities, more actually do not and even contribute to the rise in carbon footprint especially in progressive first-world countries that are highly dependent on technologies fuelled by fossil fuel.

It is depressing to think that there are government institutions in the world that do not support the fight to save the planet from its ultimate doom now that climate change is already our reality. Most countries set a budget for its environmental/ecological efforts but it is not always that big as compared to other services provided by the government like healthcare, education, infrastructure, etc. Without enough money, ecologists and environmentalists will have a hard time enforcing projects and initiatives they have laid out to protect the environment. Hunters, poachers, loggers, and miners will be able to do their deeds freely because there won’t be enough manpower to keep them at bay.

Every year since 1990, ecologist Glenda Wardle of the University of Sydney has ventured to the same expanse of desert in central Australia to take stock of its flora and fauna. But this year may be the last time Wardle can collect data from the 8,000-square-kilometre site in the Simpson Desert. The consortium that operates her research area and 11 other long-term sites, comprising more than 1,100 individual field plots, will stop funding this network by the end of the year because of budget cuts and shifting priorities, say its leaders.

Without this money, which covers a large portion of the operating costs at these sites, 6 of the 12 will probably close, says ecologist David Lindenmayer, who is the science director of the network and is based at the Australian National University in Canberra. This would break time-series data that scientists have collected over decades, he says.

(Via: https://www.nature.com/news/ecologists-protest-australia-s-plans-to-cut-funding-for-environment-monitoring-network-1.22453)

We are all probably thinking that all first-world nations got their act together but we are greatly mistaken as Australia appears to have reduced its funding dedicated to saving the environment. You are probably asking why considering that Australia in itself is a continent and a big part of its land mass are final frontiers of nature not to mention it has the Great Barrier Reef that is highly at risk as well today. It’s actually the same thing happening in the United States especially since President Trump assumed office early this year and he does not think highly about the environmental issues we are now facing.

The Jersey Shore needs every single dollar of funding from the federal Environmental Protection Agency, and cuts proposed by the Trump administration have the potential of undoing years of environmental protections in the state, according to Congressman Frank Pallone (D-6th).

Pallone joined state and local elected officials, Barnegat Bay environmentalists and members of the public for a press conference at the Mantoloking Bridge County Park on Thursday morning to demand protection for EPA funding.

In September, the House of Representatives will vote on a budget that would cut seven percent, or $.5 billion from the EPA, which would “devastate the agency,” Pallone said.

(Via: https://jerseyshoreonline.com/ocean-county/politicians-environmentalists-rally-epa-cuts/)

Considering the extent of the damage today, you can’t just easily reverse climate change in a few years or so especially that not everyone cooperates and our demand for energy and other non-renewable resources continues to rise as the population balloons. First-world nations actually produce the highest carbon footprint on land because of the various industrial, manufacturing, commercial, and other related industries yet they are still battling issues regarding environmental funding. The United States is in a much bigger mess with a president that entirely believes climate change is just a hoax and even managed to sign the country out of the Paris Agreement.

While it is true that we need everyone’s active participation to save the planet, it does not mean that you can’t do your part in your own little ways. Carpooling or using public transportation, recycling, reusing, and reducing your garbage, using eco-friendly materials, reducing energy consumption, etc. are just some of the things you can do by yourself on a daily basis. It may not have that big of an impact but over time you’ll realize how much you were able to contribute to saving the environment and eventually the planet.

Ecologists Lose Funds For Environmental Efforts Read more on: SoulVisual

source https://www.soulvisual.com/blog/ecologists-lose-funds-for-environmental-efforts/

Target’s New Apparel Line For Children With Disabilities

Parents of kids with disabilities know very well how challenging it is to raise a child with special needs. From special and intensive care they require as infants that only continues to become more taxing as they grow, life with a disabled child is no walk in the park indeed. Fortunately, society is trying to be more accommodating now when it comes to their special needs. There are establishments and institutions that are focused on the care of these kids and many businesses offer various types of support to meet the slightly more sensitive needs of children with disabilities.

As businesses become more competitive and everybody is considered a customer, entrepreneurs are starting to realize that they can tap various individuals to widen their customer base. And children with disabilities aren’t an exception. Target now offers an apparel line entirely dedicated to them. And best of all, they are quite affordable too with prices ranging from $4.50 to $7. These apparels are especially suited for kids with special needs as they addressed common requests by their parents like having fewer embellishments and tags.

Target is expanding its clothing line for kids, this time catering to those children with special needs.

Stemming from the success of Target's private label, Cat & Jack, the retailer has rolled out a sensory-friendly selection for kids with processing sensitivities.

The pieces include heat-transferred labels in place of tags, flat seams, and one-dimensional graphic tees, all designed to minimize discomfort when in contact with the skin, Target wrote in a blog post.

Target said it plans to expand the line this fall to include "adaptive pieces" that address the needs of children living with other disabilities.

(Via: https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/18/target-debuts-apparel-line-for-kids-with-disabilities.html)

This new offering by Target is a great relief to parents who have a child with a disability at home as it makes shopping for their kid’s clothes way easier than it did before. These kids often have to use diapers too despite their age and the new apparels offered by Target ensured that they got this issue covered. Not only are they able to diversify their product line but they also lighten the burden of already stressed out parents that just want to spend even less time shopping so they have more time caring for their children that are unlike normal kids. FYI, these children with disability-friendly apparels are carried by their Cat & Jack house brand that you can also purchase online.

The new line includes pieces with heat-transferred labels in place of tags, flat seams and graphic tees designed to minimize discomfort when in contact with the skin.

Target is the first major retailer to launch a line specifically designed for special-needs children. Previously, the market was limited to smaller specialty stores or websites catering to families of children with autism and other sensory challenges. These children are often especially sensitive to clothing tags, exposed elastic bands and scratchy material.

According to the Center for Disease Control, one in 68 children has been identified with an autism spectrum disorder.

The new line was designed by Target's internal design team, including Stacey Monsen, a Target designer and mother of a 7-year-old daughter with autism.

(Via: http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/08/target_unveils_sensory-friendl.html)

These are just some of the things people without disabilities take for granted. But for those kids with special needs and their parents, it is already a big help to lighten the burden of caring for a child that is more demanding than the others. This is a great move for Target in showing the community that they take their customer’s feedbacks seriously and they will go the extra mile in uplifting the lives of their consumers in whatever way they can. Other businesses should be more sensitive to the needs of other people with special requirements in life especially now that technology is advanced and almost anything is possible. Just a few tweaks on certain products to make them disabled-friendly can go a long way in brightening someone else’s life.

The blog article Target’s New Apparel Line For Children With Disabilities is available on SoulVisual

source https://www.soulvisual.com/blog/targets-new-apparel-line-for-children-with-disabilities/

Should We Be Worried About The Trump Administration’s Science Priorities?

Advancements are made because of extensive and well-funded research and development studies and trials. It is the only way to innovate and improve our lives. Both the government and the private sector invest heavily in R&D for almost the same reason, with the latter openly doing it for monetary gain. Meanwhile, the government pushes forth these initiatives to improve the production and delivery of basic services and to perhaps discover better products or medical treatment to most diseases that have been plaguing mankind as of late.

In both cases, R&D is an investment in future capabilities and technologies that are aimed to uplift people’s lives and change the way we live (hopefully, for the better). A country like America has always been at the forefront of major technologies, advancements, and innovations that the world has been blessed with over the last century and that is still the case until now. However, we all know how politics affect these issues and the federal state’s science-related initiatives depend on who's sitting in power at that moment.

The White House released a four-page memo (pdf) this week detailing its science budget priorities for fiscal year 2019, citing U.S. military superiority, security, prosperity, energy dominance and health as its top five focuses. The document makes no mention of environmental science or climate change—both top priorities under Barack Obama’s administration—but it does include commitments to basic research and aging-related health.

It should come as little surprise the Trump administration’s science priorities emphasize investment in military might to the exclusion of climate and clean energy. But some saw this memo as a relatively positive development, including Obama’s former science adviser, John Holdren. “There is much more to praise to in this document than to complain about," he says. “The fingerprints of input from the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) are evident on this document.”

(Via: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/trump-administration-rsquo-s-science-priorities-ldquo-better-than-feared-rdquo/)

It is a trying time for the United States given how unorthodox of a leader President Donald Trump is. Many are freaking out as to the various budget cuts he has implemented so far and the extreme travel bans and restrictions that have been in effect since he assumed office. For instance, he’s significantly reducing the EPA’s budget and may even ultimately get rid of the agency for good over time aside from signing the US out of the Paris Agreement, a rash decision considering that climate change is wreaking havoc with everyone right now.

Last summer, just weeks after being crowned the Republican Party’s presidential nominee, Donald Trump scored major political points by visiting flood-ravaged southern Louisiana. The flooding was America’s worst natural disaster since Hurricane Sandy, and yet, President Barack Obama had not yet interrupted his vacation to tour the damage. Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee, hadn’t visited either. Victims felt ignored. But some saw hope in Trump. “It just lets you know that somebody on the national level is doing something,” flood victim Sandra Bennett told the New York Times. The Rev. Bill Engelhart told the Los Angeles Times, “[Trump] really cares, and this is his way of showing it.”

A decision Trump made Tuesday, nearly a year to the day after his Louisiana visit, suggests otherwise: He signed an executive order that, among other things, rescinds flood protections for federally funded buildings and infrastructure. First reported by E&E News, Trump’s order undoes an Obama-era executive order that required new public infrastructure projects—like subsidized housing, hospitals, and fire departments—to be built a few feet above the “100-year floodplain,” or the height at which there is a 1 percent chance you’ll experience an enormous flooding event. The requirement accounts for future sea level rise predicted by “the best-available and actionable science,” the order reads.

(Via: http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/climate_desk/2017/08/trump_revokes_obama_era_environmental_building_standards.html)

There are two sides in every story. Well, three actually. There are each side’s story and the truth. Now, talking about bigger issues like the environment is undeniably complicated. Add to it the conflicting opinions of people makes reaching an agreement doubly harder. And when politicians insist on their own truth rather than hearing out everything regarding all the environmental issues affecting not only the country but the entire world today, it makes the entire nation wonder and worry at the same time as to what the future holds.

But despite his many flaws, President Trump still won the election fair and square and everybody should at least give him the benefit of the doubt and wait for him to bring to life his promise of making America great again. He may have issues with the environment and many others but surely he won’t get in the way of progress and development that is brought about by a well-funded and supported research and development efforts considering he is an entrepreneur himself.

Should We Be Worried About The Trump Administration’s Science Priorities? Read more on: The SoulVisual Blog

source https://www.soulvisual.com/blog/should-we-be-worried-about-the-trump-administrations-science-priorities/

New Trends In Web Designs

The web is constantly changing. Technology is fast advancing that what we are using today may soon be rendered obsolete in the next few years. This is especially true when it comes to web design. Companies try to out-win one another with their clever tricks and online magic to boost brand relevance in a competitive market that has always kept everyone on their toes. You just need to remember that a good web design is more user-friendly and enhances the overall customer experience whenever they access your site. Hence, it pays to keep yourself updated on what’s in and what’s not, not only to make your website look good but more so to increase profit because you are running a business after all.

This is even more imperative now as the world becomes increasingly global where time and distance are no longer that big of a hindrance to people and businesses as it once was. At a day and age dominated by social media and smart gadgets, it is but a must to ensure you can immediately connect to people in a platform they love using. Entrepreneurs that succeed in building their brand into something even greater grasp the importance of establishing and maintaining a strong online presence but you can only do that with a web design that users won’t have any difficulty using that likewise delivers all the key concepts you want your consumers to know and understand.

In a time when Google and Facebook dominate web traffic and publishers are struggling to keep pace, pageviews have never been more important. But how can news organizations compete with the duopoly?

Apparently by going back to basics.

According to a study conducted by the Engaging News Project — an initiative of the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas, Austin — redesigning a website's homepage could increase pageviews and the amount of time users spend on the page. But the results were mixed.

The study was conducted in conjunction with the launch of two major news organizations' redesigned homepages, one Canadian and one American. Around the same time, nearly 1,000 Canadians and 1,000 Americans participated in online experiments, in which they were randomly shown either the old homepage or the updated one, and then asked questions about their perception and recall.

(Via: https://www.poynter.org/2017/want-more-pageviews-this-study-found-testing-new-homepage-designs-could-be-a-good-place-to-start/469381/)

While most companies already have web pages of their own, it still pays to reach a bigger audience through social media and by meeting certain criteria of search engines so that the public are more aware of the brand even when they are browsing other sites or simply browsing their social media news feed. The world has become so much smaller and it can be a good thing for you and your business if you know what tools to use and how to use them right.

There are scores of website designing platforms that develop and design websites using simple means; however, the results do not match industry standards that are successfully set by large companies, who are ready to pay thousands of dollars for the services of website and graphic designers.

These factors have created a new demand for advanced technology requirement, where any website designer can create spellbinding websites using AI. Through the use of AI, web designers can create compelling websites through complex algorithms of codes and logics.

In this new AI technology, all one needs to do is to answer a series of questions that are asked by the AI assistant. This assists the system in evaluating key nuances of your business and its ultimate nature, along with blueprint of the website you require for your business. With scores of hours of algorithmic programs, it successfully suggests the perfect and ideal combination of layout, design, branding, and content, which will surely help your website attain large amounts of traffic as well as provide leads in the future.

(Via: https://www.businesszone.co.uk/community/blogs/danishmaniyar/artificial-intelligence-meets-web-design)

We all know that nothing is set in stone when it comes to technology. The ones we are using right now that seem mind-blowing will soon become obsolete as newer advancements are made as the days and years pass by. Web designers continue to develop and innovate better, easy to use, and advanced web designs that meet the requirements of businesses today and what the people are comfortable in using. You might gush over the web designs of today but you’ll sure be laughing at your silly self several years from now when more artificially advanced designs become the norm because they are already in the works now.

New Trends In Web Designs See more on: www.soulvisual.com

source https://www.soulvisual.com/blog/new-trends-in-web-designs/

Are Organizations Falling Behind Technology?

Organizations, big and small or private and public, must not shy away from using current technologies that make the world go round today if they want to stay relevant and connected to the public. We understand that some of these organizations are organized and led by much older people who are way past their prime and more likely not to be in touch with today’s technology, however, it should not be an excuse for their organizations to entirely bypass these advanced tools because they will lose a lot if they do so.

Businesses today know very well that to stay competitive, they have to make use of all available resources so they stand out from the crowd especially against their competitors. Some older businesses try to ignore and shrug off these technologies only to realize much later that it was the turning point for their businesses. It is the reason why big organizations that were known in the past suddenly perished into thin air. They failed to adapt to these changes. That’s the only explanation. Only those brands that had foreseen how powerful technology would become in running a business managed to survive the troublesome and risky transition of running a pen and paper company to that of a digital one.

Former President John F. Kennedy once said, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” If change is the law of life, it’s certainly the governing force of business.

Yet, in the business world, demand for change too often outpaces technological capabilities. While Kennedy had the resources of a nation behind him, organizations do not have the same luxury. Just13 percent of executives said they’re very prepared to meet the challenges on digitally disruptive technologies, including analytics, cloud environments and machine learning. Despite these struggles, taking advantage of emerging digital changes must be top priority for organizations hoping to engage today’s consumers.

(Via: http://sdtimes.com/digital-changes-passing-organization/)

Wise men said that only death and taxes are constant in this world and we just can’t argue with that logic and wisdom. Everything else changes and you have to act while the iron is hot if you want to emerge as one of those brands at the top. Many successful businesses today all started as nothings but look at where they are now. They even managed to tap a different market like what Amazon did – from an online bookstore to a mega e-commerce brand and so much more. Those who failed didn’t make it to today’s market. For instance, Nokia that has been an institution in the mobile phone industry was overtaken by Apple and Samsung and all their efforts to survive and come back fell on deaf ears of the consumers who fell in love with the innovative iPhone and Android products.

"You have to spend money to make money" is one of the oldest clichés in business. Enterprises are following that advice in how they build their sales teams, according to a recent survey of 400 sales executives.

A new "SalesTech Report" from CITE Research, on behalf of SugarCRM, found that 80 percent of companies spend at least $1,000 on technology annually per sales representative to equip them with the right tools to do their jobs effectively. Furthermore, nearly one-half (49 percent) of the respondents said they spend at least $2,000 per sales employee.

While building an effective sales team requires a great deal of investment in both hardware and software, the good news is that respondents said technology is helping their sales team be more effective. These days, sales professionals use a wide array of tools. A CRM system is the most frequently used and the most valuable tool to the sales team. A majority of respondents rated 11 common tools, everything from smartphones to CRM to data enrichment services as "valuable" or "extremely valuable."

(Via: http://news.sys-con.com/node/4133789)

Spending a minimum of $1000 each year is a minor price to pay for brand recognition and the consequential success and profits you’ll earn once people notice your brand. The world is so cluttered right now that you need to do something extraordinary all the time or at least make sure you are always at the back of their minds, so the public thinks of you first when they need a product or service that is related to your line of business. That’s how businesses achieve success despite the overwhelming competition that is all competing for the consumer’s attention and money.

Technology may be a lot to take in especially for those who have been born at a time when everything was simpler but they do serve its purpose. It is simply a must to incorporate it in the way your business works or better yet, hire a pro to do it for you. By now, most brands already utilize various tech tools and only a handful remain as they are, mostly small, traditional businesses that have been around since time immemorial. You have more to lose by avoiding technology than embracing it, so grow your brand and take it to the global market with just a click of a button.

The following article Are Organizations Falling Behind Technology? is courtesy of www.soulvisual.com

source https://www.soulvisual.com/blog/are-organizations-falling-behind-technology/

AI In Daily Life

By now, almost everyone in the world uses some sort of technology or another except those minor tribes and groups of people who managed to evade progress by living off-grid in far-flung areas devoid of the perks of technology and rapid globalization. But for the rest of us, our daily grind is mainly comprised of a delicate balance of work, family life, and play. Where does technology come in? It is in all of those three, subtly intertwined and makes our world go round. However, would you believe it if you were told you are already using AI technology in your daily life right now? Perhaps no, right?

Well, sorry to burst your bubble but the technology is already here even if you aren’t aware you are now using it in your daily life. After all, the very definition of artificial intelligence means any technology that simulates human behavior that is similar to what most commonly sold smartphones and smart gadgets now do. With the help of light sensors, camera, and other sensors resembling the human senses, computers perform a variety of functions that ordinary people normally do. Even a phone’s face recognition feature is already considered an AI technology. We can now also do many of these things with other gadgets and appliances that can be found all over homes and offices in the world.

Although many think artificial intelligence, or AI, is still the stuff of books and film, it’s actually used in a number of products and apps that most of us use multiple times a day.

Dr. Miguel Garcia-Ruiz, a professor of computer science at Algoma University said, “We use practical and effective AI applications every day and we often don’t notice it, from checking the weather forecast on a cellphone to washing clothes in a washing machine.

“Currently, social networks such as Facebook use AI techniques for finding new contacts and people online, not to mention showing ads according to our preferences and Internet usage.”

(Via: http://www.saultthisweek.com/2017/08/07/machine-learning-has-issues-but-ai-here-to-stay)

Like any other technology, AI isn’t a perfect science and there have been flaws that even cost people their lives especially when using vehicles with smart features but it is constantly improved and developed for a better user experience. Certain safeguards must be put in place especially that many humans now rely on these AI-like features on gadgets they use in their day-to-day that can have a big impact on their lives. Even everyone’s favorite social media platform, Facebook, utilizes artificial intelligence today with many users totally unaware of this fact. And we can only expect for bigger things to come in the near future as computer scientists continue to improve the technology and incorporate more of it into our daily lives.

"The bottom line is no matter where you look in the world, people understand and appreciate the value that AI technology is delivering and what it might deliver in the future. As a result, they want it stitched much more deeply into their digital lives. This tells me the killer-robot scenario is fast being relegated to the cutting-room floor and the outlook for AI is good," Simon Segars, CEO, ARM.

The study found that the number one most appealing application of AI is for diagnosing medical illnesses, traffic controls that alter lights in real-time to cut congestion, as personal companions or assistants and for fully autonomous vehicles.

Further, those surveyed believe that the top three jobs that AI machines can do better than humans included heavy construction, package delivery and piloting public transportation.

(Via: http://www.thedrum.com/news/2017/07/23/global-consumers-reaching-better-understanding-artificial-intelligence-and-its)

Artificial intelligence evolves at a pace many of us can barely keep up with. While there are lots of perks that come with AI use aside from the sheer comfort and convenience offered by complete automation, security issues are the primary concern of users especially when they think of how much control they lose their lives in the hands of robots. By nature, we are afraid of the unknown and this is a major challenge for AI developers to overcome and prove to the world that artificial intelligence isn’t the end of humanity after all despite what is shown on TV shows and in the movies.

AI In Daily Life was first published on https://www.soulvisual.com/blog

source https://www.soulvisual.com/blog/ai-in-daily-life/

Social Media’s Fight Against Terrorism

If there’s one thing that defines today’s era, it is the dominance of technology especially that of the Internet. As the web continues to flourish, platforms like social media became household’s name all over the world. Even countries plagued by poverty have room for social media in their lives. It has even become an addiction for many who can’t last a day without tinkering with their smart gadgets and browsing their social media news feed not to mention posting their latest selfie for the day.

Aside from the rise of technology, one thing that has captured our attention for years now is the spread of terrorism in various parts of the globe. These religious extremists are often Muslim rebels who cause havoc and terror using their religion as a lame excuse. Millions have died and been displaced because war continues to ravage countries like Syria, for instance. For people living far from the war-zone, we wonder how we can put an end to terrorism without necessarily fighting these extremists in actual combat. Is it possible to use today’s technology against them?

Some of the world's biggest social media and tech companies are joining forces to remove terrorist content from their platforms.
Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Microsoft say they will share technical solutions in what they're calling the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism.
TheUK Prime Minister recently accused prominent social media companies of allowing terrorists to spread their message and plan attacks online.
A G20 meeting inGermany next week will also discuss how to pressure the companies to do more to help investigate terror suspects.
So, are these social media and tech companies really doing enough to detect and block extremist content?

(Via: http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2016/s4692415.htm)

There’s now such a thing as online extremism. It’s actually how the terrorists themselves recruit new Jihadist fighters from far-away nations like in Southeast Asia where the Islamic State seemed to have a growing list of supporters fighting for them and brazenly raising their flags to insult the government. If they can use technology to their advantage, we can certainly make it work for us too to possibly put an end to the threats of terrorism once and for all.

Social media giants Facebook, Google's YouTube, Twitter and Microsoft said on Monday they were forming a global working group to combine their efforts to remove terrorist content from their platforms.

Responding to pressure from governments in Europe and the United States after a spate of militant attacks, the companies said they would share technical solutions for removing terrorist content, commission research to inform their counter-speech efforts and work more with counter-terrorism experts.

The Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism "will formalize and structure existing and future areas of collaboration between our companies and foster cooperation with smaller tech companies, civil society groups and academics, governments and supra-national bodies such as the EU and the UN," the companies said in a statement.

(Via: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-internet-extremism-idUSKBN19H20A)

Facebook already started with this initiative after being pressured by politicians to remove extremist propaganda used by Jihadists in the online recruitment of new members. It was shortly followed by Google that likewise removed violent terrorist posts on Youtube. Then, Twitter accounts that promoted terrorism was also suspended in an attempt to cripple terrorist propaganda and prevent them from orchestrating more terror attacks that target innocent civilians.

This counter-terrorism forum will make social media technology unfriendly to extremist groups, so they lose a cost-effective and efficient platform to reach out to twisted people like them. The forum will also adapt to the changes in terrorist activity especially that terrorists will eventually find another way to communicate with one another outside of these social media channels. Many are hoping that this move can significantly impact terror groups, so they have fewer resources to plan their terror attacks and commit violent crimes against humanity.

The post Social Media’s Fight Against Terrorism was first published on The SoulVisual Blog

source https://www.soulvisual.com/blog/social-medias-fight-against-terrorism/

Chinese Supercomputers Wow The World

China is the second biggest economy in the world next to that of America. Despite being clouded in mystery and remained in isolation until several decades ago, the Chinese were able to catch up fast with the rest of the world and become a force to reckon with that it is today. Not only does China have one of the biggest land space and highest population on the planet, many of the products sold in other countries are actually “Made in China” too.

The Chinese definitely are competitive and they don’t stop just by being a big economic giant. They continue with their quest to develop innovative technologies that can make a big impact on human lives someday. And knowing that computers are at the heart of any technology, China has just recently launched the fastest supercomputer in the world that only uses local chip technology and even hardware (semiconductors). The decision to use and create exclusive Chinese materials is partly influenced by the US move to ban the exportation of high-performance computing chips to the Chinese just the previous year.

China is developing a third prototype exascale computing machine — also known as a super supercomputer — and plans to launch it by June next year.

The Sunway exascale computer prototype is being developed by the National Research Center of Parallel Computer Engineering and Technology and the National Supercomputing Center in Jinan, the capital of east China’s Shandong Province.

The NRCPC was behind the Sunway TaihuLight, the world’s fastest computer at the 2016 and 2017 International Supercomputing Conferences in Frankfurt, Germany.

An exascale computer is able to execute a quintillion calculations per second, around eight times faster than the Sunway TaihuLight.

The increase in speed will advance research in climate change, space science, medicine and oceanology among others, developers said.

(Via: http://english.eastday.com/Business/u1ai8573069.html)

Supercomputers are actually vital in carrying out scientific researches and in promoting national safety and security and often perform a variety of tasks that only a supercomputer is capable of doing. It can even be an effective medium to finally address cybersecurity issues, nuclear technology, and other big data applications – sensitive yet timely issues faced by our modern world today.

China only started producing its first computer chips in 2001. But its chip industry has developed at an awesome pace.

So much so that Chinese-made chips power the world’s most powerful supercomputer, which is Chinese too.

The computer, known as the Sunway TaihuLight, contains some 41,000 chips and can carry out 93 quadrillion calculations per second. That’s twice as fast as the next-most-powerful supercomputer on the planet (which also happens to be Chinese).

The mind-boggling amount of calculations computers like this can carry out in the blink of an eye can help crunch incredibly complicated data – such as variations in weather patterns over months and years and decades.

(Via: http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20170621-meet-the-worlds-most-powerful-computer)

The Chinese government is steadfast in its efforts to end reliance on foreign or imported technology and develop their own ideas and innovations using materials designed and created by the Chinese themselves. Not only will they be able to customize the materials they need but likewise reduce costs since everything will be done locally. While the US initially tried to bully China by denying it of access to resources they need to pursue their tech ambitions because of allegations of nuclear testing activities, the Chinese were quick to get back on their feet. And now, it seems that their move actually backfired on them as China is taking the lead in the field of supercomputers and have learned to be independent of Western influence in procuring needed materials like computer chips, etc.

The US is not even close to creating a technology nearly similar to what China has accomplished so far. Everyone in the tech world is quite impressed with this latest Chinese supercomputer that is also followed by another Chinese supercomputer in the second lead. The US has a lot to catch up on and by the time they do finally catch up, the Chinese could possibly develop a far more superior technology that equals no other.

Chinese Supercomputers Wow The World was initially published to https://www.soulvisual.com/blog

source https://www.soulvisual.com/blog/chinese-supercomputers-wow-the-world/

Cyprus: New Home To Europe’s Largest Casino

Casinos have been around for years as the wealthy and the elite’s way of destressing and unwinding that often also involves a lot of cash. Ordinary people can’t easily step inside these posh casinos if they don’t have the cash to burn. It’s like an adult playground for adults who can afford to pay the hefty price of admission and of the pricey chips too. Casinos basically exist because of the various games of chance and the lavish hotels, posh shopping centers, lighted fountains, entertaining musical shows, etc. are just additional features that help in attracting people to come and make the gamble of their lives.

Only a handful of patrons come out rich from casinos. Most people lose a lot of money, even millions, and they would keep on coming back for the chance to win their lost money back. The casino or the house is the only sure-fire winner in every game because of their statistical advantage that is known as “vig” or the rake but it all depends on what game is played and how much the bets are. Big spenders are given comps or free goods or services that can be anywhere from free hotel rooms, show tickets, dinner, limo service, etc. as a reward. The casino façade itself is often mind-blowing with famous replicas of global landmarks that make for picture-perfect locations for people who want to have a good time.

Cyprus signed a deal Monday for the construction of what officials say will be Europe's biggest casino.

The small Mediterranean island nation's government backed proposals from a consortium made up of Hong Kong-based Melco International, the U.S.'s Hard Rock and local firm CNS Group to build the casino resort in the coastal town of Limassol.

The proposed casino will include 136 gambling tables and 1,200 gambling machines, while the adjoining luxury hotel will have a 500-room capacity, a health spa and 1,500-seat concert hall.

According to Cyprus' Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Yiorgos Lakkotrypis, the resort will cost more than 500 million euros ($558 million) to build and will create around 4,000 new jobs during construction. He said another 4,000 jobs will be created once the resort is up and running.

Lakkotrypis predicted that the project will attract around 300,000 additional tourists to the east Mediterranean island annually.

(Via: https://www.dailystar.com.lb/Business/International/2017/Jun-26/410897-cyprus-signs-deal-to-build-europes-largest-casino.ashx)

Casinos make big money, bigger than other industries out there. It seems to keep on flourishing despite the fluctuations in the economy and problems faced by many traditional businesses both big and small. And Europe is set to enjoy a bigger gambling playground once the casino resort in Cyprus becomes a reality. It’s the perfect location for any year-round getaway because it is not just a casino but a resort with many other amazing attractions that the entire family can enjoy.

A casino complex is a key part of the current government's plans to stimulate the island's recovering eurozone economy with the creation of nearly 4,000 jobs to build it.
And a super casino is expected to add another 300,000 tourists annually, bolstering the already three million-plus arrivals.
"Our goal, of course, is to improve incoming tourism by increasing arrivals, average stays and average per capita spending," said the minister.
It is estimated revenue of around 100 million euros per annum could fill state coffers from the casino operation.

(Via: http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/cyprus-signs-deal-for-europe-s-largest-casino-minister-117062600971_1.html)

This new European attraction is a big gamble in itself as the industry faces fewer patrons from the majority of the younger generations (Millennials) while their loyal patrons are all aging and becoming more sickly to come out at night and play. Casino owners are trying to find ways to lure people back to play at the tables and slot machines. The new casino in Cyprus is expected to bring some new energy back into the dying industry and invite more people to give gambling a chance while at the same time having the time of their lives in this big and lavish resort.

The post Cyprus: New Home To Europe’s Largest Casino is available on www.soulvisual.com

source https://www.soulvisual.com/blog/cyprus-new-home-to-europes-largest-casino/

The Struggles Of Going Solar

It is as if we are not facing enough problems today but the growing threat of dwindling energy resources is something we can’t just put off any longer. Efforts to fund and transition to the use of more environment-friendly power sources should be put into effect right now while we still have a lot of time on our hands. It may be costly and require a lot of work but we should look into these options now before we face a crisis in our midst that we won’t be able to handle.

The most logical solution to this energy issue is to tap into renewable energy resources. The funny thing about this somewhat lapse of judgment on our part is that our ancestors have been using them since the beginning of time we all wonder where humanity has gone wrong through the years. The sun, the wind, and the water have fueled ancient civilizations of the distant past but why can’t all of us follow their lead? Man is still to blame.

Britain’s solar industry is facing devastation and consumers could see energy bills rise after the Chancellor Philip Hammond refused to listen to pleas to cancel a planned tax hike of up to 800 per cent on rooftop solar schemes.

The Solar Trade Association described the Government’s refusal to bend over the increase – due to come into force in April – as “nonsensical” and “absurd”.

Bizarrely, state schools with solar panels will be forced to pay, while private schools will remain exempt.

Mr. Hammond barely mentioned the energy sector in his speech – apart from a promise to help the oil and gas industry “maximise exploitation” of the remaining reserves in the North Sea.

According to the Government’s own figures, solar power is expected to become the cheapest form of electricity generation sometime in the 2020s.

And outrageous laws like this make the transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy like solar power an unpleasant thought for many consumers throughout the globe. It is as if the actual work itself in equipping a home or institution with solar panel isn’t challenging enough. Mind you, solar panels are expensive too and consumers should receive incentives for making such an environment-friendly move to harness solar power instead of getting penalized with hefty tax increases.

(Via: http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/solar-industry-budget-2017-800-per-cent-tax-increase-green-renewable-energy-a7618191.html)

Installing solar panels on the roof of your home is a big project – but it can pay dividends in more ways than one. There’s the obvious environmental benefit, but for many homeowners, the joy comes with a dollar sign attached.

If the government does not appreciate your efforts, Mother Nature does. Take advantage of lower prices for these panels now and lower your home’s energy consumption and carbon footprint in the process.

The solar energy market is growing because the average price for solar energy systems has fallen so much – 54% between 2010 and 2016, according to GTM Research. While your solar panels may not produce all the electricity you need, they are becoming a good investment to lower your bill.

(Via: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/mar/01/solar-panel-home-installation-energy-environment-explainer)

No matter how much progress states like California and New York had made in increasing solar energy use, it may take a sharp blow from the government itself with budget cuts in different sectors that President Trump does not consider important.

President Donald Trump’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2018 can be read as a political document, a statement of his administration’s policy priorities. Many of these proposed cuts won’t get passed by Congress, but it’s a look at what Trump values.

And what’s clear is that Trump wants the US government to pull back sharply from any effort to stop global warming, adapt to its impacts — or even study it further. Under the proposal, a wide variety of Obama-era climate programs across multiple agencies would be scaled back or slashed entirely.

That includes eliminating much of the work the Environmental Protection Agency is doing to research climate impacts and limit emissions. It includes scaling back the Department of Energy’s efforts to accelerate low-carbon energy. It includes cuts to NASA’s Earth-monitoring programs. The proposal would also eliminate the Sea Grant program at NOAA, which helps coastal communities adapt to a warmer world. The document dubs this a “lower priority.”

(Via: http://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2017/3/16/14943826/trump-budget-proposal-climate-change)

The world is suffering because of man’s neglect. We abuse many of its resources for years now and it is high time we start taking measures to protect and save it from further harm and degradation. Over time, it is us who will suffer once nature unleashes its fury on us as global warming and climate change intensifies the effect of common calamities like drought, hurricanes, flooding and more.

Installing solar roof panels may be insignificant for some because it just augments your household energy needs but its benefits can be enjoyed over time. We have to think of the bigger picture. Let us preserve the planet we now have for the benefit of the future generations.

The following blog post The Struggles Of Going Solar is available on SoulVisual

source https://www.soulvisual.com/blog/the-struggles-of-going-solar/