Internet and Technology

With the emergence of cloud computing coupled with software as a service (SaaS), Web 2.0, and the proliferation of advancedwireless technologies and mobile devices,small businesses today are able to access a wealth of powerful and affordable technology solutions like never before. Moreover, those small businesses that are willing and ready to bring this technology into their operations are beginning to realize that they can even outrun and outsmart their big business competitors. 

But with all this hoopla, it may become difficult for small businessowners to sort out which equipment and applications are necessary, and which are not (or at least not for right now). Knowing how, if, and when, to bring in new technology is essential to the health of your business and can noticeably impact your bottom line. Here are a few things to consider before acquiring any new equipment or software for your company. 

Why are you looking for this technology? First you need to define what you want to change or improve in your business. Depending on your needs, you may decide to hold off acquiring new technology if a viable, cheaper alternative exists. For example, many software applicationshave free open source equivalents that may suit the needs of your company. 

What are the estimated costs of not upgrading to newer technologies? Knowing this information is important when deciding the right time to bring new technology in to your small business. When the costs of not upgrading, such as a decrease in productivity or lost potential sales, is greater than the cost of the new equipment orapplications, then it is time to change your system. 

Factor in all the costs associated with revamping your operations. Consider all the costs that are indirectly related to acquiring new technology. Is there training involved? Do you need to make any renovations to support the new equipment? Will the equipment that you acquire need advanced software applications? 

What are your expected needs in the future? How do you anticipate using the technology in the future? Is your business currently growing or changing in some way? Before purchasing any equipment, make sure it will be able to handle any grow or operational changes. 

What is your available budget? Obviously, having the most cutting edge equipment will mean nothing if buying it will leave you bankrupt. If your cash flow is tight, then look into your options. Either you can compromise on the quality of the equipment or put off getting completely new technology in favor of enhancing your current system. Alternatively, you could consider leasing your equipment instead of purchasing it outright. If leasing is not possible then consider small business loan financing. 

In short, many factors must be considered before bringing in any new technology that will change the way your small business operates. Do your research in order to get the right fit for your business. 

NO RULE

They may not have high wages or great career prospects, but there are some jobs so desirable that you’d pay to do them.

At parties you can mumble modestly about your occupation in the sure and certain knowledge that acquaintances will want to bask in your reflected glory.

Some require long periods of arduous study and training. Others are really an extension of hobbies and pastimes. Either way, we’ve picked our top 10 coolest jobs in tech:

1. Astronaut

It’s been the coolest job in technology since 1961 when Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space. Okay, so he was actually a Russian cosmonaut, but you get the idea. Despite the increased opportunities created by the International Space Station this is not an easy gig to get. Basically, you need to be fit and a brilliant scientist or highly-experienced pilot, preferably both.

NASA does accept applications but unfortunately for most TechRadar readers you generally need to be a US citizen. There are opportunities in the European Space Agency.

Upside: the view and unstoppable bragging rights.

Downside: have you seen the toilet facilities?

2. Computer games tester

What could be better than being paid to spend your time playing the latest video games? There are thousands of people doing just that in order for companies to put out multi-million pound titles with the minimum of bugs.

“Quality assurance testers”, to give them their proper name, earn their money trying to break games as well as looking for those niggling faults such as spelling mistakes and walls you can walk through. It’s a job that requires a combination of expert play and an obsessive eye for detail.

Upside: you get paid to play games before anybody else gets their hands on them.

Downside: the pay’s generally not great and do you really want to repeat the same level over and over and over again?

3. Secret service R&D

We’d have to kill you if we told you about this job. Seriously, MI5 has been advertising for a “Chief Scientific Advisor”. The only definite qualifications are you have to be over 18 with British citizenship although we suspect and hope you need more than a physics GCSE to lead the scientific fight against covert threats.

Upside: getting to make like James Bond’s Q and try the world’s best spook technology.

Downside: you can’t tell anybody about it.

4. Gadget reviewer

Every day brings couriers to the door bearing toys for the reviewer in return for a few gilded words for a website, magazine or newspaper. Actually it really isn’t always that easy to find something different to say about 10 almost identical budget cameras, netbooks or phones. But who’d give it up?

Upside: being able to flash the latest toys in the pub.

Downside: those gadgets have to be returned.

5. Inferno artist

Techies are the real stars of many Hollywood blockbusters creating the CGI effects often using Autodesk’s powerful Inferno software. That name makes the job sound so much cooler than the official title of “visual effects artist”. Either way the word “artist” is key, because this work really does bring together art and technology.

Upside: you get to retouch Angelina Joli’s bottom.

Downside: that retouching is only virtual.

6. Pro computer gamer

With three million people tuning into 2008’s streamed sessions from Major League Gaming this is big-time sport, complete with heroes, villains and groupies. Sadly for those who wear their calloused thumbs with pride, professional computer gaming’s been hit hard as so many sponsors have been fragged by the recession.

Upside: you get to spend hours in darkened rooms living off junk food.

Downside: see upside.

7. Entrepreneur

Arguably, this is the job which has made it possible to be both cool and a nerd. Perhaps it shows that money talks. Either way Google’s Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Skype co-founders Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis along, of course, with Bill Gates have coded their way to multi-billionaire status.

Upside: money might not be able to buy you love, but it does provide a better class of misery.

Downside: most new businesses fail. There’s no fail-safe algorithm for successful technology entrepreneurs.

8. Formula One Control Systems Engineer

The most glamorous and high-tech of sports, Grand Prix racing employs hundreds of extremely well-qualified geeks. Travelling the world with the racing circus it’s the control systems engineer who arguably has most responsibility for ensuring that driver and machine work as one unit.

Upside: globe-trotting as a key member of the team.

Downside: your view of the race is on a computer monitor.

9. Sex toy designer

Not so long ago this wasn’t a job you’d admit to, well not in polite company anyway. Now, thanks to Sex and the City it’s cool for geeks and attracting really highly qualified applicants. Take Ethan Imboden, founder, chairman and chief creative officer of Jimmyjane, purveyors of upmarket pleasure devices. He helped develop an ultra high speed DNA sequencer as well as carrying out design consultancy for the likes of Ford, Motorola and Dell before starting his sensual business.

Upside: bringing pleasure to the world.

Downside: you can’t help feeling there’s a danger you’ll make the male half of the population redundant where it matters.

10. Technology evangelist

We’ve all got gadgets and services we love. A professional evangelist gets paid to share this enthusiasm with just about anybody who’ll listen or read their blog. Arguably the first of the breed was Mike Boich who led the Macintosh software evangelism team responsible, he claims, for the enduring relationship with Microsoft.

Upside: earning a living just spreading the love.

Downside: the heartbreak if something better comes along.

Using the tech services offered by computer companies and electronic stores can be very expensive. But what’s a “newbie” to do when their computer starts acting funny? You’ve spent a lot of hard earned money on a PC or Laptop and certainly don’t want to damage it in any way. Most users are afraid to risk fixing anything themselves and some don’t even know when something has started to go wrong. So, how do you determine if something is wrong and can it be fixed without having to call that ‘pricey’ tech guy?When you first get your new PC it’s exciting. You play around with it like a kid with a new toy. It starts up fast, programs load without stalling or failing, and surfing the net is a breeze! You start downloading your favorite songs, video content, and programs you’ve been dying to try out. Shortcuts are created (some by you and some by the programs you’ve downloaded), you save files in various places looking for the best and easiest to remember spots, and when a program isn’t what you thought you uninstall it (that gets rid of it…right?). All of these things can clog up your PC’s registry over time. These actions can leave behind stray pieces of files that slow down your computer’s performance and degrade its overall health. Now is when you start to notice that it takes considerably longer for your PC to start up. When you click on a program it won’t load, you get an error message, or it seems to be stuck in a constant loop of trying to load for several minutes! Down right frustrating ain’t it?Fixing these annoying problems doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. Before you reach for the phone upset and in a “tizy”, take a moment and breathe… There are many useful programs that will clean up your computer and make it faster. These programs look for the “trash” that moving, uninstalling, and downloading programs/files has left behind. This is what’s known as cleaning your registry. Most cleaners will find and list ‘registry errors’ but, you want one that will also backup your too. Using these programs can be easy and economical. You can find a good Reg Cleaner for under $50 or free. So, what should you look for in a Reg Cleaner?You want a cleaner that is thorough, has a data backup feature, is windows certified, and gives you the option to choose which errors are removed. It is very important to never, ever do an Auto Erase! Deleting the wrong error can cause problems and you certainly don’t want any new problems coming up. Also, it’s a good idea to get a program that will tell you what registries are unnecessary and safe to remove.Searching for the right cleaner is easy when using one of the many sites that have tested and reviewed the software for you. They provide a list of program features, overall effectiveness, and cost. One such site is listed below. Most cleaners have free download and free scan.Fixing computer errors is fast, easy, and cheap. And saving money is always a good thing!