Sterling Creations

Are you having difficulty finding that ideal city where you can increase
your possibilities and opportunities?
Not sure which city would be the safest for you and your family or which
city can help you to enhance and expand your career?
If you are seeking the perfect city where you can enrich your life style and
quality of life, then please read on.
My name is Donna Jodhan and I will show you how to find your ideal city.
I have been a life style consultant for over 20 years now and my examples
listed below will give you a good start.

+++++++++++++++
Where to find your best american cities
By Donna J. Jodhan at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca

1. Montgomery Alabama
If you are in search of a city where you can look to being able to pursue
your studies at a reputable institution, then look no further then
Montgomery Alabama.
A city that is affordable and offers lucrative employment in such sectors as
agriculture, business services, health care, and education.
Montgomery has great museums, and its residents are heavily into university
sports.

2. Lexington Kentucky
If you are seeking a city where opportunities for young professionals abound
and where you can find lots of things to do in a setting that is rich in
scenic charm, then welcome to Lexington Kentucky.
Lexington is rooted in Eiuropean influences and its vibrant economy which is
one of the most stable in America is based on robuse agriculture, business,
and technology sectors.
This is all supported by excellent educational facilities along with a
thriving manufacturing sector.
This all bodes well for a well balanced employment market made up of both
blue and white collar jobs.
Lexington is greatly known for its horses, horse breeding, and horse racing
prowesses.
There are other things as well; fine dining, excellent shopping, and a very
affordable real estate market.

3. Greensboro North Carolina
For any aspiring student, Greensboro could be the perfect place for you to
thrive. This city has an excellent educational system and upon graduation,
you can be sure to find lucrative in any of the transportation, textile, or
high tech industries.
Greensboro has a thriving economy, is part of the well known Triangle Region
of North Carolina, and is also a busy air cargo hub.
Homes are part of the urbanization look with lots of space to keep you from
bumping into your neighbors.
Lots of great shopping, fine museums, parks, and outdoor activities to go
along with this picture.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan bidding you a happy travel time.
Visit me at www.sterlingcreations.ca if you would like to learn more.
Or send me an email at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca.

Hello everyone:
Each month I will be responding to a question; chosen from a pool of some of
the most commonly asked ones that I have been asked over the years and
continue to be asked.
This month, I’d like to answer the following question:
How to make microwaves more accessible to blind persons?
By Donna J. Jodhan

Well, blind persons are unable to communicate with those microwaves that use
touch screen technology. They are also unable to use buttons if they are
not raised and even if they are raised, then the blind person needs to use
their memory in order to memorize what each button is.

So, what is the solution? There are two possible ones as I see it.
First, if the blind person can read Braille, then Braille labels can be used
to label buttons. This can be done by either putting tiny labels on each
button with the appropriate representation or by using some sort of adhesive
to mark the various buttons and spots on the panel of the microwave.

Second, a developer can use voice output technology to depict buttons. This
means that as each button is pressed, its representation is spoken in a
clear and distinguishable voice. This technology is already on the market
and has been so for several years now. The Hamilton Beach Company puts out
a fairly decent talking microwave and I have had one in my home for a few
years now.

So there you have it, some ways to think about when thinking of making a
microwave more accessible to blind persons.

Where to find your best American cities

Are you having difficulty finding that ideal city where you can increase
your possibilities and opportunities?
Not sure which city would be the safest for you and your family or which
city can help you to enhance and expand your career?
If you are seeking the perfect city where you can enrich your life style and
quality of life, then please read on.
My name is Donna Jodhan and I will show you how to find your ideal city.
I have been a life style consultant for over 20 years now and my examples
listed below will give you a good start.

+++++++++++++++
Where to find your best american cities
By Donna J. Jodhan at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca

1. Tulsa Oklahoma
If you are seeking that special city with a very rich community spirit, then
that is definitely Tulsa Oklahoma.
A city that is tagged as one of the most livable in America and one that
offers some of the most affordable real estate.
Tulsa is made up of neighborhoods that are friendly and welcoming.
It is easy to network because of the many social clubs, community
organizations, and other types of networking opportunities.
Neighborhoods range from the suburban to the uptown and from the artslike to
the historic.

2. Hill County Texas
Tired of the hustle and bustle of a larger city?
Looking for that ideal place where you can just simply relax in fresh
country air?
Well, look no further than Hill County Texas.
Surrounded by rolling hills, forests, and prairies; this region is close in
proximity to both Fort Worth and Wako.
It is the ideal bedroom community for you to live and work in nearby cities.
It has a home for everyone; from the affordable to the luxurious.
Hill county also offers close and easy access to excellent educational
facilities and all of the every day amenities.

3. Oxnard California
If you are seeking that ideal California city that stands a bit out of the
limelight, then look no further than Oxnard California.
This is a city that offers you a wide range of home styles that are very
affordable.
Anything from a modern condo to a comfortable home, a riverfront mansion
with a sweeping view to a private log cabin or a luxurious estate.
Oxnard offers you annual strawberry and spicy salsa festivals, a wondrous
beach, wale watching, and much more.
Lucrative employment exists in the international trade, agriculture, and
tourism industries.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan bidding you a happy travel time.
Visit me at www.sterlingcreations.ca if you would like to learn more.
Or send me an email at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca.

Hello there and welcome to our weekly feature of all kinds of tips.
We at the business desk are pleased to bring you our weekly feature of a
plethora of tips that cover a wide range of topics.
All of our tips are designed to help you save time, cut down on your
research, and help you get ahead.
So go ahead and read on.
This week we bring you our monthly tips.
It’s what we do for a living! We help you to help yourself!
Enjoy!
From the business desk team at http://www.sterlingcreations.com.

+++++++++++++++
Helpful tips for May 2013

In this issue:

General tips
Tech tips
Articles of the day
_________________________

General tips
Courtesy of the research team at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca
Well, how much do you know about the eating habits of pandas?
Their favorite food is bamboo followed by apples.
They eat for about 16 hours each day.

Then there are the cougars and what do you know about them?
Unfortunately, their favorite food is the killing and eating of kids.

Some energy saving tips for you!
You can certainly save on energy and keep costs down by doing the following:
Shut off your TVs, your computers, and unplug any equipment that does not
necessarily need to be plugged in all of the time. Examples would be
IPhones and IPads.

Okay, what happens when you jet around?
Going from West to East, you usually suffer from jet lag because of the time
differences.
Time zones in the west are usually behind those in the East.
Going from North to South is just fine.

So who are those baby boomers?
When were they born?
Those born between 1946 and 1964.

Between baking and cooking, which is easier you think?
Probably cooking as baking requires a more exact skill.

Which type of exercise may be better cardio activity for you?
The experts give the nod to swimming.

The difference between a cash bar and a closed bar?
Well, the cash bar is one where you pay for your own drinks and the closed
bar iswhere your drinks are paid for.

_________________________

Tech tips
Taken from Melanie Mama’s corner
With a huge bouquet of thanks to Dan Thompson at dthompson5@mchsi.com

Make A Short Cut That Restarts or Shuts down Your Computer Do the Following:
1. Minimize To Desktop by pressing the start button plus the letter d or m.

2. Make sure nothing is selectedon the desktop by pressing control plus the
spacebar. Make sure you hear “not selected.”

3. Press the applications key.

4. Press the letter w for new.

5. Arrow down once to shortcut and press enter.

7. Type the following for a restart shortcut.
shutdown -r -t 0
8. Press Alt + the letter N For Next
9. Now You Need To Name It Something Like Restart.exe
10. Press enter after typing in the name suggested above.
11. Type This For a Shutdown Shortcut
shutdown -s -t 0
12. Press Alt + the letter N For Next
13. Now You Need To Name It Something Like Shutdown.exe

Now you have a shutdown and restart shortcut on the desktop.

*II. Creating a hotkey for the two shortcuts
1. Creating restart hotkey
a. Highlight the restart icon.
b. Press the applicationkey.
c. Press the letter r.
d. Tab twice to the shortcut field.
e. Type the letter r for restarting the computer. f. Now the hotkeyof alt
plus control plus r will restart the computer.

1. Creating shutdown hotkey
a. Highlight the shutdown icon.
b. Press the applicationkey.
c. Press the letter r.
d. Tab twice to the shortcut field.
e. Type the letter s to shutdown the computer.
f. Now the hotkeyof alt plus control plus s will shutdown the computer.

_________________________

Press Releases More Important to Marketing Than You May Realize

Press releases are not only great ways to spread the word about any
announcements your business might have. They can also drive traffic,
particularly from search engines. This is not news, but it’s a commonly
overlooked fact.

Have press releases brought you significant search traffic? Discuss here.

“Search engine rankings are arguably the most important small business
marketing tool available today because it drives Web traffic — and
potential prospects — to a small business’ Web site,” a PRWeb spokesperson
once told WebProNews. “However, because improving search rankings is
desirable, achieving results can be both challenging and highly
competitive.”

Back in the summer, PRWeb shared a case study with us, involving a firm that
typically sees a boost in search engine rankings and a 50% spike in web
traffic after they issue a release. In fact, for one release in particular,
the firm saw a spike of 400% on two different Web sites, and the firm
doesn’t believe they were from the same users. They also incorporate social
media tools like Twitter to extend the “shelf life” of press releases, and
say that drives additional traffic.

“When we included a link to our press releases on Twitter and other social
media networks, we saw these both expanded the scope of distribution and the
extended the longevity of the announcement,” the CEO of the company behind
the case study had said. “With other news releases we saw an initial spike
in Web site traffic on the first two days and then it dropped off. With
these features we’ve seen increases in traffic up to five days after the
news release was issued.”

In a study from Arketi Group, also back in the summer, journalists were
found to use the web in the following ways:

- 95% search
- 92% reading news
- 92% emailing
- 89% finding story ideas
- 87% finding news sources
- 75% reading blogs
- 64% watching webinars
- 61% watching YouTube
- 59% social networks

You’ve got to wonder if that social networks number has gone up by now. My
guess is that it has, and social media has since become all the more
important to search, particularly with the inclusion of real-time search
results in Google and Google’s social search experiment (which may
eventually move beyond experiment status).

Marty Weintraub, the President of aimClear shared some great tips and
insight into the use of press releases for search in a recent interview with
WebProNews. Among other things, he noted that when you do a press release,
you’re “hitching a ride” in the search engine results and news results. You
can use outbound links in press releases, and perhaps more importantly,
you’re out there where the journalists are looking.

Here are some press release distribution sites (some are paid and some are
free):

- Business Wire
- PR Newswire
- PRWeb
- 24-7 Press Release
- PR Zoom
- PR Leap
- I-Newswire
- Webwire
- ClickPress
- PR.com
- PR Log
- eReleases
- MarketWire

Beyond the distribution sites, don’t forget to include your releases on your
own site. Journalists like being able to find the most up to date
information from the source itself. Earlier this year I discussed how some
companies’ own press centers are holding back some marketing opportunities
for them. Your site should have a section for press releases, and that
should be up to date with the latest release when it goes out. You’d be
surprised at how often these go without being updated even when a press
release has been spotted elsewhere. It is also a good idea to link to any
company blogs, Twitter accounts, or any other place where company
announcements are made.

Do you use press releases for marketing? Do they work? Comment here.

Was this article interesting?
Comment Now… Subscribe to our Newsfeed

About the Author:
Chris Crum has been a part of the WebProNews team and the iEntry Network of
B2B Publications since 2003. Follow WebProNews on Facebook or Twitter.
Twitter: @CCrum237

_________________________

Put That In My DropBox Please

Article Source Fred’s Head, Thursday, September 9, 2010

http://www.fredshead.info/2008/03/put-that-in-my-dropbox-please.html

I’ve used all kinds of file-sharing programs, some primarily handle a
particular type of file such as Hello the image sharing program, or Grouper
used for sending huge files back and forth. Well this program also allows
the sharing of files, and like the others, this has its own features and
attributes, some of which are quite impressive. The best feature of all is
that the program is totally accessible.

Dropbox is a good way to share files with students, friends, parents or
coworkers.

Dropbox is particularly useful for sharing large files like MP3s or slide
shows.

Rather than mass emailing an attachment, you can share a file through
Dropbox and save space in your email application. Using Dropbox, you can
access and work on files from any Internet-connected computer and all
files/folders stay up-to-date. Files can also be downloaded through a web
interface, even deleted files can immediately be retrieved.

Click this link to learn more about DropBox:

https://www.dropbox.com/

Habalis

Forward any attachment to free web service Habalis and it’ll show up in your
Dropbox folder (the free file-syncing service) within a few seconds.

The service is pretty simple to set up. You have to authorize it to access
your Dropbox account, where it creates a shared folder. It then gives you a
unique email address you can forward attachments to

I’d recommend adding this one to your contacts if you plan to use it much.

You compose and send an email to the service, and, depending on the size of
the file, it’ll show up in your Dropbox folder in short order.

Click this link to get started with

http://www.gethabilis.com

AirDropper

AirDropper lets Dropbox users send a request for files to anyone, even if
the person doesn’t have a Dropbox account. The person you’re requesting the
files from just needs an email address or some other means for you to send
them the secure upload link they provide.

Using the service is simple. First you connect AirDropper to your Dropbox
account.

Then you fill out a request form with a description of the files you want
and how you want to send the request, whether by
email or by using a secure upload link.

Once the person you’re requesting the files from visits the secure page and
uploads the files, they are immediately put in a subfolder called
“AirDropper” within your Dropbox. Simple for everybody!

AirDropper has several benefits over other ways to transfer files. Most
importantly, AirDropper makes the process very easy for the person sending
the files. The sender just has to visit the secure link and upload the
files. Any files sent through AirDropper are secure from the sender’s
computer to your Dropbox. They can also handle files that are too big to
send as email attachments. Plus you get all the benefits of using Dropbox
for files you receive, including automatic syncing and backups.

Click this link to visit:

https://www.airdropper.com

_________________________

Articles of the day
Chosen by the Business Desk team

6 new ways hackers are using malware
computers of the virus and still access the
internet. But those temporary
servers go offline permanently on July 9.
Espionage
In 2010, a powerful virus known as
Stuxnet targeted Iranian nuclear
centrifuges, reportedly shutting down
over 1,000 of the machines used to
refine uranium.
Eight months later, a second virus known
as Stars attacked the same
country’s nuclear facilities.
Then, two months ago, cybersecurity
experts uncovered a worm capable of
mining vast amounts of data from
infected machines. Known variously as
Flame, Flamer or Skywiper, the malware
uses a variety of tactics to steal
sensitive information, including,
surveying network traffic, taking
screenshots, including during instant
messaging programs, recording audio
conversations via an infected computer’s
internal microphone and collecting
passwords.
Because of its sophistication and
geographic targets, primarily in the
Middle East, the malware is believed to be
work of government spy agencies.
“Now we’ve found what might be the
most sophisticated cyberweapon yet
unleashed,” Alexander Gostev wrote in
May on the website of Kaspersky Lab
blog. “Flame is one of the most complex
threats ever discovered.”
Hacktivism
While most malware is rooted in
cybercrime, some hackers are increasingly
attaching a political or activist message to
their work.
“This is a pitched battle over the terrain of
democracy on networks, freedom
of expression in the internet age,” Dwayne
Winseck, a professor at Carleton
University’s school of journalism and
communications, said to CBC News last
year. “So it ain’t gonna stop.”
Data breaches in the name of a social or
political cause were responsible
for 58 per cent of stolen data in 2011,
according to the Verizon 2012 Data
Breach Investigations Report.
Recent high-profile incidents of
hacktivism include the hacking of the
websites for the U.S. Department of
Justice and the FBI by the group
Anonymous in January 2012, in response
to the shutdown of the file sharing
Megaupload; and the takeover of the Fox
News politics Twitter account on
July 4 (Independence day), 2011, in which
hackers posted false tweets
claiming President Barack Obama had
been assassinated.
In October 2011, Anonymous claimed to
have uncovered and taken offline more
than 40 child pornography sites. The
group also posted a list of over 1,500
of the sites’ usernames.
Corrections and Clarifications
In an earlier version of this story, Dean
Turner’s name was spelled
incorrectly. July 6, 2012/11:18 a.m.

Hello everyone:
Each month I will be responding to a question; chosen from a pool of some of
the most commonly asked ones that I have been asked over the years and
continue to be asked.
This month, I’d like to answer the following question:
How to make functions more accessible.

At the best of times, one can only say that functions are either acceptably
accessible or not very accessible. There is room for something in between
but for this article, I’d like to give some pointers on how to make
functions more accessible for someone who is blind. So here goes.

Make sure that if you invite a blind person to a function, that there is
someone who is available to help the person to navigate the location of the
function. This can be done in three ways.
A. You can ask the person if they would like to bring along someone as an
escort.
B. You can offer to provide sighted help to them but you should tell them
this when you offer the invitation.
C. You can ask them if they will require any assistance but in this case
even if they were to say no it would still be a good idea to have someone on
hand to lend some assistance.

If the function includes a buffet table, it would be a good idea to instruct
your servers to tell the blind person what they are serving. In addition,
make sure that the food is neatly arranged on the blind person’s plate and
that it is not piled high.

If the function includes a sit down meal, make sure that the person knows
what is being served and in addition, what else is on the table. Another
pointer is to ensure that the blind person knows who else is seated at the
table.

It may not be a bad idea for someone to give the blind person a quick
physical tour of the room but if this is not possible, then provide a verbal
description. I find this to be very important.

There are always other things to be considered but this should be a good
start.

Are you having difficulty finding that ideal city where you can increase
your possibilities and opportunities?
Not sure which city would be the safest for you and your family or which
city can help you to enhance and expand your career?
If you are seeking the perfect city where you can enrich your life style and
quality of life, then please read on.
My name is Donna Jodhan and I will show you how to find your ideal city.
I have been a life style consultant for over 20 years now and my examples
listed below will give you a good start.

+++++++++++++++
Where to find your best american cities
By Donna J. Jodhan at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca

1. Durham North Carolina
If you are an aspiring Medical student looking for just the right spot to
further your studies, then Durham is definitely it.
Or, if you are interested in a career in either the medical or high tech
arenas, then that too is Durham.
This delightful city is part of the famous Piedmont Triangle.
The city is home to several well known companies that have chosen to set up
research facilities in this particular city because of the friendly
environment.
Durham is very much in to urbanization and the process of restoring,
rebuilding, and moderniging.
The low cost of living makes for affordable real estate and activities
include hiking, sporting activities, and a warm climate to go along with it
all.

2. Minneapolis Minnesota
If you are a seeking a city with a large dose of diversity and one with lots
of opportunities, then Minneapolis is it.
This picture perfect city is located on the banks of the Mississipi River
and offers you:
Excellent educational facilities, great entertainment, events to keep you
humming, and first class restaurants.
Home styles range from the riverfront mansions with sweeping views to
private log cabins. Handsome retirement homes to luxurious estates, and
modern condos to something for everyone.

3. Tacoma Washington
If you are seeking that all-American city that offers among other things, a
great economy, lucrative employment, a wide range of home styles, and easy
access to wi-fi, then this definitely Tacoma.
Located at the mid point between Olympa and Seattle, Tacoma offers you all
of this plus lots more.
The city is a strategic port for sea shiping and rail. It processes millins
of tons of cargo each year and it also produces tons of paper and oil
refined products.
Tacoma is home to several first class museums, and acres of lush green
parklands.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan bidding you a happy travel time.
Visit me at www.sterlingcreations.ca if you would like to learn more.
Or send me an email at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca.

Hello there and welcome to our weekly feature of all kinds of tips.
We at the business desk are pleased to bring you our weekly feature of a
plethora of tips that cover a wide range of topics.
All of our tips are designed to help you save time, cut down on your
research, and help you get ahead.
So go ahead and read on.
This week we bring you our monthly tips.
It’s what we do for a living! We help you to help yourself!
Enjoy!
From the business desk team at http://www.sterlingcreations.com.

+++++++++++++++
Helpful tips for April 2013

In this issue:

General tips
Tech tips
Articles of the day
_________________________

General tips
Courtesy of the research team at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca

What’s this about Polar Bears?
Like puppies, they are born without vision and it takes about three weeks
for them to start seeing.

Which factors contribute to the gathering of fat in our tummies?
Why, stress at work, lack of physical activity, and sitting too much.
Add a poor diet to this.

What’s this about pineapple?
If you are able to pull the leaf in the middle out of the pineapple, then it
is either ripe or rotten.
Unable to pull it out, then it is still not ripe enough for consumption.
If you can pull it out and then you can smell the warm aroma of pine, then
presto! It is ripe enough for eating.

Here is something interesting about those cute pet turtles!
They are stone deaf!
Yes, they are and they use vibration to navigate.
That is, they use vibration to get around.

Okay, something for you about those troublesome weavles!
You can stop them from invading your home as follows:
When you first purchase such things as rice, pasta, flour, or sugar, put it
in the freezer when you bring them home and leave them there for a few days.
This helps to kill any weavle eggs that may have been in your stuff when you
bought it.

Here is a piece of trivia for you:
What’s so special about the month of March for retailers?
Well, it is the month when the most pregnancy test packages are sold.

Right then, some very important tips for ciber safety!
Never give out your mother’s maiden name, your birth date, and your social
insurance number via email or on any website.
Do not allow any website to store your credit card number.

Now, something important to know about phone calls that you make from your
land line to a mobile phone and that is if it is a long distance call!
Guess what? You get charged for making these phone calls.

About your washer?
It is better to pour your fabric softener into the main tub itself rather
than doing this into the fabric softener recepticle.
Sometimes, this recepticle can become clogged up with remnants from the
fabric softener.

_________________________

Tech tips
Taken from Melanie Mama’s corner
With a huge bouquet of thanks to Dan Thompson at dthompson5@mchsi.com

Instructions for setting up OE to access your Gmail account:

Log onto the Gmail Web site and click Settings in the top navigation bar.

Click the tab marked Forwarding and POP

Check Enable POP for all mail or Enable POP for mail that arrives from now
on

Click Save Changes

In Outlook Express, click the Tools menu and select Accounts

Click Add | Mail …

Type your name and click Next

Enter your Gmail address and click Next

Under “My incoming mail server is a [dropdown box] server, select POP

Under “Incoming mail server,” type pop.gmail.com

Under “Outgoing mail (SMTP) server,” type smtp.gmail.com and click Next

Under “Account name,” type your Gmail address (

username@gmail.com)

Under “Password,” type your Gmail password and click Next

Click Finish.

Now configure the new account:

Highlight the account name and click Properties

Click the Servers tab

Under “Outgoing Mail Server,” ensure that the following is checked: My
server requires authentication

Click the Advanced tab

Ensure the following is checked under both “Outgoing Mail (SMTP)” and
“Incoming Mail (POP3): This server requires a secure connection

Under “Outgoing Server (SMTP)” type 465

Under “Incoming Server (POP3)” type 995

Click Apply, click OK and close.*

_________________________

Leave No Trace: How To Completely Erase Your Hard Drives, SSDs and Thumb
Drives

http://gizmodo.com/5489933/leave-no-trace-how-to-completely-erase-your-hard-drives-ssds-and-thumb-drives

With stories abounding of identity theft aided by information lifted from
discarded storage devices, you want devices you no longer plan to use to
have no usable information when they head out the door.
Here’s how to wipe them clean.

http://gizmodo.com/tag/howto/

Why Erasing Files Is Not Enough
Sure, you could erase the contents of the drive, but keep this in mind: the
act of erasing a file does not remove it from a storage device.
When you erase/delete a file from your computer, it’s not really gone until
the areas of the disk it used are overwritten by new information. If you use
the normal Windows delete function, the “deleted” file is sent to the
Recycle Bin until the space it uses is required by other files. If you use
Shift-Delete to bypass the Recycle Bin, the space occupied by the file is
marked as available for other files. However, the file could be recovered
days or even weeks later with third-party data recovery software.
As long as the operating system does not reuse the space occupied by a file
with another file, the “deleted” file can be recovered.
With SSDs, the erased file situation is even more complex. SSDs store data
in blocks rather than in sectors as with magnetic storage. Overwriting a
block was previously used involves copying the contents of the block to
cache, wiping the block’s contents, delete the block to be overwritten from
cache, writing the new data to cache, and rewriting the block with the new
data. As an SSD is used with files that are deleted or changed frequently,
the performance can drop unless the drive (and operating system) support a
technology called TRIM that wipes out deleted data blocks as soon as the
file using the blocks is deleted. TRIM is supported by Windows 7 and by some
late model SSDs, but not by older Windows versions. So, disk wiping can be
both a security feature and a performance improvement strategy.
Data Wiping Versus File Erasure

http://gizmodo.com/tag/datawiping/

While erasing files simply marks file space as available for reuse, data
wiping overwrites all data space on a storage device, replacing useful data
with garbage data. Depending upon the method used, the overwrite data could
be zeros (also known as “zero-fill”)
or could be various random patterns.
Products that can be used for wiping hard disks might not be suitable for
wiping other types of drives. In this article, we will look at methods for
securely wiping hard disks, USB flash memory devices, flash memory cards,
and SSDs.
Zero-Fill a Hard Disk
Time Needed: several hours (varies with size and speed of drive)
Software: Hard disk utility software from your drive vendor
Media: blank CD or floppy disk
Although writing zeroes across the entire hard disk surface (aka
“zero-filling”)
is not sufficient to meet government data sanitation (disk wiping) standards
such as DoD 5220.22-M or the more comprehensive Standards and Technologies
(NIST)
Special Publication 800-88,

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/leave-no-trace-how-completely-erase-your-hard-drives-ssds-and-thumb-drives.htm

overwriting the entire hard disk prevents most types of data recovery from
being successful.
Here’s where to get zero-fill software from hard disk vendors:
Hitachi
Drive Fitness Test (see website for specific models supported)

http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/download.htm#DFT

Select the Erase Drive feature to zero-fill your hard disk

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/4/2010/03/340x_drivefitnesstest_med.jpg

Samsung
HUtil (see website for specific models supported)

http://www.samsung.com/global/business/hdd/support/utilities/Support_HUTIL.html

Use Tool, Erase HDD to zero-fill your hard disk

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/4/2010/03/340x_samsunghutil_med.jpg

Seagate (including Maxtor)
SeaTools for DOS (see website for specific models supported)

http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/seatools

Use Full Erase to zero-fill your hard disk

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/4/2010/03/340x_seatools_med.jpg

Western Digital
Data Lifeguard Diagnostics (select drive model for specific version
recommended)

http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?lang=en

Use Write Zeros to drive to zero-fill your hard disk

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/4/2010/03/340x_datalifeguard_med.jpg

1. Determine the brand and model of hard disk you want to overwrite.
2. Download a CD ISO image or a floppy disk image (depending upon your
equipment) and use the image to create bootable media. The floppy disk image
is self-contained:
run it, insert a blank floppy disk when prompted, and the image is created
on the disk. You will need to use a CD burning program that works with ISO
images to convert the ISO image into a bootable CD.
Here is a link to some iso recognition cd burning programs.
“The Last CDDVD Burning guide You Will Ever Need”

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/ultimate_cddvd_burning_guide

3. Restart your computer with the bootable media you created in Step 2.
4. Select the hard disk to zero-fill when prompted.
5. Choose the option to zero-fill the hard disk.

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/4/2010/03/340x_wd_writezeros_med.jpg

6. When the program is finished, follow the on-screen instructions to shut
down or restart your computer.
7. Remove the wiped hard disk; you can now reuse or recycle the hard disk.

_________________________

Looking For Free Wi-Fi In Your Area? Are you preparing for a trip? Well

MetroFreeFi.com

MetroFreeFi.com offers a really nice service where you can choose states
from a menu, and MetroFreeFi will generate a Notes file for your iPod or
compatible notetaker. Drop the files on your iPod or notetaker and you’re
good to go!

I thought I knew most of the free Wi-Fi spots in Louisville, but the MFF
file showed me about a dozen I was unaware of. Some of the notes even detail
special procedures for getting a WEP key for particular locations.

It’s a free service, and well worth the time.

Click this link to find Wi-Fi hotspots in your area:

http://www.metrofreefi.com/

LaptopFriendlyCafes.com

“At LaptopFriendlyCafes.com you’ll find your local free Wi-Fi and power
ready laptop spots. We have over 300 tried and tested cafes listed worldwide
where you can power up your laptop, surf the web for free and enjoy a
coffee.”

Click this link to visit

http://www.LaptopFriendlyCafes.com

_________________________

Articles of the day
Chosen by the Business Desk team

how to Install Windows Virtual PC on Your Windows 7 Computer

Microsoft is hoping to take away everyone’s reasons for not upgrading to
Windows 7 by making sure
that you’ll be able to run just about any program or operating system you
want with your Windows 7 computer using Windows Virtual PC.
You can use Windows Virtual PC with Windows 7 to create virtual machines
that allow you to run older legacy software that is not compatible with
Windows 7.

You can also use Windows Virtual PC to enable you to run another Microsoft
tool called Windows XP Mode,
which allows you to install Windows XP-compatible software and run it
seamlessly in Windows 7.

Windows Virtual PC has many improvements over the original Virtual PC 2007,
including the ability to access USB devices,
to run multiple virtual machines concurrently, to access your virtual
machines through Windows Explorer,
and to launch and run Windows XP Mode programs directly from Windows 7.

Windows Virtual PC has specific system requirements.
Your PC must have a 1GHz processor and a CPU that supports virtualization.
You’ll also want at least 15 GB of hard drive space for each virtual machine
you set up.

You can use Windows Virtual PC with any version of Windows 7 other than the
Starter Edition.

Not sure whether your machine supports virtualization?
Download Microsoft’s virtualization testing tool.
Just double click the downloaded file and it will examine your PC and tell
you whether your PC can handle Windows Virtual PC
and whether the technology is enabled in your BIOS.

1.
Open Internet Explorer and go to the Windows Virtual PC download page. Click
Continue.

Microsoft needs to run Windows Genuine Advantage to ensure that you have a
legitimate copy of Windows 7.

If you plan to run Windows XP Mode, you can go directly the Virtual PC Web
site to download both files at the same time.
However, Windows XP Mode is only compatible with Windows 7 Professional and
beyond.

2.
Click the Download Files Below link and click Download for the file that
matches your system’s architecture.

The Windows6.1-KB958559-x64.msu file is for the 32-bit system
and Windows6.1-KB958559-x86.msu is for the 64-bit system.

Before you install the Windows Virtual PC program, your PC’s virtualization
technology needs to be enabled in your system BIOS.
Each manufacturer uses a different process for this, so check your owner’s
manual or go to the Configure BIOS page of the Windows Virtual PC
web site for manufacturer-specific directions.

3.
Locate and double-click the downloaded file on your PC.

You might need to click Continue if prompted by User Account Control.

4.
When the installer finishes loading, click Yes to begin the installation.

Microsoft shows you the licensing terms for Windows Virtual PC.

5.
Click I Accept. Then click Restart Now.

When Windows 7 restarts, you can access Windows Virtual PC by typing
“virtual” at the Start menu’s search box.

from:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-install-windows-virtual-pc
-on-your-windows-.navId-397925.html?cid=dn_article

Where to find your best American cities

Are you having difficulty finding that ideal city where you can increase
your possibilities and opportunities?
Not sure which city would be the safest for you and your family or which
city can help you to enhance and expand your career?
If you are seeking the perfect city where you can enrich your life style and
quality of life, then please read on.
My name is Donna Jodhan and I will show you how to find your ideal city.
I have been a life style consultant for over 20 years now and my examples
listed below will give you a good start.
Here’s wishing you all the Blessings of the Feast of Easter.

+++++++++++++++
Where to find your best american cities
By Donna J. Jodhan at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca

1. Laredo Texas
If you are interested in the retail or international trade area then Laredo
may be for you.
A city that buzzes with such types of activities because of its very close
proximity to Mexico.
Laredo is heavily influenced by the Spanish culture.
Its malls are great attractions for persons living in Mexico.
It offers such activities as hiking, biking, swimming, and fishing and add
all year round sunshine and you have a healthy picture for good living.
Finally, add a very low cost of living to the mix and you have a great
recipe for a fine city.

2. Wako Texas
If you are in serious search of that city that affords you a small town
ambiance, then you have found it!
Waco! A wonderful Texan city with lots of cultural diversity, home styles,
and varying neighborhoods.
The Spanish, Anglo American, and Afro American cultures dominate.
Neighborhoods are characterized by their history, culture, slang and
accents.
Each neighborhood has own uniquepersonality to show you.

3. Rockford Illinois
Rockford can easily be described as a good and solid city iwth lots to
offer.
It is located on the Rock River and is one of Illinois’s largest cities.
Rockford is rich in history, culture, entertainment, and lots more.
It is heavily influenced by the Swedish culture; the Erlander Museum being
evidence of this.
The Anderson Japanese Gardens has often been voted as one of the best of its
kind in North America and the Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza is somehting to
behold.
There are museums for you to enjoy, a top class performing Arts Center, and
lots more.

4. Grand Rapids Michigan
If you are serious about wanting to enrich your life with such things as:
Great educational opportunities, excellent health care, a thriving economy,
and an overall excellent ambiance, then you have come to the right place.
Grand Rapids can offer you this plus lots more.
This city’s economy is diverse and is based on agriculture, insurance,
manufacturing, education, health care, and publishing.
It is also the capital for top class furniture in North America.
Outdoor activities include camping, hiking, and rafting.
Lots of museums and historical sites for you to enjoy.
Home styles range from the Victorian to the modern and fashionable
apartments, condos, and detached homes.
Grand Rapids natural beauty includes pristine forests, sweeping riverfront
views, plus more.

5. Irving Texas
Irving Texas is a place for many. From the kid to retire and from the
student to the professional.
Irving is considered to be a city as well as a bedroom cummunity of the
Dallas Fort Worth area.
It is an affluent suburb with a low cost of living, very affordable real
estate prices, and a great quality of life.
Home styles range from the modern condo to the single family detached home;
Spanish, Colonial, and Contemporary.
Irving is aptly connected to its surrounding areas by more than adequate
transportation.
Many residents live in Irving and commute to their jobs in Dallas and Fort
Worth while others find lucrative employment within the walls of Irving in
such sectors as finance, manufacturing, and oil and gas.
There is a great museum for kids as well as top notch shopping and dining.

6. Erie Pennsylvania
Are you looking for a fresh start? Maybe a new adventure?
Well then, how about Erie Pennsylvania?
A city that offers you mid sized city living while at the same time you can
own a country home in the middle of it all!
Erie is filled with culture, history, and a booming economy that is based on
manufacturing, tourism, and entertainment.
Several companies with various products and services have made Erie their
home.
The city offers a friendly environment for performance groups and many
Canadians travel to Erie to take advantage on the tax exemptions for the
purchase of clothing.

I’m Donna J. Jodhan bidding you a happy travel time.
Visit me at www.sterlingcreations.ca if you would like to learn more.
Or send me an email at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca.

Where to find your best American cities

Are you having difficulty finding that ideal city where you can increase
your possibilities and opportunities?
Not sure which city would be the safest for you and your family or which
city can help you to enhance and expand your career?
If you are seeking the perfect city where you can enrich your life style and
quality of life, then please read on.
My name is Donna Jodhan and I will show you how to find your ideal city.
I have been a life style consultant for over 20 years now and my examples
listed below will give you a good start.

+++++++++++++++
Where to find your best american cities
By Donna J. Jodhan at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca

1. St Louis Missouri
If you are seeking a well rounded city where you can work, live, vacation,
and stay for a while, then this is St. Louis all rolled into one.
St Louis is heavily influenced by the French, Spankish, and American
cultures.
It is known as the gateway to the West because of its importance along the
route to the Pacific.
It is home to a wide range of publicly and privately owned companies and it
is also rich in historical sites.
St Louis is rich in history as well in that it hosted both the 1904 World’s
Fare and the Olympics.

2. Gilbert Arizona
Ever thought of relocating to glorious Gilbert Arizona?
A city/suburb with lots to offer.
Gilbert is within a stone’s throw of both Mesa and Phoenix.
The city does not have any industry per say but its main economic stays are
health care, computer technology, and construction.
There is lots of green space and sunshine to go along with this picture.
Gilbert is by no means a poor city and its cost of living is just below the
national average.
There are oodles of museums, art galleries, historical sites, and theaters
to keep you entertained and if you want to venture further afield, then
nearby Phoenix is just around the corner.

3. Torrance California
Have you ever thought of relocating to Torrance California?
Yes, it is sunny all year round with excellent temps, clool sea breezes,
tree lined streets, and miles of clean sandy beaches; but there is more!
Torrance is located in the Los Angeles area and is home to the largest
shopping mall in America.
The Del Amo Fashion Center is over 2 million square feet in area and it
contains oodles of departmental and retail stores, boutiques, restaurants,
fitness centers, and more.
Torrance has a great farmer’s market that offers fresh produce twice weekly
and the city itself is home to several well known car, helicopter, and
aerospace companies.

4. Overland Park Kansas City
Looking for that ideal bedroom community where community spirit and
neighborhood conservation is the order of the day?
Well, welcome to Overland Park Kansas.
Where you have the choice of either working and living in Overland Park
itself or commuting to nearby Kansas City?
You can enjoy a very low cost of living, very affordable real estate, great
educational facilities, and peace and quiet.
Overland Park has been noted as one of the best places to live in America
and one of the best places to raise a family.
Barbecues, block parties, and other social events are most prevelant in this
bedroom community.

5. Mesa Arizona
Looking for that city with quality?
One with sunshine, and very affordable housing?
450,000 people call Mesa home.
The cost of doing business is relatively low.
The tax structure is extremely reasonable.
The work force of Mesa is skilled and well educated.
The crime rate is low.
The educational system is excellent and housing is very affordable.
This all makes for a perfect city to raise your family.
The quality of life is extremely attractive.
Mesa’s housing market offers great housing values.

6. San Diego California
Looking for a city where you can live, work, play, and even visit for either
a wee while or stay longer?
One where business opportunities abound, educational facilities are great,
and entertainment thrives?
Well, look no further than beautiful San Diego California.
A city that is rich in natural beauty; a Southern California seaside city.
San Diego is located close to the Mexican border and is a gateway to the
Pacific.
This bodes well for trade and commerce.
The main stays of this city’s economy include manufacturing, tourism,
agriculture, and defense.
Software and telecommunications are also fast growing industries.
San Diego is also known for its zoo and of course! Sea World!

I’m Donna J. Jodhan bidding you a happy travel time.
Visit me at www.sterlingcreations.ca if you would like to learn more.
Or send me an email at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca.

Hello everyone:
Each month I will be responding to a question; chosen from a pool of some of
the most commonly asked ones that I have been asked over the years and
continue to be asked.
This month, I’d like to answer the following question:
How can doctors offices be made more accessible?
By Donna J. Jodhan

Believe it or not, this is one of the places that I always hope would be
accessible for a blind person and I am extremely lucky that my family
physician’s office is very accessible to me. Now, I am just not talking
about access to the building itself, I am talking about the office within
the building. Chances are that the doctor themselves does not really have
too much control over access to the building in which their office is
located but I do believe that they can do quite a bit to make their own
office accessible to a blind person.

If they do indeed have control over making it possible for some
accessibility features outside of their office, then here are my tips:
Place Braille and raised large print labels on the buttons of their
elevators.
Make sure that their elevators are well lit.
Take the time to ensure that the doors to their elevators are very
distinguishable.

Continuing on: Make sure that the door to their office is painted in a
bright and distinguishable color.
Ensure that their office is well lit.
Use brightly colored carpeting in the office if needed.
Take the time to ensure that floors are also brightly colored.
Make it possible for a blind person to be able to find the receptionist’s
counter with as little difficulty as possible. That is, without having to
navigate through chairs and tables.
Arrange chairs in such a manner so as to enable a blind person to find a
seat with as little difficulty after they have finished checking in at the
receptionist’s counter.
Ensure that doors leading to patient rooms are brightly colored and that the
rooms are well lit.

Finally, some important training for staff. It is really important for
staff to know how to guide a blind patient and this includes the doctor as
well. I have to tell you that in so many instances, doctors do not seem
sure as to how to provide guidance to a blind patient. Their guiding
techniques are often very poor.

I’ll tell you too that my family doctor is one of the best ones when it
comes to guiding a blind patient and her staff is more than well trained.
Her name is DR Dani Manis and she is a family physician practicing in North
York.

So there you have it; some useful tips on accessibility for a doctor’s
office.