Author: knjohn

Huh? Schools Think Kids Don’t Want to Learn Computer Science | WIRED

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TIMES HAVE NEVER been better for computer science workers. Jobs in computing are growing at twice the national rate of other types of jobs. By 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be 1 million more computer science-related jobs than graduating students qualified to fill them.

If any company has a vested interest in cultivating a strong talent pool of computer scientists, it’s Google. So the search giant set out to learn why students in the US aren’t being prepared to bridge the talent deficit. In a big survey conducted with Gallup and released today, Google found a range of dysfunctional reasons more K-12 students aren’t learning computer science skills. Perhaps the most surprising: schools don’t think the demand from parents and students is there.

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 Questions Every Small Business Must Ask Their Credit Card Processor | Getentrepreneurial

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downloadSigning up with a credit card processor is a big step for small businesses. It allows small business owners to accept more forms of payment, which in turn drives revenue by making it easier and more appealing for customers to shop in the store. Before signing an agreement with a credit card merchant service processor, however, it is important to get all of your questions answered so that you know you are putting your business in the best position moving forward.

Start by inquiring about and understanding any contract requirements, as well as any processing rates as they relate to various types of cards. Get these rates for all cards, including corporate and rewards cards, in writing, so there are no surprise increases down the road. In addition, talk to your processor about American Express transactions, as well as the procedures for fee deductions from your account and if they offer next day funding. Finally, research a potential processor and consult other small businesses about their merchant solutions so you do not get stuck in a situation that does more harm than good.

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Why people are pissed about what Spotify is doing to their phones | Mashable

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A new privacy policy from Spotify introduced with little fanfare has sparked a backlash against the streaming music service, prompting an apology and clarification from the company CEO.

Earlier this week, Spotify quietly announced that it plans to begin looking through your phone, tracking your location and even following your activity on Facebook in an effort to provide a more personalized experience.

Those new data collection efforts have already pushed some users to cancel their accounts, including Minecraft creator Markus Persson — whose searing objection to the new privacy policy even drew a response from Spotify CEO Daniel Ek.

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When It Comes To Long-Term Care Insurance, Americans Don’t Get It | Forbes

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download (1)A newly-released survey shows just how conflicted Americans are about long-term care insurance. And how unrealistic they are about how much long-term care costs and how much insurance they can buy for what they are willing to spend.

The survey, completed in 2014 by the consulting firm RTI International and the survey research firm GfK Research for the US Department of Health and Human Services, found that consumers prize two attributes above all others when they think about long-term care insurance: They want lifetime coverage and low premiums. Their willingness to buy any LTC insurance declines dramatically as premiums rise and the benefit period shrinks.

For instance, fewer than half of those surveyed were willing to spend more than $50-a-month for a long-term care insurance policy that covers $100-a-day for 3 years.

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Here Are 4 Intriguing Mobile Startups That Got Cash Infusions This Week | Adweek

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It’s no surprise that investment firms are bullish on mobile upstarts, but a series of recent funding moves reveals the smartphone-driven companies marketers should keep an eye on.

1. Popular teen messaging app Kik closed $50 million from WeChat-owned Tencent, and this week’s news follows the app’s $38.3 million Series C funding in November. Kik is now valued at $1 billion.

With 240 million registered users—70 percent of whom are 13 to 24 years old—Kik’s funding puts it squarely in position to compete head-to-head with Snapchat as both companies look to build out new chat features.

2. Kahuna grabbed $45 million from Sequoia Capital and other investors to go after a bigger piece of the automated marketing space, which includes heavyweights like Oracle and Salesforce.

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Employers Beware: Your Employee Handbook’s Arbitration Clause May Not be Enforceable | Michel and Associates, P.C.

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downloadUpon hiring a new employee, it is a common practice for most employers to provide the new employee with an employee handbook stating the general policies and procedures of the employer.  Sometimes employers will have an arbitration clause within the employee handbook, and thereby attempt to impose binding arbitration on the parties for any disputes between the employer and employee.  Most employers are also advised to have their new employees sign an acknowledgment which indicates that the employee read the handbook, understands its contents, and agrees to its terms.

Most employers assume, or are told, that receipt of the signed acknowledgment form ensures that the employee is bound by the handbook’s provisions, including the requirement that the employee arbitrate any employment-related disputes.  But, according to a recent California Court of Appeal, most employers are wrong.  Employers should not rely upon an arbitration clause in a prolix employment handbook unless the handbook is carefully crafted to ensure the arbitration clause’s enforceability.

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Bitcoin could split in debate over currency’s future | BBC News

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A row over changing the software that produces bitcoins could split the virtual currency, core developers say.

Bitcoin XT, a new version, is currently being recommended by the currency’s chief scientist, Gavin Andresen.

And its developer, Mike Hearn, says its adoption essential to ensure the currency can cope with growing demand.

But some, including a large number of bitcoin miners in China, are resisting XT because of how it might affect control over the currency.

Bitcoin’s blockchain – a digital ledger of all transactions made with the currency – is currently made up of 1MB blocks.

Bitcoin XT would enable these blocks to grow to 8MB.

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The Supreme Court could turn things around for Lending Club | Business Insider

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download (2)It’s been a terrible summer for Lending Club and other startups that make loans to consumers and businesses online.

Shares of Lending Club are down about 30% since the beginning of June. That’s when the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld a decision that could have the lenders lowering interest rates they charge a big chunk of customers.

Now, the US Supreme Court is its only hope. It could decide whether it’ll hear their case as early as October, according to a note this week from Morgan Stanley.

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Working at Amazon Is Hell. So What? | Inc.com

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download (1)The New York Times just published an exposé of how difficult life is at Amazon. I suppose their goal was to make us feel bad for their poor employees. Now, to be clear, I’m happy to criticize Amazon when they deserve to be criticized–I completely disagree with their decision to not pay their employees during security checks–even though the Supreme Court agreed with them. I just don’t have a problem with a company that demands a lot from their employees.

Amazon corporate employees work long hours, don’t get fancy benefits and free lunches, and are expected to dedicate their souls to the company. It’s so awful that Amazon kidnaps people off the street and forces them to work for them. I mean, why haven’t police or the FBI broken down Amazon’s doors and freed these poor people?

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