5 Ways Museums Are Using Technology for New Experiences | ABC News

December 27, 2016 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Museums are always looking for ways to make their exhibitions more exciting. Now, new technologies are making that easier.

From 3-D scanning and 3-D printing, to virtual reality and special apps, these technologies are being applied in a multitude of ways. Still other technologies are being tested and developed as museums seek to ever broaden public access.

“Where we used to have one way of visiting and experiencing a museum, people now expect a variety of ways,” said Catherine Devine, chief digital officer at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. “It’s about exploring technologies.”

A look at some of the ways museums are integrating and developing technologies to engage their audiences:

How to Spot Student Loan Forgiveness Scams | The Simple Dollar

December 27, 2016 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

After completing college, you may feel overburdened by your student loan costs, but don’t fall victim to student loan forgiveness scams that offer false promises of easy debt relief.

That’s not to say there’s no such thing as student loan forgiveness — federal loans really can be forgiven under certain conditions. But debt relief companies know that millions more people are struggling to repay student loans and, in response, they’ve set up programs that offer to help reduce your debt — for a fee.

Often they offer services that you could perform yourself at no cost. According to the U.S. Department of Education, such companies solicit business through mail, mobile phone ads, social media, and direct phone calls.

UN Will Take on ‘Killer Robots’ in 2017 | Live Science

December 27, 2016 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Good news, fellow humans: The United Nations has decided to take on killer robots.

At the international Convention on Conventional Weapons in Geneva, 123 participating nations voted to initiate official discussions on the danger of lethal autonomous weapons systems. That’s the emerging designation for so-called “killer robots” — weapons controlled by artificial intelligence that can target and strike without human intervention.

The agreement is the latest development in a growing movement calling for an preemptive ban on weaponized A.I. and deadly autonomous weapons. Last year, a coalition of more than 1,000 scientists and industry leaders, including Elon Musk and representatives of Google and Microsoft, signed an official letter to the United Nations demanding action.

This Is the Future of Retail, According to 1 Silicon Valley Engineer | Inc.com

December 22, 2016December 22, 2016 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The retail shop might be beleaguered in this era of convenient online shopping and free returns, but it’s not dead yet. Far from it: just look at the storefronts operated by formerly online-only brands such as Bonobos, Warby Parker, and Rent the Runway.

But e-commerce has definitively changed the way people shop–and according to one Silicon Valley engineer, retailers are failing to adapt.

Most bricks-and-mortar shops are never going to be able to beat the Amazons of the world at supply chain efficiencies, says Vibhu Norby, formerly a lead engineer at the smart thermostat company Nest. So, he concludes, “the future of retail has to do with discovery and customer relations.”

Washington, D.C. Passes 8 Week Paid Parental Leave Bill | Forbes

December 22, 2016 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

On Tuesday, lawmakers in Washington, D.C. passed one of the most generous paid parental leave laws in the U.S.

The new legislation will grant all full- and part-time workers in the city eight weeks of leave at up to 90% of their full weekly wages for birth, adoption or fostering. The bill also provides for six weeks of family leave to look after a sick relative and two weeks for a personal medical emergency.

The law will only cover private-sector workers, excluding those on city or federal payroll. To qualify, a worker need only be employed in D.C.; residents of other cities and states with jobs in the capital are eligible. Non-profit workers and the self-employed are also covered.

4 Surprising Words That Should Define Your Digital Strategy in 2017 | Adweek

December 21, 2016 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The tree-decorating selfies have inundated Instagram, you’re receiving multiple festive discount emails each day, and you’re already having flashbacks to office holiday parties from years past.

That’s right, it’s the end of the year for marketers, and that means it’s time to look ahead to what trends, obstacles and issues we can expect in the coming year.

Instead of pointing you to some of the more popular acronyms of late—IOT, OTT, VR, AR, AI, etc.—I’ve instead boiled it down to four deceptively simple words that should help you focus your digital strategy in 2017.

Facing the Inevitable: When Business Bankruptcy May Be Your Only Option | AllBusiness.com

December 21, 2016 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Bankruptcy was a big topic in this year’s presidential campaign. With President-elect Trump previously filing for bankruptcy protection, the topic has probably never before received so much attention.

As much as I don’t want to admit it, I have personal experience with bankruptcy. A failed business, regardless of the reasons, can often leave you in a position where you have no other choice. While most of the advice I write about is on starting a business, I thought it would be a great time to talk about what to do when your business is failing. Keep in mind that being broke is not always a reason to close your business. In fact, that is why there are numerous options afforded to you as a debtor.

CodeFights: Play this coding game, score a job in Silicon Valley | Money Cnn

December 19, 2016 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

It took less than three months for an online coding game to transform James Johnston’s life.

Johnston, 31, was designing software for orthodontists and living in Chattanooga, Tennessee, when he landed a better-paid software engineering job in Silicon Valley at a major tech startup.

The key to this career upgrade and cross-country move? CodeFights, an online game that offers programmers the chance to improve their skills and get noticed by Silicon Valley titans like Uber and Dropbox.

Johnston told CNNMoney he discovered the game through a Facebook ad in June.

“I was kind of intrigued and thought it was a fun little activity,” he said.

4 Ways Market Research Professionals Can Improve Your Business | Cool Business Ideas

December 19, 2016 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Your company might have started experiencing a decline in sales despite being the market leader for the past two decades. If you don’t understand why this is happening, it’s time to employ the market research professionals. It could be that the new generation simply isn’t aware of your brand, or they might think your website performs too slowly compared to your competitors. Perhaps they believe the competition conveys more professionalism than your company, or maybe your products are a little outdated. Regardless of the problem, market research can find the solution to help you get back on track and secure the sales you need.

According to Communications for Research, “the most successful businesses in the world are those that anticipate changes in their marketplace, and make proactive adjustments that put them in the right position, at the right time, with the right products, programs and pricing.” Embracing change is crucial if you want to stay on top, and the only way to find out how you should adapt is by researching the market thoroughly. Here’s how market research can help you:

What to Consider Before Buying a Company Car for Your Startup | The Startup Magazine

December 16, 2016 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Maybe you need a transportation van to make home deliveries. Maybe you want a souped-up truck to carry all your tools and equipment from home to work. Whatever your reason for considering buying a company car, you should take a breath and consider whether you’ve thought the decision through.

A company car ― just like a personal car ― is a significant expense, and if it doesn’t provide any additional value to the business, it might be the cause of your business’s downfall. Especially in new and relatively unproven businesses like startups, such an expense could bleed your business checking account dry before you know it.

Here are a few considerations you should make before you make any trips to the auto dealership for your startup’s first car.