10 Ways to Keep Employees Off of Twitter

The impact of social networking on the workplace in the last five years has been undeniable. With the number of users steadily increasing, many employers have found themselves in the unfamiliar territory of regulating the potentially distracting sites. Though Twitter can be a powerful marketing and promotional tool for businesses, it can also cost those same businesses hundreds of lost man hours and reduce productivity. With these ten tips, you can keep the focus on work and off the Twitter feed.

1. Follow Employees – Unlike Facebook and social networking sites of it’s ilk, users don’t have to approve a follower unless their feed is locked. Whenever possible, following your employee’s feeds can give you a great idea of how much time they’re spending on Twitter versus important work-related projects.
2. Beware the Cell Phone – Twitter is one of the easiest social networking sites to use surreptitiously from a cellular phone. Updates can be made via text or streamlined applications, making it difficult for observers to know if an employee is sending legitimate, work-related texts or tweeting. Cracking down on cell phone use whenever feasible can help eliminate this aspect of the problem
3. Draft a Written Policy – Most businesses have policies in place to govern all sorts of behavior; social networking use can certainly be covered by a specific policy.
4. Call a Meeting – Staff meetings are a great way to not only share your concerns with employees regarding their social networking use, but also to get their feedback on the subject. Creating an environment that allows employees to aid in the creation of a Twitter use policy will also foster a sense of commitment.
5. Use a Case-By-Case Approach – Wasting man hours to draft policies and call meetings when Twitter overuse is limited to a handful of people might be counterproductive; instead, allow employees to police themselves at first. If use becomes a problem with a specific employee, pulling them aside for a discussion might be more efficient than an office-wide campaign.
6. Avoid Overly Harsh Restrictions – If use of social networking in the workplace isn’t a problem, it’s probably best to avoid preemptive restrictions or harsh policies. Employees that can balance their workload and maintain productivity are likely to be resentful of the implication that they lack time management skills.
7. Stress Branding Implications – One of the major reasons for discouraging Twitter use, especially if user names can be easily traced back to the company, is the possibility of brand damage. One ill-advised tweet can create a PR nightmare; stressing this to employees might help them understand your anti-Twitter stance.
8. Install Time-Management Software – An indirect approach that may prove very effective is the installation of time-management software or applications. These programs track the amount of time spent on email, social networking, games and browsing in relation to the daily goals that have been met. Being able to review their own reports at the end of the day is usually enough to put use of time-wasting social networking in perspective.
9. Institute a Monitoring Policy – Instituting a well-publicized internet monitoring policy can keep employees on their toes, discouraging them from using social media during work hours. Make sure that everyone is aware of the policy well in advance, and watch productivity skyrocket.
10. Consider Blocking Software, But Only As a Last Resort – There are several methods for blocking specific websites, but it’s best to be judicious when it comes to implementing them. Savvy employees will be able to find a way around blocks, but will also waste precious time doing so; workers who restrict their use of social media to their lunch breaks may become disgruntled if that access is denied. If all other methods have failed, blocking access altogether might be your only choice.

Source :http://www.phonetvinternet.com/insider/10-ways-to-keep-employees-off-of-twitter/.

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Faith!

Source: GeekyFun

10 Reasons Internet Access is a Basic Human Right

10 Reasons Internet Access is a Basic Human Right

On February 8, 2012, in in my area, by admin

Because its development began in our lifetimes, many of us who still recall life pre-internet find it difficult to grasp the idea of it rising to the level of a basic human right. After all, we survived just fine before we ever got wired, right?

Well, that’s just it. Back then there wasn’t a web that interconnected every aspect of our lives, so of course we didn’t need it in order to function. But now? There are some compelling reasons why internet access does fit that description. Here are 10 reasons that internet access is a basic human right:

1. Communications Medium – From the standpoint that it provides each person a global voice with which to be heard, it is a basic human right.
2. Accessing Information – There is no other means whereby an individual may access so much information, much of it essential to existing within a society.
3. Connection to the World – The internet provides a bridge between nations, where freedom can be promoted, and by which those who are denied such freedoms can get their stories heard, and spread across the globe. Witness the case of the Egyptians’ revolt against Mubarak.
4. It’s the Modern-Day Town Hall – For its ability to inform, lobby, share, mobilize and to warn others of injustices in the world, the internet is a basic human right.
5. Commerce – Eventually there will be little or no reason for the ‘e’ appendage, as e-commerce will become the primary venue for many consumers. Therefore, internet access is going to be necessary to obtain goods.
6. Government Information – For most citizens of countries with internet access, obtaining government data or documents, if possible at all, is done so online. Freedom of information is the right of every citizen, and the web is where we find it.
7. Isolation – We have seen what can happen in a country where denial of internet access was imposed. Cut off from the rest of the world, the result was an inability for the global community to communicate with victims of repression, and other human rights violations.
8. The Medium is the Message – Those things which have traditionally been regarded as human rights – freedom of speech, freedom of opinion and expression – are so closely linked to and, in many ways, dependent upon internet access to be fully realized, that one must consider it to be in and of itself another basic human right.
9. Interactive Information – The uniqueness of the internet, in that it allows users to instantly and interactively share information, rather than just passively receiving it, means that people can communicate and respond to ideas and issues instantaneously and inexpensively, across borders.
10. Protection of Rights – Unless internet access is acknowledged by governing bodies to be a basic human right, there is no guarantee that access to such a vital link to each other and to information will be kept open to all.

Source: http://www.myispfinder.org/ispblog/2012/10-reasons-internet-access-is-a-basic-human-right/.

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10 Easy Ways to Scare off Your Girlfriend

Guys, if you really want to lose that girl, there are some sure-fire steps you can take to make sure she hits the road in a big hurry. If you’re just not that into her, but don’t quite know how to tell her so, you need to try a more indirect, yet creative approach. Here are ten easy ways you can scare off your girlfriend:

1. Tell her about your Uncle Elwood, who lives in your parents’ attic. Point out the fact that he’s only allowed out twice a year – Halloween and Valentine’s Day.
2. Inform her that your family doesn’t believe in divorce, or breaking up. It’s blood in, blood out.
3. Give her a glimpse of the old family tree. Share your collection of mugshots and newspaper clippings in the family photo album.
4. Tell her that you can’t wait to get married, so you can have the same relationship with her that you’ve had with your mom.
5. Take her to a porn movie on a date. For bonus points, tell her that by bringing a female guest, you’re earning membership points that can be redeemed for valuable prizes.
6. While showing her your extensive knife and machete collection, ask her menacingly what her blood type is.
7. Make it a point to remind her whenever you go out together that you need to be back home indoors before sunrise.
8. Whenever you talk about previous dates or girlfriends, make the sign of the cross and refer to them as “the dearly departed”.
9. Wrap your dog’s invisible fence collar around your leg before she comes over. Answer the door wearing shorts, then tell her that you can’t go into details, but you need to stay at home for a while.
10. Tell her during a dinner date just how grateful you are to have a real live girlfriend for a change.

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Source: (http://www.bestdatingsites.org/blog/2012/10-easy-ways-to-scare-off-your-girlfriend/)

25 Game-Changing iPad Apps for Law Students & Lawyers

Nobody envies law students, paralegals, or lawyers for their reams upon reams of paperwork, save perhaps masochists of certain inclinations. So, to this particular professional demographic, nifty little gadgets such as the iPad and its ilk are touted as a godsend. These digital devices significantly cut back on the amount of time hunched over books as thick as [Insert Name of Personally Disliked Public Figure Here]'s head, laptops, or desktops, freeing up time for more pressing matters. The following applications just make things that much easier in some way or another.

1. Constitution for iPad

   Lawyers and law students living and working in the United States should probably familiarize themselves with the Constitution, seeing as how it only serves as the cornerstone of American law and everything.

2. The Bill of Rights

   Another wholly necessary legal document available via a completely free iPad app, so there really isn't any too much of an excuse to completely forgo downloading it.

3. LawLibe

   LawLibe allows users to load up necessary legal documents on an as-needed basis for the quickest possible reference — with specific state codes beyond the already-available Texas, California, and New York on the docket.

4. Themis Bar Review

   When cramming for looming bar exams, supplement those sessions with this free resource perfect for self-quizzing on the go.

5. Law School Q&A Series

   Lexis Nexis, purveyors of many a fine legal-oriented application, consulted numerous law professors when whipping up the Q&A Series study guide, which provides a basic overview of 22 different areas.

6. CourtLink

   No matter where a user may roam, he or she can set up tracks and alerts related to new cases, legal news, changes in current courtroom activities, and more.

7. MBE Flashcards

   With videos, digital flash cards, glossaries, and other amazing resources, graduates and lawyers gearing up for the Multistate Bar Exam have a vital study guide available to them completely gratis — but only for a limited time!

8. Black's Law Dictionary, 9th Edition

   Seeing as how Black's Law Dictionary carries a $54.99 price tag, it might not prove a fiscally prudent choice for students; pros, however, might find it a valuable investment to have every term they may or may not encounter available at their fingertips.

9. Legal-Ease: Non-Disclosure Agreement Simple NDA

   Any iPhones with Legal-Ease can tap together and instantly exchange important contact information and — like it says right there in the title — non-disclosure agreements.

10. Fastcase

    No matter the state, Fastcase hosts a handy-dandy digital notebook for finding relevant statutes and court cases; users requiring information at the federal level are not left out, either!

11. TrialPad

    In 2011, TrialPad ended up the most popular law application despite the hefty $89.99 charge. Reviewers swear it's totally worth it, though, for the amazing interface allowing for fast, easy, and clean presentation designs.

12. LawStack

    Here's another fabulous resource for calling up federal and state codes in a flash, which users can pick and choose based on their preferences.

13. JuryTracker

    Created by a trial attorney, for trial attorneys, JuryTracker makes it simple to take notes on current and past cases, particularly when it comes to jury members and their role in legal strategies.

14. WestlawNext

    Thanks to its synch with Westlaw Mobile and the Westlaw website, this iPad application means users can access one of the largest legal databases around pretty much anywhere and any time for free!

15. ABA Journal

    The American Bar Association's official periodical posts all the latest news impacting lawyers and law students of all different concentrations, making it an absolute necessity for the savvy iPad owner.

16. LSAT

    Aspirant law students (or the particularly scholarly ones needing a refresher or two) might want to carry around this GMAT Club Community offering meant to help them succeed on the big, scary, required LSAT.

17. LawBox

    LawBox serves as a vast digital reference for any lawyer or law student needing to read about certain federal guidelines and procedures immediately.

18. Court Days Pro

    Rather than using a generic calendar application, consider Court Days instead, as it specifically targets attorneys and allows them to schedule things based on federal statutes and other regulations.

19. iCLE

    Continuing legal education requirements can get a little confusing sometimes, but this app streamlines the process by letting lawyers track what classes they've taken, how they did, and what else needs doing.

20. Real Time Congress

    Everything potential downloaders need to know can be found right there in the title: Real Time Congress posts updates regarding all the latest legislation news coming out of D.C.

21. Evidence

    Perfect for trial attorneys, Rosen LTC's Evidence helps them whip up presentations and organize the materials needed for court dates.

22. The American Lawyer

    It may not be the best-reviewed resource out there, but this offering by the eponymous magazine transfers its print content into a useful digital format for lawyers and law students with a few minutes to spare.

23. iPleading

    iPleading acts as an iPad- (and iPhone- and iPod-) friendly way to draw up all the necessary legal documents without having to wait for a laptop or desktop to fire up.

24. Litigator

    This is another quick-and-easy law library available on the iPad, which provides access to federal and local regulations regarding civil and criminal law.

25. iJuror

    Store a maximum of 60 jurors in this simple organizing application that criminal attorneys will find a relieving time and space saver.

Source: (http://www.onlinecollege.org/25-game-changing-ipad-apps-for-law-students-&-lawyers

10 Tips for Disciplining Kids in Front of their Friends

There are times when parents are forced to discipline their children in the presence of others, which can be quite tricky. This delicate situation should be handled as such, in order to avoid damaging a child’s self esteem and leading to taunts from the observing classmates. These ten tips can strike a balance between effectiveness and overly harsh when your child is acting out in public.

1. Acknowledge the Behavior – Immediately acknowledging inappropriate or naughty behavior in a calm voice lets your child know that you are aware of the situation, and that their behavior isn’t acceptable.
2. Pull Them Aside – If at all possible, separate your child from his or her friends before doing anything more than acknowledgment; explaining to them in a one-on-one setting that there are repercussions for making poor behavioral choices is much more constructive than berating the child in the presence of their peers.
3. Inform Them of Impending Discussions – When it’s not possible to pull your child aside, simply inform them that you’re aware of what they’ve done, and will be discussing it and the resulting disciplinary action when you get home.
4. Keep Your Voice Down- Never shout at your child, especially in a group setting. In addition to creating the impression that you’re an angry parent, it also embarrasses your child by attracting more attention to the situation.
5. Avoid Humiliation – Belittling a child is never acceptable, but it’s certainly not the right track when they’re surrounded by others. It is possible to be respectful of your children while expressing disapproval for their actions, and it’s the best possible route in public.
6. Don’t Talk About Behavior While Driving – If you’re at an event or away from home when the behavioral problem occurs, avoid the temptation to discuss it on the way home. In addition to the risk of distraction-related accidents, the trip will give you time to sort your thoughts and cool off.
7. Don’t Make Threats – Threatening your child with a punishment in front of their friends definitely falls under the “Humiliation” header for them, but it can cause other parents to become suspicious.
8. Avoid Commenting on Their Friends’ Behavior – Even if you know that one of your child’s friends was the ringleader, it’s best not to engage that child or attempt to scold them. Emphasizing the importance of making the right choice when others aren’t is the key to instilling a sense of self in your child.
9. Don’t Be Critical – Making criticizing remarks about your child’s behavior or abilities is hurtful anytime, but that pain is compounded if the remarks are overheard. Choose your words carefully, and avoid “You always…” and “You never…” statements.
10. Keep It Short and Simple – Long lectures will leave your child’s mind wandering and can also create an opportunity for their peers to tease them later.

Regardless of your parenting style, disciplining a child in public is bound to be awkward for both parties. The most important thing to keep in mind is that humiliating your child will only lead to more behavioral problems; try to solve things as quickly and constructively as possible.

Source:

(http://www.enannysource.com/blog/index.php/2012/02/07/10-tips-for-disciplining-kids-in-front-of-their-friends/)

Ten Ways A Teacher Could Harm Your Child

Posted on February 8, 2012 by admin | in Nanny

Teachers have traditionally been placed on a pedestal and thought to be above reproach. It has generally been assumed that they always knew what was best for children and had their best interests in mind. Whether it’s better communication, more stress and less patience or an overall change in societal mores, the truth is teachers are people too and have the capacity to harm as well as help children. Some transgressions are overt, while others may be more subtle.

1. Singling out a child – Sometimes a child will be singled out by a teacher for whatever reason and made to feel conspicuous. For some children this can cause them to withdraw and underperform in hopes of becoming invisible.
2. Influencing other teachers – You may think that a poor teacher/student relationship in one class will end when your child moves on to the next grade level or out of that particular classroom; this not always the case. Teachers have been known to influence the views of other teachers regarding their attitudes towards specific children. Sometimes this is done through verbal communication among teachers, but it also done through notations in a students file that passing on from one grade level to the other. When the notation is a negative one, it may put your child at a disadvantage before they even enter a classroom.
3. Lowered expectations – Children have a tendency to perform up to or down to expectations. If for some reason the teacher has lowered expectations for your child you will want to address this as it will have an impact on your child’s performance in school.
4. Limited interaction – Ignore them and they will go away. Sometimes a personality conflict will cause a teacher to ignore a child and make that child feel invisible. This will be detrimental to the child’s self esteem. Imagine never being called on in class when you know you know the answer; never being chosen to go to the board or be the teacher’s helper; never being acknowledged at all. This is hardly an environment in which a child could thrive.
5. Labeling – Our society is quick to label people without considering the consequences. Boys especially get labeled as being ADHD or hyperactive whether or not they’ve been diagnosed with the disorder. Sometimes children have a lot of energy or perhaps they are kinetic learners and neither is necessarily indicative of hyperactivity.
6. Incompatible learning and teaching styles – There are different learning styles and if the teacher is teaching to one style to the exclusion of the others, your child could suffer. Good teachers understand the different learning styles and try to integrate all styles into the curriculum
7. Corporal punishment – Most schools have outlawed corporal punishment but occasionally a teacher will loose his or her temper and end up striking a child. There have been a few cases recently that have come to light where students were abused. Be aware of this, especially if your child has a condition such as autism and cannot tell you if they are being mistreated.
8. Ridicule – Sometimes a teacher will ridicule a child in front of the class. There is no reason to do this, as it serves no positive purpose. Ridiculing a child to prevent him from acting out or to get him or her to do better is not proactive or productive.
9. Sexual abuse – We all want to believe that these things can’t happen to our child, and yet, the possibility exists as many parents will attest to. Be aware of changes in your child’s behavior and don’t think that boys are immune to sexual abuse. It may not occur often, but the fact that it happens at all means that parents need to be cautious.
10. Verbal abuse – Sticks and stones may hurt my bones, but sometimes words can kill. Children, especially young children want to please adults. A verbally abusive teacher can kill a child’s motivation. Some teachers have been known to call certain students names like “stupid” or “imbecile”. Anytime a teacher uses words to hurt a child or break a child’s spirit they are being verbally abusive.

By far the vast majority of teachers deserve to be held in the highest regard. As one teacher put it, “Education students need to realize that teaching is a calling not just a job.” Teachers give of themselves everyday and are second only to parents in the care and wellbeing of our young. They deserve our respect and support. The biggest way they can be supported is by parents being involved with their child’s education and this involvement will also weed out those few teachers who would bring harm to our kids.

source: (http://www.nanny.net/blog/10-ways-a-teacher-could-harm-your-child/).