Technology continues to evolve but some things are meant to last for a long time. If you are an adult reading this article, it is safe to say that you have witnessed for yourself the evolution of technology - most especially when it comes to computers. Our modern world right now thrives because of them, including RAID servers, which host many major websites. Even RAID servers are protected, frankly, with the advent of solid RAID data recovery services. The Internet of Things did a great job in integrating itself to the core being of society, where people will no longer just see it as a luxury but a must in their daily lives. No wonder wherever you go today, there are tech contrivances of all sorts that promises to make people’s lives better, easier, and more fulfilling.

But as you’ve probably noticed, the cloud is rising to superstardom and people are seeing just how useful it can possibly be in fueling our modern life especially now that digital data reigns supreme. Many have thought previously that computers are becoming outdated especially with computer hardware. The thing is we are actually seeing a major comeback for computer hardware as some businesses still struggle in completely migrating all their data and services to the cloud. And even if they do, the servers that keep the cloud running at all times is operated through a computer, so we still can’t disregard the importance and relevance of computer hardware in today’s digital era.

In-house IT hardware spending has been on hold thanks to executives flip-flopping on whether to move to cloud computing. It hasn't been because they've actually shifted to cloud services.

The problem has been merely inertia caused in companies by "decision-making around the cloud," says Morgan Stanley in a new financial research note published this week. The financial services firm suggests that once enterprises complete their cloud assessments, their checkbooks will open once more.

(Via: https://www.networkworld.com/article/3258777/data-center/companies-ready-to-spend-on-it-hardware-again.html)

We may see a lot of businesses and individuals taking advantage of what the cloud has to offer but it does not entirely mean they are really ditching the use of in-house computers. It is also the case with ordinary users. Now that the digital era has arrived, having a physical computer at home is almost a necessity especially if you live in more urbanized and progressive countries and cities where people mostly communicate online for a lot of reasons. Like with any industry, there are highs and lows and it is understandable why the peaks and plateaus of the hardware industry happened over previous years. Even the gaming industry has to do with the recent influx of demand for PC hardware.

According to GamesIndustry.biz, the biggest area of growth was in PC hardware. The overall sales of PC hardware have increased by 51% from last year, taking revenue from £249 million to £376 million. UKIE chalked this down to the growth of VR, with over £100 million spent on VR headsets last year alone, making up almost a third of total PC hardware sales. Steam Hardware figures estimate 0.28% of Steam users currently own either an Occulus Rift or HTC Vive headset.

The rise in PC hardware revenue was also attributed to the increased number of players using 4K monitors and overall playing more PC games, while a smaller boost may have come from players buying higher quality GPUs to mine cryptocurrency. 

(Via: https://www.pcgamesn.com/uk-game-sales-2017)

One can never really tell how trends will proceed over time but one thing is for sure, even if newer technologies will be developed and made more accessible to the masses, computers will still be an important tool to connect people to the web, even to the cloud. Hence, the demand for computer hardware will never be gone. It may go up and down and fluctuate in between but people will always have a need for it as well as every other major industry there is in the world today. Whether it is for work, school, or gaming, it is but a must to have the right PC hardware you need, so you can work with ease and your device can keep up with all the software updates going on. Even bitcoin miners require so much PC hardware that it is no surprise this market is booming once more, just as booming as the alternative currencies that are mined 24/7.

The following post de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2postlinkde482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2 Read more on: The IPac Action Blog

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It’s the time of the year again when it is not just festive but jolly too. People are always in a good mood and sharing is but a natural tendency for many especially that most employees receive bonuses to spend on gifts and good food. For those who have more than enough for their family, they don’t hesitate to spread the love and good cheer by donating to charities and the less fortunate, so they too experience what the holiday spirit is all about. While it is not always about material stuff, we can’t deny the fact that as human beings, we have material needs. We need to eat. That is a primary need and won’t it be a little nicer if others can also get to eat more sumptuous food during one of the most special days of the year.

Charities are actually active all year-round. They are most active during times of disasters and during special occasions when a little kindness can go a long way in uplifting the lives of our less fortunate brothers and sisters. While it essentially benefits the impoverished, gift-giving and donating to charities also has its perks to the donors through tax credits. Yes, your good intentions and good deeds make a difference both to you and to your recipient. But of course, you have to donate to recognized and legit charities and not just anywhere if you want to receive some type of remuneration from the government afterward. However, if you want to share without any expectations, then you can give to anyone you want to who you feel needs help. There really is no limitation if your goal is to make a positive difference in this world.

As another year closes in Southern Arizona, many are looking forward to celebrating the holiday season (and the end of another fiscal year) with friends and family, though there are ways to express feelings of good spirit well beyond the holiday lights and exchange of gifts—and in many cases, you can do it without affecting the bottom line.

Charitable nonprofit organizations work throughout the community year-round to provide support for residents who are struggling through hard times. But with demand high, these groups need help to pay for services, supplies and staff to do their good deeds.

In the state of Arizona, residents can take advantage of a chartable tax credit which will incur no net cost on their personal budgets—and provide them with a deduction on their federal taxes. 

(Via: http://www.insidetucsonbusiness.com/news/the-season-of-giving-charitable-donations-help-local-causes/article_df5b976c-db65-11e7-82bc-ab7bf0e1dec2.html)

Although we know that the coming Christmas is just a good reason as any to share your blessings, lots of people need help every day on meeting the most basic of necessities but it always is a struggle to do it since organizations do not always have the resources on hand to do so. Most of them save up so they are ready to respond to critical situations like natural disasters. And since you have more money this Christmas, now is one of the best time to donate because you have spare cash on your account. You may not be able to do this next year when reality hits you hard again and meeting your family’s needs is first on your list, so take advantage of your own blessings in order for you to be a blessing to others too.

Aldi posted a notice online which said: “As our stores will shut at 4pm on Christmas Eve until the 27th of December, we will have a variety of good quality surplus food products that we wish to redistribute in support of less fortunate individuals and to prevent food going to waste.

“We are unfortunately unable to deliver products on a locally, so it would be essential that your organisation is able to collect. We will expect the levels of food available to vary, however estimations of around 20-30 crates will be expected from each store. If you wish to collect all products available, we would therefore recommend providing a large car or van, or being prepared to make multiple journeys.

“However you are more than welcome to take as much of the products offered as you can use - you are not required to take all products. We would also ask to ensure that you bring appropriate collection containers (bags, crates, boxes, etc.) as we will only have a limited number of cardboard boxes potentially available for use.”

(Via: http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/aldi-offers-christmas-eve-leftover-13984791)

Some people donate to charities and then there are some like Aldi who decide to make a difference in their own way. Nobody should go hungry especially on Christmas Eve and since their store is closing down for the holidays to allow their employees to relax and spend time and make memories with their loved ones. Rather than throw away food that might rot over the days that nobody will be working in the store, they are generously sharing it to individuals and organizations who want it so that it can be put to good use and fill up empty stomachs during the most wonderful time of the year.

You don’t really have to be rich or influential to be able to make a difference in another person’s life. Simple acts of random kindness can put a smile on other’s faces and satiate their needs when they are unable to provide for themselves. All you need is a little heart and compassion and some of your blessings to make this Christmas more meaningful than the last.

de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2postlinkde482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2 See more on: IPAction.org/blog

via https://ipaction.org/blog/share-more-this-christmas/

The United States of America is one powerful nation. Many countries the world over look up to the “Land of the Free” and the Home of the Brave” for a lot of reasons. But let’s be unbiased here and try to check on one crucial aspect of nation-building: healthcare. Do Americans really enjoy better healthcare services and privileges than citizens of other nations or do they have one of the most expensive healthcare delivery systems in the world? Well, it’s hard to come up with an assumption if we don’t have a point of comparison, right? So, let’s compare healthcare in the US and that of Denmark, a European country that may be thousands of miles from North America but undoubtedly also faces the same medical woes and maladies faced by every American.

The culture between these two countries are strikingly different and we’ll soon find out if the same thing applies to the way health is viewed and taken care of by both. In reality, the Danish healthcare system is arguably far more superior than that of the US in a lot of ways. The thing is that they have a smaller budget for healthcare than in America but theirs is far more efficient. It might make you wonder how they manage to pull it off if a country as big and powerful as the US still struggle with doing so until today but apparently, culture plays a major role. Lifestyle practices like cycling is a great example and in turn, triggers a positive domino effect that not only benefits one person but the entire country as a whole. Politics is not as dirty as well. Politicians actually care about the citizenry and compromise on policies that are meant to uplift the lives, safety, health, and well-being of the people.

Politics and healthcare are intertwined

Finally, the US political two party system creates one winner and one loser. The Danish multi-party system creates coalitions and consensus.

In this system, controversial issues are generally resolved through compromise. Compromise creates many winners and fewer losers. Larger coalitions tend to be longer lasting and programs are more faithfully executed since many more people wish to see a given program succeed.

My impression of Danish people, is that they do not necessarily think of life as a zero sum game whereby one must lose in order for another to gain. In the US on the other hand, it is commonplace to see Democrats and Republicans repeatedly describing each other’s plans in terms of “winning” or “losing.” Unlike Denmark, compromise in American politics isalmost unheard of.

(Via: http://sciencenordic.com/how-does-denmark-have-better-healthcare-us-less-money)

It basically boils down to the prevailing culture and mindset in America. One group has to either win or lose. There is no meeting halfway and compromising especially if the issues being tackled are of national interest. Denmark may be smaller than the US but with all the resources America has, it is not impossible for it to copy and succeed at transforming our nation’s healthcare system and making it as good as that of its European counterpart. We all could learn about how open and accepting the Danish culture is and that is perhaps the reason why they manage to succeed in healthcare where Americans have lost.

The United States has the highest healthcare spending as a percentage of GDP among developed nations throughout the world. Currently, the nation spends 17% of its annual GDP on healthcare. In dollar terms, that comes to $3.06 trillion. The average amongst our peers is just under 11%.

In per capita terms, according to research from George Mason University, the United States spends, on average, $8,508 per person on healthcare. The average among developed nations is less than half of that, at $3,322.

Meanwhile, as our healthcare costs escalate, so does our aging population. Pew research has determined that 10,000 members of the baby boom generation turn 65 every day. By 2030, when all boomers are 65 or older, they will account for 18% of the nation's population. While I am an eternal optimist, I sincerely doubt the ability of our current healthcare system to care for a sickly and aging population of that size.

(Via: http://www.nasdaq.com/article/how-to-invest-in-the-future-of-american-healthcare-cm887204)

However you look at it, the healthcare system in the country is beyond poor considering the US is one of the most progressive nations in the world. A large number of the population is also aging. The baby boomers are responsible for initiating the progress we are now enjoying. If at this rate we are already struggling in meeting the needs of the sick and the injured, what more if there will be more older people who won’t be able to attend to their personal needs and require professional medical help that is not only costly right now but the process is so complex and confusing too. Today, politics still dominate health care. The Republicans still do not rest in trying to abolish the existing Obamacare despite how many times of failing. Politicians are only interested in their own vested interests and until the time comes that the US can definitely unite once and for all even if they support different parties is perhaps the time when real healthcare reforms can be realized and implemented.

de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2postlinkde482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2 was originally published to The IPAC Blog

via https://ipaction.org/blog/is-american-healthcare-any-better-or-not/

Wherever you live on the planet today, you cannot just ignore the reality of climate change. It is no longer just a prediction you’ve probably heard decades ago. It is now our reality. You can see it always in the news. The world is heating up. The ocean is rising. Natural calamities are getting stronger and more destructive. It is just bad news every single day. However, we can’t just close our eyes and pretend all these things are not happening. It is scary, indeed, but we have no one else to blame but ourselves. For the longest time, humans have been abusing Mother Nature. We use up most of the world’s resources without a care in the world not thinking if there will be enough left for the future generation. Just look around you and it is easy to see why climate change came sooner than expected. Our incessant use of technology requires energy to fuel it. We just keep increasing our demands on the planet and not realizing that all these will trigger something really nasty over time.

Since the whole world is already aware of the problem, the experts have been paying more attention to climate change to hopefully understand what is happening to the planet and if there is anything else we can do to slow it down if that is still possible at the moment. All the little changes in the world signal something and since it has already been a long time that we’ve been abusing and misusing the world’s resources, it makes sense that we are seeing changes at a global scale that all points to global warming and climate change. A fine example of which is what you are seeing outside your window like pollution of all sorts that are just at the tip of the iceberg.

The US Global Change Research Program recently released a Climate Science Special Report. It is clearly written – an authoritative summary of the science, and easy to understand.

The first main chapter deals with changes to the climate and focuses much attention on global temperatures. When most people think of climate change, they think of the global temperature – specifically the temperature of the air a few meters above the Earth surface. There are other (better) ways to measure climate change such as heat absorbed by the oceans, melting ice, sea level rise, or others. 

(Via: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2017/dec/06/us-government-report-finds-steady-and-persistent-global-warming)

The planet continues to change. At the rate things are going now, the world may no longer be hospitable for the future generations if we don’t take drastic measures. Our little contributions go a long way but we need more in order to bridge the gap between the extent of the damage and our continued abuse of the planet, which is why efforts should be at a global scale as well. There is even the risk of losing island nations as sea level continues to rise. It is painful to visualize what may happen to all of us if we don’t do something about it today when we still have time. Our collective efforts in stopping climate change in its track are the only solution we can think of now.

"Climate change is happening right in front of our eyes," Fruean said this week on the sidelines of a meeting in Fiji of Civicus, a global civil society group.

Helen Clark - the former New Zealand prime minister and an ex-senior United Nations official - was also at the Suva gathering. Clark says she is not surprised by its central topic.

"You can't come to a meeting in the Pacific and not have climate change as the focus," Clark tells Fairfax Media. "Everybody talks about it because it's an existential threat to the Pacific."

(Via: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/existential-threat-climate-change-risks-finally-grab-australias-attention-20171206-h00am7.html)

Thousands have already died and displaced because of natural phenomenon that has gone berserk. Answering to the call of help of affected nations and individuals in the aftermath of a disaster isn’t the answer we have all been waiting for all along. They are just ban-aid solutions. What we need is a disaster management plan with long-term goals that also addresses the issue of climate change. While disasters are destructive on their own, they are just superficial manifestations of how much climate change has changed weather systems and will probably just get worse over time. And time isn’t a luxury we all have.

Even governments are not sure how to properly address the situation. Definitely, energy efficiency should be at the top of everyone’s list because it is the major contributor to the betterment or worsening of the state of our planet. Emissions make the planet hotter. Trapped heat in the atmosphere continues to melt glaciers and warm the planet and fuel climate change. Let’s help one another in conserving and preserving the Earth or lose the only home we know of in the entire universe.

The following blog post de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2postlinkde482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2 was first published on The IPac Action Blog

via https://ipaction.org/blog/climate-change-is-real/

We all know that the key to becoming competitive on a global scale is through education. By knowing things, how they work, what makes them work, and their impact on our lives we are able to better ourselves and make life on Earth such a breeze. We have been living with this notion and it is why the global standards have also been set very high. Those with sterling academic credentials get chosen by the top companies and are more likely to go up the corporate ladder. If anybody will ever say that education is the same wherever school you graduated from is seriously delusional. It is not the reality of our times anywhere on this planet especially if you live in major cities where the population continues to explode and many people are competing for the same job.

If you live in the US, you also have an idea how expensive getting an education is. While you have the option of going to a private or public school in your primary and secondary years, the game changes once you step on college and the university. The tuition fee is seriously outrageous and only a handful can afford to pay it without making use of student loans to help them finish school. The downside is that they are already deep in debt by the time they graduate that most of their earnings go to paying off the student debt they have accumulated over the years. Even today’s government does not have an optimistic view on education and it’s spreading an either you make it or not the mindset to today’s youth that is clearly one of the problems why America seems to be stuck in a rut while the rest of the world keeps on pushing forward.

Education seems like a prime issue for non-zero sum politics and policies. Indeed, the core idea behind public education is inherently non-zero sum: We believe that enabling individuals to learn and fulfill their potential will not only benefit the individuals themselves, but also advance broader economic prosperity and civic well-being. Abundant research bears this out: Countries where students stay in school longer and learn more have higher economic growth. Education increases workers' productivity, allowing greater earnings; expands opportunity; and is correlated with improved health and longevity for both individuals and communities or societies. And improving educational outcomes for those at the bottom benefits everyone, by reducing crime, public dependency, and other social ills.

Public and policy debates about education, however, increasingly reflect the same zero-sum assumptions as our broader politics. At the individual level, affluent families treat their children's education and development as a competition – investing tremendous energy and money to ensure their children get the right grades, participate in the right enrichment activities and secure a scarce slot in the best colleges. 

(Via: https://www.usnews.com/opinion/knowledge-bank/articles/2017-11-17/zero-sum-thinking-hinders-progress-of-american-education)

The sad thing about education right now is the fact that not everybody can afford it. Those who have the cash to burn can send their kids to prestigious skills and enroll them in various workshops so they become knowledgeable and skilled as well in other areas aside from what’s taught in the four corners of the classroom. Hence, it is no longer surprising that these affluent kids do better in exams at school or get hired right away in big companies soon after graduating because they have all the edge employers are looking for. If politicians are sincerely interested in the well-being of their younger constituents, they will stop wasting time tackling nonsense things and attacking one another but focus on issues that really matter to everyone.

The Trump administration has been widely criticised for its education policy, helmed by US Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, which has pushed for the establishment of more privately-owned charter schools at the expense of public schools.

“We must protect parents’ access to a wide range of high-quality educational choices, including strong public, charter, magnet, private, online, parochial, and homeschool options,” said Trump’s statement over the weekend.

A recent study from the American Federation of Teachers and Badass Teachers Association found that teachers were reporting higher stress levels and lower job satisfaction under the leadership of Trump and DeVos.

(Via: https://www.studyinternational.com/news/trump-proclaims-american-education-week/)

Whether you are a pro or anti-Trump, we can no longer change the fact that he is the one leading the nation, to where we can only guess. His radical mind is not something for the masses and he clearly is still second-guessing how best to realize his dream of making America great again. One of his obvious major mistakes is appointing the wrong person for the job and it was obvious from the beginning the disapproval from the majority once the news has been released. Rapid globalization shows how other nations are doing their best to produce world-class workers and if the US doesn’t get its act straight, then we may lose our edge over the others and it can have a drastic impact to our economy.

The following post de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2postlinkde482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2 is available on The IPac Action Blog

via https://ipaction.org/blog/american-education-in-peril/

Most of us have that perception that it is difficult to open a business. Well, that is partly true. Of course, with any business, you have to put in your time, effort, resources, and being into whatever business endeavor you decide to take on. You don’t just open the next thing business you think of without proper planning or it will be bound to fail sooner rather than later. But do not let these fears and worries stop you from going out of your comfort zone and realizing your dreams because you will never really know unless you try, no matter how cliché it seems. Sometimes, a little common sense can go a long way and it is something you should never lose regardless of whatever stage you are in planning or implementing your business goals.

You have to extra careful if you are a novice in the field. Experience can definitely help you trudge on this unfamiliar path more confidently. If it is your first time to start any sort of business, you can always learn from other people’s experience and spare yourself from all the misfortune of costly business mistakes. And now that the holidays are almost here, it is the perfect opportunity to dabble in the field of business. People have more cash to burn and they are definitely in a more generous mood. Those with an entrepreneurial spirit can easily make lots of money. You can sell stuff for gifts, sell food, or whatever you can think of that will be a likely hit this holiday season. A big capital is not even mandatory. You can start with whatever money you have on hand and take it from there.

We all dream of having a better life for ourselves and our loved ones. To do this, we can either find a job or start our own business. 

Working for a company is how most people support themselves. But people should also try their hand at building a business. 

If you want to get into business, there’s no better time than now. Take advantage of the Christmas season. 

We are just a few days away from Christmas and the holiday season provides lots of opportunities for enterprising individuals to earn extra, from making kakanin, crafts, Christmas decorations to children’s toys. Dozens of bazaars are all over the place these days. 

As I have often said, you don’t need to start big, especially if you don’t have enough capital to start with. 

(Via: http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/12/09/17/business-mentor-this-christmas-give-business-a-try)

You don’t even have to give up your current work in order to be able to do business although, for some who intends to do it full-time, you may need to focus solely on making money by selling or doing business and resign from your job altogether. There are risks but it is yours to take. It depends on how well you think your business will fare that you would risk losing your main source of bread and butter for something that may very well be temporary. One thing you should bear in mind is not to give your all unless you are 100% sure that success will soon be in your hands. So, why not give it a test-try this Christmas and enjoy not just the holiday cheer but profits from all the sales you have made.

And no starting point is too small, either. Starting a business is easier than ever thanks to technology and social media. Long gone are the days of an entrepreneur having to rent out a brick and mortar store and advertise in the Yellow Pages. Now, folks can set up shop by creating a mobile-friendly website and snapping a few pictures of their products, and social media allows entrepreneurs to reach more people than ever before. There are websites and apps dedicated to linking small business owners to new clients, such as the Official Black Wall Street app, which helps Black-owned businesses gain exposure to over 116 million users.

(Via: https://www.bustle.com/p/why-you-should-start-a-business-in-2018-if-youre-looking-for-ambitious-new-years-resolution-7524744)

You don’t need to create something extraordinary to enjoy a slice of today’s market. Just know who your target market is and whether that void has already been filled in your community. Even if there is already an existing business that offers what you want to do, you can still provide something else that they don’t like more affordable products or services, better customer service, or some freebies of sorts. There is always a chance for your business to shine if you just know how to look outside of the box, find the right associations, and come up with more ingenious ideas that can crack your target customers into switching to your business instead. Don’t wait for next year to take the first steps. Now is the best time to start planning so you start the year right and you can still take advantage of the holiday rush to make the initial profits you might need in backing up your business.

The following blog post de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2postlinkde482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2 was first published on https://ipaction.org

via https://ipaction.org/blog/it-is-never-too-late-to-start-a-business/

Being a parent is never easy because you have the lifelong obligation to love and care for a child until your last breath. Your children will always be your babies no matter how old they get. Then come grandchildren. Unlike parents, grandparents love to spoil their grandkids with treats because they don’t feel that obligated for their well-being or their future anymore. Well, don’t take it wrong but it’s that way for ages and grandparents love to spoil the young ones while the parents worry themselves over providing for their kids’ needs and what the future holds for all of them. If you look at it a little closer, though, you’d notice that parenting today has drastically changed in just about every aspect. Even kids themselves have changed a lot too and our environment probably has to do with it too.

For starters, there is too much technology in the world today. Even kids have their own smart devices. It is often the parents’ fault why their kids are hooked to gadgets because they just give it to them so they can entertain themselves while their harassed parents multitask on work and many other stuff that characterize modern living. And kids’ don’t just play games because they also have access to the Internet, which isn’t always a good thing with social media full of so many dangers even to adults. If parents aren’t distracted, they are hovering like helicopters making them fully-dependent on adults to do almost everything for them.

Parenting today is even more different and difficult than I realized. Every generation is a bit different from the last because the world changes. But the rapidity of change has never been greater nor its effects more potentially troubling.

As I have said before, my parents’ modest home was truly a castle that protected their values. No outside influence could cross the figurative moat. Today? The world…with all its violence and vulgarity…enters our homes through numerous screens that are all over the place, relatively cheap, easy to use, extremely attractive (and even addictive) to our young.

(Via: http://tucson.com/lifestyles/parenting/a-grandparents-view-of-modern-day-parenting/article_d72c8a1a-b435-52bb-b6f1-ac654632d81e.html)

Aside from the tech distractions we have to deal with constantly that catches the young ones’ attention so they choose to ignore ours, the noise is undoubtedly glaring too. Whether it is from your devices or the sounds emitted by your surroundings, silence comes far in between. Even boredom is virtually non-existent and it is not good for kids as they become more impatient. They want everything done in an instant. Kids lose patience and complain a lot because they never had to deal with boredom before. Although not all of these are directly the parents’ fault, them allowing their children to indulge in these modern tech gadgets is something they can be held accountable for and have contributed why parenting is so difficult these days.

Interestingly, by the time a baby chick hatches out of its shell, the hen has incubated the egg and rotated it several times a day. As the egg reaches maturity, the hen pecks a small hole in the end so the chick can breathe. When its time to hatch, the chick pecks small holes all the way around the inside of the egg, and then spends hours pushing against it to break free. It’s mother watches and waits. Her job is done. In the end, the chick is tired and exhausted, but able to walk, see, hear, and feed itself. Intervening in that natural process can kill the chick.

Our children need to break out of their own shells. They’ve got to flex their muscles to gain strength, and find out what they are capable of doing. Sometimes they’re more surprised than we are. That’s the best part.

(Via: https://goodmenproject.com/families/parenting-gets-harder-if-youre-doing-it-right-dg/)

What parents need to realize is that the essence of parenting never changes despite the passing of time or modern advances we are now enjoying. We may do everything for them as kids but that should change as they grow older. Instead of babying them, they should be taught how to do things on their own so they won’t have a hard time adulting later on. Parents can shower their kids with love and adoration but they should also give them a chance to soar high on their own by teaching them life skills as soon as they are ready and enable them to have a better and brighter disposition in life. It is not easy doing that but a parent’s role is to prepare their kids for adult life and not chart the course they are supposed to take. Allow your children to make their own choices and experience what life is all about. You can’t always spare them from the pain, hurt, and dangers of the outside world but you can assure them that you would be there for them no matter what.

de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2postlinkde482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2 is available on IPAB

via https://ipaction.org/blog/parenting-is-not-always-an-easy-thing/

For the longest time, it has been difficult for Asian artists to penetrate the Western world. Success in America, for instance, continues to elude them as Americans, in general, won’t give them the time of day or have no appreciation for their music or artistry at all. But that was before. Thanks to technology and rapid globalization, diversity is more widely accepted now and people start to appreciate other cultures than people did in the past. If there is one particular trend that is taking the US by storm, that is KPop. If you look at the numbers, they’ve been making waves in music charts, radio plays, and even digital and actual album sales in various US states.

South Korea, in general, did very well in importing the Hallyu wave a.k.a. the growing globalization of KPop. There are KPop fans now all over America and in other parts of the world. Fandoms grow in number each year as KPop idols gradually become household names outside of Korea. Even the Billboard has been overtaken by KPop idols with BTS in the forefront having stayed in the HOT 100 for a month where they even won the Top Social Artist this year beating Justin Bieber and Selene Gomez who are undeniably among the top superstars in the US today. BTS also recently released their recent comeback with a mini-album “Her” that hit #1 on the iTunes chart in 73 countries. It is a feat that not all Western performers are actually capable of doing but something that the group has been known to do more often now. They keep on making and breaking records. The music video for their recent title track “DNA” was viewed over 20 million times during its first 24 hours of release.

When people talk about America’s impact on K-pop, they’re usually talking about the music. From boy bands to hip-hop to rock, the origin of K-pop’s sound is thoroughly American. But it’s also likely that American TV largely influenced the multi-medium’s emphasis on visuals, whereby dance, fashion and “concepts” are inextricably tied to the definition of K-pop.

According to Dr. Suk-Young Kim, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, MTV was first imported to Korea around the same time as the birth of K-pop. “In the mid-'90s when [father of modern K-pop] Seo Taiji and the Boys became sensational hits, that's when music videos also started gaining traction in the Korean consumer market,” she explains to Billboard over the phone. (Notably, one of the Boys, Yang Hyun-suk, later founded YG Entertainment, the Big 3 company that jump-started the careers of chart-topping K-pop acts like Psy, BIGBANGand 2NE1.)

(Via: http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/k-town/7990486/korean-music-shows-mtv-trl-bts-history)

Many Americans join different fandoms of their idols and even got enamored with KDrama as well. In turn, this becomes a newfound obsession where fans can’t help but purchase related merchandise to make them feel closer to their idols. It is very clear now that Kpop has finally made it to US shores and they can only grow bigger and rise in popularity as they continue to break into the mainstream American entertainment scene.

BTS is once again proving their power as the top social artist; this time on Google. 

For the month of September, BTS ranked #7 on Google's most searched musical artist in the United States. Not only is BTS the only K-Pop act to make it on the top 20, but they've also ranked above popular Western artists such as Drake, Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga, Eminem, Miley Cyrus, and more. 

The boy group's phenomenal comeback with the new album 'Love Yourself: Her' and title track "DNA" are the suspected factors that led to their domination on the worldwide search engine. 

(Via: https://www.allkpop.com/article/2017/10/bts-enters-the-top-10-most-searched-musical-artist-on-google)

KPop’s popularity and influence can be seen everywhere and this is most apparent in social media where they have proven to be tech-savvy and followed by millions of their most loyal fans. Indeed, their striking visuals and multitude of talents have captured the heart of many Americans and it only kept them wanting for more. An annual KCon or Korean Convention is done yearly now where Korean idols are brought to the US to perform and engage in various activities with their US-based fans. Without a doubt, nothing is stopping the Hallyu wave and the US will definitely be seeing more of these Korean acts mainstream as the cultural boundaries have long since been broken.

de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2postlinkde482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2 was first published to IPAction.org Blog

via https://ipaction.org/blog/the-us-embraces-kpop-music/

There are generally just two types of the people in the world today, the few who are iOS users and the rest who uses Android gadgets. Apple fanatics would always say they deserve only the best and that iOS is the best there is in the land today but users loyal to Android might disagree. The latter says that iOS is too rigid whereas Android offers them the flexibility they want. Whether you are an iOS or Android user, you basically face the same issues all smartphone users do. The most notable of all has to do with data loss especially now that these handy smart devices can work just as good as any regular computer does and suffer from the usual tech glitches.

Admit it, losing your data is one of your biggest fears as a tech user. Even smartphones aren’t immune to this problem. You can easily lose all the files: contacts, messages, photos, and other multimedia files stored in your smartphone device because of problems you didn’t expect for like the device getting broken after a terrible drop, submerged in water, reformatted, etc. Imagine the feeling of losing months, or possibly years, of memories stored as digital files in that tiny sleek device. Then, you might also lose track of the people you know especially if all these data won’t be recovered at all.

To most people, one of the most crucial subsets of data is business and personal contacts. By default, Android syncs all the stored contacts in Google Drive, and even the ones you delete will not be permanently removed from the device’s memory.

To retrieve your contacts, just go to the Google Contacts website, click ‘More’ and then the option named ‘Restore Contacts.’ A list of options will be provided to you. Choose the timeline to which you like to roll back, and all contacts saved in that period will be restored on your phone.

While most Android users rely on the Windows operating system for their everyday computing needs, Mac OS X users can use Disk Drill 3 developed by Clever Files, which is fully compatible with Apple machines. The recovery process involves scanning your phone’s memory and SD card for deleted files to retrieve.

Android data recovery software programs are easy to use and simplified for most users. Plus, the desktop versions work much better when compared to apps.

(Via: http://www.tgdaily.com/web/audience/7-tools-that-help-you-retrieve-deleted-data-from-your-android-phone)

If you ever encounter or found yourself in this unfortunate situation, the best way to deal with this issue is to seek the assistance of a professional to ensure you don’t do more damage and still be able to salvage your now missing files. If you can’t afford to pay for one and you think you somehow have the technical know-how to remedy the situation, you can try any of those apps that are considered the most in-demand android phone data recovery tool because they are the most user-friendly.

Recovering deleted or lost data from an Android device is not something difficult to be done. You just need to follow the right steps and you will end up getting back all the files that you lost.

First of all, you will need to install a reputed data recovery application on your Android device. This is the most crucial steps because the app you select would determine whether you are going to end up with positive results or negative results. Therefore, you should carefully go through the online reviews and determine an app to be used. If you don’t have time to conduct a research for an Android data recovery tool, you can simply go ahead with the app that we suggested above.

When you have an Android data recovery tool installed on your device, the process of getting back your deleted files is pretty much self-explanatory. To begin the data recovery process, you will need to run a scan. Time taken for the scan would vary based on the amount of data to be browsed and the overall performance specs of your Android device. However, you will be provided with a list of all files that can be recovered at the end of the day.

(Via: http://www.tgdaily.com/technology/mobile/how-to-recover-deleted-videos-on-android)

Sometimes, common sense can go a long way when recovering lost data from your Android smartphone. Just don’t do anything rashly until you have enough time to analyze the situation and think about your next steps. Don’t make the situation more complex by causing more damage to your already lost files. Follow the indicated data recovery steps for your device and there is a big possibility you can get them back after some time. Just make sure to do your research well and choose the best recovery app you can get your hands on. The apps included in this article have good reviews too, so you may eventually use them when the situation calls for it, which is hopefully not soon.

The following blog article de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2postlinkde482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2 is courtesy of The IPac Action Blog

via https://ipaction.org/blog/recover-lost-data-of-android-users/

Not all types of pain are the same. Just like everyone has a varying level of pain tolerance, different health conditions trigger different types and intensity of pain as well. Simple cuts and bruises do not necessarily require you to take a painkiller but some do depend on how big and deep the affected area is. Bur for chronic pain that just won’t go away, patients often get hooked on the painkillers they are taking. The sad part here aside from the obvious addiction is that the dosage of their medicine had to be constantly increased as they become used to its effect and their tolerance to it likewise increases.

Here comes medical marijuana to the rescue. For quite some time now, people have been raving about the positive impact of medical cannabis to patients suffering from certain medical conditions especially the ones who suffer from chronic pain. Since medical marijuana became famous and have even been legalized in certain states, more people want to give it a try and it has consequently resulted in a decline in painkiller use.

Legalizing medical marijuana is controversial. Physicians have not always prescribed controlled substances wisely, as a look at our narcotic epidemic confirms. But marijuana is much safer than narcotics and, according to a recent study, might even save us money, by reducing people’s need for other, often more expensive medications.

Most notably, marijuana can be an effective part of comprehensive pain management. Millions of Americans suffer from chronic pain, caused by a wide range of disorders — inflammatory arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome and metastatic cancer, to name a few. Many medications that are used to manage such pain are expensive and carry substantial risk of substantial side effects. Marijuana can help alleviate pain, thereby reducing the need for those other medications.

(Via: https://www.forbes.com/sites/peterubel/2017/10/24/more-medical-marijuana-less-narcotics/#7837830078e2)

In a way, the reduction in painkiller use means fewer people are relying on these drugs in the management of their pain and they now have a more organic alternative to pain management that delivers the same result minus the adverse reactions. Unfortunately, the problem with marijuana use it is still a bit challenging to monitor usage and medical experts may not always tell who uses it properly and when does abuse begin. Remember that there are generally two types of marijuana, the ones loaded with THC and the other with CBD. The latter is used in medical cannabis preparations but there are still some variants that mix both compounds inside one preparation. THC is common on recreational marijuana and induces the natural high weed is known for.

Some medical marijuana patients in Illinois say the drug has allowed them to reduce or eliminate their use of other prescription medication, a new study reports.

The study by DePaul and Rush universities was small, with 30 participants, and involved only those who volunteered to respond to the topic, so researchers conceded the results might be biased in favor of marijuana. But it's believed to be the first peer-reviewed, published research of medical marijuana patients in Illinois.

And it provides direct anecdotal evidence of what has been suggested by previous studies, that marijuana may contribute to reduced use of opioid drugs, lead author Douglas Bruce said.

"One of the most compelling things to come out of this is that people are taking control of their own health, and most providers would agree that's a good thing,"

(Via: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-medical-marijuana-illinois-study-painkillers-met-20171008-story.html)

There is no point in downplaying or ignoring the beneficial effects of medical marijuana because we all know it is good for our health when used properly. Nowadays, weed growers breed CBD-rich marijuana to meet the rising demands for medical cannabis as more and more states and countries outside of the United States recognize the potential of marijuana in promoting health and wellness.

There are different forms available in the market today. Some are sold as pills while there are cute gummy bear types that one can easily mistake for a sweet treat. Along with its growing popularity, the demand and sales for marijuana smoking related accessories spike up and many individuals learn the different ways marijuana can be used depending on the need.

The following blog article de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2postlinkde482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2de482eb4182815e4397bda7e9c10d3fd88d8e09da808395d54f8dd885ae330e2 was originally published to https://ipaction.org

via https://ipaction.org/blog/medical-marijuana-the-new-painkiller/