Christmas is for sharing

Season's greetings everyone! We the Sterling Creations team would like to
extend very best wishes to you for this Christmas holiday season and for
2011.
We hope that wherever you are, you are enjoying this most wonderful time of
the year.
Be good, be safe, and may the birth of the baby Jesus be with you always!

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Christmas is for sharing
By Donna J. Jodhan

At this time of the year, I like many others take time to do such things as
reflect, share, and celebrate. This year, I have much to reflect upon and
even more to share and celebrate.

This has been a very good year for my company and an even better year for me
personally. Our team of dedicated associates has managed to maintain and
even expand our business despite difficult economic times. So there is much
for us to be thankful for and to celebrate. As for me, I have a very
special gift to share and one which I never thought I would ever receive. I
call it a gift but many of my friends and supporters call it a landmark
victory.

On November 29, after four long years of battle, I and my team of lawyers,
accessibility experts, and friends and supporters, obtained a landmark
victory against the Canadian Federal Government. What was it all about? A
Federal judge ruled in our favor; he mandated the Canadian Government to get
their house in order. He gave them 15 months to make all of their websites
accessible to all Canadians; especially so to blind and sight impaired
Canadians.

This was not simply my victory and as Richard Quan, president of the AEBC's
Toronto chapter so eloquently put it: "A victory for us all." This was not
mine to win but ours not to lose and yes! We did it and we did it in fine
style! I am very humbled, delighted, still a bit overwhelmed, and extremely
grateful to all those who took the time and effort to join the cause.

This is a victory for all blind, sight impaired, deaf/blind, and print
disabled Canadians and I am just happy to share it with everyone. Most
important of all, it is a victory for blind and sight impaired kids of the
future. There are no losers here. The Canadian government can now look
forward to a new era where the spirit of cooperation will only grow and it
is an opportunity for them to take the lead. So, it's time for us to raise
our glasses to each other! Time for us to give ourselves a pat on the back
and say "Well done!"

Merry Christmas! Joyeux Noèl! Feliz Navidad!

Government wants to update ADA for cyberspace

Ho, Ho, Ho! I'm Nico Trimoff, manager of transcription and accessibility services at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca.
It's my last post for the year and I want to wish you all the very best for Christmas and 2011.
Today, I have chosen an upbeat article to share with you; sent in by Ryan Mede. Great article Ryan and I thank you for it.
See you all in January.


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A reader's contribution

Government wants to update ADA for cyberspace

By CARLA K. JOHNSON Associated Press



CHICAGO . Emergency call centers could be equipped to communicate by text message. Websites might need to be programmed to speak to blind users. Movie theaters might have to install technology to allow the deaf to read captions on small screens mounted at their seats.

These and other proposals will be on the agenda this week as federal officials begin seeking ideas for expanding the Americans with Disabilities Act. Twenty years after the law was adopted, the government wants to move the regulations beyond wheelchair ramps and accessible elevators into cyberspace and personal technology.

The updated regulations could mean sweeping changes across many industries and cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

An estimated 40 million blind and deaf Americans stand to reap the biggest benefits, including 43-year-old Peter Berg, who lost his vision to diabetes in his 20s. Using software that reads content to him, he can surf websites for work, check Facebook and pay his bills online.

But he hit a wall while trying to set up an account on a popular website that allows electronic money transfers.

You needed to click on something, and it wasn't identifiable to the screen reader," said Berg, who provides technical assistance about the ADA.

The effort to update the law begins Thursday with a Justice Department hearing in Chicago. Additional hearings are scheduled for Dec. 16 in Washington and Jan. 10 in San Francisco.

The meetings are designed to gather input from the disabled and from industries that may be affected.

We think it's important as a way to generate interest," said John Wodatch, chief of the department's disability rights section.

New rules could take effect as soon as 2012.

For more than a decade, the Justice Department has interpreted the ADA to apply to websites that offer goods and services. But now that idea could be clarified, and timetables for compliance could be set.

Judy Brewer, director of the Web Accessibility Initiative at the World Wide Web Consortium, said the government is mainly addressing "parts of the Web in the U.S. that are involved in accommodating the public, which includes people with disabilities.

The cost for each site depends on its size, the type of content it offers and whether it's already designed using Web standards, said Brewer, whose agency is the Internet's international standards organization.

Website operators should be asking themselves what they could be losing in market share because they are "unwittingly putting up barriers," Brewer said.

A 2003 study commissioned by Microsoft found that 1 in 4 working-age adults has eyesight trouble, 1 in 4 has a dexterity impairment and 1 in 5 has difficulty hearing.

Websites are becoming increasingly accessible, in part because of lawsuits. In 2008, Target Corp. agreed in a California class-action settlement to pay $6 million to blind plaintiffs who were unable to use its site.

But what about personal photos on Facebook? Does Facebook have to make sure the photo content can be read aloud to a blind user?

Perhaps not. The Justice Department is considering making it clear that some personal, noncommercial content would not be affected.

Will some website operators resist the changes?

Disability attorney Lainey Feingold hopes not.

Web accessibility should not be a new concept to any company with a website," said Feingold, who is based in Berkeley, Calif. And the ADA has an "undue burden" defense, which means that no company will have to make changes if doing so would require significant difficulty or expense.

Fortunately for the millions of Americans with disabilities, making accessibility improvements does not cost a lot of money," she said.

The Justice Department also is considering rules requiring more accessible medical equipment in hospitals, nursing homes and clinics. That might include mammography equipment for women who cannot stand up, adjustable exam tables and mechanical lifts.

We've got the ramps to get into the facilities now, but you can't get the exams," said Judy Panko Reis, a health care access policy analyst at the advocacy group Access Living in Chicago.

Some of the changes are likely to trigger a detailed cost-benefit analysis, which is required when the impact on the economy is likely to surpass $100 million. That figure is likely to be reached for the movie industry if theaters have to install accessible devices for the blind and deaf.

About 1 percent of U.S. theater screens already have that type of equipment. But expanding the technology to others could cost nearly $160 million.

Outfitting one movie theater with both captioning for the deaf and descriptive video devices for the blind costs $4,000 to $6,000, said Larry Goldberg, director of media access at WGBH, Boston's public television station, which holds a patent on a movie-captioning system called Rear Window. (The station pioneered captioning on television. Julia Child's "The French Chef" was the first program to be captioned.)

Many movie studios already are paying for captioning and descriptions for their top movies, Goldberg said.

Theaters will argue that not every screen should be required to install systems," Goldberg said, but theater owners know changes are on the horizon.

John Fithian of the National Association of Theatre Owners said the organization plans to make comments at Thursday's hearing.

Some 911 systems are updating their systems to accept text messages, but cell phone carriers also must cooperate to make the system work.

James Soukup, emergency communications director for Durham, N.C., said those upgrades will cost $750,000 in Durham alone.

Marca Bristo, president and CEO of Access Living, said bringing the ADA up to date simply means applying it to "the basic activities of life.

If you were to take these things away from the general population things like watching a movie, surfing the internet, making a 911 call there would be an outcry," Bristo said. All we are asking for is what other people take for granted.


If you would like to learn more about us and the services we offer, then please visit www.sterlingcreations.ca
If you would like to keep abreast of some of the most important happenings affecting your lives today, then please visit http://www.sterlingcreationsdesk.blogspot.com. There you will get the latest news roundups on such topics as:
Stress, anxiety, and depression. News for retirees, seniors, and aging baby boomers. Security tips for home computer users. Home business opportunities, Internet business opportunities, small business opportunities, business opportunities in Asia. You will also learn how to obtain tremendous personal and financial satisfaction by selling your knowledge and experience.

How To Download Your Information From Facebook

Greetings all! I'm Mark Micheau, manager of research and translation services at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca.
Today, I have a great article to share with you; all about how to download your info from Facebook.
I'd like to wish you all great stuff for the Christmas season and a very happy New Year to you for 2011.
Be good now and seee you in January.

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A Dan Thompson contribution

How To Download Your Information From Facebook

Article Source:

Lifehacker

http://lifehacker.com/5657317/

One feature strangely absent from Facebook has always been the ability to download your pictures, videos, messages, and other information to your hard drive. Now, with a few clicks, your updates can be easily saved.

All you need to do is head to Account, Account Settings, then to Download Your Information.

From there, you can download a zip file containing all your profile information, including your photos, wall posts, messages, videos, friend lists, and other content.

If you unzip the file, you can actually view a simple HTML page of your profile, with simple links to all of these things. It doesn't look like there's currently any way to re-import that information back to Facebook.

If you have any questions about the tips posted in Dan's Tech tips, please contact Dan at the following email address:

dthompson5@mchsi.com

_________________________


If you would like to learn more about us and the services we offer, then please visit www.sterlingcreations.ca
If you would like to keep abreast of some of the most important happenings affecting your lives today, then please visit http://www.sterlingcreationsdesk.blogspot.com. There you will get the latest news roundups on such topics as:
Stress, anxiety, and depression. News for retirees, seniors, and aging baby boomers. Security tips for home computer users. Home business opportunities, Internet business opportunities, small business opportunities, business opportunities in Asia. You will also learn how to obtain tremendous personal and financial satisfaction by selling your knowledge and experience.

What is a Language Dialect

What is a Language Dialect and When Do I Need to Use One?
By Donna J. Jodhan

A very important question indeed and it would be good for you to keep the following in mind:
French spoken in Europe is different to that spoken in Canada.
Spanish spoken in Spain is different to that spoken in South America.
Portuguese spoken in Portugal is different to that spoken in Brazil.

Why is it different? Because each country or part of the world mentioned above has its own particular dialect. Parisian French has words that are pronounced differently in Canada and the same could be said for Spain versus South America. So, when you are making decisions on how to attract French speaking Canadian consumers, you will need to hire translators that are familiar with the French dialect spoken in Canada.

So many times, French people from Paris have some difficulty understanding their counterparts in Canada and those of Spain have much difficulty understanding their fellow Spaniards living in South America. No different to those English speaking persons living in England having difficulty with those English speaking persons of the Caribbean. Please see my reference below.

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What is a Language Dialect and When Do I Need to Use One?
Terminology: European French has incorporated many English words into the language, while in Canada, the pure French words are used: e.g., Weekend in English is translated as “le Weekend” in France and “Fin de semaine” in Canada. ... own language and terminology. Other materials, such as legal documents, also require translation into French Canadian because the legal systems in France and Canada are quite different. Chinese Variants The three main variants of Chinese are: ...
Lionbridge Translation and Localization -
http://blog.lionbridge.com/translation-and-localization/


I’m Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day.
Donna J. Jodhan is the president of Sterling Creations
Now you can view blogs and editorials written by Donna at:
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com (Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all)
http://www.diversityintheworkplace.ca (monthly editorial on issues concerning diversity)
http://www.onestopbookcafe.com (under the café talk link)
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm (important answers to consumers concerns)
http://www.sterlingcreationsca.blogspot.com (blogs for language professionals and accessibility consultants)

Jobs and careers identified Retirement is a Beginning, Not an End

Greetings! I'm Jill Christiansen, manager of writing services at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca.
Today, I have very informative headlines for you; all about how you could be viewing retirement.
As this is my last post before the holidays, may I take this opportunity to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and the very best for 2011.

Week of December 11 2010
Jobs and careers identified

Should we be viewing retirement as a new beginning?
or could it be the end for many?
Please read on.
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Retirement is a Beginning, Not an End
Balita
Between aging baby boomers and struggling businesses, many seniors find ... Many retirees will end up pursuing second jobs in order to meet expenses. ...
Read more at:
http://balita.com/?p=299

Could the public sector be viewed as a plethora of opportunities for aging boomers and maybe even retirees?
Could this sector hold the key for many thinking of retiring?
Please read on.
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The public sector: a world of opportunity
Career FAQs
The ageing of the workforce and upcoming retirement of baby boomers means that many new ... such as www.jobs.nsw.gov.au or https://jobs.careers.vic.gov.au/. ...
Read more at:
http://www.careerfaqs.com.au/employment-news/1665/public-sector-world-of-opportunity

Is there such a thing as a talent crunch?
If so, why would this situation be developing?
Please read on.
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Career FAQs
The End of a Recession, the Beginning of a Talent Crunch
Xconomy
Between July and August of this year, our state lost more than 9000 jobs, ... baby boomers in the US workforce — citizens born between 1946 and 1965, ...
Read more at:
http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2010/10/25/the-end-of-a-recession-the-beginning-of-a-talent-crunch/


If you would like to learn more about us and the services we offer, then please visit www.sterlingcreations.ca
If you would like to keep abreast of some of the most important happenings affecting your lives today, then please visit http://www.sterlingcreationsdesk.blogspot.com. There you will get the latest news roundups on such topics as:
Stress, anxiety, and depression. News for retirees, seniors, and aging baby boomers. Security tips for home computer users. Home business opportunities, Internet business opportunities, small business opportunities, business opportunities in Asia. You will also learn how to obtain tremendous personal and financial satisfaction by selling your knowledge and experience.

The kids get it

Greetings! I'm Christian Robicheau, assistant editor at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca.
Ah yes! our final post of the year and on behalf of Scott and me and the entire Sterling Creations team, I wish you a very merry Christmas. I have chosen a special editorial by our president Donna J. Jodhan in keeping with her recent landmark victory in her court case where she sued the Canadian government over their inaccessible websites.
Hats off to Donna! We are all proud to have you as our president.
Have a great day everyone and see you next year.


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The kids get it
By Donna J. Jodhan

A few weeks ago, I was invited by a teacher of a group of grade one students to visit their class. She wanted me to visit them because of my ongoing court case against the Canadian Government where I am suing them over their inaccessible websites. The kids have been following my case in the newspapers and were eager to ask me questions and to tell me about the letter that they had written to our Prime Minister.

Without any hesitation, I agreed and on a cool early November morning I stood beside their teacher in their Welcome Circle and listened with great admiration as they sang “O Canada”.
Their tiny voices were strong and true and their attention to detail extremely fervent. Shannon Greene their teacher introduced me and told them that I had come for a visit. We then trooped upstairs to their classroom and for the next half hour, I sat among them and fielded their questions, shared a snack with them and felt their artwork.

What a most moving and humbling experience for me! The kids absolutely got it! Their questions were right on and I was amazed at their grasp of the subject matter. They were most concerned that Blind Canadians were not able to access Governmental websites and they even asked me about the access technology software that I used. They were concerned about social justice and their little minds understood it all!

Out of the mouths of babes! These kids are our future! Our messengers! Our promises of hope! Our future legislators and politicians and as I continue to say “we need to protect the future of our kids”!

I will never forget this experience and I thank Shannon and Velvet for having afforded me this experience. I thank the grade one kids of Grove Community School for having stepped up to the plate.


I'm Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day and weekend.
To reach me, please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca and I would be delighted to send you an electronic copy of our latest newsletter.

Here is a complete list of where you can view Donna's blogs and editorials.
Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com
a weekly feature on important answers to consumers concerns
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
Weekly blogs for language professionals and accessibility consultants
http://www.sterlingcreationsca.blogspot.com
A monthly editorial on issues on diversity
http://www.diversityintheworkplace.ca

Your best American cities - your virtual travel agent

Happy holidays everyone! I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your virtual travel agent and today I am delighted to bring you my best American cities tips for this week. It's my final post for this year so I hope you have enjoyed reading my weekly feature.
Today, I have great places for you to travel to and maybe someone may find time to visit one of these.
So, enjoy your Christmas holidays. Be safe, be well, and see you in 2011.
Enjoy!


Week of December 11 2010

Your best American cities

1. Kansas City Kansas
Looking to lay down roots in a city where the cost of living is way below the national average?
A city where you can find very affordable housing in very safe neighborhoods?
A city that offers a plethora of home styles that range from modern condos, cozy townhouses, spacious suburban homes, and comfortable family homes?
A city with a great university, a modern medical center, and one that offers prairie life in a large city?
If all of this interests you, then come on down to Kansas City Kansas.

2. New Haven Connecticut
If you are seeking that all American city where you and your family can settle down to a great comfortable life, then welcome to New Haven Connecticut.
A city with lots of greenery, one of the best and oldest universities (Yale), and a city where shopping reigns supreme.
You can shop until you drop!
From jewelry to fancy clothes and from hard to find keepsakes to modern furniture, New Haven's stores and shops are crammed to the rafters with everything for you.
If you enjoy cuisine of all kinds and you want to do it economically, then New Haven is also for you.

3. St Louis Missouri
Looking for a city where you can be yourself?
Find the job of your dreams, live in a nice modern home, and do it all in style?
A city that is refreshing, is of just the right size, and one that is strategically located?
Then you need to come and have a long hard look at St Louis Missouri.
This city is heavily influenced by both the French and Spanish cultures. It is steeped in history and its sporting teams are well known.
In addition, it offers great outdoor attractions; its park surely rivals good old Central Park.

4. Wichita Kansas
If you're seeking a city where you can start fresh, find a nice suburban home in a friendly neighborhood, and live in a city with lots of possibilities and opportunities, than that city exists and its name is Wichita.
Wichita is ideally located in close proximity to Kansas City and Topeka.
It offers you the chance to start over. To be yourself, and to live in safety and security.
Wichita is known as the aircraft capital of the world because of the abundance of jobs that it offers in the aircraft industry.
Wichita has a very thriving economy and because of this, it is a place where you can work, play, and live in great comfort.


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

Come on feel the noise!

Greetings everyone!  I'm Nico Trimoff, manager of accessibility and transcription services at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca.
Today, I have a great article to share with you thanks to Christian Haig.  This one talks about the development of an electronic humming device.  It's attention grabbing and we thank Christian for his contribution!
You can make your contributions by sending us your favorite article to info@sterlingcreations.ca.
I wish you a great day.

 

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A reader's contribution

 

Come on feel the noise!

 

 

 

electronic humming device that is the automaker's answer to complaints that
pedestrians can't hear the top-selling car approaching. The 12,600 yen ($148) speaker
system that goes under the hood of the third-generation Prius sets off a whirring sound designed to be about the same noise level as a regular car engine so that
it isn't annoying, Toyota said Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2010.
the Prius will no longer be silent but deadly

 

Andrew Clark
Globe and Mail, Aug. 27, 2010

 

 

 

Toyota is out to make some noise. Big T announced last week that it was now possible
for Japanese drivers to install a speaker system under the hood of its third-generation
Prius hybrids. The device, according to Toyota spokespeople, will make an electronic
humming sound similar to the noises flying cars made on the cartoon show The Jetsons. Rumour has it that all new Prius hybrids will now also come with bumper stickers that read "My Other Car is a Car."

 

 

 

But hold on!

 

 

 

People hate traffic noise. Why would Toyota neutralize one of the Prius's great selling
points – its silence – a quality so renowned that was immortalized in an episode of
The Office ("The Prius is silent if he keeps it under 5 mph. He deserves the win.").

 

Ever see a shiny new car and wonder what the stick price is? Use Globe Drive's New Car Search to find out
How much does that new car cost?

 

Use Globe Drive's New Car Search to find car prices, features, specs and more.
View Well, it seems there's a reason cars come equipped with horns and chopper motorcycles
make all that chopping noise. Sound helps alert us humans. Annoying sounds keep us
safe.

 

The Prius, it turns out, was too quiet, especially at low speeds (a Prius can travel
at high speeds?) and pedestrians had trouble hearing the eco-friendly ride approaching.

 

This was causing Prius-person encounters. In fact, a study by the U.S. National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration found that, compared to conventional cars, hybrids travelling at low speeds were twice as likely to be involved in pedestrian
crashes.

 

The blind and aged were particularly at risk. Toyota hopes the new noise maker will
cut down the incidence of Prius/pedestrian collisions.

 

 

 

It's a noble effort by Toyota, though it does not take into account the possibility
that Prius drivers who hit pedestrians at low speeds might simply be trying to help
the environment by eliminating a few humans (who by their very natures pollute).

 

 

 

The big question is: Why a humming noise? Why not get creative? Why not alert pedestrians
and other travellers with a nice sound? Imagine, you're walking along and suddenly
from behind you hear Glenn Gould playing Bach's Goldberg Variations? Instantly, you'd know that you have only three or four minutes to get out of the way before that Prius comes within three or four minutes of hitting you.

 

We have personalized telephone rings; why not have personalized Prius speaker systems?

 

Say you're pissed off about the environment and you want to let everyone know about
it, slap on World Party's Ship of Fools and take your eco-wheels for an indignant rocking ride. Are you a Luddite Prius driver? Have Maxine Nightingale's 1970s classic Right Back Where We Started From playing as you cruise.

 

 

 

Look for other companies such as General Motors and Nissan to introduce similar devices
in their hybrid cars. No specifics have been announced. But in an effort to speed
things along, Road Sage presents a few other noise-making automobiles manufacturers
should consider.

 

Ford Fusion Facebook BFF: When a pedestrian approaches the Ford Fusion's front end,
the car's BFF system pipes up telling her, "I'm friending you. I'm so glad we finally
caught up with each other." Once the pedestrian has passed by and is near the car's
rear end, the Fusion "posts" in a stage whisper, "You have fat ankles and I'm having
an affair with your husband."

 

The Talking Zip Zero: While it's true that Zip cars already come equipped with warning
systems telling other motorists and pedestrians that they are being operated by dangerous
dilettantes – I'm referring to the word "Zip" on the side – the Zip Zero will clear
up any debate. When a Zip Zero automobile exceeds 30 km/h, the speaker system will
begin shrieking "Danger! Danger! Anxious yet energetic sometime driver coming your
way! Take shelter!"

 

Chevy Malibu Hybrid Console: America automobile manufacturers have never been big
on heeding warnings. The Chevy Malibu Console Hybrid follows this noble tradition.
While it won't prevent accidents (or financial crisis) it will instantly go into damage control. Once the Malibu Hybrid has struck another car, for instance, its
speaker system will announce, "You have been hit by a Chevy Malibu Hybrid. We extend
our apologies. However, please take some solace in the fact that less fossil fuel
was consumed in the process of your being struck."

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

If you would like to learn more about us and the services we offer, then please visit www.sterlingcreations.ca
If you would like to keep abreast of some of the most important happenings affecting your lives today, then please visit http://www.sterlingcreationsdesk.blogspot.com.  There you will get the latest news roundups on such topics as:
Stress, anxiety, and depression. News for retirees, seniors, and aging baby boomers.  Security tips for home computer users.  Home business opportunities, Internet business opportunities, small business opportunities, business opportunities in Asia.  You will also learn how to obtain tremendous personal and financial satisfaction by selling your knowledge and experience.

 

 

Should Gmail Be Worried About Facebook?

Greetings!  I'm Mark Micheau, manager of research and translation services at www.sterlingcreations.ca.
I hope that everyone is enjoying December thus far and today, I have a thought provoking article to share with you.  All about whether or not Gmail should be worried about Facebook.
I wish you a great day.

 

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Should Gmail Be Worried About Facebook?
November 20, 2010
http://www.WebProNews.com

 

Do you think Facebook e-mail will affect other major email providers?
Tell us what you think
 

 

Should Gmail Be Worried About Facebook?
Chris Crum | Staff Writer

 

Rackspace Thinks Business Email Fine, Consumer Email Not

 

You've no doubt heard or read about Facebook's new messaging announcement this week. If not, the company announced a new messaging system to combine email, SMS, IM, Chat, and other forms of online communication, bringing them into one inbox. Along with this comes @facebook.com email addresses. CEO Mark Zuckerberg described the system as "starting from scratch" as opposed to being a Facebook email product. 

 

Pat Matthews, SVP of RackSpace's cloud computing business, which includes business email, shared some thoughts with us about the impact Facebook's new offering will have on the email industry. RackSpace itself powers business email for over 2 million users.
 "I don't think Facebook will encroach on business mail, at least not anytime soon, mostly because of the security and privacy implications," Matthews tells WebProNews. "Facebook is very consumer oriented and I don't see this crossing into business anytime soon. Mark Zuckerberg has specifically stated the company is all about consumers. His focus is leading them to greatness."

 

"I do think consumer mail is at risk," he adds. "Consumers live in Facebook, not on Google. I think that Gmail and AOL should be worried."

 

Still, Google has Google Apps going for it, which it has now expanded to encompass most of the company's offerings. That could play a significant role in keeping businesses using Google, though Gmail has always been a part of Google Apps. I have to wonder if Google's news wasn't somehow spurred by Facebook's.
 
 
Google Turning into a Local Search Engine?
 

 

"Facebook users will use Facebook mail as an extension of their already popular messaging services," says Matthews. "I have no doubt this will be extremely popular."

 

"Facebook is one of the most innovative companies on the planet," he adds. "I think that they will influence all types of applications, business and consumer."

 

It's no secret that businesses are already placing a great deal of emphasis on reaching Facebook users, and it will be very interesting to see the impact the new messaging system has on their strategies. I've already speculated that we'll start seeing more businesses utilizing personal profiles to try and get into Facebook users' primary inboxes (as the system filters messages that aren't from "friends" into a secondary inbox).

 

Social media and email have been getting closer and closer with one another for some time already. "In the past, organizations supported collaboration through e-mail and highly structured applications only," said Monica Basso, research vice president at Gartner, who predicts 20% of employees will use social networks as a main business communication tool by 2014.
 "Today, social paradigms are converging with e-mail, instant messaging (IM) and presence, creating new collaboration styles," she said. "However, a truly collaborative, effective and efficient workplace will not arise until organizations make these capabilities widely available and users become more comfortable with them. Technology is only an enabler; culture is a must for success.""

 

When asked what Facebook's new system means for the larger trend of social networking and email converging, Matthews told WebProNews, "Consumers want one view for many things but they also want very different views for their personal and business lives. This is why I really think Gmail should be worried."

 

It is worth noting that our conversation with Matthews took place before Google's announcement, so I'll have to find out if this changes his opinion on that.

 

If you would like to learn more about us and the services we offer, then please visit www.sterlingcreations.ca
If you would like to keep abreast of some of the most important happenings affecting your lives today, then please visit http://www.sterlingcreationsdesk.blogspot.com.  There you will get the latest news roundups on such topics as:
Stress, anxiety, and depression. News for retirees, seniors, and aging baby boomers.  Security tips for home computer users.  Home business opportunities, Internet business opportunities, small business opportunities, business opportunities in Asia.  You will also learn how to obtain tremendous personal and financial satisfaction by selling your knowledge and experience.

 

 

Translation Services Important for International Business | the ...

Translation Services Important for International Business | the ...
By Donna J. Jodhan

 

If you are planning to become an international company or if you are planning to create an international presence, you would be wise to find yourself some very solid translation services.  It would be absolutely fool hardy to go out there and expect to attract foreign consumers just through an English website.  Or by providing services only in English. 
It does not matter if you are doing it on the Internet or not.  Here are a few basic tips for you to consider.

 

Acquire translation services that would enable you to communicate freely and efficiently in the spoken language of your targeted consumer market.
Make sure that your translators can translate to and from the spoken language of your target audience. 
Make sure that your translators can translate from their second language into their mother tongue and not the other way around.   
Make sure that your translators are fully familiar with the local expressions of your targeted consumers.

 

These are all very important points and I invite you to see my reference below.

 

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Translation Services Important for International Business | the ...
By successrobot
Accurate language translation is not only necessary between two entirely different languages, but sometimes between two dialects of the same language. This is especially apparent in languages as different as English and Chinese or Japanese. ... Native speakers of any language, such as Spanish, French and Chinese obviously posses an advantage in conducting translation work. However, many translation services fall down in the area of all-round experience, relying instead on ...
the best ideas and opinions -
http://www.the-best-ideas.net/

 

I'm Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day.
Donna J. Jodhan is the president of Sterling Creations
Now you can view blogs and editorials written by Donna at:
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com (Donna Jodhan!  Advocating accessibility for all)
http://www.diversityintheworkplace.ca (monthly editorial on issues concerning diversity)
http://www.onestopbookcafe.com (under the café talk link) 
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm (important answers to consumers concerns)
http://www.sterlingcreationsca.blogspot.com (blogs for language professionals and accessibility consultants)

Jobs and careers identified - Baby boomers must ensure they are ready for retirement

Greetings!  I'm Jill Christiansen, manager of writing services at www.sterlingcreations.ca.
Today, I have great headlines to share with you; all about whether or not baby boomers are ready for retirement plus more.

 

Week of December 04
Jobs and careers identified

 

Are baby boomers ready for retirement?
Will they be able to retire in comfort or not?
Please read on.
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Baby boomers must ensure they are ready for retirement
Bermuda Sun
As the gap to retirement closes, the baby boomers continue to be presented with ... If you are quitting a job that requires you to spend money on clothes, ...
Read more at:
http://bermudasun.bm/main.asp?SectionID=72&SubSectionID=205&ArticleID=48566

 

Are the kids of baby boomers able to hold down their jobs while dealing with concerns about their parents' finances?
What can they do to help themselves?
Please read on.
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Uneasy transition from me' to we'
Bellingham Herald
How can we meet our job responsibilities while making sure Mom and Dad are ... It may seem like prying, but it's important that baby boomers understand ...
 Read more at:
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/10/15/1670151/uneasy-transition-from-me-to-we.html

 

What are some of the present conflicts between generations X and Y?
Are they real or are they not?
Please read on.
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How best to deal with our 'Generation Y'
Martinsburg Journal
However, there has been and will be friction between Ys and Baby Boomers. With the economy like it is, Boomers will work longer and hold on to jobs that Ys ...
Read more at:
http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/549980/How-best-to-deal-with-our--Generation-Y-.html?nav=5006

 

If you would like to learn more about us and the services we offer, then please visit www.sterlingcreations.ca
If you would like to keep abreast of some of the most important happenings affecting your lives today, then please visit http://www.sterlingcreationsdesk.blogspot.com.  There you will get the latest news roundups on such topics as:
Stress, anxiety, and depression. News for retirees, seniors, and aging baby boomers.  Security tips for home computer users.  Home business opportunities, Internet business opportunities, small business opportunities, business opportunities in Asia.  You will also learn how to obtain tremendous personal and financial satisfaction by selling your knowledge and experience.

 

 

When pin numbers are compromised

Greetings!  I'm Scott Savoy, editor at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca and I thought that our readers would be interested to read this week's editorial by our president Donna J. Jodhan.  Especially so because of our holiday season. 
This editorial makes for very interesting rading and questioning and I hope you find it of interest.
I wish you a great weekend.

 

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When pin numbers are compromised
By Donna J. Jodhan

 

We are living in an age where touch screen technology has now become a reality and for many it is a blessing; but for others like me, it is a great concern.  As a blind person, I feel very much at sea whenever I am asked to depend on sighted assistance to get things done. 

 

Touch screen technology means that I now have to depend on sighted assistance to carry out my transactions and in many cases this will mean that I will have to divulge my pin number to the one who is helping me.  On the surface, some people may not think that this should be such a problem but here is the real concern.  The minute one's pin number is given to a second party; one's contract with the financial institution that issued the pin number has been broken.

 

In short:  If I as a blind person find myself in a situation whereby I need assistance to use a touch screen in order to complete a transaction, it means that I will need to divulge my pin number to a sighted person and the minute I do so I would be breaking my contract with the financial institution that issued the pin number to me. 

 

I do not believe that financial institutions have really given much thought to this and as for the sighted world; they probably have not either but I am sure that they would do so if they were directly affected.  So as I see it, there are two major concerns for blind and sight impaired persons when it comes to touch screen technology. 

 

First, the divulgence of one's pin number leads to the breaking of a contract between customer and financial institution and second; the blind or sight impaired person has no control when it comes to being able to independently complete transactions on their own.  All that they can do is to trust the one that is assisting them.

 

I'm Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day and weekend.
To reach me, please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca and I would be delighted to send you an electronic copy of our latest newsletter.
 
Here is a complete list of where you can view Donna's blogs and editorials.
Donna Jodhan!  Advocating accessibility for all
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com 
a weekly feature on important answers to consumers concerns
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
Weekly blogs for language professionals and accessibility consultants
http://www.sterlingcreationsca.blogspot.com
A monthly editorial on issues on diversity
http://www.diversityintheworkplace.ca

 

 

Your best American cities

Hello there!  I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your virtual travel agent and we welcome the great month of December to our homes.  Ah yes!  It is that time of year when many of us find places  to go and things to do and in this busy holiday season, I hope that my suggestions of cities for you to visit and spent time in are welcomed ones.
So, time to slip off your shoes and gloves and find a comfortable chair in which to sit. 
Relax and enjoy!

 

Week of December 04 2010

 

Your best American cities
 
1. Amarillo Texas
If you are tired of the bright lights of a larger city and are seeking one where you can star gaze in quietude, look up at the blue skies without having to worry about inhailing pollution, and breathe pure fresh aire in lush green spaces, then you need to hurry down to Amarillo Texas.
A city where you can live in spacious homes without having to worry about being too close to your neighbors.
A city where neighbors always have time to meet and greet and a city whose natural beauty is punctuated by an abundance of yellow flowers growing everywhere.
Beautiful Amarillo offers you houses that are Spanish influenced as well as ones that are modern and roomy.
With warm and pleasant weather all year round, what more can you ask for?
 
2. Aurora Colorado
If your dream is to live as close as you can to the Rockies and do it in style, then Aurora is for you.
A suburban city in the truest of sense; with well laid out subdivisions.
A city that is steeped in military history that includes the ColdWar and one that still continues to play a major role in U.S military instillations.
Aurora is within shouting distance of Denver.  It offers great health care facilities, hospitals, schools, and excellent sporting and athletic programs and facilities.  
If you are seeking a city where residents are very much into fitness and sports, then Aurora is for you.
 
3. Boise Idaho
It is not very often that you can find a city that offers you so many things and do it in style!
Welcome to beautiful Boise!  A city that seems to have it all!
From fun and adventure to a vivacious vacation spot and a city where you and your family can live in relative comfort and quietude.
Boise is one of the most beautiful cities in America.  Why?
Because of its location; in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and along the Payette River.
Boise offers you the luxury of skiing on mountain slopes, white water rafting on sparkling river water, hiking and biking on wondrous trails, and golfing on some of the best courses in America.
Top this off with some of the best fine dining in the country!
What more would you like to know?
 
4. Colorado Springs Colorado
If you are seeking something new, a fresh start or a job in the high tech industry, then you need to take a long hard look at the beautiful city of Colorado Springs.
Located on the eastern edge of the Rockies, and within shouting distance of Denver, Colorado Springs makes a perfect city to raise a family and stay for more than a while.
Colorado Springs offers excellent educational facilities, is home to some of the U.S olympic association's major sports such as figure skating and basketball, and the city has been tagged as one of the most livable in America.
Neighborhoods are friendly and contain a wide variety of home styles.

 

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

Big money never sleeps, but it doesn't entice, either

Greetings!  I'm Nico Trimoff, manager of accessibility and transcription services at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca.
Well, as the song says, "Happy days are here again!"  And today, I have a really informative article for you to read and if you don't have time now then maybe during the holiday season you can find a free moment to do so.
We thank Denise haricot for sending this one into us.  To send your contribution into us, please email us at info@sterlingcreations.ca.
Enjoy your day!

 

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A reader's contribution

 

Big money never sleeps, but it doesn't entice, either
They've got lucrative technological tools at their fingertips, but today's
youth appear to crave a more modest existence, according to results of a new
Canadian survey.

 

Laura Stone
Edmonton Journal , July 28, 2010

 

Rather than leading or starting their own businesses in the next decade,
Canadian students want the hallmarks of a traditional life, such as a home,
a decent job, and a loving family, the study found.

 

The national survey of 2,500 high school and post-secondary students says,
perhaps counter-intuitively, that today's young adults are risk-averse and
aren't exactly banking on becoming millionaires.

 

"This generation really is looking for happiness and personal fulfilment, as
opposed to conquering the world and lots of financial and material wealth,"
said Suzanne Tyson, president of Studentawards Inc., a Toronto-based
marketing and scholarship firm that conducted the survey, entitled Canada
2020.

 

"That incredible drive to be the Gordon Gekko of the world isn't there in
this generation."

 

(Neither, perhaps, is that reference, but after Wall Street: Money Never
Sleeps opens this fall, perhaps it will be.)

 

The top three priorities of students today are spending time with family and
friends, acquiring more education, and leading a healthy lifestyle, the
survey said. Those priorities will remain unchanged over the next 10 years,
according to the students.

 

While 70 per cent of respondents said they are optimistic about the future
and will "create their own destiny," only 30 per cent of respondents said
they plan on starting their own business in six to 10 years from now, and at
approximately 25 per cent, few students said they consider themselves
entrepreneurs.

 

The majority, at 60 per cent, believe they will never start a business at
any point in their careers, and about 70 per cent of youth don't think
they'll be millionaires -- a sharp contrast to the "me" generation of the
1980s, said Tyson.

 

One reason, she said, is that today's youth have come of age in an era of
financial insecurity.

 

Other findings suggest the surveyed youth, ages 17 to 29, see the "lowest
set of priorities" in their lives as taking care of the environment, having
money and material belongings, and trying as many new things as possible.

 

Tyson said that while the finding about the environment is surprising, it
may suggest that the "Blue Box" recycling generation has grown up worrying
about the environment and so the concerns are implicit.

 

If you would like to learn more about us and the services we offer, then please visit www.sterlingcreations.ca
If you would like to keep abreast of some of the most important happenings affecting your lives today, then please visit http://www.sterlingcreationsdesk.blogspot.com.  There you will get the latest news roundups on such topics as:
Stress, anxiety, and depression. News for retirees, seniors, and aging baby boomers.  Security tips for home computer users.  Home business opportunities, Internet business opportunities, small business opportunities, business opportunities in Asia.  You will also learn how to obtain tremendous personal and financial satisfaction by selling your knowledge and experience.

 

 

Free Download: 70 Of The Best Free and Open Source Games

Greetings!  I'm Mark Micheau, manager of research and translation services at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca.
Ah yes!  December is here!  My favourite month and the beginning of the holiday season!  And, in keeping with the holiday season, I have a great article to share with you.  A Dan Thompson contribution and I hope that you can use it to find some very great games for the holidays.
Have fun!

 

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Free Download: 70 Of The Best Free and Open Source Games

 

From 3D Scrabble to Command and Conquer, this list should help you find something fun to play.

 

Red Ferret has put together a three part series showcasing 70 downloadable free and open source games. They've added great descriptions to all the games. A few games are free while in pre-release, have a free demo, or have a java script version. There aren't many of them and all are noted in the descriptions. All the games run on Windows.

 

Some are cross platform, so if you are running Linux or OSX check the game site to see what platforms are supported.

 

70 of the Best Free and Open Source Games for Download (Part 1 of 3)

 

http://www.redferret.net/?p=19113

 

70 of the Best Free and Open Source Games for Download (Part 2 of 3)

 

http://www.redferret.net/?p=19209

 

70 of the Best Free and Open Source Games for Download (Part 3 of 3)

 

http://www.redferret.net/?p=19316

 

At the time of this writing, all the links were working and went where they said they would.

 

If you have any questions about the tips posted in Dan's Tech tips, please contact Dan at the following email address:

 

dthompson5@mchsi.com

 

_________________________

 

If you would like to learn more about us and the services we offer, then please visit www.sterlingcreations.ca
If you would like to keep abreast of some of the most important happenings affecting your lives today, then please visit http://www.sterlingcreationsdesk.blogspot.com.  There you will get the latest news roundups on such topics as:
Stress, anxiety, and depression. News for retirees, seniors, and aging baby boomers.  Security tips for home computer users.  Home business opportunities, Internet business opportunities, small business opportunities, business opportunities in Asia.  You will also learn how to obtain tremendous personal and financial satisfaction by selling your knowledge and experience.