Recently, there has been a lot of talk about the resurgence of bed bugs. Bed bugs were very common until they were nearly eradicated from the U.S. mid-twentieth century. In a joint statement, The Center for Disease Control (CDC) & The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggest that the increase in bed bug populations stem from increased travel, increased resistance to pesticides, lack of bud bug knowledge and the decline or elimination of local pest control programs.
Bed bugs are difficult to treat as they can live for months without feeding, are excellent at hiding, and quickly become immune to chemicals made to suppress them. Bed buds normally live within 8 feet of their feeding ground (IE, your bed) but can travel up to 100 feet in a single night. There has been no proof that bed bugs transmit disease to their victims. Their bites can trigger mild (small, inflamed bite mark, think mosquito bite) to severe (anaphylaxic shock) allergic reactions and secondary infections of the skin (try not to itch!). The bed bug presence in the home can also cause mental health (anxiety & insomnia) & economic (purchasing new furniture, bedding, carpeting, or rugs, pest control related costs, and possibly moving expenses) hardships.
So what can you do to reduce the chances of breading a ground for bed bugs? When you stay at a hotel keep you suitcase in the bathroom if possible, this may help minimize bed bugs from becoming sow-aways in your luggage. When you return from a trip "heat treat" your luggage & clothing (IE, put them in a hot dryer) to kill the bugs that may have tagged along. At home, remove clutter around you bed so that they have fewer hiding places, become a vacuum guru and religiously vacuum your bed, bedding & their surrounding areas to remove possible bed bugs, seal cracks & crevasses so that bed bugs cannot gain entry, & finally if necessary, use non-chemical pesticides (such as diatomaceous earth) to kill the vermin.
Read the entire CDC/EPA statement, Bed Bug Control in the United States for more detailed information.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Avoiding Email Viruses
We've all heard the horror stories, "My computer has a virus!", but how do you protect yourself from getting one? It is true that computer viruses have changed over the years, contracting a virus years ago meant that your computer crashed and that in the worse case scenario you would never be able to use it again. Thankfully today's viruses aren't quite so brutal but they are after something; personal information which could have just as dire of consequences, it's just more subtle.
Where did it come from & what will it do?
Computer viruses most commonly come through email. You open a legitimate looking email, & innocently click on a link. Then the devastation begins. The virus sets itself up in your computer & canvases all files looking for email addresses. The virus then sends itself to all of your contacts, indiscriminately. The first hack just allows the virus access to your computer & all your files. It sits and waits for further instructions.
Hackers can then rent time on your computer to others or send your computer a piece of code to memorize your key stokes. This ultimately gives hackers access to your usernames and passwords to accounts from Facebook, to personal bank accounts or credit cards. Let me clarify, identity theft = emotional & financial stress, not to mention a whole lot of hassle.
How will I know when I have a virus?
Most people notice they have a virus when they receive a confusing email from someone you haven't emailed in years, ie: the ex. This is because the virus sent your ex itself using your email address & your ex is confused to hear from you too. But much more commonly, you begin to receive bounce-back emails.
How do I combat/prevent a virus?
Your first line of defence is an antivirus software. You know, those little annoying pop-ups that say "XXXX Successfully Updated". Oh yeah, remember those? If you used to see the pop-ups but can't remember the last time you saw them there is a pretty good chance that your antivirus software has expired, leaving you unprotected & vulnerable. Not to worry, just purchase more, & install it. If this doesn't solve your problem you may have to reload your entire computer. Remember after you've fixed your own computer let all your contacts know that you were infected & that they may have the virus too.
Being skeptical about email is the best defense since most infections occur from opening emails or clicking links within an email. Think before you click, it is the sender a trust-worthy source? Is it worth the risk, well is it? you decide! I hope that this gives you some perspective on email viruses, you can also check out Anatomy of an Email Hack by Ki Mae Heussner.
Where did it come from & what will it do?
Computer viruses most commonly come through email. You open a legitimate looking email, & innocently click on a link. Then the devastation begins. The virus sets itself up in your computer & canvases all files looking for email addresses. The virus then sends itself to all of your contacts, indiscriminately. The first hack just allows the virus access to your computer & all your files. It sits and waits for further instructions.
Hackers can then rent time on your computer to others or send your computer a piece of code to memorize your key stokes. This ultimately gives hackers access to your usernames and passwords to accounts from Facebook, to personal bank accounts or credit cards. Let me clarify, identity theft = emotional & financial stress, not to mention a whole lot of hassle.
How will I know when I have a virus?
Most people notice they have a virus when they receive a confusing email from someone you haven't emailed in years, ie: the ex. This is because the virus sent your ex itself using your email address & your ex is confused to hear from you too. But much more commonly, you begin to receive bounce-back emails.
How do I combat/prevent a virus?
Your first line of defence is an antivirus software. You know, those little annoying pop-ups that say "XXXX Successfully Updated". Oh yeah, remember those? If you used to see the pop-ups but can't remember the last time you saw them there is a pretty good chance that your antivirus software has expired, leaving you unprotected & vulnerable. Not to worry, just purchase more, & install it. If this doesn't solve your problem you may have to reload your entire computer. Remember after you've fixed your own computer let all your contacts know that you were infected & that they may have the virus too.
Being skeptical about email is the best defense since most infections occur from opening emails or clicking links within an email. Think before you click, it is the sender a trust-worthy source? Is it worth the risk, well is it? you decide! I hope that this gives you some perspective on email viruses, you can also check out Anatomy of an Email Hack by Ki Mae Heussner.
Friday, August 27, 2010
The Best CMMS for your Business
Failing to take advantage of the latest technology to improve your business is like having a car and taking the subway to work- it simply doesn't qualify as practical. Computer Maintenance Management Software is not exactly next generation, but when it comes to improving your maintenance management, it is your best companion. It's agreeable that the importance of a CMMS is beyond question, but what's a good CMMS? On a company scale, you have to think about everyone, and how easy a time they will have operating it.
Usability is the first major characteristic that you need to look for in a CMMS program. Not everyone majored or studied IT. For a database that may have high levels of sophistication, a CMMS may take some time to register with your employees, especially those that are directly going to make use of it, and probably on a daily basis. Try to get software that will be easy to understand and operate. True, some intrinsic parts like settings adjustment and may require someone with IT knowledge, but all in all it should be easy to operate and run. The shorter time it takes to understand it, the better. Some CMMS systems offer a wide variety of features, but this usually comes at the expense of increased sophistication. If it's too hard to learn, your employees won't be too happy using it- and that is the undesired outcome. The simpler, the better- questions of whether it offers many features not withstanding.
Choose a CMMS program that you can easily customize to your liking. If you purchase pre-manufactured EAM Software, it may not exactly be tailor-made for your kind of company. Some features you get might not apply while other important ones might be missing. It is well to study the CMMS tools a system has to offer before taking it in. If at all possible, get one made with your predefined specifications. If you need it to emphasize on the inventory part and the scheduling, make the request. The other option is to get one that is made to be customized. It will be easier to marble it to its most workable form as far as your company is concerned.
Decide the kind of CMMS system that works best for your business- as far as network preference is concerned. If your business is centered, within a specific geographical location, then a LAN-based CMMS might be best. If one the other hand you work on a regional scale, where the same CMMS is in employment, then web-based is best.
Budget well for your EAM software- it does not come cheap. Saying that your company will hardly be affected financially is a misstatement, especially if it is a small enterprise. A good CMMS Program with an abundance of features might set you back a couple of thousand dollars. True, it is worth every dollar when it is in full operation, but make sure that you can afford it, without running into financial hurdles down that fiscal year.
If the aforementioned describes the kind of CMMS system that you want, Ashcom Tech has you covered.
Ashley Combs
Usability is the first major characteristic that you need to look for in a CMMS program. Not everyone majored or studied IT. For a database that may have high levels of sophistication, a CMMS may take some time to register with your employees, especially those that are directly going to make use of it, and probably on a daily basis. Try to get software that will be easy to understand and operate. True, some intrinsic parts like settings adjustment and may require someone with IT knowledge, but all in all it should be easy to operate and run. The shorter time it takes to understand it, the better. Some CMMS systems offer a wide variety of features, but this usually comes at the expense of increased sophistication. If it's too hard to learn, your employees won't be too happy using it- and that is the undesired outcome. The simpler, the better- questions of whether it offers many features not withstanding.
Choose a CMMS program that you can easily customize to your liking. If you purchase pre-manufactured EAM Software, it may not exactly be tailor-made for your kind of company. Some features you get might not apply while other important ones might be missing. It is well to study the CMMS tools a system has to offer before taking it in. If at all possible, get one made with your predefined specifications. If you need it to emphasize on the inventory part and the scheduling, make the request. The other option is to get one that is made to be customized. It will be easier to marble it to its most workable form as far as your company is concerned.
Decide the kind of CMMS system that works best for your business- as far as network preference is concerned. If your business is centered, within a specific geographical location, then a LAN-based CMMS might be best. If one the other hand you work on a regional scale, where the same CMMS is in employment, then web-based is best.
Budget well for your EAM software- it does not come cheap. Saying that your company will hardly be affected financially is a misstatement, especially if it is a small enterprise. A good CMMS Program with an abundance of features might set you back a couple of thousand dollars. True, it is worth every dollar when it is in full operation, but make sure that you can afford it, without running into financial hurdles down that fiscal year.
If the aforementioned describes the kind of CMMS system that you want, Ashcom Tech has you covered.
Ashley Combs
Thursday, August 26, 2010
To Be or Not to Be: Park51 at Ground Zero
We have all heard the debate about whether or not a Muslim mosque, Park51, should be built at ground zero of the 9/11 tragedy. While I have not wanted to turn this blog into a place for political/social/religious debate I cannot ignore this story and wanted to share a wonderful article on the subject. Until this article, I have seen local/national reporters bring us the latest poles and opinions on TV. I have read several articles in magazines, in papers, and online. Most of them have had the same view point, the same story. Position A vs. Position B. The result: the debater only hearing his/her own voice, ignoring the opposition's point, no matter how poignant or thought provoking it maybe.
I am please to say that I have found a wonderfully written article that takes on a broad spectrum of view points and opinions. Please take the time to read Thanassis Cambanis' article, Looking at Islamic Center Debate, World Sees U.S.
Cambanis' article gave me hope instead of the usual: opponents = "racist, religious intolerants" and supporters = "unsympathetic supporters of terrorism", he broadens the perspective to encapsulate how other parts of the world are viewing America during this controversy. Some view this dispute a credit to our values of freedom, we still are trying to uphold the constitution even though the situation makes it difficult. Others are accustomed to having their government tell them where & what religious views can be practiced and wonder why our government doesn't just say "yes" or "no". There are those who view American's as anti-Muslim & Islam, and those who remind us that Judaism & Christianity are banned in some parts of the world. I just thought this was a thoughtful article and had some new perspectives I haven't heard voiced during this dilemma. I hope you find it as enlightening as I did. May the world find PEACE.
I am please to say that I have found a wonderfully written article that takes on a broad spectrum of view points and opinions. Please take the time to read Thanassis Cambanis' article, Looking at Islamic Center Debate, World Sees U.S.
Cambanis' article gave me hope instead of the usual: opponents = "racist, religious intolerants" and supporters = "unsympathetic supporters of terrorism", he broadens the perspective to encapsulate how other parts of the world are viewing America during this controversy. Some view this dispute a credit to our values of freedom, we still are trying to uphold the constitution even though the situation makes it difficult. Others are accustomed to having their government tell them where & what religious views can be practiced and wonder why our government doesn't just say "yes" or "no". There are those who view American's as anti-Muslim & Islam, and those who remind us that Judaism & Christianity are banned in some parts of the world. I just thought this was a thoughtful article and had some new perspectives I haven't heard voiced during this dilemma. I hope you find it as enlightening as I did. May the world find PEACE.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Coming Soon...iTV?
iPod, iTunes, iPhone, iPad, What's Next? Well if rumors are true coming soon to a home or mobile device near you, iTV (well they aren't really calling it that, but it's close!)! By next spring iTunes may start renting TV episodes for 99 cents each. As always Apple is keeping their lips tightly sealed but if things go according to plan you would be able to download the latest episode of *Fill-In-Your-Favorite-TV-Show-Here* 24 hours after it airs. The download essentially allows you to "rent on episode" for 48 hours. This is Apple's strategy to take on the likes of Netflix, & Hulu. Did I mention that the episodes are commercial free? COMMERCIAL FREE! I may spend 99 cents to watch an episode of *Favorite-TV-Show* just to eliminate the mind-numbing commercials! Now if you are already iTunes savy, you know that you can rent or purchase movies but you only have the option of purchasing TV shows. The investment of purchasing an entire episode for some folks is a little high,(around $2episode) renting brings the prices into a more manageable price for the regular Joe.
Read the entire article by Peter Burrows, Sarah Rabil and Adam Satariano.
Read the entire article by Peter Burrows, Sarah Rabil and Adam Satariano.
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