As technology evolves, so does the advancement of gaming technology.  The two industries go hand in hand.  They both use and interact with the same infrastructures; computers, networking, the internet, and the cloud.

Black and White, 2 Tone Gaming

In early years like the 70’s, gaming and computers shared black and white, two-tone, graphical interfaces.  Pong was a popular game and found even built-in television consoles.

Find the original Atari here: https://ebay.to/2ItGdEh

Gaming in Color

As technology progressed, so did the advancement in the look and feel of games and gaming devices in the 80’s and 90’s.

Find the original NES here: https://ebay.to/2IpVeLe

Find the original Super Nintendo here: https://ebay.to/2L8kpQg

Vintage to Modern Gaming Consoles

Find these original gaming systems here: 

Telstar
Atari 2600
Color TV-Game
Magnavox Odyssey²
Intellivision
ColecoVision
Atari 5200
Nintendo Entertainment System
Master System
TurboGrafx-16
Sega Genesis
Atari Lynx
Game Boy
Game Boy Color
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Sega Game Gear
Philips CD-i
Sega Pico
PlayStation
Sega Saturn
Nintendo 64
Dreamcast
WonderSwan
PlayStation 2
Game Boy Advance
Xbox
GameCube
N-Gage
Nintendo DS
PlayStation Portable
Xbox 360
Wii
PlayStation 3
Nintendo 3DS 
PlayStation Vita 
Wii U
PlayStation 4 
Xbox One 
Nintendo Switch
Game Consoles for Kids

3D Effects and the Evolution of Gaming Equipment

We started seeing more color, 3D effects, and first person shooter games.  Gaming companies invented more and more gaming devices that immersed the user in the gaming experience.  While futuristic gaming is now in our midst, 80’s and 90’s classics will always be popular amongst many old school gamers.  20 years from now, videogame titles newest ps4 games will also be sought after by nostalgic gamers. PS4 arcade sticks, for example, are technologies still in use today that bring back 80s-90s gaming nostalgia.

Lifelike, Realistic Graphics

In 2000 and recent years, graphics have made remarkable advancements that have progressed as technology, cgi, and the movie industry have, making some gaming graphics hard to differentiate from actual reality.  With the advancement of graphics, ability to upgrade video cards, and availability of gaming devices and some of the best gaming keyboards, computer gaming aside from console gaming, has become very popular.

So where does gaming go now?  Here are some advancements we can continue to see and expect.

Virtual Reality and Immersive Gaming

3D has always been a popular technology; in fact, it existed 100 years ago, but couldn’t progress as much as it has today due to high costs and lack of technology and equipment.  With improved hardware capabilities, 3D technologies and virtual reality is becoming more and more popular in gaming.  Virtual reality devices like the Oculus Rift, a VR head-mounted display, features a massive field view of 107 degrees, quick-response head-tracking system, and incorporates immersive stereoscopic 3D rendering capabilities.

Virtual reality headsets can now also incorporate your mobile phone as a viewing screen and can be used for many applications.

The creation of the famous Oculus Rift has created a market of new virtual reality gadgets that are coming out for a much lower cost. The VR BOX 2.0 reality headset is extremely affordable and very powerful. It costs less than $15!  Yes, $15, we didn’t miss a zero. It even comes with a Bluetooth 3.0 Remote Controller. It provides a great virtual reality experience for those who already own a smartphone and don’t want to spend $500 to $600 on their virtual reality headset.

Made up from 43 precision parts, the reason its so cheap is because it is now being made in China. There are some even cheaper models but their quality wasn’t good enough. This particular model though is really nice and adaptable. You can use any smartphone from 3.5 inches to 6 inches [covers almost all the smartphone market], adjust the lenses and its a comfortable, snug fit.

For more, check out these other popular trends in Virtual Reality technology.

Boom in Gaming Devices

As the LCD market boomed, so did the devices that use them.  This has enabled gaming to span across mobile devices, phones, tablets, and more.  Gaming platforms have incorporated touchscreen LCDs in their gaming devices to enhance the user experience.

Nintendo Wii U
The Wii U, for instance, features a built-in touchscreen that can serve as a supplement to games.  The second screen allows access to other elements in the game, like inventory, extended gaming information, and more.

Microsoft Xbox Smart Glass
Microsoft Xbox has it’s Smart Glass app which can be downloaded onto smartphones and tablets as a supplemental screen to enhance the gaming experience.

Sony Cross Play
Sony has integrated it’s PS Vita with their “Cross-Play” feature, enabling gamers to stop playing on one device and resuming on another.  Recently, Microsoft has becoming open to working with Sony on implementing this technology.

Open Source Gaming and Game Development

The open source market has been around in gaming for a while now, though new devices and technologies have opened doors for more home brew gaming.  The popularity in mobile apps has also made game development popular, with the enticement for developers to make some money in the iTunes and Google play marketplace.

Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality gaming brings you all the bells and whistles on top of everything.  Smartphones and other gaming devices enable interactive features that allow gamers to interact in real-time.  Eventually, augmented reality gaming sessions may enable gamers to be independent of gaming consoles and devices, making the game as real as being on the gaming grounds and in the gaming realm.

Cloud Gaming

As mobile devices continue to spread, and as Internet connections continue to advance and improve, so will the availability of gaming on the cloud.  As software companies are now migrating and offering their software and services on the cloud, so are gaming companies with their games.  The aim for gaming industries is to make games as easy to access as music and streaming movies.  Many smart TVs now offer this technology as part of their smart TV software.

Conclusion

The future of gaming is exciting and offers many bells and whistles.  It’s an exciting time to watch history and the future of gaming unfold. Who knows where humanity will push it’s limit.

Originally posted 2019-05-16 21:58:44. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The post From Vintage Video Games to Virtual Reality – Gaming Trends of the Past, 2020 and Beyond first appeared on Information Technology Blog.

AI is the technology in which intelligent machines are designed in such a way as to act like human beings.  AI is the hottest topic to discuss in 2025 and beyond. And in the next decade, it is going to be the hottest career opportunity.

Any student planning to pursue his career in AI would definitely be having the brightest future opportunities for his career in 2023. This field requires sufficient knowledge of logic, mathematics, statistics, and data analysis.

In the next decade, AI technology is going to overpower a huge part of the technology industry. In older technology, AI was based on mere pre-programmed conditions. Modern AI is more customizable. You can adapt and change it according to your requirements. AI is often referred to as machine learning.

It is the technology that every business wants to implement.

Why Learn AI

Artificial Intelligence is proven to be the most reliable and accurate technology in every kind of data management and analysis.

Students eager to get the best career opportunities should learn it as it is used in:

Healthcare Field

In this digital age, everything is possible by using technology and the internet. We see that doctors can communicate with their patients and diagnose their diseases from a remote position. This has minimized the need for personal interaction with the doctor. In the same way, the patient’s condition is checked by a predefined system of medication and algorithms to prescribe a solution. This has revolutionized the whole health industry. It could facilitate both patient and the doctor. A doctor could maintain a complete record of every patient and make a treatment plan.

Mobile World

Smartphones are considered digital wallets. They are no longer considered a medium of communication. They even work as your personal assistant. Relevant to personal assistant, “Siri” could be the best example of an introduction to artificial intelligence and machine learning. “Siri” is designed to answer all your queries on the basis of your personal data added to it and even gives you valuable suggestions. So we can easily predict that the next generation would be having a smartphone working on voice commands such as “Siri” AI is also useful to learn for people in cellular phone technology.

Automobiles

Have you ever thought about a car or airplane which is driven by no driver? Now, this is not limited to just thought. Many types of research are in the process to make it actually happen. The future of AI is bright in the automobile industry.

In Retail

AI technology is also useful for people engaged in the retail business. They really want such a system that helps them understand the proper purchase pattern and enhance their sale.AI method is very useful to understand the buying patterns and access the customers to choose products.

It will help them suggest:

1. Coupons
2. Offer discounted promotion
3. Market targeting
4. Warehouse stocking

We know that the customers really feel coaxed when they are observed to evaluate buying pattern and their selected products. Amazon has devised its solution named,” pantry”. They have such an automated system to help you select your desired product and they deliver it by an automatic system on a periodic basis. So this is a clear indication of the performance of AI technology in the retail business.

Fraud Detection

The system of monitoring the fraud section is a breakthrough for us as our money is protected by getting a proper transaction system. Whenever you withdraw some amount from your bank, you receive an email or text message. This shows the recent transaction activity in your bank account. This system is powered by AI technology. The transactions, amount withdrawal,s or use of ATM cards all this data is stored and analyzed to keep an eye on suspicious activities. AI algorithm is designed to make you alert of any suspicious activity regarding your account.

Online Customer Support

Now every business has an online presence. They have a website to represent their business and products. With the increase in the use of smartphones and the internet, a large number of customers like to take any kind of information through the internet. Many online businesses have a system of online chat with customers to respond immediately. This is certainly impossible for any human being to be present all the time to answer any of the queries of customers. So to ensure that a business is live all day active most businesses are choosing the option of information bots that act like real humans. They reply to you on the basis of contended in the system. This system is getting more and more popular due to its provision of accurate and quick information.

Security Sectors

As we know that security is the basic need of any individual or organization. Setting up an effective security system with a security camera and security monitoring system is really beneficial for any business. But watching a number of cameras and maintaining strict security checks all the time is not an easy job. A predefined algorithm system linked with all security monitoring is the best option to choose from. It would work on your specific security demands and analyze any suspicious activity. It has a system to automatically make alert human security guards to handle suspicious activity.

Music and Movies

A system is also amazing for you while you are listening to your favorite music or watching a movie. It recommends you automatically about your next song or movie. It is a system based on your interests and browsing history. This system is much more fruitful for music and movie-producing companies By observing your browsing history and previous online activities, it would promote specific brands or music videos.

Email Response

AI also helps you to respond to your emails in an essay and a quick way by analyzing your email contents. A predefined reply is provided as tags during an email reply.

In-Home Devices

AI wonderfully keeps a strict check on the temperature and lighting needs of your house. It works according to your preferred requirements.

Best Training for AI

Artificial Intelligence training from a professional institute like Knowledgehut can make you a skilled and efficient worker having excellent knowledge of AI. It also awards certificates on completion so that you can upgrade your CV and get an AI job.

Originally posted 2019-10-17 21:43:58. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The post Top 10 Reasons to Learn AI in 2025 and beyond first appeared on Information Technology Blog.

There was once a time when IT and construction didn’t mix. Now, information technology in construction is absolutely vital. Here’s why.

The construction industry in the United States is a 1.73 trillion dollar industry. With so much money at stake, it is only natural that a switch towards technology was inevitable.

In the past, this industry was considered one of the least likely to embrace information technology. However, all of this is changing as the construction industry has started to embrace all the benefits that can be gained from the inclusion of technology.

Here is a deeper look at why including information technology in construction is now a must if you want your construction project to progress smoothly.

Project Management Software

Computer-based project management is one of the best ways to ensure that everything is going according to plan on a construction site.

The fact is that project management software makes it easy to organize the different aspects of a project. One of the biggest benefits is the management of time and the resources available to complete the project.

You can use cloud services such as those offered by Preactive IT Solutions to host your project management software.

Management of Mobile Devices

When trying to complete a construction project communication is essential. Having information technology at your fingertips makes it a whole lot easier to communicate effectively.

With tablets and smartphones, messages are instant on a construction site. Reports can be done and sent off faster. Video conferencing is also possible and this can help to keep the managers of a project in touch with each other whether they are on site or not.

Upgrade and Share Designs

Project collaboration tools are available that can be integrated with any designs for the project. This makes it easy for builders to make adjustments to drawings and publish them. Subcontractors can then have access to these updates quickly.

This not only cuts down on time but also makes the whole process paperless. Papers can become damaged but with project collaboration tools design updates can be saved and backed up to prevent loss.

Building Information Modeling(BIM)

All the tech blogs about construction indicate there is a growing technological trend towards using digital 3D design. This includes a new process that is called Building Information Modeling (BIM). BIM involves housing information about a building project in one 3D model.

In order to access immediate information about different aspects of the design, builders will now have to access this 3D model on a consistent basis. This means that there is no getting away from the need to have a computer on hand at all times to access this 3D model at every phase of construction.

Final Thoughts on Information Technology in Construction

There is no getting away from the fact that the use of information technology in construction is here to stay. The best thing you can do is to investigate how to integrate it into your business. If you don’t you risk becoming out of touch with the pulse of what is happening and this will make your business irrelevant fast.

At the very least you should be using cloud services and collaborating with any subcontractors online. This makes communication fast and efficient.

If you would like IT help for your construction business, please contact us.

Originally posted 2019-05-07 18:32:52. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The post 5 Ways Information Technology in Construction is More Important Than Ever first appeared on Information Technology Blog.

Good website content taking advantage of high volume keywords is king for search engine optimization, but there is more to providing just content if you want your website to be effective and to reach a larger audience.

Here are some tips and tricks to help your website and content become more visible to the world.

High-Quality Content

High-quality content has always been regarded as a white hat SEO technique that improves your website position in search engine rankings. Topics you might cover include informational articles about your products or services, interesting images, and reviews that gives more data about what people can expect from your services.

Content should be audience-friendly and engages your readers. Make the best use of your skills, creativity, and inexhaustible talent to assist you in promoting your services, products and brands in an engaging way, by embracing an accessible writing style.

Link Building

Search engines have a very complex system for determining the value of a given link, but they do all agree that links are among the most important factors in determining the relevance of a particular site to a given query. That’s one of the reasons why, for example, websites that have been around longer are given more weight, but even links from new sites can be beneficial.  Obtain links to your site through guest blogging, social media, directories, local directories, or simply ask for a link.

Local SEO

Ever wonder how people get their business on the first page of Google for targeted cities?  Here’s a trick.  Create a page for every city you are targeting, followed by or preceded by your target keyword.  For example, you are an SEO company in Chicago.  Then you would create a page about SEO in Chicago IL.  Link to these pages from directories and review sites to help increase your visibility and credibility.

Reviews with References from Trusted Sites

Gathering and sharing client testimonial is perhaps the biggest way to improve your credibility and build a brand that is trusted by the customers. After all, a credible testimonial is a strong proof that your products and services have been tested and provided satisfaction to several customers.

A great way to earn trust from customers is to build great reviews and piggyback on popular review sites.  These sites are seen as credible and favored by search engines.  They appear higher in Google results and will allow you to create search result visibility for your businesses quickly.  Establish rapport with customers, acknowledge their feedback, and offer incentives for leaving reviews.  Link references from other trusted websites in your industry help to build your reputation as being a viable provider of products and services in your vertical. Link references from professional associations such as your local Chamber of Commerce, the BBB, Yelp, Angie’s List and others can also help with sending in qualified buyers to your website or physical storefront.

Piggyback on high volume keywords or popular videos to gain additional traffic

As with any type of search engine optimization, doing research and optimizing your video for high volume keywords will get you more traffic.  Remember that keywords and content should always be relevant and by doing so will increase conversion.  It’s not always only about getting visitors to your site, but about getting the right kind of visitors.

Sharing on Social Media

Another factor that is taken into consideration when ranking a website for organic search engine results is social signals. If you haven’t already, be sure that you have a business presence on social networking sites and you are managing these pages well. Websites that do not have a presence on social media are less likely to get high organic search engine rankings because of their “orphan” nature. Businesses need a comprehensive web presence that goes further than just being found in search engines.

Originally posted 2016-11-18 00:03:31. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The post Enhance your website SEO with these tricks first appeared on Information Technology Blog.

Most every person sitting at a desk feels like they’re not sitting properly at their desk, but most don’t do anything about it. However, if you don’t you risk causing permanent damage to your back. The changes you have to make aren’t that difficult though. Read on to find out how to save your back by making changes to the ergonomics of your workspace.

Take breaks

Every every person sitting at a desk knows they should take breaks, but they often don’t as they’re too busy trying to hit deadline, or they’re too involved in what they’re doing. Emily Perkins, a writer with UK Writings, says that there’s an easy way to remember to take breaks. ‘Every hour, have an alarm set to go off and remind you to go stretch for five minutes’ she says. ‘Even a quick walk to the kitchen and back can be enough to save your spine!’

Position your keyboard and mouse properly

The ideal positioning for your keyboard means that your wrists and forearms should angle down towards the keys. To make sure you’re doing it correctly, the angle of your elbows should be greater than 90 degrees. You can buy specialist keyboards that do this for you, but you can achieve the same by adjusting the height of your desk or seat, as long as it doesn’t affect other aspects of your posture.

Find ergonomic keyboard here: https://amzn.to/2IpMMM0

Find ergonomic mouse here: https://amzn.to/2IkmaMm

As for the mouse, make sure that it’s placed as close to the keyboard as possible. Try not to place it directly on the desk, but instead elevate it to the same level as the keyboard. Then, make sure you’re moving it with your elbow rather than your wrist, to avoid carpal tunnel issues.

Get a suitable chair

The chair at your kitchen table probably isn’t going to cut it. Try your chair now. You should be able to sit with your feet flat on the floor and your knees should bend at about 90 degrees. If your feet can’t reach the floor, a foot rest can solve the problem. Now, you need to make sure that you have lumbar, or lower back support. If your chair doesn’t include this, you can buy a pillow that solves this for relatively cheap. Finally, you need to ensure that you have a slight recline to your chair. 100 degrees is actually better than 90.

Find ergonomic chair here: https://amzn.to/2wLHXqV

Don’t sit all the time

Constant sitting is bad for everybody. As a desk person though, it’s an occupational hazard. How do you get around it though? Finlay Jones, a uk dissertation writer, has a good tip: ‘My physical therapist recommended buying a sit stand desk, and it’s the best thing I’ve ever bought. I can adjust it for sitting and standing at the right heights for me, meaning I can switch between the two throughout the door. I’ve felt much better since I made this investment.’

Find standing desk here: https://amzn.to/2L1CQpP

If you just make a few adjustments to your work station, you’ll feel the difference in your back and body instantly. Save yourself the pain and stress, and invest in your work station. You won’t regret it.

Originally posted 2018-05-12 17:22:34. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The post Ergonomics For Desk People: Tension On The Page, Not On Your Back first appeared on Information Technology Blog.

Everything tech touches, it makes smarter. From the latest developments in the telecommunications to goal-line technology in football, the world around us has been improved by the latest tech innovations.

With that being the case, it’s little surprise the financial world is embracing new, tech-forward ideas. Indeed, when money is on the line, banks and building societies want to ensure they aren’t putting themselves or you at risk. Therefore, if technology can step into the breach and help, those in charge will grab it with both hands.

One area where technology is starting to make a real impact is loans and, in particular, mortgages. Although the majority of borrowers are responsible, there are times when people fall into arrears. In fact, at one point in 2018, the number of outstanding mortgage balances with arrears was up for the first time since 2016. Increasing by £200,000 between Q2 and Q3, the data shows that lenders and borrowers are still missing the mark when it comes to suitability.

Technology Helping Everyone Get a Better Deal

Naturally, however, it is both sides that are looking to get a better deal. Lenders want to ensure they’re lending to the right people and borrowers want to ensure they’re getting the best product. For the latter, there are plenty of resources online, created and provided with the help of the latest technology. Internet brokers now provide a complete overview of the latest offers and the institutions that provide them. For example, if you read through Trussle’s review of the NatWest mortgage application process, you’ll find a wealth of information about the bank. From the application process taking ten days to the lending maximum being 4.85x your annual income, all the important stats are there. From these reviews, prospective borrowers can use the site’s mortgage calculator to compare and contrast the knowledge they’ve gleaned. The end result, in theory, is that they get the best deal possible.

As we know, knowledge is power, and that’s why lenders and brokers provide as much of it as possible. In their mind, if borrowers are better informed, they’re more likely to choose the right product and, in turn, not fall into arrears.

AI Reducing Risk for Mortgage Lenders

On the other side of the coin, lenders are now embracing artificial intelligence (AI). Using the latest AI protocols, they are able to make better decisions. As well as new ways of processing data and assessing applicants, AI is also helping to tackle fraud. Start-up ID Finance has integrated behavioural biometrics into its AI fraud scoring software. Boasting a 97.6% success rate, the software can detect fraud by recognising typing and behavioural patterns. In fact, AI can even analyse variables such as mouse movements to determine whether a real person is making the application.

This use of technology is not only impressive but highly valuable for banks. In reality, mortgage applications are a risk scoring process. The ones that get approved have basically achieved a suitable score based on a predetermined set of factors. By using technology to tighten up the process and make the criteria more stringent, banks are mitigating their risk.

While there will always be borrowers that fall into arrears, technology is helping to prevent it from happening. If that happens, it will improve the mortgage economy and make lenders more willing to lend. Thus, as mortgage technology improves, so too should our ability to borrow money to buy a home.

Originally posted 2019-07-16 17:37:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The post How the Tech Revolution Transformed the Mortgage Market first appeared on Information Technology Blog.

Effective search engine optimization is essential for online success. As the majority of consumers research brands, stores, and products via the internet prior to making a purchase, being visible online is non-negotiable.

However, securing the top spots on search engine results pages (SERPs) isn’t always easy. With millions of webpages competing for high rankings, your SEO campaigns need to outperform your competitors. Fortunately, innovative new SEO techniques are making it easier for businesses and site owners to secure top rankings and generate website traffic and high ranking sites offer SEO pricing to get listed on their pages.

If you want to stay ahead of the game, boost your rankings and increase your market share, take a look at the top five SEO trends you need to be using in 2025.

Local SEO

Location-based searching is already on the rise, so you’ll want to incorporate geographical content into your SEO strategy straight away. In fact, it’s estimated that 46% of Google searches are primarily focused on finding local information. With almost half of Google’s traffic relating to location, this is a trend you can’t afford to ignore.

Incorporating location-based keywords and terms into your content is one way to boost your local SEO. If you’re bricks and mortar business is offering services in a particular region, this can be a highly effective way of reaching your target market.

In addition, you’ll want to ensure your webpages are displayed when users carry out ‘near me’ searches. Despite not entering a specific location, users are able to search for businesses, services, and amenities close to their current position.

To ensure your webpages are listed in ‘near me’ search results, Google needs to know where you are. Local citations are a great way to reinforce the accuracy of your company’s information and get you featured in Google’s Local 3-Pack. For the best results, use a wide range of location citations, such as:

• Business directories
• Local listing
• Blog posts
• Online newspapers
• Social media platforms

With a multi-pronged approach, you can successfully market your services to specific areas and meet Google’s requirements when it comes to optimizing your webpages for ‘near me’ searches.

Voice-Activated Searches

The rise of voice-activated smart devices has changed the way people use the internet. As well as using smartphones and tablets to issue voice commands, a growing number of people have installed voice-activated devices in their homes and workplaces too.

However, voice-activated searches pose two issues for businesses and digital marketers:

• Users search differently depending on how they search
• Users receive fewer results options following a search

To successfully optimize your website, you’ll need to ensure your content reflects the varying behavior of users. Researching how your target market is using voice-activated devices will enable you to enhance your content marketing and optimization accordingly.

As users receive fewer results via voice searches, it’s time to up your game and secures the top spot on SERPs. Often, voice assistants provide content directly from the top result, so double-down on your SEO activity if you want to reach your audience.

Video Marketing

If you aren’t using video marketing already, it’s time to start. Online video content is expected to account for more than 82% of consumer traffic by 2024, 2025, so it’s a sure-fire way to boost brand awareness and generate more sales.

Users watch over a billion hours of video content on YouTube every day, and this doesn’t even include the time spent watching videos on other platforms. Nearly three-quarters of users prefer learning about products and services via video, so why not give your target market what they want?

When creating content for your video marketing strategy, there are a variety of options available, including:

• Vlogs
• Interviews
• Live streams
• Explainers
• How-To videos
• Webinars
• Presentations
• Ads
• Tutorials
• Customer testimonials

By using different types of video, you can create a varied and sustainable long-term campaign.

Featured Snippets

Successful SEO means keeping up to date with Google’s latest algorithms and features. For business owners and marketers, this can be one of the trickiest aspects of sustaining high rankings on SERPs. Google’s Featured Snippets are one of the latest changes to affect search engine results pages. Designed to offer ‘no click’ solutions to users, featured snippets contain content from webpages and make it visible directly on the SERP.

Securing a featured snippet means users will be shown your content without having to click through to your webpage. However, this can actually increase the volume of traffic reaching your site. Your featured snippet content will highlight the relevance of your content to the user’s initial search query, thus enticing users to visit the webpage for further information.

Not all SERPs have featured snippets but those that do only show one. Typically, Google selects which webpage to show as a featured snippet based on accuracy, validity, relevance, and popularity. Implementing comprehensive SEO campaigns is the most effective way to confirm your content ticks all the boxes as far as Google is concerned.

While there is stiff competition to secure featured snippets, it’s an aim that’s certainly worth pursuing. By showing your content directly on SERPs, featured snippets will increase your authority in the eyes of your target market and act as an unofficial endorsement for your brand.

Artificial Intelligence

One of the ways artificial intelligence is affecting technology is via natural language processing (NLP). With increasingly advanced capabilities, search engines are looking beyond what users are actually searching for. By assessing search intent, rather than actual search terms, search engines are able to provide results that are more relevant and useful.

According to Google’s co-founder, Larry Page, AI is the equivalent of the ultimate search engine:

‘It would understand exactly what you wanted, and it would give you the right thing.’

Google’s Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers, or BERT, is the latest move towards NLP. Enabling the search engine to contextualize search queries, it undoubtedly enhances user experience.

In terms of SEO, the move towards AI and NLP could make it trickier to secure top rankings. In addition to using existing methodologies to maintain your position on SERPs, you’ll need to ensure your content is highly relevant to your target market. In short, Google wants content creators to focus on their audience and not the search engine.

While this approach moves away from the formulaic SEO of the past, it encourages creative freedom in relation to content creation. Furthermore, the traffic gained from AI-based rankings is likely to consist of users who fall squarely within your target market. As a result, conversion rate optimization and customer acquisition will become easier.

Developing Your Marketing Skills

The world of search engine optimization is continually evolving, so developing your marketing skills is essential. With online programs from Emerson College Online, you can learn how to leverage digital best practices to create successful marketing campaigns. From data-driven campaign formation to professional certifications, the comprehensive nature of their post-grad marketing programs ensures graduates have the in-depth knowledge and skills required to succeed in a digital era.

Existing marketers can strengthen their understanding of emerging concepts and increase their career options by undertaking further study. If you work within the industry and are eager to progress, completing a master’s is a great way to achieve your goals.

Obtaining a postgraduate marketing qualification will ensure you’re well-placed to take on top roles, such as:

• VP of Marketing
• Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
• Campaign Strategist
• Brand Director
• Head of Communications
• Marketing Director
• Director of Demand Generation
• Global Marketing Manager
• Content Marketing Director
• Product Marketing Manager
• Creative Director

While existing marketers can certainly benefit from enrolling in industry-related programs, you don’t have to work within marketing in order to reap the rewards a post-grad qualification can offer. Gaining advanced marketing knowledge can improve your performance across a variety of roles.

Furthermore, business owners and entrepreneurs rely heavily on their marketing knowledge to launch successful enterprises. Without effective marketing, it is impossible to start a new business or grow an existing organization. Due to this, it’s vital that managers and owners prioritize their marketing skills. In addition to gaining theoretical knowledge, post-graduate marketing programs give you the opportunity to hone your practical skills too. This multi-faceted approach ensures you can implement your newly acquired skillset immediately, regardless of what type of business you’re running or what industry you operate in.

Fast-Track Your Way to Success

Whether you’re launching your own start-up, building a marketing career or lobbying for a promotion, you won’t want to wait years to get the ball rolling. While some traditional programs require long-term study, there are other options available. Online learning gives you the freedom to complete a master’s at your own pace, which means you can obtain a new qualification in as little as twelve months.

Furthermore, studying online gives you the flexibility to complete the program from any location. If you want to continue working while completing your post-grad degree, online learning is the easiest way to achieve your goals. Within a matter of months, you could have a whole new selection of letters to put after your name and an endless selection of skills to help you excel in your chosen industry.

Originally posted 2020-04-08 17:10:11. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The post 5 SEO Trends You Need to Consider Using in 2025 first appeared on Information Technology Blog.

Over the past decade there have been significant technological advances in the world. Microsoft attempted to buy Yahoo, Apple developed its ultra-thin Mac laptop, Honda began selling its zero-emission hydrogen fueled car, the FCX Clarity, and a tiny computer with a six-inch screen inside a stuffed leather pillow is released by Chumby. The computer has internet access and can show incoming email, play games, and display news headlines.

One of the realizations as we look back on a decade of technology use is how prevalent the internet has become. Our everyday lives revolve around it. How many times do you check your Facebook feed? Or Twitter updates? Society has grown dependent on access to the internet in every aspect of life. The online world has grown as a conduit for business, recreation, travel planning, schooling, communication, and shopping.

Media Access

Have you ever heard of the term “hot off the press”? That saying derived from a time when the most current news was literally just printed in a newspaper. That developed into internet access and content providers developing strategies to organize and distribute the latest news effectively. Once upon a time the HTML was simply Times New Roman font, completed with a flashing link. Now online content can be published with RSS feeds, social networks, blogs, smartphones, tablets, and a myriad of other tools. Available content for the world to see has exploded over the last decade as every person now has an opportunity and the capability to have their voice heard online.

Can you hear me now?

Personal communication has soared to new heights. In the early 2000’s, internet use was a stationary event. If you had a cell phone, it was most likely a flip phone with none of the bells and whistles that are standard fare for today’s choices. These days, more than 95% of Americans own a smartphone. Having a phone that can stream movies, play endless music, have a personal GPS, play games, and access the internet and social media is a development of the last decade. With the use of smartphones, the dependency on land lines has diminished greatly, making access to online amenities available on the go as well at home.

Social Media

The development of Facebook, Twitter, and other social media also propelled internet use from a stationary to a social environment. No longer do we look up topics of interest on the internet and join the occasional chat group. Today we socialize almost on a minute to minute basis. We have platforms such as Skype for personal and business face time. We have the capability to interact with each other in real time, and the phenomenon is growing.

Wi-Fi

Another area of noticeable growth is the use of Wi-Fi. It didn’t take long for businesses everywhere to get on the Wi-Fi band wagon. With the development of smartphone and better laptops, and eventually tablets, Wi-Fi gives users an unprecedented mobility with their internet access. Business owners were quick to realize that their customers want to stay connected online, and therefore began to provide Wi-Fi hot zones for the customer’s use. If you are eating lunch at your favorite restaurant you can let your friends know immediate. If you are on vacation and want to stream your favorite program, there is a Wi-Fi hot spot available for your enjoyment.

Online Streaming

Anyone of the age of Facebook will not only never remember a time before online social media, but won’t ever know what it was like to have to watch a program only when it was available on television. The concept of being in the living room by a certain time and only getting up during commercials is a lifestyle that is obsolete to the older generation, and unknown to the younger. Streaming your favorite program or movie through Amazon, Netflix, or Hulu is how this generation rolls. Having the availability to watch your favorite show from a decade or more ago, or catch up on a season you missed from last year can be done through streaming. Because of online streaming consumers can now watch any documentaries, movies, TV shows, exercise videos, and even music videos they want, when they want.

Shopping

Another major change in the world due to the growth of online availability the shopping experience of the consumer. One of the first known purchases online was in 1994, believed to be a pizza from Pizza Hut. On July 16, 1995, Amazon opened for business. The company grew from a humble two-garage operation to what it is today: a billion dollar, international shopping platform.

For example, if you are shopping for insurance for your new car, and you live in New Zealand, you can easily find options, such as Youi Insurance. Further you can check out in social media like youi nz youtube to know more about the company and decide with your best interest at heart without ever leaving your home.

Conclusion

The online world has grown into every aspect of our lives, creating a smaller world, and more accessible information and products. Cyber security is a good way to make sure your business and personal information stays safe. Unfortunately, as the online world continues to grow, so will the dangers of identity theft and hackers. Explore the advancements of technology with confidence while you protect yourself against threats.

Originally posted 2018-01-22 18:13:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The post How Online World Has Grown In The Last Decade? first appeared on Information Technology Blog.

An online duel with your buddies always sounds fun. Even as a single player, you can find exciting virtual games. It is easy to pick your favorite one from a wide spectrum and jump into the field right away.  While doing so, the last thing on your mind is to think about security threats.

The adrenaline rush of the challenges tends to make you blind to the infected links and creepy tickers. Beating an opponent appears to be far more important than being concerned about private information.

Cybersecurity is indeed a matter of great concern. Although the market keeps growing, data breaches in digital gaming are more than the companies admit. Statistics anticipate that the number of online gamers will grow over 57 million in 2020.

Established developers like Ubisoft, Electronic Arts, and Activision Blizzard keep coming up with new products in the segment. Despite constant upgrading, the market is looming with identity thefts, scams, and harmful viruses.

Cybercriminals are innovating methods of entering into your system. Given these facts, you must acknowledge some basic factors before you leap in the digital gaming fiasco.

Read through the following points to steer clear of the potential security risks associated with online gaming:

Online Gaming Risks

A few potential damages that online gaming brings to your system could be the hardware failure, crash down or software instability. Experts state that risks can be of two categories. They can be the result of technological malfunction, or these could be the work of malicious intruders operating socially.

Technological Risks

Technological risks include viruses, bugs, and malicious software. A virus infiltrates into the system through a malicious software or a gaming setup.  Bugs, on the other hand, are the loopholes in gaming codes. Insecure gaming code can introduce a system to vulnerabilities.

Any infection can be the source of malicious software downloads into your system. Attackers use malware to redirect users on bogus web pages. The program on these pages then damages the whole system.

Social Risks

Many online games enable the players to chat or communicate via keyboard. Intruders exploit these interactions to gain access to the computer and target their weaknesses. Through the flaws in the system, intruders can:

• Obtain personal information
• Steal bank information
• Conduct identity theft
• Lure young people for inappropriate actions

General Security Measures

How to protect yourself from these risks?

Check Online Reviews

Some websites sell games at very low rates. Gaming enthusiasts take up the deals immediately without realizing the potentials risks involved. Keep in mind that these websites may use your personal or financial information for illegal purposes.

It is a wise move to check out online reviews of every game that you install. You should go for a game only when its safety is convincing enough. AirG Spam Free apps are a great example of how developers are trying their best to secure personal information of the users.

Use Anti-Spyware

Criminals in the virtual landscape are expanding their scope of operations with every passing day. Apart from stealing financial information, they can also use your IP to perform illegal activities. These may put you in great trouble.

Hence, visit only those websites that are reliable and well-rated. And don’t undermine the importance of having antivirus software on your system. It acts as a shield against security issues.

Take Screenshots

If something out of the ordinary happens when playing an online game, stop right there. Take a screenshot and print it out if necessary. Evidence of malpractice can be shown to the developers or legal authorities so they can take action against it.

Avoid Unknown Links

Downloading from shady websites puts your entire system at risk. Do not install any games from unknown sites. Also, beware of clicking on links or images in any game or website. You usually come across adverts while playing games on an app or a website. These pop-ups may contain a virus and harm your computer.

Be Cautious of New Emails

Email is the most common pathway chosen by cybercriminals to enter a system. Be aware of opening files attached to an email or instant messages that you receive from an unknown person while playing the game. Always verify the authenticity of downloaded files and the new software.

Game-Specific Measures

Every gamer playing online games should be aware of some specific set of actions. These security practices shall enable them to understand the complex issues related to the game and stay safe throughout the sessions.

Identify Administrator Mode Risks

Some games require you to adopt the admin mode. In this scenario, make sure that the admin is legit and reliable. It is common for free files to have malicious software. And when you provide admin level permits to the game, the chances for attackers gaining control of your system escalate.

Javascript and Active X risks

Some games play directly on the web browser. They require Active X or JavaScript to play. These features may open your system to malicious content, and so it is important to secure your web browser using essential tools.

Play on an Official Site

Playing a game on its official website reduces the risks of security and data breaches. It saves you from landing onto an unauthentic page and infecting your system.

Online gaming has become a major source of revenue for nations. Computer geeks get a chance to proceed forth and give meaning to their passion.  Players can experience new things with every game. However, it is important to keep in mind that there are a few threats that tag along.

Get to know the potential risks of these games. Analyze the ways to counter them. Once you know all of it, you can start playing online and experience the great virtual pleasure.

Originally posted 2019-04-11 15:06:38. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The post How to Avoid the Potential Security Risks Associated with Online Gaming? first appeared on Information Technology Blog.

Information technology is one of few occupations that provide real-world functionality, security, and other critical solutions to every job sector and niche of the economy. Regardless of industry, businesses that continue to grow will inevitably require a variety of IT solutions to operate effectively and efficiently.

Many IT professionals recognize that long-established businesses continue to adhere to various tactics, strategies and methods of operation that burden both the company overall and the IT departments in which they work. Streamlining these inadequacies in pursuit of more efficient solutions is only sensible.

In the spirit of progress, let’s examine a few steps that businesses and IT departments can take to ensure greater IT efficiency overall.

Embrace Browser-Based Solutions

IT departments spend an inordinate amount of time installing images on each PC, updating users’ computers with new software, and otherwise troubleshooting compatibility issues. One such method for minimizing the amount of wasted energy IT departments must expend is by ditching desktop-based software in favor of browser-based solutions.

These days, there are browser-based solutions for just about any program imaginable. From word processing and spreadsheets to computer aided design and email management, very few pieces of software need to be installed to each user’s computer. Take Upverter.com for example, which allows users to utilize electronic design tools to build circuit boards and other useful electronic components. Given that Upverter.com and many other browser-based solutions are free to use, freeing up your IT department’s daily grind by embracing these solutions only makes sense.

Pursue an Open Source Policy

The more complicated the software offerings of a particular business, the more time IT employees have to spend making sure everything works together. Juggling aspects such as licensing and compatibility can be a pain. Thankfully, open source software eliminates many of these types of concerns.

Not only will an open source policy save businesses money, but extensive documentation and compatibility built into most of these offerings makes an IT employee’s life much easier with respect to troubleshooting and installation.

Have a “Burnout” Contingency Plan

IT employees work hard and perform many vital tasks every day. Most other employees don’t even realize the amount of work they do, but IT professionals certainly feel it over time. One common reason for efficiency loss in IT departments is due to “burnout.” This means that the daily grind can be grueling, causing workers to lose motivation.

As such, businesses should always have a burnout contingency plan for whenever one or more employees experiences this. This can be incredibly helpful in minimizing the loss of productivity in IT departments, but broader efforts can also be used company-wide to ensure greater efficiency.

Ensure Skill Advancement Opportunities

IT professionals need constant skill development in order to remain at their best. With new software, networking protocols, and technology in general constantly being unveiled, new certifications and methods of operation have to be learned.

Businesses that care about the efficiency of their IT departments must offer meaningful skill advancement opportunities to their employees. The most common IT skills and certificates are obviously a good place to start, but branching out and expanding those offerings as time progresses is imperative for maximum productivity.

At the end of the day, maximizing IT productivity revolves around ensuring employees don’t get burned out and have opportunities for advancement. Likewise, it is crucial that businesses advance in ways that minimize the unnecessary grind work that IT employees must navigate on a daily basis to ensure they can focus on more important matters. With these tips in mind, any business should consider how best to begin implementing a plan for greater IT efficiency.

Originally posted 2019-08-27 21:43:29. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The post Steps That Ensure Greater IT Efficiency first appeared on Information Technology Blog.

The world has come so far from hunting and gathering.  Today it’s take out your phone, find the best deal, buy and wait for it to arrive.  Mobile applications and automation is changing the face of shopping.  Every store now has an app and almost anything can now be ordered online.  But beyond these apps and online shopping are many more technological advances that we would not have imagined we’d be living in a decade ago.  

Barcode Scanning

One technology that has been around for many years now is barcode scanning.  Barcode scanning apps allows one to scan a barcode and searches the item to look up pricing and reviews. Other applications encourage browsing, like Shopkick, which gives buyers points which can be redeemed for rewards or discounts just for walking into or around a store.  Yelp has a similar feature that offers to store retailers to provide discounts to customers when they check in to a store.

Object Recognition

Google Goggles and Amazon lets you use pictures taken with your mobile phone to search the web. It’s ideal for things that aren’t easy to describe in words. Probably the next concept as well for online shopping, where you take a picture and get a results of products related to whatever it is you snapped a photo of.

At this supermarket, objects are automatically recognized and have no need for a barcode!

Shop Without Leaving your Car

Great idea, or absurd promotion of laziness?  While online shopping has certainly made many of us lazy, even with ubereats and other delivery apps that bring restaurant food right to your door, some companies intend to automate shopping enabling customers to shop right from their car!

Amazon’s Grocery of the Future

With Amazon’s latest acquisition of Wholefoods, expect to start seeing this at your local Wholefoods supermarket. Amazon Go is a new kind of store featuring the world’s most advanced shopping technology. No lines, no checkout – just grab and go! Learn more at http://amazon.com/go

You literally don’t have to get out of bed!  While there are many pros to these technologies making our busy lives easier, they also promote a bit of laziness.  What’s your take on this, like it or don’t?

Originally posted 2017-08-03 00:04:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The post The Future of Shopping first appeared on Information Technology Blog.