Blog Archives
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How important is data security? This accounting firm was hacked
By Isaac M. O'Bannon, Editor - Friday May 17, 2013
From the Tech Views blog . Perhaps your firm's management isn't concerned that much with hackers targeting their firm. After all, if a hacker has the expertise to do it, wouldn't they target much larger enterprises like banks? That's not necessarily the case, and the recent data breach at a local accounting firm in Connecticut should serve as a warning to firms who take the threat risk too lightly. The firm, which has offices in Ridgefield and Fairfield, Conn, fell victim to a hacker that police say may have been able to access information on as many as 900 clients. A partner at the firm confirmed the incident but would not yet provide additional information. From the Ridgefield Press : Jaclyn Falkowski, a spokesperson for the... -
How much do you value your employees? As much as they contribute?
By Isaac M. O'Bannon, Editor - Saturday April 13, 2013From Isaac's Tech Views blog . I'm about to reach the 11 year mark of working for the same employer, this publication. I graduated high school in 88, tried college (had fun, but didn't do well) - worked a few jobs, then joined the US Navy as a Seabee until the end of 1996. Then, I returned to college at OU and finished my BA in Public Relations/ Tech Journalism in Dec 1998. I then took an internship in Denver with Ogilvy , the world's largest PR firm. After Denver, I was offered a tech PR position in San Francisco. A great mid-sized firm (110 people in SF, NY and AZ). But I was laid off during the tech bubble of 2001. The firm went kaput in 2002. So, in mid 2001, I returned to Oklahoma and re-enrolled at OU to pursue grad... -
Senate may consider online sales tax in 2013
By Isaac M. O'Bannon, Editor - Sunday February 24, 2013
In Washington, D.C., the inauguration is over and a new Congress and Senate are back in session. In addition to big and frequently discussed issues on their agenda, such as gun control, national security, immigration reform and the ongoing battle over the budget, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators hope to accomplish is the passing of a bill that would better enable states to collect taxes on transactions. Wyoming Senator Mike Enzi-R, Illinois Senator Dick Durbin-D, and Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander-R, have cosponsored the Marketplace Fairness Act , which would allow states to require online retailers and catalog retailers to collect sales tax on transactions. Because of the disparity and complexity of the various sales tax... -
Small business lending and hiring up at end of 2012
By Isaac M. O'Bannon, Editor - Monday February 4, 2013Small businesses were able to borrow a little more in December and the data showed a slight increase for 2012, which a report says is a least a small sign of potential economic growth for the beginning of 2013. Likewise, a separate report showed small business hiring up slightly in January. For the year, small business lending was up 1 percent for 2012 over 2011, according to the Thomson Reuters/PayNet Small Business Lending Index, a measure of the overall volume of financing to small companies in the United States. Small businesses are often responsible for the bulk of new job creation after recessions. The recent recession ended in 2009, but sluggish growth has meant weak job growth, and unemployment in January rose to 7.9... -
California reports budget surplus
By Isaac M. O'Bannon, Editor - Thursday January 10, 2013
After more than a decade of financial strife, teacher cutbacks, employees paid with IOUs and the recall of one governor, California Governor Jerry Brown unveiled the state's latest finances. The surprise for many: A budget surplus of about $851 million. The state has seen tax revenue rise over the past few years, while spending on many programs was reduced. It expects $98.5 billion in income, and spnding of $97.7 billion. At a news conference in Sacramento, Brown proposed modest new funding for education and healthcare that would increase overall spending by about 5 percent. However, he warned against the impusle to increase spending too quickly. "I am determined to avoid the fiscal mess that the last few governors had to deal... -
Happy New Years 2013!
By Isaac M. O'Bannon, Editor - Tuesday January 1, 2013
Happy New Years, everyone! Wishing you a successful year and happiness. -
Gadget bonus ideas for the new year: New Years' Eve! Resolving to clean up a nasty habit.
By Isaac M. O'Bannon, Editor - Monday December 31, 2012
From the Tech Views blog. This is the last of the post-holiday bonus gadget ideas. Enjoy a festive New Year's Eve and a wonderful New Year! Cleaning Up a Smoker’s Habit We all know that smoking is unhealthy and stinks, and yet millions of Americans still do it. Even smokers know this, and most try to be conscientious about it. Now there’s a way to be even more polite, and get rid of the smoke, ash and smell, without quitting. EverSmoke eCigarettes are a USB rechargeable electronic cigarette.The smoker gets their nicotine fix, but none of the tar, ammonia, carbon monoxide and other toxic additives. And for everyone around them, there’s no smelly stink, no flame and no smoke, only a water vapor mist. They also... -
Gadget bonus ideas for the new year: Dec. 30: An elegant, all-natural laptop case
By Isaac M. O'Bannon, Editor - Sunday December 30, 2012
From the Tech Views blog. Here comes the new year, and if you're still looking for a few post-holiday deals on gadgets, I've got a few more ideas that I'll post each day until New Year's Eve! An Elegant Way to Carry Your Laptop Most latop cases are boring plasstic or leather designs that all look the same. The Booq Mamba Courier series, however, gives professionals an elegant messenger-style shoulder bag that was specifically designed to carry all of a professional's tech essentials in style. The cases have an exterior construction made of innovative natural fibers that are all-natural, waterproof and organically dyed. The result is a smooth but rugged feel that is extremely lightweight and strong, providing a... -
Gadget bonus ideas for the new year: Dec. 29: A Golden Gift: Hit the tees at home
By Isaac M. O'Bannon, Editor - Saturday December 29, 2012
From the Tech Views blog. Here comes the new year, and if you're still looking for a few post-holiday deals on gadgets, I've got a few more ideas that I'll post each day until New Year's Eve! A Golden Gift: Hit the Tees at Home One of the biggest video game hits of the past 15 years has been Golden Tee, with the standup projector style gaming units drawing competitive players at bars, restaurants and various other locations around the country. For those who love the game, but would rather stay at home, the Golden Tee 2013 Home Edition is a hole-in-one of a gift. The standup system is the real thing, not a console-based game with a puny little trackball. It includes a 39-inch high cabinet that connects to an HDTV, plus has... -
Gadget bonus ideas for the new year: Dec. 28: Boost Your Audio
By Isaac M. O'Bannon, Editor - Friday December 28, 2012
From the Tech Views blog. Here comes the new year, and if you're still looking for a few post-holiday deals on gadgets, I've got a few more ideas that I'll post each day until New Year's Eve! Boost Your Audio Your favorite tunes deserve real stereo output, but in an age of mini-devices, most people don't want the hassle of a big and complicated receiver for their home sound systems. To really get the groove on, though, you need more power. That's where Orb Audio's new Booster amplifier steps up to kick it up! The Booster brings high performance sound to up to four audio sources, featuring an easy-to-use remote control, beautiful extruded aluminum cabinet and professional quality speaker connectors. Additionally...
