Can I Send a Fax Using a Computer?
Did you know that you no longer need a fax machine to send and receive faxes? This is because all your faxing can be done through the internet, right on your computer or laptop. Faxing is a lot easier now and more affordable to everyone.
Before having to buy a fax machine was very expensive, not to mention how much space a fax machine takes up in an office. Today you don’t have to buy a bulky machine to get your faxing jobs done, all you need to get started is a computer and internet connection. Even better, you won’t have to undergo any complicated setups or wiring. Your online faxing account is activated for free.
Of course, if you already own a fax machine you can throw it out or continue using it because some internet fax service also allow you to continue using your fax machine with their service. Internet faxing makes your communication tasks faster and easier than ever. Sending a fax online is as easy as sending an email so there is no special training required.
Best of all, you can send and receive faxes no matter what computer you are on. Your account is password protected so simply login to any computer and start faxing or check on your received faxes. Some services also have fax software that you can download on your desktop for added features.
All online fax services come with basic features and benefits such as multiple faxing, which comes in very handy when you need to send a fax to several contacts. You will also never have to hear those busy signal tones again because your faxes are instantly sent online to any fax machine in the world.
Besides being able to fax from your computer, online fax providers are now also providing features that allow you to fax from your cell phone! This makes faxing even more portable and available to you no matter where you are. Best of all these services are cheap!
You would think that so many professional features would cost you hundreds but in fact these services start at low prices such as $6.95 a month! For less than $7 a month you can start faxing right from your own computer without having to waste hundreds on a fax machine or having to install an extra phone line. Many services are also providing free fax numbers just for signing up!
Slow Internet Speed?
The problem of a slow Internet connection can be caused by a multitude of problems, ranging from a weak connection from your ISP to your firewall blocking your high speed. However, there’s also a hidden problem which many people are unaware of, that can cause your Internet to run extremely slowly.
One of the biggest causes of a slow Internet connection is actually your computer itself… and more importantly, a part of it called the ‘registry’. The registry is a database which stores settings and options for Windows, giving Windows the ability to ‘remember’ various different settings that you might have on your PC. However, the registry database is prone to becoming damaged and corrupted, making your system struggle to process the files it needs.
The registry database stores Internet settings, such as which ‘ports’ to use and how fast your connection is. What happens on most PCs is that when these settings are opened by your computer, it gets confused and saves them in the wrong way. This causes these settings to become damaged and corrupted, leading your computer to be unable to read them correctly, distorting parts of your PC. And if the settings that are corrupted alter the speed of your Internet connection, then you’ll see your web pages take longer to load and your entire net slow down.
The problem of corrupt registry settings is a big issue for Windows, as it means that your computer cannot process the Internet sites you want to visit quickly, slowing them down. This problem is actually one of the most common causes of slow connection speeds, and fortunately, you can speed them up by performing a ‘registry scan’. Scanning the registry is where you use a registry cleaner tool to look through every registry file and remove any of the damaged or corrupted ones that are in there.
When you use one of these tools to scan your PC, you’ll be able to fix the most errors and problems that are inside it, allowing your computer & Internet to run much quicker again. To do this, you need to download one of these tools, install it and then let it scan through the registry database. It will then remove any of the damaged or corrupt files that are in there, speeding up your Internet speed.
Why Monitor Employee Internet Usage?
The monitoring of employee internet activity has been on the rise over the past decade. It is somewhat of a controversial subject with some employees saying it is unconstitutional. However, if done correctly and for the right reasons, one cannot argue that employers certainly have the right, legally and morally, to perform such monitoring.
Almost all companies that allow employees access to computers and the internet to perform their job responsibilities require the employee to sign a statement that outlines what is allowed by the employee as far as computer and internet usage.
In most cases it is clearly stated what the penalties for not following these directives. In many cases it clearly states that the violation of these terms will be cause for dismissal. I truly do not understand why an employee, after signing such a statement, would have any reason to object to an employer monitoring his activity on his computer or internet.
There are many reasons that employers may decide to monitor employee internet usage.
Internet security is a major issue. Anytime one goes on the internet there is always a chance that your firewall or security program could be breached. We are talking about a computer being used that may have highly classified information about the company, its resources, and its employees. Any breach in security of your company’s computers could be a major problem for the company and the employees as well.
File, program, and intranet security issues are involved. The employee decides to load up a program he brings in on disk or to show others working with him his latest vacation photos. The next thing you know he has caused a problem with the operation of your company’s computer system. A file was over ridden, a file was deleted, a virus was on the disk he brought in and now the entire company’s system is down. Information is lost.
Productivity of employees is certainly a concern. I think it is obvious that if an employee is using the internet for personal activities that this can decrease his productivity. It does not matter if it is visiting porn sites, gambling sites, sports office pools, doing their banking, shopping, or talking to their spouse or friend on an instant messenger, it will affect their productivity in a major way.
Just as a company has security guards in place to monitor traffic in and out of your company’s work spaces you need to be sure that the same type of security is set up for internet traffic and activity. Years ago one only had to be concerned that the entrances and exits of your building were guarded. Well there is now an information highway that runs through your work environment that also needs to be kept secure.
There have been some exciting innovations in products that can assist an employer in keeping his computer systems secure, the internet usage by his employees under control and his employees productive!
Best Internet Security Tips
In this article you will discover the five steps that every computer user should implement to prevent cyber crime attacks. These days the cyber world is becoming bigger and bigger with rapidly growing number of businesses and individuals using internet as a business place. Naturally, cyber criminals target computers with low antivirus internet security and commit their criminal activities.
However, there are guidelines that need to be followed in order to secure your computer from internet security attacks:
Back-up Data – Savvy computer users are aware of the importance of keeping their data safe and away from internet security attacks and regularly perform back ups. You can back up your data on an external data storage device such is CD, memory stick or external hard drive. The device you use will depend on the data size. The overall idea is that if anything happens to your primary data, you can always retrieve them from somewhere.
File sharing- Another very important thing to be avoided is files with strangers. This makes your computer internet security vulnerable as the files form other computer users may contain malicious infections that without a good anti-virus internet security can potentially destroy your computer or steal sensitive information. Make sure you turn off and disable file-sharing if it is not needed.
Disconnecting from the Internet- It is additional prevention so whenever you internet is not in use just simply disconnect form internet. It lessens the possibility of cyber criminals passing your internet security.
Update security patches- Computer programs sometimes contain bugs that can be an entrance to your computer for any malicious person to attack and potentially harm your computer. Therefore, it is very important to regularly update your security patches and increase.
Maintain up to date antivirus software firewall- Good antivirus software and firewall are crucial components of your arsenal to increase internet security that will protect your computer from attacks. Make sure to keep your anti-virus program and firewall up to date.
Great Ways to Use a Personal Computer
A few years ago, there were skeptics who said that computers would never take off. Now the world is practically run by them, and millions of us have them in our own homes too.
The following are the most common reasons for us having a computer at home. I bet you use yours for at least one of these purposes.
Playing online games is a phenomenon that so many of us do it has become the most popular use for a home computer. The internet isn’t even needed, simply purchase the games you enjoy and install.
Gaming should be for fun, and with the world opening up thanks to the internet, we can play with or against people for all four corners of the globe. Some gamers find themselves hopelessly addicted and start sleeping through the day and playing all night.
More people now have a Facebook or MySpace account than don’t. These social networking websites have literally millions of member with more signing up every minute. They cross time and space so you can play a game against someone in a different continent. The chat facility also allows you to chat with both old and new friends.
Watching and/or streaming movies and videos is incredibly easy thanks to the likes of YouTube and Netflix. YouTube is a phenomenal success,and many unknowns have posted videos of themselves on here, had millions of hits and gone from no hope to celebrity in no time, such is the exposure gained from being seen on YouTube.
Buying, selling, marketing and promoting; four ways in which the internet can have a massive impact on your business or services. It takes very little time to create a website and once its running and there’s an online payment system in operation, businesses have seen their sales go through the roof.
Chatting is another thing we spend a lot of time doing on our computers or laptops. It’s fast becoming THE way to keep in touch, whether chatting through an instant messaging service or simply by sending emails.
With a Combined 7 years on the Job, These Two New Professionals Have Learned a Thing or Two.
A note from the authors:
On April 18, 2010 the Chronicle of Higher Education published a commentary by community college presidents, Joseph N. Hankin and Stuart Steiner. Joseph N. Hankin is president of the State University of New York’s Westchester Community College. Stuart Steiner is president of SUNY’s Genesee Community College. Their commentary shared 8 lessons from their experience to their fellow college presidents around the world. After reading the article and the plethora of wisdom shared within the text, we couldn’t help ourselves from thinking, “What about the new professionals in the field? Couldn’t they use this sort of wisdom framed for their experience?” The answer is what you will find below.
This article was specifically written to mimic the original article (found here) in style and format but with the point of view of new professionals. It is not intended to plagiarize the original work nor is it meant to be a satirical version. We were inspired by Presidents Hanker and Steiner and their collaborative effort to educate and instill their wisdom upon other higher education professionals and administrators. Each of us hopes that in the distant future we can look back at our careers and offer as much knowledge and experience as Presidents Hanker and Steiner but until then, please read on and enjoy…
In the Augusts of 2005 and 2006, each of us began our higher education career with graduate assistantships at two of Connecticut’s most reputable institutions, Fairfield University and the University of Connecticut. Full time positions followed in relatively short order: Joseph Ginese was hired as the Coordinator of Orientation at Fairfield University in 2007, followed by a promotion to Assistant Director of New Student Programs in 2008. Robyn Kaplan was hired as a Program Coordinator at Fairfield University in 2008, where she continues to serve today. Together we hold a combined record of 7 years of new professional service (including each of our 2 year assistantships equivalent to 1 year as a professional).
As we observe many of our colleagues navigating their own careers in higher education, our short but promising path both humbles and inspires us. We have reflected often on our three-quarters of a decade of service and the reasons for our short but successful careers. Perhaps our reflections will provide insight into the unique challenges for the new student affairs professional. Equally important, by sharing what we believe to be the defining measures of our success, perhaps we can inspire others who work – or would like to work – as student affairs practitioners. Here are some of the lessons we have learned:
Successful new professionals in student affairs are educators first and foremost. We and our most successful colleagues spend a large percentage of our time teaching and guiding students and student organizations. Our curriculum consists of professional vision, assessment practices, and ‘challenge by support’ techniques. Like all new professionals, we use every ounce of our energy to prove our worth, credibility, and pride in our department/institution. Over time, our abilities mature and become polished resulting in life-long mentor relationships with students, ties to the institution that gave you a chance, and a full resume.
Successful new professionals keep learning. The depth and breadth of our professional roles and responsibilities are endless. We are responsible for hundreds of events on campus, press releases to the community about said events, implementing leadership programs, hiring student staffs, chaperoning trips, maintaining budgets, creating and maintaining assessment practices, and serving as the front line for student interaction. Successful new professionals take every opportunity and do it to the best of their ability, taking in every lesson, quip of wisdom, and experience they can obtain. But equally important, we network at conferences, join regional/state association boards, we volunteer for everything, and we are the change agents. We remain curious about big goals, obscure details, and always ask “why?” in large group discussions. The more we know, the better professionals we become.
Successful new professionals think about today. While many of our mid- and senior-level colleagues are immersed in managing the “2-, 5-, and 10- year strategic plans/vision/mission,” we do our best to keep up with the “here and now.” We might, for example, begin planning our first attempt at living with a partner, planning a wedding, or wondering how we are going to make our first student loan payment after graduate school. These are priorities that directly affect our tomorrows, so they must be taken care of today. We are always working on new or revised life plans for all areas of our future (both professionally and personally). Our gratification comes from the knowledge that we are shaping and securing our futures while also attempting to shape and secure the futures of our students, department, and institution.
Successful new professionals are fair-minded. Successful new professionals rarely hold any prejudice when it comes to opportunities or organizations. New professionals take opportunities wherever they can get them. Typically it doesn’t matter the office sponsoring an event or soliciting volunteers – new professionals are often the first to raise their hand. Other seasoned professionals at institutions may be weary of volunteering due to time constraints, office politics, or focusing attention elsewhere. Many new professionals don’t have their time constricted by other committees or “senior” level work, they aren’t privy to office politics and past relationships, and their attention is focused on what is going to make them standout. But when the people around new professionals recognize that their motives are rooted in the long-terms goals of themselves as professionals (and about the institution) and that their actions are based on “what skill/involvement am I missing”, they will usually earn the support of all constituencies due to their excitement and charisma.
Successful new professionals are careful with resources. In current times, new professionals have witnessed a glimpse of a recession and some of America’s worst economic times. Just as significantly, new professionals have experienced personal and professional struggles leading them to be cognizant, careful, and collaborative with the limited resources available. The most successful new professionals pay attention to opportunities to collaborate and co-sponsor with other offices. We err on the side of caution and conservative thinking when planning our budgets on a semester basis. While we have the desire to earn reputations as prudent, enthusiastic collaborators, we want our office to recognize that we put as much energy and care into the partnerships we develop as we do in our primary responsibilities.
Successful new professionals respect the role of mentors and supervisors. Many successful supervisors will give their new professionals broad autonomy to operate within their roles, but successful new professionals understand that their mentors and supervisors have been in their shoes before and are often the wiser decision makers. At times, new professionals lose sight of this and, as a result, open the door for their mentors/supervisors to have a “learning moment” with them. The motto of “it’s easier to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission” is not one a new professional should embrace. New professionals must master a level of patience and possess an ability to ask before assume in order to effectively serve their supervisors and their institution.
Successful new professionals stay fresh. Just as graduate school provided endless amounts of intellectual stimulation by harboring constructive dialogue, professional writing, student development theorizing, and contemporary issues reading; new professionals must make an effort to maintain such stimulation in their professional role. Active involvement in the college by asking for opportunities to sit on committees, attend professional conferences and subscribing to a higher education journal help us stay on top of the field and future growth opportunities. In turn, we invest ourselves and what we’ve learned in the institution by implementing new programs, asking questions never asked before, and sharing a renewed sense of energy.
Successful new professionals celebrate accomplishments and recognize others for theirs. Although the student thank-you notes and the professional pats on the back could be few and far between, new professionals should learn to value the small gestures that are meant to indicate the large impact we are making. Every breakthrough is an important one. Every failure is an educational moment of how to do it right next time. Every accomplishment is a glimpse of certainty that we, new professionals, are in this field for a reason. That reason is the inner sense of fulfillment to know that we are a part of a community who strive to develop all those around us – regardless of gender, creed, age, race, or orientation. The more we acknowledge our own successes, and recognize others for theirs, the more certain we become that we are a part of a select few who have stumbled upon our challenging, fulfilling, exhausting, enlightening passion that is a career in higher education.
Joseph M. Ginese (@JoeGinese) is a Program Manager in the Office of Academic Services at Babson College. Robyn Kaplan (@RKaplan13) is a Program Coordinator in the Office of University Activities at Fairfield University.
Original Article Citation:
Hankin, Joseph N., and Stuart Steiner. “With a Combined 78 Years on the Job, 2 Presidents Share What They’ve Learned – Commentary – The Chronicle of Higher Education.” Home – The Chronicle of Higher Education. 18 Apr. 2010. Web. 1 June 2010. <http://chronicle.com/article/With-a-Combined-78-Years-on/65053/>
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Why You Won’t Be Reading “How to Tell A Who-Do From a Guru, Part 3″ Here
These days, you couldn’t swing a LOLCAT anywhere on the internet without banging kitty right into someone pitching themselves as a “guru” of something or other. I’ve become especially aware of this as a new business owner, because people call me to pitch this-and-that, and probably some of the other.
I’ve written a third post in my series “How to Tell a “Who-Do” from a “guru.” Originally, I cross-posted it here as well. That was at about 3 or 4 a.m this morning. Then I got up this morning, re-read it, and decided it didn’t really belong here. Not because it’s not relevant to this community (I think it is), but because it contains an affiliate link and some salty language. I can do that on my site, but thought after some consideration (and some coffee) that it didn’t belong here. I like writing here occasionally, and so I decided that it’s best to keep it clean and non-commercial. It’s the social contract we have here, so I don’t want to blur the lines. I didn’t come here to sell you anything but ideas.
If you’ve been reading the series, please feel free to visit HigherEdCareerCoach.Com today and read along. The post is about the value of engaging in communities to get where you are going in your life and career. And in part, it is a tribute to the great community I’ve found here as an occasional contributor to this blog, and as a participant in #sachat on Twitter.
For me, engaging with this unique community of professionals has broadened my perspectives, challenged me, inspired me, and encouraged me. I feel that as I get where I am going in my career, I’ve got a great group of colleagues not just cheering me on from the sidelines, but helping me run the plays, go long and head for the end zone.
Yesterday, I learned (quite by accident) that somehow, Higher Ed Career Coach got ranked #49 on the Technorati top blogs for small business. It wasn’t something I was even thinking about, but it’s a nice validation that something is going right. And I give credit to the awesome people and communities I’ve been a part of, especially this one.
How do you tell a “who-do” from a “guru?’ Look around you, read this blog, and participate in #sachat and all the other hashtag chats that have been spawned by this community’s synergy, and I think you’ll get the idea.
I have seen the “guru” and he is us.
In the words of the Hopi Elders: “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”
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Why You Chose Student Affairs and Why You Stay – #SAChat Recap
Thanks to everyone who participated in yesterday’s #SAchat focusing on why you chose student affairs and why you stay. This week, our chats produced more than 900 comments from more than 175 student affairs professionals, graduate students and undergraduates interested or working in the Student Affairs field!
Despite an early red card being given to Twitter for it’s ongoing technical problems, chat play continued. In case you missed it, below is the transcript. If you haven’t yet participated in an #sachat, learn more here.
Full Transcripts
(Feel free to add your own comments if you missed the entire chat, a few questions, or comments today!)
DAYTIME: View as a Google Document
Missed the conversation or have more to add? The vuvuzelas will keep bleating in the background. Feel free to edit the transcript to participate in chat or keep the conversation going via Twitter.
This Week’s Top Contributors
@The_SA_Blog
@beckielkins
@mikesevery
@DawnPappas
@wihsng
@LaurieABerry
@JPKirchmeier
@Davey_Jacobson
@jenontheblock
@JenniferLPrince
What are some other topics you would like to see us cover? Please let us know your ideas and feedback to keep #sachat growing strong.
Until we next week, (if you haven’t already done so) please make sure to LIKE our growing Facebook Page, currently more than 3,000 and adding new #studentaffairs friends every day! Thanks for your continued support!
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How to Tell A Who-Do From a Guru, Part 3: We are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For
Third Tribe
These days, you couldn’t swing a LOLCAT anywhere on the internet without banging kitty right into someone pitching themselves as a “guru” of something or other. I’ve become especially aware of this as a new business owner, because people call me to pitch this-and-that, and probably some of the other.
Some examples:
- I had a nice lady from a major search engine optimization (SEO) company explain their service and promise to get me to page 1 on Google and entrench my brand, for only $9000 a year.
- I signed up for a coaching client management and referral website (for a small monthly fee) that promised to get me new clients and improved SEO rankings. Before they had even sent me a referral, they sent out a message to all their members saying they’d want 20% of a client’s fees for a year for referring someone. I wrote them a pointed-yet-polite you-can-kiss-my-ass comment. I didn’t cancel the service yet, because I am showing up better in search, but honestly, I know I can design a better client management system using Moodle, a blind web designer, and maybe some monkeys. And Moodle is free and easy to install.
- I’m constantly getting messages from coach training programs, companies that sell skill assessments of various kinds, web designers, social media consultants, etc., etc. and on and on…
In a couple of earlier posts, I explored what it means to be a guru, versus a “who-do” (i.e., someone who does what they are passionate about, for the sake of doing it, rather than someone who is revered for having some secret source of knowledge, or who promote themselves as such.)
So if you’ve been reading along, you probably won’t be surprised to hear that I think these people are full of shit, and that I’m not really interested in working with them for the long haul. At least not on their terms. If the cost of doing business is negligible and I am willing to pay for benefits that I actually receive, then fine, I’ll put up with some of the annoying BS. At least until I find something better.)
Who have I found to help move my sites and my business forward? Who do I trust to guide me? Where do I take my questions and concerns? How am I learning to be a better businessman, and a better coach?
You.
I learned it by watching you! And talking to you. Or exchanging e-mails. Or subscribing to your blogs. From the co-creative procress. From finding, and interacting with, communities that share my interests and passions.
My involvement in several communities has shown me the way forward, because I have connected with people who are interested in not just the content, but in the communities I serve.
- When I got mired down, I found guest bloggers and radio show co-hosts and guests from the Student Affairs Chat community on Twitter.
- When I needed fresh perspectives or to stretch myself to understand new and different things, I’ve done guest posts and had guest posters. I’ve tried to plug in to the community and connect around professional issues.
- When I needed to understand the needs and desires of job seekers, I joined discussions on Twitter, Linked In and Brazen Careerist, and even gave some free coaching (online and over the phone) to some people met in these places.
- When I needed to understand more about business and marketing (and selling), I joined the Third Tribe, a great membership group dedicated to helping people connect with their audience in authentic ways, instead of being annoying. In this group, I get to interact with interesting people like Chris Brogan, Brian Clark, Darren Rowse, Sonia Simone, Chris Garrett, and other top thinkers in social media, business and blogging. That was the selling point for me. What I didn’t expect was all the incredible people in the forums and how affirming it would be just to be there, read about their issues, peek over their shoulders (so to speak) as a community helps them dissect their issues, understand them, and suggestions to get them unstuck and help them move forward. And even though I am a coach, I didn’t expect to be helpful to anyone, but I’ve been surprised a few times already by how easy it is to help others…not by being smarter than anyone (I wouldn’t dare) but by being encouraging and helpful, a decent listener and a helping hand. The power of joining such a group is incredible, and I gladly signed up to be an affiliate. If you are interested in learning more about how to join the Third Tribe, let’s connect. You can always click on the banner ad on HigherEdCareerCoach, but I’d want to talk with you first so you coud really make an informed choice. For me, it’s the best money I have spent on my business development so far.
The lesson here is the same one I learned long ago in a reading from the Elders of the Hopi Nation. I used to read it at the beginning of staff training, to emphasize the power of working together toward community. To summarize the quote:
“The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves!
Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary.
All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”
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#SACHAT delayed by Twitter outage
Our apologies, but today’s 6/17/10 #SACHAT appears momentarily sidelined by a Twitter outage. If Twitter behaves soon, we will join our program in progress.
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