Best single-cup coffee maker: forget Keurig

If you like the idea of making the perfect cup of coffee with no waste and at a reasonable cost, the Scoop is worth a look.

It lets you make one cup in 90 seconds and use your own brand of coffee; no need to be locked into one brand or waste those little plastic containers. The brewer costs about $70 in Canada and the coffee costs about half of what Keurig charges.

The Scoop offers ultra-simple preparation in three straightforward steps: 1) Scoop whatever amount required to achieve your level of "strongness" 2) Place 3) Brew. It features a steel mesh scoop for filtering freshly ground coffee and comes with a built-in, adjustable stand that flips to accommodate a standard-size cup or a taller travel mug.

Human Resource Management: About Metrics

Human Resource Management: About Metrics

Simply stating that human resource management is an important organizational function often doesn’t cut much ice with people in charge of budgets, especially when those people lack HR knowledge and training. So, it’s smart to be able to articulate benefits in ways that reveal why an organization is better off with a planned process than without one.

Money-minded people will concur that employees are the greatest asset of any organization, but in the next breath, they will also note that staff is also the greatest expense. So, the natural inclination of most finance administrators is to minimize staff numbers and to also minimize any and all expenses related to staffing, even expenses such as training.

Panasonic HX-DC2 High Def Camcorder

Panasonic HX-DC2 High Def Camcorder

Panasonic HX-DC2 High Definition Camcorder: We have two of these HX series Panasonics at my college for marketing students to use when shooting project videos. Very easy to use and the unique grip form minimizes shooting fatigue because you can hold the camera with one hand like a pistol. It shoots high def MP4 and the
twin shutter design also enables 14 MP still photos at the same time. The little cameras can take a beating, too, and still do the job. Priced at only $249, they are very good fiscal value. Great for beginning videographers, as a gift for a child, and, of course, for student work.

Audacity Sound Editing Software

Audacity Sound Editing Software

If you're into music, if you record narrations for YouTube videos, if you sing, or whatever, you will not find a better audio editor than Audacity. And did I mention that it's FREE!

It's easy to use, provides a ton of options to improve sound quality, can do multiple tracks, add Gverb, change pitch, speed, cut out unwanted parts, and all in fantastic stereo. I've been using Audacity for several years while recording vocals for songs with Yamaha pianos and it does not disappoint. You can get the free download here. http://audacity.sourceforge.net/



Here's a good CNET review that details its benefits and features very well, plus a tutorial video link:

"With so many audio editors out there, finding the right tool for the job can be tricky. The multiplatform, open-source editor Audacity has leaped to the top of our list with its clean interface, excellent features, and support for 32-bit floating-point audio. Audacity succeeds at being both feature-rich and flexible, while keeping the toolbar and work space uncluttered. It does this by relegating most functions--such as effects, edits, and project management--to handy drop-down menus."

Read more: Audacity - CNET Download.com http://download.cnet.com/Audacity/3000-2170_4-10058117.html#ixzz2B80c1j8b

Tutorials: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/

Shure Wireless Headset Microphone PG30

Shure Wireless Headset Microphone PG30

I find boom microphones uncomfortable and physically restraining when singing. I mean, you're tethered two inches from the damn things, your head, and mouth, literally stuck to a wind sock. Not necessary!

Just got a Shure wireless headset and am I glad. It totally frees you up from worrying about distance from the mic, or even thinking about the darn mic. And when you're singing, the last thing you need to be is rooted in one spot for minutes or hours. I don't know why so many stage performers stick with boom mics...not me any more.

Olive Oil: Some Novel Applications

Olive Oil: Some Novel Applications

Who doesn't like olive oil on salads and for cooking? It's the best, adding that special fragrance and flavor that is unmistakable. But, we've discovered two recent uses for it that are equally appealing. And, they work...we've tested them and report excellent results!

No. 1: Do you own anything made of stainless steel? Calling stainless steel "stainless" has to be the cruelest marketing joke of all time; damn stuff shows every finger mark!

  Well, apply olive oil to your stainless steel, in a small quantity, and those annoying smudges disappear. We've paid good money for commercial stainless steel cleaners that haven't worked worth a damn. Olive oil just does and it's cheap and totally nontoxic. Duh! Why don't the olive oil manufacturers market this benefit?

No. 2:  Do you burn oil candles or lamps? If so, do you buy lamp oil that stinks, that stains, and that is toxic? Well, simply replace it with olive oil. Get a good wick, anchor it, and voila, lamp oil. Jesus, why didn't I discover this 40 years ago?

There is no smell, no toxic stuff to store, and if your pet tips it and drinks it, no vet bill or nasty stain to clean! Oh, and save money, too.  

iThenticate Checks for Plagiarism & More

iThenticate Checks for Plagiarism & More

First, a story. A couple months ago, Amazon contacted me after I uploaded an eBook. The concern was that too much of my book appeared online (anything over 10% of total content gets flagged). Amazon, quite rightly, wanted assurances that the content was mine. The rather pointed email also demanded to know why so much of the book was available in the public domain. Yikes!

The trick with Amazon is that you aren't dealing with real people who you can query for an explanation about what content is at issue or where it resides. I was at a loss to provide an explanation. In the meantime, Amazon locked my book from being for sale. Double Yikes! My research began damn fast, and within an hour, it became apparent that the best solution to identify what was online, and where, was iThenticate.

Design Your Own Book Covers

Design Your Own Book Covers

Myecovermaker.com: No matter what kind of books you write, print or eBooks, you need great covers. First, you need fantastic visuals, so go to www.shutterstock.com but the next step should be to myecovermaker, a wonderful company with great service and prices: http://www.myecovermaker.com/  The two firms, together, let me create the cover at left for under $10!

At myecovermaker, you will find a multiplicity of design software and options for all needs. The software is sophisticated, yet easy to use. The service from head developer, Tuan, is exceptional and so are the prices, i.e. just a few dollars for an individual cover, or, if you need covers frequently, opt for a very affordable monthly subscription. 
Let there be no mistake, if your cover doesn't grab people's attention, your sales are dead, so it's worth spending time, money, and thought in this marketing area and the designs and fonts, and software flexibility, makes it easy to produce visual stunners.