8 Benefits of Using Learning Management Systems

Posted on by Julie Gunn
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Educational institutions are always looking for new ways to help students learn and improve their knowledge. Some schools have taken to using learning management systems (LMSs), also called eLearning platforms, as a way of helping faculty teach courses online. These eLearning platforms offer many benefits that should make them an attractive choice for modern education. These include the following.

Easy Access to Information

One of the main challenges learners face with traditional learning is accessing course information. In many instances, students must walk a considerable distance from their dorm or classroom to find the relevant books. 

LMSs solve this problem by giving learners quick and convenient access using any device with an Internet connection. When you need to find learning content, such as informative essay examples, all you need to do is type the phrase in the search bar and click “search.” Thus, it boosts the efficiency of education.

Learning from Others

Considering the ever-changing world, it is increasingly important to learn from other people. For this to happen with traditional learning methods, students would need an experienced mentor in their field of study and available at their convenience. 

LMSs offer distance learners an opportunity to connect with mentors when they need them most. Students can post questions on forums where experts in the field will be able to answer them. They can also connect with them through live chats and video conferencing sessions.

Saving Time

One of the most significant benefits of using a learning management system is that it saves you time on activities like 

  • scheduling courses;
  • reviewing course materials;
  • keeping up with deadlines; 
  • meeting requirements such as grades and attendance;
  • submitting documentation to the institution. 

With LMSs, instructors can update course content without going through the long process of writing new material and waiting for approval from the institution. This is a significant advantage over traditional classroom settings. Information becomes outdated quickly when there’s little time to update materials.

Cost-Effectiveness

Delivering a quality education is expensive and requires a lot of resources. It is common for schools and individual teachers to spend thousands of dollars on textbooks or equipment. 

In comparison, many LMSs reduce the costs of learning inputs like stationery and textbooks. Besides, as learning can occur remotely, students can access self-guided learning modules.

Additionally, in open-source or free LMSs like Moodle, there are no costs involved apart from the time it takes for a school or teacher to set up the system.

Added Functionality

Some features that are popular with LMSs include 

  • collaborative spaces; 
  • document sharing;
  • quizzes or assessments of competencies; 
  • attendance tracking for both students and teachers; 
  • certificates to show learner achievements; 
  • personalized digital statements for learners about their progress. 

Also, there are many ways to deliver learning content. One of these is through video. An LMS can allow teachers and learners to upload, view, or download videos relevant to the course under study.

Audio recordings can serve as a valuable input for students who need them to learn concepts more clearly. For instance, if students have audiovisual answers to common questions, like what is an explanatory essay, the chances are that they will be more interested in the topic at hand. Added functionality of LMSs also appeals to different types of learners.

Promoting Interactive Learning

Getting students to pay attention to the material can be a challenge for educators. The good news is that LMSs make this task much easier. When students are engaged with course materials, they have more motivation to retain information and learn new skills.

With an LMS, content variation brings a welcome change to the monotony of traditional learning. In addition, instructors can adjust how materials are presented based on students’ needs. LMSs provide an opportunity for interactive discussions through chats and forums.

Versatility

The convenience of LMSs makes them an ideal resource for schools and individual teachers. These systems are online and accessible anywhere at any time. Teachers can set up lessons long in advance, and students can access their content from home or school. This is especially helpful when a student has missed a class due to illness or other emergencies.

Easy Progress Tracking

LMSs make evaluations easier. A teacher can input feedback through a grading system, and students can see their progress. This is an important benefit for parents who want to know how well their child is doing in school. 

The records that LMSs keep allow teachers to track student achievement. It helps them identify struggling students and tailor their lessons accordingly. It helps them identify struggling students and tailor their lessons accordingly. For example, by looking at the exemplification essay assignments submitted, an instructor can gauge the weak areas and adjust their teaching.

Wrapping Up

As LMSs have grown in popularity, they’ve also become more adept at simplifying the learning process. With an LMS, you can provide students with a more engaging and interactive course. This approach will ultimately lead to increased educational outcomes for your organization and learners. If you haven’t already considered leveraging this powerful tool, now is the time.

7 Tips for Minimum Viable Product (MVP) SaaS App Development

Posted on by Dmitry Chekalin
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The hospitality industry is divided into before and after Airbnb. It is an American SaaS-based online marketplace that offers arrangements for lodging or tourism experiences, on a commission basis. Since the company’s launch in 2007, they’ve gone from one rental to 5.6 million active listings and over 4 million hosts in 2021. This startup idea was validated with MVP and made the cut.

Let’s dig into MVP development services. Why this stage is crucial for SaaS startups, and how to start off.

To begin with, let’s take a closer look at the Airbnb example. In 2007 Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia created a simple AirBedandBreakfast.com. They bought air mattresses and put a part of their apartment in San Francisco to rent on their website for the first three visitors. It was enough to test the idea of short-term rentals, collect and analyze the feedback and move forward!

As of 2021, Airbnb expands beyond room bookings to vacation rentals, has 900M+ guest arrivals, 4M+ hosts, and over $9.6K annual earnings per host. Even with the 30% year-to-year revenue loss due to the Covid-19, Airbnb is still on top. In general, cloud businesses were not so badly affected by pandemics.

What’s in for you? If you are interested in software as a service domain or just have a business idea, you should start small. You don’t need to deliver a complex solution at once. The history of big brands, like Airbnb, proves the benefits of this approach.   

What is an MVP for SaaS?

A minimum Viable Product (MVP) has a limited number of features to satisfy the first customers. It also collects feedback for future development.

When you have an idea of a product or service, you still need to check whether this idea is worth the effort. An MVP is a quick and effective way to build a functional product that can further be scaled. The delivered MVP product does not always coincide with your initial idea. In fact, it can be somehow or totally different.

To prove this idea, Henrik Kniberg, a product coach for Spotify, created a popular illustration of product versions. Every new version was based on the end-user satisfaction with the product and differed from the previous one. As a result, the initial idea and final product here are two different products with different functionality.

So, it means that the one who prompts the path for your idea and SaaS product development is your audience, first adopters, and end-users. Depending on their problems, your product should evolve and find the best shortest way to solve the users’ pains.

Benefits of MVP for cloud products 

You, as a business owner, have certain risks and fears of starting something new. As a rule, the budget is also very tight for startups. An average SaaS startup with up to 100 employees spends a staggering $1.16m annually. Here comes the MVP approach to help you out. Below are the core benefits for your business to think about. You can:

  • Check the product idea;
  • Probe the market of interest;
  • Reduce working hours of the team; 
  • Receive the first income or donations from investors; 
  • Analyze the first mistakes and feedback;
  • Save costs and thus resources. 

How to Start Off: 7 Tips for Minimum Viable Product Development

Tip 1: First, define the problem before you define the solution

The common mistake of a new SaaS product launch is adding new cool features without checking the need for them and not having following a production launch checklist.

Answer this question first: does my solution solve the right problem?

Tip 2: Know your market and competition

Sounds obvious but true for all SaaS startups. The market and competitors research gives you a clue on how to start, how much to spend, how to fill the market gap, and where you can offer a better service.

Tip 3: Find out your customers’ needs and pains

There are some basic types of pain points: the convenience of use, the financial part, and the shopping journey. Your sales team can actually talk with your current customers and ask the right questions to find out all the pains.

Some examples below: 

  • What problem were you solving when you first came across [product name]?
  • Can you share more information about the problem(s) you have now?
  • When do you need to fix this problem?

Tip 4: Narrow down the project scope and features list

The MVP approach will teach you to go small, identify the crucial 20% features and ignore or postpone up to 80% of other works. There are some helpful principles to narrow down the choices. For example, you can follow the Pareto principle or the 80/20 rule.

Tip 5: Test your idea with a prototype

Don’t confuse these two terms: prototype and MVP. While the prototype aims at checking the ideas; the MVP sticks to one selected idea and finishes with a product ready for the market.

Tip 6: Think about pricing models in advance

You can drive away a big pool of customers with a poor pricing model understanding. That’s why it’s smart to think about the needed model during the early stages. For instance, as per recent SaaS pricing strategy stats, 50% of SaaS companies still depend on usage-based pricing. Such a pricing model means that customers are charged only when they use a certain product or service.

Tip 7: Collect feedback after the SaaS MVP launch

The MVP approach has two main aims: to collect feedback from users and see whether this product brings value. After your launch your product, ask your end-users these questions to understand if you are heading in the right direction: 

  • What is the key benefit you have received from [product name]?
  • What feature(s) are missing in [product name] from your point of view? 
  • How can we improve our product or service to better meet your needs?

Final thoughts

There are many bright examples of various SaaS solutions on the market today: Airbnb, Microsoft Azure, Spotify, Buffer, and so on. All these products provide their unique services and have their end-users. Still, they have one thing in common – they’ve started their success with an MVP. This approach proved to be of big advantage to check the idea and move in the right direction.  

Dmitry Chekalin
CEO @ Codica. Software Entrepreneur with 15+ years of experience. Focused on the lean startup approach. I write about startups, marketplaces and SaaS products, and custom software development.
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6 Pro Tips To Avoid Online Scams

Posted on by Nora Sbalckiero
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Scammers have invaded the online space with fake deals and have defrauded many unsuspecting individuals of their hard-earned money. It’s often said that when the deal is too good to be true, exercise caution before making any financial commitment. Statistical reports reveal that there’s a growing number of individuals who have seen their life savings go down the drain because of online scammers.

Scammers will promise you quick returns if you make ‘investments’ with them. If you’ve never fallen victim to online scammers, lucky you! However, don’t assume that you’ll never find yourself in this situation, as scammers are becoming more creative and elaborate with their schemes.  

Nonetheless, there are many genuine online businesses that you can invest with, such as Amway which has been in business since 1959. There are various resources that you can use to get full Amway reviews and know how you can make money with Amway as an investor.  

There are several kinds of online scams in different industries, including business, health, finance, beauty, and online investments. Read reviews of each kind of scam to ensure that you’re on the safe side and avoid being scammed.  

Strategies To Avoid Being Scammed Online 

If you exercise caution online, it’s possible to avoid being scammed. Some of the strategies you may use include the following: 

1. Keep Your Financial Data A Secret 

Internet phishing is a common fraud method nowadays. Avoid giving out your financial information online to businesses or individuals that you don’t know, whether they reach you through email, phone, or text. Some scammers may get your email or phone contact online and contact you under false pretenses that they’re representatives of a well-known retailer, government agency, or financial institution.  

A common trick that a scammer will use is telling you that your bank account has been compromised and you’re required to update it. Their intention is usually to make you give them your Social Security number, credit card number, or any other crucial financial information.  

Beware that no credit card company or bank will ever call you to ask for your financial data. In case someone calls or emails you asking for your financial information, you may call your bank or credit card company to know the status of your account.  

2. Use Very Strong Passwords 

Your password ought to be difficult to crack. With modern password cracking tools, a hacker can crack your password if it’s a simple name of a person or pet, or if it’s a simple combination of numbers or letters. Avoid committing this common password security mistake. Strong passwords need to be at least eight characters long with a mix of upper-case and lower-case letters, special characters, and numbers. Additionally, use different passwords for the different websites that you visit.  

It’s not easy to remember about ten passwords that are eight characters long each. However, with the use of a password program, you can generate secure passwords, store them, and access them when needed.  

3. Approach Online Deals With Caution 

Scammers may take advantage of special holidays or events like Black Friday to advertise offers on their websites. The sad thing is that after you’ve purchased the product, you’ll probably never get it. To avoid being scammed through this scheme, confirm how legit a website is and research about its reputation. Check reviews of the website whether any issues have been raised by other people that might be a red flag. Moreover, use common sense: a deal that appears too good is usually a fraud trap.  

4. Secure Your Computer With Antivirus Programs

Your computer needs to be securely protected with antivirus, spyware protection, and a firewall. Go to the settings of your antivirus program and turn on the auto-update option to make sure that all updates are installed automatically. Antivirus software can detect any attempt of a malware attack and resolve it. Moreover, an antivirus can detect unsafe websites and warn you so that you can avoid entering such websites.  

5. Shop In Known Websites 

There are well-known websites that you should shop from, both globally and locally. In case the product that you need is from an unfamiliar seller, do some background research first to ensure that the retailer is trustworthy. You may also ask your friends if they’re familiar with the said website or seller.  

6. Avoid Pop-Up Windows 

When you’re browsing online, you may see many pop-up windows that imply that your computer is unsafe. The moment you click on them, it activates malware that may end up damaging the operating system of your computer. If the pop-up requests you to download software, reject the request by closing the window.  

Conclusion  

With the growing number of people falling prey to online scammers, you have to take extra precautions and never let your guard down. The tips in this article are invaluable in saving you from imminent fraud. Always remember to protect your financial information, use strong passwords, install antivirus software on your computer, and purchase products from trusted websites.  

7 Tips to Protect Your Privacy on the Web

Posted on by Gabe Nelson
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It’s a scary world out there. With the Internet, you are no longer protected by distance and physical barriers from your enemies. With just an email address or phone number, someone can find out more about you than they could in days of old when all you had to worry about was a nosy neighbor. And with so many people online nowadays, it is likely that at least one person will be able to figure out who exactly you are and what your secrets might be. 

The good news is that there are plenty of ways to keep yourself safe on the Web; this article outlines five of them:   

1. Manage Your Cookie Preferences

Managing your cookie preferences is a great way to protect your privacy on the web. Your browser uses cookies to keep track of what you do on websites and applications. So if you don’t want your browsing habits tracked, you need to be able to manage those cookies.

You can check cookies stored in your browsers manually using browser settings.

Most websites use cookie banners to ask for consent to use cookies. You should be able to manage your preferences for cookie consent using their settings. However, here are some quick tips for managing cookies on your browsers:

  • Disable third-party cookies (this may break some websites)
  • Turn on Do Not Track
  • Use private browsing mode
  • Clear out cookies regularly
  • Clear out old browsing history regularly

2. Don’t give up too much information on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter  

This is very important because you don’t want to be one of those people that stay connected with everyone they have met in their entire lives. It makes you a prime target for manipulation as even the least tech-savvy person can try and find out more about your life from these social media sites. Social media sites are also a good place to look for information. 

For example, if you have someone’s social media username on Facebook and they put their phone number down as public information, then you can go ahead and call them up to talk. You might even be able to find out where they live or work based on the places that they frequently visit or mention in their newsfeed. And remember that everything you post online is permanent and cannot be deleted (except through complicated processes like asking Google to delete your entire account).

3. Use a VPN

Using a VPN service is one of the most important things you can do to protect your online privacy. A VPN allows you to create an encrypted tunnel between your computer and a server run by your VPN provider. This means that all of the data that leaves and enters your PC is encrypted (and thus prevented from being read). It also prevents websites from seeing who you are or where you are located, making it appear as if you’re in another country on the other side of the world. Also, the VPN hides your IP address, which is another way for someone to find out who you are. You can find a list of the best vpn services curated by Forbes.

4. Don’t email pictures of yourself or any other information that could be used to identify you! 

Because of the sheer amount of information that you can obtain from a single email address, emails are one of the least secure ways to share information! It is particularly important not to include pictures or any other kind of identifying information in your email.

If you must send an email with personal information attached, consider using encryption software like PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) that will allow you to encrypt this data so that it cannot be read if intercepted. In even more extreme cases, some services like Hushmail offer completely anonymous accounts where no traffic logs are kept at all.  

However there are several situations when sending an encrypted file is not enough: for example, when multiple people have access to the same device and they might extract the files while spoofing your identity.

 5. Use the right browser settings so that your activities are not tracked by advertisers, search engines, and others 

This is important because most websites can track your activities on their site in several ways. The tracking software might be embedded in the website code or it may come from a third-party service like Google Analytics. Either way, you need to make sure that both your browser and any plugins/extensions are configured so they do not transmit data about what web pages you visit or which search terms you use. 

To do this with Chrome, click the Customize and Control icon, then Settings (under Privacy) > Show advanced settings… > Content Settings > Manage exceptions. You will see a list of domains; simply remove those that you don’t want to send information to by clicking on the Remove button on the right side.

6. Use search engines that do not track you.

This one is a bit tricky since even the Google search engine tracks your searches. In addition, most of the alternative search engines can be configured to use encryption so that they don’t store local copies of your data and it is sent directly instead of to their servers.  You can also search directly from the address bar if you don’t want to use a browser plugin.

For example, if you’re using Chrome, install the Startpage extension and configure it by clicking on Options (under Identity). Then click Customize on MyStartPage and then Privacy. In the Never send personal information to these services section change both of them to Google Search (it will be automatically selected). To use this type of encryption for DuckDuckGo, Firefox or Startpage simply add “https” in front of the URL while leaving off “www.”  (e.g., https://duckduckgo.com/ )

 7.  Don’t use open wifi if you want to protect your information.

This one is important because it doesn’t come down to how well or poorly a company encrypts the data that passes through its servers—the simplest way would be just to not send any of it! This also applies to corporate networks, where many employees use VPN software and other encryption technologies already in place for their security needs. 

However, these same tools can also prevent an employer from monitoring employee-side traffic (e.g., using GeoLite2 IP databases to geolocate broadband subscribers). So always think twice before logging on with your work account on the local coffee shop’s free wifi!

8.  And finally, don’t assume that anything you send or store is secure and can’t be hacked.

While this might seem like an obvious one, many people have gotten into trouble in recent years by thinking that a service was secure when they actually weren’t. For example, there has been a huge influx of new investors into digital currency due to coins like Bitcoin having huge price increases. This in turn has led to a sharp rise in cyber attacks on people’s crypto wallets in order to siphon off investors’ profits. Keeping these assets secure by using cold wallets, encrypted passwords and two-factor authentication is the bare minimum in cybersecurity. Again, there are two sides to the story. Companies must do as much as possible to protect user-information from outside attacks, which sometimes means sacrificing convenience (i.e., forcing users to use longer passwords).

Protecting Your Privacy Online

If you follow these tips carefully, anyone who wants to find out more about you will run into brick wall after brick wall trying to get information about you; at least, this will buy time for you to protect your privacy more fully if you decide to do so. 

What are the Common File Storage Options for Small Businesses?

Posted on by Claire Ward
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For most businesses, data ranks high in the list of most valuable assets. It follows that every small business owner must have a good strategy for data storage to ensure its safety and ease of accessibility. The good news is that there are plenty of secure storage options for small businesses. 

Before we look at some of the common data storage options for small businesses, let us first understand why security is vital when choosing a storage option.

Security is critical when considering a storage option for your business.

As many businesses shift to remote working, the question of data security has become a big concern. 

Many businesses turn to virtual private networks, often referred to as VPNs, as a way to minimize data security risk. Unfortunately, this storage option may not be as secure as most people think and may be somewhat overwhelming, especially if your employees are not quite tech-savvy. 

Luckily, you can find better alternatives to VPN, such as a file server, which is a simple and secure way for remote and in-office workers to share daily work.

Other alternatives to VPNs include IAM (Identity and Access Management) platforms, PAM (Privileged Access Management) tools, and third party security platforms.

Common data storage options for small business

On-premises

As the name suggests, an on-premises data storage solution involves having servers owned and managed by the data owner themselves. 

For larger organizations, the servers could be located at a private data center facility. However, a data storage system could consist of only a few machines in a dedicated room or closet for small businesses. 

Whatever you choose to work with, the defining factor of an on-premises storage option is that the data owner will have full responsibility for the premises on which the infrastructure holding the data is located. That way, you have greater control over the security and the accessibility of the data. 

However, on-premises storage may be a bit costly to set up compared to other file storage options for small businesses.

Colocation 

In the initial stages of your business, you may be content with an on-location data storage solution. But you may soon realize that your storage could be more demanding as your business begins to experience growth.

Fortunately, a colocation data center may be a good option to help continue enjoying the control that is almost equal to an on-premises solution without having to manage your equipment. In other words, you will collocate your equipment with a data center facility, which allows you to enjoy the features of the data center’s network infrastructure, such as equipment management and comprehensive security.

Cloud storage

Cloud storage is another excellent option for file storage for small businesses. Much like in colocation, the physical environment (or servers) is typically owned and managed by the hosting company.

One of the biggest advantages of using cloud storage is that it is cheap in that it does not require much in terms of investment. Additionally, cloud solutions provide for easy scalability, and your business can always source more storage space as needed without the need for extra hardware.

The main drawback to a cloud storage solution is its security risks due to its open nature. However, that doesn’t mean you could never use cloud storage for your business. Instead, you should implement security measures like PAM (Privileged Access Management) to restrict access to sensitive data.  

For greater security, you may opt for private cloud deployments, which are implemented through vitalized infrastructure and offer better levels of security.

Final words

File and data storage is critical for any business. That is why you shouldn’t wait until you run out of space to create more. Instead, always plan ahead of time to avoid inconveniences that could cost you time and money.

Why More People Should Use Virtual Private Networks

Posted on by Justas Markus
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If you were to look for a VPN service, you might stumble upon free virtual private networks and be compelled to use them. However, free VPNs are a liability. Since a reliable virtual private network service costs a couple of dollars per month, it should not be a problem to pay for one, given how much it provides.

Those who are on the fence about investing in a VPN should change their mind after reading what the service has to offer.

Security

The first thing that stands out about VPNs is the security, particularly if you plan to use public Wi-Fi. The internet at cafes or libraries is convenient to use because it is free and sometimes does not even require a password to join.

However, this convenience comes at the expense of security. When you are surfing the internet or chatting with your friends on social media, someone might be tracking your activities because public Wi-Fi lacks security protocols and makes it easy for potential hackers to access your banking information, passwords, browsing history, and other information. 

VPNs eliminate the threat by encrypting your data and changing your IP address. Ill-intentioned internet strangers will struggle to take advantage of security holes in public Wi-Fi if you rely on a virtual private network.

Data Privacy

Data privacy is another significant element, and it is not just about exposing your device via the public internet. 

Overall, the internet network at your home is more secure than public Wi-Fi, but there are still some threats. For example, if you have a MacBook and use Wi-Fi instead of an ethernet cable, the wireless connection still gives your ISP the opportunity to see your browsing history.

Using Mac VPN software or VPN for other devices when you connect to home internet will leave internet providers without opportunities to breach your data. Since a VPN changes your IP address, it limits how much information your ISP can collect. 

It is also worth mentioning applications and services that we rely on. Some of them collect user data and sell it to advertisers. 

A company that works with a lot of confidential information would benefit from a VPN as well. An advantage of a VPN is data security. Data encryption obscures the meaning because of a coded format. If someone were to gain access to encrypted files, they would not make sense of it and would likely abandon their attempts to breach sensitive data.

Some governments also have policies to spy on their citizens. In fact, even if a government claims that they respect people’s privacy, it is too difficult to determine whether they are telling the truth or not. Those who do not trust authorities in their country should invest in VPNs to protect personal data.

Saving Money

Spending money on a virtual private network might actually save you money in the long run. If you were to take a bit of time researching available VPN services and testing them, you would find that location spoofing could lead to cheaper purchases, particularly when it comes to various services.

Many online businesses offer different prices depending on customer location. Steam is a great example of this. If you live in the United States, Canada, or Australia, switching your location to India or Russia would lead to Steam showing lower game prices. 

Subscription services, hotel bookings, and plane tickets might turn out cheaper as well since these businesses try to attract international customers and adjust prices according to their location.

Adaptability

Adaptability might not seem like that big of a deal, but most VPN providers offer a service that works on multiple devices. If you want to use virtual private networks not just on your computer but also on your smartphone or tablet, you can expect to find virtual private networks that function on different devices.

Sure, you might need to pay extra or spend money on a package plan that includes support for multiple devices, but the overall costs are more than fair for the most part. Keep adaptability in mind when choosing a service for yourself.

Blocked Content Access

Blocked content access comes in handy on different occasions. You might want to watch a movie or TV series on Netflix, but it is not available in your country. If you do not wish to pirate the media, enabling a virtual private network and giving yourself a different IP address and location would allow you to watch restricted media.

Virtual private networks also unblock websites you cannot visit because of their location. For instance, if you live in Europe, your internet browser is unlikely to load certain pages that are hosted in China or the United States.

Small Businesses Can Benefit a Lot From Having a Mobile App

Posted on by Soundar Rajan
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Smartphones have become essential tools in people’s lives. Going somewhere without a smartphone feels like missing a part of the body. People are very reliant on apps today, using them for various reasons. If you have a small business, you should consider having an app for advertising and marketing purposes. An app can make or break your business, so consider hiring professionals to create something spectacular for you.

You can choose between many good developers out there, but we can safely recommend the experienced Seattle mobile app developers as the best of the best. They have a good mix of best developers, coders, project managers, and UI/UX creative experts that carefully listen to the ideas of their clients and create what is expected from them. They can turn your vision into reality and make a mobile app for your small business that will rock the world of your customers.

Why Small Businesses Need A Mobile App

The truth is that without a mobile app, your business will never get noticed in today’s competitive business environment. The following are some advantages and benefits of having an app:

  • Mobile apps are great for rewarding regular customers. By giving them occasional rewards, you are building a closer bond and increasing their loyalty. Customers will feel your brand closer and value your products and services more if they know they are appreciated.
  • A mobile app can boost the visibility of your small business and help you rise above the competitors. Of course, you need a very quality app for that, but any app will help. Your business will promptly get recognized, and more and more people will be interested in discovering more about your business and how it can help them.
  • Through a mobile app, you can notify the public about your latest products, offers, events, promotions, and anything else interesting regarding your business. However, you should not use the app to spam customers’ devices with plenty of notifications at once. Sending them occasional news will work fine and will keep them interested without annoying them.
  • The mobile app will help curious people find your website and location more quickly. They do not have to research and browse long to see what they are looking for. Your small business mobile app will directly lead them to your business.
  • If you use your mobile app wisely, you can overcome your competition. Using it wisely means making it popular by engaging with users, providing quality features, and keeping it fresh, relevant, and attractive. Every small business owner should encourage users to download your business app to learn more about things you have to offer. That is an excellent strategy for beating the competitors on the market.

The attractiveness of mobile apps

Mobile apps are great both for users and business owners. They are an excellent tool for promotion and for building a loyal customer base. Making a quality mobile app is not as expensive as many people believe. Still, the cost does not matter that much because business owners are investing in something that will significantly increase their revenue. A mobile app allows businesses to connect with thousands, even millions of people worldwide. Reaching a wider audience is very important in the business world, and there is no better way for that than through an app.

The fact is that many smartphone users are addicted to using and downloading various apps. The apps are entertaining and valuable in many ways. Take advantage of that and hire developers that will build a high-quality app for your small business.

List of Our Favorite Software to Play N64 Games on PC, Phone, or Tablet

Posted on by Julia Palmer
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You probably must have heard of the new Nintendo switch which has had everyone talking. However, this new Nintendo masterpiece cannot run on any emulator properly. For this reason, we have compiled for you a list of the best software to play N64 on a range of devices including phones, PCs, and tablets. Apart from Nintendo, Sony is the other formidable opponent when it comes to creating controversial, yet unique consoles. But there is something about the old N64 that not even Sony can match – it gets great with age like fine wine. Let us get this rolling, shall we?

OpenEmu for Mac

It is considered one of the best emulators, the world of gaming has ever seen, thanks to its diversity and simplicity. Despite it being relatively old, this emulator has virtually every gaming feature you need. Most importantly, it allows the player to save games to resume them later. Also, you can configure settings whichever way you like without any difficulty. OpenEmu boasts of having the best video game library where the player can have a neat virtual shelf of their games. The shelf is arranged with beautiful box covers as well. Finally, as mentioned earlier, the emulator is very simple to use since it is well-organized.

NewGamePad for iOS

If you’re having a hard time using emulators from sites that restrict them such as Apple, then NewGamePad is your best option. It is one of the few places you can download apps to your various devices directly. However, you need to allow the app to access some areas of your PC, tablet, or phone to work properly. Once you have selected a ROM, you can start enjoying the game with it like any other emulator. Buying a wireless gamepad is the only thing you need to worry about because it might not work well with normal touchscreen controls.

RetroArch

Highly diversified and simple, RetroArch is a multi-platform software with a clean user experience record. Although not considered an emulator, it does most of the things an emulator does as far as N64 is concerned. The best thing about RetroArch is that it has amazing features that can be customized to improve user experience. With various cores such as parallel which improve vision and color greatly, this software is always a step ahead of mainstream emulators. The installation process may be a little cumbersome but you can always follow guides and do the right thing.

Project64 for Windows

Project64 is the easiest and most convenient emulator you can use if your device is running on Windows. The emulator is not only simple but it is also having some of the coolest features can find for an N64 console. Most importantly, you can always customize the settings to fit your needs. Many players look for an emulator that will allow them to save their game to resume later, and that is what Project64 gives you. The emulator’s official website has a comprehensive yet simple-to-understand guide on how to set up and use it.

Mupen64Plus FZ for Android

This is by far the best emulator to play N64 on your android phone. As simple as it is, Mupen64Plus uses the same base code as any other emulator. But its compatibility with N64 is what makes it worth sticking with. Most importantly, this software is updated regularly to include advanced features and improve existing ones. Mupen64Plus FZ has great color and visibility, unlike most emulators. Make sure to go for a Mupen64Plus emulator with ‘FZ’ to avoid downloading another software that might not serve you well.

MegaN64

Great android software to play N64, Megan64 has close to a million Android users worldwide. This according to the number of mostly positive reviews found on various review platforms. With an average rating of 4.7, it remains to be one of the most popular and efficient software to play N64 on various devices. However, you must load games onto a microSD card to be able to play using the software. Although it does not come with many features, what you get is quite impressive and will do the trick. Additionally, its production has been declining over the years but that doesn’t rule it out as a viable option for android.

ClassicBoy

Last on our list is this multi-platform emulator that is similar to RetroArch in virtually every aspect. Users are most impressed by the emulator’s unique graphics which give great resolution and colors. Additionally, the software comes with customization capabilities to allow the user to make modifications as per their liking. The only thing you need to worry about is the version of your phone because it might not work on very old ones. Otherwise, you can enjoy ClassicBoy’s amazing features such as auto-save and a great audio experience.

Conclusion

Nintendo, alongside other newbies such as the new Xbox, is quickly taking over the gaming market. However, these new consoles have features that are slightly different from the likes of Microsoft’s Xbox and PlayStation. It is for this reason that developers had to come up with new software to fill the gap. Our list consists of emulators that have been tried and tested as far as Nintendo 64 is concerned. As you will notice, this software comes with advanced yet simple features that let you have a great gaming experience. We hope you find one that will meet all your gaming needs as you proceed to download Nintendo 64 emulators.

5 Ways to Create a Patient-Friendly Healthcare Website

Posted on by Amy Fischer
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Having a website is one thing, but making sure that it is efficient is different. In this article, we will talk about making a website patient-friendly. Most parts of healthcare web design are actually really similar in building other websites. Here is a guide that will help you make sure that you are utilizing your website to its maximum potential. The guide is a good way to step up good web design. So if you want to improve your optometry website design by making it efficient you came to the right place.

1. Intuitive and Easy to use.

It shouldn’t feel confusing to use your website. You want patients who view your website to navigate through the pages easily. This is so that they can find the information they need with no hassle. Having a simple layout and functionality also promotes accessibility and inclusivity. You want anyone and everyone to be able to use your website. You can do that here with a website builder like Boxmode.

2. Clear and Complete Information

This is one of the main reasons why businesses and companies have websites, to put out important information publicly. You want your existing patients and/or potential patients to have access to frequently asked questions and information they might want to know. According to a study, patients then go to practices that they know about. So having important info online helps them trust you.

Anyone can make a website these days with the help of website builders software and programs but what does it take to make a good website that actually helps those who are targeted to use it? Some basic information that you may want on your site are the following:

Contact numbers and email

This is in case they have additional questions about your practice or services.

Location of the clinic

For a lot of people location is an important factor. Of course most people tend to choose clinics that aren’t far from their home so that they can go to it easily.

The services that you offer

This is for customers to know if you can work on the problem that they have.

Your background

This will help establish your credibility by discussing your expertise and specialty in your field.

3. Social Media Icons

Make a way to allow your social media accounts to be seen on your website. Make sure that there are clickable icons so that your patients can easily go to your social media accounts. Having a website is actually part of marketing your practice. So utilize it in that way too. But mainly letting your patients follow your social media accounts is to maintain an online relationship with them. You can communicate with them in that way too.

4. Have a Call to Action

If a person visits your website most of the time it’s because they have interest in your service or practice. So allow them to act on that interest. Allow booking appointments on your website etc.

5. Make sure your website is HIPAA Compliant

Make sure your web designer knows about HIPAA in order to ensure HIPAA compliance.

Swiss Tomato – Award-Winning App Development Team

Posted on by Abdullah Sheikh
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Are you looking for an award-winning web agency for app development? Do you want to see the exact replica of your dream application? You are in the right place. Swiss tomato is a web agency that develops mobile apps (android & iOS) for smartphones and tablets.

Award-winning web-agency

This agency is also awarded by best of swiss tomato in mobile category & Bronze trophy in Enterprise category.

How do we work?

In our agency, we have a team of professional app developers. We use modern technologies to meet the client’s satisfaction. We develop user-friendly interfaces and easy-to-use apps to maximize the number of app users. To see how we work, click here https://swisstomato.ch/en/app-development-geneva-switzerland/

Our client’s satisfaction is ours

We work for our client’s satisfaction. Our clients are around the globe. They appreciate our modern designs, short app development time, and our professionalism.

Our services for you

What are we offering to you?

1. App development services

  • Mobile app development consultation
  • In-door navigation apps
  • Apps optimization services for tablets
  • Android and tablet app development
  • Applications for connected devices like IoT
  • Support and hosting services
  • Apple, iOS, iPad, iPhone apps development and services

2. Web development services

  • Web development
  • E-commerce website development
  • Website design for small startups
  • Drupal development agency services
  • WordPress development services

3. Augmented and virtual reality (AR & VR)

  • Magic cube
  • AR and VR development
  • web AR

How much time is required to develop an app for you?

 Three to six months is the estimated time to develop a new application. The app development period depends on the complexity of the apps. The more the app is complex, the more it will take time to develop and vice versa.

Swiss tomato uses two methods to develop an application for you!

  1. Agile development method
  2. Waterfall development method

App development hours

A good and errorless app takes time to develop. However, how much time it will take directly depends on the complexity of features to develop in it.

App with low complexity

Apps with low complexity take 300-350 hours and three months to develop.

App with medium complexity

Apps with medium complexity may take 450-600 hours and four months to develop.

App with high complexity

If an app contains special features like in-app payment, complex content managing module, user management, a complex back-end, and integration of the third-party system. It would be considered as an app with high complexity. Such types of apps may take 750-1000 hours to develop.

How to estimate the total expenditure on app development?

The total cost can be calculated by analyzing the below-mentioned factors:

  1. It is an hourly job, and the estimated hours can be between 300-1000 hours, and we have to multiply it with the worker’s hourly fee.
  2. The purpose of the app (play, work, health, online shopping) mainly affects the total cost as it determines the whole development process.
  3. The platform for the app (like it will run on android or IOS or both) also affects the total cost.
  4. The design elements and complex features also determine the total expenses.

We care about your budget

Our clients are our pride. Either they are a company, non-profit organization, a new business, national business, or international business, we can work in their given budget. For that purpose, we work very closely with our clients to meet their expectations and demands.

Let’s develop your dream application for you!

The development of a high-quality app demands teamwork. We have teams of professionals in our agency for all the tasks involved in app development. We are here to develop your desire app in a short time with no compromise on the quality of the app.

Contact us: App developers

What Radio Waves Can Travel Through and What They Cannot

Posted on by Pankaj Budhija
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When Guglielmo Marconi began research into long-range radio in the late 19th century, the scientific community was skeptical. That he succeeded in transmitting radio signals more than 2000km met with much astonishment. What he had unwittingly done was discover the ionosphere, a layer in the atmosphere that is ionized to a degree by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. 

This affects radio waves and reflects them to earth, which bounces them upwards again. This repeated sequence enables us to transmit radio waves around the world. So, if radio waves can’t penetrate the ionosphere, what else will hinder them? Let’s look at what radio waves consist of, and then we’ll talk about their ability or otherwise to pass through certain materials.

Radio Waves Explained 

Developments in radio technology have brought us a long way in the past 100 years and more, but how do radio waves work? Before Marconi’s discovery, scientists believed that radio signals could only travel a straight line, as they were known to do in free space. Hence, there was a necessity for tall towers from which to transmit signals. A 100m high tower, for example, could send a signal up to around 30km, the limit set by the curvature of the earth. Marconi showed that radio waves could be bent and bounced by the ionosphere.

Radio waves form a small part of what is known as the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS). This consists not just of radio waves but also other forms of electromagnetic radiation such as gamma rays, microwaves, visible light, and more. Radio waves have among the longest wavelengths on the EMS. Imagine a rope held between two people. Move the rope up and down at one end, and a waveform moves across the rope.

This is what a radio wave would look like if we could see it. The wavelength is the distance between two ‘peaks’ in the wave. We also have to consider the frequency, which the number of waves that pass a given point in a set time. This is vital to understand so that different transmissions do not interfere with each other. 

Television signals are radio waves, but they are broadcast in a different frequency range to the radio.

What has this to do with the materials that radio waves can and cannot pass through? Let’s look more closely at this. 

What Can’t Radio Waves Pass-Through?

We’ve already seen that radio waves do not penetrate the ionosphere. We should explain that this refers to radio waves of up to 40MHz, the highest frequency bounced off the ionosphere. Why do radio waves bounce back?

As we mentioned, the ionosphere is partly ionized. 

This is because the UV light from the sun causes electrons to shake free from atoms, leaving a large proportion of free electrons hanging about in the ionosphere. When a radio wave hits the ionosphere, the energy created by the free electrons, as a result, causes the radio waves to be repelled or reflected. 

So, we know that radio waves up to 40MHz won’t pass through an ionized layer in the atmosphere. Remember that we explained the perceived limitations of radio transmissions before Marconi’s discovery. A line of sight was necessary, without obstructions, for successful transmission.

In some radio transmissions, interference can be caused by the waves being blocked by materials that they cannot penetrate. While radio waves can move through wood, bricks, and concrete to a certain extent, these materials can still cause interference. This is because radio waves meeting such objects can be reflected from buildings and other large structures, just like the ionosphere. This explains why the reception of radios and other radio frequency devices such as smartphones vary between locations.

For the record, as it covers a large bandwidth necessarily, television signals need to be above 40MHz so they cannot be bounced off the ionosphere, hence the tall towers in high locations used for TV transmissions. 

Radio waves will also be adversely affected by metal and water, which they cannot pass through. That is because water and metal are both electrical conductors. Like the ionosphere, metal and water contain many free electrons, which will vibrate when a radio wave hits the surface, and the wave will bounce back. 

Summary

To summarize, we now know that radio waves are affected by free electrons in electrical conductors such as metals and water and cannot pass through these materials. 

We have discovered that they can pass through non-conducting materials quite well but are losing propagation power with reflecting surfaces such as water, metal, and other materials. Furthermore, worldwide radio transmission is made possible by the radio waves being reflected by the ionosphere and the earth in a continuous sequence, allowing for transmissions to be made across great distances. 

Optima Tax Relief provides tips on what Taxpayers can do if they Filed on time but can’t pay back their Tax Balance

Posted on by Addison Yes
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Although the filing and payment deadline for most 2020 federal tax returns has passed, taxpayers should start preparing for next year’s tax season in order to ensure they get the most out of their return and avoid any big tax time surprises.

Optima Tax Relief  provides helpful tips on what taxpayers should do to prepare for next year’s tax filing deadline:

  • Make sure to file a tax return or request an extension of time to file by the tax deadline.
    • Individuals who owe a tax liability but fail to file their return on time or request an extension could face a failure-to-file penalty.
    • Taxpayers are reminded that an extension of time is not an extension of time to pay.
    • Taxpayers typically have until October 15, 2021, to file their taxes, however, taxes are still due by the initial tax deadline.
  • Pay as much as possible by the tax deadline due date.
    • Individuals that are filing a return or requesting an extension should still attempt to pay their tax bill in full by the tax deadline to avoid any interest and penalties.
    • People who fail to pay their tax bill by the tax deadline will face a failure-to-pay penalty.
    • The IRS website provides additional information for taxpayers who are unable to pay taxes they owe.
  • Set up a payment plan as soon as possible.
    • Taxpayers who do not have the ability to pay their tax liability in full by the tax deadline do not have to wait for a tax bill to request a payment plan.
    • Taxpayers can apply for a payment plan on the IRS website or speak with a tax professional to help assist with the negotiation process with the IRS.
    • Taxpayers can also submit a payment plan request in writing using Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request.

How to Find Great Real Estate Investment Deals in Houston

Posted on by Alex Sanders
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If you’re in the market for investment properties, Houston has some of the most profitable opportunities to be found in the U.S. right now. The housing market in Houston has been hot for a good while, with a 21% year-over-year growth occurring in 2020.

Thus far in 2021, the market has remained plenty hot, but the supply has understandably been dwindling. The reduction in supply has been driven by low interest rates and the high demand for new homes, as well as a recent increase in lumber prices and a labor shortage.

However, lumber prices have most recently begun to drop again, and experts predict they will soon return to normal. So we’re still living in a great time to buy real estate in Houston; if you’re in the market, here’s how to find some great deals.

1. Make offers for properties off the market

You’d be surprised to learn how many people sell their home when it’s off the market. If you find a property you like, it can’t hurt to make an offer.

The worst that can happen is that your offer gets rejected. There’s always a chance your offer might be accepted, however.

When you know what you’re looking for in a hot market with low inventory, sometimes making offers on homes that are off the market is one of the best ways to find your next investment. If you work with a real estate agent, he or she might be able to point you toward homeowners who recently took their home off the market for any number of reasons.

Such people may not require much persuasion to sell, if you make the right offer. If you find an unbeatable deal for an off-market property, but you need to gather funds to close, consider selling an existing property to fund your purchase.

However, under such circumstances, it’s a smart move to avoid putting your property up for sale by yourself just to save money. Instead, partner with a property management company like Green Residential to sell your Houston home for a flat-rate commission fee.

2. Look for luxury homes

When you can get approved for a loan to buy a luxury home, it can be worth the extra expense. Luxury homes in Houston have seen the largest increase in single-family home sales, having risen to 291% as of May 2021.

Home values are nearly always on the rise, but right now they’re climbing more rapidly than usual. You’ll do well by acquiring at least one luxury home before prices escalate even more.

Your investment will grow more valuable over time. If you can swing the mortgage payments, it’s worth considering.

3. Look for “FSBO” signs

Some of the best deals will come from people who want to sell their home without using a real estate agent. It’s harder for the seller, but if they’re desperate to unload the property, they will accept the first reasonable offer that comes their way.

Without a real estate agent to advise the homeowner what he should list the home for, you might get lucky and pay a discounted price on Houston’s hot market. Of course, it could go the other way: A homeowner might be trying to sell his home for more than it’s worth, and without an agent’s coaching, the seller might reject all reasonable offers.

4. Go to showings to meet agents

With the housing market booming in the greater Houston area, you can find showings just about anywhere across the metro area. According to Channel 2 news, one Realtor reported showing 81 homes in 36 hours and receiving 27 offers up to $30,000 above asking price.

That’s a hot market. But you shouldn’t go to showings to make overinflated offers. Go to showings to connect with agents who are tasked with selling an enormous number of houses.

If you’re lucky, you’ll meet an agent with a client just about to put the home on the market – and if your timing is right, you might get first dibs.

5. Drive around to find vacant properties

Find vacant properties by driving around, gathering addresses, and researching them online to see if any are for sale. When you find land for sale, buy it and build a new home.

Although there are exceptions, most families won’t be interested in buying vacant land to build a new home at this time. Under the current situation with the pandemic, most people can’t wait around for a new home to complete construction.

This means there is likely to be more vacant land available for purchase in spite of the low housing inventory.

Buy what you can before home values are too high

Whether the market remains hot or not, home prices will only continue to rise. Buy your next investment before they go sky-high. If the economy slows down, you’ll have income-generating assets that will serve you well through another recession.

Make Your Backyard More Comfortable And Start Enjoying The Outdoors

Posted on by Allen Brown
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It doesn’t matter if it’s small or big, backyards are the perfect place to relax and spend some quality time, either alone or with your loved ones. Sometimes, they make the perfect picnic spot, especially if your backyard has an amazing view. But, if your backyard is not an enticing spot for you, you’ll probably have a hard time enjoying your outdoor time. 

There are several reasons why your backyard could be uncomfortable, this could be because your yard is cluttered with old tools, equipment, or junk. Another reason may be that you do not have some of the amenities you need to make your backyard the perfect outdoor spot for you. Whatever the case may be, there are several ways to make your backyard more comfortable and enjoyable. In this article, I will share some top tips to help you make your backyard the ideal getaway spot.

Add Color

You can make your backyard cozy with colorful plants. Choose plants with bright flowers. Place them around your yard. This adds color and life. For your house, add outdoor flower boxes. Pick flowers that match your home’s colors. This will make your house look welcoming. Your backyard will become a lovely spot to relax.

Declutter 

One of the most common reasons why a lot of people avoid their backyards is because there is often so much stuff there that moving around their backyards can be quite a chore. If this sounds like you, then the first and most important thing you should do is clear out the clutter. Get rid of old stuff or junk that might be cluttering up your space. Once the clutter is out, you’ll find that your backyard is more appealing than you imagined.

Prune Trees

If your property is surrounded by a couple of trees, there may be large branches that are hovering over your backyard. This can block the sunlight or pose danger to your home.

If that’s the case, use a chainsaw to cut away some of the branches. If you find the tree has dead branches, too, you can cut those as well. Remember that using a chainsaw requires caution, and it’s important that your tool is well-maintained. Aside from keeping it clean, choose a good oil, too. If your tool has a 2-cycle engine, make sure you’re going for 2-stroke oil options for chainsaws to get optimum performance and smooth operation during the cutting process.

Get A Fire Pit

A fire pit can instantly add warmth to your backyard, especially during winter or on cold nights. Trust me – nothing beats relaxing or cuddling with your partner in your backyard while basking in the cozy warmth of your fire pit on a cold night.  As per the people behind thefirepitstore.com, the trick is to get a quality fire pit to ensure that it will last a lifetime. The good news is that you’ll find a variety of fire pit models and brands on the market. When using a fire pit, make sure it isn’t on top of a wooden deck, under a roof or near any structures.

Add Comfortable Furniture

You can make your backyard more appealing by adding comfortable furniture. Invest in quality loungers or chaise lounges. These types of furniture allow you to relax and stretch out while chilling in your backyard. You can add an extra layer of comfort by getting an umbrella to provide you shade on sunny days. Want to get even more creative? You can go ahead and spruce up your yard with a hammock – you’ll love the comfort it brings.

Spice Up Your Patio Or Deck

If your patio or deck is just “meh”, it’s a good enough reason to avoid your backyard. Regular patios won’t cut it if you want to have a backyard that is truly appealing. You can spice up your patio or deck with some accessories to make it more comfortable and alluring. Flowers, ornamental lanterns, pillows and blankets are simple add-ons that can make your patio the perfect place to relax.  

Add Some Privacy

If your backyard is too visible to the public, you may have a hard time relaxing due to all the distractions around you. A good way to go around this is to create privacy in your backyard. You can achieve this by secluding your backyard either with a wall, fence, or screen. You can even get creative with this project and try out a more natural approach by adding tall shrubs or even bamboo.  It all depends on how you want your backyard to look.

With these easy tips, your backyard should look better and feel more comfortable to relax in. So, don’t waste time – start making the most of your backyard.

What is the Psychological Effect of a Crypto Price Drop?

Posted on by Marunis Nutma
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The crypto world lacks objective information and this results in uncertainty. There are no annual reports available as is the case on the stock exchange. In the crypto world, the Bitcoin price for example is determined by supply and demand, potential, the development team, speculations, social media and news reports. Moreover, many projects are still in the start-up phase where ideas are fully developed.

Bad or good news can therefore do a lot to the value of a price, let alone the opinion of a very influential person involved in a tweet. This can make the price rise tens of percent but just as easily as dropping a brick. Early adopters, among others, are less impressed by this. But the unwitting investor develops fear which can result in a wave of sell orders. Below one can read more about the psychological effects of a Ripple price drop. 

Cognitive dissonance

Cognitive dissonance is an unpleasant feeling that arises when making choices. Nobody likes to make the wrong choice. And certainly not when money is at stake. For example, when you purchase a cryptocurrency, you will convince yourself that this is the right choice. After all, you want to keep the good feeling and not regret your purchase. You adjust your attitude, behavior or your thoughts to avoid the bad feeling.

You look for messages and sounds to confirm the good feeling. To avoid the bad feeling after a purchase, investors tend to herd and look for confirmation. Because if everyone else does it, then it must be good, right?

If we look at the negative tweet from  Elon Musk, we see this happening. One negative tweet from a person highly regarded in the investment world resulting in a whole bunch of people wanting to sell their crypto, which then resulted in a drop of the Ethereum price.

Confirmation

Social media is also a place where investors look for confirmation, especially with existing algorithms on social media, you will be linked to like-minded people. This is often referred to as social proof. A danger of this is that tunnel vision arises because you are only looking for confirmation. Ethereum price is community-driven and therefore can be largely altered due to its positive or negative reputation on social media.

The positives stand out but the negatives of the investment are ignored. The right and above all diverse sources of information help to prevent tunnel vision. This phenomenon is called confirmation bias.

Anchor heuristic

Another psychological effect that arises is anchor heuristic. The investor attaches great value to the old price of a cryptocurrency but completely forgets to look at why the price has started a decline. The cryptocurrency can be bought with a ‘discount’ because this currency has recently had great days and the value is determined based on the old price.

In the event of a decline, it is very important to consider the economic causes. Another danger of social media is repetitive and simple information, which sticks in your memory better than complicated white papers. In addition, the search for confirmation is reinforced on certain forums, communities and Facebook groups.

How Students can Start their Own Business

Posted on by Mila Evans
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The student years are rightfully considered one of the brightest. It is a time when you make valuable acquaintances, acquire a wide variety of skills and the energy and creativity that keep you going.

All of these characteristics perfectly describe not only being a student, but also a startup that you can get involved in regardless of your age. The real combo is to develop your business idea while still at university because nowadays students can both learn and work on their own projects and implement them in reality. Of course, it is not easy, but students are aware of a lot of the tips in this case, and at any time they can turn to the paper writing help. In our article, we will talk about all the important points of turning their idea into the beginning of your own business.

Possible mistakes at the start

Sometimes the desire to quickly implement your incredible plan leads to indiscretion. In such long-term projects as the development of your business, rushing is not allowed.

What mistakes can be made at the start of unawareness?

Lack of idea

You need a clear idea of what you plan to do, not just a burning desire to be an entrepreneur.

Lack of analysis of the market

Before the start of an active business is worth seriously considering an analysis of the market and the chosen niche. This way you will save yourself from possibly reinventing the wheel or investing in irrelevant services or products.

Be sure to analyze both the unique selling propositions of your future competitors and your target audience. It is better to understand in advance what it will expect from you. The better you understand your audience, your potential customer, and buyer, the more accurate your product will be in meeting their needs.

Lack of a business plan

A business plan is necessary when you are going to involve outside people as well – investors, sponsors, etc. They need to show that you have a plan of action, that you are clear about the risks and future costs, and that you can deal with them effectively.

Moreover, a business plan starts working for you already when you just have it: this way you show that the idea you are proposing is interesting at least to its creator, who took the time to develop and present a business plan. Do not neglect this fact, which will help to create a positive impression at the first negotiations.

However, it is also worth preparing a business plan if you are going to implement the whole project alone. So you will write down the stages of the idea, think through the risks and solutions, assess the required investments, and analyze the competitors’ offers. Such preparatory work will not be useless, believe us.

Laziness

This wild, unbridled beast often attacks young entrepreneurs. But only the one who overcomes it will succeed in business – and will win time after time, day after day. So, when you find yourself struggling with laziness and procrastination, go straight to https://eduboard.com/ to find out how you can get professional help and never miss a deadline.

Business plan

In the previous section on the mistakes of starting a business, it is no coincidence that so much attention was paid to the business plan.

The structure of a business plan includes:

  • title page;
  • executive summary;
  • A description of the product/service;
  • market analysis;
  • production plan and cost calculation;
  • promotion plan;
  • organizational plan;
  • financial plan.

 Some students find it difficult to write a good and complete business plan, in which case they turn to business plan writing help.

Team

The next question that needs to be resolved at the startup is the startup team. What should you do: start to realize your dream by yourself or ask for help from like-minded people?

Attracting partners means new opportunities and related risks. To understand whether it is worth turning to someone for help, you can objectively assess the creative and managerial skills of yourself and your colleagues, as well as by delving into the specifics of the chosen niche.

Money Investments

Finally, the most important question that worries all students who have decided to start their own business is how to deal with the start-up capital, how big should it be, and whether it should be at all? 

However, business ideas are so diverse and require so different amounts to start the whole mechanism of their own business that it is impossible to give an unambiguous answer to the question posed.

The amounts needed to open your studio and grooming salon will be different. Of course, it is not always appropriate to talk about large-scale projects, given that most students have to actively attend lectures, do homework, work part-time, and all sorts of socialization. Under such conditions, there is not always a huge amount of money in reserve and endless free time.

We hope that our tips were useful to you. So take note and make your wildest dreams come true.