Orbis Blog » General http://blog.orbissolutions.com Business and Technology Advice Thu, 29 Aug 2013 01:49:24 +0000 en-US hourly 1 And we’re back… http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2011/04/25/and-were-back/ http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2011/04/25/and-were-back/#comments Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:01:36 +0000 http://blog.orbissolutions.com/?p=574 Those of you that follow us on Twitter (and there are at least a dozen of you) know that we are in the beginning stages of a renewed social media effort. Our initial attempts at using Facebook, Twitter and blogging as a company were, well, not great. To be honest, I don’t know that we […]]]> Those of you that follow us on Twitter (and there are at least a dozen of you) know that we are in the beginning stages of a renewed social media effort. Our initial attempts at using Facebook, Twitter and blogging as a company were, well, not great. To be honest, I don’t know that we ever fully embraced social media, and when things got busy in the office it was always the first thing to be left behind.

But the original reasons for us to blog, tweet, youface, pholo, fingertag, etc. remain — it’s a great way for us to connect with our customers. So we are officially rebooting our social media effort. In the coming days and weeks you can expect to hear about cool new products and services, links to interesting articles, and general updates about what’s happening at Orbis. Most importantly, we want this to be a conversation. Tell us how we’re doing — are our tweets the highlight of your day? Are our blog posts unbearably boring? We want to hear from you.

]]> http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2011/04/25/and-were-back/feed/ 0 Top 5 Ways to Satisfy Your March Madness http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2010/03/05/top-5-ways-to-satisfy-your-march-madness/ http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2010/03/05/top-5-ways-to-satisfy-your-march-madness/#comments Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:38:28 +0000 http://blog.orbissolutions.com/?p=542 March Madness 2010 begins on Thursday, March 18th – Are you ready? CBS Sports Bracket Manager – If  you’ve organized a few friendly wagers among your family, friends, or coworkers this season, then you should definitely check out the CBS Sports Bracket Manager. This site allows you to register your entire group, and even gives you […]]]> March Madness 2010 begins on Thursday, March 18th – Are you ready?

  1. CBS Sports Bracket Manager – If  you’ve organized a few friendly wagers among your family, friends, or coworkers this season, then you should definitely check out the CBS Sports Bracket Manager. This site allows you to register your entire group, and even gives you your own private URL to access your brackets and other information. The Bracket Manager is also outstanding in the sense that it allows your group to set its own rules. Once you register with the site, and load your information and participants, you can sit back and relax and enjoy the games while the site does all the hard work for you. CBSSports.com also allows you to interact with all users through communal message boards where you can trash talk all you want.
  2. NCAA.com – NCAA.com is a great source for up to date information regarding March Madness stats. Not only will the site be constantly updated with the newest scores and other information throughout the tournament; it will also stream nearly every March Madness game for free. The extra features on NCAA.com will surely satisfy any March Madness fan. The site features extras such as player and coach interviews, the Westwood One radio broadcast of every game, and featured videos such as the 10 Greatest NCAA March Madness Games of the Decade.
  3. ESPN tournament Challenge – If your friendly ventures won’t prove to be rewarding enough for your tastes this season, then the ESPN Tournament Challenge may be worth checking out. Not only does this site let you load your brackets to compete with friends and other fans, ESPN.com gives you an extra incentive – $10,000 in cash. The Tournament Challenge will crown one first prize winner (the individual who acquires the most points over the course of the tournament), who will walk away with the grand prize, and another second prize winner who will take home $5,000. The site also contains a number of fun interactive features, as well as live updates, which will keep you in the know throughout the series.
  4. March Mania App – If you’re planning on leaving your couch or computer at any time during March Madness, then the March Mania App is definitely worth downloading. Compatible with the IPhone and the IPod Touch, this app is a simple and concise way to keep track of your brackets on the go, and it is constantly updated with the latest tournament news and scores. Last year’s most popular March Madness app, March Mania promises to be even better than it was last year. As long as you download the app and make your picks no later than 5 minutes before the opening game, you will be able to track your scores whenever you may be.
  5. Joost.com – Joost is an Internet TV service that allows you to watch television, movies, music, and more anytime on your computer. This year, the site has teamed up with CBS Sports to bring March Madness fans a quality live stream of the games, absolutely free of charge. Joost has successfully streamed March Madness games for the last few years, and promises to continue to deliver quality live feed to its users.
]]> http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2010/03/05/top-5-ways-to-satisfy-your-march-madness/feed/ 2 Word of the Week: Defrag http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2010/02/02/word-of-the-week-defrag/ http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2010/02/02/word-of-the-week-defrag/#comments Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:38:01 +0000 http://blog.orbissolutions.com/?p=498 Defrag is a term that acts as the succinct form of “defragmentation” (which essentially means “to refurbish your computer”). Just like all tangible things, every now and then your computer needs to be cleaned up and dusted off; and while an air-duster and cotton cloth may take care of the hardware, you will need a […]]]> Defrag is a term that acts as the succinct form of “defragmentation” (which essentially means “to refurbish your computer”). Just like all tangible things, every now and then your computer needs to be cleaned up and dusted off; and while an air-duster and cotton cloth may take care of the hardware, you will need a reliable defrag program to take care of the junk that may have accumulated on your hard drive. Windows computers come with sufficient defrag software installed; however, if you are looking for another option, MyDefrag is another program for Windows that comes highly recommended, and can be downloaded free of charge. Running your defrag software on a regular basis* is the best way to keep your computer running at its optimal level.  

*Admittedly, the phrase “regular basis” is quite loosely defined. To be more specific, if you run your computer 24/7 it is a good idea to defrag every few days; however, it is sufficient for the average user to defrag once a week.

]]> http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2010/02/02/word-of-the-week-defrag/feed/ 0 Word of the Week: URL http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2010/01/20/word-of-the-week-url/ http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2010/01/20/word-of-the-week-url/#comments Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:55:06 +0000 http://blog.orbissolutions.com/?p=493 Abbreviations can be tricky. We come in contact with them constantly; but, it is difficult to keep a firm grasp on what they all stand for. Take URL as an example.  The term could mean anything, really. Maybe it stands for Ugly Rotten Lizards or the Uptight Robot League. In actuality, this particular acronym stands […]]]> Abbreviations can be tricky. We come in contact with them constantly; but, it is difficult to keep a firm grasp on what they all stand for. Take URL as an example.  The term could mean anything, really. Maybe it stands for Ugly Rotten Lizards or the Uptight Robot League. In actuality, this particular acronym stands for Uniform Resource Locator, which is a useful term to understand, because literally every website has one. For example, our site’s URL is http://www.orbissolutions.com, whenever you enter this text into your search engine you will be directed to our site. In this way, URLs perform the same function as your home address. They are text specific directions that take you to the sites you wish to visit. Most search engines allow you to “bookmark” URLs that you visit on a regular basis, which can save you time and energy while using the internet.

]]> http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2010/01/20/word-of-the-week-url/feed/ 0 Top 5 Tools to Help Budget Your Money After the Holidays http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2010/01/07/five-tools-to-help-budget-your-money-after-the-holidays/ http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2010/01/07/five-tools-to-help-budget-your-money-after-the-holidays/#comments Thu, 07 Jan 2010 07:01:29 +0000 http://blog.orbissolutions.com/?p=408 Sure, an Excel spreadsheet can get the job done – but it’s 2010 now, and you can do better. Mint.com – Mint is a free online money management tool that is quickly gaining recognition as one of the best ways to keep track of your finances. With a security statement that will settle the nerves […]]]> Sure, an Excel spreadsheet can get the job done – but it’s 2010 now, and you can do better.

  1. Mint.com – Mint is a free online money management tool that is quickly gaining recognition as one of the best ways to keep track of your finances. With a security statement that will settle the nerves of even the most apprehensive user, Mint.com proves to be easy to use, easy to navigate, and easy to understand. Using information gathered from your previously existing online records, Mint analyzes all of your available information and compiles it into manageable charts and graphs. This system helps you visualize and become familiar with your spending trends, as well as create budgets for monthly purchases. You cannot put a price on knowledge, and Mint.com doesn’t try to. The site keeps you in the know at absolutely no cost to you.
  2. Quicken –If you’re worried about the credibility of your money management tools, have no fear, Quicken is tried and true. This software comes with everything you will need to organize your personal finances; and, if you have been keeping your financial records in a format such as an Excel spreadsheet or Word document, Quicken may actually be your best bet. Online financial planning sites are still largely limited to your online banking records and thus cannot incorporate any past history you may have recorded in other programs. Quicken is able to assess all of your available information to help you save money and set realistic financial goals.
  3. Buxfer.com – This is a fantastic tool for managing your money both at home and on the go. Buxfer provides financial planning services online, as well as through a useful app for your Iphone or Ipod Touch. If the best things in life are free, then what is better for a tight budget than a free app that helps you manage it? Buxfer’s app allows you to stay on track of your spending around the clock, even when you’re not near a computer. Buxfer also provides special services that help the site stand out amidst competitors; for example, it gives you the option to create groups, which makes it easier for users to organize payments with family members, roommates, or friends. It also gives you the option to update and track your spending using your Twitter account.
  4. Wesabe.com–  Wesabe is different because it blends online financial budgeting with social networking. The social aspect of the site allows users to interact with each other via discussion boards and merchant approval ratings. The amount of shared information available on Wesabe, combined with its helpful online budgeting tools, provides users with all the information needed to make responsible spending decisions. This open communication allows and encourages users to exchange budgeting or money-saving tips with each other. The “tip” section of the site also gives you personalized advice on what to buy based on your past transactions and credit score.
  5. Save Benjis – Save Benjis is an app for your Iphone or Ipod Touch that can help anyone become a supremely successful bargain shopper. This app is a great tool for saving money because it allows users to automatically compare sale prices on the go. Using the Iphone’s built-in camera as a scanner, users can scan the barcode of an item and Save Benjis automatically compares the price of that item with what other stores charge for it. This app will also work with the Ipod Touch, where users will simply need to manually type in the product name or number to retrieve competitor prices. Save Benjis is a great tool to help you make sure that you’re always getting the best deal, with very little effort on your part.
]]> http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2010/01/07/five-tools-to-help-budget-your-money-after-the-holidays/feed/ 0 Technology Spotlight: Wine Kiosks http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2010/01/07/technology-spotlight-wine-kiosks/ http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2010/01/07/technology-spotlight-wine-kiosks/#comments Thu, 07 Jan 2010 07:00:25 +0000 http://blog.orbissolutions.com/?p=405 The great state of Pennsylvania has given amateur winos something to look forward to in 2010. The PLCB has slightly loosened its tight grip on alcohol sales within the state by agreeing to set up about 100 wine kiosks in grocery stores throughout Pennsylvania. These kiosks will essentially operate like high-tech vending machines, which will […]]]> The great state of Pennsylvania has given amateur winos something to look forward to in 2010. The PLCB has slightly loosened its tight grip on alcohol sales within the state by agreeing to set up about 100 wine kiosks in grocery stores throughout Pennsylvania. These kiosks will essentially operate like high-tech vending machines, which will be able to hold up to 500 bottles, and will house roughly 50 different kinds of wine. Customers will be able to purchase wine from these machines, which eliminates the inconvenience of having to drive to the state store; however, strict precautions will be taken to make sure the buyers aren’t underage or intoxicated. Each kiosk will require the buyer to swipe his or her driver’s license to verify that the person is of the legal drinking age; if the person is 21 or older, a built in camera will send the person’s image to the PLCB’s central office in Harrisburg where an employee will verify that the person buying the wine matches the picture on his or her I.D. If the person does not match the ID, or if the credit/debit card used does not match the name on the drivers license (paying in cash will not be an option), then the transaction will be halted. The buyer will also be required to pass a noninvasive and contact free blood alcohol test. Each kiosk will be equipped with a breath sensor that will measure the B.A.L of each buyer, if the person is determined to have a B.A.L of .05 or higher, then the transaction will not be completed. These safety measures are currently being tested by a prototype in Harrisburg. Once that process is finished a few pilot kiosks will appear in select grocery stores in central Pennsylvania; and finally, the PLCB is projecting that the rest of the 100 kiosks will be up and running by this summer.

Here is a list of area grocery stores set to house the kiosks (but keep in mind these locations could change): http://www.kyw1060.com/pages/5944310.php

]]> http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2010/01/07/technology-spotlight-wine-kiosks/feed/ 0 Word of the Month: Firewall http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2010/01/07/word-of-the-month-firewall/ http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2010/01/07/word-of-the-month-firewall/#comments Thu, 07 Jan 2010 06:57:24 +0000 http://blog.orbissolutions.com/?p=403 In short, a firewall is software installed on your computer to help protect your system from potentially dangerous outside influences. There are two types of firewall software. On a larger scale, firewall technology is used to keep hackers and other unauthorized users from breaching internal networks by monitoring the people who access the system. Essentially, […]]]> In short, a firewall is software installed on your computer to help protect your system from potentially dangerous outside influences. There are two types of firewall software. On a larger scale, firewall technology is used to keep hackers and other unauthorized users from breaching internal networks by monitoring the people who access the system. Essentially, it protects a private network from the public network. However, you can also have firewall software installed on your PC to protect your personal information from external threats. Absolutely essential for anyone using the internet, firewalls are vital tools for your online security.

]]> http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2010/01/07/word-of-the-month-firewall/feed/ 0 Top 5 Electronic Gift Ideas http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2009/12/17/top-5-electronic-gift-ideas/ http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2009/12/17/top-5-electronic-gift-ideas/#comments Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:59:38 +0000 http://blog.orbissolutions.com/?p=382 Panasonic Z1 HDTVPanasonic Z1 HDTV For those of you looking to spend big this holiday season, the Panasonic Z1 HDTV is one of the best reviewed HDTVs on the market. A 54 inch screen with only 1 inch depth, this model currently stands as the crown of what can be achieved by flat screen technology. Besides providing […]]]>
  • Panasonic Z1 HDTV
    Panasonic Z1 HDTVFor those of you looking to spend big this holiday season, the Panasonic Z1 HDTV is one of the best reviewed HDTVs on the market. A 54 inch screen with only 1 inch depth, this model currently stands as the crown of what can be achieved by flat screen technology. Besides providing an amazingly crisp and clear image, the Z1 also has fun and useful features, including VieraCast Internet connectivity for YouTube and Amazon video on demand, and a secure digital card reader for your photos. Have you ever watched that baby panda sneeze in luminous HD? If you have not, I bet you’d like to. The Z1 can help you achieve this goal.
  • iGO Charge Anywhere
    iGo Anywhere ChargerThis is a fantastic gift idea for anyone who is constantly juggling a variety of gadgets on the go. This travel-friendly charger features an internal battery that will charge your devices in any location, even where there is no outlet. iGO Charge Anywhere is compatible with almost every cell phone on the market, as well as mp3 players, the Ipod, and popular gaming devices such as the PSP and Nintendo DS. If you, or someone you know, is all too familiar with the grievous sinking despair that washes over you when your favorite device runs out of batteries on the road, the iGo could be the perfect solution.
  • Olympus Stylus Tough 6000 Waterproof Camera
    Olympus Stylus Tough 6000 Waterproof CameraHow extreme is your lifestyle? If you answered “TOTALLY EXTREME” (or something similar) then this camera is perfect for you. Never again let Mother Nature stand in your way from preserving memories in photograph or video form. Built to withstand temperatures as low as 14 degrees, the Stylus Tough 6000 is also waterproof to 10 feet, and shockproof to 5 feet. Incredibly resilient, this camera will work almost everywhere. So if your plans for 2010 include igloo building in Alaska, swimming with sharks off the coast of Australia, or maybe just hanging out at the beach, up the mountains, or by the pool, this camera can help you capture moments that others could not.
  • Logitech Squeezebox Radio
    Logitech SqueezeboxThe Squeezebox Radio’s incredible all in one design allows you to listen to more music than you can handle. This radio works with any WiFi connection to give you a virtually endless array of musical options. Not only can you listen to the live stream of radio stations all over the internet, the Squeezebox also utilizes popular music sites such as Pandora, Rhapsody, Slacker, and SIRIUS Internet Radio. Equipped with a line-in cord, you can also use the Squeezebox to listen to your Ipod or MP3 player. Ready for anything, this radio could very well be the manifestation of a music lover’s wildest dreams.
  • “The Force” Trainer
    The Force TrainerMay the force be with YOU! This exciting new toy comes equipped with a headset that uses brain-wave technology to allow the wearer to move objects using only the power of the mind! With “The Force” Trainer you can complete fifteen arduous stages of Jedi training, and work your way up from a Padawan to a bona fide Jedi Master! Remember, a Jedi’s strength flows from the Force, but beware of the dark side!
    • ]]>     http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2009/12/17/top-5-electronic-gift-ideas/feed/ 0     Top 5 Ways to Give Back Without Ever Leaving Your Desk http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2009/11/19/top-5-ways-to-give-back-without-leaving-your-desk/ http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2009/11/19/top-5-ways-to-give-back-without-leaving-your-desk/#comments Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:00:43 +0000 http://blog.orbissolutions.com/?p=334 deskchairIn honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday- and all the hard work that goes into preparing for it- we’ve come up with 5 websites that can quickly and easily help you give back to the community without ever leaving your computer chair. [...]]]> deskchair

    In honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday- and all the hard work that goes into preparing for it- we’ve come up with 5 websites that can quickly and easily help you give back to the community without ever leaving your computer chair.

    1. www.freerice.com
      FreeRice is a non-profit website run by the United Nations World Food Program. For every trivia question that you answer correctly on the website, 10 grains of rice is donated to hungry people around the world. While that may seem like a relatively small amount, it’s important to remember that while you are playing, so are thousands of other people. In 2008 alone, 43,942,622,700 grains of rice were donated by sponsors who advertise on the site. Trivia questions range from vocabulary to math and art history, so test out your skills for a good cause!
    2. www.blackle.com
      “Blackle” is essentially the same as Google, but with a black background. Why does this make a difference? Because a given monitor requires more power to display a white (or light) screen than a black (or dark) screen. Blackle is powered by Google and will give you the same exact results, although it does not allow for image searches. By setting www.blackle.com as your home page, you can save a little bit of energy every time your browser loads.
    3. www.oxfam.org
      Oxfam International is a group of organizations that work together to eradicate poverty and combat injustice. You can do your part by simply entering your name, address, and email to sign petitions that urge world leaders to listen to the voices of people around the world on topics like the crisis in Darfur and natural disaster relief. You can also opt to save your information so that you only need to enter your email upon future visits, and it won’t cause you to get any junk mail. This is a very quick and simple step to take that could make a difference in the lives of many.
    4. www.firstgiving.com
      Firstgiving allows you to create your own fundraising page to raise money for any nonprofit organization. You can email your webpage to friends, family and colleagues, who donate by credit or debit card in an easy, secure online transaction. Firstgiving will send all the donations to the registered non-profit of your choice, minus a small transaction fee that covers the cost of support, secure hosting and money transfers.
    5. Donate to a local charity or organization
      Here are a few websites of Philadelphia-based charities and non-profits that accept credit card donations online:

    ]]>     http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2009/11/19/top-5-ways-to-give-back-without-leaving-your-desk/feed/ 0     Word of the Month: HTTP http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2009/11/19/word-of-the-month-http/ http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2009/11/19/word-of-the-month-http/#comments Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:00:29 +0000 http://blog.orbissolutions.com/?p=357 HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol, and you probably recognize it from the beginning of most links you visit. It is basically a language that allows information to be passed back and forth between web servers and clients. Sometimes you may notice an “S” at the end, which stands for secure. If a website ever […]]]> HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol, and you probably recognize it from the beginning of most links you visit. It is basically a language that allows information to be passed back and forth between web servers and clients.

    Sometimes you may notice an “S” at the end, which stands for secure. If a website ever asks you to enter your credit card information, you should automatically look to see if the web address begins with https://. If it doesn’t, don’t enter any sensitive information, especially a credit card or social security number! In modern web browsers, the information bar will also turn green to alert you that you are on a secure connection.

    ]]>     http://blog.orbissolutions.com/2009/11/19/word-of-the-month-http/feed/ 0