New Website Launch: www.VALfloors.com

By admin01/19/2010 Leave a comment

Orbis has recently teamed up with The Mixx to modify the website for V.A.L. Floors, which features an updated design and dynamic new interface. For years, the craftsmen at V.A.L. have sought to provide customers with first-class new floor arrangements and technologies that will surely appeal to any taste. Be sure to check out their past work at www.VALFloors.com!

Posted in Web Design, Website Launch Tagged

New Website Launch: ListoneGiordanoNYC.com

By admin01/12/2010 Leave a comment

Orbis Solutions has teamed up with The Mixx to launch a refreshed site for Listone Giordano, an accomplished team of experts who specialize in bringing the finest wood floors and walls to your home. They take an immense amount of pride in their business, as well as their ability to cater to the individual tastes of their customers.

The new site features an elegant new layout, as well as detailed photos of their past work. Take a look for yourself and see how a beautifully arranged wood floor can bring a welcome hint of sophistication to any living space.

Be sure to check out www.ListoneGiordanoNYC.com!

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What Mr. Twitter has to Offer Small Business

By admin01/11/2010 Leave a comment

Jack Dorsey, chairman of the social networking phenomenon Twitter, is trying to make it easier for small businesses to take a big step into the digital age in 2010. In the past, making payments using a credit card has been easy, but receiving credit card payments has been decidedly more difficult. Dorsey has set out to change this through a new device called Square. Set to debut in the coming months, Square is a mobile payment service that will allow users to accept credit card payments from customers using their mobile phone. This hardware could prove to be a truly novel idea, since it will allow businesses or individuals to accept credit card payments for goods and services rendered. Square is also unique because it will offer users the rare luxuries of mobility and affordability. The device itself is small, and will attach to the phone via the phone’s built-in audio jack. Only the person receiving payment will need to have an account with Square, so users will be able to accept credit card payments from any willing customer.  To make a payment, the credit card is swiped through the reader and the buyer is prompted to provide a signature on the phone’s touch screen. This will complete the transaction; however, the buyer will also have the option to receive a receipt via e-mail or text message.  As a security measure, absolutely no information (including the buyer’s e-mail address or signature) will be stored on the user’s phone. The buyer’s payment information is instead sent to Square’s secure servers, where the transaction is carried out, thus making it impossible for the user to access any private information from the buyer.  

The Square definitely has the potential to transform how some small businesses work, and could even make stationary credit card machines a thing of the past. The company has yet to reveal any specifics regarding account prices; however, it has been confirmed that there will be different levels of payment for individuals who rarely use the system and for businesses that will use it more frequently.  The device will be compatible with the Iphone (or Ipod Touch), Android, and the Blackberry; but, users will also be able to use Square on their personal computers.

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Top 5 Tools to Help Budget Your Money After the Holidays

By admin01/07/2010 Leave a comment

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.
Posted in General, Tech News Tagged , , , , , ,

Technology Spotlight: Wine Kiosks

By admin01/07/2010 Leave a comment

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

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Word of the Month: Firewall

By admin01/07/2010 Leave a comment

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.

Posted in General Tagged ,

Sunglasses & Trench Coats: Your Guide to the New Facebook Privacy Settings

By admin12/28/2009 Leave a comment

In a thinly veiled attempt to compete with high traffic sites like Twitter, Facebook’s new privacy settings have upset some of its more clandestine users. The problem is this: these new modifications may put you at risk of publically publishing more information than you had originally intended. But don’t let this ruin your day. A great deal of your privacy can still be restored.  Here’s some help.

An important thing to remember when dealing with your new privacy settings is this: Everyone really does mean everyone. Literally, any person with Internet access can see this information. These new settings have also made it easier for your profile to be found using search engines such as Bing and Google. If you are uncomfortable with either of these modifications, they can be adjusted in your privacy settings.  Unfortunately, there are some pieces of information that are now permanently  publically available as a result of Facebook’s new policy. This public information includes:

  • Your Name
  • Your Profile Picture
  • Current City
  • Gender
  • Network
  • Your Friends List
  • The Pages You are a “Fan” of

This information can now be seen by everyone who comes across your profile, even if they are not on your friends list.

Facebook has also made it easier for app developers and advertisers to utilize information on your profile. Now, whenever your friend adds an app, the app developers can gain access to your information, even if you don’t use apps. These changes have definitely agitated Facebook users who prefer to use the site as a social networking tool, as opposed to a means for self-promotion.

Although this new policy may seem disagreeable, the changes aren’t all bad. In a more popular move, Facebook now allows users to define the privacy of your Facebook content on a post by post basis. The site has also eliminated  regional networks. You take the good, you take the bad, I suppose.

If you need further help making adjustments to the privacy of your profile, here is a link to Facebook’s guide to privacy:  http://www.facebook.com/privacy/explanation.php

Posted in How to's, Tech News

Top 5 Electronic Gift Ideas

By admin12/17/2009 Leave a comment
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. “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!
Posted in General

Technology Spotlight: Philadelphia Recycling Rewards

By Jessica12/17/2009 Leave a comment

recycling programWith the new Philadelphia Recycling Rewards program, recycling truly does pay- and not just for the city, but for residents as well. Beginning in 2010, the program will name Philadelphia as the largest U.S. city to offer such an incentive, and put it one step closer to its goal of becoming the Greenest City in America.

Philadelphia Recycling Rewards is a partnership between the Philadelphia Streets Department and RecycleBank, which allows residents to earn points for the amount they recycle. Residents will obtain a special sticker to place on their recycling bins, which is scanned at the time of collection. From there, points are automatically added to your account based on how much your community has recycled.

Points can be redeemed through RecycleBank for discounts, gift cards, or charitable contributions at hundreds of local and national merchants and non-profit agencies. The program will begin in some neighborhoods in early 2010, and by July the entire city will be participating.

Click here to see when your neighborhood will begin the program.

Posted in Tech News Tagged ,

Word of the Month: Wiki

By Alex12/17/2009 Leave a comment

A wiki is a website that allows users to easily create interconnected web pages. Perhaps the most famous is Wikipedia.com, a free online encyclopedia that anyone can edit. While this open philosophy can allow erroneous information to appear, typically the user community is able to police itself and quickly make corrections. “Wiki” is a Hawaiian word meaning “fast.”

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