You may not realize how many processes you have memorized for your day-to-day routine and there are probably a lot. Those processes usually include a lot of intricate steps, which can make explaining or recreating that process challenging at times. Fortunately, workflow charts are here to make it easier.

What are they?

A flowchart is essentially a diagram that outlines processes with differently shaped boxes (steps in the process are usually square while decisions are usually indicated with a diamond) and arrows that connect those boxes. They are great tools when it comes to managing or outlining processes. For an example of a flowchart, click here.

Pros

• Very straightforward way of conveying a process as the symbols are generally universally understood
• Once it has been made, the process will often take less time than before
• Helps users understand how each step impacts an entire process

Cons

• Can be difficult to create, especially when the processes are more complicated
• If you don’t have the proper software, this can be a very long process

How to create one

Creating a workflow chart is easier than you may think. If you are using flowchart software you are often walked right through the process, making it rather simple. When using flowchart software, it is always best to outline the chart on paper first so it doesn’t get too messy.

Begin by thinking about the starting point of a process and the ending point, and all of the different steps it takes to get there. Some steps will allow for alternative courses of action. In those cases, you should show the different choices by using multiple arrows. To see what different flowchart icons mean, take a look at this eHow article.

Since workflow charts break everything down step-by-step, they can be extremely helpful when it comes to improving productivity and speeding up everyday processes.

If you’d like more information on how to create a workflow chart, take a look at this article.

Social media is something that exists in most of our lives, whether we like it or not. Unfortunately, many of us still have no clue what most of the terms surrounding social media mean. This simple guide can reduce some of that uncertainty by explaining some of the more common social media terms.

1. Tag

Tag is one of those words that can refer to a number of different things, depending on how it’s used. Often, a tag refers to the use of a keyword in a blog or other post. These keywords help ensure that search engines relate your post to the appropriate topics.

Tag might also be used in reference to tagging someone in, or linking someone to, photos. Facebook photo tagging now utilizes facial recognition software to help you tag friends in photos.

The newest form of tagging on Facebook refers to tagging friends in posts or status updates. You can now mention people in a post and tag them, which will alert them to your post. This will also cause the post to show up on their wall for all of their other friends to see.

2. Troll

In this case, a troll does not refer to a little toy with neon hair and a jewel for a belly button. A troll, in social media terms, is someone who uses social media as a way to upset people. They often make taunting or offensive posts in order to generate anger.

3. Friend

We all know what a friend is in the conventional sense, but in social media it can be used as a verb. When you add a person as a friend over a social network, many users refer to this as “friending” someone.

4. Stream

Stream, like tag, can have a couple of different meanings. When it’s used as a verb it pertains to a constant streaming of information, like a webcast. In the form of a noun it generally refers to the information and updates that show up on someone’s Twitter or Facebook home page.

5. At mention

An at mention, or @ mention, is when you refer to someone on Twitter. It’s similar to Facebook tagging in that it will show up on the person’s Twitter stream if you mention them, and alert them to your post.

Although social media terms can often be confusing, this guide can surely help clear up some of the confusion. If you’d like even more social media definitions, take a look at this article.

Each and every one of us knows what it’s like to perform an online search and find results that are not even close to what we were searching for. This can be quite aggravating. Fortunately, there are plenty of simple steps you can take that can ensure more appropriate search results.

Keep it simple

When you’re performing online searches it is typically best to use as few words and phrases as possible, while still communicating what you’re searching for. If you’re looking for a bookstore in your area, simply type in “bookstore” and add the name of your town or your zip code. This should provide you with accurate results that will likely be quite relevant.

Learn about Boolean

You probably learned about Boolean search terms in school, whether you know it or not. Boolean searches are based around using “and,” “not” and “or” in your searches. These terms enable you to include or exclude multiple terms in your search results.

The concept of Boolean searches also applies when you use simple pluses and minuses in your queries. This is a quicker way to accomplish the goal of Boolean searches. If you want a certain term included in results type a “ ” before the term in your search. If you want to ensure something doesn’t show up in your results, simple precede it with a “-“ in your search.

Be precise

Preciseness is one of the most basic ways to ensure better search results. Using general phrases can often leave you with thousands of results that have little to nothing to do with what you’re searching for.

Quotation marks are generally very useful when performing an online search. Most search engines recognize it as meaning “search for this exact phrase.” So, when you know the business or idea you’re looking for, it may be best to search for it in quotes.

All of these tips are unbelievably simple and extremely useful. Taking these into account when you’re searching online can greatly improve your search results.

If you’d like more advice on performing better online searches, check out this article.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and many of us most likely still haven’t gotten Mom a gift yet. If you fit into that category, have no fear – we have plenty of gift ideas that are perfect for Mom.

Digital picture frame

If your mom is like most, she most likely loves reliving family memories through old pictures. With a digital picture frame, your mom can relive those memories whenever she chooses. If she needs assistance, you can assist her by pre-loading all of her pictures onto the frame and she can start enjoying it immediately.

Tech time

Your mom may love using tech but there’s a good chance that she doesn’t know how to use all of her gadgets. With this gift, you can offer your tech expertise. She may have a gadget that needs fixing or she simply might need you to show her how to use the DVD player. Whatever it is, she’s sure to appreciate your time.

Digital magazine or Netflix subscription

Chances are, your mom has either a magazine or a TV show that she’s addicted to. Getting her a subscription to a digital magazine will give Mom the chance to read the magazine she loves without all the clutter.

A Netflix subscription gives your mom the chance to catch up on all of her favorite TV shows and watch the movie her friends have been discussing for months. Both of these gifts are sure to be huge hits.

Tablet

A tablet could be an excellent gift for Mom. Tablets are incredibly popular, instantly making your mom one of the coolest on the block, and are also very portable. Your mom can do virtually anything she’d like with the iPad or PlayBook and carry it with her wherever she goes.

If a traditional tablet is a little out of your price range, the Nook Color may work better for you. It still boasts the portability of the iPad and has a great deal of games and apps available.

Quality time

Most moms think that they don’t get to see their kids enough, particularly if they live far away. In these cases, simply giving your mom a coupon for video chat sessions would probably be the perfect gift.

We all know our moms will adore whatever gift we get for them. These gifts, however, will show you care and you put thought into it. Try surprising your mom this year with a great gift that she can really use.

For more gift ideas, check out this Unplggd article.

The recent Playstation security breach has opened many Internet users’ eyes to the importance of online security. If the wrong person gets their hands on your information, there is a chance that the outcome could be detrimental. Luckily, there are plenty of easy steps you can take to better protect your online identity.

Use an encrypted connection

Encrypted connections are relatively easy to find on many of the most popular sites including Facebook and Twitter. Sometimes, you need to change the privacy settings in order to gain encrypted access. Once that is done, however, it can make your information much more secure.

You may determine whether or not you have encrypted access simply by checking the URL. If the URL begins with “https” instead of “http” you have an encrypted connection. Unfortunately, some sites do not offer encrypted access so this is not always a choice.

Use strong passwords

Strong passwords are unbelievably easy to create and can make a great difference in online security. Using a combination of numbers, symbols, spaces and upper- and lowercase letters can help to create a strong password. If you can’t see yourself using a ton of different characters, at least be sure to use a password that can’t easily be guessed.

Also, you’ll want to use a unique password for each site. If one site is hacked into, your password to that site may become vulnerable. Having the same password for multiple other sites will make the information stored on those sites vulnerable as well.

Look out for phishing

Phishing is essentially when a hacker poses as a respected company, like a bank, in order to acquire sensitive information from people. It is fairly common due to its relative ease, since all the hackers need is your name and email address.

The recent data breach suffered by Epsilon is a perfect example of how phishing can occur. The people that hacked Epsilon’s network immediately gained access to thousands of email addresses and therefore had the opportunity to get sensitive, personal information from people.

These three tips are unbelievably easy to follow through with and instantly increase your online security. If you’d like more information on protecting your online identity, check out this article.