Google is the household name with regards to searching the Web. However, it might not be the best search engine out there. Microsoft unveiled Bing, a competitor, in 2009 and it shouldn’t be dismissed. Although many Internet users still use Google as their primary search engine, Bing has numerous features that make for a robust searching experience.

Taking Another Look at Bing

When searching on Bing, you get more information about your search results then you do with Google. Bing has a navigation panel on the left that allows users to focus their search effortlessly. Additionally, it organizes search results into logical categories, making it easier to get quick answers.

Bing Goes Beyond Search Results

When you search in Bing, you get more then just search results. Bing pulls up images, and videos that are associated with your search. While Google has this function, Bing makes the navigation somewhat more user friendly. Another helpful feature is what they call Farecast Technology. This is part of the Bing Travel site and it allows users to find the cheapest airfare easily.

Bing Video Search Shines

Bing shines, too, when it comes to searching for videos. Before searching, users can tell Bing how long they would like their videos to be, what screen size they’d like them to be, and what resolution they’d prefer. Users can start their videos by simply hovering their cursors over a screen capture.

These are some of the reasons why computer users should not be so quick to disregard Bing. Yes, Google remains the go-to player when it comes to search engines. But that doesn’t mean that it’s the only choice today.

A growing number of employees nowadays work remotely. This is possible on account of advancements in technology. The benefits are many for both employee and employer. Employers can spend less money as they have less people that need space in the workplace. Employees that work remotely are often more productive; they spend less time commuting, and they have the flexibility to adjust their work around their life rather than working 9 hours straight, which can lead to burnout.

Remote Worker Challenges

A major concern for many managers when deciding to have remote workers is, how do you monitor their work? How do you know that they are actually working and not just watching movies all day?

One easy way to keep track of the amount of work being completed by remote workers is to set realistic goals that they must hit. This puts the emphasis on the results and helps prevent the manager from worrying about it, provided that the goals are being met. This also gives the employee flexibility to work inside the hours they are most effective.

Setting Remote Worker Deadlines

This is most likely the easiest way to monitor your remote workers. Employers may decide that a specific amount of work needs to be turned in by Friday. One other way would be to set up weekly or bi-weekly meetings via phone or video chat. To resolve any feelings of disconnect some employers may ask that a remote worker spend one day a week in the workplace. This can help keep everyone on course and informed.

Off-Site Not a Permanent Condition

While many people may have the personal discipline and time management skills to effectively work remotely, some don’t. So, if an employee doesn’t work effectively remotely, and that has grown to be obvious, remote working doesn’t have to stay permanent, it can easily be revoked. Ultimately, trust within the employee/employer relationship is among the key elements of a effective remote working relationship. The worker needs to preserve that trust by hitting deadlines and delivering excellent work.

Do you remember a time when you took your dog for a walk without texting, or watched a game with your friends without checking your email? It was called downtime and it was healthy for you. In this age of connectivity it appears as though that may be a thing of the past. These days having our devices with us at all times is not rare, but is it healthy?

Our gadgets have obviously made our lives simpler. We can get directions at the touch of a button. Find the closest restaurant in minutes and Google the answer to a question with ease and speed.

However, all this connectivity does come with a price. We rarely have time to be alone with our thoughts. Some social experts have wondered if our constant connectivity and the increased pressure to always be working—or playing—will cause the end of deep, philosophical thinking among humans.

That is a huge question, so we won’t get into it here. And there is simpler, yet important question, which arises from all this. Is being constantly connected a healthy thing? When is it time to take a break and just unplug?

Always being connected takes its toll, whether it’s for work or for play. The human body needs time to rest, and not just when it’s asleep. If you find that you struggle with being away from your phone, or have anxiety about not checking your mail, it could be time to switch off your devices.

If you find, too, that your constant connectivity is hurting your relationships with friends, family members, or your spouse, it’s time to switch off the computer and put smartphone on silent. It can be all too easy to plug in and turn off. After all, making real human conversation is a more challenging task than surfing the Web or updating your Facebook page.

If you find that you’re rarely without an electronic gadget in your hand, consider unplugging, at least for a short while. You might find that working less makes you more effective and less stressed.

As technology changes cyber-criminals adjust to it. Recently MIT’s Technology Review published an article about the biggest technology security threats of 2012. The majority of us spend much of our time online: working, surfing the Web, or just chatting with friends via social media. If you spend time online, being aware of these threats can help shield you and your data.

Stolen, Spoofed Certificates

The biggest problem that the Technology Review article dealt with is the growing number of stolen or spoofed certificates. As the article reports, anytime you connect to a site, like your bank’s website, your traffic is encrypted using a “certificate” that the site uses to prove to your web browser that it can be trusted. In 2011, though, cyber-criminals could actually spoof or steal a number of these certificates. This can help them steal user data or install harmful software on their computers.

A Common Security Mechanism in Trouble?

The use of certificates as a security mechanism is the most common method used currently. If the trustworthiness of these are put into question then that will spell trouble for all computer users including large companies who are responsible for protecting sensitive data.

Another common security concern is what is termed “Hacktivism”. Cyber-criminals look at this as activism through hacking, hence the name. Groups like Anonymous and LulzSec target large businesses that they believe are guilty of wrongdoing. They also target companies to demonstrate the susceptibility and weakness of them. Technology Review believes that groups like these will continue “hacktivism” for a long time.

Home Automation

In 2012 another security risk is the growing popularity of home automation. People connect alarm systems, lights, even locks, to the internet to automate their homes. If respected companies are not used or if hackers get into these systems imagine the damage that can be done.

As the planet gets to be more connected so do our cars. Cars like the Audi A6, Ford Edge, and the Lincoln MKX allow people to surf the web while in their front seat. People are now able to, stream music, get latest traffic information, but is all this access a good thing while driving? Usually it’s exciting to see technological developments, but when it comes to our safety on the highway can there be such a thing as too much connectivity?

Challenges of the Connected Car

People get unfocused when they text or chat with their phones while driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that 80 percent of traffic accidents include driver inattention within 3 seconds of the crash. So, if basic cell phone use is a disruption imagine what it would be like if an individual is video Skyping with their closest friend while driving or watching that funny Super Bowl commercial.

Does Tech Distract Drivers?

Drivers should focus on the road. Whatever takes their focus away from it—regardless of whether it’s chomping down on a fast-food burger or hunting for traffic information—can cause potentially fatal accidents. That is why the news that cars are on pace to become a lot more connected is welcomed with just as much hesitation as anticipation.

Browsing the Web Inside Your Car

Regardless of how we feel regarding this, unless laws are put into place stopping it, people will soon have the ability to stream YouTube videos, Google an answer to a question, and correspond via social media sites in their cars. Maybe the next step ought to be to increase the self-driving aspects to cars; but perhapsthat would disconnect us even more to the world around us.

As we said before, enhancements in technology ordinarily have us excited. But the biggest concern with the connected car is that, will raising the amount of distractions increase the level of accidents? Car connectivity will bring a lot of amusement to travelers, especially on long commutes, but it’s important that drivers recognize the need to stay focused on the road regardless of how adorable that video of a baby monkey is.