EDA to Market Billings as “Energy Hub”
Posted on January 17th, 2012
To be in the midst of oil and gas exploration and production to the east, south and north; to be in the middle of wind energy production; and to be surrounded by coal production, with the prospect of much more to come; Billings could easily be proclaimed as an “energy hub.” That’s just what Big Sky Economic Development Authority (BSED) is proclaiming, as they set as a priority, the recruitment of companies to Billings and Yellowstone County which are engaged in energy-related businesses.
“We make the perfect hub to locate offices or to manufacture stuff,” said Jeremy Vannatta, who is BSED’s Director of Business Outreach, Recruitment “>
Uncle Sam’s PMS: What’s next?
Posted on January 10th, 2012
The White House has announced a new system for evaluating the performance of Senior Executive Service members. The system should establish greater consistency among agencies, according to a memo by the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management.
White House proposes 0.5 percent pay raise for feds in 2013 As part of its 2013 budget proposal, the White House will include a 0.5 percent pay increase for civilian federal employees, according to an administration official. Take the poll and share your opinion of the proposed pay increase.
Newly signed bill adds requirements for intelligence community Last week, the President signed the 2012 authorization bill for the intelligence community. It calls on the I.C. to report on what happens to detainees once they’ve left the Guantanamo Bay detention center. It absolves the ODNI from having to submit an audited financial statement.
J.T. and Dale talk jobs: Making connections in new city will aid hunt
Posted on January 2nd, 2012
Dear J.T. & Dale: I am a 28-year-old with a college degree, who recently moved across the country. I can’t find a job. I’m probably overqualified for many positions, but I really just need to work. How do I get hired? – Nick
DALE: Looking for work in a new city can be doubly lonesome. You start to feel like the stray cat that nobody wants to feed for fear that it won’t go away. However, there is one group that will welcome you in: your college alumni group. You instantly belong, and there will be people in that group who will want to help you get established in their town and will make introductions on your behalf.
J.T.: Maybe that will include introductions to potential employers, but you can’t count on it. Getting referred into companies in a new city isn’t as hard as you might think, but it does take work. Start by finding several groups or organizations related to your field of interest.
Tags: Dale, Jt Dale
No Comments »
How to Use Drivers to Speed Up Your Computer
Posted on January 1st, 2012
When it comes to computers every user has at some point likely experienced diminished speed, and there are any number of causes that could be responsible for a user’s computer running much slower than usual.
Fortunately, there as many solutions to the problem as there are causes, making it easy for users to improve their computer speed quickly, so that they can get back to having it perform at the level they are use to.
To be sure, most computer owners know that they can free up space and improve speed to some degree by cleaning out old files and uninstalled programs, but this is only one option that users have. Another way that users can improve speed has to do with the specific drivers installed on a particular computer.
Not only does it matter that you have the correct driver for a specific device that is installed on the hard drive of your computer, but it also matters that you have the most up-to-date version of a specific driver installed as well.
In general, if you simply follow a few tips regarding how to use drivers to improve computer speed, you should see a noticeable difference in your computer’s overall performance.
Tip # 1 – Use Automatic Driver Updates Whenever Possible – The best way to ensure that the drivers installed on your computer are not slowing you down is to make sure that all of your used drivers are up-to-date. And the best way to be sure of this is to use automatic updates.
Fortunately, many software programs and hardware devices come with automatic updates, and when they do, users should definitely take advantage of it because outdated drivers can slow down computer speed significantly.
Tip # 2 – Make Sure You Are Using the Correct Driver for Each Component – Since the drivers that you need for a specific component, whether hardware or software, are specific to the computer and operating system that you are using, it is important to make sure you are using the correct driver.
Installing a driver that is designed for a different system can lead to diminished performance and speed, just as out-of-date drivers can.
Tip # 3 – Remove Un-used Drivers – Additionally, it is important to remove drivers that you no longer use. You likely have a n
Tags: Computer
No Comments »
Honda scrambles to revamp Civic
Posted on December 29th, 2011
ROMULUS, Mich. — Honda is scrambling to revamp its Civic just eight months after a new version hit showrooms, and critics say it’s an admission that the compact car fell short in quality and handling.
The revamp, to come by the end of 2012, is rare because new models aren’t usually overhauled for at least three years. Honda executives say they’re simply trying to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive small-car market.
The move comes as small car sales are on the rise in the U.S., and more people choose them because of worries about gas prices and car payments. Compacts also are no longer the cramped econoboxes of the 1980s and 1990s, and they have many of the same amenities as larger cars.
The new Civic was panned by critics when it started arriving at dealerships April 20. Consumer Reports magazine said it was less agile than its predecessor, and its interior quality was worse.
Tags: Civic
No Comments »
Osceola tops state for foreclosure actions
Posted on December 15th, 2011
Osceola County was ranked No. 1 in the state for foreclosure filings in November, according to a report released Thursday by RealtyTrac Inc.
The Central Florida county, home to many of the region’s tourism workers, had one foreclosure filing for every 227 homes — a far greater proportion than the state’s overall rate of one filing for every 358 homes. Across the nation in November, there was one filing for every 579 homes.
So Osceola had more than double the rate of foreclosure actions as the U.S. as a whole last month.
Kissimmee real estate broker Kim Goodwin said she expects to see foreclosures churning in the Osceola market for months or even years to come. S
Tags: State, State Foreclosure
No Comments »
How to Find (and Remove) People on Twitter Who’ve Stopped Tweeting
Posted on December 14th, 2011
Recently someone asked me how to find and identify people you follow on Twitter who are no longer tweeting.
There are plenty of websites and services that can help you manage your Twitter followingwhether to grow your Twitter following or to improve it. The tool I use in the video below is called Formulists.
Formulists provides you tools to find new people, and also to sort people that you already follow. In this video I set up a filter to go through the people I follow and find ones who havent tweeted in 60 days.
Once Ive identified those people I can choose to mass unfollow them, or nag them to start tweeting again. If you find some friends, family member or clients who youre not ready to kick to the curb just yet, Forumlists allows you to remove them from this list so they wont be cut loose if you mass unfollow everyone who has stopped tweeting.
You can watch the video below or check out on YouTube.
Formulists does a bunch more than just help you find people who are retired from Twitter.
Tags: Tweeting
No Comments »