Ol’ Reliable: Correctly Directed Trust In Business

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Businesses have a lot riding on the success of their products and services. You will need to be making money if you want to survive, and making money can be hard enough as it is. Throwing something like trust into the mix adds yet another layer of confusion to this job. So, to help you out, this post will be going through one of the easiest ways to build trust; time.

Regardless of whether you’ve known a person or a business for a long time, their age and time in the field will be a good indication of their success. It should be easy to find out this information when you’re first getting started. But, to help you out, you can find some of the reasoning for it below.

• Proven Success: If someone has been working for a very long time without any success, they probably aren’t the best option for you. But, if they have had loads of customers, they might be a winner, and you should be looking to work with them. Of course, you will probably have your own measure of success.

• Well-Known: Being around for a long time will usually make a company very well-known. Mcdonald's stock, for example, is very recognisable, and people will feel comfortable buying it from you. This sort of principle is especially important when you’re selling something, as it gives you an additional reputation to use.

• Long Record: Finally, when you’re thinking about the time someone has been working for, it’s best to be able to see a good record of their employment or business history. The more information you get here the better. Companies which have been around for a while will have more to share than anyone else.

Of course, building trust isn’t a simple matter of time, and there will be a lot more at play than you might think. Using the above as your foundations, you can use the areas below to craft strong relationships with those working with you. This sort of effort will almost always have some strong benefits.

• Education/Credentials: In the field of business, there are loads of rewards which companies will receive for good work. Along with this, education can be telling in someone’s ability to do good work and is an important factor to consider. This all ties into their past, though it’s an area a lot of people will ignore.

• Expedited Proof: Sometimes, a company or individual will rise from nothing over the course of nearly no time at all. In cases like this, these people are often very trustworthy. In fact, their name alone could be enough to do some good, and you just have to make sure that their success isn’t a fluke.

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to start working harder on the time you put into the trust you build in business. Knowing when you should trust someone or not can be an impossible challenge. Of course, though, with the right effort, you should be able to make it a lot easier for yourself.

Everything You Need To Breed Success In Digital Education

Digital education is a fast-growing trend, and whether you are taking a full degree online or just topping up your knowledge in one of your life’s passions, you are in excellent company. Millions of people around the world are educating themselves online, and millions more plan on joining them in the foreseeable future.

So, if you are interested in investigating this learning medium, there has never been a better time than today. Whatever your interests, there are options, and the reality of online learning is that it’s not a question of ‘should you take a course,’ it’s more ‘where do I sign up.’

That said, there are a few things you should understand about educating yourself in the digital realm. And for this reason, I thought I would use today to explore some of the things you ought to be doing to ensure your success. The following ideas and strategies apply to virtually any course you can think of, so it makes no difference if you are doing a degree or taking part in a simple MOOC for fun. There is a reasonable amount to cover, so let’s get into it right away.

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The basics

You don’t need much to start learning online, but there are a few essentials. A computer is one of them, and, of course, you will need a reliable and speedy Internet connection. There’s more information here on why speed is important for everything from watching TV to enjoying the benefits of a fully connected home, but it’s also essential for online learning. You will be downloading a lot of course materials, and possibly need to take part in live video conferencing or lectures, too. It’s imperative that buffering doesn’t ruin your experience, so make sure your broadband connection is as fast as possible.

Get technical

Another critical thing to consider is how comfortable you find using technology. Ultimately, your success will be down to a couple of things: your knowledge of the subject, and your ability to use a broad range of computer software on a daily basis. The chances are that you know how to use email, set up accounts on forums, and use a webcam - as well as how to make the most out of your computer’s word processor. But not everyone finds it easy, and if you count yourself amongst those people, it might just be worth looking into a course in basic technology first. Even if you are well-acquainted with using computer programs and online technology, it might be worth increasing your expertise. At the end of the day, the more you can get out of your tech and the quicker you can use it, the more time you can spend learning.

Setting expectations

Before you even begin your course, don’t assume that online learning is any easier than going to a regular university. It’s not. If you do a reputable institution, you will find that your tutors and course leaders have almost exactly the same expectations of you as they do their traditional students. So, you should also have those same expectations for yourself. Half-hearted attempts at learning anything will almost always result in failure, so be prepared to put a suitable amount of time aside for your studies.

Try before you buy

If you are having doubts about starting an e-learning course, consider trying one of the many free ones out there first. While none of them will give you the scope of, say, an online degree, they will provide you with a deeper insight into whether or not the medium is for you. Not everyone is suited to online learning - some don’t have the time to put aside, while others find they bounce ideas better in a real classroom. So, starting out small is advisable for a variety of reasons, and I would suggest anyone with interest in doing something like a degree checks out a free course first. Not only will it give you a few ideas on how easy or difficult it will be to learn at home, but it will also make sure you don’t blow a lot of money on a course that might not be to your tastes after all.

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Do the research

As we discussed earlier, not every online course is equal. In fact, it’s fair to say that some are downright poor, but will still cost you a small fortune. The good news is that many of these borderline fraudulent online ‘schools’ are being smoked out, and people are cottoning on to the fact they might be ripped off and ending up with a non-certified qualification. It is vital that you do your research to ensure you don’t fall into a similar trap. For example, you could spend a lot of money and two years of your life doing a bunch of exams that aren’t recognized by any of the educational authorities. You should also understand that some of the free courses offered by the top universities won’t give you any qualifications, so if that is what you are looking for you will need to check the terms and conditions of every course you like the look of.

Have motivation

OK, so there are probably billions of people in the world who could look at a list of courses and think ‘I quite fancy that.’ But there is a chasm of difference between something piquing your interest and having the drive and determination to see it through to the end. And let’s be honest, learning in an online environment can be tougher than when you get to go to a classroom. It’s all down to you and your motivation, and you will need to propel yourself forwards to make sure your assignments are complete, and that you set aside enough time in the week to do some proper work. If you are umming and ahhing about taking the course, it’s probably best to wait a while until you have that steely determination in place.

Establish time management

When you are working on your education by yourself, you can be your own worst enemy. A lot of digital learning experts will tell you that the number one issue for e-learners is time management, and the reality is that it can be tricky to fit in dedicated time slots into a busy lifestyle. But the simple truth is that you have no choice. Unless you can establish a stable and regular working pattern - that you stick to for the duration of your course - you’ll find that you start slipping behind. And everything from the forum discussions you have with fellow students to understanding what your tutors are teaching will be a lot more difficult as a result.

Get involved

I covered communication between online learners in a previous blog post, and I’m going to repeat some of the thinking here, too - it’s that important. First of all, let’s clear something up. Online learning has something of a reputation for being a lonely experience, but these days this is not really the case. The truth is that whether you are joining forums with fellow students for discussions, or holding Skype feedback sessions with tutors, the digital education has a lot to offer when it comes to communication, comradery, and problem-solving. However, you do need to put yourself forward and get involved as much as possible. Shrinking violets can often hold back until it’s too late, and by the time they ask questions, the whole class has already moved on. Help is there for you if you need it, but you do need to speak up.

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Create a positive workspace

Most people who do online courses do so from the comfort of their homes. But it’s important to avoid getting too comfortable! The trouble with learning at home is that there are constant distractions, and it’s easy to develop bad habits, whether it’s working on the couch or deciding to play with the kids. So, just like it’s important to establish time frames to work, you also need to develop a good place to work. It needs to be quiet, free from distractions, and also have a good Internet connection. Hopefully, you will have a room that offers all of this in your home, but if not, there is another option. Public libraries are, perhaps, the best alternative, although if your course gives you access to a university or college library, it’s well worth finding a regular desk there. The quiet atmosphere and access to many different resources will prove to be incredibly valuable.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is a lot to think about when it comes to educating yourself online. The research begins long before you even choose a course, and the time you put aside for learning and communicating with classmates and tutors is incredibly important. It’s not necessarily a cheap option, either. A quick glance at course fees for studying at Bachelors level in real life and online reveals there isn’t much difference in cost. However, as long as you are motivated, inspired by your subject, and choose the right course from the right provider, learning online can be a fantastic adventure. Good luck!

The Value of Student Engagement in Digital Education

We often write off online students as wanting to be anti-social and avoid people. But the reasons why people pursue digital education often deal with anything but. It can stem from work/life balance, not wanting to uproot your life to get a degree, family obligations, convenience, cost, not having to deal with commutes, and simply wanting to get the best degree from the best institution you can since you aren't limited by geography. The value of digital education is immense, so we're definitely seeing a lot of growth because of that both in terms of offerings from schools and student interest. You can learn on your own time, in your own way, at a price point you feel comfortable with.

Working for the past year and a half in digital education has been eye opening. I've learned so much about supporting students from afar and making sure they have a positive student experience. While we still have a lot to learn with the pursuit of digital education being so new, there have been some trends I've seen of what works well.

Student engagement in the digital realm takes more work when you can’t sit them all down in front of the same classroom digital displays each lesson. These students still want connections to their peers, faculty, and the institution. We can help make those interactions easier, and we can help coach students to navigate everything they want and need while they're studying with us.

What I've seen be successful is proactive communication via email and other channels with relative information about deadlines, resources, and course offerings. Also, regular check ins to make sure students know you're there for them and willing to talk about whatever they need. Some students won't need you as much, or will prefer email over calls. Regardless, I've found that it goes a long way to know someone cares and is in touching base with you, even if any conversations are short. Students regardless of whether they're on-campus or online, are going to have a lot of competing priorities, so we shouldn't take it personally if they don't talk to us all the time. That doesn't mean though we should ignore them and wait for them to come to us. A lot of what I've written before about great student support and increasing access to student support efforts holds true here with students in the digital space.

My main takeaway for you here is to maintain the same values with students online that you would with those students who happen to be in-person. Don't be afraid of reaching out. Make them feel like they're a part of your community, no matter where they are. Create opportunities for these students to meet with each other in person or connect them with on-campus students, faculty, and staff. These students are typically strongly connected to your institution's brand, that's why they sought it out to get an education from there. If they maybe happened upon your offering another way, then take it as a challenge to build the affinity in them with great service and inclusive practices. Once it all comes together, these students will be proud ambassadors all over the country (and perhaps the world) who are able to get an awesome education from your institution without disrupting their lives. 

If anyone is interested in learning more specifics of the work I do, or have cool ideas from the work they do in digital education, please connect with me! I always love talking shop.

Thanks for stopping by!

Give Your Blog The Ol' Spit And Polish

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Every now and then, we could do with a bit of a makeover. You know the kind of thing I mean - hitting the shops to buy a new jacket, getting a new haircut, and buying some slick new shoes. It’s great for our self-confidence, but it also helps us keep up to date with all the current trends.

And this is the case with our online personas as well, specifically our blogs. Imagine if you had kept the same blog design that you had when you first launched it? It would certainly look very out of date by now! So, every few months, it’s time to go over your blog and make sure that it’s all up to date and is looking as good as it can. It’s what I like to call the good ol’ spit and polish! Here are some things to add to your blog checklist.

Update The Design

When was the last time you changed the design of your blog? As I’ve mentioned above, if you haven’t done so for a while, it might look decidedly outdated right now. And this could be putting off new readers - after all, no one wants to spend time on a blog that looks like it’s straight out of 2007! So, if you are using a hosting platform like Squarespace or WordPress, it’s a good idea to take a look at some of the other templates on offer. Don’t worry; changing the template shouldn’t lose any content, but it’s always a good idea to backup just in case!

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Watch Your Language

How is your language on the blog? If all of your blog posts are filled with spelling mistakes and other typos, your readers will be instantly turned off. It really is worth going through your most recent posts and making sure that all your writing is up to scratch. Got a few grammar questions that are bugging you? You can also check out this blog to see if it holds all the answers. It’s also worth getting a friend to proofread your posts before you publish them as they will probably find it easier to pick out your mistakes.

Review Photos

As well as regularly updating your website’s design, it’s a good idea to review photos on a semi-regular basis too. If you are using someone else’s photos and images, it’s important that you go back to check the license for them. Sometimes these can change and an image that was creative commons might not be any longer. If this is the case with a photo on your blog, you need to change it.

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Go Mobile

Is your blog mobile responsive? If not, it needs to be so that it can improve its SEO. Mobile responsive just means that it can be viewed on a smartphone or a tablet device easily. If you use WordPress or Squarespace, they will have guides that can help you create a mobile-responsive design for your blog.

Once you’ve given it the ol’ spit and polish, your blog will look great!

Set Your Spidey Sense To Watch Out For These Online Scams

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The Internet is all fun and games, right? Wrong! On the surface, it may appear that way, but there are actually lots of scams and viruses hidden on a wide variety of websites and in email attachments that you need to be careful of. To help you safe next time you’re on the web, set your "Spidey sense" so that it always picks up on the following common online scams.

The Free-Trial Scam

There’s a rule of thumb you should stick to when you are online - if something sounds way too good to be true, then it probably is! And this is the case with the free-trial scam. You will see an offer online for a month’s free trial for a certain service or product. People who play online casino games and shop online a lot are frequently targeted by these scams. All you need to pay is the postage and packaging, if required. However, there will be some sentences in the very small print that detail all the extensive fees you will be made to pay once the trial ends. And it will be very difficult to try and get out of them. So, if you come across a deal that sounds like a dream, it’s best to pass up on it as it is probably too good to be true.

Hotspot Hackers

Over the past few years, hotspots have been popping up all over the place. Thanks to these, you can now use your laptop or tablet device to surf the web in all manner of public places, including cafes and libraries. This sounds fantastic on the surface, but it actually comes with one problem: hotspot hackers. When you are in a cafe and need to use the Internet, make sure that you log into a protected WiFi source with a password. Hackers can easily create hotspots that mimic trusted ones. If you log onto these, you will end up giving your personal data away.

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Fake Antivirus Materials

We all know that it is incredibly important to have the latest antivirus software on our laptops and tablet devices. But have you considered that some of these antivirus softwares and programs aren’t exactly what they seem? In fact, there is now an increasing trend for these kinds of safeguarding methods to actually be a scam themselves. For example, one common occurrence is a pop-up message appearing saying that your laptop is at risk. There will be a button to click to take you to some free software. However, once you click on the link, you will actually download some malware or virus data onto your machine. So, it’s a good idea to only trust the reputable antivirus software that you have to pay for.

It can be difficult trying to keep up with all of the new scams and hacking methods that keep on popping up online. But it is really important that you do so that you don’t lose any personal or banking information while you are online.

"Is This Some Kind Of Jock?!" Surviving College When You Hate Sports

For some people, it's the reason they go to college, for others it is the epitome of their worst nightmare. When you go to college, you have to put up with a certain amount of sport. And it's one of those populist things that everybody is supposed to like, and you have to get behind your team, and so forth, but what if you just want to indulge in your guilty pleasures in your dorm room, and stay away from the fanfare? For a lot of people, it can be very difficult to survive college, but there are some practical ways to survive those big college games, where you seem to be the only person that hasn't gone.

Indulge Your Passion

Not to stereotype, but there are plenty of great games you can get involved in, that are so immersive, you can block out the rest of the world. To have a truly immersive atmosphere, you need to set up a place that is for you and you alone. So get inspired, and set up a gaming desk will that can contain everything you need. If it stuck for inspiration, have a look at sites like HotRate to see what type of gaming desks you can get. But if you really want to set up an immersive experience for your gaming, you need to make sure the environment is a suitable one. So that's good quality headphones, preferably noise canceling ones, and get comfy because you are going to be there all day.

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Get Away From The Fanfare

If you can't stand the heat, get out of the college, at least for the weekend! The big games are usually on a Saturday, so why don't you go home and spend time with your family? Failing that, why don't you indulge in a movie marathon at your local multiplex? A lot of people can only go see movies when they are on their own, so there's nobody else next to them talking, and if this is you, this is a perfect opportunity.

Stake Out a Coffee House

If you can't stay in your dorm room, why don't you take your favorite book, have a nice macchiato, and scope a seat by the window? At least, in this sense, you are being a little bit more sociable than hiding away in your dorm room, and if you are bored of your book, it might be time to think about indulging in the new hobby.

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Get A New Hobby!

Photography, museums, writing that book, or even doing some coursework if you really are keen to get away from the sports, then at least make it practical. There's no point being all Holden Caulfield about it and sulking in your dorm room while everyone else is cheering the team on, so why don't you at least do something that is good for yourself, inspires you, and gives you a new found enthusiasm for your free time?

It can be very difficult if you don't like sports, but a lot of people don't, so why don't you find those people out as well? It can feel alienating not being into any type of sport, but there's always something to help you survive those sporty periods.

Democracy In Spain Under Threat Following Catalonian Independence Referendum

The Spanish region of Catalonia has had a long and troubled history, characterized by a long struggle for independence. Last week, it seemed as though they might finally get the freedom that they’ve been fighting for all of this time. Following the regional election of 2015, pro-independence parties make up 47.8 percent of the seats, giving them an absolute majority and a mandate to initiate a referendum on Catalan independence.

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Several attempts were made by the Catalan parliament to agree on terms for a referendum with the Spanish government but they refused to budge. Determined to go ahead with the vote that they had an absolute legal right to, the Catalan government have decided to go ahead with the referendum anyway. The result of that decision has been a week of horrifying images of severe oppression in the region that has raised the question, is democracy in Spain under threat?

In most democratic countries around the world, it is the job of the police force to do everything that they can to protect every citizen’s right to vote. But the scene in Catalonia was drastically different. There have been shocking videos distributed online of police violently removing people from the polling stations as they attempted to vote for their independence. Ballot boxes were removed and the police took measures to disrupt the referendum and disrupt it entirely. Officials of the Catalan government have been arrested and all political rallies have been outlawed completely. Media outlets have been banned from advertising anything to do with the referendum and pro-referendum websites have been closed down. There hasn’t been an attack on free speech like this in Spain in recent history. Organizations like the National Endowment for Democracy have raised concerns that this scathing attack on democracy sets a dangerous precedent in Spain and calls into question the future of their citizens. The right to vote and the right to free expression are two of the central pillars of democracy and once you tear them down, the whole ideology is in danger of crumbling. At the moment, the Spanish government is acting more like a dictatorship than a democratic government.

Since the vote, the Spanish government has seized control of the finances of the Catalan government, essentially crippling them. Catalonia brings in a huge amount of the country’s income and so they’ve lost their biggest bargaining chip. The government is currently threatening to curb social services to increase their stranglehold in the region.

Regardless of that oppression, the people of Catalonia remain strong, although a huge amount of the people that voted in the referendum have chosen to leave the country for fear that the situation will only get worse. The Catalan government was expected to officially declare their independence in a session of parliament scheduled for Monday, but the Spanish government have suspended the Catalan parliament and refused to acknowledge the result of the referendum.

It’s difficult to tell how the situation will play out but this attack on democracy should be a worry for the entire world.

Being Sturdy With Your Study! Surviving Your Final Year

For any of us engaging in intense study it can be a very difficult period, whether we are just getting back to school or we are gearing up for our last year in college, the last year in school, or gearing up for the last year of an intense doctorate, it means that there's a lot of stress and anxiety. But it also means that you are quite probably struggling in a financial sense, so it's important for you to get ahead of the game by having a few preventative measures in place before embarking on your final year. Some may be simple but some you may not have thought of, so here we go here is the foolproof guide to surviving your final year.

Perfecting Your Study Space

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The fact of the matter is you are going to be intensely engaged in a lot of work throughout your final year so you need to make sure that your study space is not cluttered so you can remain focused and not distracted in any way, shape, or form. The importance of a study space that keeps you focused is not to be underestimated. The fact of the matter is that if you have a cluttered space for learning with piles of books and distractions, you will get overwhelmed by the mammoth tasks ahead. So it's better for you to compartmentalize your tasks and to focus on one task at a time, especially with the amount of information you have to take on board during your last year. You May have piles of books to get through, but this is all about keeping organized rather than getting overwhelmed by every pressing task. Barack Obama popularized the idea of removing decision fatigue, and this is something it's worth thinking about. So if you can remove clutter and distraction from your study space, this will help you to cut down on unnecessary thought patterns. The best way to do it is to have a corner of the room that is distraction free with just a desk and your study material.

Making The Most Of Your Downtime

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While you may be ensconced in your study space for the vast majority of your final year, it doesn't mean you can't enjoy yourself. And if you, like so many other students, are lacking in money, then you need to make the most of your study space. So you could set up your study area to be a gaming area for your free time. It's also a great way for you to have some relaxing downtime while still making the most of your study area and lack of money. So you could invest in a decent gaming center at the start of your study, you while you still have the finances by getting a good quality desk, gaming speakers, as well as the best computer for your budget. It can be difficult to find any decent downtime during your intense final year but don't forget you need to find ways that will relax you and keep you focused, and for many people it may be gaming. But it's also important to not stay cooped up in your study space for the whole of your final year. Make sure you get out once in a while and socialize, because even though studying is the most vital ingredient to beating those final exams you still have to make some time for you. And you may be surprised that in doing so you will find yourself rejuvenated and approach your work with a clearer mind.

Studying is an intense period especially when you have a lot to do when you may think that you won't be able to come, but if you can balance downtime with the right study breaks, you will accomplish it with no problems!

The Future Of Media Consumption Isn't As Simple As You Might Think

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Remember the song “Video Killed The Radio Star”? That’s been a common theme for pretty much all of human evolution - though admittedly, not with actual video vs. radio. The base point is the same, however. Humans throughout the centuries have had innovations that have absolutely and totally replaced what came before them. Horse power was killed by tractors; mobile phones replaced landlines; and so on and so forth.

When Netflix burst onto the scene, we all had an inkling that change was upon us. Over time - as more and more TV channels have launched their own dedicated service - there has been a narrative emerging. “Media consumption in the future,” a thousand op-ed pieces have opined, “is going to be strictly based on choice. You only pay for what you use. This is the end of bundled packages for good.”

Is this really the case, though?

A Good Idea… Maybe

On the surface, the idea that we are set to only consume the media we actually want seems like a bit of a no-brainer. We’ve all found ourselves paying for a TV package that includes channels we’d only go to if we happened on them by accident. The idea that we can just pick and choose what we want seems to be a gamechanger. Streaming has killed the cable star.

It’s easy to see why we’ve all become so enamored of streaming packages that we pick and choose; or even just buying individual episodes of TV shows on iTunes and Google Play. It gives us the feeling we’re getting our money’s worth rather than being ‘forced’ to pay for services we don’t want or need.

However, there are signs that the “all streaming is amazing and is going to kill cable” thought bubble is beginning to be in danger of bursting.

The Disney Launch

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Disney recently announced that they will be launching their own dedicated streaming service. This will, naturally, involve them pulling all of their content from existing platforms - so no more nostalgia-fuelled evenings watching the classics of your childhood on Netflix.

The backlash was swift. Disney are the latest in a long line of companies who have chosen to go their own way with streaming, rather than contributing to a larger online library of multiple creators. At the opposite end of the spectrum, for example, WWE broke with major cable companies and launched its own network - much to the chagrin of users. Disney is now experiencing the same backlash.

The reason is simple: the numbers are beginning to add up. If you want HBO Go, Netflix, the new Disney, and a few others, you could quickly find yourself paying $70 per month. If streaming really is the be-all and end-all, then why does it suddenly start to be more expensive than a basic cable package? The whole concept was meant to save us money.

What’s Actually Happened

The way that the media has divided into small sections that you specifically subscribe to has not increased choice. What it’s actually brought forth is something far more damaging: restriction.

Take the most watched shows of 2017 so far. If you want to see them all, it would cost a small fortune in subscription costs to see them. The cost is simply untenable. This is especially true when you consider the early adopters of streaming; students and those in college, who don’t have the kind of permanence that is required for a standard cable subscription. Given that students are widely known for being short on cash, expecting them to able to find huge amounts of money to subscribe to everything just isn’t going to work.

On the surface, all those $7.99/month offers look like a great deal. That is, right up until the moment that you realize the latest must-see TV show isn’t in your subscription. All of a sudden, you’ve not got more choice; you’re more restricted. Sure, you can watch something that you do have access to, but TV consumption is a pastime that many of us like to share with others. If you’re not watching Game Of Thrones when it’s being broadcast, then you’re cutting yourself out of a huge amount of social interaction.

So what happens at that point? When watchers - students, families, and anyone else - are tapped out for cash and can’t afford to subscribe to yet another service? They torrent it. This is inadvisable; torrenting has become so oft-referenced it’s sometimes tough to remember that it’s actually illegal. Nevertheless, there is a saturation point where media viewers are out of money but still want to see a show. So that’s the option they choose.

When you examine the extreme number of streaming services that have emerged, then you can see the consequences of all this “choice”. What started out as a good idea that genuinely did increase choice has turned dark, morphing into a situation where suddenly a cable service looks like a good idea after all.

The Other Problem

Yes, there’s more than the above issue facing the future of how we consume media. The second problem is not about the media itself, but about how we access it.

To use any streaming service, you’re going to need an internet connection. That’s a given; and it’s also not something that many of us see as a problem. However, huge swathes of the US struggle for decent broadband speeds. While the speeds are gradually improving, for some people, streaming services just aren’t an option.

For those of us who do have decent broadband connections - well, we’ve got nothing to worry about, right?

Maybe not.

The issue is net neutrality. A lot has been said about net neutrality over the past few years, including a notable segment by comedian John Oliver. Even with that said, net neutrality is not a widely understood term outside of those of us with a geeky side to our personality. In fact, even among geeks, it’s still not that well understood.

Put simply, net neutrality guarantees that everything on the internet is accessed at the same speed. Do away with net neutrality - as the current USA administration very much seems to want to - and companies can pick and choose what speeds you get. That’s bad enough in and of itself, but also opens up a more worrying door. There is a real chance that without the net neutrality protections, you could be charged additional fees to pay for faster access to certain sites and streaming services.

Let’s be clear, if this happens, it will change the way we use the internet forever. For streaming services - who, unlike cable, are solely reliant on the internet to bring their programming to their uses - the idea of a loss of net neutrality should be very worrying indeed. Furthermore, for you the consumer, it will again bring forth the question of far more restriction. There is a real chance that you could find yourself having to pay to access the subscription service itself, and then having to pay again just so you can access them at speeds that seem reasonable.

There is a fightback against the repeal of net neutrality. If this is an issue that particularly interests you, then it might be worth reading more into this.

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So What Does The Future Hold For Consumers?

It may have seemed, once upon a time, that there was going to be nothing but good things to come from the subscription model. As times have progressed, however, it’s beginning to look a little more flimsy.

As a consumer, the best thing you can do is keep your options open and see what develops. It’s also important to keep an eye on how much you’re actually spending on different streaming services. It’s far too easy to sign up for those low sounding amounts and commit yourself to a service that you then only use sporadically.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that if you’re tempted to only buy an individual service for a single show, it might not be the best deal. You might be better off with a cable package, or buying the episodes individually. It doesn’t feel like it’s quite as good a deal, but in reality, it will work out as a lot less expensive. At least with these techniques, you avoid entirely forgetting about the subscription and paying for something you never end up using beyond the initial show you wanted to watch.

Of course, no one truly knows how the future of streaming is going to develop. There’s every chance that we’re going to find ourselves contemplating an entirely new development over the next few years, one that we can only imagine at this point in time. There’s always something new waiting to come along, so if you’re an early adopter of new tech, then you’re in luck. It might be that subscription is the way to go, or we go back to the old methods - but at least you can be sure you’ve got all the information you need to make the best decision for you.

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Going Back To School: What You Need To Know

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Sometimes in life, you can find that what you originally planned for yourself may not work out. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, because things change, people change, paths change. And sometimes, you just can’t stay on the path that you’ve found yourself on. When this happens, you may be looking for a career change. When you’re not happy in the job that you’re doing, speaking up and taking action is a brave step to make - especially if it can make you happy. And to do this, you may want to think about going back to school.

Know What You Want

When you’re first considering going back to school, you need to be able to know exactly what you want. Why do you want to go back to school? It’s important that you’re not making this decision because you don’t know what else to do. Going back to school can be hard work and expensive, so it has to be something that you really want, and that you know what you’re getting yourself into.

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Do Your Research

When you have your heart set on going back to school, and you know that your mind is in the right place, you should aim to get a bit of research in. Because what you want out of a school may be different to what you were looking for when you were a teen. Whether you’ve already got your undergrad degree or not, what you need from a school and a course should be your first priority, especially if it is to break into a new career.

Have A Career Choice In Mind

It may also be helpful if you’re able to have a desired career choice or a few options in mind when you’re looking at courses or starting to apply. Whether you want to go to law school or get your bachelor’s, by having a career choice in mind, you’ll know what classes you need to take and what you need to focus on in order to get to the career you want. When you’re looking to go into something different, you should always have this in mind.

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Know The Prospects

At the same time, you should also be strongly aware of what prospects are available to you by taking a specific course. When you’re looking at doing online MBA programs with AACSB accreditation or head to med school, you need to know what you will get out of the course and what it will do for your career. Of course, some courses have clear outcomes, but some are more general, so you will want to ensure you can get the career you want with the courses you’re taking.

Decide On Interest Or Skill

Finally, you may also want to make your final decision based on your interests or skills. There are many factors that go into choosing your degree, but you should aim to make your ultimate choice based on what you’re good at or passionate about. Because you need to be able to commit to the course, and if you’re uninterested or ill-equipped that may prove impossible.