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(ARA) - Who is using social media? What is it exactly? When and where do people tweet, post and blog? Why do people engage in social media?

Social media is everywhere. It encompasses blogs, social networks (such as Twitter, Facebook and MySpace), professional networking avenues such as LinkedIn, and creative sites like Flickr, a photography-sharing website. People such as the teenager next door, grandma and celebrities are using social media outlets. Remember when Conan O'Brien made news by first breaking his recent public silence on Twitter? Did you know that there are more than 300 million active Facebook users who post nearly 1 billion photos monthly to their accounts? Additionally, it would take 7,000 years for all the photos on Flickr to be developed at a one-hour photo!

People use social media for a variety of reasons. What role does social media play in your life? What role should it play?

"The savvy social media user will know how to maximize social media use for their benefit," explains Ted Long, academic director of Web Design & Interactive Media at The Illinois Institute of Art - Schaumburg. He recommends pointers from www.kodak.com as a guide to social media beginners. Some favorites follow.

* Know what you are talking about. If you are going to work with social media, be involved in social media. Start your own Twitter account, Facebook page, read blogs and get engaged. That is the best way to understand the culture, tone, best practices, and protocol.

* Always be transparent. When you are communicating in social media say who you are and who you work for. Don't try to be sneaky and plant comments, don't hire people to go out and say nice things about you and stay away from ghost writing. Be genuine and be real.

* Post frequently. It's a lot of work, but don't post to your blog then leave it for two weeks. Readers won't have a reason to follow you on Twitter or check your blog if they can't expect new content regularly.

* Add value. Share tips, tricks and insights. People's time is precious and they need to get something out of the time they spend with you. Make listening to you worth their time.

* Respond. Answer questions, thank people even if it's just a few words. Make it a two-way conversation.

* Have fun. If you don't like what you are doing, others will notice it and won't enjoy interacting with you.

Vanessa Jackson, assistant director of career services at The Illinois Institute of Art - Schaumburg, reminds users that social media should always be appropriate for a professional setting. "Social networking sites are like the invention of fire for the 21st century. There is great power, possibility and functionality, but use it improperly and you can burn yourself," cautions Jackson.

Jackson advises:
* You can lock your profile, but remember that a lot of information can be derived simply by looking at your profile picture.

* Keep one clean profile per social media site. Don't bother having two profiles, one for friends and one professional.

* LinkedIn is for professional networking and shouldn't be used in the same manner that you use Facebook or MySpace, unless all of your social media profiles are business appropriate.

* Employers (and potential employers) really do check your social networking sites. Spell correctly, use proper grammar and don't be vulgar or degrading to others.

Social media has revolutionized the way we communicate, leaving many who don't use it feeling out of touch. To begin, start slow, learn as you go, and remember to represent yourself in a way that is appropriate for the world to see. Then you too can experience the benefits of being more connected than ever before.

To learn more about The Art Institutes schools, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/nz.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) -- Whether it's looking for the perfect first-date movie or searching for lyrics to a favorite song, Americans are spending increasing amounts of time searching for ideal ways to spend their hard-earned free time and dollars. In fact, one of every 10 online searches is entertainment related. While the online explosion of entertainment activities and information means more choices, it also means doing more leg-work to find that right choice.

According to a recent Bing.com survey, 90 percent of respondents say they are now juggling multiple entertainment-related searches each week versus doing one search that brings back all the information they want and need. That adds up to a large chunk of time spent hunting online for movie trailers and theaters, online game-play and "cheats," video streams, song samples and lyrics.

"We found nearly two-thirds of people visited at least one online site when planning a night out, but only about one in 10 have a single trusted online source for entertainment information," says Lisa Gurry, senior director of Bing at Microsoft Corp. "That shows us that people need better ways to find the best entertainment fit - whether they are planning a night out at the movies or a night in listening to their favorite tunes or playing their favorite online game."

Sites like www.bing.com/entertainment, enable consumers to get results with fewer "clicks" which allows them to tackle the most common, time-consuming entertainment quandaries today. For example, Bing Entertainment enables consumers to:

* Discover and play more than 5 million full-length top songs and hard-to-find lyrics for free.

* Make use of one-click purchase of songs and tickets from Zune, iTunes or Amazon.com.

* Utilize 35,000 top video game walkthroughs and cheats.

* Watch 1,500 TV shows and 20,000 episodes, check TV listings and have easy access to episodes, reviews, images and more.

* Decide which popular movies to see, where and when, with visual search, customer reviews, in-line movie trailers, highlight clips, one-click ticket purchasing and more.

So when you are searching for sites that can help you with your entertainment questions, be sure to not overlook the actual search sites themselves as they often provide all the information you are looking for. Why spend time looking for the next site when you already have the answers at the first click?

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Home remodeling projects can become overwhelming to even the most experienced DIYers. Thanks to new technology and online resources, these projects don't have to be so daunting. With online sites and tools to keep homeowners on track, complicated projects are simpler than ever. By doing the proper research and using these new resources, homeowners will find that technology can make home improvement projects faster, and more painless and precise.

Virtual design tools
While some homeowners have a natural instinct and vision for how they want their home to look, others need a little guidance. With seemingly limitless options, a homeowner could come up with literally millions of color and style combinations. The tools to narrow in on the perfect elements are crucial.

It's simple to pick out different pieces and materials for a home, but making sure everything fits together for a cohesive style is the most important part of home decorating. For those not blessed with the designer gene, many popular home publications and home improvement companies offer online resources with tools that provide both inspiration and a realistic visualization for those planning the design of their home.

Lumber Liquidators, the largest specialty retailer of hardwood flooring in the United States, recently created the "Room Designer" on its website, LumberLiquidators.com, for homeowners to view different varieties of floors within a number of different types of rooms and setups. Users can swap out the flooring, change the cabinet and wall colors, save their designed rooms and even e-mail the combination to themselves or friends. The site also allows visitors to view before and after pictures from actual customers in order to get ideas for their own homes. Ultimately, homeowners must feel comfortable in their homes and the decor and tone should really fit their personalities and lifestyles.

Planning made mobile
Many people find themselves with limited time, and planning a home improvement project ends up at the end of a very long to-do list. For these homeowners, mobile applications are ideal to make progress - while waiting for the bus or during their lunch break - even if they don't have time to sit down and plan a home improvement project.

Mobile applications can also save DIYers a little cash as they don't have to spend money on expensive tools. Apps can be a remodeler's best friend as they'll do everything from turning a phone into a level, converting measurement units, serving as a flashlight or identifying the cheapest retailer to buy tools. The "Floor Finder" even tells homeowners the amount of flooring needed to fill a room. Homeowners can download the "Floor Finder" for free at the Apple iTunes store.

Besides doing everything but physically completing the project, technology can be a huge help in the home improvement process. Homeowners should take advantages of ways to make their lives - and projects - easier.

These useful tools and more can be found within the productivity and utility sections of your preferred app store.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Few things are more universally enjoyable than sitting back at the end of a long day and turning on the TV. Whether you're interested in sports or news or home design, television provides a wonderful distraction. However, while picking what shows to watch may be a relatively easy choice for most people, selecting the best television service provider can be a bit more difficult.

Consider a variety of factors when comparing the different television service providers. Providers may have widely variable costs, programming options, and package selections. Understanding the assets and drawbacks of any given provider can help you find the right option for your personal viewing preferences.

First, it is important to understand that there are two major types of television service providers. While some people may choose to forgo a provider all together and utilize simple antenna-based reception, many prefer the reliability and options offered by both cable and satellite providers. Essentially both cable and satellite provide the same service -- television reception -- but the cost, quality and options associated with either choice may vary greatly.

Cable service providers use in-ground wiring to offer channels to customers. Cable has been the more popular choice for television service in the United States for many years, and most customers have had some experience with cable. Among its assets, cable often has the most affordable basic packages, while also usually providing a decent assortment of other specialty channels for sports, news, or movies. Cable is also preferred at times because there is less installation required and the majority of homes are ready built with cable jacks in key locations. Hooking up a cable connection is quick and relatively easy, and cable reception is often associated with being the most reliable.

There are a number of cable providers, including major contenders such as Comcast, Time Warner, and Mediacom. The prices and options will vary for each provider, and often the biggest limitation with cable is that individuals can only purchase service from a provider with lines in the immediate area. For this reason, individuals who live rurally have sometimes not been able to have access to cable, and many individuals may find that their choice of cable providers is limited, sometimes with only one major provider in the area. Traditionally, cable has also been less able to provide a full range of specialty channels, although in recent years most providers have worked to expand their options and include more HD channels.

In contrast to cable, satellite providers install equipment on the customer's property which receives television service through satellite reception. Satellite providers have often focused on programming versatility to lure customers away from cable. Many satellite packages include a high percentage of HD channels, and there are more specialty packages available through satellite. Individuals who enjoy sports are especially well suited for satellite service, since satellite providers can offer everything from major networks like ESPN to focused regional channels.

Despite these advantages, satellite does have certain drawbacks that sometimes deter potential customers. Some individuals do not like that the satellite must be installed. Although the current satellites offered by companies like DirecTV (available at www.blogtelevision.net) or Dish Network are far smaller than earlier versions, they still must be installed, often on the roof or side of a home. Because the signal is received through a dish, satellite programming is somewhat more prone to interruptions due to weather, although this problem has also been greatly improved in recent years. Satellite providers have also worked hard to ensure that customers still receive their local channels, but most satellite packages are pricier than their cable counterparts.

All in all, there is no right or wrong choice when it comes to choosing a television service provider. Both cable and satellite have their pros and cons, and each individual must simply weigh those options in order to find the one that best suits their budget, interests, and preferences.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Playing video games, once considered a "no parents allowed" activity, has become one of the most popular ways for families to have fun, interact and even stay healthy - together.

A recent national WeTime Survey of parents, conducted by Harris Interactive, showed "playing a video game we can all enjoy" is a favorite activity for 45 percent of families. Parents of tweens (children ages 8 to 12) said the video game console is the No. 3 consumer electronic product their children use most often, just behind televisions and laptop computers.

Call this movement the new "We Time" - or "Wii Time," since Nintendo's console is often at the center of modern family game nights. And it's no coincidence that the console's name sounds like the word "we." Nintendo designed the system to get families and friends active and engaged with each other. The company chose the name, "Wii," to represent this goal of togetherness.

Developed with significant input from modern moms and their families, a newly-launched line of Memorex gaming accessories for Nintendo Wii, Wii Fit and DSi are designed to enhance the multi-player gaming experience and bring new excitement to modern family game nights:

Families say: Popular racing games come with one wheel but may not allow for a significant improvement to the gaming experience. In addition, purchasing individual wheels so each family member can play can be costly.
Solution: Racing Wheel Family Three-Pack for Wii from Memorex (MSRP $24.99)
Families that enjoy racing and go-kart games will love these durable wheels, which offer more features than traditional wheels at an affordable price. Linked closely to colors that echo the character colors in popular racing games, the rubberized grips of the Memorex wheels come in four colors - red, green, blue and purple - so family members can customize their competitions. The wheels are also MotionPlus compatible, thanks to a hidden compartment in back, and feature a spring-loaded trigger, so the racing experience is truly enhanced. Remotes are easily placed in the wheel thanks to a unique, side-loading feature (they don't have to be forced in and out like many other racing wheels), and the wheel's rubberized grips help keep hands from slipping around while racing.

Families say: Current sensor bars in the marketplace offer limited playing range, causing families and friends to sometimes game uncomfortably close together.
Solution: Extended Range Wireless Sensor Bar for Wii from Memorex (MSRP $14.99)
WeTime brings families together - but a little space is good when it comes to multi-player games. Memorex's Extended Range Wireless Sensor Bar allows family members to spread out while playing, without losing the remote signal. This is great for games that require larger accessories, such as guitar or sports kit-related games. The sensor bar is wireless, so it can be placed near the television and your gaming console can be placed anywhere in the room, eliminating unsightly cables. The sensor bar also features a LED-indicator warning to signal when battery power is low.

Families say: Wii Remotes with rechargeable batteries don't hold a long-lasting charge, must be removed from sleeves before charging and are tricky to place into docking stations.
Solution: Quad Controller Charging Kit for Wii from Memorex (MSRP $44.99)
Modern family game night can't happen without charged remotes. But it's expensive to frequently replace the remote batteries, and many controller charging kits are frustrating and time-consuming to use. In addition to solving the "we need more batteries" and "where's the remote?" issues, this inductive charging solution from Memorex solves three problems in one compact, affordable product. Families can keep remotes in their protective sleeves while charging and neatly organize their remotes by placing them on top of the charging station. The battery holds a long-lasting charge - up to 30 hours of continuous play time - so there's no more wasting valuable playing time or trying to fit your remotes perfectly into the charging station. Instead, you can jump right into WeTime.

For more information and where to purchase products, visit www.memorex.com.

WeTime Parent Survey Methodology
The WeTime Parent Survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Memorex Nov. 4-10, 2009 among 1,344 adults age 18-plus who are the parents of children 0-17 years old. No estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated; a full methodology is available.

About Memorex
Memorex is one of the most trusted and recognized consumer brands in modern marketing
history. A portfolio brand of Imation Corp (NYSE: IMN), Memorex is the North American market share leader in optical media and media accessories at retail and one of the best-known names in the consumer electronics industry. Memorex reaches into millions of homes with home audio and video products, portable electronics, iPod and iPhone docking stations, cables, headphones and gaming accessories that are stylish and simple in form and function. For more information about Memorex, visit www.memorex.com.

Memorex, the Memorex logo and Imation are trademarks of Imation Corp. and its subsidiaries. Wii, Wii Fit, Wii Remotes, DSi and MotionPlus are registered trademarks of Nintendo of America. These products are not designed, manufactured, sponsored or endorsed by Nintendo. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Courtesy of ARAcontent