5 Reasons to Consider Retraining

If you already work fulltime, chances are you don't have a lot of time to devote to learning new skills, or updating your old skills. While learning something new can take some additional time and effort, it is usually worthwhile to add some new skills to your resume, and to increase your value to your current employer. Following are 5 reasons you should consider adding additional skills to your repertoire, or retraining to learn something new:
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<br>1. Add to your existing skill set. If you are already employed, adding to your existing skills can make you more valuable to your employer. Not only will the additional skills you learn make it likely that you can take on more responsibilities at work, retraining shows that you are constantly evolving and improving as an employee. You can also point out any retraining that you have done when it is time to review your performance. You may be able to justify a raise if you have added significant skills or certifications to your resume.
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<br>2. Train for a new job altogether. Whether you simply dislike the career or position you are in, or you are working in an industry that is in decline, you may wish or need to seek additional opportunities. Retraining for a separate career will allow you to learn something new, and allow you to apply for and be qualified to perform a different set of jobs. If you are in an industry that is declining or changing, chances are you will be competing against others from your same field for the same jobs, and retraining can give you an additional advantage.
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<br>3. Keep up to date on the latest technology. If you have been out of school for three, five, or even ten years, technology has changed substantially since you graduated. You may need to attend a program or take a course to catch up a bit. By being on top of the latest technology and techniques, you can be sure that you are not missing out on anything. If you work for an employer, they will appreciate you upgrading your skills-and may even pay for the training itself.
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<br>4. If you have been laid off, or let go from your last position. Look at a layoff or termination as an opportunity. If you are eligible to receive unemployment benefits, you can use some of your down time to retrain for a new position. It is easy to get stuck in a job, simply because you are accustomed to it. Getting laid off or terminated can give you the push you need to try something new.
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<br>5. You sense a layoff is coming. If you are in a declining industry or many employees from your company have been laid off, be proactive and start retraining now. If you do not end up getting laud off, you will have increased your skills, and will benefit from the new training. If you do end up getting laid off, then you will have a significant head start on finding another job.
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<br>About the Author: James Copper is a writer for <a href="http://www.ocdp.co.uk" rel="nofollow">http://www.ocdp.co.uk</a> where you can find information on <a href="http://www.ocdp.co.uk" rel="nofollow">retraining courses</a>
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ME Sufferers Can Use Computer Screens For Longer by Wearing Acupressure Travel Wristbands

<p>If you are a sufferer of ME and are affected by motion sickness when using a computer screen, you may find it helpful to try using acupressure travel wristbands. These travel wristbands are widely available from most major chemists and pharmacies, and my ME clients report positive results when using them.</p><p>While motion sickness most commonly occurs when your body is being transported by a powered-vehicle, whether this is a car, boat, train, plane or even a fairground ride, it is now widely accepted that there is form of motion sickness evident in the computer world, dubbed "cybersickness", caused by even seemingly static images on computer screens.</p><p>Cybersickness is caused by sensory conflict, with the brain struggling to interpret the difference between the perceived motion versus the actual motion, such as when playing computer games and your view of the game world is seen as though through the character's eyes, and the character moves in the game world whilst you remain stationary.</p><p>When viewing an image on a computer screen, the perception is that there is no actual motion and the image is both still and stable, however, in reality it is constantly being redrawn but so fast it's usually very difficult for the brain to perceive the refresh rate and therefore to acknowledge the movement.</p><p>Now, for ME sufferers, who are more susceptible than most to subtle changes in their environment, the continual refreshing of a computer screen, and the redrawing of the image on the screen, whether a moving game or a page of static text, is sufficient to set up this sensory conflict causing the same symptoms as motion sickness - stomach discomfort, headache, dizziness and nausea.</p><p>Wearing travel wristbands helps to combat this imbalance just as it would true motion sickness. The wristbands press on a particular acupressure point on the inside of the wrist, and the stimulation of this point helps to alleviate the symptoms. This means that sufferers can then comfortably use a computer screen for longer periods of time without feeling sick or suffering the same degree of fatigue.</p><p>Acupressure travel bands are safe for use by anybody, even if you are taking medication, and can be worn all day. While they usually come in a stretchy 'one size fits all' variety it is also possible to buy adjustable wristbands which may be more comfortable if your wrists are smaller or larger than the average.</p><p>Even if you are wearing the travel wristbands, do remember to take adequate breaks to rest from your computer screen, and build up to using the screen for longer periods of time gradually. For example, if you can currently manage 20 minutes, limit yourself to a five-minute increase only. If this is successful, then you can extend it by another five minutes when you feel ready. You will need to monitor and manage the time you spend on your computer, but if you plan it sensibly you should be able to enjoy the increased time without feeling overly exhausted or sick, which means more time to catch up with friends, surf the net or complete your family history!</p><p>Patricia Bishop is a professional Clinical Hypnotherapist, EFT & NLP practioner and healer, with a full-time practice in London.<br> Website: <a target="_new" href="http://www.pat-bishop.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.pat-bishop.com</a><br> Email: <a href="mailto:info@pat-bishop.com" rel="nofollow">info@pat-bishop.com</a></p>

Do You Use a Registry Cleaner? | ArticlesBase.com

<p>Are you finding yourself in a precarious position? Has your system crashed or the blue screens are getting more frequent? Perhaps the data and on-screen applications are freezing? Well! Most probably your windows registry needs a repair. It often happens that many redundant items start playing up with the performance of the Windows registry. It makes the registry slow and corrupts it entirely. If the problem remains unheeded, it might result in system crash.</p> <h3><a href="http://aoeauto.com/go/registryeasy/" target="_self" rel="nofollow">Click for Speed Up Your PC performance and Eliminate Errors</a></h3> <p>  <br />There can be plenty of reasons for a painful Windows Registry. It might be software that hasn't been uninstalled properly. It might also be a malware operations setting. Whatever it might be, the results are often confidence impeding. Let's understand window registry better. <br />  <br />All that we do on our PC- hardware, user configuration, software and other applications- are stored in the windows registry. Owing to overload, it gets a bloating feeling that we so often feel in ourselves when we overeat. Such obsolete, unwanted and unguarded information keep infesting Trojan and various systemic difficulties.</p> <h3><a href="http://aoeauto.com/go/registryeasy/" target="_self" rel="nofollow">Click for Speed Up Your PC performance and Eliminate Errors</a></h3> <p>  <br />Registry cleaners are known to tackle this issue effectively. They clean and repair the invalid files. At times, when there is no hope, they completely delete the file. With commands like "regedit.exe", you can look to delete each thing manually but it takes huge proportions of time. It is far better to get a windows registry cleaner in action. <br />  <br />It will repair corrupted files and bring back vitality into the system. Most of the cleaners can fix DLL and Java errors, application and EXE errors, and Windows Installer errors.</p> <h3><a href="http://aoeauto.com/go/registryeasy/" target="_self" rel="nofollow">Click for Speed Up Your PC performance and Eliminate Errors</a></h3><strong>About the Author:</strong><br /><p><strong>More Registry Repair Software Tips</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://tinyurl.com/ydkccv7" target="_parent" rel="nofollow"><strong>Registry Defense 2009</strong></a>:
<STRONG>Summary:</STRONG> We found that Registry Defense exceeded our expectations in all areas tested. Registry Defense is a great registry cleaner for novices and experts looking to increase computer speed and boost performance.</p>
<p><a href="http://tinyurl.com/y8w2kmb" target="_parent" rel="nofollow"><strong>Registry Fix</strong></a>: <STRONG>Summary:</STRONG> Although this was an above average registry cleaner in our testing, the interface and navigation kept Registry Fix from scoring higher. The registered version is slightly more expensive than other competitors.</p>
<p><a href="http://tinyurl.com/ya7fhfv" target="_parent" rel="nofollow"><strong>Perfect Optimizer</strong></a>: <STRONG>Summary:</STRONG> Perfect Optimizer is another popular registry cleaner program that works decent. We were very annoyed with the messages and pop-ups reminding us to register the program and upgrading our subscription.</p>

Tiny Little Ways to go Green You Probably Never Thought Of

So you're committed to going green, but are you doing all that you can? In this eco-conscious era, most people practice the basics of reducing, reusing and recycling. But there is more you can do around the house to save energy, save money and ultimately save the planet.
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<br><b>The right light:</b> We all know turning off lights when we leave the room can save energy and money. Using the right light bulb will make those savings go even further.
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<br><b>Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights bulbs (CFLs).</b>In addition to using 75% less energy than regular bulbs, CFLs last longer and save you money. You can expect to save about $30 in energy costs over a bulb's lifetime.
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<br><b>Pull the plug:</b> Electric devices, even when they are switched off, still use power. This phenomenon is called "phantom" or "vampire" power. Added together, phantom power from appliances like cell phone chargers, printers, DVD players and flat screen TVs can add 10% to your residential power costs. Yes, that comes from that little light that shows they are ready to be used at your command. Unplug these devices when you're not using them. And don't leave the computer on all night to complete downloads.
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<br><b>Use a power bar:</b> An easier way to combat the "phantom" power menace? Plug appliances into a common power bar. One flick of the switch turns off up to six appliances at once. Some power bars even have "smart" outlets, which will leave selected appliances on while powering down the others that must be kept on.
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<br><b>Wash cold:</b> 90% of the energy involved in doing laundry goes to heating the water. Washing your clothes on cold is one of the easiest ways to cut down on costs and electricity. An added bonus: it keeps your colours brighter as well.
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<br><b>Hang to dry:</b> The other laundry energy sucker? The dryer. Hang clothes to dry outside in the summer time. In the winter, a simple drying rack in the laundry room will do the trick. Ditching the dryer in the summer alone can save you more than $40.
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<br><b>Plug the leaks:</b> That draughty window in the living room is making your furnace work overtime. A quick trip to the hardware store will get you all you need to fix the problem. The other areas where leaks are common are in faucets and showerheads. Taking the time to tighten them up will save water and money over time. Want added savings? Install low-flow showerheads and faucets while you're at it.
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<br><b>Turn it down:</b> Reducing the temperature on your thermostat by just one or two degrees can save you as much as 15% on your heating bill. Turning down the temperature a little more when you're out of the house goes even further. If you're forgetful, try installing a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature for the time of day.
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<br><b>Plant a garden:</b> Even small plants can save you several trips to the grocery store as well as the fossil fuels burned in transporting food. In the summer, it's easy to sprinkle a few seeds to grow your own veggies. A few simple herbs like chives, parsley and mint practically grow themselves. Add a couple of lettuce plants for a complete DIY salad in your own back yard.
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<br>About the Author: Ivy Newport is the president and product strategist at Every Little Bit, an online retail store featuring <a href="http://www.everylittlebitgreen.com" rel="nofollow">eco-friendly products</a> for your every day needs. You are welcome to use this article provided you include a link to <a href="http://everylittlebitgreen.com/" rel="nofollow">Every Little Bit</a> to credit authorship.
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How to Keep Your Computer Clean | ArticlesBase.com

<p>Many of us use computers daily, touching the keys, the screen and our desktops thousands of times a day. Hands are not often the cleanest parts of the body, which means our computers quickly can become a breeding ground for germs and bacteria, says John Pletz, CEO of ServiceMaster Clean by Pletz, based in Crystal Lake, Illinois. <br /><br />The Clorox Co recently commissioned a survey to see which gender was the cleanest. The result may surprise you: it was not the fairer sex. The reason? Women’s offices may appear tidier on the surface, but they actually contain more germs. Makeup cases were found to be the top bacteria spot for women’s offices, with the phone, purse and desk drawer also common playgrounds for those nasty germs to breed.<br /><br /><br />The survey also found that women using hand lotion and makeup were two of the worst culprits. Both enable germs to be easily transferred from one surface to another. Another cause was food, with a whopping 75% of women keeping munchies in a desk drawer. All in all, it was discovered that an average office desktop has 400 times more bacteria than the average office toilet seat. <br /><br />Top Tips <br /><br />Keeping bacteria at bay is a goal of professional cleaning, but you can do your bit to help rid your office of germs. It is recommended that you: <br />Don’t eat at your desk or store snacks inside.<br />Wash your hands frequently.<br />Throw way pen tops and paperclips if you put them in your mouth.<br />Build in time each week/month to clean your keyboard, computer screen and telephone.<br /><br />Cleaning Your Keyboard: <br />Unplug your keyboard.<br />Get a can of compressed air.<br />Turn your keyboard upside down and shake the keyboard over the trashcan to remove the larger debris.<br />Blow the compressed air between the keys.<br />Using a terry towel/paper towel and even cotton swabs and a standard household cleaner, gently wipe down each key and between the keys. (Do not spray the cleaner directly on the keyboard â€" spray directly onto the cleaning towel!)<br />If your keyboard is excessively dirty, you may want to get a new keyboard you can easily replace a standard keyboard for under $20 at any office supply retailer. However if this is not an option, you can also remove the keys so that the compressed air can be more effective.  If you opt to remove the keys, take a picture of your keyboard so that you can remember the order in which the keys should be replaced.<br /><br />Cleaning Your Monitor: <br /><br />Office supply stores carry special LCD screen cleaners, as well as the lint-free wipes that you can use to clean your screen and the rest of your laptop. <br /><br />Keeping your computer in good repair and free of germs will not only extend the life of your office machinery, but will also help protect you and fellow co-workers. It’s a question of health and good practice, and it’s important.</p><strong>About the Author:</strong><br /><p>John Pletz is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a <a href="http://www.local.yodle.com/articles" rel="nofollow">Professional Cleaners</a> or more <a href="http://local.yodle.com/articles/topics/home-garden/cleaning-services-home-garden/" rel="nofollow"> cleaning </a> articles at Yodle Consumer Guide. <a href="http://local.yodle.com/articles/all-about-computer-cleaning-and-sanitization" rel="nofollow"> How to Keep Your Computer Clean</a>
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