B.O.B: A Different Type of Rapper

Sometimes it pays to be different. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, a city known for its outcasts, B.o.B aka Bobby Ray is truly out of the ordinary. At just 21 years old, the rapper - born Bobby Ray Simmons - has become a breath of fresh air in Atlanta's snap and trap-obsessed scene.

B.o.B made the decision very early in his young life to pursue a career in hip-hop. He started rapping at the age of 13 after studying classic albums from DMX and Eminem. With the encouragement of his older brother, B.o.B started feverishly writing down anything and everything. "At the time, Joe Budden was poppin' and my brother told me when Joe was 15 he used to fill up notebooks with rhymes," says B.o.B "That lit off a light bulb for me and I was like damn, I need to do more than that. Then from seventh grade up to tenth grade, I just started filling up notebooks with lyrics. Then it got to the point where I was just writing them in my head."

While still in junior high school, B.o.B formed a group with his cousin Swag, called The Klinic. The two young MCs were able to buy a simple studio set-up that included the beat-making program Fruity Loops. They quickly started crafting their own songs and performing at open mics around Atlanta. Their manager, B Rich, introduced them to a local ATL rapper named Playboy Tre of the Georgia Durt camp, and he taught the young'ns how to use his professional studio.

The Klinic continued to collaborate until their senior year of high school in 2006, when B.o.B's cousin decided to leave home in order to attend college. Faced with a tough decision, B.o.B chose to continue rapping, this time as a solo artist. "I called my manager and was like, 'I think I'm just going to start working at the mall for a little while and get some money so I can really start pursuing music like I want to,'" he remembers. "Him and Playboy Tre came by my house and were like, 'Look man, we can get you a deal within a year, don't give up!'"

In mid-September of '06, just two weeks after going solo, B.o.B performed at Club Crucial, where TJ Chapman, founder of the national DJ conference TJ's DJ's, was in attendance. After hearing the rap rookie perform "Cloud 9," TJ was convinced he was in the presence of a star. "That was the first time I performed 'Cloud 9' and I got a standing ovation," says B.o.B "TJ Chapman was amazed. He linked up with B Rich, who let him hear my music, and TJ wanted to be involved in the team."

With the budding MC's demo in hand, TJ, B.o.B and B Rich flew to Miami to meet platinum producer Jim Jonsin. After one listen, Jonsin offered B.o.B a spot on his label. On October 3, 2006, B.o.B signed to Atlantic Records through Jonsin's Rebel Rock. "I'm really focused on painting a picture of myself as a musician and an artist and not just a rapper," says B.o.B "I feel like I'm not just making rap music; I feel like I'm changing music, period."

Zo The Magnificent-Wicked Instrumental

Check Out These Hot Internet Singles!

ARTIST: Meek Mill
TITLE: House Party (feat. Young Chris)

ARTIST: T.I.
TITLE: Here Ye, Hear Ye (feat. Sk8brd)

ARTIST: Waka Flocka Flame
TITLE: Round Of Applause (feat. Drake)

ARTIST: Wale
TITLE: Focused (feat. Kid Cudi)

ARTIST: Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa
TITLE: Young, Wild & Free (feat. Bruno Mars)

ARTIST: Wale
TITLE: Lotus Flower Bomb (feat. Miguel)

ARTIST: Common
TITLE: Blue Sky

ARTIST: B.o.B
TITLE: Strange Clouds (feat. Lil Wayne)

Abobe Graphic Design Website Software Lets Your Creativity Flow

The design world is buzzing about Adobe Creative Suite 3, a collection of computer graphic design tools that are fully integrated to allow you to work in almost any medium.

Whether you're a web developer, a graphic designer, or an artist, you've undoubtedly counted on Adobe software to help you get the job done. Now, the design world is buzzing about Adobe Creative Suite 3, a collection of computer graphic design tools that are fully integrated to allow you to work in almost any medium.

Adobe offers six different editions of CS3, designed to fit the needs of a variety of professionals. The six editions are:

Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium - Developed for the designer who works in mobile, Web, and print publishing, CS3 Design Premium includes the professional or extended versions of InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Dreamweaver, and Acrobat.

Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Standard - Perfect for the professional who works primarily in print, CS3 Design Premium includes InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat Professional.

Adobe Creative Suite 3 Web Premium - Adobe takes web design software to a whole new level by allowing integration across virtually all Adobe products, including Photoshop Extended, Illustrator, Flash Professional, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Contribute Cue, Bridge, and Device Central.

Adobe Creative Suite 3 Web Standard - Perfect for website design, this graphics software integrates Dreamweaver, Flash Professional, Fireworks, and Contribute.

Adobe Creative Suite 3 Production Platinum - Adobe solves the challenges of video post production by combining a wide variety of products, including Bridge, Dynamic Link, Device Central, Acrobat Connect, After Effects, Premiere Pro, Photoshop Extended, Flash Professional, Illustrator, Soundbooth, and Encore. For professionals working in a Windows environment, it also includes OnLocation and Ultra.

Adobe Creative Suite 3 Master Collection - The CS3 Master Collection is a computer graphics dream come true, with virtually every Adobe product integrated so that you can create in almost any medium, including film, print, mobile, Web, and interactive. The Master Collection includes InDesign, Photoshop Extended, Illustrator, Acrobat Professional, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Contribute, After Effects, Premiere Pro, Soundbooth, and Encore. Web applications include Bridge, Cue, Device Central, Stock Photos, Acrobat Connect, Dynamic Link, OnLocation, and Ultra.

Essentially, CS3 provides professionals with product configurations that will enable them to seamlessly accomplish their goals. For example, designers can do web page design, user interface design, game development, e-learning, animation, and mobile development. Those who work with video can do editing and production, multimedia, audio editing and production, and visual effects. And, of course, professionals can edit and fuse images, as well as design for print.

Professionals also appreciate Adobe graphic design website software because it works on a variety of platforms, including Windows Vista and both Tiger and Leopard on Macs. And, for those who already own Adobe products, it's easy to upgrade to CS3 - even from standalone graphics software programs. Finally, those who purchase one CS3 edition and then decide that they would like an enhanced version (moving from, for example, CS3 Design Standard to Design Premium) can easily make the switch.

There's no question that the creativity of designers has spurred Adobe to step up and develop a toolkit that enables professionals to reach new heights.


Understanding the Nature of Web Design

Marketing and market tactics are the basic focus of corporations and big companies so they can maximize a total potential that their corporation will have. All types and kinds of strategies are performed and governed with a strategic action plan. Marketing and sales are still the best way to gain profit, making it possible to access their potential anywhere, local offices, over the phone and even online. And online thing is still the best approach to gain access to their business. So a lot of businessmen would prefer to have a website. But the nature of its web design must be suitable to a kind of business they have.

The nature of web design is a thing that always needs consideration. Depending on the type of ads or purpose of the web is subject for, if it is for e-commerce or just web hosting. Web designers are studying the nature of its business through the season. That is most likely the reason why the web hosting offers a contract in order for them to maintain the website depending on the changes on the season as they promise to provide the best service possible.

It is a must for a certain company to choose the right and well-updated designer. Generation grows and it's changing its style and fashion so as everything changes as the season moves. With this, a thorough understanding and proper application would be necessary before a web be designed for its purpose and existence.

A web design must have all the possible components from structure, the inside thought, the ability to catch traffic, its host, and its security as well. A lot of hackers are making some programs, which they can use to ruin competencies. Make it sure that the web must be fully secured and impossible to hacked. The inside thought must be something that can surely catch somebody's attention and is not boring. And the theme must be based on the insight and nature of its purpose.

There are some strategies that you can use for this, and you can have it discussed with your web designer. If you are only planning to have a website, then you would consider looking and comparing for a lot of options and having it secured with the best value possible. A lot of web designers are doing design for the web. There are freelance, company based, and others are just the third parties. But whatever the options are, make it sure that its reliable and the reputation must be tested and proven. And if its just a system maintenance, then you can have it done with anybody who offers one time pay for just the system maintenance and make it sure that they lost access to your web after the transaction was made.

The nature of web design is not all about the appearance of the website itself. You must also consider the advantage and the disadvantages of these factors including budget and security. After all, a good website is working, with potential and fully secured.


5 Important Rules in Website Design

When it comes to your website, extra attention should be paid to every minute detail to make sure it performs optimally to serve its purpose. Here are seven important rules of thumb to observe to make sure your website performs well.

1) Do not use splash pages

Splash pages are the first pages you see when you arrive at a website. They normally have a very beautiful image with words like "welcome" or "click here to enter". In fact, they are just that -- pretty vases with no real purpose. Do not let your visitors have a reason to click on the "back" button! Give them the value of your site up front without the splash page.

2) Do not use excessive banner advertisements

Even the least net savvy people have trained themselves to ignore banner advertisements so you will be wasting valuable website real estate. Instead, provide more valueable content and weave relevant affiliate links into your content, and let your visitors feel that they want to buy instead of being pushed to buy.

3) Have a simple and clear navigation

You have to provide a simple and very straightforward navigation menu so that even a young child will know how to use it. Stay away from complicated Flash based menus or multi-tiered dropdown menus. If your visitors don't know how to navigate, they will leave your site.

4) Have a clear indication of where the user is

When visitors are deeply engrossed in browsing your site, you will want to make sure they know which part of the site they are in at that moment. That way, they will be able to browse relevant information or navigate to any section of the site easily. Don't confuse your visitors because confusion means "abandon ship"!

5) Avoid using audio on your site

If your visitor is going to stay a long time at your site, reading your content, you will want to make sure they're not annoyed by some audio looping on and on on your website. If you insist on adding audio, make sure they have some control over it -- volume or muting controls would work fine.

Zo The Magnificent Releases Instrumental EP Album

Chicago hip-hop producer and VJ, Zo the Magnificent, releases new instrumental EP album titled, The Come UP, on his own label Domination Empire Records. The album consists of 4 instrumental hip-hop tracks. The full-length instrumental album is set to be released later this year.

Check out The Come Up EP Album!

Zo The Magnificent Launches Internet Radio Show

Digital Media Producer, Zo The Magnificent, will launch his internet radio show titled, The Zo The Magnificent Show, this year.Being a first of its kind, the new online radio show will focus on topics such as digital media production, internet marketing and entertainment.

The show will discuss what's new in the digital media and internet marketing industry, what events are coming up and new music releases. Zo The Magnificent will also release his instrumental hip hop tracks in the form of a mixtape on the show. He will also give unsigned artists and producers an opportunity to promote their music on the program.

"This is truly a first of its kind," said Zo. "The show will be both entertaining as well as inspirational for upcoming artists, graphic artists and marketers."

Zo commented, saying;"I'm excited about this show. my goal is to cover all bases in the digital media industry."

About Zo The Magnificent

Zo the Magnificent is an internet entrepreneur, hip-hop producer, VJ, digital media producer and founder of Domination Empire Productions. His background includes music journalism, music publishing administration and internet marketing.

Check out the sneak preview of The Zo the Magnificent Show!

Tips On How To Find A Job

Prior to looking for the specific job that would the best fit for you, learn how to effectively market your talents. This will help you gauge the possibility of landing on the job you want. First, skills and interests should be evaluated personally. Jotting down a list would definitely be the best way to define your capabilities; second, to know your limitations. There are jobs that are too demanding that might not work for you, or jobs that you may be overly qualified for; and third, planning the time as soon as there is an inner instinct that tells you that you are ready and qualified. Once this has been done, go to companies and prospective employers early in the morning for this will give them a good impression and for the applicant, a time to complete the process the application if lucky. Remember, the early bird catches the worm.

The very first thing that needs to be done when looking for a job is to prepare an impressive resume. The resume will depend on the type of job being applied for. There are times when certain employers require curriculum vitae and even a cover letter or letter of intent. Every professional job you apply for expects to receive a well written resume.

After preparing the documents needed for application, the next thing that should follow is finding vacancies for new hires. Searching using the Internet will be very helpful for this activity. There are sites that provide this assistance like HotJobs, America's Job Bank, and Monster that utilizes resources and convenience for people to look for jobs.

Where else to look for job openings?

The initial step is to look at local newspapers for this provides information just by looking at the Classified Ads section and the lists of wanted personnel and employment opportunities will be read. Applying at several companies initially in a local area can save an applicant more time and money. If it so happens a job was found late in the day, call immediately for inquiries. Never let a day pass when opportunities come.

How to look for jobs that are not announced?

Sometimes companies and other employers do not really advertise any job openings in their organization. The best thing for an applicant is to weigh things if it will be possible to be hired by a certain company by just submitting an application form or resume. Start looking for the job personally. Tell everyone about your job hunting. Relatives and previous offices or company co-workers will be able to give hints on job vacancies in their current companies. Professors or teachers will also be helpful in recommending schools and institutions that are now looking for new instructors. These people might not have any vacant position in their company in mind but they certainly know someone who knows or needs a new employee. That is what others call networking.

Often times, the Yellow Pages does the important job of providing information on how and where to call to look for a job. This gives an accurate list of companies and prospective employers in a chosen area. Visiting the library is also a tool than can be useful when looking for a job. There are libraries that have a list of local employers, just asks the librarian for more information.

Contact these employers personally, even if they did not advertise any vacant positions that needed to be filled
Lastly, be observant of signs posted on doors and windows of shops and stalls being passed by. If lucky, just walk in and ask for information about the job and how to apply.

After submitting application forms and resumes to the respective companies, keep track of the progress by creating a chart where you can jot down the name of the company and when the application was submitted.

Here’s a job-scout checklist to help you along your way:

1. Identify experience list
2. Identify prospective employers
3. Prepare documents
4. Plan schedules
5. Contact companies and/or employers
6. Get ready for an interview
7. Evaluate how interview went along
8. Take the exams
9. Start with the new job!

Visit Zo The Magnificent's Job Board!

Tips on Job Listings For Employers

Finding a job and looking for somebody to fill a position are no longer difficult. Thanks to the innovations that technology has introduced, people are now adept with job searches. Both the job seekers and employers have more choices when it comes to finding jobs, whether online or offline research.

In fact, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics asserted that there is a probable increase of 21.3 million jobs in the coming years. This is because job seekers are finding more ways to search for the right jobs.

One of the most commonly used methods for job searches is the job listing. In fact, most employers contend that job listing is the most effective way of landing a job. Surveys show that 47% of inactive people looking for jobs rely so much on job listings as a means of getting some information about job openings.

This concept is based on studies and surveys that job seekers are more inclined to search for jobs in terms of the available positions and not on the possible employers or companies.

Hence, it is important for the employers to know how to get the most out of job listings in order to maximize their hiring endeavor.

Here’s how:

1. Employers should learn how to concentrate on rewards that they can give to the people rather than what the company’s mission and vision are.

In most cases, job seekers are more interested on what they can get from the position that they are applying for rather than the history of the company itself. Hence, it would be better if the employers emphasize more on their job listing the benefits that people can get once they are hired.

2. Employers should present job openings in their job listings in a simple manner.

The key point in making job listings is not to expound more on the highly technical business terms. It would be better to emphasize what their company can do and how the employees can benefit from them.

3. It is important for the employers to be straight to the point when describing job positions in job listings.

There are instances wherein employers tend to make the position more technically conceptualized wherein the job description is mainly different from what the position entails.

Hence, it is important for the employer to tell the exact position and job description as it is in the simplest terms.

Indeed, job listings can be very beneficial to everybody. It just needs the right principle in order to be successful in job hunting and employee searches.

Visit Zo The Magnificent's Job board!

Choosing Your Mixing Board

The realizations that have grown in the studio for mixing are ones that have also led to new applications and ideas for putting together the right mix of instruments. With this, has come a variety of technologies and options in order to ensure that every type of studio can easily change sound waves within the recording area. These options are allowing for better mixes and blends within each piece of music. Knowing the characteristics of different mixing boards can help you to decide what is your best option.

Number of input devices. Each mixing board comes with a set of number of channels. Each of these channels will allow for one instrument to be placed within the mixing board. You may have heard of concepts like the '24 mixer' or '36 mixer'. The numbers that are being referred to are the channels used, each one allowing for an instrument to be in it's place. Before you get a mixing board, you will want to think of how many channels you will need at one time, dependent on how many instruments you want or need to record at once.

Different uses for different environments. There are different innovations that are used for different areas of mixing. Because a sound board has to be able to adapt to both the software for recording and for the mix of instruments, different types of mixers will be available. Some of these will be focused on performance mixing while others will be strictly for the studio. You can determine which is being used according to the level control features and the way in which the sound board is built.

Analog or Digital. Technology innovations with mixers are constantly re-defining the best and latest types of mixers to use within recording. This has quickly made a transition from analog to digital mixers. Analog mixers are defined by wired controls that mix in changes and live sounds. Digital mixers; however, will use a digital interface in between. Typically, the mixing difference can be heard in the sound as well as the options for mixing. Because digital is using later technology, it is now moving into innovations such as audio streams, all in one editing options and more possibilities for controlling volume and input of the sound being used.

Extra effects. No matter what type of mixer you are looking into, you always want to pay attention to the little knobs that are a part of the mix. Depending on the mix and make of the sound board, you will also have different signal options as well as volume control options, dependent on the mixer. The more complex you want to make the mix, or the more instrumentation you have, will also help you to decide on what effects you want to take place in the mix and before the sound recording. You should keep in mind that, with these effects, they can not be undone if they are recorded that way as sound waves, meaning you will want to be cognizant of what is working and what doesn't in the mix.

Interactions with software. Your mixing board not only provides you with options for pre-recording, but also should have options with how it interacts with the software. Not only does each mixing board have different features within the board itself, but can also interact with the software in certain ways in order to mix together the sound waves in a certain way. You will want to make sure that you have a mixing board that compliments your software system.

If you keep these things in mind with the right mixing board, it will save you time, money and will allow for the right sound to be developed from what you are creating. Your end option will be the ability to customize your sound and to create certain controls within your music that best fit what you want to do. By understanding the different qualities of mixing boards and how they can work for you, there will be the ability to have the perfect recipe for your instrumentation mix.

Rap Music And Its Artists

The world of rap music has been going strong since the early 1980's. The direction of the music continues to move in various directions and the faces of those at the top of the charges change as well. There have been many rap artists that have pushed the limits of the music industry though and really made it something for themselves. Many consumers love a new sound when it emerges in the area of pop music so they are happy to go out and buy it.

Eminem is one that appeals to people of all ages it seems. Taking his lyrical content from his real life issues of a mother that was into drugs and prostitution is something that people are really interested in. He has also written songs about the mother of his child that don't view here in a very promising light. One of the intriguing things about Eminem though is that he is white. Almost all good rap artists are black by nature it seems and this was unusual. He also didn't have the appearance of a traditional rap artist. The fact that he was able to emerge on the scene at such an early age was appealing too.

Kid Rock is the other well known white rap artist. He is also well known for his wild boy antics. He is portrayed as a nice guy but then you always see him in the news involved in various fist fights and problems with people. Some fans feel let down by Rock as he has shifted his musical content over the past several years. He is often classified as more rock and roll on his recent albums.

Some rap artists continue to carry out a legacy even after their death. 2Pac was killed at a Las Vegas casino in 1996 during a drive by shooting. Many say his rival rap artist Biggie Smalls was responsible for the act but this has never been proven. His music continues to be sold in very high amounts. This shows how much of a credit he has for establishing the foundation of rap music in our society. To many, 2Pac is what Elvis is to the era of rock and roll.

Make Money As A Computer Consultant

A Computer on Every Desk?

With the advent of PCS, computer systems are now accessible to small and mid-sized companies. Very few businesses, no matter how small, can not afford
to ignore the growing demand for instant information and finger-tip response to their clientele. Computerization is a standard tool of competition and, if used correctly, should rapidly pay for itself in a reduction of man hours and an increase in efficiency.

Most companies have to computerize in order to "keep up with the Jones" but many small and mid-sized businesses haven't the slightest idea which of the myriad of available hardware and software makes the most sense in terms of their own business. And ...this creates a natural marketplace for the computer consultant. The demand for these services is growing by leaps and bounds.

Making Cents

Computer consultants serve two basic functions:

Selecting the appropriate computer system, including hardware, software,networks and peripherals. This is a one-time project and vital to the success of the automation process. Most business people are afraid of spending thousands of dollars for an inadequate or incomplete system. A consultant maps out the strategy for the appropriate system and the most effective and efficient software.

Integrating the computer into day-to-day operations. A consultant may be used on a on-going basis as upgrades in software occur or then network needs to be expanded.


A computer should make a business so much more efficient and productive that is pays for itself. Computer consultants not only productive that it pays for itself. Computer consultants not only help businesses realize this potential but a computer consultant's expertise should make the process much less stressful and the transition processes more comfortable and easier to accept.

Overhead Is Minimal

The only inventory you need is what's stored away in your brain: education and on-hands experience are your greatest assets. Like most computer experts, you probably already own your own PC and that's the only equipment necessary for start-up. The more involved systems work will come on-site as you design and install your client's more sophisticated hardware and software. The lion's share of your start-up expenses will be advertising and marketing your services.

Because your work will be exclusively on-site at your corporate customer's locations, it will not be necessary, especially in the beginning, to have an outside office. Not only will your costs be kept at a minimum by working from your home, but you can deduct office-at-home expenses off your taxes for the percentage of your home you convert into office space, but be sure to use that area of your home exclusively for your work.

When you begin your marketing efforts, do your homework and find out the type of customer who is truly in need of your services. Most undoubtedly, you will want to target mid-sized corporations. The big boys probably have permanent on-site computer experts and the little guys probably can't afford you. Make your marketing dollar as effective as possible by doing some legwork before you begin.

You will also want to look long and hard at your areas of expertise. Do you have a specialty or are you an across-the-board type of computer expert? Should you target a specific industry? Can you easily recommend the proper system to an accountant as you can for a trucking company?

Geography plays a major part in identifying potential clientele. If your specialty market is scattered all over the country, you'll want to advertise on a wide-scale. If you are the across-the-board expert, you can target a specific location. Keep in mind, the closer to home you're working, the less of your capital will be eaten up with travel expenses.

It is very important to establish on-going relationships with your clientele. Many companies pay their consultant a retainer good for a few hours per month in order to have a standing opportunity to ask questions or upgrade programming. This is often a less expensive option for your clients than hiring a full-time staff person. You will need to let your clients know how you can help them in their day-to-day operations and set up a flexible enough schedule so that you will be able to work within their parameters. Working on this basis with a number of companies will guarantee you some regular income and cut back on marketing expenses.

Balance What You Know and Who You Know

Since you can't possibly know all there is to know about computers, you'll need to make contacts in the industry who can assist you when you come up against a situation you're not qualified to handle. You will want to compile a network of professionals you can call on to fill any voids you find as you go along. You have the option to subcontract to other consultants (many university professors, for example, free-lance as consultants). You may want to put your subcontractors on the payroll or you may simply wish to put your client in touch with your source and then step quietly out of the picture. You may not receive immediate remuneration for the recommendation, but the long-term benefits can be well worth your efforts. Not only will this build good-will with your client but the other consultants may wish to return the favor when they have a need for your area of expertise.

To Market or Not to Market?

When starting any new business, the main focus must be on effective marketing. The first contacts will be the most difficult and will probably require references. However, after you reach your capacity, you will have a tendency to slack off on your marketing. You'll be so busy with one or two clients that you'll forget that there is an end to the work and to the income. Suddenly, the work will be are starting all over gain. It is absolutely essential to keep marketing even when things are at their most hectic.

A certain percentage of your time should be spent bringing in new business no matter how busy your are. You will have to decide what percentage of time allows you to keep an even flow of business coming in and out. You will find yourself only spending a portion of your time in "billable hours." A certain amount of time must be spent doing administrative functions, like billing and taxes. Another portion of your work must be spent in staying up-to-date with current developments in the industry and with software and hardware innovations.

You may also want to round out your services by writing articles for magazines or publications or giving seminars or workshops. These types of endeavors can help provide additional revenues and expand your network for both clients and subcontractors.

If you billable hours fall off, you will want to devote more time to marketing but remember, no matter how much money you already to have to do,, your's is a finite service and sooner or later, you're going to need new business. So never forget to continue to market..., network, and expand your client base. This will help to curtail the roller-coaster ride many new and/or small businesses face.

Common courtesy will also help your gain referrals and keep your clients happy. Send a thank you note to clients to let them know that you appreciate their business. Make follow up calls to let them know that you are concerned that the services you provided them are effective and producing the results you were anticipating. A little personal touch here and there can keep your name in the minds of the most hardcore business person.

Manage Your Growth

Many computer consultants opt to stay one person operation. One of the attractions of being your own boss is that you can leave behind the hassles and politics of corporate life. The flip side of that coin is that the only funds coming into the business are your own billable hours in any given day. Owners of large computer-consulting firms reap a percentage of every dollar earned by each associate. There are many trade-offs involved in being self-employed. Neither option is going to be a walk in the park. But the most important thing to keep in mind is to manage your company's growth. Don't get in over your head, just take one step at a time and keep an eye on the road ahead.

RFID Chips In Vegas

If entrepreneurs didn’t know by now that Technology was taking over the business world, now it’s encroaching on the gambling casinos. We can’t even escape it on our trips to Las Vegas.

RADIO-FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION is headed for Vegas. Casino chips embedded with RFID tags and are being tested at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and will be displayed this month at the new $2.7 billion Wynn Las Vegas hotel and casino.

The chips will each be given a unique player code to track behavior and possibly get more revenue out of high rollers. It’s estimated that this could be a $100 million business by the year 2011.

There are two Vegas based companies that own the casino-RFID game: Progressive Gaming International and Shuffle Master.

Progressive’s TableLink, which reads RFID chips using table-embedded antennas and records the wagers on a dealer’s PC, is the system of choice at the two casinos. Progressive and Shuffle Master have also developed optical card shoes, which holds decks and scan cards as they’re dealt. Shuffle Master’s Intelligent Shoe is already getting rave reviews in Australia and Asia.

The cost of outfitting a table with the chips and antennas costs a casino about $8,000, but analysts predict that Progressive will score bigger bucks from the $6 per day per table it charges for its system.

One RFID chip costs a casino 40 cents more than a standard chip, but that margin will drop to about 10 cents in the coming months.

This is certainly a “technology leap” from the “eye in the sky” that we all knew about in the casinos, but I don’t think that even George Orwell would have thought of these chips.

Those of us who used the games in Vegas casinos to escape our computers and software programs, seem destined to be followed by technology no matter where we go.

Somehow Radio-Frequency Identification in poker/gaming chips just doesn’t seem to be what a good poker player expects. Oh well, technology marches on...and on….and on.

5 Good Reasons to Incorporate Your Business Online

You've decided to incorporate your business, but aren't sure how to proceed. Incorporation is a process that involves lots of decision-making, paperwork, and legal processes. Thankfully, you don't have to go far to learn the ins and outs of incorporation. You can now incorporate online with helpful services that are just a click away. Here are five good reasons to incorporate online.

1. Never Leave the Home or Office

One reason to incorporate online is you can get all the help you need from the comfort of your own office or home. With online incorporation, you'll have all the facts about corporations at your fingertips. The incorporation services provided online usually come from those who are experienced and can provide you with the paperwork and guidance needed to ease the process. You'll save time and many headaches by using an online incorporation service and you won't have to run from one place to another trying to determine what is needed.

2. State-by-State Incorporation

No matter what state you plan to incorporate in, you can incorporate online within minutes. Many online services are equipped to handle incorporation paperwork in multiple states. The services can provide you with detailed information about the state such as the fees to incorporate a business, total cost for incorporating, how long the process will take, and the steps or paperwork required to incorporate in that particular state.

3. Incorporate Quickly

Some online services may offer expedited incorporation services. This service can be useful if you need to incorporate your business in a hurry. Expedited service often costs a little more, but can be well worth it if you need it fast. By choosing this option, your business might be incorporated within 10 days or less.

4. Know all the Facts

When you incorporate online, you can know all the facts about incorporation before deciding to take that final step. You can take time from your home or office PC to read about forming a corporation, the requirements involved, and the pros and cons of incorporation. This will enable you to make an informed decision and determine the proper direction for your business.

You can also compare different forms of business, such as Corporation, S Corporation, forming an LLC (Limited-Liability Company), sole proprietorship, and partnership. For instance, to form an LLC and a corporation is similar in some ways, but very different in others. LLC formation should be carefully compared to incorporation before making a decision.

5. Save Money

To incorporate online is often more affordable than hiring an agent or attorney to do the paperwork for you. Online services are able to operate with minimal expenses by providing Web forms and information via the website. These savings are passed on to you and enable you to incorporate your business with a minimal investment.

These are only a few reasons to incorporate online, but there are many other benefits. Discover all that incorporation can offer for your business today, and watch your business soar to new heights!

Go Digital!

It seems like yesterday when I made my first attempt at finding an affordable digital multi-track recorder for my small home recording studio. Needing to replace my outdated 4 track analog recorder, I searched quite awhile for a reasonably priced recorder. Finally, I was able to find a digital recorder with most of the features I was looking for.

I was amazed at the capabilities of this machine; the clarity of sound it duplicated and the ease of operation were fantastic. My music mixes never sounded better.

Every month or so, some new technological invention, especially in the digital realm, appears on the market. For today’s young people, it is common place to have at their disposal anything they find appealing.

For some of us “older folks” to say the least, we are amazed, at times, even overwhelmed by all the “techno” gizmos on the market. I feel like a kid in a candy store when I research all the new devices out there, but I am a rare bird for my age and sex. I’m one of the very few women who pine over “electronics” instead of the latest fashion craze.

I constantly search the internet for information on all the new products. I want them all, but can only afford a few of these new devices. But, when narrowing down my choices, I usually opt to keep up with all the music related products for enjoyable listening and more efficient and advanced ways to take my music and recording to the next level.

There is no better way to find out all the tricks and tips about a new device than to read about it. Oftentimes the manufacturer’s supplied user’s manual, to say the least, is in another language. Yes, I am one of those people who prefer to learn by doing, but sometimes this is the slow way and does more harm than good. I have lost many good demos because of my hasty button pushing. My eyes often play tricks on me because part of using digital devices is getting used to the tiny menu screens.

E-books are great for reading in your spare time. I like to download them and read at my leisure. When my eyes are not working properly, I use the “zoom in”, sit back and read all about my new device.

Want To Start A Website? The Basics...

In this day and age, possessing a presence on the Internet is a common approach to the ever-changing trends regarding personal, social, and business ventures. For some, one can navigate the ins and outs of the World Wide Web in their sleep, while others need to familiarize themselves with the basics. When it comes to starting your own website, there are certain fundamental aspects of the process that are necessary for anyone to know. Below you will find the building blocks that will help you create your own site on the Web:

Domain Name

After you have decided the purpose of your website, you will need to come up with a domain name. This is the identity that people will encounter when searching for or visiting your site. As you think long and hard about what to call your site, you should know that many domain names are already taken. Depending on your website aim, you may be able to tweak letters, use numbers, or change the spelling in order to distinguish yourself from other websites. The domain name should also be easy to spell and remember. Before you fall in love with the name of your choice, you may check to see if it is taken by sneaking a peak at a "whois" Internet directory.

Domain Name Registration

To lay your claim on an available domain name, you must pay a fee to have it registered. Depending on the extension you choose or who you pay to register your domain, you could disburse varying costs from $9.99 to more than $500 per year. Some of the domain extensions to consider include .com, .net, or. org.

Web Hosting

After your domain name becomes registered, you will need to find a web host. A host is a server that allows you to store the data of your website so you may access it whenever you wish. Comparison shopping will prove beneficial in locating the best price for you. There are tons of web hosts looking to take advantage of unsuspecting, new web owners.

Website Publishing

In order to publish your site, you may need the help of tutorials and website wizards to assist you in creating your online presence. While some people spend time learning HTML or CSS, others turn to the ease of ready-made templates that allow consumers to simply type in their own information while enjoying a pre-scripted visual arrangement. Major businesses and those who desire a unique look for their site will hire a professional to generate their website. A variety of applications are used in this process, including Adobe GoLive, Macromedia Flash, and Dreamweaver. Some people may also create a simple page through Microsoft Word.

While the above concepts are quite basic when starting a website, others will prove more challenging. Promoting a site and generating traffic now becomes a common issue. Your next step will be to learn the ropes of getting your site listed with major search engines; marketing; and driving traffic to your site.

Wiz Khalifa On The Rise

"Being out in front of people and just being ‘The Man'" might sound like a vague and ridiculous dream to have, but for Cameron Thomaz it might be the most appropriate thought to cross any mind. Better known as Wiz Khalifa, the son of two military parents has always had his eye on being a new standard by which cool is measured. Rapping since the third grade and starting to record music at 14 was probably a step in the right direction. The next best move? Inking a deal to Rostrum Records after a meeting with Benjy Grinberg.

Fresh out of high school, it was time to either sink or swim. In 2005 Wiz released his first mixtape, Prince of the City: Welcome to Pistolvania. The mixtape was quickly accepted by the local scene and began to gain buzz outside of Pittsburgh. With that excitement growing by the day, it was the perfect time for a proper commercial album. Wiz soon dropped Show and Prove, which Okayplayer.com claimed was "arguably the best album of the year." The accolades began piling up and Khalifa was receiving significant co-signs from XXL, Rolling Stone, and VIBE, alike. A deal with Warner Bros. Records soon followed.

Any other 20-year-old probably would've let all this hype go to their heads, but not Wiz. As focused as ever, Wiz only saw this praise as an opportunity to work harder. In 2007, with the help of famed mixtape DJ, Green Lantern, Wiz released Grow Season, which was soon followed by Prince of The City 2. The sequel to Prince of The City would soon out grow its predecessor so much so that the demand for Khalifa's music was greater than ever.

Unfortunately, the relationship between Khalifa and Warner Bros. dissolved, and once again, Wiz found himself as an independent artist. Typically a huge roadblock for any artist, Wiz refused to allow the lack of a major label deal to slow down his momentum. He and his Rostrum team hit the ground running in 2009 and released three highly acclaimed mixtapes: Flight School, How Fly, a collaborative mixtape with New Orleans rapper Curren$y, and Burn After Rolling. The album Deal Or No Deal followed in the Fall and debuted at the top of the iTunes "Hip-Hop" chart, and has remained in the top 50 to date.

In the months following, both his fanbase (known as the "Taylor Gang") and the anticipation for his new mixtape grew daily. Once Wiz dropped Kush & Orange Juice in early 2010, it was clear that he had established himself as one of the rap-game's brightest young stars to watch. With an unprecedented amount of downloads, not to mention both the top search on Google as well as the number one trending topic on Twitter, it seemed as if the entire nation was on board with the "Taylor Gang" movement. Many said that the release of Kush & Orange Juice placed Wiz as the valedictorian of his "XXL Freshmen 10" class and kicked open the doors he and his team were looking to walk through.

Fast forward a few months, and together Wiz and Rostrum Records proudly announced that these doors were those of Atlantic Records, the new home to Wiz Khalifa. Following this huge milestone in his career, Wiz soon embarked on a stint on the famed "Rock The Bells" tour alongside such legends as Lauryn Hill and Snoop Dogg, immediately followed by his nation-wide headlining tour, appropriately dubbed the "Waken Baken Tour."