We all know the basics of interviewing: be prepared, dress the part, arrive on time, and make eye contact during your interview.  However, interviewing for a technology position can sometimes be anything but basic. Potential employers within the technology industry want to understand your thought process, technical abilities, and your general background knowledge within the many areas of the ever-changing technology field.  In addition to the above interviewing tips, our Human Resource professionals at Brave River Solutions also suggest taking these simple steps into consideration:

1.    Know the organization
You may be an expert computer programmer, IT networking professional or a recent college graduate, however, when interviewing it is not only important to be knowledgeable on the position that you are applying for but on the company as well.  Employers want to make sure you are the right fit for the company, and you should feel the same.  Reviewing the company website and understanding their history and a basic overview of the products that they offer, will show the employer that you invested time in learning more about them and in turn, they should do the same for you.

2.    Know the position
Technology positions can range from technical support and computer programming to project management.  Although some aspects of these positions have similarities, having a full understanding of the position that you are applying for is key. Oftentimes candidates make the mistake of not fully understanding a job description.  An example would be a software developer applying for an IT networking position.  Although a developer may have a general understanding of the networking process and how to set up various units, they are likely looking for a position on the ‘back end’ that involves heavy programming or analyzing scripts.  The same goes for a networking specialist. They are great at solving computer problems involving technical functions and setting up the actual unit, but they may not be interested in coding and creating programs.  It is important to make a decision on which path best fits you and express your interest in that area. If you have participated in specialized courses in both of these areas, be prepared for interviewers to ask questions that pertain to both fields in order to understand where your skill set lies and where you would be most successful within the business.

3.    Show your versatility
Candidates frequently put too much emphasis on being the expert in one area of technology. Fact is, having a broad knowledge capacity on a variety of areas is oftentimes a positive in the eyes of the employer.  Of course an employer would like you to have a certain level of expertise when it comes to technology solutions, however understanding various components of technology — whether it be a particular program or the ability to analyze data — will boost your hiring potential.  It is also important to mention that you have the ability to work within a team environment as well as individually.  Having the ability to brainstorm ideas with others, work on team projects, or conduct personal research to find comparable solutions shows that have the skills and desire to succeed not only as an individual but as part of the business team.

4.    Write what you know
Never put more than what you know on your resume, as you will end up in an embarrassing situation if you cannot answer a question that refers to a particular subject matter that you claim to know, but in fact do not.  Employers aren’t always looking for a single, “right” answer.  Often, they’re seeking insight into how you think and how you approach problems.  They want to see that you have a solid understanding of technical concepts and that you can apply them in an innovative way.  Although knowing particular programs or languages is a must for some employers, there is also a flip side where interviewers will quiz your technical skills by asking how you would handle a certain task or what you think of developments within the industry.  How you answer those questions can prove to your potential employer that you may not know every aspect of a particular function, however you have analytical ability to learn.  Look at it as a positive; you gain the experience, and the employer can teach you a new skill within their defined methodology.

5.    Find the answer
If you were asked a particular question that you could not answer, make it a point to find the answer.  You never know when you will come across the same question again on future interviews.  It may even be a good idea to research the question and call or email the interviewer back with an answer.  This shows determination and resourcefulness and that can go a long way when you are in a large candidate pool.

Brave River Solutions is a leading web design, development, IT services and consulting firm.  We have been interviewing technology candidates for a number of years and believe that by following these few simple steps, you too can flourish above other applicants and land your dream job within your chosen technology career.  To learn more about career opportunities at Brave River visit us on the web at: http://braveriver.com/about-us/careers/

Google+

Smartphones and tablets have changed the way we do many things, and how we receive, open, and read emails is no exception.  This change in behavior represents an opportunity for email marketing; with email now at our fingertips, marketers must take special care in ensuring each and every email sent out is readable on any mobile device.

• 90% of Smartphone users access their email through desktop as well as a mobile device.
• 43% of email is now opened on a mobile device
• 56% of those who made a purchase on a mobile device did so as a response to an email
• 70% of mobile email users immediately delete an email that does not render favorably on their device.

Small changes make all the difference
Mobile screens are smaller than desktop screens and fingers are much larger than cursers. Therefore mobile optimized emails should be simple in design but by no means boring. The call-to-action should be short and to the point. Using email on a smartphone means the reader is probably multi-tasking or on-the-go and pressed for time, so the CTA should spark interest but not take too much time to read and gather its meaning.

Why Optimize now?
Be ahead of the curve. A poll conducted in December of 2012 stated that 24% of companies are not optimizing their email for mobile. 39% of companies have no mobile email strategy in place, and 48% do not know what percentage of their email is opened on a mobile device. Making mobile optimization a priority will establish your company as being proactive and forward thinking.

Build your relationship with your customers. We have all been through the frustration of receiving an email that does not render well on a mobile device or even a desktop. It is frustrating and time consuming and usually results in an opt-out or at the very least, the deletion of the email without reviewing the message. If you go above and beyond to ensure reading your emails is a pleasant experience, your brand will be stronger for it.

Email useage on Mobile devices is growing. It is projected by 2017 over 78% of email users will access their account from a smartphone or tablet. It is inevitable that tablets will exceed desktop use for emails in the near future. Be ahead of the game and start now.

The growing number of mobile device users makes mobile email optimization necessary. Mobile optimization is just another step in doing everything you can to ensure your emails get read and your message is received.

Google+

Congratulations, you just bought a brand new, gorgeous, shiny gadget known as a tablet!  Whether your intention to use your new device is for school, business, or personal use, you will want to be sure to take proper care of your device to guarantee that it stays in top –performing shape!
The following tips are designed to help you have a basic understanding of how to care for your tablet.

Tablet Screen Care
To keep your tablet running at peak performance for years to come, general maintenance and care is required.  Engaging in a regular cleaning routine of your tablet can minimize damage, prevent overheating, and maximize the longevity of your device. Below are a few simple steps to take during the cleaning process:

• Turn your tablet off.
• Unplug any peripherals & remove the protective case.

The glass on a tablet screen is made out of an oil resistant oleophobic coating which is designed to help protect against grime & dust found on our fingerprints.  Over a period of sustained usage, the screen can become vulnerable.  Proper cleaning of the screen is key to sustainability.

• Using a soft lint-free cloth along with a specialty screen cleaner (made specifically for tablets), spray the cleaner directly onto the cloth and clean all areas of the tablet.  Spraying cleaner directly on the device could cause moisture build up within your device.
• Cleaning your tablet screen after each use will safeguard against any lingering smudges that may wear on the coating.
• Wipe your tablet in a circular motion to avoid scratching
• Purchase a screen protector.
• Purchase a case to help prevent the glass from breaking if dropped on a hard surface.  Common options include standard cases, folio cases and sleeves.

Tablet Battery Care
In addition to the general cleaning maintenance of your tablet, battery care should also be a top priority.  Over time, the tablet battery has a tendency to lose potency and can potentially damage internal components.

• Complete a whole charge cycle, once, every month. Meaning you should fully charge your device to 100% battery life and then continue use until you have completely exhausted the battery.
• If you plan on storing your tablet without use for 6 months or more, it is important to completely drain the battery before storing, and charge fully before returning to using the tablet.

Keep current on all software updates.  These updates could help prolong the battery life.

Environmental Tablet Care
Your surrounding environment may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you are thinking of ways to care for your tablet.  The fact is everyday ‘life’ can destroy your device if you do not take the proper precautions.

• Keep out of extreme temperatures.  Storing your tablet in areas where temperatures reach above 95 degrees Fahrenheit or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period of time can extensively damage the tablet over time.
• In addition to extreme temperatures, do not leave your tablet in direct sunlight for an extended period of time — such as near a window or in a car.
• Keep your tablet away from wet surfaces or in extremely humid locations.  Even with a protective case, condensation can build within the unit which could cause malfunctions.
• If your tablet does sustain water damage, do not attempt to dry with an external heating source, such as a hair dryer.  Call a representative from the manufacturing company to obtain advice on the appropriate course of action.

Tablets are highly popular these days with widespread use — not only for home use, but for career and educational purposes as well.  Brave River Solutions’ comprehensive IT support services are available to help optimize and protect your business technology investments.  Call us at 1-888-828-6611 for more information on how we can help you!

Google+

As the pace of technology accelerates, consumers race to claim ownership of the latest and greatest in tech gadgets and devices. From smartphones to tablets and laptops — and everything in between — employees today are increasingly tech-savvy.

At the same time, we are constantly introduced to new ways of streamlining business and productivity. The desire to keep pace with upgrades oftentimes results in privately owned devices offering superior capabilities when compared to company issued computers.
This has led to an increasing trend among employees requesting to use their personal devices in the workplace. This policy, termed BYOD or “bring your own device” is catching on quickly with small and large businesses alike.

Over 60% of businesses allow some form of BYOD. Motivating factors include desire on the part of the employee to use the most technologically advanced tools, improved employee satisfaction, increased cloud and virtualization capabilities, and of course reduced costs for the employers. Employees enjoy having the flexibility in using mobile devices of their own choice.

So why not allow employees to use devices they either bring to work or use from home to contribute to the overall success of your business?

There is some concern for increased risks for unauthorized access to sensitive information. Company polices and guidelines need to be established to ensure information security and other risks are managed properly.  Employees should know what the rules are and what practices may or may not be permissible. For example, should employees be permitted to access work servers remotely from public places? What if a device is stolen?  Should it be required that all devices are password protected? And, what happens to company information on a mobile device if an employee is fired or resigns?

There is also the issue of compensation. While many companies provide a stipend for the use of employee owned devices, an alternative arrangement might be that the employee pays for the device and the company covers usage fees.

‘Bring your own device’ has its advantages in that employees have access to updated documents and information — no matter where they are physically located.  Telecommuting allows employees to be accessible, even when they might be traveling or have a sick child at home. Having BYOD options available in the office makes a workforce more efficient.

BYOD is not just a passing trend. Acceptance of new technologies in the workplace indicates that a business is not only up-to-date on the IT world, but is a leader in their industry. If you would like to learn more about ways that Brave River Solutions can assist you with improvements in technology for your business, contact us at 1-888-828-6611 for a free consultation.

Google+

In the world of web design, Flash vs. jQuery is a topic that is comparable to a professional sports rivalry (i.e. Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees), and unless you are as tech-savvy as those in the industry (or have the payroll of the Yankees) the differences between the two may not be easily recognizable.

For years, web designers have been limited in their ability to add animation and interactive features without requiring the constant reloading of a web page, unless they used Flash. This is where the need for jQuery came into play.  jQuery was created to serves as a library that is designed to build upon the JavaScript programming language in order to make development faster and easier.  In the past, JavaScript was not consistent amongst all browsers (think back to the days when your only options were Internet Explorer vs. Netscape). Without using a jQuery library, a designer would need extensive knowledge about not only JavaScript as a whole, but a full understanding of the inconsistencies between the browsers in order to perform a work around.

Tools such as jQuery offer designers cross-browser compatibility which greatly reduces the learning curve as well as allows the webpage to be viewed on most major platforms.  Brave River Solutions web designer, Chris Gioranino says “With the growing popularity of mobile and tablet users, jQuery has an advantage over Flash in the sense that the page can be viewed virtually anywhere, anytime”. On the flip side, Chris also stated that although jQuery has better compatibility features, Flash allows for more complex web design such as 3D capabilities, complex animation and multimedia, and more font options.

Below is a list of Pros and Cons of both Flash and jQuery:

While Flash has a great complexity of elements from a design stand point, there are still many features that are easily handled by jQuery.  To sum up the difference between the two, jQuery simplifies the process of using Javascript where Flash provides enhancements with a bit more of a complex approach.

If you would like to learn more about ways that Brave River Solutions can assist you in enhancing your website by using either Flash or jQuery, contact us at 1-888-828-6611 for a free consultation.

Google+

Macs in the Office?

We all know that basic differences between Apple and Windows are price, design, and capability. Windows software is more available, but Macs tend to be more secure as far as malware and viruses go. Windows has a variety of hardware to choose from, but Mac prides itself in its design. At the end of the day, they are both PCs and though slightly different, they operate as just that — a PC.

This debate has been going on for ages, and it may not reach a final conclusion anytime soon. Macs and PCs both have their shining moments, but which is better for business? There isn’t a right or wrong answer to this question. Traditionally PCs have dominated the business environment, but recently with the launch of the iPhone and iPad, more and more Apple products are finding their way into the business environment. Are Macs really better for the office?

For most offices, the question of Mac or Windows has been answered easily. Windows cost less and easily supports office software; therefore we use Windows. For many years businesses have purchased Macs only for specific capabilities that PCs may lack, usually related to design. However, more recently companies that 10 years ago would have purchased PCs without giving it a second thought are converting to Apple products.

Why the sudden Shift to Apple?

Consumers have adopted Apple products at higher rates over that past 10 years. The iPhone and iPad have had a significant role in Apple’s influence on business, being the first smartphone and tablet to gain popularity — business people have brought in their own Apple hardware into the workplace. The fact that Apple leads the market in smartphones and tablets is a prime influence in the steps businesses are taking to replace their Windows PCs with Macs. Products employers and employees prefer and grow accustomed to in their personal lives frequently influence their buying decisions for the office. Also, Apple, with support of CEO Tim Cook, has begun to listen to the needs of the enterprise market, and they now work together to deliver to businesses what they are looking for in hardware purchases. While Apple continues to put the consumer first, rather than turn away from the business environment, they are recognizing the opportunity.

If you would like to learn more about ways that Brave River Solutions can assist you in deciding what kinds of technology will be most beneficial for your business, please find us online at www.braveriver.com or call us  at (401) 828-6611.

Google+

Not only have smartphones replaced landlines and personal computers, they have now replaced the traditional cash register. It’s likely that you have experienced a purchase transaction where a business used a smartphone to process credit card payments. Mobile processing was adapted first by small businesses that operate from various locations, but now nationwide chains have also begun to adapt to a pay-anywhere mentality.

The way it works
Through a free application and some type of hardware that plugs into the phone or tablet, businesses can accept secure credit card payments from anywhere — relying only on an Internet connection. Large and small businesses alike no longer need to be hard wired to brick and mortar in order to accept credit cards without risk.

Advantages
The competitiveness of the market has really worked to the consumer’s advantage; most mobile processing services offer a range of packages to fit your business needs, great or small. Some pay per swipe, while others charge a flat rate — determined by forecasted sales volume. The pricing is not as rigid as traditional wired card reader options of the past. Even the smallest of budgets can usually find low-cost options that will work for them. Many of these applications link into existing bookkeeping programs, so set-up is quick and easy. The most common card readers are the square PAYware Mobile, and Intuit GoPayment. The top readers are compatible with iPhone, iPad, and Android — keeping equipment costs to a minimal.

Who’s using it?
Food trucks, farmers market vendors, antique dealers, and many other small businesses, as well as brick and mortar businesses with fixed locations are taking advantage of the ease of mobile credit card processing. However, it’s not only small businesses taking advantage of smartphone credit card readers. Some large scale brick and mortar retailers have begun to use smart phones in their stores, allowing customers to find an associate and check out anywhere in the store, rather than wait in the checkout line.  With the wide variety of options available, there is a credit card reader to fit every preference and budget.

Brave River Solutions assists clients in developing successful B2B and B2C solutions that facilitate efficient interactions with customers. Give us a call today at (401) 828-6611 , to help your business successfully position itself within a competitive marketplace.

 

Google+

The landscape of the traditional workplace is changing. People are no longer required to be physically present in a single location to contribute as effective team members on a project. The network of computers required for collaborative work need not be confined within the walls of a building. The hardware and software necessary to produce project files can be handled “in the cloud“.

It’s likely that you’re already familiar with a form of cloud computing. Email services such as Gmail, Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail are web-based programs that can be accessed from any computer, anywhere. The software and file storage requirements for these programs don’t exist on your computer, but they are readily accessible online.

Cloud computing is quickly changing today’s tech industry. Remote machines can run a broad range of applications, from basic word processing to complex data analysis programs. All that is needed on the user’s computer is some kind of interface software — which can be as simple as an Internet browser or a desktop or mobile app.

Information sharing online takes place in a secure environment where only those given permission to access documents can do so. With this kind of convenience available with less risk, emailing attachments is no longer necessary. The most recently revised version of a file is easily accessible.

This unprecedented ability work from anywhere has enabled companies to retain the best employees – regardless of where they may live – and in effect, has increased the ranks of “virtual” companies with employees that meet regularly online, but rarely in person.

Brave River Solutions offers File Cloud, a web-based file transfer solution that offers file and folder management, multiple permission levels, encryption, and large file storage. It provides an easy way to securely store, share, or send large files (like spreadsheets, databases, multimedia documents, etc.) at any time, from anywhere.

Google+

Ask most people which computer application they use most often and they’ll tell you that it’s their web browser. Ask them which browser they use, and you’ll find that the majority of people are using one of the Big Three: Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Firefox.

So which one is the best? Truthfully, using the most recent versions of all 3, the average user probably won’t notice too much of a difference (although we bet your web developer will!), with there being subtle advantages to each one.  So, to help you decide which Internet browser is the best for you, we’ll examine the difference between them based on two critical performance metrics: speed and security.

Speed: Chrome Wins

Chrome (version 21): The Chrome Instant feature means that many websites will start to load before you even finish typing the URL. When Instant is enabled, Chrome uses your browsing and search history to predict which site you are looking for as you type into the address bar. Then, the first match for your partially entered text is automatically loaded. If it’s not the site you’re looking for, just continue typing and Chrome will dynamically load the next potential match.

Like IE9, Chrome also uses your PC’s graphics processor to speed up website loading times, and does a better job of it. Additionally, in performance tests by PC Mag, Google Chrome was the fastest web browser to start-up.

Firefox (version 14): The JavaScript speed in this latest update from Firefox came in at a pretty close second place behind Chrome. But it’s still lacking in terms of start-up time, making Chrome the clear overall winner.

Internet Explorer (IE9): While not available for all operating systems, Windows 7-8 and Vista users will find that this latest version of IE is much faster than it’s predecessor, IE8. Based on PC Mag’s performance tests, however, it’s still slower than both Chrome and Firefox using most performance benchmarks.

Security & Privacy Features: Chrome & IE9 Tie

This is a close one, with Chrome’s sandboxing feature and Incognito Mode making it a front-runner, but IE9′s granular controls give advanced users the most flexibility in terms of settings.

Chrome 21: The standout feature here is Google Chrome’s sandboxing, which “quarantines” and isolates every webpage you open so that it can’t interfere with anything else on your PC. This means that if you visit a site with malware, the sandboxing feature prevents it from downloading to your machine. You also have the option of browsing in “Incognito Mode,” which grants you greater privacy by preventing cookies and ensuring that pages you open won’t show-up in your browser or search history. Unfortunately, Google Instant is disabled when you’re going incognito, so you’ll lose a little bit of that super-speed.

The only reason that Chrome didn’t sweep this category is that some users may not be crazy about the fact that Chrome ties-in with other Google services. It’s this tie-in with Google search that makes Instant and all it’s timesaving auto-complete features possible.

Internet Explorer 9: IE9 offers a lot of flexibility with its privacy and security settings. The custom/advanced settings permit users to enable or disable just about everything imaginable. It also includes a “download checker,” where the browser will warn you when you are about to download a questionable or unknown file. No warning is shown for files that are known to have a safe reputation, however, eliminating the excessive display of cautionary labels.

IE9′s best security feature is its Tracking Protection, which lets users configure the browser to automatically block participating websites from setting third-party cookies to track your online behavior.

Firefox 14: Firefox has all the basics covered, but with a huge amount of available plug-ins (which make it the most customizable browser around), it can be a little complicated to make sure everything gets updated to the most secure versions. The browser’s security features include the display of an “unsafe” or “questionable” warning badge on hazardous sites, blocking of phishing sites, and an optional Do Not Track feature similar to the Tracking Protection offered by IE9.

Summary

When selecting a web browser, it’s important to consider what matters most to you. Are you looking for something that’s completely customizable with lots of added plug-ins and the ability to search Google from the address bar? Then Firefox might be the best bet for you. Obsessed with high speed and sleek design? Chrome is the obvious choice. But if you’re a Windows loyalist with a preference for Bing searches and customized privacy settings, Internet Explorer will suit you fine.

The best news is that all three browsers are available for free download (with IE9 coming standard on the latest Windows operating systems), so you can take them all for a test drive before deciding on a favorite.

Google+

Websites today are displayed on a varied array of screen sizes, depending on the device used to access the Internet — be it a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. It has been predicted that within 3 years’ time, the percentage of people accessing the Internet using a smartphone or tablet will outnumber those utilizing the larger screen sized PC’s and laptops.

In a study done by the Pew Research Center, 60% of mobile device users prefer to read news with a browser rather than launching a separate app. At present, it’s common practice for users of small screen devices to have to zoom in on traditional website pages to make text readable, and oftentimes full size images aren’t viewable at all as the designer intended. Ideally, browsers should have the capability to deliver a user-friendly experience. Mobile web design is one solution, but in that case, the browser is actually delivering an alternate version of the website code. Enter into the mix, tablets, iPads, and Mini iPads which introduce further options and screen sizes that fall somewhere in between.

Responsive design is a method of web design created to address these issues so that the sizing and positioning of elements on a screen are adaptable to just about any screen size. The organization of what you see on the screen may change in response to the specifics of the device being utilized. With this flexible design approach in use, users don’t need to pinch or expand content to improve readability, and everything is easily viewable without extensive scrolling or panning. Responsive design is the wave of the future — a fundamental shift in how we’ll be building websites going forward.

The creator of responsive design is Ethan Marcotte, a web designer and developer living in Boston. Because the methodology behind responsive design is still evolving, at this point in time web designers must put forth a great deal of thought in planning how a website will reformulate –depending on a larger or smaller screen size, horizontal or vertical formatting, etc. Understandably these projects can be complex, requiring detailed attention to possible variations. However, with the world quickly becoming more mobile, this is certainly an approach well worth considering.

Google+