The setup is pretty straight forward, just follow below steps and you are set:

1. Click on the Settings (located at the top right corner) and then choose Accounts and Import tab.
2. Go to ‘Grant access to your account’ and click on ‘Add another account’ link.
3. On the pop up window, enter the email address of the person that you would like to grant access and click on ‘Next Step’.
4. A confirmation message will appear and just click on ‘Send email to grant access’. Not to worry that you will be able to rewoke the action at any time later.
5. On the other end, the delegate will receive an invitation and once after he accepts the request, the delegation process is completed. Once after refreshed your browser, you should be able to find an additional email address that can be toggled at the top right window for such purpose.

While this is not something really new (which was previously only available for Google Apps account), but it has been released to all Gmail users now which is definitely a great move for them to organize, view and send email on behalf of others in shared account more effectively.

IOS 4.2 has just been released and some iPhones’ users may have already rushed to update it regardless if it is fully validated now. However, not all of the firmware releases are bug free and even some minor bugs may cause certain degree of inconvenience to end users. Just recently, some iDevices’ users have experienced an issue of missing iPod music library after upgraded to iOS 4.2. Not to worry now, there is actually a fix that been figured out by forum users.

In actual fact, the iPod app doesn’t disappear and you can recover it easily by following below steps:

1. Connect iDevices to your PC (installed with iTunes) using USB cable.
2. On the left pane, choose the correct device.
3. Select ‘music’ (below device) and play any song from iTunes.
4. Click on ‘Sync’ button in iTunes to synchronize the music library.
5. Launch the iPod app and just wait a while for the new library to be rebuild.

By now, you should have already fixed it with ability to view the music library again. Take note that this is just a quick workaround and hopefully the Cupertino based company will fix it in next minor release before rumored iOS 4.3 on December 13th.

It’s also better for the planet since disposing of electronic waste is a growing problem.

Experts say there are plenty of easy things you can do to prolong the life of electronics batteries. They also dispel some common myths.

Here is general advice from Dell, Nokia, and Apple that can be applied to other brands:

• Avoid extreme heat. It’s the single-most important thing you can do to protect your battery. For example, don’t leave your laptop in the car on a really hot day, says a Dell spokesperson. If you must leave electronics in the car, then don’t leave them on the dashboard. Also don’t close them up in the trunk or glove compartment — the coolest place is probably under a seat. Apple recommends that you remove your iPod or iPhone from any extra case if it gets hot while you charge it.
• Take precautions in cold weather. Bring your battery up to room temperature before turning it on if it’s been exposed to very cold temperatures, recommends a Dell spokesperson.
• You don’t need to totally discharge your battery periodically to make it last longer. That was true of older batteries, but not for today’s lithium-based models. In some systems, it does help with how accurately the battery reports how much energy it has left, says a Dell spokesperson. Apple suggests that you go through at least one charge cycle per month for laptops, iPhones, and iPods. (It’s also no longer necessary to charge your battery for an extra long time for the first charge, says Petri Vuori of Nokia.)

• Unplug your cell phone from the charger when the battery is fully charged. This saves energy and protects the battery, according to Vouri. Don’t forget to unplug the charger from the wall. There’s absolutely no difference between car and wall chargers, according to Vuori. The only potential problem with car charging is if you leave your cell phone in the car on a hot day (as noted above).
• Leave your battery in your laptop. Some websites recommend taking your battery out of your laptop when you’re using it as a desktop computer so that your battery doesn’t get worn out. That’s not such a good idea, according to a Dell spokesperson, because your battery is more likely to be damaged if you take it out. Besides, he says, it’s not necessary since the microprocessor inside the battery manages the charge automatically. So the battery will stop charging on its own when it’s fully charged.

Looking for ways to extend the life of your battery between charges? Change your settings, turn off anything you don’t use, switch your cell phone off when you’re in low coverage areas, update your software, and follow the specific tips from Dell, Nokia, and Apple.

Upscale Projects

10 Ways To Increase The Value Of Your Home

Siding Replacement (fiber-cement or foam-backed vinyl).

With the economic slump, home buyers aren’t being dazzled by bells and whistles as much as they are improvements that will ensure lower repair and utility bills. Although replacing current siding with fiber-cement has lost value from 2007, it still nets an astonishing 87% ROI. If you prefer a foam-backed vinyl product replacement instead, you can still look to recoup 80% of your cost.

Window Replacement (vinyl or wood)

Windows are not only an aesthetic feature. For most homeowners, they represent one of the easiest ways to lower home heating and cooling bills. By replacing your current windows with more efficient vinyl or wood ones, you can save on your utility bills, attract future home buyers and net a nearly 80% (vinyl) or 77% (wood) return on your investment.

Bathroom Remodel

Depending on the size and amenities of your desired bathroom, you could expect to pay over $50,000 to tear out walls, repair joists and wall studs, change structural elements and make major layout changes, such as switching a toilet and shower. However big the price tag, you can still expect to recoup nearly 71% of the cost (which would be $36,400 if you have a $50K bill) when you go to sell. This project increased its value since 2007, while its sister project – adding a complete bathroom – fell in value.

Major Kitchen Remodel

Kitchens are typically the most frequently used room in a home, so it makes sense that investing money here is going to pay off when it comes time to sell. While a major kitchen renovation is usually the most time-consuming and expensive home improvement job (averaging more than $110,000), it’s also one of the most profitable. Regardless of the size of your financial layout, you can expect to get a nearly 71% ROI.

Deck Addition (composite product)

With families cutting their entertainment budgets, they’re spending more time at home, so it makes sense that adding a deck (composite, not wood) is a good investment. You can plan on recouping 63% of your total job cost to boost your home’s value by nearly $24,000 if you paid the average job cost of $37,000.

Mid-Range Projects

While all of the mid-range projects dropped in value versus cost since 2007, there are still numerous projects that will net you a significant ROI. Here are a few of the best bets for your money:

Deck Addition (wood)

If your bank balance can’t swing the higher price tag that comes with composite decking, you may still be able to afford a wood addition on to your home. While a wood deck would cost you, on average, in the neighborhood of $10,000, the resale value it will add to your home is more than $8,600 – an 81.8% return on your investment.

Siding Replacement (vinyl)

Fiber-cement or foam-banked vinyl are often more preferable siding upgrades, but getting vinyl siding replacements instead is still a good choice. You can recoup nearly 81% of your cost which, if the job cost you more than $10,000, means you could add more than $8,200 to your home’s value.

Minor Kitchen Remodel

With belt-tightening in style, people are turning to minor kitchen improvement projects instead of major overhauls. It turns out that that choice is not only frugal, but financially wise. While major kitchen remodeling jobs can still, on average, return a nice 70% ROI for homeowners, minor kitchen remodeling jobs net an even higher 79.5% return.

Attic Bedroom

Anytime you can add bedrooms, you’re going to add to the overall value – and listed purchase price – to your home. If your attic’s dimensions allow you to convert it to a bedroom, you may want to consider investing the money to do so. You’ll add some sleeping space and net a nice 74% return when a new buyer puts your home under contract.

Basement Remodel

If you’re fortunate enough to live in an area with a water table high enough to permit basements, you should think about squeezing all the value you can out of it. By remodeling and finishing a previously-unfinished basement you can expect to get nearly 73% of your investment returned with a higher list price, come time to sell.

Conclusion

If you have savings or access to reasonably-priced credit, it’s worth it to consider home improvement projects that will produce the best return for your time and money. Make sure you work with a reputable, licensed contractor (to avoid costly errors or budget overruns), and before you undertake any project it’s a good idea to check and see if it could significantly increase your property tax bill.

While it may still make sense in the long-run to undertake the project and add overall value to your home, you may need to make a few budgetary changes so that you don’t get caught off-guard when the tax bill comes.

article from yahoo.com

AP - Daylight saving time

That extra hour of sleep you’ll get in most parts of the country on Sunday might be restful, but the end of Daylight Saving Time could spell trouble for your body clock, a sleep expert says.

Dr. Atul Malhotra, medical director of the sleep disorders research program in the division of sleep medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, explained in a hospital news release that there are ways to prevent the time change from disrupting your sleep habits.

For most people, the time shift in the spring is more problematic because an hour is “lost” rather than “gained,” but for those who are disrupted by any change in schedule, Malhotra offered these coping tips:

* Stay away from caffeine and other stimulants, especially during the days before and after the time shift, and avoid napping for a few days because it can disrupt your sleeping at night.
* Sleep through that extra hour if you can instead of trying to get things done.
* Don’t drive if you feel sleepy because of the time shift. Consider taking public transportation for a few days to give your body time to adjust.
* Relax, avoid stress and remember to take your regular medications over the weekend of the time change.

For those who have trouble sleeping overall, Malhotra suggested the following:

* Go to bed and wake up at the same times, even on weekends. No sleeping in.
* Avoid food and drinks with caffeine after lunch, including coffee, tea, soda and chocolate.
* Take 15 to 30 minutes to wind down before heading off to bed.
* Keep your room dark, quiet and cool; ear plugs and eye masks can help.
* Keep in mind that time in front of screens — the computer or television varieties — before bedtime can disrupt sleep.
* Don’t work or study right before bedtime, in order to allow yourself to relax.
* Don’t exercise strenuously right before bedtime.

Basic management skills are necessary to run a small business. Some business owners believe that leading vs managing is most important. In reality, you need to be able to both lead and manage.

What makes a good manager? There are definite business management styles and skills to focus on; specifically for small business owners. If you’re the owner or manager of a small business, it’s important to understand what those basic management skills are and to try to incorporate them into your own behaviors. Why? Because some skills are more successful than others and because some styles will engage your employees, while others will dis-engage them.

Business management skills such as planning, decision making, problem solving, controlling and directing, and measuring and reporting are needed for the daily operation.

Using their small business plan, effective managers direct the business operation. Communications, benchmarking, tracking and measuring are tactics and strategies that they use to check their direction, to adjust the plan (if necessary), and to move the business forward. Good managers act to achieve the desired results; and they manage people and resources to get where they want to go.

Understanding what makes a good manager, means understanding what motivates employees. How do you build an environment and culture that encourages employees to participate? How do you increase employee productivity and employee satisfaction; simultaneously? How do you recruit the best talent, and then keep them? How do you train your staff to solve problems, make decisions, and involve others in the process? These are just some of the challenges, and responsibilities, of managing.

As a manager, you need to understand what the common business management styles are (autocratic, paternalistic, democratic, and passive are the most common styles). And you need to understand what your style is, and how that style affects business results.

Four Business Management Styles:

Autocratic: The manager makes all the decisions; a “command and control” (militaristic) management style. Focus is on business; doesn’t want any personal ’stuff’ to get in the way. The benefit is that decisions are made quickly. The cost is in high employee turn-over as employees find this style difficult, and stressful.

Paternalistic: The manager makes all decisions (or most of them) but focuses on what’s best for employees. The benefit is that employees feel the business is taking care of them. The cost is that employees don’t take care of business – they are uninvolved and have little at risk.

Democratic: The manager wants input from the whole ‘team’ and majority rules. Often good decisions are made and employees feel involved in the business (the benefit to this style) but the process is very slow and you can’t always make everyone happy.

Passive: The manager abdicates responsibility to the employees; and calls it delegation. The benefit is that employees often step forward and learn in this environment. The cost is that the direction is scattered and there can be numerous false starts because there is no real manager.

Managers typically use more than one style, depending on the situation. If brainstorming creative new product ideas is today’s focus, then the manager may want to use a democratic or passive style. If a decision about keeping or firing an under-performing employee must be made, the manager may need to use an autocratic or paternalistic style (hopefully not a democratic or passive style).

In most small businesses, the business owner is also the manager and the leader. In your business, make sure that you have a good understanding of your own business management styles, skills and qualities and learn how to control them and use them as necessary.

To understand more about what makes a good manager, or the difference between leading vs managing, it is good to focus on the qualities of an effective manager as compared to the qualities of an effective leader.

Kris Bovay is the owner of Voice Marketing Inc, a business and marketing services company. Kris has 25 years of experience in leading large, medium and small businesses. For more pricing strategies and other small business resources and services go to the more-for-small-business website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kris_Bovay

God does not give us spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT).

Successful people have one obvious trait in common: personal discipline. They are willing to do things that average people are unwilling to do. It’s my observation that successful people express their self-discipline in six ways:

Successful people master their moods.
They live by their commitments, not their emotions. They do the right thing, even when they don’t feel like it. “A person without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls” (Proverbs 13:3 NLT).

Successful people watch their words.
They put their minds in gear before opening their mouths: “Those who control their tongue will have a long  life…” (Proverbs 13:3 NLT).

Successful people restrain their reactions.
How much can you take before you lose your cool? “People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs” (Proverbs 19:11 NLT).

Successful people stick to their schedule.
If you don’t determine how you will spend your time, you can be sure that others will decide for you! “So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days” (Ephesians 5:15-16 NLT).

Successful people manage their money.
They learn to live on less than what they make, and they invest the difference. The value of a budget is that it tells your money where you want it to go rather than wondering where it went: “The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get” (Proverbs 21:20 NLT).

Now, where do you need to develop self-control?
The disciplines you establish today will determine your success tomorrow. But it takes more than just willpower for lasting self-control.

It takes a power greater than yourself. Think about this promise from the Bible: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT).
The more I accept God’s control over my life, the more self-control HE gives me!