Databranch Newsletter

February 2009
In this issue

> Who's Listening
> Better Graphics
> Video Conferencing
> Keep Your Job
> Just for Laughs

How to Keep Your Job Without Losing Your Mind

reprinted with permission from the HP Small Business Center

Finding a good work-life balance is difficult in many professions, but the business field is one that is particularly associated with long hours, unusual schedules, and a general inability to leave work at the office. The volatile and demanding nature of the job leaves many professionals wanting to reduce their work commitments to make more time for their personal lives.

If you're one of those overworked souls, here are a few ways to avoid burnout and restore sanity to your work schedule.

1. Learn to delegate and share work wisely
Effectively managing your workload is key to making sure you're not working more hours than you should be. Delegating work to someone else can be difficult, but if you're swamped, it's a good option.

To get started, make a list of all the activities and tasks you must complete during the week, taking note of which could be handled by someone else. Next, match each assignment with the person who has the right skills and experience to handle the task.

Please forward this newsletter to anyone else in your organization who might be interested!

Who's Listening to Your Phone Calls?
reprinted with permission from the HP Small Business Center

Simple to use and cost effective, VoIP (Voice over IP) solutions have taken the communications world by storm. But with this increase in popularity come serious security issues.

The problem with VoIP calls is the very thing that makes them so popular: they travel over the Internet. Because of this simplicity, VoIP calls can be intercepted at two points: the call setup and the call data flow. Tapping into the call setup provides the intruder with information on who called a particular number, and if they listen, what was said on that call. All that's needed to hack into a call is a packet-sniffing program that can be easily downloaded from the Internet and a tiny piece of hardware that taps into a physical wire undetected.

So just who might be spying on you?

Want Better Graphics Capabilities?
reprinted with permission from HP

If good graphics quality is important to you, you're going to love the new DisplayPort technology. Even if you're not an architect, graphic designer or someone who needs high resolution and better display performance now, these features are going to benefit everyone as we all communicate and collaborate more with our PCs.

Never heard of DisplayPort? Well, you will. It's a new digital PC display interface that's expected to become the industry standard in a few years, eventually replacing both VGA and DVI. For now it can be found in conjunction with VGA ports on all HP Compaq dc7900 Business Desktop PCs. Eventually, you'll find it standard on all PCs.

What is DisplayPort?
DisplayPort is a new digital display interface that provides better interoperability, higher resolutions for new and future monitors, and content protection.

The Future of Video Conferencing
reprinted with permission from HP

Science-fiction fans have long wished for life-sized communication devices that create a real-time image of the person/alien/robot you are talking with. Recently, holographic video technology has begun to surface, although at present the price means it's restricted to only the wealthiest companies. More realistic options when you want a face-to-face with clients across town (or the galaxy) are video conferencing and telepresence setups, like HP's Halo solutions.

Soaring fuel prices, and our growing awareness of our carbon footprint, are encouraging the fast adoption of video conferencing among big and small companies. Some businesses have even taken the line that if a video conference is possible, they won't travel long distances for a meeting.

Just for Laughs

Quote of the Month

"Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity."

~ Henry Van Dyke

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