Diaspora began in 2010 as four students’ replacement for Facebook. The social networking site is still in alpha testing, but it has the potential to lock down on privacy even more than Google+ for tech-savvy users. It will have huge implications across the board, but it will likely effect education the most.

Diaspora could be the solution for teachers looking for a way to connect with their students without all of the privacy concerns and negative connotations associated with Facebook. It functions a lot like Google+, except that servers can be privately hosted.

A smart, tech-oriented teacher could host a server (cutely named a ‘pod’ by the Diaspora team) from their school computer and lock-down the code to make it invite-only. That way, parents that have concerns about their students’ information floating around online can be reassured that it’s only bobbing in one very small pool.

Like the circles of Google+, Diaspora uses aspects to allow you to sort people into groups. It would be incredibly easy for students working on a group project together to create an aspect and be able to communicate when they’re not at school. This would ultimately mean parents would have to do less driving back and forth to drop off their kids for group projects.

For older students, Diaspora means a way to communicate without sharing everything with the world. Students attending an online university can even turn in their work over Diaspora since the network allows you to retain rights to everything posted on it, whether it’s pictures or words. Posting paintings, photographs and even short stories on Facebook causes concern with students now, since they’re essentially losing their rights to their works by sharing it. Diaspora allows a bit more ease when sharing personal works of art.

Beyond that, Diaspora won’t control what applications go onto the site. It’s an open source project, and the founders intend to keep it that way. Educators can easily create test apps and release them the day of the exam, or they could create digital flash cards or even just host their slideshows on the server. Diaspora has the potential to become a huge, free interactive Dropbox with unlimited space and abilities.

Colleges and universities can host their own servers to ensure student privacy and recreate the glory days where Facebook was only for college students and you could only join a network you were actually a part of. It would help larger and online schools guard student privacy, since they would be able to know immediately if a student was attending their school instead of simply taking a leap of faith in assuming they didn’t just randomly add a college to their profile.

Because it’s open sourced, Diaspora is going to have the full tech support of the internet behind it. Sometimes getting support from Microsoft isn’t very easy. But try asking a question in a Linux forum, and you’ll have an answer in minutes. The difference is that people care about something they help create. Open source developing gives immediate buy-in to techies across the world who would be more than willing to help a teacher out when he or she needs tech support.

Though it’s still in alpha testing, Diaspora is available to join by visiting their site.

We would like to thank our guest writers on the Online Security Authority Blog! We feel it’s a honor and pleasure, to have others participate and contribute to the great content, advice and opinions on and in this Online World, we all live in… help us, help them, by supporting and visiting their sites!

as always, be safe Online

Your Online Security Authority

Bill Wardell

teach it, learn it, and share it…

© 2006 – 2012 Online Security Authority

OSA Technorati Tags: Alpha Testing, Circles, Diaspora Team, Drunk Photos, Facebook, Four Students, friendships, google, Group Project, Group Projects, Inappropriate Content, Negative Connotations, Paintings, Privacy Concerns, Savvy Users, school boards, School Computer, Short Stories, Social Networking Site, Student Teacher, World Students

But if you’re a parent who aspires to advance her career by earning a degree, or if you’re currently enrolled in college classes, juggling everything can be a real struggle.

Finding the time to work, study, and help your kids through their homework can seem like an impossible task. But you can find the time and the energy to balance your education and your child’s education and to make sure that you both succeed.

Making your job work for you

Many employers offer tuition reimbursement, as well as flexible work weeks so their employees can attend college classes. Talk to your human resources department to find out about your options, and find a way to balance your classes with your job’s work load.

Study buddies

Depending on your child’s age, scheduling time for you to study together can be a great idea. By building study time into your day, you ensure that both you and your child make homework a regular part of your day. It’s also a great way to spend quality time together, something that can be tough to fit into your busy schedule. You don’t have to do it every day, but a few times a week can give you a way to bond with your child and emphasize the importance of education.

School on the information superhighway

Enrolling in online education is becoming a popular option for adults looking to begin or finish a degree. It can save you valuable commute time, time that can be better spent with your children. Other advantages to attending college online include saving money on transportation costs, taking classes at your own pace, and the flexibility of working your school schedule around the schedule of your kids. Being there for your kids is important, but getting ahead in your career is important, too.

Start your own support group

Starting a study group with other students in your age group can serve several purposes. For busy parents managing a career, classes and kids, having a social life can seem impossible. Get together with other parents who are taking classes for relaxed study sessions. A glass of wine or two could even make studying a little more fun! You can also build your parent-student network if you’re attending classes online. The important thing is that you reach out to other parents just like you and support each other.

Earning a degree is critical to advancing in your career, but being an involved and attentive parent is also crucial to the development of your child. Once you commit to success for both you and your child, your road to success won’t seem as long.

Author Lindsey Paho is an advocate for online degrees and writes on behalf of Colorado Technical University. She lives in the Midwest with her kids, including one miniature poodle.

We would like to thank our guest writers on the Online Security Authority Blog! We feel it’s a honor and pleasure, to have others participate and contribute to the great content, advice and opinions on and in this Online World, we all live in… help us, help them, by supporting and visiting their sites!

as always, be safe Online

Your Online Security Authority

Bill Wardell

teach it, learn it, and share it…

© 2006 – 2011 Online Security Authority

OSA Technorati Tags: Attending College, Busy Schedule, child’s education, college online, Commute Time, Education School, Extracurricular Activities, Flexible Work, Human Resources Department, Importance Of Education, Impossible Task, Information Superhighway, Kids And Parents, Own Pace, Quality Time, S Education, Second Job, Study Buddies, Study Time, Time Time, Transportation Costs, Tuition Reimbursement

If it happens to be that you are interested about conserving solar energy, then do yourself a favor and check out this brief text, which will give you a new slant on the possibilities of solar technology. If you heard that you could get your hands on state-of-the-art solution which makes it possible to transform the vast power of the sun into useable electric power at a budget you can easily afford – is that possible? Keep reading the following article.

For many years, incorporating a solar power system into your home’s energy grid was often thought of as a noble gesture but was just too pricey for most, for many others it remained as a dream. Web searches for information on conserving solar energy have become common, which just proves that there are more and more people looking for ways to get started in the realm of solar energy.

I am pleased to announce the great news that switching to modern solar technology is now simple and most importantly affordable to anyone who wishes to get unlimited power at no-charge (unless someone finds a way to charge for sunshine)! The technology itself is already here for many years, although it remained out of reach for the majority due to the price; unfortunately we had to keep getting our power supply from the power company, all the while paying high prices for an essential need.

As you continue to further check about conserving solar energy, I want to share the news that, fortunately for us, a leading specialist in renewable energy wants to spread the word about a way for you to build solar panels and a device capable of converting the power of the sun into useable electricity without the need for any expensive or hard to find materials. I also found that there are a large number of people in the u.s. and globally who already enjoy the benefits of solar power, to not only generate enough electricity for their own use, but additionally, the electric company buys power from users who generate more than they need. Since it’s so easy to set up and put to use, the revolutionary solution is bringing major – and long-awaited – changes to the field of energy and electricity.

Enjoy FREE and UNLIMITED solar-based electricity…forever!

Watch this SHOCKING Video!

Visit: EasyFreeEnergy.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/conserving-solar-energy-read-this-carefully–1094189.html

OSA Technorati Tags: Art Solution, Budget, Dream Web, Electricity, Energy Grid, Great News, Noble Gesture, Possibilities, Power Of The Sun, Power Supply, Renewable Energy, Slant, Solar Energy, Solar Panels, Solar Power System, Solar Technology, State Of The Art, Sunshine, Unlimited Power, web searches

Golf stretching is known to be important as this routine actually improves your hits on the ball and it promotes consistency on your play. Stretching also improves joint flexibility thereby increases your club swing. Another beneficial result is that you are able to accelerate the speed in which you strike the club by strengthening the muscles of your hand.

And, as you are preparing your body not only for the twist when you strike the ball, you try to improve your balance and over-all agility. A number of anatomical related factors such as strength, stamina and flexibility dictate the fate of your play. Although it may sound unnecessary at first glance, one must remember that swinging requires the use of muscles, ligaments and tendons, all of which are subject to stress brought about by the act regardless of the intensity.

As tension is increased through different types of swings, the possibility of those parts becoming stressed is also augmented. Because of these benefits, what then is the good stretching that one must do? Here are some tips:

• start twisting – it is the main movement once you play this physical sport so when you hit the ball try not twist by turning back and turning through. Do the twist on opposite sides of your body and both should be performed in equal figures.
• Stretch the muscles for posture – these include the hamstrings, glutes and muscles of the lower back. Since good and proper posture can influence your game, getting those muscles prepared is sure to render a good start.

There is a number of golf stretching tips available online which can help you have a head start on your game. Be sure to gain access to it prior to playing.

Tom is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys participating in a variety of sports and activities. For information on how to play golf for beginners, visit his website today. http://www.squidoo.com/howtoplaygolfbetter
By T. Houser

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/golf-articles/golf-stretching-tips-what-can-it-do-to-your-game-1091805.html

OSA Technorati Tags: Agility, Consistency, Fate, First Glance, Flexibility, Game Tips, Glutes, Good And Proper Posture, Head Start, Hole Game, Intensity, Ligaments And Tendons, Muscles Of The Lower Back, Outdoor Enthusiast, Physical Sport, Posture, Sprains, Stamina, Swings, Tension

A 10 year celebration: traditionally a gift of tin or aluminium is given but in modern traditions it’s diamonds. Usually I personally prefer tradition but in this case a bit of bling is just the right thing to show each other you still sparkle. Why not get a diamond put in your wedding rings?

A 15 year celebration: crystal traditionally or watches in modern gifts and again his and her watches would be nice and add some lovely pieces to your collection, but a crystal vase or decanter set would be also nice. There are also many crystal pieces of jewellery, pendants and gems available on-line.

A 20 year celebration: china or platinum, for those wanting to really celebrate why not by some china in china and go on a holiday. Buy a vase or commemorative plate with your names and wedding dates on them. You could get new platinum wedding bands done and renew your wedding vows.

A 25th celebration: known as the silver wedding anniversary should come with some kind of party or grand gesture because this really is an achievement. Going on a holiday, weekend away or throwing a party would be great, but if you want a personal experience book some time together away from everything and go out shopping and buy things for one another as anniversary gifts.

A 30th celebration: the pearl wedding anniversary is also a diamond in modern traditions but again if you didn’t go all out at your 25th then you should do now, assuming you don’t have any dependable, just go on holiday somewhere special and find the time to have a romantic break away. Even if you don’t go abroad you must renew your vows and have a party and celebrate the achievement!

A 40th celebration: Ruby wedding anniversary. Buy that lovely piece of ruby in a necklace or bracelet or both if you can afford to, with matching earrings because you should be spoilt. Although what a man would do with ruby earrings I can’t explain although ruby cufflinks or tie pin would be sweet. A new set of golf clubs or a new car will show him how you feel, something equally grand and meaningful because it is a time to really spoil yourselves if you can.

A 50th celebration is the gold wedding anniversary and really throwing a huge family celebration is usually the best way but also the couple themselves should have a holiday. Maybe the family could all pool their money and send them away somewhere special, to the place they had their honeymoon, or somewhere they always wanted to go.

Just ensure any specialist piece you have purchased comes from a reputable online retailer with a verified security certificate to ensure your personal date is safe when you buy.

Oliver is a avid web security analyst who trys to promote the correct ways to secure corporate websites. Oliver works for ssl247.co.uk who specialise in free ssl certificates as well as Thawte Web Server Extended Validation certificates for web servers in the UK.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/marriage-articles/special-wedding-anniversary-gift-ideas-make-your-anniversary-an-occasion-1090267.html

OSA Technorati Tags: Anniversary Gift Ideas, Anniversary Gifts, Bling, Commemorative Plate, Crystal Pieces, Crystal Vase, Difficult Times, Going On A Holiday, Grand Gesture, Holiday Weekend, Marriage And Family, Modern Traditions, Personal Experience, Platinum Wedding Bands, Silver Wedding Anniversary, Sparkle, Throwing A Party, Wedding Anniversary Gift, Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas, Wedding Dates