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A few industries really thrived during the recession, and one of them was the high tech industry. From software developers to mobile app developers, now is the perfect time to break into the field. The projected growth is fantastic and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that 14 percent of all total job openings are in technology. However, not all job titles are created equal and some are more lucrative than others.

There are also a few jobs where growth is lagging behind other industries, so it’s important to plan carefully. While most of these jobs require a bachelor’s degree, the competition is fierce and pursuing a graduate degree can pay off handsomely. Before arbitrarily choosing a new career path or declaring a major, take a close look at these top fields. These professionals might work for a government agency, a non-profit, a big corporation or even a startup.

1. Mobile Applications Developers

The BLS reports an average salary of $90,530 or $43.52 per hour for these professionals. A bachelor’s degree is usually required, and 25 percent of developers work more than 40 hours per week. The majority work in software development companies, and some flock to startups for a chance to get in on the ground floor. Considering the number of developers working overtime, finding an hourly position may be more lucrative and easier to snag–especially considering the field is expected to grow 30 percent by 2020.

2. Network Architects

The average salary for these experts is $75,660 or $36.37 per hour and many work in networking firms and startups. The job availability for network architects is expected to grow 22 percent, which is much faster than the 10 percent average, by the year 2020. A bachelor’s degree and at least one year of experience is required by most employers, but nailing an internship or a job shadow position while in school often counts for a lot. Consider working for a startup for a more exciting and laidback environment.

3. User Experience (UX) Designers

With an average annual salary of $58,230 or an hourly wage of $27.00, UX designers are also required to have a bachelor’s degree but no experience is required. There’s also the possibility to make a much higher income with a specialty or after a few years in the field. The growth rate for these experts is slated at 10 percent, which is about average, and there are plenty of opportunities in startups and non-profits. For someone who wants a challenge and a little less competition, this is a great choice.

4. Senior Project Manager

It’s impossible to pinpoint any averages for this job title considering it covers a broad spectrum. However, the BLS estimates about $115,780 per year with a bachelor’s degree, or even just a few ecommerce courses, and more than five years of experience required. There’s a growing trend for e-commerce managers in large corporations like Google or Amazon. As brick and mortars give way to more online retailers, there will be more openings for this position–which is probably why the growth rate is set at 18 percent in the next few years.

5. Business Analyst

A salary of around $78,160 or $37.85 per hour comes with this trending job title. The BLS suggests a bachelor’s degree and one-five years of experience. A lot of business analysts work on the road, meeting with clients and travel is a big part of the job. The growth rate is slated at 22 percent, and about 33 percent of analysts work more than 40 hours per week.

With so many options to choose from, narrowing it down to one can be tricky. A person should consider their innate talents, such as if they’re a social person or not, and combine that with a solid education and experience to find the right fit.

The tagline of the 2010 film The Social Network says of Facebook, “You don’t get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies”. The same could apply to Microsoft, only on a much larger scale. The Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft Corporation has become synonymous with personal computing, but critics contend that its dominance is a result of unfair and unethical business practices, leveraging its endless pockets and influence to strangle competition. But who are these critics, and what does Microsoft have to say in return? Let’s take a look at the expert witnesses in Microsoft’s antitrust case.

Background

In 1991, the Federal Trade Commission questioned whether Microsoft was abusing its monopolistic position (in American law, being a monopoly is not a crime, but companies that are deemed to be monopolies are subject to special laws and rules regarding their conduct and practices).

The main criticism of Microsoft was that the bundling of the Internet Explorer web browser with the Microsoft Windows operating system gave Microsoft an unfair advantage in the browser wars, condemning rivals such as Netscape Navigator and Opera to defeat before they were able to compete on a level playing field.

In 1998, the U.S. Department of Justice opened a lawsuit against the Microsoft Competition for illegally stifling competition to extend its hegemony in the personal software market.

Franklin Fisher

Curiously, both the prosecution and defense called upon highly accomplished economics professors at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to provide expert witnesses services. Expert witnesses are usually required, and have to be hired, in cases like this – groundbreaking technology is understood by a select few and it is necessary to get them into the courtroom when juries are being asked to make such important decisions. During this particular antitrust case, Franklin Fisher spoke on behalf of the Federal government, claiming that there was “economic justification” for the Department of Justice to move against Microsoft, because of the corporation’s practice of predatory pricing – selling goods below their standard market cost – by bundling the Internet Explorer browser with every copy of Microsoft Windows.

Microsoft, Fisher said, could afford to offer Internet Explorer for free, knowing full well that that was a luxury not available to its competitors.

Richard Schmalensee

The MIT economics professor called upon by Microsoft, Richard Schmalensee (who was advised on his thesis by Franklin Fisher), argued that the the price of the Windows operating system was too low to be considered monopolistic according to the standards laid out by the U.S. government.

Schmalensee further stressed that the competition between Internet Explorer and its (then) closest rival, Netscape Navigator, benefited consumers. Furthermore, there was “no reliable evidence” that either rivals or users had been harmed by Microsoft’s dominance. The personal software market was so fluid and tenuous, Schmalensee said, that Microsoft could be unseated at any time – despite, as he pointed out, 90% of operating systems (in 1999) running on a Windows-based platform.

The Verdict

In the end, the court ruled that the actions of the Microsoft Corporation, and the stranglehold the company had placed on Intel based computing systems, were monopolistic. Judge Jackson, the man who presided over the case, also ruled that the company had acted in a way that effectively crushed the competition, which include Internet giants like Apple. The court ruled that a break up was necessary and divided the company into two pieces – one that produced software and the other would produce the operating system. This ruling was later overturned and, after an appeal, the Department of Justice agreed to lessen the sentence and Microsoft eventually paid a hefty settlement. Today the company remains an Internet giant.

Some of the easiest gifts to purchase are often the ones for your friends who are alcohol consuming fans, and they are also a lot of fun to find. Alcoholic beverage enthusiasts are frequently given home beer brewing kits, exotic wines or a fancy schmacy bottle of spirits for holidays or their birthday. But they would much rather have something they can use again and again to improve their birthday party now, next year and every year.

Five gifts that can improve any birthday party are listed below.

1. Ice Cube Trays

What is a thirst-quenching cocktail without ice? A gift of various ice cube trays, round or rather a semi-circles of ice will assist liquor in remaining chilled longer than traditional cubes of ice, plus they look neat from the side of a glass.** Research starting points** should begin with small trays of different shapes your gift receiver would enjoy seeing frequently at the bottom of their glass. If your friend likes animals, search for cat, dog, elephant and others; if he or she is a sci-fi fan, hunt for spaceship and alien small ice cube trays. Metal trays with a pop leaver style work best and chill faster than the flimsy plastic style trays.

2. Jiggers

Every barkeep and amateur mixologist needs a collection of jiggers to concoct various drinks properly. There are many unique jiggers available to help ensure precise measuring which in turn guarantees the recipient drink perfection with every sip. Jiggers that resemble a beaker from a scientific lab, and is oven-proof, flame-proof and microwavable; a traditional stainless steel two-sided jigger and an elegant cube jigger are among the latest in mixed drink measuring.

3. Carbonators

Many individuals believe there are several cocktails that would taste even better with a shot of bubbly carbonation. There are various styles and sizes of carbonators on the market which will add bubbles to your spirits as well as lemonade, ice tea, fruit juices and other non-alcoholic beverages. Larger carbonators are designed for working on the counter in an at home bar while the smallest is used as a personal or individual carbonator. They are simple to operate yet deliver large results.

4. Bottle Openers

You might think bottle openers are not necessarily a party-stopper as they aren’t something most people get excited about. However, there is a growing collection of concealed bottle openers that may surprise even the most skeptical alcohol enthusiast.

Bottle openers are appearing as built-in and camouflaged in the back of cell phones, in the heel of a woman’s stiletto, under the face of a watch, under beer glasses and behind belt-buckles. There are flashing, glow-in-the-dark and talking bottle openers and these are only some of the reasons which make them a fun drink-related gift.

5. Whiskey Stones

There is some debate over using whiskey stones to keep whiskey and other liquors cold. Whiskey stones are actual rocks, porous surfaces and mined mostly in Vermont at one of the oldest soapstone mines in America. When left in the freezer, whiskey stones become somewhat frozen and can chill liquor such as whiskey for several hours. The main reason many individuals like the idea of whiskey stones is to eliminate the watered down taste from ice left too long in the glass. Those opposed to the stones claim whiskey needs a small amount of water to “bloom”, releasing its flavors and aromatic fragrance.

Barware and drink-related gifts-for-liquor-lovers help both young and old celebrate their birthdays in style. Some individuals only rarely let their hair down and giving them the gift of fun liquor gadgets helps them do it more often.

The damage caused by a server failure can be massive, and the best thing to do is try and prevent it in the first place. Invest in an IP power switch, which keeps data protected during a power shortage. From crashes to pirates, there are a number of things that might cause a server failure, but if the damage is already done, there are also a few things to be done to recover.

Make sure to continuously back up files in a space that isn’t prone to damage, such as cloud storage. Google Drive offers free cloud storage for a certain amount of data, and it’s often enough for the average user. External hard drives can also be used, but they’re much more likely to be damaged than cloud options. Once that’s taken care of, consider these fixes to repair damages.

1. Rebuild Data Utility

Rebuild Data Utility is an option for Intuit files, but only safe if the files have been backed up. Don’t run the RDU over the network, and keep in mind that repairs aren’t guaranteed. However, for software like Quickbooks, it’s worth a shot considering the data likely entails intricate AP/AR information.

2. System Restore

A disc formatting issue can sometimes be resolved with System Restore, but it’s also not a guarantee. However, it’s a very easy fix if it does work and every PC, tablet or laptop has the option available. If there’s an issue because of a software update, not a server failure, restoring the old settings can fix the problem.

3. Check for Auto Backups

The easiest way to recover lost data is by digging into the backups, and some programs do this automatically. Even if someone doesn’t have cloud storage, it may be possible to recover data from certain programs, such as MS Office. Files are often saved as a backup even if the server failure happens when the document is open.

4. Ask the Experts

If none of these solutions work, it’s time to call in the experts. There are numerous professionals who have the skill sets and know-how to recover data that seems irretrievably lost. The cost of these services can vary drastically, and so can the results. Make sure to choose a reputable company with references, testimonials and a professional image to get the best results.

It’s always a good idea to identify a professional well before disaster strikes. Take some time today to peruse repair services and compare prices and results. Having the number saved in a smartphone can help ease worry and frustration if or when a server failure happens. To really get the most out of any service, choose 7×24 serviceso that any time of day or night, help is available.

Finding a place to live can be a stressful, frustrating, almost demoralizing experience. There are so many different points to take into consideration, so many bases to cover, and so many things that could possibly go wrong. One of the biggest challenges in moving is finding a good landlord. We’ve all heard horror stories of tyrannical or neglectful landlords. Fortunately, going online has made the search much easier than it used to be. Here’s how to use the Internet to find a quality landlord.

1. Check Court Records

You will likely be asked to submit to a background check upon submitting a rental application, so there’s nothing wrong with you doing some public checking of your own. If your landlord has been sued in the past for unlawful eviction or violating the terms of a rental agreement, it will show up in the official court records of the locale. Some court websites have specific pages on landlord-tenant disputes. If you see your potential landlord on one of these pages, you know you might be in for a handful.

2. Read Reviews

Many websites give voice to people who may not have any other way of expressing their opinions about their experiences. A quick Google search for a landlord’s name (“+ landlord”) will reveal websites and online forums where former tenants can air their grievances (if any) or sing the praises of the landlord. Remember to take everything you read on the Internet with a grain of salt: if one person complains about a landlord, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re terrible. However, if the consensus is unanimous, it may be wise to steer clear.

3. Find Best Practices

Use the Internet to find examples of what good landlords do. Some go above and beyond for their tenants; others are harsh, but fair. Whatever your preference or situation, find the attributes of the best landlords that people have lived under, and use those criteria to inform your own search. When do you narrow your list, you can personally ask the landlords about some of the best practices you read. The more information you have, the more options you have.

4. Research Your Rights

A good landlord will respect your own legal rights as a tenant, but a bad one will violate or ignore them. You won’t be doing yourself any favors if you are ignorant of your own rights, so use the Internet to research (and, if necessary, prove) that you have rights and what those rights are. These laws change from state to state and locale to locale, so make sure to find what fits your area. A quality landlord will be one who provides a living situation where the laws never have to be invoked, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

5. E-mail

With everybody using e-mail as a popular method of communication now, it’s possible to glean a lot from how your potential landlord writes to you. Are they prompt with their responses? This might suggest that they are approachable and on-the-ball when it comes to answering questions and resolving problems. Are they forthcoming and conversational? Is their e-mail address name and domain normal or professional (like what you’d get from 407 Apartments), or is it very casual and possibly scammy, like what you’d see from a Nigerian prince? Using e-mail might answer a lot of questions about a possible landlord.

When doing business, you have to deal with a number of situations that demand an immediate response. A new client appears, another client backs out. A customer has a complaint, another customer has a question. A vendor wants to make an offer, another vendor increases their prices to unreasonable levels. Whatever happens, you need to represent your business in the best light possible, and how you write your e-mails is a reflection of that. Here are some tips for e-mail etiquette to use in professional situations.

Before we delve into scenarios that would warrant a higher class of communication skills, let’s look at some standard etiquette for business or professional e-mails. Whether you’re a CEO, whether it’s your first day on the job, or whether you’re a student trying to make a good impression, how you write your e-mails says a lot about who you are and what you want.

Proper Addresses

No, not making sure the domain name and e-mail name are correct (although those are important, too). Even if you’re an individual and not representing a company, it’s vital to address the various recipients of your e-mail in the proper fashion: use Mr., Mrs. and Dr. where appropriate. Don’t assume first name bases, unless the other person calls you by your first name. If unsure about a woman’s marital status, use Ms. instead of guessing.

Don’t Make It Cute

You may be tempted to interject some humor or wit into an otherwise dry message, or to cushion a blow if you have to deliver bad news. It’s an admirable idea, but will not work. Trying to be too cute in your writing is like winking on the phone; the recipient will likely not get your intent. Certain forms of expression do not communicate well in the written word, and a professional e-mail is not the time or place for levity.

Now that we have the basics of etiquette down, we can examine a couple of situations where these fundamentals can best be applied. As stated above, etiquette is a strong way to make a good first impression. From your e-mail address to the subject line, from your first words to how you sign off, e-mail etiquette can literally make or break the reason you’re writing the e-mail.

Writing For A Job

When writing an e-mail regarding a job application, it’s a good idea to have (or create) a ‘professional’-looking e-mail account from which to send e-mails. No recruiter or employer will spend a lot of time debating the merits of someone with a risque, casual or offensive e-mail address. Go with a simple first name, last name combination to make a professional introduction to your potential new job.

Writing To Instructors

If you have to write to college instructors, titles and capital letters are important. Capitalize the names of courses, but not their general field of study. For example, you would say that “American History 101 is the study of American history” (note that the general field of “history” is spelled with a lowercase “h”, while the “History” of the official title of the course uses a capital “H”).

Not all college professors have doctorates, so while some should definitely be addressed as “Dr.”, those without that degree should be hailed as “Professor”. Make sure you don’t simply assume that all instructors are doctors, or that the salutations of “Dr.” and “Professor” are interchangeable (they’re not, and it’s important not to make that mistake).

Keeping track of all these rules can be tricky, so use a service like https://expresspigeon.com/ to create and save templates that make e-mail etiquette for professional situations much easier.