What is freelancing and how can I become one

A freelancer is essentially a self-employed worker. The freelancing “empire” is built around the industry that is generally referred to as Creative. The areas of activity of a Freelancer are many and constantly increasing. But everything is under the umbrella of the web and creative. Let’s be more specific and answer how to become a freelancer with a few examples.

Music, writing, programming, illustration, marketing, web design, graphic design, domain name, translation, video editing, photoshop, apps & games, as well as photo and video creation, are some of the things a freelancer can work on. For each of these sectors, there are many subcategories and subdivisions. But the best thing is that for every topic and every subcategory of the topic that interests you, there is the part of teaching! That is someone who did, for example, an excellent job as a freelance webmaster can now teach his knowledge and experience. So we have a freelance teacher. In general, courses of any kind are a separate category.

A freelancer could also be considered a voice actor who records voice-over tracks from his home or his personal studio for the needs of an agency. He is self-employed with specific projects, but at the same time, he is not limited as an employee by a strict work schedule. Such professionals turn to agencies, such as voquent.com, which offers job opportunities to respective voice actors who want to work in the specific artistic and creative industry.

What it takes to become a Freelancer

Let’s start with what it takes to become a Freelancer. You do not need a degree, to begin with. Watch out. We do not imply that you do not need knowledge. Nor do we suggest that if you have a degree, it is a negative thing, for sure. We are just informing you that no one will ask you what school you graduated from if you have degrees, and generally, no one will ask you anything as long as you do your job well. For example, if you state that you can translate a page of a site and you do it right, that’s it.

How to become a Freelancer: Where to start

The answer is simple; on the internet. There are many platforms in recent years that offer you the opportunity to show your work and, at the same time, look for a job. The essential operation is simple. Just like in a flea market, customers come in contact with the sellers, see their product, try it out, negotiate prices and finally buy. Only in the case of freelancing this market is an online platform/page with customers worldwide. You are the seller, and the product is the service you offer.

Energy consumption has a considerable environmental impact. Internet, from the huge machines (data centers or servers) that contain and supply the information to the various devices of the citizens, supposes an increasing energy expenditure and, in the same line, a damage to the environment. Technology expert Jessica Oakley collects various sources in this regard:

Opening a web page involves the emission of 20 milligrams of carbon dioxide (CO2), the main greenhouse gas (GHG) involved in climate change. Every month Internet users worldwide are 35,000 million minutes online. The electricity used to transmit trillions of unwanted messages (spam) for a year would serve more than two million homes, according to the antivirus company McAfeee. CO2 emissions are equivalent to those produced by three million cars.

The global industry of new technologies generates a quantity of GHG similar to those of all the world’s airlines, according to Gartner. Viessmann recently published a video asset called “The World’s Digital Carbon Footprint: #TheCoalTruth“. It shows shocking data about the increased use of the Internet and its impact on the environment. You can find the video below:

Outside the technology sector, the NGO Greenpeace published in a report that provided for 2020 about 622.6 billion kilowatts / hour (kWh) per year in data center operations combined with the energy consumption of telecommunications. The servers, in addition to the power to operate, need an air conditioning system to prevent overheating.

The serious environmental impact of the Internet

Some experts claim that the environmental impact of the Internet is not as high as has been implied. Researchers Justin Ma and Barath Raghavan, from the University of California at Berkeley and the International Institute of Computer Science, decided to estimate the global energy consumption of the Internet. From various studies, they calculated that there are around 750 million laptops, one billion smartphones and one hundred million servers, among other devices. They also included the energy needed to manufacture them, the period of time in which they are replaced (three years for a laptop, two for a smartphone) and the consumption to transmit and receive the data. Ma and Raghavan concluded that the Internet consumes between 170 and 307 Gigawatts (GW), energy that would illuminate several billion 100W light bulbs simultaneously. However, in relation to total world energy consumption, it is less than 2%.

Joe Room, a Doctor of Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), considers it a “myth.” This climate change expert points out that the Internet offers many more benefits for the environment than its impact on energy use. On this consumption, it offers diverse data to demonstrate that some of the studies that have served to create this myth have been exaggerated.

In addition, Room recalls two issues that are often forgotten in these reports: on the one hand, the energy efficiency of computers, mobiles and other electronic devices grows every year, so that they do more with less energy; and on the other hand, the environmental benefits of the Internet (downloading music has a much smaller impact than physical disks, in the same way as teleconferences or teleworking compared to conventional meetings or work trips).

What businesses and consumers can do

Experts point out several tips for companies and citizens to reduce the environmental impact of the Internet and new technologies:

Replace fossil fuels with renewable energy: companies like Google or Yahoo! have incorporated sustainable energy and improved efficiency in some of their data centers. Consumers can use renewable systems in their homes to supply electricity to their computers and Internet connections, or buy green electricity. Claim an Internet with clean energy: in addition to large companies, the Internet is mostly home to many small and medium businesses. Those responsible could set an example and assume renewable energy. Citizens can contact these companies by email or on social networks to be aware. Developing systems that are increasingly efficient and respectful of nature: the generalization of “green” computers or the improvement of energy technology could be of great help. Use the Internet and the computer more ecologically: various tips can help reduce the energy consumption of these technologies.

The Nexus series from Google was a great success, as it offered a great compromise between specifications and price. As of 2016, six high-end Pixel series models were announced with significantly higher prices. This year the Mountain View company wanted to “go back to basics” with the Pixel 3a and 3a XL. Although they belong to the mid-range, Google has integrated the same Pixel 3 rear camera, considered one of the best on the market. For this review the Pixel 3a XL (color Just Black) was used, but the final considerations also apply to the Pixel 3a (only the screen diagonal and battery capacity changes).

In addition to the smartphone, in the package there are the power supply for fast charging (18 Watt), the USB Type-C cable from a meter, the USB Type-A to Type-C adapter, the earphones with 3 audio jack , 5 millimeters, the SIM extraction tool, the user guide and two stickers.

DESIGN
The Pixel 3a XL has a traditional design, so no notches or holes in the screen, but rather obvious frames. The upper one houses the front camera, the sensors and the ear capsule. The lower one could have a lower thickness because the speaker is not present as on the Pixel 3, instead it is moved along the lower edge, where there is also the USB Type-C port. Along the top edge is the 3.5mm audio jack. The power and volume buttons are on the right side, while on the left side there is the nano SIM slot. On the back is the fingerprint reader (Pixel Imprint).
The cover is the polycarbonate, a less valuable material than glass (used for the Pixels 3) which has made it possible to reduce production costs. However, Google has retained the double tone: glossy for the upper part and opaque for the remaining surface. The latter perfectly hides the fingerprints. The smartphone does not have two features available in Pixel 3, ie IP68 certification and wireless charging. The notification LED is also missing, replaced by the Always-On Display feature. Dimensions and weight are 160.1×76.1×8.2 mm and 167 grams, respectively.

SCREEN
The Pixel 3a XL has a 6-inch OLED display, protected by Dragontrail glass, with full HD + resolution (2160×1080 pixels and 402 ppi). With the default settings (adaptive brightness and adaptive colors), the quality of the images and videos is excellent: natural colors, deep blacks and wide viewing angles. Good readability even in the presence of strong lighting.

CAMERA
The strong point of the Pixel 3a XL is definitely the rear camera with Sony IMX363 12.2 megapixel sensor, lens with f / 1.8 aperture, Dual Pixel autofocus with phase detection, dual LED flash, optical and electronic image stabilization. The photos taken in automatic mode are almost perfect both inside and outside, thanks also to the quality of the software developed by Google. Missing Pixel Visual Core dedicated processor, so all calculations are performed by CPU and GPU. There is only a small increase in processing times, but this does not affect the excellent final result.

The most stunning feature is Night Sight which allows you to take very sharp photos in low light conditions without a tripod or flash. In practice, several sequential shots are taken at different exposure values and combined into a single image. Thanks to Google’s magic algorithm, the camera sees better than the human eye.

And that’s because understanding the most luxurious tech opens up entirely new avenues of communication between you, your customers and your staff.

Not only this, but a renewed investment in technology could save you money in the long run.

Whether you’re a technophobe creeping from the luddite shadows or a net-know-it-all with a Vive headset in one hand and an Amazon Fire stick in the other, these tech choices could help you run your business that little bit better.

On the payroll

Back in the days of black and white television and the steam engine, payroll systems were about as hi-tech as a horse and cart.

Like a character from a Dickens novel, your HR team would have to manually fill out payslips and head to their local bank to ensure cheques are cleared.

Even now, with technology so impressively advanced, some companies insist on tackling the payroll themselves. But streamlined and more efficient processes exist.

Take your global payroll to an online provider and your entire month’s pay will be processed through the Cloud, saving you the cost of a team of HR professionals. Well worth the investment.

An AR plan

Augmented Reality (AR) has been taking the world by storm, with apps like Pokemon Go using it to transport the famous pocket monsters into the real world.

And advertisers are getting interested in its myriad uses. Could it be the next step in branding?

It’s too early to tell, but one thing’s for certain – your business should be prepared if AR takes off big time.

As with any technological marvel, staying ahead of the curve is vital to success and continued relevance. So whether it’s a major investment or a minor dabbling, keep your business in the loop with AR.

Know your CRM

If you’re a business with clients in far flung destinations, an effective Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool is as important an investment as your actual product.

The kind of CRM you choose will partly depend on budget, but bear this in mind – a visibly shonky piece of software will be off-putting to clients, especially ones that aren’t particularly tech-savvy.

An effective CRM tool should be user-friendly, accessible at any time of the day (that means minimal downtime for maintenance) and preferably be customisable to match your company’s brand.

Consider these tech tips and you’ll have a business that’s exponentially more accessible. Can you think of any other pieces of tech we’ve missed? Then let us know in the comments below!

1 – Poker

Not only will online poker keep you entertained, but there’s a chance you might even earn yourself a few quid while you play. Playing online for free is perfect if you’re looking to improve your game for an imminent visit to the casino, or because you’re desperate to beat the boys next time Poker Night rolls around. Play for free while you hone your game and then, when your confidence improves, try wagering small amounts. Online poker is hugely popular around the world. In fact, an estimated 100 million people play online. They must be on to something – give it a go today!

2 – Virtual sports

This relatively new addition to the world of online gaming is attracting fans left right and centre. The premise – you get to back your favourite sporting teams and players even when they’re not playing. If you’re partial to sports and everything loving them entails – this could be the free online game for you.

3 – Black Jack

If you fancy channelling James Bond without having to don the suit or comb your hair, a game or two of Black Jack from the comfort of your couch could be just the ticket. Most of us know how to play 21, so you won’t have to waste any time learning the rules. Just pull up a chair at the (virtual) table and try your luck at beating the dealer.

4 – Slots

The range of free online slot games on sites like Caesars Casino online is extensive. Whether you want to enter ancient Egypt, a mythical world populated only by elves, or you want to be entertainment by cute kittens as you spin the reels – there is a slot game for you! The variation and range of prizes out there will keep you entertained for months.

5 – Baccarat

Another great option for those hoping to hone their casino skills is Baccarat – yet another battle between yourself and the banker. This game has a history dating back as far as the 15^th century, so if you’re looking for a slice of culture with your free online gaming, look no further. If it’s good enough for Charles VIII, it’s good enough for us!

However, our increasing reliance on technology isn’t without its issues. As a parent you’re bound to have concerns when it comes to your child accessing technology; how can you be sure they’ll be kept safe as they browse the Internet? Is it possible to prevent your child from becoming dependent upon technology? How much is too much when it comes to technological exposure? These are all valid concerns, which must be considered when it comes to the application of technology in an educational environment. However, when used correctly, and in the right context, technology is an asset that not only complements but also enhances a child’s educational experiences.

The Internet has a wealth of resources in one place

Via technological developments such as the Internet and mobile devices children and their teachers have access to more resources than ever before, including apps and games, informative websites, and educational platforms; it’s not just degree programs that are now accessible online, but a wealth of material for children of all ages. Where classrooms may once have made use of textbooks for a variety of subjects, an endless stream of educational content is now available at teachers’ fingertips. Children are not only blessed with such information but are also able to actively engage with its content in a way they’re most comfortable.

Technology aids the application of STEM subjects

Science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM subjects, are of enormous importance right now; these subjects permeate every part of our lives and have become integral to the curriculum across schools and communities – particularly the vibrant environment of international schools. Hong Kong international schools offer a varied program involving STEM subjects; each taught with technology in mind. Well, as you’d expect the teaching of STEM relies heavily on technology, whether that’s the use of computers, machinery, the latest laboratory equipment, or electronics. Enriching, engaging, and interesting, STEM embraces technology and thrives due to technological developments.

Technology can increase education’s engagement

There are no two ways about it; technology has the potential to make learning more fun than it’s ever been, improving children’s understanding across concepts and platforms with which they’re already familiar. Including video games, browser puzzles, and apps, this new kind of learning is bright, bold, and colorful, providing a means of entertainment as well as education. In fact, many children will continue to learn regardless of whether they realize it or not. Technology can make learning interactive and engaging, encouraging social interaction, and the growth of education communities. What’s more, such a means of learning can be catered to appeal to all abilities, reaching out to little ones across learning styles and languages.

Teaching with technology instills responsibility

Our children and their children are likely to depend on technology in most, if not all aspects of their lives, including future careers. Access to technology now will significantly improve our children’s understanding of the world around them, as well as teaching digital responsibility and respect. After all, if our children are to access technology, we must guide them in its uses and potential dangers. From school and college, to university and beyond, technology is an integral part of students’ lives; it breaks the traditional passive learning model and encourages engagement like never before. In technology there is the opportunity for pupils to become the teachers, as many are far better versed in video gaming and web browsing than their parents or teachers. Technology can also enhance peer learning, and create a vibrant and nurturing educational community.

Technology has so much to offer our children, including entertainment, education, and personal enrichment. While it might seem confusing, and even concerning that your child can navigate a tablet device or webpage with more confidence that you can muster, such abilities are likely to be vital to the next generation’s career prospects and opportunities in the world. Technology’s reach is widening every day, and our children must be prepared to keep up with its developments. From coding and enrichment apps to the treatment and presentation of STEM subjects, technology can assist teaching and enrich the learning experience in many ways.

The brand, leader in luxury yachting, underpins its leadership with other statements, which render justice to the planning and constructive efforts, in a basin of great potential such as that of the Great Wall Country.

Ferretti Yachts has been present in China for over 20 years; from 4 they introduced the Tai He Ban version, designed for the Asian market and built according to the wishes and tastes of the Far East shipowners. A proof of attention that falls within the philosophy of the brand.

image source: here

Simply put, the blockchain is essential to the fields of banking and finance of future years’ coming. Let’s first define how Bitcoin works, what the blockchain is, and why it’s slated to be instrumental to financial transactions of the future.

What Is Bitcoin, And How Does It Work?

Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency – essentially a currency that uses encryption techniques to generate new units, verify current transactions, and operate without the oversight of government-backed central banks – that can function as both a currency, money with standardized values used to pay for goods and services, and an investment, or money set aside today to (hopefully) earn money in coming days, weeks, and months, but mostly in periods of years.

Rather than traditional fiat currency – aka paper and metal money used by every country on planet earth – cryptocurrency are digital lines of code that equate to equalized items of value.

Although Bitcoin isn’t totally anonymous, one of its initially-desired central features was its ability to keep users free of being identified. Another sought-after feature setting the cryptocurrency apart from traditional forms of currency is its ability to operate without a central bank’s regulation.

The record of all bitcoin transactions is held on a blockchain, made of up hashes, or short bits of data that identify them. Bitcoin’s blockchain is a database of all transactions, the most important identifying factor of which is its ability to be inspected by anyone, anywhere, at any time.

Blockchains are – as their name suggests – links of blocks, or groupings of transaction verifications.

Major Benefits Of Blockchain Technology

In today’s world, anyone paying back, for example, providers of title loans in Nampa could fork over fake, ill-gotten, or otherwise dirty money to financial institutions serving such loans. The source of paper money is virtually impossible to track. However, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies using blockchain technologies are, in fact, able to track and verify.

Because fiat currency can’t be tracked, it’s likely to succumb to the many benefits of Bitcoin and altcoins – short for “alternative coins,” or cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin – in coming years. Further, cryptocurrencies don’t require the regulation of government bodies and central banks, meaning Bitcoin and altcoins can operate in the interest of the world at large, rather than “talking heads” atop wealthy corporations and governmental bodies that could very well act according to their own, personal, private intrests, rather than the welfare of mankind.

Contracts Of Today And Smart Contracts

Contracts of today are far from ideal. In many cases, parties can’t verify the validity of contracts signed in agreements, making agreed-upon results and penalties resulting from failing to adhere to terms difficult to enforce.

Smart contracts are contracts that utilize blockchain technology to make agreements and their many terms available to everyone around the world. This ensures parties can’t fudge up the contents of contracts, making contracts of the future many times better than contract law of today’s world.

We’re all different, and each person is a whole universe, a harmonious and interesting one.

But did you think how many people are there that have some peticular things in common with you. What is the color of your eyes? What is the color of your parents eyes?  And how many more people on Earth have the same? Hair? Color of the skin and even the phone you use. Let’s find out together how unique you are by studying the information that’s gathered in this infographic assembled by rouletteonline.net.

View Interactive Version
(via Roulette Online).

Flight time is important – when choosing a drone, it should involve looking out for flight time. This is because it can affect the overall performance of the drone. The ideal flight reaches about 25-30 minutes, depending on the build and model.

The price should be considered – take note that a drone can have a lot of utility. So it is important to know how much your budget is so that you won’t compromise the quality and features of the drone.

Take a look at the camera – what good is the drone if it has a bad camera? Take note that choosing a drone can affect the way you capture images that you can cherish. However, there are options where you can select the type of camera that goes along with the drone model you are trying to check out.

Choose one with advanced features – there are drones that not only suit your budget but it can also have stunning new features. Such would include orbital turns, way point functions, long Wi-Fi range, point of start landing, and GPS navigation.

Consider size and weight of the drone you are going to fly – drones have a lot sizes and shapes to choose from. Sizes and shapes can be a factor in buying a drone. So you need to make sure which one suits your needs. This is because drones can be available in many sizes, such as foldable, nano, medium, and big size drones.