The MicroTrain Blog

The first in a series of articles:

In the current economy, everyone is facing an uncertain employment future or knows of someone who is. The country is facing an unemployment rate of 9.6%, with no immediate relief in sight. While there may be little you can do to prevent being laid off by your company, the best thing to do if you face unemployment is to prepare before the pink slip is handed to you.

• Keep your resume updated. You may not need it right away, but when the day comes having your resume prepped and ready will save you time.
• Get a physical done before you receive your termination notice at your current company. If you don’t have another job lined up, and are going to be losing your company sponsored health insurance, it will be easier to get individual health insurance if you have recent documents proving you are healthy and are less of a risk to the insurance company.
• Build up the savings in your emergency fund. You will not be able to predict how long you may go between jobs, and you will need to be prepared to have at least a 6 month emergency fund, if not more. Learning to live within your means while you’re still employed will make weathering unemployment easier.
• Keep your contact list up to date. Making sure you have the current email addresses and phone numbers for your co-workers and clients will be beneficial in your job hunt. It matters just as much as whom you know, as what you know. Remaining in contact with everyone may help speed up you landing a new position.
• Be proactive in your networking do not wait till something bad happens before you contact anyone that can help you.  By being on anyone's peripheral your contact will be able to help in your time of need.

Jo Blitz Escotal
Escotal.com

Super Wi-Fi

On September 23, the Federal Communications Commission will vote on rules that have the potential to shakeup the current wireless technology market. Back in 2008, the FCC originally voted to open “white spaces” – the wireless spectrum between TV channels. 

The FCC will allow the new white spaces be available for free, similar to the current rules for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. This proposed change has been called “Wi-Fi on steroids,” or the more popular “Super Wi-Fi.”

Existing IEEE 802.11g or 802.11n standards only have a maximum range of 300 ft, with speeds up to 108 or 600 Mbps, respectively. Super Wi-Fi has the potential to travel distances of several miles, penetrate buildings and walls, with speeds topping out at 15-20 Mbps, rivaling that of a cable modem.

Many consumer electronic industry leaders are hoping that these new Super Wi-Fi networks will help expand the market for existing devices such as smart phones, tables, and laptops. The companies hope to have these devices on store shelves by early 2012.

Jo Blitz Escotal