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In any conversation about the use of social networking sites, someone inevitably questions whether these technologies actually separate people from the real world, and only provide them with the illusion of connection. According to a recent study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, that's not actually the case. The study asked 2,255 Americans about their social networking habits. The answers challenge beliefs held by some. Facebook … [Read more...]
Keyboard typing and messaging are undoubtedly paving the way of the future, but at the cost of cursive writing? Indiana recently became one of a number of states that no longer requires cursive handwriting to be taught. Instead, schools require typing skills. Indiana’s move is part of a larger move to a common learning (and ultimately, testing) program known as the Common Core State Standards Initiative. That program, adopted by 46 state … [Read more...]
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) recently published an article in the Journal of AHIMA about so-called “small data breaches” reported to Health and Humans Services (HHS) and the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). These are defined as breaches of less than 500 patients and for covered entities, but not for business associates and sub-contractors. Breach reporting is a provision of the HITECH Act, which modified … [Read more...]
ReSource Pro provides outsourcing services to independent agents in the United States using a service center in China. They were recently awarded the ISO/IEC 27001 information security management certification from the International Organization for Standardization. This certificate is recognized across data-centric industries as external verification that the business in question has adopted rigid security standards in order to better defend its … [Read more...]
When the Association of American Publishers (AAP) released its sales figures for the month of February, the headlines were easy to compose: e-books have surpassed print in all trade categories. E-books have become the format of choice for consumers. January e-book sales were up 116% year-over-year, and for the month of February, that growth accelerated even further. February 2011 sales were up 202.3% from the same time last year. Audiobook … [Read more...]
Making sure private client information sent to another party over the Internet remains private and secure is a growing concern for insurance agencies. Agencies that use Applied Systems TAMOnline and VisionOnline agency management systems can now legally prove who emailed what to whom and when using a service from RPost called Registered Email. In addition, RPost helps agents protect insureds’ personal information such as Social Security … [Read more...]
Wikipedia is perhaps the best example of what can happen when you ask people to collaborate on an open and free platform. Ten years ago, Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger looked at the Internet and realized it could be the best place to start the documentation and democratization of human knowledge and information. Controversy has surrounded the user-generated encyclopedia since the beginning. The fastest way to get an “F” on a paper in … [Read more...]
Frank Crystal & Company, a large agency headquartered in New York City, has launched an online excess liability quiz at www.whatsmyliability.com. The tool allows individuals and their financial advisors to assess their risk exposures and make an informed decision regarding their excess liability coverage. “Financial advisors and wealth managers are constantly coming to us with questions regarding liability,” says Jonathan Crystal, … [Read more...]
