Daily Inbox

Twitter and Pandora are the two newest sites to introduce video advertising capabilities as a way to attract advertisers. According to a May 28 Business2Community article, each site has more than 250 million users around the world, and each site is hoping to draw in advertisers that hope to reach these users with video ads. So far, Twitter, on which 700 videos are shared each minute, has just experimented with the concept of video advertising. When a user types in a hashtag, a pop-up will appear that allows the user to embed a video in his or her tweet. Since tweets featuring video are 38% more likely to be re-tweeted than those without video, according to Business2Community. In addition to playing video advertisements between songs, Pandora is also investing in its own original v...

Many Americans are turning to portable air conditioners this summer, as unseasonably low temperatures cause many people to decide that full HVAC installations aren't necessary; but homeowners may want to think again. Consumer Reports has recently released data, based on tests of eight different portable air conditioners, showing that performance levels of portable air conditioners are surprisingly low. Most of the air conditioners couldn't even cool a room from 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees within 100 minutes -- despite the fact that 78 degrees is considered the borderline for keeping indoor rooms comfortable. Why do people choose portable units? Many residents think that "portable" means the unit can be placed anywhere in the room, and they also assume that a smaller temporary...

As the world of cloud computing continues to expand, so does the need for cloud service providers to add racks on racks on racks of bulky data servers that consume massive amounts of electricity. However, most cloud service providers are finding that their available space for servers is finite, and using standard data servers to store information on the cloud might not be sustainable. This is one of the main reasons why computer manufacturer HP is taking steps now to find a more sustainable means of data storage. “Toward the end of this decade, data growth will come at us at a rate that surpasses the ability of our current infrastructure to evolve to ingest, store and analyze it,” HP said in a statement. “A step change in computing technology is required.” According to a July 6...

When small dental problems like cavities are allowed to fester, big health issues can develop, especially for kids. For this reason, the U.S. government decided to incorporate pediatric dental care into the "essential benefits" of the new health laws. However, recent data suggests that reality hasn't been holding up to this promise, and the government is failing to deliver. Many parents, it turns out, did not choose to purchase dental coverage during the online enrollment period of healthcare. Health experts are foretelling that no good will come from children not receiving regular dental care. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists reports that about 60% of U.S. children have, or have had cavities by the time they're five years old. While many children receive dental coverage...

A controversial Supreme Court ruling earlier this week allows employers to deny women health insurance plans that include birth control, if they object on religious grounds. A Utah Senator expressed his support for the Supreme Court decision, stating that women -- from his point of view -- use birth control for "largely recreational purposes." Many, however, believe that it is unfair to say that women use birth control for recreational purposes only. "The overwhelming of women report using contraception for economic and medical reasons. Sixty-two million women in the U.S. are currently in their childbearing years and most -- 99 percent -- use birth control to prevent pregnancies, the National Women’s Law Center finds," ThinkProgress.org writes. Another study concludes, "Sixty-three perc...

With good landscaping comes a sometimes difficult pest to control: invasive species. According to Chillico the Gazette, many people will need to gear up to fight back against Bermuda grass this summer. The invasive weed is important to fight in its early stages -- sprayed early, it can be eliminated. Wait too long, though, and the plant goes dormant, rendering sprays ineffective. The Bermuda grass has muddled many a once-beautiful landscape. They can quickly take over first lawns, then shrub and flower beds. Bermuda grass is anchored by a strong root system that can go many feet down into the soil -- and it's the root system that makes the plant difficult to eliminate once it has established itself. Few herbicides have much effect on this green invader. Bermuda grass is currently ...

Could firewood be a carrier for invasive species? According to international biologists, this is often the case both locally and around the globe.On Manitoulin Island, Ontario, biologists are working to prevent the spread of invasive species, and preserve the current ecology. The crew there says that tourism has been a big part of bringing invasive species onto the island. “It can easily be transported on the tires and under the sides of recreational vehicles, bottom sides of boots, even on pets and bicycle tires,” says Eric Labelle, part of the Ontario Invading Species Awareness Program. “So it's important to try to clean these items before you got to the next region, or you could be transporting the invasive species.” One big carrier of invasive species, he points out, is firewood....

Florida is one of the hottest states in the U.S., with average summer temperatures in the 80s and 90s throughout the summer months. It might seem like Florida is one of the few states where you can expect air conditioning to be in every building, especially for places like schools and stores. For many University of Florida students, though, relief has only just arrived. According to The Alligator, a local Gainesville paper, all UF residence halls will have finally received central air conditioning by 2015. For many students, the change will provide welcome relief from the high temperatures that frequently drive students into cooler libraries and halls to study. "If these dorms change, their popularity would change because they would cater to today’s living," reflects Sara Wedemeyer, a 19...

If you've ever wanted to take a vacation like an aristocrat, one estate in England is offering the chance. The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire have 24 cottages on their 35,000 acre estate, with the newly renovated Gardener's Cottage opening up at the end of June. This newest cottages, like the other 23, can be rented weekly, and depending on the season the cost to stay in Gardener's Cottage ranges from £1,197 to £2,391 per week (or $2,035 to $4,065 USD). (The cheapest option on the property, the Stone Annexe, sleeps two for four nights at £188 or $300 total.) Gardener's Cottage is considered the most luxurious cottage on the estate. It was built in the late 19th century and can sleep six. The inspiration from the decor, according the Duke and Duchess, comes from author Jane Austen....