Place a Dropbox folder on each computer or gadget you own. Drag any file into that folder. A copy of that file automatically appears on every device where you put a Dropbox folder. It’s idiot proof.

But don’t let that simplicity fool you. Dropbox also epitomizes a revolutionary shift that is transforming our relationship to technology and turning the technology industry upside down: Cloud computing.

The “cloud” has been one of Silicon Valley’s biggest buzz phrases for a couple of years now. In the past year, it’s moved from the talk of tech insiders into the minds of mainstream users thanks to the launch of services like Apple’s iCloud.

And in the coming decade, analysts are betting that cloud computing will be the defining trend in technology.

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The Roanoke Times | File 2010

Will Sarsfield is reflected in the goggles of his friend Chip Jones at Wintergreen Resort.

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If youre planning on heading to a job interview any time soon, it might not be as difficult to prepare as you might think. Thats the word from George Bradt, managing director of the global executive of consulting firm PrimeGenesis, who argues that there are really only three main job interview questions you need to be able to answer.

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“Something that we both agree on … is the need for a stronger European firewall that will allow for a more stable path for repayment of debt,” Obama told reporters after Oval Office talks with Monti.

Washington has stressed that Europe has the resources it needs to tackle the crisis, but requires a bailout package of such overwhelming size that it would deter speculators from attacking the regions debt markets.

European Union leaders gathering in Brussels on Thursday will discuss a Greek austerity deal to secure an international debt bailout, helping markets rally on the hope that this would head off a default by the euro zones most indebted member.

Obama did not refer to developments in Athens in his brief remarks to reporters or spell out what help the United States might be ready to lend Europe.

With the United States facing tight budgets and modest growth of its own, U.S. o

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A recent survey by the International Data Corporation (IDC) reveals that SMBs in developing countries are much likelier to encourage the utilization of employee-owned technology in the workplace, allowing employees to connect their smartphones, netbooks and media tablets to company networks and servers.

“To remain competitive and increase efficiency, SMBs in developing countries are leveraging workers’ own technologies,” said Ray Boggs, vice president, Small and Medium Business Markets at IDC.

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The company rebounded in the final quarter of the year, earning $49.3 million that allowed it to end the year with a $37.1 million profit, overcoming $361.6 million in catastrophic losses brought on by tornados, hurricanes and flooding in various parts of the world.

“2011 was an unprecedented year, as it was impacted by global catastrophes, low interest rates and a challenging market environment,” Hanover CEO Frederick Eppinger said in a statement. “However, we continued to improve our position in the market.”

The company said the strong quarter was driven by a 36-percent increase in net premiums written over the same quarter a year ago. The company wrote $977.1 million in premiums, more than 20 percent of which was attributed to London-based Chaucer Holdings Plc, which Hanover acquired over the summer.

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We asked members of the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invitation-only nonprofit organization comprised of the country’s most promising young entrepreneurs, this question:

What online communities, job sites or networks do you use to find the best startup talent for your company?

Here are their recommendations for online communities to tap into to find qualified talent for your growing startup:

1. Blog as Job Board

Ive actually found the most success finding talent through blogging. E

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Defining the Student Loan

A student loan is a specific type of loan that is designed to help students receive the education necessary to go into a career. Some student loans only cover tuition. Get more…

Macy’s has filed a lawsuit in the New York state Supreme Court against Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. and accused the company of breach of contract for agreeing to sell products to rival J.C. Penney Company Inc.

According to Macy’s, its department stores were granted the exclusive right to manufacture and sell certain Martha Stewart Living products in 2006. Court

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The Dow Jones industrial average closed down 33 points at 12,676. It has risen or fallen less than 100 points in 14 straight trading sessions, the longest calm stretch since late March and early April last year.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 ended in the red for only the third time this year, losing a point to close at 1,315. The most the S&P has lost in a day this year is seven points. It is up 4.5 percent for 2012.

The Nasdaq added two points to close at 2,787 after a day of wavering between small gains and losses. The Nasdaq has led major the stock indexes in January with a 7 percent gain.

Technology stocks could be in for a strong day Wednesday.

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Nicole McCormack is the owner of Fresh Healthy Vending Memphis. McCormack’s vending machines, such as the one recently placed at the Bartlett Recreational Center, offer a healthful alternative to junk food usually found in machines.

In an age when even fast-food restaurants offer fruit and vegetable alternatives, the new owner of Fresh Healthy Vending Memphis says it’s time vending machines do too.

“You’re not going to eat this food and lose weight, but they’re healthier options,” says Nicole McCormack, a full-time pharmaceutical sales rep from Bartlett.

McCormack’s machines offer a range of items aimed at health-conscious consumer, such as fruit and yogurt bars, protein bars, smoothies, energy drinks, and boxes of 100 percent organic grape and apple juice. A

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Home sales in Roanoke, Salem and the counties of Roanoke, Botetourt, Craig and portions of Bedford and Franklin counties totaled 3,432 in 2011, up from 3,269 in 2010.

The sales in 2011 were valued at $608 million, down from $637 million in 2010. December finished the year with 250 sales, up from 237 sales in December 2010.

The median home price in December was $164,500, up from $158,000 in December 2010. The average home price in December was $189,332, down from $211,977 the same month the previous year.

You would think that the advances made in communication technology would make paper faxing a thing of the past. However, many business professionals and organizations still use faxing for sending signed documents and doing collaborative work. When you use email faxing with Metrofax, you can get more work done and maintain contact with all of your business associates.

Real-Time Document Exchange

When you are doing business with someone who uses paper fax machines, you do not think about doing business in real-time. Get more…

Daily Market Review

Image from Wikipedia

One of the first tools to look for is a daily market review. Websites, such as trading commodities online with UFX, provide you with a quick brief about what is happening in the market. Get more…