Fast Food Loves Facebook: Restaurant Chains on Social Media [INFOGRAPHIC]

Plenty of brands are interacting with fans on social media these days. But few are as adept at responding as the industry already known for speed: fast food chains.

What networks these brands uses varies. Some may be more active on Facebook while others take to Twitter. The overall leaders on both, according to multiple metrics? McDonalds and Taco Bell.

Unmetric collects data based on these brands’ behavior and allows you to track your favorite brands and see how they measure up against each other.

“Large fast food chains have long dominated commercial airwaves,” says Unmetric CEO Lux Narayan, “but in the era of social media these restaurants have a new opportunity to directly engage with fans and seek out a competitive edge.”

Facebook interactions tend to increase on Thursday, while Twitter peaks during the evening commute.

And while McDonalds and Taco Bell lead overall, the smaller guys have more rabid followings. In-N-Out Burger has the most engaged fans on Facebook, while Chipotle takes the lead on Twitter.

How can fast food chains make better use of social media? Tell us in the comments.

SOURCE : http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/Lj6YPyucfaQ/

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Windows 8 Gets Unboxed

First they decided to kill the Start button. Now this: Microsoft is reportedly dropping the retail, boxed, full version option from Windows 8.

This is kind of sad, but also sensible. Not being able to find a full version of Windows 8 on retail shelves shouldn’t bother many, considering how many of us buy computers with the OS pre-installed.

Still, the demise of the Windows box (there may still be a Windows 8 upgrade DVD) marks a turning point in the software industry.

If you’ve been in computers for long enough, you’ll remember the rows and rows of software or application boxes (we didn’t start calling things “apps” until the iPhone), lining retailer shelves.

Back in the 80’s, such packaging made sense. They contained the giant disks: first 5-inch floppies and then, as software and computers grew more powerful, a stack of 3.5-inch floppy disks. Stuffed in with those disks was usually an inch-thick manual, which no one in their right mind read.

In the 90’s, optical media squeezed all that data onto a couple of CD-ROMs — and eventually a single DVD (which holds 4.7 GB). As a result, most software boxes were largely empty. They remained the exact same book-ish size, but were filled mostly with air and some structural-support cardboard.

I found the whole thing incredibly wasteful. The advent of the Internet did not change this. There were more, not fewer, boxes until the end of the century. Broadband access is what changed the retail packaging game. By the early 2000’s, many people were able to download their favorite software products.

With the advent of Windows Update (and slip-stream updates for virtually other major application on the planet), that packaged product and original disks because even less valuable (save for the Serial # or Product ID) as they represented frozen-in-time code.

These days, Microsoft updates its OS on a weekly basis. Install from original disks and you’d be starting all over again.

The other thing that hurt the retail software package business was the rise of the casual game and the app explosion. Soon all those boxed games for kids, utilities for families, single-purpose productivity apps could be found in Apple’s App Store.

No one has to visit the local MicroCenter to buy a $49 packaged app. Cloud-based service users need never touch a disk or tech manual.

The last big-box holdouts? Full-blown productivity products like Microsoft Office, and platform software, like Apple’s Mac OS and Microsoft Windows.

Last year, Apple ended retail packaging for Mac OS X Lion. Now Microsoft will, it seems, do the same with Windows 8.

Microsoft has promised to make its new Windows App Store live in time for the Windows 8 Release to Manufacturing (RTM) in August. Like the other, increasingly successful desktop-app-level online software options out there — Mac App Store and Steam, for instance — are your retail software shelf replacements.

Microsoft is actually expanding its retail presence, even as it diminishes physical packaging’s importance. The company wants to have 44 locations by mid-2013. Those stores will be devoted to Microsoft hardware, with the new Surface Tablet (which will never know retail, boxed software) taking center stage.

Getting rid of cardboard boxes, manuals and landfill-stuffing discs is a good thing. It’s good for the environment and saves us all some valuable space. On the other hand, I can’t help but get a little misty-eyed for some of that great 80’s and 90’s product packaging. My basement is full of it. When there are no more stores selling software, I may start giving tours.

View As Slideshow »

The Windows 8 Release Preview has many more dynamic live tiles, with new apps like News, Sports and Travel adding images and headlines to the mix.

The People app got an upgrade — here's what the Me tab looks like, incorporating Facebook activity, notifications and photos.

The What's New feed in the People app, which resembles a stripped-down Flipboard clone, got a major makevoer.

The News app, one of the three new "reader" apps in the Release Preview, is a similar design the the Finance app, with a big splash photo of the lead story, followed by topics to the right.

You can customize your own topic headings in the News app.

It's difficult to rearrange the topics once you've selected them, though. All apps are still considered "preview," so this could be fixed.

Windows 8 Metro lets you arrange two windows at once, one of them being a simple vertical scroll. Here the Photos app is the main window while Mail is on the right. You can choose between right and left positioning.

Sports has a layout just like News and Finance. You can customize your feeds with your favorite teams and sports.

The Mail app renders HTML emails well.

Here's what the Messaging app looks like, but it's still very limited — I couldn't add any accounts beyond Windows Live and Facebook.

The Metro Photos app had serious problems connecting to Flickr, possibly because of Yahoo's unwieldy login process. There's also no convenient way to log out once your account is connected.

SOURCE : http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/gNE9EDQzQxc/

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A Flash Sales Site for Modest Fashion

The Spark of Genius Series is made possible by Microsoft BizSpark. Each post highlights a unique feature of a startup. If you'd like your startup considered for inclusion, please see the details here.

Name: Mode-sty

Quick Pitch: A flash sales site for conservative dress.

Genius Idea: A niche in the online fashion discount market that caters to working women.

As a young attorney in Minneapolis, Zahra Aljabri and her colleagues struggled to find fashionable clothing appropriate for a work setting. “I’m a conservative dresser, I tend to have friends who are conservative dressers, and we kept having the same struggles,” Aljabri recalls. “We wanted to follow the trends, and we wanted to find a way to do it that was better than layering with camisoles and jackets or taking things to tailors.”

Confident that a large number of women must face the same challenges, Aljabri developed a business plan for Mode-sty, a flash sales site that caters to conservative dressers. The site, which won’t launch officially until this fall, ran its first 48-hour sale on June 27, and will further test the market in a few more sales throughout the summer.

Everything sold on the site — which includes recognizable brands like BCBG Maxazria and Rachel Roy, as well as lesser-known designers — is assigned to one of three coverage categories: low, medium and full. In the first category, short-sleeve and form-fitting garments will appear; in the second, elbow-length sleeves and necklines that dip 2? beneath the collar bone; and in the last, garments that run from collar bone to feet and drape loosely over the body. Stylists will be available to help shoppers layer low-coverage items for a more conservative look.

Aljabri says she isn’t completely sold on the flash sales model, since companies like Gilt Groupe and Ideeli are not yet profitable. By the time the company launches, it may begin selling clothes through a Mary Kay-like affiliate network model, or in the style of a more traditional online retailer.

Right now Mode-sty is competing in a business plan competition called the Minnesota Cup, which, should they take the top prize, will net them $50,000 in startup capital. After the competition closes, Aljabri and her technical co-founder plan to seek out additional investment.

Do you see a market for Mode-sty? What other niches do you wish flash sales or other kinds of discount sites catered to?

Series presented by Microsoft BizSpark The Spark of Genius Series highlights a unique feature of startups and is made possible byMicrosoft BizSpark, a startup program that gives software startups three-year access to Microsoft software development tools, marketing visibility to help promote their business and a connection to the BizSpark ecosystem, giving them access to investors, advisors and mentors. There is no cost to join, so if your startup is privately owned, less than three years old and generates less than U.S. $1M in annual revenue, sign up today.

SOURCE : http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/g0EXSC04Qjc/

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Who is the Superhero of the Social Web? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Who is the most discussed Marvel character on the social web? Spiderman, of course.

Data analytics company Networked Insights has collected data on the most popular Marvel characters on the social web in the last 30 days, and although it’s not surprising that Spiderman topped the list — especially in light of the franchise’s latest movie debut — the Avengers clinched the second most socially-discussed spot.

According to Networked Insights, the Incredible Hulk is most discussed Avengers character on social media sites, followed by Thor and Iron Man. Meanwhile, the top mutants are Wolverine, Magneto and Northstar.
SEE ALSO: ‘The Avengers’: The First All-Star Movie By Design

The firm also highlighted the most-discussed villians, with Loki — the adopted brother of Thor — taking the top spot. The Lizard and Venom rounded out the top two.

Meanwhile, social media users in New York City are chatting about Marvel characters more than any other location nationwide, followed by Los Angeles and Chicago.

“It’s been established for a while now that social media is the digital water cooler for all kinds of discussions,” Sean Reckwerdt, senior analyst at Network Insights, told Mashable. “We’re witnessing through social media the dissolution of comic superheroes being beloved only by niche communities. The commercial success of these recent Marvel films are indicating that people are willing to invest several years of their time to a franchise and are definitely willing to check out a series reboot if it is well executed.”

For a deeper look at which Marvel characters are getting the most social buzz, check out the inforgraphic below.

Note: The infographic doesn’t highlight Spiderman as the overall most-discussed Marvel character on the social web. That information was provided to Mashable directly from Networked Insights.

Image courtesy of The Incredible Hulk on Facebook

SOURCE : http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/_1cEMsK3PQs/

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Solar Flare Heading Toward Earth, Could Result in Beautiful Sky Show [VIDEO]

Take a look up in the sky Saturday night, and if you’re far enough north, you might catch a glimpse of the magnificent aurora borealis. The northern lights sky show will be more intense tonight because the sun released a large solar flare on Thursday and Friday, and it’s just starting to affect Earth on Saturday morning.

This is a big solar flare, classified by astronomers as “extreme,” but according to spaceweather.com, it’s barely into that extreme range. Just a few ticks less intense, and it would be ranked in the innocuous “M” (moderate) range.

Nevertheless, this latest solar flare still might be powerful enough for you to see those lovely northern lights tonight, even from latitudes as far south as New York. Will anything else be affected? No, you don’t have to worry about electronics being destroyed, even if you own an Earth-orbiting satellite.

Here’s spaceweather.com’s animated GIF of the solar flare, erupting on Friday:

Thumbnail graphic courtesy NASA

SOURCE : http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/zQoG77StPEk/

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Screen Time: How Much is Too Much for Your Kids?

A decade from now it will seem ordinary for a two-year-old child to be an iPad whiz or for a newborn to practice tummy time in front of a bright screen. We know this because the next generation of kids will be the first ever to have access to gadgets, electronic games, and tablets from birth.

In fact, technology is constantly being handcrafted for this young group of digital citizens. There are so many spectacular apps out there that promote everything from reading to stargazing. Those apps, in combination with the bounty of educational websites and TV shows, might have parents wondering, how much screen time is too much? While there is no straight and simple answer, here are some guidelines to take into account.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests kids ages two years old and younger be completely screen-free. All other children should get no more than two hours a day. That might prove difficult when households, on average, have eleven consumer electronic devices, according to the Joan Ganz Cooney Center. That means TV sets, tablets, gaming devices, laptops, MP3 players and more.

Although not all parents seem to mind the constant stimuli. iYogi Insights found that parents are fine with their young kids spending two hours a day on iPads and about a quarter believe it’s OK to give their child unlimited access. Almost all parents (92%) approve of their kids using the iPad as a homework tool, but 57% also admitted to using it to keep kids “out of their hair.”

While the long-term effects of very early exposure to technology are not yet clear, it is certain that educational apps that require children to be active participants are a better choice than watching TV. Sharon Rechter, co-founder of BabyFirst, an interactive media site for toddlers, agrees that content is key and cites a Kaiser Family Foundation study that claims young children have a “unique responsiveness to educational programming that has been linked to both immediate and long-range educational benefits.”

SEE ALSO: Kids & Technology: The Developmental Health Debate

The key is for parents to find the right media for their kids and figure out how much they should get. Common Sense Media is a great resource for researching the most beneficial content for kids with reviews on TV programming, apps, video games, and more. If it’s just video games you’re concerned about, the ESRB ratings on games is helpful for determining what content is included in the game and just how age-appropriate it is.

When establishing screen-time limits in a household, Dr. Jerry Weichman, adolescent psychologist at Hoag Hospital’s Neurosciences Institute, urges parents to take a look at the child’s age and maturity level and make the determination on an individual basis. He recommends that if kids are doing well in school, are respectful, and lead full lives outside of the home, parents can give a bit more freedom with gadgets.

Scott Steinberg, bestselling author of The Modern Parent’s Guide , adds that screen time is not an “inalienable right” and that it should be an earned privilege. He tells parents to ask, “am I really comfortable with how much time my child is sitting in front of the screen, and is this starting to become a bad habit?”

SEE ALSO: CD-ROM Faves ‘Arthur’ and ‘Little Monsters’ Arrive on the iPad

In an ideal world, kids are using only the most brain-enhancing apps, watching the most educational programs and are learning second languages on iPads. But in the real world, kids are turning to screens for an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants or a round of Angry Birds. That’s where a parent has to step in and assess the situation. A good piece of advice for kids AND adults? “Whether using high-tech devices for productivity or play, it’s just as important to know when to take a break and power down,”Steinberg says.

How much screen time do you allow your kids? Do you differentiate between games and educational content? Share your thoughts with us.

SOURCE : http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/_WLxV1Rr1_I/

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Non-Profits to Reap $10 Million From Facebook Settlement [REPORT]

Privacy and consumer groups will pocket $10 million from the Facebook “Sponsored Stories” settlement once a Federal judge signs off on the deal.

Facebook reported in mid-June that it would be settling the lawsuit. However, initial reports did not detail which charities would be getting the $10 million.

This week, a new court motion revealed more than a dozen consumer rights groups — including Consumer Federation of America, Rose Foundation, Center for Democracy & Technology and the Stanford Law School Center for Internet and Society — will split the $10 million from Facebook. The initial report was published by Wired.

Many groups will receive $500,000 or $1 million each. This “charitable donation” is separate from the $10 million Facebook has to pay to cover legal fees.

The dispute started last year when five Facebook users sued the social network, under California jurisdiction, for using their photos and names in the Sponsored Stories ad program without proper consent.

Media outlets and Internet groups are questioning the good that will come from the Facebook payout. Those opposing this settlement believe the deal will do little to improve the privacy concerns at the root of this case.

“The proposed changes to the privacy agreement don’t serve the class.”Jeff Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy — uninvolved in the case — told Wired.

In the end — Facebook users do not get to opt out of the Sponsored Stories program, the settlement papers reveal.

Facebook will continue to use member check-ins and likes as paid advertisements for brand pages. Facebook, however, will have to amend its current policies and user terms stating when a member signs up for the platform that gives the company the right to use specific content for sponsored-story ads.

SEE ALSO: Facebook Should Offer Sponsored Stories on an Opt-in Basis [Op-Ed]

That means if you’ve ever “liked” Starbucks, the social network could use your likeness to sell a product to Starbucks friends.

The court documents state it doesn’t make sense to split the settlement among the millions of Facebook users affected. The motion proposes it does more good to reward the non-profit organizations presently fighting for consumer rights and privacy on the Internet.

“The facts of this case do not lend themselves to the distribution of an award of meaningful monetary relief to the individual Class members,” page 26 of the motion states.

Facebook has more than 153 million members in the United States. Among U.S. users, 51 million of them are minors. The motion reveals more than 100 million members’ names and likenesses have appeared in “Sponsored Stories.”

“The only real way to provide consideration with meaning for the class is to have Facebook provide funds…to groups whose charters set out actions and programs relevant to advocacy as to the purposes for which the case was brought,” page 27 of the settlement motion states.

Read the scanned court motion documents on Wired.

Does this affect your decision to use Facebook? Share your thoughts with us below.

SOURCE : http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/V8Qa-zVOIGQ/

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NASA Releases Awesome Images of Massive Solar Flare Heading Toward Earth [VIDEO]

NASA is keeping a close eye on that solar flare that started on Thursday, July 12, and now it’s released dramatic time-lapse video and photos of the flare that’s found its way to Earth.

There’s nothing to fear with this solar dustup — although it’s rated X1.4, barely within the “extreme” range, it’s not expected to cause any damage to electronic equipment, either in orbit or here on terra firma.

However, as we mentioned in our previous post about this latest solar flare, there might be some unusually southern northern lights tonight, so it might be a good idea to go outside and take a look if you live north of New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Barcelona or Paris (approximately 40 degrees North latitude).

Meanwhile, take a gander at these dramatic photos from NASA, showing our mighty Sun having a mild hissy fit:

Pics and video courtesy NASA

SOURCE : http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/_jFIERk4YtM/

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50 Digital Media Resources You May Have Missed

Has your love of Mashable‘s newest channel Watercooler turned into a full-blown addiction? You’re not alone, and you don’t need help. It’s perfectly healthy to be obsessed with Nyan Cat, stripper parody videos and Pee-wee Herman dubs — at least, that’s what we keep telling ourselves.

There is, however, one possible side effect: In the whirlwind of memes, you just might have missed out on some of Mashable‘s features coverage this week. If you’re looking for the cure, you’ve come to the right place; here’s the roundup of the week’s top digital media resources.

The 20 Most Popular Tags on Instagram
The top 20 most popular tags on Instagram include #love, #photooftheday, #instagood, #tweegram, #cute, #girls, #sky and more.Music Monday: Catchy Songs
In honor of Watercooler, our new section for viral content, we rounded up some of the catchiest music on the Internet. MLB All-Stars: The Social Media Champs [INFOGRAPHIC]
We already know Major League Baseball’s 2012 All-Stars are superb on the field.20 TV Shows With the Most Social Media Buzz This Week
Which TV shows generate the most buzz on social networks? Find out each week from our social TV chart.Top 10 Twitter Pics of the Week
Images spread like wildfire across Twitter. These were the most popular Twitter hashtags and images from this past week. 5 Hilarious ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ Parodies
A roundup of the funniest “50 Shades of Grey” parodies on Twitter and YouTube.12 Celebratory Photos From Mashable Readers
Check out these 12 pictures to see how our readers celebrate in this week’s Mashable Photo Challenge.The 33 Most-Watched Cat Videos Ever [PURR]
These, then, are the definitive top 30 most-watched cat shorts on the world’s most-watched video service, ranging from a paltry 11 million views (number 30) all the way up to 79 million views (number one).How Mobile, Social Will Win the 2012 Olympics [INFOGRAPHIC]
Mobile and social technology will play a huge role in the 2012 Olympics, and this infographic breaks down why. Why Hotels Need to Care About Their Reputations [INFOGRAPHIC]
Roughly half of all travelers post reviews — and wouldn’t book a hotel without any reviews.The 2012 Olympics Social Media Guide
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) revamped its social media policies this year, and strict rules apply to Facebook and Twitter.How to Use Twitter’s New Search Features
An illustrated guide to Twitter’s new search features, including autocompleted search terms and spelling corrections. 10 Funny Facebook Tees You’ll Definitely Like
To spruce up our summer wardrobe, we searched the web for some great Facebook-themed tee designs.11 Things You Didn’t Know About Facebook Pages
Whether you want to make your brand’s profile page more attractive or manage how people message you, we have a solution to suit.Who is the Superhero of the Social Web? [INFOGRAPHIC]
Who is the most-discussed Marvel character on the social web?

For more social media news and resources, you can follow Mashable‘s social media channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

For more business news and resources, you can follow Mashable‘s business channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

5 High-Tech Coffee Tables for the Connected Home
Need something more than a place to put down your drink? These super-smart coffee tables play media, games and serve as a control center for your connected home.Slow Computer? It May be Your Web Browser
Web browsers like Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox and Chrome may be affecting your computer’s speed.Where Are Your Mobile Manners? [INFOGRAPHIC]
Gone are the days of please, thank you, pardon me — the mobile takeover has spawned bathroom phone calls, mid-sex texts and behind-the-wheel browsing.5 Apps to Turn Your iPhone Into a Recording Studio
Singers, songwriters and audio engineers, check out these iPhone apps that will help ensure your audio production achieves its highest level. How to Swim With Your Smartphone
Why not submerge yourself in tunes while you swim? We’ve collected 10 waterproof accessories that will protect your smartphone from sure death.What Language Should You Build Your App With?
From JavaScript to Node.js to Objective-C, we break down the pros and cons of the languages out there.8 Ways Your Phone Doubles as a Wilderness Survival Tool
These iPhone and Android apps turn your phone into a flashlight, map, compass or field guide, all without a network connection.7 Clothing Concepts That Can Charge Your Gadgets
Can your tee charge your phone? Check out this and other items of charging apparel.Top 9 Silliest Tech Lawsuits Ever
Funny technology lawsuits range from suing spammers and Google Maps, to scorned Internet lovers and Star Wars fans.8 Essential Photoshop Tutorials on YouTube
Want to learn the tips of great photo editing? We’ve rounded up 8 great YouTube Photoshop tutorials to help your photos really pop.The Phone That Wasn’t There: 11 Facts About Phantom Vibrations
New research goes behind the science of why you feel like your phone is vibrating in your pocket when it’s really not.5 Reasons Amazon Should Stay Out of the Smartphone Market
Word is, Amazon is making smartphone. Here are five reasons it shouldn’t bother.8 Hot Gadgets for Your High-Tech Home
You’ll feel like a Jetson with these nifty gadgets in your home.Is This the Ultimate Map of the Internet? [PICS]
No, the Internet doesn’t travel through the air. In fact, it’s a lot closer than you think. Here’s a map to prove it.26% of People Order Fast Food Online [INFOGRAPHIC]
This infographic takes a look at how online and mobile ordering has impacted restaurants. 5 Fashion Apps to Digitize Your Closet
Here are five fashion apps that can digitize your closet — saving you time and money.Are You Afraid of Mobile Phone Separation? [INFOGRAPHIC]
There’s a new phobia developing worldwide that has caused anxiety and stress to many: mobile phone separation.

For more tech news and resources, you can follow Mashable‘s tech channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

SOURCE : http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/XNp74rHq1yw/

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This Website Uses Social Media to Find Your Dream Job

Chances are you already know how difficult it is to find any job in this economy, let alone your dream job. Last month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 12.7 million unemployed Americans, and there aren’t any quick fixes in sight.

With millions of others looking for the same jobs, you don’t have time to scroll through hundreds of listings every day — you need to be able to optimize your search. Luckily there’s a new website that has found a way to utilize your online social circles to lead you to gainful employment: Jackalope Jobs.

Jackalope Jobs focuses on job seekers like you, helping you gain an edge on the competition by sorting through your social networks and pinpointing valuable connections. The way the site works is simple: You log in with LinkedIn, Facebook or Plaxo, and Jackalope Jobs imports all of your contacts, credentials and connections.

From the dashboard, you can search for a job and also search through your connections. You’re able to type in a job title or any keywords relevant to your search, and Jackalope Jobs will pull together listings from job boards, social media and other places in accordance with its “Jackalope Ranking” (best match according to your network and qualifications). You can also manually sort the job listings in any way you see fit — that is, by number of relevant connections, etc.

By clicking on any one job listing, you can see who among your connections could put you in touch with that particular company, and how exactly they are affiliated. You’re even able to reach out to those connections directly through the Jackalope Jobs interface, instead of needing to log on to the social network separately. Then, of course, you’re able to click through to the original listing for more information on how to apply.

There are numerous job search sites out there that promise to help, so what makes Jackalope Jobs worth your time? A big factor is the site’s strong dedication to job seekers. “Our mission is to help one million people find a job by the year 2015,” Sudy Bharadwaj, founder and CEO of Jackalope Jobs, tells Mashable.

Bharadwaj decided to create the site after he realized just how many people are looking for jobs — a combination of the unemployed, underemployed and currently employed but seeking something else. “They are very underserved, since most sites focus on advertisers, employers and recruiters. Therefore, we see a huge need and a huge market,” he says.

Bharadwaj says that a company or recruiter typically wants five great candidates to end up solely with their company or client. But for the job-seekers, he wants Jackalope Jobs to help each one to find five great jobs through any company, job board or social network.
Most job sites are constrained to a certain number of jobs that they can present to the job seeker, by virtue of their revenue models. According to Bharadwaj, even the biggest job sites show only approximately 5% of available openings. The Jackalope Jobs team believes that job seekers need greater access to openings, but doing so requires more intelligent searching, which the site provides through semantic search technology.

“With the proliferation of job boards and the acceptance of social networks, we also realize the timing is great to take advantage of these technologies,” Bharadwaj says. “What’s exciting is that we are leveraging leading-edge technologies to solve a very important problem.”

Jackalope Jobs depends in part on how your connections maintain their social profiles. LinkedIn users usually have detailed work history, while some Facebook users want to keep their personal lives separate and do not include their work information. Bharadwaj says the team plans to merge LinkedIn, Facebook and other social networks as the site develops. “[This way] we can find connections via personal relationships or business relationships that can help with a job seeker’s search,” Bharadwaj says. “Both personal and professional connections can help.”

SEE ALSO: The Evolution of the Job Application [INFOGRAPHIC]

Jackalope Jobs was in private beta for 10 months before officially launching last month. In that short time, the site has accumulated around 2,000 registered users, and it continues to grow.

Some of the site’s users have already shared their success stories in various industries, including a former Marine landing a construction job, and a tech company manager finding another position at a different tech company. Bharadwaj also mentioned a pharmaceutical sales representative who applauded the search infrastructure after finding a job that did not appear to be relevant at first glance.

Several developers used Jackalope Jobs by reversing the search to reconnect with former associates, finding jobs in the process. Bharadwaj says, “The feedback was interesting: ‘I really don’t care about the openings, but you gave me value by showing me which connections I should really re-engage with.’”

Jobs and the economy are hot topics right now, whether they’re being discussed in the media, in presidential debates or at your own dinner table. Jackalope Jobs hopes to redirect that conversation. “Our approach is to provide as many opportunities for success as possible,” Bharadwaj says. “More connections and more jobs.”

Every week we post a list of social media and web job opportunities. While we publish a huge range of job listings, we’ve selected some of the top social media job opportunities from the past two weeks to get you started. Happy hunting!

Image courtesy of iStockphoto, JulNichols.

SOURCE : http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/Qn9yYg19fFo/

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Workout Gadgets Will Soon Be Battery-Free and Powered by You

Lightweight, wearable gadgets have changed our workout routines. Some of us consider it an integral part of every workout to monitor our heart rates, activity and calories burned in real time. Future devices may become even more enmeshed in our fitness routines.

Enter battery-free gadgets powered by body heat. If you run hard, bike for miles or work up a daily sweat, TEGwear technology will reward you with power.

Perpetua, a company that specializes in renewable energy solutions for wireless sensors, is marketing an insertable chip that converts body heat into electric energy.

The magic behind the chip is based on thermoelectric energy. TEGWear technology relies on two different temperatures — body heat and the coolness surrounding the device. It converts the difference between the two into usable energy.

The hardware can be easily integrated into lightweight, ultra-low power gadgets (it won’t be able to power your cell phone) that exercise buffs are already using. Perpetua is looking for product development partners to develop battery-free medical, fitness and safety gear worn on the body, according to the company’s marketing VP Jerry Wiant.

SEE ALSO: Half of Consumers Use Smartphones While Working Out [INFOGRAPHIC]

By 2014, fitness watches, strap-on sensors and on-body pedometers utilizing the technology will be available. The equipment is able to produce microwatts (one-millionth of a watt) or nearly a milliwatt (one thousandth of a watt) of power, which is enough to run ultra-low power devices such as a heart rate monitor.

“It can be compared to a coin cell battery,” Wiant tells Mashable. “This technology will last, if not longer, than the electronics it’s powering, up to 10 to 20 years.”

Would you like to use devices that tap into your body’s source? Tell us in the comments.

Image courtesy of Flickr, Hckyso

SOURCE : http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/EOwRo6BhMMA/

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