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We all know someone (ok, we’re guilty too!) who is tied to their computer during the work day and sometimes after… As the holidays are coming upon us quickly, here are some great gift ideas for the geek in your life.

If you know someone who is addicted to Facebook, give them the ability to pass judgment on things in the real world with these “Like” and “Dislike” ink stamps. They could use them for employee reports or they can go around stamping their co-workers on the head to let them know how they really feel. $12.99 — Amazon

If you’ve ever knocked over a drink at your desk that ended up destroying a keyboard or laptop, you’ll understand how the Spink cup holder can be a real lifesaver. It firmly attaches to the desk with a suction cup and drinks can be nestled within its walls for protection. It’s a great gift for clumsy people, which is why I’m putting it on my wish list. No more sippy cups filled with beer for me! $10.99 — Amazon

In case you haven’t heard, sitting can kill you. That’s why a lot of office dwellers are moving to standing desks. If you happen to know a cyclist, it’s also possible to get desks that are custom made to accommodate a bicycle. Kickstand Furniture designs adjustable desks that can do just that, making it possible to mount a bike on a trainer and cycle as you work. $1,499-$1,650 — Kickstand Furniture

For the full list, visit MSNBC Tech

Top 10 Gifts for People Tied to Their Computers

This alert is set to be tested at 2:00 pm EST today -

The 30-second test, to be overseen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission, will run on radio, satellite radio and TV stations in all 50 states and U.S. territories. It will include alert “beeps” and the words “This is a test.”

Here’s how FEMA explains it:

We need to know that the system will work as intended should public safety officials ever need to send an alert or warning to a large region of the United States. Only a complete test of the Emergency Alert System can help us identify any changes and improvements needed to modernize this system and make it fully accessible.

• Barnes and Nobel announces new Nook tablet for only $249 (CNN Money)

• Just for fun: 9 Equations That All Geeks Should (or at least pretend to) Know (Wired)

• “My Secret Folder” keeps your iPhone personal information safe (Tech News World)

• 25 Apps to make you more productive (PC Mag)

• Holiday Alert! Apps to make your upcoming holiday season a little easier (PC Mag)

Now IT Works would like to send warm thoughts to all of those affected by the recent storm here on the Northeast. Wishing you all a speedy restoration of power!

• Is consistency important to you? Each PC you purchase at a retail store will probably come with the cheapest components that were available at the time, which means all new computers are not the same.

• Retail computers are slow out of the box.  Each of the consumer computers are so cheap because a dozen of more vendors paid the PC manufacturer to install their software on there, thus your brand new fast computer is approximately 25% slower because of this.

• A 90-day warranty just isn’t enough.  It’s true some computers come with a 1-year warranty,  and you could argue that it’s cheap enough that you could dispose if something goes wrong, but who wants to replace their PC every year?

• Sticking with the theme from #3, if you are going to buy a cheap PC now and replace it every 12 months, you should consider the cost of reinstalling software, migrating data, installing printers and getting the personality of your old PC reinstalled on the new PC.  Hint – you’ll always forget something.

• When you purchase consumer computers, the manufacturer is going to source the lowest cost technician to come out and fix your PC.

• Let’s be honest, at some point, your computer is going to face some malfunction and you are going to be down.  100% of these computers can be reinstalled but this means it will be in the same state that you  got it on Day 1 – see #2.

• Tech support at Now IT Works is available by phone or email and you’ll always speak to a live person.  It’s tough enough contacting technical support for a retail purchase, but when you add the technical hurdle and then a language barrier, expect a headache.

Contact your Now IT Works account manager before making any new purchases for your business.

From Telecommute Connecticut:

“A cost-benefit analysis is often a primary driver of the telecommuting process, because the company wants to achieve cost savings over costs associated with the traditional workplace setting. Most often, cost savings are attributable to increased productivity, decreased staffing needs and reduced office space requirements.”

To gather data on the costs and benefits with allow your employees to telecommute, click on this link to answer questions that may help you.

If you are interested in setting up telecommuting opportunities for your business, please contact your Now IT Works account manager today.

In a word, the answer to this question is yes and here is why:

1 – When someone loses their phone, or it gets stolen – person(s) unknown would have immediate access to all of your information. Calendar, contacts, email, remote access to your PC (if enabled), spouses information, child/ren school contacts, etc.

2 – It’s not the law yet – but just wait. Connecticut privacy law imposes up to $500,000 in Civil Penaltiies for Misuse of Personal Information (http://www.mofo.com/news/updates/bulletins/14042.html)

3 – SmartPhones are just as susceptible to viruses and bad applications (Droid more so than Apple). Here at Now IT Works, we are launching a mobile security product soon simply to handle this (not specifically a PIN related issue, but mobile security in general)

Finally, PSA aside – all the cool kids are doing it. Of course I’m kidding, but honestly, every person I’ve seen with an iPhone or Droid has a lock on it. Whether they are trying to keep parents, boy/girl-friends or spouses out – everyone does it for the same reason – to keep prying people from accessing the information.

Do you have questions or concerns about the security of your business’s mobile devices? Contact your Now IT Works account rep to discuss.

• Netflix can’t make up its mind; drops Qwikster spin-off company (Wired)

• iPhone 4S pre-orders top 1 million sales on first day (MSNBC)

• The FCC wants all cell phones to have GPS by 2018 (Geekologie)

• Bjork’s is releasing the first ever app-album, on sale Tuesday through the Apple App Store (CNN Tech)

(image source: Gawker)