You’d love to get that promotion, or perhaps you’re in search of that elusive raise. Maybe you simply want to secure your career in this down economic time. But whatever the motive, you’re looking for ways to impress your boss.

Why not look into Excel? This spreadsheet program might appear to be just a basic, albeit essential, business tool, but the truth is that there are several lesser-known Excel tricks that enable you to work more efficiently.

• Hiding Information: You may wonder why you would want to hide specific information in a spreadsheet. Well, suppose the spreadsheet that has all your data with regards to the company also has everyone’s salary. That is confidential information that you don’t want to reveal at the meeting. Simple hide the column or row by clicking the related number or letter to highlight it, then right-click on that highlighted row or column and select the Hide option in the popup menu. You may then Unhide the row or column in the same manner when the meeting is finished.
• Timestamping: You are able to attach a fixed date and time — which will never change — to your Excel spreadsheets thanks to your computer’s “Ctrl” key. To put a fixed date into a spreadsheet cell, hold Ctrl while you press your computer’s semicolon key. To put the present time into a cell, hold down your computer’s Ctrl and Shift keys while pressing the semicolon.
• A Better-Looking Spreadsheet: Jazz up your spreadsheet with the use of Excel’s Themes option. This is located at the top on the Excel Ribbon. This feature offers you a large variety of color schemes and fonts, or you could create your own and apply it to your spreadsheet.
• Tracking Trends: The latest version of Excel includes a feature called Sparklines. With this feature, you can create small charts that show trends in information. For instance, you could use Sparklines to instantly determine how many software bundles each of your company’s salespeople sold in the first half of 2011.
• Conditional Formatting: With conditional formatting, you can instantly affect the look of spreadsheet cells that meet certain criteria. For example, a cell showing that product sales rose by more than 100 percent in a given month could take on a different color so that it quickly sticks out.

As technology changes cyber-criminals adjust to it. Recently MIT’s Technology Review published an article concerning the biggest technology security threats of 2012. Most of us spend a lot of our time online: working, surfing the Web, or just chatting with friends via social media. If you spend time online, being conscious of these threats can help shield you and your data.

Stolen, Spoofed Certificates

The biggest problem that the Technology Review article dealt with is the growing quantity of stolen or spoofed certificates. As the article reports, each time you connect to a site, such as your bank’s website, your traffic is encrypted using a “certificate” that the site uses to prove to your web browser that it can be trusted. In 2011, though, cyber-criminals were able to spoof or steal many of these certificates. This can help them steal user data or install malicious software on their computers.

A Common Security Mechanism in Trouble?

The use of certificates as a security mechanism is the most typical method used currently. If the trustworthiness of these are put into question then that will spell difficulties for all computer users including large companies who are responsible for protecting sensitive data.

Another key security challenge that we should be aware of is “hacktivism”. “Hacktivism” is the blend of the words activism and hack. Groups like Anonymous and LulzSec target corporations that they think are either guilty of wrongdoings or just wish to prove the companies have lax security. Whatever the reason, Technology Review says we should anticipate groups like these to continue their “hacktivism” well into the future.

Home Automation

In 2012 one more security risk is the growing popularity of home automation. People connect alarm systems, lights, even locks, to the internet to automate their homes. If reputable companies are not used or if hackers get into these systems imagine the damage that can be done.

What would existence be like without a computer? It’s tough to imagine but it wasn’t that long ago that people didn’t have them. Now most of us carry numerous computers, i.e. laptops, e-readers, and smartphones.

George Dyson, a science historian, asks how we went from having no computers to having so many in such a short time period in his book, Turing’s Cathedral.

Dyson has a distinctive vantage point that makes him the ideal author for this book. He’s the son of a top scientist, Freeman Dyson and, as a result, has spent a lot of his years at the Princeton Institute for Advanced Studies. The Institute was home to the globe’s most gifted scientific minds – included Einstein’s – as they were in the midst of building and operating the very first digital computers under the direction of scientist Josh von Neumann.

After you’ve read Turing’s Cathedral, you will discover just how much chance went into developing the machine that brought about the computers we currently take for granted. The personalities at the Princeton Institute didn’t always mesh well, but somehow they managed to create the world’s first digital computer. This machine was created and run from an otherwise nondescript building in New Jersey.

Like all great projects, this one included more than its share of rivalries, fall-outs, and, certainly, salty language. The people behind this project were geniuses. They were not saints. The book also covers the important ethical issues the creators of the computer faced by the close relationship of their computer work to the U.S. nuclear weapons project.

You might think that history books are dull reads and a history of computers must be crammed with technical jargon. Turing’s Cathedral does not fit that image at all. Anybody who uses a computer will find this book interesting. Which is an awful lot of people nowadays.

As the planet gets to be more connected so do our cars. Cars such as the Audi A6, Ford Edge, and the Lincoln MKX allow people to surf the web while in their front seat. People may now, stream music, get latest traffic information, but is all this access the best thing while driving? Typically it’s exciting to see technological developments, but when it comes to our safety on the road can there be such a thing as excessive connectivity?

Challenges of the Connected Car

People get sidetracked when they text or chat on their phones while driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that 80 percent of traffic accidents include driver inattention within 3 seconds of the crash. So, if basic cell phone use is a distraction visualize what it would be like if someone is video Skyping with their closest friend while driving or watching that funny Super Bowl commercial.

Does Tech Distract Drivers?

Anything which takes a driver’s attention from the road could be a threat. Whether it’s texting, making calls, or just having a friend in the car. Many states have made it illegal to text while driving for this reason. This is the key reason why the news that cars are coming out with 3G connections doesn’t make everybody jump for joy.

Browsing the Web Inside Your Car

Motorists will soon be able to browse the Web and get Facebook updates on in-car navigation screens. Automobiles might soon include short-range communication systems that will enable cars to connect to each other and to the infrastructure on which they are driving. This will send real-time road conditions along with other information to drivers.

Again, this would normally be considered a positive advancement of technology. The possible negative impacts, though—an increase in the amount of unfocused drivers on the road—do give pause. It’s important for drivers to realize that these tech goodies are nice features. However, it’s equally important for them to stay focused on the road, no matter how badly they want to sneak a peek at the video streaming into their vehicles.

You hear the term “nanotechnology,” and what do you think of? Sci-fi, maybe robots, something along those lines? The truth is, nanotechnology is making life better for everyone. At its core, nanotechnology is the science of dealing with matter on an atomic and molecular scale. The hope is that scientists will use nanotechnology to produce new materials and products that boast a wide range of applications.

The practical side of nanotechnology

As an example, Science Daily ran a feature story about scientists creating a method to use nanotechnology to minimize the amount of friction in car engines and machines. If this technology becomes widespread, it can help prolong the lives of machines and engines and enable them to operate more efficiently. According to the Science Daily story, a team of scientists created tiny polymer particles that were distributed in automobile engine base oils. When tested under conditions that simulated those found in car engines, these tiny particles were found to have an amazing capacity to minimize friction.

More efficient motors

There are friction-reducing additives used by lots of industries today, however when these tiny polymer particles were released at a low concentration they were able to reduce friction by 55 percent more than common additives currently can. As the field of nanotechnology continues to grow we can expect more discoveries like this.

The emerging world of nanotechnology

So, whenever you think about nanotechnology think about the engine in your car. In the not too distant future we might have nanotechnology to thank for more fuel-efficient cars, which obviously means saving you money.

We are all aware there are big issues in the world today; debt crises, illiteracy, global warming, are only a few. Google has assembled a team to generate radical ideas to find remedies for the world’s biggest problems, and they call the project “Solve for X“.

Tackling the biggest global issues

It might not be simple nevertheless the individuals behind the project are enthusiastic and eager. They believe that our technologies are untapped resources and they compare the forward thinking happening in the “Solve for X” project to the groundbreaking thinking that was required to get humans on the moon. Google describes it this way: “This combination of things—a huge problem to solve, a radical solution for solving it and the breakthrough technology to make it happen—is the essence of a moonshot.”

Tackling water scarcity

The Mashable.com recently ran an interesting feature story on the “Solve for X” project. Mashable cited the account of a participant in a “Solve for X” retreat who said that the minds gathered with him were focusing on the huge issue of global water scarcity. What type of solutions are “Solve for X” members creating to handle this problem? One involved forward osmosis with recycled ammonium salts. If you have little idea what that means, don’t fret—the individuals at “Solve for X” do.

The need for technology brain trusts

Whether “Solve for X” does develop any real solutions for the globe’s biggest problems, the brain trust idea is certainly one with value. Technology has the power to change the world for good. Yes, new tech entertains us. It makes it more convenient for us to enjoy our music, watch movies, and read our favorite magazines. But technology can do much more. Maybe brain trusts like “Solve for X” will help us truly tap the potential of technology.

Do you manage a workplace in which people feel free to express new ideas? Do your workers come to you with new plans or solutions about ways to run company meetings more efficiently? Have your employees ever provided ideas for a new marketing plan or suggested topics for the company’s blog?

If the answer is no, the creativity of your workers may be stifled. Today’s business world is very aggressive, so if your company is lacking in creativity and innovation, it could put you at a disadvantage.

Creative employees frequently come up with critical ideas for better marketing your products, boosting the functionality of the company website, improving production efficiencies, and shaving dollars off your monthly expenses. Yet, employees won’t exercise their creativity if you don’t first inspire them to do so.

One of the easiest ways to foster creativity is to pay attention to employees when they bring their ideas to you. You can also get ideas from them, by sending out an email asking them if they have any strategies for enhancement, whether big or small. When a worker does have an idea, listen to it! You don’t automatically have to use their idea, but it’s important to show them respect.

If you assume that your employees don’t have good ideas, then you may be missing out. In addition, not listening to them, or overlooking ideas will motivate your employees to do the bare minimum. You will end up with a bunch of people working for the weekend.

Another great way to promote creativity is to reward strong ideas. This could be monetary or simply pointing out their innovation to the rest of the company.

Most employees want to be creative. Most have ideas on how to improve their places of work. Nevertheless, in too many work environments, creativity just isn’t emphasized. Break this trend, and encourage your employees to really think about their company. The rewards you receive could be astounding.

Are you just becoming accustomed to the concept of social media? Well here comes another that is growing in popularity: Pinterest. One important thing that is different about Pinterest is that it focuses less on updates concerning the day-to-day and more on the interests of the users. This encourages creativity among its user base.

The site’s name offers a clue as to what it’s all about: Pinterest is a combination of “pin,” as in pinboards, and “interest,” as in what you are all about. After you join Pinterest, you create your own “pinboards” or categories. You then attach photos and pictures that fit within those categories, as if you were pinning these images to a bulletin board.

Creating Pinterest Categories

Creating categories will let you organize your account and allow people to decide what in your account they want to pay attention to. You can choose to share all of your pinboards with other users or only a couple. You can not only make notes about the images you pin to your pinboard, but you can also add links to sites where you found the images.

The Social Part of Pinterest

Just like Facebook and Twitter, you can elect to follow coworkers and friends. You do not have to follow all of a friend’s collections; for example, you can decide to follow only their collection of art, while choosing not to follow the restaurants they love in their area.

Joining Pinterest

The one problem with Pinterest is that you have to get invited to obtain an account. You can visit pinterest.com and ask for an invitation but it may be a while until you receive one. The more surefire method to get an invitation is to have a friend invite you that already has an account.

Finding a job these days is not easy. Therefore you have to put your best foot forward when interviewing. A good way to accomplish this is dress the part.

I know very well what you may be thinking: “The business world has become so casual—people wear flip-flops for goodness sake! Workplace attire doesn’t matter anymore.” Incorrect! The way you dress says a lot about you and how you feel about your career, and potential employers certainly notice.

Here is an easy rule for a job interview: Overdressed is far preferable to under-dressed. Even if you are interviewing for a company that has a relaxed working environment, you will still should wear proper business attire to your interview. The better dressed you are, the more you show yourself off as somebody who is focused on their career and this particular job. If you decide to show up to an interview dressed down, you’re starting from a weaker position.

This is applicable to the workplace also. Even a casual environment wants their employees looking sharp. So avoid grabbing a random t-shirt along with the jeans you have been wearing all week off the floor. Give thought to what you are wearing and try to look professional. Showing that you choose to put effort into your appearance will set you apart in your workplace, and that can be helpful in the event the boss is looking to promote someone within your department!

Of course, you still have to be a good worker. You could be the best-dressed person on the planet, but it will not help you if you don’t do your job well. All things being equal, the better-dressed employee will certainly make the better impression.

You’re on Twitter, and you’re simply tired of reading about what your brother-in-law ate for breakfast. You’re interested in following the tweets of people who actually have something interesting to talk about.

Almost all of us have a Twitter account these days including legislators, celebrities, sports stars, scientists, and entrepreneurs as well as your next-door neighbor. To get funny, interesting, and insightful tweets you can follow any of these people.

Here are 7 of the more interesting people that you should be following on Twitter:

1. Conan O’Brien: This talk-show host’s tweets are always entertaining, follow him @ConanOBrien. An example of the sort of wit you will find on his Twitter is: “I wonder if my car’s blind spot compensates with a heightened sense of touch and smell.”
2. Marissa Mayer: You may not be familiar with Marissa Mayer, but she is the first female engineer at Google. So if you would like to get a glimpse into the life and thoughts of a technology expert, follow @Marissamayer.
3. Mike Massimino: Head in the clouds? Then follow @Astro_Mike, the Twitter home to NASA astronaut Mike Massimino. This astronaut can give you the inside scoop on life at NASA and a glimpse into what it is like to go into space. (Also, he made a recent cameo on the Tv series The Big Bang Theory. And, yes, he tweeted about it.)
4. Rainn Wilson: You might know Rainn better as Dwight Schrute from The Office. If you find his character quirky and entertaining, you might also enjoy his tweets. Follow @Rainnwilson. This is a recent Tweet from him: “If I had a bird, I would call it James VanDerBeak.”
5. Ryan Penagos: If you appreciate comics, you have to know Ryan Penagos. He’s the editorial director of Marvel Comics. He’s also a busy Tweeter at @Agent_M. Penagos and recently Tweeted about a new Spider-Man video game and gave his thoughts on his favorite comics. He likes the work of writer Brian Michael Bendis.
6. Barack Obama: You may or may not have voted for him but he is the Commander and Chief. Find out what’s on his mind on a daily bases @BarackObama.
7. Bill Gates: You may not like Microsoft Windows, but you should still follow the Twitter feed of Bill Gates. The man has made an undeniable impact in the tech world. And today, he and his wife are devoting their time to important charitable causes.