The world is turning to a new chapter of digital transformation and technological advancement, and we can expect a multitude of new technologies to emerge every single day. Together with its growth, technology’s impact on various aspects of human life has admittedly transformed it in a positive way. The disruption of artificial intelligence and machine learning, as well as its applications, are nothing but the best evidence of how technology is boosting the productivity and efficiency of human life on a large scale. For example, intelligent robots or algorithms are capable of taking over and completing tedious tasks, making our lives easier.

At the same time, there is another aspect that many people have been debating: could technology affect creativity in any way? It is true that technology has been profoundly changing the ways humans create things, but some argue that it can potentially stifle creativity. And look like the dispute around this topic seems to go on forever, but no answer is finalized yet. In this post, let’s approach this topic and see if technology can indeed affect creativity and how it may do so.

Technology has played a growingly bigger role in our daily and business life

Technology, in general, has played an essential role in human life, and its presence can be observed in almost every sector. It has drastically changed our lives and how we do everyday tasks. Everything from ordering food to shopping for clothes to paying bills and taxes can be done quickly and easily with a few clicks on the computer or smart devices. The Internet of Things (IoT) is the best example we all can relate to when it comes to the role of tech in life. Technology has advanced so much that it is almost impossible for us to imagine what life would be like without it.

Businesses have also seen a significant change in their operational processes, exclusive to technology advancements; communication is faster, accounting systems are automated, and processes are streamlined thanks to technology. Indeed, technology reaches beyond our daily life and into what would have once required a face-to-face meeting; now, it can be done with a video call or an online collaboration platform. It’s becoming increasingly necessary for businesses to adapt to this digital climate as there’s so much potential that it can bring to the organization as well as its customers. During the darkest time of the Covid-19 pandemic, technology came in as a savior when it enabled us to connect with our loved ones and colleagues virtually, thereby keeping us safe and productive.

How technology advancement is benefiting the areas of creativity?

The advent of AI-driven tools has set foot into all industries and fields, and creativity is not an exception. Today, we are seeing AI writers, AI coders, AI designers, and more. These tools are being used to boost productivity. AI writers can proofread, check grammar and spelling, offer suggestions, and provide feedback on written content faster than any human could do; similarly, AI-driven coding tools can find potential bugs in the code while automatically suggesting fixes. On the other hand, AI-driven design tools allow users to create stunning designs with minimal effort. There is an abundance of online platforms offering such facilities as Adobe’s Creative Cloud, where a user can access all sorts of design-related tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, etc. so that they don’t have to start from scratch every time they’re working on new project. Apart from this, AR and VR technologies are also being used to create more immersive experiences for users. Companies like Magic Leap, which specializes in augmented reality, are providing a platform that enables people to express themselves creatively through this technology.

• Better quality results – With technology advancements in hardware and software, creators can now produce better quality output with less effort. For example, graphic designers will find tools such as Adobe photoshop extremely helpful when it comes to creating amazing visuals quickly. Or Canva – a designer platform for non-designer users – comes in extremely useful for people who have no expertise in designing.

Is there any chance that technology killing creativity?

Anything has two sides, one good and one bad, and so does technology in the field of creativity. So, tech may affect how we unleash our creativity if we misuse it. Here are a few typical negative effects advanced technologies might have on creativity:

• A decrease in originality – Technology makes it easier to copy existing ideas and concepts, leading to a lack of originality, or even worse, copyright infringement.
• Reduced exploration of new ideas – With the help of technology, people can easily replicate what already exists instead of coming up with something new. This could lead to stagnation in terms of creativity as people rely on older solutions rather than exploring new ones.

• Loss of creative flexibility – Technology may limit the creative process due to its rigidness; certain projects might require specific technologies, which prevents creators from being able to explore other options.
• Diminishing attention span – With the abundance of content available online, our attention spans are becoming shorter, meaning that we aren’t able to analyze and engage with ideas as deeply as we used to.

Ultimately, technology is here to stay, but it is still up to us how we use it – for better or for worse. Use it responsibly, and advanced technologies can take our creativity further than ever before and provide us with more efficient ways of creating innovative designs and visuals. On the other hand, if not used correctly, it can act as a barrier, hindering our ability to express ourselves artistically. It’s ultimately up to us to decide how we make use of the tools at our disposal.

The post Could Technology Affect Creativity? If Yes, Then in What Way? appeared first on Tricky Enough.

How many times have you heard about the low chances of entering the IT job market for an ‘Ordinary’ person? There are always excuses like it’s too hard for those who had poor grades in technical subjects at school. Or it’s ‘I’m too old to start learning this. Such stereotypes are stumbling stones that may become an obstacle to having an exciting career.

In the 21st century, any artist, blogger, or even essay writer from essaywritingservice.com can switch to the IT field and start a new life. It indeed takes interest, self-control, and perseverance to excel in IT. Yet, sometimes, people do not even try to do that due to the false beliefs listed below.

You Must Be a Techie

This is the most widespread cliché. So, let’s dismantle this myth first using the big guns.

Research proves that, during the process of code comprehension, an IT specialist’s brain is not active in the same regions as during mathematical operations. It’s Janet Siegmund’s and Sven Apel’s study that proved it using MRI scanning. What they actually found is that the brain regions active during this process are responsible for:

• attention;
• working memory;
• language comprehension.

Sounds like rather basic skills in 2021, right? Attention can be improved by specifically designed exercises. The same is true about working memory. What is left is to practice learning at least one more language in addition to your native one. With today’s load of entertaining apps for learning, none of the skills above is hard to develop.

To top that, one can find many software programmer’s blogs with posts or videos. You can do it yourself and make sure that the specialists agree that math skills are not something one can’t jump-start their IT career without. You may need only a calculator to learn some formulae or just google them from time to time. That’s where all the math ends.

There are only several specific IT and cross-discipline fields where it’s impossible (or doesn’t make sense) to get in without being good at math:

• AI;
• data science;
• machine-learning;
• other Python-related ones.

Python itself can also be useful without deep knowledge of math. However, the language has a quite voluminous mathematical library and is convenient for numerical data processing. These points make it popular in such areas as banking or the ones listed above. 

So, if you do not find an occupation somewhere else and intend to use Python, you will need to pull up your tech skills. It means going beyond knowing a programming language or two and a couple of frameworks. Math will be integral. But for almost any other job in IT, basic arithmetic skills are sufficient.

A Respective Diploma Is Obligatory

Whether you have an education at all or not no longer decides your future. It’s not that education is completely useless. However, real experience is valued more today. If you don’t have a respective diploma, the IT field may demand stronger evidence of your knowledge than from a tech graduate. Yet, the latter won’t be hired that easily as well.

In the end, it’s your portfolio that can assure the recruiter how valuable your skills and experience are. And the number of projects to refer to in your resume is something you can increase by taking courses or freelancing.

Soft Skills and Theory Do Not Matter

Another cliché that applies to IT specialists is that they are messy introverts who know a bunch of programming languages and can hack like 90% of security systems. Maybe, it looks organic in movies but is completely irrelevant, at least in the modern world.

Unless you’re a freelancer on small projects, you will need to talk to people. Teamwork is essential in the IT area. So, if you want to work on official and serious projects, you will need to strengthen your soft skills. If during a job interview you display ignorance and act rude, the employer may easily reject your application despite your strong hard skills.

Besides the abilities to communicate, compromise, and manage your time, you also should be able to answer some theoretical questions. Actually, during the recruitment process, you’re going to need to show your theoretical knowledge. So, be prepared.

Gender, Age, and Talent Matter

Although it’s 2021 already, not everyone’s beliefs are that encouraging. Yet, there are numerous examples of successful IT switchers who used to be drivers, housewives, cooks, etc. The stereotypical boundaries are also still too tight for many people to believe that one can suddenly become a software engineer at 40+.

Having talent is also a point to argue. Carol Dweck has been trying to do it for a long time. In her studies and books, she dwells on this specific matter. She also talks about the fixed and growth mindsets giving respective examples from the world of sports, business, personal life, and so on.

Her point about talent is, that there were numerous famous people whose careers became a complete wreck just because their talent stood in the way. In short, in her books, Dweck emphasizes that the concept of a talent that has been formed throughout centuries is destructive. Often, it assures its owner that they shouldn’t make efforts in contrast to the rest of ‘ordinary’ people. 

On the other hand, there are sports stars like Tiger Woods and Mia Hamm who prove that regular practice and training are what mainly lead to success. So, a gift one may be born with can be a bonus, an ‘accelerator’, but not a decisive factor. Unfortunately, many popular athletes (as well as entrepreneurs) didn’t realize it in time and ruined their reputations.

Summing Up

Many people tend to give up the idea of acquiring a complex job in the IT area. If you think it over, the complexity is what makes the job fascinating. Just imagine creating something that is beneficial for society or for a community you care about. Imagine the feeling when you come up with a novel solution or overcome a great challenge you struggled with.

Be sure, you’ll have enough challenges in your life besides those myths in your head. So, if you have an opportunity to try yourself in the area that will probably rule the future, go ahead and grab it.

Suggested:

10 Fun and Useful Excel Tips You Probably Don’t Know.

The post 4 Misconceptions About IT Majors and Chances to Excel There appeared first on Tricky Enough.

In today’s advanced hi-tech design environment, specialization is the norm. As a result, you will often be collaborating with other PCB or mechanical designers working on a given project from varying remote locations. From design to prototype, much of what you do will involve one or more CAD programs, and this is where you will encounter problems when seeking to collaborate with others working on the same project. Whether working as a team from remote locations or based in the same office, safe design collaboration tools are a must. Here are some of the reasons why.

Cyber Theft of Intellectual Property

At this juncture, long before your design has gone to prototype, it’s still classified as “Intellectual Property.” Someone owns the rights to the project you are patenting, and this is what you need to protect. Whether it is your personal intellectual property or the rights belonging to a corporation you are working with, the fact remains that cyber theft poses a very real threat in today’s world. While collaboration with other specialists is necessary, safeguarding all data and designs are equally important – if not more so. That’s one of the big reasons why safe design collaboration tools are a must for techies.

Time is of the Essence

With that in mind, it’s important to understand that there may be dozens of other technical teams working on similar projects around the globe. Not only do you want to safeguard your designs from cyber theft, but you also want to get the jump on the competition. The right design collaboration software is a time-saving advantage you can’t do without. Check out the Unified Electronic Circuit Design Software Download on Altium’s website. Their electronic circuit design software list has components for seamless collaborative PCB design integration. With this one platform for collaboration, several designers can have input into the same project in a safe, hack-free environment which saves an enormous amount of time. They are, after all, working in real-time! No more passing memory chips or emails, both of which can be intercepted more easily than you can imagine.

The Cumulative Advantage of Top Talent Specialists

You have heard it said, probably ad nauseam, that two heads are better than one. Yes, collaboration is vital in today’s highly specialized hi-tech world. So, it stands to reason that, when you have a team of the most brilliant minds working together on a project, the end results will be beyond cumulative. The end design, with all that input, will be exponentially better because each specialist adds something that benefits every other process. It’s amazing just how brilliant a concept collaborative design really is.

It will take the right software platforms to provide a safe environment for collaboration, but once you’ve settled on a CAD program (or programs) all team members can work with, watch how quickly and safely those designs begin to materialize. The key is finding a user-friendly platform like Altium and highly trained specialists in design, electronics, and mechanical. You find the people. The platform is there for the taking.

Suggested:

The Best Team Collaboration Tools That Are Too Good To Ignore.

The post Why Safe Techie Design Collaboration Tools Are an Absolute MUST? appeared first on Tricky Enough.

I hope you enjoy reading her story.

Welcome, Lorraine!

Thanks, Robin!

I didn’t know much when I first started blogging. In fact, back in January 2013, I didn’t even know what blogging was! I also didn’t own a good working computer back then, either!

But I bought a brand-new laptop and had my sister help me set it all up. I’m not very technically adept, and I needed help with even the basic stuff. My sister has owned many computers and laptops, so she showed me how to get my new laptop up and running, including how to password-protect it.

How and Why I Started Blogging?

Once my laptop was set up, I set up an email account, then joined Facebook and Twitter. I then spent four days watching blogging tutorials on WordPress.com, making notes as I went through the videos. I felt like I was back in school.

I have always been a good independent learner, and so I was able to teach myself many things by reading and watching videos. Although I’m not a “techie,” I was able to follow simple, step-by-step instructions and set up a free blog using the email address I created.

I chose a theme that appealed to me and then I wrote my first blog post.

I started blogging as a way of “getting my name out there” because I wanted to be an author and the book I had bought said that authors were now expected to promote their works through blogging and social media. The book I am referring to is The Writer’s Market 2013. I had purchased previous editions of this book, but this 2013 edition was the first one to mention blogging.

How I Became a Better Blogger?

Because blogging was new to me – and because I wanted to be the best blogger I could be – I started reading blogs about blogging. I read articles on Problogger. I read articles on Dear Blogger. I learned about SEO because I read blogs about SEO. I threw myself wholeheartedly into learning about everything that was blogging-related.

I did the same with social media.

I also left comments on most of the blog posts I read and made friends with several of the blog owners as a result. I even ended up guest posting on a few of their sites! (There are many benefits of guest posting, by the way.)

The 5 Roadblocks I Hit – and the Solutions (Techie Tips) I Found

I encountered many problems during my blogging journey. When I read others’ posts, I saw them do some neat things, and I wanted to do the same things on my blog posts. Four examples include using Click to Tweet links, highlighting text (as though someone took a yellow highlighter to it), creating colorful boxes around paragraphs of text, and using clickable links called “page jumps” to move from one section of the blog post to another really quickly (these are often used in guides).

I also didn’t know how to make my site load faster.

Solution to Roadblock 1 (AKA TECHIE TIP #1)

To learn know how to create “Click to Tweet” links in my blog posts, I asked other bloggers for help. Only one tried to help me – Ana Hoffman. The problem is that, when you’re blogging on a free platform such as WordPress.com, you cannot install plugins on your site because your site is not really yours! It’s only when you move to a self-hosted site that you have such freedoms!

I found a workaround solution, however, and wrote the following post as a result: How to Use “Click-to-Tweet” Links in Your Blog Posts. (I would later add other solutions to this post, updating it as I found them.) I even credited Ana Hoffman in that post and provided a link to the Google Plus post where she actually tried to help me find the solution.

Solution to Roadblocks 2 and 3 (AKA TECHIE TIPS #2 and #3)

Greg Narayan, the owner of Dear Blogger, was my savior when it came to learning how to do things involving “code.”

HTML is a form of “code.” It is the language that is understood by computers and techie people (but not me). This type of code can be seen in the Text Editor (not the Visual Editor) of WordPress CMS (Content Management System). I’m sure it can be found in other places, but I’m not sure where. Like I said, I’m not very techie! But still, I am trying to share some techie tips.

Anyway, Greg taught me a few tricks involving code so I am now able to highlight text in my blog post and even use colorful boxes around parts of my text!

The blog post How to Highlight Text in Your Blog Posts: 4 Easy Methods (#Tutorial) will help you learn how to highlight text.

The following code snippet is an example of the code you need to do this:

<span style=”background-color: #f9eb20;”>;THE TEXT YOU WANT TO HIGHLIGHT&lt</span>

The following code snippet will enable you to put a box around your text:

<div style=”margin: 15px 0; padding: 15px; background: #e3f7fa; border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia;”>PUT YOUR TEXT HERE.</div>

More Techie tips:

To change the font, replace Georgia with a different name (Arial, Times New Roman, etc.)

To change the color of the box, replace the hex value (e3f7fa) with a different one, using a Hex Color Generator.

To make the border thicker, replace the 1px with 2px (or another number).

Play around with the numbers and have fun making your blog posts awesome!

Solution to Roadblock 4 (AKA TECHIE TIP #4)

To learn how to create page jumps, I searched Google. Although I read a few different articles on how to create them, I found them all very confusing and hard to understand. So I wrote my own article about page jumps! I then used it as a guest post (actually, I think I was paid for that post because Greg became my first freelancing client) on Dear Blogger.

The post All about PAGE JUMPS will teach you how to make page jumps.

Taken from that article:

“Page jumps are special links that you can create to move from one point to another within a blog post, an email newsletter, or a blogging guide. Sometimes they are called internal links.

Page jumps are most often used in long articles found on the internet and allow people to access information faster. Instead of scrolling down on the page, which can take many seconds or even minutes, a simple page jump link can be clicked, allowing for instant navigation. In today’s world, where this type of gratification is desired by busy people who don’t have time to waste, page jumps are a fantastic solution, and are welcomed by many!

Page jumps are also handy when you are posting lists. You can allow someone to jump to a particular item on your list that interests them, rather than making that person scroll down and look at each item.”

Solution to Roadblock 5 (AKA TECHIE TIP #5)

After a year of blogging (and writing for Greg from Dear Blogger), I moved my free site to a self-hosted one. I imported all of my posts. I installed plugins. I was doing great!

I actually moved to a self-hosted site because many of my blog posts ranked on the first page of Google. (I told you earlier that I learned how to do SEO properly, from reading so many articles! I then implemented what I learned when I wrote my blog posts!)

I also wanted to monetize my blog with AdSense.

Plus, I opened my own business, Wording Well. At that time, back in 2014, And the freelancing services I offered were writing and editing. (I’m an English teacher by trade, and GREAT with words!) After I became an author, I added Author Assistant services to my business.

Time passed, and then my website suddenly slowed down and I started having a few other technical problems.

I still don’t know to fix certain issues with my website. To make it load faster, I hired someone to improve things for me.

To fix the errors I learned about when I checked stuff via my Google Console, I had a techie friend who fixes things for me.

Bloggers Need People Too!

The thing with blogging is that you can never do it all yourself. But the good thing is that others are there to help!

I like to help bloggers.

I also like to help writers, freelancers, authors, and even wannabe authors. (Anyone can become an author EASILY nowadays!)

I even created a free e-book to give away! Pick up your copy of 20 Blog Post Must-Haves today!

The post 4 Techie Tips from A Non-Techie Blogger (TRUE STORY) appeared first on Tricky Enough.