It’ll run you a cool $300…

It seems to look fairly nice, definitely comes right at you as a “yes, this thing scans your brain” kind of product.

The headset allows you to use your thoughts, feelings, and emotion to control games (designed specifically with EPOC in mind), as well as controlling your PC through its EmoKey feature.

EPOC Headset Features:
- Limited edition design
- 14 saline sensors offer optimal positioning for accurate spatial resolution
- Gyroscope generates optimal positional information for cursor and camera controls
- Hi-performance wireless gives users total range of motion
- Dongle is USB compatible and requires no custom drivers
- Lithium Battery provides 12 hours of continuous use

Using sensors placed all around the headset it picks up on the electric signals coming from your brain and turns these into real responses.

However it’s to be seen whether EPOC can be used effectively for controlling games and PC environments. It may not be ready for what most people would consider controlling computers with your mind like we see in the movies. But nonetheless it is moving the technology forward.

Press Demo for EPOC:

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Emotiv EPOC Headset – Product Page:

- www.emotiv.com/apps/epoc/299/

Previews/Info:

- www.engadget.com/2009/11/10/emotiv-epoc-human-computer-interface-supposedly-on-track-to-ship/
- www.joystiq.com/2009/12/23/the-emotiv-epoc-brain-controller-is-supposedly-out-now-did-y/
- www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2008/02/emotiv_epoc_neuroheadset_mindcontrolled_video_games.html
- www.crunchgear.com/2007/03/08/emotiv-project-epoc-sensory-gaming-for-the-masses/
- www.pcworld.com/article/183655/wrap_your_brain_around_a_game_with_emotivs_epoc.html

The art of “freelancing” has grown rapidly online, where people from all over the world can access the skills and talents of independent contractors for hire. A freelancer is an individual that is not under the employment of a company, but instead is contracted out by clients for work in their specific area of expertise. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that about 10.3 million US workers are freelancers (equating to about 7.4% of the workforce). Freelancers enjoy the freedom of setting their own hours and choosing the work they desire, as they are essentially a one person business.

In recent years the online revolution has also helped to spur the growth of this freelancing market. Many websites now serve as a hub to facilitate freelancers and those looking to hire them. Some of those websites include:
- www.getafreelancer.com
- www.ifreelance.com
- www.guru.com

A quick registration on any of these sites would enable you to either setup your own profile as a freelancer or post a job listing of your own for freelancers to bid on. It’s an online job marketplace where individuals are being contracted out every day for their skills. Some of the popular skill areas for freelancers include: writing, software development, website design, marketing & advertising, graphic design, and many others. Posting a listing in its appropriate skill category will allow individuals fitting the job description to place bids on the project and provide an estimated time to complete.

After reviewing the bids and experience levels of each of the freelancers, a more formal agreement can be setup to begin contracting of the work needed. Often after an initial project is completed, the freelancer is offered additional work by the original contractor, having shown the ability to accomplish the task efficiently.

To really understand the beauty of what freelancing can enable lies in the ability to access the skills and experience of others, who more than likely live hundreds of miles away. For a startup business venture, bringing in experienced persons to build aspects of your business can be extremely difficult. Hiring can be a daunting task for a small startup strapped for cash and the limited reach they have in acquiring qualified employees. The playing field is leveled now that startups can hire the experience they need through the online marketplace of freelancing. Creation of a website detailing the aspects of their business can be contracted out on the freelance hub sites. This saves valuable time and money that normally would be exerted in scouting out a local web developer or corporate web design entity.

Similar scenarios can be seen across many different business opportunities. Looking for a writer to contribute articles to your site? Hire a freelancer. Looking to create an iPhone app for that great game idea? Hire a freelancer. If you need an advertising specialist to promote your online presence on the web, you’ll find great freelance talent out there ready to work and ready to bid on the opportunity to work with you. They say jobs are scarce in this marketplace, but you might disagree after spending some time on these sites.

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Article Extras:

Here is a short PowerPoint presentation I did highlighting the uses of Freelancing:
- Freelance (PowerPoint 2007)
- Freelance (PowerPoint 2003)

One of the most interesting job oppurtunities I took on has to be working as a brand rep for Mountain Dew. I was in my Sophmore year at UF when I stumbled upon a website called RepNation. They are a company that is contracted out by major corporations like Dell, Microsoft, JetBlue, Jan Sport, Macy’s and many others to promote their brand in innovative ways around college campuses. Mountain Dew had joined up with them and was looking to have their brand promoted and marketed at 50 campuses nationwide. UF was one of these schools, so I decided to apply for the position.

I didn’t have much experience in marketing or setting up events, but that’s exactly why I wanted to get the job. I wasn’t afraid to try something new, and I knew a job like this could really improve my experience in marketing aspects. Knowing that in order to create a successful business someday, I’ll need to really have some knowledge and experience in marketing my product or brand to people. Maybe you have a really great idea or business model set up, but if no one knows about your product or can get interested in it, you will ultimately fail.

Applying & Interviewing

I applied to the position, citing as much as I could about how networked and involved I was around UF. I knew that they were looking for students that were very social, knew a lot of people around campus, were involved in organizations, and ultimately could promote their brand to the most students possible. The more people I could impact, the more Mountain Dew would benefit as a brand. So I listed that I was a member of a well known fraternity at UF, that I was very tech savvy with experience in web promotion, and that I had worked as a promoter for several night life entertainment companies in Gainesville.

Apparently I hit it right on the nose with my application, as I got a call not too long after applying for the position. I was given a phone interview to elaborate more on everything listed on my application. They really took to the fact that I was part of a fraternity, involved in night life, and generally knew quite a bit of people as an outgoing person. A few days later they offered me the position. I was ecstatic about getting the job as I know I beat out several actual marketing/business majors for the job (mind you, my major is Computer Engineering).

How the Campaign Worked

Each school had two students hired for the position, and I was paired with a great marketing student that happened to be pretty well connected on campus as well. She was a member of a sorority, on the cheerleading team, and knew what she was doing in terms of marketing and promoting brand awareness. We worked together to set up all of the events promoting Mountain Dew as well as setting up various business contacts at UF. Not to mention getting all of our friends behind what we were doing.

Here’s the flyers that we handed out throughout the semester:

The way the program worked, we had conference calls each week to elaborate on our program requirements and then additional one on one time over the phone with our managers in New York who directed the entire program. We were to implement 3 stages of the program along with associated events and would be compensated based on how well we carried out the events. We had a marketing budget to work with in order to buy supplies, and were shipped several promotion kits that included a lot of Dew branded items to give out and have people interact with. Oh, and cases upon cases of Mountain Dew samples to give out! I actually filled the better part of my room with all the cases. We reported to our managers any ideas we had about events we wanted to implement and followed those up with a detailed report of how the event went, number of people that attended, and anything useful to elaborate on our marketing efforts. Pictures were a must, and we submitted plenty of these to highlight each part of our events.

The main promotion involved Mountain Dew’s “Do It Yourself” campaign, which encouraged fans of the brand to create items branded in the Mountain Dew image and submit them online. Prizes would be awarded to the best branded items at the end of the semester. Here’s the website: www.dewdiy.com

The Events

We promoted three parts of the Do It Yourself campaign, which included: Art, Game/Tech, and Gear. We held events on campus at UF, after working with a few university contacts we made. At the events, we got students involved with the brand and gave out free samples to everyone who participated. We avoided giving out free samples to just people walking by, because college kids are notorious free loaders. We made sure that we got something valuable out of everyone who came by in order to help us out with our promotion and campaign, and in turn better communicated the Mountain Dew brand to them.

The last part of the promotional campaign included the Dew Gallery event. This event was to be a big event that showcased everything we could of the Mountain Dew brand, as well as showcased all the Dew DIY submission created by students from UF. I worked with a contact I made in the university that sets up and runs a Friday night event called “GatorNights”. It is the leading late night program in the Southeast that offers free events like movies, bands, comedians, improv shows and more to students every Friday night on campus. I was able to affliate our Dew Gallery event with GatorNights and secure a great spot in the Reitz Union (main building on campus) to hold our event. Then event turned out a LOT bigger than we had thought. I remember the GatorNight’s organizer coming up to me really excited the day of the event, asking me when we were starting because so many people had been asking about the event and wanted to come check it out.

The event went great, I had gotten like 6 of my friends to help out along with my partner and her friends. We had around 500+ people coming through our event to see what it was all about. I quickly found myself trying to manage the swarms of students that showed up. People were voting on their favorite Dew DIY submissions, checking out the rest of our event, and drinking some dew of course! Mountain Dew had supplied us with some special edition aluminum bottles which were a big hit. The bottles were part of a new Green Label Art campaign that was starting soon and had some great designs on them. I actually dropped off a case of the bottles at dinner at my fraternity house and everyone swarmed me to grab one. It was pretty hilarious to watch all the guys cheer their bottles together at the tables while other brothers walked in with a puzzled look on their face.

Here are some great pictures from our events:

[[Show as slideshow]]

Conclusion…

The semester concluded in a great way as my partner and I managed to place 4th out of the 50 brand teams in terms of promoting the brand. We had done exceptionally well in each of our events and were rewarded for our efforts. This was an incentive based program, so the better you performed, the more you were paid.

A couple weeks later I had noticed that RepNation had put up some flash animation highlights of each of the campaigns. I was surprised to find my picture smack dab in middle of it. I got a real kick out of that. The two pictures at the bottom left are of me. Right click it and select “play” to see it animate.

I hope you enjoyed reading this post, as it was one of the coolest and most enjoyable job opportunities I’ve had.

Look for Part 2 of “My Job as a Mountain Dew Brand Rep”, where I will be discussing the second campaign I did with RepNation and Mountain Dew.

If you would like to become a brand ambassador for a major brand like Mountain Dew, head on over to www.repnation.com and apply! Who knows, you might get a call back from them. That’s how I got the job.

The interview was for one of three internship positions they are offering:
- Program Manger (PM)
- Software Development Engineer (SDE)
- Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)

Being geared toward entrepreneurial activities, I decided that the Program Manger position was the best fit for me. On the Microsoft website they described the Program Manger:

Program Manager (PM)
As a Program Manager intern, you’ll get to help drive the technical vision, design and implementation of next-generation software solutions. You’ll transform the product vision into elegant designs that will ultimately turn into products used by Microsoft customers. The PM intern helps manage feature sets throughout the product lifecycle, and you’ll have the chance to see your design through to completion. You’ll also work directly with other key team members including Software Development Engineers and Software Development Engineers in Test. Program Managers are advocates for end-users, so your passion for anticipating customer needs and creating outside-the-box solutions for them will really help you shine in this role.

Basically the Program Manager deals more with interacting with people. Whether that be the customer to get feedback on what is expected, or the software development engineers to elaborate on what code needs to be written, or the marketing team to see if a particular feature is even worth implementing. I decided to go with this rather than the Software Developer Engineer role. I’m much more comfortable interacting with others and developing a overall design and seeing a product/service implemented. The SDE is undoubtedly more geared towards writing code for various specifications.

It helps that I have a sound understanding of writing code and developing applications that allows me to perform in a role  such as this. I have the technical know how to design the application while taking into consideration what the software developers would ultimately be coding.

So I sent  my response back in, along with an updated version of my resume. They replied  back a couple days later with a time and date for my interview.

The Interview:

They stated to dress casually, as that’s how most Microsoft employees dressed. So instead of suiting up in my jacket and tie, I went with a more casual button up and jeans. As I walked up to my interview location, I noticed a good amount of people were in suits (interviewing with other companies), but my recruiter greeted me sporting a casual attire as well, so all was good.

I sat down with the nice recruiter and we made small talk about how bad parking was, and then we began the interview.

She started off asking why I was going after the Program Manager position. I gave a response similar to what I talked about above in choosing to go for Program Manager. Citing my entrepreneurial nature and experience in designing applications.

She asked a couple more questions about projects I have worked on in the past, examples of how I had worked with a team. I’ve had a lot of technical experience designing software and presenting the finished product to people, so I was able to cite a lot of examples with that. I talked a bit about some of the business ventures I have done, such as designing websites for small businesses and individuals. Also  I talked about the latest SMS service business I have been working on, and how I am going about developing and implementing it.

After the more general questions were asked she tasked me with a few exercises. The first was to design a kiosk that allowed people to create custom wristwatches. I suppose she was testing my ability to design a product/service and how to go about implementing it. So on paper I began plotting out a kiosk centered around creating your own custom wristwatch. While doing this I was speaking aloud to let my interviewer in on my mindset.

The second task involved a recruiting question, wherein I was hypothetically tasked to contact a candidate for interview within the next 10 minutes, but his resume did not supply a phone number. I started listing out all the options of possibly contacting him, like emailing, looking online for any websites that listed a number, contacting his university, or previous employers for a number. I’m guessing this was aimed at seeing how well I could solve a problem, and which routes I would exhaust in trying to achieve my goal.

After this, she asked some questions as to which Microsoft products I was interested in working with. To which I answered about my interests in mobile and web products. She  also asked what was the most innovative software application I had been using lately. Here I talked about how Google Wave was a new and fresh application that I had been using recently, mainly for its collaborative nature. We spoke about how Microsoft would be responding with a competitor to Wave, and then presented me with the question of how I would I go about improving it. For this I spoke about how a collaborative environment could be supplemented by a video conferencing interface so  that you could talk to your peers while working together on a project.

The interview ended with a couple questions I had, such as what a typical day for a PM intern was like, and what projects interns had worked on in the previously. Her answers further confirmed my interest in this particular role as it involved seeing a specific feature through its design and development. She also stated that some interns were given a chance to pitch their ideas for features, which was of particular interest to me.

Final Thoughts:

There weren’t any actual coding problems given in this interview as I thought, instead it was more focused on a design and management point of view. Still, there were quite a bit of technical related questions posed, and I’m sure further interviews will incorporate programming specific questions.

As far as things I missed, I didn’t get a chance to talk about experiences from my Mountain Dew Brand Rep role. I would have liked to highlight my ability in working with people, setting up events, and designing a strategy around what people were likely to respond best to.

Overall I thought the interview went well, I had the opportunity to elaborate on my skills and experience, as well as respond thoroughly to the questions and tasks given to me.

Now all that is left is to wait and see if I stood out enough to get a follow-up interview.

A few links of interests concerning this article:

An inside scoop of what its like to work at Microsoft, interview prepping, and more:
- Microsoft JobsBlog

Information about Microsoft Careers:
-  Microsoft University Careers

Internships offered @ Microsoft:
- Microsoft Internships

Here is a great video highlighting interns at Microsoft:

The web has evolved and it’s more accessible than ever before for individuals and small businesses to launch into the internet. In the past, creating a website was the sole domain of professional designers fluent in markup and programming languages such as HTML, PHP, and CSS. Those looking to create a front end web presence for their business might have invested significant time and money paying for a web developer.

However, that has changed in recent years, as anyone willing and able can get online. What was only possible by hiring professional developers with significant costs and development time has made its way to the individual and small business.

Starting up a personal homepage or blog takes less than an hour. Prominent blogging software such as Wordpress and Google Blogger make it possible to launch your own online presence overnight. A few steps are all that is required: Registering a domain, aka www.yoursite.com, costing only $10 through domain registrars such as Go Daddy. “Hosting” your website, essentially renting a server out in the webspace where visitors will connect to.

Most domain registrars facilitate this need as well, costing a mere $50 per year, offering more space and bandwidth than you probably need. With a domain and hosting secured a selection of free web applications are available to install to your website.

These applications allow one click installation of impressive and functional websites. Joomla, a content management system, creates a basic website foundation and allows any number of contributors to add and create content to be displayed on the site. It features plug-ins and enhancements such as customized templates, contact forms, and complete user log-in functionalities to mold the site to your needs.

Other applications lend themselves to specialized needs: phpBB for forums and message boards, Elgg allows creation of your own social networking site, and 4Images for photo gallery sites. Other services automate the entire process for you, providing the hosting, domain registration and applications integrated into a complete package for those looking to get online with fewer hassles.

In the case of a blog, Wordpress can be installed via Go Daddy. Wordpress itself is fantastic, with a very loyal and supportive community of users and developers. The blogging software allows administrative management of your site to upload new entries and content.

All of this can be accomplished with absolutely zero knowledge of programming languages like HTML, CSS, and PHP. The extras extend from there, allowing customization via plug-ins ranging from Google Analytics to monitor traffic and visitors to your site, search engine optimizations and more.

Small businesses and individuals are making use of these new advances in how we interact with the internet. The benefits of not having to invest thousands of dollars for professional web designers have made the journey online significantly easier and eliminated many barriers to entry from the past.

The market has shifted away from low end web developers to commercialized web software companies that can produce easy and affordable solutions to the consumer.

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Augmented Reality at the Consumer Level

By Nick Carson - Published Issue 5, 16th Nov’09

The military has uses for it, as does TV and their associated advertisers. The real question, however, is whether augmented reality can become useful for the average consumer.

Augmented reality is the use of computer generated images and information overlaid on a view of the physical world.

All of us have been exposed to it at some point. Football broadcasts are a prime example of the use of augmented reality. The yellow line denoting the first down marker is overlaid on the playing field to “augment” the view of the game. Of course, you won’t see this if you actually go to the game.

Broadcasts also overlay advertisements directly onto both the field and surrounding environment as a cheap alternative to physically printing the image. The military also employs the use of augmented reality by using HUD’s (Heads Up Displays) and HMD’s (Helmet Mounted Displays) to display tactical information directly to aircraft pilots.

Consumer level applications could be next as the demand grows for enhanced information-based systems. We have already seen several iPhone applications break into this new market. One of these is “Monocle”, a new feature of Yelp’s app, a service to find and review businesses. Monocle uses GPS and the compass to locate where a user is and to display markers and information about locations as you look through the iPhone’s camera. However, looking through a phone is a very clunky way of using the technology. It’s likely that a more advanced method of viewing our physically space will be needed.

Advances in wearable displays could realize the full potential of augmented reality. Embedding displays within glasses or contact lenses would provide for a permanent visual solution to look through. This kind of accessibility could pave the way for what will be a revolution in the way we experience our world.

Consumers would have a variety of opportunities to incorporate this technology into their everyday lives. With a visual display pointing out areas of interest to the user, even walking down the street would be a new experience. The augmented reality could be used to identify passing faces of friends and contacts, displaying their name and relevant information on demand.

Advertisers might also attract customers to their products via a whole new dimension of advertising. Imagine walking through Wal-Mart, wearing the embedded display glasses, picking up a product off the shelf and a video instantly plays to highlight its features. Augmented reality would be highly customizable, allowing the consumer to choose exactly what they wish to see when viewing the world.

Another important aspect of this technology is its ability to replace physical displays and input devices. With just your one pair of embedded display glasses, any location or object could be a virtual display. Why buy a TV when you could project a virtual one on your wall or desk? Products of the future could be controlled by visual cues overlaid on an object, allowing you to press and manipulate these virtual controls that exist only within augmented reality.

We’re not talking sci-fi here: all of these technologies exist and are currently in development.  Given time to mature, the right companies will take up the challenges of integrating these technologies. Augmented reality will permeate into each of our lives to redefine what it is to view an information based world.

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The New Wave of Cloud Computing

By Nick Carson - Published Issue 4, 19th Oct’09

The “Cloud” is a metaphor for the internet, and the topic of cloud computing and web based services are quickly becoming a reality. Corporations of all sizes employ a lot of overhead simply to run their IT department. Of course, this is a necessity in order to manage a slew of computers that keep a business on its feet.

From servers to workstations to switches, there is a lot that goes into managing a network within a company. First, there is the initial investment of buying all the hardware and software required, which is followed by the operating costs of employing staff to manage the network and troubleshoot difficulties. Cloud computing alleviates much of the financial strain on companies by providing an external service instead of a dedicated in-house solution.

Currently, computers are purchased and upgraded by physically adding new components to make them faster and installing software locally to make them more usable. With a cloud controlled computing environment, all that would be required is to purchase a sort of terminal, which could be as simple as a monitor attached to a small computer capable of connecting to a network. This terminal connects to a server in the “cloud” and streams an operating system along with its software directly to the user.

With cloud computing, all computation and processing is done remotely on the server, therefore requiring very little processing power on the terminal’s part. Upgrading is simple as requesting more speed and power through the service instead of upgrading hardware locally. Likewise, software is purchased and installed just as easily on that user’s account.

Another beauty of cloud computing is allowing a user access from any terminal. Because terminal requirements are so low, one is just as good as any other. Even computers seen as outdated can utilize the full power of cloud computing, which makes the cost of computing decrease exponentially. The beginnings of the transition to cloud based computing can already be seen through several established and emerging technologies.

Google Docs is a prime example of the transition to cloud computing. If you have not had experience with it already, Google Docs gives you a full featured office suite where you can create and edit word documents, spreadsheets and more. What’s different is that its online and accessed through a web browser. This simplifies the process of moving documents around on disks and flash drives from computer to computer.

Microsoft has taken note of this new wave of web and cloud based services, and is poised to release its flagship Microsoft Office suite as free, web-accessible products. Documents can be created and edited, like Google Docs, and saved on a remote server accessible anywhere. The trend is toward more and more services accessed through the internet.

The infrastructure is not fully there yet to realize cloud computing for everyone. However, it is being slowly implemented within companies to manage the increasing number of computers in a more cost efficient way. Cloud computing is great for business, as it can reduce a lot of the costs in hardware, alleviate data loss problems and provide fewer barriers to entry.

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Reading Your Mind, Endless Applications

By Nick Carson - Published Issue 3, 5th Oct’09

It’s the subject of numerous science fiction movies: the ability for an outside source to access your brain to identify what you are thinking. Scientists, led by Berkeley researchers Jack Gallant and Thomas Naselaris, have developed a method of reconstructing an image produced in your mind purely by tracking neural activity. The method involves using fMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging), a specialized type of MRI scan that measures blood flow through the brain. The researchers focused on parts of the brain accountable for processing visual information. By monitoring active parts of the brain responsible for visual processing, they were successfully able to identify images within the brain. Currently, the technology allows researchers to pull an image from a large database that represents what a subject has seen– not quite a full reconstruction method. Through development, the technology is expected to make gains towards reconstructing visual images from scratch. That is where applications will really come into play.

Imagine being able to electronically search for pictures by using your mind. Simply thinking of a random object or a friend/acquaintance could one day produce that image on your personal computer. This could have far-reaching applications for new search platforms by, for instance, allowing you to navigate the web based solely on images produced by your brain. The days of simply thinking about what you want to say and seeing the words appear on a computer may quickly become a reality. In fact, the Bing search engine by Microsoft has already launched a new method of search dubbed “Visual Search”. It allows a user to search the internet by presenting them with a grid of images instead of using the typical text option we are all familiar with. Couple this with technology that allows images to be accessed directly from your brain and you have the ability to interact with the internet via your mind.

This technology could be adapted for a variety of uses. For example, consider the impact on the justice system. Investigations might utilize brain scans that depict the very scene of a crime from the point of view of a witness or culprit.

Image reconstruction may even alter the basic methods of computer operation. Identifying spoken words and language could pave the way for computer controlled interactions. In the near future, simply thinking about words and speech could produce them directly to your computer. The keyboard and mouse have been around since the birth of personal computers as our primary method of input. They remain two of the few technologies yet to be completely revolutionized. These devices are simply middle men in our interactions with computers. We think about words and images and rely on our fingers to produce what we were thinking. These technologies aim to cut out that primitive and inefficient process.

Who will be the new companies to emerge into the technology of computer-brain interactions? Although fully developed technologies might be decades away, the right insight and planning for this revolution could prove valuable. It is to be seen whether current leaders in the market will prepare and invest appropriately or if new, up-and-coming companies will seize the opportunity.

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If you have an idea that you might be pursuing as a possible business venture, it would be a good idea to check this out as it details every aspect of what you need to come with in advance.

It’s very important to have these things fledged out and planned ahead if possible.

Guide to Writing a Business Plan

Guide To Writing A Business Plan
by Jerry Glen,

1. Name of Firm. State the legal name of the business.

2. Owner or Owner-To-Be. State owner(s) name(s), as well as the form and percent of ownership.

3. Information on the Business

a. Type of Business and Product or Service.

• State the general and specific nature of the business (i.e.,general -energy-, specific – oil, solar, wind: or general – food; specific restaurant, catering, farming, ice cream parlor, bakery).
• State the type of…

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New Web Services Vying for Business

By Nick Carson - Published Issue 2, 23^rd Sept’09

Discover “Web 2.0″ with a look at new services emerging on the internet. Several of them might even become household names like our beloved Twitter, Facebook and Google’s of today. Whether you’re looking to study for the GMAT or just save money, there are a few web services I’d like to share with you.

Check out Grockit. www.grockit.com

If you’re studying for the GMAT or LSAT, you understand the agony of endlessly practicing questions and going through archives of old tests. Consider studying in a new way with Grockit. Grockit is a new service that allows you to study and practice questions online with other students. You begin by logging in and selecting a group of 4-5 people you want to study with. The site enters you and your peers into a private chat room and presents you with a question on the subject you chose. For example, many of you may be looking into an MBA, so you might be practicing verbal questions for the GMAT. The questions are similar to those given on the actual test and give you multiple answers to choose from. Together, as a collaborative unit, you can discuss the question with your peers and see the answer that others have selected. Sharing your thoughts on the question and discussing with your peers will help you arrive at the correct thinking. The idea is that together you can practice with other students in live study groups. Right now, Grockit offers SAT, ACT and GMAT, with plans to include LSAT, MCAT and the GRE.

Want to save money? Take a look at Mint. www.mint.com

The service allows you to link together all your bank accounts, credit cards, investment accounts, and loans — basically anything related to your financial status. It will then analyze all the transactions you have made and identify various areas you can save money. Setup was simple when I gave it a try. I added in my Wachovia checking accounts, credit cards and my E*Trade financial investment account, and it correctly analyzed and categorized the transactions into restaurants, rent, bank fees, etc. After analyzing the data, it provided a detailed account and chart of where I was spending my money every month. This is a really powerful tool, with advanced options to set budgets and goals. Try it and you might discover numerous areas where you could save money that went unnoticed before.

Grockit and Mint were emerging companies featured at the TechCrunch50, a conference dedicated in discovering the best Web 2.0 start-ups and ventures. Finalists at the conference presented in front of venture capitalists, companies and press known for being influential industry leaders. Take a look at the conference online for other great start-ups (www.techcrunch50.com). According to TechCrunch, Grockit raised a sum of $10.7 million in funding. Mint, launched in 2007, was later acquired in 2009 by Intuit for a sum of $170 million. These rising stars of the internet world are sure to make a splash in the coming months and showcase more of the countless applications possible.

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