Google+ started out with a bang, boasting 25 million users before the social network was even open to the public. Now, after establishing itself as a true player in the social networking realm, and with 45 to 50 million users to boot, Google+ is opening up its doors to businesses. Called Google+ Pages, the profiles are similar to the Facebook Page platform, except that Google+ Pages will be integrated into Google search results. Additionally, page owners can manage their followers using “circles,” which allows them to target content such as updates, photos, and videos to certain demographic groups. So how do you create a Google+ brand profile?

1. Sign into your personal or work-related Google account and go to http://www.google.com/+/business/.
2. Here, Google lets you select which category your business fits into. Your options are:

• Local Business or Place (examples: hotels, restaurants, places, stores, service, etc.)
• Product or Brand (example: apparel, cars, electronics, financial services, etc.)
• Company, Institution or Organization (example: companies, institutions, organizations, non-profits, etc.)
• Arts, Entertainment or Sports (example: films, TV, music, books, sports, shows, etc.)
• Other—if your business does not fit into any other category

So far we have discussed tape backup, snapshot backup and data replication as examples of data recovery solutions. Each of these methods copy data on a computer in case a disaster recovery is necessary. Mirroring is another type of data recovery solution that is often used to create multiple drives with the same information. It works by linking two systems together that will continually match each other. For example, when “File A” is created on a computer, it will be saved on two separate disks at once. Mirroring is used for a variety of reasons—for data backup, for faster downloads in different geographic locations, and to balance a server load.

Before starting at NSK Inc. three years ago, Mike Zappala worked in the IT Department of a small environmental lab in Woburn, MA. Now, instead of fixing computers internally like he did at the lab, Mike is currently responsible for two different clients in the Boston area five days a week. He serves as the IT Team for these clients — sitting in their offices, answering their technology questions and fixing their daily computer issues. He also configures user accounts, servers, and networking equipment.

Are you still under the impression that cloud computing refers to protecting your computer from the rain? If so, you're in luck because on October 27th, 2011 at 11:30AM NSK Inc., in conjunction with Axcient and the Boston Business Journal, will be present a free lunch and learn that will teach the basics of cloud computing solutions. 

Peter Stanford has been an IT Consultant with NSK since 2006, after receiving his Network Administration certification from Career Education Institute. He provides basic support to clients, solving application and desktop issues, installing and upgrading hardware, and providing regular on-site visits. If a problem arises that the help desk cannot fix remotely, Peter rises to the challenge with a hands-on approach.