100 Companies that Appreciate Remote Workers

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I wonder how many of you reading this post really believe working from home is an honest day’s work. After all, when you went to work you had to spend valuable time commuting and budgeting a good portion of your salary for work clothes. In the last years of my career, I get to wear my PJs all day and not put on a stitch of makeup. Yet, my workdays are more productive than ever before.

I don’t think my productivity has anything to do with discipline. It has everything to do with commitment and responsibility. The fact that the digital age has given me the ability to work remotely only means that I have more hours to meet my many goals. That’s important to me considering I have taken on more responsibility.

FlexJobs, the leading site for job searchers seeking ideal work-life balance, now says that 50% of professionals in the United States have jobs that can be performed from home. In fact, the most recent Census findings claim that the number of people who work out of their homes has increased from 9.5 million in 1999 to 13.4 million in 2010.

FlexJobs has determined the top 100 companies with the most work-from-home opportunities over the course of the past year.

Mashable, the tech news site, spells it all out.

Telecommute-Friendly Companies

Xerox
UnitedHealth Group
Dell
Aetna
American Express
First Data
Humana
Westat
K12
ADP
Overland Solutions Inc.
CyberCoders
U.S. Department of Transportation
SAP
PayJunction
Connections Academy
Apple
IBM
HD Supply
Salesforce.com
Western Governors University
CACI International
About.com
McKesson Corporation
Aon
WellPoint
Forest Laboratories
Patch
Walden University
Pitney Bowes
Adobe Systems
Coventry Health Care
Clarity Consultants
Kenexa
General Electric – GE
Symantec
Microsoft
Thomson Reuters
Appen ButlerHill
Teradata Corporation
Computer Sciences Corporation – CSC
PAREXEL
BroadSpire
Red Hat
Healthfirst
Pharmaceutical Product Development Inc.
Infor
Optum
Precyse Solutions
Kaplan
Hartford Financial Services Group
Nuance
PricewaterhouseCoopers
CVS Caremark
AmerisourceBergen Corporation
American Public University System – APUS
Ecolab
Autodesk
Language Line Solutions
Sodexo
Kronos Incorporated
Fiserv
ICON
Mozilla
American Support
Canonical
BCD Travel
Mom Corps
Quintiles
Welcome Wagon
FlexProfessionals, LLC
Pearson Education
Zimmer
University of Maryland University College
Kelly Services
TEKsystems
CareFusion
Novartis
Unisys
Dignity Health
Enterprise Contact Center
ICF International Inc.
AIG
Cargill
Asurion
Lockheed Martin
SunAmerica Financial Group
VMware
Alere
Express Scripts
Health Net
Nielsen
Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company – VALIC
American Heart Association
Bausch & Lomb
Grand Canyon University
SumTotal Systems
Pacific Interpreters
Parallon
ACI Group

Last Deep Breath for the Stethoscope

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I suggest you make a quick trip to your doctor. I don’t think there is anything wrong with you, but you might want to say goodbye to an old friend, the stethoscope. Almost 200 years old, the stethoscope is slowly but surely going to be replaced by hand-held ultrasound devices.

Ultrasound devices are smaller, becoming increasingly accurate, and in a few years will be less expensive.

Medical officials are now declaring ultrasound devices to be the stethoscope of the 21st century. Many of the hand-held ultrasound machines are just slightly larger than a deck of cards, kind of like a smartphone.

As I sit here reporting on this story, I wonder how my doctors will react to giving up their lifelong neck accessories. It has long been the symbol of the medical profession.

Let us hear your comments on this subject.

Lens Happy

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I think we all can agree that more and more Americans are taking photos with their smartphones. In fact, I can easily say that people are obsessed with using their smartphone cameras for selfies, travel, blogs, vlogs, social media sharing, events, and documentation.

It’s about time some company came up with a quality, all encompassing way to easily access a multitude of lenses.

Debuted at International CES 2014, the iZZi Slim does just that. It gives the photographer instant access to four pro-grade lenses. Moving from one lens to the next is quick and easy: just rotate the lens selector to the one you want to use. Not only will you have access to the Slim’s four lenses, you’ll still be able to use your built-in iPhone camera as well.

Figure on paying $99.00 for the iZZi Slim, which should become available at the end of February or early March.

Scary Being a Google Employee These Days

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For the last few years, Google employees were the envy of seniors like me who had careers in very traditional offices. We never heard of companies that offered the benefits that Google provided: three free meals a day from an international cafe, meditation areas, a game room, TV viewing spaces, ping pong, a never ending list of perks.

All that envy went out the window recently when we heard that anti-Google activists were out in force in the Bay Area to protest the way rich Silicon Valley tech companies like Google have displaced low- and middle-income workers. Since 2011, rents in many Silicon Valley neighborhoods have increased by 40 percent thanks to the kids from tech companies who can afford the fancy new condos and homes real estate developers are building for them.

Not everyone who lives in Northern California makes the same salaries as those at Apple, Facebook, Twitter, Oracle, and scores of other tech companies. Calling themselves the Counterforce, the protestors are also against what the government is doing with our personal data, surveillance, control, and automation.

Google was one of the first to be targeted because the company just rolled out a bunch of new luxury, Wi-Fi enabled buses to shuttle workers from San Francisco to Mountain View, headquarters of Google. Activists claim Google buses are picking up workers at city bus stops, disrupting the already busy public transportation vehicles.

A group of protestors even showed up at the Berkeley home of Google developer Anthony Levandowski, preventing him for 45 minutes from getting to work. He is the engineer who is developing the self-driving car. Protestors held signs that said “Google’s Future Stops Here.”

Whose future are the protestors going to try to stop next and in what city? This could escalate.

Amazon’s Anticipatory Shipping

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In an effort to speed up deliveries, Amazon will be shipping products you haven’t even ordered yet. They will be placing bets on what you will want and when. How weird is that?

Amazon actually just received a patent for something called “anticipatory shipping.” It allows Amazon to predict your future purchases based on previous orders, site searches, and online window shopping.

Amazon is absolutely ecstatic about being psychic. They are going to fill warehouses nearby with items you may need in the future. All you have to do is click on “Buy.” The delivery will be made to you within an hour.

Bet You Didn’t Know

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In case you are wondering why your iPhone is running on empty after you just charged it or why it is not responding to your touch, check the weather in your local area.

Word has leaked out from Apple’s headquarters that extreme cold temperatures are paralyzing smartphone operating systems.

If the temperature goes below the freezing mark, your smartphone will probably start acting funky. Apple wants you to shut down your iPhone immediately and store it in a warmer spot.

Very few of us knew about this before. Huge temperature swings (below 32 degrees and higher than 95) can harm the intelligence of your smartphone. Everything can go blank. Apple said they never had to warn Americans before, but there have been too many customers complaints now to remain silent.

The smartphone hasn’t been the only danger areas for Apple these days. Surprise, surprise. The signature Apple store on Fifth Avenue suffered a severe blow today because of the snowstorm. Cleaning crews operating snowblowers shattered one of the fifteen monolithic glass panels that make up the exterior of the iconic 32-foot glass cube. The structure looks like it is weeping.

Meryl Streep Can Do Anything

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The minute I saw this TV segment on the Ellen Show I knew I had to post it on DigiDame. Most people believe that Meryl Streep is one of the best actresses of all time. To prove it, Ellen had Meryl audition for different character roles. Don’t miss the video. One day it will be legendary.

Love in the Age of the Internet

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Joaquin Phoenix

Many of my friends who have computer-related jobs are talking about Spike Jonze’s movie, “Her”. Most of them really enjoyed the movie because they can relate to having a personal relationship with a computer. Those folks who didn’t like the movie, in my opinion, probably resent the way computers have taken over our lives.

The movie explores the relationship between a male writer, Theodore, played by Joaquin Phoenix, and a “female” advanced operating system, Samantha, purchased and installed by Theodore on his computer. Samantha is voiced by Scarlett Johansson.

Eliot liked the movie a lot but felt it wasn’t cinematic enough. He said it would have made a great play. I don’t necessarily agree, but I was more focused on the dynamics of the relationship. Heartbroken after the end of his marriage, the writer becomes intrigued with the engaging female voice on his computer. She is bright, insightful, sensitive, and funny.

I didn’t see much difference between a man and a digital woman versus a man and a human woman. At first, everything is very passionate. Then the realities of life set in. That’s when the value of a relationship is truly measured.

While the Internet has provided all of us with a wealth of information and accessibility, I believe it has also made us much more selfish and self absorbed. “Her” touches on love in the digital arena where everyone’s favorite pastime is taking selfie photos.

However, you can’t convince me that the Internet is destroying the relationships of today. There are plenty of other distraction causing splits. Those who want to stay together make it work.

My favorite line from the movie is “Something happens every moment that changes us every moment.” That might not be the exact words but you get the drift. In the age of the Internet, we all are having difficulty identifying who we are. The world is changing way too fast.

A Nudge to Stand Tall

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There is a new gizmo coming out in a few weeks that reminds you to stand tall. The small electronic device, called the Lumo Lift, helps you track your posture. The unit coordinates with a smartphone app that shows you your progress and provides insight into your behavior.

Lumo Lift is a sensor that clips onto your clothes near your chest and shoulders using an interchangeable magnetic clasp. You will receive a gentle vibration when you slouch.

I first heard about the new gadget from my friend Susan Babcock. Within a few hours, I saw it advertised on Facebook. At first I thought the Lumo Lift was silly because most adults should be able to stand tall on their own. Then I remembered that many people tend to slouch so a gentle reminder was in order.

The introduction of the Lumo Lift reminded me of a predicament I encountered about 25 years ago. Eliot, Whitney, and I were staying at the Boca Beach Club hotel during a school break. Eliot and Whitney were on the beach and I was planning to meet them. When it came time for me to leave our guest room, I discovered that Eliot had taken the bag with my swimsuit coverup. In order for me to meet them on the beach, I was required to walk through the lobby. That meant exposing my chubby body to other guests. I pictured myself trying to get to the other side by putting my head and shoulders down and running fast.

I suddenly realized that my cousin Marilyn always walks with an air of confidence. As scared as I was, I decided to walk through the lobby with my tallest posture and my head high. I did that and also found myself waving to people seated nearby like I was a political candidate. It worked like a charm. People were focused on my confidence rather than my big fat tush.

The Lumo Lift can probably give all of us in our senior years that confidence we need to remain strong and happy.

The device will also give us valuable insights into our behavior. It will measure how many steps we take each day, how many calories we burn, and how much time we stand tall.

The price has not been set yet, but it should fall between $59 and $79.

New Opportunity for Writers

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Michael Connolly greeting a fan

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Lisa Unger and me

So here I am in Key West, Florida at a four-day literary seminar featuring some of the most famous and respected mystery writers in America. We are hanging with Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen, Thomas Cook, James Hall, Alafair Burke, and Lisa Unger. We even met the former U.S. poet laureate Billy Collins whom we now will follow. The only guy missing is Neil Plakcy, a personal friend who writes gay- or dog-oriented mystery novels. The theme of the Key West Literary Seminar is “The Dark Side” because most of the authors like to write about murder, hideous crimes, and troubled folks. Even Billy Collins has poems from the grave.

Eliot is one of the largest mystery book collectors in the country. We have books everywhere. He treats his books like he would a mistress. He puts them on display and stares at them every chance he gets. He also reads at least a book a week, sometimes two or three. That is why our daughter Whitney gifted the seminar to us. She knew Eliot would love meeting all of his favorite authors and I would pick up writing tips.

It was totally weird to meet 200 folks just like Eliot. They all live for the mystery, some fiction, some the real deal. While many people in the audience read e-books, they tend to prefer the paper kind. These are the folks who traveled from all over the country to be in attendance. I was really amazed how many single women in their 50s and 60s showed up on their own. Most of the audience was 50-plus. The real shocker was how many folks who are successful doctors, lawyers, teachers, and general business people want to be writers. Many have written unpublished books; others needed guidance. It was really inspiring to meet so many senior folks who still feel like they have a chance at a second career.

They are also the ones who feel that future generations will be just as interested in writing and reading as they are today. They don’t feel short forms of communication like texting and Twitter will kill the art of writing. They said that was the same question posed with the arrival of television, movies, video games, and iTunes.

There will always be many who want to read and write. Hopefully, with the advent of new delivery systems such as smartphones, tablets, and other portable devices, future writers will have greater opportunity to be published then ever before.