Twitter Ads Are About to Get More Relevant

If all goes according to plan, ads on Twitter are about to get a lot more relevant to the people that see them. That's the idea behind the interest-targeted ad system the company has been testing. Having presumably ironed out the kinks, Twitter has just rolled the feature out to all of its advertisers. 

Previously, when Twitter displayed a promoted tweet or trending topic, it didn't take into account whether or not that ad is relevant or useful to a given user.

For years, advertisers on Facebook have had the ability to target ads very granularly based not only on demographic data and life events, but on specific interests held by users. The result, is many cases, is advertising that's sometimes eerily accurate and relevant to users' lives. Twitter is now adopting similar functionality as part of its quest to monetize its growing microblogging service. 

But Twitter isn't Facebook. On the world's biggest social network, users explicitly declare their interests on their profiles and through clicking "like" buttons woven throughout the Web and apps everywhere. Twitter doesn't have the luxury of such detailed user data, so it must employ other means to target its ads. 

The concept of interest-based advertising isn't new, but it is evolving thanks to the social Web. From the outset, Google has monetized its search engine based on people's interests. Early on, users declared those interests on a case-by-case basis by typing in a search query, which Google used to display targeted text link ads. Over time, search advertising has evolved to become more targeted and personalized, as have the competing social advertising models that have cropped up since the early days of Google. 

Twitter offers 350 categories of interests from Bollywood movies to gardening. Since users don't specify their interests on their profile, those interests must be gleaned from such things as what they say, who they follow and other user activity. Twitter doesn't elaborate on how it all works, but we wouldn't be surprised if things like favorited tweets weren't factored into the algorithm it's using.

To get more granular, advertisers can specify @usernames of users. Rather than target these people specifically, Twitter will attempt to show ads to users who share interests with those who follow them. The example the company uses is an indie rock band that wants to promote its upcoming tour on Twitter. To do so, the band can use this feature to list similar acts on Twitter and target people with like-minded taste in music. Again, Twitter isn't forthcoming about how that will work, but hopefully it has a way of filtering out pornbots and ghost followers.

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iPod for Windows: Connecting multiple iPod devices to iTunes

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">ACUtil.setPOD('us~en'); var articleId = "HT3622"; var ACStaticText = { 'more': '…more', 'less': 'less' };KmLoader.akamaiUrl = 'http://km.support.apple.com';//function sendRead()var locale = 'en_US';Event.observe(window, 'load', function() {ACHistory.addKbView('HT3622', 'iPod for Windows: Connecting multiple iPod devices to iTunes', 'en_US', 'unknown');ACUtil.getMultipleOffers('PL109,PL180,PL111,PL110,PL112,PF4', 'HOWTO_ARTICLES', 'en_US', 'false');ACUtil.reportView('HT3622', 'en_US');// Apple Instant Feed statistics code if(enableAppleInstant == "yes"){var store = new Persist.Store('FeedStats');if (store.get('resultActivity')=='true'){var time = new Date();// Fix for /*setReadTimer = setTimeout(function(){var feedStats = new ACFeedStatistics();feedStats.updateRead('HT3622', store.get('position'));store.remove('HT3622');store.remove('position');}, 3000);*///store.set('HT3622', time.getTime());store.set('timeStart', time.getTime());}} });Event.observe(window, 'beforeunload', function(){// Apple Instant Feed statistics code if(enableAppleInstant == "yes"){ var store = new Persist.Store('FeedStats'); if (store.get('resultActivity')=='true' && store.get('timeStart') !== null){ var time = new Date();//var timeDiff = time.getTime() - store.get('HT3622');var timeDiff = time.getTime() - store.get('timeStart');var timeSpent = Math.floor(timeDiff/1000);var feedStats = new ACFeedStatistics();// Fix for if (timeDiff iPod for Windows: Connecting multiple iPod devices to iTunes Summary

While iTunes for Windows allows you to connect multiple iPod devices simultaneously to the same computer for charging, you cannot sync your data from the computer to all the iPod devices at the same time.

Products Affected

iPod, iPod classic, iPod mini, iPod nano, iPod shuffle, iTunes

Although FireWire and USB connections will allow multiple iPod devices to be connected to the computer at the same time, iTunes for Windows works best with only one iPod connected at a time. If you plan to connect multiple iPod devices to the same computer, eject any iPod devices that you are not using from iTunes.

$('articlecontent').select('img').each(function(element) { if(element.width > 640 ){ var imageDiv = document.createElement('div'); imageDiv.setStyle({ 'display':'block', 'width':'660px', 'overflow':'auto', 'border':'1px solid #dedede','margin-right': '15px'}); element.parentNode.replaceChild(imageDiv, element); imageDiv.appendChild(element); } }); $('articlecontent').select('table').each(function(element) { if(element.width > 660 || element.offsetWidth>660){ var tableDiv = document.createElement('div'); tableDiv.setAttribute("class","kbtablecontainer"); element.setAttribute("style","margin-bottom:0px !important"); element.parentNode.replaceChild(tableDiv, element); tableDiv.appendChild(element); } }); Rate this article:Not helpfulSomewhat helpfulHelpfulVery helpfulSolved my problemOne Moment PleaseThanks for rating this article Not helpful Somewhat helpful Helpful Very helpful Solved my problem Share this article Twitter Facebook Last Modified: May 07, 2012 Article: HT3622 Views: 241623

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Amazon Kindle Fire Is Sold Out

Less than a year after announcing its Kindle Fire tablet, Amazon says the model is sold out in the United States, and has claimed 22% of all tablet sales. 

The news comes shortly before the expected announcement of the Kindle Fire 2 on Sept. 6.

Amazon is also touting that all of the top-selling products in its store since the launch of the Kindle Fire have been digital.

But Amazon has a way of making statements that scratch its back without an excess of facts or context.

It doesn't define what “best-selling product” means. For instance, has Amazon sold more Kindle Fires than other top-selling items, like the immensely popular book "Shades of Gray"? 

And what exactly does 22% of the U.S. tablet market mean? When did it reach that mark? 

We have asked Amazon, and will update the story if and when it responds. 

One of the company’s claims is easy to understand: The Kindle ecosystem is Amazon’s best-performing product vertical. Amazon is built on content, starting as a bookseller in the late 1990s before committing itself to a digital-content strategy in the mid-2000s and doubling down on that focus by adding movies, TV and music and the Kindle Fire within the last several years.  

Earlier this week, Amazon announced that Kindle-exclusive book titles have been downloaded over 100 million times. Amazon also released the Amazon Appstore to foreign markets in Western Europe such as the United Kingdom, Germancy, France, Italy and Spain.

With the Kindle Fire sold out here, it is likely that Amazon will make a concerted effort to increase its presence in foreign markets as well. 

Driven by breakthrough thinking and a wide-open sense of what's possible, Alcatel-Lucent delivers the world's most advanced technologies to companies all across the globe. Our driving motivation is to realize the potential of the connected world - by providing the technologies needed to turn networks into engines of sustainable economic growth, social development and opportunity. We provide a comprehensive suite of software solutions and services offerings designed specifically to meet the needs and demands of communication network operators and strategic industries. These solutions allow our customers to optimize network costs and quickly deploy innovative, value added products and services for their subscribers that increase loyalty and create new revenue streams. To learn more about how we're turning the network into a platform, visit http://www2.alcatel-lucent.com/hln/network_evolution.php

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Troubleshooting AirPlay and AirPlay Mirroring

var modelValue = 'SupportApple';var akamaiUrl = "http://km.support.apple.com"; var aiSearchServiceURL ="support.apple.com";var podLocaleValue="en_US"; var aiCrossDomainSearchServiceURL ="support-reporting.apple.com";Troubleshooting AirPlay and AirPlay MirroringUse these steps if:

The AirPlay icon doesn't appear on your iOS device, or iTunes on your computer, after following instructions about how to use AirPlay or AirPlay Mirroring.
or There are performance issues while using AirPlay streaming or AirPlay Mirroring.">ACUtil.setPOD('us~en'); var articleId = "TS4215"; var ACStaticText = { 'more': '…more', 'less': 'less' };KmLoader.akamaiUrl = 'http://km.support.apple.com';//function sendRead()var locale = 'en_US';Event.observe(window, 'load', function() {ACHistory.addKbView('TS4215', 'Troubleshooting AirPlay and AirPlay Mirroring', 'en_US', 'unknown');ACUtil.getMultipleOffers('133077,PL113,PF9,133607,PF22', 'TROUBLESHOOTING_ARTICLES', 'en_US', 'false');ACUtil.reportView('TS4215', 'en_US');// Apple Instant Feed statistics code if(enableAppleInstant == "yes"){var store = new Persist.Store('FeedStats');if (store.get('resultActivity')=='true'){var time = new Date();// Fix for /*setReadTimer = setTimeout(function(){var feedStats = new ACFeedStatistics();feedStats.updateRead('TS4215', store.get('position'));store.remove('TS4215');store.remove('position');}, 3000);*///store.set('TS4215', time.getTime());store.set('timeStart', time.getTime());}} });Event.observe(window, 'beforeunload', function(){// Apple Instant Feed statistics code if(enableAppleInstant == "yes"){ var store = new Persist.Store('FeedStats'); if (store.get('resultActivity')=='true' && store.get('timeStart') !== null){ var time = new Date();//var timeDiff = time.getTime() - store.get('TS4215');var timeDiff = time.getTime() - store.get('timeStart');var timeSpent = Math.floor(timeDiff/1000);var feedStats = new ACFeedStatistics();// Fix for if (timeDiff Troubleshooting AirPlay and AirPlay Mirroring Products Affected

Apple TV (2nd generation), Apple TV (3rd generation), iPad, iPhone, iPod touch

Symptoms

Use these steps if:

The AirPlay icon doesn't appear on your iOS device, or iTunes on your computer, after following instructions about how to use AirPlay or AirPlay Mirroring.
or There are performance issues while using AirPlay streaming or AirPlay Mirroring. Resolution

If the AirPlay icon doesn't appear

Check for the AirPlay icon (  ) in the recently used apps section on your iOS device, or in iTunes on your computer (as in these articles about how to use AirPlay and how to use AirPlay Mirroring). The icon will only appear if your device or computer is logged onto a Wi-Fi network which has an AirPlay-enabled recipient, such as Apple TV (2nd generation or 3rd generation).

If you are still unable to see the AirPlay icon, try one of the following steps:

Verify that your AirPlay-enabled devices have the most up-to-date software or firmware. Verify that your iOS device has Wi-Fi turned on. Enable Wi-Fi on your iOS device by going to Settings > Wi-Fi. Verify that all your AirPlay-enabled devices are logged on to the same home Wi-Fi network (check the home network names on your devices to confirm). If trying to AirPlay, or AirPlay mirror, to your Apple TV (2nd or 3rd generation), ensure that AirPlay is enabled on your Apple TV as well. You can enable or disable AirPlay on Apple TV in the AirPlay menu: Settings > AirPlay Check Internet or network connectivity on all affected devices. Temporarily disable firewalls (both network and local) and security software. Security software and firewalls may block ports that AirPlay uses to stream content. You can often resolve issues with security software by updating, correctly configuring, or uninstalling security software. If attempting to use AirPlay from a third-party app or a website from your Safari app on your iOS device, confirm that the app or website is AirPlay compatible (refer to the developers of the app or website for additional information).  

Troubleshooting performance issues with AirPlay or AirPlay Mirroring

If you are experiencing intermittent playback or significant network lag with AirPlay or AirPlay Mirroring, it could be due to a weak Wi-Fi connection, interference, or the distance between the Wi-Fi router and your iOS device, Apple TV or AirPort Express. Try the following suggestions:

Ensure that other devices are not trying to stream to the same Apple TV at the same time. Turn off Bluetooth on your iOS device by tapping Settings > General > Bluetooth. Ensure that your Wi-Fi router is set up with the recommended settings for the best performance. Certain external devices, such as microwave ovens and baby monitors, may interfere with a Wi-Fi network. Try moving or disabling these devices. If possible, try to locate your Wi-Fi router in the same room as your Apple TV and iPhone/iPad. If your wireless and wired networks are the same, try connecting your Apple TV to the router via Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi. If the Wi-Fi router has an external antenna, check to see that is it connected properly and in good condition. Use the Wi-Fi network troubleshooting guide to resolve interference and other issues.Additional Information Learn more about recently used apps and multitasking on iOS. Find out more about using AirPlay or using AirPlay Mirroring. $('articlecontent').select('img').each(function(element) { if(element.width > 640 ){ var imageDiv = document.createElement('div'); imageDiv.setStyle({ 'display':'block', 'width':'660px', 'overflow':'auto', 'border':'1px solid #dedede','margin-right': '15px'}); element.parentNode.replaceChild(imageDiv, element); imageDiv.appendChild(element); } }); $('articlecontent').select('table').each(function(element) { if(element.width > 660 || element.offsetWidth>660){ var tableDiv = document.createElement('div'); tableDiv.setAttribute("class","kbtablecontainer"); element.setAttribute("style","margin-bottom:0px !important"); element.parentNode.replaceChild(tableDiv, element); tableDiv.appendChild(element); } }); Rate this article:Not helpfulSomewhat helpfulHelpfulVery helpfulSolved my problemOne Moment PleaseThanks for rating this article Not helpful Somewhat helpful Helpful Very helpful Solved my problem Share this article Twitter Facebook Last Modified: March 16, 2012 Article: TS4215 Views: 639971 Rating: 3.0/5 Stars
(638 Responses) LanguagesDanskDeutschEnglishEspañolSuomiFrançaisItaliano???NederlandsNorsk BokmålPolskiPortuguês (Brasil)PortuguêsSvenska???? KmLoader.isOmnitureSupported='true'; Event.observe(window, 'load', function() { new KmLoader('2', 0, 0, 'Troubleshooting AirPlay and AirPlay Mirroring', 0, 0, 'en_US', 0, 0, 'support_site.related_articles.TS4215',undefined,undefined,'TS4215');}); Event.observe(window, 'load', function() { new KmLoader('1', 0, 0, 'Troubleshooting AirPlay and AirPlay Mirroring', 0, 0, 'en_US', 0, 0, 'support_site.related_discussions.TS4215'); }); Related Discussions More discussions Related Articles Ask other users about this articlein Apple Support Communities Wait... See all questions on this articleSee all questions I have asked

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New Tech Incubator Focuses on Car-Based Apps

Tech entrepreneur Jim Disanto sees the automobile as the next great platform for connectivity. “There are a more than a billion cars in the world,” he said. “Every automotive OEM and Tier 1 supplier will tell you that within three years, every car will need connected systems, or you’re not going to be able to sell it.” That, Disanto believes, will spawn a new generation of app developers offering Internet-enabled enhancements to the driving experience.

However, as large as that opportunity is, the obstacles facing entrepreneurs wanting to develop apps for cars are bigger still.

It’s the chasm between the opportunity and its realization that led Disanto to start what he believes is the first Silicon Valley incubator to specifically focus on connected car technology. Disanto first caught a glimpse of the opportunity for web-enabled cars soon after selling a previous company, KonaWare to a China’s Yamei Electronics in 2008. KonaWare provided remote logistics to transportation companies, but the wave of smart phone applications had not yet reached critical mass.

Four years later, everybody and their mother have a smart phone. We all step into our cars, and wonder why we can’t bring those apps along for the ride. “A new generation of car buyers aren’t interested in the mechanics of the car. They are much more interested in the electronic stuff onboard,” Disanto said. “Before, the car was a transportation system. Now, it’s an extension of your digital life.”

Disanto’s incubator, Transportation Technology Ventures, consists of two partners, six advisors, and an office in Palo Alto. The group, which serves as an angel investor fund, is now “circling up entrepreneurs in the space,” said Disanto.

But those fledgling entrepreneurs face the following serious obstacles.

Sure, you want dashboard navigation integrated with things like Yelp or Open Table. Or you want to listen to Internet radio, like Pandora and Spotify. But beyond that, it’s a mystery as to which apps will become popular, and what will even make sense while driving.

The grand vision is to eventually have hundreds or even thousands of downloadable car-related apps. But at this stage, the only ones out there are carried over from the mobile phone, rather than specifically created for an automotive environment.

There are about 20 major automotive companies selling vehicles in the United States, and around 70 around the world, according to Disanto. Because each car company has to worry about potential lawsuits from a rogue app, or one that distracts too much. So each OEM will want to test and bless every app, and control its own app store where drivers will download right to the car.

Apple or Google app stores probably don’t make sense, unless you can easily elevate the car-related apps above the clutter. Expect confusion when there are as many app stores as there are models on the road.

The automotive industry has not yet established app standards for hardware, software, interfaces, and communications protocols. Who wants to spend countless hours and dollars developing a car-based app, when you don’t know if it will meet a standard that hasn’t been finalized yet—or even discussed?

The Department of Transportation will throw out its own roadblocks. A game app for a smart phone is child’s play, compared to developing functionality that has to interact with a car’s computer network, widely divergent dashboard configurations, touch screen interaction, steering wheel controls, and potential voice recognition and heads-up displays projected on to the windshield.

And we’re not even talking about vehicle-to-vehicle or vehicle-to-road communications that’s right around the corner. These technologies are not taught in most computer science classes.

All of these complications add up to time, money, and headaches. And it creates a scenario where innovation is stifled because the best ideas never get off the ground. But this won’t stop enterprising tech innovators from coming up with ideas, and seeking money and logistics to support them.

“There’s a massive gap between the seed stage of a new company focusing on transportation, and the institutional financing route,” said Disanto. “A lot of things need to get done in the gap.” Disanto intends to fill that gap.

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Futurist's Cheat Sheet: Human Augmentation

As long as there have been humans, there have been dreams of super humans. Eyeglasses started sharpening vision in the 1200s, pacemakers have been implanted to extend lifespans since the late 1950s, and the first strength-amplifying robotic exoskeletons shipped earlier this year. But those innovations are only the beginning. With advances in technology, the ability to vastly enhance human capabilities is right around the corner. Here is an overview of current efforts and their potential. (The "Futurist's Cheatsheet" series surveys technologies on the horizon: their promise, how likely they are, and when they might become part of our daily lives. This article is Part 1.)

Human augmentation is the ability to supplement human brains and bodies with technological improvements. The notion has been part of science fiction lore for decades. Ever hear a sports announcer say, “that guy has a cannon for an arm!” Well, what if he had an actual cannon for an arm? RoboCop, Mr. Gadget, Star Wars (what is Darth Vader but an augmented human?), and the Bourne Identity all offer visions of how human augmentation could one day be achieved. 

But it's already well underway. With the buzz around Google Glasses and Oscar “Blade Runner” Pistorius' speedy artificial legs, the notion of creating a better human body through machinery and computers is the subject of much theory and research these days. 

There are many paths to human-machine augmentation: wearable technology such as Google Glasses, sensor implants, using DNA and chemical processes to enhance brain function and muscle functions, nanorobotics, performance enhancing surgery. Some theorists, notably Ray Kurzweil, believe the brain will be encoded as software someday, allowing it to be reprogrammed, enhanced by peripheral technology, tethered to a robotic body, and immortal. (Until the next backward-incompatible system update.)

The idea is to enhance the human notion of “normal.” At the same time, human augmentation can be used to repair parts of the body, such as cochlear implants for the hard of hearing. Laser eye surgery is a good example of both reparative and enhancive human augmentation, as it could be used to help the sight of the visually impaired or enhance the vision of people with normal eyesight. Many professional athletes, such as baseball players, get laser surgery. 

Research firm Gartner notes that there will soon be a market for human augmentation to create “superhuman” characteristics, such as a suit that improves endurance or adds extra senses to the body. There have also been recent advances in implantable technology that can monitor health-related data, such as heart rate or insulin level. 

Miniaturization and advances in wireless technology enable many sensor-based technologies to be implanted into human bodies now. Moreover, the combination of computer and genetic technology could enable people to retrofit themselves with superhuman characteristics going forward. 

In the short term, researchers are working with the tools already available. Advances in mobile technology and wireless data transmission along with sensor enhancements are creating a new field in the biomedical industry. As scientists continue to crack the human genome, DNA augmentation will become increasingly powerful and controversial. One day, doctors may be able to completely rebuild body parts with computer and mechanical engineering and have them look and function just like normal flesh and bone.

In the long term, society will be challenged to cope with superior human beings. The notion of a mechanically-enhanced human has already entered the thoughts of lawmakers. Several U.S. states have passed laws banning employers requiring employees to implant computer chips in their bodies. As human enhancement becomes more common in the decades and centuries to come, there is a real danger of discrimination between the augmented versus the standard human.

Depends on the type of capability you are looking for. Strength-enhancing exoskeleton suits have been sold to the military and rehab hospitals. Google Glasses should be released as a consumer product in 2013 or so. Implantable, sensor-based technologies are just starting to hit the market. This is one field to keep an eye on as technology and biology merge to create the true ubermench that Nietzsche surely knew was coming.

Technology Review: In Pursuit of Human Augmentation

Wired: Be More Than You Can Be

Bloomberg: Advances in Human Augmentation: We Can Rebuild Him

Association for Computing Machinery's Augmented Human

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Does Your Startup Need A Technical Co-Founder?

In today’s startup landscape, practically everything can be outsourced. But when it comes to core technical skills, more and more entrepreneurs are opting to partner with technical co-founders rather than hiring someone for an in-house position. So how do you decide what’s right for your new company?

To find the best way to integrate core technical skills into a start up, we asked eight successful young entrepreneurs from the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) whether startups need tech-oriented founders.

If you want to start a tech company, you must understand the space. You don’t need to be a developer, but at minimum you need to have the background to know what traits a superstar developer has. It also depends on how innovative your technology is - if you’re using existing platforms and delivery methods, you can definitely hire out a great team to run your company. But if the tech itself is what you’re innovating, you need to understand what is happening inside your business. - Laura Roeder, LKR

I really believe that what’s most important for a founder is the ability to have a vision for the company, make sales and hire well. That being said, when you’re in the startup phase, you need to be able to get stuff done – and that means you need to at least have some basic tech skills. It will also help you to hire better, and understand what’s possible and what’s not possible in terms of technology. - Nathalie Lussier, Nathalie Lussier Media

I may be biased - as I am a graphic designer with programming, Web and marketing skills - but to me it is highly important that a founder have some tech skills. We use technology in every business, from online sales and shipping to mobile Web. Being able to change your website on the fly based off a new analytic has been key in growing our online business. Understanding how to harness social media and being up to speed with the newest trending platforms allows us to be everywhere. This being done in-house means more revenue stays with us, compared to hiring a firm or paying a employee who requires training and possible review process, slowing down the speed of business and still adding a layer of time effort to the management team. - Jerry Piscitelli, Portopong LLC

There’s a big difference between not knowing intense coding and not knowing anything at all about the space. For a founder to be able to navigate the industry, it’s important that he/she knows enough about trends in the industry and has a basic understanding of tech. One of the worst things I’ve seen are very non-technical VC’s teaming up and opening tech companies. Sometimes their idea for a company has already been done and not worked, but the founders don’t know that because they haven’t been in the field long enough. - Caitlin McCabe, Real Bullets Branding

As an Internet entrepreneur, tech skills are certainly helpful (at the very least so you know when you’re paying a fair fee when outsourcing), but they’re most definitely not necessary. I started TheBeautyBean.com barely knowing what WordPress was, let alone how to run a website. Sure, I’ve made mistakes (likely more with regard to technology than a founder with tech skills would have), but founders can’t be good at everything – and I make fewer mistakes in other areas. All entrepreneurs have to outsource parts of their businesses in order to use their skills most effectively. For me, that means outsourcing tech. And so far it’s worked quite well. Knowing your weaknesses is far more essential than not having any. - Alexis Wolfer, The Beauty Bean

If you are unable to build your own tech product, you only have three options: 1. Pay a company to build your product, which could cost $80,000 to $100,000 for an initial app and website, and even more as you add features and improve your product in response to customer feedback. 2. Give up equity in your company. Software programmers are in extremely high demand - you’re competing with Facebook, Google and thousands of other startups. Very early-stage startups may have to give up as much as 30% of their company to bring on a rockstar programmer. 3. Learn to build the product yourself. This is the most time-consuming option, but is often the best. By doing so, you could save capital and equity, and at the very least, adopt the skill set to better oversee options #1 and #2. - Doug Bend, Bend Law Group, PC

I was a sociology major in college. When I started my social network, I didn’t have any tech skills. What I did have, however, was a lot of passion for my idea and the ability to communicate the vision that I wanted to create. What I’ve found is that you don’t necessarily need to have tech skill yourself, but you do need to be able to clearly communicate your vision to others, to excite them to join you in your journey. - Eric Bahn, Beat The GMAT

I’ve learned most of my tech skills on the job. Currently, I’m teaching myself to program in Python. I’ve been in business for years and I’m always picking up a new skill set. You don’t need too much in the way of tech skills right out of the gate. You’ll learn a lot out of sheer self-defense as you go along, especially if you need to judge the work of technical hires or sell a technical product. That said, being an entrepreneur is easier if you’ve got at least some of the skills that you’ll need to execute your idea in place before you start. - Thursday Bram, Hyper Modern Consulting

The Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) is an invite-only nonprofit organization comprised of the world’s most promising young entrepreneurs. The YEC recently published #FixYoungAmerica: How to Rebuild Our Economy and Put Young Americans Back to Work (for Good), a book of 30+ proven solutions to help end youth unemployment.

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