Flying the CX-10 Mini Drone
Source: Unbox Therapy
This Drone May Be the Best Option for Amateurs Who Are Thinking About Flying Their Own
Why It’s Important to Develop Your Personal Brand
It seems to me that not many people within tech are taking ownership of their personal brand. Building your personal brand doesn’t mean you have to spend countless hours cultivating it (well not all at once). It can consist of simply updating your website when you are speaking at an event, blogging or tweeting about a particular topic that resonates with your brand or advertising your skills.
How useful are your skills if no one knows about them? For what do you want to be known? If there is a particular area at which you specialize, amplify it. Make it public knowledge; be deliberate about it. If you are looking for a job, you are in a much better position if future employers come to you. Take advantage of your uniqueness — show it. It may resonate with a group of people.
If you don’t manage your brand, one will be created for you. Most of us already have a digital footprint — it’s just a sign of the times. That is not to say that one cannot be stealthy and remain somewhat off the grid. But as for the majority of us, our online presence is being captured, cached and analyzed.
Here are a few quick tips to get you going on building your personal brand:
Identify a domain for which you’d like to be known.
Is there a particular topic for which all your family and friends call you? If so, you are known among your circle as being knowledgeable in that area. If they trust you enough to use you as their subject matter expert, well so may others — if they only knew about you!
Be strategic about your message and affiliations.
If you are a subject matter expert in XYZ, think about how you can help others with the skills you have and connect with larger brands to catapult yours.
Create a personal website.
It can be as simple as a bio, listing your skill-set, how to get in touch and links to your social channels. Place your website URL in your email signature, on your LinkedIn and Twitter pages. This will drive more traffic to your site and also tailor the results of Google search queries that include your name.
Be active in your domain.
Share your story, tips, experiences, provide mentorship (if possible), create cool products, etc.
Be consistent — this is your brand after all.
If you decide to start blogging, set up an interval at which you’ll release new posts. People will grow to expect your content and you’ll build an audience.
Know your search results.
Google yourself from time to time and set up Google alerts for your name and/or business. If your top results are not to your liking, make strides to change that. Drive more traffic to your website, and get Google to remove old content that you feel does not effectively represent you.
Once you start building your personal brand, you’ll be in awe at what comes your way. However, building your brand is not a one-time task. It’s a continuous process, and you make it part of your personal development cycle.
Happy brand building!
Quiessence is an information security professional with over seven years of experience within the financial industry. She is also the co-founder of Urban Tech Alliance, creator of the Girltechie Campaign, and a workshop series called SecurEd. Quiessence gravitated to technology at an early age and has been captivated ever since.
Writing the App Is Fun; LaunchKit Can Get You Through the Tedious Part
Perhaps some of the most popular tech startup ideas come in the form of apps. From tech-savvy veterans to rookie mobile users, nearly everybody knows somebody who has hopes of creating and launching their own successful mobile app.
On the surface, mobile app creation seems like a fun task.
Find a problem that you care about and solve it with an app, right? It can’t be too complicated.
But it is.
Complicated, tedious and downright stressful — that’s how some of today’s most successful app developers might describe the process of getting their beloved app to market and onto the devices of mobile users all across the globe.
Successful app developers will let anyone with their own mobile app dreams know that the writing is the fun part.
Getting the app to market, on the other hand, can be a grueling task.
But in the world where there is literally an app for everything, there is also an app to help launch other apps.
Well, it’s not technically an app, but it does have a collection of tools that budding mobile app developers might find useful.
The website and genius brand is called LaunchKit.
The trio behind LaunchKit knows quite a bit about the troubles of getting an app to market.
Brenden Mulligan, Taylor Hughes and Riz Sattar are also the creators of Cluster app, which gives users a more private and personal way to share content with friends and family.
Think social media without the narcissism often associated with wanting strangers perusing through your vacation photos.
Mulligan explained that while creating the app was fun, there were tedious tasks throughout the process that were begging for more efficient, innovative ways to be completed.
One of those tasks was getting screenshots of the app and ensuring they were all in the high resolutions that Apple requires if one hopes to get past the pearly gates of the official App Store.
While the Cluster team didn’t have a more efficient way to tackle this problem when they were in the midst of the launch process, they are leading other new app developers to a better solution.
LaunchKit will grow to include more and more handy tools and services for people hoping to launch their own apps, and one of the latest additions is a screenshot builder.
“Create gorgeous images for your App Store page in minutes,” the LaunchKit website promises of the free service.
The free LaunchKit service comes after the team had already released an App Store template for Sketch earlier this year, but LaunchKit gives users access to such a tool without actually needing to pay $99 for the Sketch app.
“LaunchKit is the tool we wish existed when we were building Cluster, and stuff that’s helping us manage our Cluster apps,” Mulligan told TechCrunch.
There are only a handful of tools in the LaunchKit for now, but the company has plans of expanding the resources with time.
Other featured tools include a “Review Monitor,” to help creators keep up with the reviews their app receives, and a handy library that contains a collection of “writing and open source contributions” that could help out any budding tech entrepreneur.
While these services are free, LaunchKit will eventually start offering services that may have premium features attached to a free base version of the tool that users would have to pay for.
More Than Black Panther – 9 More Black Superheroes Who Deserve to Be On The Big Screen
America Chavez (Marvel)
Chavez goes by the codename Miss America and serves as the leader of the Young Avengers. Her strange and mysterious past as an inter-dimensional powerhouse would be a sight to see on film. America Chavez was raised by her mothers in the Utopian Parallel, where they sacrificed themselves to protect her. Her powers include: flight, super strength and the ability to kick inter-dimensional portals open.
Batwing (Lucas Fox) (DC)
The second Batwing is the son of Lucius Fox, weapons builder for Bruce Wayne. This Batwing is reminiscent of Batman Beyond, where Batman serves as a mentor to the hero, and a suit with enhanced features gives the wearer abilities. Lucas Fox has had many confrontations with his father about becoming a hero, and the drama could play well on the big screen.
The Capabilities of This Personal Robot Go Way Beyond Your Wildest Imagination
It’s a new chapter in your relationship with technology. Something radically different from anything you’ve experienced. Something that is very personal, because personal robots are designed to live with people.
Source: Freeze HD
A Breakdown of The Latest ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 5 Trailer
“Lannister. Baratheon. Stark. Tyrell. They’re all just spokes on a wheel. This one’s on top, then that one’s on top and on and on it spins. Crushing those on the ground. I’m not going to stop the wheel. I’m going to break the wheel.”
And just like that, Daenerys enters the Game of Thrones monologue hall of fame. Let’s be clear, Dem Thrones is the most interesting TV show on, period. You wanna battle out for that “Best” title? Go ‘head, homie. I’ll be over here enjoying some Arbor Gold in the brothel that Petyr Baelish left behind in King’s Landing while you’re working out those semantics. Don’t worry about the fact that half of the most compelling characters we started with are dead now, season 5 expands the world even more on top of a world you needed a TI-86 calculator to keep track of anyway.
Now, my fellow Senators, I’ll direct you to the gentleman from New York, Mr. Calhoun, who is less than optimistic about Thrones moving forward because of the quality drop-off of the books in the series. I would counter that the goodwill that David Benioff and Dan Weiss (the showrunners) have built over the first four seasons and the problems with the source (Books 4: “Feast for Crows” and 5: “Dance of Dragons”) give these cats a lot more license to go way left and improve upon the mythology. These dudes are prime to go off script. Think of this as every time Kanye West shows up at an awards show without the white tears and 40 think pieces the next day.
As I’ve written before, your boy is still pretty excited for what is coming this season because Westeros and Essos are still the best vacation spots every spring; as long as you don’t actually have to visit there and can people watch from your couch.
0:20 – I know he’s like, 14, but Tommen is probably a terrible kisser. Him getting the greenlight with Margery Tyrell is like being born with a silver spoon in your mouth while kissing one of the most beautiful women on TV before you’re 15th Nameday.
0:30 – Tyrion sees a dragon flying overhead and is in equal awe that HBO expanded its CG budget.
0:36 – Pretty sure the dragon getting his Smaug in (pre Desolation) is Drogon, the one that Daenerys named after her late husband Khal Drogo. You know, the big black one that is perceived as the most dangerous and unruly of the dragons. Gotdamnit George. Really? Sigh.
0:49 – Brienne…in the snow…ok.
1:08 – Yo Chess Game!
1:16 – If you don’t read the books, you may not know them yet, but the Sons of the Harpy got no chill whatsoever. They’re like the Guilty Remnant from The Leftovers with swords and birthright.
Source: Read more from William Evans at Black Nerd Problems
‘She Leads Africa’ Gives Female Entrepreneurs the Resources They Need to Spark Change
As economic growth continues to flourish throughout the African continent, more opportunities are opening up for female entrepreneurs to make a difference.
It is all too often that tech and other corporate industries present a stunning lack of female entrepreneurs — not because women have been less competent but simply because prejudices still leave women at a disadvantage.
While this conversation has been extremely prevalent in America, it’s a problem that is plaguing the landscape for business all across the globe.
In Africa, however, two female entrepreneurs are working to change that by utilizing Africa’s rapidly growing economy and investing in the many bright female minds that have the ability to turn a new idea into a corporate success.
Yasmin Belo-Osagie and Afua Osei teamed up to create She Leads Africa, a startup that gives new life to other startups founded by women in Africa.
Back in 2014, Belo-Osagie returned to Nigeria after completing studies in the U.S. at Princeton University.
As she returned to the African country with a newfound understanding of business and entrepreneurship, she realized she finally had the knowledge and resources to help more women find their entrepreneurial voices in industries that are currently dominated by men.
“[This is] an opportunity to create a brand that’s an inspiration for women. …Women need to realize that their horizons are unlimited and they can go far beyond their expectations through hard work, grit and perseverance,” Belo-Osagie told CNBC Africa.
While the organization is fairly young, it has already allowed many women to take their own entrepreneurial ventures to the next level.
The organization has become well known for its pitching competitions, which give female business leaders the chance to present their ideas and startups to panels of esteemed investors and fellow entrepreneurs.
She Leads Africa also helped lead eight female entrepreneurs to the Diaspora Demo in Washington, D.C., in November.
The Diaspora Demo is one of the largest gatherings of investors and entrepreneurs from all across the globe and serves as a unique opportunity for women to network with business-minded professionals from different countries.
The women were also allowed to present their ideas to angel investors in hopes that they could receive a major boost to the funding they needed to grow their business ventures.
The duo’s desire to help other women become successful entrepreneurs came from their own experiences and observations growing up as young Black women.
“I remember growing up and thinking that there weren’t enough female role models who were achieving what I wanted to achieve,” Belo-Osagie added.
That was largely due to the fact that, according to Belo-Osagie, women are barred from certain entrepreneurial opportunities based on cultural stigmas about women.
She explained that in many cultures, women are seen “as vulnerable, but many of us are strong, smart, well-traveled and cosmopolitan.”
In addition to changing the overall perception of women entrepreneurs, She Leads Africa also aims to tackle other issues that put female entrepreneurs at a disadvantage, including unequal access to education, limited access to funding and limited opportunities to develop useful networks.
10 Black Voice Actors You Didn’t Know Were Behind Some of TV’s Most Popular Animated Characters
Phil LaMarr
LaMarr has become one of the foremost talents in the voice-acting industry. He has voiced Static Shock (2000-04), Samurai Jack (2001-04), Green Lantern John Stewart from Justice League the animated series (2001-06), Hermes Conrad in Futurama (1999-2013) and many others.
James Avery
Many know the late actor for his role as Uncle Phil in the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-96). However, Avery, before that, provided the voice of The Shredder from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1980s). He also voiced War Machine in the animated series Spider-Man and Iron-Man in the 1990s.
Nigeria Is Building Armored Vehicles That Are on Par With the World’s Best
Manufacturing of Armored Vehicles in Nigeria, Best Armored Vehicles in Nigeria.
Source: PROFORCE
‘The Untamed’: Comic Book Series Review
“The Untamed” is a graphic novel comprised of seven comic books. In the prologue, a character known as the Stranger makes a deal with his wife that allows him to rise up from the pit of hell. Armed with his burning hatred and the knowledge that he can’t be killed by mortal means, Stranger is resolved to make good on his promise.
The Stranger is given an ultimatum: Escape hell for seven days for the price of seven guilty souls or a chance for revenge. A chance for vengeance. The Stranger finds out they’re the same in the end.
Ten years ago, in the town of Oasis, Stranger ruled with wretched wickedness; his only hope of salvation was his wife and young daughter. But when Stranger was betrayed by one of his followers, he and his family were murdered. Now, Stranger’s only objective is to end those who ended him and finally reunite with his family.
Along the way, Stranger meets Niobe Ayutami, an innocent child who reminds him of his daughter, reunites with his young con-man apprentice Stutters and squares off more than once with his brother, Phylax. He and Phylax both love a woman named Lariel, a master manipulator who complicates Stranger’s mission all the more. Each day, Stranger is faced with any number of obstacles – from supernatural creatures such as Silver Elves and Morkai (children of the moon) to human foes like the new mayor of Oasis and his guards. These enemies require every ounce of his intelligence, hatred and knowledge of his city to overcome. Will Stranger be cunning and ruthless enough to deliver on his promise of seven guilty souls in seven days?
Darrell May and Peter Bergting drew most of the gorgeous artwork for “The Untamed,” and the duo had many other contributing artists submitting stunning character designs along the way for warrior-like Silver Elves and a menacing skeletal priest among other creatures. Notably, the character of Niobe is based on Amandla Stenberg (Rue from The Hunger Games). With her long braids, striking face, along with one intense blue eye and one brilliant brown eye, it’s nearly impossible to forget why she represents purity and Stranger’s morality.
Throughout the series, the colors literally jump off the page, thanks to the artists’ consistency in choosing certain colors for certain scenarios. For example, with the exception of a few kills, every time a murder is committed, the page is drawn in ethereal colors: deep grays, cloudy blues and jet blacks. This makes the brilliant red of the blood spatter stand out on the page so that readers’ eyes are drawn to it and invariably linger a moment or two.
Read more from guest blogger Diondra Powers at Black Girl Nerds