By Maxwell Fisher - July 9, 2012 | Tickers: ALU, T, S, VZ | 0 Comments

Maxwell is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinions of our bloggers and are not formally edited.

AT&T (NYSE: T)will soonextendthe availability of its dual-personality software for mobile devices that has, until now, been exclusive to Android users. This extension will now include Macs, PCs, and mobile devices. Essentially, the system isexpandingtoApple'siOS, and I believe this will have positive effects on AT&T stock.

The expansion should eventually allow AT&T's Toggle to provide "a walled-off and encrypted work environment" for users of these devices. This is still under development, but new enhancements in Toggle could turn the service into a broader platform for remote work. Therefore, this may become a particularly good investment in the long term.

The main point of Toggle is to allow users to adopt its BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy. These policies often occur in work places where people prefer to bring their own devices to work. This can pose a problem though. If the device is being used in personal settings and work settings, there is a chance that sensitive work-related information could be compromised by the apps being used in one's personal life. In other words, there is less security for sensitive information.

Toggle addresses the security issue by allowing users todividetheir device into a personal mode and a work mode. In the personal mode, users can download and use whatever apps they would like to use. In work mode, however, the user can only access apps and content approved by an enterprise. This makes it a far safer device to use in a work context, and it has made this an attractive option for businesses. The user can switch between the two modes when necessary, thereby protecting both the company and the user. Security is one issue that faces workers who would like to take their own devices to work, and the other main issue is the complexity of the situation. With Toggle, AT&T is able to address both issues sufficiently, marking the company as an innovator in this domain.

Toggle's most recent improvementsallowusers to go to a site and download the approved applications in work mode. This is a far more streamlined and convenient system than the previous one. The new version is a significant step for the company, and has the ability to open up several new pathways for development for AT&T.

Although this is a significant step, it is important to remember that AT&T is not the only company offering a service like this, so there is a significant amount of competition in the market. That being said, AT&T is consistently proving to be a leader in this domain.

Verizon (NYSE: VZ), in contrast, has taken a different approach to AT&T's BYOD movement. It recentlylaunched its data-sharing package, which would facilitate the use of multiple phones by one user on the same plan. Consumers can now buy a single data package that can then be split between up to ten devices. Splitting by device provides physical compartamentalization rather than software-based firewalling with AT&T's Toggle. Fees will be based on how much data each device uses. In addition, customers will have to pay a flat rate for each specific device on the contract. It is difficult to tell whether or not this is a good deal though. It is unlikely to be an overwhelming success for at least another few months as people figure out the advantages and disadvantages. The stock should similarly remain fairly neutral until device-usage growth materializes on Verizon's network for work/personal uses.

When it comes to a tech stock, what we want to see is a range of new ideas and innovations, and AT&T's Toggle software is an example of exactly this. If you are specifically looking for a tech stock to add to your portfolio, this is one that will maintain strength. If you already have an interest in AT&T, hang on to it, at least for now. In my opinion, the company is clearly on a successful path, and I see no indication that it will leave that path anytime soon.

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Toggle Improvements Open Up Doors For AT&T

(PRWEB) July 09, 2012

Mindvalley, the worldwide leader in personal growth and development online publications, has shared details of its The Art of Astral Projection course that is available from theartofastralprojection.com, with 6 free taster sessions available. The publisher is a key mover in the personal development world and its wide selection of products includes the Chakra7 program by Carol Tuttle, the Silva Method, Quantum Jumping by Burt Goldman and others.

Conscious astral projection, also known as out of body experience, is a fascinating phenomenon that traces its roots back to ancient Hindu rituals and medieval traditions. It can be induced through meditation and hypnosis, allowing practitioners to achieve a state of heightened intuition, peacefulness, mental strength and spiritual clarity.

The Mindvalley astral projection program has been devised by Steve G. Jones, M.Ed., a clinical hypnotherapist and expert in astral projection. Jones own journey in astral projection began when he was seventeen years old. Since then, he has become a renowned astral projection and hypnosis trainer with thousands of students across the world. He has authored over 22 books on hypnotherapy and is the President of the American Alliance of Hypnotists.

Jones explained in further detail about astral projection and is perceived benefits. Astral projection is underpinned by the theory that a person can leave the physical body and experience something beyond the physical realm; something transcendent that can be helpful in the physical world. Many students have reported using my astral projection techniques to gain a better understanding of themselves and the people in their lives, experience hyper realistic dreams, channel more positive energy into their careers and relationships and feel more creative and mindful in their careers and personal lives. It is a breathtaking, eye opening and life-changing adventure.

Mindvalley is one of the worlds fastest growing online publishing companies. Through a unique blend of conscious marketing, technology and an experimental work culture, the Mindvalley team spreads enlightened ideas across the internet and beyond. Astral Projection is a popular product for the publisher.

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Mindvalley Shows How to Astral Project Consciously with Hypnotherapist Steve G. Jones and Offers Free Beginners Guide

LA CROSSE, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Real Estate School Online (RESO), an industry-leading provider of web-based real estate licensing and continuing education courses, today announced the launch of its new website, http://www.realestateschoolonline.com.

The new website serves as an interactive social hub for real estate agents and brokers, allowing them to network, share information and discuss industry-related news and topics through social networks, blogs, newsletters and other online communication tools.

The new RESO website is a great resource and development tool for all real estate professionals, said Jeremy Gesicki, product manager at RESO. In addition to providing online licensing and continuing education courses, the new website is a virtual meeting place for new and experienced agents, and people considering a career in real estate.

A main feature on RESOs new website is the forum-like blog, Trending in Real Estate. The blog includes personal success stories and industry tips from real estate professionals around the country. A bi-monthly online newsletter is available through the new website and features commentary from the industrys top experts.

The real estate industry faces real challenges as it recovers from the recession, said Gesicki. The online communication tools we have available today are critical resources in a collaborative effort to get the industry back on its feet.

The RESO site is mobile-friendly and accessible on cell phones and tablets.

About Real Estate School Online

Real Estate School Online, part of Kaplan Universitys School of Professional and Continuing Education (PACE), is a real estate education provider that partners with the top real estate schools in the country to provide convenient and affordable state-approved online licensing and continuing education courses for agents and brokers. For more information, visit http://www.realestateschoolonline.com.

PACE helps professionals obtain in-demand certifications, licensing and designations that enable them to advance and succeed in their careers. Through live and online instruction, PACE clients can get advanced designations, accountancy training, business and professional development, and real estate, information technology, health care, and fire and EMS certification training. For more information about PACE, visit http://kaplanprofessional.com.

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Real Estate School Online Debuts New Interactive Website

SCRANTON, PA--(Marketwire -07/09/12)- Penn Foster, Inc., a global leader in online education, today announced the appointment of its new President and Chief Operating Officer, Joseph Gagnon. In this new role, Gagnon is driving an increased focus on student achievement and outcomes by building an integrated new-age learning experience. This new approach is designed to prepare students with relevant knowledge and skills, support them when challenges arise and commit to helping them achieve their goals with next generation technology and personalized service. Gagnon's announcement follows Penn Foster's recent appointment of Frank Britt as its new CEO, Raymond McNulty as Chief Learning Officer and an office expansion in Boston, bolstering the school's presence in the rapidly growing online learning sector.

"Joe brings Penn Foster unparalleled leadership skills and a deep knowledge of the consumer psyche, which is invaluable as we refocus our school on the changing needs of our students and what it takes for them to be successful in today's workforce," said Frank Britt, CEO of Penn Foster. "The depth and scope of the student-focused initiatives and technologies that Joe has already introduced to Penn Foster are providing us with a market leading ability to execute and a roadmap for how Penn Foster partners with its students for long-term success."

Gagnon's entire career has been focused on growing and driving consumer and business demand for products and services. Joe will draw from his consumer retail experience, and focus on how that model can drive student success at Penn Foster.

Most recently, Gagnon came from e-Dialog, a wholly owned subsidiary of GSI Commerce Inc., an eBay Inc. company and the largest B2C email marketing company, where he was President and ran global operations. Prior to e-Dialog, Joseph was CEO of Exit 41 where he focused the company on successfully delivering SaaS-based consumer-facing online, social and mobile ordering solutions for the restaurant industry. Joe was previously vice president, global leader of IBM's Business Consulting Retail Industry leading overall strategy, direction and business operations. He joined IBM when it acquired strategic consulting firm Mainspring, where Joe served as SVP Consulting.

"Education is undergoing many dynamic changes as an industry and I'm thrilled to be part of Penn Foster's leadership team," said Joe Gagnon, President and COO of Penn Foster. "Our goal is to partner with our students from the very beginning to help them achieve success; we will act like a retailer, in a sense, and provide educational programs that fit within their time and budget constraints. We work with our students to understand their needs and motivations and then arm them with the right tools, processes and academic support to see them through their education and onto employment. I look forward to continuing Penn Foster's mission of increasing the ability of every person who so desires to access the knowledge and skills they need in order to fulfill their goals in life."

About Penn Foster Penn Foster is a global leader in online education, providing high school diplomas, career-focused degree and vocational programs in the fields of allied health, business, technology, education, and select trades through the Penn Foster College and Penn Foster Career School.

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Penn Foster Names Joseph Gagnon President and Chief Operating Officer

Marty Acuff, 64, has been taking Zumba for the past year at the Carter Senior Center. She said the dancing aerobics class fits nicely into her schedule, which also includes strengthening and cardio fitness classes five days a week.

"It's been a godsend for me," said Acuff, a diabetic. "I found it was helping me with my joints and weight."

The Strawberry Plains woman has lost 33 pounds.

"If I don't exercise I know it, and I miss it," she said. On a recent Monday at the Carter Senior Center, she was prepared to leave her exercise class a few minutes early so she could change into her bathing suit to go to a water Zumba class at another location.

When it comes to the Baby Boom generation, it's not just bingo and card games at today's senior centers.

Hemal Tailor, director of senior services for Knox County, said the emphasis is now on exercise and health. "We have belly dancing, pi-yo and ballroom dancing," Tailor said. "The active programs are a lot more popular."

Seniors are no longer content to stay home.

"Job fairs are still very popular," Tailor said. "They want to be a continued presence in our community."

The centers also offer things like tai chi and line dancing and have movie and book clubs.

"They're always talking about the latest best-selling novel," she said. "They know what they want. And they'll tell you exactly what they're thinking. There's no holding back with them whatsoever."

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Active boomers redefine senior centers

Kolkata, July 8 : Former Indian cricket team captain Kapil Dev said Sachin Tendulkar showed hard work and dedication that helped him shape up a successful career.

He visited Kolkata on Sunday for the annual award ceremony of a coaching institute.

Aakash Institute, which prepares students for medical and engineering entrance examinations, held its annual function on Sunday, where Kapil was invited as a chief guest.

The cricketer motivated the students and shared his success story with them.

Kapil urged the students to have faith in them to be successful in life.

You should always have faith in yourself. If you have faith in yourself you can easily achieve what in want in life, said Kapil. At the same time one should show his hard work and dedication towards his goal.

Citing the example of Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli, he said: Both of them joined Indian cricket team almost at the same time. Both of them were extremely talented. But, Sachin showed his hard work and dedication and the other one failed to do so.

Kapil urged parents to support their children to follow their dreams.

You must have a dream and should always follow it, he told students.

Talking about hard times in life, Kapil said: We should be thankful to god that we have such a wonderful life. Its true that in every match I cant score a century but at the same time everyday it cant be a zero.

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Sachin showed hard work: Kapil Dev

The Chelsea-Area Wellness Foundation awarded a $10,000 grant to the St. Louis Center. The grant will be used to expand the St. Louis Centers Fitness for Life program. Fitness for Life will provide adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in the 5 Healthy Towns (Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Grass Lake and Stockbridge) opportunities to be physically active. Participants will engage in activities that improve muscle strength, aerobic endurance, flexibility, motor ability and body composition.

"The St. Louis Center residents have responded incredibly well to our Fitness for Life Program, from losing up to 50 lbs to learning to ride a bike. said Caitlin Deis, St. Louis Center fitness specialist. We want to invite residents in the 5 Healthy Towns with intellectual and developmental disabilities to benefit from Fitness for Life."

The St. Louis Center will host an informational meeting about the program from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, September 5. The St. Louis Center is located at 16195 Old US-12 in Chelsea. For more information about Fitness for Life, please contact Caitlin at 734-475-8430.

The Chelsea-Area Wellness Foundation is a tax-exempt private foundation governed by a volunteer board of directors. The foundation serves the populations included in the school districts of Chelsea, Dexter, Grass Lake, Manchester and Stockbridge. The CWF will grant funds for projects dedicated to creating a culture of wellness and sustainable improvements in health. For more information, contact Matt Pegouskie, program and community resource manager, at 734-433-4599 or visit 5healthytowns.org.

"The St. Louis Center residents have responded incredibly well to our Fitness for Life Program, from losing up to 50 lbs to learning to ride a bike. said Caitlin Deis, St. Louis Center fitness specialist. We want to invite residents in the 5 Healthy Towns with intellectual and developmental disabilities to benefit from Fitness for Life."

The St. Louis Center will host an informational meeting about the program from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, September 5. The St. Louis Center is located at 16195 Old US-12 in Chelsea. For more information about Fitness for Life, please contact Caitlin at 734-475-8430.

The Chelsea-Area Wellness Foundation is a tax-exempt private foundation governed by a volunteer board of directors. The foundation serves the populations included in the school districts of Chelsea, Dexter, Grass Lake, Manchester and Stockbridge. The CWF will grant funds for projects dedicated to creating a culture of wellness and sustainable improvements in health. For more information, contact Matt Pegouskie, program and community resource manager, at 734-433-4599 or visit 5healthytowns.org.

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MANCHESTER: Chelsea Area Wellness Foundation gives $10,000 to St. Louis Center to expand Fitness for Life

When catching up with friends, turning on the television or flicking through a magazine, its very clear and undeniable that sex is a topic that smothers us.

Being part of the gay community generally magnifies sex and can be overwhelming when it is easily accessible and forms part of our identity.

Feeling sexy and worthy is not always easy for everyone and the perception that gay men have a heightened sex life is once again a generalisation that can affect the daily lives of men who just dont see it as a priority.

Labels are used to identify things and as humans, being labelled as gay or straight seems to automatically stamp us with a whole list of generalisations that may or may not be true to your character or own identity.

Sex just may not be your thing and thats ok

The struggle to feel worthy and good enough is challenging for many of us, let alone having to conform to a label that simply just may not apply to you.

We cant deny there is a large perception that gay men are focused on sex and want it whenever and wherever they can.

Its too easy to scroll open your phone to find somebody in your area who is looking to share a sexual experience.

Of course this does not apply to all gay men, nor is there anything wrong with men who choose to have a highly active sex life, but it can become a very big problem for gay men like myself who doesnt have a big desire to make sex a part of my weekly routine.

This does not mean Im an alien from out of space, who lives in a bubble without any human emotion or feelings, but fitting into a society where sex is relevant and does form part of a relationship with a loved one, I do find it to be a struggle. It makes me feel anxious, afraid of ridicule and rejection.

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Sex / Health / Fitness: Not that sexual

Anytime Fitness must operate in line with the towns regulation health clubs, a Plymouth Superior Court judge has ruled.

That decision will be appealed, according to Rob Kraus, attorney for Anytime Fitness owner Jake Pylant.

At issue is the towns requirement that a staff member trained in the use of an automatic external defibrillator must be on duty at health clubs in town during business hours, or 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the case of Anytime Fitness. The gym is located at 187 Summer St.

While he respects the judges decision that the towns bylaw is valid and enforceable, he disagrees, Kraus said. In challenging the towns bylaw, he said state law should apply.

State lawmakers created a law that provides for access to convenient, affordable fitness clubs like Anytime Fitness, he said. Its disappointing the health board saw fit to adopt a more stringent regulation.

Anytime Fitness and Pylant, a franchisee, sued the town in May 2011, claiming that the Board of Healths regulation was unenforceable because it conflicted with an act of the Legislature. State law says the AED requirement only applies when staff is on duty during business hours.

Associate Justice Robert Cosgrove disagreed that there was a conflict. In his decision he wrote, But no comparable inference fairly arises that the Legislature intended to prohibit a health board from imposing more extensive requirements; again, had the Legislature intended such a result, it simply could have said so.

Board of Health Chairman Joe Casna said he understands the boards decision poses a hardship for Pylant, but that it would be unsafe for a health club to be open without a staff member on duty who has been trained in the use of an AED.

At the end of the day, its a matter of public safety, he said. I think there should be staffing there under any circumstances.

Casna said he sympathizes with Pylant and hopes Pylant can adjust his business plan so it wont hurt him financially, but that circumstances dictate the business cannot continue as usual. He said its vital that someone with training is present, because AEDs can save lives.

Original post:
ANYTIME FITNESS: Court sides with Kingston Board of Health

Americans worried about running out of money in their golden years are trying a new investment strategy: day trading their retirement funds.

Disillusioned with the conventional buy-and-hold approach, baby boomers are anxious to improve their retirement prospects after two punishing bear markets in the last decade.

Some people are trading the mutual funds in their 401(k) plans more frequently. Others are venturing into options. And some aggressive investors have begun day trading their nest eggs all in a bid to make up for lost time.

"A lot more frequent trading is happening," said Chad Carlson, a financial planner based outside of Chicago. "People are saying, 'I'm that much closer to retirement so I have to do something.'"

That thinking prompted 49-year-old Vlad Tokarev to start day trading his three individual retirement accounts last year.

The Minneapolis biomedical software engineer wants to quit working before age 65. But after watching his 401(k) get pounded in the last bear market, he fears that another plunge in the stock market could wreak havoc with his plans.

Minutes before the market closes every day, Tokarev buys or sells a mutual fund linked to the Standard & Poor's 500 stock index. His goal is to profit from temporary fluctuations in stock prices, so he buys when stocks are falling and sells when they're rising.

"I didn't see a lot of returns using the buy-and-hold method," he said.

Most Americans with IRA or 401(k) accounts embrace the "set it and forget it" philosophy. Only about 15% of investors made any change to their 401(k)s last year, according to benefits firm Aon Hewitt.

But among those willing to make shifts, there's a growing inclination to do so more frequently as retirement approaches, according to some financial planners. These experts sympathize with investor frustrations but predict that this type of trading will backfire for most.

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Anxious investors day trading with retirement accounts