OCULUS RIFT BUNDLE REVIEW

It's hard to believe the OCULUS RIFT BUNDLE is over a year old already. It was one of the biggest launches of last year and yet, by most accounts, it was still early days. The year since has provided an opportunity for the headset to stretch its wings a bit – a number of high-profile games have launched on the hardware and it's finally received motion controllers in the form of Oculus Touch.

To make matters even better, it's also received a permanent price cut moving forward: $499/£399 (around AU$640) for the headset, two sensors and the Touch Controllers. That's a far cry away from the Rift's closest competitor, the HTC Vive, which comes in at a blistering $799/£749 (around AU$1,000).

This price drop could be interpreted in a number of ways. In one sense, it could point to the fact that Oculus Rift sales have been less than what Facebook expected them to be – and the price drop is an attempt to drum up sales. Another perfectly fine interpretation is that Facebook desperately wants this hardware in customers' hands – even if that means selling it at a loss.

But you're not here for speculation, right? You're here because you're interested in reading about one of the world's coolest, most bleeding-edge technology: VR. Now, after a full year with the Oculus Rift, the HTC Vive and PlayStation VR, can we finally say 'virtual reality is here to stay'.




OK, before we dive too deep into the virtues of VR, let's take a moment to talk about the two most important aspects to consider before deciding to buy a Rift of your own: price and the minimum PC requirements.

If you've been following the virtual reality scene you probably know this already, but the Oculus Rift requires a wired connection to a PC in order to have enough power to drive two 1080x1200 resolution images to each lens inside the headset. It can't just be any old run-of-the-mill PC, either – you're going to need a top of the line gaming PC to enjoy everything the Rift has to offer.

Originally, the minimum specs put out by Oculus called for an Intel Core i5 4590 or equivalent processor, 8GB of RAM and an NVIDIA GTX 970 or AMD Radeon 290 video card. Most of the hardcore gaming community might already have these components on hand, but if you're a casual gamer or currently more of a PC layman, these parts will be the first of two costly investments you need to pay for upfront.

Recently, however, that minimum spec has been brought down to an Intel i3-6100, instead of the more expensive Intel i5-4590, and GPUs can now start from the Nvidia GTX 960 from the recommended 970.

That change brings down the cost of the system required to play VR games to around $499 by Oculus's estimates, and says that it's teaming up with Cyberpower to bring pre-made rigs like that to the public.

The other expenditure is the Oculus Rift itself, duh.

Goal Zero Sherpa 100 Solar Kit Review: The Solution To Off-Grid Power?

The Goal Zero Sherpa 100 Solar Kit is a portable solar charging kit capable of recharging tablets, SLR camera batteries, or even your laptop using only power from the sun. We've put it to the test everywhere from Iceland to Nepal.

What It's Supposed to Do? The GOAL ZERO SHERPA 50 SOLAR RECHARGING KIT is designed to provide renewable, portable power, wherever you go, in a kit that's (relatively) lightweight (5 lbs), compact, and easy to use.

The kit includes the Sherpa 100 Power Pack, the Nomad 20 solar panel, and an AC inverter. The Nomad 20 solar panel is designed to recharge the Sherpa 100 power pack in 10-20 hours, depending on sunlight. Alternately, the Sherpa 100 power pack will recharge in three hours when plugged into an AC outlet. You can also recharge it from your car.

The Sherpa 100 can recharge devices through two high-speed USB ports, a dedicated laptop port, or the AC adapter. Devices recharge in the same time as if they were plugged into a wall outlet.

The Sherpa 100 is twice as powerful as the Sherpa 50, yet it is nearly identical in size and weight. Check the chart below to see the number of times the Sherpa 100 will recharge a particular device.

How It's Supposed To Do It? According to Goal Zero, the Sherpa 100 can deliver 120 watts of output, which is more than any other comparable pack. It was engineered using high-quality, brand name LG Chem Li-NMC cells — the same brand used in some electric cars — to provide long-lasting life.

The AC inverter allows users to charge high capacity SLR camera batteries or laptops, which also distinguishes it from other competitive power packs and makes the Sherpa 100 an ideal off-the-grid power solution for on-the-go content creators.

Knowing that customers would often be using the Sherpa 100 in the context of adventure, they reinforced the plastic casing in certain areas to ensure durability if dropped, while simultaneously maintaining the device's slim profile.

While the Sherpa 100 can be recharged in 10-20 hours with the included Nomad 20 solar panel, Goal Zero recommends daisy chaining two Nomad 20s together for maximum charging performance.

Everything You Need to Know about Unemployment Tax for Small Businesses

Unemployment tax can be one of the most daunting taxes for many small businesses. Information is scant and it can seem you are at the mercy of the Unemployment Insurance Office in your state to know your rates and when you need to pay, not to mention understanding different regulations and laws. It’s many hoops to jump through but this article will help some light on this mysterious topic.



Unemployment insurance is a joint federal and state program to provide financial assistance for the unemployed. UI was created in the US in the Great Depression to get money into the hands of the unemployed so they could start spending money once again. People unemployed through no fault of their own are able to receive weekly cash benefits for a set period of time while actively looking for a job. It generally covers those who are laid off, but not those who quit.

Unemployment Insurance paid for by a two-part tax at the federal and state level. Generally, it is a tax paid by the employer, but some states have small employee contribution rates. There is a byzantine structure of tax rates that can be difficult to understand.

Benefits for Employees

The benefit for employees is readily apparent. By having a small weekly stipend to cover expenses while looking for a job, the financial shock of a layoff or other job loss is reduced. Employees can continue paying rent or car payments while searching for a new job. This provides not only microeconomic stability but macroeconomic stability as well.

Unemployment benefits vary from state to state. It further varies based on how much income employees earn in their base period. These can range from less than $200 a week to more than $700 a week. These benefits can last up to 26 weeks, but again this depends on the state. Generally, those states with higher tax rates, offer more benefits for employees.

4 Step Action Plan to Start a Business after Setback

Many people dread going back to work after they have suffered an injury. They may have received compensation, but they may not be able to go back to their old job due to injury. Starting your own business with the compensation received may seem like an attractive idea for many. While this is certainly possible, you do need to be careful and do your research before jumping n with both feet. There are number of steps you need to take care of before you can open the door for business. The 4-step action plan described below will help you alleviate some of the jitters associated with starting a business.

1. Think About the Type of Business You Want to Run

Many people wish to start their own business because it allows them to be their own boss, make their own hours, and work where they choose. If you have suffered from a serious injury that has changed your life and your mobility, you may decide to invest in a new business and partner with the right people who can do most of the work after receiving your instructions. Another option would be to start a business from home and then run it online from your home office, where you can have everything you need without having to worry about a daily commute.

2. Write a Business Plan

Writing up a business plan is the first step that you need to take when you are serious about setting up a business. This will include sections that cover your executive summary, company description, market analysis, organization and management, service or product line, marketing and sales, funding request, and financial projections, along with an appendix.

As you can see, you will need to do a lot of research and writing before you settle on a business idea that works for you, whether you want to open up an online business, you want to become a consultant or contractor, or you want to open up a new retail location.

How Can Small Businesses Get Attention of Your Customers

Marketing your business may seem like a challenge in today’s competitive market. Thankfully, there are few things that you can do to make your company stand apart from the rest. Having a valuable marketing strategy is essential for keeping your business unique and relevant. Whether your business is large or small, you need to understand how to achieve an effective presence and become a key figure in the business world.

Build a Website that Calls Attention

Having an online presence is critical in today’s market. With a website, your customers, both current and potential, will be able to access information immediately concerning your business. Information on your site should include your current products that are available, hours of operation, and the location of your business. A website is also a great platform for customers who like to shop online.

Enhance Your Social Media Presence

Social media will help your business build relationships, increase brand recognition, develop traffic, and produce revenue. With social media, consumers are able to participate and engage with your business and like-minded individuals seamlessly. Most social media channels will give you the opportunity to post updates about your business, notify customers concerning specials, give informative tips, and deliver news stories of interest. You will also be able to answer questions and give constructive feedback to your everyday consumers. Having a mobile device handy will permit you to respond to posts quickly and keep your followers up-to-date.