Boston is one of the oldest, most iconic cities in the United States. It founding predates the founding the USA by well over a century. Beginning in the 1960s, Boston has also been one of the central locations in the United States in which tech companies were brought into being.

Long before the creation of Silicon Valley, Boston was known by (the admittedly less catchy) “America’s Technology Region.” With a variety of highly regarded institutions of higher education in the area, including MIT, Harvard, and Boston University, Boston was a natural location for the birth and nurture of tech startup enterprises.

Boston experienced a bit of a slump when it came to tech startups, a downturn that roughly coincided with the Great Recession that surprised the country in 2008. Boston has moved from that slump and is once again on the road to becoming a prime location for the creation and launch of new tech ventures.

Through the years, Boston has been the launching pad for a number of successful tech startups. Seven of these startups have enjoyed considerable success in the United States and, in some cases, around the world.

Wayfair

Wayfair launched in Boston six years before the Great Recession, in 2002. Wayfair is an online furniture retailer that has turned the world of furniture sales on its head. The company exists completely in cyberspace, with no brick and mortar world presence.

Within recent years, Wayfair has taken the furniture sales marketplace across the United States by storm. The company has amassed an amazing track record utilizing a wide array of web-based resources, particularly social media.

Acquia

In many ways, Acquia become an industry leader when it comes to content management systems for businesses of different types. Indeed, launched in Boston in 2007, Acquia was the content management system before businesses fully understood what these solutions were all about.

Acquia continues to grown. It now includes among its clients a number of major players, including Mercedes Benz and Twitter.

Sure, Twitter and Facebook are fun, but the Web has millions more sites full of other great stuff. More than 4,000 big companies, including Johnson & Johnson and Quicken, use Acquia for their Content Management System to enhance their digital experiences and personalize displays for customers. Clients also include Twitter and Mercedes Benz.

Carbonite

Carbonite was a new startup in Boston in 2005. Carbonite provides cloud-based storage and backup for individuals and small businesses. Carbonite was a pioneer in the realm of cloud backup. Among small businesses, and more than a few individuals, Carbonite has become a household world, synonymous with safe, reliable cloud backup and storage.

Brightcove

2004 brought the birth of Brightcove in Boston. The company was conceived in response to the growing number of people who wanted to share video via the Internet. Brightcove leverages its cloud-based platform as a means to publish and then distribute digital media of all kinds, including video. In point of fact, a live event streamed online very well may have been distributed via Brightcove.

American Well

The medical and healthcare industry is evolving. Since 2006, American Well has been a part of that evolution. A Boston startup, American Well connects doctors with patients for consultations via secure video links Oftentimes, this protocol is referred to as tele-medicine or tele-health.

Level Up

Launched in Boston in 2008, Level Up is a unique, powerful app that allows people on the go the ability to order ahead at many popular restaurants across the country. Not only can they order ahead, but they can pay their tabs via Level Up. Level Up truly has become a powerful application as a majority of consumers now transact online business via mobile devices. Restaurants indicate they have seen a notable jump in their carryout and order ahead business when they connect with prospective patrons via Level Up.

DataXu

DataXu heads the pack when it comes to utilizing science and data to improve targeted ad placements on the internet. In other words, DataXu has designed a system that tremendously enhances the targeting of a business’ digital ads to precisely those consumers who want that particular information. In the end, both advertisers and consumers are fair happier and satisfied. The company started in Boston in 2009 and has been garnering investors and customers ever since.

As mentioned at the outset, the tech startup scene is again powering up in Boston. Industry analysts predict that more than a few of the “next best things” will spring to life in Boston during the coming decade.

Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Faxage a leading company that provides Internet fax service for individuals and businesses.

Traveling is fun but difficult, especially for families. While you’re planning those scenic outings, museum trips, and hotel stays, you sometimes forget to pay attention to nutrition. Forgetting to drink water or eat foods with the right vitamins can actually make your jet lag worse. A tired, dehydrated family isn’t exactly the fun group of people you want to be on vacation with, so figure out some strategies for staying fed and healthy while away from home.

Road trips can be especially difficult. Your options for eating on the road can be dismal when all you pass on the highway are fast-food restaurants and gas stations. To keep from snacking on candy, bring a cooler filled with goodies like hummus, vegetable sticks, and PB&J sandwiches. If you have to eat at the gas station, buy items like dried fruit or nut mixes instead of candy bars and donuts. Once you get to your hotel room, your strategy for health is simple: get a room with a kitchen and do some of your own healthy cooking!

Eating and drinking in foreign countries can cause GI issues. To prevent diarrhea, brush your teeth with bottled water. To keep from getting heartburn thanks to unfamiliar cuisines, don’t eat large meals. Instead, try new foods in snack quantities and don’t eat a lot before going to bed, since that can make reflux worse. Learn more about staying healthy while traveling from Health IQ. The Eating Hacks: Family Vacations quiz is full of great tips!

About Health IQ

HealthIQ’s mission is to improve the health of the world. In pursuit of this mission, they’ve created over 2,000 quizzes and worked with innovative insurance companies to create financial rewards for health conscious people. To date, Health IQ has helped thousand triathletes, vegans, runners, and other health conscious people secure billions in life insurance coverage, and they hope to expand to other financial rewards in the near future.

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Perhaps no segment of the marketplace has been swept more significantly by the do it yourself craze than is than has been the travel industry. Indeed, many travel itineraries can be developed taking the do it yourself approach.

Understanding the ubiquitous nature of do it yourself travel resources, there remain situations in which you simply do not want to take the DIY travel planning avenue. The reality is that there exist a number of major pitfalls if you try to pull together a complicated travel itinerary on your own.

A Complicated Travel Itinerary Case Study: The African Safari

Mac Weatherby had been on an African safari in the 1970s. He decided he wanted to experience such a travel adventure one more time in the 21st century, in the age of do it yourself travel resources. On his first Safari, some 40 years earlier, Mac utilized the services of a reputable travel professional. On the second go-around, Mac decided he would go it alone and develop a travel itinerary on his own. As Mac fully admits after the fact, that decision proved to be one of the biggest mistakes he has ever made.

The first mistake made by Mac was breaking his planned safari down into its component parts. He made separate arrangements for airfare, lodging accommodations, and for the safari itself. In the end, Mac obtained a decent deal on airfare between New York City and his destination in Africa. On the other hand, his lodging costs proved more expensive than he would have liked. He received no special price accommodation with the tour company at his destination that arranged the safari itself.

What Mac didn’t understand, and was unable to take advantage of, were some special comprehensive safari packages that are accessible by professional travel consultants, but not through DIY portals. Mac could have saved money across the board if he had engaged the services of an experienced travel professional.

If that had been the extent of Mac’s problems, the DIY yourself course wouldn’t have proven to be a disaster. Sadly, the negative aspects of Mac going it alone did not end with cost issues.

Mac ended up having an issue with obtaining a visa. He misunderstood an element of that process, which resulted in a delay in the processing of his visa application. Indeed, he did not catch his error immediately and having to go back and correct the situation resulted in Mac having to postpone his trip. He ended up paying an additional fee to both the airline and the safari tour company to reschedule his adventure. The hotel change proved easy, at least for Mac.

Another issue cropped up regarding immunizations. Mac needed to obtain them, but obtained inaccurate information about what was necessary. After the visa mishap, Mac went back and revisited the major things on his checklist and discovered that what he had initially done in this regard was not appropriate when it came to the requirements of his destination country.

Finally, Mac didn’t obtain suitable travel insurance to cover an issue like a weather development preventing him to get to the location of the planned safari as scheduled. Due to a significant weather delay in New York, and a terribly tight itinerary from the Big Apple to the safari site, Mac ended up arriving a day later than scheduled. In other words, he missed the start of the specific safari group he scheduled and paid for in advance.

A full refund was not available. He was able to reschedule, but had to pay an additional fee to the tour company to accomplish this. He also had to adjust his return air travel, at a cost. He ended up spending more time at the hotel than he originally anticipated, increasing that cost as well.

The Importance of a Travel Professional

If you are planning a more complicated trip, you need to carefully consider whether you want to try and develop your itinerary on your own, or seek the assistance of a skilled, experienced travel professional. Of course, you may not be contemplating an African safari. Nonetheless, what happened to Mac needs to serve as a cautionary tale to you.

Anytime your trip involves a foreign destination, or a unique destination activity like a safari, be cautious about going the do it yourself route. One seemingly minor misstep can have a cascading effect. Your entire planned trip can end up upended. You can end up spending an inordinate amount of money both in arranging the trip in the first instance and in correcting problems you created along the way.

Travelstart is a leading online travel agency that helps today’s business and leisure travellers search, compare and book the best flight, hotel and car options with all your favourite airline and accommodation suppliers.

Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Documents International LLC, a leading apostille service for individuals and businesses.

Europe is one amazingly magnificent landmass to explore! With such a large number of things to see, do and find, it’s the ideal spot to design your voyaging experience and submerge yourself in its decent variety of societies, history, and delectable sustenance. Envision a land loaded up with newly prepared joys everywhere.

A spot where evening rests are empowered and a fresh brew or a striking wine are socially worthy at both lunch and supper, regardless of what day of the week. A spot where you can without much of a stretch drive by bicycle, and going by the excellent architecture and memorable landmarks is the standard. A spot where you can appreciate breakfast in the city, lunch on the shoreline and supper concealed amidst a wide open manor. When you’re in the Europe, just bounce on a train for a couple of hours and you’ll be in another country with an entirely different language, set of traditions, and style of design — in addition to a boundless measure of activities and see. In view of this, we have assembled a couple of tips that will upgrade your excursion and make you travel more brilliant.

1. Learn the local language

You can go a long way very easily if you the basics of the language of the place you are visiting. Learn the basic language, for example saying hi, hello, bye, and thank you will help you a lot.

2. Pack light

Packing light allows you to enjoy the trip and be comfortable. Be brutal and ask yourself what do you really need the stuff you are carrying with you.

3. Avoid Pickpockets

Always carry your bag in front, and be careful and alert enough that no one steals your card information or your essential stuff.

4. Use cheaper means of transport

In Europe you can just bounce into the train and visit one place to another, it’s cheaper and it will provide you a scenic view. If you want to travel by airlines then chose a budget airline.

5. Make a list of tourist places

Do proper research and determine which tourist places you want to visit and which ones you could go without.

6. Backpacks vs. Suitcases

See which one suits the best for the trip because carrying backpacks is always comfortable than carrying a heavy suitcase.

7. Purchase tickets in advance

Purchasing tickets in advance will guarantee you a visit to different sites and museum you want to visit and also you will avoid unnecessary standing in the queue.

8. Always check the hours before going out

Many restaurants, clubs, pubs, historical monuments, and other area have their specific business hours. So, check beforehand before heading out to save time and money.

9. Dress Smartly

You may face unexpected adventure anytime so you must dress accordingly. Being comfortable is the most important when you are travelling.

10. Interact

Interact with the local people and pursue your passion. If you love to play soccer, you may find a ground to play it and refresh your mind.

11. Bucket list

Everybody has a bucket list, if you don’t have, make one and plan a trip accordingly. It will help you a lot in your adventure trip.

12. Prefer staying in smaller cities

Small cities are more likely to be filled with more culture. Fewer crowds is there and they tend to be quite affordable.

13. Bring appropriate currencies with you

Euros will be the most common currencies but some countries such as UK and Denmark have their own different currencies. ATMs have a very high exchange rate so prefer keeping cash with you.

15. Keep an extra pair of walking shoes

Make sure you have at least two pair of walking shoes with you so that you can hold up to a number of treks.

16. Read and listen to local people

It’s quite obvious that you are new to that place and local people know better than you so listen to local people for directions to different places.

17. Shop from local markets

Do not waste too much money on shopping with brands, you must shop from local people and experience the quality and culture of the place.

18. Don’t drink in excess

Europeans know the limit of drinking so you’ll never see them running in the streets. Make sure you don’t drink too much, just have fun and experience the vibe of the place.

19. Go native

Visit the local market and make friends, be brave enough to believe in the kindness of the strangers. Participate in the local festival and procession.

20. Be spontaneous

Do what you are comfortable in, it’s better to book some part of your trip but as said unplanned trips are the best so leave something to happen spontaneously.

Hire Rapid Essay to Save Time

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Relaxation, peace and fun are some of the appropriate words that describe what a holiday is or ought to be for our family. It’s a really amazing time for your family to connect and bond. To make memories and to laugh together. A family holiday is an important part of growing up, so it’s important that we get all those little things right. Holiday planning can sometimes come with a lot of confusion and stress. And figuring out what works best for you and every other member of the family can be a tough hurdle to overcome. So we have compiled four of our favourite tips for having the best family holiday.

Flexible Schedules and Last Minute Fun

It does not matter if you have a whole month, a week or just a weekend to go on your holiday. You are going to want it to be the right one. If you are looking to book a last minute holiday then there are always options available. Having a flexible schedule doesn’t have to be stressful, embrace the freedom of being able to jet off whenever you’re next free. What an adventure! With the help of Easyjet and Thomson Holidays time is never a problem. City breaks can always take care of your short holidays and fun weekends away. And all-inclusive seaside resorts can work perfectly for those longer vacations.  

Top Holiday Hack: One of the best ways that you can land the best family holiday deal is by being flexible, thinking last minute and relaxing into a potentially spontaneous trip. Landing a great deal is just as much about having a relaxed state of mind as your ability to stay organised and on the ball!

Airport Parkin

The security of your car should be one of your top priorities when going on holiday. To begin with, put in mind the size and weight of your luggage, especially when the children are involved. In this case getting to the terminal efficiently should be your top priority. Airport parking can be an expensive ordeal, but if you are traveling from any of the UK’s major airports then you can find some savvy online deals to get a reduced rate. For example, you can find loads of offers on cheap Birmingham Airport Parking online. Having your parking sorted at a lower price will give you the piece of mind that you need to really enjoy your family holiday!

Top Holiday Hack: If you are looking for a truly stress free and enjoyable family holiday then you can choose one of the more luxury ways of parking at the airport. A meet and greet service for example is a great hassle free way to park your car. A chauffeur will even park for you!

Plan Some Fun Activities

Family holidays mean fun, adventure and activities. Make sure that each person in your family gets to do something that they want to do. One day you could be rock climbing, the next sitting by the pool and the next playing volleyball on the beach. Either way, keeping your holiday jam packed with fun activities and games will keep you all integrating, bonding and making memories. Save reading a long book for a couples retreat or the partying for a girls holiday. Really utilise the time to plan family activities that everyone will enjoy. You’ll remember it for years to come!

Top Holiday Hack: Get each member of your family to plan their perfect day. This way everyone will get to enjoy the perfect day for them while the holiday becomes a versatile and varied adventure!

Health and Safety

One of the best hacks that we can give you when going on a family holiday is to think health and safety! Always remember to take out the relevant travel insurance for each member of your family. If someone is injured on your holiday you’ll have peace of mind in knowing that it’s covered. Don’t do anything too dangerous and make sure you always have safety in mind. It can be easy for kids – especially small children – to hurt themselves in the excitement and unfamiliarity of a new environment. Keep your eyes out for any young children and make sure they know to be careful.

Top Holiday Hack: Bring a small medical kit with you. A small kit of bandages, plasters, and relevant medical equipment will not only come in handy in the case that someone does have a tumble, but will also settle your mind. You’ll enjoy your holiday so much more if you know that everyone is safe and covered in an emergency.

Use these tips the next time you want to go on holiday and ease the pressure that comes with planning and preparations. You deserve the best deals in addition to having a peaceful and fun family time. Make use of a flexible schedule and  cheap airport parking deals. Plan some fun activities and never forget health and safety! These tips will help ensure that you have a wonderful family holiday that you will all remember for years to come!

Spring break is the perfect time to go on a vacation to get away from the cold, but in order to have the perfect spring vacation it’s important to know where you’ll be going and to plan appropriately. It’s important to choose the right destination for your spring break getaway — you’ve quite possibly spent the last few months dealing with dark and dreary winter weather and need a break from it all. Spring break vacations mean fun times in the sun and sand, and who doesn’t dream of that every March!

Choosing a destination can often be harder than it sounds, however. If you’re just tired of the cold and want to go to someplace with a beach, you still have a lot of thinking and planning to do before you can get tickets, let alone leave. Think about what other things you want to do on vacation, what sort of attractions that you might want to see, and if you’ll be bringing along a few friends or going with a romantic partner. Another important consideration is the budget for your trip — some places will be more expensive to get to but might be less expensive to stay in, whereas others will be closer and more accessible but possibly more expensive. If you’re going abroad, you’ll need a passport and possibly also apply for a visa – so keep these processes in mind and give yourself ample time. You’ll have to keep all of this in mind if you want your spring break getaway to go off without a hitch.
Presuming that your destination involves a beach and warm weather, a swimsuit (or several) will be necessary to bring along on your spring getaway. Even if there’s no beach you might still find a hotel pool or hot tub. Finding curve-flattering swimwear can be a difficult task, but don’t let this hold you back from going to a beach and enjoying the sun this spring.

It’s difficult to find great looking plus sized swimsuits in a mall, and even plus size model Ashley Graham has mused in the past that she had to resort to mixing tops and bottoms from different stores a few years ago because great plus size looks are so hard to find. This is one reason Graham started her own fashion line in partnership with online swimwear retailer swimsuitsforall.

Simply click here to peruse Ashley Graham’s line of curve-flattering swimwear in sizes up to 32 including fantastic new styles and cuts, from sexy one-pieces to bikinis, skirtinis, and swimdresses. If you’re busy making plans for your spring getaway and also have to go to work or college, it’s really convenient to be able to go online and find some great designs that will look fantastic on your body and be shipped to your door. On their site, you’ll find real plus size models showing off the cuts, and there’s even a personalized body type calculator to help you better understand the designs that will work best for you.

Plus size women get a lot of criticism for not fitting into a particular (and ridiculous) societal norm, and it’s time to move beyond this criticism and find something you truly love that fits your unique — and uniquely beautiful — body.