ResidentialBusiness

Creating a video on your PC can seem intimidating, but it can be broken down into five manageable steps. You’ll start by selecting the type of video that aligns with your goals, whether it’s for education or marketing. Next, you’ll set up your recording parameters, ensuring everything is configured properly. Once you’re ready, you’ll begin recording your content. Afterward, you’ll move on to editing to refine your video. Finally, you’ll save and share it in the format you need. Comprehending these steps can greatly improve your video production process. Key Takeaways Choose the type of video you want to create, such as educational, promotional, or entertaining, to align with your goals. Set up recording parameters, including screen area, audio input, video quality, and any necessary annotation tools. Use screen recording software like Movavi Screen Recorder to capture your content, ensuring you start and stop recording correctly. Edit your video with tools like Clipchamp, where you can trim clips, add text, and enhance audio. Save and export your video in a compatible format, then share it on platforms like YouTube or cloud storage services. Choose Your Video Type When you’re ready to create a video, how do you decide what type to produce? Start by determining the purpose of your video, whether it’s educational, promotional, or entertaining. This will guide you as you choose your video type. If you want to capture gameplay or tutorials, screen recordings are the way to go; tools like Movavi Screen Recorder or Windows Game Bar are useful. For personal vlogs or face-to-camera presentations, use webcam recordings with software like BombBomb Video. Consider your editing features too, since the complexity of your content might require extensive post-production work. By evaluating your goals and audience, you can effectively choose your video type and guarantee your project meets its intended objectives. Set Up Recording Parameters Setting up your recording parameters is crucial for achieving the best results in your video production. First, determine the screen area you want to capture; you can choose the entire screen, a specific window, or a defined region. Next, adjust your audio input settings to decide if you’ll record system sounds, microphone input, or both, based on your video’s requirements. Set the video quality and frame rate to match your project, aiming for HD or 4K resolution for clarity. If available, utilize features like cursor highlighting or drawing tools to improve comprehension. Finally, review and save your settings to guarantee everything aligns with your intent. This preparation is key to knowing how to record a video on PC effectively. Start Recording Your Content Ready to capture your content? To start recording your video on your PC, follow these steps for a smooth process: Choose a screen recording software like Movavi Screen Recorder or AceThinker Aqua Demo. Adjust your recording parameters, including the screen area and audio input settings. Click the start button, usually labeled REC, to begin recording. Utilize any real-time annotation tools if necessary to improve your content. Once you’ve captured what you need, stop the recording by clicking the stop button. Make sure to preview your video before saving it. Finally, save your video in the desired format and resolution, so it meets your needs for uploading to social media or presenting. Now you know how to record a video on your laptop! Edit Your Video Editing your video is a crucial step in the content creation process, as it allows you to refine and improve your footage. To edit a video on Windows, you can use Clipchamp, the built-in video editor for Windows 11. This user-friendly tool helps you trim, cut, and merge clips easily. You can as well add text, shifts, and audio to elevate your project, whether you’re focusing on how to edit movies on Windows or how to create tutorial videos. Access Clipchamp by searching in the taskbar or Start menu. If you’re wondering how do I edit videos on Windows 10, keep in mind that Clipchamp is now the go-to solution for all your video editing needs on a laptop. Save and Share Your Video How can you effectively save and share your video after editing it in Clipchamp? Start by clicking the “Export” button in the top right corner to save your video in HD or 4K resolution. You’ll want to evaluate the right file format for your needs, like MP4, to guarantee compatibility when you upload. Here are some steps to streamline your process: Select your desired resolution for exporting. Share directly to platforms like YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram. Utilize cloud storage services like OneDrive or Google Drive for easy access. Save locally using Windows 10 tools like the Photos app or Game Bar. These steps will help you efficiently save and share your video with others. Frequently Asked Questions How to Make a Video Step by Step for Beginners? To make a video step by step, start by defining your video’s purpose and create an outline for clarity. Choose a recording method, like screen capture software or a camera. Set up your environment to minimize distractions and guarantee good lighting. Record your footage, then edit using software to trim unnecessary parts and improve visuals. Finally, export your video in the appropriate format for your intended platform, confirming it meets quality requirements. How Do I Start a Video on My Computer? To start a video on your computer, you can utilize built-in tools like Windows Game Bar by pressing Win + G. If you need more features, download software like Movavi Screen Recorder for high-quality captures. On the other hand, use Microsoft PowerPoint by selecting the Insert tab and choosing Screen Recording. For online options, Screencapture.com allows recording directly from your browser. If you prefer webcam recording, the Windows Camera app offers a straightforward interface for capturing video. How Can I Video Myself on My Computer? To video yourself on your computer, start by selecting a reliable application. Use the Windows Camera app for basic recording. If you want higher quality, try Movavi Screen Recorder, which captures HD or 4K video. On the other hand, leverage Microsoft PowerPoint’s screen recording feature, or install the BombBomb Video Chrome extension for quick webcam captures. Make certain your webcam and microphone are of good quality, and adjust your recording settings for maximum results before you begin. How to Make a Video From Pictures on Computer for Free? To make a video from pictures on your computer for free, you can use Clipchamp. First, upload your images and arrange them on the timeline. Utilize the drag-and-drop feature to customize the duration each image appears. Improve your video by adding changes, text overlays, and audio tracks. Once you’re satisfied, export the final product in various formats suitable for social media or personal sharing. For detailed guidance, check Clipchamp’s support hub. Conclusion To conclude, creating a video on your PC is a straightforward process that involves five key steps. By choosing the right video type, setting up your recording parameters, and using reliable software for recording, you can capture your content effectively. Editing your video improves its quality, and finally, saving and sharing it in the appropriate format guarantees your audience can access it easily. Following these steps will help you produce professional-looking videos efficiently. Image via Google Gemini This article, "5 Simple Steps to Create a Video on Your PC" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Creating a video on your PC can seem intimidating, but it can be broken down into five manageable steps. You’ll start by selecting the type of video that aligns with your goals, whether it’s for education or marketing. Next, you’ll set up your recording parameters, ensuring everything is configured properly. Once you’re ready, you’ll begin recording your content. Afterward, you’ll move on to editing to refine your video. Finally, you’ll save and share it in the format you need. Comprehending these steps can greatly improve your video production process. Key Takeaways Choose the type of video you want to create, such as educational, promotional, or entertaining, to align with your goals. Set up recording parameters, including screen area, audio input, video quality, and any necessary annotation tools. Use screen recording software like Movavi Screen Recorder to capture your content, ensuring you start and stop recording correctly. Edit your video with tools like Clipchamp, where you can trim clips, add text, and enhance audio. Save and export your video in a compatible format, then share it on platforms like YouTube or cloud storage services. Choose Your Video Type When you’re ready to create a video, how do you decide what type to produce? Start by determining the purpose of your video, whether it’s educational, promotional, or entertaining. This will guide you as you choose your video type. If you want to capture gameplay or tutorials, screen recordings are the way to go; tools like Movavi Screen Recorder or Windows Game Bar are useful. For personal vlogs or face-to-camera presentations, use webcam recordings with software like BombBomb Video. Consider your editing features too, since the complexity of your content might require extensive post-production work. By evaluating your goals and audience, you can effectively choose your video type and guarantee your project meets its intended objectives. Set Up Recording Parameters Setting up your recording parameters is crucial for achieving the best results in your video production. First, determine the screen area you want to capture; you can choose the entire screen, a specific window, or a defined region. Next, adjust your audio input settings to decide if you’ll record system sounds, microphone input, or both, based on your video’s requirements. Set the video quality and frame rate to match your project, aiming for HD or 4K resolution for clarity. If available, utilize features like cursor highlighting or drawing tools to improve comprehension. Finally, review and save your settings to guarantee everything aligns with your intent. This preparation is key to knowing how to record a video on PC effectively. Start Recording Your Content Ready to capture your content? To start recording your video on your PC, follow these steps for a smooth process: Choose a screen recording software like Movavi Screen Recorder or AceThinker Aqua Demo. Adjust your recording parameters, including the screen area and audio input settings. Click the start button, usually labeled REC, to begin recording. Utilize any real-time annotation tools if necessary to improve your content. Once you’ve captured what you need, stop the recording by clicking the stop button. Make sure to preview your video before saving it. Finally, save your video in the desired format and resolution, so it meets your needs for uploading to social media or presenting. Now you know how to record a video on your laptop! Edit Your Video Editing your video is a crucial step in the content creation process, as it allows you to refine and improve your footage. To edit a video on Windows, you can use Clipchamp, the built-in video editor for Windows 11. This user-friendly tool helps you trim, cut, and merge clips easily. You can as well add text, shifts, and audio to elevate your project, whether you’re focusing on how to edit movies on Windows or how to create tutorial videos. Access Clipchamp by searching in the taskbar or Start menu. If you’re wondering how do I edit videos on Windows 10, keep in mind that Clipchamp is now the go-to solution for all your video editing needs on a laptop. Save and Share Your Video How can you effectively save and share your video after editing it in Clipchamp? Start by clicking the “Export” button in the top right corner to save your video in HD or 4K resolution. You’ll want to evaluate the right file format for your needs, like MP4, to guarantee compatibility when you upload. Here are some steps to streamline your process: Select your desired resolution for exporting. Share directly to platforms like YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram. Utilize cloud storage services like OneDrive or Google Drive for easy access. Save locally using Windows 10 tools like the Photos app or Game Bar. These steps will help you efficiently save and share your video with others. Frequently Asked Questions How to Make a Video Step by Step for Beginners? To make a video step by step, start by defining your video’s purpose and create an outline for clarity. Choose a recording method, like screen capture software or a camera. Set up your environment to minimize distractions and guarantee good lighting. Record your footage, then edit using software to trim unnecessary parts and improve visuals. Finally, export your video in the appropriate format for your intended platform, confirming it meets quality requirements. How Do I Start a Video on My Computer? To start a video on your computer, you can utilize built-in tools like Windows Game Bar by pressing Win + G. If you need more features, download software like Movavi Screen Recorder for high-quality captures. On the other hand, use Microsoft PowerPoint by selecting the Insert tab and choosing Screen Recording. For online options, Screencapture.com allows recording directly from your browser. If you prefer webcam recording, the Windows Camera app offers a straightforward interface for capturing video. How Can I Video Myself on My Computer? To video yourself on your computer, start by selecting a reliable application. Use the Windows Camera app for basic recording. If you want higher quality, try Movavi Screen Recorder, which captures HD or 4K video. On the other hand, leverage Microsoft PowerPoint’s screen recording feature, or install the BombBomb Video Chrome extension for quick webcam captures. Make certain your webcam and microphone are of good quality, and adjust your recording settings for maximum results before you begin. How to Make a Video From Pictures on Computer for Free? To make a video from pictures on your computer for free, you can use Clipchamp. First, upload your images and arrange them on the timeline. Utilize the drag-and-drop feature to customize the duration each image appears. Improve your video by adding changes, text overlays, and audio tracks. Once you’re satisfied, export the final product in various formats suitable for social media or personal sharing. For detailed guidance, check Clipchamp’s support hub. Conclusion To conclude, creating a video on your PC is a straightforward process that involves five key steps. By choosing the right video type, setting up your recording parameters, and using reliable software for recording, you can capture your content effectively. Editing your video improves its quality, and finally, saving and sharing it in the appropriate format guarantees your audience can access it easily. Following these steps will help you produce professional-looking videos efficiently. Image via Google Gemini This article, "5 Simple Steps to Create a Video on Your PC" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

It’s official: 2025 was the year of slop. Merriam-Webster just announced in a post that its “human editors” have chosen “slop” as the 2025 Word of the Year. The dictionary’s official definition of the word is “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence,” a far cry from its original meaning. When the term was first coined in the 1700s, slop meant “soft mud,” before slowly morphing into a synonym for “rubbish.” Today, it’s the perfect four-letter word for the state of the internet. “In 2025, amid all the talk about AI threats, slop set a tone that’s less fearful, more mocking,” the dictionary’s post reads. “The word sends a little message to AI: when it comes to replacing human creativity, sometimes you don’t seem too superintelligent.” How slop took over everything The concept of slop dominated the collective consciousness this year, from the content we consumed to the food we literally ate. Mere days into 2025, AI slop—the variety of click-harvesting, sensationalized, brain-melting content that’s likely taken over your Facebook feed—was already raising alarms. In the wake of the fires that devastated the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of L.A. this January, AI clips of heartwarming rescues began circulating to capitalize on the tragedy. In March, a study from Cornell University revealed that an influx of AI slop was slowly beginning to suffocate the web. Since then, the problem has only escalated. We’ve seen a concerning wave of fake Holocaust AI content; AI slop used in political messaging by former New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo and President The President himself; and AI-generated tributes to conservative pundit Charlie Kirk in the wake of his assassination. AI slop has thoroughly weasled its way into the marketing and advertising spheres, so much so that companies like Pinterest have had to roll out new filters to allow users to dial back the AI content. Everywhere you look, it’s slop all the way down. “The flood of slop in 2025 included absurd videos, off-kilter advertising images, cheesy propaganda, fake news that looks pretty real, junky AI-written books, ‘workslop’ reports that waste coworkers’ time… and lots of talking cats,” Merriam-Webster wrote in its report. It added, “Like slime, sludge, and muck, slop has the wet sound of something you don’t want to touch.” One good slop-based item did emerge this year, though: the slop bowl, a new colloquial term for the preferred meal of office workers that involves a bowl full of a bunch of mixed ingredients. In 2025, we doomscrolled our slop and ate it, too. View the full article

“There are boy aquariums all over the United States,” a TikTok creator explains in a recent post. The video then shows a clip of someone carrying a bucket filled with hockey pucks. “Come feed the fish at the boy aquarium with me,” the closed captions read. The person tosses the pucks onto the rink as players skate past. On TikTok, ice hockey arenas have been rebranded as “boy aquariums.” Videos show women tapping against the battered Plexiglas, filming the players warming up and encouraging others to go on a girls’ night to the rink. The players themselves are in on the joke. Earlier this year, the official TikTok of the Canadian junior ice hockey team Moncton Wildcats posted: “So we’re calling this the boy aquarium now?” as the players skate around the enclosed rink. Another video, posted last week, shows the University of Cincinnati men’s ice hockey team on a field trip to an actual aquarium. Fans are encouraging others to go and watch the sport. “You look happier,” the on-screen text reads on one clip, “Thanks, I went to the boy aquarium with my besties.” The National Hockey League’s fan base overall is young, diverse, and online. Over half, 54%, are under the age of 44, according to Sport Radar, the second-youngest among the four major U.S. leagues. And the new legion of overwhelmingly female fans filling stadiums can be traced, in part, back to the popularity of BookTok’s favorite “ice-hockey romance” genre. The uninitiated may be surprised to learn there are thousands of novels in this niche subcategory, the most popular being Hannah Grace’s romance bestseller Icebreaker, which went viral in 2022 with the story of a competitive figure skater and hockey team captain forced to share a rink (cue romantic entanglement). Capitalizing on the hype, social-media teams regularly publish videos of players reading “spicy” chapters of Icebreaker or Pucking Around, another hockey romance bestseller by Emily Rath. “Heated Rivalry”, currently airing on HBO Max, has only added to the hockey fever, spawning thousands of reaction videos on TikTok and Instagram. With its steamy gay hockey romance storyline, based on Rachel Reid’s Game Changers novels, the Canadian import has topped the streaming charts following the release of episode 4. While tongue-in-cheek, the “boy aquarium” trend also risks playing into harmful stereotypes of female sports fans. The “puck bunny” insult has long been levelled at young female hockey fans, just as groupie has historically been used to belittle female music fans. Ice Hockey UK and The Elite League recently condemned a Financial Times article about British romance readers discovering ice hockey. “The tone of the article is not just absurd and inaccurate in relation to ice hockey, but also to women who watch sport in general,” Ice Hockey UK CEO Henry Staelens said in a statement. “Something that shouldn’t even be a talking point in today’s society.” Female sports fans have long fought to be taken seriously, and social media trends – while harmless on the surface – risk erasing their passion and knowledge of the sport, replaced instead by a backdrop for a fictional trope. Whether lifelong fans, or recent BookTok converts, ice hockey as an industry is heating up. The NHL league’s 32 clubs’ average valuation climbed 15% year-over-year to $2.2 billion, Forbes recently reported, more than double where they were just three years ago. While some may come for the fictional hockey players, they stay for the sport. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Christmas movies have been a tradition for decades, but the days when our choices were limited to George Bailey contemplating jumping off of a bridge and Ralphie washing his mouth out with Lifebuoy soap are well past us. Holiday movies are an industry in and of themselves, with dozens of new seasonal offerings released each year, starting as soon as the leaves start to turn colors. Most of them are cozy cookie-cutter offerings—relaxing, if largely disposable. But among the seasonal glut, new classics do occasionally emerge. Here are 30 more recent holiday classics, from silly comedies, to cozy dramas, to gruesome horrors, queer romances, and even a surprisingly literal adaptation of a Wham! song. The Family Stone (2005) Holiday gatherings always offer great potential for comedy and drama, with The Family Stone landing a bit of each. The setup involves Dermot Mulroney bringing home his new girlfriend, played by a fearlessly brittle Sarah Jessica Parker, for Christmas. That doesn’t go great, with the visitor constantly feeling out of place and embarrassed amid the insular, tight-knit, standoffish clan. But, in the background, strong-willed matriarch Sybil Stone (Diane Keaton) is also looking for an opportunity, amidst the holiday chaos, to reveal a terminal medical diagnosis. The subtle final shot lands like a sledgehammer every time and, of course, the recent passing of Diane Keaton adds a deeper poignance to the film this year—oh and there's maybe a sequel coming coming. Stream The Family Stone on Disney+, Prime Video, and Hulu. The Family Stone (2005) at Disney+ Learn More Learn More at Disney+ Last Holiday (2006) Remaking a 1950 Alec Guinness movie, Last Holiday puts the ever-radiant Queen Latifah in the lead here as Georgia, a department store assistant given the news that she has a rare brain condition and, potentially, only weeks to live (insurance won't cover an operation because of course it won't). Georgia quits her job, sells her stuff, and heads off to the Czech Republic (which looks a lot more like Austria, where Last Holiday was filmed) for the glamorous European holiday spa trip of her dreams. Her workplace crush, Sean (LL Cool J) is hot on her heels. The plot here is nothing new, even leaving aside that the movie is a remake, but Queen Latifah brings her considerable charm and old-school Hollywood swagger to the film. Stream Last Holiday on Paramount+ and Hulu. Last Holiday (2006) at Paramount+ Learn More Learn More at Paramount+ Elf (2003) A Will Ferrell comedy about a human who identifies as a literal elf has no business being this sweet and smart. Ferrell is Buddy, a kid who was accidentally shipped off to the North Pole as a child, and now he’s off to New York during the holiday season to find his biological father (James Caan). The impressive cast here (Ed Asner, Zooey Deschanel, Peter Dinklage, Bob Newhart) doesn’t hurt one bit. Stream Elf on HBO Max. Elf (2003) at HBO Max Learn More Learn More at HBO Max The Holdovers (2023) A modest box office success, The Holdovers did even better with the critics, earning a Best Picture Oscar nod (among other nominations) and a Best Supporting Actress prize for Da'Vine Joy Randolph. She plays Mary Lamb, the cafeteria manager at a New England prep school stuck on campus during the holiday break with Paul Giamatti, playing a jerky, uptight classics teacher, as well as with a troubled student. Having recently lost her son in Vietnam, Lamb isn't inclined to spend much time with her fellow holdovers; at least until the three of them are forced to come to terms. Rent The Holdovers from Prime Video and Apple TV. The Holdovers (2023) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Get Santa (2014) In the venerable tradition of Bob Clark, who directed Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things and Black Christmas before making his reputation with A Christmas Story, Christopher Smith took a break from directing horror movies to helm this good-natured family comedy. Steve (Rafe Spall) is excited to reunite with his son, 9-year-old Tom (Kit Connor) after a two-year prison sentence. Of course, Christmas is always complicated, and Steve's is more complicated than most. Just as he's trying to navigate parole and visitations, he encounters a man claiming to be Santa (Jim Broadbent) in his garage. The intruder claims to have been testing a new sleigh when things went awry, leading to a crash-landing and several reindeer on the loose. Santa's attempt to reclaim his sled team leads to his incarceration, and to his son's absolute insistence that Santa gets sprung in time to save Christmas. It's silly but heartwarming, and Broadbent in particular seems to be having a blast. Stream Get Santa on Peacock and Tubi. Get Santa at Peacock Learn More Learn More at Peacock Tokyo Godfathers (2003) Roughly inspired by John Ford’s 1948 3 Godfathers, this one finds a drag queen, a teenage runaway, and a good-hearted middle-aged man struggling with alcoholism living on the streets of Tokyo when they come across a baby in a trash bin on Christmas Eve. The lovely, moving adventure that follows comes from director Satoshi Kon, who also directed classics Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress, and Paprika in his too-short life and career. Stream Tokyo Godfathers on Tubi or rent it from Apple TV. Tokyo Godfathers (2003) at Tubi Learn More Learn More at Tubi Ben is Back (2018) As not every holiday is happy, not every Christmas movie should go down easy. Lucas Hedges stars here as the title's Ben, the recently clean addict son of Julia Roberts' Holly. He's released from rehab for the holiday, which comes as a surprise to his family. Holly is happy to see him, but leery of the impact he might have on her other children. She allows him to stay at the family home, as long as he is never be out of her sight. What follows is a harrowing 24 hour period during which the two face old ghosts and Ben's past associates threaten the family, even as he struggles to keep a handle on his addiction disorder. There's a bit of light and hope here, but only a bit; the emphasis here is more on realism than a message of holiday cheer. Still, the performances are stellar and the issues at hand will be relatable for a great many of us. Stream Ben is Back on Tubi or rent it from Prime Video and Apple TV. Ben is Back (2018) at Tubi Learn More Learn More at Tubi Happiest Season (2020) This splashy Christmas comedy with a marquee cast (Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza, et al.) sits somewhere on the border between Lifetime/Hallmark-style Christmas movie and traditional rom-com. Abby and Harper are a couple that have been dating for nearly a year—but it turns out that Harper had lied about coming out to her parents. And, what with the stress of the holidays, she’s hoping that Abby will play along and pretend to be her roommate until after Christmas. What could go wrong? Stream Happiest Season on Hulu. Happiest Season (2020) at Hulu Learn More Learn More at Hulu Love Actually (2003) Starting a few weeks before the holiday and counting down to the big day, the modern Christmas staple movie weaves together multiple stories of love starring British familiars like Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightley, and Colin Firth. If anyone’s ever professed love to you via a series of cue cards on your doorstep, you can thank (or blame) Love Actually. Stream Love Actually on Peacock and Prime Video. Love Actually (2003) at Peacock Learn More Learn More at Peacock Bad Santa (2003) 2003 was a banner year for modern Christmas classics, in any flavor you’d choose. The platonic ideal of a rude Christmas movie, Terry Zwigoff’s Bad Santa stars Billy Bob Thornton as Willie Soke, a mall Santa who’s actually a con man, using his seasonal gigs to scope out stores that he can rob at night. He represents everything that you probably don’t want your kid to be around during the holidays (or anytime, really): He’s foul-mouthed, cynical, and abusive whenever he’s not putting on the merest hint of a front for the children. The film does offer a solid Christmas redemption arc in and around scenes of seasonal debauchery—but still, this probably isn’t one for the kids. Stream Bad Santa on HBO Max. Bad Santa (2003) at HBO Max Learn More Learn More at HBO Max Klaus (2019) A charming Santa origin story based on nothing in particular, Klaus finds Jesper Johansen, the lazy son of a postmaster general in 19th century Norway forced to a distant island town where he’s tasked with delivering 6,000 letters within a year, otherwise he’ll be cut off from the family fortune. Arriving there, he discovers the two primary feuding families can’t be bothered to send letters for him to deliver, but that reclusive widower Klaus might be willing to help him in a scheme he’s concocted to convince the town’s children to write letters in the hopes of receiving toys in return—toys crafted by old Klaus in hope of a family that never materialized. It’s all beautifully done, and I defy you not to cry during the final act. Stream Klaus on Netflix. Klaus (2019) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square (2020) It’s the holidays, and Regina Fuller (Christine Baranski!) is on her way home to evict a bunch of people so she can sell the land they live on to a mall developer. Naturally she’s got some seasonal learning to do, with help from erstwhile bestie Margeline (Jenifer Lewis!!) and Parton herself, typecast as an all-singing angel. Dolly wrote all the musical numbers, and the results are dorky fun in the best ways, with a deliberate staginess that invites you to appreciate the sentiment without taking things too seriously. The whole cast is several cuts above, as are the dance numbers, choreographed by Debbie Allen. Stream Christmas on the Square. Christmas on the Square at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Hot Frosty (2024) Maybe "classic" is going a bit far here (though time will tell), but there's something to be said for grabbing a glass of wine and having yourself a (lightly) horny holiday. In that vein, Hot Frosty casts Lacey Chabert as a widow running a cafe in the tiny made-up town of Hope Springs, New York. One day she picks up a scarf at a secondhand store and places it around the neck of a particularly chiseled snowman (because while all snowman bodies are valid, it's gonna take abs to score free winter apparel). The snowman naturally comes to life, leading to a series of wacky misunderstandings, but also a little holiday romance. If it's not cinematic genius, it's a perfectly delicious bit of holiday silliness. Stream Hot Frosty on Netflix. Hot Frosty (2024) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Joyeux Noël (2005) A fictionalized version of a true story, this Academy Award nominee deals with an unusual moment during the first year of World War I, when, at several points along the front lines, French, German, and British soldiers called a series of informal truces, often mingling to celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The German Crown Prince even sent the lead singer of the Berlin opera to perform along the front lines, entertaining both sides. In dramatizing the event, the filmmakers understand that the truce was both glorious and absurd. Those complicated feelings, and the knowledge that what we’re seeing represents a momentary lull in a war that would continue for years, make for powerful emotional moments. Stream Joyeux Noël on Tubi and Netflix. Joyeux Noël (2005) at Tubi Learn More Learn More at Tubi The Holiday (2006) Depressed Englishwoman Iris (Kate Winslet) decides to swap homes and lives, for a bit, with similarly unlucky-in-love Californian Amanda (Cameron Diaz). Iris is now living in a giant Hollywood mansion, while Amanda is exploring a quaint country village. Naturally, romance is waiting for each woman in her newfound environs. It was largely ignored on its initial release, but has grown into a charmingly dorky Christmas cult classic. Word is that Apple is working on an update. Rent The Holiday from Prime Video and Apple TV. The Holiday (2006) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010) In the film, the research team of a greedy government drills into land best left undisturbed: an ancient burial mound that, legends suggest, is the resting place of Joulupukki, a pagan forerunner to our modern Santa Claus. BAD IDEA. Old Joulupukki is not dissimilar from Krampus, in that he’s much more interested in punishing the wicked than in rewarding the good. It’s an action-packed, darkly comic, cynical winter’s tale (rather the perfect one for our times) and builds to a wild climax. Stream Rare Exports on Tubi or rent it from Prime Video and Apple TV. Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010) at Tubi Learn More Learn More at Tubi The Christmas Chronicles (2018) A deeply cute Christmas adventure finds a couple of kids (Judah Lewis and Darby Camp) accidentally crashing Santa’s sleigh (Santa here is played by Kurt Russell). It’s got plenty of (family-friendly) action, and Russell seems to be having a ton of fun. If you like this one, the sequel is approximately as good. Stream The Christmas Chronicles. The Christmas Chronicles (2018) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Arthur Christmas (2011) Aardman Animations, the Wallace and Gromit/Shaun the Sheep people, produced this joyful, quirky computer-animated family film. James McAvoy plays Arthur Claus, son of the current holder of the Santa title. Operations at the North Pole are largely automated, and Arthur has a hard time convincing management that a single undelivered toy is worth much fuss. So it’s clumsy, goofy Arthur to the rescue, with the certain knowledge that ruining even one kid’s holiday would be a failure. Stream Arthur Christmas on Prime Video and Tubi. Arthur Christmas (2011) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video The Best Man Holiday (2013) The long-awaited sequel to 1999's The Best Man, this one quickly updates us on the fallout from that earlier film before moving into new territory (it’s not strictly necessary to have seen the original if you’re looking to dive straight into the holiday festivities). Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, and Sanaa Lathan lead the sequel, which offers a bold blend of off-color humor, hot shirtless guys, sincere religious themes, and shamelessly heartbreaking plot twists. Stream The Best Man Holiday on Peacock and Hulu or rent it from Prime Video. The Best Man Holiday (2013) at Peacock Learn More Learn More at Peacock Tangerine (2015) Just your typical girlfriend/buddy/revenge comedy movie about two trans sex workers on the hunt for the man who did one of them wrong. As heartfelt as it is madcap, it all takes place on a wild Christmas Eve in Hollywood (so don’t expect snow). Shot on a couple of iPhones, director Sean Baker and company make a virtue of the intimacy and immediacy that modern technology can bring. Stream Tangerine on Peacock and Hulu or rent it from Prime Video. Tangerine (2015) at Peacock Learn More Learn More at Peacock Carol (2015) Mara Rooney’s Therese and Cate Blanchett’s glamorous Carol set off sparks when they meet in a department store during the Christmas season of 1952. The women suffer for their growing attraction, and this certainly isn’t the breeziest of holiday movies, but there’s light here, and beauty, and hope for the future. Stream Carol on HBO Max or rent it from Prime Video. Carol (2015) at HBO Max Learn More Learn More at HBO Max A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas (2011) The last (to date) of the Harold and Kumar movies, this one balances stoner humor with a surprising sweetness, even if it's the kind of Christmas movie in which Santa smokes a bong on his holiday rounds and replacement urine for a drug test more than qualifies as a nice Christmas present. Stream A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas on Paramount+ or rent it from Prime Video. A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas (2011) at Paramount+ Learn More Learn More at Paramount+ The Night Before (2015) What else are you gonna do Christmas Eve than spend the night with your best friends (Seth Rogan, Anthony Mackie, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt) at something called the Nutcracker Ball? Yeah, sounds awful to me, too. Luckily they’ve got a ton of drugs to get them through the night. A reliably entertaining stoner Christmas story. Stream The Night Before on Peacock and Tubi or rent it from Prime Video. The Night Before (2015) at Peacock Learn More Learn More at Peacock Krampus (2015) Among the best of a decade’s worth of films reviving ancient, scary European traditions involving far less jolly versions of Santa, Krampus is a Gremlins-esque horror comedy with imaginative creature effects from the folks over at Weta Workshop. It might not be the darkest, nor the goriest, of holiday-themed horror sendups, but it is an awful lot of fun, with effects that evoke a twisted winter wonderland as we follow a family being hunted by the title demon. Stream Krampus on Peacock or rent it from Prime Video. Krampus (2015) at Peacock Learn More Learn More at Peacock The Grinch (2018) Though I might still stick with the 1966 animated version (Boris Karloff FTW), as updates go, this 2018 version is bright and colorful and energetic without getting stressful (looking at you, Jim Carrey version from 2000). Benedict Cumberbatch plays the Grinch; Pharrell narrates; and Rashida Jones, Kenan Thompson, and Angela Lansbury round out the solid voice cast. Stream The Grinch on Peacock or rent it from Prime Video. The Grinch (2018) at Peacock Learn More Learn More at Peacock Anna and the Apocalypse (2017) Zombies for Christmas? OK! In this mash-up of High School Musical and Shaun of the Dead that you never knew you needed, the titular Anna just wants to get through the Christmas show at her high school in Little Haven, Scotland. She’s so preoccupied with her own problems that she fails to notice the undead infection spreading around her. It’s a weird blend of styles, no question, but one packed with gory fun, musical numbers, and some surprising, seasonally appropriate heart. Stream Anna and the Apocalypse on Prime Video and Tubi. Anna and the Apocalypse (2017) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017) There are plenty of versions of A Christmas Carol to choose from, but this one examines that tale from the other side. It’s the story of Charles Dickens himself (Dan Stevens) and his journey to creating the wildly successful work. Dodging typical biopic tropes in favor of something more appropriate to the subject matter, the movie finds Dickens interacting with his fictional characters in a film that blends realism with whimsical fantasy. Stream The Man Who Invented Christmas on HBO Max or rent it from Prime Video. The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017) at HBO Max Learn More Learn More at HBO Max Last Christmas (2019) Emilia Clarke and America’s sweetheart Henry Golding have tremendous chemistry as a down-on-her-luck aspiring singer and the slightly mysterious man with whom she shares a lovely and inspiring holiday season. The twist ending here, inspired by a literal reading of the title song, is bonkers—but it works better than it has a right to. Stream Last Christmas on Netflix or rent it from Prime Video. Last Christmas (2019) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Little Women (2019) Before Barbie, Greta Gerwig took on an American classic and, while I’m not sure there’s ever been a bad adaptation of Little Women, this one is at the top of the pile, staying faithful to the novel’s themes while rearranging the narrative just a bit, and adding elements from Alcott’s own life to hint at the ending that the author really wanted. Rent Little Women from Prime Video and Apple TV. Little Women (2019) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Jingle Jangle (2020) This one’s a straight-up fantasy that finds toymaker Jeronicus Jangle (Forest Whitaker) inventing a sentient matador figure (Ricky Martin) who fights for his right to be something other than a mass-produced toy. That sets off a series of misfortunes for Jeronicus, but his granddaughter Journey (Madalen Mills) is on hand to try to put things right. The pedigree here includes playwright David E. Talbert in the director’s chair and an almost all-Black cast that includes Whitaker, Keegan-Michael Key, and Anika Noni Rose, all having a lot of fun in a colorful (and musical!) adventure. Stream Jingle Jangle on Netflix. Jingle Jangle (2020) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Single All the Way (2021) Sick of questions about being single, Peter (Michael Urie) decides to invite his best friend Nick (Philemon Chambers) to pose as more than his roommate. He’s in a high-stress L.A. job, and heading home for the holidays in New Hampshire and just can’t deal with cracks about being single. His mom (Kathy Najimy), though, already had plans to fix him up with her fitness instructor (Luke Macfarlane). Now James has to navigate not only his family obligations and his new date, but also his developing feelings for the guy who was just supposed to be a pretend romance. Stream Single All the Way on Netflix. Single All the Way (2021) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix View the full article

Google Ads introduced View-Through Conversion (VTC)–optimised bidding for Android App campaigns, giving advertisers a visible toggle to optimise toward conversions that happen after an ad is viewed, not clicked. Previously, VTC existed only as a hidden signal within Google’s systems. Now, it’s an explicit optimisation option. The shift. Google is continuing to move app advertising away from click-centric logic and toward incrementality and influence, especially for formats like YouTube and in-feed video. This update aligns bidding more closely with how users actually discover and install apps. Why we care. Advertisers can now bid beyond clicks, improving measurement for video-led app campaigns and strengthening the case for upper-funnel activity. Who benefits most. Video-first app advertisers and teams focused on awareness, engagement, and long-term growth—not just last-click installs. What to watch Increased reliance on Google’s attribution model Potential changes in CPA expectations Greater emphasis on creative quality over click-driving tactics First seen. This update was first spotted by Senior Performance Marketing Executive Rakshit Shetty Bottom line. Google is making view-based impact first-class data for App campaigns—another step toward an AI-led, funnel-agnostic approach to performance marketing. View the full article

The iPhone's Focus modes are perhaps its most underrated feature. Once customized, they can become incredibly powerful tools that put you in control of how your iPhone can grab your attention. They can take some time to set up, but it’s worth it. Once you've got everything squared away, you'll have timed boundaries from certain apps, people, and even your work, for that mythical work-life balance. Forget having a personal phone and a work phone—a couple of well-tuned Focus modes might be enough. Diving into Focus modes Credit: Khamosh Pathak What used to be Do Not Disturb on iPhone is now Focus mode, which comes with many more options. Open the Control Center and tap the Focus button to see a list of all available Focus modes. The familiar Do Not Disturb option will be up top, but you’ll also see helpful Focus modes premade by Apple, Sleep being a prominent example. If you have a device that supports Apple Intelligence, you’ll also see a mode called Reduce Interruptions, which automatically mutes all notifications except the really important ones. Other premade modes include Personal, Work, and Sleep, which you can all customize to your own liking. How to set up your own Focus modeTo get the most out of Focus Modes, you should set some Focus modes for yourself. One for work and one for personal time would be a great place to start. Go to Settings > Focus and tap the Plus button at the top. Here, choose the Custom mode option to get the most flexibility. Give it a name, icon, and tap Next. Then, tap Customize Focus. Credit: Khamosh Pathak This is where you'll do most of your work. First, tap Choose People and select if you want to allow notifications from only a couple of people, or if you want to silence notifications from particular folks. If you’re setting up a Focus mode for personal time, you might want to stop notifications only from your boss and colleagues. Choose the people to allow, and tap Next. Then, choose who is allowed to call you. You can limit it to just your Favorites, or only a handful of people. Credit: Khamosh Pathak Then, tap Choose Apps and follow the same process for apps as well, either allowing notifications from some apps, or only silencing notifications from particular apps. For example, if you’re setting up a Focus mode for personal time, you might want to disable notifications from work apps like Slack, Teams, Gmail, and more. Tap into the Options menu, and you can also choose to show silenced notifications on the Lock Screen, or to dim the lock screen every time that Focus mode is enabled. Next, take some time to customize what you see when a Focus mode is enabled. Apple will let you choose a distinct Lock screen, Home screen and even an Apple Watch watch face per Focus mode. For example, your work Focus can feature just your calendar and to do list. This will go a long way towards cementing the Focus state in your mind. For example, when I’m in my Writing Focus mode, my home screen is devoid of everything, including my tasks widget and communication apps. Credit: Khamosh Pathak Then, you’ll see a Set a Schedule section. Here, you can turn on a Smart Activation feature that will automatically enable a Focus mode depending on your location, app usage and so on. This has been hit or miss for me, so I would advise you to avoid it for the most reliable results. But you can definitely create a manual schedule using the Add Schedule button. Here, You can trigger a Focus mode to automatically start or stop at a certain time of day. Credit: Khamosh Pathak You can even use Focus Filters to further customize exactly what apps can show you when you’re in a Focus mode. For example, you can choose to only see your work calendar when you’re in your work Focus, but not your other calendars. These filters work for Apple’s apps and even third-party apps. Credit: Khamosh Pathak Lastly, you can choose to enable the Intelligent Breakthrough & Silencing feature that's found at the top of the Focus page. If you have an iPhone with Apple Intelligence enabled, you'll see this setting. It uses on-device intelligence to allow priority notifications to interrupt you even when you're in silent mode. This goes over all other customizations that you might've done. But, being an Apple Intelligence feature, its reliability can be a bit iffy. Based on personal experience, I would recommend you take the time to fully customize the Focus mode to your liking instead of handing some of that work over to Apple Intelligence, as it gets things wrong for me fairly often. View the full article

The value of cryptocurrency XRP continues to slide, dipping as low as $1.92 as of Monday morning. XRP—the native crypto token of the XRP Ledger, created by Ripple Labs—has seen its value hover around the $2 mark for roughly a month, and has been on a downward trend since late July, when values peaked at more than $3.50. Values remained elevated through most of the summer months, catalyzed by U.S. regulators dropping legal actions against Ripple Labs, which had stretched on for several years. Additionally and subsequently, XRP ETFs have hit exchanges, theoretically broadening XRP’s appeal and reach within the crypto space. That, it seems, should have increased demand and XRP prices, but that has not materialized. The question, then, is why XRP’s price has continued to fall—or seems stuck around $2? On a recent episode of the Paul Barron Podcast, Zach Rector, a crypto market analyst, said that the launch of numerous XRP ETFs “is going to lead to price action,” but as for why the price isn’t going up more immediately with recent inflows into the ETFs, Rector says there’s a simple answer. “In the month of November, there was $808 million in outflows on centralized exchanges. That’s people selling to dollars or stablecoins and leaving XRP,” he said. “And on the other side, of the ETF equation, there was $803 million of inflows into the ETFs,” he added, saying that in all, the movement of value has been somewhat muted—especially since some of that money is moving over-the-counter, rather than on exchanges, meaning that it could also have little effect on market prices. In other words, public and private sales and demand for XRP may not yet be reflected in market value. Of course, what happens next is anyone’s guess. It’s also important to note that Bitcoin, the largest and most popular cryptocurrency, has likewise seen values decline over the past couple of months, as has Ethereum—so, XRP isn’t necessarily alone in experiencing recent price declines. XRP’s price history is volatile, too, especially given its legal hangups over the past few years. While its current sub-$2 valuation is the lowest in some time, XRP prices did hover between $0.30 and $0.80 for most of 2022, 2023, and 2024. It saw a major breakout in October of last year, with values rocketing from around $0.50 to more than $3 by January 2025. View the full article

The home purchase market, which competes for consumers with rentals, should remain subdued in 2026 because of high mortgage rates and low affordability. View the full article

Staunch The President ally says US central bank should lower rates more quickly View the full article

UK prime minister finishes 2025 with approval ratings at rock bottom and Labour languishing below 20 per cent in the pollsView the full article

A profession splitting in three. By CPA Trendlines Research Go PRO for members-only access to more CPA Trendlines Research. View the full article

A profession splitting in three. By CPA Trendlines Research Go PRO for members-only access to more CPA Trendlines Research. View the full article

A reader writes: I recently realized that one of the managers who reports to me, Blake, uses abusive language with his employees. Blake’s employee fear that if he knows they have reported this to me, it will create a further problem for them. I need help on how to give feedback to Blake without giving him the feeling that I came to know this from his team members. I answer this question — and three others — over at Inc. today, where I’m revisiting letters that have been buried in the archives here from years ago (and sometimes updating/expanding my answers to them). You can read it here. Other questions I’m answering there today include: Interviewing with the team I’d manage if I’m hired My coworker keep asking to see my baby bump on Zoom Employee isn’t flushing the toilet The post I supervise a an abusive manager appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Google updated its JavaScript SEO documentation to clarify that noindex tags may prevent rendering and JavaScript execution, blocking changes. The post Google Warns Noindex Can Block JavaScript From Running appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

José Antonio Kast’s victory in presidential election adds to a growing network of Maga ‘equivalents’ in the regionView the full article

As the rest of the world rushes to harness the power of artificial intelligence, militant groups also are experimenting with the technology, even if they aren’t sure exactly what to do with it. For extremist organizations, AI could be a powerful tool for recruiting new members, churning out realistic deepfake images and refining their cyberattacks, national security experts and spy agencies have warned. Someone posting on a pro-Islamic State group website last month urged other IS supporters to make AI part of their operations. “One of the best things about AI is how easy it is to use,” the user wrote in English. “Some intelligence agencies worry that AI will contribute (to) recruiting,” the user continued. “So make their nightmares into reality.” IS, which had seized territory in Iraq and Syria years ago but is now a decentralized alliance of militant groups that share a violent ideology, realized years ago that social media could be a potent tool for recruitment and disinformation, so it’s not surprising that the group is testing out AI, national security experts say. For loose-knit, poorly resourced extremist groups — or even an individual bad actor with a web connection — AI can be used to pump out propaganda or deepfakes at scale, widening their reach and expanding their influence. “For any adversary, AI really makes it much easier to do things,” said John Laliberte, a former vulnerability researcher at the National Security Agency who is now CEO of cybersecurity firm ClearVector. “With AI, even a small group that doesn’t have a lot of money is still able to make an impact.” How extremist groups are experimenting Militant groups began using AI as soon as programs like ChatGPT became widely accessible. In the years since, they have increasingly used generative AI programs to create realistic-looking photos and video. When strapped to social media algorithms, this fake content can help recruit new believers, confuse or frighten enemies and spread propaganda at a scale unimaginable just a few years ago. Such groups spread fake images two years ago of the Israel-Hamas war depicting bloodied, abandoned babies in bombed-out buildings. The images spurred outrage and polarization while obscuring the war’s actual horrors. Violent groups in the Middle East used the photos to recruit new members, as did antisemitic hate groups in the U.S. and elsewhere. Something similar happened last year after an attack claimed by an IS affiliate killed nearly 140 people at a concert venue in Russia. In the days after the shooting, AI-crafted propaganda videos circulated widely on discussion boards and social media, seeking new recruits. IS also has created deepfake audio recordings of its own leaders reciting scripture and used AI to quickly translate messages into multiple languages, according to researchers at SITE Intelligence Group, a firm that tracks extremist activities and has investigated IS’ evolving use of AI. ‘Aspirational’ — for now Such groups lag behind China, Russia or Iran and still view the more sophisticated uses of AI as “aspirational,” according to Marcus Fowler, a former CIA agent who is now CEO at Darktrace Federal, a cybersecurity firm that works with the federal government. But the risks are too high to ignore and are likely to grow as the use of cheap, powerful AI expands, he said. Hackers are already using synthetic audio and video for phishing campaigns, in which they try to impersonate a senior business or government leader to gain access to sensitive networks. They also can use AI to write malicious code or automate some aspects of cyberattacks. More concerning is the possibility that militant groups may try to use AI to help produce biological or chemical weapons, making up for a lack of technical expertise. That risk was included in the Department of Homeland Security’s updated Homeland Threat Assessment, released earlier this year. “ISIS got on Twitter early and found ways to use social media to their advantage,” Fowler said. “They are always looking for the next thing to add to their arsenal.” Countering a growing threat Lawmakers have floated several proposals, saying there’s an urgent need to act. Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said, for instance, that the U.S. must make it easier for AI developers to share information about how their products are being used by bad actors, whether they are extremists, criminal hackers or foreign spies. “It has been obvious since late 2022, with the public release of ChatGPT, that the same fascination and experimentation with generative AI the public has had would also apply to a range of malign actors,” Warner said. During a recent hearing on extremist threats, House lawmakers learned that IS and al-Qaida have held training workshops to help supporters learn to use AI. Legislation that passed the U.S. House last month would require homeland security officials to assess the AI risks posed by such groups each year. Guarding against the malicious use of AI is no different from preparing for more conventional attacks, said Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, the bill’s sponsor. “Our policies and capabilities must keep pace with the threats of tomorrow,” he said. —David Klepper, Associated Press View the full article

Sergey Brin, Google’s co-founder, admitted that Google “for sure messed up” by underinvesting in AI and failing to seriously pursue the opportunity after releasing the research that led to today’s generative AI era. Driving the news. Google didn’t take it seriously enough and failed to scale fast enough after the Transformer paper, Brin said. Also: Google was “too scared to bring it to people” because chatbots can “say dumb things.” “OpenAI ran with it,” which was “a super smart insight.” The full quote. Brin said: “I guess I would say in some ways we for sure messed up in that we underinvested and sort of didn’t take it as seriously as we should have, say eight years ago when we published the transformer paper. We actually didn’t take it all that seriously and didn’t necessarily invest in scaling the compute. And also we were too scared to bring it to people because chatbots say dumb things. And you know, OpenAI ran with it, which good for them. It was a super smart insight and it was also our people like Ilya [Sutskever] who went there to do that. But I do think we still have benefited from that long history.” Yes, but. Google still benefits from years of AI research and control over much of the technology that powers it, Brin said. That includes deep learning algorithms, years of neural network research and development, data-center capacity, and semiconductors. Why we care. Brin’s comments help explain why Google’s AI-driven search changes have felt abrupt and inconsistent. After years of hesitation about shipping imperfect AI, Google is now moving fast (perhaps too fast?). The volatility we see in Google Search is collateral damage from that catch-up mode. Where is AI going? Brin framed today’s AI race as hyper-competitive and fast-moving: “If you skip AI news for a month, you’re way behind.” When asked where AI is going, he said: “I think we just don’t know. Is there a ceiling to intelligence? I guess in addition to the question that you raised, can it do anything a person can do? There’s the question, what things can it do that a person cannot do? That’s sort of a super intelligence question. And I think that’s just not known, how smart can a thing be?” One more thing. Brin said he often uses Gemini Live in the car for back-and-forth conversations. The public version runs on an “ancient model,” Brin said, adding that a “way better version” is coming in a few weeks. The video. Brin’s remarks came at a Stanford event marking the School of Engineering’s 100th anniversary. He discussed Google’s origins, its innovation culture, and the current AI landscape. Here’s the full video. View the full article

Facebook has rolled out significant updates designed to streamline user interaction and enhance content creation, and this could present valuable opportunities for small business owners seeking to leverage the platform for growth. One of the standout features in this update is a smarter, cleaner Feed. Facebook aims to make it easier for users to engage with content that matters. The updates will standardize how multiple photos are displayed in a grid format, which not only makes posts more visually appealing but also simplifies interaction. Double-tapping to like a photo can increase engagement for businesses showcasing products or services. According to Facebook, the “Feed will be simpler and more immersive,” allowing users to connect over shared interests efficiently. These changes come alongside a refreshed tab bar that gives quicker access to essential features like Reels, Friends, Marketplace, and Profile. This could translate to increased visibility for small businesses that utilize Marketplace features or post Reels as part of their marketing strategies. Another noteworthy aspect is the overhaul of the search functionality. Users will soon experience search results in an immersive grid layout, making it easier to explore various types of content. For small business owners, this could be advantageous when potential customers search for products or services your business offers. The ability for users to explore content without losing their previous search context is likely to keep them engaged longer, which could drive traffic to business profiles. Feedback is another area of focus. Users will now have the ability to inform the algorithm about content they don’t like, allowing for more tailored experiences in their Feed. As small business owners, this feature allows you to gauge what resonates with your audience, improving future content strategies. Facebook emphasizes that these updates reinforce the idea that users can curate their experience, providing relevant content that aligns with their interests. In the realm of content creation, Facebook has simplified how users can create Stories and Feed posts. The redesign makes key tools like music integration and tagging friends easy to find, enabling small business owners to create compelling content without distraction. With audience and cross-posting settings more visible, this improvement aids businesses in maximizing their reach across multiple platforms. Additionally, the commenting experience across Feed, Groups, and Reels has been revamped. Streamlined replies and new comment-monitoring tools for group admins will lead to more meaningful conversations. Small business owners often rely on community engagement and feedback, and these improvements can foster a more interactive environment where customers feel heard and valued. The update also includes a stronger focus on fostering genuine connections. When users update their profiles, Facebook will suggest friends with relevant interests, enhancing networking opportunities. This is particularly beneficial for small business owners looking to establish deeper connections or partnerships. By showcasing common interests such as hobbies or professional backgrounds, businesses can build stronger relationships within their local communities. “These improvements are just the beginning in making Facebook less cluttered and easier to use,” the company noted, hinting at ongoing updates and enhancements. This proactive approach could keep the platform evolving in ways that will continuously benefit small businesses. However, small business owners should consider potential challenges that come with these changes. While a more curated Feed may enhance relevance, it also raises questions about visibility. Businesses must adapt their strategies to ensure they remain prominent in users’ feeds, especially as audiences become more selective in what they engage with. Additionally, the rapid changes might require some trial and error as businesses experiment with new content creation tools and features. Small business owners who lack resources may find it challenging to keep up with updating their strategies, necessitating an understanding of the latest social media trends. Overall, these updates present a unique opportunity for small business owners to refine their marketing strategies and enhance customer engagement via Facebook. With the right approach and adaptation, businesses can harness these tools to reach and connect with their audience more effectively. For further details, visit the original post at Facebook News. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Facebook Unveils Streamlined Feed and Profile Updates for Enhanced Connections" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Facebook has rolled out significant updates designed to streamline user interaction and enhance content creation, and this could present valuable opportunities for small business owners seeking to leverage the platform for growth. One of the standout features in this update is a smarter, cleaner Feed. Facebook aims to make it easier for users to engage with content that matters. The updates will standardize how multiple photos are displayed in a grid format, which not only makes posts more visually appealing but also simplifies interaction. Double-tapping to like a photo can increase engagement for businesses showcasing products or services. According to Facebook, the “Feed will be simpler and more immersive,” allowing users to connect over shared interests efficiently. These changes come alongside a refreshed tab bar that gives quicker access to essential features like Reels, Friends, Marketplace, and Profile. This could translate to increased visibility for small businesses that utilize Marketplace features or post Reels as part of their marketing strategies. Another noteworthy aspect is the overhaul of the search functionality. Users will soon experience search results in an immersive grid layout, making it easier to explore various types of content. For small business owners, this could be advantageous when potential customers search for products or services your business offers. The ability for users to explore content without losing their previous search context is likely to keep them engaged longer, which could drive traffic to business profiles. Feedback is another area of focus. Users will now have the ability to inform the algorithm about content they don’t like, allowing for more tailored experiences in their Feed. As small business owners, this feature allows you to gauge what resonates with your audience, improving future content strategies. Facebook emphasizes that these updates reinforce the idea that users can curate their experience, providing relevant content that aligns with their interests. In the realm of content creation, Facebook has simplified how users can create Stories and Feed posts. The redesign makes key tools like music integration and tagging friends easy to find, enabling small business owners to create compelling content without distraction. With audience and cross-posting settings more visible, this improvement aids businesses in maximizing their reach across multiple platforms. Additionally, the commenting experience across Feed, Groups, and Reels has been revamped. Streamlined replies and new comment-monitoring tools for group admins will lead to more meaningful conversations. Small business owners often rely on community engagement and feedback, and these improvements can foster a more interactive environment where customers feel heard and valued. The update also includes a stronger focus on fostering genuine connections. When users update their profiles, Facebook will suggest friends with relevant interests, enhancing networking opportunities. This is particularly beneficial for small business owners looking to establish deeper connections or partnerships. By showcasing common interests such as hobbies or professional backgrounds, businesses can build stronger relationships within their local communities. “These improvements are just the beginning in making Facebook less cluttered and easier to use,” the company noted, hinting at ongoing updates and enhancements. This proactive approach could keep the platform evolving in ways that will continuously benefit small businesses. However, small business owners should consider potential challenges that come with these changes. While a more curated Feed may enhance relevance, it also raises questions about visibility. Businesses must adapt their strategies to ensure they remain prominent in users’ feeds, especially as audiences become more selective in what they engage with. Additionally, the rapid changes might require some trial and error as businesses experiment with new content creation tools and features. Small business owners who lack resources may find it challenging to keep up with updating their strategies, necessitating an understanding of the latest social media trends. Overall, these updates present a unique opportunity for small business owners to refine their marketing strategies and enhance customer engagement via Facebook. With the right approach and adaptation, businesses can harness these tools to reach and connect with their audience more effectively. For further details, visit the original post at Facebook News. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Facebook Unveils Streamlined Feed and Profile Updates for Enhanced Connections" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Federal Reserve Gov. Stephen Miran said higher goods prices could be the tradeoff for bolstering national security and addressing geoeconomic risks. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. My smart home routines are ready for a refresh. As new standards have emerged for connecting gadgets in the home, and Google and Amazon have been updating their respective hardware and apps, I've been lagging in keeping things sharp and running smoothly. So, I'm doing something about it now. If you've been feeling bored by your smart home and its current routines too, keep reading. These are ways to configure the smart devices around you to make them for more than just turning the lights on and off (although there's always plenty of that). Although my personal smart home is in the Google Home ecosystem, these features also apply to smart homes powered by Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa. Turn everything off when no one is homeIt sounds like a no-brainer, but in nearly ten years, I still haven't set up my smart home so the lights turn off when I leave the house. Given how my energy bill is looking lately, I'd like to get out of this practice. I want to make sure the lights and any errant appliances turn off, especially when no one is inside. The "Away" routine in Google Home can be programmed to detect when everyone is out of the house. Credit: Florence Ion/Lifehacker In the Google Home app, there's an "Away" routine in the Automations tab that lets me select which devices to turn off when the system detects that my phone is gone and away. But what if everyone else is home? I don't want the lights to turn off on them. Instead, I use an automation that turns the lights off when two conditions are met: I'm not at home, and none of the house's centralized gadgets, like the Chromecast-connected TVs, are on. Even if you aren't in the Google ecosystem, you can use similar "if-this-then-that" logic. For Apple HomeKit users, the Shortcuts app is a better way to make a "Leave Home" automation and add a "Get State of Home" condition to ensure companion devices, like an Apple TV, are not in use. Amazon Alexa users have it a bit harder, as there is no native way to detect a device's on/off status. You can create a location-based routine or use the "Away Lighting" feature (in your Home/Away settings). It effectively switches on an "enforce" mode when you leave. Apple lets you select "when the last person leaves" as a trigger for a smart home automation. Credit: Florence Ion/Lifehacker Set the morning volume Some people like to rock out first thing in the morning. But there's nothing worse than scaring the rest of the household into a wake-state because the volume was left on high. While you could yell over the device streaming music or run to turn down the volume, there's no need to deal with all that. Instead, set a volume-first routine so the speaker is set to the desired volume each morning before anyone activates it. Set all your smart speakers to the same volume level at each time of day so no one gets their ears blasted off. Credit: Florence Ion/Lifehacker In the Google Home app, under Automations, set the formula to run first thing in the morning every day, week after week. Then select the offending speaker-equipped devices. (I set up all my smart speakers at the same volume each day, upstairs and downstairs, since you never know.) Apple and Alexa have similar setups. In the Apple Home app, you'll set a scene on the corresponding HomePod to run at a Time-of-Day Automation. And through Amazon Alexa, you'll create a Routine with a "schedule" trigger, then select Echo devices to set the volume. Deter people from your porchIf you're not interested in visitors at certain times of day or night, you can set up your porch to perform a visible action that gets whoever is outside to scram. If you have a doorbell camera, you are likely used to getting passive notifications that someone is visible. You can turn that notice into a smart home automation. Set it up so that when motion is detected, the outdoor lights blast to full brightness and the outward-facing lights inside the house flicker on. You will need smart bulbs or smart plugs to enable this. Nest cameras in the Google Home app let you choose a "person detected" trigger to start an action. Credit: Florence Ion/Lifehacker In the Google Home app, the Automations tab is where this is done. I set my Nest doorbell camera to "Starter" when it detects "Person seen." Then, I choose the lights that I want blaring at 100% under Actions. Apple smart homes need HomeKit Secure Video (HSV)-enabled cameras to access something like this. In the Home app, you can create an automation that runs when the camera detects activity, then select the outdoor lights and the outward-facing lights that should turn on. Amazon users with Ring cameras can do the same in the Alexa app under Routines. You can even go a step further and enable the same "Away Lighting" feature from the last tip, which broadcasts a chime inside the house the moment motion is detected. Focus mode for the houseUnfortunately, I can't focus. I need all external distractions disabled in some capacity. Rather than do that manually, I set up an automation to get the rest of the house whipped into shape when it's time to work. With that, I skip saying a command out loud and instead set it up on a schedule. Beginning at 9:30 each morning, except weekends, I put the action to adjust all the lights in my office to a specific setting, enough to get me into the groove, and turn off any other lights in the house that may have been left on from the chaotic morning routine. I also turn off the TVs and any internal-facing security cameras that shouldn't be watching me while I work. It's a similar schematic for Apple HomeKit users, though it's even better because iOS lets your iPhone's state set the tone. In the Shortcuts app, you can create a personal automation. Select a Focus mode as the trigger (it might look like "Do not disturb"), then select "When Turning On." You'll then set the action to "Control Home," and that's where you'll put the status for smart lights and any other devices you want. Once you place the iPhone into silent mode, or the clock strikes 9:30 a.m.—whichever comes first—you'll see the devices linked here follow suit. Alexa uses a similar logic to Google Home, with the schedule doing the heavy lifting. In the Alexa app, go to Routines and create one with a scheduled time as the trigger, set to run only on weekdays. Then add the smart home actions you want to adjust, turn off, and turn on. The only bummer here is that there is no way to extend the action to your smartphone, at least through Alexa. Create a Guest Mode for smart devicesPeople are confused about how I control my house, and I don't blame them. So, I set up a "limited access" guest profile for friends who plan to stay only a night or two. The Google Home app lets you add a "Member" with limited access to the smart home. Credit: Florence Ion/Lifehacker Google Home lets you invite people with the "Member" role to access smart home controls. Provided they have a Google account, the person can access connected lights in the designated rooms as needed. Apple HomeKit is much more granular, but it works similarly. You can invite people by their Apple ID and manage access to certain accessories. You can also lock them out of security cameras and thermostats, so they have access only to the essentials, like the smart lights. In the Amazon ecosystem, Alexa is the most limited. (It once offered a now-deprecated Guest Connect feature.) Instead, you'll rely on the Amazon Household feature, so you'll have to invite a guest with an Amazon account to control devices. However, this also gives them access to the whole kit and caboodle, like your payment methods. If you want to avoid oversharing, teach your guests the basic "on" and "off" commands for your smart devices. Protect your thermostatIf you don't want other people adjusting your thermostat, you can lock them out with your smart home. In Google-led smart homes, you can set up a PIN in the Home app to prevent manual adjusters from accessing the thermostat and changing the temperature. However, this works only with compatible hardware, like a Nest Thermostat. In an Amazon home, you need an Alexa-compatible thermostat. You could dig through the settings of the manufacturer's apps to set up a PIN to keep people from messing with the dial. Or you can use a Routine within Alexa to set a specific schedule so that the temperature automatically returns to your preferred setting even if someone else has touched it. Remind everyone that the scene that's taking place is your temperature, and no one else's. Credit: Florence Ion/Lifehacker Apple HomeKit lets you, the smart home owner, be the boss with Scenes. (Get used to making them, because they become essential later.) In the Home app, create a scene called "My temp" and then set the compatible thermostat to your preferred temperature. In the Shortcuts app, create a personal automation to run this scene at a specific time, then select how often you want it to run. This will check and adjust the temperature every few hours to ensure it's at your favorite level, not anyone else's. Never forget another load of laundry I have a connected washer and dryer for laundry, which I can configure to alert me when a load is done. There's the simple push notification, which might work for some, but I prefer Google Home to holler at me when the laundry's done drying. In the Home app, under Automations, I can select my LG dryer going off as the status, then ask the Home app to broadcast a message to a few specific smart speakers around the house to let me know the laundry is ready to fetch. If you don't have internet-connected appliances, you can use a smart plug with energy- and power-monitoring capabilities from brands like Govee or TP-Link's Kasa. Provided they can handle high-voltage use (look for over 15 amps), you can plug in your unconnected washer or dryer that way and have it notify you when the appliance shuts off. Apple HomeKit users should look into compatible Eve Energy smart plugs, then create a personal automation routine in the Shortcuts app to trigger when the smart plug's current drops below a set threshold. The action can be to "Control Home," and then choose a scene that flashes lights a certain color at high brightness, all-lights-on, as an indicator that it's time to get to the clothes. Amazon users are in the same boat. A compatible smart plug can be added to a Routine that triggers when the smart plug's energy usage is below a certain wattage. For the action, you'd set a smart bulb to red or something similar to serve as a visual cue that it's time to fold. Don't water when it rainsMy husband has set up a vast network of internet-connected sprinklers in both the front and back yards using B-Hyve. It's great for easily turning the sprinklers on and off, and for scheduling them in the summertime. But in the winter, we don't need to water the grass as much as we do in the dry summer. So we set up a weather override in the app. If you don't have a smart sprinkler setup, you can fake it. Again, all you need is a smart plug rated for outdoor use, plugged into the sprinkler system. An external temperature sensor can make this routine more accurate. For Google Home users, you'll rely on seasonal schedules instead of live weather data. Start a new automation with a "time of day" trigger that runs only on weekdays. You will need to manually turn this routine off in winter to prevent it from overwatering the lawn. You can use a third-party service like IFTTT or Zapier to set up something that's based on the actual weather forecast. Alexa requires a similar third-party to make a Routine with a weather condition. Apple is more accommodating. In the Apple Home app, you can create a time-of-day automation and then convert it to a Shortcut to add the weather as a condition. You can then set the action to "Get Weather Forecast" and select whether the current weather is "rainy" or whether the chance exceeds a certain percentage. If the forecast calls for rain, the Shortcut doesn't affect the system. Alternatively, if there is no rain, the Shortcut continues and sets the sprinkler's smart plug to "on." Play music or soundscapes on commandI work best with one of those binaural tracks on loop in the background. Instead of manually starting these tracks every day, I can have Google do it by tying my soundscapes directly to a routine. You can make one, too, for any media you'd like to listen to. In the Google Home app, under Automations, create a household routine that runs when you say "Hey Google, it's chill time!" Under Actions, select which lights should turn on and how they should be set up. Then, you can choose a smart speaker or a Chromecast device and set it up to play specific media from Spotify or YouTube. You can select speakers to play something very particular when it's working time. Credit: Florence Ion/Lifehacker The same goes for Apple and Amazon households. Apple Home lets you set a time-of-day automation or a voice command to run on its own. For audio, select the HomePod and set it to play "ambient sounds" or anything from Apple Music. HomePod supports a "Stop Playing After" setting, so you can set it to turn off after an hour or two. Amazon also relies on a Routine. For the action, select the music and audio option, then specify the source of your noises. Add a second action by selecting "Timers & Alarms" and setting a "Sleep Timer." This ensures that Alexa stops the audio after a set time, like with Apple Home, so you don't have to turn it off manually. Get an alert if someone leaves the garage door openThe best part of having a smart home is remote access to all the appliances and devices you're worried about leaving on or open when you leave the house. You can do this with your garage without dealing with one of those tricky garage door sensor installations, provided you have a compatible smart home hub. You can buy a cheap security camera that uses an SD card to monitor the garage door and let you peek in. Or, for around $20, you can buy a small ZigBee-enabled tilt sensor and automate it to check the garage status once the system has detected that everyone is out of the house. In Google Home, you'd attach this sensor to the "Home & Away status." Like the routine we set up for the lights earlier, here you'd choose the tilt sensor to check when "Everyone is Away." If the sensor device status is set to "open," you can select an action to notify you with a custom message. Closing it is still on you, though. If you were the last to leave, you'll need to double back; if someone else was, you can quickly call or text them to turn around and close the door. Apple and Amazon have the same location-based blueprint. On Apple, you'd set up the sensor along with the "People Leave" automation, then set the condition to "Open" after the last person leaves. Set the Action to send a notification to your device if so. And on Amazon, set a Routine to check for the garage status when you've left the premises. View the full article

What Is a Scope of Work? A scope of work in project management is a formal document that defines the specific tasks, deliverables, timelines and responsibilities required to complete a project. It establishes clear boundaries by outlining what is included and excluded, setting expectations for performance standards, acceptance criteria and work requirements. The scope of work supports project planning, scheduling, budgeting and monitoring and reduces ambiguity between stakeholders and provides a contractual reference for managing changes, tracking progress and preventing scope creep throughout execution. /wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Scope-of-work-template.jpg Get your free Scope of Work Template Use this free Scope of Work Template to manage your projects better. Get the template What Is the Purpose of a Scope of Work? The purpose of a scope of work (SOW) is to clearly define what a project will deliver, how the work will be performed and where responsibilities begin and end. It serves as a shared reference point for all stakeholders, helping align expectations before work starts and reducing the risk of misunderstandings later in the project. By documenting deliverables, timelines, assumptions and constraints, a scope of work creates transparency and supports more accurate planning, budgeting and scheduling. A well-written SOW also functions as a control tool throughout execution. When questions arise or changes are requested, teams can refer back to the scope of work to determine whether the request is in or out of scope. This helps prevent scope creep, protects resources and supports objective decision-making. Ultimately, the scope of work provides structure and accountability, enabling teams to execute confidently and stakeholders to measure progress against agreed-upon criteria. A scope of work is designed to: Define project deliverables and boundaries Clarify roles, responsibilities and expectations Establish timelines, milestones and assumptions Reduce risk, disputes and unplanned changes When to Use a Scope of Work A scope of work should be used whenever a project requires clear expectations, defined deliverables and accountability between parties. It’s especially important at the start of a project, before execution begins, to ensure everyone understands what work is included and how success will be measured. Projects involving multiple stakeholders, external vendors or complex deliverables benefit most from a scope of work, as it reduces ambiguity and supports smoother collaboration. A scope of work is also critical when projects have fixed budgets, tight timelines or regulatory requirements, where changes can quickly increase risk and cost. Additionally, it should be created or updated when significant changes are introduced, such as revised objectives or expanded requirements. In these situations, a scope of work provides a documented baseline that helps teams manage change, prevent scope creep and maintain control throughout the project lifecycle. With ProjectManager, make a WBS, design reports and build a project timeline in seconds with our online Gantt chart maker. Map your scope of work, create a budget, assign tasks, add dependencies and more. Then present to your team and stakeholders to get the project moving on the right foot. Try it free today. /wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Gantt_Manufacturing_Wide_Zoom-150_Focus-on-Tasklist_Spreadsheet-CTA.jpgLearn more What Should Be Included in a Scope of Work Document? Below is an overview of the main components of a scope of work. You can add or remove some of these elements to better adjust to your project stakeholders’ requirements. Project Background Project background provides context by outlining the reasons a project exists, the problem it aims to solve and any relevant history or business drivers influencing the work. In a scope of work document, this section establishes a shared understanding of purpose, helping stakeholders align on objectives, assumptions and constraints before defining deliverables, timelines and responsibilities. Purpose Statement A purpose statement clearly describes why a project is being undertaken and what it aims to achieve. In a scope of work document, the purpose statement sets the foundation for all project activities by aligning stakeholders on objectives, guiding decision-making and framing the expected outcomes. It ensures that deliverables, timelines, and responsibilities are connected to the project’s overall goal, providing clarity and direction throughout execution. Roles & Responsibilities This section defines the primary participants involved in delivering the work described in the scope of work and clarifies their respective responsibilities. Clearly assigning responsibilities helps prevent gaps, overlaps and misunderstandings during execution and establishes accountability for decision-making, approvals and deliverable acceptance throughout the project. Client Defines business objectives and success criteria Provides timely approvals and decisions Supplies required inputs, data and access Reviews and accepts deliverables Identifies a primary point of contact and escalation authority Project Manager Plans and coordinates the work within the defined scope Manages task sequencing and dependencies at a high level Tracks progress against milestones and timeline Coordinates communication and reporting Escalates issues, risks and scope impacts as needed Project Team/Delivery Team Executes assigned tasks and work packages Produces project deliverables in accordance with quality standards Provides status updates and technical input Supports reviews, revisions and rework if required Stakeholders Provide input, feedback or approvals as defined Participate in reviews and milestone checkpoints Support alignment with business, operational or regulatory needs Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) A work breakdown structure (WBS) is a hierarchical decomposition of the total project scope into work streams, deliverables, subdeliverables and work packages. It organizes what work is included, not how it is scheduled. In a scope of work, a WBS is important because it clarifies scope boundaries, aligns tasks to deliverables, reduces ambiguity, supports cost and schedule estimation and provides a common reference for acceptance, change control and contractual accountability across stakeholders, suppliers and project teams throughout delivery and governance processes globally. Project Deliverables This is what your project delivers. Whether it’s a product or a service, it’s the reason you’re executing the project for your customer, stakeholder or sponsor. Whatever that deliverable is, and it can be some sort of document or report, software, product, build (or all of the above), you need to clearly identify each item here. Project Milestones A task list with dependencies identifies all project activities and illustrates the relationships and sequence between them. Within a scope of work document, it provides clarity on workflow, highlights critical steps, and flags potential bottlenecks. Showing how tasks rely on one another helps stakeholders understand timelines, assign responsibilities effectively and anticipate how delays in one area could affect overall project delivery. Related: 38 Free Excel Templates for Business (Plus 10 Word Templates) Project Constraints Project constraints are the limitations or restrictions that affect how a project is planned and executed, such as budget, timeline, resources, or regulatory requirements. In a scope of work document, outlining these constraints helps set realistic expectations and guides decision-making. Identifying these limits allows stakeholders to plan effectively, manage risks and keep the project achievable within its established boundaries. Project Assumptions Project assumptions are conditions or factors considered true for planning purposes, even though they may not be fully verified, such as resource availability, technology reliability or stakeholder support. In a scope of work document, documenting assumptions helps set expectations and provides context for decisions. They guide planning, highlight potential risks and serve as a reference point if conditions change, ensuring that project deliverables, timelines and responsibilities remain realistic and achievable. Project Exclusions Project exclusions are specific tasks, deliverables or responsibilities that are intentionally not included in a project. In a scope of work document, clearly stating exclusions helps prevent misunderstandings and sets boundaries for what the project will and will not cover. By defining what is out of scope, stakeholders can focus on agreed-upon objectives, reduce the risk of scope creep and maintain clarity around responsibilities and project expectations. Acceptance Criteria Acceptance criteria are the defined standards a project’s deliverables must meet to be considered complete and satisfactory. In a scope of work document, they outline the acceptance standards, specify the review and approval process, identify the acceptance authority, and set expectations for any required rework. Additionally, acceptance timelines clarify when deliverables must be evaluated. Together, these elements ensure that stakeholders have a clear, shared understanding of what constitutes successful project completion. Resource Requirements Resource requirements identify the personnel, skills, tools, equipment, facilities and other assets needed to complete a project successfully. In a scope of work document, detailing these requirements ensures that the right labor categories and skill sets are assigned, necessary tools and equipment are available and any site or facility access is secured. It also clarifies which resources the client will provide, helping prevent delays and supporting smooth project execution. /wp-content/uploads/2024/04/assign-people-resource-allocation-light-mode-gantt-chart-workload-assignments-600x295.pngLearn more Project Timeline Think of a timeline as a road leading from the start of a project to its end. It’s a section of the document that delineates the major phases across the schedule of the project’s duration. It should also mark the points in the project when your deliverables are ready. As you can guess, it’s essential to scope out the overall plan of any project. This is best presented visually, like a rolled-up Gantt chart plan, so the stakeholders can see the high-level timeline. Project Milestones Projects can be long and complex, which is why they’re laid out over a timeline and broken down into more manageable parts called tasks. Larger phases of the project are marked by what’s called a milestone. It’s a way to help you monitor the progress of the project to ensure it’s adhering to your planned schedule. Define your key milestones on a timeline in the scope of work document, including project kickoffs, meetings, hand-offs, etc. Project Reports You’ll be generating reports throughout the project, delivered to either your team or customer, stakeholder or sponsor. These can include status reports, progress reports, variance reports and more. They’re a formal record of the progress of your project, but they’re also a means of communication beyond whether the project’s on schedule or not. Depending on how you customize reports, there’s a wealth of data that can serve a number of different audiences. Define how you’ll be reporting on the project and when the stakeholders can expect them and from whom. Related: 12 Free Action Plan Templates for Excel and Word Scope of Work Template Now that you know what’s included in this all-important document, download our free scope of work template for Word. It has everything you need to make a scope of work document for your own project, so your stakeholders know exactly what to expect in terms of schedule, deliverables and effort. /wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Scope-of-work-template-screenshot-600x611.pngFree download How to Write a Scope of Work Now that we’ve listed the elements of a scope of work document, let’s go through the step-by-step process of writing one. These steps can help you create a scope of work for different industries such as construction or manufacturing. Define the project goals: Before writing a scope of work, you should define what project goals will be accomplished through the execution of the project tasks that will be included in your scope of work. Use a work breakdown structure to identify project tasks: The first step when writing a scope of work is to identify all your project tasks. This is done by using a work breakdown structure (WBS), a project management tool that lets you break down projects and work packages into individual tasks, so you can better plan and schedule them. Determine your project deliverables: A project deliverable is a tangible or intangible output from tasks. They’re an important part of a scope of work as they’re the outcomes of the project. Establish acceptance criteria for your project deliverables: Project deliverables must meet the acceptance criteria established by the project client, such as quality standards or functionality requirements. Use the CPM method to create a project timeline: The critical path method is a project scheduling technique that allows project managers to create a project timeline and estimate project duration by identifying the longest sequence of tasks. It’s important that you use this or other project scheduling techniques to create a realistic schedule for your scope of work. Establish payment terms for the project: You may include payment terms as a section of your scope of work. Establish project reporting procedures: Effective communication between the project team and stakeholders is crucial, so your scope of work document should include a section that outlines how reporting will be conducted. Scope of Work Example This scope of work defines the specific construction activities, deliverables and boundaries for a municipal streetscape improvement project. It details the work required to upgrade pedestrian infrastructure, utilities and public amenities along a designated urban corridor. Project Background The city has identified deteriorating sidewalks, inadequate drainage and outdated street lighting along a high-traffic commercial corridor. These conditions present safety risks to pedestrians and limit accessibility. The project involves rehabilitating public right-of-way infrastructure to improve walkability, accessibility and stormwater management while maintaining traffic flow and business access during construction. Purpose Statement The purpose of this scope of work is to clearly define the construction tasks, deliverables and execution boundaries required to complete the streetscape improvement project. The purpose statement document establishes a shared understanding of what work is included, how it will be structured and what constitutes completion, serving as the basis for coordination, measurement and change management. Work Breakdown Structure The work breakdown structure organizes the total scope of work into manageable components and work packages. It provides a structured view of all construction activities required to deliver the project, supporting planning, coordination and progress tracking. WBS ID Work Package Description of Work Primary Deliverable Responsible Party 1.0 Mobilization and traffic control Set up site access, signage and temporary traffic control measures Approved traffic control setup General contractor 2.0 Demolition and removals Remove existing sidewalks, curbs and damaged pavement Cleared work zones Civil subcontractor 3.0 Stormwater improvements Install drainage inlets, piping and grading for runoff control Operational drainage system Utility subcontractor 4.0 Sidewalk and curb construction Form, pour and finish new sidewalks and curbs Completed pedestrian pathways Concrete subcontractor 5.0 Street lighting installation Install new light poles, wiring and fixtures Operational street lighting Electrical subcontractor 6.0 Final restoration and cleanup Restore disturbed areas and remove temporary controls Clean and restored streetscape General contractor Task List With Dependencies This task list breaks down the work packages into executable tasks and identifies key dependencies that govern sequencing. Dependencies reflect regulatory approvals, physical readiness and coordination requirements that must be satisfied before subsequent tasks can begin. Task ID Task Description Dependency Output Responsible Party T-01 Install traffic control measures Approved traffic control plan Active work zone General contractor T-02 Remove existing sidewalks and curbs Traffic control in place Demolished surfaces Civil subcontractor T-03 Install stormwater infrastructure Demolition complete Installed drainage system Utility subcontractor T-04 Construct new sidewalks and curbs Stormwater installation approved Finished concrete surfaces Concrete subcontractor T-05 Install street lighting Sidewalk construction complete Operational lighting system Electrical subcontractor Project Milestones Project milestones represent significant progress points used to track advancement and coordinate inspections, approvals and stakeholder communication throughout execution. Milestone ID Milestone Description Planned Date Approval Authority M-01 Traffic control established 10/06/2025 City transportation department M-02 Demolition complete 25/06/2025 Project manager M-03 Sidewalk construction complete 20/07/2025 City inspector M-04 Final streetscape acceptance 05/08/2025 Municipal public works department Project Constraints Project constraints define the fixed limitations that restrict how the work described in this scope of work can be executed. These constraints establish non-negotiable conditions related to schedule, operations, regulatory requirements and the project environment. All work must be planned and performed within these limitations. Constraint Type Description Impact on Work Management Approach Operational Businesses along the corridor must remain accessible during construction Phased work and limited closures Maintain pedestrian access and clear signage Regulatory Work must comply with municipal standards and permit conditions Restricted construction methods and sequencing Ongoing coordination with city authorities Schedule Construction is limited to approved working hours Reduced daily productivity windows Detailed daily planning and task batching Environmental Weather conditions may affect outdoor construction activities Potential delays to concrete and utility work Schedule buffers and resequencing Project Acceptance Criteria Acceptance criteria define the conditions that must be met for the completed work to be considered acceptable. These criteria provide objective measures for inspection, approval and formal handover. Deliverable Acceptance Standard Verification Method Accepting Authority Sidewalks and curbs Meets city design and accessibility standards Field inspection City inspector Stormwater system Fully functional with no drainage issues Operational testing Public works department Street lighting All fixtures operational and compliant Electrical inspection Electrical authority Resource Requirements Resource requirements identify the labor, equipment and materials necessary to complete the defined scope of work. These resources support planning, coordination and availability management. Resource Type Description Quantity / Level Provided By Labor Construction crews and supervisors As required by phase General contractor Equipment Excavators, concrete mixers, lifts Project duration Contractor Materials Concrete, piping, lighting fixtures Per specifications Contractor Project Timeline The project timeline summarizes the planned start and end dates for major phases of work. Dates are indicative and subject to adjustment based on field conditions and approvals. Project Phase Start Date End Date Duration Mobilization and demolition 05/06/2025 25/06/2025 3 weeks Stormwater and utilities 26/06/2025 10/07/2025 2 weeks Sidewalks and lighting 11/07/2025 30/07/2025 3 weeks Final restoration and closeout 31/07/2025 05/08/2025 1 week /wp-content/uploads/2025/02/PM-101-eBook-banner-ad.jpg Why Is It Important to Write a Scope of Work? Here are some of the reasons why writing a scope of work is beneficial for projects. Defines the Project Scope The main purpose of a scope of work is to define the scope of a project. This means defining the work that’ll be done as well as project exclusions, activities or deliverables which aren’t part of a project. Prevents Scope Creep Scope creep is a risk that can affect any project. It occurs when additional project tasks are added to the initial project scope during the execution of a project. These unplanned additions of tasks to the work plan cause extra costs and derail the project schedule. Scope creep can be avoided by having a clear scope of work that establishes what will and what won’t be executed. However, changes might be made to the project scope by using a change request, another important project management document. Sets Clear Expectations for Project Stakeholders Without a scope of work document, project stakeholders might have unrealistic expectations about a project, such as assuming certain tasks and deliverables will be done. Therefore, it’s important for project managers and project teams to make sure there’s a scope of work that lets stakeholders know what to expect. For example, a scope of work is an important element of a project proposal, which is one of the project management documents that allow project management teams to explain stakeholders such as clients or project sponsors what they can expect from a project. Related: Project Proposal Template Scope of Work Tips But before you get to writing, you need to make sure you follow these tips. Be specific: explain the terms used clearly Use visuals: a picture is worth a thousand words Get sign-offs: make sure everyone who needs to okay the work, does It’s not that difficult, but it needs to be thorough because you don’t want to have to play catch-up with paperwork when you’re in the heat of the project. Pro tip: The SOW is essential to the project plan and is often included as part of the overall project plan, but it can be time-consuming to write. We’ve created dozens of project management templates to help you create all your project documents. How to Manage Your Scope of Work With Project Management Software It can feel overwhelming with so many tasks to keep track of, but project management software can simplify the process. In ProjectManager, you can import your spreadsheet or use one of our industry-specific templates to get you started. A list of tasks is only a start. To bring order to that chaos, you’ll want to estimate duration by adding start and finish dates. We then automatically put your tasks on a timeline in our Gantt chart project view, so you can see the whole project in one place. Further rein in the tasks by prioritizing them, linking dependencies to prevent bottlenecks later in the project and setting milestones to break up the larger project into more manageable phases. /wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Gantt_Construction_Wide_Zoom-150.jpg Collaborate at the Task Level Tasks need people to execute them and move your project forward. You have your schedule, so onboard your team and start assigning them tasks. You can do this from any of our multiple project views. We offer collaborative tools that make teams more productive and help them work together. You can direct them with task descriptions and by attaching files to the task. Then, they can work together, commenting at the task level with other team members, who are notified by email. This is great for remote teams and even those working in the same room. /wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Manufacturing-overlay-LIST-ZOOM-task.jpg Track Progress to Stay On Time and Under Budget Speaking of distributed teams, how can you keep track of their progress if you can’t check in on them? We solve that problem with great monitoring features, such as a real-time dashboard that shows you task progress, costs and other high-level views of the project. Our software takes status updates and automatically displays them in easy-to-read charts and graphs. You can even share them at stakeholder meetings to keep them in the loop. /wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Marketing_Dashboard.png For more in-depth data, we feature one-click reports that can be filtered to show just the data you’re looking for. Reports track project variance, workload and more. You’ll catch issues and resolve them quickly before they become problems that threaten to derail your project. If you want that scope of work to be the beginning of a beautiful project, then try ProjectManager for free with our 30-day trial offer. Video: Scope of Work Best Practices In this video, Jennifer Bridges, PMP, shows you how to write a scope of work for project management. Follow her steps to get started or use our project plan and scope document template! Here’s a shot of the whiteboard for your reference! Related Project Planning Content Project Documentation: 15 Essential Project Documents How to Create a Project Execution Plan (PEP) How to Write a Scope of Work How to Write an Action Plan (Example Included) Alcance del Trabajo: ¿Cómo Escribir este Documento? Comment rédiger une portée des travaux (avec exemples et modèles inclus) Leistungsumfang erstellen – mit Beispielen und Vorlagen If you need a tool that can help you manage and track your scope of work document, then sign up for our software now at ProjectManager. The post How to Write a Scope of Work (Examples & Templates Included) appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

What a client service plan can add. By Domenick J. Esposito 8 Steps to Great Go PRO for members-only access to more Dom Esposito. View the full article

What a client service plan can add. By Domenick J. Esposito 8 Steps to Great Go PRO for members-only access to more Dom Esposito. View the full article