NATIONAL MORTGAGE PROFESSIONAL MONTH

August 31, 2026August 7, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 5 Comments

NATIONAL MORTGAGE PROFESSIONAL MONTH

Every September, National Mortgage Professional Month recognizes the professionals who play a role in helping people finance the dream of homeownership.

Since 2011, home sales in the United States have steadily grown, meaning each year more and more people are buying a home. Whether it’s a first home or the next home, mortgage professions understand how exciting and stressful the process can be. A mortgage professional takes on the task of making sure everything is in place by closing day. They may be loan officers, processors, underwriters, servicers, insurers, or other mortgage professionals, but all of them work hard to make your home loan a reality.

Their varied roles may include:

Reviewing loan applications
Verifying credit
Processing loan applications
Appraising the property
Examining the title
Verifying the purchase price, annual percentage rate, and term of the loan
Preparing the loan

Most people are not aware of the number of people and amount of work involved between the moment someone decides to buy a home and the day the final contracts are signed.

NATIONAL MORTGAGE PROFESSIONAL MONTH HISTORY

In 2015, United Guaranty founded National Mortgage Professional Month to honor all mortgage professionals.

HOW TO OBSERVE #MortgageProfessionalMonth

During September, give a mortgage professional you know a shout-out. Recommend them to someone who is looking for a new home. Let them know you appreciate all they do to help people achieve homeownership. If you’re considering purchasing a home, learn about the process and what to expect.

Use #MortgageProfessionalMonth to share on social media.

NATIONAL CLEAN OUT YOUR COMPUTER DAY

February 9, 2026January 2, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 2 Comments

Observed on the second Monday in February, the 12th this year, National Clean Out Your Computer Day promotes taking time out of your day to do some basic housekeeping on your computer.

Use things like thumb drives to safely store those precious photographs. I encourage you to also create a rescue drive on a separate thumb drive. This will allow you to fix and reinstall windows if something goes wrong.

We all say I won’t need this…. Let me tell you a story. We bought a new PC for my husbands office. His had just gotten to old to handle the new things out there. So Windows 10 Pro came pre-installed. Everything worked great until it didn’t. We could not authenticate our windows software. It came with the code for it but, Microsoft would not accept it.

After a really long period of working with tech support, it turns out Windows was installed wrong and was missing key setup files. I asked for the didk to reinstall windows and of course, no one does that anymore. So I had to use my laptop and download a rescue disk to USB thumb drive.

Happily, once I reinstalled everything it all works great. Even though it was a product I just bought, the company made a mistake on just that one item. I was given the option to ship my new PC off somewhere so they could fix it, but as I said it’s a new computer. So that rescue is now labeled and put up in case it’s needed in the future.

This is why I advise having backups and keeping things like photos, documents, music and movie collections in a safe back up. Do it often to make sure your important data can be accessed.

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All computers need regular organizing and clean up. This includes the removal of old files and clutter. We tend to save emails, documents, and photos on our hard drive when other media can store it for us. Often, we keep duplicates we don’t need, too. Old programs also create havoc, too. Makes sure you are using the latest versions of programs and operating systems, too.

Over time, files and programs that are unused on your PC clog the memory and cause confusion during retrieval and use of other data. They may also slow down your computer.

Explore More….

NATIONAL CLEAN OUT YOUR COMPUTER DAY HISTORY

In 2000, the Institute for Business Technology first promoted National Clean Out Your Computer Day.

HOW TO OBSERVE #CleanOutYourComputerDay

Take a look at your files and programs on your computers. If you work in an office, encourage your peers to do the same. Share tips and tricks to efficient computer clean up.

Organize your files and folders.
Review your emails and delete any that are no longer needed.
Delete junk files.
Remove duplicate files.
Delete old files and programs not being used.
Update the programs you do use.

Use #CleanOutYourComputerDay to post on social media.

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FREE AND OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE MONTH

January 31, 2026January 2, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 15 Comments

During February, Free and Open Source Software Month recognizes the cooperative approach to computer programming, open licensing, and free distribution of software.

Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) provides free, publicly-available code to users and contributors. Providing users access to the code allows them the opportunity to alter the code. For example, they may alter the code to improve the design, fix glitches, and add features. Open-source software is also free and considered liberally licensed. However, it usually requires that any programmer releasing an altered version must release the source code, too.

Collaborative development from multiple independent sources generates a more diverse scope of design perspective than any one company is capable of developing and sustaining long term. In February 1998, Christine Peterson (Foresight Institute) coined “open source software.” That same month, the foundation of the Open Source Initiative was founded.

Today, Government administrations, universities, companies, and other organizations of all types worldwide use open source solutions. Open-source software has also obtained a significant share of several markets, such as web servers, server operating systems, desktop operating systems, web browsers, databases, e-mail, and other IT infrastructure solutions.

FREE AND OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE MONTH HISTORY

Onyx Point, Inc. founded Free and Open Source Software Month (#FOSSFeb) to highlight the cooperative principles of open source software and the contributions this approach to software development continues to produce. As avid Open Source supporters and contributors, Onyx Point hopes this annual observance will help to further general understanding and adoption of Open Source principles and projects. Onyx Point, Inc. provides Security, System Administration, IT Automation, Puppet Professional Services, and DevOps consulting for Government and commercial clients. They are the stewards of SIMP, an Open Source project.

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Cyber Security Day
Data Privacy Day
Free and Open Source Software Month
Safer Internet Day
Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day
National WebMistress Day
National Techies Day
Day of the Programmer
Computer Security Day
National Clean Out Your Computer Day
Computer Security Day
National Flash Drive Day
World Password Day
National IT Professionals Day
National Clean Out Your Computer Day,
National App Day
Day of Unplugging
National Exascale Day
SCREEN-FREE WEEK
National Cut the Cord Day!
Electronic Greetings Day
National Technology Day
Ipod Day
Read An eBook Day
National System Administrator Appreciation Day
National FreeBSD Day
National Online Learning Day

HOW TO OBSERVE #FOSSFeb

Throughout February, explore the variety of open-source software available, actively participate in open source communities/user groups, attend hackathons and Open Source events, and use #FOSSFeb to share on social media.

A screenshot of free and open-source software (FOSS): Fedora Linux 36 running the KDE Plasma 5 desktop environment, Firefox, Dolphin file manager, VLC media player, LibreOffice Writer, GIMP, and KCalc#FOSSFeb — A screenshot of free and open-source software (FOSS): Fedora Linux 36 running the KDE Plasma 5 desktop environment, Firefox, Dolphin file manager, VLC media player, LibreOffice Writer, GIMP, and KCalc

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DATA PRIVACY DAY

January 27, 2026January 10, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 16 Comments

Data Privacy Day on January 28th reminds us each year to review how our data is used. It’s an excellent opportunity to take stock and evaluate our personal cybersecurity.

Our personal data is collected and used through a variety of media and for numerous reasons. Part of the problem is most of the time, the people who have access to our data, don’t need it. Additionally, it gets redistributed legally and illegally. Thanks to the internet, massive amounts of personal data can be easily distributed. While the information may be out there due to our own carelessness or privacy violations, there are steps you can take to protect yourself.

On any new device, set your privacy settings immediately. This includes new applications, social media, and programs.
Never use unsecured WiFi – especially for banking or shopping.
Check your bank and credit card statements regularly. When you spot anything questionable, contact the organization to stop payment on the purchase and cancel your card. In the same vein, check your credit report at least annually.
Keep your software up to date. Out of date software is vulnerable to hackers.
Never give personal information over the phone, email, or text.
Stop taking online quizzes that ask random questions about your childhood, children, tattoos, marriages, pets, and favorite foods. Each time you take one of these, people trying to access your data gather a little bit more information about you that allows them to steal your data or identity.
Use strong password phrases. The longer the password, the harder it is to break.
Do not save your passwords on your device.
Change passwords when your accounts may have been compromised or when you visit the dentist.
Use virus protection and a firewall.

DATA PRIVACY DAY HISTORY

The Council in Europe first initiated Data Privacy Day in 2007. Their mission grew to a global platform. In 2009, the United States House of Representatives recognized National Data Privacy Day. The United States Senate later recognized Data Privacy Day in 2010 and 2011. Since then, various groups and organizations continue supporting the observance annually.

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE #DataPrivacyDay

Take steps to secure your digital devices. Make a commitment to learning ways to protect yourself and maintain those tech-savvy practices. When you do, you and your family will be more secure.

For more tips, visit staysafeonline.org for tips on keeping your data safe. Use #DataPrivacyDay to post on social media.

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SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

November 28, 2025November 15, 2025Jensperspectiveblog 2 Comments

Small Business Saturday reminds us of the prime shopping opportunities right in our own communities. Not only do the small businesses where we work, live, and play offer numerous gift-giving possibilities, they are hands-on and ready to complete your shopping list with quality, thoughtful gifts.

Every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Shop Small movement has energized small business owners to prepare for customers in every way possible. That includes the traditional brick and mortar customer to the online shopper. The single-day event continues to grow each year. That means business owners are ready for you to shop their stores!

Small businesses feed our communities. They keep our main streets thriving and employ nearly half of the American workforce. Supporting small business means you’re supporting your local economy, local business, tax base, schools, and infrastructure. Your holiday shopping will put food on the tables of people you know.

You be doing your community some good, and you will also be finding quality gifts. Small businesses take pride in their work. They’ve worked hard for their dream, and it shows in their craftsmanship.

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY HISTORY

American Express founded Small Business Saturday in 2010 to get more customers into small businesses the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Explore More….

HOW TO OBSERVE #SmallBusinessSaturday

Keep these tips in mind when shopping this holiday:

Check your holiday shopping list for those who would like handcrafted items and buy locally.
Handcrafted means a lot of things. For example, woodworking to sewing, pottery to quilting, welding to jewelry, baked goods to preserves and so much more!
Small businesses may specialize in one area or they may offer a variety of services. Don’t hesitate to walk in and explore the store. You may be surprised to find what they offer, and discover the one thing you’ve been looking for.
Who has a hard to shop for family member? We all do, right? Ask the shop owner for help. They often have ideas you’ve never considered that will fill your empty stocking.

Explore your community while supporting small businesses. While finding your amazing gifts, give a shout out to your favorite small business, too! Be sure to use #SmallBusinessSaturday to post on social media.