As of June 1st, hurricane season was officially upon us here in the East. For those that live far from us here the East Coast, remember that you’re not out of harm’s way, either — multiple tornados have affected the Midwest so far this spring, while wildfires in California and mudslides in Colorado have also claimed homes, lives, and the blood, sweat, and tears of our treasured first responders.

October 31st marked a triumphant day for the travel and technology industries. That’s when the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released new rules loosening prohibitions on airline passengers using personal electronic devices from “gate to gate” — during taxiing, takeoff, landing, and flight below 10,000 feet.

A recent online survey conducted by Balboa Capital reveals that 45% of small to medium-sized business owners are not familiar with Section 179 of the United States Internal Revenue Code, which allows companies to write off up to $500,000 worth of qualifying new or used equipment purchased or financed during the 2013 calendar year.

Some people look at a new work computer as a blessing to be embraced. Some look at it as a challenge to be dreaded. But whether you’re a business owner buying a new desktop, or an employee procuring a new laptop, think of your fresh machine as just that — the opportunity for a fresh start.