The world is changing. We’re waist-deep in an electronic revolution; but in a world of mobile technology with information being shared all around us, what technological innovations can we use to keep us sane in the office?

USB-powered Personal Humidifier

Dry air can become a problem for people, especially in office buildings that recycle air. The static that builds up isn’t exactly good for computers or printers, either. Fortunately, the solution comes in the form of an attractive gadget that takes up very little desk space. The USB-powered Personal Humidifier, available at Solutions.com, plugs into any USB port to provide four pleasant hours of humidity. If someone forgets to turn the Personal Humidifier off, not a problem. It turns itself off after two hours or if the 4-ounce tank runs empty. The best part is the Personal Humidifier is small enough to take anywhere. Just pack the USB-powered Personal Humidifier in an overnight bag or computer bag and go.

Build-On Brick Mug

Coffee is a must to get through those early morning hours, endless phone calls, and tedious office meetings. The problem is what to do with the hands? What to do to keep from drifting off? The Build-On Brick Mug just might have the answer. Available at ThinkGeek, the Build-On Brick Mug is a 12-ounce hot drink holder perfect for coffee, tea, and keeping boredom at bay. This unique mug works with bricks from LEGO, PixelBlocks, and K’NEX Bricks, to name just a few. The potential to build on the mug is unlimited. The only downside is it’s not dishwasher safe! However, BPA-free and versatile, the Build-On Brick Mug can deliver the coffee and the entertainment.

Portal 2 Sentry Turret USB Desk Defender

Entertainment at the office comes in many forms, especially when encouraging those loiterers to move on. Video Game fans and will love the Portal 2 Sentry Turret USB Desk Defender. It’s not only cute (in a futuristic, dystopian kind of way), but also a rather effective desk protector. Equipped with a motion detector, this little gadget opens up its wings when anyone comes near and shoots – harmless little remarks such as “I see you” and “Target acquired”. The Portal 2 Sentry, available at ThinkGeek, will even respond if it is knocked over or moved, stating anything from “I don’t hate you’ to “Malfunctioning” and more. If no one picks the Portal 2 Sentry up within 30 seconds of being knocked over, the entertaining gadget asks, “Are you still there?” It may not actually encourage loiters to stay away from one’s desk, but it will certainly entertain them.

Une Bobine

Most people today can barely stand to be away from their mobile phones, yet trying to complete any task on the phone while syncing or charging is nothing short of a royal pain. The biggest problem is trying to see the screen from odd angles. That isn’t the case anymore, not with the Une Bobine, available from [Fuse]Chicken. The Une Bobine is a rather handy phone stand that comes with a 24” gooseneck metal casing allowing the user to angle the phone for a better screen view while charging or syncing. Need more length? A USB extension does the job, and if the Une Bobine is too long, the Petite Bobine is only 12” long. Now charging or syncing the phone at the office while viewing the screen is not only easy, but convenient.

BOSS Lamps

Those late nights at work are tedious enough without trying to find enough space on a desk for a light. What’s worse is the eternal search for another power outlet or just one more USB port. Imagine if all three came in one convenient, kind of quirky, and very vintage package. Look no further, the BOSS Lamp is here. This interesting little desk lamp, available through Etsy, uses a 40 watt MAX type B13 bulb, comes with 2 USB ports, a 15 amp plug, and takes up no more than a few inches of desk space. The plug is not meant for any appliances, most particularly not a heating device, but works just fine with portable electronic devices such as laptops. Undeniably a conversation starter, the BOSS lamp makes those late nights just a little more bearable.

This article was supplied by Joe Shervell for www.officefurnitureexpress.co.uk.

When Hyundai released the latest Sonata a few years ago, the design was cutting edge, and now that the current design is running close to the end of its cycle, the design still holds true to this day. For 2013, Sonata built on its trailblazing recipe of high-design and high fuel efficiency with more features, higher value and better residual value than ever before. That’s important, as the midsize segment is more competitive than ever, with new competitors borrowing pages from the Sonata playbook with improved fuel economy and design.

First and foremost, you can’t help but notice the panoramic sunroof which is now part of the Limited Premium Package for 2013 as tested. Fluidic Sculpture is a consistent, cohesive design language that is used throughout the entire Hyundai showroom. It considers the interplay of natural, fluid elements with more rigid surfaces and structures to create the illusion of constant motion.

The exterior of the Sonata is long, light and low. The high beltline allows for a long, sleek roofline accented by a third window. A monoform side profile includes flowing lines highlighted by a Hyundai signature chrome accent that spans the length of the car. Normally, this type of trim is only found around the windows. On the Sonata, this trim extends out from the headlamps, juts up along the hood and through the beltline. The face is bold with a large powerful chrome grille and headlamps that integrate precise details. The stance is completed by 17-inch alloy wheels on our Limited edition. It’s amazing how the Sonata design has influenced competitors and reshaped the midsize sedan marketplace.

The sleek design, combined with Hyundai’s expertise in interior packaging, delivers class-leading interior comfort, functionality and practicality. A sleek roofline typically compromises headroom and interior volume, but at 120.2 cubic feet, the Sonata has more interior volume than many of its key competitors. It is so spacious that Sonata continues to be classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a large car, truly a “class above” other categorized midsize cars. The Sonata shines even in trunk volume, with 16.4 cu. ft. of trunk space that gives it a 6.1 percent advantage over direct rivals. Our test model was upscale and loaded with features, including leather seating surfaces with heated front and rear seats, power driver seat with power lumbar support, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, XM Satellite radio, Dimension AM/FM/CD-MP3 with iPod/USB input, HD Radio technology with multicasting, integrated Bluetooth hands free phone system, navigation with high resolution touchscreen display, rear backup camera, and a booming and crystal clear Infinity premium audio system with subwoofer and amplifier.

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When it comes to this column, I don’t tend to do a lot of cross-promotional tie-in pieces, but I’m going to make an exception this time because it’s for a show that I have vowed to do as much to promote and to help raise its profile as I possibly can: ABC’s “The Middle.”

Given that the sitcom was just renewed for its fifth season, it’s hard to call it anything other than a success, and yet I’m still reminded of something Mark Harmon said about “NCIS” back in 2011: “If it’s possible for a No. 1 show to be still be under the radar, then we’re still under the radar.” That’s kind of where “The Middle” stands, if you ask me…or if you ask just about anyone who who’s involved with the show, for that matter: they know they’re doing good work, the viewers know they’re doing good work, the critics definitely know they’re doing good work, and yet as of this writing “The Middle” has only received one Emmy nod to date (for makeup, of all things). That’s just ridiculous…and that’s why, over at the Onion AV Club, I pulled together a TV Club 10 list of the 10 episodes of “The Middle” which best represent the series and reveal what makes it such a pleasure to watch week after week.

Then, in conjunction with that piece, I thought it might also be interesting to reach out to the cast of the series and see which 10 episodes were their favorites. Not everyone was readily available to contribute, unfortunately, but three out of five ain’t bad, so don’t be afraid to express your gratitude to Patricia Heaton (Frankie Heck), Neil Flynn (Mike Heck), and Eden Sher (Sue Heck) in the comments for offering up their picks.

In closing, I’d just like to say – and I think you’ll probably agree – that there is something so incredibly right about the fact that Eden Sher described the opportunity to select her top-10 episodes as “way too much fun” and then proved it by writing a full paragraph about each one. No actor wants to be told that they’re “just like their character,” but there’s just enough Sue Heck in Eden Sher to make her one of the sweetest and most contagiously enthusiastic young actresses on network TV…but, then, if you read my interview with her a few months ago, then you already know that.

And, now, on with the lists!

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Kevin McDonald may not maintain as high a profile as some of his fellow Kids in the Hall, like Scott Thompson, who’s on NBC’s “Hannibal,” or Dave Foley, who’s on everything, but that’s because he spends at least as much time as a writer or in a recording booth for some cartoon or other as he does in front of the camera. Tonight, however, McDonald steps back in front of the camera as a guest prankster on TBS’s “Who Gets the Last Laugh?”, and he spoke to Bullz-Eye about his experience on the show while also discussing guest-writing for “Saturday Night Live,” playing Pastor Dave on “That ’70s Show,” and ongoing attempts to get the Kids back together again.

Bullz-Eye: So how did you find yourself involved in TBS’s “Who Gets the Last Laugh?” Did they reach out to you?

Kevin McDonald: They reached out to me! Yes! I was in my nice blue house in Winnipeg, and I got the email from them, saying, “Would you like to do this?” And I thought at first that I’d be too Canadian to do this. Like, too polite. I thought I’d be too nice to pull pranks on people. That’s what I thought in my blue house in Winnipeg. But as it turned out, I could do it!

BE: Did you have to fight your every Canadian instinct to do it?

KM: Yes. [Laughs.] At first I did. Because we’re too polite and too nice, and we feel guilty. But then you get into it, and…it’s not even like the cruel part of me kicked in or anything…until it did. But it wasn’t even that. It was just, y’know, “It’s a job.” And once I started getting into it, it sort of became like a sketch, only with one of the people not knowing what the script was. And that was sort of the challenge, but I got really into it. I really enjoyed it.

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Here’s a great shot of Kelly in just her pretty panties looking back at us though the mirror.