PCI compliance: Is it necessary?

In response to the controversy about PCI compliance being a law, I can’t help but give my own view about the whole matter.

First, as a consumer and a loyal cardholder, I rely on credit cards for my regular transactions – groceries, bills, and other stuff. These cards are my constant wallet companions. And because I use them on a regular basis, I am also obliged to pay for them. No matter how difficult it seems sometimes, I always make the deadline. So on behalf of all the other loyal cardholders out there who keep their obligations, don’t we deserve the same effort from these credit card companies when it comes to securing our usages free and safe from criminal activities? We use the card so don’t we at least have the right to be protected?

Second, penetration testing, network security assessment, and all the other procedures required by PCI compliance are meant not only to protect credit information of consumers and cardholders, but they’re also meant to secure card transactions and the rights of both the merchants and the credit card companies too. So why should it be refused? In the end, even if will entail a great cost and some huge changes, it will ultimately benefit all of us, right? So why do we hesitate?

I say, if you don’t like the changes, don’t use the cards. It’s that simple.

Birthday Party Decorations for Adults

Now that Christmas is just a few days away, the Christmas party season is in full swing. There are numerous Christmas parties happening left and right; it is not surprising that party decorations and supplies are in high demand.
A friend will be celebrating her birthday in a few days and every year, she would often find herself competing with other Christmas parties. Thus, it has been her habit to make her birthday parties unique and different. She is asking for my help this year and unfortunately, we have not decided on any particular theme. We hope to buy party stuff like birthday party decorations this weekend so we have been researching for ideas for decorations that will be appropriate for adults. Below are just some of the things we have researched.

• Candles and lights. One option we are considering is having the party devoid of all decorations except for lots of candles and mood lights.

• Chocolates. Since my friend loves chocolates, she also suggested a chocolate party where everything will have chocolates in them, including the decorations.

• Winter. Since we do not have winter here, it is a great opportunity for everyone to experience this season by having a winter-themed party. We are going gaga just thinking about decorating the venue.