I’m lucky that I get to blog as InventHelp’s Gadget Girl because 1) I get to share with others my insatiable desire for all things electronic 2) blogging means that I don’t have to waste paper.

A career in communications has come a long way since 300-page company status reports and projector slides (as a company formed in the early 1980s, InventHelp definitely knows something about those!). As more and more offices move toward electronic documentation sharing, web-based human resources information and PowerPoint presentations, the direct benefit goes to the environment.

There are no hard statistics on how many sheets of paper a tree can produce (for obvious reasons, such as disparity in tree size and paper thickness), but it’s been estimated that an average pine tree could yield about more than 80,000 sheets of standard printer paper.

How many sheets of paper do you think your office has saved by moving toward electronic documentation? It may be more than you think, and that compounded with other offices moving in the same direction means that plenty of trees are being spared the ax each year.

Now, if you happen to work at a place where you’re still printing out every single thing, talk to your supervisor (if he or she is willing, of course!) about the move toward electronic documentation. One small move done by many can create big change, as we at InventHelp have certainly found out!

If you’re like me, InventHelp’s Gadget Girl, then you’re also having trouble believing that it’s already time to move those clocks forward an hour. And it’s not your imagination – 2008 is the first year that Daylight Savings Time was extended by two months. That means I’ll have to set my alarm clock ahead one hour this weekend if I don’t want to show up late for my job at InventHelp on Monday!

The reason for the invention of “daylight savings,” which originally began after World War I and gradually became the norm, was to conserve energy. More daylight in the afternoon means that less artificial light is being used. But, given the energy crisis and global warming concerns affecting our planet, the government thought that more could be done.

That’s the main reason why Congress, in the 2005 Energy Policy Act, extended daylight saving time to begin the second Sunday in March and end the first Sunday in November. Now, “standard time” covers less than 1/3 of the calendar!

Although the evidence supporting the extension of Daylight Savings Time is still sketchy, I’m still a big fan. Plus, the best thing about modern electronics is that many of them will update the time automatically. Call me newfangled, but InventHelp’s Gadget Girl certainly does not enjoy manually resetting every clock in the house!

As InventHelp’s Gadget Girl, I spent plenty of time online. When my connection is slow (or God forbid, unavailable), that brings my gadget-researching duties to a screeching halt.

We all know about cable and DSL internet service, but Japan recently launched what could be the next big choice in service options: high-speed internet satellite.

The rocket carrying the technology launched from Japan’s Yoshinobu Launch Complex at the Tanegashima Space Center without a hitch this week, and the satellite it’s carrying promises to deliver super-speed internet to homes and businesses around the world.

The satellite will enable data transmission of 1.2 gigabytes per second, allowing subscribers with small dishes to connect to the Internet at speeds many times faster than what is now available over residential cable or DSL services.

The service initially would focus on the Asia-Pacific region close to Japan, a JAXA news release said. It could eventually be expanded to other regions, allowing for greater opportunities in long-distance education and “telemedicine,” among other possibilities.

If this service is really as fast as it claims to be, then I can’t wait until it comes stateside! I may even lobby my bosses at InventHelp to get in on the action!

Update: You may recall my InventHelp Gadget Girl blog a few weeks ago about an uncontrollable U.S. spy satellite that had scientists concerned that it would plummet to Earth, causing damage or injury to anyone in the vicinity.

InventHelp’s Gadget Girl is pleased to report that according to Pentagon reports, there is now no danger from debris or potential hazard from the satellite’s fuel tank.

Last Wednesday, a Navy cruiser in the Pacific launched a missile at the satellite, and military video of the event indicated that it pulverized the spacecraft. Post-strike analysis still continuing, but officials say that any remaining debris would likely be no larger than a football, and that some of it has already entered Earth’s atmosphere and burnt up harmlessly.

The U.S. Navy’s plan to strike the secret satellite, which malfunctioned just after launch and had a full tank of fuel, was projected to cost between $40 million and $60 million.

Pentagon officials argue the effort is worth the expense because of the chance that the satellite’s unused fuel, 1,000 pounds of toxic hydrazine, could land in a populated area. Even though this scenario was unlikely, InventHelp’s Gadget Girl tends to agree!

If you’ve read the news lately (as InventHelp’s Gadget Girl, I’m addicted to CNN, MSNBC and any other site that keeps me up on the newest technology), you may have heard that you’ll be getting a check in the mail.

No, I’m not talking about your tax refund check. Congress’ big stimulus bill, now signed by the President, is meant to be a $168 billion economic rescue package.

The bill will provide rebates of $600 to $1,200 for most taxpayers in the hopes that they will spend the money and boost ailing the ailing business forecast.

The forecast for the technology industry, in particular, looks gloomy. U.S. companies and government agencies are expected to increase their spending on information technology by just 2.8 percent this year.

According to recent polls, most of the public already believes that we’re in a recession. Foreclosure signs in the neighborhood and increased layoffs in the news aren’t helping matters, either.

You heard it from InventHelp’s Gadget Girl: go out and spend those rebate checks on iPods, digital cameras or whatever high-tech item Santa forgot to bring you for Christmas. Not only will you end up with a cool new toy to play with, you’ll be helping spur along our economy!

You might want to keep your head up in the next few weeks – and, if you see something the size of a small bus hurtling toward your head, by all means, run!

A large U.S. spy satellite, which is now no longer in NASA’s control, could hit Earth’s surface in late February or March.

As “far out” as this sounds, it’s not an unusual occurrence.

The National Security Council states that numerous satellites have fallen harmlessly over the years. But under ideal circumstances, an unusable satellite would be directed to fall into a remote part of the ocean, preventing injury while ensuring that data contained in the satellite remains secret.

According to government officials (who spoke on condition of anonymity because the information is classified as secret), the satellite could contain harmful materials. And, it’s unknown where it may land.

InventHelp’s Gadget Girl will keep you updated on this story as it develops.

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The holidays are one of my favorite times of the year because of all the news stories in the media about popular new gadgets.

This year, anything that starts with a lowercase “i” seems to be the hot topic. We just can’t seem to get away from hearing about the iPhone, the iPod Nano and the new iPod Touch. Love it or hate it – these are the gadgets that are getting the most attention this holiday season.

Games that encourage exercise rather than inhibit it are also proving to be a hit with young and older generations alike. Let’s not forget other winners this year, like GPS systems, digital cameras and high-def televisions.

The best thing about technology is that it’s constantly changing. Every time a new version of a cell phone, computer or camera comes out, it’s better designed and more powerful than the last version.

And that’s why I love my job as InventHelp’s Gadget Girl, because I’m never bored! I’d love to hear what you think about your Christmas gadgets this year, so don’t be afraid to share your comments.

Happy Holidays from Gadget Girl and InventHelp!