Every once in a great while I'm asked to do the unthinkable. I'm asked to step back in time to the 80's and fax a document. "Seriously? Faxing? Are the carrier pigeons sick?" After all my grumbling though I still have to find a way to fax a document. Being the cheap-o I am, I don't want to pay Kinkos to fax a document for me. That's how I discovered e-faxing.
E-faxing is a way of sending and/or receiving documents between a computer and a fax machine. If you have a PDF for example, and you need to fax it to someone, instead of printing it out, going to Kinkos (or anywhere else you can find fax machine) and paying to have it faxed, you can use a website to simply upload it and have it be sent that way. Some websites are free, others are paid, but the general gist is the same. Most focus on sending faxes, but there are plenty that also allow for receiving.
If you find yourself in the position that you'll suddenly need to send and receive faxes on a regular basis, instead of buying a fax machine (and paper, and ink) consider signing up for an e-fax subscription. Many providers will send any faxed documents right to your email inbox, which means easy electronic documentation storing and much cost and space saving for you!
Practical Tip of the Day:
Instead of buying a fax machine, sign up for e-faxing and spend the extra money on a nice printer/scanner combo! This way you can print faxes you want physical copies of and can scan in physical documents you want to digitize.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Why Do My Earbuds Shock Me Sometimes?
Has this ever happened to you? You going for a walk, listening to some music or your favorite podcast, and then all of a sudden you get a shock- right in your ears! Or maybe you get a series of crackling small shocks in both ears for a few seconds... Unpleasant isn't it? Why do we sometimes get a small shocks from our earbuds? Is it a sign that there's a problem with your earbuds? Is it dangerous?
Short answer, no, it's not dangerous. What's actually happening is electricity is jumping from the metal in your earbuds to the small hairs within your ears. While it may be unpleasant, it's generally not dangerous and nothing to worry about. Usually it's static electricity that's built up over the course of some time, and finally finding a place to discharge. This can become even more common during the winter time when the air is dryer.
The best way to avoid it while still using your earbuds is to simply touch something metal to help discharge the electricity. If you find it happening a lot, or if it's painful, you should check to see if there are any shorts in your headphones. You can do this by simply examining the cord for any small cuts or abrasions where the wiring may be exposed. Should you find such a flaw in your headphones, get a new pair or at least wrap up your current set with electrical tape.
Practical Tip of the Day:
If you are like me and intend to be very static prone, look to invest in earbuds that go in your ear. They usually have a plastic coating around them that will help prevent static shocks. While they tend to be more expensive than standard earbuds, they also tend to give you better sound quality. Apple has recently changed their earbuds to be called earpods and are specifically in-ear style only.
Short answer, no, it's not dangerous. What's actually happening is electricity is jumping from the metal in your earbuds to the small hairs within your ears. While it may be unpleasant, it's generally not dangerous and nothing to worry about. Usually it's static electricity that's built up over the course of some time, and finally finding a place to discharge. This can become even more common during the winter time when the air is dryer.
The best way to avoid it while still using your earbuds is to simply touch something metal to help discharge the electricity. If you find it happening a lot, or if it's painful, you should check to see if there are any shorts in your headphones. You can do this by simply examining the cord for any small cuts or abrasions where the wiring may be exposed. Should you find such a flaw in your headphones, get a new pair or at least wrap up your current set with electrical tape.
Practical Tip of the Day:
If you are like me and intend to be very static prone, look to invest in earbuds that go in your ear. They usually have a plastic coating around them that will help prevent static shocks. While they tend to be more expensive than standard earbuds, they also tend to give you better sound quality. Apple has recently changed their earbuds to be called earpods and are specifically in-ear style only.
Should I Get My Kid a Netbook?
So you're tired of your child tying up the computer for hours on end and you're considering getting them their own. You've decided they don't need a full-fledged laptop, but should you get them a netbook?
First, what is a netbook? A netbook is what I like to call a "diet laptop." It looks like a laptop, acts like a laptop, but they're smaller, lighter, and cheaper. Because of this, netbooks can't do as much as a full laptop. They're designed to be primarily used for web browsing, email, document editing and light games.
If that sounds like what your child wants to do- YouTube, Facebook, homework, etc. then a netbook could be right for them. Keep in mind, if you do get a netbook for your child to help them with schoolwork, many schools nowadays don't allow personal technology, including laptops and netbooks.
Practical Tip of the Day:
Whether you get your child a laptop or netbook, be sure to set up parental controls. You can set limitations on which websites they view, who they can get email from, and even which times of the day they can use their computer.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Should I Get a Screen Protector for My Smartphone?
If you have a smart phone you inevitably ask about the best way to protect it from damage. Should you get case? Should you get a screen protector? Do I really need to spend the extra money? After spending so much money on a new smart phone you would think that most people would want to protect it as much as possible, but sometimes people try and save money by leaving their phones unprotected. Don't be cheap, spend the extra money to get at least the screen protector!
Although smart phones are made out of very resilient material, it's best to have a screen protector put on them to help maximize the lifespan of your phone. Do you really want to be walking around with a phone's whose screen is scratch so badly you can barely see it? Having a screen protector can help protect your phone from superficial scratches that can then turn into major scratches and even cracks.
I generally recommend spending the extra money to get screen protectors that are cut for your particular device, but if you can't find them, getting a generic one and cutting it yourself is not that bad. The most important thing is to make sure that it's put on properly, without air bubbles or any kind of debris beneath it. Not only are they distracting, but they also mean that your phone is not nearly as protected as it should be and debris can actually scratch your phone's screen from the friction if your screen protector shifts around.
Practical Tip of the Day:
If you've already dropped your smart phone and it has a crack, but is otherwise fine, putting a screen protector on it now isn't necessarily a bad idea. Doing so can help cover it, letting you use your phone while you save up money to get it fixed or purchase a new one.
Although smart phones are made out of very resilient material, it's best to have a screen protector put on them to help maximize the lifespan of your phone. Do you really want to be walking around with a phone's whose screen is scratch so badly you can barely see it? Having a screen protector can help protect your phone from superficial scratches that can then turn into major scratches and even cracks.
I generally recommend spending the extra money to get screen protectors that are cut for your particular device, but if you can't find them, getting a generic one and cutting it yourself is not that bad. The most important thing is to make sure that it's put on properly, without air bubbles or any kind of debris beneath it. Not only are they distracting, but they also mean that your phone is not nearly as protected as it should be and debris can actually scratch your phone's screen from the friction if your screen protector shifts around.
Practical Tip of the Day:
If you've already dropped your smart phone and it has a crack, but is otherwise fine, putting a screen protector on it now isn't necessarily a bad idea. Doing so can help cover it, letting you use your phone while you save up money to get it fixed or purchase a new one.
Monday, January 14, 2013
What are OLED TVs?
This year at many of the major conferences, there were lots of new televisions. Bigger ones, smaller ones, smarter ones, ones with built-in apps and also ones that have OLEDs. OLED TVs are a (somewhat) new trend in consumer electronics, and they're still very pricey but lots of people swear by them. Before you go and spend the extra money to get an OLED TV, make sure you get educated as to what they are and why they're more expensive. Are they really worth the money anyway?
OLED stands for "organic light emitting diode." Don't worry though, they don't have any animals or plankton in there. Organic simply means that it's a compound or molecule that is carbon based. There are currently two types of OLED TVs. One that uses polymers, and the other uses small molecules. Knowing that probably won't change your life though. What matters most is what the major advantages and disadvantages are. The first major disadvantage is that currently OLED TVs are very expensive, but with current technology trends they'll be getting cheaper and cheaper.
The biggest advantages that most people see is that OLED TVs are much thinner than traditional LED or LCD televisions, and consume less energy. They're also lighter and give a much better viewing experience overall. Some of the known disadvantages are that they tend to degrade over time quicker than LCD or LED televisions. If you tend to keep your television for more than five years, and OLED TV may not be right for you.
Practical Tip of the Day:
Don't get caught up in all the hype about the statistics of a television. The contrast ratios & viewing angles don't matter nearly as much as how long it tends to last and how frequently defective units are found. Always check for reviews and ask your friends and family for recommendations. Don't just trust the salesman at the store!
OLED stands for "organic light emitting diode." Don't worry though, they don't have any animals or plankton in there. Organic simply means that it's a compound or molecule that is carbon based. There are currently two types of OLED TVs. One that uses polymers, and the other uses small molecules. Knowing that probably won't change your life though. What matters most is what the major advantages and disadvantages are. The first major disadvantage is that currently OLED TVs are very expensive, but with current technology trends they'll be getting cheaper and cheaper.
The biggest advantages that most people see is that OLED TVs are much thinner than traditional LED or LCD televisions, and consume less energy. They're also lighter and give a much better viewing experience overall. Some of the known disadvantages are that they tend to degrade over time quicker than LCD or LED televisions. If you tend to keep your television for more than five years, and OLED TV may not be right for you.
Practical Tip of the Day:
Don't get caught up in all the hype about the statistics of a television. The contrast ratios & viewing angles don't matter nearly as much as how long it tends to last and how frequently defective units are found. Always check for reviews and ask your friends and family for recommendations. Don't just trust the salesman at the store!
Monday, January 7, 2013
How Does Kickstarter Work?
Do you have a project in mind? Have an invention you want to make real? An album you want to release? A play you want to put on? How do you plan to pay for it? There are, of course, options. You can take out loans, find an investor, or you can crowd-fund it. What's that you say? Crowd funding is a method for raising money little-by-little by lots of people, usually over the internet. The most well known way of crowd funding projects nowadays is through a website called Kickstarter.
Kickstarter is a website focused on helping people with creative projects raise money. Kickstarter focuses on the following themes: Art, Comics, Dance, Design, Fashion, Film, Food, Games, Music, Photography, Publishing, Technology, and Theater. They define a project as having "a clear goal, like making an album, a book, or a work of art. A project will eventually be completed, and something will be produced by it." This means it does not include things like charity or begging (aka "fund my life").
Kickstarter is best known for its unique way of fundraising. It uses an "all or nothing"method. The project owners set a goal (say, $500,000) and the supporters are only charged their pledged amount if the goal is hit. That means that if you pledge $25, but the project only raises $498,735, you do not loose your $25. The second thing Kickstarter is best known for is the multiple levels of pledging often set up by the project owners. It's not uncommon for pledge amounts to range between $1 and several hundred. Depending on the amount you pledge, you will receive gifts between a simple thank you to several copies of whatever you are funding.
Practical Tip of the Day:
If you do fund a Kickstarter project, be patient! People starting the campaigns are creative people, not operations experts. With projects that far exceed the original goal especially, it can sometimes take longer than anticipated to rework the plans for how to produce so many items, how to ship them, work out legalities, taxes, etc. Remember, backing a Kickstarter project is not like buying an item on Amazon. You're backing an entrepreneur to help them make their dream. These things can take time.
Kickstarter is a website focused on helping people with creative projects raise money. Kickstarter focuses on the following themes: Art, Comics, Dance, Design, Fashion, Film, Food, Games, Music, Photography, Publishing, Technology, and Theater. They define a project as having "a clear goal, like making an album, a book, or a work of art. A project will eventually be completed, and something will be produced by it." This means it does not include things like charity or begging (aka "fund my life").
Kickstarter is best known for its unique way of fundraising. It uses an "all or nothing"method. The project owners set a goal (say, $500,000) and the supporters are only charged their pledged amount if the goal is hit. That means that if you pledge $25, but the project only raises $498,735, you do not loose your $25. The second thing Kickstarter is best known for is the multiple levels of pledging often set up by the project owners. It's not uncommon for pledge amounts to range between $1 and several hundred. Depending on the amount you pledge, you will receive gifts between a simple thank you to several copies of whatever you are funding.
Practical Tip of the Day:
If you do fund a Kickstarter project, be patient! People starting the campaigns are creative people, not operations experts. With projects that far exceed the original goal especially, it can sometimes take longer than anticipated to rework the plans for how to produce so many items, how to ship them, work out legalities, taxes, etc. Remember, backing a Kickstarter project is not like buying an item on Amazon. You're backing an entrepreneur to help them make their dream. These things can take time.
Friday, January 4, 2013
When Should My Kid Get a Cell Phone?
As fewer people have land line home phones, we're also seeing an increase in the number of people who have cell phones. Among those people are younger and younger children. Many parents are getting their kids cell phones so they can easily keep in contact with them when everyone has busy schedules. Others are for emergency purposes, but there are plenty of parents who are now getting their kids cell phones just because "everyone else has them."
When should a child get a cell phone? Most people agree nowadays that teenagers are ok with cell phones, though you need to monitor their use. What about younger kids though? Does your ten year old need an iPhone? There is obviously no exact answer to this, but here are a few things to consider before you make (or don't make) the purchase:
When should a child get a cell phone? Most people agree nowadays that teenagers are ok with cell phones, though you need to monitor their use. What about younger kids though? Does your ten year old need an iPhone? There is obviously no exact answer to this, but here are a few things to consider before you make (or don't make) the purchase:
- Is your child responsible? If your child still looses their toys, needs reminders to feed their pets , or in general shows a lack of forethought and responsibility, do you really want to buy them a cell phone with an expensive plan and a two-year contract? A good option for an irresponsible child who needs a cell phone for whatever reason is to get a cheap "burner phone" (a phone that costs $20 or less) that just makes calls, texting if they're lucky, and is on a pre-paid plan.
- Why does your child want the phone? Is it because they constantly need to borrow their friend's phone to get ahold of you or is it because "everyone else has one?" Make sure your child has a valid reason to want a phone. You can also use this question to find out what kind of phone they need. Parents sometimes want to spend the extra money to get their kid the nicest phone even if the child never uses many of the options.
- What's their school's policy on cell phones? Ask any teacher or school staff member, and they'll all agree- they see lots of kids bring in cell phones their parents gave them for emergencies, but the kids are showing them off to their friends as toys instead. This means that in a short while, the phone is likely to either be taken away from a teacher, stolen, or broke. Some schools are stricter about their cell phone policy than others, but you always want to make sure you're not sending your child to school with something that will be taken away shortly thereafter.
Practical Tip of the Day:
No matter what age, gender or grade level your child is, I always recommend getting their cell phone in a durable case as soon as you buy the phone. This will help phone stay undamaged and in working order for as long as possible. Far too often, a child will accidentally drop theirs or another friend's phone, and then they will be looking for you to get them another one (newer model, of course).
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Hidden Winter Hazards for Your Electronics
Well, Christmas is over and if you're like many people, you may have received a new electronic device. Kindles, laptops, iPods, Androids, the list goes on and on. In my time helping people with their devices, I've never gotten used to the number of people who have their new devices ruined days or just weeks after receiving them. Here are a few common hazards for these colder winter months that I hope you'll be able to avoid.
If you live in a cold climate, you've probably already run into the issue of your touch screen not working when you have gloves on. If you don't already have a pair, I recommend touch-screen sensitive gloves for all my smartphone and tablet-using friends. They allow the user to keep their gloves on while using their touch-screen devices.
- Dropping from Gloves- With gloves or mittens on, you have much less feeling in your hands and therefor the likelihood of dropping your device (especially cellphones) goes up significantly. If you have a smartphone in particular, dropping and shattering your screen is a big deal since most smartphone screens are not replaceable. Whether you drop it on the kitchen tile or the snow covered driveway, the results are rarely favorable.
- Speaking of snow, you'd be amazed how many people will drop their devices in the snow. Not only will the snow melt and therefor give the device liquid damage, but some people are unable to find it and will only recover it when the snow melts or it goes through the snow blower- yikes!
- If it's left in the snow, or sometimes even just left in the car, the device can freeze. This will damage the battery and can even break the screen. If a touch screen or LCD screen gets too cold, it can freeze and then crack when it thaws. For this reason, I generally recommend people keep their electronics in environments they'd normally keep their pet or child-- not too hot or too cold.
If you live in a cold climate, you've probably already run into the issue of your touch screen not working when you have gloves on. If you don't already have a pair, I recommend touch-screen sensitive gloves for all my smartphone and tablet-using friends. They allow the user to keep their gloves on while using their touch-screen devices.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
When Should I Charge My Laptop?
Almost everyone who has owned a laptop has wondered when the best time to charge it is. You want to maximize your battery life after all. Laptop batteries are not cheap, and having a laptop whose battery only lasts an hour or so isn't very effective. Here're some simple tips for how to make sure your laptops battery is up to snuff for as long as possible.
1) Don't run it all the way down. Laptop batteries- or any rechargeable battery for that matter- is a lot like your muscles. This simply means that you shouldn't let your laptops battery drain all the way down to where the computer shuts off on you. (AKA 0% charge) This would be like exercising until you pass out to train for a marathon. You'd end up doing more harm than good to your body, and when you let your battery completely drain it puts extra wear on it as well.
2) Don't leave it plugged in all the time either. Similarly, you wouldn't want to sit around all day either to "conserve your energy" for your marathon. Just like your muscles can atrophy, your laptop battery can as well. This is a common misconception about laptop batteries. A lot of people will leave their laptop plugged in 24/7 at a desk and only use its battery once or twice a year. Could you imagine trying to get up and walk around if you had been laying in bed 24/7 for several months?
3) Use a surge protector. Using a surge protector when you charge your laptop will help ensure that no electrical surges get to your laptop and overwhelm the battery. Yes, most chargers have mini-protectors to help prevent this, but if you haven't looked lately, laptop charges aren't the cheapest thing to buy and it is possible for a surge to be strong enough that it trips the charger and still gets to the laptop with enough force to damage it.
Practical Tip of the Day:
When monitoring your laptops charge, I generally recommend looking at its percentage left instead of the time estimate. This is because the estimated time left can fluctuate wildly depending on what you're doing. Browsing the web? Your battery will last longer. Editing a movie? Shorter. Screen brightness turned down? Longer. Watching a movie with the speakers turned all the way up? Shorter. You get the picture.
1) Don't run it all the way down. Laptop batteries- or any rechargeable battery for that matter- is a lot like your muscles. This simply means that you shouldn't let your laptops battery drain all the way down to where the computer shuts off on you. (AKA 0% charge) This would be like exercising until you pass out to train for a marathon. You'd end up doing more harm than good to your body, and when you let your battery completely drain it puts extra wear on it as well.
2) Don't leave it plugged in all the time either. Similarly, you wouldn't want to sit around all day either to "conserve your energy" for your marathon. Just like your muscles can atrophy, your laptop battery can as well. This is a common misconception about laptop batteries. A lot of people will leave their laptop plugged in 24/7 at a desk and only use its battery once or twice a year. Could you imagine trying to get up and walk around if you had been laying in bed 24/7 for several months?
3) Use a surge protector. Using a surge protector when you charge your laptop will help ensure that no electrical surges get to your laptop and overwhelm the battery. Yes, most chargers have mini-protectors to help prevent this, but if you haven't looked lately, laptop charges aren't the cheapest thing to buy and it is possible for a surge to be strong enough that it trips the charger and still gets to the laptop with enough force to damage it.
Practical Tip of the Day:
When monitoring your laptops charge, I generally recommend looking at its percentage left instead of the time estimate. This is because the estimated time left can fluctuate wildly depending on what you're doing. Browsing the web? Your battery will last longer. Editing a movie? Shorter. Screen brightness turned down? Longer. Watching a movie with the speakers turned all the way up? Shorter. You get the picture.
Monday, December 17, 2012
How Can I Sign a PDF on a Mac?
Recently, I was asked to sign a document. No big deal right? Well, it was a scanned copy of a document that was emailed to me. How in the world was I to sign a digital copy of a document and then send it back? I could've printed it out, signed it, scanned it back in and sent it back, but that's an awful lot of work... and I didn't have a printer or scanner handy. Thankfully, Mac OS X comes with Preview, the system's default PDF viewer.
Preview is sometimes overlooked, and some people don't even realize they're using it, but it can quite handily manage PDFs and other files like photos. Should you find yourself in a situation like mine where you need to add your signature to a PDF, here are the steps:
Practical Tip of the Day:
Preview gives you several other ways to make notes on (AKA "annotate") your PDFs. You can highlight text, underline it, strike-through text, add shapes, text, lines and many other things. Next time you're sent a PDF and you want to make changes to it, open up the Tools menu option and see what things you can do.
Preview is sometimes overlooked, and some people don't even realize they're using it, but it can quite handily manage PDFs and other files like photos. Should you find yourself in a situation like mine where you need to add your signature to a PDF, here are the steps:
- Open Preview. (Duh.)
- Click on Preview > Preferences on the menu bar in the top left corner of the screen.
- Click on "Signatures" on the window that opens up.
- Click the plus (+) button in the bottom left corner of the window.
- Hold up a white piece of paper with your signature on it, making sure the bottom of your signature aligns with the blue line overlaid on the camera picture shown.
- Your signature is now saved!
Practical Tip of the Day:
Preview gives you several other ways to make notes on (AKA "annotate") your PDFs. You can highlight text, underline it, strike-through text, add shapes, text, lines and many other things. Next time you're sent a PDF and you want to make changes to it, open up the Tools menu option and see what things you can do.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
What are Internet Pirates?
Where do pirates like to shop the most? Taaaarrrrget! Okay, I know that's a bad joke (and probably doesn't make much sense outside the US and western Europe), but today we're looking at what, exactly are Internet pirates. They get discussed in the media, laws made against them, and are blamed by some to be the cause of all of the music industry's problems. You may be an internet pirate and not even know it!
"Internet pirate" is a term for someone who steals items from the internet instead of buying them through legitimate channels. This can be music, movies, software, or anything else digital. The term "internet pirate" became popular when Napster was at its peak and people were downloading music left and right. Have you ever downloaded a song from a program like Napster, Limewire, or Bearshare? These are all programs that are designed to allow people to share large files between each other, but people have taken over to share large copyrighted files between them and millions of strangers.
I've noticed an uptick in parents unknowingly pirating songs because their children download a program like Limewire on the computer and tell them that it's a place they can get music, TV shows and movies for free. They don't tell them that it's illegal, that they can be fined thousands of dollars, that it's a good way to get computer viruses, and/or have their internet provider refuse them further service. How can you know if you've been accidentally stealing your content? Did you pay for it? Did the maker of content explicitly say they're giving it away for free? If the answer is "no" to those questions, you've been pirating content!
Practical Tip of the Day:
As previously stated, pirating content is a good way to get viruses, malware, corrupted files and content you do not want (like porn instead of a TV show) downloaded onto your computer. Because of these as well as the legal and ethical reasons, I strongly discourage pirating. Where should you go to get these things then? iTunes, Amazon and Google Play are the three biggest content providers on the Internet. And yes, you have to pay.
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Don't forget to check out our webpage: www.TechKNOWLEDGEyToday.com and request an appointment for your personalized computer training in your own home or office!
You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ !
Don't forget to check out our webpage: www.TechKNOWLEDGEyToday.com and request an appointment for your personalized computer training in your own home or office!
You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ !
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
What are Internet Trolls?
If you've spent any notable time on the internet, you've probably run into this term if not the actual thing- "trolls." No, we're not talking about the dolls from the 80's, the thing from nursery rhymes, or even the things that will try to eat Bilbo Baggins in the upcoming movie The Hobbit. Internet trolls have been around since the internet began, and the likelihood of them going away is somewhere between zero and not-a-chance. Here's how you can identify a troll and how to respond to them:
Wikipedia defines internet trolls as "someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as a forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion." In short, trolls are people who are intentionally annoying at best and downright discriminatory at worst.
Why do they do it? For fun. Yes, these people are like the two-year old who plays the "I'm not touching you!" game with their older sister just to annoy her. Some will argue that people who post sexist, racist, or other "-ist"type comments aren't trolls because they're assumably posting from legitimate feelings and not just for fun, it is impossible to know the true reason someone will troll (yes, it's a verb as well as a noun) and therefore people who make these comments are generally put in the same group as all the other trolls.
What is one to do when encountered with an internet troll? Well, you have options. Some people choose to engage the person in conversation. I generally recommend against this as it just leads to frustration and nothing else to show for your efforts. Others will just ignore the person and continue the conversation with other people. This works well though the troll will sometimes get another member of the conversation trapped in conversation. The recommended method is to either block or report the person. Many places on the internet have "anti-trolling" measures in place that allow a person to either report a troll (and thereby have them removed from the site permanently) or block them (they maintain their membership, but you no longer see any of their comments).
Practical Tip of the Day:
When using a site like Facebook, the easiest way to avoid trolls is to simply increase your privacy settings so only your friends and family can interact with you. You can access your privacy settings on Facebook by clicking the downwards pointing triangle in the top-right corner of the webpage and then selecting "Privacy Settings." Once there, you'll have many options to help you get your account as buttoned up as you'd like.
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Don't forget to check out our webpage: www.TechKNOWLEDGEyToday.com and request an appointment for your personalized computer training in your own home or office!
You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ !
Wikipedia defines internet trolls as "someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as a forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion." In short, trolls are people who are intentionally annoying at best and downright discriminatory at worst.
Why do they do it? For fun. Yes, these people are like the two-year old who plays the "I'm not touching you!" game with their older sister just to annoy her. Some will argue that people who post sexist, racist, or other "-ist"type comments aren't trolls because they're assumably posting from legitimate feelings and not just for fun, it is impossible to know the true reason someone will troll (yes, it's a verb as well as a noun) and therefore people who make these comments are generally put in the same group as all the other trolls.
What is one to do when encountered with an internet troll? Well, you have options. Some people choose to engage the person in conversation. I generally recommend against this as it just leads to frustration and nothing else to show for your efforts. Others will just ignore the person and continue the conversation with other people. This works well though the troll will sometimes get another member of the conversation trapped in conversation. The recommended method is to either block or report the person. Many places on the internet have "anti-trolling" measures in place that allow a person to either report a troll (and thereby have them removed from the site permanently) or block them (they maintain their membership, but you no longer see any of their comments).
Practical Tip of the Day:
When using a site like Facebook, the easiest way to avoid trolls is to simply increase your privacy settings so only your friends and family can interact with you. You can access your privacy settings on Facebook by clicking the downwards pointing triangle in the top-right corner of the webpage and then selecting "Privacy Settings." Once there, you'll have many options to help you get your account as buttoned up as you'd like.
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Don't forget to check out our webpage: www.TechKNOWLEDGEyToday.com and request an appointment for your personalized computer training in your own home or office!
You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ !
Thursday, December 6, 2012
How Do I Clean My Computer?
You know you shouldn't, but admit it, sometimes you eat and drink near your computer. Maybe you have kids who like to poke at your screen or you just take your computer with you everywhere. No matter how you treat your computer, it's bound to need a good cleaning sooner or later. Smears on the screen, gunk on the trackpad or mouse, stuff under the keyboard, all kinds of things can make your computer not only look gross, but also affect its functionality.
The first thing I generally recommend is to give it a good spray down with some canned air. You can buy canned air from most electronic stores or departments (picture below), and it really is just pressurized air in a can. Keep the can upright, aim at the keyboard and/or heat vents and spray. This will kick up a lot of the small things hiding out below your keys or in the vents that keep your computer from working smoothly. Note: Do NOT hold the can upside down! Canned air contains small amounts of liquid nitrogen that can freeze items on contact. This can be dangerous not only to your computer, but to yourself as well.
To clean the body of the computer you have more options. There are numerous sprays, wipes and other things sold that you can apply to the outside of your computer to get stuck on gunk off. Make sure you verify that it's safe to use on your kind of computer and the parts of the computer you're looking to clean. For example, Macs are made out of an aluminum alloy that may smear when cleaned with some products (I've had good luck with iClear on my Macbook Pro), and even on PCs, some cleaners aren't designed to work on the screen of the computer and can discolor or smear as well.
If you're looking for something cheaper than actual computer cleaner, a common item held in my electronic-cleaning arsenal is good old denatured alcohol and a microfiber cloth. Microfiber clothes are inexpensive and don't leave any small fibers when used for cleaning unlike paper towels, cotton balls or dish rags. Put a small amount of alcohol on the cloth (NOT on the computer directly) and wipe the area that needs cleaning. The added benefit of using alcohol is that it also works as an anti-microbial, killing any germs that may be lingering on your precious device. This is also the way I recommend cleaning a computer monitor, or any electronic screen for that matter.
Practical Tip of the Day: NEVER EVER ever use water to clean your computer! Remember, water is bad for electronics, so keep it far away. Most computer cleaners are made to be used sparingly, and if you use alcohol to clean your computer, make sure the cloth is damp, but not dripping. Even a small amount of liquid can cause irreparable damage to your computer!
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Don't forget to check out our webpage: www.TechKNOWLEDGEyToday.com and request an appointment for your personalized computer training in your own home or office!
You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ !
The first thing I generally recommend is to give it a good spray down with some canned air. You can buy canned air from most electronic stores or departments (picture below), and it really is just pressurized air in a can. Keep the can upright, aim at the keyboard and/or heat vents and spray. This will kick up a lot of the small things hiding out below your keys or in the vents that keep your computer from working smoothly. Note: Do NOT hold the can upside down! Canned air contains small amounts of liquid nitrogen that can freeze items on contact. This can be dangerous not only to your computer, but to yourself as well.
To clean the body of the computer you have more options. There are numerous sprays, wipes and other things sold that you can apply to the outside of your computer to get stuck on gunk off. Make sure you verify that it's safe to use on your kind of computer and the parts of the computer you're looking to clean. For example, Macs are made out of an aluminum alloy that may smear when cleaned with some products (I've had good luck with iClear on my Macbook Pro), and even on PCs, some cleaners aren't designed to work on the screen of the computer and can discolor or smear as well.
If you're looking for something cheaper than actual computer cleaner, a common item held in my electronic-cleaning arsenal is good old denatured alcohol and a microfiber cloth. Microfiber clothes are inexpensive and don't leave any small fibers when used for cleaning unlike paper towels, cotton balls or dish rags. Put a small amount of alcohol on the cloth (NOT on the computer directly) and wipe the area that needs cleaning. The added benefit of using alcohol is that it also works as an anti-microbial, killing any germs that may be lingering on your precious device. This is also the way I recommend cleaning a computer monitor, or any electronic screen for that matter.
Practical Tip of the Day: NEVER EVER ever use water to clean your computer! Remember, water is bad for electronics, so keep it far away. Most computer cleaners are made to be used sparingly, and if you use alcohol to clean your computer, make sure the cloth is damp, but not dripping. Even a small amount of liquid can cause irreparable damage to your computer!
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Don't forget to check out our webpage: www.TechKNOWLEDGEyToday.com and request an appointment for your personalized computer training in your own home or office!
You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ !
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Should I Update to iTunes 11?
Apple recently sent out a new update to iTunes that made many changes, and not everyone is enjoying them. As with most software updates by any company, there are always people wondering if the update is worth doing and if they should update now or wait. Unfortunately for Apple, iTunes updates have put a sour taste in the mouths of many Windows users that have made them doubly skeptical of doing updates. Let's take a look at what the update changed and from there you can decide for yourself whether it's worth doing:
First thing you'll notice is an all-new look and feel of the program. In true Apple fashion, the new iTunes is even sleeker and more minimalist than before. While this is very eye-catching, some people have been complaining about needing to "re-learn" where everything is located. Personally, I don't think this is a major issue. You move to different areas of your iTunes library using a drop-down now instead of using a left-side navigation bar.
The thing I enjoy most is the new "Up Next" option for the Mini Player. The mini player is the miniaturized iTunes player you can use to play music instead of having the large program window open and taking up space on your computer screen. Apple's updated that (again, making it more minimalist), but also added the Up Next feature that allows you to see what song is slated to play after the one currently playing. From there you can rearrange the order they play in, remove them from the to-be-played list, rate them, or get more information about them.
Lastly, more iCloud updates. This one is actually quite handy for people with multiple Apple devices that access iTunes. Now you can access all of your content from any of your devices. While Apple had a version of this previously through their paid iTunes Match program, it is now offered free and means that that song you bought on your iPhone instantly appears on your Mac (or PC) at home without having to plug your phone in to sync.
Practical Tip of the Day:
Still not sure if you want to update? It's not uncommon for a smaller bug-fixing update to be released within a few weeks of a major update to a program (this rule of thumb is true for most programs regardless of who makes it). If you're concerned that the new update will mess something up on your computer, wait for the next update and down both of them at the same time. This will make the updating process take longer, but it'll mean you're also minimizing the chance for something to get lost-in-translation during the update process, and as always, I recommend backing up your data before any major software update.
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Don't forget to check out our webpage: www.TechKNOWLEDGEyToday.com and request an appointment for your personalized computer training in your own home or office!
You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ !
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Don't forget to check out our webpage: www.TechKNOWLEDGEyToday.com and request an appointment for your personalized computer training in your own home or office!
You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ !
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Can I Access My Computer From My Smartphone or Tablet?
Ever have a file on your computer at home that you really wish you had with you? Maybe it's a resume and you just ran into a prospective employer, a photo you don't have on your phone, or maybe you need to do some work on your computer and won't be home for hours or days. Because of these exact reasons, there are apps you can get for your Apple or Android devices that allow you to remotely access your home or office computer. That means that you can open this app and actually see and control your computer as if you were there. How cool is that? Here are the most popular apps in the marketplace right now:
- GoToMyPC- This is a premium app made by Citrix so I usually recommend it for people who will either be accessing their computer a lot or for business people who need something more streamlined. Designed for either iOS (Apple) or Android, this slick app is free, but does require a subscription to the GoToMyPC service. ($20/month)
- LogMeIn- This app is iOS only, and is a simplified remote access app, which works out nicely for the occasional user. The other nice thing about it is the price tag; The app is free and there is no subscription. Simply download the app on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch and then the program onto your Mac or PC.
- Ignition- This is the Android version of LogMeIn, and as such is going to be nearly identical. Still able to access both Macs and PCs, still free, and made by the same company as LogMeIn (LogMeIn, Inc.), I'm not sure why they gave it a different name, but nonetheless, here it is.
Keep in mind that these are just the top apps for remotely controlling your computer and there are others out there, but I will caution you when you go searching for other options. Make sure you only download apps directly from the iTunes Store or Android Marketplace and the computer program part directly from the manufacturer's website. This is important as the Store and Marketplace verify the authenticity and safety of the apps and programs before allowing them on the store. That way you know you're not downloading something that will allow anyone else into you devices without your permission.
Practical Tip of the Day:
When you go to look at the apps before downloading them, check the features. You'll often be pleasantly surprised. The ones I've listed often have added features allowing you to do things like transfer files between devices, linking to cloud based storage, and accessing multiple computers.
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Don't forget to check out our webpage: www.TechKNOWLEDGEyToday.com and request an appointment for your personalized computer training in your own home or office!
You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ !
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Don't forget to check out our webpage: www.TechKNOWLEDGEyToday.com and request an appointment for your personalized computer training in your own home or office!
You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ !
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
How Do I Fix My Slow Computer?
It happens to all computers. When you buy them they're amazingly quick, but with time they start to slow down. Eventually it gets to the point that you decide you have to do something, but what? Here are the first things I recommend trying when you notice your computer getting slow, in the order I recommend trying them:
1. Restart- The first is easy. Restart your computer. When was the last time your computer was turned off? While computers are getting much better about going for extended periods of time without needing to be restarted (also known as "rebooted") letting it rest even for the couple seconds it takes to restart will often do wonders for a sluggish computer- especially a new one.
2. Clean Things Out- (WARNING!- Before deleting things from your computer, make sure you have a current backup of your computer. If you don't know how to backup your data, read this.) It's possible that your computer could be slowing down because it has so much information in it. The analogy here being that if you load up your car with a bunch of stuff, it slows down and you have to push the gas more to get it to go the same speed. I generally recommend people keep at least 10% of their hard drive empty for daily use. For example, if you have a 500 GB hard drive (click here if you don't know what "GB" means) you should have at least 50 GB left free to help prevent computer slow down.
3) Reinstall- Now things are getting serious. If you've tried both restarting and cleaning your computer, reinstalling your computer's operating system would be the next recommended step. (This article helps explain what an operating system is.) This is a bit more extreme as it involves removing everything from your computer and then putting it all back on. This is generally done to ensure that problem causing the computer to slow down isn't part of the computer's underpinnings. Sometimes, especially as the computer ages and sees more use, things simply get mucked up and need to be replaced. Think of this as shaking the proverbial Etcha-sketch on your computer. Because of this, I again urge you have a backup and to consult with your technology advisor for more help.
Practical Tip of the Day:
Defragment- This would be located between steps 1 and 2 if you're using a Windows computer, but since I'm trying to write this in an operating system neutral way, I thought this would be the better place for it. Defragment- or "defrag" for short- is the process a Windows computer uses to put data back where it belongs. Computers are like preschoolers when it comes to putting things away when they're done with them; They don't. If you have a Windows computer, you can run a defrag to tell the computer to "clean up its room" in a sense. In some versions of Windows, you can even set a schedule to tell it to do it on a regular basis.
If you have a Mac, the computer defrags any files it views as "highly fragmented" when you go to open the file. This happens automatically unless you have less than 10% of your hard drive available. This is why step 2 is so important!
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Don't forget to check out our webpage: www.TechKNOWLEDGEyToday.com and request an appointment for your personalized computer training in your own home or office!
You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ !
1. Restart- The first is easy. Restart your computer. When was the last time your computer was turned off? While computers are getting much better about going for extended periods of time without needing to be restarted (also known as "rebooted") letting it rest even for the couple seconds it takes to restart will often do wonders for a sluggish computer- especially a new one.
2. Clean Things Out- (WARNING!- Before deleting things from your computer, make sure you have a current backup of your computer. If you don't know how to backup your data, read this.) It's possible that your computer could be slowing down because it has so much information in it. The analogy here being that if you load up your car with a bunch of stuff, it slows down and you have to push the gas more to get it to go the same speed. I generally recommend people keep at least 10% of their hard drive empty for daily use. For example, if you have a 500 GB hard drive (click here if you don't know what "GB" means) you should have at least 50 GB left free to help prevent computer slow down.
3) Reinstall- Now things are getting serious. If you've tried both restarting and cleaning your computer, reinstalling your computer's operating system would be the next recommended step. (This article helps explain what an operating system is.) This is a bit more extreme as it involves removing everything from your computer and then putting it all back on. This is generally done to ensure that problem causing the computer to slow down isn't part of the computer's underpinnings. Sometimes, especially as the computer ages and sees more use, things simply get mucked up and need to be replaced. Think of this as shaking the proverbial Etcha-sketch on your computer. Because of this, I again urge you have a backup and to consult with your technology advisor for more help.
4) Add RAM- So you've restarted, cleaned things out, reinstalled your operating system and things still aren't as snappy you'd like them to be. Now we look at doing hardware upgrades. RAM is your computer's short term memory, and the easiest thing a consumer can physically change about their computer to speed it up. (Click here for a primer on what RAM is.) How the RAM is changed in your particular computer is variable, so it's important to have the owner's manual or your technology consultant handy. If you don't feel comfortable opening up your computer, don't worry, this is a simple operation and most computer technicians won't charge an arm and a leg to do it. (Find a new tech if they try and tell you it will take more than an hour to do the upgrade!)
Here's a photo example of RAM from Office Max.
Practical Tip of the Day:
Defragment- This would be located between steps 1 and 2 if you're using a Windows computer, but since I'm trying to write this in an operating system neutral way, I thought this would be the better place for it. Defragment- or "defrag" for short- is the process a Windows computer uses to put data back where it belongs. Computers are like preschoolers when it comes to putting things away when they're done with them; They don't. If you have a Windows computer, you can run a defrag to tell the computer to "clean up its room" in a sense. In some versions of Windows, you can even set a schedule to tell it to do it on a regular basis.
If you have a Mac, the computer defrags any files it views as "highly fragmented" when you go to open the file. This happens automatically unless you have less than 10% of your hard drive available. This is why step 2 is so important!
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Don't forget to check out our webpage: www.TechKNOWLEDGEyToday.com and request an appointment for your personalized computer training in your own home or office!
You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ !
Thursday, November 15, 2012
How Does a Square Reader Work?
You may have heard that the Girl Scouts are accepting credit cards now, or maybe you've just overheard an excited friend with a small business talking about finally being able to accept credit cards while they're out and about. While there are many products and services that allow people to do this, the most popular option by far is the Square reader and Square Register app. Made by the Square Up company, they have a great business plan that allows people to start accepting credit card payments with no startup costs. Here are the three easy- and free- steps to getting started with a Square reader:
1. Get the app- Available for iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) as well as Android devices, the app is called Square Register and yes, it's free. Just download onto your device like you normally do.
2. Set up account- Once you have the app, you can create your account right from it or from Square Inc.'s website. (https://squareup.com) This is also free to do. Once you have your account, you can log onto the app and customize your settings.
3. Get reader- This can be done before or after you get the app, but it doesn't do you much good to have the reader without the app to use it with. When you signed up for your account on Square's website, they also asked for your address so they could mail you your- you guessed it- FREE reader. Now that you have it you're ready to go! Now, what if you decide you need it now? Last minute bake sale at school maybe? You can purchase the readers at various electronics stores and departments like Sam's Club, Apple, etc.
Practical Tip of the Day:
One of the nice things about the Square Register app is that it also helps you keep your transactions accounted for. What then should you do if someone chooses to pay with cash? No worries! The Square Register can also help you track your cash transactions. Once you enter the price on the main screen, simply tap the $ icon on the top right corner to change it from a credit card transaction to a cash one.
1. Get the app- Available for iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) as well as Android devices, the app is called Square Register and yes, it's free. Just download onto your device like you normally do.
2. Set up account- Once you have the app, you can create your account right from it or from Square Inc.'s website. (https://squareup.com) This is also free to do. Once you have your account, you can log onto the app and customize your settings.
3. Get reader- This can be done before or after you get the app, but it doesn't do you much good to have the reader without the app to use it with. When you signed up for your account on Square's website, they also asked for your address so they could mail you your- you guessed it- FREE reader. Now that you have it you're ready to go! Now, what if you decide you need it now? Last minute bake sale at school maybe? You can purchase the readers at various electronics stores and departments like Sam's Club, Apple, etc.
Only an inch in size, this little guy can make a big impact for portable businesses.
What's the catch, you ask? How are they making any money? Square keeps 2.75% of all credit card transactions made with their app. That means that if you charge someone $10 for a dozen cupcakes, Square will keep 27.5 cents of it. That's it! No other fees or charges. That's why Square has become such a staple to many small businesses around the world.
Practical Tip of the Day:
One of the nice things about the Square Register app is that it also helps you keep your transactions accounted for. What then should you do if someone chooses to pay with cash? No worries! The Square Register can also help you track your cash transactions. Once you enter the price on the main screen, simply tap the $ icon on the top right corner to change it from a credit card transaction to a cash one.
What Are the Best Apps for Expectant Parents?
I'm happy to announce that after my long hiatus, I'll finally be able to get back to my regular Tuesday/Thursday schedule for blog posts since I've had my baby and have taken some time to recover and readjust. Thank you all for your patience! Because of this, I thought I'd share the apps that my husband and I found most helpful during my pregnancy:
1. "My Pregnancy Today" from BabyCenter was definitely the most used pregnancy app of the bunch as it links directly to BabyCenter's week-by-week updates on how your baby and your body are growing and changing as well as their numerous articles that are absolutely invaluable to expectant parents. It also gives you a checklist of things to do so nothing slips your mind like finding a pediatrician, taking your vitamins, or writing up your birth plan. This is the single "must have" app of the bunch in my opinion.
2. "My Baby's Beat" by Matis Inc. wins the award for coolest pregnancy app for sure. This $3.99 app super-sensitizes your iPhone's microphone so you can use it to listen to your baby's heartbeat in utero. Yes, you read that right. A $3.99 app lets you hear your baby's heartbeat. Now, a bit of a disclaimer here. It's not perfect and by no means replaces the dopplers you can buy to do this same thing, but if you're like me and don't want to spend $40 for something you'll only use a half dozen times, this is a great app, and if nothing else it impresses your friends and family.
3. "Full Term - Labor Contraction Timer" by Mustansir Golawala is the app I used to time my contractions for obvious reasons. It's simple, free and a great way to time contractions when you have to be on the move and can't be carrying around a pen and paper to write down the times. It was made by a husband looking for a way for his wife to time her contractions and he's subsequently released it for free for everyone else as a gift. How sweet is that?
Practical Tip of the Day:
Now, in theory, if you're reading this, you're looking to have a baby sometime in the near future. If that's the case, "iBabyLog: Baby Tracker" from the Palanati Group, LLC would be my recommendation for the brand-new parents. While you're in the hospital and for a few weeks afterwards, you'll be asked to track your baby's diapers, feedings, and other things. Instead of keeping a physical journal, this handy, free app lets you and all the baby's caregivers track these things easily and let it sync between everyone.
1. "My Pregnancy Today" from BabyCenter was definitely the most used pregnancy app of the bunch as it links directly to BabyCenter's week-by-week updates on how your baby and your body are growing and changing as well as their numerous articles that are absolutely invaluable to expectant parents. It also gives you a checklist of things to do so nothing slips your mind like finding a pediatrician, taking your vitamins, or writing up your birth plan. This is the single "must have" app of the bunch in my opinion.
2. "My Baby's Beat" by Matis Inc. wins the award for coolest pregnancy app for sure. This $3.99 app super-sensitizes your iPhone's microphone so you can use it to listen to your baby's heartbeat in utero. Yes, you read that right. A $3.99 app lets you hear your baby's heartbeat. Now, a bit of a disclaimer here. It's not perfect and by no means replaces the dopplers you can buy to do this same thing, but if you're like me and don't want to spend $40 for something you'll only use a half dozen times, this is a great app, and if nothing else it impresses your friends and family.
3. "Full Term - Labor Contraction Timer" by Mustansir Golawala is the app I used to time my contractions for obvious reasons. It's simple, free and a great way to time contractions when you have to be on the move and can't be carrying around a pen and paper to write down the times. It was made by a husband looking for a way for his wife to time her contractions and he's subsequently released it for free for everyone else as a gift. How sweet is that?
Practical Tip of the Day:
Now, in theory, if you're reading this, you're looking to have a baby sometime in the near future. If that's the case, "iBabyLog: Baby Tracker" from the Palanati Group, LLC would be my recommendation for the brand-new parents. While you're in the hospital and for a few weeks afterwards, you'll be asked to track your baby's diapers, feedings, and other things. Instead of keeping a physical journal, this handy, free app lets you and all the baby's caregivers track these things easily and let it sync between everyone.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Best iOS Apps for Stay at Home Parents
Often times people think of business people and college kids when they think of smartphones like the iPhone, but there are plenty of stay-at-home/work-from-home parents who own iPhones and iPod Touches as well. That's why I've decided to share my top three app recommendations for the the home:
Grocery iQ- This is one of my favorite apps because it allows my husband and I to share a single grocery list. It syncs between our phones so he can add something to the list from work, it'll automatically add it to my phone, and when I purchase the item and mark it off, it automatically removes it from the list on his phone so he knows he doesn't have to stop at the store. This app also has lots of coupons, a favorites list for commonly purchased items, a store locator and it can save your savings cards so you don't have to carry them with you.
Betty Crocker- The Betty Crocker app is one of my favorites for those "I need to use this up before it goes bad" times. You can search through recipes by ingredients ("I have kielbasa and black beans..."), browse by main ingredient "What can I make with chickpeas?" or search recipes by name "Lets make chicken enchiladas." Once you find a recipe you like, you can save it right in the app so you don't have to search for it all over again.
Mint- There's a reason stay-at-home parents are also called home economists. Mint is a financial app that ties into a website that helps you manage and track your finances with ease and sans jargon. It's easy to make a budget, link your credit cards and bank accounts, and then track how you're doing on your budget right from the app. Considering ordering dinner out? Open the app and see if it's in your budget to eat out this month. The website also allows you to track your loans and credit card balances so you have one place to see how far you've come in paying them off.
Practical Tip of the Day:
Have kids that like to play with your iPhone, but sometimes leave it in... odd places? Sign up for iCloud for free using your Apple ID (the log in you use to purchase apps) and then turn on "Find My iPhone" in your iPhone's settings. Lost phone? Go to icloud.com, log in, and click "Find My iPhone." It'll use the GPS to locate your phone ("Oh good, it's not at the daycare center!") and from there you can send it a message (if maybe it IS at the daycare center) or make it ring, even if you left it on silent! The last part is particularly helpful if you're like me and often leave your phone silenced, and tend to find it between couch cushions or under a pile of stuffed animals.
Grocery iQ- This is one of my favorite apps because it allows my husband and I to share a single grocery list. It syncs between our phones so he can add something to the list from work, it'll automatically add it to my phone, and when I purchase the item and mark it off, it automatically removes it from the list on his phone so he knows he doesn't have to stop at the store. This app also has lots of coupons, a favorites list for commonly purchased items, a store locator and it can save your savings cards so you don't have to carry them with you.
Betty Crocker- The Betty Crocker app is one of my favorites for those "I need to use this up before it goes bad" times. You can search through recipes by ingredients ("I have kielbasa and black beans..."), browse by main ingredient "What can I make with chickpeas?" or search recipes by name "Lets make chicken enchiladas." Once you find a recipe you like, you can save it right in the app so you don't have to search for it all over again.
Mint- There's a reason stay-at-home parents are also called home economists. Mint is a financial app that ties into a website that helps you manage and track your finances with ease and sans jargon. It's easy to make a budget, link your credit cards and bank accounts, and then track how you're doing on your budget right from the app. Considering ordering dinner out? Open the app and see if it's in your budget to eat out this month. The website also allows you to track your loans and credit card balances so you have one place to see how far you've come in paying them off.
Practical Tip of the Day:
Have kids that like to play with your iPhone, but sometimes leave it in... odd places? Sign up for iCloud for free using your Apple ID (the log in you use to purchase apps) and then turn on "Find My iPhone" in your iPhone's settings. Lost phone? Go to icloud.com, log in, and click "Find My iPhone." It'll use the GPS to locate your phone ("Oh good, it's not at the daycare center!") and from there you can send it a message (if maybe it IS at the daycare center) or make it ring, even if you left it on silent! The last part is particularly helpful if you're like me and often leave your phone silenced, and tend to find it between couch cushions or under a pile of stuffed animals.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Should I Get The iPad Mini?
Today was another big day for Apple with plenty of announcements- new 13" MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, iMac, iPad and lots of software and technology updates like the new Fusion Drive, but the overwhelming take away for most people was of course the iPad Mini. We've been waiting for it, guessing about it, and now that we have it we must pause and ask ourselves "Should I actually get it?"
As usual, my answer is "Maybe. Depends on what you do," but here's the quick and dirty breakdown of its features. Keep in mind though that features don't determine whether or not you should get something. I recommend being able to think of at least three things you can do with it that you can't currently do or would be significantly better/easier with it:
As usual, my answer is "Maybe. Depends on what you do," but here's the quick and dirty breakdown of its features. Keep in mind though that features don't determine whether or not you should get something. I recommend being able to think of at least three things you can do with it that you can't currently do or would be significantly better/easier with it:
- Small enough to hold in one hand
- 7.2 MM thick (about the thickness of a pencil)
- .68 Lbs (about the weight of a pad of paper)
- Exterior is aluminum and glass
- Comes in either black or white (see photo above)
- Same pixel count as full-sized iPad
- 7.9" display (measured on the diagonal)
- Front and read facing cameras
- 10 hour battery life
- LTE option for cell service
- Starts at $329
All in all, I consider the iPad Mini to be a good place to start if you think you want an iPad, but don't want/have the money to spend on a full-sized one. That lower price point and size also make it better for children or teens or anyone who finds themselves in environments that aren't very tech-friendly.
If you're still not sure if the iPad Mini is right for you, feel free to contact me at www.TechKNOWLEDGEyToday.com and I'd be more than happy to help walk you through the decision. You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter for updates and periodic tips and tricks to help you with the technology you use daily.
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TechKNOWLEDGEy Today was founded on the idea that through better understanding of technology you can empower people to better their lives more than they ever thought possible. It is with this in mind that we strive to better our communities through the services we offer.
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