Email tricks

Check out this article from USA TODAY:

Five best email tricks

http://usat.ly/ZqGb2s

Speek - cool free conference calling app

Up to 5 users in a conference call no charge

Office 365 vs. Office 2013: Should you rent or own?

I thought this was a good article regarding personal use of Microsoft Office.

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2013/013113-office-365-vs-office-2013-266290.html?page=2

3D Printing for the consumer

Any geek worth their slide rule has heard it. Captain Kirk is in heat of the chase and gives Scotty the call, “Scotty, I need more power…” and Scotty replies “… I’m giving it all she’s got Captain … if only I could replicate more Dilithium…” Well now we have the technology to replicate Scotty’s Dilithium, at least, an ABS Plastic facsimile, which should be just fine since the Enterprise is a plastic facsimile of a starship.

The company Makerbot Industries makes an affordable personal 3D printer kit called the Thing-o-Matic. Together with open source software that converts 3D images to CNC G-Code the Thing-o-Matic can replicate most anything you can imagine, including a plastic Dilithium crystal. Using an ABS plastic similar to that you would find in the spool on your weed whacker the Thing-o-Matic will systematically melt a thin strand of plastic on the build platform and layup a part from the bottom up.

Coming in at around $1,500 to $2,000 depending on the model and features this brings 3D printing to the consumer and to their desktop. For more up to date info check out their website at http:\\www.makerbot.com or their wiki at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MakerBot_Industries

CES - Tablets Everywhere

Lot of cool new tablets coming out to the market. New Phones as well that will be a tablet and a phone via bluetooth. New technology for linking bluetooth devices to your phone for medical, fitness, home technology and home monitoring. Also TONS of new apps for the above categories as well.

Cool Thinks at CES

Samsung New TV Technology -
2012 Samsung Smart TV will be future proof for years to come. Thanks to its
proprietary system-on-chip technology, Samsung is the only company that can
deliver an evolving TV, which allows you to easily enjoy the benefits of the
latest TV technology year after year, without purchasing a brand new set. With a
simple slot-in to the back of TV, Samsung's Evolution Kit will bring the latest
and greatest TV technology to life.

Deal News

Looking for a great deal on a new laptop or PC?  Dealnews.com is a great site that aggregates all the deals on the net each day.  Worth checking out daily like you do with Woot.

Speed Up Firefox

If you have a broadband connection (and most of us do), you can use pipelining to speed up your page loads. This allows Firefox to load multiple things on a page at once, instead of one at a time (by default, it’s optimized for dialup connections). 

• Type “about:config” into the address bar and hit return. Type “network.http” in the filter field, and change the following settings (double-click on them to change them):
• Set “network.http.pipelining” to “true”
• Set “network.http.proxy.pipelining” to “true”
• Set “network.http.pipelining.maxrequests” to a number like 30. This will allow it to make 30 requests at once.
• Also, right-click anywhere and select New-> Integer. Name it “nglayout.initialpaint.delay” and set its value to “0″. This value is the amount of time the browser waits before it acts on information it receives.

SMS on Android - a useful app for work/personal cellphones

Since getting an Android phone, I've been trying to find a way to be happy with the SMS function. Each message from SiteSeer and Orion comes in as a unique thread. When we get pages (lots of them sometimes), they are difficult to clean up unless you want to delete all SMS messages. But this deletes your personal messages too. You can use "batch mode" - but you still have to select each one you want to delete, which is not good if you have tens or hundreds.
Now I'm using GO SMS EX, which is a replacement SMS application on the Android market. This app allows you create a filter list using keywords (I'm using "DataNetwork" and "SiteScope"). These messages aren't really filtered - they are automatically sent to a separate folder. So, this allows you to have a separate "personal" and "work" SMS area. Then you can perform functions (like backup and delete) on an entire folder of messages without affecting the other group of messages.

TETRAX [ Cell phone car mount]

I just bought a couple of these TETRAX magnet cell phone mounts for my two vehicles and I love them. Simple and effective.  The magnet is strong enough where your cell phone won't fall off when going over bumps, etc.  Very clean.  I purchased the mount with the sticky back as the mount that clips to your vent is not ideal for where I want the phone placed in my car.

Cloud Storage

Managing storage for your computers over time can become cumbersome. With hard drives now at 2 TB and beyond, and with our lives being stored on digital media like pictures, videos, and documentation, we are storing more and more data on our computers. Keeping this data safe in the event of a disaster, theft or computer crash is really important. Cloud storage services are gaining popularity and momentum as they promise to protect you fro a reasonable price with reliability, professionally managed, and off site storage.

The days are disappearing for buying hard drives just to backup-up your data. Simply leave your computer running and allow an encrypted backup to happen automatically or save documents and spreadsheets in the could. Let the experts manage your storage so you can concentrate on your tasks at hand. Below is a short list of some of the online cloud storage providers.

One of the challenges I see with the cloud is going to be bandwidth. This is OK for consumer use, but enterprise users may need larger bandwidth to support cloud storage.

1. DropBox: Sharing and synchronization of data happens through folders you create. On your computer, you simply drag and drop files or cut and paste files to your Dropbox folder. The files are automatically synchronized to the cloud and synchronized to all the other computers that have Dropbox installed. Dropbox provides you with 2 GB of space for free and you can upgrade to 50GB for $9.99 a month or 100GB for $19.99 per month. Dropbox automatically synchronizes your files live on your PC to the cloud so that all of your other PCs and devises can get the changed document right away. You can use Dropbox for a short term version control system as Dropbox will push the changes live, and keep all previous version for up to 30 days. You can share folders with other Dropbox users, which will then put the shared content on there PC. Dropbox does not have an online documentation editor. Dropbox will support multiple computers per account.
http://www.dropbox.com

2. Carbonite: Managing backups can be a nightmare. Carbonite takes the nightmare out of the equation. For $55.00 a year for unlimited backup space, install Carbonite and Carbonite will monitor and backup your computer with an encrypted connection to the Cloud. Files can be restored easily and you can access files via mobile devices. Carbonite provides a business option as well. Carbonite will only backup one computer per account. Files larger than 4G will need to be backed up manually. Carbonite allows you to gain remote access to your files, but does not seem to allow for file sharing. Carbonite does support version control, but only one change per day.
http://www.Carbonite.com

3. Mozy: Mozy is another backup service that protects your computers for a yearly price. They have two editions : MozyHome for 50 GB for $5.99 per month and 125GB for $9.99 per month and MozyPro for Desktop is $3.95 per month + $0.50/GB per month and a server is $6.95 per month + $0.50/GB per month. One caters to consumers and the other caters to business. Mozy is very similar to Carbonite. It does a schedule backup and not a live backup. There seems to be no features to share files with others. Mozy does support version control for up to 30days.
http://www.mozy.com

4. iCloud: iCloud is a cloud OS that follows you anywhere you go as long as you have an Internet connection. What I love about iCloud is their Super Drive offering. For $49.99 per year you get a 25GB storage drive or for $99.99 per year you get a 100GB drive for your iCloud OS that you can mount to your computer, mobile phone, or iPad device. iCloud requires third party application. One application you will need is NetDrive to mount iCloud as another drive on your local machine, and a second application for automatic backups.
http://www.icloud.com

5. Google Docs: Google Docs is a free cloud platform that allows you to share, build and save your content online. Examples include the following: word processor, spreadsheet, and presentations. Google Docs empowers its users to create and edit documents online in addition to collaboration with users in real-time. Google Docs only allows you to use 1G of storage. The user interfaces seems to be hard for some to use. When you upload there is an option to convert your documents to Google Docs, which will reformat your document, but Microsoft documents are not completely compatible. There is also no option for automatic backups of your files.

Let's start a thread below. What are your favorite online cloud storage services and why?

Bringing Harmony back into the home

I have been living with my wife but without Harmony ever since I upgraded my AV center with a new blueray player.

Years ago the TV controlled everything with a built in DVD player using the RCA remote control. Then came the Comcast HD DVR and another remote. I added surround sound with another remote. The final sin was my new blueray player with a remote containing 45 buttons.

I programmed the Comcast remote to turn on all 3 TV devices, amp, tv and cable box, but changing anything other than channels and volume was a major pain, select TV then input ect. Playing a DVD was a major pain, find the amps remote, select a new input, get the DVR remote, turn it on, fumble thru the keys and finding pause in a dark room was hit or miss with the stop button located next to it.

Then I ran across an article in the GR press this week about universal remotes and they reviewed the high end Harmony from logitech. Being a logitech customer I got an email offer with a discounted price on the Harmony the next day, but walking thru Costco I saw the Harmony 700 on sale for $87.99 and picked it up on Wednesday.

The Harmony has a USB interface to your computer for setup, enter your devices/model numbers and the web site will guide you thru setting up 4 activities. Press watch TV and it will turn on my TV, select the input, turn on the amp and select the input and output and turn on the comcast box.

Select watch a movie and it turns off the comcast box, changes the amps input and turns on my blueray player.

The model 700 can control up to 6 devices. It has matching color buttons to jive with my blueray player, (netflix, youtube, pandora or blockbuster).

What I really like is the display screen that allows you to move thru various menus depending on the device you want to control. For example my AV AMP has 32 menus, I can select the surround settings all from the Harmony remote.

Another feature, when you pick it up all the keys light up so you can see what you are looking for in the dark room. It has a large IR lens on the front along with a small one on the back so aiming is easy.

IT Rehab gets makeover

Check it out @ ITrehab.blogspot.com

Playon on the IPhone (via Mobile Access)

Check out the new Mobile Access Playon capability. You have to enable it in the client, then install the application on the iPhone (visit playon.tv). It automatically finds your Playon server when it's launched (assuming you're on your home WIFI), or you can go manually to it if you've configured NAT on your router to or can use UPNP. Very nice - let's you watch all the programs (especially nice if you've got Playon Premium) on the iPhone. Quality is excellent over WIFI.

A Few of My Favorite Things

I am continually amazed at the quality and capability of many free online and mobile applications. It seems like just yesterday, I was paying for floppy disks loaded with 1,000 fonts. My, how times have changed. So here is a collection of my favorite free sites and utilities, most of which I use on a regular (if not daily) basis and can genuinely recommend:

Check out the review of the Roku XDS

Google TV Event Shows Off Android-Loaded Logitech Revue Components - Cloud Computing from eWeek

Google TV Event Shows Off Android-Loaded Logitech Revue Components - Cloud Computing from eWeek: "NEW YORK—Logitech executives convened here Oct. 6 to show off more than a year of hard work developing a companion box, full and mini keyboard controllers and a TV Cam for making high-definition video calling, all for Google TV. Though packed into a tiny show space in Chinatown, Logitech officials offered an impressive demonstration of their products to support the service, which allows users to channel surf and navigate the Web from one keyboard controller, mini controller or iPhone or Android smartphone. Officials for the company easily flitted from one application to search and then to the next application. Then they shifted between TV and Web content all without snags and only minimal latency. The Revue box, which connects easily to TVs at home with an HDMI cable, is preloaded with several applications, including Netflix, Amazon On Demand, Napster, CNBC Realtime, Logitech Media Player and more. The Revue box and Keyboard Controller are available for preorder now from Logitech.com, Amazon.com and BestBuy.com. Delivery is expected by the end of the month. There is also a mini controller and Logitech TV Cam for making video calls through Google TV. See the prices, along with the devices in action, in this eWEEK slide show."

Polycom CMA desktop videoconferencing - in-flight follow-up

Here is a picture taken on my Delta flight to San Jose using gogo in-flight wireless. 

 

 Overall experience was not bad.  A little break up in the video but audio was crisp and clear.  Better than expected with the latency.

Sqeezebox radio is new in my home

For years I have enjoyed streaming Internet music from my squeezebox audio player which is in my living room hooked up to a Bose CD/Radio system. It can stream music from Pandora, Slacker or from my home media computer over my home wireless network. Not to easy to move out to the deck, garage or front porch however.

Recently Best Buy had an ad for the Logitech Sqeezebox Radio on sale for $159 so I picked one up. Great sound from the speaker, can run on a rechargeable battery pack (not included, remote is not included either). I keep it on my nightstand, easy to read clock, cool control knobs and wireless of course. I set it to turn off after 30 minutes of play time every night. The display shows the album cover of the song playing on Pandora as a bonus. Highly recommended as a replacement for the cheap sounding clock radios that don't stream from the Internet.

Ted5000 Update

Here is a chart from igoogle showing how much juice my AC was sucking from the grid yesterday.
Last night I finally opened the windows and enjoyed the fresh air. The dark green shows todays
usage, the light green to the left is yesterdays usage.