Archive for Technology
Faster Facebook
Posted by: | CommentsI know a few people that loved connecting on Facebook, but had to drop out because of the time it took to scroll through all the application posts.
The solution is Facebook Lite.
You get to it by logging in with your facebook username and password here:
At the top has buttons to Write, Post Photos, and Post Video.
Below that have events, birthdays and friend requests.
And then you have your application, free gift, farmville free Facebook.
Plus you can always fiddle around on regular Facebook when you have more time.
Why I No Longer Have a Paper Calendar
Posted by: | CommentsI didn’t buy a paper calendar this year. I had been phasing it out and now it’s completely gone.
I use Google Calendar, and it has simplified my life. You can see if it might work for you.
- You would no longer have to rewrite birthdays and anniversaries from old calendars. Or recurring appointments. You can set up daily, weekly, monthly and yearly recurring events.
- You can have your calendar anywhere. I can get it through Google mobile on my phone and there is no synching I need to do with other calendars. You can see it from any computer with internet access.
- You can import other calendars like holidays, TV show schedules, moon phases and people you work with closely. All you need to do is go to Other Calendars on the left sidebar. You can choose to browse public calendars, add someone else’s calendar, add a calendar if you know the URL, or import a calendar from things like Outlook or iCal.
- You can see all the calendars at once or only the ones you want to see by clicking on the calendar (s) in the left sidebar.
- You can get reminders through email, sms or as pop up reminders so you don’t miss appointments. You can even send events to others.
- You can get a daily agenda emailed to you every morning.
- Quick Add adds to the calendar faster than you could write it on a paper calendar.
- You can see daily, weekly, monthly, or four days with the click of a button
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- Searching calendars is easy with the Google Search right at the top of the calendar.
- I have gadgets that tell me the time in other time zones since I have clients all over the world and another gadget that tells me when my next meeting is.
What calendar systems works for you?
Are Two Monitors Better Than One?
Posted by: | CommentsIn my desk makeover blog post, I had a few people ask why I have two monitors.
I had been reading about how two monitors increases productivity. (Studies show 20-30% improvement.) I use the computer a lot in my work. But, I wasn’t going to buy a second monitor.
So, I was pleased when my husband said his old monitor didn’t work with his new computer system and would I like it.
He set it up after some fiddling. And I love it.
I can have Quicken up on one screen and the places I am paying online up at the same time. Without moving, shrinking, or messing with the windows.
I can have research up on one screen and my blog open in another.
It’s great for evaluating spreadsheets, copying and pasting, comparing products.
I can videoconference on Skype and have on the other screen what we are talking about.
The website I am working on can be on one screen while the code is on the other.
Not everyone needs two monitors. For the average user, it’s probably overkill. But, for people that do a lot of computer work, you can spend less time working by upping the productivity.
Favorite Way to Eat Yogurt
Posted by: | CommentsWhen prices went up at the grocery store, I decided it was time to make my own yogurt. Having a daily yogurt was getting expensive. Now I’m not a canning, cook everything from scratch, handy in the kitchen type person. I’m learning more kitchen skills, but they aren’t there yet.
But, I asked for a yogurt maker for Christmas and got it. Turns out it’s really simple. Boil milk, cool milk, add yogurt or starter, put in jars and then put in the yogurt maker.
Since I don’t flavor the yogurt while cooking, I add flavor when I eat it. My favorite way is to use frozen berries (in my area there are tons of u pick farms that we pick from during the summer and freeze the berries).
I put about a cup of berries in a cereal bowl with 1-2 tsp sugar. Then I microwave for 1-2 minutes depending on the size of the berries. Using a fork, I mash the berries then pour over my yogurt. Delicious with no chemicals and dyes.
I wonder what I can make my own of next?
Technology Fast
Posted by: | Comments
We spent the weekend camping – no cell phone reception and no internet. For three days.
And it felt great. I felt great.
I was more energetic and felt unbelievably alive.
So I am going to do a no technology evening this week and say no to the computer and TV at least one day this weekend.
How would you feel if you unplugged for a few hours this week?
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Photo credit: Aya
Computer Clean Up
Posted by: | CommentsMy computer was dragging and numerous scandisks, virus scans, ad-aware scans and disk defrags didn’t do anything.
Time to start over. After my husband wiped the computer, I only installed the programs I use regularly and will install the others if I need them. It’s much easier to find the programs I want quickly.
I also decided not to add many Firefox extensions to keep my browser faster.
We use Retrospect for daily, automatic backups.
To make things easier when I re-install or use a backup I keep a list of what computer programs I have and where I got them (CD, download, etc.)
It’s so nice to have a clean desktop again. I also have on my Google calendar monthly to go through my desktop.
Another tip that makes things faster for me is I drag websites I visit every day to my browser tool bar. (You drag from the graphic left of the URL). You need to make sure the toolbar is unlocked.
And in my Windows XP, I add programs I use every day to my bar at the bottom. First, I unlock the toolbar. Then I pull the .exe graphic of the program I am using to the toolbar at the left. I also make sure show desktop is there.
If you use your computer, but don’t know how to do the basics like install programs, personalizing your computer or find things you have downloaded – you might want to take a few minutes to do some internet research and practice your computer skills. Most of the time the computer skills are easier than you think, it’s the fear of technology that makes it difficult to learn.
How can you simplify your computer?
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Photo Credit: Doug Wood
Save Paper When You Print From the Web
Posted by: | CommentsI hate when I print something off the web and end up printing more than I had wanted. Most of the time I copy and paste to Word, but that takes time.
HP has a free download program that allows you to move web stuff around and even combine info from several websites so you can print only what you need.
This is for Internet Explorer only.
You can also try:
Simplify Your Technology
Posted by: | Comments
Photo by Baskyes
Some days it seems like I spend all my day hooked up to some kind of technology – computer, TV, smartphone…
How can you stop technology from taking over your life?
Do things without technology at least sometimes
- I use an online program for my master to do list and calendar, but for my daily list I like a notebook and pen
- Journal in a notebook instead of a computer program
- Read a novel instead of an e-book
- Write a letter instead of an email
- Make a phone call instead of sending a fax
Declare no technology zones
- Have a day a week where you don’t check email. Let people know if there is an emergency to call you because you don’t answer emails on Friday or Saturday or whatever day you choose
- Pick a time to shut off the computer or turn off the TV. Make it at least an hour before bed so it doesn’t interfere with your sleep.
- Don’t answer the phone when you are out to dinner with friends or family
- Don’t check your email on vacation. Then it’s not really a vacation.
Before you get new technology…
- Do you have something that already does this?
- Is the faster technology worth what you are paying in price (think how many hours you will have to work for that)?
- Can you wait until the next upgrade to purchase?
- Do you need the more complicated version?
Taming technology
- Have only one email in box (I like gmail.com as it has a terrific search feature so you need less folders)
- Have only a few set times a day to process email
- Have set times to return phone messages
Technology to help you simplify
- Use online banking
- Use money management programs like Quicken to keep you on top of your budget and finances
- Shop online – especially for the holiday (start at the beginning of November so everything is there on time)
- See if your library lets you put books on hold online.
Technology can be a good thing – but only if you set the rules and boundaries.
Getting Back to Work
Posted by: | CommentsMany of my clients have a hard time getting back to work after a much deserved work break. And I may have that tendency sometimes myself, though a few changes have drastically reduced those times.
Taking work breaks
Work breaks are extremely important to keep your energy up. Most people can’t concentrate more than 90 minutes. Some have a hard time staying focused for 15 minutes. Your vision gets a little cloudy. Your mind wanders off onto evening plans. You read the same paragraph for the 7th time. Yes, it is definitely time for a break to renew your energy and your focus. And sometimes when you are working on a creative project and get stuck, you need time to relax in order for your creativity flow to return.
Here are some examples of breaks to take:
http://lifedev.net/2008/04/how
Photo by Frenkieb
Now get back to work
But, once you are lanquid and relaxed it may be hard to get back into work mode.
"You lazy bum, get to back to work!" Using willpower and yelling at yourself to buckle down rarely works. Especially for the long term. It’s best to let your environment make things easier for you.
- Use a timer. I like using Work Rave to remind me to take my breaks and remind me to get back to work. This is another timer people like.
- You can also write down what you want to accomplish and by when to get into into work mode: http://www.marktaw.com/getbackt
owork.htm - I get most of my news and blog reading from Google Reader that prevents a lot of wandering off to other news and sites.
- Here is a software that will block certain sites during certain times:
http://lifehacker.com/374812/save-yourself-from-time-sinks -online-with-leechblock - Get away from your desk for breaks, so when you go back to your desk you feel in the work zone. If you work at a desk, then spend all your break time surfing the net, surfing mode feels a lot like work mode.
- Use a post it note to write down exactly where you left off so when you return your note brings your mind back quickly to the task.
- Stop in the middle of the project so you have momentum to continue after the break, instead of cold starting another project.
- Clear your desk before you leave for your break of everything except your current project. Your desk will then invite you back.
- Sometimes excess break time just means you don’t need to work as many hours as you do. You might find if you come in later or leave work earlier you will get more done.
How do you get back to work?
What to Do with No Internet
Posted by: | CommentsMy internet/network access went down on Wed afternoon. I got it back about an hour ago. Not only was the internet out, but I was caught in that weird Midwest weather. We would be brightly sunny, then 5 minutes later high winds and severe thunderstorms. Over and over. So I stayed in most of the time.
I went out only to the library to do my work – and only an hour a day. I quickly learned what has priority for work.
Then I was looking at a lot more free time. After some brief withdrawal systems I found ways to occupy my time.
The teens and I (my 13 year old informed me I can’t call them kids now LOL) had a dance party late into the night and told each other jokes and funny stories.
I got through all my paperwork, reorganized my closet, decluttered two kitchen cabinets, and cleared off a kitchen counter.
We watched movies as the thunderstorms came through our area.
Exercised every day – no excuses. Darn!
Caught up on letters and made some cards.
Had family over on a weekday.
Spent two long, relaxing nights with my husband.
Finished a novel and started on another.
Paid bills and played with the budget.
Played with the cat.
Experimented with some new recipes.
Played the piano and played name that singer with my son.
The time off from the computer was like a few day retreat.
I do the things above when I can, but to do them all at once felt decadent. I also realized I want to find ways to streamline my computer work, so I have more time outside the screen.
What would you do with time away from your computer?
