technology

... this weekend, we bought a new printer.  This new printer is all wireless, can surf the net right from it, has pretty colors, and will probably cook dinner if I can figure out how to program it. 

And it brought back a flood of technology memories. 

Our first computer, the one for which we had to take out a loan, was a screaming machine - a 386 clone with 4 mb of RAM.  (megabytes not gigabytes, for the record) and an $800 printer that printed in black and white a rocking 8 pages a minute AND it printed envelopes.  We had a 28,8 baud modem. And we had advanced to 3 1/2 inch floppy discs.  Just wow. 

Fast forward a few years and this printer?  Dang, this is faster than my first machine.  I can surf on it.  Print pictures from facebook to the printer.  All wireless.  In preparing for the new printer, I sorted through some older stuff ... culling the old to make way for the new.  Throwing away a 512k SD card, a card that can't hold even ONE picture taken from any of my Nikon cameras. 

It's crazy how much technology has improved in the last few years. I love it all. But I am holding on to one piece of older technology, not quite ready to jettison my iPod Classic. 

A recent article on the relevance of the iPod classic caught my attention.  While I appreciate Apple's decision to move away from the classic, I disagree.  I love my iPod classic - I love it because I have over 60 gbs of music, a slew of audio books, and a gazillion podcasts.  Doesn't need the internet or wireless and should I happen to be somewhere without wifi, a cell signal, or Sirius XM, I have a solid backup.   Should cable go down and I lose Pandora, I have enough Brian Eno or George Winston or Joy Division to last the evening.  This is one piece of technology that I will hang on to for quite some time. 

A few steps forward and loving all the new and one toe still solidly planted in 2007.  It works.

Techie Tuesday

I think it's time.  I have been asked to come talk about social media and networking and the presentation that I did for Datatel's User Group National Conference last March is completely outdated.  Completely.  Outdated.   Jeez.    Since last March:

Google Voice has added a business feature.    Oh, and Google added TV too.
LinkedIn has all kinds of new features including the ability to follow companies and find connections.  Like Google, Pandora and Twitter.  So cool.  And stay tuned for Career resources for recent grads, too.
Facebook has hit 500 million users.  That is crazy.   Tomorrow they have some big announcement.  Stay tuned.
I don't really remember a time before Twitter.  You should know all about hashtags.  #
Make sure you know Ted.
Skype.  It's everywhere.   Even on our phones.

So that's all for now.  #Glee is on.

Why I love technology

I am back at work, trying to cull through all the pending, necessary and immediate needs when I get a note on FB.  Yes, FB.  At work.  On Monday.  My friend and colleague is enjoying sun and cervaza in Mexico but is concerned.  She has an employee who turned in hours to be paid.  My friend can't log in from MX to approve the hours for her employee. So via FB, I contact payroll, it's fixed and both my colleagues are set.  Of course, one is on the beach with a cold beer but I won't hold that against her.   Good thing I have FB, that I am set up to receive my FB notes via Gmail and that my Gmail goes to my phone.  All these cool tools helped two people at work.  AT WORK.  

Last week when I was in DC, my colleague Dorothy and I were sitting at lunch.  Lunch made me think of dinner and dinner made me think of the 1500 people sitting in the room who too would be interested in dinner at some point, probably around the same time we would be interested....So whipping out my crackberry, I went to a service called Poynt and found local restaurants in the area.  From Poynt, I was able to sign in and make reservations right on line, right there, right then with a few clicks and types on my keyboard.  When we arrived at the restaurant that evening, there was a 45 min to 1 hour wait for a table.  We breezed through to our table and enjoyed a wonderful meal.  

I have been playing with a location sharing program called foursquare.  It has a lot of cool features but can see how some might perceive it having a weird sort of stalker quality about it.  I had two terrific experiences with 4SQ (my abbreviation) recently.  One, I was meeting my girlfriend for lunch in a new place and new restaurant.  We were arriving at different times, from different locations and I didn't know if she was already there.  In my email pops up a note saying that MB has checked in to One Trick Pony!  So immediately I knew that she was there and would grab a table first.   While at lunch, she shared with me that another local restaurant will give you a free appetizer if you check in on 4SQ when eating there.  WHOA!  How cool is that?  

There is lots to love on technology Tuesday! 

Techie Tuesday

Yeah, it's another all-about-the-pictures in another edition of Techie Tuesday. Tonight, I am heading out the Warehouse to take pictures of Denise at her bridal shower. So it's rather fitting that while I am out taking happy snaps, you are reading about resources. After last week's edition, I had some added resources that I neglected to provide. So two weeks, in a row it's for photographers, baby.

Henry, whose daughter Jill is an amazing photographer (here) mentioned that there is a website where we can borrow (for a fee), yes I said borrow, camera lenses. WOW! Could it be any simpler? The costs seem reasonable and selection incredible! Borrowlenses.com. Fantastic. Thanks Henry!

I have been asked what I use to edit photos. I used a number of programs - some free and some not. I love Photoshop Elements (here) for a nominal cost. I also like Irfanview (free) and Picasa also free. We like free.

And where can you share pictures? Some people swear by Flickr, Kodak, Photobucket and my fave, Picasa! There are many other programs available but these are the most common.

So as I am out clicking the camera, until next Tuesday, remember to wear clean underwear.

Techie Tuesday

It's about the pictures! Since bringing home my new Nikon D300, I have spent my time scouring my resources. Everything I need to learn is available - in print, on line and DVDs. I have assembled some fabulous resources and even if you aren't shooting with a DSLR, these are terrific tools for students and pros alike.

In print (courtesy of my friend Cara,an amazing photographer)
My two favorite books are From the Moment It Clicks by Joe McNally. It is a fabulous book full of magnificent pictures and stories from the great photographer himself. The other is a set of two books by Scott Kelby on The Digital Photography Book v1 and v2. I take them everywhere. Both include cool pictures with simple details on how each shot was taken including aperture, priority, WB and ISO settings.

Online
I spend copious amounts of time online at the Digital Photography School. This free resource and photographer's forum is an incredible resource from beginners to pros, and everyone in between. Seeing how other people take great pictures, and not great pictures, and ask for feedback and critique is so neat. Good stuff. There are some great peeps on Twitter too, photographers I follow and enjoy their tweets and resources. Developing my eye is key. I don't need to like everything but I need to be able to articulate why - technically. And that's work!

My friend Julia, who blogs and shows off her work here is an incredible photographer in her own right. I love to look through her pictures - composition, light, setting. She just gets it all right! And she turned me on to Shutter Sisters, yet another fabulous place to check things out. And my friend Lisa, shows off her photography skills here.

Also through a friend at work, I was turned on to Rocky Mountain School of Photography. I am signed up for a weekend class at the end of the month and I expect in no time will be wandering off for other classes on location.

So that's all she wrote for this week's Techie Tuesday. Until next week, make sure to comb your hair!

Techie Tuesday

Greetings friends!

It was a busy weekend with a photography class at Meijer Gardens. It's wonderful becoming members of Meijers. It's just a such a stunning place and it was terrific to just walk the grounds. The class was ok but even nicer was hanging out with other photographers. I learned through osmosis.

My pocket camera, Nikon P5100 came back from repair. It's all fixed and ready to get out and take pictures. I have a date, TBD, with my friend and photographer in crime, Julia, to get out and take some great pictures. And she has a NEW camera. :)

Other techie news.

Here comes Google Voice. Want to know more? Click here.

There is a nasty virus out there. You will want to know about this one. Click here. It's a wicked one.

When I lived in California, I lived through and tracked earthquakes carefully. I LOVED this site to track earthquakes. Check it out and find earthquakes that you didn't know existed.

Thanks for stopping by! Make it a good week. Until next time, don't play with matches!

Techie Tuesday

This week's Techie Tuesday is brought to you courtesy of Google. Thanks Google, Blogger and Google Apps!

Last week, I highlighted the Top Ten non-techie things I love. So it's only fair to share my Top Ten FAVE techie things.

1. Google.
2. Google products like Gmail, Picasa, Chat, Blogger, Google Reader, Google docs, You Tube, Google Calendar, Health, Images, etc. I should just say (ATG) All Things Google. If you really don't know all that Google does, you seriously need to check out all the options here.
3. Twitter. If you aren't on twitter, you are missing out. I'm just sayin' ...
4. Facebook. It's not just for kids anymore.
5. LinkedIn. Facebook for grownups.
6. iPod. I don't know how I ever traveled without it.
7. Digitial photography. Opened up photography to the entire world.
8. Mac and PC computers. Yes you can have it both ways. (I am not forgetting you Linux but you just aren't out there in numbers yet).
9. Kim Komando. Yes it's her real name and she was been writing, blogging and telling computer stories for a long time. I listen to her on Wood Radio 1300 and listen to her podcasts.
10. Okay, Henry wins. Didn't write in the 10th. And JobAngels our grassroots movement to put people back to work. :)

Ten NON High Tech things I love

To keep the tradition of Techie Tuesdays alive and thriving, I promise to try and be better at writing midweek. Plus Big Johnny said that he would get a Macbook Pro computer and internet access at home. Ha. Nothing like calling you out there, Johnny.

With all the technology I have and love, here are Ten Things I love to do that do not involve my technology. (Hard to believe that I can write this but let's overlook the fact that I have to use one of my seven or eight computers, one of my several operating systems, blogger, Google apps, cable modem, wireless network and the intricate weave of the web to bring this to you).

Ten Things
1. Playing with His Handsomeness. This is top of the list.
2. Taking pictures. (Not the DSLR part -rather the going out and finding the amazing pictures TO take).
3. Cooking with Paul. This sort of dangles on the edge since usually I am surfing on my Mac while he cooks. But sometimes I do actually have to help. Like cut up lettuce. Or load the dishwasher.
4. Reading.
5. Shopping at Art of the Table. We love it there. (quickie tech note - follow them on Twitter @artofthetable)
6. Painting my nails.
7. Ironing. Go ahead, mock me. But NO ONE can iron a shirt or pleated skirt like I can.
8. Drinking coffee. Drinking wine. Different times of the day though. Really.
9. Taking a nap.
10. Walking on the lake.

Makes me happy just thinking about these things. Until next week, remember to floss!

Techie Tuesday

So what's new in technology?

Well, Google has this thing called Latitude. Want to know where people are? Now you can. Visit them at google.com/latitude. It's fun and I know where some of my best friends are hanging out. Now I just need to figure out how to track Samson.

My favorite story is that Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple will be Dancing with the Stars. Is that crazy or what?

Are you looking for a job? More and more recruiters are using social media sites to seek out and connect with people. I connected two people I didn't even know using LinkedIn. If you are job hunting, you MUST have a LinkedIn profile. I know that there are a lot of people who say it's dangerous but I think it's incredibly valuable. If you create an account, drop me a note so we can link!

We are still futzing with the phone options. Not sure but when we decide I will certainly share. Until next week, make sure to wash behind your ears!

Techie Tuesday

Our house was been a little distracted by our governor's state of the State address. We listened to Governor Granholm talk about the thousands of new jobs, industries and growth in our state. While it's wonderful to hear someone so optimistic, I didn't hear a lot of realism in it. I worry about our state, for a number of reasons. I mostly worry about the taxes and debt to be saddled on the working and businesses. At some point, we will no longer be able to carry the load. Any of us.

So on to technology news. Google Earth has a new version out. Download it at Google Earth. Oceans have been added, along with historical sites.

Do you want to know what is on your computer? And the license numbers? Best program on the planet is a program called Belarc. Download it here.

Everyone is raving about Adobe Elements. It's a terrific photo-editing software for about $100 (after 30 day trial). Check it out here. I am still a fan of Picasa with the price tag of FREE. Check it out here.

And on the remote possibility that there is a reader of this blog who uses IE, v 8.0 is out. You can download it here. I am typing this from my Mac and my keyboard kept freezing ... wonder why.... ;)

So that's it for now. Lots in store for next Techie Tuesday. Until then, don't chew with your mouth full.

Techie Tuesday - it's Tuesday somewhere in the universe, right?

Argh, it has been a rough and tumble couple of days. People are in need and I have been helping in various ways. My calendar seems to fill up so much!

I went shopping for a birthday present and looked at the Storm, the iTouch and thought about the iPhone. None of them were 'it.' So I came home empty handed and will have to ponder what's next. Perhaps, I am really in need of some more memory for the camera. :)

I do need to remind you that Gmail now has the Task feature. Be sure to enable it by going to the Settings feature, then into Labs. Google is always slick about these things, rolling out updates and coolness periodically. So keep checking. You know that sharing tasks is on its way.

Ever get tired of using IE? I won't use Internet Explorer except when required for updates. I love to try new browsers out - check out Google's Chrome, Opera, and Avant. If you have a Mac, Opera works on it, as well as Camino.

Into photography? This website is the BEST site that I have seen - called Digital Photography School. Log in and learn. It is FANTASTIC!

So that's all for techie Tuesday on Wednesday! Until next week, don't run with scissors!

Techie Tuesday

How exciting that we are ushering in a new era of history and personal accountability! With that being said, I am hoping that we can move forward with the transition to digital TV. Apparently, people aren't ready - shocking - and there are suggestions that we delay this process. Bad idea.

I am still looking at different phones - can't decide if I want an iPhone, Android or Blackberry of some kind. I have looked at all - each has strengths and weaknesses. Can't quite pull the trigger. Perhaps that is a sign!

Windows 7 beta is available. I don't have a machine that I want to dedicate to such a system but you can check it out, along with all its features, here.

Shopping? There are taxes on our horizon. Read about it here.

That's all for now! Enjoy the day and until next time, tech it up!

Techie Tuesday

As promised, Techie Tuesdays are brought to you by your friendly, geeky, German shepherd-loving blogger.

Want to know the top 20 tips, tricks and coolness of 2008? Visit my friend, Kim Komando and her top 20 list. Click here.

Please don't visit my blog using Internet Explorer. Use Firefox, Chrome or Opera. Safer, cooler and faster. If you surf on a Mac, I like Camino. Never heard of it? Check it out here - Camino.

If you are using Firefox, do you have these add-ons? Top 15 must haves for Firefox!

Looking for ways to save money? Check out Pricegrabber and compare prices, some even better than Amazon!

And lastly, if you are online a good part of the day and need music, check out Pandora.

Until next Tuesday, tech it up baby!

Techie Tuesday

When not working, protecting our border from marauding bands of dangerous Canadian teachers, or whipping out job descriptions in between papercuts or even tracking down lost files, I am busy on the computers. Shocking I know. So starts Techie Tuesday. You know, since I LOVE technology.

Right now, if you are not on Twitter, you are close to being left behind. There is no better way to create an entire solar system of imaginary friends. Srlsy.

If you are like me and one of your machines is a Mac, Picasa for the Mac was released. Thank you Google. <>

If life isn't depressing enough, you can join an imaginary and virtual stock exchange. You get an imaginary $100k and you can try your hand at trading. Couldn't be any worse than were I am now.

One of the coolest emerging sites online is Alltop. It's, "all the topics, all the time." Check Alltop out. Tell 'em the Maven sent you. ;)

I am going back to being sick, and maybe playing with my lens. Goodnight from the enchanted Mitten.

Friday Happy Dance!

Woo hoo! It's Friday. Whew. 'Nuff said.

Yesterday, we had an enjoyable evening with Mr. Handsome. We celebrated one year of his joining our family. I can't believe how the time has flown. He has a number of wonderful names including Samson, Mr. Handsome, The Handsome One (thank you Johnny), Goofball, Mr. Pitiful, Little Man, Handsome Boy, Hotel Bravo (that's from Paul, surprise) and HB. It is so funny how names evolve and he is no exception.

It is POURING rain here. I love the rain but not at 0545 when we are walking HB. It is quite mild right now but that is supposed to change by this afternoon.

Tech Updates! No posting would be complete without a quick technology update. Google Chat has added video and you need just update (here) it to get the cool video component. It is MUCH better than Yahoo or AIM chat. Big pop-out window and picture-in-picture. Google also has flu trends (srlsy) here. And Pew produced an interesting article on your digital footprint in this electronic age. You can d/l it here. And if that isn't enough, the computer science dept at Calvin College has a speaker here from Google. That is SO cool. I will def try and get to see him.

Weather Nerd Alert. Bill Steffen's winter forecast is available on Wood TV's website. You can find it here. Bottom line, more snow. SWEET. And I am glad that we spent the few sheckles to have someone plow our driveway. Wise, wise investment.

So from STATION NUMBER: MI-KN-34, STATION NAME: East Grand Rapids 0.6W, happy Friday! Lots going on this weekend. Have a good one.

Feeling blue, feeling better

Holy cow, did I go down hard! I was sick for two days and I mean sick like - nothing stayed down, nothing stayed in, nothing helped and there was NOTHING that I could do. Literally. So I slept. Had some beef broth. Eventually progressed to hot chocolate. And it stayed down. I slept some more. I couldn't believe that I could sleep all day and still sleep all night. It was something. By yesterday afternoon, I was feeling well enough to sit on the sofa and read my Real Simple. But by 2pm, I was tired and slept the rest of the afternoon. It was quite a strange bug. Or whatever it was. I think it's gone - no more fever, no more headache and best of all the All Bran for breakfast is seeming to take. :)

I do need to brag just a little bit ... Samson is the hit of the puppy day care. The people at Whiskers LUV him and with that face, how could you not? Srsly, isn't that a gorgeous, handsome face? He is such, such, such a good dog and just loves everyone he meets. Except small protein on the hoof that he feels the need to hunt. Small deficiency.

There are some wicked cool technology updates. OpenOffice came out with 3.0. I know all you geeks know what this means but for the innocent who stumble by, I will 'splain it a bit. 3.0 will read the M$ proprietary extensions - .docx, .xlsx on both PC and Mac. The day it came out the d/l sites were overwhelmed so I waited a couple of days to post it. I have installed it on my Mac and PCs and it works like a charm. Oh, and did I mention that it's FREE? I will say it again - FREE! Brilliant.

I am still crazy about Chrome the new browser by Google. Yeah, it's sweet. It isn't running on the Mac yet, but I am on the update list and will certainly post when it's available. I have heard rumblings of some security issues and keep on eye on those. But hand's down, best browser out there.

And if you STILL aren't twittering, I will say it again. Get out there and Twitter, people. Email and chat is soooo passe. At least for short notes...

The rest of the weekend will be a quiet one for me. Despite feeling well, I want to continue resting and taking it easy, just to be sure. Paul is going to run a few errands to Lowe's (where else do men go on a Saturday?) and pick up some things for dinner.

We are coming up on the one year anniversary of our 'Gotcha date' with Samson. We have some of the funniest pictures and posts from our early days to current. From the street to cement kennel to lovely neighborhood in East Grand Rapids, he has made himself quite at home. Our Mr. Handsome. Mr. Pitiful. The Handsome One (thanks Johnny) and Little Man. If we have a treat, he will answer to almost anything. :)

For our GOOD friend in AZ - Let's Go State! I hope you survive the afternoon.

Alright, already

Again. I know that I am behind. I am buried coming and going. A couple of important notes.

Picasa 3.0 is out. Download and use it. It's amazing.
Google is 10 years old. Who celebrates a birthday better than Google?
I am going to say it again. Twitter, people. Get out there and microblog. Don't be afraid. You sound so much more intelligent when you have less than 140 characters. Concise. Direct. To the point. Think about what that kind of limit could do for Joe Biden! (Hehe. That's pretty funny)

The campaign calls are starting. We have all kinds of funny responses to solicitations. I know, we should just say no thank you and hang up. But it's irritating at dinner. And when I am blogging and have to get up to answer the phone.

I am going off line for a few days. No computer. No technology. No kidding. I may end up smoking cigarettes or something horrible to fill in the holes of my technology addiction. I will have my camera. You can however text me to my phone. Or Twitter. Twitter to my phone. You know, baby steps.

I have nothing to say about the money mess. It's still a mess. And will still be less of my money in my pocket and more of my money to cover their messes.

It's Rosh Hashanah. What an awesome holiday.

From About.com: Rosh Hashanah is both a solemn and happy day. It is a time for introspection, asking for forgiveness, giving forgiveness, resolving to do better, remembering God is King and Judge, and praying for a healthy and happy year to come. Those observing the Jewish New Year are solemn in their repentance, but happy in their confidence that God is merciful and good.

Happy Rosh Hashanah to all my Jewish friends. I promise awesome pictures upon my return.