Personal Technology Tips in Plain English
Archive for July, 2009
Low Tech X-Ray Vision Trick For Seeing Through Frosted Glass [video]
Jul 23rd
Sometimes you find out about things that have no immediate value, and you have no clue why it works.
But you’re sure that you’ll be able to draw upon that knowledge some day (perhaps today!).
Here’s a great example. This is an amazing trick for being able to SEE THROUGH FROSTED GLASS that you see on windows meant to give privacy to the people on the other side.
I have no idea why you would need this trick, but it’s a trick that you’re sure to itch your head about. . .
Read the rest of this entry »
All Things Digital on Your iPhone
Jul 22nd
Walt Mossberg is one of the writers that I try to read first when I pick-up the Wall Street Journal.
His reviews and columns on tech are informative, easy to understand and usually about very practical things relevant to today.
Mossberg runs a WSJ conference called “All Things D” (D for digital!) which brings in the heavyweights (Gates!) and other speakers that talk about all the latest goodies in tech.
The AllThingsD.com website has become a hub for Mossberg/WSJ’s tech stuff. A great place to land when you want to enjoy some practical tech / tip content.
Now, you can take it with you on the go with a new iPhone app that can be used on the Apple iPhone or the Apple iPod Touch.
They built it right, allowing you to tap the social media sites in the ways that you should be able to. For example, you can post links direction from the app to Twitter. Facebook can be peppered with articles and reviews that you find on AllThingsD.com
Features:
•Daily columns, blogs and video
•Product reviews and analysis
•Breaking Silicon Valley news
•Galleries of D conference videos and photos
Tools:
•Post links directly to Twitter
•Share on Facebook
•Email blogs and video links
Content:
•Walt Mossberg’s Personal Technology, Mossberg’s Mailbox and Mossblog
•Kara Swisher’s BoomTown
•John Paczkowski’s Digital Daily
•Peter Kafka’s MediaMemo
•Katherine Boehret’s Mossberg Solution
•Voices links to compelling stories from around the Web
How to Load mp3 Music Onto Your Apple iPod Touch or iPod Nano
Jul 22nd
It’s easy as pie to go to the iTunes store on your iPod Nano or iPod Touch and download music directly onto your device.
But a lot of your music might be on your computer, and you want to load your iPod with the mp3 music you already have.
One you learn how to do this, you’ll have the freedom to take any music you have in the house or on your computer with you on the go on your iPod Touch or any other iPod device.
The Apple iPhone has a very similar process to load mp3 music onto the mp3 player device part of the phone.
Downloading music onto your iPod is a simple process if you’ve seen it before. Here’s a video that walks you through the whole process:
Are You A Facebook Spammer?
Jul 7th
Ever since I started to Twitter, I’ve used the Twitter-To-Facebook application which basically takes my Twitter updates and then automatically syncs them to Facebook.
The net result is that my Facebook status updates are updated more often than how many times my Facebook friends update theirs. I guess whenever they log into FB, a good portion of their friendfeeds are MINE! 
People who are on both Facebook and Twitter understand.
People who aren’t on Twitter get confused.
Some people think I LIVE on Facebook.
Others think I’m out there just spamming their Facebook accounts with useful (and some useless) information. It’s all about the WIIFM syndrome.
Am I alone in this? Have you been accused of spamming their Facebook pages?
BTW: If you want to know how I do this, all you have to do is sync your Twitter account to Facebook and it’s “set-it and forget-it!”
Your 15 Seconds of Fame Via Twitter Video
Jul 5th
Today, I tested a new service, a little different than www.12seconds.tv that lets you QUICKLY record video off your webcam and then push it to Twitter. IN AN INSTANT.
That’s it!
Try to record one yourself at http://www.tinycast.me and then paste the link down below in the comments!
How To Gain Podcast Powers – Part 4
Jul 2nd
I’m so glad that we had the opportunity to feature Graham Scharf’s wisdom about podcasting microphone accessories on essistme.com.
He really covered the basics for those that want to take that first step in creating good quality audio content for podcasting.
His tips find the intersection of quality / ease / price and practicality.
Here’s Graham’s final installment of Podcast Powers: Read the rest of this entry »
I love tech, gadgets and the web. Hope you pick-up a useful tip or two here today that helps you use technology to your advantage! Better yet, why not share your own expertise in a comment on a post today to help the other readers that land here for answers!