I just switched to Comcast for high-speed Internet. I want all of my computers to have wireless access so instead of leasing a wireless router from Comcast, I stopped by Best Buy and picked up the Linksys® N Ultra Range Plus by Cisco. It’s a slick-looking unit that resembles something from outer space. I was expecting sticker shock but it was only $100 bucks.
I’m a computer trainer and not a hardware person so I was a little skeptical about installing this router myself. I popped in the installation disk and was amazed at how simple it was. It walked me right through it with great pictures too.
My next step is to share printers and files. I’ll set that up and let you know how it goes.
So if you’ve been thinking about going wireless in your home office, there’s no need to wait any longer.
Note: Some Amazon reviews mentioned this product overheating so I stood it up on one side instead of leaving flat.
I’ve discovered that just about anything I dread doing, there is some type of technology that will do it for me. Doing something with the photos on my digital camera was one of those projects I needed to simplify.
I found some inexpensive software ($10.00) that makes resizing photos quick and easy. It’s called Digital Photo Resizer (DPR) at www.icegiant.com. There are probably other products out there, but this is the one I found and like.
The software is intuitive in most cases, but I do want to point out the following.
Input Image Folder. If your photos are on a CD/DVD, create a folder on your Desktop (or anywhere) and move the files there. You’ll Browse to this folder when you start.
Autoset Output Image Folders. If you want your images to stay with the folder you created, tick this box. If you don’t, leave it unticked and Browse to find the folder you want to save the resized pictures to. It’s not obvious, but your photos will be resized into the folder you specify, but they will land inside a subfolder named “out.” (I keep all my photos together.)
Resize to. I usually choose the Resize To 438 Height option because I’ve played around with sizing and this usually works for what I’m doing. (It’s a good idea to crop the photos before you resize them. You’ll have to do this outside of DPR.)
Generate/Zip File. Explore this feature for different options for your final output. If you need to zip your photos before you email them, load them and click Generate to open the Package Photos dialog box, Create Zip File. Other options in the Package Photos dialog box include Create Screen Saver, Create Slide Show EXE, and Create Photo Website.
Finally, anytime you have a project you dread doing, look for a better, slicker way to do it. Find other free or inexpensive software downloads at www.snapfiles.com.
If you want to tweet from your BlackBerry and you can do so without being disrespectful of the people you’re with or without becoming distracted from your family or something else more important, here’s how.
The following steps require you to download software from your BlackBerry.
Open the Browser on your BlackBerry’s homescreen.
Type the shortcut, G, for the Go To screen to appear. Type the URL orangatame.com/products/twitterberry/ and click the trackball to enter.
Go to bottom of Web page and click to Download the software.
Once the software is loaded, you’ll click to give your Twitter account and your BlackBerry access to each other.
Add your Twitter username and password to TwitterBerry.
When you’re ready to tweet, open Twitterberry and type your message. When you’re finished typing, click the Menu button, Update. You should see a Success notice.
If you press the Menu button with Twitterberry open, you’ll see some different options such as Friends Timeline, which allows you to keep up with what your friends are doing. You can Get Replies, check Direct Messages, and more. (Once you click any option, give it a few seconds to load the results.)
Create a self-hosted WordPress blog, implement search engine optimization techniques, and start getting free publicity that attracts the media and new business to you like a magnet!
Description
This is a full-day workshop that’s hands-on with your laptop. Learn from experts how to build a professionally-designed, self-hosted WordPress blog from scratch and optimize it (and your Web site) for search engines. You’ll also learn how to use other no- to low-cost tips and strategies for getting found online, including social media.
Dates & Time
See Website for details.
Prerequisites
Easy pre-work (e.g., register a domain) is required for this training and full details are on the official Website, www.DigitalBreakThroughs.com.
Who Should Attend?
The workshop is designed for small business owners, non-profits, virtual assistants, and anyone else who needs to build an online presence and get found. You must be computer savvy.
Your Trainers Part I. Peggy Duncan will teach you how she started her blog from scratch, maintains it with fresh content, and what she does to keep her top position in Google’s organic search results. She is a personal productivity expert and author of six books on organization, time management, and technology tips, tricks, and strategies. Peggy travels internationally helping busy people spend less time working but get more done. She is an award-winning blogger, and her technology blog was recently selected the Top Business Blog by Fast Pitch! Visit Peggy online at www.PeggyDuncan.com and also enjoy tips in her award-winning technology blog, www.SuiteMinute.com.
Part II. JB Brathwaite will teach you how to build a professional WordPress blog from scratch and enhance it with some of the most popular plug-ins that will increase its functionality. He is an Internet strategist, WordPress blogging expert, and Peggy’s teacher. He’ll work with you to build your self-hosted blog from scratch or will take what you already have to another level with more functionality. Visit JB online at www.DentistSOS.com and www.2TheNextLevel.com.
President Obama had a mountain of issues to deal with in his first 100 days, and not having his BlackBerry helped him stay focused. I’m hoping that he doesn’t get sucked back in to his BlackBerry addiction.
It’s old news that President Barack Obama was addicted to his BlackBerry. Now that he’s had to live without it, he’s benefited in ways he may not have realized.
From the perspective of a time management expert who teaches people how to manage email overload, here are some benefits I believe the President has experienced since being forced to live without his BlackBerry.
Did his best work because he was more focused. Once the President’s addiction was in check, he was better able to complete a thought, finish what he started, and pay more attention to what counted. He has some serious messes to lead us out of and his total attention is needed to do that.
Got back ability to concentrate. The President no longer gets distracted the instant something rings, beeps, or buzzes. He is no longer walking down the street and taking a chance of bumping into poles and people while he’s thumbing and scrolling. Yes, he’s brilliant and can manage several things at once, but to lead us out of this mess, his brain cells are in overdrive and we can not afford for him to waste a single one. The results of his more focused efforts speak for themselves.
Showed staff he trusted them. He was not always “on” so his team felt more confident about believing they could get things done without letting him know their every move. Everyone should be trained well enough to make good decisions based on well thought-out processes and procedures. This being the case, it’s OK to miss an email or two.
Listened more intently. With the ringing and buzzing gone, President Obama was able to listen and get it right the first time instead of having to double-back or double-check. People come at him with everything they’ve got so not having the BlackBerry distraction leaves nothing to chance.
Made others around him feel more worthy. The most important person in the room is the one you’re with. I would not want the President appearing disrespectful by not being fully engaged. It’s best to turn the BlackBerry off in all meetings. “You’re the boss, Mr. President, and no one will say anything, but trust me, it doesn’t make people feel good when you ease your BlackBerry under the table and peek. People want your undivided attention as a sign of respect. And don’t even think about leaving it on once you’re in your private quarters.
Slept better at night. Once President Obama stopped sleeping with his beloved BlackBerry under his pillow, he was able to get a good night’s sleep and feel more refreshed in the morning.
The President has already proven that life goes on without the BlackBerry. You can do it too. People such as 9-1-1 operators, receptionists, specialists for medical emergencies, and high-level technicians on call may have to be available the instant something rings, beeps, buzzes, or dings, but why do you? As much as I love email, I don’t want to be tied to it 24/7/365. If you’ve got it so bad that your work and home life suffer, box up your BlackBerry and ship it to yourself with 3-5 day ground delivery. When you get it back, you’ll be more sensible with it. And every time you start to feel the urge to overindulge, ship it again.
...to SPEAK at your next event or CONSULT with an individual or team. I travel internationally helping busy professionals and business owners spend less time working but get more done!
CALL 770-907-8868!
If you want to tweet from your BlackBerry and you can do so without being disrespectful of the people you’re with or without becoming distracted from your family or something else more important, here’s how.
