On My iPhone…Notegraphy

Notegraphy

 

 

I am not a big one for sharing quotes and similar materials on my social media sites, but the new app, Notegraphy, looked so nice that I figured I would try it out for some quotes from my own collection of books and tips on various topics. The app works pretty much as designed, although there are a few features I would like to see added. It basically has a series of themes that can be applied to the your text, each of which creates a decorative initial cap and adds some form of artistic display. You can then save these images and share them with your social media accounts.

 

Here are 2 of my own recent Notegraphy posts:

 

 

From the iTunes App Store...

Notegraphy is a web and mobile application that rethinks the way you write and share text online through design.

With Notegraphy, you can create beautifully formatted layouts in real-time.

Be it a single word, or an entire novel, in only three steps – write, style and share – your text will be ‘Always Beautiful’.

 More on Notegraphy:

• Notegraphy review from AppSafari
• Notegraphy review from CNet

 

Previously in "On my iPhone/Android…":

• ArtKick
• Human: Move 30 minutes or more
• ActMonitor By Aeonika - Monitor lots of info about your iPhone and apps
• Sunrise Calendar for iCloud and Google Calendar
• Stevie - A customized video channel using your social media feeds
• iDashboard
• Real Racing 3
• Chronos - Life Tracking App
• iOS 7 System Software
• IFTTT (If This Then That) for iOS
• Mynd Calendar
• Toonpaint 
• Saga – The Essential Lifelogging App
• Donna Proactive Meeting Management
• Amazon Cloud Drive
• Clear To-Do Manager
• Forecast.io
• Over for iOS
• Any.DO To-Do List Manager
• Feedly RSS Reader
• Sleep Time by Azumio
• Angry Birds Seasons
• Trickle Passive Twitter Client
• Pinterest
• Stitcher Radio - Podcast management and playback
• imo
• Kindle Reader
• iMap Weather Radio
• LinkedIn
• LiveStrong CalorieTracker
• Skype
• Flipboard
• YouTube
• Evernote
• RunKeeper
• Timehop
• Twist
• Facebook/Facebook Pages Manager/Facebook Messenger
• Google+
• Waze social GPS traffic and more

"On my iPhone…" is a new series from TechnologyIQ, sharing real world examples of how I use my iPhone, interesting apps and more

Link Focus: Grab Over 500 Free Programming Books from GitHub from Lifehacker.com

Grab Over 500 Free Programming Books from GitHub from Lifehacker.com

This story from Lifehacker.com points up just how easy it can be to get an education in today's world. The article links to over 500 free programming ebooks available for download from GitHub -- the home to version control service Git and a social network focused around programming.

Github Web Site

Programming languages are covered, but also books on algorithms and data structures, databases, data mining, machine learning and much more. Hit the link for a complete index and download links.

Whether you are a technology beginner or someone seeking to build their career (or change to a new one) online resources like this a free and easy source of learning materials to help you on your way. Combine these with a mentor or two and you can be learning a lot investing mainly your time.

More info on GitHub:

• What Exactly Is GitHub Anyway?
• GitHub For Beginners: Don't Get Scared, Get Started
• GitHub on Wikipedia

---

Link Focus is a series that comments on some of the links I share on my social media accounts and here on the web site. To get these links as I find them, subscribe to me on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and elsewhere. Also look for the "My Favorite Things" posts that appear regularly in the blog. These include collections of links for each calendar month.

Get new shared links as I find them via my social media feeds:

     

On my iPhone…Artkick

Artkick

 

 

Since our friend gifted us a Google Chromecast, I have been finding a number of ways to put it to work. By default, when the Chromecast isn't streaming something, it shows a slide show of some lovely pictures. I have been wanting to put my own pictures on their instead, but it was only with the recent release of the SDK for Chromecast that apps have been appearing to do that. Of several I checked out, Artkick seems to give me the most of what I want. I can select an album of photos from my iPhone, Flickr Account, Facebook and others, import those photos into the app and then present a revolving slide show on the big TV, even with my iPhone off. The app is a bit rough on the edges in this first Chromecast compatible version, but it does work and has allowed me a great window into my photos during the day.

 

From the iTunes App Store...

Add art to your world by turning your internet connected HDTV into an interactive picture frame. Artkick allows your iPhone or iPad to operate like a remote control that casts images onto your TV, while also displaying information and sometimes videos. With Artkick you'll explore and learn more about your favorite art and images every day.

Previously in "On my iPhone/Android…":

• Human: Move 30 minutes or more
• ActMonitor By Aeonika - Monitor lots of info about your iPhone and apps
• Sunrise Calendar for iCloud and Google Calendar
• Stevie - A customized video channel using your social media feeds
• iDashboard
• Real Racing 3
• Chronos - Life Tracking App
• iOS 7 System Software
• IFTTT (If This Then That) for iOS
• Mynd Calendar
• Toonpaint 
• Saga – The Essential Lifelogging App
• Donna Proactive Meeting Management
• Amazon Cloud Drive
• Clear To-Do Manager
• Forecast.io
• Over for iOS
• Any.DO To-Do List Manager
• Feedly RSS Reader
• Sleep Time by Azumio
• Angry Birds Seasons
• Trickle Passive Twitter Client
• Pinterest
• Stitcher Radio - Podcast management and playback
• imo
• Kindle Reader
• iMap Weather Radio
• LinkedIn
• LiveStrong CalorieTracker
• Skype
• Flipboard
• YouTube
• Evernote
• RunKeeper
• Timehop
• Twist
• Facebook/Facebook Pages Manager/Facebook Messenger
• Google+
• Waze social GPS traffic and more

"On my iPhone…" is a new series from TechnologyIQ, sharing real world examples of how I use my iPhone, interesting apps and more

Recent Pinterest Pins from Douglas E. Welch

Visit Douglas's profile on Pinterest.

On my iPhone…Human: Move 30 minutes or more

Human: Move 30 minutes or more

 

Human: Move 30 minutes or more

 

I am always looking for new ideas to help me with my weight loss plan, so when this encouraging app arrived it was an easy decision to pop it on the iPhone and try it out. While I have more detailed fitness apps on my iPhone, such as Runkeeper, the basic nature of this app might encourage me to get out a bit more.

 

From the iTunes App Store...

Human helps you move 30 minutes or more, every day.

It automatically picks up your walks, runs, bike rides and other exercise of one minute and longer. Just put your phone in your bag or pocket and go about your day!

Join over 150,000 Humans and enjoy the Daily 30, every day.

As featured on Yahoo, TechCrunch, The Verge, Fast Company, and The Next Web.

FEATURES:
• Automatically records indoor and outdoor activity of 1 minute and longer.
• Get notified when you reach your Daily 30, 60 or even 90.
• Build up a streak for every Daily 30 of the week.
• See all your individual activities including maps and details.

Previously in "On my iPhone/Android…":

• ActMonitor By Aeonika - Monitor lots of info about your iPhone and apps
• Sunrise Calendar for iCloud and Google Calendar
• Stevie - A customized video channel using your social media feeds
• iDashboard
• Real Racing 3
• Chronos - Life Tracking App
• iOS 7 System Software
• IFTTT (If This Then That) for iOS
• Mynd Calendar
• Toonpaint 
• Saga – The Essential Lifelogging App
• Donna Proactive Meeting Management
• Amazon Cloud Drive
• Clear To-Do Manager
• Forecast.io
• Over for iOS
• Any.DO To-Do List Manager
• Feedly RSS Reader
• Sleep Time by Azumio
• Angry Birds Seasons
• Trickle Passive Twitter Client
• Pinterest
• Stitcher Radio - Podcast management and playback
• imo
• Kindle Reader
• iMap Weather Radio
• LinkedIn
• LiveStrong CalorieTracker
• Skype
• Flipboard
• YouTube
• Evernote
• RunKeeper
• Timehop
• Twist
• Facebook/Facebook Pages Manager/Facebook Messenger
• Google+
• Waze social GPS traffic and more

"On my iPhone…" is a new series from TechnologyIQ, sharing real world examples of how I use my iPhone, interesting apps and more

88 of My Favorite Technology Things for January 2014 - Douglas E. Welch

As always, let me know what types of interesting items you would like to see and I will keep an eye out for them especially. -- Douglas

Get new shared links as I find them via my social media feeds:

    

• Technology / 13 Essential Productivity Apps Entrepreneurs Can’t Live Without
  1. I have most of these apps on my various mobile and Macintosh devices. Found a few new ones to try, though
• Technology / Shoots & Leaves Instantly Turns iPhone Photos Into Links
• Yet another photography app for the iPhone. Each one tries to find its niche and this one want to be a notepad replacement, in some ways. I still use the basic iPhone camera app as I haven't found one that offers me additional value.
• Technology / 45 Stunning Calendar Icon Sets For Free Download
• For folks like me who design and maintain their own web sites, having a nice set of icons on hands, let alone 45 of them, can be very helpful. Free makes them even better and easier to try out.
• Technology / Getting Started With Google Chromecast: The Unofficial Manual
• My gifted Chromecast has become my go-to media player of choice, so it only makes sense to read up on how to get the most from it.
• Technology / SaveDeo Downloads Videos from Instagram, Flickr and Other Video Sites
• There are times when you just need to save that online content locally, especially since content disappears from the Internet every day. My college professor wife has been saved by a quick download on a number of occasions, as she has recommended content to her students, that has subsequently disappeared.
• Technology / Five Best Programming Languages for First-Time Learners
• Want to dive in and learn a little about programming? Here are 5 great suggestions for places to start.
• Technology / Stream videos to your iPhone, iPad from a PC/Mac with Plex and VLC for free
• Although I love the Chromecast, as I mentioned above, I have the need to stream other media files to my TV, too. I use XMBC right now, but I am always looking for alternatives with new/better features.
• Technology / Liquid Image brings LTE to the action cam game with its new Ego LS
  1. Like a GoPro but with cellular data service? This brings a whole new meaning to LIVE for your outdoor adventures.
• Technology / Wheresmytime Shows Where You Spend Most of Your Time
  1. I love life-tracking and life blogging and this app keeps track of where your spend your time throughout your days and weeks. Interesting stats to look through, I think.
• Technology / Hackaday: The Gathering
• Hackaday Meetup info for Los Angeles for the Makers in the city. Event might be past, but use the link to connect to more information.
• Technology / Getting Started with Arduino–The Maker Faire Edition
• Arduino continues to fascinate me and I find myself collecting link after link of information on it. I am also passing on most of these to my son's technology focus teacher at his high school.
• Technology / One procedural universe, coming right up
• Sometimes technology can produce quite beautiful things. This software allows you to create and fly through a universe of your own making. The article calls out its usefulness for game design and I would add that writers might be able to use it too.
• Technology / iSelfie: a remote control for your iOS camera
• Selfie made it into the Oxford English Dictionary this year, so why shouldn't there be an app to make it even easier. I could see this also being useful in creating an iPad-based photo booth for parties and events.
• Technology / Airtame wireless dongle mirrors your computer onto any HDMI display
  1. Again, anything that gets media onto my big screen is of interest to me -- and the simpler, the better.
• Technology / Kindle for iOS updated with flashcards, notebook filters and better search
• We have 2 Kindles here, and make extensive use of the Kindle apps on our computers. Joe even uses his for some high school textbooks. As a writer who has produced several Kindle books, it behooves me to keep up on the state of the art for Kindle, too.
• Technology / EnLighten tells you when your traffic light is going to change
• An odd app for iPhone, but one I want to try out. Not yet available to work here in Los Angeles, but I like trying out a wide variety of apps, so this one has made it to my phone in preparation for its availability here.
• Technology / Getting Started with BeagleBone Black
  1. Like the Arduino posts linked above, I love keeping up on what is happening in the Maker work of Arduino and other small computer likes the BeagleBone.
• Technology / Native Union's Jump charging cable can juice up your devices on the go

• Technology / oTranscribe is a Free, Keyboard-Friendly Transcription Tool
• Technology / Permutation Racer Is A Free Game By My Boss’s Friend
• Technology / SquareWear 2.0 a Wearable Opensource Arduino
• Technology / This Seeker Bot Will Head Towards the Brightest SunBEAM
• Technology / 21 Must-Have Free iPhone Apps You Can’t Miss
• Technology / Most Popular Programming Language for First-Time Learners: Python
• Technology / Broken UK Porn Filters Also Censor Slashdot, EFF, Ars Technica -
• Technology / The Holiday Delivery Debacle: How Do You Recover Customers’ Trust When Your Entire Ecosystem Has Just Failed Them?
• Technology / 5 Essential Desktop (and Laptop) Apps You Didn’t Know You Needed
• Technology / Google Drive just got an activity stream that details everything you and the people you're working w
• New Media / YouTube Introduces Comments Page After Users Complain
• New Media / Horizon is a new video recording app that'll eliminate portrait recording forever
• Technology / Umoove launches flying game, brings face-tracking controls to mobile devices
• Technology / EU-funded RoboEarth project is a cloud-based system for robots to learn from each other (BBC)
• Technology / Starbucks caught storing mobile passwords in clear text (Evan Schuman/Computerworld)
• Technology / This App Tracks Your Face to Control a Game
• New Media / Google Publisher Plugin beta: Bringing our publisher products to WordPress
• Technology / Daily App: Winebot is your personal assistant for wine
• Technology / Feedly Updates iOS App with Quick Navigation, iPad Design, Night Theme
• Technology / Storehouse: An Apple Vet Tries To Move The Needle On Long-Form Visual Communication | TechCrunch
• Science / Rememebering John Dobson
• Technology / How to Sync Your Saved PC Games Between Computers with Dropbox
• Technology / Nomad ChargeKey review: An iPhone charger you won’t leave home without
• New Media / Review: Motrr's Galileo motorized iPhone dock for panoramic photo taking
• Technology / NewsToEbook Converts RSS and Feedly Subscriptions Into Epub
• Technology / NoteHub Creates Throwaway HTML-Enabled Note Pages
• Technology / Tame Under-The-Desk Cables with a Broken Three-Ring Binder
• Technology / The Glif: A Stand and Tripod Mount For All Phones
• Technology / Raspberry Pi: Everything You Need To Know
• Technology Remote Desktop Tool LogMeIn Is No Longer Free
• Technology / Streaming Data with Plotly
• Technology / Nudge Tracks All Your Health Information in One App
• Technology / All library audiobooks going to DRM-free MP3s
• Technology / Mother: adorable connected sensor network
• Technology / Feedly Updates iOS App with Quick Navigation, iPad Design, Night Theme
• Technology / Storehouse: An Apple Vet Tries To Move The Needle On Long-Form Visual Communication | TechCrunch
• Technology / How to Sync Your Saved PC Games Between Computers with Dropbox
• Technology / Nomad ChargeKey review: An iPhone charger you won’t leave home without
• Technology / Review: Motrr's Galileo motorized iPhone dock for panoramic photo taking
• Technology / NewsToEbook Converts RSS and Feedly Subscriptions Into Epub
• Technology / NoteHub Creates Throwaway HTML-Enabled Note Pages
• Technology / Tame Under-The-Desk Cables with a Broken Three-Ring Binder
• Technology / The Glif: A Stand and Tripod Mount For All Phones
• Technology / Raspberry Pi: Everything You Need To Know
• Technology / Remote Desktop Tool LogMeIn Is No Longer Free
• Technology / Streaming Data with Plotly
• Technology / Nudge Tracks All Your Health Information in One App
• Technology / Free books from the Getty
• Technology / All library audiobooks going to DRM-free MP3s
• Technology / Mother: adorable connected sensor network
• New Media / iRig Mic HD brings a hand-held option to iOS and Mac recording for $99
• New Media / Zoom iQ5: A tiny professional stereo microphone for Lightning connector devices
• Technology / Countdown for iOS keeps track of everything important to you
• Technology / Google Tips and Tricks Every Student Should Know
• Technology / Daily App: Simbol is your cheat sheet for universal symbols and their HTML codes
• Technology / Mohiomap Creates a Mind Map to Browse Your Evernote
• Technology / Use Your Computer From Anywhere: A Guide to Remote Controlling Your PC
• Technology / Vidd.me Uploads Streaming Videos Without Sign-ups
• Technology / Five Best Remote Desktop Tools
• Technology / Interviewy Simplifies Voice Recording and Transcribing
• Technology / Build anything you want with Legos, in Chrome
• Technology / How to Roll Your Own Steam Machine with Windows and Big Picture
• Technology / Audio Memos for iOS: Like Apple's Voice Memo, only much better
• Technology / LEGO®, Chrome Launch Virtual LEGO Game (Prepare for Procrastination)
• Technology / Gmail's New Smart Labels Auto Categorize Purchases, Travel, and More
• Technology / BBC News - UK government tackles wrongly-blocked websites
• Technology / Free curriculum for maker-kids: toy hacking, 3D printing, Arduino rovers and more!
• New Media / Zoom's H5 brings high-quality audio recording to budget-minded pros

On my iPhone… ** Free today only ** - ActMonitor By Aeonika - Monitor lots of info about your iPhone and apps

Free today only: ActMonitor By Aeonika - Monitor lots of info about your iPhone and apps

 

 

ActMonitor By Aeonika

 

Monitor tons of information about your iPhone, the apps it runs and the data it uses.

 

From the iTunes App Store...

The app shows you system info about your device. It takes almost no space and really easy to use.

+ Information about the network.
+ Wi-Fi, Edge/3G/LTE and Bluetooth traffic.
+ Battery level, status and remainng life (estimated).
+ Memory status.
+ Disk free space information.
+ Processes list (To show system processes just pull list down).
+ Device identity (device name, os version, UDID (if available)) wich can be sent by email
+ Other detail info about Apple devices.

Previously in "On my iPhone/Android…":

• Sunrise Calendar for iCloud and Google Calendar
• Stevie - A customized video channel using your social media feeds
• iDashboard
• Real Racing 3
• Chronos - Life Tracking App
• iOS 7 System Software
• IFTTT (If This Then That) for iOS
• Mynd Calendar
• Toonpaint 
• Saga – The Essential Lifelogging App
• Donna Proactive Meeting Management
• Amazon Cloud Drive
• Clear To-Do Manager
• Forecast.io
• Over for iOS
• Any.DO To-Do List Manager
• Feedly RSS Reader
• Sleep Time by Azumio
• Angry Birds Seasons
• Trickle Passive Twitter Client
• Pinterest
• Stitcher Radio - Podcast management and playback
• imo
• Kindle Reader
• iMap Weather Radio
• LinkedIn
• LiveStrong CalorieTracker
• Skype
• Flipboard
• YouTube
• Evernote
• RunKeeper
• Timehop
• Twist
• Facebook/Facebook Pages Manager/Facebook Messenger
• Google+
• Waze social GPS traffic and more

"On my iPhone…" is a new series from TechnologyIQ, sharing real world examples of how I use my iPhone, interesting apps and more

On my iPhone…Sunrise Calendar for iCloud and Google Calendar

Sunrise Calendar for iCloud and Google Calendar

 

Sunrise Calendar for iOS 

 

An alternative calendar for your iOS device that adds features, improves layout and more.

 

From the iTunes App Store...

Sunrise is a free calendar app made for Google Calendar users. Designed with love, Sunrise is a new experience that will make your life easier.

Features:

• 100% free calendar app with a gorgeous design. 
• Compatible with Google Calendar and iCloud. 
• A completely redesigned calendar experience for your iPhone. 
• Synchronization that just works, in real-time and with background updates. 
• Quick Add Event just by typing "Lunch tomorrow at 9pm" (long-press on the +). 
• Reminders.
• Timezone Support. No more headache when traveling! 
• Facebook Events and Birthdays included. 
• See faces and profiles of people you are meeting with using LinkedIn. 
• Weather forecast based on your location. 
• Smart icons.
• Tag location to events. 
• Use Google Maps for Directions. 
• Connect multiple Google Calendars.

Previously in "On my iPhone/Android…":

• Stevie - A customized video channel using your social media feeds
• iDashboard
• Real Racing 3
• Chronos - Life Tracking App
• iOS 7 System Software
• IFTTT (If This Then That) for iOS
• Mynd Calendar
• Toonpaint 
• Saga – The Essential Lifelogging App
• Donna Proactive Meeting Management
• Amazon Cloud Drive
• Clear To-Do Manager
• Forecast.io
• Over for iOS
• Any.DO To-Do List Manager
• Feedly RSS Reader
• Sleep Time by Azumio
• Angry Birds Seasons
• Trickle Passive Twitter Client
• Pinterest
• Stitcher Radio - Podcast management and playback
• imo
• Kindle Reader
• iMap Weather Radio
• LinkedIn
• LiveStrong CalorieTracker
• Skype
• Flipboard
• YouTube
• Evernote
• RunKeeper
• Timehop
• Twist
• Facebook/Facebook Pages Manager/Facebook Messenger
• Google+
• Waze social GPS traffic and more

"On my iPhone…" is a new series from TechnologyIQ, sharing real world examples of how I use my iPhone, interesting apps and more

Video: Cable management for your computer desktop using Ikea Signum

Using iKea Signum racks to manage the clutter of cable underneath my computer desktop.

Signum organizers from Ikea

Music: "Go Cart", Kevin MacLeod, http://incompetech.com, Used under Creative Commons

 

 

 

Can't see the video above? Watch "Cable management for your computer desktop using Ikea Signum"

 

Download "Cable management for your computer desktop using Ikea Signum" - Podcast Edition

 

Watch all my TechnologyIQ Videos

Please Like and/or subscribe to my channel. It directly effects how often this video is suggested to other YouTube viewers.

 

• Follow TechnologyIQ on Twitter
• Like TechnologyIQ on Facebook
• Circle TechnologyIQ on Google+

What I'm Reading...Wikipatterns

I had seen mention of this book online and requested it from my local library. It is an interesting look at how you can drive and manage the use of a wiki in your company or group. The author has obviously been around the block in getting wikis accepted inside of companies and offers up Wikipatterns, or scenarios about the type of users and uses you will see in a typical wiki project. Additionally, I wanted to read this book to see how these patterns also might be used to understand and manage the dynamics behind forming groups, both online and face to face.

From Amazon.com...

• This book provides practical, proven advice for encouraging adoption of your wiki project and growing it into a useful collaboration tool or vibrant online community
• Gives wiki users a toolbox of thriving wiki patterns, which enable newcomers to avoid making common mistakes or fumbling around for the solutions to the same problems as their predecessors
• Explains the major stages of wiki adoption and explores patterns that apply to each stage
• Presents concrete, proven examples of techniques that have helped people grow vibrant collaborative communities and change the way they work for the better
• Reviews the overall process, including setting up initial content, encouraging people to contribute, dealing with disruptive elements, fixing typos and broken links, making sure pages are in their correct categories, and more

Previously in What I'm Reading...

     

On my iPhone/Android…Stevie - A customized video channel using your social media feeds

Stevie - A customized video channel using your social media feeds

 

 

Stevie for iOS | Stevie for Android

 

What would happen if you could take all the media links, Twitter, Facebook and other social media an assemble it into a television channel? You'd end up with Stevie. Stevie collects video links from your friends social media postings and plays them while overlaying them with your friends pictures, tweets, YouTube comments and more. I would best describe it as a CNN Headline news that is dedicated to you, your friends and your online connections. You can also use Stevie via the web, stream it to your television using a Chromecast or use Airplay from your iOS devices to present it to your AppleTV to other Airplay-compatible device.

 

 

From the iTunes App Store...

• Turn your Facebook and Twitter into TV shows and channels!
• Stevie focuses on the great content you and your friends share on various 
• social networks, and awesome online videos from around the web.
• We created Stevie so all this great content can be watched in a beautiful
• broadcast like experience that's truly entertaining.
• Stevie not only shows you content from friends, but turns your feed into shows such as The Comedy Strip or Music Non Stop for a great TV viewing experience. 
• Note that sign in is by Facebook connect. We do not post anything on your wall without you specifically sharing it. Learn more on http://www.stevie.com

Previously in "On my iPhone/Android…":

• iDashboard
• Real Racing 3
• Chronos - Life Tracking App
• iOS 7 System Software
• IFTTT (If This Then That) for iOS
• Mynd Calendar
• Toonpaint 
• Saga – The Essential Lifelogging App
• Donna Proactive Meeting Management
• Amazon Cloud Drive
• Clear To-Do Manager
• Forecast.io
• Over for iOS
• Any.DO To-Do List Manager
• Feedly RSS Reader
• Sleep Time by Azumio
• Angry Birds Seasons
• Trickle Passive Twitter Client
• Pinterest
• Stitcher Radio - Podcast management and playback
• imo
• Kindle Reader
• iMap Weather Radio
• LinkedIn
• LiveStrong CalorieTracker
• Skype
• Flipboard
• YouTube
• Evernote
• RunKeeper
• Timehop
• Twist
• Facebook/Facebook Pages Manager/Facebook Messenger
• Google+
• Waze social GPS traffic and more

"On my iPhone…" is a new series from TechnologyIQ, sharing real world examples of how I use my iPhone, interesting apps and more

Why are some people intimidated by technology?

My Quora answer to: Why are some people intimidated by technology? 

I work with a lot of new technology users, usually older people who are just diving into the tech world. For them, not knowing, appearing ignorant, can be a very strong emotion. They have to be able to get around those feelings and realize that the benefits of technology are much more useful than the minor discomfort of the learning process. Fear is one of the strongest emotions we can feel and it can overwhelm other very strong desires, like learning.

That said, I also treat my clients as if they can learn anything and do anything with their technology. I truly believe that anyone can learn to use technology. No one is incapable. I don't allow them to engage in heavy "negative talk" about how they can't do this or that. I expect them to be able to learn and I think it helps to approach the learning in a better fashion.

Another component of fear of technology is fear of not being in control. I often hear people talk about how they "have" to do this or that, as if the technology is controlling them. I remind them often that technology still has an off switch. If they are not getting value from the technology, turn it off. Don't become a "Tool of your tools" as Thoreau once said. Helping people exercise choice and control over their technological choices can go a long way towards relieving their fear.

Video: Wordpress Wednesday 6: Using Images in your blog posts

This post originally appeared on Careers in New Media, but I think it also relates to TechnologyIQ readers and viewers. -- Douglas

Short Wordpress tips to ease your way, especially if you are just getting started with Wordpress.

How to add images to your Wordpress blog posts

 

See previous episodes of Wordpress Wednesday in this playlist

 

Music: "Go Kart" by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com) under Creative Commons License.

• Follow New Media Tips on Twitter at http://twitter.com/newmediatips 
• Like New Media Interchange on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/newmediacareer 
• Circle New Media Interchange on Google+ at http://tinyurl.com/gplusnmi

On my iPhone...iDashboard - Monitor your Google Analytics on the go!

iDashboard

iDashboard for iOS

As I throw myself into blogging and other forms of New Media full time, I need to be able to monitor what is happening on my web site several times a day and I like to do it even when I am out and about in the world. iDashboard provides a great method of checking in without pulling out my laptop and firing up the Wifi.

On opening, iDashboard provides 4 major stats - Performance Index (calculated by the app based on the other 3 stats), Visits, Visitors, Page Views. You can see timelines showing you past history and, in the paid version of the app, even see real time stats of who is visiting your site, right now. Tabs are also provided for weekly and monthly summary stats.

If you want a lot detailed data, you'll still need to log into Google Analytics via the web, but for quick, on-the-go access to your stats, nothing could be easier.

From the iTunes App Store...

Have your Google Analytics key performance indicators always with you on your iPhone or iPad – all at one glance!
Using your Google Analytics account this app shows your website’s most important metrics and conversions on one single dashboard. Dip into your website’s performance from a management point of view – any time and in real-time. The dashboard metrics will indicate in red or green whether or not you’re on track reaching your website goals, right now or all through the month.
These are the benefits you can profit from when using the dashboard app for Google Analytics:
► Real-time dashboard for Google Analytics
- Have your most important Google Analytics KPIs at your fingertips
- Watch your visitors live and in real-time on an auto-updating chart
► Individual goals and target values
- Define target values for each Google Analytics KPI (e.g. 1000 visitors per day)
- See how you're on track reaching your target for right now, today, this week and this month
- Get a quick indication in red, white or green for how well you are doing
► Website performance index
- Monitor your overall website performance in one single number (the Website Performance Index) as if it was a stock index like NASDAQ or Dow Jones
- On this weight each of your KPIs regarding its importance compared to the other ones (e.g. a conversion shall be 50 times more important than a visit)
- Let the application then calculate the performance index automatically and in real-time

Previously in "On my iPhone/Android…":

• Real Racing 3
• Chronos - Life Tracking App
• iOS 7 System Software
• IFTTT (If This Then That) for iOS
• Mynd Calendar
• Toonpaint 
• Saga – The Essential Lifelogging App
• Donna Proactive Meeting Management
• Amazon Cloud Drive
• Clear To-Do Manager
• Forecast.io
• Over for iOS
• Any.DO To-Do List Manager
• Feedly RSS Reader
• Sleep Time by Azumio
• Angry Birds Seasons
• Trickle Passive Twitter Client
• Pinterest
• Stitcher Radio - Podcast management and playback
• imo
• Kindle Reader
• iMap Weather Radio
• LinkedIn
• LiveStrong CalorieTracker
• Skype
• Flipboard
• YouTube
• Evernote
• RunKeeper
• Timehop
• Twist
• Facebook/Facebook Pages Manager/Facebook Messenger
• Google+
• Waze social GPS traffic and more

"On my iPhone…" is a new series from TechnologyIQ, sharing real world examples of how I use my iPhone, interesting apps and more

Software: DBAN deletes your files from older computers before getting rid of them

I tend to collect old computers around here. I am asked by friends and family to get them to an appropriate eWaste drop off when retiring the computer or replacing it with a new one. Of course, we don't wan't any old data rattling around on there -- just in case -- so I need to wipe all the data from the computer before I take it in.

I recently had 3 machines to clean off, so I turned to an old friend, Darik's Boot and Nuke (DBAN), available to download for free from their web site. DBAN is a LINUX-based boot disk that can startup most computers, both Windows and Intel Macs. Then, in a few keystrokes, you can tell the software to erase the data on the internal hard disk and write blank information to it 3 times. This type of "wipe" is sufficient for most home users (and many small businesses) as it would take some very high-end skills and equipment to recover the data. For me, DBAN is certainly "good enough" protection that someone isn't going to stumble across any personal data on the computer once i send it away.

Here is what the web site has to say...

DBAN is a self-contained boot disk that automatically deletes the contents of any hard disk that it can detect. This method can help prevent identity theft before recycling a computer. It is also a solution commonly used to remove viruses and spyware from Microsoft Windows installations. DBAN prevents all known techniques of hard disk forensic analysis. It does not provide users with a proof of erasure, such as an audit-ready erasure report.

If you need more powerful data erasure and/or proof of deletion, Blanco also provides such services for a fee.

DBAN can only work if the machine can power up and still has a working CD/DVD drive or USB port (for flash drive boot). If the computer no longer operates then removing the hard drive and connecting it to another computer is the only way to erase the data stored there.

From the DBAN web site you can download a CD disk image that can be burned to a blank CD (or installed on a Flash Memory Drive) and then used to book the computer you need to erase. Windows users can simply double-click the image file to be prompted through the burning process. Mac users may require a bit more knowledge, as they will need to use the Mac Disk Utility included with their computer to create the boot CD.

Once the CD is burned, you insert it into the older computer and instruct it to boot from the CD instead of its local hard disk. On many system you will be promoted to "Boot from CD" automatically when it detects the CD. 

I usually simply select the defaults for data erasure and then let the program run. Depending on the speed of your computer and, more importantly, the speed of your hard drive, it can take several hours to complete the process.

DBAN Startup screen - Hit ENTER To continue

DBAN screen to select hard drive to erase - Tap SPACE to select drive and then F10 to start erasure

 

DBAN erasure screen with estimated time remaining

If you are donating a computer, or retiring it completely and taking it to an eWaste Drop Off, do yourself a favor and use DBAN to erase the hard drive completely before you do. It can prevent your personal data from easily falling into someone else's hands.

Book: The Difference Engine: Charles Babbage and the Quest to Build the First Computer by Doron Swade

The Difference Engine: Charles Babbage and the Quest to Build the First Computer by Doron Swade, Viking, 2000

I knew a little about Babbage and the Difference Engine before reading this book, but now have the full story from beginning to end.

Quite a story, filled with the typical intrigues, financial problems and ultimate failure to complete the Engine.( I don't think I am giving away the ending since most tech folks know about this subject.) The first working Engine was completed in 1991 by the Science Museum, London.

Doron Swade with Babbage's Difference Engine No 2, 2000.

From Amazon.com...

"In 1821, Charles Babbage was reviewing a set of mathematical tables with a colleague in preparation for a scientific presentation when, after finding a wealth of errors, he exclaimed in frustration, "I wish to God these calculations had been executed by steam!" With this outburst, Babbage began to envision an end to human errors in the numerical tables upon which finance, trade, science, and navigation relied. The Difference Engine is the fascinating story of his heroic quest, against all odds, to build the first computing machine more than one hundred years before the modern computer we use today was invented.

Set against the politics and science of the explosive early Victorian era, The Difference Engine is a thrilling tale of Babbage's exuberant determination. Like Longitude, The Difference Engine is a fascinating portrait of the human story behind a pivotal moment in history and one of the most influential inventions of our time."