Parents of teenage drivers inwardly struggle every time their child gets behind the wheel, hoping that their teen is "doing the right thing," refraining from speeding and not driving distractedly.
Statistics affirm that teens with involved parents are involved in fewer accidents and exhibit overall better driving. Driver's education provides them with the rules of the road, but it's not enough. Here some techno-tools to add to your arsenal.
Start the conversation about your safe-driving expectations early and check in with your teen on an ongoing basis. You'll probably receive some eye rolls, but remind them that the rules you set are intended to keep them safe. Arm yourself with safety articles, statistics and tools from Parents Are The Key. Consider its recommended graduated driver licensing approach that starts off relatively restrictive and allows more privileges over time as your teen gains driving skills.
AliveAt25 helps you find teen driving safety courses developed by the National Safety Council.
When encouraging your teen to refrain from speeding is not enough, SpeedBUMP may help. It allows parents to set realistic speed limits for different road types and sends an email or text message when their child exceeds the parameters. It has a distracted driving monitor that messages the parent should texting, Web browsing or emailing occur when the phone speed is over 10 mph. Parents can remotely enable phone tracking (using the phone's GPS) from their mobile phone or encrypted account.
We all know that driving while texting, surfing the Web and emailing is a big no-no. Luckily, there are a multitude of applications available for Android and BlackBerry phones that disable the phone while it's in motion, except for emergency calls. Make sure the one you choose works automatically so your teen doesn't "forget" to turn it on. It should provide you with feedback so you know it's working: an email or text message when it's disabled and a notification when a "violation" has occurred.
Most allow you to set an automated text reply, such as "I am driving right now; I'll get back with you shortly" while nothing appears on your child's phone. Some even have emergency tracking so you can find your child with the phone's GPS.
DriveSafe.ly offers a free application for iPhone, Android and BlackBerry phones. It reads your text messages and emails aloud, hands-free, is Bluetooth compatible and has a customizable auto-responder. It'll read up to 50 words per message for free, or upgrade to Pro for $13.95/year to hear up to 500 words per message.
PhoneGuard's DriveSafe free application for Android and BlackBerry disables your phone's keyboard when GPS tracking determines that the phone is traveling faster than 10 mph, includes custom text auto reply, and can notify the administrator if set speed parameters are not met. There is an iPhone version, but it just reminds you not to text — third-party iPhone apps can't block incoming texts or block the use of the device, so it's not likely to be as effective.
Once plugged in to your car's OBDII port (under your steering wheel), the Key2SafeDriving ( $70.95) can be paired with all of your phones to disable phone functionality while the car ignition is engaged, allowing only Bluetooth-enabled services and emergency calls. Incoming calls are routed to voice mail and texters receive an automated message that the user is driving. Tamperproof design sends a text message to the parent if the child tries to circumvent the device. Because it doesn't run off the phone's GPS, you'll save some battery life on your phone.
For some super high-tech ways to keep your teen safe while driving, check out www.njteendriving.com/technology. You'll find GPS devices for your car, alcohol Breathalyzers for your iPhone, even on-board video recorders. When it comes to keeping your teen safe on the road, technology is on your side.
If you're still trying to keep your college co-ed off the road, email us at nerdchick@callnerds.com for more tools to keep your teen driving safely.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Just Because It's An Apple, Doesn't Mean You Should Buy It.
To buy nor not to buy?
I didn't buy a 3rd generation iPad. There, I said it. Some people may suggest that it's time to strip me of my "nerd" credentials, particularly when I admit that I've been underwhelmed by all the "new" Apple gadgets to hit the market in the last year.
I intended to write about the great features of the new iPad and why it's worth shelling out upwards of $500 for one. Yet there's nothing particularly revolutionary about it. There's an improved display that, while certainly beautiful, is only noticeable to the average passerby if you're holding an iPad 3 next to an iPad 2.
The camera is improved, but you'll only notice it when holding an image taken with the new camera next to one taken with the older one. The processor is a bit faster. It's a bit heavier. Some people have suggested it might overheat, but there's no evidence yet to substantiate that claim.
Despite its lackluster details, Apple announced March 19 that it had sold 3 million new iPads since its launch three days before -- more than any previous iPad debut.
A similar story can be told about the iPhone 4S. With only a marginal change to the body style and most of the phone's improvements, stemming from a software update that was made available to owners of older iPhones, the 4S still broke all previous iPhone pre-order sales with more than 1 million sold in 24 hours.
What is it about Apple's product launches that compel people to stand in line for hours to be one of the first to own whatever shiny new thing they offer? Trust me: I've been there. I have iPhones, iPads and iPods, and I can sing the praises of all of them. The part I don't understand is why we are presented with a "new" version every year that isn't all that different from the last year's version, and more importantly, why we buy it.
Apple's handheld electronics dominate the industry. Attempts by competitors to steal tablet computer market share have been met with marginal enthusiasm. Do you know anyone who owns a Motorola Xoom? Me neither. The Android mobile operating system is running on more smartphones worldwide, but that's because so many phones utilize the Android OS. No single phone has sales figures to match the iPhone.
The truth is Apple makes some amazing handheld electronics. But this year I can't in good faith recommend that you upgrade. If you're considering getting an iPhone or iPad for the first time, the newest version is as good as ever. I just don't feel that it's substantially better than the prior year's model.
The silver lining is that bargain shoppers that don't feel compelled to get the very newest version can pick up last year's model at a discount. Apple retailers are selling the iPad 2 starting at $400, and you can get one on the resale market for even less. Many cellular service providers are offering the iPhone 4 for $100 or less with contract, compared to the 4S, which starts at $200. I would argue that the ceremonial markdown of last year's model is the only time you'll get a discount from Apple.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
What Else Can A Google Search Do?
It's simple to Google, but it's not always easy to get it right. We've all been frustrated by typing something into the search bar, only to be bombarded with a bunch of junk: pages of search results, filled with Web links from questionable sources. Results that aren't what you were looking for.Google is unquestionably the most popular search engine, with an estimated 900 million unique visitors every month, according to eBizMBA, which compiles website statistics. Its nearest competitor, Bing, gets an estimated 165 million unique visitors every month by comparison. It would be impossible to give tips for every search engine out there, so here's how to refine your Google searches:
First, use the advanced search option. Type in your question to get the preliminary results, then click the options button at the upper right part of the page (it looks like a cog) to select advanced search. Narrow down your results by adding words, excluding words or specifying an exact word or phrase. If you've performed the search before, you can show updates only within a certain time frame, so you're not looking at old information.
Once you've got your advanced search results, note that additional options appear in the menu on the left side of the screen, so you can modify results with additional conditions, such as sort-by-date versus relevance, or only sites with images.
Easy, but Advanced Google Operators: You can use a number of "operators" to achieve specific results. There are literally thousands of "operators" out there, so we are just going to show you a few simple ones. If you want to get really adventurous, you can combine most of these operators to come up with interesting search results.
If you want examples of these search queries, click on the links to see our sample searches.
- Use Quotes: To search for an exact phrase, put it in quotes. If you're looking for a list of Dr. Seuss books, typing those words probably will generate results that include not only the books but websites about doctors and medical journals. By typing "Dr. Seuss" books, Google will return results with that exact phrase.
- Exclude Words And Sites From Your Search: To exclude a word, write "minus" in front of it. Looking for information on ducks, but not mallards? Typing "ducks minus mallards" into the search parameter gets you closer to your goal.
- Search For Synonymous: For synonymous terms, enter a search query in quotes "nerds" and Google will automatically include synonyms in results.
- Search With "Wild Cards": When you know only some of the words in a specific title or phrase, substitute an asterisk for the unknown. This wildcard search is great for finding out the title of song -- and how to spell it.
- Find A Phone Number: Identify that random caller in a flash (assuming it's a landline) by typing the phone number into your search field. Or type in the area code and find out the city in which the call originated.
Additional tools can that will help you in every day life.
- Google + Math: Run a mathematical equation in the Quick Calculator's search bar, using the addition, subtraction, multiplication and division symbols.
- Search For Recipes: Trying a new recipe? With Google's Unit Converter, type in "2 cups equal how many ounces?" It will perform even that basic calculation (16). Or have it convert pounds into kilos, or Celsius into Fahrenheit, or convert length, volume and speed.
- Search For Definitions: For "Dictionary," type in "define" plus the word in question. Interested in entertainment? To find out what movies are playing in a specific area or ZIP code, use the "movie" operator followed by a title; it will show all theater listings in the area.
Check out the menu on the left of your search results for specific Google search filters that can help you narrow results to News, Shopping, Recipes, Flights and more, each with tailored search filters to narrow your results.
And happy hunting!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Free Tax Prep Resources
By: Andrea EldridgeApril will be here before you know it, and so will that mid-month deadline for filing your tax returns. If you haven't already tried electronic filing, give it a go. But with so many programs that offer roughly the same service, how's a tax e-filer to choose? I checked out some popular options so you wouldn't have to.
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I'm not sure if it's intentional, but the pricing plans offered by some of the major tax preparation services -- TurboTax, H&R Block and FreeTax USA -- are confusing. Their home pages are emblazoned with the word "free," but that typically only refers to filing a basic federal 1040EZ form. Charges increase for filing additional federal and state forms. The programs offer different support structures based on the package.
I'll explain options for common needs.
The Budget do-it-yourself Tax Pro.
If you've filed your own taxes in the past and have a straightforward financial picture, FreeTax USA is an easy, inexpensive way to file electronically. The basic version is free and includes a tutorial as well as the ability to file individual deductions and print PDF copies of your returns. State filing is $9.95, and upgrading for an additional $5.95 allows you to amend your return later and get access to audit support if you need it.
The Confident But Cautious Tax Sites.
TurboTax and TaxACT Online will store prior-year returns which, depending on the package you choose, you can access for reminders of what you've deducted in the past. Each program offers a "Maximum Refund Pledge" to return your money if another preparer uses the same information and generates a larger refund. But, seriously, who's going to do their taxes twice just to check?
TurboTax is one of the largest names in online tax-preparation software. Unlike FreeTax USA, it allows phone access to tax professionals to help you through your filing if you hit a snag. Its professionals will even spot-check your return before you file. TurboTax packages range from "free" to $129.95 for the business edition. Most users will be well served by the $29.95 deluxe edition, plus $36.95 per state filing. The included audit support (via phone or online chat) is a comforting feature.
TaxAct Online offers many of the same perks as TurboTax, but only its audit support seems to be provided by a tax professional. The Ultimate Bundle ($17.95) includes a single state filing and phone, email and audit support. If you think you'll want access to a tax professional while you're working on your returns, stick with TurboTax.
The Nervous Newbie, Don't Worry These Tax Tips Are Easy.
Those filing online for the first time should consider H&R Block's $79.95 "Best of Both Worlds" option (state filing is an additional $34.95). It includes the premium version (good for the self-employed or owners of rental property) and a personalized review of your taxes done by an H&R Block tax professional. You're matched with a single tax professional for unlimited help and support instead of being sent to a general call-in service. If you're audited, H&R Block will provide you with legal representation, a benefit unmatched by other programs. If an error in representatives' calculations results in IRS penalties and/or interest, the company will foot the bill.
Article By: Andrea Eldridge
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
How To Fix A Broken Wireless Network
By: Andrea Eldridge.Once you have a wireless network set up in your home or office, it should work seamlessly… about 80% of the time. The remaining 20% will likely cause you to tear your hair out. Before you resign yourself to your Soduku book the next time you can’t get online, here are some basic tips to keep your wireless network fully operational.
If Your network was working fine yesterday and suddenly today you can’t get online.
Whether you set up your own network or hire a professional to do it for you, there will likely come a day when your internet connection drops and you are suddenly unable to get online. Knowing the steps to re-set your network can save you hours on hold with your internet provider’s tech support.
The First Thing You Should Do When Your Internet Stops Working:
1. Power off your computers, router and modem (you may have an all-in-one modem/router).
2. Check to make sure any and all cables are fully engaged.
3. Turn devices back on in the following order: modem, router, computer. Wait for each device
to completely turn on before turning on the next device. You will typically know this by the lights
stabilizing.
If A New Laptop Can't Connect To Your Network:
If "Aunt Betty’s" laptop has a built-in wireless adapter, her system should be able to “find” your wireless network. In Windows 7 click the Start button and select “Control Panel,” then “Network and Internet”, then “Network and Sharing Center.” Choose “Connect to a Network” to show a list of available WiFi networks. Find the name you chose for your network. If her system is unable to locate any available networks, make sure that her WiFi card is enabled. There may be a button at the top left of her keyboard with a picture that looks like a beacon, or there may be a button on the laptop itself with this image on or near it. Pressing the button will turn on or off the WiFi adapter. Once the laptop “sees” available connections, click the “Connect” button next to your network. It will pop up a box requiring your network password (you DID set up that password, right?). Once you enter the right password, click the box that will allow her system to automatically connect going forward, and Betty should be surfing
the net in no time.
If Your Son/Daughter Broke The Internet!
Your teenager was “fixing” something to get his Xbox online and now nobody can connect. First, try the re-set steps listed above. If that doesn’t work, turn off the modem and router. There should be an Ethernet cable running between your modem and your router. Make sure that cable is plugged into the WAN port on your router, and that any computers that are hard wired to your router are connected via the other ports. Run back through the re-set steps, and if you still can’t get online, send your kid out to buy a wireless networking for dummies book and get studying.
If Everyone Else Is Surfing The Net Smoothly… Everyone But You.
If you’re getting a “Page Cannot Be Displayed” error, the problem may be with the website you’re trying to visit. Attempt to view a site you know exists and is reliable, like Google or Yahoo, to determine if the problem is with your system or with the website. If it’s your system, the first step in any computer troubleshooting is to shut down your computer and turn it back on and try again. Don’t just run through restart, fully shut down and reboot after waiting a few seconds. If you still can’t access the internet, run through the steps suggested above for getting Cousin Betty’s laptop online. Windows 7 also has a “Troubleshoot Problems” option under the “Network and Sharing Center” that can help reset your system’s network if all else fails.
Well, hopefully those DIY tips will fix the problem. If that doesn't work feel free to jump over to our Facebook Page and ask us for some more free advice.
Article By: Andrea Eldridge
Photo By:Yasuhiko
Friday, February 24, 2012
Yep, They're Watching
You think the things that you do online are between you and your computer. Not so. Your cyber-privacy is constantly being chipped away: by your Internet provider, your cellphone carrier and lawmakers. Before you post to a social-media site or browse the Internet for that report you're compiling on pedophiles, keep in mind how your actions online are anything but private.At issue is the struggle to protect privacy rights while fighting the online theft of American intellectual property.
Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives shelved its proposed Stop Online Piracy Act, or SOPA (H.R. 3261). The legislation's surface intent seemed sound: It would have given holders of music, films, books and other intellectual property copyrighted in the United States some teeth to stop its illegal distribution, even if that property was stored in an offshore server. But the bill required such sweeping enforcement that Google communications director Bob Boorstin said, "YouTube would just go dark immediately." If you were caught unwittingly posting a video of your niece singing along with the latest Taylor Swift tune, you could be blocked from Facebook and by your Internet provider and you'd have the burden of proving your innocence.
Hawaii's legislature recently considered a bill (HB 2288) that would have required Internet providers to track state residents' online activities and retain detailed records for at least two years. Internet providers, businesses and consumer-rights activists immediately protested the legislation, which is being revised.
Though SOPA was postponed indefinitely after tech-industry backlash, alternative legislation -- the Online Protection and Enforcement of Digital Trade Act, or OPEN -- was introduced last month in the House. It seeks to improve enforcement of copyrights online. If you access sharing or social-media sites, consider how -- if it becomes law -- it might affect you or the sites you patronize.
How much information about your online activities is tracked and/or sold depends on the policies of the Internet service provider and websites you use.
Google will roll out a new privacy policy March 1 that it says will streamline more than 70 privacy agreements into one cross-platform policy that's clearer and easier to understand. Opponents point out that it will allow any information you've shared or created on one Google platform -- Gmail, YouTube, Google+, etc. -- to be shared across all Google products.
The fear is that Google will soon have a "massive, all-inclusive database of your most private information, from your political leanings to your searches for prescription drugs. And there's nothing you can do about it, short of giving up your Google habit," Fox Van Allen wrote Jan. 25 on Tecca, a consumer tech website.
Last year, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security solicited bids for building a network capable of monitoring "publicly available social media" to track potential terrorist activity. The department's "privacy impact assessment" -- at http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/privacy/privacy_pia_ops_publiclyavail... -- said it would track only publicly available information, but it still makes me want to review my Facebook privacy settings.
In October, Verizon changed its privacy policy to detail what broadband-user information it collects and sells. It collects information on your Internet activity, downloaded apps, physical location and demographics -- stripped of your name and other personal identification -- and sells it to advertisers or anyone else willing to pay for it. Verizon is the most transparent of the carriers, which all likely engage in data gathering.You may think that monitoring and selling information about your online activity isn't a big deal if it isn't tracked back to you. However, while your personal details may be stripped from data before it's sold, there's no telling what may be done with the information if it's maintained in databases that are out of your hands.
Alright enough talking, now tell us what you think.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Facebook Timeline Tips: Soon It Will be A Requirement
I've been dragging my heels about adopting Timeline, the Facebook profile introduced in September. I haven't wanted to accept that my comfy, familiar profile will soon be gone for good. But there's no delaying anymore: Facebook announced last week that "over the next few weeks, everyone will get Timeline."
Instead of waiting for Timeline to be sprung on you, I'd suggest that you jump in now and spend a few hours on www.facebook.com/about/timeline. Watch the tutorial video. Then click the "Get Timeline" button to get started, which I find preferable to logging in one day to a different layout.
Timeline makes sense. It aims to present your life in chronology, compiling your manual entries and status updates, threading them with photos and videos. Think of it as a huge digital photo album chronicling your life, with all the things you've posted to Facebook over the years. Your "News Feed" remains unchanged, so you can see your friends' status updates just as you're used to.
You'll have seven days to review what will be presented to your friends before it goes live -- unless you choose to have it go live sooner. During this time, you can fill out your timeline with important events, modify your entries and photos, and adjust settings on anything dredged up from your past that you don't want to make public. If you don't want your boss perusing the photos from your best friend's bachelorette party, you can hide them from your timeline or set their privacy settings to close friends only. Depending on how much you've shared on Facebook, this may be time consuming.
Instead of just having a profile picture, you can choose a "cover" image to set the theme for your profile page. It stretches across the top of your profile, and you can change it whenever you like.
Your Timeline appears below your cover, chronologically showing major events you've logged on your profile, photos, status updates and activities. You can jump to a specific year, or keep scrolling to see your Facebook life in one super-long, detailed page.
Expand a story by hovering over it and clicking on the star button in the upper right corner. Hide or delete it entirely by clicking on the pencil image. Add important events right where you want them on your Timeline, or insert additional status updates to explain photos or events that need context.
Apps linked to your account will show your recent activity, so the details of your last run, places you've visited, what you've watched on Neflix or listened to on Spotify will show up on your Timeline if you've linked them to your Facebook account. The same goes for game updates.
If scrolling through your whole Timeline seems daunting, use the "Activity Log" -- a quick preview page that lets you see everything you've posted to Facebook since you created your account.
You can control everything that is viewable on your Timeline, adding, removing, or hiding. Just don't work too hard trying to perfect your Timeline. Facebook will surely change again, just when you get used to the new version.
Instead of waiting for Timeline to be sprung on you, I'd suggest that you jump in now and spend a few hours on www.facebook.com/about/timeline. Watch the tutorial video. Then click the "Get Timeline" button to get started, which I find preferable to logging in one day to a different layout.
Timeline makes sense. It aims to present your life in chronology, compiling your manual entries and status updates, threading them with photos and videos. Think of it as a huge digital photo album chronicling your life, with all the things you've posted to Facebook over the years. Your "News Feed" remains unchanged, so you can see your friends' status updates just as you're used to.
- Timeline changes only the layout, not your privacy settings or options.
- Once you switch to Timeline, you can't go back.
- Timeline will soon be a requirement and no longer an option.
You'll have seven days to review what will be presented to your friends before it goes live -- unless you choose to have it go live sooner. During this time, you can fill out your timeline with important events, modify your entries and photos, and adjust settings on anything dredged up from your past that you don't want to make public. If you don't want your boss perusing the photos from your best friend's bachelorette party, you can hide them from your timeline or set their privacy settings to close friends only. Depending on how much you've shared on Facebook, this may be time consuming.
Instead of just having a profile picture, you can choose a "cover" image to set the theme for your profile page. It stretches across the top of your profile, and you can change it whenever you like.
Your Timeline appears below your cover, chronologically showing major events you've logged on your profile, photos, status updates and activities. You can jump to a specific year, or keep scrolling to see your Facebook life in one super-long, detailed page.
Expand a story by hovering over it and clicking on the star button in the upper right corner. Hide or delete it entirely by clicking on the pencil image. Add important events right where you want them on your Timeline, or insert additional status updates to explain photos or events that need context.
Apps linked to your account will show your recent activity, so the details of your last run, places you've visited, what you've watched on Neflix or listened to on Spotify will show up on your Timeline if you've linked them to your Facebook account. The same goes for game updates.
If scrolling through your whole Timeline seems daunting, use the "Activity Log" -- a quick preview page that lets you see everything you've posted to Facebook since you created your account.
You can control everything that is viewable on your Timeline, adding, removing, or hiding. Just don't work too hard trying to perfect your Timeline. Facebook will surely change again, just when you get used to the new version.
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