Last week my foray into Windows 8 began in earnest. I discovered that I like the look of Metro with its apps displayed as “tiles,” though I’m withholding judgment on its user-friendliness. I also learned that I will need to get used to clicking on the corners of the screen to navigate between applications and access the new “Charms” menu. I lamented to loss of the Start key, but just briefly, before I found most of its functions hidden in a lower left corner right-click launched menu. This week I will explore apps, the cornerstone of the new Metro layout.
Upon launching Windows 8, your first tentative minutes exploring the new Metro interface will quickly clue you in to the reliance on apps, programs that appear as tiles on the screen instead of the smaller icons you grew accustomed to in earlier versions of Windows. Some apps scroll constantly updating information like news, weather, or your social media updates, others are just large icons.
You can easily customize the look of your home screen. Drag tiles to different locations on the screen, or right click the tile to launch a menu with options to unpin the application from your start screen, uninstall it entirely, or make the icon larger or smaller.
After a little more than a week using Windows 8, I am underwhelmed with the pre-installed apps. They are, not surprisingly, Microsoft centered and I am a Google-girl. If you use Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Maps like I do, be prepared for the quick realization that there won’t be “an app for that” in Windows 8. Accessing your Google data will have to be done online through your browser, though you can install a Chrome app if you prefer Google’s browser over the default Internet Explorer and there’s a Google Search app. Otherwise, you can pin shortcuts to the applicable Google weblinks to your Metro homepage.
“Travel” looms front and center on my screen – it’s simply a link to Microsoft-owned Bing Travel. Maps takes you to Bing’s mapping program. Default Music and Video apps link you to Microsoft-owned Xbox Music and Video stores to purchase content through the XBox streaming service. Playing video content you already own will likely require you purchase the Windows Media Center application for $9.99 as the integrated Windows Media Player no longer includes MPEG-2 support, a common video format.
The calendar is lacking in features. You can pull data from additional sources like Google Calendar or iCal, but you can’t push data entered via your Windows 8 calendar to these applications. If you use an online calendar, you’ll likely be able to view your schedule in your Windows 8 calendar but not make updates as they won’t sync to your other devices.
The People app lets you view notifications and updates from Facebook and/or Twitter, but clicking to view a profile or your newsfeed will lead to a browser window opening and launching the full application online. I chose to install Facebook+ Lite (http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/f9dbb3ff-a7fe-4251-8e61-39f5ea061836, free) to get a more functional Facebook app, though you could just access it online as you’re probably used to doing.
The included Photos app is for viewing only, similar to opening your “My Photos” folder in previous versions of Windows. If you’re looking to make changes to your photos, CameraStudio+ ($2.99) gives you some of the photo editing features lacking from the default photo management application, such as cropping, resizing, red-eye correction, effects and borders.
Next week I will explore navigation shortcuts and discover once and for all if it’s possible to split-screen multi-task as I once could in my beloved Windows 7.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Find Charity Online
The other day I was sitting in the Starbucks drive-through line. I pulled up to the window to pay and I was informed that the car in front of me had paid my bill. It was surprising how such a simple gesture made my day. There’s no quicker path to a warm fuzzy feeling than giving to others, whether it be money or time. While the Internet gives you the ability to help any cause that touches you, it also makes it confusing to narrow down where your contribution can make the most difference. Luckily there are some great tools available online to help you get started making the world a better place.
When you donate to a charity, you should choose a cause that is near and dear to your heart, but as a smart donor you want to make sure you're putting your money where it will get the best use. Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org) is designed to help you navigate the veritable sea of charities out there. They will help you identify ones that are the most reputable, fiscally sound, and give the largest portion of donations to the cause. Search out a charity categories such as "animals," "religion," or "health," or simply type a name of a specific charity you'd like to review into the Charity Search and you're provided with a rating that is based upon their financial health, their accountability and transparency.
If you have a cause you'd like to help someone raise money for, or if you’d like to find a specific person you can help with a donation instead of a charity, GiveForward (www.giveforward.com) is a great resource. Utilizing "crowdfunding," a technique where multiple small donations add up to large funds, GiveForward allows persons in need (or their loved ones) to set up a page that tells their story with a link to donate online. Users fundraise for everything from helping a neighbor rebuild their house after a natural disaster to paying for out-of-pocket medical expenses for a child's cancer treatments. Social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter are utilized to "spread the word," and once the fundraiser is complete, the money is transferred to the recipient’s PayPal account or mailed to them by check. The page you create on the website provides a place where family and friends can visit to read about the fundraising progress, make donations and post well-wishes. GiveForward even offers a personal fundraising coach to help you reach your financial goal. Users should be aware that the website charges a 7% fee for the final transaction - that is a delivery of the lump sum at the end of the fundraiser.
There's a lot of good you can do in your community if you have a couple extra hours on your hands, and in some cases you don't even need to leave your home to do it. Check out Volunteer Match (www.volunteermatch.org). Non-profit organizations utilize the website to post requests for help with certain tasks, and then willing volunteers take up the cause. Use the search function to find a volunteer opportunity close to you, or browse by categories such as "children and youth," "health and medicine" or "environmental." Click on the virtual listings tab to find all sorts of ways you can help remotely with skills you already have, such as tutoring first graders in reading with just a computer and a phone or helping with art projects or web design. Sort by "local opportunities" within the virtual tab to find specific causes in your area.
[pullquote]be proactive in your giving by doing research[/pullquote]
Where ever you end up donating your time or money, Charity Navigator offers these tips for "intelligent giving." Be proactive in your giving by doing your research. If your interest is cancer research, don't just donate to a generic cancer charity but have a targeted goal such as providing cancer screenings for at-risk individuals. Resist the urge to simply send money to the first person who calls you on the phone asking for a donation during a time of crisis. Hang up the phone, research the charity online, and then donate directly with them instead. You'll cut out the middle man and make every dollar you donate count. Lastly, when it comes to philanthropic investments, "spreading the love" to multiple causes is actually not beneficial to any of them. Choose one, or possibly two, that are particularly close to your heart and concentrate your efforts. In this way you can bring about the most substantive change.
When you donate to a charity, you should choose a cause that is near and dear to your heart, but as a smart donor you want to make sure you're putting your money where it will get the best use. Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org) is designed to help you navigate the veritable sea of charities out there. They will help you identify ones that are the most reputable, fiscally sound, and give the largest portion of donations to the cause. Search out a charity categories such as "animals," "religion," or "health," or simply type a name of a specific charity you'd like to review into the Charity Search and you're provided with a rating that is based upon their financial health, their accountability and transparency.
If you have a cause you'd like to help someone raise money for, or if you’d like to find a specific person you can help with a donation instead of a charity, GiveForward (www.giveforward.com) is a great resource. Utilizing "crowdfunding," a technique where multiple small donations add up to large funds, GiveForward allows persons in need (or their loved ones) to set up a page that tells their story with a link to donate online. Users fundraise for everything from helping a neighbor rebuild their house after a natural disaster to paying for out-of-pocket medical expenses for a child's cancer treatments. Social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter are utilized to "spread the word," and once the fundraiser is complete, the money is transferred to the recipient’s PayPal account or mailed to them by check. The page you create on the website provides a place where family and friends can visit to read about the fundraising progress, make donations and post well-wishes. GiveForward even offers a personal fundraising coach to help you reach your financial goal. Users should be aware that the website charges a 7% fee for the final transaction - that is a delivery of the lump sum at the end of the fundraiser.
There's a lot of good you can do in your community if you have a couple extra hours on your hands, and in some cases you don't even need to leave your home to do it. Check out Volunteer Match (www.volunteermatch.org). Non-profit organizations utilize the website to post requests for help with certain tasks, and then willing volunteers take up the cause. Use the search function to find a volunteer opportunity close to you, or browse by categories such as "children and youth," "health and medicine" or "environmental." Click on the virtual listings tab to find all sorts of ways you can help remotely with skills you already have, such as tutoring first graders in reading with just a computer and a phone or helping with art projects or web design. Sort by "local opportunities" within the virtual tab to find specific causes in your area.
[pullquote]be proactive in your giving by doing research[/pullquote]
Where ever you end up donating your time or money, Charity Navigator offers these tips for "intelligent giving." Be proactive in your giving by doing your research. If your interest is cancer research, don't just donate to a generic cancer charity but have a targeted goal such as providing cancer screenings for at-risk individuals. Resist the urge to simply send money to the first person who calls you on the phone asking for a donation during a time of crisis. Hang up the phone, research the charity online, and then donate directly with them instead. You'll cut out the middle man and make every dollar you donate count. Lastly, when it comes to philanthropic investments, "spreading the love" to multiple causes is actually not beneficial to any of them. Choose one, or possibly two, that are particularly close to your heart and concentrate your efforts. In this way you can bring about the most substantive change.
Friday, September 13, 2013
The Switch to Windows 8 - Part 1
Despite my tech-writer status, I’ve held out against moving to Windows 8. I am strongly in favor of productivity and I find that learning an entirely new layout and way of getting around in my PC tends to hinder my ability to get things done. And yet, my trusty Windows 7 laptop has seen better days.
This is where our story begins: I’m throwing myself under the proverbial bus and taking on Windows 8 once and for all. Here’s what I learned to make the transition easier for you, when your time comes to upgrade.
The new Windows default home screen is drastically different from your old, familiar desktop with its icons and start button. Now you’re greeted with a page filled with large, colorful “tiles” that link to common programs, apps and display constantly updating information. If you’ve ever seen a Windows Smartphone you’ve had a preview of what your new homepage will look like.
As a user of mobile handheld devices, I found that I like quick-link apps and updated info. For example, the weather app is current for my location and time of day; my news feed is actively scrolling through top stories (from the sources that I’ve selected); and new email, Facebook and IM client messages populate right on my homepage without having to launch an application or browser.
If you find the “metro” interface uncomfortable, you can jump straight to your cozy, familiar desktop just by selecting the “Desktop” tile on the lower left side of the home screen. You’ll be greeted by the layout you’re used to, including standard icons to launch common programs. Add desktop icons to quickly launch the programs you use the most and access documents and files through the familiar file folder icon in the lower left corner.
However, the standard Start button is well and truly gone. Even with the Windows 8.1 update soon to be released, the Start button that you’re used to using to access common programs, the Control Panel, Devices and Run command line is nowhere to be found in Windows 8. You can install an app to give you back the familiar functionality. My favorite is Start8 from Stardock (http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/, $4.99) because it creates a Start button that looks most like Windows 7 and includes most of the same functions (including a shut down and Run option).
Instead of clicking the Windows logo Start button, Windows 8 will have you clicking the upper or lower right corners to launch the “Charms” menu. This quick menu gives you links to Search (a handy feature that lets you type to pull up any program or file on your machine), an icon to return you to your home (i.e., Start) screen (though clicking the Windows button on your keyboard will also return you to your home screen at any time), and Settings (which is where you now go to power down your PC).
[pullquote]the start button is well and truly gone[/pullquote]
Moving your cursor to the corners of the screen is a gesture you’ll quickly grow familiar with. Hover your cursor in the upper left corner for a thumbnail list of all currently running apps. Click in the lower left corner to see a small icon of the most recently used app – it will show the Start screen if that’s the last place you’ve been. Right click with your cursor in the lower left corner of the screen to launch the “Simple Start” menu, offering links to System, Task Manager, Control Panel and Run command.
Stay tuned next week as I explore the joy of apps, touch gestures (if you opt for a touch screen) and handy keyboard shortcuts.
This is where our story begins: I’m throwing myself under the proverbial bus and taking on Windows 8 once and for all. Here’s what I learned to make the transition easier for you, when your time comes to upgrade.
The new Windows default home screen is drastically different from your old, familiar desktop with its icons and start button. Now you’re greeted with a page filled with large, colorful “tiles” that link to common programs, apps and display constantly updating information. If you’ve ever seen a Windows Smartphone you’ve had a preview of what your new homepage will look like.
As a user of mobile handheld devices, I found that I like quick-link apps and updated info. For example, the weather app is current for my location and time of day; my news feed is actively scrolling through top stories (from the sources that I’ve selected); and new email, Facebook and IM client messages populate right on my homepage without having to launch an application or browser.
If you find the “metro” interface uncomfortable, you can jump straight to your cozy, familiar desktop just by selecting the “Desktop” tile on the lower left side of the home screen. You’ll be greeted by the layout you’re used to, including standard icons to launch common programs. Add desktop icons to quickly launch the programs you use the most and access documents and files through the familiar file folder icon in the lower left corner.
However, the standard Start button is well and truly gone. Even with the Windows 8.1 update soon to be released, the Start button that you’re used to using to access common programs, the Control Panel, Devices and Run command line is nowhere to be found in Windows 8. You can install an app to give you back the familiar functionality. My favorite is Start8 from Stardock (http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/, $4.99) because it creates a Start button that looks most like Windows 7 and includes most of the same functions (including a shut down and Run option).
Instead of clicking the Windows logo Start button, Windows 8 will have you clicking the upper or lower right corners to launch the “Charms” menu. This quick menu gives you links to Search (a handy feature that lets you type to pull up any program or file on your machine), an icon to return you to your home (i.e., Start) screen (though clicking the Windows button on your keyboard will also return you to your home screen at any time), and Settings (which is where you now go to power down your PC).
[pullquote]the start button is well and truly gone[/pullquote]
Moving your cursor to the corners of the screen is a gesture you’ll quickly grow familiar with. Hover your cursor in the upper left corner for a thumbnail list of all currently running apps. Click in the lower left corner to see a small icon of the most recently used app – it will show the Start screen if that’s the last place you’ve been. Right click with your cursor in the lower left corner of the screen to launch the “Simple Start” menu, offering links to System, Task Manager, Control Panel and Run command.
Stay tuned next week as I explore the joy of apps, touch gestures (if you opt for a touch screen) and handy keyboard shortcuts.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
The Switch to Windows 8 - Part 1
Despite my tech-writer status, I’ve held out against moving to Windows 8. I am strongly in favor of productivity and I find that learning an entirely new layout and way of getting around in my PC tends to hinder my ability to get things done. And yet, my trusty Windows 7 laptop has seen better days.
This is where our story begins: I’m throwing myself under the proverbial bus and taking on Windows 8 once and for all. Here’s what I learned to make the transition easier for you, when your time comes to upgrade.
The new Windows default home screen is drastically different from your old, familiar desktop with its icons and start button. Now you’re greeted with a page filled with large, colorful “tiles” that link to common programs, apps and display constantly updating information. If you’ve ever seen a Windows Smartphone you’ve had a preview of what your new homepage will look like.
As a user of mobile handheld devices, I found that I like quick-link apps and updated info. For example, the weather app is current for my location and time of day; my news feed is actively scrolling through top stories (from the sources that I’ve selected); and new email, Facebook and IM client messages populate right on my homepage without having to launch an application or browser.
If you find the “metro” interface uncomfortable, you can jump straight to your cozy, familiar desktop just by selecting the “Desktop” tile on the lower left side of the home screen. You’ll be greeted by the layout you’re used to, including standard icons to launch common programs. Add desktop icons to quickly launch the programs you use the most and access documents and files through the familiar file folder icon in the lower left corner.
However, the standard Start button is well and truly gone. Even with the Windows 8.1 update soon to be released, the Start button that you’re used to using to access common programs, the Control Panel, Devices and Run command line is nowhere to be found in Windows 8. You can install an app to give you back the familiar functionality. My favorite is Start8 from Stardock (http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/, $4.99) because it creates a Start button that looks most like Windows 7 and includes most of the same functions (including a shut down and Run option).
Instead of clicking the Windows logo Start button, Windows 8 will have you clicking the upper or lower right corners to launch the “Charms” menu. This quick menu gives you links to Search (a handy feature that lets you type to pull up any program or file on your machine), an icon to return you to your home (i.e., Start) screen (though clicking the Windows button on your keyboard will also return you to your home screen at any time), and Settings (which is where you now go to power down your PC).
[pullquote]the start button is well and truly gone[/pullquote]
Moving your cursor to the corners of the screen is a gesture you’ll quickly grow familiar with. Hover your cursor in the upper left corner for a thumbnail list of all currently running apps. Click in the lower left corner to see a small icon of the most recently used app – it will show the Start screen if that’s the last place you’ve been. Right click with your cursor in the lower left corner of the screen to launch the “Simple Start” menu, offering links to System, Task Manager, Control Panel and Run command.
Stay tuned next week as I explore the joy of apps, touch gestures (if you opt for a touch screen) and handy keyboard shortcuts.
This is where our story begins: I’m throwing myself under the proverbial bus and taking on Windows 8 once and for all. Here’s what I learned to make the transition easier for you, when your time comes to upgrade.
The new Windows default home screen is drastically different from your old, familiar desktop with its icons and start button. Now you’re greeted with a page filled with large, colorful “tiles” that link to common programs, apps and display constantly updating information. If you’ve ever seen a Windows Smartphone you’ve had a preview of what your new homepage will look like.
As a user of mobile handheld devices, I found that I like quick-link apps and updated info. For example, the weather app is current for my location and time of day; my news feed is actively scrolling through top stories (from the sources that I’ve selected); and new email, Facebook and IM client messages populate right on my homepage without having to launch an application or browser.
If you find the “metro” interface uncomfortable, you can jump straight to your cozy, familiar desktop just by selecting the “Desktop” tile on the lower left side of the home screen. You’ll be greeted by the layout you’re used to, including standard icons to launch common programs. Add desktop icons to quickly launch the programs you use the most and access documents and files through the familiar file folder icon in the lower left corner.
However, the standard Start button is well and truly gone. Even with the Windows 8.1 update soon to be released, the Start button that you’re used to using to access common programs, the Control Panel, Devices and Run command line is nowhere to be found in Windows 8. You can install an app to give you back the familiar functionality. My favorite is Start8 from Stardock (http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/, $4.99) because it creates a Start button that looks most like Windows 7 and includes most of the same functions (including a shut down and Run option).
Instead of clicking the Windows logo Start button, Windows 8 will have you clicking the upper or lower right corners to launch the “Charms” menu. This quick menu gives you links to Search (a handy feature that lets you type to pull up any program or file on your machine), an icon to return you to your home (i.e., Start) screen (though clicking the Windows button on your keyboard will also return you to your home screen at any time), and Settings (which is where you now go to power down your PC).
[pullquote]the start button is well and truly gone[/pullquote]
Moving your cursor to the corners of the screen is a gesture you’ll quickly grow familiar with. Hover your cursor in the upper left corner for a thumbnail list of all currently running apps. Click in the lower left corner to see a small icon of the most recently used app – it will show the Start screen if that’s the last place you’ve been. Right click with your cursor in the lower left corner of the screen to launch the “Simple Start” menu, offering links to System, Task Manager, Control Panel and Run command.
Stay tuned next week as I explore the joy of apps, touch gestures (if you opt for a touch screen) and handy keyboard shortcuts.
Internet.org - Universal Internet Access
If you’re reading this article, you’re in a minority of two billion: people with internet access. While it seems like nearly everyone has access to the internet, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg wants to make sure that everyone does.
Zuckerberg announced recently the launch of Internet.org, “a global partnership with the goal of making internet access available to the next 5 billion people.” His goal is to see that information is open and publicly accessible not only everywhere, but to everyone in the world. While Facebook has been Zuckerberg’s cash cow, his aim with Internet.org is more humanitarian.
According to Internet.org, their goals to improve internet access are threefold:
Affordable access: One of the largest barriers to internet access is the cost associated. Not only are smartphones expensive, but data plans incur significant recurring charges which people struggling to put roofs over their head cannot afford. Internet.org aims to “develop lower-cost, higher-quality smartphones and partnerships to more broadly deploy internet access in underserved communities.” Several device providers, including Ericsson, Nokia, and Samsung, are part of the Internet.org partnership.
Efficient Data Use: Another barrier is one which only those of us who still have dial-up will understand: data use. While most sites load well on DSL and Cable connections, those who rely on internet from satellite or balloon (really, balloon), have trouble downloading webpages that are not optimized well. With more efficient data compression and well-structured websites, more information will be available to those without a physical data link.
Helping Businesses Drive Access: While Internet.org has lofty goals, they’re not without their share of practicality. Zuckerberg knows that getting everyone online will not be free, and part of Internet.org’s goal is to create incentives for mobile providers and developers to improve access.
The full press release is available here and includes statements by Nokia, MediaTek, Opera, and Samsung.
Zuckerberg announced recently the launch of Internet.org, “a global partnership with the goal of making internet access available to the next 5 billion people.” His goal is to see that information is open and publicly accessible not only everywhere, but to everyone in the world. While Facebook has been Zuckerberg’s cash cow, his aim with Internet.org is more humanitarian.
According to Internet.org, their goals to improve internet access are threefold:
Affordable access: One of the largest barriers to internet access is the cost associated. Not only are smartphones expensive, but data plans incur significant recurring charges which people struggling to put roofs over their head cannot afford. Internet.org aims to “develop lower-cost, higher-quality smartphones and partnerships to more broadly deploy internet access in underserved communities.” Several device providers, including Ericsson, Nokia, and Samsung, are part of the Internet.org partnership.
Efficient Data Use: Another barrier is one which only those of us who still have dial-up will understand: data use. While most sites load well on DSL and Cable connections, those who rely on internet from satellite or balloon (really, balloon), have trouble downloading webpages that are not optimized well. With more efficient data compression and well-structured websites, more information will be available to those without a physical data link.
Helping Businesses Drive Access: While Internet.org has lofty goals, they’re not without their share of practicality. Zuckerberg knows that getting everyone online will not be free, and part of Internet.org’s goal is to create incentives for mobile providers and developers to improve access.
The full press release is available here and includes statements by Nokia, MediaTek, Opera, and Samsung.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Back to School Apps
While I’ve consistently proclaimed that no student needs a tablet or Smartphone to succeed, handheld internet-enabled gadgets can serve a purpose. From downloading textbooks to syncing notes and reference materials, there are some amazing tools for studying, research and organization. I wish that I’d had them when schlepping back and forth to class oh-so-many years ago. If your back-to-schooler has been lucky enough to get their hands on a tablet or WiFi-capable mobile device, these apps can help them make the most of it.
Save yourself from the backache resulting from lugging around that huge Chemistry tome with Kno Textbooks (www.kno.com, free for iPhone, iPad, Android or Windows), an online text book resource boasting over 200,000 titles. Purchase textbooks through the app and you’ll have digital content available on your computer and all your mobile devices. Engage with interactive graphics, click to view more information on intriguing topics, add notes and use advanced search features to make studying easier. There are even integrated flashcards for when exam time comes around. Textbooks are available for grades K-12, college and advanced degree courses.
Going from one class and one teacher to six or seven can be a leap, one that can lead to missed deadlines and forgotten assignments. While there are many homework tracking tools available, I like the cross-platform syncing capabilities of myHomework Student Planner (https://myhomeworkapp.com/, free for iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle or Windows, $1.99/year for ad-free experience). Quickly view your course load, see assignments and sort by date due, type (for example, reading, paper, or study), or by course. Due dates are integrated with your calendar and you’ll receive alerts of impending deadlines.
If your teacher uses Teachers.io, myHomework allows you to “join” their class and have course information and whatever the teacher has provided (like the syllabus or assignments) automatically updated to your device. Parents can login to an account that they create for their child to keep abreast of progress on homework and projects, or view notes added by their teacher through Teachers.io. Information is automatically synced across all devices with the myHomework app, or login online to view or update your account.
If your student is getting buried under a sea of paper and losing important notes or reference materials, Evernote (www.evernote.com, free, for iPhone, iPad, Android or Windows) lets you digitally store and organize notes, photos and weblinks related to your course of study across all your devices. Take a picture of a page in a book or the printout of an assignment, and Evernote’s text recognition will convert it into a searchable, easily retrievable digital document. Save, organize and sync everything related to a project, paper or study topic and sync it across all your devices so it’s always at hand. See the video guide here: http://evernote.com/getting_started/
Mobile devices can give you access to a wealth of information:
Never be at a loss for words again with dictionary.com at your fingertips. Download the Dictionary.com app (http://dictionary.reference.com/apps, free, all platforms) so that the next time your professor pontificates about preterition, you’ll know just what he means.
WolframAlpha (http://products.wolframalpha.com/mobile/, $2.99, all platforms) has a silly name, but can answer just about any query from “how far is the Earth from the sun?” to “compare the air speed of a peregrine falcon to the land speed of a cheetah.” There are also apps for data related to specific courses of study, such as Tides, Genomics, Algebra, Corporate Finance, etc.
If you’re tackling a second language, Google Translate (www.google.com/mobile/translate/, free, iOS and Android) lets you type or speak what you want to say and instantly view the translation in over 50 languages. The text-to-speech feature lets you hear the spoken translation for more than 30 languages, or take a photo of non-Latin writing to see the translation in standard American characters.
For anyone who remembers leafing through the pages of the Encyclopedia Britannica for well-written and concise information about famous people, places and events in history, consider that wealth of information being constantly updated and always at hand. Britannica offers a subscription-based app (www.britannica.com/, $1.99/month for iPhone or iPad, $4.99/year for Windows) with detailed descriptions, full color images, and all the meticulously fact-checked information lacking from Wikipedia.
Image from Apple
Save yourself from the backache resulting from lugging around that huge Chemistry tome with Kno Textbooks (www.kno.com, free for iPhone, iPad, Android or Windows), an online text book resource boasting over 200,000 titles. Purchase textbooks through the app and you’ll have digital content available on your computer and all your mobile devices. Engage with interactive graphics, click to view more information on intriguing topics, add notes and use advanced search features to make studying easier. There are even integrated flashcards for when exam time comes around. Textbooks are available for grades K-12, college and advanced degree courses.
Going from one class and one teacher to six or seven can be a leap, one that can lead to missed deadlines and forgotten assignments. While there are many homework tracking tools available, I like the cross-platform syncing capabilities of myHomework Student Planner (https://myhomeworkapp.com/, free for iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle or Windows, $1.99/year for ad-free experience). Quickly view your course load, see assignments and sort by date due, type (for example, reading, paper, or study), or by course. Due dates are integrated with your calendar and you’ll receive alerts of impending deadlines.
If your teacher uses Teachers.io, myHomework allows you to “join” their class and have course information and whatever the teacher has provided (like the syllabus or assignments) automatically updated to your device. Parents can login to an account that they create for their child to keep abreast of progress on homework and projects, or view notes added by their teacher through Teachers.io. Information is automatically synced across all devices with the myHomework app, or login online to view or update your account.
If your student is getting buried under a sea of paper and losing important notes or reference materials, Evernote (www.evernote.com, free, for iPhone, iPad, Android or Windows) lets you digitally store and organize notes, photos and weblinks related to your course of study across all your devices. Take a picture of a page in a book or the printout of an assignment, and Evernote’s text recognition will convert it into a searchable, easily retrievable digital document. Save, organize and sync everything related to a project, paper or study topic and sync it across all your devices so it’s always at hand. See the video guide here: http://evernote.com/getting_started/
Mobile devices can give you access to a wealth of information:
Never be at a loss for words again with dictionary.com at your fingertips. Download the Dictionary.com app (http://dictionary.reference.com/apps, free, all platforms) so that the next time your professor pontificates about preterition, you’ll know just what he means.
WolframAlpha (http://products.wolframalpha.com/mobile/, $2.99, all platforms) has a silly name, but can answer just about any query from “how far is the Earth from the sun?” to “compare the air speed of a peregrine falcon to the land speed of a cheetah.” There are also apps for data related to specific courses of study, such as Tides, Genomics, Algebra, Corporate Finance, etc.
If you’re tackling a second language, Google Translate (www.google.com/mobile/translate/, free, iOS and Android) lets you type or speak what you want to say and instantly view the translation in over 50 languages. The text-to-speech feature lets you hear the spoken translation for more than 30 languages, or take a photo of non-Latin writing to see the translation in standard American characters.
For anyone who remembers leafing through the pages of the Encyclopedia Britannica for well-written and concise information about famous people, places and events in history, consider that wealth of information being constantly updated and always at hand. Britannica offers a subscription-based app (www.britannica.com/, $1.99/month for iPhone or iPad, $4.99/year for Windows) with detailed descriptions, full color images, and all the meticulously fact-checked information lacking from Wikipedia.
Image from Apple
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Choose a Tablet - Part 2
Tablets are growing in popularity. Lightweight, ultra-portable and with a user-friendly and immersive touch-screen, it’s no wonder that more and more people are wondering if a tablet could replace their PC. Last week, I started to answer a reader’s inquiry about choosing a tablet for email, Internet, Facebook and reading books and magazines. This week, we’ll explore getting and storing content on a tablet, as well as offline functionality.
A tablet’s operating system and manufacturer determines where content originates from and this should factor into your decision if you plan to purchase games, movies, books or magazines. Amazon has a huge library of reasonably priced media. Apple’s iTunes and Google Play stores each have a large amount of content but tend to be a bit more expensive. Before you buy a tablet, find out where you’ll need to go to get content. Make sure there’s a huge selection of apps and media and then review a few games, books or movies that you’d be likely to purchase to compare pricing. A dollar or two on an item won’t break the bank, unless you spend an extra dollar or two a few times a week.
The iPad’s front-runner status means that you’ll have a massive selection of apps to choose from. This can come in really handy if you’re looking to integrate your tablet with other programs or things in your home (like Smart home remotely-controlled thermostats or lighting systems) as most app writers know that many of their likely consumers own an iPhone, iPad or iPod. However, most app stores will offer a wide selection of more common games and programs.
Storage capacity will determine how many apps you can install and how much data you can store on the device. Books take up very little space: you can expect to store about 1,000 eBooks in 2GB. Magazines can take a bit more due to color graphics and interactive features. Games can take up a lot of space: if they’re detailed and image-rich they can take up 1GB each. The true space hog is video content. If you buy an HD movie and want to be able to watch it offline, downloading it to your device will require 2-4GB of available storage.
Many tablet-fans will point you toward cloud storage solutions. Typically you’ll get a free account to store some additional content on the manufacturer’s cloud server, but you’ll need to have access to the Internet to access your cloud “data locker.” If you think you’ll store a lot on the device itself, consider a tablet that supports expanding memory via a removable SD memory card like Microsoft’s Surface or the Barnes and Noble Nook (iPads do not).
[pullquote]tablets definitely lose some functionality when they can't get online[/pullquote]
Tablets definitely lose some functionality when they can’t get online. With a WiFi-only device, you won’t have access to new emails or be able to use Facebook when you’re out of range of a WiFi signal. While books and magazines are typically downloaded to your tablet over WiFi (so that they’re later available offline), if you finish your book and want to download another when you’re not in WiFi range, you’re out of luck. Many games and applications rely on Internet access as well, though there are certainly plenty that retain full functionality offline.
While your tablet will be less useful offline, it won’t be a paperweight. Before you spend more on a tablet that supports cell signal and commit to the cost of a data plan subscription, try to determine how much time you’ll be away from WiFi and whether you’ll still get enough use out of your device when offline.
A tablet’s operating system and manufacturer determines where content originates from and this should factor into your decision if you plan to purchase games, movies, books or magazines. Amazon has a huge library of reasonably priced media. Apple’s iTunes and Google Play stores each have a large amount of content but tend to be a bit more expensive. Before you buy a tablet, find out where you’ll need to go to get content. Make sure there’s a huge selection of apps and media and then review a few games, books or movies that you’d be likely to purchase to compare pricing. A dollar or two on an item won’t break the bank, unless you spend an extra dollar or two a few times a week.
The iPad’s front-runner status means that you’ll have a massive selection of apps to choose from. This can come in really handy if you’re looking to integrate your tablet with other programs or things in your home (like Smart home remotely-controlled thermostats or lighting systems) as most app writers know that many of their likely consumers own an iPhone, iPad or iPod. However, most app stores will offer a wide selection of more common games and programs.
Storage capacity will determine how many apps you can install and how much data you can store on the device. Books take up very little space: you can expect to store about 1,000 eBooks in 2GB. Magazines can take a bit more due to color graphics and interactive features. Games can take up a lot of space: if they’re detailed and image-rich they can take up 1GB each. The true space hog is video content. If you buy an HD movie and want to be able to watch it offline, downloading it to your device will require 2-4GB of available storage.
Many tablet-fans will point you toward cloud storage solutions. Typically you’ll get a free account to store some additional content on the manufacturer’s cloud server, but you’ll need to have access to the Internet to access your cloud “data locker.” If you think you’ll store a lot on the device itself, consider a tablet that supports expanding memory via a removable SD memory card like Microsoft’s Surface or the Barnes and Noble Nook (iPads do not).
[pullquote]tablets definitely lose some functionality when they can't get online[/pullquote]
Tablets definitely lose some functionality when they can’t get online. With a WiFi-only device, you won’t have access to new emails or be able to use Facebook when you’re out of range of a WiFi signal. While books and magazines are typically downloaded to your tablet over WiFi (so that they’re later available offline), if you finish your book and want to download another when you’re not in WiFi range, you’re out of luck. Many games and applications rely on Internet access as well, though there are certainly plenty that retain full functionality offline.
While your tablet will be less useful offline, it won’t be a paperweight. Before you spend more on a tablet that supports cell signal and commit to the cost of a data plan subscription, try to determine how much time you’ll be away from WiFi and whether you’ll still get enough use out of your device when offline.
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