Store documents using cloud technology

With Windows Live Mesh you can store documents, photos or files. Sync documents to the 5gb of free storage space then access them on the web from any computer. This is another option instead of using a flash drive. With this technology you can also connect remotely to another PC. If patrons want to use this type of service they would need to download it everytime the logged in to a computer. There are other services similar to this one, a couple of examples are; Dropbox and SpiderOak. Great idea!

Need help searching Craigslist or Ebay?

TempestOnline is a free online service that can help organize your search within Craigslist or Ebay. You can choose a zip code and limit to a 25 mile radius. You can also utilize an interface to limit categories and do keyword searches.

Sell or Recycle Unwanted Electronics

Time to clean house and get rid of some old electronics? Did you know that you can sell or recycle unwanted electronics from online? At gazelle.com they process a wide range of electronics. They will either give you some money for it or just make sure the item is recycled properly. First ,choice from a list of categories, from the obvious to such things as camcorders, camera lenses, video consoles and games . They will ask questions regarding brand, condition and original packaging. Based on these answers they will let you know instantly whether they will give you some money or just recycle for you. They guarantee to remove personal data and pay for shipping.

Top 5 gadgets for 2012, and the gadgets they’ll replace

Here is an interesting technology blog I learned about in The Denver Post and my synopsis of one of the author's more popular recent blog entries. [blogs.denverpost.com/techknowbytes]
TechKnow Bytes provides insight on all things tech and telecom, with an emphasis on developments that matter most to Colorado and the West.

Techknow Bytes, by Andy Vuong
Top 5 gadgets for 2012, and the gadgets they’ll replace

5. Apple iPad 3
Replaces: iPad 2, Kindle Fire, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Nook Color
Expected release: First half of 2012

4. Appcessories
Replaces: Stand-alone toys and tools
Expected release: year-round

3. Nintendo Wii U
Replaces: Original Wii, some hand-held gaming systems
Expected release: Second half of 2012

2. Ultrabooks
Replaces: netbooks, bulkier laptops
Expected release: year-round

1. iPhone 5
Replaces: iPhone 4, iPhone 4S
Expected release: Summer/Fall 2012

Google Translations

More and more ways pop up for apps to be helpful. Google Translate is a free app with 63 text to text languages. Not only will it do translations but it will convert languages that use a different alphabet or characters into phonetic English.

Wikipedia and you

YOU can contribute to the world's knowledge! I'm sure we've all looked for information on the web via Google, and been directed to Wikipedia. This is a collaborative on-line encyclopedia whose content is made up of contributions from all sorts of people. Which can include YOU if you have information you'd like to add. Just go to the top right of a Wikipedia page, click on the "Edit" tab, and after creating an account you can add your wisdom to the article. Cool!

ALD Mobile App

At my tech proficiency meeting last month Daisy and I briefly discussed the mobile app available for Arapahoe Library District, so I decided to add it to my phone. On my HTC Droid, I used the Market app to search for “Arapahoe Library District”. It is presented by Boopsie, Inc. It was very easy to load and now it is at the top of my list of apps under ALD Mobile. Features include the Catalog, my account, ISBN lookup, digital Media, Ask Us, Programs and Classes and Library Locator. I like it and think I will use it on occasion.

Kindle Touch Download Troubles?

I was helping a patron the other day download her book from ALD onto her Kindle Touch. The whole process on the computer went well but even after pressing Sync and Check for Items the book didn't show up. Her device is 3G but her wireless was not turned on. Once the wireless had been turned on the Kindle was able to Sync and pull the book from the Kindle Cloud. I would think that this would be the case for the Nook as well. So, the lesson I learned was: 3G AND Wireless need to be turned on inorder for the books to be successfully downloaded and read on the Kindle Touch. One other tid-bit: if the Sync and Check for Items doesn't download anything, try turning off the device and back on then waiting for a minute while the whole system starts back up to see if the book will show up.

I Pad Face Time

The   FACE TIME app on the I pad is great! Not only can I see my sister when we talk  but since my computer crashed I was able to have my brother in the the IT TECH walk me through the fixes I will need to fix my computer! He could see the computer screen and tell me what to do. You need to have an I TUNES account then just click on the email feature in your contact list in Face Time!

Finding remaining memory on flashdrive

To find remaining memory on a flashdrive when using a PC, insert the flashdrive. Go to "my computer", right click on the E drive, click on "properties". A pie chart will appear with the needed information.

On a Mac, insert the flashdrive. An icon will appear on the desk top. Double click on the icon. The available storage is shown on the bottom of the screen that appears.

New mothers and E-readers

My daughter was rocking her 22 month old to sleep and reading my Nook. She mentioned what a great device E-readers are for new mothers since they can be held with one hand and require only a tap of one finger to turn the page.

A laugh from my on-line page-a-day calendar

From an actual call to a computer help-line--

Caller: I'm having a problem with passwords on my computer. When I type them in, it just shows stars.

Tech support: The asterisks are there to protect you. For instance, if someone is standing behind you, they won't know what you've typed in.

Caller: But they show up even when there is no one standing behind me!

Taking a picture of yourself from a library computer

A patron had an interesting question last night. “Can I take a picture of myself from a computer in the library?”

With some help from Southglenn manager Andrea and confirmation from Josh the answer is.…yes, yes you can.

You have to download software first that will enable the camera, then you can take a picture of yourself. Patrons may want to take a pic of themselves to post to a website, or send to someone.

Here are the simplest options, I’m sure if you Google you may find more.

-Download ‘Skype’ (for windows) and take a ‘video snapshot’ of yourself
-Use Yahoo Communicator to take a picture of yourself
-Create a Facebook page, and you will have the option to take a picture of yourself

Hope this helps

expand memory for Nook Color

I was wondering how much it would cost to expand my Nook Color with a memory card. The Nook Color come with 8 GB built in memory, but can be expanded to 32 GB memory with a micro SD card. I wanted to find out how much a 32 GB micro SD card would cost. The price varies but found the best deal on Amazon for $25.99 plus shipping. Radio Shack advertised one for $59.99. When purchasing more memory be sure to get a microSD card and most agree the Sandisk is a good one.

Are you feeling creative?

I don't know about you, but my smart phone is being populated by helpful apps. Do you have a great idea for a new one? Visit http://www.appsbar.com/ to create and publish your very own app! You can make them for iPhones or Android devices, and they must be free. While you won't make any money on your idea, this is a great outlet for your creativity. And you may help other app users!

Pinterest's Popularity is Poppin'

Some users have described Pinterest with these enticing endorsements. "Pinterest is like getting a new magazine in the mail every day." "Pinterest is everything you never knew you always wanted to know about anything." "It's like Etsy and Pottery Barn had a baby and made a scrapbook of their cute little family." Around since March 2010 the site has experienced a recent explosion of popularity making it one of the 10 most popular social-networking sites. It is a springboard for creative ideas, practical living tips and inspiration for users' lives in new and challenging ways. The best way to understand how Pinterest works is to join the site and start pinning. Take yourself to http://www.pinterest.com/ and just "pin away". When we were closed for our most recent snow day just over a week ago I saw this as a featured topic on one of the news shows being extolled by some very avid users. I connected myself and found it a thoroughly enjoyable way to spend a snowy day totally housebound.

Easy in on Millenium

Did you know that once you've entered your initials and password in Millenium if you double click Return you're in. No need to shift the mouse to OK.

Vampire Devices

We all own at least one device or another that is a vampiric power sucker. These devices still suck power even when in "sleep" mode. For example, when you leave a desktop computer in idle mode and not fully turned off, it consumes as much energy as when it is on, because the hardware is still running. Some other major offenders are video game consoles, laptops, and plasma TV's. These power suckers can increase your monthly energy bill as well as raise the cost of electricity for everyone else. You can prevent energy waste by turning devices completely off when not in use, or use a green power strip.

15 New Technologies You Should Know About

PCWorld magazine recently featured an article on 15 emerging technologies that are either here already, or hovering on the horizon. One I found particularly interesting is called a memristor that is expected to make flash storage outdated. Basically, it is a small memory circuit that uses less power than a flash drive. Read about the other 14 emerging technological advances on PCWorld's website.

e-cigarettes

So, why would you want to suck on a nebulizer that looks like a cigarette? Because you are a way cool teenager of course! Here is all you need to know from Wikipedia.........

An electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette, is an electrical device that simulates the act of tobacco smoking by producing an inhaled mist bearing the physical sensation, appearance, and often the flavor and nicotine content of inhaled tobacco smoke; though without its odor, and intended to omit its health risks. The device uses heat (or in some cases, ultrasonics) to vaporize a propylene glycol- or glycerin-based liquid solution into an aerosol mist, similar to the way a nebulizer or humidifier vaporizes solutions for inhalation.
Most electronic cigarettes are portable, self-contained cylindrical devices the size of a ballpoint pen or magic marker; though sizes vary, mainly due to differing battery capacities. Many electronic cigarettes are designed to resemble actual cigarettes or cigars, or even pipes. Most are also reusable, with replaceable and refillable parts, but some models are disposable.

Not just for kids!

Sometimes a little fun can reignite your love for technology. If you have a smart phone, you've got to download this free app called Emoji. It's sort of old school, but it's a classic. This app allows you to add 'emotions' to your text, or just communicate with pictures. My very grown up friend Jane, (who now owns her second successful business) sent me a text with a little red heart in a little white box, and I was hooked. I felt like I was 7 years old again. "I want to download that app!" I said to my husband. And indeed I did. Please download the free version, it is superior to the paid version. It is available for all smart phones, not just apples. Just download, click install, (for apple phones you will need a 'me' account), and get texting!

Hide/Show toolbars

Help! While using Internet Explorer I accidentally deleted my toolbar! Here is how to fix this problem: On the upper right hand corner (the command bar) of your screen there is an option for tools. Click on the arrow, and on the drop down menu toolbars will be an option. Click on that and you will get options to hide or show the command, favorites and status bars. You can also customize a toolbar. If you somehow lose the upper right hand command bar, just put the arrow over where it normally is and right click. You will get the option to show the command bar.

Gmail: Basic tips

Gmail is popular email service many of our patrons use--which means that sooner or later a patron is going to ask for help navigating their e-mails. I've found a two part article (click here for part one; here for part two) which provides a series of slide examples explaining basic Gmail tips, such as changing passwords, printing e-mails and creating signatures. This is a great review for those unfamiliar with Gmail.

The Digital Age

This being the digital age we're seeing an emergence of Internet censorship, hacking, pirating, and online activism (i.e. Wikipedia blacking out in protest of SOPA). Columnist Saki Knafo writes an excellent two part article (click here for part one; here for part two) explaining the orgin of a particular hacker group, named Anonymous, and the roots of internet activism through the 2000s and it's impact on today's society and legislation.

POP- UPS

Here's is what I didn't know about POP- ups before my Tech Test. I did a google search. And I found several great Websites about POP -ups. Internet EXplorer pop-up Frequently asked Questions. POP-up ad- Wikipedia the free Encyclopedia. Pop up ads or Pop-ups are a form of online adversting on the World Web,intended to attract WEb traffic or capure email addresses.
You can Down Load a Free Google tool Bar - to Block all pop-ups.

Using Tabs For browsing on our Macs

At SG, (and I imagine CW too), our front pod computer is a Mac running parallel systems of Windows and Apple. When you want to browse multiple sites using Safari and toggle between tabs, use "Command T" to open another tab. An example is if you want to look up a movie for a patron using IMDB and then toggle back to the ALD website to place a hold.