Gadgets

Impressions About the New iPhone

Hello, my name is Howard; and I'm a gadget addict. This week I went out and upgraded to the new Apple iPhone 3GS, even though my 3G worked fine. I had to, though; didn't I?

It's the fastest, most powerful iPhone yet. It has video, and my old phone didn't have video. It has a compass; and you know I need a compass. Okay, I don't need a compass; but apparently the new turn-by-turn mapping capability needs a compass to understand which direction you're turning (and that's pretty cool). It has voice control to dial the phone, play music, and otherwise avoid typing. And it has double the storage capacity, which I'm sure still won't be enough.

Actually, I'm very happy with the new phone and the upgrade process. I connected it to my computer, and all the applications and settings from my prior version migrated all by themselves. Even the high score lists for games I play transferred. More importantly, the phone does everything I expected, and seems faster.

And, of course, I no longer have iPhone envy. The fact that I waited a week after it came out to order mine took amazing willpower. I thought about it so many times that it was no longer worth it to wait. So Happy Birthday to me, a few weeks early.

Joking aside, the iPhone has become an important business tool for me. I am more surprised about how much less I use my laptop, than I am about how much I use the iPhone.

Even when I'm in a meeting, I have access to the internet. I can search Google. Or even better, I can use Twitter or Facebook to crowd-source an answer. It's almost like being able to "Call a Friend" or "Ask the Audience" on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire".

One of the features I like best, is being able to use my voice instead of typing. So, I can quickly look-up a contact by saying their name. It's surprising how many places voice control like this comes in handy. For example, Google has an iPhone application that allows you to search by speaking. So I could speak an address, and the Google map comes up. Or, I could say "stock price for Apple", and the current quote and chart comes up. Similarly, I use an application called Jott to verbally capture tasks, ideas, and to-do items. The service transcribes what I say and puts it into my task list. It's important because I'm now capturing things that used to slip through the cracks.

I'll review some of the more helpful iPhone applications in a later post. In the meantime, if you don't have the new iPhone, I recommend you go check them out. It's a very fine piece of technology.

July 12, 2009
Screen Capture Software Worth Snagging

I'm so glad I found Snagit. It is one of the un-sung heroes that I use all the time but don't think about because it is so reliable and stable that I forget how good it is.

What Can You Do With Snagit?

Capture anything you see on the screen. Edit and combine those captures. Add text, arrows, or highlights to make the image better. Then share them through your favorite applications. Organize and find them again later.

I end-up using it several times a day. It is my default image editor. I use it to create or edit the graphics for the blog, presentations and e-mails. I use it to capture and annotate certain financial transactions … and to get or give tech support. Bottom-Line: the more you use Snagit, the more ways you'll find to use it.

Here is a two-minute video that will give you a quick overview of some of the things Snagit can do for you.

Techsmith makes several other cool tools too. I'm not affiliated with them, other than as a satisfied client. Just thought it was worth sharing. Hope it helps you too.

Click here to go to the product page for Snagit.

Click here to download a trial.

July 5, 2009
Screen Capture Software Worth Snagging

I'm so glad I found Snagit. It is one of the un-sung heroes that I use all the time but don't think about because it is so reliable and stable that I forget how good it is.

What Can You Do With Snagit?

Capture anything you see on the screen. Edit and combine those captures. Add text, arrows, or highlights to make the image better. Then share them through your favorite applications. Organize and find them again later.

I end-up using it several times a day. It is my default image editor. I use it to create or edit the graphics for the blog, presentations and e-mails. I use it to capture and annotate certain financial transactions … and to get or give tech support. Bottom-Line: the more you use Snagit, the more ways you'll find to use it.

Here is a two-minute video that will give you a quick overview of some of the things Snagit can do for you.

Techsmith makes several other cool tools too. I'm not affiliated with them, other than as a satisfied client. Just thought it was worth sharing. Hope it helps you too.

Click here to go to the product page for Snagit.

Click here to download a trial.

July 5, 2009
Software to Help You Manage Your Mind

Visual Thinking, Idea Mapping or Mind-Mapping … whatever you call it, there are some terrific new tools available to help you think, plan and write better.

I find I'm using it more often and for more things, like: note-taking, process maps, brainstorming and presentations.

How Does It Work?

Mind-Mapping is related to outlining. So you already know how to do it. It is intuitive, and makes it
easy to see thought structure and relationships. It also makes it easy to review and re-organize the framework that organizes your data. Here is an example showing what you can do with a tool like this.

How Can You Use Mind-Mapping Software?

I use this type of software like a virtual whiteboard. It helps me organize a meeting or present a thought process. What used to be a form on a piece of paper, now becomes the dynamic center of collective focus. For example, here is a map template from Mindjet's MindManager; it is used to evaluate an
idea using SWOT analysis (which stands for: strength, weakness,
opportunity, and threat).

The structure of the outline and actually
helps control focus and trigger new ideas. And the software allow me to add detail and new items in any order. The result is better understanding and often, new ideas and possibilities.

Brainstorming.

The computer age has made it a lot easier for me to collect data. Then what? Data is a raw material, but I often want to think better …
rather than to just have more data. So, I use visual thinking tools to help me
make sense of lots of ideas. It often helps me see relationships and
move items around to places where they fit better, or trigger new
thoughts.

For brainstorming, the software is a lot like writing ideas on Post-It Notes and moving them around on a whiteboard. I like being able to enter information the order
that occurs to me, rather than having to understand the bigger picture.

In fact, it's by placing all the seemingly random bits of information
page and dragging them around into piles, that the bigger picture often
reveals itself to me.

To do that, I try to figure what relates the piles, and I create a label for that category. I then try to figure out how categories fit together, and ultimately come up with a better understanding of the thought framework. From there, it doesn't take much work to fill out weaker areas of the outline, adding an idea here, moving an idea from there.

The Software Tools.

Even if you tried a tool like this before, it is time for a fresh look. These tools have evolved and are worth having and using.

Mindjet's MindManager is the tool I use most often. The current version is stable and mature, with a nice feature set and the ability to export information into a variety of programs and formats. I especially like the new option to export a live branching version of the mind map in PDF format.

Mindjet offers a template gallery for you to download 70+ sample maps to use.

Another tool I've been using more of lately is Tony Buzan's iMindMap. Buzan is a well-known proponent of mind mapping and has created a visually appealing tool.

It's compelling, and I'm trying to use it more. They also have a nice collection of videos explaining the software and concepts behind mind-mapping that is worth exploring.

Personally, though, for real work I find myself going back to Mindjet product.

In addition, there's an open-source version called FreeMind. Here's the link to try that tool as well.

June 7, 2009
Software to Help You Manage Your Mind

Visual Thinking, Idea Mapping or Mind-Mapping … whatever you call it, there are some terrific new tools available to help you think, plan and write better.

I find I'm using it more often and for more things, like: note-taking, process maps, brainstorming and presentations.

How Does It Work?

Mind-Mapping is related to outlining. So you already know how to do it. It is intuitive, and makes it
easy to see thought structure and relationships. It also makes it easy to review and re-organize the framework that organizes your data. Here is an example showing what you can do with a tool like this.

How Can You Use Mind-Mapping Software?

I use this type of software like a virtual whiteboard. It helps me organize a meeting or present a thought process. What used to be a form on a piece of paper, now becomes the dynamic center of collective focus. For example, here is a map template from Mindjet's MindManager; it is used to evaluate an
idea using SWOT analysis (which stands for: strength, weakness,
opportunity, and threat).

The structure of the outline and actually
helps control focus and trigger new ideas. And the software allow me to add detail and new items in any order. The result is better understanding and often, new ideas and possibilities.

Brainstorming.

The computer age has made it a lot easier for me to collect data. Then what? Data is a raw material, but I often want to think better …
rather than to just have more data. So, I use visual thinking tools to help me
make sense of lots of ideas. It often helps me see relationships and
move items around to places where they fit better, or trigger new
thoughts.

For brainstorming, the software is a lot like writing ideas on Post-It Notes and moving them around on a whiteboard. I like being able to enter information the order
that occurs to me, rather than having to understand the bigger picture.

In fact, it's by placing all the seemingly random bits of information
page and dragging them around into piles, that the bigger picture often
reveals itself to me.

To do that, I try to figure what relates the piles, and I create a label for that category. I then try to figure out how categories fit together, and ultimately come up with a better understanding of the thought framework. From there, it doesn't take much work to fill out weaker areas of the outline, adding an idea here, moving an idea from there.

The Software Tools.

Even if you tried a tool like this before, it is time for a fresh look. These tools have evolved and are worth having and using.

Mindjet's MindManager is the tool I use most often. The current version is stable and mature, with a nice feature set and the ability to export information into a variety of programs and formats. I especially like the new option to export a live branching version of the mind map in PDF format.

Mindjet offers a template gallery for you to download 70+ sample maps to use.

Another tool I've been using more of lately is Tony Buzan's iMindMap. Buzan is a well-known proponent of mind mapping and has created a visually appealing tool.

It's compelling, and I'm trying to use it more. They also have a nice collection of videos explaining the software and concepts behind mind-mapping that is worth exploring.

Personally, though, for real work I find myself going back to Mindjet product.

In addition, there's an open-source version called FreeMind. Here's the link to try that tool as well.

June 7, 2009
A Breath of Fresh Air

Do gadgets that help you focus on conscious breathing work? I found three that worked for me: Resperate, Helicor's StressEraser, and Heart Math's emWave.

My biggest complaint is that once I learned the relaxation techniques each of these devices teach, I didn't need the device to get the results. That also is a positive, isn't it?

I think, feel, and communicate better when I'm calm. Learning to access that state at will is an important skill … in business and personal life.

So, with that in mind, here are my impressions and experience with each.

Resperate.

The Resperate unit is a little bigger than a portable CD-ROM player, with a built-in elastic strap that goes around your ribcage to monitor your breathing. The concept behind this tool is very simple. It relaxes you by helping you slow your breathing down.

Resperate starts by pacing your in-and-out breaths with higher and lower pitched sound cues. Over time it moves these tones farther apart, leading you to breathe slower and more deeply.

How did it work? It helped me move easily from 6 to 10 breaths-per-minute, down to two or three breaths-per-minute. This promotes much deeper breathing and relaxes the body and mind. I find that I enjoy using this tool for about 10-minutes at a time; and I definitely feel relaxed after using it.

While Resperate provided the most relaxation, it is the one I use least. Perhaps because it is a little bigger and requires the belt. Not big hurdles; but apparently big enough.

Helicor's StressEraser.

The StressEraser is a portable biofeedback device, smaller than a deck of cards. On the top, there is a hinged slot to put your finger. The finger reader measures your pulse and galvanic skin response. There is also an LED screen on this device that helps you pace your breathing, and shows your level of stress or relaxation.

Without focusing, the line is erratic and jagged.

However, with only a little bit of training, it's easy to create a very smooth sign wave that indicates a steady breathing and a healthy heart rate pattern.

With this tool, I get the best (most relaxing) results with an
in-breath of about five seconds and an out-breath of about the same length. I like doing this for five minutes or so; it is a nice break in the middle of the day, before an important phone call, or a decision-making session.

I
find that it
helps me focus. Of the three tools, this is the one I find myself using most often. This might be because I like the graph and how it gives me instantaneous feedback about my breathing and focus.

HeartMath's emWave.

This is the smallest of the tools. The emWave relies on either a thumb sensor or, my preference, a clip that attaches to your earlobe. The technique is very similar to what you learn with the StressEraser. It involves steady breathing and a focus on reducing heart beat variability. It has four levels of challenge.

It sounds strange, and I don't claim to understand the science behind it, however focusing your attention on your heart while doing the breathing exercise seems to make a difference. Somehow, when you focus your attention on your heart, that is when the machine changes color to indicate that there is "coherence". And, in my experience, this is the most relaxing part of the exercise. More coherence equals less stress.

I tend to use this tool less than five minutes at a time to feel calm and refreshed. It was also the easiest for me to have success with (in this case, to get the "green light" to come on). So, the emWave is the smallest, easiest and quickest of the three … and it works. I'm going to use this more often.

So why did I use one that is more challenging? Habit, or perhaps that defines part of the reason I need to relax?

April 4, 2009
A Breath of Fresh Air

Do gadgets that help you focus on conscious breathing work? I found three that worked for me: Resperate, Helicor's StressEraser, and Heart Math's emWave.

My biggest complaint is that once I learned the relaxation techniques each of these devices teach, I didn't need the device to get the results. That also is a positive, isn't it?

I think, feel, and communicate better when I'm calm. Learning to access that state at will is an important skill … in business and personal life.

So, with that in mind, here are my impressions and experience with each.

Resperate.

The Resperate unit is a little bigger than a portable CD-ROM player, with a built-in elastic strap that goes around your ribcage to monitor your breathing. The concept behind this tool is very simple. It relaxes you by helping you slow your breathing down.

Resperate starts by pacing your in-and-out breaths with higher and lower pitched sound cues. Over time it moves these tones farther apart, leading you to breathe slower and more deeply.

How did it work? It helped me move easily from 6 to 10 breaths-per-minute, down to two or three breaths-per-minute. This promotes much deeper breathing and relaxes the body and mind. I find that I enjoy using this tool for about 10-minutes at a time; and I definitely feel relaxed after using it.

While Resperate provided the most relaxation, it is the one I use least. Perhaps because it is a little bigger and requires the belt. Not big hurdles; but apparently big enough.

Helicor's StressEraser.

The StressEraser is a portable biofeedback device, smaller than a deck of cards. On the top, there is a hinged slot to put your finger. The finger reader measures your pulse and galvanic skin response. There is also an LED screen on this device that helps you pace your breathing, and shows your level of stress or relaxation.

Without focusing, the line is erratic and jagged.

However, with only a little bit of training, it's easy to create a very smooth sign wave that indicates a steady breathing and a healthy heart rate pattern.

With this tool, I get the best (most relaxing) results with an
in-breath of about five seconds and an out-breath of about the same length. I like doing this for five minutes or so; it is a nice break in the middle of the day, before an important phone call, or a decision-making session.

I
find that it
helps me focus. Of the three tools, this is the one I find myself using most often. This might be because I like the graph and how it gives me instantaneous feedback about my breathing and focus.

HeartMath's emWave.

This is the smallest of the tools. The emWave relies on either a thumb sensor or, my preference, a clip that attaches to your earlobe. The technique is very similar to what you learn with the StressEraser. It involves steady breathing and a focus on reducing heart beat variability. It has four levels of challenge.

It sounds strange, and I don't claim to understand the science behind it, however focusing your attention on your heart while doing the breathing exercise seems to make a difference. Somehow, when you focus your attention on your heart, that is when the machine changes color to indicate that there is "coherence". And, in my experience, this is the most relaxing part of the exercise. More coherence equals less stress.

I tend to use this tool less than five minutes at a time to feel calm and refreshed. It was also the easiest for me to have success with (in this case, to get the "green light" to come on). So, the emWave is the smallest, easiest and quickest of the three … and it works. I'm going to use this more often.

So why did I use one that is more challenging? Habit, or perhaps that defines part of the reason I need to relax?

April 4, 2009
How To Type More Accurately and Much Faster With Asutype
I'm surprised by how much of my typing is now done outside of
traditional e-mail or business software (like Microsoft Word). Instead,
my typing is done in web-based applications like my blog, Facebook, or
Twitter. That's where a program like Asutype really shines.

I have been using a very effective spell-checking and text expansion program for several years now. It works so well that I forget it's there, even though it automatically fixes most of my typing errors and makes it easy for me to enter repetitive phrases or pieces of information. The bottom-line is that it helps me type more accurately and much faster.

There are three basic ways to use the software.
1. Correct Mistakes Interactively. The first is an interactive spell checker that works as you type (hence the name "Asutype"). When you type something that isn't in its dictionaries, it pops up a correction box with several of the most likely replacement candidates. This provides a quick and easy way to fix your spelling without having to retype anything.
2. Correct Repetitive Mistakes Automatically. The software also keeps track of the mistakes you make as well as the corrections that you apply and allows you to create a list of automatic entries. From time-to-time I'll review the list of corrections and choose to add them to my permanent list. When I do that, then next time I mistype that word or phrase, the software automatically fixes it (without even asking). This means I type much quicker because most of my typing mistakes are repetitive and that means I make them consistently). I'm actually surprised by how many different ways I could misspell certain words. It's not so much that I don't know how to spell them, it's that my fingers don't do the right thing when I'm trying to type quickly or get distracted.
3. Automate Repetitive Typing. The software also has some very powerful text expansion capabilities. I think of them almost as abbreviations or shortcuts. There are certain words or phrases that I type often (examples include: Capitalogix, our web address, or phrase like "please contact me if you have questions or comments".). Another example might be to use the abbreviation "VTY", which could expand to "very truly yours" … and then your signature block.
You never have a second chance to make a first impression, so I'm glad that Asutype helps me seem like a good speller. Here are the links for you to find out more information or to download a trial copy yourself. I don't have anything to do with the company other than I'm a happy user. I've had my license for years, and I can vouch for their service, support, and the good experience that I've had with their tool. I hope you like it too.
March 29, 2009
How To Type More Accurately and Much Faster With Asutype
I'm surprised by how much of my typing is now done outside of
traditional e-mail or business software (like Microsoft Word). Instead,
my typing is done in web-based applications like my blog, Facebook, or
Twitter. That's where a program like Asutype really shines.

I have been using a very effective spell-checking and text expansion program for several years now. It works so well that I forget it's there, even though it automatically fixes most of my typing errors and makes it easy for me to enter repetitive phrases or pieces of information. The bottom-line is that it helps me type more accurately and much faster.

There are three basic ways to use the software.
1. Correct Mistakes Interactively. The first is an interactive spell checker that works as you type (hence the name "Asutype"). When you type something that isn't in its dictionaries, it pops up a correction box with several of the most likely replacement candidates. This provides a quick and easy way to fix your spelling without having to retype anything.
2. Correct Repetitive Mistakes Automatically. The software also keeps track of the mistakes you make as well as the corrections that you apply and allows you to create a list of automatic entries. From time-to-time I'll review the list of corrections and choose to add them to my permanent list. When I do that, then next time I mistype that word or phrase, the software automatically fixes it (without even asking). This means I type much quicker because most of my typing mistakes are repetitive and that means I make them consistently). I'm actually surprised by how many different ways I could misspell certain words. It's not so much that I don't know how to spell them, it's that my fingers don't do the right thing when I'm trying to type quickly or get distracted.
3. Automate Repetitive Typing. The software also has some very powerful text expansion capabilities. I think of them almost as abbreviations or shortcuts. There are certain words or phrases that I type often (examples include: Capitalogix, our web address, or phrase like "please contact me if you have questions or comments".). Another example might be to use the abbreviation "VTY", which could expand to "very truly yours" … and then your signature block.
You never have a second chance to make a first impression, so I'm glad that Asutype helps me seem like a good speller. Here are the links for you to find out more information or to download a trial copy yourself. I don't have anything to do with the company other than I'm a happy user. I've had my license for years, and I can vouch for their service, support, and the good experience that I've had with their tool. I hope you like it too.
March 29, 2009
What I Love Best About the Kindle, Amazon Took From Vegas.

Disruptive Technology:

I
remember the first time I used TiVo. I instantly knew it was a
disruptive technology that would change how people watch TV. It's even
better than I thought I was. That doesn't mean it was a great
investment in the stock market; but it was a terrific investment in the
household.

And the ripples of this technology are still being felt
whether you're using TiVo or some other digital video recorder.

The Kindle is a Disruptive Technology Well-Placed In the Consumer Adoption Cycle:

Using
a Kindle reminds me of the first time I used TiVo. Only this might be
different, because we're several generations of technology further
along. And the world is ready for it.

The
Kindle 2 is ergonomic and reasonably fast. It is a great way to read.
It also has a built-in Internet connection, which means you have access
to content virtually anywhere. And it just so happens that the content
you want is the content Amazon sells.

Chances are you already go to Amazon's website. Because of
economies of scale, not only do they have a bigger inventory, they have
a bigger community of users who rate the books and write reviews of the
books.

A few years ago, Barnes & Noble and Borders tried to compete
with Amazon online. As a user, I went to the competitors' site once or twice … but the
first time Amazon had the book I was looking for and the other site didn't … or
the first time that Amazon had reviews of a product and the other site didn't –
well, that was all it took to stop going to those sites.

And
Amazon
continues to extend that edge with bigger inventories, more product
lines, and a truly mature delivery pipe. Their storefront and
shopping cart has been used tens of millions of times is an important
part of the value proposition.

Psychologically Smart, Part 1: Amazon Banks on Funny Money:

Once you have a profile on
Amazon, it doesn't feel like you're spending money. Casinos know the
token is treated differently than cash.

On the Kindle, Amazon makes it easy for you to
buy with "one click" over their "Whispernet" always-on data network.
So you don't hear or feel your money as it leaves your account. This is
brilliant.

Psychologically Smart, Part 2: Amazon Banks on Your Addiction to Instant Gratification:

Even better, though, is how they handle samples. It is already changing how I use Amazon. With the Kindle, I
have instant gratification.

I can find a book and download a sample in
seconds. In many cases, the Kindle version is dramatically cheaper than
the old paper version. So, I suspect that I'll be downloading samples
of many books. And when I like the author's writing style or find a few
ideas that I can use, I'm one click away from being able to read the
rest of it (even if I'm in a meeting or stuck at the airport).

Over
time, I might find that I prefer certain books in paper format. On
the other hand, I've been surprised by how likely I am to read a little
of this and a little of that.

And being able to have a whole bookshelf
is a pretty cool competitive advantage too.

March 22, 2009