Data data, everywhere you look

Today's New York Times reports more law enforcement agencies are using cell phone records as a routine tool.

We see the benefit in a case such as a child abduction or suicide calls, but civil liberty advocates express concern over privacy issues and constitutional rights. Seen as valuable data sources, the article quotes one training manual writing that cell phones are: "the virtual biographer of our daily activities."

Get to know Google Plus

Here's an excerpt from a review I did on the Complete Idiot's Guide to Google+. If you're tired of Facebook and want to step up to a productive social media tool - give Google+ a try.

The language of social media has moved beyond 'friends' and 'posts' and 'like' to a time-wasting mess resembling a dorm room during Finals week.
There must be a better way.  With Google’s move into social media with Google+ I think we finaly have a way to manage the mess.

Here's a look at The Complete Idiot's Guide to Google+ by Michael Miller. We now can sort, manage, and grow our social media presence with Circles, Streams, and Hangouts in Google+. Add in video conferencing, a layout you can tweak, and ability to publish across all social media, and Google+ starts to look like the answer. And, its free.

You're probably thinking if Google+ was completely intuitive we wouldn't need an Idiot's Guide, but it is the quickest way to see the logic of Google+ so you can get started.

Not quite a year old, Google+ is differentiated by the ability to segregate friends into “circles” where you can follow messages, posts, photos, video sharing, even email and instant messaging. But what goes on in a circle stays in a circle. So when you’re at work, looking for the photo of a product concept, you don’t have to scroll through hundreds of friend’s photos to find it. The integration of Gmail and Google search is also a time-saver.

 Unlike Facebook, which is stuffed with updates on kids, pets, and coworkers all mixed together, in this CIG Google+ book, you'll see the ability to post to circles is well  explained by Miller. You’ll see that when you create a post you can choose to send it to specific circles, such as ‘family’ or extended circles that includes friends of friends. Go further and make a post public and it will appear on your Google+ profile, to any visitor, even if they are not in your circles.Or, you can choose to post to 'specific contacts’ to quickly communicate the same information to people in different circles.


Read the rest of this review and feel free to comment at http://open.salon.com/blog/helen_gallagher/2012/02/19/book_review_the_complete_idiots_guide_to_google

It's 2012: Is your protection software updated?

Protecting your computer from malicious spyware and viruses remains critically important. Make sure you have protection software running and that it does two things: 1. updates itself to be aware of new viruses and spyware, 2. runs a periodic report and cleans up the problems.

I use TrendMicro.com (a question I'm often asked) and here's the report for January. It protects every web link and email I receive, but also runs this month end report:

Computer Clarity makes news

Thanks to Glenview Lantern journalist, Alan P. Henry, Computer Clarity has enjoyed a moment in the spotlight.
the article appeared in Glenview, Wilmette and Winnetka.

 

http://www.winnetkacurrent.com/Articles-News-c-2012-01-11-234710.114133-An-assertive-approach-to-technology.html

Bing is the 2nd highest-ranking search engine. Do you use it yet?

I wrote a blog post here a few months ago entitled "Why I Bing," at this link.

I can't take credit for its subsequent success, but I'm happy to report today that it has become the second highest-ranking search tool, right after Google.

If you want to learn more, or see what you're missing, go to bing.com. It offers more focused search results, indexed along the left side of your screen. Google searches return a lot of junk because results are based on popularity of searched terms, among other complex algorithms.

Instead of Google's plain white screen, Bing features a beautiful photo each day - an interesting way to gear up for research.

Here is a USA Today article with the full details, in an article entitled "Microsoft eclipses Yahoo in U.S. search."

Perhaps the move to Bing.com will grow, now that Google is in trouble for "enhancing" its search results by providing what might be too much information, raising concerns over privacy and antitrust issues. Full article is here.

A Social Media Rabbit ??? Holiday Gift Idea

Just in time for the holidays -- here's a social media rabbit from the clever Karotz Store...

Add it to your internet connection and it reads your email and social media updates aloud, play online music, and is even a webcam.

Don't laugh Take a look at Karotz Store:  You know you want one!

Visit Laptop Magazine for more holiday gifts for geeks.

Make money from your old tech gear

Getting new gadgets has become as common at the Holidays as the tradition of buying someone a sweater or new gloves.
There's never been a bigger variety of tech equipment, gadgets, and smartphones.

If you want the latest and greatest, you might be glad to know there are resources where you can recycle or get paid cash for trading in your old equipment.

Staples.com works with Gazelle to let you sell your used electronics. Details are here.

Google the phrase 'get cash for used electronics' for lots more resources to see your used equipment; printers, computers, disks, phones, cameras and more.

Want more blog traffic? Think "Keywords"

Keywords are the grabbers that search engines sort and rank. Your blog topics should fit popular keywords, depending on your foucs. whether science, dieting, philosophy, or celebrities, your keywords help your blog rise in the search engine rankings.

Google, long known for their algorithms, has just made a sweeping improvement. The result for you is better exposure. One of the sites I follow, FreelanceSwitch.com, reports:

"This freshness change will impact 35% of searches. What will happen is when a user types a phrase into the Google search engine the most recent content will be returned first. Google has always attempted to provide searchers with the latest results, but their old algorithm methods had an impact of approximately 17.5% in the past."

So, if you want more blog readers, post more and know the words and phrases people use when find information similar to yours.
You'll have higher search rankings now, so use it to your advantage.

Okay, here's a sample:  If you want to learn more about social media, especially social media for beginners, jump over to Amazon and purchase "Blog Power & Social Media Handbook" the social media how-to, available in softcover for $12.

When good tech goes bad

Read this today in a writer's newsletter, (Wooden Horse)...

Hewlett Packard and Conde Nast, perhaps in some altered state of business consciousness, have partnered in an odd venture, encouraging readers to receive their favorite Conde Nast magazines using a desktop printer widget, then print them out - using their own ink cartridges.

Browser wars continue: Firefox vs. Googzilla's Chrome

This report excerpt from CNET.com shows user interest in Internet Explorer fading. People favor the versatility and smart web browsing of Firefox, and increasingly, Google's Chrome.  I'm always a champion for the underdog, so my loyalty remains with Firefox because their values are not capitalistic.

excerpt:
Mozilla believes its independence from other agendas will serve it in good stead, though. In a statement, the organization said:

Firefox demonstrated just how important browsers are, but it's important to remember that the reasons for building Web browsers are significantly different from one company to the next. Mozilla is unique in that we build Firefox to provide a truly independent offering, focused solely on individual experience and the overall good of the Web. Firefox is holding its own in the face of increased competition, with 450 million users worldwide choosing a Web browser that answers only to them.

Chrome has an advantage for Google over Mozilla's Firefox: searches from Chrome are performed directly with Google technology. That means that Google doesn't have to split the revenue with partners such as Mozilla or Ask.com that drive search traffic. With such deals, the search-ad revenue Google pays partners is called traffic acquisition costs, or TAC.

Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-20114278-264/chrome-could-unseat-firefox-as-no-2-browser/#ixzz1ZxspmZfm

Weren't we already spending too much time online?

Today's SmartBrief from The Business of News reports:

Tablet owners' daily Web usage is 48% higher

• Tablets appear to increase by nearly half the amount of time their owners spend online and double the amount of time they spend on mobile devices, including phones, according to Knowledge Networks. In all, tablet owners spend 38% of their daily screen time on mobile devices. The data suggest marketers need to pay attention to mobile and the kinds of campaigns that work on these platforms, said Robert DeFelice, vice president for client services at Knowledge Networks. MediaPost Communications/Online Media Daily (10/3)

Amazon ramps up instant video/movie downloads for $79/year

With all the news about NetFlix changing its pricing structure, looks like Amazon is positioned to become #1...

This from Amazon.com home page today, 9/27/11:

"Amazon just signed a deal with FOX to add a broad selection of movies and TV shows to our unlimited instant streaming service later this fall. The new additions from the FOX library include 24, Arrested Development, The X-Files, Ally McBeal, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and - available on digital video for the first time - The Wonder Years. We now have deals with CBS, NBCUniversal, Sony, and Warner Bros, and adding FOX will bring the total to more than 11,000 movies and TV shows available for unlimited instant streaming."

Tech time takes a big bite out of the day

Will Forsythe of the CEO Forum shared this analysis of the INC Magazine feature on the 500 fastest growing companies.

You might be surprised at how much of the day is eat up by tech, even at the highest levels in companies.

"Summary:  The average CEO worked an average 13-hour work day.  Since most CEOs I know work some hours on the weekend as well, I am assuming a 70-hour work week.

• 3 hours selling and talking to customers--23%
• 3 hours in meetings and talking with employees--23%
• 2 hours emailing--15%
• 5 hours other and misc.--39%"

At 2 hours per day, that's a minimum of 10 hours per week, or a full week of time each month.

Something to think about when you're short on time - like maybe let the email wait a while and spend your time in better ways?

That darn keyboard!

How many times do you hit CAPS LOCK without looking and have to retype your work?

Is your computer's Page Up key in an awkward place? This is especially true on laptops where Delete often interferes with your efforts to page up and down.

Well, I have the answer for you. A cool program called KeyTweak. It allows you re-assign or remap the Microsoft keyboard and works with all current versions of Windows. So if there's a key you never use, give it new life as an easy-to-reach key you frequently use. See the site, linked below, for full details. I've used this for years and hope you enjoy it.

Best of all, its a free download you can find with a web search, or here at the company.

Why I Bing...

Sure, Google used to be cool, and has always been a better search tool than what came before. But its market share, and its features, haven't changed much in the past two years. That's why I switched to Bing as soon as Microsoft released it.

Bing is something new, fresh, and a product that delivers better results every time. I'm one of those people who always support a product for innovation over popularity. Google became a household word, and a habit... sometimes a useless habit, when the clutter it produces doesn't yield the best results.

A New York Times article on 7-31-11, in fact, the Page 1 feature in the Sunday Business section explained how Microsoft has worked hard to be better, and to redefine search with Bing, creating a decision tool to deliver the results you want.
Instead of a blank screen, Bing also surprises you by presenting a gorgeous photo each day, usually in the realm of nature or culture. 

Since Google hasn't done anything clever to improve the search experience in the last few years, why not switch to Bing. You'll find true logic when you search for topics in the travel and health area, as well as literature, quotes, computer problems, language translation, calculators, movie reviews, local listings and more.


Search tools are free, and so is our right to use the one we like, not the dominant player.

Since most web browsers offer a choice of search engines, you don't have to use the one that comes up when you search.

For Firefox, here's how to change the default search tool to Bing
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Location%20bar%20search?s=default+search+engine&as=s

If you use a different web browser, search the Help for 'default search tool' and you'll find similar instructions.

Let me know how you like using Bing! -- email Helen@cclarity.com

A better way to listen to music: CNET says "five thumbs up"

I've heard three times this week about an exciting innovation for music lovers. Spotify is hitting the U.S. with an outstanding service. YOU can control all your music, and share it freely.

Many are calling this "the new golden age of music,"

The creator is Sean Parker, who was behind Napster, says:

"By making music social, the experience of discovering and listening to new music will be more fun than ever before. While Spotify can be downloaded and used for free on the desktop, users of Spotify will need to purchase content when they want to take music with them "on the go" via their iPod or iPhone.

In this sense, Spotify is the answer to piracy: migrating millions of piracy-based music fans to a legitimate platform where their consumption of music can be monetized, and the artists who dedicate their lives to creating music can finally get paid."

Read more: http://www.facebook.com/notes/sean-parker/at-long-last-spotify-launches-in-the-us/10150260494833293#ixzz1SqBHepQj

Eye pattern movement in online reading

We formerly thought people scanned the computer screen, when reading web pages, with eye movements following the shape of the letter C or a backward Z.

Now, fast-forward to F patterns of screen viewing.

http://www.useit.com/alertbox/reading_pattern.html

The above link will take you to more info on these interesting images, and the project's author suggestion of what it means for you. If you want pepole who glance at your web page to find the critical content, put it where they will see it.

• Users won't read your text thoroughly in a word-by-word manner. Exhaustive reading is rare, especially when prospective customers are conducting their initial research to compile a shortlist of vendors. Yes, some people will read more, but most won't.

• The first two paragraphs must state the most important information. There's some hope that users will actually read this material, though they'll probably read more of the first paragraph than the second.

• Start subheads, paragraphs, and bullet points with information-carrying words that users will notice when scanning down the left side of your content in the final stem of their F-behavior. They'll read the third word on a line much less often than the first two words. 

Read full analysis here: http://www.useit.com/alertbox/reading_pattern.html

Blogger change coming soon

Mashable.com reports that Google is finally ready to pay attention to the Blogger.com blog hosting service.

Fast and easy and free, it has fallen far behind WordPress, the only other dominant player.

So look for an announcement soon, if you have a blog on blogger.com. The product will be rebranded as Google Blogs soon.

Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20076925-17/report-google-to-rebrand-blogger-picasa/#ixzz1RKp47TqM

The two worst words in tech: "SIMPLY LOG-IN"

Surely, you, like me, have been frustrated by the inability to log-in at a site, where you know your user name, and of course, you know your password.

My frustrations mount when I have to try various user names and passwords, and check my encrypted password list to be certain I've got it right.

Today, the problem was worse than usual, so I tried creating a new account.
No matter what variation on my name I tried, or which email address, the service responded that name was already in use.

So I was instructed to "simply log-in..."  and it simply failed, over and over again.


Then I tried to re-set my password, and even though my various names were "in use" none of them allowed me to re-set the password.

I think from now on, once I get past this obstacle, I'll change my password to IFIHADAHAMMER...

Hope your day is going better, and the tech gods on on your side,

Helen

Requiem for a Website?

If you're an active blogger and use social media daily, when is the last time you checked your website?

Perhaps the time has come to put your site to sleep. Web sites are no longer the first place we look for up-to-date information or news. Social media is a more active and immediate place to stay connected.

Read this article at BNet.com and see if you agree. The most stricking evidence in the article is this:

"Shutting down your website to communicate solely through social meda channels might seem like a crazy idea for any large organization. But then again, there is some logic to it. The Wall Street Journal reported that Starbucks receives over ten times as much traffic to its Facebook page (19.4 million unique visitors each month) as to its corporate website (1.8 million). For Coca-Cola, the divergence is even starker: 22.5 million visitors on Facebook vs. just 270,000 to its website—over 80 times as much traffic."

Something to think about before you renew that annual hosting bill ???