Archive for the 'technology' Category

Speed up Outlook 2007

Published March 4, 2010 Computer , Productivity , commentary , technology Leave a Comment
Tags: , , ,

Outlook My Outlook has been very slow starting up as of late. It’s also slow when switching between my mail and calendar functions.  This is crazy since I have a really fast computer. Today I found a way to really speed it up and I had to share.

Follow these steps:

1. Open Outlook as an Administrator by going to C:Programs/Microsoft Office/Office12 and right clicking on the Outlook exe program.  Choose “Run as Administrator”.

2. Then once Outlook opens, go to Tools, then Trust Center, then Addins.

3. Click “Go…” at the bottom and uncheck Outlookaddins.

4. To maximize speed, uncheck everything EXCEPT Windows Indexing, which may be the only useful addin anyway.

5. If you lose some function that was useful, just follow the steps above and check the addins that correspond to the missing function. Then exit Outlook and restart it to test the addin’s fuction. 

When I did this this morning, the speed of my Outlook 2007 improved significantly. I had about 17 addins that I unchecked. We are supposed to to have a new Outlook and Office soon from Microsoft and I hope they have addressed this performance issue.

Robot Teachers Invading Classrooms

Published February 23, 2010 commentary , technology 1 Comment
Tags: ,

rteacher Robot teachers have been in the movies – how far off could it be for real? It looks like things may now be progressing faster than anyone thought.

According to South Korea’s etnews, plans have been announced to invest in a "R-Learning" program that promises to put robotic teaching assistants in up to 400 pre-schools by 2012. Plans include expansion to a full 8,000 pre-schools and kindergartens the following year.

Robots wouldn’t be in charge of the class (yet), but they would be used to do things like recite stories, and could let parents check in on the classroom and send messages to their children. If that trial program proves to be successful, robots could then be expanded to elementary schools, and the Korea Institute of Science & Technology is apparently already eyeing international possibilities. So will the robots be allowed into the unions?

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Yahoo Buzz | Newsvine

###

Twitter – follow or unfollow

Published February 12, 2010 blogs , commentary , communication , social media , social networking , technology Leave a Comment
Tags: , , ,

I got an email this morning from a concerned client. People were following him on twitter that didn’t appear to be good followers – they had totally different interests! This client is in the media business and had welders and swimmers following them.  Should I unfollow them, they asked?

six-degrees There are several thoughts regarding twitter followers. I believe in the theory of 6 degrees of separation. I connect to people with similar interests.  So I follow people daily on twitter that are talking about subjects that interest me.  You can do this too with twitter search – it is very powerful.

We are all part of the human web and the twitter followers I target are connected to my key word values. The people I follow are targeted based on content in their tweets or tweets they re-tweeted. As your network grows people will find you. Either people like me will retweet your posts and create new follows, or just stumble upon you and follow. When you build a twitter network people will follow you that do not appear to be targeted. But if we go back to the 6 degree theory – if you follow someone with 10,000 followers how many of their followers could use your content or even possibly be a business connection?

Yes, I do un-follow people.  If tweets are rude, constantly selling, crude, etc. See my article: http://bit.ly/cy6wn9

###

Be More Effective With Technology

Published February 11, 2010 Productivity , cell phones , commentary , communication , technology 1 Comment
Tags: , , ,

If you have a ton of work before you and can’t afford to let it go when you are away from the office, I have some ideas …

Hardware
toshiba_nb105-2 Hardware is the foundation of your mobile office. In the past that meant a lightweight laptop that won’t make you visit a Chiropractor. If you want to shave off hardware weight, look for a netbook. Many cell phone companies are branding these so that they come will built-in 3G cellular connections. But just like cell phones you have to have a connection plan for your netbook.  The netbook will also have built-in WIFI to save cell minutes and give you a faster connection. Most netbooks are in the $300 price range. These are fully capable tiny laptops that can run the full Microsoft Office Suite. I just bought one for my wife and the battery lasts 11 hours.

mophie-juice-pack-airSmartphones are outnumbering computers and can run software like Windows Office Mobile. So having a smartphone means you be productive with a super small package. Check into upgrading to a higher capacity battery or picking up a spare secondary battery to increase your computing time when you’re away from a power outlet. 

I bought a case for my iphone called Mophie Juice Pack Air that doubled my battery life and provided protection for the phone. Smartphones are notorious for short battery life if you use the Internet or talk a bit. The right accessories can make or break your productivity when you are away from the office.

Other Tips

Tips for Working from the Road:

  1. Take a Bluetooth headset for your phone to keep your hands free when walking or driving.
  2. Plan your day around WIFI hotspots or buy an unlimited Internet plan from your cell company.
  3. Choose a phone with built-in GPS.
  4. Get a portable projector and wireless mouse with laser pointer to give professional presentations.

###

Be Like James Bond

Published February 8, 2010 Software , commentary , legal , technology 2 Comments
Tags: , , ,

Perhaps you always wanted to be like James Bond.  I always loved the gadgets Q developed.  Now you can obtain spy gadgets without being enrolled the secret service. These are not cheap and they can be used for evil purposes.  Just knowing what is available makes me want to be more aware.

A Tracker

Recently some innovative Germans placed a GPS tracking device on the Google street view car http://bit.ly/d1Bvho. We have all seen Hollywood dramas where people are tracked with a GPS device.  Thanks to Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) this is now easy to do. Just  buy a small box, less than half the size of a cigarette box, then stick it on a anything using the built in magnets. Then you can monitor it’s position anywhere worldwide. Some GPS trackers can be found at this website.

Biometric Security

Now you can own a security device with voice recognition, palm, hand and fingerprint scanning, iris and retina reading, hand vein imagery, facial 3d modeling verification, and DNA testing. These security devices are harder to buy as they require you personal information, what you need it for, and a price quote these high end security devices were too cool not to be included on my list.

Virtual Secret Surveillance

This is very scary … now you can know every single thing somebody does on a computer? And all their passwords? Well, this is now possible. Using simply a small plug-in device, the size of a nickel, between a person’s keyboard (even a wireless one) and their computer, you can see hundreds of pages of text that they type no matter what it is. You can even monitor every single button they press on their keyboard. No software is involved in this process; you simply set a password on the device and plug it in.

Once the information has been recorded – just take it out and plug it into your own computer and enter the password. You can see everything they’ve typed. Also if you do not want to retrieve the device, it can send the collected info to a website, email, or FTP server.

###

Super Bowl Tech

Published February 6, 2010 Marketing , Media , Software , TV Commercial , TV production , cell phones , commentary , communication , technology 1 Comment
Tags: , , , , ,

 

I hear that real-time GPS will be used track the arrival of the Lombardi Trophy and key people to the stadium. Isn’t that Colts_Saintsgreat PR.

CBS is broadcasting the game with six high-speed, high-definition cameras with the ability to shoot 300-400 frames per second. Normal cameras shoot around 30fps – so get ready for amazing slow motion effects.

Sprint and AT&T are adding cell towers to handle the stadium demands on cell traffic. Do you have a smartphone? Download some new Smartphone apps to designed help you follow the game.

Security has also gone hi-tech with special cameras to scan both people and packages entering the stadium. Law enforcement also has bomb-removal robots at the ready. But there are no reported threats.

The commercials are my favorite part of the event. Be sure to have your facebook and twitter open to discuss commercials and  talk trash about the other team!

###

Favorite Video of the Week

Published February 5, 2010 Advertising , Internet - promotion , TV Commercial , TV production , commentary , communication , film production , film sound , technology , video production 1 Comment
Tags: , ,

Credit Unions are a different kind of fighter. Underdogs? Maybe. Champions of a cause? Most definitely. But what is certain, is that the ground has shifted, and your corporate-driven opponents have lost their footing. Now is the time to fight for your share and differentiate yourselves from banks. Now is the time to tell your story. Because you are a different kind of fighter.

Congrats to Third Degree  for great concept and creation!

###

Hydrogen Scooter – very green

Published February 4, 2010 Transportation , blogs , commentary , green , technology 1 Comment
Tags: , , , ,

DnKbest I drive a Suzuki Burgman 650 (gas model) weather permitting.  I refuse to ride during a thunderstorm, I have no desire to be a lightning rod.  In Houston, Texas I probally ride about 300 days a year. 

Now Suzuki has a a hydrogen-powered fuel cell hybrid electric Burgman scooter. It will enable city commuting while being very green because it has only water vapor for emissions. 

The Suzuki Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter is made by clean power systems company Intelligent Energy and Suzuki Motor. It is currently being tested in London. SuzukiSuzuki Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter plans to use this Burgman platform to test and refine it’s fuel cell technology in scooter scale while making an affordable green product for consumers.

All motorcycle manufacturers are facing strong emissions standards in the near future – this scooter will exceed those requirements. The EU has put emissions at the top of their agenda for 2010. Suzuki is getting ready cutting emissions to zero. These same laws will effect all transportation so the technology in this scooter may be repurposed for four wheels in a few years.

Hydrogen is called an alternative energy source compared to carbon-hungry fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel. If this technology is to thrive it will require growth of hydrogen fueling stations.

This Burgman Fuel Cell Scooter is fueled by a cylinder of hydrogen, which reacts with oxygen in the air to produce electricity and water. A lithium-ion battery and fuel cell provide the vehicle’s power and the only gas emitted through the exhaust is water vapor.

Unlike other fuel cell vehicles, the battery does not need recharging. It can recharge itself when accelerating or decelerating and continues to produce power as long as it has hydrogen and oxygen. This Burgman has a 220 mile distance on a single tank of hydrogen.

Reaching 384 million people

Published February 4, 2010 Computer , blogs , cell phones , commentary , communication , internet , technology Leave a Comment
Tags: , ,

A recent article about China and Google mentioned how well controlled the Internet is in China, but don’t forget that the market is huge. I love the Chinese people and if you want to reach a lot of people … could this be your market? China has an estimate 384 million Internet users and a huge cell market.  Hello China! 

china China’s government aggressively promotes Internet use for business and education, but tries to block access to material deemed “subversive” or pornographic. I wish the US blocked porno.

Google made news and caused an outcry among Chinese internet users when it announced thisit might pull out of China over censorship and e-mail hacking. I’m still waiting to see if hardball works.

Accept Credit Cards Everywhere

Published February 2, 2010 Software , blogs , cell phones , commentary , communication , technology 1 Comment
Tags: , , , ,

 

Square is a new innovative company that that will let the iPhone and iPod touch (and eventually other mobile devices) handle real-world remote credit card transactions.  The square device  works via a small application and divice that plugs into the headphone jack resulting in swipe-able credit card transactions. Square was founded by the man created by Twitter, Jack Dorsey.

 

It’s cool just how fast Square works for transactions. Simply amazing! One can also sign the card with a finger on the screen. Plus one can get receipts via email.

If you have been in an Apple store you have seen this type of credit card transaction.  Square wants to being it to the masses.l

I think that this will revolutionize transactions and I want mine now.

###

 

Next Page »

MediaSlap Blog is Featured in Alltop

Our web sites:

Radio, TV, Web, Corporate Production
Digital File Delivery with Confirmation
Internet Hosting/Design, Problem Solving


Twitter Updates

Llnks

© 2009 mediaslap.soundworks.com
You have permission to publish any complete article as long as credit is given for the source and a link to this blog is provided. You are welcome to submit an article to this blog, please contact Dwight Cook dcook at soundworks dot com.

Pages

 

March 2010
M T W T F S S
« Feb    
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031  

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.