My Mobile Blog

Do you want to be able to post from your iPhone or other mobile devices to your blog on Blogger? It's good to set this up because sometimes you just want to jot down the one great thought happened to run through your mind at one moment.

The steps to set this up are very easy. So try to follow now:

1. First send an SMS with the word 'REGISTER' to BLOGGR (256447).
2. We'll reply with the address of your new mobile blog, plus a claim code.
3. Post to your new mobile blog, or choose to link to your existing blog.
4. Text STOP to BLOGGR (256447)if you want to opt out of receiving SMS messages to your phone.
5. To get help from your mobile device, text HELP to BLOGGR (256447)
6. To unlink your device from Blogger, text UNREGISTER to BLOGGR (256447).
7. Sending text messages to BLOGGR (256447) is currently available for US phone numbers only.

Blogger Mobile works with any device that can send texts via SMS, or email via MMS.

Zamzar file converter

Zamzar is a free product which supports conversion between a wide variety of different file formats.  It is very easy to use.  All you need to do is to go through 3 steps on the main page of the site to get your task done.

After you have browsed for your file to convert and have chosen a desired format, you will be receiving an email in your Inbox wherever you choose.  In your email, you will find a link for you to download the converted file. If there's any problem with the conversion, it will give you a message, and the Zamzar support team will look at it automatically.  The entire process is short and sweet.  

Click on a category to see details of our conversion support:

• Document formats
• Image formats
• Music formats
• Video formats
• E-Book formats
• Compressed formats
• CAD formats

There is also an option that you can pay to get an online storage up to 100GB and the ability to convert bigger files, and have faster file conversions. Plans varies from $7-$49 per month.

TwitterFeed.com connects to Facebook & Twitter

I've been testing TwitterFeed this morning, and it takes about 2 hours and more for the post to appear in my Facebook and Twitter accounts! I thought it's supposed to sync faster!?  But it works!!So I am a happy camper now.

TwitterFeed.com can deliver your blog posts to Facebook or Twitter, letting you obtain more visibility for your blog. All you need is to create a free account on Twitterfeed.com, and provide your favorite blog names (and your own) and the RSS feed addresses to syndicate posts as they are being published.  You will also need to authenticate your social networking accounts to create services.

The setup process is really easy, so take ssome time to try this out!  Happy blogging!

Studystack.com - Learning Makes Fun!

What you are looking at below is just one of the many games you can play with learning.  on Studystack.com, the instructor needs only to set up a set of questions and answers, and students can go online to learn by playing.  The site offers free accounts for instructors, and 13 different kinds of games for learning recall.  They include traditional quizzes, tests, flashscards, crossword puzzles, study tables in addition to learning games like hangman, bug match, hungry bugs and target.


More scrambled words at StudyStack.com

Edit Google Docs On-the-Go

Google has come up with a better mobile version for your iPad, iPhone and Android to allow you edit on-the-go.  Whenever you are, on a train or at a stadium, and you need to wrap up the proposal for tomorrow's meeting, you can do it now with Google's mobile app.  You can edit your existing spreadsheets or documents, or to create new ones. You can also go to the Desktop version if you like by simply choosing the Desktop link.

Steps:

1. Login to http://docs.google.com
2. Select your document to edit
3. Click the EDIT button

View this video:

Other Resources 

Edit Spreadsheet -List Filter
http://googledocs.blogspot.com/2009/02/add-edit-sort-and-filter-improved.html

JoinMe- a free meeting app for your mobile device?

Here is one free app at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February this year - join.me, which allows for online meeting, chats, file transfer, remote control, and screen sharing sessions anywhere over 3G and WiFi connection. The Software developer LogMeIn has launched this version for mobile iOS devices including iPhone and iPads.

Online meetings can support up to 250 participants, and there's no limits for meetings. Users do not have to register, but simply enter a one-time auto-generated code to enter session. There is nothing to install or download.  If desired for frequent faster connection, you can opt to install the joinme app on your desktop, but it's an option.

There are a premium plan which supports more than 250 participants along with meeting scheduler and monitoring, background customization and more features.

Check out the iOS version: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/join-me/id409811927?mt=8

Just catching up with PSE 9.0 review from an expert

Author Lesa Snider is the chief evangelist of iStockphoto.com, is the author of Photoshop CS5: The Missing Manual (Pogue Press/O’Reilly) and the Kelby Training video titles Photoshop Elements 8 for Digital Photographers and Practical Photoshop Elements.

Here is a her very thorough review by of the new features, including some pros and cons, of Adobe's Photoshop Elements 9.0.

http://www.macworld.com/article/154370/2010/09/photoshop_elements_9_review.html

Looking for Office Suites? QuickOffice or Documents To Go

These are two apps that my colleagues have made reference to as a production tools for editing documents on the iPhone and iPad. Price - QuickOffice is $14.99 (ipad) and Document To Go is $9.99 (lite) and $16.99 (premium) (ipad and iphone).  The apps are very similar, not 100% perfect in either, but seems like they are both very good tools to consider. 

In a nutshell, the interface is a little friendlier-looking with QuickOffice, but Documents To Go seems to be more space-efficient.  QuickOffice allows drag-and-drop transfer of files to and from your iPad over Wi-Fi without actually connect to the computer.  Documents To Go provides file sharing between device and computer via USB cable.  In case you want to save your document and email it to your colleague immediately, Documents To Go does not have any email function, but QuickOffice does allow for that.

More resources:

http://www.tuaw.com/2010/09/16/tuaw-app-shootout-comparing-quickoffice-and-documents-to-go/

http://gigaom.com/apple/ipad-office-suites-quickoffice-or-documents-to-go/

http://gigaom.com/apple/iphone-doc-editing-documents-to-go-vs-quickoffice-pro/

Research on Usability of iPad in Academia

Many schools and colleges have been carrying out research with the iPad.  Educators want to see if this 'consumer product' can also become a productive tool in education, lending new horizons for students.  I'd like to share articles of iPad study on my blog so we can follow the trend and see how the technology will evolve while new needs are being revealed continuously.

Article:  COEHS Faculty Explores iPad Use (Western Illinois University's College of Education and Human Services)

Printing from iPad, iPhone - An article to share

Here are some suggestion if you are interested in printing remotely from your iPhone or iPad.  It's a 'wish-list' feature that some people are watching.  Apple's AirPrint for now only prints to certain models of HP, but as suggested from the article, try Google's Cloud Print.  "Justin Yu, an associate editor at CNet, a technology Web site, recommended a few models at varying prices: the multifunction Canon Pixma MX870 (about $150), Epson’s Workforce 520 ($90) or H.P.’s Officejet 6500A ($75)."  is another venue to check out. 

I would just remind everybody to access the printing cost for ink and estimate the volume of printing before deciding on the model to buy.  Inks are so expensive, and I totally feel for that.  A lot of times, I'd rather go to Costco or Walgreens for print jobs when they have print specials and it's much cheaper than ordering new inks for a project.

Article: 
"Printers adapt to the Web" by Eric Taub, New York Times, February 2, 2011

Which hand should I hold the baton in?

Which hand should I hold the baton in?

Without the help of an iPad, watch this show filled with sheer enthusiasm and originality. Bravo!
Parents- are you going to give your kid a baton or an iPad if you have the choice?   I will definitely give him a baton :-)

Top Innovation of 2010

My friend sent me this link from CNN news...

http://ht.cdn.turner.com/cnn/big/tech/2010/12/24/2010.top.ten.innovations.cnn.ipad.qtref.mov

An 'iChristmas Concert' - performed with iPads and iPhones

Can you imagine if we don't need instruments any more in the next decade to have an orchestra sitting only with their ipads?  Gee- such as revolutionary concept! yet soon to be realized in the next generation or sooner.  No wonder Apple's stock price has rocketed high, and analysts have forecast a upcoming close to $500s.  What do YOU think?

Free alternative to Clickers

I just read about Dian Schaffhaiser's article in Campus Technology on using a web 2.0 application which takes poll from everywhere free up to 30 responses per question. Check this out - www.polleverywhere.com.

Users can text from their phones or go online to vote, and instantaneously, the results of the poll is displayed and charted. There are three types of polls you can create:

1. multiple choice - give voters choices to vote on, and display results on a chart
2. free text - allow voters to text in any information such as feedback or identification information
3. goal poll - allow voters to text in numbers and a thermometer will display results.  This is good for pledging and fundraising towards a goal.

Upgrade is available for polling more than 30 participants.  Of course, the different plans will offer more control for you to identify and monitor voting process. 

Here's an example of a choice poll I have created, and that I am embedding it in a webpage. I can also embed this to facebook and twitter, or share it via an email.  The coolest thing now is the new feature!!! Check this out -  http://blog.polleverywhere.com/tag/newfeatures to see how you can have your audiences sync to whatever polls you are looking at during your presentation and let them vote instantly.

Make a live audience poll at Poll Everywhere

Google voice is cool!

Cut down on your international call bill, and get a number that rings all your phone. These are all free! Get google voice today.

Accessibility issues with new emerging technology

When the iPad first came out, I am interested to see how this tool can be introduced to seniors who have sight- impairment and are intimated by technologyies.  Thus, I ecnourage my seventy-five-year-old dad to play with it.

The first thing I noticed that was working is how the font size can be 'stretched' out to allow better readability on the screen.  Although it's almost a 'take-for granted' feature for current users of iPhone, iTouch, and iPad, it is something that I see can impact further for many other user sectors.

Senior citizens, like my dad, can absolutely benefit from this application capability to continue his daily interest in pharmaceutical and healthcare.

Here's an article I dawn on: [Campus Technology, dated July 7]http://campustechnology.com/articles/2010/06/29/department-of-ed-lays-down-law-on-kindle-e-reader-usage.aspx

Controversial indeed.  iPad's arrival sets the trends for future e-Readers, at the same time, also urging Kindle and similar products to get better at the competition. In academia, I believe that all technologies would be improved and be equally accessible by all students in the long run.  We will see...

Project Natal - the Technology in 10 years? or sooner?

Have you thought of what technology will become in the next 5 years, or next 10 years? Guess! Some human brains are amazing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYYonyqHIoc&feature=related

Google Docs is cool!

Demo on Google Docs
 

I am creating this document using Google Docs, which is an online freeware from Google.

 

You can create documents that can be downloaded as .doc, pdf, rtf, html and other formats. You can use this for word processing, slideshows, spreadsheets and online forms, and share with your friends through a link, web page or as an attachment to an email. Also, you can also roll-back to any previous versions of the document as needed. I can publish this document on the web as a link, and have set up to post it to my technology blog automatically from Google Docs. 怡

Watch 'Google Docs in Plain English' video

 

How to Add a Share button on your blog or web page

I dawn on Sharethis.com and find an easy solution to add various social networking logos on your web page or blog in order to quickly share your content with your friends.  This is how it works:

1. Simply login to Sharethis.com
2. Register as a new user and enter your information.
3. Click the 'Get the button for this site' link and follow the wizard.
4. After you have customized the ordering of your buttons, click the 'Get the code' button.
5. Copy and paste the code into the template for your website. Make sure you paste between the tags within your code.

 Try now and click on the below ShareThis button.

Flip Videos -Fun and Affordable Video Camcorder

Flip Video is a hip, sleek, light-weight, pocket-size digital video camera with built-in mic and a 2x zoom. It makes video capturing so easy that a third-grader can probably use it without much instruction. All you need to do is to push a button to start/stop recording, plug it into your computer via a USB port and download or upload your movie to the web on the fly. It's great for youTube fans or students who simply need to videotape a lecture. The videos are of good quality and can be shared as email or online. Using their Flip software, you can capture photos from your video and add music to your movie.

Flip has come down in price. You can get a second-generation Flip Ultra Camcorder 120 minutes for a 4GB storage is as low as $149.00, a designable 60 minutes 2 GB Flip Mino is only $179.00. A Flip Ultra HD with a 8GB 120 mins is $199.00 and a designable Mino HD 4GB 60 mins is $229.00.

Other Reviews:
Amazing TechProducts review on Flip Ultra
Computerworld Review on Flip Video