Tag Archives: ipad

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FAVE OFFICE: The ultimate dual screen set up that works for both home and mobile offices

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For those who don’t know, I’m a gadget geek. That’s my sweet spot. I love bright, shiny objects. If I could have bluetooth installed somewhere on my person, I would. What? Who said that?

I’ve been on a quest to create the perfect work environment both in the office and when I’m mobile. In my line of work having dual monitors is essential (and not just because it looks cool). Setting up a dual screen in the office is no problem. In fact, I’ve had many (MANY) dual screen set ups and they’ve all functioned well. But, it’s not a set up I can pick up and easily move. That means when I’m outside the office (which is a lot), I feel like I’ve lost my best friend.

No more sad trombones for this gal. I have discovered the perfect set up (for me). It works in the office and I can take it with me wherever I go. What is this magical dual screen recipe of goodness you ask? I’ll share it with you, my fabulous faves readers.

Here’s what you need:

  • Laptop or desktop (if you want to be mobile, go for the laptop)
  • iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch
  • If you’re using an iPad, I highly recommend the Twelve South Hover Bar ($79.99) for display. If you’re using an iPhone or iPod Touch, get a stand to put next to your computer.
  • Air Display for Mac or Windows
  • Air Display for iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch ($9.99) NOTE: You can also use Air Display to connect two Macs or one Mac and one PC.
  • Wireless access

My current setup looks like the photo above. My MacBook Pro is set up next to my iPad which is attached to the side of a desk (but it could attach to any table, really) via the Hover Bar. It took all of five minutes to set up. If I need to get up and go, takedown is about 10 minutes, but only because I need to pack my preciouses in protective gear. (You may notice an Apple bluetooth keyboard near the iPad, but it’s not in use during this set up.)

Using the iPad as my second screen I typically keep my email, calendar and Tweetdeck open at any given time. I also use my second screen it if I need to Skype and want to keep my main desktop free to use. I can easily drag and drop between screens, making my workflow more efficient. Oh yah!

By the way, if your office workstation includes an iMac you can actually attach the Hover Bar to the side of the iMac, making your second screen extremely easy to maneuver and use.

 FYI: I am in now way compensated or affiliated with Twelve South or the makers of Air Display. I’m merely an excited geek who wants to share her gadgetry with the masses.

Fave Social Media Fave Weekly Recap

FAVE RECAP: 6 things you need to know about tech and social this week

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Time for your FAVE recap and mine… It’s what’s hot in tech and social.

Listen, I know you’re busy. When I first started this blog I considered making the tagline, “Putting in the man hours so you don’t have to.” I enjoy doing this research and I want to make it as easy as possible for you to always be in-the-know on all things social. If you read nothing else this week, this run down will keep your social and tech IQ above the rest. Rest easy, busy one, I’ve got your back.

Go ahead and copy and paste your favorite links and send them to your boss, co-workers, peers. They’ll remember (in case they forgot) what a rockstar you are. (Or you can always forward a copy of this post.)

 

  1. LoopInsight reports that Apple’s new iPhoto for iOS has hit 1 million users in the 10 days from its launch
  2. Justin Bieber is the first Instagram user to reach 1 million followers. Never say never Beliebers.
  3. Hipstamatic and Instagram team up for photo sharing.
  4. Apple sells 3 MILLION new iPads in less than four days
  5. Facebook and Twitter aren’t a major source of traffic for news websites says the State of the News Media 2012.
  6. Twitter says it has 140 million users pumping out 340 million tweets perday, celebrates its sixth birthday and launches Promoted Tweets to mobile users.



By the by, I still have two giveaways going on. You can win a new iPad or three pairs of Warby Parker glasses.

photo credit: ~Ilse via photopin cc

Fave HOW TO

FAVE HOW TO: Generate stronger #passwords and protect your online identity

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Are usernames and passwords the bane of your existence? I empathize. As someone who has close to 19,309 online accounts (yes, I’m exaggerating) it’s tough to manage them all. But, online privacy is no joke. You probably store a lot of personal stuff on the interwebz and it needs to be protected.

One way to help protect your online safety is to create the most secure passwords possible. How do you do it? Use a free tool like Strong Password Generator to do the dirty work for you. It allows you to include symbols and create passwords up to 30 characters long. Take that sneaky web villains!

What do you do once you create this hard to remember password? You should probably store it someplace safe. Create a password protected shared file on your computer and smartphone (I know, another password) or download an app for your smartphone or iPad.  Here’s a list of the best password keeping apps for your iPad.

Here’s your checklist for creating the ultimate strong password (borrowed from Strong Password Generator) :

  • At least 15 characters
  • Uppercase letters
  • Lowercase letters
  • Update your passwords every couple of months
  • Numbers
  • Symbols, such as ` ! " ? $ ? % ^ & * ( ) _ - + = { [ } ] : ; @ ' ~ # | \ < , > . ? /
  • Is not like your previous password
  • Is not your name
  • Is not your login
  • Is not your spouse’s name
  • Is not a common name.

What are you waiting for? Go update those passwords.

Oh, and “one more thing,”

If you think you’ve become a victim of identity theft or fraud, act immediately to minimize the damage to your personal funds and financial accounts, as well as your reputation. Here’s a list — based in part on a checklist prepared by the California Public Interest Research Group (CalPIRG) and the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse – of some actions that you should take right away:

1. Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report the situation, whether Online,

2. By telephone toll-free at 1-877-ID THEFT (877-438-4338) or TDD at 202-326-2502, or

3. By mail to Consumer Response Center, FTC, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580.

photo credit: Simon Lieschke via photopin cc

Faves

FAVE CONFESSION: I can’t keep my devices charged

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I need your help. Try as I may, I constantly run out of juice. No, not cranberry or orange…the kind that powers my digital devices. As I write this post on my iPhone it’s at 7% because the truth is my little guy is napping on me (nowhere near an outlet).

It’s to the point when I’m traveling my family just expects to not reach me on my phone until I’m in my hotel room (usually at night).

I keep chargers in key locations like the office, living room, bedroom and car and charge when possible.

I’ve purchased almost every back up battery and mobile charging accessory the Brookstone gods offer. (Problem is most of them need to be charged, too.) I own a PlugBug to cut down on the number of chargers I need and have multiple docking stations attached to my iMac.

I’m on my phone, computer and laptop A LOT.

Is there a better way to keep a charge without being tethered to a single spot or outlet? Do you have a magic fix all, advice or product that works for you?

Yours Truly,

Juiceless in Chicago

Fave Apps

FAVE iPHONE APP: Emoji (emoticons)

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“OMG! How did you do that?” As much as I’d like to keep my mom and dad thinking I actually invent these things, I thought I’d share the info with you. Emoticons are not only cool and fun (that’s right, I think they’re cool), they’re also space and time savers when texting. If you install the Emoji Free! app on your iOS devices you can add symbols almost anywhere where text is allowed.

The only downside is that non-iOS users (yes, they exist) cannot see them. I didn’t discover this until my husband asked me why I kept sending him weird symbols all day. Of course I had a little fun with him and said, “You mean you’re not familiar with text symbol language?” Yep.

Here are the steps you’ll need to make the Emoji app work with your iPhone (and/or iPad–I have it on both):

  1. Download the free app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/emoji-free!/id332509635?mt=8
  2. Go to settings –> general –> keyboard –> international keyboards –> add new keyboard
  3. Select the keyboard titled “Emoji”
  4. To use the emoticons select the new “globe” button that should appear to the left of your space bar

A word of caution–these emoticons will become your new bright, shiny object. Prepare to craft sentences to ensure you have to use as many emoticons as possible all the while thoroughly annoying your friends and family. Have fun!

Have a fave you think I should feature? Send your submission to prsarahevans [at] gmail.com.

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