Life & Tech

Instead of viewing the PDF files on your PC or Mac using Adobe Acrobat (which can be very slow), view it online using PdfMeNot. It even allows you to embed a pdf page on your website.

Jott has been expanding it’s functionality with integration to other online services (via Jott’s Links). Three outstanding must have services:
1. Google Calendar: Call Jott and it will place your appointment into your Google Calendar
2. Xpenser.com tracks your expenses, again call Jott and it will add your expense to Xpenser
3. Jott to Twitter/Jaiku (and other blogging platforms: Blogger, Tumblr, WordPress, TypePad)

First collection of useful web tools that I use everyday. Ranging from Gmail to FreeConferenceCall. These are great productivities tool for small business.

Jott will transcribe your voice message into email. Set up an account with Jott, add your contact’s email address. Dial Jott (toll free), say your contact’s name, leave a message up to 30 seconds. Jott will transcribe your voicemail into text and emailed it to your contact. The service is currently free and under beta.

by Linda Ellis

A very inspirational poem

http://www.thedashmovie.com/linda/

Ever tried to help a friend or family troubleshoot PC problems via the phone? Next time, use www.crossloop.com to supplement. It’s a free PC program that will allow you to see and control the remote PC securely and easily.

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There are several sites on-line for photo sharing (www.flckr.com, www.yahoo.com, etc.) But for a quick set up, www.bubbleshare.com is probably one of the easiest to set up. You don’t even have to create an account.
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Very good twelve principles from Professor Solomon book and web site:

1. Don’t Look for It - until you have some ideas where to look
2. It’s Not Lost—You Are - there are no missing objects — only unsystematic searchers.
3. Remember the Three C’s - Comfort, Calmness, and Confidence
4. It’s Where It’s Supposed to Be
5. Domestic Drift - where did you last have it?
6. You’re Looking Right at It - look again - calmly
7. The Camouflage Effect - under, hidden, behind, covered
8. Think Back
9. Look Once, Look Well - search thoroughly so you won’t have to keep coming back
10. The Eureka Zone - Immediate vicinity/Eigtheen inches zone
11. Tail Thyself
12. It Wasn’t You - someone else took it

The Final Words from the Professor: Remember, lost objects can be found. They want to be found. And they will be found—by SYSTEMATIC SEARCHERS.

Now you can pay via your mobile phone. This is a similar service to Textpayme. Use it for paying your share of dinner, movie, collecting fees, send money to family, etc. This is great when you don’t have any cash with you.

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By Andrew Hill with Coach John Wooden

Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming. - John Wooden, Head Basketball Coach, UCLA
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By Cheryl Costello-Forshey

The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read
Beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree.
Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown,
For the world was intent on dragging me down.
And if that weren’t enough to ruin my day,
A young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play.
He stood right before me with his head tilted down
And said with great excitement, “Look what I found!”

In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight,
With its petals all worn - not enough rain, or too little light.
Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play,
I faked a small smile and then shifted away.
But instead of retreating he sat next to my side
And placed the flower to his nose
And declared with overacted surprise,
“It sure smells pretty and it’s beautiful, too.
That’s why I picked it; here, it’s for you.”

The weed before me was dying or dead.
Not vibrant of colors: orange, yellow or red.
But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave.
So I reached for the flower, and replied, “Just what I need.”

But instead of him placing the flower in my hand,
He held it mid-air without reason or plan.
It was then that I noticed for the very first time
That weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind.
I heard my voice quiver; tears shone in the sun
As I thanked him for picking the very best one.

You’re welcome,” he smiled, and then ran off to play,
Unaware of the impact he’d had on my day.
I sat there and wondered how he managed to see
A self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree.
How did he know of my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps from his heart, he’d been blessed with true sight.

Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see
The problem was not with the world; the problem was me.
And for all of those times I myself had been blind,
I vowed to see the beauty in life,
And appreciate every second that’s mine.
And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose
And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose
And smiled as I watched that young boy,
Another weed in his hand,
About to change the life of an unsuspecting old man.

- by Cheryl Costello-Forshey

by Mitch Albom

The tension of opposites: “Life is a series of pulls back and forth. You want to do one thing, but you are bound to do something else. Something hurts you, yet you know it shouldn’t. You take certain things for granted, even when you know you should never take anything for granted…”

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finance.google.com

A strong competitor to Yahoo Finance. The page is well-designed with relevant information. The daily stock chart has a notation indicating ‘event’ that was happening during the day (i.e. how it may impact the rise and fall of the stock price). You can drag on the chart to go forward/backward.

ptech.wsj.com

Excellent weekly column in the Wall Street Journal about computers, software, and other personal technology. You don’t need to be a WSJ subscriber to read the column and the archives. Here are some samples:

• How to Protect Yourself From Vandals, Viruses If You Use Windows
• What PC to Buy If You Are Planning On a Vista Upgrade
• MacBook Pro Offers Promising Start to Era of Intel-Powered Apple

Instead of paying $0.75-$1 to phone company to use their 411, try the following toll-free. They are sponsored by a short ad, you have to listen to about 10-15 seconds. Over time can save you a bundle:

• 1-800-FREE-411 (1-800-373-3411
• 1-800-411-METRO (1-800-411-6387)