Life & Tech

Have been trying out different online storage services - my favorite by far is Sugarsync. The desktop software is very intuitive. If you have more than one PC/laptop, you will appreciate the ability to sync multiple computers as well as online off-site storage. It’s not free but well worth it. Highly recommended.

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.

Grandcentral.com lets you select and give out one number that will ring to your mobile, home, and even Gizmo SIP. Plus you can screen your call (listen while the caller left voicemail), and even record the call impromptu. Check messages via email and web. Clean interface and easy to use. Free right now while in beta.

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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A good and free web statistic counter site (to see how many people visited your site) is www.statcounter.com. You can create ‘invisible’ (or visible) counter code that embedded into your html. Get start by going to the site and sign in for a free account. Then create a project and follow the instruction to create the html codes. (Pretty much select all of the default values but pick the look-and-feel of the counter you want.)
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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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Fast synchronization of photos (for now…will allow synchronization of calendar and address book contacts). http://www.sharpcast.com (PC)

This is what IBM Research thinks will emerge as major technology trends during the next 3-5 years. (See articles on CNET news article):

1. Silicon Manufacturing– Moore’s Law will prevail for at least 10 more years (chips performance doubles every 18 months)
2. Sensors — e.g. RFID, Wireless, GPS and others
3. Application Processors — Application-specific accelerator chips
4. Everyone is a programmer — Ad hoc applications via better tools
5. Services 2.0 — It’s about service

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

Seven key fundamentals that is driving toward disruptive changes in technology:

1. Storage - The price is dropping and the size is increasing. Another trend is free on-line large storage (Google claims to give you ‘infinite’, its Gmail started out at 2GB and now it’s up to 2.7GB). Google is also planning on offering infinite drive once the bandwidth support it. Keep all your data on-line with Google.

2. Bandwidth - Again, the rate is going up and price is going down. For the first time DSL growth exceed Cable Broadband. The more broadband, the more connected we are.

3. Wireless - From EV-DO, EDGE, HSPDA, WiMax - not only ubiquitous access, but also very high speed. The price will be coming down in a few years.

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Tips from pros and from Nikon School of Photography (worth the investment, it’s about $90 or so.)

1. Hold the camera still — use view-finder instead of LCD screen if possible (to minimize arms movement). Locked your elbows. Brace yourself against the wall (or tree).

2. Focus carefully - treat “auto focus” as more of an “instant focus”, make sure your subject is clearly in focus.

3. Three Golden rules: 1) Get up close –eliminate clutter by going as close to the subject as possible, 2) Use the sidelight and not flash; 3) Take lots of pictures.

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1. LifeVenture Folding Utensil

2. Freedom Photo Micro flash light

3. Flash Memory

4. LifeVenture Mirror

5. Carabiner Key Chains

1. Don’t just delete the photo files, use reformat function on your camera (since there are some hidden left-over files if you just delete). Also check the uploaded photos before deleting the memory card. Make two back-up copies on DVD/CDs.

2. Never edit a JPEG file and re-saved, the image will deterioriate more. Save as tiff if you plan to edit later.

3. One of the best photo management software is free: picasa from Google (only for PC).

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