Computers Can Be Your Friend http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog Helpful Hints from Rodman Library Thu, 03 May 2012 17:46:54 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 Gmail Translation http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=386 http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=386#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 17:46:31 +0000 smaze http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=386 Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols in his ZDNet.com Networking blog reported that “Google brings automatic e-mail translation to Gmail“.  To quote Steven’s summary, “Google Translate takes the next step: You’ll soon be able to write e-mail in your language and have it arrive to a friend or co-worker’s e-mail box in their language”.

I wish that technology was available when I was in college and had to spend hours translating materials.  To obtain more information about Gmail Translation, please visit the Gmail help topic, “Message translation“.

-Steve

]]> http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=386 0 Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=375 http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=375#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:03:13 +0000 smaze http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=375 If you have family members that like to read before going to bed, you might want to try the new Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight.  I know many individuals with e-readers and the lack of a backlight is a legitimate complaint.  One friend already solved the lack of a backlight issue by purchasing a case with light.  If you are looking for a basic e-reader, you may want to view the B & N Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight reviews at PCWorld and CNET.

-Steve

]]> http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=375 0 Facebook Trying To Trademark The Word “Book” http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=369 http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=369#comments Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:49:24 +0000 smaze http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=369 When I stumbled upon Dara Ker’s CNET.com article, “Facebook users beware: Don’t use the word ‘Book’ “, I had a hard time believing the article was legit.  CNET.com is a great site, has been around since the mid 90s and employees very knowledgeable staff members so I approached this article with an open mind.  Following Ker’s link to Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities Updates, I did notice a link to view a PDF of “Tracked changes“.  Section five “Protecting Other People’s Rights”, number 6 states “You will not use our copyrights or trademarks (including Facebook, the Facebook and F Logos, FB, Face, Poke, Book and Wall and 32665), or any confusingly similar marks, except as expressly by our Brand Usage Guidelines or without or prior written permission“.  Folks, the information in this article looks legit.  If it was April 1st, I might enjoy the news more but in the meantime, I hope Facebook does not trademark the word “Book”.

-Steve

]]> http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=369 0 Best Free Software of 2012 http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=360 http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=360#comments Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:13:17 +0000 smaze http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=360 PCMag just released their new list of “The Best Free Software of 2012“. With 273 entries, I think everyone should be able to find some great free software.

-Steve

]]> http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=360 0 Tablets In The News http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=355 http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=355#comments Fri, 09 Mar 2012 19:30:01 +0000 smaze http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=355 There are many tablets available for purchase.  Some are terrible and some like the new iPad are great.  Apple is definitely developing and selling the most cutting edge tablets.  If you don’t believe me, look at Apple’s specifications for the new iPad.  In case you did not read the specs, imagine the display quality when you can experience “2048-by-1536-pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch (ppi)”.   It is too bad they did not include an HDMI output so you could easily connect the iPad to an HDTV without having to purchase a $39 adapter.  This new tablet with state of the art technology will cost you at least $499.

If you do not want to spend $499+ and are willing to sacrifice some state of the art technology, you might want to wait a few months before buying a tablet.  Highlights from one of the recent tech shows showcased the new Asus Memo 370T.  This tablet has potential to be a great and cheaper alternative to the iPad.  We will have to wait and see the actual test results of the new Asus MeMo 370T once it is released to the public to see if it is deserving of the hype.  In the meantime, check out the “Asus MeMo 370T: The 7-Inch, Quad-Core, $250 Dream Tablet” article that appeared in Time Techland.  Make sure you read the author’s comments about battery life.

Another item that has been in the news lately is the future Google tablet.  Rumors state that this tablet is supposed to revolution the tablet industry with state of the art technology.  With prices supposedly starting at $199, we will have to wait and see the quality of this unit.

A final option that has been is the news lately is to purchase a used or refurbished iPad.  You can purchase a refurbished iPad directly from Apple.  Refurbished iPads have a 1 year warranty.  If you do not mind using “older technology” that stills outperforms most current tablets, check out that option and save yourself some money with models starting at $299.

-Steve

]]> http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=355 0 Free Video Game Rental http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=351 http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=351#comments Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:05:20 +0000 smaze http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=351 Redbox is offering a free video game rental for one day until 3/1/2012.  Please visit their website for details.  It looks like PS3, Wii, and XBOX360 games are included.  Newer games such as Super Mario Bros. Wii, Twisted Metal (PS3) and UFC Undisputed 3 (PS3 and XBOX) appear to be included in this deal.  There are several Redbox locations in Alliance.  Have fun.

-Steve

]]> http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=351 0 Great Online Photo Editor http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=345 http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=345#comments Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:53:56 +0000 smaze http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=345 While looking for new software to include in my Free Alternatives to Expensive Software Class, I stumbled upon Pixlr Editor.  This site application allows users to edit images completely online by using Adobe Flash.  The user interface is clean and resembles an older version of Adobe Photoshop Elements.  You can save edited images locally or to a selection of online sites including imm.io, Pixlr library, Facebook, Flickr and Picasa.  In case you are wondering about privacy, Pixlr states “From Flash 10 and later, images are opened direct and local in your browser (i.e we don’t see them in any way and they don’t leave your computer).  Files that are posted to us via the API or our add-ons are automatically deleted from our servers after 5 minutes”.

-Steve

]]> http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=345 0 Antiphishing Standards http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=342 http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=342#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:50:29 +0000 smaze http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=342 Wikipedia defines phishing as “a way of attempting to acquire information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication”.  Many individuals fall for phishing schemes.  I’ve seen some good phishing schemes and at first glance, they appear to be legit.  Realizing the impact of phishing schemes on individuals and businesses, some “major” companies have joined forces to help combat phishing by forming DMARC.org.  According to the DMARC website, “DMARC, which stands for “Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance”, is a technical specification created by a group of organizations that want to help reduce the potential for email-based abuse”.  It helps “email senders and receivers work together to better secure emails, protecting users and brands from painfully costly abuse”.  The list of companies involved in this project is impressive.  It is not too often we see “major” competitors like Microsoft, Google, Yahoo! and facebook working together to solve a common problem.  I hope their standards will be implemented quickly so email abuse can be diminished.

-Steve

]]> http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=342 0 Facebook and the Federal Trade Commission http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=336 http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=336#comments Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:34:54 +0000 smaze http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=336 Facebook just settled their case with the Federal Trade Commission. You can and should read the Federal Trade Commission’s news release, “Facebook Settles FTC Charges That It Deceived Consumers By Failing To Keep Privacy Promises“.  Hopefully after this settlement, individuals will be more careful about what they post online and businesses will be held more accountable for maintaining privacy standards.

-Steve

]]> http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=336 0 Shopping Advice http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=326 http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=326#comments Fri, 25 Nov 2011 20:42:30 +0000 smaze http://www.rodmanlibrary.com/blog/?p=326 I’ve been asked several times from individuals for advice about what to buy for Christmas.  This year I am getting a lot of questions about e-readers. No matter what the individual is shopping for, I usually ask them:

  1. What are your needs?
  2. What is your budget?
  3. Have you read any reviews?

You should think about your answers to those three questions before purchasing different technologies.  As smartphones, e-readers, tables and pcs become more similar in capabilities, it gets more complicated deciding on what type of device to purchase.  Reading reviews will provide good advice and help you with your shopping so do not forget to check PC World, ZDNet, and Consumer Reports.

-Steve

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