Joe Said So

Need More Tech Support at Your Nonprofit Org? Try Looking Within.

2011-08-22T11:08:00.000-04:00

Understaffed? Overwhelmed? If your nonprofit's IT department can't keep up - and expansion is not an option - you may want to enlist the support of tech-savvy employees from other departments at your organization. By creating a team of technology liaisons, you can save money, cultivate internal talent, and extend your reach.

As the Director of Communications and Technology at QSAC, an agency that provides services to people with autism in New York, I understand the financial challenges of operating a nonprofit organization in today's economic climate. Budgetary restraints often require management to get creative. Last year, I was faced with the daunting task of migrating QSAC's one thousand employees (at twenty work sites) from Microsoft Exchange to Google Apps. At the time, our technology department consisted of myself and a part-time IT consultant. After a rocky initial phase, it was clear that we were not adequately staffed to accommodate the concerns of the employees throughout the transition. Frustrations mounted and I was desperate to find a solution.

I decided to seek out the most tech-savvy person in each department and form a team of technology liaisons. The plan was to focus my energy on training this core group of people who would then provide support to staff at their own work sites - and thankfully, it worked. The liaisons assisted throughout the Google Apps migration and helped to ensure a seamless transition.

I now meet with our technology liaisons on a monthly basis to train them on any new tech being introduced at the agency before it is implemented. Afterwards, they return to their departments and disseminate the information. By providing a couple of hours of training per month, I am able to keep the entire agency up to speed.

In the end, everybody wins...

Benefits to IT Department:

Allies: Your technology department will have internal support the next time a new system is implemented
Competency: Your current employees know your organization better than any external firm or new hire
Less interruption: Rather than providing low level support, your IT department will be freed up to focus on leadership and strategy

Benefits to the Technology Liaisons:

Growth: Employees have an opportunity to demonstrate leadership qualities
First dibs: Tech liaisons often get to play with new technologies before they are implemented

Benefits to Staff:

Comfort: When employees need support, familiar faces are often less intimidating than a helpdesk
Accessibility: On-site tech support is faster and more convenient than seeking remote help

Benefits to Organization:

Efficiency: Technology becomes further integrated into daily operations
Evolution: Consistent dialog with employees leads to collaboration
$$$: Money can be allocated to what really matters - carrying out the mission of the organization

While this post might be geared towards larger nonprofit organizations, the concept may also apply to corporations and smaller orgs. The idea is to look within, identify available resources, and see what's possible!

Phone Calls: The New 'Dropping in Unexpected'?

2011-01-22T15:12:00.001-05:00

I know I'm probably going to get a lot of flak for this but here goes...

Maybe I'm not rude for ignoring your impromptu phone call. Maybe you're rude for thinking I'm rude for not answering.

Let me explain.

I have a lot of friends, family members, and colleagues who get frustrated with me for not picking up the phone when it rings. But here's the thing - when you call unexpectedly, it's an interruption. Whether I'm working on a project or eating a meal, picking up the phone requires me to stop what I'm doing and make you the priority. Now, herein lies the problem. Without a heads up, I have no way of knowing how important your phone call is. Chances are, unless it's an emergency, it can wait. In fact, the vast majority of phone calls I've missed over the years have been far from urgent. It just so happens that the calls were on your terms; when it was convenient for you. Yet, I'm often considered the rude one.

This does not mean that I hate talking on the phone. I'd simply like some prep time. I want to make sure you have my full undivided attention when we engage in conversation. I'd rather not be in the middle of typing up a proposal or chewing a mouthful of food. If your call happens to be an emergency, there are plenty of other ways to let me know. The phone is not the be all end all. In fact, it's far less of an "in your face" method of communicating when compared to IMing, text messaging, or even emailing.

This also does not mean that I hate random phone calls. Sometimes they're nice and I really appreciate them. All I'm saying is - don't get mad at me if I don't pick up.

Years ago, there was no caller ID. People had no choice but to pick up every phone call because they had no idea who was on the other end. However, times have changed. We're now presented with information before we pick up the phone that helps inform our decision to answer. It's an adjustment we need to make.

Communication is ever-evolving. Think about it, before the phone, if you wanted to talk to someone, you'd go to his/her house and knock on the door. It was acceptable because there was really no other immediate way to get in touch. Nowadays? Not so much. Do you really want your mom to ring your doorbell in the middle of a steamy lovemaking session? Not so much. "MOM! Why didn't you call first?"

Well, now the same goes with the phone. Why didn't you text/IM/email first?

Why I'm Cutting the Cable Cord

2010-11-13T13:23:00.005-05:00

Photo credit: sam_churchill

I'm getting rid of cable.

I'm not doing it because of Google, or Boxee, or Roku, or Apple. I'm getting rid of cable because it sucks. I'm tired of spending $150/month for an entire cable package, HD box, and DVR when all I watch is a handful of shows. I'm tired of forking over money to Time Warner Cable, which, in my opinion, is one of the worst companies I've ever had to deal with. Above all else, I'm tired of being controlled. My dad, who watches more TV than anyone I know, has been increasingly spending more time sitting in a desk chair watching Hulu on his computer instead of sitting in his recliner watching shows on his big screen TV. That alone signifies that something needs to change.

When cutting the cable cord, you basically have two options (that is, if you intend to continue watching your favorite TV shows):

Option 1: You could buy an adapter/cable to connect your computer to your TV. This allows you to watch all of the free (read: ad-supported) TV content available on the web on your big screen. However, this option is a bit inconvenient, as it hogs the computer and requires connecting it to the Television with each use.

Option 2: You could buy an Internet-capable set top box (ie. Roku, Boxee Box, Apple TV, Google TV) to stream the content to your Television. This option, though more expensive, is ideal as it requires one time set up and it frees up the computer for other use.

I recently decided to test the waters by purchasing a Logitech Revue Google TV box. I found that Apple TV and Roku, while inexpensive up front, would cost more in the longrun as both require pay-as-you-go rentals and subscription services (that is, unless you pirate content, which I don't). Boxee is great, but I just couldn't justify spending $200 on the Boxee Box when the software is available as a free PC/Mac/Linux download. Google TV seemed the most promising as it offers all of the subscription services (Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, HuluPlus) and a web browser for accessing the vast amount of free content available on the web.

Sounds perfect, right? Wrong.

All of the major networks, ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC have blocked Google TV from accessing their online content. Hulu has also blocked the box. They can give all the excuses they want, but the real reasoning behind it? Networks are afraid of mass exodus away from cable and onto the Internet. Why? Because cable sucks and people aren't stupid. We're tired of spending money on overpriced bundles when what we really want is a la carte content. Finally, a company (in this case, Google) is stepping in and trying to relinquish control that the cable providers hold over consumers - and the networks don't like it.

I'm sorry, but the fact that the big four networks are able to block Google TV is criminal. In essence, the Logitech Revue Google TV box is a computer. It comes bundled with the same Chrome web browser that I use on my Macbook Pro. All of the free (again: ad-supported) content is still available to me if I access it with my laptop via 'Option 1' (see above) - so what makes the Logitech Revue any different? Nothing. Cable providers will soon learn that double standards do nothing more than annoy and frustrate consumers.

So am I going to wave my white flag, give in, and stick with Time Warner Cable? Hell no. I'm keeping my Google TV box to access YouTube, Vevo, The Onion, CNET, and all of the online content providers that "get it". When I want to watch some network TV, I'll hook up my laptop via 'Option 1' and run the free Boxee software.

If only ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, and even HBO and Showtime could see Google TV and similar services as an opportunity to expand their reach and discover new revenue streams. They have hardware and software companies willing to do the dirty work for them. All they need to do is be innovative for a change and think outside the box - no pun intended.

Use Gmail As Your Universal Social Networking Inbox

2010-07-12T23:30:00.016-04:00

Labels only appear as
notifications are received.

To view your full list of labels,
click on the 'more' link.

The more social networking sites I join, the more notification messages I receive. It's an annoying fact of life. At one point I was so inundated that I actually unsubscribed myself from receiving email notifications from all of the services I use. It worked for a while but then I started to miss stuff. Messages would sit unread. Friends' birthdays would come and go. Opportunities would pass me by. Then I realized the power of Gmail. In just a few steps I was able to make a colorful, organized, functional social networking inbox by making use of Gmail's features.

Here's how you can do it...

Step 1: Create Labels

Gmail's label feature is a fun, colorful way to categorize your social networking accounts. My recommendation is to assign a color that closely matches the site's logo or color scheme. Create a label for each and every service you use. If you're concerned about overkill or clutter, don't worry. I'll explain later.

Step 2: Create Filters

In order to keep your inbox neat and clean, you'll want to have all of your social notifications bypass it and get filed away for later viewing. This is probably the most time-consuming step, but also the most rewarding.

Do this for every site you've joined:

In Gmail, click on 'Create a Filter'.
In the 'From:' field, enter the domain name of the social site for which you're creating the label (do NOT put 'www' at the beginning). In the following example, I use 'facebook.com':
Select 'Skip the Inbox (Archive It)' so the notifications never get mixed in with your regular email.
Click 'Apply the Label' and select the service from the drop-down menu. This will automatically categorize the notification as it is received.
Check 'Also apply to __ conversations.' This will assign the label to past notifications.
Click 'Create Filter'.

Step 3: Activate Google Labs Feature 'Hide Read Labels'

This is what makes it all worth it. Remember when I suggested creating a label for each and every service you use? Well, this step will keep all of those labels hidden

In Gmail, click on the little green labs icon up top.

Scroll down to 'Hide Read Labels'. Click 'Enable' and then 'Save Changes'.

Once setup is complete, you have a fully functional, non-intrusive alert system - much like the way Google Buzz works. Your email remains untouched and your online social life is neatly tucked into the side bar.

This is by far the most extensive, customizable approach to managing multiple social networking profiles that I have come across. If this setup process seems like too much of a hassle, definitely check out some of the popular lifestreaming applications like Seesmic, Hootsuite, and Tweetdeck. However, keep in mind that these applications only support a handful of social networking sites and functionality is very limited (particularly with larger services like Facebook and LinkedIn).

Use Foursquare to Get Your Butt in Shape

2010-03-02T23:26:00.005-05:00

I recently got some friends to join me on Foursquare and I'm not gonna lie - things are getting pretty cut throat. If you're unfamiliar with Foursquare, it's basically a location-based social network in which users claim their turf by checking in at venues to earn badges and mayorships. It's a lot of fun, but I have an issue with getting my friends to join - no it has nothing to do with with privacy - it's that we tend to frequent the same spots, so I find myself defending my hard-earned mayorships (eight and counting). But then it dawned on me. I could actually use the competition to my advantage - at the gym.

I'm going to be totally honest. I hate going to the gym. I'll look for any reason not to work out - but right now I'm the mayor of American Physique and I know my best friend is out to steal my title. Just knowing she's there, checking in with that smug look on her face is enough to get me off my lazy butt and onto the elliptical. Call me a geek all you like. Spring is just around the corner. It's time to shed that winter weight and transform into a fit geek.

So there you have it. Invite your gym buddies to join Foursquare and you've got a way to hold yourself accountable.

Has social media affected your fitness routine at all? Let's hear about it in the comments!

Declutter Your Living Space: CDs and LPs

2010-01-10T20:32:00.006-05:00

We're at a point in the digital age where we really don't ever need to use CDs or LPs ever again. Ever. Yet, many of us still line our shelves with jewel cases or keep our records packed away in boxes. The truth is, once the music is imported to a computer or portable music player, the original disc is kinda useless. So why do so many of us choose to hold onto them? Do we want something tangible to justify the purchase? Do we like to show off our massive music collections? Do we all just have pack rat mentality? Whatever the reason, it's not good enough. It's time to declutter and make the move to digital!

Import your CDs

If you have a portable music player (like an iPod), you likely use a computer application (like iTunes) to manage your music. However, you've probably only imported your favorite CDs and downloaded the rest of your music from the iTunes Store (or *ahem* some other not-so-legal method). Why not just go the extra mile and import everything?

Try this. Every day while you're at your computer, pop in a CD and import it to your digital music library.

The great thing about using a digital media application like iTunes (or my personal fave, DoubleTwist) is that the album artwork is often downloaded for you automatically- that is, unless you're importing off a homemade mix CD - then you're out of luck.

Import your LPs too

Believe it or not, you can also import your LPs by using a USB turntable (for an option under $65, check out the Ion TTUSB Turntable). However, importing vinyl requires a bit more work. You have to actually play the LPs in order to record them. That means an LP with one hour's worth of music is going to take at least an hour to import. Depending on how much you love your music library, this process could be either a) fun or b) tedious. Also, your digital media application (like iTunes) is likely not smart enough to match the tracks up with the original album data, like artwork and song titles. That means you're going to have to add all of that manually.

Once you import your records, ~~box them up and sell them. While you're at it,~~ sell the USB turntable - you won't be needing it anymore.

Back it up!

Now for some damage control. Once you've imported all of your music to your computer or iPod, you definitely want to have a backup solution in case your hard drive were to ever crash or get corrupted. I highly recommend purchasing an external hard drive that does routine backups of your digital music library (for a solution under $100, check out the LaCie 1 TB USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive).

Before jumping the gun ~~and selling everything,~~ you probably want to make sure you aren't letting go of any collector's items (particularly those vinyls). When in doubt, get it appraised. If by chance you discover that you're rich, please feel free to share the wealth.

Declutter Your Living Space: Old Video Games

2010-01-08T13:01:00.001-05:00

Whether you're a hardcore video game fanatic or a casual gamer, you've probably accumulated some hardware over the years. Maybe you still play it. Maybe it's packed away in your closet. Whatever the scenario, there's a space-saving alternative: Nintendo Wii's Virtual Console.

The Virtual Console allows Nintendo Wii owners to download their favorite games on a variety of platforms including NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, Turbo Grafx 16, Neo Geo and even Commodore 64! So instead of holding onto the original consoles and games, you can maintain your library in digital format.

The catch: In order to download the games you already own, you'll need to purchase them again ($5-$10 each). Why would you pay for a game you already own? Keep reading...

Download only the games you REALLY want.
Of all of the games you've collected over the years, how many do you play on a regular basis? How many have you played in the past year? Five years? If your answer is none or not many, you probably don't want to download them again as you won't miss them. You'll always have the option to download them later if you so choose. Note: Keep in mind, not all of your classic games may be available on the Virtual Console...yet. The database is constantly growing as Nintendo adds new games every week. Keep an eye out and your favorite will likely pop up.

Recoup your money. Sell the old stuff.
Seriously. This is your opportunity to break even or even make money on the deal. There are people out there who want to buy your old games. Ebay and Craigslist are your best bets for making a sale. As a point of reference, I sold my Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Genesis, and Gamecube (the Nintendo Wii supports GameCube discs) for around $300. While that amount doesn't come close to what I originally paid for all of those games, I barely played any of them anymore - they were just sitting around collecting dust and depreciating in value. In the end, I had enough money to download my favorites from the Virtual Console with some cool cash left over... and room to breathe.

Turn Your Gadget into a Meditation Device with Podcasts and Apps!

2009-12-17T15:06:00.017-05:00

Like many people my age, I suffer from general anxiety. Blame it on the fast-paced information age. Blame it on overstimulation. Blame it on genetics. Whatever the reason, it sucks. Despite my pro-technology approach to everyday life, I'm not going to lie; modern technology can certainly magnify the problem. On a typical day, I stare at a computer with ten to fifteen browser tabs open, an RSS reader packed with hundreds of news articles, a lifestreaming app displaying real-time activity on various social networks, and an instant messaging client with conversations with friends on a dozen different networks.

I feel short of breath just thinking about it.

Luckily, just as gadgets have the power to intensify anxiety, they can also help relieve tension and clear the mind. In my pursuit to "chill out" (doctor's orders), I've come across some really great meditation tools - most of which are FREE.

PODCASTS
The great thing about podcasts is that they're available on pretty much any device that can play music. Meditation podcasts usually offer ambient sounds and a soothing instructor to guide you through various relaxation exercises. Once you subscribe to a particular podcast, new episodes can be automatically downloaded (or queued) to your device, saving you precious time and energy.

iPhone and iPod users are in luck because iTunes has a pretty extensive library of free meditation podcasts. Blackberry and Windows Mobile users can subscribe to various podcasts using Viigo (a free app), and Android users should definitely check out the Google Listen app (also free). You can also play podcasts directly on your computer, but I recommend finding a nice, quiet spot where you can listen uninterrupted. (When the weather is nice, I like to take my iPod and meditate at the pier.)

DEDICATED MOBILE APPS
Podcasts are great for meditating with your eyes closed but sometimes it's nice to have some visual stimulation. I recently purchased a Motorola DROID and one of my absolute favorite applications is Meditation Words. The app simply guides the user through controlled breathing exercises by displaying various words or phrases on the screen. What really makes Meditation Words stand out is that it even allows the user to set the breathing pace! It is available for free in the Android Market.

iZen Garden is another great app. Available for the iPhone/iPod Touch, iZen Garden opens with a daily zen quote and then allows the user to play in a virtual zen garden while listening to soothing sounds (like wind chimes!). It's truly a beautiful experience. iZen Garden Lite is free while the full version will set you back a few bucks ($2.99 to be exact).

Meditation Words and iZen Garden are only two examples of a number of mobile applications that are available to support your health and well-being. Check out your mobile app store to see what's available for your particular device. As mobile application development continues to skyrocket, let's hope we see more apps like these pop up in the near future!

So how about you? Have you ever used a gadget as a meditation device? Have you made any interesting discoveries? Let's hear about it!

Joe Says: While I've chosen to highlight ways we can use modern technology to relieve stress, this post is not intended as medical advice. If you do suffer from anxiety, be sure to consult a physician.

Oh, and by the way, if you're anything like me and you work consistently at a computer, remember to take a break every hour. Get up and walk around. Drink some water. Get some fresh air. Interact with people in (GASP) real life. Besides, your gadgets need rest too ;)

This is Joe, signing off.

Techie Tip: Send Text Messages for Free Via E-Mail!

2009-10-03T17:51:00.006-04:00

Here's a fun tidbit that most people don't know. You can send text messages for free via e-mail. That's right, every cell phone is actually assigned an e-mail address based on the service provider. All you need to know your friend's phone number and who they pay every month. Simply substitute the #'s with your friend's digits and you're good to go!

AT&T: ##########@txt.att.net
Sprint: ##########@messaging.sprintpcs.com
T-Mobile: ##########@tmomail.net
Verizon: ##########@vtext.com

If you're a Gmail user, you can also send text messages via chat as long as you have your contact's phone number in your address book. Simply click on the "Video & more" button and select "Send SMS". Voila. Free text messages via IM!

Joe Says: While sending text messages via e-mail is free for you, be considerate of the person on the receiving end. Not everyone has an unlimited text messaging plan and the recipient may be charged per message.

This is Joe, signing off.

Tech Tidbit: Sexting

2009-10-02T22:35:00.012-04:00

All the kids are doing it nowadays. Just ask CBS.

Sexting is the act of having cyber sex via SMS (text message) and/or MMS (photo/video message). Hott!

While sexting is good, clean fun for adults, teen sexting can lead to serious problems. If you are a parent and your child has a cell phone, make sure you have a conversation with him/her about what's appropriate vs. what's inappropriate when using the phone. If that doesn't work, or you don't trust 'em, you can always block the account from sending/receiving messages. Talk to your cell phone provider for more information.

Joe Says: Oh, and if you're a power sexter, you probably want to look into getting an unlimited messaging plan ;)

This is Joe, signing off.

The Fate of Blackberry: Is RIM Following in Palm's Footsteps?

2009-09-28T13:08:00.013-04:00

I remember when the Palm Treo was THE device for gadget geeks and mobile professionals. It was a true pioneer in the world of smart phones- a perfect blend of cell phone and PDA. However, over time, the Palm operating system (eventually known as Garnet) began to stagnate. It became buggy, unstable, and downright ugly in comparison other mobile OSes. Instead of continuing down it's path of innovation, Palm stuffed the same old operating system into (slightly) new variations of the same form factor, which frustrated users and eventually led to the platform's demise. The company suffered a major slump in market share and it's reputation was tarnished. With the advent of the Palm Pre and it's innovative WebOS, Palm has begun the process of rebuilding it's reputation - but only time will tell if they are successful at regaining consumer trust.

As Palm was sinking, Blackberry-maker Research in Motion (RIM) was given a prime opportunity to steal the spotlight - and it did. RIM revamped it's brand and made it's business-centric Blackberry appealing to a wider variety of customers by adding consumer-friendly features (such as a camera and multimedia capabilities) to it's already rock-solid mobile experience. Consumers welcomed RIM's sturdy hardware and simple, secure, and stable operating system. Blackberry quickly became a must-have for business folks, celebrities, and general consumers.

Fast-forward a few years and I'm sad to say, as a loyal Blackberry user, I fear that RIM is following in Palm's footsteps. For years the Blackberry operating system has remained largely untouched. Newer versions of the software have simply introduced a new look and there have been some incremental changes feature-wise, but nothing groundbreaking. The build-quality of the devices has also cheapened quite a bit, which is likely a result of RIM expending it's resources on growing it's product line (or churning out many variations on the same form factor). Finally the Blackberry Storm, the company's first attempt at a touch screen phone, was a total mess with it's buggy software and rushed hardware. Rather than developing a new touch screen operating system from the ground up, RIM tweaked it's existing software and made it touch-capable. The result? A clumsy user-experience.

As far as market share is concerned, RIM is still in good shape, however, I'm concerned that the company may be falling back on its heels. Competition is growing at a rapid pace. Until recently, RIM was able to tout push email as a core advantage when choosing a Blackberry over another device - but Google, Apple, and Palm have all introduced their own push services. Sure, RIM's is still the tried-and-true top dog when it comes to email, but who knows what the competition has in store.

Joe Says: Don't get me wrong, incremental change is great and I'm a firm believer that if something ain't broke, don't fix it. However, when it comes to technology, things evolve so fast it's easy to fall behind if you aren't careful. Is RIM doomed? or is Blackberry here to stay? I'm curious to hear your thoughts.

WTF: Why Would You Pack Rechargeable Batteries in Styrofoam Peanuts?

2009-09-24T10:40:00.006-04:00

WARNING: This is a rant.

For the past few years, I've been working towards living a greener lifestyle. I've scanned, shredded, and recycled most of my paper documents. I've encouraged organizations to switch from print ad journals to video ad journals. I practically sit in the dark when I'm at work. While I'm not always successful (I'm sorry, I can't live without air conditioning and I sometimes shower twice in a day), I do my best.

One thing I had been overlooking for some time was my use of batteries. Granted, I don't go through them too frequently, but I understand that every little bit matters. My Wii, TV remotes, and Bluetooth Mighty Mouse were enough to warrant me investing in a rechargeable battery system.

After some quick research, I decided to order Sanyo's Eneloop Power Pack with Battery Charger (which, by the way, happens to be mentioned in Joe Hutsko's Green Gadget's for Dummies). I placed the order and felt good about my purchase... that is until I received the package. To my surprise, my eco-friendly eneloops were packed in STYROFOAM PEANUTS. Are you kidding me? Even if you regularly pack things in styrofoam (which is just thoughtless nowadays) wouldn't it dawn on you that maybe the customer is purchasing rechargeable batteries in an effort to be environmentally conscious? Now, I won't mention the name of the company this time, but if you're out there and you're reading this, you may want to re-think your shipping practices.

The most aggravating thing about having a box of styrofoam peanuts in my office is that the responsible thing to do is to reuse them in a future shipment - and pass them off on someone else like a stupid chain letter.

Joe Says: If you simply must use styrofoam peanuts, please consider the biodegradable variety that is made of cornstarch.

This is Joe, signing off.

Smart Shopping: Scan UPC Barcodes on Your Blackberry with Edocrab (Beta)

2009-09-23T08:46:00.010-04:00

I got the chance to play with the Edocrab barcode reader for Blackberry today and I have to say - it's REALLY awesome. The process is simple - you use your Blackberry's camera to snap a photo of a UPC barcode and the application instantly searches for a product description, reviews, and prices. Edocrab (which is 'barcode' spelled backwards) is definitely a great shopping companion and research tool. It is ideal in situations when you are unsure if you could find a better deal elsewhere or if the product is even worth buying at all. However, if you're buying a lot of items in one trip, the application is probably too time consuming to use on every single product.

Edocrab matched only about 50% of the barcodes I scanned. To be fair, the developer explains that the app is still in beta, so groceries and clothing items may not yet appear in the system.

Edocrab is free from Blackberry App World so there's absolutely no reason not to check it out!

Joe Says: While other countries have enjoyed barcode/cellphone integration for some time, it's still a fairly new phenomenon in the U.S. Hopefully over the next few of years we'll see more cell phone manufacturers and app developers take advantage of the technology!

This is Joe, signing off.

A Doctor's Office Dream Come True: Phreesia Patient Check-in System

2009-09-14T21:52:00.018-04:00

A colleague of mine referred me to a new primary care physician with an online appointment scheduling system. Naturally my curiosity was piqued so I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm not really a fan of talking on the telephone - blame it on my Generation Y tendencies if you will, but I'd just rather not hear hold music ever again. Also, I was due for a routine check-up so I figured what the heck...

While the office's web-based appointment system was definitely functional and easy to use (if not archaic-looking), what really impressed me was my experience when I walked into the office. Instead of being handed the usual clip board and pen, a portable, wireless, touchscreen Phreesia tablet was bestowed upon me. Awesome.

The Phreesia tablet collects the same information as the old-fashioned paper method, but it ensures that the patient provides all the required information (it also adds an element of fun!). To begin, the patient can either enter his/her name and contact information manually or swipe a credit card. I opted for the manual approach as I prefer to not swipe my card unless it's absolutely necessary - that and it gave me more of an opportunity to play on the device. ;) After entering the basics, I moved on to complete the rest of the usual questions via the responsive touch screen. At the end of the process I was given the opportunity to give user-feedback, which I happily did. Overall, The Phreesia system is user-friendly and fun to use. There is no filling out the same information twice (as is often the case using paper forms) and the person on the receiving end doesn't have to decipher sloppy handwriting. The screen is bright and the fonts large so even the most committed technophobes should feel comfortable using it.

My only gripe? As far as I could tell, the data wasn't transmitted to the physician - so in the exam room I had to verbally repeat some of the same information I entered on the tablet (ie. existing conditions, regular medications, etc.) If Phreesia does offer such a feature, this particular doctor opted to not take advantage. Regardless, my overall experience was quick, painless, and fun - the way a visit to the doc should be!

Joe Says: Dr. John Lupiano, you've done this gadget geek proud. Now who's next?!

This is Joe, signing off.

Ping.fm Apps for Blackberry (and other smartphones!)

2009-08-16T08:57:00.004-04:00

Okay, I'm going to start off by saying that if you have no idea what Ping.fm is, don't even bother reading any further as this is going to go way over your head (however, if you're interested in learning about how truly AWESOME it is, check out my previous post: InSync: Update ALL of Your Social Network Accounts With One Instant Message!).

That said, I made a fun little discovery today - dedicated Ping.fm applications for Blackberry! The mobile applications allow you to update all of your social networks without the need to log into an IM client or visit the mobile web site. Better yet, they offer easy access to your customized Ping.fm lists!

Until today, I had been using Ping.fm via instant message on my Blackberry, which worked fine most of the time - except for when the Ping bot would disappear off of my buddy list. Kind of super annoying. Also, I never utilized Ping.fm's customizable lists as I could never remember the codes associated with each. The mobile app solves these problems.

So far I've played with BlackPing and Pinglet on my 'berry (my preference goes to BlackPing simply because I like the icon better, though I think PingBerry would have been a cooler name... nitpicking, I know I know). Neither app is anything fancy - black text on a white background with a drop down menu and a space for you to input text. They're simple, but do we really need much more? Plus, both apps are FREE and can be downloaded over-the-air!

There are also dedicated Ping.fm apps for Android, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Windows Mobile. Check out the full list on the Ping.fm mobile app page.

Joe Says: While Ping.fm is a great way to update all of your social networks, make sure you aren't having a one-way conversation with your friends and followers. Be sure to log into the actual web sites every once in a while (or receive e-mail alerts) to see if anyone has responded to your witty banter. Remember, a conversation is a two-way street! :)

This is Joe, signing off.

Learn a New Language for Free... the Social Way!

2009-08-04T14:49:00.011-04:00

A friend of mine recently asked for advice on finding a foreign language tutor online. Rather than pointing her to Craigslist and other classified ad sites, I found myself urging her to explore the social media route.

My reasoning? Well, for starters, interacting with a network of people offers more exposure to a language than a weekly meeting with a teacher. You have the option of sending e-mails, instant messaging, talking on the phone and even video conferencing (perfect for sign language). Secondly, learning a language socially is practically free - a real selling point in this economy.
There are plenty of options on the Internet, but I've narrowed them down to my two favorites, Babbel and Meetup.

Babbel is a social network, much like Facebook and MySpace, that offers free online language courses. The lessons are actually similar to those of Rosetta Stone (flash card-style), though not as intense (hey, it's free). While the exercises are great, the best part of Babbel is that it allows you to connect with people from other countries that speak your language of choice. It's like having thousands of virtual pen pals! Talk about immersion, right? As I mentioned, Babbel is free, however, it is only available in English, German, Spanish, French and Italian.

If in-person interaction is what you crave, then Meetup.com is probably for you. Believe it or not, there are tons of Meetup groups that meet to learn and/or practice foreign languages. For a while I was part of a Japanese language learning group that met over sushi and sake - it doesn't get much better than that! Meetup is free, though some groups may charge a small membership fee (still way cheaper than a tutor).

So that's it! Which language do you want to learn and where do you plan to learn it? Let's hear it on the comments! :)

Joe Says: If you still prefer to take a course or work privately with a tutor, why not include social media as a supplement? It'll certainly enrich your learning experience :)

This is Joe, signing off.

Tech Tidbit: ZOMG

2009-07-08T16:47:00.023-04:00

You may have seen the term "ZOMG" thrown around on the Internet and wondered what the heck it means. The acronym "OMG" makes enough sense ("Oh My God"), but what is that random "Z" doing there? Well, legend has it that the "Z" was originally a typo; a failed attempt to hit the Shift key while capitalizing the ever so popular term "OMG". The "Z" eventually began to grow on geeks worldwide and is now commonly used for dramatic emphasis.

So there you go.

Joe Says: For added emphasis, you can also use "ZOMFG", but I won't go into that one. I'm sure you can figure out what that means on your own ;)

This is Joe, signing off.

Think You Have Nothing to Blog About? Think Again.

2009-06-23T22:37:00.029-04:00

My father has been an organic gardener for over twenty-five years and has won dozens of awards for his fruits and vegetables. He's truly gifted at what he does; so gifted that last year, his entire crop of veggies was stolen in the middle of the night. He's that good.

While my dad was crop-less and bored, I encouraged him to start a gardening blog. After all, with twenty-five years of tips and techniques under his belt, coming up with content wouldn't be very hard. Also, he'd have no trouble finding an audience, especially as people continue to endure economic hardships and become more and more health conscious. After some convincing he finally caved and PlaysintheDirt.net was born. Now he's as much of a rock star online as he is in the yard. He posts regularly and keeps his content fresh. My mom even guest blogs with homegrown recipes. It's adorable. It's fun. It's relevant.

You know where this is leading...

What Do You Have to Offer?
Believe it or not, someone out there wants to hear what you have to say. Seriously. Think about it. There's an audience for just about anything on the Internet. In fact, the more obscure your topic the better as it will likely mean less competition. Whether you're writing about a hobby, a talent, or just giving your opinion about something, you want to be passionate and honest in your blogging. Remember, your own personal flair is what's going to separate you from everyone else.

Here are some tips for getting started:

Choose a Service
WordPress is the industry standard when it comes to professional blogging but there are a slew of blogging services to choose from including (but not limited to) Blogger, LiveJournal, Tumblr, and TypePad. Blogger is my platform of choice as it is free, fully customizable, and integrates well with other Google services (it is owned by Google). However, it's all a matter of personal preference. Just pick one and go with it!

Engage (and Grow) Your Audience
What sets a blog apart from a static web site is that it opens a dialogue between the writer and the reader. That said, when someone leaves a comment on your blog, be sure to reply! By engaging in conversation, you develop a relationship with your audience and create loyalty amongst your readers. Loyal readers will come back for more - and they'll likely bring their friends!

Make Some Extra Money
Once you have a steady stream of traffic on your blog, you may want to explore making some money off your ramblings. While there are a lot of creative ways to earn an income from your blog (from sponsors to affiliate links to selling merch), two of the easiest methods are through Google AdSense and the Amazon Kindle Store. Google AdSense displays relevant ads on your blog based on your content (so readers are more likely to click on the ads), while the Amazon Kindle Store offers e-book junkies the opportunity to pay for a monthly subscription to your content. Both services are free and relatively painless to set up.

Joe Says: So, what's it gonna be? What ideas have you been sitting on? Be creative! Post your thoughts in the comments. I'm interested to hear what you have to say!

This is Joe, signing off.

JoeSaidSo Live!

2009-05-29T13:47:00.005-04:00

Get all of your burning questions answered live and in person at a very special event, UNTANGLING THE SOCIAL WEB: Cultivating Online Business Relationships, where yours truly will be speaking on a panel with David Ricciardi, President of Proximo Consulting, and Janice Mahlmann, President of August eTech. The event, hosted by NGLCCNY, will take place on June 18 in New York City.

Topics to be covered include:

Blogs, RSS, Twitter and Facebook
Using Web 2.0 and Social Media to competitively market your organization

For more information, visit: http://www.nglccny.org/events/socialweb

This is Joe, signing off.

Use Your GPS-capable Smartphone and Google Maps as an International Tour Guide

2009-05-19T15:45:00.019-04:00

I recently took a trip to Italy and decided to switch to an international data plan so I could take advantage of my Blackberry Storm while on vacation - and boy am I glad I did. GPS and Google Maps is truly a powerful combination.

The beauty of Google Maps on a GPS-capable smartphone (like a Blackberry or iPhone) is that it pinpoints your location and allows you to search for basically anything within your vicinity. For instance, my partner and I were in Venice and craving Chinese food. I pulled up Google Maps on my phone and did a search for Chinese food. BAM! Within seconds we had walking directions to the closest restaurant.

GPS and Google Maps also came in handy when we were looking for hotels, museums, train stations - or when we just got plain lost. The best part? Addresses were (for the most part) unnecessary! All we had to do was search for the name of the establishment and within seconds we were on our way, following our little glowing blue dot along the map. This was especially handy in a foreign country where the address system didn't always make sense to us. Overall, we felt more comfortable making spontaneous decisions as we always had a birds-eye view of our location.

If you are planning to travel internationally and own a GPS-capable smartphone, DEFINITELY splurge and go for the international data plan. You won't regret it. Keep in mind though, if you use a CDMA provider, like Verizon or Sprint, you'll need to have a World Edition phone (sorry Curve/Pearl owners!)

Joe Says: Always use caution when traveling in unfamiliar areas. While GPS and Google Maps are great tools for international travel, they don't inform you of sketchy areas or construction zones. Use common sense and when in doubt, turn around.

This is Joe, signing off.

Why send a postcard when you can share your vacation in real-time with Twitter and Facebook?

2009-04-14T13:11:00.006-04:00

While on vacation in Italy I passed by a postcard stand and realized something. Why would I send a postcard when I can share my vacation with family and friends in real-time via Twitter and Facebook?

Postcards were once the ideal, inexpensive way of saying "hi" to your friends and family from a remote location - but now I think they're kinda cheesy. I mean, for the most part, postcards all have pretty generic photos - typically aerial shots of touristy locations - and they usually wind up getting delivered after I've already returned from vacation.

When I travel, I like to use my cell phone or laptop to post status updates and upload photos of my experiences as they're happening. In my opinion, it's far more personal than sending a postcard because my friends and family can comment in real-time - it becomes more of a conversation. If my mom wants me to turn around and take a photo of what's behind me, I can do it. All she has to do is comment on a photo I've posted. It's really awesome when you think about it.

So really, why do people still send/request postcards? Is a postcard more meaningful because it's handwritten? Is it more special because it passes through the postal system? Is it truly the most thoughtful way to share our travels with others or have we simply assigned meaning to it?

Granted, not everyone is tech savvy, and I understand that the integration of technology into daily life is going to be a gradual process for some - but will postcards ever go away? Or are they here to stay?

Post your opinion in the comments. I'm interested to know what you think.

This is Joe, signing off.

Include Friends and Family on Your Vacation with a Live Photo Stream

2009-04-12T06:08:00.003-04:00

While on vacation I like to send daily photo updates to my friends and family using a web album service. Web albums are a great way to include everyone on the trip as it's happening - and the best thing about it is that it's free!

If sending photo updates while on vacation seems like a lot of work, it doesn't have to be - not if you do it in batches anyway.

At the end of every day, I simply load the pics from my digital cam onto my laptop, add some captions and upload them to my web album (I prefer Picasa as it is linked to my Google account, though Flickr is another favorite). It's a great way to capture the day while everything is still fresh in my mind.

Web albums also save your friends and family the potential agony of looking at hundreds, if not thousands, of photos once you return. By the time you get back, everyone will already know where you went, what you did, and who you met!

Sharing photos while on vacation will also save you the trouble of repeating the same stories over and over and over again. After all, everyone was there with you as it happened - virtually anyway ;)

Joe Says: In a time when not everyone can afford to travel, web albums are the next best thing to actually being on vacation. Not saying that I can afford to - I'd just rather run up credit cards than lose my sanity.

This is Joe, signing off.

Google Latitude (AKA Why the Hell Would You Want Anyone to Know Where You Are?)

2009-02-20T14:25:00.017-05:00

As if you didn't already know, Google is all up in our business. The search company knows who we are, where we are, and what we're doing. So why not give us the option to share the info with our friends? Well, last week Google did just that when it launched Latitude.

Latitude is a location-based service that allows you to see your friends on a map and get in touch with them (if you so choose). Likewise, your friends can see where you are and connect with you.

While I think latitude is totally awesome, I've come across a lot of people who are wary about having their location known to others. If you're one of the hesitant few, here are some things that may put your mind at ease about Latitude:

Your location isn't broadcast to the entire world. You have total control over who can and can't see your whereabouts.
You can turn it off.
If you're worried about looking like a loser because Latitude shows that you're home on a Friday night, you'll be happy to know that you can set your location! That's right, you can throw people off by putting yourself in a totally posh spot on the map.
If you have a stalker, he/she probably already knows where you are.
If you have a stalker and he/she doesn't know where you are (for some odd reason), #3 may come in handy.

In order for Latitude to work, you need to have Google Maps with Latitude installed on your cell phone (for a list of supported phones, click here), or your computer needs to be connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot. Read more about it at Google.

Joe Says: Location-based services are becoming more and more mainstream - so why not jump on the bandwagon with a reputable company like Google? Give Latitude a chance!

This is Joe, signing off.

Shopping Online? You Need Coupon Codes!

2008-11-20T17:24:00.000-05:00

I'm sure you've heard that you can buy things online and save a bunch of money - but where the heck are all these deals that everyone is talking about?

Sometimes web sites offer instant discounts, but most of the time you need to do a bit of research.

One of my favorite sources is CurrentCodes.com. It is basically an up to date compilation of online coupon codes for just about any store you can think of (with the exception of Bed Bath and Beyond - boo!). By checking the promotions at CurrentCodes.com before placing an online order, you can score anything from free shipping to free gifts to money in your pocket!

JoeSays: Check www.currentcodes.com before making any online purchases!

Originally posted 5/5/08

This is Joe, signing off.

RSS Feeds Can Change Your Life

2008-11-19T16:51:00.001-05:00

Most people I come in contact with on a daily basis have no idea what an RSS feed is - and thats a shame. RSS is an amazing technology that can make your digital life a lot simpler.

What is RSS?
RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. Basically, it is a method by which websites, blogs and podcasts deliver real-time content to subscribers.

How is it Used?
Instead of constantly visiting your favorite web site in search of new content, you can have that content delivered to you as its posted. That means you can be the first to know what's going on in the news, the first to get sports scores, the first to know stock information and the first to know what's being posted on favorite blog (ahem) - all without having to look for it. The information comes to you.

Not sold yet on RSS yet?
Let me give you a personal example. Right now I'm looking for a new apartment. In New York City, apartments are occupied almost as fast as they are posted. Well, Craigslist recently launched an RSS feature that allows users to subscribe to specific listings. As you can imagine, this makes my search a lot easier and a lot less stressful. I receive the listings in real time as they are being posted in my RSS reader.

Other common uses for RSS
- RSS is what's responsible for delivering the newest episode of your favorite podcast.
- Through RSS, you can subscribe to feeds from message boards you frequent.
- Many of the popular social networking sites, such as Facebook and Plaxo, offer RSS feeds which inform you of friend requests, new messages and friend updates. This alternative is wayyy better than email notifications that crowd your inbox (otherwise known as bacn).

How to read RSS feeds
To view RSS feeds, you first need an RSS Reader. You can download an RSS application on your computer, or you can use a web-based reader. I recommend the web-based route as its easily accessible no matter what computer you are using. My personal favorite is Google Reader as it fully integrates with my Google account. If you already have a GMail account, you have access to Google Reader.

There are also some great RSS readers for mobile phones. I highly recommend Viigo, which is available on Blackberries and Windows Mobile phones. It is an amazing RSS program and, by far, the most frequently used program on my Blackberry.

How to subscribe to RSS feeds
To subscribe to an RSS feed, there is usually an icon (that looks like the image attached to this post) somewhere on the web page or in the address bar. Depending on your RSS reader, you can usually add the feed as if it were a Bookmark (or Favorite Place on AOL).

Joe Says: If you don't currently use RSS, give it a shot! I promise you won't be sorry. You can start by clicking the RSS icon on the sidebar of this blog and subscribe to JoeSaidSo ;)

Originally posted 4/3/08

This is Joe, signing off.

Joe Said So

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Declutter Your Living Space: Old Video Games

Turn Your Gadget into a Meditation Device with Podcasts and Apps!

Techie Tip: Send Text Messages for Free Via E-Mail!

Tech Tidbit: Sexting

The Fate of Blackberry: Is RIM Following in Palm's Footsteps?

WTF: Why Would You Pack Rechargeable Batteries in Styrofoam Peanuts?

Smart Shopping: Scan UPC Barcodes on Your Blackberry with Edocrab (Beta)

A Doctor's Office Dream Come True: Phreesia Patient Check-in System

Ping.fm Apps for Blackberry (and other smartphones!)

Learn a New Language for Free... the Social Way!

Tech Tidbit: ZOMG

Think You Have Nothing to Blog About? Think Again.

JoeSaidSo Live!

Use Your GPS-capable Smartphone and Google Maps as an International Tour Guide

Why send a postcard when you can share your vacation in real-time with Twitter and Facebook?

Include Friends and Family on Your Vacation with a Live Photo Stream

Google Latitude (*AKA* Why the Hell Would You Want Anyone to Know Where You Are?)

Shopping Online? You Need Coupon Codes!

RSS Feeds Can Change Your Life

Google Latitude (AKA Why the Hell Would You Want Anyone to Know Where You Are?)