There are three more exceptional features that I think are must-haves for any serious Gmail user. They are: drag and drop, Google Voice in Gmail and keyboard shortcuts.

Rolled out across all accounts is the option to drag and drop emails from your inbox (or label view) to another label and drag and drop labels onto messages. You can now make it a bit easier to sort through and organize emails. Simply click on the little dots right before the checkmark box on your email and drag the message to the specified label or the trash.

Photos courtesy of Gmail Blog.

Google Voice is only available by invitation only, but if you are one of the lucky ones who secured an invite, why not make it easier to listen to voicemails by adding Google Voice to Gmail? In Gmail Labs, search for the “Google Voice player in mail” and enable. Remember to save your updates. Now, when you get email notifications of new voicemails, you’ll see a mini audio player at the bottom of your email. Click play and listen directly from Gmail to your new voicemails.

Gmail is a great tool for productivity – you can add gadgets to your sidebar and enable all sorts of features using Gmail Labs. But no tool is as useful as the keyboard shortcuts built in to Gmail. Be sure you’ve activated the keyboard shortcuts by going to Settings and selecting “Keyboard shortcuts on” and saving the changes. Press the question mark (?) to bring up a cheatsheet of shortcuts or print a copy of the shortcuts from Gmail’s help page. Once you learn the shortcuts, you’ll save a lot of time and your mouse might miss you using it constantly!

What’s your favorite Gmail feature? Let’s hear it in the comments!

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I was watching the show, thought it was all staged until I checked Twitter and Facebook – and realized, along with millions of other people, that this was not a joke. Kanye West really did smash this young artists’ heart with his boot heel.

What he did was wrong, but why does Kanye West matter?

It’s not the person that matters in the case of this unfortunate situation – it is really the outburst itself that deserves some attention. Kanye himself confessed, according to some media outlets, to drinking alcohol before the awards show. Dedicated fans also know that one of his mentors is married to Beyonce, who did NOT win the award. Kanye is also known as outspoken, sometimes at the most inopportune times.

The outburst matters because it showed how unclassy people can be when they drink. I grew up around adults who drank – and drank often. I quickly learned that I didn’t like being around drinkers that misbehaved (talked loudly, said inappropriate things, etc.). The idea of losing control of your self-control and civilized manner just never appealed to me. There’s an old saying, “A Drunk Mind Speaks a Sober Heart.” While that is very true in many aspects (you lose control over what you are saying/doing because of the alcohol), it doesn’t mention anything about responsibility or caring about others through your actions.

Keeping your mouth closed is a surefire way to prove yourself to be admirable. Most of us can’t admire someone who just shoots off at the mouth because they can. Whether you are mouthing off because of genuine belief in something or just to hear yourself talk, are you caring or thinking about who may be hurt? Even if you aren’t religious, the adage, “Do onto others as you would have them do onto you,” should guide your actions and thoughts as you journey through life. Life is too short and relationships are too valuable to treat them like trash.

Taylor Swift is still very young and early in her career. Do you think she wants to be known as, “The girl Kanye flipped out on” for the rest of her career? Does she want to talk to reporters about what happened Sunday instead of record sales, musical inspirations, new singles or even what dress she’s wearing to the next awards show? I seriously doubt it.

I do not agree with Jay Leno asking Kanye (paraphrasing here) “What would your mama think?” but the question drove home the point that Kanye did not think before he acted – and spoke. One could easily just ask, “What would Jesus do” or “What would _____ do” as a starting point for learning how to respond differently to difficult situations.

Kanye West – and each of us – has a responsibility to use this as a teaching moment for the most impressionable amongst us. We need to step up and say that actions like this are uncalled for, disrespectful and mean-spirited. Instead of gossiping about it or making allegations about the meaning behind West’s actions (i.e. racism), we should use this outburst as a motivator to choose to treat people in our lives differently. Will we stand up for respecting each other instead of tearing others down? Will we condone behavior that leads to negative consequences? Or will we continue to give people passes because of celebrity, community standing or age?

No related posts.

photo credit: ??

Other than the long commute, I have been doing some reading about urban planning and thinking about my plans for the fall. One of my projects will be completely digitizing some old cards and photos.

I hope all is well with all of you!

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If you’re looking for ideas, here you go:

photo credit: betsystreeter

Backpack – Classic back to school item. Backpacks have 2 straps (and should always be used with both straps). Typically the best bag to use if you have a LOT to carry or if you have shoulders that easily get sore with messengers, or if you’re always on the move. Can be professional (don’t get the loud colors though) and laid back at the same time.

One of the all time classic backpacks is the Jansport Superbreak. Simple and can carry a few books. I have another classic bag, the LL Bean Turbo Transit. You want to look for a durable material. Always make sure to match the bag to yourself, not just look at whether it’s cool looking or not. If it doesn’t fit the purpose or the amount you need to carry, don’t get it.

photo credit: ndanger

Messenger Bags – Popularized by bike messengers (hence the name), messenger bags are great for carrying items around. Timbuk2 is a popular company for messengers (and other gear) and they make the bags to last a long time. I really trust their products (my current Timbuk2 is the medium laptop messenger…itching to get the Commuter 2.0!). You can get a variety of features on a messenger, such as a laptop sleeve, pockets to hold your goodies, dividers for different uses, padded straps, key hooks, etc. They are available in a variety of sizes from tiny (almost purse size) to extra extra large (for real messengers that have to carry packages).

Some tips on selecting a messenger bag:

• Get a bag with a good strap and one that is durable.
• If you ride a bike, get one that has a space to clip on lights or hook your helmet when you’re not on the bike. I
• f you’re really into recyclable products, another company to check out besides Timbuk2 is Osprey – the Osprey ReSource line is really nice.
• If you carry tons of heavy books, test out a messenger if you can before buying because they can dig into your shoulders and make your back hurt if too heavy.
• If you don’t like Velcro on the flap, put some colored duct tape over the Velcro and voila you have no annoying noise!

photo credit: Russell Crosswy

Sling bags – These are really popular, but usually do not hold as much as a messenger or a backpack. If you have shoulder and back issues beware. Great bags if you’re carrying just a few items (notebook, maybe small laptop and a book) or running errands. It is very easy to bring to the front and get your items out of while keeping on your body. At least for me, I have difficulty biking with this on and keeping it from sliding around but when walking, it is great. Have  a brother that swears by his Jansport sling backpack and uses it frequently for work, school and play. Has plenty of pocket options and a variety of colors.

While I only presented three types of bags here there are so many more options. Check out eBags (the main place I buy bags from) or local stores. Don’t forget a lunch bag to save some dough and a toiletry bag for when you are on the go! Try on as many bags as you can, especially if you don’t buy bags often and if you’re working in a set of must have parameters. Just as when you buy shoes, if a bag feels uncomfortable in the beginning, chances are it’s going to be uncomfortable down the line.

If you have a set price range, stick with it. Or if say your max that you want to spend is $75 and a bag that is known to last for years and is exactly what you want is $85 or even just a little more (up to $100 but not $150!), find a way to pay that little bit now so you aren’t selling it and buying the bag you really wanted later on. It may feel bad to eat tuna for a week so you can pinch it, but you’ll be happier in the end and not be wearing an uncomfortable bag.

What kind of bag do you use? Any suggestions on great styles or brand names?

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2. Getting your desk space organized
3. Travelin’ for the Holidays

photo credit: allancaplan

It’s back to school time, and I wanted to share with you a great resource I put together for college students two years ago – the Back to School Series. You’ll find in this collection of posts great tips and tricks for heading back to school – college or high school, and even for a professional who has been on the job for a while.

Related posts:

1. Final tips for a great school year
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photo credit: freakgirl

This summer has been full of adventures of all kinds – from spending time with family and friends, a little travel and even continuing my job search. I finished graduate school in May, and have been searching, with no success, for a job since. Well, actually since last September, but who’s counting the months? LOL

I’ve spent a lot of time searching for jobs, applying for jobs and never hearing back one way or another. It would be nice that if you didn’t get selected for an interview that the company or agency would let you know why, so you can improve your resume and cover letter and hopefully secure employment elsewhere. If you don’t know what’s holding you back, how do you move forward?

photo credit: brianjmatis

In other news, I’m thinking about moving. I know, I know, I just moved in May, but this apartment is kind of small and I really want more closet space and space to entertain my friends and family. I’ll keep you guys posted on that development as things happen – or not.

I haven’t lost any more weight since my last weigh-in, but I hope to make something big happen soon. I stopped drinking the Wulong Tea when I moved, which I believe really helped with the weight loss, so I will start drinking it again this week.

I’m still undecided about what direction I want to take this blog in the coming weeks and months. I really want to have a space where I can write about whatever I’d like to talk about, but not necessarily maintain another blog. What do you guys think?

I hope everyone’s summer is full of adventures, fun and good times. Share with me any interesting things you’ve been up to!

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I sat down with Summer N., owner and lead designer of The Web Boutique, to get her thoughts on web and graphic design a few weeks ago and wanted to share her thoughts with you. The Web Boutique is a web and graphic design firm that does much more than that, including marketing solutions and consulting.

1. When and how did you get started in web and graphic design?

I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Marketing, but didn’t know what to do with the degree. At the time, sales positions were being offered and I had gotten enough of working in retail. I accepted a position working in education and then decided to purse a Master’s in education. My last year of my Master’s program I took a class in Dreamweaver and PageMaker and fell in love! I finally felt like I had some direction with my degree and learned new programs that helped me create more attractive communications. In 2006, I began working with small groups and eventually more and more business opportunities came knocking. It started off very small and has grown into something that I’m very proud of. It gets better each day.

2. Are there any designers or artists that influence your work?

I love girly designs. Before any project, I look for inspiration from others, but not one in particular. A simple Google search will get me far. I try to look at color combinations and techniques used to create a design. I get inspired by many but am able to create things that are uniquely my own.

3. What are the biggest challenges with owning your own firm?

Because I focus on entrepreneurs and nonprofits, I started out trying to make it as easy as possible for clients. I possessed insecurities early on about my capability and offered designs first and then payment if you liked it. BAD MOVE! I wound up doing tons of designs for people who did not follow through with payment. My over-helpfulness has been reason for me not getting paid at times. People don’t take your time seriously, and if you don’t put your foot down, they will use and abuse you. It’s a learning process, but that’s the great thing about taking a chance on your own.

4. What are some of the unique services you provide – and why do you provide them?

I am a small business, business. I like to work with the little people who are just starting up and have more limited budgets. For many, this isn’t worth it, but for me, I feel like there is opportunity to guide the communications efforts of smaller entities, and not just create a design. I like consulting with people and presenting them ideas that may challenge their thoughts and expand their opportunities.

5. If you could let my readers know 3 things about web and graphic design, what would those things be?

1. Image is everything. Every designer has varying levels of skill, but a pet peeve of mine is UGLY design: distorted logos, fonts that are not consistent, colors that don’t match, random clip art images thrown on a design that are stretched too far or squeezed too tightly, web pages with no connection and every piece of Flash script you can think of that makes the page take longer to load, etc.. I try to let people know that ugly designs make you lose business. I’ve gone to many sites to support someone and the minute I see that it’s unattractive, the minute I think I’m getting involved with a scam. Same thing with print designs. I can immediately tell when a person has their sixth grader developing their print collateral versus a professional. AND SO CAN OTHERS…

2. We don’t have to know EVERYTHING about your business in one sitting. Basically, condense your content so readers can learn about your business or organization in one sitting. Content overload can bore a reader right into your competitor’s arms. You want your audience to get a taste of the juice through your marketing and then come to you to purchase the whole bottle. You really don’t have to list out every ingredient and where it comes from and what scientist founded the ingredient, how it has been used over history…and…well…you get my point.

3. Take advantage of freebies. There are “free” features that come along with their web host packages. They provide clients with many things that help aid their communications: emails that feature your domain, message boards, photo galleries. When purchasing a host package, look at what you’re getting for your money and think of the ways that you can use these “freebies” to better communicate with your audience.

Do you have any questions for Summer? Post them in the comments and we’ll use your questions in a follow up post.

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Love Facebook?Add its chat to your sidebar in Fireofx 3.5.

1. Navigate to Bookmarks > Organize Bookmarks. A window will open.
2. Click on the folder where you want to place the bookmark. Now press Organize and Add New Bookmark.
3. Name the bookmark “Facebook Chat” and paste http://www.facebook.com/presence/popout.php
4. Checkmark the box that says “Load this Bookmark in the sidebar”
5. Close the windows.
6. Now try to use your new bookmark. Facebook chat will now open in your sidebar.

Now you can chat with your friends without having to open Facebook in a separate tab.

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photo credit: racketrx

I love using a search engine to find information, but it comes as no surprise that even a tool as helpful as Google is gamed by people around the globe. How?

Search engine optimization, or SEO, is used not just for good, but for “evil,” too. Some SEO “experts” make their bread and butter by encouraging some of the worst practices in blogging – stuffing posts with keywords to generate higher search rankings and traffic, when the post may or may not be relevant for the searcher’s needs.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of responsible SEO, but I am seeing a trend toward overuse and misuse as more and more people get into the SEO field as a career. As with anything, there is a such thing as over doing it, and SEO sometimes crosses a fine line.

I’ve read – and you probably have, too – tips about SEO suggesting stuffing keywords in old posts to generate search engine traffic. It’s not a bad idea to edit old posts for grammar, clarity, updated information, but to suggest that keyword stuffing is a good way to generate the long-term, quality traffic we want, I don’t think so!

Let’s be more responsible users of SEO and stop worrying so much about traffic and RSS subscribers. Instead, enjoy blogging for what it is, instead of a means to an end (or a paycheck).

What are your thoughts? Is SEO on its way out as Google improves its search algorithms? Or will SEO be a mainstay of web design and blogging? Are there ways to monitor misusers of SEO?

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Tips for Flying with Technology

If you own a laptop, chances are you get really tired of having to pull it out and then run through the metal detector so some creep doesn’t grab your stuff on the other side (for the record, nothing against TSA but I really don’t feel TSA makes me safer or more comfortable flying). You’re in luck. There are several TSA approved bags and sleeves that allow you to leave the computer in when sending it through the x-ray machine and then it’s a quick pickup on the other side. No one is the wiser and it definitely saves a few minutes. Some of the offerings – from Mobile Edge, FlyThru, Timbuk2, Targus, etc – don’t scream LAPTOP!! and several of the offerings are pretty cool looking bags. [If you’re new to reading Soulville, HarriMac LOVES backpacks and luggage; it‘s also next week‘s topic!].

photo credit: koalazymonkey

Gel-inserts in your shoes may have been a technological advancement in the foot realm, but they are a no-no on planes (except in checked luggage). Instead of getting to the gate and having to go barefoot, try some different insoles that do not contain gel or go to an orthopedist or podiatrist to get insoles specific for you. There is no one size fits all in this category. Chances are, if you were down to gel only inserts, you might be wearing the wrong shoes to begin with and on top of that need professional assistance anyway.

Before you turn your phone off on the plane, if it is a smartphone (iPhone, Blackberry, etc), turn it on the airport mode. Some airlines don’t even like you using this mode, but it just turns off the phone part of your phone and allows you to use the other neat stuff you’ve paid for. In case they don’t allow it, remember a backup like a regular iPod or a Sony PSP (come on, you were really gonna do work on the plane?? In that case, just pull out your laptop).

Headphones on a plane are always my must have. I could be sitting next to a screaming baby and a good pair of headphones would make me forget (well almost). The headphones don’t have to be noise-canceling, but you definitely need over the ear phones that have a bit of cushioning. Earbuds don’t cut it. My current pair is a pair of Sennheiser HD 202. The reviews on Amazon said they were great on planes and I would say they are in the middle. If I concentrated I could hear only my music (without it on full blast), but even without concentrating, the noise of the plane was diminished a great deal. I previously had some really nice Altec-Lansing noise canceling that seriously erased all the noise. I am saving up for the noise canceling Bose headphones or the noise-canceling Sennheiser’s.

Test the headphones before buying if possible.The closest you’re going to get to a plane is a busy electronics store like Best Buy. If they stink then, they’ll probably stink on a plane. Some headphones actually do need a break-in period to become comfortable and sound their best. Find out what retailers or other consumers say before purchasing. Look around for deals online, not just on the major retailers. I picked up my then 150 dollar Altec-Lansing headphones for $40 including shipping. The deal is there!

photo credit: nosha

General Flying

Don’t wait til you get all the way to the conveyor belt to take off your shoes and get your laptop out. The faster you can get all your stuff in bins, the faster you get through the line.

Don’t forget the 3-1-1 rules!!!! Do NOT be that guy chugging a 100 year old bottle of wine at the security belt because he didn’t pay attention.

Some souvenirs from museums and such cannot be carried on planes via TSA rules. Ask the museum if you plan on carrying it on to find out – they should know and might agree to ship it to you free of charge.

Try not to have anything checked if you don’t have to. The prices are steep for a service you probably don’t need (at that cost anyway) – going for a week? Carry it on and pack half what you were planning on. Use a washer and dryer and double up the outfits. If you really do need it and are traveling with others, see if you can combine the luggage to save the extra fees.

With the great times of sitting on the tarmac, try to plan your connecting flights out a bit more. You don’t have to take a connector within 15 minutes of the other plane landing. If need be, call the airline. If you’re going to have to wait a day because of their incompetence, it’d be nice to know in advance. I’m not an advocate of having to be asthmatic sprinting through airports (been there, done that) so that extra cushion time might just save your breath.

photo credit: doevos

What tips do you guys have for flying with technology?

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