"Boost"

Wonder why you have had more spam on your news feeds?  FaceBook "boost" may be to blame.  Businesses can now pay to have a posting reach more of an audience.  There are no ad tools and owners pay a flat rate depending on how many users they want to reach.  It is fairly inexpensive and users have reported good results - mostly additional likes which increases your reach. 

Suffering from DBS

You may feel like this as well.  The weather has been cold and wet and the days are short.  I have diagnosed myself with DBS - Distracted Blogging Syndrome.  Other times of the year I can sit down to the computer and be inspired.  Now I stare at the blank page which leads me to this post.  I am anxiously waiting for longer days and any sign of spring.  I wonder if any of you are feeling the same.

Happy New Year!

2014 is here! January starts out with such great intentions.  The usual, eating better and exercise is at the top of my list.  I also am searching for ways to make life easier but to also unplug.  I admit my screen time is much more than it should be.  But how do we shut off something that we rely so much on!!  I plan to schedule tech time and disable some of my notifications.  Here is a great article with other ideas. http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2013/12/19/How-Unplug-Little-2014

Christmas is Techie Time

You probably like me always end up in the electronics store or section this time of year.  Interestingly online stores are creating great ways for us to shop and get gift ideas.  One of the online stores I visited this year has created a great system for browsing.  Check out their online "store" http://www.amazon.com/Electronics-Gift-Guide/b?ie=UTF8&node=7258612011.  This creates a great experience for those of us shopping online this year.  I know I purchase more gifts than ever online - what about you?

Black Friday Technology

By now I am sure you have received a ton of emails, mailers and even coupon texts about Black Friday deals.  While I do participate in Black Friday events I do think things may have spiraled out of control.  Check out this article about unstaffed digital stores and other innovative shopping trends http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/wp/2013/11/27/black-friday-will-never-be-the-same-heres-how-technology-is-changing-shopping/

A direct quote is "We’re still in the early stages of technology changing retail. We’ve seen online retailers such as Amazon chip away at traditional retailers, but the use of smartphones to enhance in-person and online purchasing is just beginning."

Planning time to update my phone and apps!

Daily my phone notifies me that it needs to be updated, there are apps I want and haven't taken time to install and apps that need to be uninstalled.  So I am going to make some time in the next two weeks to get my phone cleaned up.  If you are wondering about what apps I am interested in these are ones to increase my "productivity" supposedly.

The first one is an area GPS calculator.  Each fall I do yield checks for corn and soybean growers in Talbot County.  I want to compare my wheel measurements with the calculations to check for accuracy.  Some have said that the wheel would be more accurate others have said that the GPS would due to ditches and bumping of the wheel. 

The second one is a business card reader.  I would love to clear out the box on my desk of accumulated business cards.

The final is a reader app.  I am on the road a lot and have heard that there is a reader app that will read documents to you.  This could save a lot of time on my commute and my eyes.

Stay tuned as I will follow up on these apps.  Does anyone else have ones theyd want to work with or install but haven't taken the time to search, download or learn to use them?

Cell Phone Laws

I am sure everyone has heard of this but thought it should be included in this blog.  For those of you that are not hands free you don't know what you have been missing.  Having a bluetooth in my car has been the most liberating experience since having my license.  I am no longer stuck to the phone and with the shape of phone now there is no way to hold them between your shoulder. 

Here is some info about the new law:

• A new cell phone law goes into effect on October 1, making it a primary offense to be holding your phone and driving. (police officers will be able to pull drivers over just for talking on a cell phone without a hands-free device)
• Only 12 states and Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit drivers from using hand-held phones. 
• Texting while driving is already a primary offense in the state.

Changes to Maryland Traffic Law Cell Phones and Seatbelts Effective Oct. 1:
Driver using hands to use handheld telephone while motor vehicle is in motion will be a primary traffic offense:

• 1st Offense is an $83.00 FINE, including court costs
• 2nd Offense is a $140.00 FINE
• 3rd and Subsequent Offense is a $160.00 FINE
  
  If the violation contributed to an accident, THREE (3) POINTS will also be assessed in addition to the fine.

Driver using hands to use handheld telephone while operating a commercial motor vehicle, first offense is a $290.00 fine and also a primary traffic offense.