Sometimes Silent

The Treo 755p already comes with many great apps included like: Google Maps, Pocket Tunes, Voice Memo, etc but here are the apps I added:

1. pdaNet - My absolute “Killer App” is pdaNet. This app lets me easily use my Treo to get internet access for my laptop. I hook up my Treo via its included charge and sync usb cable or via Bluetooth, launch pdaNet (which I have keyed to the “N” button) and that’s it, I’ve got access on my laptop.
Cost: $34.00 - PC Only (sorry Mac folks, folks even tried to use it with Windows emulators and it didn’t work).
Alternative: There is a hack to do this. There is also a Mac hack out there too.

2. Pocket Tunes Deluxe - Pocket Tunes already comes with the Treo but I like the deluxe version because of the bookmark feature and the streaming radio feature. I listen to a lot of long podcasts so the bookmark feature is very handy. Also good to have if you are listening to audiobooks. I often use a Treo skin called High Fidelity which has a “jump” feature letting you move forward or backwards in different increments of time by touching one button. Handy for skipping podcast intros, commericals etc. It’s easy to switch skins and a variety of free ones are available to suit your needs.
Cost: $37.95
Alternative: Pocket Tunes (Free, comes with your Treo).

3. Adobe Reader for Palm - Free app from Adobe, lets you convert PDF’s to an easier to read version for the Palm.
Cost: $0.00
Alternative: Use the included “Documents” app (DataViz Documents To Go). This shows the PDF as it’s originally formatted so may require more scrolling to read documents.

4. Softick Card Export II - Handy app that turns your Treo into a miniSD card reader. Easy way to move files back and forth, you can also use your Treo like a regular storage flash drive this way.
Cost: $14.95
Alternative: Use the included Palm Installer app, Use a regular card reader and pop out your miniSD card

5. Clean Uninstall - Program which lets you cleanly and completely uninstall apps. Cleans up files sometimes left behind. Note: this app was a left over from my Treo 600 — which had much less room for apps compared to the 755p, I still like the idea of having a clean machine though.
Cost: Shareware $14.95
Alternative: Built in delete program.

6. FlieZ - Lets you manage files on your Treo or your Treo’s miniSD card. Shows you capacity and amount used of either.
Cost: $0.00
Alternative: Built in “Card Info” app

7. TCPMP - Free video player app. I got this in order to play a wider variety of videos. Be sure to also download the plug-ins for whatever type of file you want to watch (MPEG, MP4, AVI, etc)
Cost: $0.00
Alternative: Built in “Videos and Pics” (Kinoma for Video).

Bonus:
Mundu IM - I used to have this on my Treo 600. You can have multiple IM accounts running, threaded chat etc. This isn’t yet “certified” for use on the 755p but the trial seemed to run ok though I didn’t test all the features like sharing pictures.
Cost: $11.00
Alternative: The reason I don’t have it on my Treo 755p is that there is a multi IM client included on the Sprint Treo (has threaded chat etc). Also, since I have unlimited Text Messages now, I use text messaging more often now instead of chat (which is also shown in a threaded interface).

1st Aid - First Aid directory. I haven’t installed this yet, but it seems like a good idea and it’s a top download at MyTreo.net.
Cost: $0.00

Directory Assistant - This small app came in handy on my Treo 600. It’s not as pretty as Google Maps or the web versions of other directories but it has some nice features like being able to save results, etc. I haven’t installed it on my Treo 755p yet but since I have extra room I might add it.
Cost: $0.00
Alternative: Google Maps, Webpage of Google Local or Yahoo Directories, etc.

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treo, apps, palm, treo 755p, programs
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So it’s the weekend before the 4th of July. Folks have been walking past my place to get to the beach and the iPhone has gone on sale and hasn’t sold out at most locations.

I meanwhile am neither sunburned nor new gadget bearing.

Instead I have been working on some finishing touches for my twins shop.

Yes twins. I’m an Aunt-to-be of twins. I can’t believe it, my sister is going to be a mom to two identical twin girls! So that got me to thinking. Twins are just so cute if they wear the same thing. Yet, you are supposed to be careful to treat twins as individuals. So… I designed something that will do both: nearly identical twin sets. I also did the baby shower invitations but that’s not as revolutionary.

So how’s that for fireworks and “revolutionary features”? Better than a sunburn and iPhone tan line right?
Technorati Tags:
twins, multiples, shopping, baby showers, iphone
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So a long time ago I got interviewed for a book for the American Management Association. At the time I thought it was more a business to business book that was showing case studies of different business models (Cafepress included) and that it wouldn’t be widely available. Well, turns out it’s more of a motivational, “you can do this too book” (though it seems to have hands on exercises and even tutorials as well — not done with it yet) and it’s being sold on Amazon.

It’s pretty interesting so far. When I first learned what the title was going to be I had to laugh — “Internet Riches” — and the subtitle is… “The Simple Money Making Secrets of Online Millionaires”. I wrote back that I hoped I was an example of how you can start with little start up and end up NOT being a millionaire.

Anyway, I got my copy the other day and seeing just how many folks are profiled in it (including WeddingChannel.com and FARK, but also folks like the creators of Bathboats.com who are NOT millionaires) I feel a bit better about not being a fraud, lol.

If you’d like to buy a copy you can see the book here:

Technorati Tags:
internet, entrepreneur
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So awhile back I opened an account on Squidoo. It’s a web 2.0 site which seeks to get as many folks as possible to create articles for them on whatever they’d like. These “articles” are in the form of webpages and ads are served on them. The nice part is that Squidoo shares the revenue with the author.

As a writer I find I already have enough places for my writing but as a business person I can see that gaining new “eyeballs” could be an advantage if the site gets big and any form of income which can keep giving is also intriguing.

If you’d like to sign up as well (it’s free) here’s my referral link.

POPSCI EXCLUSIVE The 11-Year Quest to Create Disappearing Colored Bubbles - Popular Science

This is a great story! And they’re right, I’ll be buying a bottle of colored bubbles when they come out

EDIT: I just thought of something:

Flavored bubbles. I looked at the picture of the colored bubbles and I thought of flavors immediately. One problem I can see with it is that kids would probably just want to drink the solution from the bottle. Another problem is that though bubbles are non-toxic I doubt the present formula really has been purposely tested for drinking tons of it and where they’d want to encourage kids to eat bubbles.

Still… I think I’ll write these folks, hehe.

Technorati tags:colored bubbles,
inventions

So Getting Things Done what is it?

It’ s a book about getting organized. I first read it in February of 2004. I got gung ho about it and followed it to the letter at first. I also experimented with a paper system partially modeled after something in 43 Folders, decided I was taking too much time and trouble in trying out a new system and then I settled on an electronic system involving a Treo PDA/Cell Phone.

After a few months though, I slacked off a little in that I didn’t always empty my email in-boxes, and then I slacked off a little more by not checking my tickler files. Now; however, I’m back on track.

What I did not fail to do since February of ‘04, was to keep my task and project lists. I think for that part alone, this book was well worth it. And when I’m completely on track, I’d say it’s even more so.

The whole thing centers around two main things in my mind. One is “what the next action” is. Care is taken to show you that the next action isn’t something like, “Clean the apartment” but “Pick up the clothes on the floor” which can be the difference between something that sounds overwhelming and something that can be done. Taken to bigger levels it can mean that “Get a new job” can be accomplished one smaller next action at a time instead of being a nagging thought in your brain.

The other main concept I found very helpful was actions in context. This is so that you only keep in mind things that can be done when you can actually do them. You don’t sit at work worrying about cleaning your apartment. Also, when you are out at errands, you have a list of things that can be done while out on errands, or even things that can be done anywhere, including while waiting for a haircut for instance.

Both of these things help your mind in a few ways. One, you are breaking down big things into manageable steps…. at the same time you are recording these things so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to do them. Two, you don’t spend time worrying about something you can’t get done in the moment anyway.

As I said, even though I slacked off for maybe 3.5 months total since February of 2004, I still think the Getting Things Done system really helped me. Plus, the system is so easy and — as I found out — forgiving once you get done with the first brain dump, that you can get back into it without much guilt and catch up work.

I forsee sticking with this for years to come.

Technorati Tags: gtd, getting things done

Google Analytics

It helps you analyze what keywords brought folks to your website and much more. If you’re already displaying adwords the code will be included.

If you have an AdWords account, you can use Google Analytics directly from the AdWords interface. Google Analytics is the only product that can automatically provide AdWords ROI metrics, without you having to import cost data or add tracking information to keywords. Of course, Google Analytics tracks all of your non-AdWords initiatives as well.

Meet the Life Hackers - New York Times

Interesting article with about productivity and distractions with reference to Getting Things Done and a computer program which attempts to monitor when a would be a good time to interrupt you.

The central danger of interruptions, Czerwinski realized, is not really the interruption at all. It is the havoc they wreak with our short-term memory: What the heck was I just doing?

Technorati tags: productivity

Getting Things Done, OmniOutliner, and syncing to paper at Litwack.org

I was just thinking of how I’ve been lax with my GTD system lately and this article came up on 43 Folders.

I don’t think I’ll be implementing it but it was worth a read and it helps to read others successes to keep you going yourself.

I cleared my inbox today though, this is a good thing.

Potentially useful and free Skype add in:
Co-Browsing With Skype: New Jyve Plugin Adds Call-Forwarding, Web Presence And Auto-Responders - Robin Good’s Latest News

This new Skype plug-in allows quite a few interesting things including the ability to:

a) display your Skype status on any Web page,

b) provide pre-customized auto-responding messages to those who ring you or text chat you while you are busy in another Skype call

c) activate a call forwarding facility that can make your mobile or landline ring you when you can answer important Skype calls

d) co-browse web pages in synch with any Skype contact through a custom dedicated browser.

By downloading a Skype plugin called Jyve, anyone can easily activate all of the above features in a matter of minutes.

Here is the detail of the four features activated by the Jyve Skype plugin…