Computer and Web Articles

1. www.EpisodeCalendar.com – For all the hardcore TV junkies out there: EpisodeCalendar is a free TV episode tracking service that reminds you when all your favorite shows are on. Remember what comes next, check off episodes after you view them, and receive emails when your favorite shows air.
2. www.DropVox.com – Record and upload voice memos right to your DropBox account. $0.99 from the iTunes App store.
3. http://tinyurl.com/4yenymh - Who would have guessed? The usability and user experience of your website is actually related to your search engine rankings.
4. http://tinyurl.com/yl4ho4d - 101 ways to promote a new blog.
5. www.gopileus.com - This is COOL. Easy drag-and-drop sharing on the web. Create an account, drag files (large or small, photos or documents, you choose…) into the big box at the top of the screen. Easily share those files with friends and colleagues across the world. Repeat. (Drag and drop?! This is COOL.)

This is a fascinating example of technology being used in a creative way in an effort to reach a specific target audience.

Sony Music UK’s Creative Director, Phil Clandillon, knew that in addition to falling into a certain age bracket (middle age) and being male, a large percentage of AC/DC fans actually worked at large corporations – meaning they were less likely to have Flash enabled on their computers with which to view videos. So how to reach out and easily encourage the sharing of an AC/DC video amongst this group?

Excel. Yes, as in Microsoft Excel. Apparently (who would have guessed?) it’s animation-friendly, which allowed Clandillon to create a music video that AC/DC’s fan base would be able to view despite barriers like company firewalls or corporate office software limitations.

Check out the video (again, it’s in Excel!) here: http://tinyurl.com/co2eoq. The cool part kicks in around the 00:32 mark.

1. http://tinyurl.com/6kuqpyx - Is it worth paying for cable every month? Have you considered any of the (many) free and/or more comprehensive options now available to you?
2. http://tinyurl.com/5vamtsf - The days are warmer, the sun is staying out later: spring is here. I think it’s time to replace your stale desktop wallpaper, don’t you? I knew you’d agree. Here we have a “Dreams of Spring” collection of fresh spring wallpapers, just for you.
3. http://tinyurl.com/ykgcwno - Twenty ways to drive leads through social media. Many of these might not be right for you, but if you’re on the hunt for new marketing ideas, this list might contain the spark you’ve been looking for.
4. http://bing.com/toolbox/webmasters - Improve your site’s SEO and learn what Bing thinks of your site with Bing’s Webmaster tools.
5. www.PreyProject.com – Track your phone or laptop at all times (and increase the likelihood you’ll your phone or laptop if either gets lost or stolen). Free version and paid Pro version available.

I use Google Maps regularly—not only for mapping and directions, but also when looking up various businesses, attractions, and restaurants. In addition to driving routes, Google Maps provides bus, walking and bike routes—all super helpful when traveling. One of the standout features of Google Maps is their Street View feature (admit it: you’ve zoomed in your house, haven’t you?). Now, Street View just got better—way better.

Originally, Street View imagery was captured by cars and vans with cameras attached, driving around cities and towns, down highways and streets. Now, in addition to the cars, Google has created specially designed tricycles—complete with cameras—that can venture onto hiking trails, into amusement parks and around gardens. Google often hires athletes to power the heavy trikes and capture images where cars can’t go.

Try it out.  Use Street view to explore the gardens at the San Diego Art Institute or have a look around the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin, Ireland. The images are impressively crisp and colorful—it’s almost as good as being there. (Almost.)

You can learn more about using Google Street View here: http://tinyurl.com/yuvrlk

1. http://tinyurl.com/4j4lj9s - A big claim, yet this machine may very well rank up there on the list of “Most Useless Machines Ever.”
2. http://tinyurl.com/69fe33u - Learn how to customize your Mac boot logo.
3. http://spoon.net – I really can’t say it more eloquently than the words smack-dab in the middle of the site’s homepage: “Spoon virtualization lets you run desktop apps anywhere with no installs – at work, at home, or on the road.”
4. http://printfriendly.com – A simple and helpful tool that makes printing pages from the web easier. PrintFriendly strips all the ads, navigation and miscellaneous clutter from web pages, then makes sure the text is clear and easy to read so that when you send the page to your printer, you get a great looking page with no fluff. All with minimal effort.
5. http://tinyurl.com/2v8cyq3 - “How to Make Money on the Internet” is a brilliant, hilarious, beautifully designed infographic that a recent Fast Company dubbed “The Ultimate Web Cash Flowchart.” Excellent.

Who needs a search engine?
I’ve provided links to everything you could possibly be looking for right here.

So. Are you looking for…

… a way to determine if your name/brand has been taken (as a domain name, social media username, or trademark)? Visit http://namechecklist.com.

…a way to create a free website and blog (with little to no technical skill)? Visit http://weebly.com.

… a clear answer that explains why, exactly, you shouldn’t be using Hotmail, Yahoo, or AOL for your business email address? Visit http://tinyurl.com/c3e6bg.

…confirmation that Twitter is not a competition? Visit http://TwitterIsNotACompetition.com.

… an online chart that shows you how to win Rock*Paper*Scissors every single time? Visit http://tinyurl.com/2abr574.

A simple tool for creating HTML tables out of spreadsheet data? Visit http://tableizer.journalistopia.com/.

… tips on how to use cliffhangers in B2B marketing? Visit http://tinyurl.com/4ztsj9l.

… tips on becoming a more productive Basecamp user? Visit http://basecamphq.com/tips.

… a way to highlight text on webpages? Visit http://awesomehighlighter.com

… a simple way to manage your event, workshop, class, or course bookings online? Visit http://bookwhen.com

… a site that pits 2 websites of your choice against one another and shows which loads faster? http://whichloadsfaster.com/

… a place where you can download past versions of software programs? Visit http://olderversion.com.

… a tool that allows you to express your ideas quickly and simply via simple diagrams? Visit http://simplediagrams.com.

… a genuinely entertaining, smile-producing, potentially surprised-expletive inducing, flat-out cool video entitled “People Are Awesome”? Visit http://tinyurl.com/37j45mt.

… 30 examples of beautifully timed photography? Visit http://tinyurl.com/yhfgnq5.

… a way to add sticky notes to webpages in Firefox? Visit http://tinyurl.com/4s9ukrq.

…a website that will create a packing list for you in preparation of your next trip (helpful because you’re of the packing-challenged variety)? Visit http://upl.codeq.info/.

… a BusinessNewsDaily.com discussing how today’s technology takes a significant toll on productivity, creativity, workplace efficiency, and our relationships? Visit http://tinyurl.com/2uqb2kz.

… a site that lets you create running (or walking) routes and find ones from other site members across the country? Visit http://www.WalkJogRun.net.

… a video guide to using Windows 7 speech recognition? Visit http://tinyurl.com/69yzgcz.

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Though I was extremely thorough here in covering just about everything everyone could possibly be searching for, I admit the possibility exists that I could have overlooked something.

Didn’t see what you were looking for here?
Shoot me an email and tell me what was missed.

1. http://mugtug.com/sketchpad/ - Perfect for all the closet graphic designers out there, Mugtug’s “Sketchpad” is a free drawing and illustration program you can begin using the moment the page loads. No registration, no sign-in, no membership. Just visit the page and start drawing, painting, making shapes, and playing around with colors to your heart’s content.
2. http://sitescanga.com – Sites get updated. They change and grow over time. Files get moved around. And all the while it’s important that Google Analytics continues to accurately track your site’s usage. SiteScan is a simple diagnostic tool that scans your website and lets you know if Google Analytics tracking code is properly installed on all your pages (free up to 100 pages).
3. http://tinyurl.com/38yzmcu - A clean, beautifully designed desk accessory that minimizes clutter and provides additional USB ports for my computer? Sounds hot. Tell me more…
4. http://tinyurl.com/4zo4vgv - A short, sweet, and totally free PDF download reviewing “Common Rookie Mistakes” made by businesses dipping their toes into the world of email marketing/email newsletters. Examples of mistakes reviewed include: a) purchasing email lists, b) assuming people remember who you are, and c) assuming people want to hear from you in the first place.
5. http://tinyurl.com/ygd6psn - The complete guide to video blogging, courtesy of Mashable.com.

1. http://tinyurl.com/2wcwpdj - IBM’s prognosticating that our phones will project 3-D images of callers and that our laptops will be powered by kinetic energy. Within 4 years.
2. http://noteandpoint.com – Bored to tears by generic PowerPoint presentations? Looking to make your next presentation a bit livelier? NoteAndPoint.com is a glorious gallery of inspiring PowerPoint presentations proving that PowerPoint does not necessarily mean dull and generic.
3. http://tinyurl.com/27mevvc - Yes, somebody actually quit his job in order to make a living suing spammers.
4. http://tinyurl.com/4p8fh9z - A short, awesome, two paragraph eye-opener that just might change the way your company thinks about handling product returns.
5. http://tinyurl.com/6tzny3 - “Big project, Small Budget: Where to Begin your SEO Campaign.” (Is this an area of confusion for you? You’re not alone. Millions of businesses are looking for the same answers. This article is a great start.)

1. http://tinyurl.com/2a5ew2u - Hide yo’ kids, hide yo’ wife: here are some of 2010’s best viral videos. Perfect when you need a chuckle.
2. http://tinyurl.com/6uruzp - Windows 7 keyboard shortcuts (with video).
3. http://letsfreckle.com – Time tracking and time management for consultants and small teams.
4. http://tinyurl.com/2f963ys - Learn how women and men use Facebook in different ways.
5. http://tinyurl.com/25rc42b - How to replace your computer’s dead power supply.