I wanted to share some of my favorite TECH TIPS and gadgets.   Here is a list of things I want to cover:

 

• Why my wife LOVES Google Calendar
• Using Skype Phone with the SAME phone number
• Scanning Documents with your iPhone or Droid
• Updated Website Forge Training Schedule - FREE TRAINING
• Instant Mirror Web Site (funny)

Why my wife LOVES Google Calendar

 

First, I have a personal guideline -- If I have to use technolgy to enter data in more than one place for the same purpose, I don't use it.

 

Thats why I have always struggled to use a calendar application.  If I enter the appointment on my computer I need to be sitting at my computer for the reminder.

 

If I enter the appointment on my phone -- I may not be able to hear the reminder or may be on my desk phone while it goes off.

 

Finally I tried Google Calendar.  Google Calendar is easy to use.  Most impressive is the ability to sync with many applications.  I sync it with my iPhone, my iPad, my wife's Droid phone, and portions of my calendar with my team.

 

It is often said you should not separate your business and personal appointments so not to neglect one or the other.  With this in mind, my wife can look at my calendar and enter important social events or doctor appointments for me from her phone.  These appointments show up on my calendar instantly.  She can also see when I am available for lunch!

 

I LOVE IT.  It's practical and easy.  Contact me with any questions on how to use Google Calendar to make your life scheule easier.

 

Here is an article on how to share your Google Calendar with other devices. http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/07/sharing-calendars-with-google-calendar-ical-and-the-iphone.ars

 

 

Using Skype Phone with the SAME phone number

 

I am one of the first to test new telephone products and often the last to fully trust the reliability of phone products.  Products like Vonage and Skype have made tremendous progress recently.

 

I signed up for a Skype account a couple years ago when a client told me his entire company used it for direct calls around the office.

 

Since our entire team already used a chat application -- it was easy to move to Skype for the benefit of voice and video chat.

 

I signed up for a phone number so I could make calls just like a regular phone.  I found myself using this phone often because it was better than any speakerphone I have owned.  The phone number is cheap to own.

 

The only caveat was this Skype Phone number was different than my normal line.  If people called me back using caller ID -- They would have to leave a message at my desk.

 

A week ago, Kevin Brown at www.garrettauto.com told me he could change the caller id of his Skype Phone to look just like his cell phone.

 

That is perfect.  I can sit at my desk and call anyone I wish.  If they call me back -- the will ring to my cell phone!  Now I won't miss any important return calls and eliminate any confusion.

 

The Skype Phone quality is very good and suggest you give it a try.

 

Contact me with any questions.

 

 

Scanning Documents with your iPhone or Android Phone

 

"Give me that receipt before you lose it..." -- The first words out of my wife's mouth when I return from the store..

 

I thought to myself "Scanning documents with my iPhone has to be more trouble than it's worth...."

 

I found the Jot Not Scanner Pro!

 

it's not!  It's very easy.  I have scanned everything from legal documents to receipts.  I can scan and file a receipt before I leave the store.  It's that easy and convenient.

 

I can scan and email a document in less than 30 seconds with the JotNot Scanner Pro.  Check it out. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/jotnot-scanner-pro/id307868751?mt=8

 

 

Please don't hesitate to post comments or questions.  I'm happy to give advice and referrals on any topic I can.

 

Updated Website Forge Training Class Schedule

 

DONT FORGET -- you can attend as many training classes as you wish!  Learn basic AND advanced features so you can better maintain your web site!  Even learn how to blog like me!

 

The updated schedule is at http://support.websiteforge.com/113.html

 

Instant Mirror Web Site

 

Check out this web site that provides an INSTANT MIRROR....

 

 

Shane Merem - www.websiteforge.com

Web Design and E-commerce web sites