Use Multitasking Gestures

If you've updated to 5.0 (or 5.1) you have the ability to use multitasking gestures. If you haven't tried them yet, you're missing out on a great way to navigate quickly between apps. You use them with four or five fingers making the motion all at once.

1. Swipe left to right for moving between apps

2. Swipe up to reveal open apps

Never forget to attach a file again

Ok....I admit - this isn't an iPad app. However.....it's still pretty cool and will prevent you from looking foolish because you forgot to include an attachment when emailing from Outlook.

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/E-mail/Mail-Utilities/Forgotten-Attachment-Detector.shtml

 

Organize your apps by function for a more intuitive interface

Saw this post on lifehacker and thought it was a great idea and something to share on the blog.

To read the post, click here

Voicemail Transcription? Voicemail in your email? Yes, it's possible and it's free

Why pay extra on your cell phone bill to have voicemail transcription? I recently made a switch on my voicemail box to use Google Voice. Don't have an account yet? Visit: http://www.google.com/voice to get a local number.

I placed a phone call to Cincinnati Bell and asked for conditional call forwarding which was added at no charge. I asked them to replace my conditional calls (e.g. all non answered calls or calls that come through while I'm on the other line) to be directed to my new Google Voice phone number. To the user leaving the message, they hear no difference in the voicemail message (assuming you set it up prior to connecting to the service). But for you - it can send you a text message with a transcription of the message as well as attach the voicemail as an audio file that is sent to your inbox. If don't have "visual voicemail" and want something close to it. This is a great option....and it's free.

Slow computer?

Recently, I was asked a question about the campus computer replacement program and how one could improve their computer without spending money on a new one (prior to the computer coming up for replacement). I know this isn't iPad related but I feel as if it's a common problem on campus so I am going to address it here in the blog. First and foremost, you need to make sure you have enough memory. Not sure how much you have? Visit http://www.crucial.com and download their memory configurator. Find the link that says "scan my computer" and agree to let it install on your CPU. If you do everything correctly, you will find a report that shows your current memory and the potential for memory upgrades including prices. I've ordered through this site both at home and at work. Of course, once it arrives, one needs to install the new memory. I would suggest contacting Information Technology is you are not familiar with installing memory. For those that are comfortable and have done it before, it's slightly more complicated than replacing a light bulb. It's less involved than you think.

Once you get your memory upgrade (typically most machines only have 1 gb - you want at least 2 gb) - put in a service request for your computer to be reimaged with Windows 7. Most computers still being serviced will be eligible to upgrade as long as the memory is above 2 gb. Prior to having your computer reimaged, you want to be sure you have backed up all important documents to your J or K drive. When a computer is reimaged it is completely wiped clean. Why do you need to reimage your computer? For the average user, a lot of junk accumulates on the cpu over the course of a few years making it run slower and often with errors. Please know that having a slow computer is rarely due to hardware. Most times it's due to software conflicts and other issues so the reimaging can cause a dramatic change as long as you have enough memory.

For most users, adding memory and reimaging will provide additional computer life and improved productivity.

iPad Lounge Presentation

A special thanks to everyone that attended the iPad lounge yesterday in Griffin Hall. Great turn out and even better discussion. If anyone has found this blog as a result of attendance, welcome!

I'm hoping to link the video to the presentation once that is made available but in the meantime, here's the Prezi I covered yesterday:

http://prezi.com/89pbobcx4yda/ipad-lounge2/

My apologies in advance for some of the poor contrast of some of the text. Click on the text to zoom in closer.

If anyone has questions, feel free to email me as always

Pete

Declare Email Bankruptcy

It's ok. I've been there. 1000+ messages in the inbox? 200+ folders? How can manage the madness? First, you need to admit defeat and instead of trying to get better think about doing your work differently. Once you get there and want to try a new productivity-altering method, try the one suggested here:

You only need three folders! Not 10, not 100, only three. Trust me.

The info below is copied almost verbatim from http://lifehacker.com/182318/geek-to-liveempty-your-inbox-with-the-trusted-trio?tag=softwareemail. A big props to Adam Pash and his book Lifehacker. If you don't own this book yet, please consider purchasing yourself a copy. You will be forever changed.

The Trusted Trio

Follow Up
These messages represent tasks you must complete; whether that's a response that will take more than two minutes (anything less than that, just respond on the spot!) or some sort of an action. All these messages represent an item on your to do list.
Examples of messages that might go here include: a request to update the web site, or a message from a long-lost high school friend who you haven't spoken to in years that you want to spend some time writing with updates on your life. To make sure you actually follow up on the messages in this folder, you must review it regularly. Alternately, when you add a message to this folder, make sure you also add it to your to-do list. Here's more on how to separate your email from your to-do's.

Archive
The Archive folder is your long-term email reference library. Place all the messages that contain information you may want to retrieve at some point in the long term future in Archive. Any completed threads, completed requests, memo's you've read, questions you had answered, and completed project email goes into Archive. Basically, whenever an email is "closed" but you may find it useful at some point in the future place it in Archive.
Dumping everything directly into Archive may seem scary to dedicated filers . It was to me at first. However, the archive is your "pile" versus "file;" Just remember it's completely searchable, and any message you place there will be retrievable using a well-crafted query.

Hold
The Hold folder is a temporary holding pen for important messages you'll need quick access to within the next few days. If you're waiting on someone else to get back to you with crucial information, or you're maintaining a thread about a time-sensitive topic, keep it in the Hold folder. For you GTDers (getting things done for those who are unfamiliar), items in the Hold folder might correspond with items in the next few weeks in your tickler file.
Examples of messages that would go in Hold are: a FedEx confirmation number for a delivery that's on its way, or a message from a co-worker that says, "I'll get back to you Tuesday re: The Big Project."
This folder should be reviewed on a regular basis and cleared out as the message contents are no longer needed (ie, that FedEx got delivered or your co-worker gets back to you.)

What does email management have to do with the iPad? Well, if you've ever tried filing messages on an iPad into 100 folders you'll see the problem in about 10 seconds. Once you move to this method, you will find filing messages on your iPad may be quicker than using Outlook. You don't need the folders - trust me. Change your work life today. To further illustrate simplicity, consider the mind of Steve Jobs. Allegedly, when developers were told that the iPhone was to only have two buttons, the first response they gave him was that it was impossible. They brought prototypes with 8, then 6, then 4, but he held strong -"bring me a device that only has 2 buttons. That's it - 2 buttons." Today, that vision has realized the iPhone, iPad, and other "i" inventions. I'm suggesting that three folders follows the same line of thinking.