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BJ Levitt
As a client of MicroWorks you have an easy and direct way to get answers to all your technology questions.
Just email me at bj@microworksfl.com
and I'll respond as soon as possible. MicroWorks doesn't charge clients for email support.
I look forward to your questions and comments.
To access previous newsletters, go to my website
www.microworksfl.com
BJ Levitt
MicroWorks Consulting |
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Email made easy! | |
MailShot Pro $3.99
This is a very neat App that lets you organize your email contacts so you can send information with one stroke to pre-selected lists. You can easily manage up to 50 groups. This is a built-in feature in Windows Outlook but, until now, hasn't been available on Apple mobile devices. |
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And try these
terrific free Apps: | |
Amazon Mobile
amazon.com now sells practically everything. This App makes it even easier to shop Amazon anytime, anywhere. The App contains a barcode scanner and photo tool that lets you instantly compare the price of any store item to Amazon's. (Hint: most retailers will match the lower price rather than lose a sale.)
Dropbox
If your files are scattered all over -- office computer, home desktop, laptop -- having a dependable syncing program is a must. Yes, Dropbox is another Cloud, but this App is a simple interface and worth having. Can't beat the price!
Evernote
This is the best of the iPhone note taking Apps. Easy to use and, again, it uses a Cloud to sync all of your files. Make a change on your iPhone and it shows up when you log into Evernote on any other device. You can even snap pictures of whiteboards or PowerPoint slides for later reference.
GateGuru
Stuck in an airport waiting for a flight? This App rates best restaurants, retail stores, club facilities, and even where to find the cleanest restrooms. And it lets you know exactly how long it will take to get there and back to your gate. When life gives you lemons...
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If you have questions or comments, email, call or text me at:
bj@microworksfl.com
561-880-5566 |
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Your Last Laptop?
The chances are good that the laptop you are currently using, or the next one you buy, will be your last.
Touchscreen tablets are already capable of doing most jobs a laptop can perform and it's only a matter of time before new generations of tablets will become your personal computer of choice.
Lately I've been helping many clients make a decision whether to "wear out" their current hardware or upgrade to a new laptop now to give them a two or three year window as competing technologies sort themselves out.
The good news is there are some wonderful laptops available at reasonable prices. They're light, fast and much better than anything you could have bought just a couple of years ago. So, if your current model is showing signs of age -- limited battery life, for example -- or if it seems a bit heavy and unwieldy after you've been spoiled by an iPad or Android tablet, or in a worst case scenario, you're concerned that your hard drive is becoming cranky and you may face a catastrophic failure -- it might be time to invest in an upgrade.
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Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match! | | |
Your relationship with your computer is very personal.
You've become accustomed to its screen. Its keyboard. Its operating system. How it relates to your other devices and to peripherals. How it communicates with your office, your bank, your credit card company, your brokerage, and your friends and family. It is really part of a network established over time and you've gotten used to its quirkiness and limitations and workarounds.
Change can be exhilarating but it can also be a pain in the neck. Of course, I can help ease that transition, but first we need to answer some important questions.
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Mac or Windows? | |
Remember the Seinfeld "Soup Nazi" episode. (If you're one of the three or four people who never saw it, click on the link to access the highlights of one of television's funniest half hours!)
Seinfeld
Well, Steve Jobs (God bless him) was the Tech Nazi. Apple has great products. You're meant to open the box, turn them on, and use them exactly the way Steve meant them to be used. No options. No personal adjustments. No tinkering. In other words, if you're not willing to do it Steve's way, no Apple Juice for you! (Before you consider "jailbreaking" or altering your Apple device, please call me. It's a very bad idea.)
In return for your compliance, you get a system that has a short learning curve, performs dependably, is aesthetically pleasing, and is blessedly free from most Internet viruses. You also pay a little more for comparable performance and features. For most people who are not technically obsessed, this is a very good choice.
However, there are also good reasons to choose or stay with a Windows-based PC. Especially if you're someone who enjoys playing the field -- exploring multiple options, tweaking performance, getting the most bang for your buck. Or if you are connected to a Windows network.
I swing both ways. I've installed and maintained Microsoft systems for Fortune 500 companies and seldom does a week go by that UPS or FedEx isn't at my door with packages from Apple.
Once you've made this basic choice, product selection is relatively straightforward.
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Let's cut to the chase. | |
The 11" MacBook Air ($1200) is a great laptop computer. It weighs only 2.5 lbs (just 17 ounces more than your iPad 2 without its cover). There is no internal optical reader for DVDs and the battery life is only 6 hours when new. You can't lose weight without a little dieting.
The 13" MacBook Air ($1300) weighs in at 2.9 lbs. without a DVD drive but with 9 hours of new battery life. I personally think it's worth the extra $100 and 4 ounces.
And if you're not drinking the Apple Juice: Today's best buy, pound for pound and dollar for dollar, is the 13" Toshiba Portege ($730). It weighs just 3.2 lbs with an internal DVD player and 9 hours of promised battery life. I've got one and love it!
Call me if you want to discuss any of this in more detail.
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Looking for a great holiday gift?
Amazon lights my Fire! | |
The Amazon Kindle Fire is not an iPad. It's a $200 backlit, touchscreen, full-color reader and video player.
Its 7" screen delivers about half the viewing area of an iPad, it is Wi-Fi only and, while it does have a USB port and audio speakers, it doesn't have a camera.
What it does best is access Amazon's huge library of content -- books, music, video, and magazines. Its internal storage can handle at least 80 apps, 10 movies, 800 songs and 6,000 books for use when there's no Internet connection. With a Wi-Fi connection, you can stream content from Amazon's cloud storage.
All-in-all, a pretty neat stocking stuffer!
Kindle Fire
We're working on getting our December Newsletter out at least two weeks before Christmas and we'll be doing a complete review on the best Readers from Amazon and Barnes and Noble. A lot of you have told me you are considering these as gifts (even for yourself!) and I'll be doing some hands-on comparison testing in the meantime. I know -- it's a tough job but someone's got to do it. LOL. |
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And now, good news from Microworks. | | |
In response to some of our clients' requests, we're adding staff and expanding to offer a range of non-technical professional services.
I will continue to personally handle all technical consulting. There will be no change in what you've come to expect from me.
But if you need competent, efficient, reliable help to get something done that you really don't have the time or inclination to do yourself, call our professional services Hotline:
(561) 318-1834
Challenge us. I think you'll find our rates reasonable and I personally guarantee you will be completely satisfied with the results.
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