Hi Everyone,
I created a blog spot to store some of the “Tips of the Day” outside of our domain. This will make it easier for most of you (not on our sdcoe domain) to find older tips of the day. Go to http://rop-tipoftheday.blogspot.com/. Now that I’m looking at them outside of my email, some of the tips are too long. Sorry, I’ll try to keep future tips short and to the point.
Open in new tab:
Have you done a web search on your mobile device and you want to keep the results window open. Try click and hold on the link to open in new tab.
Floating Keyboard:
I’ve noticed on a couple of iPads in our group that your keyboard was floating on the screen (slightly off the bottom). Did you know that you can undock your keyboard and move it up and down on the screen or split it into two(works better in a portrait and type with your thumbs)? Click and hold on the keyboard icon (lower right), to dock/split or if you are another person wondering why your keyboard is so high on the screen, select dock.
App of the week: For those aspiring engineers, try Bridge Constructor (on sale $0.99). Building a bridge for a car is easy, try making it strong enough to hold the trucks. Hours of fun for those of us who think pocket protectors serve a function. LOL
Hope you enjoy these tips. Don’t forget, if you have a great tip or app, pass it on.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Episode 51: Can you please unlock my account.
Hi Everyone,
Okay, it’s that time of the year for some of you and you received the message, “Your password is about to expire” on your Exchange accounts. You reset your password on your computer and now your account is locked out. Now you have to call the help desk to reset your account. Oh, by the way, you will also see a TARC for the account reset. Which brings us to today’s tip of the day.
Resetting your Exchange account
Did you know that if you have your Exchange email on your mobile devices and you don’t reset your password on your mobile devices you will lock out your Exchange account. You can avoid this by doing a couple of things before your reset your password on your computer. Make sure that you have all of your mobile devices (iPhone, smart phone, iPad, etc) before resetting your password. There are several options at this point, depending on your device. You can turn off “Push” service, put your device in “Airplane Mode” or bring up the account and delete the password (DON’T delete the account). I personally bring up the account and delete that password on my iPhone\iPad before I change my password on my computer.
On iPhones and iPad, go to Settings\Mail, Contacts, Calendars\Select your Exchange Account\Account.
Now, change your password on your computer and then change them on your mobile devices. Don’t forget if you check your email on your laptop to change it as well.
I must be going blind?
I hope I’m not the only one struggling with this problem. I know that my doctor said to wear my glasses to read, but to plug in my charger? Okay, raise your virtual hand if you can’t see the little icon on your cable to charge for your iPhone/iPad. I keep my charging cable on my night stand and in low light, I can’t see which side is up. Try putting a piece of tape over the icon to help see and feel the correct side of the plug.
Sent from my iPhone/iPad
Here’s an old “Tip of the Day” for you. I still see quite a few “Sent from my iPhone/iPads out there. Did you know that you can create a signature on your iPhone/iPad? Go to Settings/Mail, Contacts, Calendars/Signature to create a signature for your email. Now when you send an email, it will automatically add the signature to the end of your email.
App of the day: MagicPlan
Looking for an app to layout your floor plan, try MagicPlan (free). It uses your iPhone/iPad’s camera to create a floor plan. Just aim at the corners and it builds your room with just a few clicks. I’m still playing with the app, so let me know how it works for you.
Hope you enjoy these tips. Don’t forget, if you have a great tip or app, pass it on.
Okay, it’s that time of the year for some of you and you received the message, “Your password is about to expire” on your Exchange accounts. You reset your password on your computer and now your account is locked out. Now you have to call the help desk to reset your account. Oh, by the way, you will also see a TARC for the account reset. Which brings us to today’s tip of the day.
Resetting your Exchange account
Did you know that if you have your Exchange email on your mobile devices and you don’t reset your password on your mobile devices you will lock out your Exchange account. You can avoid this by doing a couple of things before your reset your password on your computer. Make sure that you have all of your mobile devices (iPhone, smart phone, iPad, etc) before resetting your password. There are several options at this point, depending on your device. You can turn off “Push” service, put your device in “Airplane Mode” or bring up the account and delete the password (DON’T delete the account). I personally bring up the account and delete that password on my iPhone\iPad before I change my password on my computer.
On iPhones and iPad, go to Settings\Mail, Contacts, Calendars\Select your Exchange Account\Account.
Now, change your password on your computer and then change them on your mobile devices. Don’t forget if you check your email on your laptop to change it as well.
I must be going blind?
I hope I’m not the only one struggling with this problem. I know that my doctor said to wear my glasses to read, but to plug in my charger? Okay, raise your virtual hand if you can’t see the little icon on your cable to charge for your iPhone/iPad. I keep my charging cable on my night stand and in low light, I can’t see which side is up. Try putting a piece of tape over the icon to help see and feel the correct side of the plug.
Sent from my iPhone/iPad
Here’s an old “Tip of the Day” for you. I still see quite a few “Sent from my iPhone/iPads out there. Did you know that you can create a signature on your iPhone/iPad? Go to Settings/Mail, Contacts, Calendars/Signature to create a signature for your email. Now when you send an email, it will automatically add the signature to the end of your email.
App of the day: MagicPlan
Looking for an app to layout your floor plan, try MagicPlan (free). It uses your iPhone/iPad’s camera to create a floor plan. Just aim at the corners and it builds your room with just a few clicks. I’m still playing with the app, so let me know how it works for you.
Hope you enjoy these tips. Don’t forget, if you have a great tip or app, pass it on.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Episode 50: Can't find my phone
Hi Everyone,
I know that we never misplace things in life and definitely not an iPhone. Did you know that there are tools to help you find your iPhone and tools that you should consider to help protect your iPhones/iPads.
Where did I put the phone?
“Find My iPhone” is a service that you can use to help find your iPhone/iPad. Everyone should have “iCloud” setup on your mobile device. All you have to do is enable “Find My iPhone/iPad” to launch this free service. If you have multiple devices (iPhone/iPad) and you misplaced your phone, just launch “Find iPhone” (available at the app store if it’s not on your device) to send a message, see where you placed it or even lock and remote wipe the phone. From a computer, go to icloud.com and login with your Apple ID and password.
The great part is that even if you had set your phone to vibrate or volume to low, the sound it plays is loud. If in the event that your phone is stolen, you can remote lock and remote wipe your phone, protecting your information on your phone. Which brings us to my next tip security.
Are you protecting your information?
If you don’t protect your phone with a passcode, you can’t protect the information, photos, videos, etc on your iPhone/iPad. If you are like me and don’t have a passcode to open your phone, at least enable restrictions and passcode protect location services.
Go to Settings\General\Restrictions\Enable Restrictions (you’ll have to create a passcode here…don’t forget this passcode) \Location\ and select “Don’t Allow Changes”
This will help keep location services locked on your iPhone/iPad. If your device is stolen and turned off. You can still send a lock or remote wipe command to the phone (Find iPhone app or iCoud). As soon as it is turned on, it will lock down or wipe the info (depending on the command you sent). If it was a wifi device like an iPad, the same thing will apply as soon as it connects to the internet. This is the only drawback of not protecting a wifi only device with an opening passcode. Until the device connects to the internet, they have access to your personal info on that device.
Take a snapshot (press the On\Off button and Home button and the same time) of your “About” screen to store your serial number and IMEI number (you’ll have to scroll up to see both on the screen at the same time and make sure to upload the photo to your computer or cloud). The IMEI number is what your service provided will need to blacklist your device from their network.
Turn your printer into an AirPrinter
Okay, you have plenty of regular printers at home and no AirPrinter to print from your iPad/iPhone. Sure there are apps out there that will print from the app, but you want to print from your web browser or your document that you’re reading. Well, if you have a wifi network at home and a shared printer on your network, you can turn your printer into an AirPrinter. Go to Netputing and download their AirPrint Activator. It works on my Mac network. If you have PC’s at home, let me know if the universal driver works on your network.
Our favorite app of the day: Temple Run Brave ($0.99) It’s like the free version of Temple Run, but based on the movie Brave. Lots of fun…I see Susie playing it all the time…LOL.
Hope you enjoy these tips. Don’t forget, if you have a great tip or app, pass it on.
I know that we never misplace things in life and definitely not an iPhone. Did you know that there are tools to help you find your iPhone and tools that you should consider to help protect your iPhones/iPads.
Where did I put the phone?
“Find My iPhone” is a service that you can use to help find your iPhone/iPad. Everyone should have “iCloud” setup on your mobile device. All you have to do is enable “Find My iPhone/iPad” to launch this free service. If you have multiple devices (iPhone/iPad) and you misplaced your phone, just launch “Find iPhone” (available at the app store if it’s not on your device) to send a message, see where you placed it or even lock and remote wipe the phone. From a computer, go to icloud.com and login with your Apple ID and password.
The great part is that even if you had set your phone to vibrate or volume to low, the sound it plays is loud. If in the event that your phone is stolen, you can remote lock and remote wipe your phone, protecting your information on your phone. Which brings us to my next tip security.
Are you protecting your information?
If you don’t protect your phone with a passcode, you can’t protect the information, photos, videos, etc on your iPhone/iPad. If you are like me and don’t have a passcode to open your phone, at least enable restrictions and passcode protect location services.
Go to Settings\General\Restrictions\Enable Restrictions (you’ll have to create a passcode here…don’t forget this passcode) \Location\ and select “Don’t Allow Changes”
This will help keep location services locked on your iPhone/iPad. If your device is stolen and turned off. You can still send a lock or remote wipe command to the phone (Find iPhone app or iCoud). As soon as it is turned on, it will lock down or wipe the info (depending on the command you sent). If it was a wifi device like an iPad, the same thing will apply as soon as it connects to the internet. This is the only drawback of not protecting a wifi only device with an opening passcode. Until the device connects to the internet, they have access to your personal info on that device.
Take a snapshot (press the On\Off button and Home button and the same time) of your “About” screen to store your serial number and IMEI number (you’ll have to scroll up to see both on the screen at the same time and make sure to upload the photo to your computer or cloud). The IMEI number is what your service provided will need to blacklist your device from their network.
Turn your printer into an AirPrinter
Okay, you have plenty of regular printers at home and no AirPrinter to print from your iPad/iPhone. Sure there are apps out there that will print from the app, but you want to print from your web browser or your document that you’re reading. Well, if you have a wifi network at home and a shared printer on your network, you can turn your printer into an AirPrinter. Go to Netputing and download their AirPrint Activator. It works on my Mac network. If you have PC’s at home, let me know if the universal driver works on your network.
Our favorite app of the day: Temple Run Brave ($0.99) It’s like the free version of Temple Run, but based on the movie Brave. Lots of fun…I see Susie playing it all the time…LOL.
Hope you enjoy these tips. Don’t forget, if you have a great tip or app, pass it on.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Episode 49: What a pane, trying to find that file
Hi Everyone,
Did you know that you have a tool out there that will help you look through a document without launching the application (ex. Word). Most of you use it every day when you open up your email and see the content in the preview pane.
Where did I put that file?
Here’s a little tool that can be very helpful when managing similar or large (number or items, not size) files. I seldom see people using this tool. For one reason or another, perhaps you haven’t opened it in a while and it’s no longer in your recently opened list. I’ve seen so many users opening and closing numerous files, trying to find a file they are looking for. Raise your hand if you are one of them. Next time, try the “Preview Pane” (see Figure 1.01). Click on the icon and the preview pane will open, letting you preview the file without opening the application (see Figure 1.02). You can scroll through the document, highlight and copy information (I use it to copy scripts and formulas). Remember, this is just a tool that you want to use when needed. Like a light switch, turn it on when you are searching for something and turn it off when you are done.
Surfing the web (iPhone/iPad)
Here are a few web tools to try. Okay, you’re surfing the web on your mobile device and you want to copy the image from the web? Click and hold on the image and you will see the options window open. Us it to save or copy the image. If you save the image, it will save it to your camera roll. I also us this option to open links in new tabs. Click on hold on a link to open the page in a new tab. Have you seen “READER” in the address bar when looking for article on the web? Click on it to read the article without the ads or clutter of the web page. If you want to save the article or read it later, add it to your “Reader List”.
Did you know that you have a tool out there that will help you look through a document without launching the application (ex. Word). Most of you use it every day when you open up your email and see the content in the preview pane.
Where did I put that file?
Here’s a little tool that can be very helpful when managing similar or large (number or items, not size) files. I seldom see people using this tool. For one reason or another, perhaps you haven’t opened it in a while and it’s no longer in your recently opened list. I’ve seen so many users opening and closing numerous files, trying to find a file they are looking for. Raise your hand if you are one of them. Next time, try the “Preview Pane” (see Figure 1.01). Click on the icon and the preview pane will open, letting you preview the file without opening the application (see Figure 1.02). You can scroll through the document, highlight and copy information (I use it to copy scripts and formulas). Remember, this is just a tool that you want to use when needed. Like a light switch, turn it on when you are searching for something and turn it off when you are done.
Here are a few web tools to try. Okay, you’re surfing the web on your mobile device and you want to copy the image from the web? Click and hold on the image and you will see the options window open. Us it to save or copy the image. If you save the image, it will save it to your camera roll. I also us this option to open links in new tabs. Click on hold on a link to open the page in a new tab. Have you seen “READER” in the address bar when looking for article on the web? Click on it to read the article without the ads or clutter of the web page. If you want to save the article or read it later, add it to your “Reader List”.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Episode 48: Blast to the past
Hi Everyone,
Okay, a lot of you have been asking questions we’ve reviewed in the past and I know we have some new users out there, so I’m dedicating the next few “TOD’s” to some of my favorite Tips of the Past.
Here’s one of my favorite Tip: Where did I put it?
Okay, I’m guilty of this one too. How many times have you found yourself staring at your screen wondering where did I put that app, or how did I list the person in my contact? Use “Spotlight” on you iPhone or iPad to quickly find a contact, app, docs and more. You don’t have to open your contact, and then scroll through the names to find them. From the “Home” screen sweep to the left or press your home once. From any other screen, slowly press your home key twice (if you press it quickly, to takes you to the multitask bar) and type what you’re looking for.
Fun app to the classroom or meeting: eClicker Presenter
Here’s another tip for your meetings/presentations/trainings. Do you have meetings/presentations/trainings where you would like to poll, quiz or even evaluate the session? Typically, you print out the forms and pass it around the room for everyone to fill out. You then gather the forms, then tabulate and enter the answers into another program. Maybe you use an online survey, which requires a subscription $$, and have you’ve seen the length of the links. If you don’t embed into a web page, or email the link, it is almost impossible to read off the link (http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/web23402039723_and_so_on).
There’s a simple app out there that you can use to poll/quiz your audience. Try eClicker Presenter ($14.99 now, sorry was on sale earlier for $0.99) and eClicker Audience (Free) at the app store (iPhone/iPad). Any internet enabled device (iphone, ipad, android, blackberry, laptop, etc.) can be used to answer the questions. Simple enter the provided URL (ex 10.99.32.44:8080) to take the poll/quiz.
Looking for a sale: App Price Drops
Are you a bargain hunter or like me and spent waaaaaay too much money on apps and should have waited for a sale. Try App Price Drops by Apple Sliced. If you want to try an app and you want to wait for the price to come down. Set a price alert with this app and it will email you when it reaches the price you selected. I wanted to try eClicker Presenter by not at $14.99. I got it at $0.99.
Note: when looking at the screen shots in this app, you can swipe through the screen shots. You don’t have to click on the next button.
Remember, if you have a great app or tip, pass it along.
Okay, a lot of you have been asking questions we’ve reviewed in the past and I know we have some new users out there, so I’m dedicating the next few “TOD’s” to some of my favorite Tips of the Past.
Here’s one of my favorite Tip: Where did I put it?
Okay, I’m guilty of this one too. How many times have you found yourself staring at your screen wondering where did I put that app, or how did I list the person in my contact? Use “Spotlight” on you iPhone or iPad to quickly find a contact, app, docs and more. You don’t have to open your contact, and then scroll through the names to find them. From the “Home” screen sweep to the left or press your home once. From any other screen, slowly press your home key twice (if you press it quickly, to takes you to the multitask bar) and type what you’re looking for.
Fun app to the classroom or meeting: eClicker Presenter
Here’s another tip for your meetings/presentations/trainings. Do you have meetings/presentations/trainings where you would like to poll, quiz or even evaluate the session? Typically, you print out the forms and pass it around the room for everyone to fill out. You then gather the forms, then tabulate and enter the answers into another program. Maybe you use an online survey, which requires a subscription $$, and have you’ve seen the length of the links. If you don’t embed into a web page, or email the link, it is almost impossible to read off the link (http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/web23402039723_and_so_on).
There’s a simple app out there that you can use to poll/quiz your audience. Try eClicker Presenter ($14.99 now, sorry was on sale earlier for $0.99) and eClicker Audience (Free) at the app store (iPhone/iPad). Any internet enabled device (iphone, ipad, android, blackberry, laptop, etc.) can be used to answer the questions. Simple enter the provided URL (ex 10.99.32.44:8080) to take the poll/quiz.
Looking for a sale: App Price Drops
Are you a bargain hunter or like me and spent waaaaaay too much money on apps and should have waited for a sale. Try App Price Drops by Apple Sliced. If you want to try an app and you want to wait for the price to come down. Set a price alert with this app and it will email you when it reaches the price you selected. I wanted to try eClicker Presenter by not at $14.99. I got it at $0.99.
Note: when looking at the screen shots in this app, you can swipe through the screen shots. You don’t have to click on the next button.
Remember, if you have a great app or tip, pass it along.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Episode 47: Meetings & Presentations, who's controlling the laptop
Hi Everyone,
Here are some tips for your next workshop or meeting. I’m also adding some updates to previous TODs (Tips of the day).
Remote Desktop (iPad)
This is a tip for the techs out there. Do you have meetings with multiple presenters (multiple PowerPoint, Keynote), or a presenter that may need a little help with technology? Try remote desktop support. You can sit at the back of the room an monitor or control the presenters laptop from your iPad. You can switch to the next PowerPoint without having to go the laptop, pull up a webpage and more. There are several apps out there (Splashtop, LogMeIn, etc). If you have a GoToAssist subscription, the GoToAssist app is a great tool.
Meeting Agenda (iPad)
Have you been to a meeting and the person next to you is highlighting or making notes to the agenda on their iPad? Try emailing your agendas in a PDF format, then users can use any of the PDF apps to take notes on your meeting. Looking for a PDF app, try GoodReader, iAnnotate or PDF Expert. Like with any app, check the review, email the group or ask another user.
Camera: smile for the camera :- )
I see you out there, taking pictures of the event/conference on your iPhone (this is an update to Episode 37 & 41). Remember, you can use the volume up button to take pictures. Okay, now you have to email them from the conference. Here’s a couple things to remember. When you email your photo, you are limited to 5 at a time. If you select more, the email option will go away. Here’s another thing. If you send several emails with 5 photos in each email, each of the files will have the same file name (photo1.jpg, photo 2.jpg, etc). Let the person know that they will have to rename the file before they import or copy the next group.
Keyboard Shortcut (iPad)
Here’s a quick tip for your iPad. Need to type an apostrophe or quotes? Instead of switching your keyboard by pressing on [.?123] button, try holding down the [ , ] button for apostrophe and [ . ] for quotes. Remember the other shortcuts as well. The [.com] button and the [ . ] in the email keyboard (when you see the @ symbol) has net, org, com, us & edu. Did you know that you don’t need to type .com when surfing the web on you iPhone or iPad? If the domain name is any of the other .net, .gov, etc, you will need to type it out.
Here’s a new app to try. “SayHi Translate” (on sale $0.99). It’s a translation app with a voice interface. You can almost carry a conversation with this app.
Hope you’ll enjoy the tips and remember to pass on your must have apps and tips.
Here are some tips for your next workshop or meeting. I’m also adding some updates to previous TODs (Tips of the day).
Remote Desktop (iPad)
This is a tip for the techs out there. Do you have meetings with multiple presenters (multiple PowerPoint, Keynote), or a presenter that may need a little help with technology? Try remote desktop support. You can sit at the back of the room an monitor or control the presenters laptop from your iPad. You can switch to the next PowerPoint without having to go the laptop, pull up a webpage and more. There are several apps out there (Splashtop, LogMeIn, etc). If you have a GoToAssist subscription, the GoToAssist app is a great tool.
Meeting Agenda (iPad)
Have you been to a meeting and the person next to you is highlighting or making notes to the agenda on their iPad? Try emailing your agendas in a PDF format, then users can use any of the PDF apps to take notes on your meeting. Looking for a PDF app, try GoodReader, iAnnotate or PDF Expert. Like with any app, check the review, email the group or ask another user.
Camera: smile for the camera :- )
I see you out there, taking pictures of the event/conference on your iPhone (this is an update to Episode 37 & 41). Remember, you can use the volume up button to take pictures. Okay, now you have to email them from the conference. Here’s a couple things to remember. When you email your photo, you are limited to 5 at a time. If you select more, the email option will go away. Here’s another thing. If you send several emails with 5 photos in each email, each of the files will have the same file name (photo1.jpg, photo 2.jpg, etc). Let the person know that they will have to rename the file before they import or copy the next group.
Keyboard Shortcut (iPad)
Here’s a quick tip for your iPad. Need to type an apostrophe or quotes? Instead of switching your keyboard by pressing on [.?123] button, try holding down the [ , ] button for apostrophe and [ . ] for quotes. Remember the other shortcuts as well. The [.com] button and the [ . ] in the email keyboard (when you see the @ symbol) has net, org, com, us & edu. Did you know that you don’t need to type .com when surfing the web on you iPhone or iPad? If the domain name is any of the other .net, .gov, etc, you will need to type it out.
Here’s a new app to try. “SayHi Translate” (on sale $0.99). It’s a translation app with a voice interface. You can almost carry a conversation with this app.
Hope you’ll enjoy the tips and remember to pass on your must have apps and tips.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Episode 46: iOS 5.1 Update
Hi Everyone,
iOS 5.1 came out this week. Don’t forget to backup your device before you run any updates and plan on 20-30 minutes for this update. Remember back in the tip for iOS 5.0, you can now run your update from your device. Set your iTunes to wifi and plug your device to a power supply (I have an alarm clock with a dock).
Here are a few highlights for this update:
· Siri now supports Japanese…”Ohayo gozaimasu”
· You can delete photos from “Photo Stream”
· Camera on your iPad in easier to use.
· With iOS 5.1, you can now run iPhoto and update your iMovie to create movie trailers…yeah
· Camera shortcut is now visible on the “Lock Screen”. From the lock screen, place your finger on the icon and drag it upwards to open the app.
If you are in the market for an iPad, the new iPad 3 will be available on Friday, March 16th (if you saving up for my birthday in June, the Black 32GB Wi-Fi + 4G would be great…lol)
iOS 5.1 came out this week. Don’t forget to backup your device before you run any updates and plan on 20-30 minutes for this update. Remember back in the tip for iOS 5.0, you can now run your update from your device. Set your iTunes to wifi and plug your device to a power supply (I have an alarm clock with a dock).
Here are a few highlights for this update:
· Siri now supports Japanese…”Ohayo gozaimasu”
· You can delete photos from “Photo Stream”
· Camera on your iPad in easier to use.
· With iOS 5.1, you can now run iPhoto and update your iMovie to create movie trailers…yeah
· Camera shortcut is now visible on the “Lock Screen”. From the lock screen, place your finger on the icon and drag it upwards to open the app.
If you are in the market for an iPad, the new iPad 3 will be available on Friday, March 16th (if you saving up for my birthday in June, the Black 32GB Wi-Fi + 4G would be great…lol)
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