Thursday, January 30, 2014

23 Mobile Things:Thing 5

Notetaking

As I mentioned in a previous entry, I've started using Evernote for organizing information on my phone.  But since that wasn't one of the options mentioned for this project, I decided to try Springpad. I have a trip coming up, with lots of things to do beforehand and a fairly expansive packing list - much different than what I usually pack.  And we're going to be remodeling our kitchen (after far too many years of living with only 4 feet of counter space...), so I'll collect ideas for that, too.

Springpad was easy to download on my phone, and simple to create an account for.  I also signed in on a computer, and the two automatically sync, which is great. I have to admit I poked around somewhat on the computer as opposed to my phone, mostly because I find the larger size easier on the eyes! I started out creating tasks on my phone, and quickly realized that each task was a separate item, not a list like I really wanted.  I created 2 checklists instead, one for things to do and one for things to pack, and put them both in one notebook. I haven't yet checked anything off, but know you can hide finished items. Creating notebooks lets you group all like items together.  They can be private or shared.  Since I don't know anyone on Springpad, and don't want to broadcast our plans to all and sundry, mine are private for now. I got a bit confused over how to save the checklists, and how to get them where I wanted, so ended up with duplicates.  And it took me a while to figure out how to delete unwanted items! Guess I'm a bit slow, but that's why I'm doing this project.  Anyway, to delete a task or list, you go to the bottom right of the item and a little trash can shows up.  It's visible all the time when you're on a computer, but you have to hover over that corner on a mobile to see it. So now it's all organized just the way I want it.  I also found a website I wanted to link to, with a tour for where we're headed.  I was able to add that to my notebook, too. To link on your mobile, you simply go to the site, pull up your menu (depending on how your device works), pick share and then Springpad. To do it on a computer, you can click on the add button, which is a plus sign, and it asks what you want to add - a link, a note, a task, etc.  Here, obviously, you'd pick link.  Simply copy and paste the link.  You can also add notes to each one - really handy. Now we'll just have to see if I have data service where we're headed...  I know I have it where we're lodging, but not so sure about coverage as we're out and about.  Just to be safe, I printed things out, too.  That's not only because I'm concerned about coverage.  Everything I'm reading is telling me to leave NOTHING of value in our car, and I won't always be carrying my phone with me, as we'll be in wet spots.  Water + phone = bad idea.

I started doing just some general digging around on kitchen ideas to get that notebook started.  This one is a home improvement notebook, and has tabs for ideas, notes and tasks. I like that.  You can use Pinterest to pin webpages, sure, but it doesn't let you make lists or keep notes.  Springpad lets you put it all together.  It's really easy to add items.  I did most of this on a computer - again, that bigger screen thing - but it's easily done from a mobile, too.  I do find some aspects of the app frustrating.  I added a blog that talked about using Ikea cabinets, and the link doesn't show up in the tab with all the others.  I can search for Ikea and it pops right up. I can look at All My Stuff (one of the links) and it's there, too.  But look under ideas and it's just not there.  I scrolled up and down - nothing.  Can't go side to side, so that's no help. It's not under tasks or notes, either. Tried logging out and logging back in - still no help. Same on my mobile.  I remember the blog is there now, but will I later? It has some really useful information. I'll keep  look for answers.

Here's a blog comparing Pinterest, Evernote and Springpad: http://www.40tech.com/2012/04/12/springpad-vs-pinterest-vs-evernote-vs-nobody/
It says pretty much what I said - Pinterest lets you pin websites, but not add notes or tasks.
Evernote is great at the notes part, but not the pinning part.
Springpad does both.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

23 Mobile Things: Thing 2

Mobile Device Tips

I have a Samsung Galaxy SIII and use it all the time - although not so much as a phone! We're members of the fast shrinking group of fogies who still have a land line.  We've had it for more years than I'm willing to admit to here, and it's the number everyone has.  It's such a pain to change your phone number that we just keep using it.  I also don't carry my phone on me all the time.  If I did that at home, I'd end up walking off without it. And since I have a long drive to work through some somewhat isolated areas (and it's dang cold here right now - it would be dangerous to get stranded and not be able to call for help), I want a phone with me.  So since the smart phone lives in my purse at home, I often don't hear it, whereas I always hear the land line.  I also don't want to have my phone with me at the reference desk.  For one thing, I don't think it looks good to the public.  For another, with the way our desks are set up, when I get up to help someone, it would be far too simple for someone to walk off with it.  Our patrons are pretty darn honest, but it only takes one.

So what do I use the phone for?  Well, I do use it for calls.  I text, check email, and use the internet.  Sometimes I use it for a camera, although I prefer a regular camera as it's faster.  When I turn the camera on, it's ready to go, instead of me having to open the cover, draw my password pattern and pick the camera function.  I also know the buttons on my camera - there aren't many - and I don't know them all on my phone.  Since I need reading glasses to see all the icons and often don't have them on while out and about, I can't do anything but the most basic shots with the phone.  I know there's more I can do, and intend to explore some of those in one of the other "things." It takes amazingly good pictures, and it's sure nice to just be able to send one to someone, instead of having to upload from the SD card and then go into email and so on. And it's nice to always be able to pull out that special picture!

I haven't gotten into Facebook on my phone.  That's deliberate.  I'm not on social media all that much and, frankly, don't want it to suck up huge amounts of my time.  Maybe I'll change my mind sometime. I'm on Facebook as often as I want to be, and choose to not have it be all the time.

Given all that, what tips did I try?

Well, I added words to my personal dictionary.  Since we have some names and nicknames in our family that aren't in standard dictionaries, adding words means I won't have to key them all in every time. I tried changing my font, but the one I liked is just too hard for me to read without those glasses.  I can read the default font, and also Sansung Sans, so I'm giving the latter a try for a while.  It's good to know it can be done! I learned how to turn off the sound and/or vibration when using keys, but I'm going to leave them on.  I don't use my phone in places that are really quiet, and I find the noise or feel helps me know what I'm doing.  For example, if I'm swiping a word into a message and don't feel the vibration, I know I've goofed somehow and the word isn't registering.  That's another thing I love about this phone - the Swype keyboard! I could manage texting when I had actual keys on my previous phone, but I'm just clumsy with using thumbs to type, even when I turn the phone sideways to make the display larger. So "writing" the word by running my finger over the keyboard is fantastic! Much faster for me, and far more accurate. I tried using a stylus, but wasn't a big fan.  It wasn't any easier than using Swype, plus it was another thing to haul around.  I thought I might use it for notes, but writing with it wasn't all that much better than writing with a fingertip, and both were sloppy.  So I often just send myself a message to remind me of something.  I've recently added Evernote to both my home computer and phone.  Evernote lets you create checklists, keep notes, photos, websites, documents all organized into notebooks. It automatically syncs them, too, so you always have access to all your items.  I'm planning a trip, and am making lists of what I need to pack and things that need to be done, as well as keeping keeping all my relevant emails handy (flight schedules, reservations and such). It's a great way to be organized on the go. I also download documents to my phone for use offline. Since I think we'll be offline for much of our trip, already having what we need on the phone will be extremely useful.

The last thing I've tried is searching via voice. For the most part, it works pretty well. But it's not foolproof! My husband wanted to know how many calories there are in a game hen.  So he asked for "calories in a game hen." It came back with "calories in a gay man"! Certainly interesting, but not what we wanted.  The phone didn't get it right, no matter how clearly he spoke, until he added "Cornish" to the description of the hen.  Then the right numbers popped right up.

One thing I plan to add to my phone that I haven't yet is an app to lock apps.  I don't know if that falls into this category, but I'm putting it here anyway.  I read about it this last week.  I use an unlock pattern on my phone, but if anyone gets past that, it's open territory.  There's an app you can install that lets you add a second unlock pattern to an app, like your email. I'm also planning to add something that will let me disable my phone remotely should it ever be lost or stolen.  I think that's smart for everyone.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

23 Mobile Things: Thing 1

Blogging and Registering

Since this is my fourth blog, I found it easy to get the blog set up and registered. I think the book background is perfect for me, even if this blogs relates to modern technology. I don't ever foresee myself giving up books! I'm looking forward to this challenge.  I consider myself reasonably tech-savvy (I DO spend most of my work time using a computer), but I know I don't keep up with all the latest things, nor do I use my phone beyond a fraction of its capability.  Once I get to new things, I can usually figure them out, but one has to know something exists before using it! I seem to recall Dick Cheney getting grief for saying something on the order of "We don't know what we don't know," but it's one thing he said that I do actually agree with.  It makes perfect sense to me.

I work with teens here at the Hardwood Creek branch of the Washington County Library system, and I worry that we don't do a good job reaching them where they are with our current online offerings. They're not following us on our Facebook page; I don't know if they read my emails...  I'd like to see us do better. Certainly I'd like to see us offer something more interactive.

So my interest in this challenge is two-fold:
To get my skills up to date.
To find new ways to reach and interact with teens.