Lifestyle Technology Blog

Android Music Management: Problem Solved!

2011-02-03T14:05:00.001-08:00

Let's start by admitting that there isn't a better music management tool than Itunes. You can debate this, but in the end it is a boring conversation. So, I want to keep Itunes as my primary tool for ripping and organizing my music. Their Genius play list feature is tremendous.

So, the question becomes how does one get the music onto your Android phone. I first used the Doubletwist desktop application and found it to be cumbersome and sloppy. It didn't sync to my phone, it didn't sync to my Itunes.. it just stalled a lot. I eventually just stopped using it and for that matter stopped updating music on my phone. Sort if bummer ...

I discovered a slick simple app for the Android phone that really worked. It is called ISYNCR from JRT Studio. http://jrtstudio.com/iSyncr I read the reviews and dove right in with the purchase.. they do have a free version but I wasn't that interested in dabbling.. I just wanted the problem solved. You install the app on your phone. It will prompt you to install a companion component on your PC.

Once connected, the app will appear on your desktop allowing you to sync your playlists from Itunes directily onto the Android phone. They also have a iSyncr Wifi for wireless sync.

Here is their tutorial... (http://jrtstudio.com/iSyncr_Tutorial)

In the end, I make the playlists I want in Itunes and use iSyncr to push the music to the phone. As a side note, I really like using the WinAmp Beta as my player tool on the phone. (http://www.winamp.com/android).

FreeConferenceCall.com

2010-04-21T09:27:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of being a small company and appearing big, we recommend using FreeConferenceCall.com (http://www.freeconference.com/).

Ben's Ranch uses this tool on a weekly basis and it fulfills exactly on its promise, free conference calls. Your probably asking, "why is this free?". I don't know the exact answer, but they make their money on selling premium features like Tool Free Call in numbers or recording the calls. The invitation process is e-mail drven and it integrates with an Outlook calendar.

Don't tie up your phone lines or try and conference via a cell phone. Use this service and make your company look that much more professional.

Jonathon

Blackberry Deleting Your Calendar Items?

2010-03-25T13:52:00.000-07:00

Do you have a Blackberry and it is deleting your calendar items from last week?

Do this. from the home screen :
Home Screen >> Calendar application >> Menu key >> Options Keep appointments
15 Days
30 Days
60 Days
90 Days
Forever

One of our clients thought we were geniuses for figuring this out.

Today's Tip: Windows 7 Snippng Tool. Captures a screen shot of anything on your desktop.

2010-02-16T08:10:00.000-08:00

Ever needed to show someone something from your desktop? What you may not have known is that Windows has always had the feature of "Print Screen". This allows you to take a snapshot of your screen and then paste it into a document. Its that funny key on your keyboard that says "PrtScn". here is a explanation for you non-Windows 7 users

(http://www.seoconsultants.com/windows/print-screen/)

So.. fast forward to Windows 7 and the Snipping Tool:

(http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/features/snipping-tool)

From Microsoft Website
Snipping Tool captures a screen shot of anything on your desktop, like a picture or a section of web page.

Snip a whole window, a rectangular section of the screen, or draw a freehand outline with your mouse or tablet pen (or your finger, if you're using a PC with a touchscreen). Then you can annotate, save, or e-mail the image using buttons right in the Snipping Tool window. Snipping Tool is available only in the Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions of Windows 7.

It a simple way to grab an image from your computer screen and send it to a friend or you friendly computer support company.

Ben's Ranch Newsletter_February 2010

2010-02-10T09:58:00.000-08:00

Ben's Ranch newsletter! http://tiny.cc/newsletter782

Outlook E-Mail Seach: 2.0 Style

2008-05-10T21:05:00.000-07:00

My Dear Friend Seth sent me a NY Times Article on a swanky new Outlook tool.. called Xobni (Inbox spelled backwards)...I glanced at the article and knew I wanted a better search.. I used Google Desktop and have that index Outlook.. so I felt well covered.. I never have liked Outlooks own integrated search tool and have always been weary of installing anything "Microsoft Add In".. Microsoft has its own optimized search tool.. but never the less, I am always game to try and one more thing to Outlook...

The download and install took no time... If your familiar with the new version of Outlook (2007) than the vertical Xobni will fit right in.. it "sticks" itself to the right of the screen and immediately starts to index my inbox.. My first impression.... wow.. that thing takes up a lot of screen space and "what exactly does it do for me?"... its been a week and what I have found is that first and foremost is has a simple button to collapse... so that problem was easily solved. The core value is quick and easy historical search of Outlook... for those of us that have been using Outlook for years can appreciate any piece of software that makes that task better.... As a secondary feature it collates and makes accessible key contact information for those people your e-mailing.. so one doesn't have to dig into contacts to grab someones numbers.. lastly is compiles silly statistical information... who, what time, what value.. it even ranks who I send/receive from the most... you think it was my wife.. but nope... someone who works for me.. it did tell me that my friend Jeff sends the most e-mails at 6:00 PM? Go figure...

If you looking for better search for your Outlook, this is a real winner.. the collated contact info and stats are gravy, but these features do make Xobni more valuable by the day...

Jonathon

http://www.xobni.com/

Skype.. Are you Ready for The Next E-Mail

2007-10-18T22:22:00.000-07:00