Extend the Usefulness of Your Mobile Devices

I recently came across a somewhat unusual portable hard drive, Seagate’s GoFlex Satellite, that can operate on battery power and be accessed via Wi-Fi from multiple users.  Intrigued, I did a little research and discovered that it is not the only gadget offering this functionality.  While it may sound impressive, you might be wondering just what all this means and why it might be of interest.

What are Wi-Fi drives?

Typical hard drives, including USB thumb drives, provide extra storage space for your computers, as well as providing backup solutions and a fairly easy way of sharing files with others.  That’s helpful.  But the GoFlex Satellite and its competitors take this concept to a new level of convenience.

First, they include built-in wireless which means that you can connect to them from any device with a USB port, but also from any device that is wi-fi enabled.  This includes tablet devices (iPad, Kindle Fire, assorted Android-based tablets, etc.), smartphones, iPod Touch, and other devices.  This makes these drives a great way for expanding storage space on mobile devices.  Note that no internet is required.  The drives’ built-in wireless feature means that you can connect to them just as you would a Wi-Fi internet connection.

Second, they are battery-powered and cordless.  Simply turn the drive on, throw it in your backpack or glove compartment or wherever, and you’ll be able to access it remotely for hours (some of these drives can also be used while charging).

Third, they support multiple concurrent connections.  This means that multiple users can connect to the drive at the same time.  Your own personal, portable network – very cool!

Fourth, they also support streaming of HD video content.  Most or all of these drives can support up to 3 concurrent video streams at a time.

Why You Might Need or Want One

All of this sounds intriguing, but do you really need or want one?  You might be wondering just what you can actually use these drives for.  Let’s consider a few examples.

• iPad envy got the best of you, but you could only afford the 16 GB model and have run out of space.  And, of course, we all know that Apple chose to leave out a USB connection or SD card slot.  What do you do?  Use a wi-fi drive to increase your storage.
• You’re on a long road trip and want to pacify the kids.  Thinking ahead, you copied several movies to your wi-fi drive. When its movie time in your car (on the plane, wherever), simply turn on the drive, connect the kids’ mobile devices to it via Wi-Fi, and then each can browse, select and view their own movies (up to 3 movies can be streamed at a time).  If you have more than 3 kids, consider getting multiple drives  😉
• You give a presentation at a conference and want to share your Powerpoint and related resources with others.  Instead of bothering with a USB thumb drive that must get passed around to everyone, simply put the files on your wi-fi drive and let people connect to it and download the resources they want.
• You’re a photographer and want an easy way to review your photos in the field without having to lug around a laptop.  If you choose the AirStash wi-fi drive, you simply insert your camera’s SD card and begin browsing on your tablet device’s much larger screen.  Note that only the AirStash offers this capability.

Hooked yet?  If so, you may be wondering which drive to use.  Here are the options available right now.

Seagate GoFlex Satellite

• Offers by far the most storage space – 500 GB
• Can be used while charging
• Includes a car adapter and other accessories for free
• Works well on both Apple (iOS) and Android devices (presumably Windows mobile, too)
• Seagate offers regular firmware updates to add new features and address issues
• Battery:  up to 5 hours of continuous use, up to 25 hours standby
• Security:  WPA (possibly upgraded via firmware to WPA2)
• Cons:  a bit larger & heavier than other options, and it’s a bit expensive at $199 (currently just $177 at Amazon.com)

Kingston Wi-Drive

• Smaller & lighter than the Seagate GoFlex drive
• Allows simultaneous wi-fi internet connection (the only drive with this feature), assuming you have access to a Wi-Fi internet signal.
• The cheapest drive available – around $50 for the 16 GB model and $90 for the 32 GB drive
• Security:  WPA
• Cons:  limited storage space that cannot be upgraded; streaming media limited to iOS devices (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch), does not support USB 3.0

Maxell AirStash

• Excellent battery life
• Small & light
• Uses standard SD and SDXC cards, so you can expand your storage options by having multiple cards (though only one can be used at a time)
• Battery lasts up to 7 hours of continuous use
• Access via browser, dedicated mobile app, or WebDAV client (iOS devices)
• Support for very large RAW files for photographers
• Security:  WEP 128-bit, upgradeable to WPA2
• Cons:  storage limited by SD card size; somewhat expensive at around $130 with a free 8 GB class 10 SD card

On the horizon is a similar offering from Panasonic.  Released in Japan in fall 2011, it offers impressive battery life (up to 10 hours, I believe) and is small and light like the AirStash and Kingston Wi-Drive.  It may come the closest among all of these devices to hitting the sweet spot.  Unfortunately it is still not available in Europe or America.

Which One to Choose

None of these units seems to be perfect (surprise, surprise), but all seem to work fairly well based on the many reviews you can find online.

If price is your main consideration, look at the Kingston Wi-Drive.  It has the most limitations, but it is the cheapest and and does offer the benefit of being the only such device currently that allows you to simultaneously access a Wi-Fi internet connection.

If price is less of an issue and you need lots of space, consider Seagate’s GoFlex Sattellite.  It’s not cheap, and it’s a tad larger and heavier, but itseems to be the most useable of these devices, Seagate is proving themselves to be dedicated to ongoing development, and it offers huge amounts of storage.  It can also double nicely as a backup drive.

If portability is the main consideration, I tend to favor the AirStash.  It is the smallest & lightest device, you can swap out storage cards as needed, and it offers the most impressive battery life.

I’ve not yet had the benefit of trying any of these out, but if/when I do, I’ll be sure to offer an update.  In the meantime, check YouTube, Amazon.com, and other sites for first-hand reviews.  And if you’ve tried any of these, let me know below what you think.

Make Travel Easier with SeV

If you travel much, you know how challenging travel can be at times, especially if you are traveling with kids or if you’re running a little late.  You hit security and start emptying pant and shirt pockets of keys, Leatherman micro-tool, coins, iPod, headphones, cell phone, etc.  Meanwhile you are trying to get your shoes off and notebook computer out and onto the conveyor belt while double-checking that you’ve not misplaced your boarding pass or passport (or driver’s license).

Getting to the other side of security isn’t much better.  Your sundry of items are rolling down the conveyor in fits and starts but faster than you can re-dress and re-arm yourself.  Especially if you are late for your flight, you feel the stress of those that are queuing up behind you.

And what about getting to your stuff once on board?  If you are fortunate, you have an aisle, and have room for your gear in the overhead bin immediately above your own seat.  Even so, you inevitably find a need for some item that you chose not to keep with you in your seat – a pen, your iPod, the adapter for headphone jack so you don’t need to rely on those awful headsets the airline issues.

I have found cooler weather helps some as my coat almost always provides a place to store at least a few of the travel essentials.  But what if the weather doesn’t call for a pocket-laden coat?  To get around this, I bought an awesome backpack with tons of pockets.  It is helpful, but typically too large to sit with comfortably at my seat.  And there is always the issue of taking your gadgets with you when you’re out and about on the town.

Enter the good folks at SCOTTEVEST (SeV for short).  They know what it is like to travel. They know we want easy access to our gadgets.  And they know how to make quality clothes.  I ran across an ad for their stuff a few years ago but wrote it off as clothes for geeks.  However, I saw another ad a few weeks ago and decided to give them a closer look. I’m glad I did!  From blazers to sport shirts, windbreakers to shorts, they offer a variety of gear to make life a whole lot easier for travelers and gadgeteers. I’m already dreaming of how easy my next trip through the airport security line will be with all my gear at hand but safely stowed in a single article of clothing.

Bonus:  Several of their items are now iPad-compatible, meaning they include a pocket to safely stow your latest Apple gadget (or a Kindle, Nook, or other eReader, tablet, or even a netbook).

I’ve not had the good fortune yet of trying their gear out first-hand, but scanning the reviews, it seems everyone loves just about everything they make (my hoped for lightweight vest is currently sold out, so I’m looking at other models). If you’ll be traveling any time soon, or just have lots of gadgets to carry around, do yourself a favor and check out ScottEVest today!

Tried any SeV wear?  Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Your Own Personal Captain’s Chair

As a teenager, I had the great joy of occasionally visiting my dad at work, which, for a season, meant trips to the aircraft carrier he was serving on.  Rank has its privileges, so I had access to the “bridge” and opportunities to sit in the captain’s chair (picture Capt. Kirk on the USS Enterprise).  Command central.  The one place from which the captain of the ship could command all that was going on.

It’s been more than 20 years since I’ve been on the bridge of a carrier, but, thanks to Mindjet’s MindManager software, I do have my very own captain’s chair now.  MindManager is arguably the best mind mapping software on the market.  If you’re not familiar with mind maps, you ought to check them out.  Some write them off as just a gimmick, other’s as just an interesting tool for the artistically inclined.  I’d heard of them for years, but it wasn’t until about 2 years ago that I finally took the time to check out mind mapping for myself.  It was time well-spent.  Mind maps can be sketched by hand, but I’m not artistic and actually prefer the clean layout of computer-generated maps.  If you’re a student, writer, project manager, counselor, “household engineer”, or simply someone who is clamoring to keep organized at home or work, mind maps can help.  A LOT.  I’ll be sharing more about them in future posts, but for now let me comment briefly on the captain’s chair idea….

I’m in the process right now of revamping my personal dashboard mind map, which let’s me keep on top of my world – my work, hobbies, goals, home projects, personal finances,….  This map provides a quick visual of just about everything going on in my life, and allows me to drill down quickly to look at the myriad of details.  It is open on my computer screen all day for quick reference, allowing me to quickly access my budget, work on an expense report for work, jot down and organize ideas for my blog site, manage my work projects, view my daily & weekly schedule, etc.  It is “command central” for my life.  MindManager allows me to connect items in this dashboard to other files (Excel, Word, other mind maps, etc.), websites,

The Power of Mind Maps

Personal Dashboard Map

Several years ago, while working with a small NGO, I was challenged by my manager to consider using mind maps.  He swore by them.  I’d seen hand-drawn mind maps, or concept maps, before and was never particularly attracted to them, writing them off as a tool for the overly artistic crowd, or as an interesting tool for those with time to waste.  I was in neither camp.  But a couple of years ago, I was once again challenged to consider mind mapping so decided to check some mind mapping software.  Now, before I commit to things, I’m prone to spending ghastly amounts of time investigating them, so I started reading some blogs about mind mapping, watching some screen casts, and even trying out a few free programs.  I love the learning process, even if it means simply discovering that a particular tool isn’t for me.  In the case of mind mapping, however, I was very pleasantly surprised.  In fact, I’m a hardcore advocate now!  So what are mind maps good for?

• Brainstorming sessions – you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better tool.  If you’re in a group setting, simply project the map on a screen for all to see.  For virtual teams, use one of the myriad of web tools that allow real-time collaborative mapping.
• Project planning – maps provide a terrific way to get your mind around the myriad of details – product ideas, scope, marketing plans, budgeting, staffing,… you name it.
• SWOT analysis – a SWOT diagram is a helpful tool for identifying Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.
• Meetings – write up your agenda as a mind map, then use during the meeting to keep you on task, and to keep all your notes organized.
• Writing – if you write books, articles, whatever, a mind map is the ideal place to capture & organize your thoughts.  Some tools allow you export your maps to programs like MS-Word.
• Presentations – mind maps are the best way to flesh out your ideas.  When you’re done, simply export to Powerpoint to finish up the presentation.
• Notetaking – it’s the best notetaking application you’ll find.
• Keeping organized – Mind maps are perfect for giving you a quick visual on things, and using a mind mapping program, you can easily drill down into the details.

Mind mapping programs have become quite sophisticated.  Some even allow you to embed spreadsheets, link to Outlook or MS-Project, track progress on tasks, etc.  Once you get going with mind maps, you’re bound to find dozens of ways to make use of them.  And the best thing is that there are lots of opportunities to play around with them without laying out a wad of money on a full-featured program.  Here are a few programs to consider:

• FreeMind – a free, open-source program.  Not elegant, but it’s free and easy to use.
• Mindomo is a nice-looking web-based tool, and a basic account is free.
• Mind42 is another web-based tool that is intuitive and produces nice maps.  Free to get started.
• MindMeister is yet another web-based tool that produces great looking maps and offers a free basic account.
• MindManager is the blue-chip mind mapping tool used by individuals and fortune 500 companies alike.  Their site includes some great information for learning more about mind mapping.  While not free, you can download a fully funtional 30-day trial.

In later posts, I’ll share a bit more about how I use mind mapping.  In the meantime, feel free to post a comment about your thoughts or experiences with mind mapping.

Ace is the Place

A couple years ago (at a most inopportune time, unfortunately, given the enormous hit on the housing market – hindsight is 20-20!), I finally dove into home ownership. Like a lot of guys, I don’t have much tolerance for shopping as an activity, but there are a few stores that I can waste some time in — bookstores, REI, and the big DIY shops – Home Depot and Lowes. As I was getting our new home prepped, I found myself frequenting the latter 2 stores, and there is still much I like about them. But as things began to break in the house, I heeded the advice of my wise father-in-law and began frequenting my neighborhood Ace hardware store. Their tagline is “the helpful place”, and it’s a well-deserved moniker. Almost without fail, I’m greeted upon entry be helpful employee who asks if I need help, then proceeds to offer knowledgeable advice (or find someone who can) and walks me directly over to the item I need. Anyone who has searched or waited at HD or Lowes for someone to help, especially someone with expertise, can understand how awesome this service at “the helpful place” really is. They are the Radio Shack of hardware stores – not the biggest, and not always the cheapest, but they know their stuff. They don’t get all of my business, but they get plenty of it. And the next time you run into a problem, give them some of yours as well. You’ll be glad you did!

Find your local Ace hardware store.

Oh yeah, and don’t forget to grab a free bag of fresh-popped popcorn on your way out.

Passwords 101

According to a study cited in recently by PC World, it seems most of us have yet to clue in on best practices for creating passwords.  Unless you want someone as savvy as your 8-year-old hacking into your accounts, here, in a nutshell, are some easy to follow guidelines provided by NASA:

• It should contain at least eight characters.
• It should contain a mix of four different types of characters – upper case letters, lower case letters, numbers, and special characters such as !@#$%^&*,;” If there is only one letter or special character, it should not be either the first or last character in the password.
• It should not be a name, a slang word, or any word in the dictionary. It should not include any part of your name or your e-mail address.

Following that advice, of course, means you’ll create a password that will be impossible, unless you try a trick credited to security guru Bruce Schneir: Turn a sentence into a password.

For example, “Now I lay me down to sleep” might become nilmDOWN2s, a 10-character password that won’t be found in any dictionary.

Do yourself and read the rest of the PC World article here:  Hacking Passwords Easy As 123456.

Feel overwhelmed?  Try using password software such as the free, highly-regarded KeePass, or the very popular RoboForm.  I’ve used KeePass for the past few years and have found it terrific.  RoboForm also has a free version available and will log you into websites automatically.  Both programs will generate strong passwords for you when you register at websites.  All you need to remember, though, is the single, strong password to access KeePass or RoboForm.

Putting the ‘Happy’ Back into Birthdays

One of the best things my parents ever did for me was not to give me an all-expenses-paid trip through college (University of Virginia). And maybe I can trace the reason for this post back to my first week of real independence.  You see, I can still recall landing on the Grounds (U.Va. speak for campus) with exceedingly little money and a few days to kill before my meal plan kicked in at the dining hall.  More than one meal consisted of a swig of whatever-juice-was-on-sale-that-week and a single item from a vending machine.  Thank God that the multi-day orientation included lots of clubs and groups ready to woo wide-eyed, desperate-to-fit-in fast first year students (I think the rest of the academic world calls them freshman) with food & drink.  OK, so what in the world does this have to do with birthdays being happy?  Good question.  I think those early days of university life taught me to be resourceful and avail myself of all good opportunities for a bargain.  Which brings to birthdays…

Free food on my birthday makes me happy.  And even if your budget isn’t quite as tight as mine is, who wouldn’t love going out to eat for free?!  Fortunately, a lot of places are ready to make us all happy once a year when it comes time to add another candle to the cake.  My favorites here in the East Valley area of Phoenix, AZ are Joe’s Real BBQ and another store owned by the same guy called Joe’s Farmhouse Grill (my wife & I learned about the latter on a Food Network show, and we’ve been fans ever since).  Both offer a free meal on your birthday.  But don’t despair if you don’t live in the Phoenix area.  There are some regional and national chains that will also spoil you:

• Red Robin, which has incredible burgers, gives you a gourmet burger and an ice cream sundae that is among the best you’ll find.  Cost?  About 10 cents (you must sign up ahead of time for their birthday club, then cover the cost of printing out your birthday coupon).  And the coupon is good for about 10 days, leaving you lots of flexibility in using it.  Be sure to sign your kids up, too!
• Schlotsky’s Deli gifts you a decent sandwich.  Again, you need to sign up in advance and print out the voucher they’ll send you just before your birthday.
• Qdoba Mexican Grill’s eClub members get a free burrito on their big day.  Bonus: you get a coupon for free chips & salsa when you first sign up.
• Don’t think it’s all serious food.  Coldstone Creamery offers a free ice cream, and it is also good for several days.  Baskin Robbins does the same for members of its Birthday Club.
• Top off the day with a free rental from Hollywood Video (as long as they stay in business, that is).

Numerous other places offer free dessert with a paid meal, but they don’t make me nearly as happy as the ones above, which are totally free.  Keep in mind that most of these deals require you to sign up online well BEFORE your birthday, so why not take a few minutes to knock these sign-ups out now?!  Be sure to enroll your spouse and kids, too.  Then get set for a happy, happy birthday!

Know of any other good freebies for birthdays?  Leave a a comment and let me know.  Thanks!

DropBox: Anytime, Anywhere Access to Your Files

Twenty years ago, while working for what is now PriceWaterhouseCoopers, I often had the privilege of hauling home a Compaq portable computer.  Not a laptop or a notebook, mind you.  Those didn’t yet exist.  This was a portable, though just barely.  Weighing in at about 25 lbs. with a 10″ screen, and a 5 1/4″ floppy.  Floppies were the only way back then to transfer files.  None could have imagined back then the amazing convenience of today’s little USB drives.  These little marvels still have a place, but as we inch closer to 2010, a new technology is providing even greater access & portability to my files – DropBox.  DropBox syncs your files among your various computers, even your mobile devices (there’s an excellent free app for the iPhone/iPod Touch), and also provides web access by storing a copy on DropBox’s secure servers.  I’ve seen other services like this come along, but DropBox seems to have gotten the concept just right (industry experts like CNET and PC Magazine agree).  A free account gives you a fairly generous 2 GB of storage (you can upgrade for a monthly or annual fee if you need more than that).

I confess I’ve not yet utilized DropBox as much as I could, but I’m already hooked.  It provides an effortless way for me to access and work on my grad school papers from whatever computer I happen to be working from, and to share files with my wife.  Even if you don’t need to transfer files, you may find a use for DropBox as a convenient backup option for crucial files or to make it easy to securely share files with others.  For more info, check out their creative stop-motion video or visit their website.  Then sign up for a free account and explore the various ways that DropBox may make your life a little easier.  Once you do, take a moment to add a comment and let me know what you think.

P.S.  – If you’re interested in signing up for DropBox, do us both a favor – use this referral link and we’ll both get a bonus 250 MB of free storage.

How to protect and restore CDs and DVDs

OK, I admit it.  Some of my earliest memories of music, aside from listening to the radio, was popping in 8-track tapes to listen to while working with my dad in the garage.  Dare I mention that among our vast collection of 5 or so tapes were Captain & Tenile and John Denver.  Ahem…  OK, let me fast forward before I lose your respect.  Though some may question that CDs and DVDs are increasingly obsolete, we’ve all got them.  And many of us have a great deal invested in them.  So how do you care for these flashy little discs of tunes, videos and data?  What do you do if your favorite Bruce Hornsby CD or that backup disc of family photos gets a scratch?

CNN’s “Data Doctor” has some very helpful information in this video.  If you don’t have time to watch, here are the key points…

• The top of the disc, where the label is printed, is actually the most critical side to protect.  Surprised?  I was!  This side contains a reflective material critical to the data.  A scratch on this side of the disc means irrecoverable data loss.
• The bottom side of the disc, the side that most of us have always been so concerned about, actually contains a protective layer.  Scratches here can make it harder for the laser to read the data, but many scratches and scuffs can be easily buffed out.  There are $40 kits that will do this for you, but a $2 tube of toothpaste will do the job just fine.  The key is to get a baking soda-based toothpaste like Arm & Hammer (don’t use a gel toothpaste!) that is somewhat abrasive.  Put a small amount on a soft cloth (a t-shirt works fine) and rub in a small circular fashion as you move around the CD.  Tough scratches might take 10-15 minutes, but minor blemishes can be tackles in less time.  Do NOT wipe in large concentric circles around the entire CD.  This can actually cause further damage.  Once you are done, wipe off any excess paste with a clean section of the cloth.
• If the toothpaste trick doesn’t work, a last resort is to apply a thin coat of Vaseline (petroleum jelly) to the entire underside of the disc.  Once coated, remove the Vaseline with a clean, dry cloth.  Residue will fill in tiny scratches and may be just enough to allow your CD/DVD player to read the disc.  If you have to resort to this trick, your best bet is to immediately try making a backup copy of the disc.
• The best solution, of course, is to protect your discs by keeping them in data sleeves or in a jewel case.

If you try this out, leave a comment and let me know how it works for you.

Credit Score Basics: What You Need to Know Now

Given the ongoing economic struggles plaguing America (and the rest of the world), a post on the Wall Street Journal’s site titled Credit Scores: What You Need to Know Now got my attention.  Many people don’t realize how their credit scores affects them, why they should be concerned about them, or how to go about improving them.

If you’re like me, you may not have ever given much thought to your credit rating, brushing the term aside until you find yourself needing a large loan to buy a car or house (and maybe not even then!).  The problem is that once that day comes, it is too late to do much about your credit score (at least in the short-term).  If you’re young & just getting an economic start in life, you owe it to yourself to get informed.  Down the road a ways, you’ll be glad you did.  And if you’re a seasoned home owner or personal finance guru, take a few minutes to see if you know as much as you think you do about credit scores.  You just might learn something new.  Check it out now:  Credit Scores: What You Need to Know Now.

Have a question or further insights, or perhaps other resources that you’d like to recommend?  Please feel free to comment.