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.

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,

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.

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.

• 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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

With these things swirling in my brain, it is not surprising then that the term “personal learning network” (PLN) caught my eye in an educational blog the other day.  I’ve not done a lot of reading on PLNs yet, but on the surface the concept seems quite simple – identifying people in your life who have the knowledge and/or skills to help you grow in some way.  No matter your age, profession or season of life, you have a lot to gain by cultivating your own PLN.  Most of us, of course, have a PLN already whether we know it or not, but, like most worthwhile things in life, without attention and a little elbow (or brain) grease, the benefit we derive from our learning networks will be severely limited.  So, how do you get started?  Here are a few suggestions:

1. Identify 3 things you’d like to learn – or learn better. Some suggestions:  a useful job skill, a foreign language, a sport or hobby, being a better spouse or parent, utilizing a social networking tool like Twitter or Facebook, personal financial management, etc.  The more relevant it is to your interests or involvements, the more motivated you are likely to be.  Once you have your list, take some time to brainstorm who can help you learn those things.  Personal contacts are typically best, but also consider sources like books (“historic mentors”) and blog sites.
2. Though less strategic, another approach is to identify up to 3 people in your life whom you respect for one reason or another. Perhaps you admire a colleague who is a gifted writer or presenter.  Maybe a neighbor has a particularly nice lawn & garden, or a friend is gifted photographer.  Approach these people and ask if they’d consider helping you learn from them.  Finding someone shouldn’t be too difficult.  Remember, “Everyone is your superior in some way.”
3. Document your PLN. This is an important step because it will help you be more intentional about it.  The simple act of putting it down in writing forces you to think more carefully about your network.  I prefer visual tools, such as Creately or MindManager (mentioned in earlier posts).  This one was done in a just a few minutes using Creately:
   

   Personal Learning Network

   I’ve been personally challenged to think more about my own network.  I hope you have, too.  Give the PLN concept some thought, and, while you do so, take a moment to leave a comment.