Look Ma…No Hands! Windows Vista Speech Recognition Software
Windows Vista Speech Recognition software may not have rendered the keyboard obsolete, but it certainly has made it unnecessary for many people. The voice-control software translates speech into text with impressive speed and accuracy. Users can not only dictate, but also open programs, browse the net and do most functions that presently require keyboard or mouse actions in Windows. A compatible microphone and a sound card are needed to run the Speech Recognition in Vista.
Posted Fri Sep 26, 2008
Just when you thought the war was over...
Now with the release of Google's Chrome browser and Microsoft's IE8 Beta, a new era of browser wars has begun. Firefox, Safari and Opera have made a bit of a dent taking about 20% of the market away from Microsoft but Google's Chrome browser threaten to be the first real competitor in the ring since the early days of Netscape.
What's good and bad about the browsers?
Posted Thu Sep 11, 2008
Tips for Home Office Technology
When it comes to technology, every home-based business owner can feel a little bit alone from time to time. There’s no help-desk or IT staff to call when your PC, Internet connection, or other devices are on the blink. It’s your problem. These tech challenges are not something to be taken lightly.
So here are some of the biggest technology challenges for home-based businesses—and some tips for how to make sure you don’t fall victim to them.
1. Hackers, viruses, and malware… oh my!
Posted Thu Aug 28, 2008
Essential Tools for PC Users
My well loved, well used laptop died last week. I purchase a new one and as I was getting it back to a usable state, I opened a list of software I install after purchasing a new PC for my friends and family. After getting everything back to a usable state, I thought that it was pretty good list to share. So, here is my list of five essential downloads to get. The best part, they are all free.
Posted Mon Aug 18, 2008
If The Shoe Fits - A look at Zappos.com and the technology they use
Last week I wrote about several different companies using Twitter as a Business Intelligence tool. After I posted the article, I received a Twitter from Zappos.com CEO Tony Hsieh thanking me for writing about his company and their use of Twitter.
For those not familiar with Zappos, their vision sums up their goals as the premier online shoe retailer:
Posted Thu Aug 7, 2008
Twitter “Intelligence”? – The New BI Tool?
A few weeks ago, I wrote a post on how Twitter was my new business secret weapon. After discussion that post with several other people and reading some other commentary from fellow blogger's (see Between The Lines- ZDNet 6.24.08) I decided it was time to write a follow-up on additional Twiiter business uses.
Posted Sat Jul 26, 2008
Vumber - Your Disposable Phone Number
Vumber does one thing and does it well. Provide a cheap and easy to use, disposable phone number and voicemail product.
Vumber allows you to create a phone number from any area code you want, linked to your home, cell or work phone.
When someone calls your Vumber number you can: A) Answer it. B) Send it to a Vumber Voice mail. C) Give the caller an busy signal. D) Give the caller an out of service message. E) Give the caller an infinite ring, or F) A custom message you create.
Posted Tue Jul 15, 2008
WWBGD- What Would Bill Gates Do Part 2
I had asked my readers a few weeks ago, that if they had the opportunity to ask Bill Gate’s any question, what would they ask. I was amazed at not only the amount of responses, but the quality and range of questions offered.
Posted Tue Jul 1, 2008
scanR....My phone was never so cool...
Before I start this weeks post, I wanted to thank all of your for you amazing response and questions regarding the Bill Gates lunch (Post Title: WWBGD- What Would Bill Gates Do?). I am in the process of interviewing three of the lunch attendees who all read your questions and used them directly or indirectly when speaking with him. So please keep on the lookout for that.
This week, scanR. scanR allows you to scan, copy and fax with your camera phone. Impossible you say. Not at all.
Posted Tue Jun 17, 2008
WWBGD- What Would Bill Gates Do?
In the past my articles have been centered around technology, products and applications used within the business world. This weeks entry is a bit different. My friend and business partner at Odyssey Consulting Group, Daniel Egan has a once in a lifetime opportunity this week. To be one of fifteen people who get to have lunch with Bill Gates.
Posted Tue Jun 3, 2008
Philips Portable VoIP Phone For Those On the Go
I wrote several months ago about a device called MagicJack. It's a VoIP adaptor for those looking to use their own home phones as a VoIP phone. I got a lot of emails from people stating that they were looking for a more portable and mobile solution. One they could use with a laptop from their car, in the field with a wireless card, from a convention floor or from a hotel room. And it had to be small, portable and low cost. I think I found a perfect solution for you.
Posted Wed May 28, 2008
MySI - Helping The Sports Handicapped
Last week I talked about using Twitter as a business tool. This week, I chose a different tool that has helped me in business life, MySI aka: Sports Illustrated Mobile version for Windows Mobile.
Posted Thu May 22, 2008
Microsoft Live Mesh...the future??? Microsoft Live Mesh is out in Beta. I have had a few weeks to play with it. What is Live Mesh and why should you care?
Live Mesh is a service that lets you synchronize your settings, files, feeds and applications on several computers. Live Mesh allows you to achieve the following:
Posted Mon May 12, 2008
Dimdim... odd name...great product!
I have been a huge fan of FreeConference.com for quite a while now. Making it another tool in my arsnel has become a great way to increase communication while lowering costs.
Posted Mon May 5, 2008
Twitter...my secret weapon in business...
I am the first to try anything new out there. Problem is I usually I find that I am bored with whatever the TechCrunch flavor of the week is pretty quickly. Twitter was one of these tools.
Posted Thu May 1, 2008
8 Million Pieces of Paper to One!
I am an amazing organized person except for when I travel. For some reason, I carry 20 different sheets. Flight info, hotel info, googled directions, etc…. Even worse with the 10 emails shared with my wife and assistant with all my info to the point they have no idea where and when I will be anywhere.
Then I found Tripit.com . All my info from all sources in one place and shareable! Trip it allows you to book from any source, email your confirmations to Trip it and it builds an Trip Plan for you.
Posted Sun Mar 30, 2008
Hands Free Voice to Email with Jott
“Hi, this morning I’m using Jott. I’m actually in my car driving about 50 miles an hour, and sending an E-mail/message to myself to remind me of things I need to do today, while it’s still fresh in my head. So I no longer have to type and drive at the same time. Note to self: stop typing and driving. Very dangerous. This is a great mobile technology that I am very excited about it, so I’m gonna end the Jott and wait till I get back to my office finish and finish this blog entry.”
Posted Sun Mar 30, 2008
New Mobile Tools
Over the past few months I have been playing with a lot of the new GPS enabled mobile apps. There has been a shift (finally) from ported applications (applications written for the web and ported to mobile) and true mobile designed applications. Some of the most popular are the Yahoo Go!, Google Maps and the new Windows Live Search for Mobile.
Which one is worth the time to install and play with? Well, here’s the breakdown.
Posted Fri Mar 21, 2008
Meetings Unbound and Unwired
Wouldn’t it be great if next time you had a presentation, if you could just turn on your laptop, hit a button and instantly share your PowerPoint, handouts and more without an internet connection? What if while on a plane, you were able to hold a whiteboard session with a coworker 10 rows away. A true on the fly collaboration tool.
Posted Fri Mar 21, 2008
Magic Jack...It's Magically Delicious
I have tried it all. Skype, Vonage, even VoIP from my ISP. Still, none were as easy as promised. Skype required me to purchase a expensive USB headset, Vonage required their equipment and my ISP had too many contracts. All I have wanted is true plug and play VoIP with my own telephone.
Posted Fri Feb 29, 2008
