Entries Tagged 'Hardware' ↓

I’m in my second month of using an iPhone.  I had reservations about getting an iPhone due to cost (both of the phone and the data plan) but I have no regrets.

To get started with my iPhone I’ve added several productivity, social networking, and media apps.  The first thing I really needed was a good task management app.  I chose Toodledo because it was the best full featured app that works with Google calendar.  I had been using Remember the Milk with Google calendar but I found that Toodledo has more features.

I also added Evernote.  I’m still working on how I will use this app to corral information from many different sources.  I like the interface and the fact that there are web and client versions of the software all which sync.  I only wish that the software had a way to capture a drawn note  such as YouNote.  I’m still searching for an app that will allow my to draw on the screen.

I added the Google app but I’ve been disappointed that there is no method for entering appointments on the calendar there.  I ended up synchronizing the iPhone calendar app with my Google calendar.  I have also installed the Google Earth app.

For social networking I added the Facebook app and the Twitterific app.  I hear the Tweetie app is also very good.

Other useful apps I’ve installed are Pandora, Urbanspoon, NYTimes, and Stanza.  I’m still searching for an app to extend the camera and photo functionality.   I did find the Griffin Clarifi case and I’m considering purchasing it to improve clarity, especially for recognition with Evernote.

…and why it’s better than a PC. One word: design. Up until last summer, the only computer I had ever used was a PC. Sure, I had used a Mac briefly a handful of times. But the only computer I had used on a regular basis was a PC and that’s what I’ve been supporting as an instructional technologist for ten years. On a daily basis, I don’t have a problem with PCs or Windows. I’m so used to their design I don’t think much about it. That is, until I use my Mac. It becomes immediately obvious why people say Macs are easier to use. The user interface is much more simple than Windows computers and there is a greater level of abstraction in the user interface regarding configuration and inner workings. I think in general, users prefer this level of interaction with their computer. A good example of Mac OS simplicity compared to Windows is that when you install a computer program in Windows, you could end up with three shortcuts to the program - one on the desktop, one in quick launch and one in the Start Menu. Do you really need three shortcuts!? Please!

I’m now surprised when I hear other technology folks put down Macs by saying they are more expensive and don’t have the market share that PCs do. I guess you get what you pay for.

Until last month, I had been a RoadRunner customer for years. I never had problems or complaints. That is, until I tried to move my connection to another room earlier this year. It took RoadRunner weeks to troubleshoot the new connection. I missed work, my husband missed work, and worst of all, RoadRunner will tell you they only keep your support information on file for 24 hours. Unless you press the issue, of course. Then they’ll tell you they can reference previous support sessions to keep you from repeating the same troubleshooting steps over and over. In the end, they did fix the connection and we determined my ethernet card wasn’t working. Funny, it was working just fine before the many, many support calls and tech visits.

The good news is that this experience ended up saving me money because I switched to DSL through AT&T. Bellsouth and AT&T are offering great pricing for wireless, home phone, and internet bundles. After doing the math I determined that I’m saving around $30/month. I’ve also heard that AT&T is offering not only mobile to mobile free calling but free calling to anyone with AT&T long distance on their local phone.

I haven’t had to use the support at AT&T yet but it can’t be worse than RoadRunner. That’s just not possible.