The Professor's Notes

Real Tech for Real People 110 .  This was a fun episode.   My son, Matthew (known as @Spreadhdgfx on Twitter for his graphics work) joined us to share his first thoughts on his new Samsung Note. The comments might surprise you!  Check out the rest of the show notes below… and apologies to the Senate Sergeant at Arms office, but we didn’t talk about the Senate this time, or any particular Senators… not even U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, but we encourage you to all listen to our show! Read the rest of this entry »

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I realize I haven’t cross-posted many of our shows lately, but I wanted to let my readers know that we are up to Episode 111 at Real Tech, and I will be cross posting the past few episodes to help catch you up!  If you haven’t been listening, you can find all our episodes over at Tony’s site GetTheNext.com (or simply get there through RTFRP.com)

Episode 109 (Scroll to the bottom of the post after the break to listen): Read the rest of this entry »

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I have created a short Tutorial Video on how to create a book using content from Wikipedia.  There is great content available, and I think this is one way that faculty can deliver quality textbooks to their students at affordable (well, NO) costs.

Sure, I know some will say “But it’s WIKI… it’s not to be used for academics! It’s not reliable!”  To that I respond–then take the time, as an expert in your field, to clean up what you think is incorrect–it is, after all, editable by us. Make your contribution to the greater good.

Now, the video:

In this video for Real Tech for Real People I review, and demonstrate, Password Safe.  This is a great program for creating, storing, and accessing secure, random passwords.  When used with DropBox it creates a very portable yet secure way of accessing all your accounts.

Be sure to visit our Real Tech for Real People Facebook page and listen to our podcasts every week!  You can find the podcasts over at RTFRP.com or subscribe via iTunes.

And don’t forget–you can save 20% on any order from ZAGG.com simply by using the discount code RTFRP at checkout!  (Good until the end of 2010.)

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I continue to post the “Back catalog” of our Real Tech for Real People podcasts. Last night we recorded episode 60, so if you want to get the LATEST episodes, either subscribe through iTunes (or your favorite podcatching software) or visit http://rtfrp.com

Remember, you can save 20% on ANY product you buy from ZAGG.com simply by typing RTFRP into the discount code at checkout.

Click Here to listen to Real Tech 56

Click here to subscribe via iTunes

PLAY ON: Jason Leisure has convinced me to go back to it. Rocking–and even has iPad app (Steve) It works inside the house, and gives access to a wide range of video sources, including NHL, MLB, HULU, CBS and others. It supposedly supports streaming out to the iDevices through 3G and other wifis, like AirVideo but I can’t get that to work… more to come…

Josh recommends SquareTrade for your electronic warranties, and honestly, so do I! Why? This LifeHacker article says it best–They are less expensive AND cover more things, including glass breaking (see next story). Apple Care doesn’t cover broken glass/screens.

PICKS of the WEEK:

Tony: Jason O – http://www.jasonomusic.com/home.html

Steve: Overdrive Media Console THE Software to listen to audio books from your library–for free! Check to make sure your library supports online electronic books, and you are in! (Runs on Android, iPhone/iPad, Blackberry and Windows Mobile. Also, Windows and Mac. (and they have free audiobook samplers!)

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Steve’s info:  [blog] http://theprofessornotes.com[twitter] @scmprofessor

Tony’s info: [blog] http://getthenext.com [twitter] @tonypittman

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In the effort to continue to “catch up” here at The Professor Notes I am posting episode 55 from Real Tech for Real People.  If you enjoy listening, go check out the most RECENT episodes over at Real Tech for Real People.  Over there you will learn in Episode 57 how YOU can win two tickets to the Penn State football game against Michigan.

Also, listen regularly to learn how you can win prizes that you can use daily!

Let us know what YOU want us to talk about.

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Click Here to listen to Real Tech 55

Click here to subscribe via iTunes

NEWS:

Bloomberg predicts Apple’s moves in TV.  Bloomberg expects Apple’s next conquest will be  the TV industry, comparing its early moves to its first steps in the mobile phone market. The article analyzes the technology of Apple TV, noting potential methods through which Apple may approach the TV business.

Bloomberg

Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac – Assuming I can make the podcast, I have 2011 (enterprise have it now, the broader public will have to wait to 10/26) and can make some preliminary comments. Read the rest of this entry »

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Much of this episode is about charging. No not for the podcast, but charging batteries! Those things we use every day! Imagine a battery on paper! It’s in this episode!

That said, we don’t charge for our podcasts, but we would love it if you would show your love of Real Tech for Real People, through purchasing yourself, or your loved one, a Real Tech for Real People gift.  A mug, a T-Shirt, a Mousepad… they are all available over at

http://cafepress.com/rtfrp

Take advantage of 15% off on orders over 60%

And if you do, send us your photo with the item, and we will post it here, and over at http://RTFRP.com!

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This episode is a first for us. You can download either the audio, or a VIDEO version of the podcast.

Select YOUR version of Real Tech for Real People!

Click Here to listen to Real Tech 54

Click Here to WATCH to Real Tech 54

Click here to subscribe via iTunes

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Free Phone Fridays at Best Buy! For the month of October! Each week they will include at least one smart phone.

Flexibility is the key to air power, AND ereaders. The F-15C gets a new set of eyes and Sony debuts a bendable e-screen!

AND Flexibility making it’s move to batteries. LiIon battery made on paper by Stanford researchers. Probably won’t be in phones, but could make for “active” RFID technology, among other thin uses.

Speaking of Batteries, Panasonic is finally creating rechargable AA batteries that recharge through frustration! (er, shaking…) Great they say for remote controls, and other hand held devices. About time, *I* say.

We discuss an article that challenges the notion thatAndroid is Open:

Android Is As Open As The Clenched Fist I’d Like To Punch The Carriers With

MG Siegler

Sep 9, 2010

This past weekend, I wrote a post wondering if Android was surging in the U.S. market because Apple was letting it? The main thought was that by remaining exclusively tied to AT&T, Apple was driving some users to choose Android, which is available on all the U.S. carriers. In the post, I posed a question: if it’s not the iPhone/AT&T deal, why do you choose Android? Nearly 1,000 people responded, and a large percentage focused on the same idea: the idea of “openness.”

You’ll forgive me, but I have to say it: what a load of crap.

Old News, but worth mentioning: Gorilla Glass is also in the Samsung Galaxy S displays (and it is transparent aluminum. Sort of.)

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This week Tony and I tackle the big issue:  Should broadband pricing obey the law?  Yes, some have argued that broadband pricing is in violation of the law–and we rip that idea apart.

In addition, Tony shares his thoughts comparing his iPhone 4 to his newly purchased Samsung Captivate.  It’s Android vs iOS.  Certainly a don’t miss episode!

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Click Here to listen to Real Tech 53

Click here to subscribe via iTunes

LISTENER QUESTION: Sgt Slade asks…

NEWS:
Amazon takes aim at iPad in the sun. Snarky?

HP Announces an Android Based Tablet (but it seems rather hamstrung)

“Why isn’t the pricing of Broadband obeying Moore’s Law?” The article title is a bit OTT, but the bottom line is quite interesting: Since the buildout is nearly complete, they author(s) argue that the revenue now is almost “pure profit.” Should we expect prices to come down? Or are they displaying a common misperception of economics, assuming that there is a relationship between “cost” and “Price” (there isn’t.)

TIPS

Photo: Just for fun (or is it Phun?) you can get make an overlay to put on your (i)Phone to make it look like a camera. So now, it really CAN be a camera! (or just go to step 7 and download one…) http://content.photojojo.com/diy/make-your-phone-look-like-a-camera/

PICKS:

Steve: TuneIn Radio for the Android
Tony:  TWIT for iPad

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Steve’s info:  [blog] http://theprofessornotes.com[twitter] @scmprofessor

Tony’s info: [blog] http://getthenext.com [twitter] @tonypittman

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For Episode 52 we had a special event–Tony was in PA, so we recorded our first episode together.  I drove up to University Park, dragging the equipment with me, and Tony and I sat down with my brother in front of a “live audience” and talked tech.

Sadly, one of the problems with moving the equipment around, and doing something for “the first time” is that I make “first time mistakes” and this was no different.  I tried to use the Zoom H4 recorder, but ran out of room.  Luckily we caught it early, but sadly you will hear the difference.

Let us know what you think of the podcast, though, and please, share it with your friends!

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Live From Penn State

Click Here to listen to Real Tech 52

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Boxing Great Mayweather arrested for stealing iphone:
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=5554683

WINDOWS TIP: Spread a Windows desktop image across two monitors:

• Follow these steps in to display a large image across multiple monitors:
• Right click on the background and select Personalization.
• Click on Desktop Background
• Select a background image that is at least as wide as the combined resolution of both of your monitors. For Example, I have two 19â€� monitors that have a resolution of 1280×1024. I need an image of 2560×1024 or greater so that it can be displayed across both monitors.
• Next, this is the step that most users would never even think about trying: Select the Tile picture positioning option as shown below. This is the only option that will display your background image across multiple monitors.

GOOGLE VOICE AND SKYPE Read the rest of this entry »

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I am slowly working to catch up on posting some of our recent “Real Tech for Real People” podcasts.  Episode 51 was where I revealed that I had made the switch to an Android phone, having decided to purchase the Samsung Captivate.  This of course, also meant that I was staying with AT&T.  I will have a review on the website here soon with my thoughts about the phone and the OS, but my initial thoughts were in the podcast.

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ANDROID – Will the Google Android OS take over?

Click Here to listen to Real Tech 51

Click here to subscribe via iTunes

NEWS:Amazon has amazing prices on Cell Phones. Especially if you are wanting to get a new contract, but great prices even on renewing. A Captivate ($249 for 2 yr contract at ATT store) will sell for $40 with a new contract, or only $99 to renew (Addendum:  that’s $99 for a renewal for an individual plan.  It is $149 for a family plan phone)! Other great deals as well. Just go to wireless.amazon.com and check them out.

SECURITY ALWAYS:

• Steve was visiting his grandmother’s and found an unsecured WiFi. Not a problem–necessarily, EXCEPT the Router had NO PASSWORD.
• Tip to listeners: at least enter a password for the router (especially DLink routers that have as their default “NO” password)

PICKS of the Week:Steve: Paper.li Build your own online newspaper based on your friends on Facebook or Twitter. Works from any OS on any browser.

Chris: iPad Twitter App

Tony: eCamm Skype Recorder

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Steve’s info:  [blog] http://theprofessornotes.com[twitter] @scmprofessor

Tony’s info: [blog] http://getthenext.com [twitter] @tonypittman

Chris’ info: [blog] http://targuman.org/blog [twitter] @targumanJosh’s info: [twitter] @joshfink

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