Thing 5 of 23 Mobile Things: Notetaking with the Dragon dictation app

I chose to investigate the Dragon dictation app this week. I realized that using this dictation app gives me the opportunity to dictate my blog response. So when I'm done you can see how well the app works (though I edited heavily when needed).

My first thought is that the Dragon dictation app reminds me a bit of OCR, that is, optical character recognition software. I had the opportunity to use OCR in several work situations, and there are often difficulties when the OCR software misreads characters. With dictation software, I think that if I enunciate carefully and control my 'um's and 'uhh's, I think I can control errors.

Really, I've been impressed by the accuracy of this dictation app. I have to admit, though, I did outline my response pretty tightly in constructing this blog, so that I wouldn't wander too much.

Ultimately, I can't see using this dictation app for work, because most of my writing at work is done while referencing texts on the computer. So I can't see the advantage of dictating those responses.

But in the real world, in my personal life, I can imagine taking advantage of this app to walk along and dictate a response to some some subject. Having this app reside on my pocket-sized ipod could be quite useful. It's will be a great tool to try.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod.

Thing 4 of 23 Mobile Things: Keeping Up

My first thought, when faced with this 'keeping up' thing was: RSS feeds are old news. We use them at work to populate intranet sites.

But then I looked at the 23 Things introduction, and I was amazed by the features of the two apps that were presented.

Zite really intrigued me, with its capability to 'learn' what I like, so I downloaded it from the App store - until it informed me that I need to upgrade OS7. Bummer.

Next stop- Flipper.
I loaded the app, signed up for some science streams, and explored these feeds for a few days. I see that I can also add Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and a multitude more new/more social options that I don't know about yet. But I thought I'd wait to explore the basic magazine feeds before running everything else through one tool.

One I got Flipper up and running, I quickly became immersed in one interesting story after the next - it's so easy to flip! After a while, I realized that there were names (blog names? other sources?) that I have come across on Facebook feeds.

In fact, I'd guess that some of my Facebook friends must peruse some sort of RSS aggregator, and must pick their favorites from similar collections of cool designs, trendy technology, and interesting science facts.

As I looked more closely, I realized that some listed sources like BBC and NYT did not have content available (though I already have a free BBC app on my iPod). Most of the content was engaging, and somewhat fluffy. I found a link to one serious scientific article after reviewing an article called 'ten interesting science facts about cats'. Someone has determined that house cats were first domesticated in China.

My first sense is that most of the news I reviewed is a bit too soft, certainly for my professional reading. Most of what I've been reading is, after all, free content. But if I can tweak the feed and gather some higher caliber RSS sources, it could be really useful even, possibly, for work information.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod.

Thing three of 23 mobile things: Utilities

QR reader is the utility that I chose to investigate. This is a tool that I have wanted to explore since I first started noticing QR codes ( long before I had a smart device).

I have read about gallery exhibitions where a QR code links you to a piece of art, a multimedia file, or other information. As I saw the QR codes proliferate, I realized that the commercial applications were expanding. My zeal diminished a bit, as I wasn't thrilled to log into the local car dealer's website. But, once again, 23 things has provided me a fine opportunity to explore.

Since shopping is not one of my banner activities, I took a (virtual) stroll through the eighty-something scanner apps in the App Store. I realized that I'd have the best luck looking more closely at apps with numerous positive reviews.

I selected NeoReader, because it had decent reviews, read many types of codes, and seemed relatively neutral.



Now, to find some codes to scan . . . . With my eyes peeled, I didn't see a single code anywhere- not on a poster, not even in my standby: Parade magazine. Maybe I have already missed this wave??

Finally, while waiting for a haircut, I perused the haircare products and saw some QR codes on the shelves. I captured a couple of codes, and proceeded to my haircutter's station. There on her wall was her state cosmetology license, with a QR code in the corner! I captured the code, and returned home the successful hunter.

As there was no wifi at the hair salon, I had to wait until I was home to investigate my finds. The product links went directly to YouTube testimonials. And the license document went to the state cosmetology website. The destination for the links was not surprising, but the process for accessing them was amazingly fast and seamless.

I don't know how much space this QR code app takes up, but I hope I can afford the space when I will be attending a work conference at the end of April. QR codes will provide me a quick way to gather links and literature of interest!

Addendum: Airport restroom in Denver International airport provided a QR code to let authorities know that the restroom needs attention. I did not follow that one.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod.

Mobile Thing 2 - mobile device tips for my iPod gen. 4

I was looking forward to this starting 'thing'- a chance to learn even more about my iPod touch.

First lesson: I have generation 4 ipod.

Second, since this device is often used by kids (teens), most of the tips/tricks videos I found on youtube were produced by young people. A talented bunch, but after a while, they all covered mostly the same information. And some were informing me how to lock my device so I can let friends play games, but not access my private info.

I think the most useful thing that I learned was how to lock the orientation of my screen - particularly helpful when reading of writing while in bed. There is a button that appears at the bottom of my screen when I double-click the home button.

I also learned some tips to save battery life by closing 'open' icons at the bottom of the screen, and how to take a screen shot.

I learned that I can add a Kindle app, so that I can read the book that I am reading on my Kindle, even if I don't have my Kindle with me!

I have had this iPod for 1.5 years, and I love it! I already check my home email and Facebook regularly, can read online news, check weather, maps, look up info on the Internet, and post blogs.

When I don't have wifi, I can still read the book I have loaded, take and review photos, compose my blog, and refresh with a low-key game.

Thanks to this first 'thing', I am now just a bit more efficient with this amazing little smart non-phone.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod.

Thing One of 23 Mobile Things - setting up a blog

This is the fourth blog I've set up. The set-up for this one went smoothly, but that smoothness is partly due to lessons learned previously.

Just over a year ago, on the morning of departure for a three- week-long cycling trip to Vietnam, I was building a blog so that I could post from the trip using my iPod (a task I should not have left to the last minute).

I was connecting to Blogger from my laptop, then tried to write the first blog from my mobile device. I was repeatedly told by Blogger to change my password. So I changed it, and changed it again. I would write it down, then modify my new one. I changed it over and over, until I realized that I was trying to access one program from two devices.

At the same time, the taxi arrived, my family bustled around, and they trundled out with the luggage. They were threatening to leave without me as I was sending the freshly minted link to friends and I was shutting down my laptop.

I'm happy to report that I was successful in setting up the blog , and posting something new every day from Vietnam. The trip, and the blog were wonderful successes!

I learned how simple it is to blog, but I need to remember to set up a new blog one step at a time.