Archive for June, 2010


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Buying an iPhone 4? Sell Your Old Model

June 30th, 2010 by Erin Posted in Technology | No Comments »

The iPhone 4 is out and sales are through the roof. It has lots of crazy new features – and a few glitches. But, for the most part, everyone and their mother wants one.

But, let’s say you’re already an iPhone owner. What do you do with your old one?

The answer: sell it!

… and not on eBay or Craigslist either. Several websites are offering CASH for your used iPhone. And, they will tell you upfront exactly what they’ll pay.

NextWorth and Gazelle say they will offer up to $100 for iPhone 3G models and $200 for iPhone 3GS – in good condition, of course.

Considering the new iPhone 4 starts at $199 with a two-year contract – that’s a hell of a deal.

Now, if the thought of selling your iPhone over the Internet sounds iffy, you can head over to RadioShack instead. It too is offering the same trade-in values, BUT for in-store credit. You can also – on the spot- trade in your old iPhone and sign up for the $199 upgrade. But,  don’t expect o walk out of the store with your new iPhone in hand. Those phones go out to smart people who pre-ordered.

Bummer, I know.

Yes, these new iPhones are hot tickets right now. I predict they’ll be even hotter when the Verizon iPhone is introduced in January. C’est la vie AT&T. A lot of people won’t be sorry to see you go.

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3 Business Blogging Platforms BESIDES WordPress

June 23rd, 2010 by Erin Posted in Business | No Comments »

There is life outside WordPress.

According to those who voted at Lifehacker, there are three other business blogging platforms that serve as good stand-ins if you’re adverse to WordPress or its plain stepchild, Blogger.

As any small business or powerhouse company will tell you, blogging is an ideal way to spread knowledge and ideas. It’s also a great marketing tool. And, most importantly, it’s cheap!

If you haven’t started a blog yet – like some people I know – do it NOW for the sake of your business.

Here are three other blogging platforms – besides WordPress – that’ll get your blog up and running in no time.

1. Tumblr

Tumblr is an interesting fusion between a full-fledged blog and a Twitter feed. Known as short-form or micro blogging, the style of blogging on a Tumblr blog is focused on short and frequent posts that are normally longer (or more focused on media like images or video) than Twitter updates but not as involved and formal as a regular blog post.

It’s a style that appeals to a lot of people and the ease of setup coupled with the informality of Tumblr is a winning combination for people who aren’t looking to commit to a blog as an involved and time-consuming project.

2. SquareSpace

SquareSpace is a commercial blogging platform with packages ranging from $8-50 per month. One of the nice things about their pricing schedule is that it’s based almost entirely on volume.

Aside from a few features, mostly focused on volume and big site management, the user experience from the smallest users to the biggest power users is consistent. SquareSpace’s strongest focus is on making good blog design easy for design/coding newbies. They’ve built their system around a modular design so building a brand new blog is as easy as snapping the pieces you want together.

3. Posterous

This is the no-fuss and zero-stress way to blog. You don’t need to sign up, you don’t need to know any code, you don’t need to know how to do anything but send an email to set up your own Posterous blog and start sharing your ideas and media. Simply email post@posterous.com from any email account and Posterous will create a YourName.Posterous.com blog for you.

You can write posts and long as you want, attaching photos and media files. (You can use the site’s rich text editor to create or edit posts, but its by-email updating is what its best known for.) The only micro part about Posterous is the amount of time you’ll spend setting it up. While email-based blogging might not be for everyone, it’s impressive how much you can do through the Posterous system with a single email.

If you already have a blog set up, chances are you’re probably deep into WordPress and wouldn’t even consider giving another blogging platform a shot. But check out these others – at the very least, for peace of mind in knowing that you wouldn’t be happier using anything else.

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iPad – Pure Luxury

June 17th, 2010 by Erin Posted in Technology | No Comments »

So I came home with an Apple iPad last week. I didn’t think I’d get one – in fact, my husband was hell bent against it – but I bought one anyway.

It’s a great device. Awesome, actually.

The gaming apps have kept us mindlessly entertained for hours. And, every so often, when I feel that my brain has been sufficiently sucked dry of any literate thought or notion – I dive into the Press Reader app and browse my favorite newspapers. I need that stimulation every now and again.

The thing is, as awesome as I think the iPad is, my household doesn’t need it. Not even in the slightest.

It’s a luxury item. Pure and simple.

We’re not going to use it to increase our productivity. And we’re certainly not going to use the e-reader – at least not anytime soon. I love my books and I’m not ready to give them up just yet.

In all honesty, what the iPad has given us is games, kids activities, some educational tools, and access to new media  - all stuff I can get on the Internet. Seriously.

Don’t get me wrong, we’re keeping our little iPad. I see its potential, especially as my children get older and need supplemental educational tools.

But until then, I’ll listen to my daughters fight over who gets to play Angry Birds and my husband tap away at Bejeweled.

We’re going to Italy this summer… maybe I convince him to start learning Italian with the iPad.

Fat chance.

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12pm is now: Undocked!

June 15th, 2010 by Gregory Silvano Posted in Stature Projects | No Comments »

We renamed 12pm to Undock today and announced our partnership with CounterSoft, creator of the amazing Gemini project management app.

http://blogs.countersoft.com/index.php/2010/06/get-undocked/

Their blog post has a quote from yours truly.  :)

 

Facebook Privacy, Version 200.0

June 4th, 2010 by Erin Posted in Technology | No Comments »

A fews weeks ago I wrote a post about the Facebook privacy policy. I ranted and raved about Facebook’s privacy settings. I pondered whether Facebook users could actually read and perhaps change their settings themselves. I accused the site of being greedy and domineering.

It’s a tiresome topic, in my opinion –  but it continues.

Last Friday, literally days before Quit Facebook Day, Facebook released its newest version of privacy settings.

The site has “dumbed” them down for us, making it extremely simple to protect our personal data.

It isn’t automatic. You still have to be PROACTIVE. But all it takes – literally – is one click and your data can be kept under wraps.

Want the complete lowdown on the new Facebook privacy policy? Read Hiawatha Bray’s Blanket of Privacy for Facebook from The Boston Globe. The article gives tremendous insight on which buttons to press for those security conscious Facebook users.

So go on… fix those settings once and for all. And for God’s sake – stop complaining!

There.

I hope this topic is dead and buried.

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