Oh No! Not Another Frame!

This year, it may not be so bad to get a photo frame for Christmas, especially if it is a digital frame. Digital frames are all over the place this year! I wouldn't be surprised to find them in the nearest convenience store/gas station. In the past, I've given digital frames to family members and clients. If you are not sure what to get that special person or client, you cannot go wrong with a digital frame. Not only can they display the usual digital photos from your digital camera, you can display a company logo, Powerpoint slideshow, etc. A digital frame belongs in every waiting room of every business.

Here are the ones that I would purchase or love to receive (hint):

1. 15" Pandigital LCD Picture Frame $300
2. 10.4" Digital Picture Frame $170
3. 7" Coby Digital Photo Frame $75
   

Which Digital Camera Should You Buy?

One of the questions I get asked throughout the year, especially during Christmas, is, "What digital camera should I buy?" The first question I have to ask is what is the person expecting to spend on a digital camera? Sure, there's talk about different brands, Canon vs. Nikon, Digital SLR vs. Digital Point-and-Shoot Cameras, etc. In addition to providing links for what camera I think you should buy on this blog, I'm going to show you several websites and links that I use to do research and ultimately come up with my recommendations.

1. Digital SLR vs. Digital Point-and-Shoot Cameras
2. Buying Guide: Digital Cameras Features Search
3. Steve's Digicams
4. Recommended Cameras: Holiday 2007
   

Tight budget or not, after I think I've chosen the right camera, I always do a search on Google for "camera rebates" to see if the camera I chose is eligible for any rebates. In addition, I do a search for "coupon codes, (name of online store)" to see if any of the stores include purchasing incentives. If you're doing some last minute shopping and don't have time - just click on my recommendations below:

1. Most Affordable Digital Camera: Canon PowerShot A560
2. Best Compact Camera: Canon PowerShot SD850IS
3. Most Affordable Digital SLR: Nikon D40X
4. Best Digital SLR: Nikon D300 with 18-200mm Zoom Kit

Happy Shopping!

Black Friday Shopping Tips

I've always taken advantage of Black Friday discounts for items on my technology wish list. I've done the Black Friday Doorbuster Special Long Line At the Crack of Dawn Shopping Extravaganza and it sure does waste a lot of time. I suppose this year I could jump in and get a couple of jump drives, hard drives, compact flash/SD cards, digital frames, cheap LCDs, etc. It wouldn't be that bad this year since I could do some of my shopping online on my iPhone while waiting in line. Here is a list of websites that I use to get the best deals:

1. DealMac - How to go broke saving money. I've been using this website for over a decade to find the best deals on almost everything electronic. It even keeps tracks of sales at Best Buy, CompUSA, Staples, etc.
2. ConsumerReports.org - I start with this subscription based website to do my research, then end up at CNET and Amazon to read the reviews.
3. Amazon.com - I almost always use Amazon to buy books, electronics, etc.
4. Other World Computing - best place to get hard drives, enclosures, RAM, etc.
5. Steve's Digicams - have to stop here to read about the latest cameras, accessories, etc.
6. eBay - if you don't mind spending some time bidding on items you want - I usually use this to purchase vintage gadgets and cameras.
7. The Gizmodo Ultimate Black Friday Deal Guide - I just found this and this should save you a lot of time if you're planning to do any guerrilla shopping this Friday.
8. Books-A-Million - On par or better than Amazon, the best place to purchase your books.

Happy Shopping!

Tech Tools That I'm Thankful For

Happy Thanksgiving! Here is a list of technology tools that I'm thankful for.


1. The ultimate laptop accessory - my son Ethan's Graco Swing - extraordinary technology that helps Ethan go to sleep!

2. UMPC - Ultra-Mobile PC and Wireless Broadband
I enjoy using my Verizon-enabled OQO Model 02. It truly enables me to work unshackled. I knew where every hotspot was in Middle Georgia so that I would be able to connect when I need to, especially during support calls. Now, I can choose to use a hotspot or use the Verizon Wireless Broadband.

3. Apple iPhone (Phone, iPod, Internet Google Device)
I've been using my Treo 700p to connect to Google, but it was cumbersome at best to use its limited browser. With the iPhone, I use a fully featured web browser and now I have a Google device that keeps me a "touch" away from any information I need. Although a first generation product which doesn't completely replace my Treo 700p, I enjoy using many of its application. The touch screen and interface used to display slideshows, music, media, maps, etc. is very innovative and a joy to use. Always a crowd pleaser when I show folks how to zoom in or

Register to Win an Apple iPhone or iPod Touch

Celebrate the launch of three hyperlocal websites that GoRound™ Multimedia, a division of Najera Design+Associates, is currently finishing up:

Midstate Magazine
11th Hour Online
GoRoundTown™ Middle Georgia

Joined by Macon Magazine and 11th Hour, we are to host a giveaway at our launch luncheon scheduled for January 30 at the Cox Capitol Theatre. I know a lot of you have seen me and/or my team buzzing around all of Middle Georgia taking photographs. Well, you are finally going to see them in a new website called GoRoundTown™ Middle Georgia. This hyperlocal synergy will help bring more people to Middle Georgia and allow folks to discover and rediscover Middle Georgia - your hometown!

Register To Win your choice: Apple iPhone or iPod Touch

Search Function on the Apple iPhone

I have about 80 entries in the built-in Notes application on my iPhone. As I was scrolling through the entries, still amused by the touch screen, I realized that this was not the quickest way to locate my information. So, where is the search function? Well, let me save some users some time and let you know that there is NO SEARCH FUNCTION on the iPhone itself. Wow! It sounds like such a minor thing, but it sure would save a lot of time if you could perform a search. These are one of the annoying things that prove to me that I can't replace my Palm Treo 700p just yet. At this time, the only way to do a search, is to synchronize your iPhone with your computer and then perform the search on your computer, but you still can't search your Notes because the Notes do not get transferred to your machine. The plus side is that when they finally do provide the function, it would be easily installed the next time you synchronize.

There are some workarounds to to search for contacts. Go to Text Message and start a new Message. In the To: field, type some letters in the name. As you type the letters, it should display the search results. Another way, is to use the Google Maps application, clear the search field, then start typing in any information you may have about the client and it will present some data from your Contact database.

The Apple iPhone isn't ready as a complete business tool. There are at least two features that need to be implemented: Search Feature; Notes/To-Do Synchronization; Copy/Paste. It's hard to believe that these features were left out in the first place.

As I was doing a search for third-party apps for the iPhone, hoping I could find a Notes Replacement that I could search and synchronize, I found a great website that provides a list of useful apps: iPhone Application List. Apparently, this iPhone can search the web using Google technology to find data, images, etc. I found dedicated apps for eBay, using iRibbit; search for tech support issues; search for countless databases including wine and food; search for savings/coupons; search for local movies; Wikipedia viewer; Bible Search; etc.

I found what I was looking for in Pogo Notes. The great thing is, I have access to these notes from anywhere, since this is a web-based applications and your notes are stored on a web server. The bad thing is that it is on a web server. I don't really like the idea of connecting to a web server just to take notes, but if it is the only solution available now, I will give it a shot. Let's see how long I will be able to use it. Check back later for my findings and updates on these lacking search functions on the iPhone.

Online Social and Business Networking with Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn

I just signed up with Facebook after my sister sent me an invitation. Facebook is a social utility that connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around them. People use Facebook to keep up with friends, upload photos, share links and videos and learn about the people they meet. It is very similar to MySpace in functionality, but IMHO, it has a more solid structure, better formatting and design and is more business-friendly than MySpace is.

That being said, MySpace does have advantages. As it stands now, I know more people and local organizations with a MySpace page. Almost every local band, artist, non-profit organization in town has a MySpace page.

I believe Facebook is more suited to business and is a better solution for many of the nonprofits that I am involved in, so I will be helping some of these organizations add a Facebook page.

I signed up with LinkedIn about a year ago after a client sent me an invitation to link to their profile. I just went back to maximize the service and complete my profile. LinkedIn is a great way to connect with other professionals in your industry and can help you find potential clients, service providers, subject experts, and partners who come recommended. Professionals can also use this service to find business opportunities and employment.

Middle Georgia is a unique community. This is truly a place where the connections you have with people are more important than the business at hand. Using Facebook and LinkedIn is a great way to expand your connections in Middle Georgia and beyond.

You can find links to my profiles at Facebook and LinkedIn on this website. Send me a link request and I'll be glad to help you expand your network.