Blogs

I have an extra ticket for a 3 day conference November 9^th, 10 and 11^th.   Magnetize your Audience ( Sold Out).  Here is more information about what would be covered

1.     Who is putting it on?

·         Callan Rush

·         Justin Livingston

2.     More info about Callen

Thanks to Gerry Brimacombe from Sector Learning in Victoria for this one!  This tip shows you how to Randomly Select an Entry from a List in Microsoft Excel 2007 and 2010.

1. Designate columns for each type of information by naming each column: (ie. Column A = First Name, Column B = Last Name, Column C = Company Name, etc.)

2. Enter each person’s information across the row in the appropriate columns. (ie. Column A = Joe, Column B = Smith, Column C = Sector Learning Solutions, etc.)

3. Create a new column and name it “Draw”. Then populate each row in the Draw column with the formula =RAND()

4. Select the “View” tab then the “Freeze Panes” button (located in the “Window” group). A drop down menu will open – select the “Freeze Top Row” button.

5. Press the “F9″ key to refresh your formula to generate a new set of random numbers in the column.

6. Select the first name in the list using your cursor. Then select the “Data” tab and the “Sort” button (located in the “Sort & Filter” group). Next
Sort your data set by the “Draw” column, Sorts on by “Values” and Order by “Smallest to Largest.” Press OK to randomly sort the list of names.

7. The name at the top of the list is the winner!

Note: To reuse the tool on the same list, repeat steps 6 and 7.

Now that is a great tip!  Thanks again Gerry!

BACI BALL IS HERE!   BACI helps children and adults of all abilities reach for their dreams and make decisions about their lives. Find out more about BACI here.

The cool part? This is their main annual fundraiser and my first contribution is having our friend Yared perform live and his masterpiece will be up for auction after he is done.   His work goes upwards of $10,000 and he is absolutely amazing to watch.   He paints with inspiration from a musician playing an acoustic guitar!  Check out his site.

There is also a via rail raffle www.baciball.com/raffle   where you can win One round trip for 2 between Vancouver, BC and Jasper, AB (in a VIA Rail Sleeper), PLUS one night’s stay at the Jasper Fairmont Resort (Total Value: $3,176)

Date: Friday, November 16

Place: District 319  (Main and Hastings…yes I know, uhm interesting location but super cool inside and there will be a shuttle – see below)

Cost:  $100  (You will also get a tax receipt for about 60-70% of the ticket cost)

Time:  Doors open at 6 PM

Parking: Valet Parking & Shuttle from/to Main Street Sky train available.

REGISTER HERE

Here is apple's forum on the issue: about 5000 people looking for answers : https://discussions.apple.com/message/19645591#19645591

It might also be worth trying to setup your apple id security questions here: https://appleid.apple.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MyAppleId.woa/184/wa/directToSignIn?wosid=GPkUYSUsLAErmKdnhgvbPM&localang=en_CA and not on your actual device. 

Sept 22: I am not sure why this worked but I happend to go to iTunes on my iPad and was paying for a movie, this time when it asked for my id and pw and security questions, it allowed me to complete it.  Then I went to the app store and now I can download again.   Odd?

Sept 21: Ok, a bit to early to say all was ok.  I can no longer use the app store.  On the initial log in after the update, it goes through a few steps and one is to update your iTunes ID and choose 3 security questions.  WHich I did.  Then after I logged on it said there were a bunch up updates to apps, no problem, easily updated.  Then I went to download a new app and the trouble started.

1. asks for iTunes ID and pw

2. Go to install

3.  asks for iTunes ID and pw and says do I want to set up security ID (Uhm, I already did) so the first time I said "Not now" but then it won't allow you to download.

4. Tried again and this time said YES will do it again.  Click on the first question to choose and end up with a blank screen.  Can't go any further.  

Can I never download another app again?

Sept 20: Just fyi.  I updated my iPad today to the latest release.  It took about 10 minutes and found no issues.  This update contains over 200 new features, including the following:

•  Maps

◦  Apple designed vector based maps

◦  Turn-by-turn navigation with spoken directions on  iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (2nd and 3rd generation)

◦  Real-time traffic information

◦  Flyover for photo-realistic, interactive 3D views of major metro areas on iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPad (3rd generation), and iPod touch (5th generation)

◦  Local search results with Yelp photos, ratings, reviews, and available deals

◦  Siri integration for requesting directions and finding places along a route

•  Siri improvements

◦  Sports: scores, player stats, game schedules, team rosters, and league standings for baseball, basketball, football, soccer and hockey

◦  Movies: trailers, showtimes, reviews and facts

◦  Restaurants: reservations, reviews, photos and information

◦  Send a Tweet

◦  Post on Facebook

◦  App launch

◦  Eyes Free in supported automobiles

◦  Local search available in Siri supported countries (availability may be limited during initial rollout)

◦  Additional country and language support for Canada (English and Canadian French), China (Mandarin), Hong Kong (Cantonese), Italy (Italian), Korea (Korean), Mexico (Spanish), Spain (Spanish), Switzerland (Italian, French, German), Taiwan (Mandarin), US (Spanish)

◦  Supported on iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPad (3rd generation) and iPod touch (5th generation)

•  Facebook integration

◦  Single sign-on from Settings

◦  Post from Photos, Safari, Maps, App Store, iTunes, Game Center, Notification Center and Siri

◦  Add location and choose audience for any post

◦  View up-to-date Facebook profile photos and contact information in Contacts

◦  View Facebook events and birthdays in Calendar

◦  Like content and see your friends' Likes in App Store and iTunes Store

•  Shared Photo Streams

◦  Share selected photos with the people you choose

◦  Friends can view shared photos in Photos app, iPhoto and Apple TV

◦  Friends can like and make comments on individual photos

•  Passbook

◦  One place for boarding passes, store cards, movie tickets and other passes

◦  Barcode display for boarding flights, buying coffee, getting into movies and other actions

◦  Passes displayed on Lock Screen based on time or location

◦  Passes can be automatically updated

◦  Supported on iPhone and iPod touch

•  FaceTime improvements

◦  FaceTime over cellular support for iPhone 5, iPhone 4S and iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (3rd generation)

◦  Receive FaceTime calls, sent to your iPhone number, on your iPad and iPod touch

•  Phone improvements

◦  Do Not Disturb to suppress incoming calls and notifications

◦  'Reply with message' option when declining a call

◦  'Remind me later' option based on time or location when declining a call

•  Mail improvements

◦  VIP mailbox to quickly access mail from important people

◦  Flagged email mailbox

◦  Insert photos and videos when composing email

◦  Open password protected Office docs

◦  Pull down to refresh mailboxes

◦  Per account signatures

•  Safari improvements

◦  iCloud tabs to see open pages on all your devices

◦  Offline Reading List

◦  Photo upload support

◦  Full screen landscape view on iPhone and iPod touch

◦  Smart app banners

◦  JavaScript performance improvements

•  App Store and iTunes Store improvements

◦  Updated store design

◦  iTunes Preview history

◦  Complete my season

◦  Complete my album

•  Game Center improvements

◦  Challenge friends to beat high scores and achievements

◦  Post high-scores and achievements to Facebook and Twitter

◦  Friend recommendations based on your Facebook friends

•  Accessibility improvements

◦  Guided Access to limit device to one app or restrict touch input on certain areas of the screen

◦  VoiceOver integration with Maps, AssistiveTouch and Zoom

◦  Support for Made for iPhone Hearing Aids for iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S

•  Improved privacy controls for Contacts, Calendars, Reminders, Photos and data shared over Bluetooth

•  Reminders can be reordered in the Reminders app

•  Custom vibrations for alerts on iPhone

•  Clock app for iPad

•  Clock alarm with song

•  Search all fields in Contacts

•  Automatic movie mode for improved video sound quality

•  Definitions of a selected word for Chinese, French, German and Spanish

•  New keyboard layouts for French, German, Turkish, Catalan, Arabic and Icelandic

•  Keyboard shortcuts shared across devices via iCloud

•  Bluetooth MAP support

•  Global network proxy for HTTP

•  Features for China

◦  Baidu web search

◦  Sina Weibo integration

◦  Share videos to Tudou

◦  Share videos to Youku

◦  Improved text input for handwriting and Pinyin

•  Bug fixes

Some features may not be available for all countries or all areas.  Please visit this website for more details: 

                <http://www.apple.com/ios/feature-availability>

For information on the security content of this update, please visit this website: 

                <http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222>

Here are a few tips to remind you about email usage both the good and the bad.

THE GOOD

1.       Make the subject useful and descriptive.

a.       If you are emailing to say meet at 10 at Starbucks, why now put that in the subject and say meet at 10 at Starbucks eom.  That means end of message and they know they don’t have to open!

2.       The shorter the email the better

3.       If it HAS to be long, make it bullet point

4.       Review every message before sending

a.       Make sure your spellcheck is on!

5.       Adding your signature in every email with your details.  Even in replies.  You can make it shorter but have your phone number in it don’t make them search for a way to call you back.

THE BAD

1.       Please, please, please do not USE ALL CAPS

a.       It means you are just downright angry.  J

2.       Copy in ONLY those that are required to see the email

3.       Do NOT “REPLY TO ALL” unless absolutely necessary

4.       Do NOT “REPLY TO ALL” unless absolutely necessary (Worth repeating!)

5.       Do NOT put all your intended readers in the TO field.  They may not want everyone to know their email

6.       Do NOT send long wordy emails.  Ick!

7.       Do NOT copy in your boss on every email

8.       Reply back to just say Thanks, ok, you bet

Enough rules for you?  Most of it is just plain common sense.  Another is to only read emails at certain times of the day, like 10 and 2.   Can you do it?  J

Did You Know?
Simultaneously holding the left "alt" key, right "shift" key, and "delete" key will restart your BlackBerry.  Nope, you don’t even have to remove your case, cause we all know what a pain that is!

Darci LaRocque  |  Founder/Trainer  | Swirl Solutions™ |   1.888.587.9062 ext 0  |  

Darci’s Schedule  |  Smartphone, Tablet and Microsoft Training and Consulting

Skype          | swirlsolutions

Twitter        | http://bit.ly/twswirl

YouTube     | http://bit.ly/ssyoutube

Facebook   | http://bit.ly/fbswirl

LinkedIn     | http://bit.ly/liswirl

Blog              | http://bitly.com/nwsltrblg

"Making Complex Technology Simple”

Are you a small business owner?  You might qualify for FREE training: CLICK HERE

What is POP and IMAP?

I am sure you have seen these two acronyms if you have ever configured your email to work.     What do they mean though?  Basically, POP downloads emails from the server for permanent local storage and IMAP leaves them on the server and caches emails locally.  IMAP is a little bit like the new term Cloud storage.

POP: Post Office Protocol  (1984)

IMAP: Internet Message Access Protocol (1986)

Protocol just means that it allows you to read your emails from a 3^rd party app like Outlook, Eudora, Mac Mail, etc…  POP has been around a bit longer than IMAP.

POP :

• Connect to server
• Retrieve all mail
• Store locally as new mail
• Delete mail from server*
• Disconnect

*The default behavior of POP is to delete mail from the server. However, most POP clients also provide an option to leave a copy of downloaded mail on the server.

IMAP:

• Connect to server
• Fetch user requested content and cache it locally, e.g. list of new mail, message summaries, or content of explicitly selected emails
• Process user edits, e.g. marking email as read, deleting email etc.
• Disconnect

As you can see, the IMAP workflow is a little more complex than POP. Essentially, folder structures and emails are stored on the server and only copies are kept locally. Typically, these local copies are stored temporarily. However, you can also store them permanently.

What Are The Advantages Of POP?

Being the original protocol, POP follows the simplistic idea that only one client requires access to mail on the server and that mails are best stored locally. This leads to the following advantages:

• Mail stored locally, i.e. always accessible, even without internet connection
• Internet connection needed only for sending and receiving mail
• Saves server storage space
• Option to leave copy of mail on server
• Consolidate multiple email accounts and servers into one inbox

What Are The Advantages Of IMAP?

As mentioned in the introduction, IMAP was created to allow remote access to emails stored on a remote server. The idea was to allow multiple clients or users to manage the same inbox. So whether you log in from your home or your work computer, you will always see the same emails and folder structure since they are stored on the server and all changes you make to local copies are immediately synced to the server.

As a result, IMAP has the following advantages:

• Mail stored on remote server, i.e. accessible from multiple different locations
• Internet connection needed to access mail
• Faster overview as only headers are downloaded until content is explicitly requested
• Mail is automatically backed up if server is managed properly
• Saves local storage space

·         Option to store mail locally

What Is The Best Email Protocol For Me?

Choose POP If...

• you want to access your mail from only one single device
• you need constant access to your email, regardless of internet availability
• your server storage space is limited

Choose IMAP If...

• you want to access your email from multiple different devices
• you have a reliable and constant internet connection
• you want to receive a quick overview of new emails or emails on the server
• your local storage space is limited
• you are worried about backing up

If in doubt, go with IMAP. It's the more modern protocol, it allows you to be flexible, your email is automatically backed up on the server, available server space usually isn't an issue these days, and you can still store important emails locally.

Thanks to www.makeuseof.com for this article.  I just reworded to make it a bit easier, I think J , to understand.

Darci LaRocque  |  Founder/Trainer  | Swirl Solutions™ |   1.888.587.9062 ext 0  |  

Darci’s Schedule  |  Smartphone, Tablet and Microsoft Training and Consulting

Skype          | swirlsolutions

Twitter        | http://bit.ly/twswirl

YouTube     | http://bit.ly/ssyoutube

Facebook   | http://bit.ly/fbswirl

LinkedIn     | http://bit.ly/liswirl

Blog              | http://bitly.com/nwsltrblg

"Making Complex Technology Simple”

Are you a small business owner?  You might qualify for FREE training: CLICK HERE

UPDATE FROM TRIP TO THE USA

We had one BlackBerry (BES) and 2 iPhones with us to test out how using the SIM and the HOTSPOT worked.   So something you MUST remember if you are buying a SIM card is that you can't currently keep you CDN #.  You remove your  CDN SIM along with the phone number so that means that you won't get any phone calls or texts while you are using the other SIM.  Phone calls with go to voice mail so you can check upon your return but my husband is a Realtor and there is no way he could or would give up his phone #.  (ROAM's answer:  We see lots of people who can't miss calls so they do forward but don't pick up and return the call on the ROAM #)  ***Please check with your Carrier as the to rates they will charge you, because they will, for forwarding to the US #

So personally I didn't really get that this would be useful for a BlackBerry user to do this.  When would I need to make phone calls in the USA or back to Canada that couldn't wait until I was in front of my computer to Skype or facetime?  I tested it but didn't really use it.   However, carrying the hotspot was a great thing!   (Most of the time).   That meant that all data went through the hotspot while we were out and about.  We weren't connecting to a Canadian Carrier to do this, saving lots of money. I had three off us using and didn't go over what I purchased.   Which brings me to the account.  I couldn't' t remember how many MB / GB I purchased and at one point no one could connect and I thought 'maybe' we went over.   I logged on to my account to see what I purchased and it wasn't easy to figure out for a new user.   See image below.  I did figure out that I had 500 MB to use and we never went over the in the 3 days with 3 of us it using all the time.  (ROAM's answer:  We are working on creating a self serve portal for users to check their data usage however for the time being customers can contact our Care Team via email, chat or phone to get an update)

.

After rebooting the hotspot our devices we were able to connect again, so in the end it had nothing to do with the plan.  This happened a few times over the 4 days, not sure why.   Also, we were in Vegas, so would leave early in the morning and not come back until later in the night and I left the hot spot on for everyone.  It generally lost battery power after about 7 hours of being on.  Not bad, and maybe next time I would only turn on when needed to check emails to conserve battery.   

(ROAM's answer: Something to keep in mind when leaving the hotspot on during the day or overnight is that your devices may run automatic backups, updates and syncing since it sees the connection as a regular WiFi connection and could use alot of data)

• You can purchase most of ROAM's offer on Allegiant air.  They sold out when were asked at the end of the flight.  Not sure how many they had but the male flight attendant was a great salesman for ROAM and he totally new his stuff!
• Each time I put in a SIM on my BlackBerry I had to log on with my BlackBerry ID and password so don't forget to bring that with you or commit to memory.   See image below:

SIM CARD

• Make sure you don't need your CDN # to receive texts and/or phone calls as you will get a brand new USA number
• Make sure you don't FORWARD your CDN # to your new USA number, you have just defeated the reason for doing this.  You will be charged for calling the USA!!!!
• (ROAMS Answer: Forwarding may be an option if you have Long Distance with your Carrier or as an alternative you can use your new DUAL SIM breeze phone)   
  • The issue I still see is that then you won't get data as the breeze phone doesn't have data. 
• BlackBerry's won't work for data (email, browsing, etc), I actually couldn't' test the iphones because they had micro SIMs and we were only provided with the regular one.   From listening and watching the Allegiant Airline attendant, if you order the normal way the package comes with both SIMs for you to use. 
• if you have an iPhone make sure you have something to remove your SIM with!
• Keep the little guy in a safe spot.   I coudn't remember where I put it a few times and it is super small!
• If you get a data plan you also will get a new icon to setup your T-Mobile Email account.  Not a bad option if you want to use another email address for US stuff.  I couldn't test this as I kept getting an error.   See image below with new icon and every time I tried to click on it I got the error beside it.  (ROAM's answer:  Though the icon does show up Roam users wouldn't be able to use.)

HOT SPOT

• Charge it nightly
• If you need to use all day and have no way to charge it again, turn on and off when you need to use
• it is little and convenient and just slipped nicely into my side pocket. 
• Sometimes you have to reconnect if it isn't working. (ROAM's Answers:  This device has a sleep mode to save bettery that shuts off after a certain time after no devices are connected.  This can be changed by plugging the device into your computer and going into the admin panel. 

OVERALL

I would definately purchase a SIM card for my smartphone if some of the stuff above didn't matter or if I went to the USA all the time.   The Wi-Fi hotspot was great but remember that only covers data (browsing, BBM, iMessage, emails, etc...)  and not Voice/Text.  I am lucky because all my voicemails convert to emails so I can read the information and see if it is urgent. 

For only $130.00 and I get to keep it and buy plans as needed, I am going to be chatting with them and possibly purchase on before my next trip!   Think about it, one trip could be the price of overages if you don't think about these things!  Or our hotel offered 'deal' for internet for $16.00 a day.  Well worth it to use your Roam Mobility Hotspot!

August 2012:  I contacted Roam to see if I could get a demo to let everyone know how easy (or hard) the process was for my clients.   I am going to the USA in September and wanted to demo 2 of their products for you.  First off, it was a pleasure to chat with Dylan and let him know what I was up to and how they could help me help you!   He was on it and I went through the process to buy the following items:

1.       Liberty mobile hotspot  $129.00 and you get to keep it!

This will allow me NOT to worry about how much Wi-Fi is in a hotel or have to run around and find a coffee shop with free Wi-Fi___33.  In theory I can just carry around this small device and it acts as a hotspot on the go!  

The Data Plan was $29.95 for 500 MB of Data.   (All data plans are good for 30 days)

2.       SIM Card  $19.99 and you get to keep that USA number. 

The issue some will have with this is that you can’t use your CDN number so you won’t get your texts or voicemails.  Voice you will can retrieve and not sure about texts.  Will let you know on the update after I get back.   So you can keep the US number and use when you go away again.  As long as you activate it again within a year.  That is my understanding.

The Plan for 3 days is $18.95 – Unlimited talk and text within the USA and back to Canada and 200 MB of data.

So I got the 2 items in the mail within a day or two and then the next step was to just add plans to the devices above.  Pretty easy! Now I am set to go on my trip in September.  I just have to remember to bring them along!  Ha ha.

Overall their site is great.  There is a live chat if you get stuck, which I did.   I would have liked all the plan info on each page as I had to go back and forth but now I know that when I am in the USA it includes to the USA and Canada.    The other thing that wasn’t a big deal but I would have liked to see is the plan comparison column fill up with what the Big Guys rates and not have to go in to each Carrier to view.   Still a great and easy process and they are working on a fix for this.

So….. let’s compare pricing from the big guys!  That comparison calculator is here.  Huge difference from Roams 6 cents a MB and from others anywhere from $5.00 to $30.00 from the carriers!   And Roams LD  and texting is unlimited to US and Canada with their plans!   Psyched to start the trial.   Adding the plan is easy…you just figure out what you want and when your first day is in the USA and that is it!   BlackBerrys seem to be a bit of an issue but I will test that!

Any questions before I go away and test for you guys?

All you folks that have to do with ships!   I came across this app that is so cool, shows any vessel in the harbour.

Desktop : http://shipfinder.co/

Apple: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ship-finder/id319726819?mt=8