Tag: Reviews

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Try It Friday – Evernote Quick Start

My Try It Friday video blog for today is a quick start guide for Evernote.

I had trouble getting started with Evernote. I simply did not have the time to read and understand how to get going; yet I wanted to use it as it has had great reviews and I got a free Premium Subscription from being a Wall Street Journal subscriber.

I felt that I needed a “stupid person” guide to getting started with Evernote; hence my video.  You may be just like me, too busy to figure it out but ready to try out Evernote, this video will get you started fast!

In preparing to make this video, I finally took the time to figure out how to create notes where Evernote transcribes my voice into a note that I can then email to myself or arrange in notebooks. This feature is unique. Even your smartphone or virtual assistant can’t replicate this feature. It is one of the best reasons for getting started with Evernote.

I have used this feature (speech to text) to create topics for blog posts as I read the newspaper, create lists for staff, or details of conversations I have had with a customer. Then I’ve used Evernote to store these notes in the Cloud – accessible from any of my devices. I even use Evernote to email me my own notes to add to a spreadsheet or further massage for other uses.

This video makes it super easy to get started with Evernote. After you do, then go to YouTube and watch more advanced videos on how to create Notebooks and use collaboration tools found in the Premium Subscription.

I am not being paid by Evernote. I just figured it out and wanted to share how to get started fast with this terrific application.

Evernote at Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.evernote&hl=en

Evernote at the App Store at iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/evernote/id281796108?mt=8

 

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Try It Friday – Samsung’s WatchOn App

It’s been a while since my last Try It Friday video. It’s because I have to learn how to use something before I make my video for you and I have had some real fails that have simply not made the cut. However, this app has! WatchOn by Samsung is a real jewel. Watch my video below or at YouTube here http://youtu.be/OZZJWXgLuMo. You can also view it on my website here: http://www.mccordweb.com/video/index.php

What I love about this app is that it allows me to be purposeful about what I watch on TV. I don’t have cable and don’t get a TV guide, so I don’t know what great shows may be playing or coming up – but now I do.

I can even control Netflix with this app and if I wanted to buy movies to watch at Vudu.  I am now ready to throw out the 4 controllers I have for my TV as now I can control my TV, DVD player, DVR and any other auxiliaries (set top box if you had one) all with one master controller. Thanks Samsung I’ve got to say I love WatchOn.

Available for free at Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sec.watchon.phone&hl=en

iTunes: I am not sure you will find it here. Looks like it is just for Android – sorry.

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OneDrive Versus Google Drive for Remote Teamwork – Who Wins?

 

Image of file folders
Working remotely on files is easy with OneDrive or Google Drive

I employ a number of tech specialists and interact daily with them to task them, pass files, give directions, load files, and pick up completed files. This allows me to easily expand my workforce, utilizing quality team members, that are not located in my same city.

I have tried a number of tools to stay connected and help them perform effectively for me. Two applications that I have really taken head to head have been Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive. I actually use both, but here’s how they stack up for my needs and what I have found I like about each one.

Ease of Use:  Winner – OneDrive
In working with non-tech savvy employees who just really need to get to work and don’t want to take a lot of time to understand a system – OneDrive wins.

Although Google Drive can work for some staffers, the learning curve may require real hands on. The issue of setting up sharing, figuring out if they can save your file, having to turn the Google docs file into an Office compatible file are simply stumbling blocks for some in my remote workforce.

Integration with Your Desktop: One Drive – Google Drive a Tie
I love that when I install both programs, they automatically integrate into my file tree in Microsoft’s File Explorer. It is super simple to pull files out, load them in, and synching is automatic to your entire staff once set up.

Easy Set Up: Winner – Google Drive
As for easy setup, both are pretty easy, but Google Drive I think is easier. You simple send an invite to a Google account email address and then right click on the user to assign them properties of what they can use. OneDrive is pretty easy, but not quite as simple as Google Drive.

Features: Winner OneDrive
If all you need is file sharing and transferring, both OneDrive and Google Drive will do the job, but if you need remote access, integration with your team calendar, integrated instant messaging, and Skype, I personally like OneDrive.

Working on the Same File: Winner Google Drive
This is actually the only issue I have found I wish OneDrive would improve on where Google Drive has OneDrive beat. Two people can work on the same file at the same time. That can’t happen in OneDrive. If two do, OneDrive will make two copies of the file and it is up to you to decide which one to keep. My team and I just know on really important files when we can access them – we time share or I pull files out of a workbook, have my team work on the pulled out files and then when done overwrite my master file.

Both may be worth your while to try out. You can download One Drive here: https://onedrive.live.com/about/en-us/download/

You can download Google Drive here: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/drive

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Try It Friday – The Pocket App for Reading on the Go

You’ve got to love Pocket! This is a great app that is a browser utility that allows you to then read things you mark as interesting on any device. Very cool, super easy, I use it all the time. View it at YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQs1-qLAXss&feature=youtu.be

Start first by installing pocket on your desktop or laptop by visiting http://getpocket.com/. You’ll be asked to set up an account and install a small app that will put the +Pocket app in your toolbar.

You’ll also want to download the app at iTunes and Google Play.

When you log in to your Pocket account on your devices, you will then be able to see content you’ve saved to read later across any device. I love this app use it to provide personalized content that I can read anywhere on the go.