Skype Alternative

So I have found an alternative to Skype that seems pretty interesting, it's called iCall.  You may have heard about it before, but I didn't so here's the story. Oh, and sorry for all you Mac users, you can only use iCall on Windows.

I was at home and needed to get a hold of my BF but, to my dismay, my celly was in the truck, which he was using. Since I don't have a home phone and didn't feel like getting all chummy with my neighbors (and quite possibly there are no longer any payphones) I didn't have a way to call him.  So, I first go to Skype to see if you can make phone calls and yes you can, but you only get 1 free call and then have to pay for any more calls.  So, I use my free phone call and, I call the wrong number on accident! Dang, and, I am not about to pay for more airtime.

Whelp! Now what?? Well, I went online to see if there was any way to make calls to phones from your computer and I happened upon iCall.  I check it out first as I don't want any viruses etc, and it looked to be okay.  So I install it and to my wonderful surprise, you can make FREE, I say FREE outgoing calls to local numbers (as well as video calling like Skype)! Yay!! So, I call, he answers, and GRRRRRRR my internal microphone doesn't work!!! So, upon the continuing list of things that don't work on my my computer, I am adding microphone.

Well, in any case, I am now able to share this wonderful knowledge with all of you. So feel free to take advantage!

Adobe Fix

Okay, so I was getting a little frustrated with not being able to open any pdf's (see earlier post) so I searched around and found a temporary solution until I can get this Adobe thing figured out.  I found a free (yay) program that will allow me to view pdf's.  It's called Foxit Reader 5.1.  So far I like it better than my old Adobe Reader.  I can highlight, underline with a squiggly line, make comments, strike out text, replace text (with a comment), and some other cool things!

Here's another

On the google homepage, type "find chuck norris" (without the quotes).  Press "I'm feeling lucky."  Enjoy!

Oh yeah, you have to make sure google instant is off. To do this, go into search settings (the icon in the far top right corner), and under google instant, select do not use Google Instant and save preferences.

Passing the time....

Haha!!! If you didn't already know, you can get a nifty little ninja in your google reader.  In a throwback to old school video games, go to your google reader page and enter this code using your keyboard arrows: up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right then hit A, B.  A ninja will appear on the left side!

More update frustration!!!

So, an update on the whole Microsoft/iTunes issue is that I've spent at least 8 hours researching how to fix this to no avail!!! What I have figured out is that my computer keeps trying to install a security update for Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable Pack (whatever that means). I've tried like 3 different solutions including uninstalling anything that said visual c++ then installing visual c++ 2010, which didn't work.  Arggggh, I'm thinking about giving up on this....

And, now, to top it all off, I created for myself an Adobe Reader update nightmare.  Here's the skinny on this.  I was reading an article for class in Adobe Reader and thought to myself, it would be nice to be able to highlight this like a book.  So, I went online and found that that you can with the latest Reader update, Adobe Reader X (10.1.1).  Well, I was apparently running a super old version of reader (9.1) so went ahead and started the update.  I get this error with something about a missing patch and I needed to uninstall Adobe then reinstall it.  So, I go into uninstall programs and lo and behold, there is NO Adobe reader for me to uninstall.  I tried the update like 3 more times, all with the same error.  I am going to try and figure this one out, but I can say without hesitation that I am seriously considering throwing this computer out the window!!!

Update on the iTunes Situation

I've been doing some more research into this whole iTunes trouble (see previous post on iTunes).  Here is what I have found out:

So, I borrowed my mom's lap top so I could Skype yesterday, and I plugged my iPhone into it.  Everything worked just fine.  iTunes popped up, asked me to update to the new OS, but.......this isn't the computer I sync to, so can't do it.

Thus, the problem must be with my computer.  After considerable searching around for an answer on Apple.com and entering the error I receive into Google, results are that I have a Microsoft issue, not an iTunes issue.

Here's the skinny on that.  Apparently a Microsoft update (the kind that update when you shut your computer off) didn't download correctly and is preventing me from installing iTunes.  My quest now leads me to researching how to fix this Microsoft issue.  If I find an answer, I will post here.  I guess if I don't find an answer, I will also post here. So, either way look for an update soon.

Trouble Posting Comment in Blogger

So, I just tried to post a comment on one of our fellow cohort members blog and it wouldn't let me.  It kept telling me that "comments on this blog are restricted to team members." So, I went in the top left corner and clicked on the blue button that said "join this site," and my picture-less icon shows up as a member, but I still cannot post my comment.  Does anyone know how to fix this problem?

The Destroyer

So, I decided to post this because, though not technically about my "techno journey," it impacts my ability to have this journey.

As you know from a previous post, my son smashed my iPhone. Well, he didn't stop in there! In the pic below you can see what happens when a rambunctious 2 year old decides the most appropriate place for your (already pitiful) laptop is the floor via a 3 foot drop from the computer desk. As you can see, that is me pulling the side of my lap top away, which has the power button on it. There are supposed to be wires attached to the button so when I push it, the lap top actually turns on. Now, the wires are detached.

How, you may ask, then do you turn it on? To sum it up, I have to "hot-wire" it! Yes, you read correctly. I first unplug it to avoid electrocution, pull the side away slightly, use my finger to find the tiny wires, rub the exposed ends together, hope it turns on!

So, given that I'm a poor doc student, that's not getting fixed anytime soon. Here's hoping I don't get shocked and burn my fingertips!

Evernote

So I just downloaded 'Evernote' which appears to be a pretty useful tool.  I haven't delved in just yet but I hope to use this tool for keeping me organized.  I also downloaded the *free* app onto my phone so I'm interested in how convenient that will be.  Updates coming....

Dropping Boxes

So, for my class our instructor gives us several new technologies to try each week or so.  One of the recent ones is called "dropbox." Now, my brother is a techno geek and actually told me about Dropbox a while ago and it has been just sitting there on my computer. So, this class has forced me to try it out and........I LOVE IT!! I actually wish I had started using it when I downloaded before.  I have started dropping in my materials for the course I teach, like word docs, powerpoints, PDF's, and other stuff.  I rarely save things to my laptop and instead save things to my several jump drives because I like the portability of it but.....

Here is a case when Dropbox would've come in handy. I recently moved and in the beginning stages of moving, my husband and his cousin were dropping things off at the new place.  I left my bag of EVERYTHING I need to teach (including my jump drives) in the car, which as you can guess was put in the new place. I didn't realize this until I had to leave for class and didn't have enough time to run to get it.  I couldn't cancel class either so, I ended up "winging it" during class because I didn't have my powerpoint.  Not that it is that big a deal, but the presentation keeps me on track and I'm positive my students heads were spinning after that lecture.  Lesson: if I had something like Dropbox, well if I was using Dropbox at the time, problem averted, teacher has her materials, students leave headache free!

So, as you can guess, I will definitely be using this technology in the future.

iTrouble!!

So, I have been extremely frustrated with my iTunes, iPhone, and other iRelated things. First, when I opened iTunes, it told me there was an update so I tried to update. Result? error. No big deal, maybe next time I thought. Next time, update. Result? error again! Frustration level: 3.

Next time I open iTunes, it doesn't even tell me it needs an update. Hmmmm, did my iTunes magically update on its own while I was sleeping? Maybe I have elves......... Frustration level 2.

Plug in iPhone, little screen pops up asking what I would like to do with my pictures (I download them) and begins charging. 5 minutes later, I wonder, why didn't my iTunes automatically open? Curious. Open iTunes, not seeing my iPhone on the side. What the?? Frustration level 2.5

Unplug iPhone, plug back in. Nothing. Repeat process several times. Still nothing. So, I begin doing some searching online about iPhone not showing up in iTunes. I find much help. Try uninstalling iTunes and reinstalling. Result? error when installing. Repeat process. Result? error again. Frustration level 8.

Results??? Same old iPhone, same old OS, no wonderful new update for me. Still working on this issue, will let you know how I resolve it, if ever.

Oh, and in a completely unrelated incident, my wonderful son Emmett (who is 2) decided it would be a good idea to throw my iPhone onto the driveway. Results of glass hitting pavement? Cracked iPhone. Luckily it still works, just hope no glass shards make their way into my ear.....

Afterthought...

For anyone who did not know your computer was a smarty pants, so smart in fact that you can "snip" pieces of your screen like Sunday's coupon section, here's how to do it:

1. In your start menu, select all programs

2. Open Accessories, and there you see it, "Snipping Tool" (it has a cute little scissors icon)

3. Snip, Snip, Snip away!

4. There are several snip options, such as free from (let your creativity show, no one's looking), rectangle, screen, etc.

5. Save your snip for later use.

Cannot Jing It

Hello There,

Well for my class we were supposed to download this program called "Jing" that would allow us to capture our computer screens or make videos of our screens. Sounds neato huh? Well perhaps it is, if you can download it! Actually, this is probably a limited case of a tech-no, because my computer tends to be pretty fussy sometimes. Anyway I used the "snipping tool" that is already on the computer to snip for you a picture of my issue. Below is me trying to download Jing and it has been stuck on this screen for about a 1/2 hour. Perhaps my computer is a little ADD and got distracted by a squirrel when it was supposed to be looking for disk space.

Procrastination brought on by technology

So last week I had face-to-face class (yay) up in Duluth and learned something about my iPhone that I never new it could do. Mind you, I've had this phone for over a year! The feature I'm talking about is the "screen capture" which is accomplished by holding the top and home button at the same time. I have since told many people very excitedly who have all looked at me as if to say a collective "duh!" Anyway, here is a screen shot of my new addiction that has caused me to put off things I really should be doing. It's a game called "Drop 7."

We Are Not Alone

I find it noteworthy to tell you that I've noticed that Vivienne, my 4 month old, is also having her own techno journey, which I must say is far more interesting to witness than mine (and far cuter)!! Here is a photo of her with her new toy. She is learning how to pull the bird in the middle to make music. More updates coming soon!

Oh, as well, this is my first post and picture upload from my iPhone using the blogger app. And I do say that this is rather convenient! I do wish, however, that the app would let me use the keyboard on my phone the long way. TTFN folks!

New to Blogging (Again)

Welcome to the blog of Priscilla (that's me!) I am currently a busy mother of 3 wonderful kiddies, part time lecturer, and full time doctoral student. I am beginning this blog as a requirement for a course I am in, but will try to make the best of it!

So, the purpose of this blog is to detail to you my technology journey - the ups & downs, frustrations & triumphs, questions & comments. So, let's begin this journey together and see where we wind up!

P.S. This is actually my 2 attempt at a blog for this course. My first ran into minor complications in that I could not upload pictures from my phone when using the blogger app. So, I started a new one and am back in the game!! Stay tuned..................