Chapter #4 Blog Post

We start out this Chapter with some great information as to what exactly is going on when you send and receive an e-mail.  First we learn about the four steps:

Step 1 - Sender creates a message
Step 2 - SMTP server determines route for message
Step 3 - Internet routers direct message
Step 4 - Recipient receives message 

The different types of servers was something new to me(POP, IMAP, and HTTP).  Learning about the differences such as how POP will download the messages but only to a single machine was informative and new to me.  I guess I never put two and two together about how I used to log onto work e-mail without connection to the internet to view already downloaded messages(IMAP). 

I took some time to setup my Windows E-Mail and sync it with my G-Mail account as shown below.

 

Once this was finished I went about soaking in the vast knowledge of e-mail uses and learned a few new tricks myself. One thing that I had known about but never used before was the signature file.  Later in the chapter we also explore a few more new to me ways of gathering information such as the Google Newsgroups. Overall I found that the chapter had some great e-mail information as well as some good ways to organize and access news and social networking sites.

Google Docs is Fun!

So this one has taken me some getting used to but after some time messing around in Google Docs I can really see the added value this brings to the table.  Another new to me technology has been a success and I plan to explore it more and more. Here are a few quick docs I made using Google docs.

Document

Presentation

Now onto using the spreadsheet and forms.  To show how quick and easy it is I started a spreadsheet and started a form. Here is a screenshot using Jing to show them working together

Next up I added Viki's Blog to my Google Reader so I can follow it and be notified of updates.

Lastly I updated my Symbaloo account to reflect my new found interest in Google Docs!

Overall I am very impressed and look forward to integrating Google Docs into my every day needs.

Audioboo Review

Although I do not have a use for this currently this is a great and easy to use technology for recording your voice and sharing it with others.  Especially for such things as narrating a presentation or adding it to another video.
In just a few short minutes I was up and recording. I am really impressed with how user friendly it was.

Mobile Devices In Business

When thinking about how mobile devices are shaping business it is hard to see how they are not shaping business.  I personally am just starting to get used to the future of technology and letting it into my life.  Smart phones are a game changer and now we are looking at all of the tablet type devices as well.  With the way this is headed your mobile devices are also going to be you plugged in devices and allow you to exchange and modify most any of your computer related needs anytime and anywhere.  I remember the first time on the fly I was about to present something and had to modify an excel chart on my phone just minutes before the presentation.  These are some of the qualities that this new technology will bring to the table.   A smart and forward thinking business will typically be on top of current technology.  Doing so will include analyzing and evaluating which technologies will be of use to them then coordinating the training to emplace it in the workplace.  While doing some research I have found that various organizations are implementing mobile technology at the workplace.  Here is a link to the American Institute of CPA’s saying that control and use of mobile devices is the current top IT challenge.

http://www.aicpa.org/PRESS/PRESSRELEASES/2011/Pages/2011TopTechnologySurvey.aspx

Looking at the below image from UPS on logistics we have the following highlighted and here is my take on why they are so important.

4.  This will change everything from being able to quote a job to sending back a graph of information to your boss.  Being able to modify and change the programs that once were confined to the home and office will make customer satisfaction higher and make business far more efficient.

6.  QR codes and importantly being able to print and leave information no matter where you are. Being able to just drop information at the click of a device you have on you almost all the time is incredible. No more “we will send you over the information” you can just make things happen.

10.  I point out this one because it shows the way of the future. Being able to have smaller devices that can function in many of the ways of your main computer such as presentations.  

I am Linked!

Well another day and another new adventure exploring the vast opportunities of social networking and the internet.  Today I started my linkedin account and easily uploaded my resume.  After a few minutes I had made connections and joined groups and am well on my way to utilizing this new tool.