Monthly Archives: October 2005

It’s That Time of Year… Tech Bug Bites Me HARD!

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Around this time every year, I buy a new computer. I wear mine out. Literally. I didn’t have to buy one last year because the desktop replacement laptop I had died and my warranty covered a brand new system. So I lucked out (if having your system die can be considered good luck.)

Hey, I always look for the silver linings — and I always keep a good, up-to-date backup! ;o)

But this year, I’m thinking more about how I use my computer, how I WANT to use my computer and where the technology IS at this moment in time. For several years, I’ve opted for an all-in-one system. A high-powered laptop with desktop features — so I could take one computer with me and have all my “stuff” with me too. Continue reading →

Online Versions of Original Old Texts Let YOU Turn the Pages!

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How would you like to see the personal sketches and notebook of the original Renaissance man… Leonardo Di Vinci? How about the handwritten texts of Jane Austen? How would you like to flip through a beautifully hand illustrated, leather bound edition of historical botanical prints?

How would you like to do it all right now? From your computer? Without moving an inch?

I’ve just discovered the British Library’s website Turning the Pages and as a book lover, I must say it’s AWESOME!

So, when you get a few moments, go take a peek at some of the greatest works in history presented in a form that really IS the next best thing to hopping a plane and going to view the originals! There’s even a magnifying glass that will let you get really close to the handwritten words and hand illustrated pages. Simply amazing.

Warning: You will need ShockWave downloaded to “turn” the pages. I had avoided it up until now… but this website alone makes the download worthwhile.

Palm To Exhibit at NAR

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Are you headed to the NAR conference this week? Want to learn a bit more, “hands-on” with a Treo?

You might want to check out the Palm exhibit. According to a news release that landed in my inbox, Palm will be demonstrating the Treo 650 as a Real Estate tool, and will be giving away a Treo 650 to boot.

You have read what I’ve said, but you can’t actually play with a Treo here on WickedTreo.com — maybe at NAR you can give one a test drive.

And, for those of you headed to San Francisco…Have a blast!

Privacy – A Threatened Commodity by RFID-Using Misaligned Marketing Moguls

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As many of my regular readers know, privacy is a big issue for me. As such, I wanted to send you a bit of info about the RFID chips and cards that are quickly being adopted as a “marketing” technique and as an “inventory” technique. Currently touted as an “improved bar code” these little gems aren’t at all like bar codes. They aren’t the same for every identical item as barcodes are, and they transmit (electromagnetically) information about themselves, and YOU, also unlike traditional barcodes.

To learn a bit more about these invasive things…Visit: http://www.spychips.com/what-is-rfid.html. And you may want to follow a few of the links on this thorough site to learn more about what your grocery “saver club” cards and other newer technologies are really doing to your privacy.

Makes me glad I’ve gone “organic” to avoid most of the tracking and privacy destroying tactics of these so-called marketing experts. Marketing should not be confused with these tactics.

Ethics should be observed before monetary gain, IMHO. Call me old fashioned. (It’s ok, I don’t mind.)

Real Estate Agents: Lose the Laptop, Gain a Pocket Mobile Office (PART III)

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Last month’s poll indicated that information on productivity tools is what you want most. To help save you money, time, and effort — I’ve developed the following list. (Consider me your own personal field-tester.) After downloading and testing, buying and discarding, dedicating and reconfiguring —I’ve come up with a few Treo gems I consider essential.

Continue reading →