Category Archives: technology

Hardware and software, hacks, tricks and tips, online findings, resources, trouble-shooting guides, tech help and support and my own “ah-ha” moments as I make my way as an Internet-based consultant and hopelessly addicted gadget geek.

I’ll include hardware and software I’ve found (and use), those that I wish I could use (or wish I could afford) or that is still in the lab — but piques my interest. These blog entries will focus on the technology that makes my geek flag fly high.

Droid Soluions: How to Download .Mobi Files on Phone and Open with Kindle

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I’ve got a particular site for .mobi ebooks that I love. I mean, really, LOVE this site. (And no, I’m not sharing that…) But the problem I encountered was that the .mobi format (which is supposed to be read by Kindle, but isn’t without a conversion) was driving me batty.

(WARNING: Apple comparison… On the iPad, when I downloaded, it asked me if I’d like to open the downloaded file in Kindle and did the conversion for me (quietly and perfectly) in the background. Not so for the Droid.)

After downloading what I consider to be the BEST browser for my Motorola Droid Razr, Maxthon, I can download to the defined download folder (you can set this to go wherever you like in the Maxthon settings, I left it at the default location). Once it’s downloaded, I can move it using the standard “My Files” app and drop it in the Kindle folder on my droid. Then using the same “My Files” app, I can go in and change it from the gibberish file name and .txt extension to a proper name and .mobi extension. (Hint: If you have as many books as I do, a quick visual clue is the green android character to the left of the .txt files, as opposed to the blue “download” arrow for those in the proper format while cruising the list using “My Files.”)

Once that’s done, it’s available to be read on my Android and it’s pretty and includes the nice graphics of the .mobi file format.

Hope this helps!

Droid Solutions: Where Can I Update All My Android Apps?

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I was having a fit finding some solutions for how to do what I wanted to do on my new Motorola Droid Razr –  (I’m an iPhone convert) — and it occurred to me that I am probably not the ONLY person having these difficulties…

So I’ve decided to start posting the problems with their solutions (when I find them) here on WickedBlog to see if I can help others find the answers they need.

To get a list of the updates your apps need, you go to Android Market on the device, then touch the “settings” button (lower left, right beside the home button on the Razr) and a pop-up gives you the option to select from “My Apps,” “Accounts,” “Settings,” and “Help.” Select “My Apps” — this takes you to a screen that shows all your apps and places the ones on top that need automatic or manual updates.

Droid Problem Solved! :D

Screw Hulu Plus

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I’ve been a Hulu advocate for several years. I was an “early adopter” — as I tend to be with new technologies and tech-based services. As soon as Hulu Plus was offered, I signed up and started paying my monthly fee. I told my friends, I encouraged family to join, I blogged about how great it was – several times – as new features arrived.

Now, while I was sick over the holidays and was stuck lying in bed for many days (flu, strep and a double ear infection, no less)… I turned to Hulu Plus to entertain me. I had lots of shows in my queue that had been waiting for me to have the time to watch and I started watching.

It took no time before I was disgusted. Every BEGINNING advertisement claims that the “following show is brought to you with limited commercial interruption by” (insert sponsor here). Now, during a 40-minute show, I counted 20 — YES TWENTY — commercials! When I started, there were two, maybe three commercials tops per episode. Now, there’s one ever two minutes of show time, on average? And I’m PAYING a monthly FEE for this? Not to mention that I’m also paying for the bandwidth (I use a 3G hotspot connection for my primary Internet service) — so I get to pay Hulu a monthly fee to watch a slew of commercials and then I get to pay AGAIN for the bandwidth to enjoy them.

So, I’m done. I’m getting off the Hulu bandwagon and hope the greedy little bastards lose many more formerly loyal customers as a result of these poor business decisions. I tried to find a support email or number to let them know how I felt and to ask if they had any plans to change it back — but I couldn’t find a way to contact them easily so I gave up.

It’s easier just to cancel and warn my readers to avoid paying to be pitched so much advertising. And… to ask if someone else has a good solution for TV shows… other than Netflix — which I’ve already signed up for and am enjoying.

NOTE: As I cancelled my account, they finally DID produce a number to contact them: Contact our customer support at 1-888-273-8989, 5AM-10PM PST on weekdays, 6AM-10PM PST on weekends. In case anyone else has looked everywhere for this to no avail.

7 Essential Mac Programs for Writers

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Macbook and the writerIf you are writer, new to the Mac, you may find yourself stumbling around trying to determine which programs you need to purchase and download. Rather than spend hours “shopping” for the programs you need (instead of doing the writing you need/want to be doing) try starting out with my own basic pack of program bliss.

The following seven programs are those, of the many available apps and programs, I consider essential:

Scrivener

This is the program I use for my writing projects. I currently have my in progress novel coming together in Scrivener as well as the final draft of my memoir. I’ve used it for short projects and uber long ones. It’s great because you can use it as a simple distraction-free word processor, or you can view the tutorial to learn all of the tools available therein. I particularly like the character naming tool and the index cards for outlining.

DiskTools Pro

This program helps to resolve and prevent problems on your diskdrive. It’s excellent – especially if you are willing to learn to use full feature set of the program. This is also the program I use for my backup – there’s an option for “bootable” backup – which means that I can keep an external hard drive with a carbon (and bootable) copy of my Mac at all times. The bottom line is if your Mac is ruined (should you decide to drop it in a lake, for example) you can buy a new one and have it functioning the same in about 30 minutes. It’s a nice little insurance plan. I’ve tried many backup options and this trumps them all.

HandBrake

The BEST software for ripping DVDs to digital format (and it’s FREE!). It’s the way I get my personal DVDs in a format I can upload to my iPad or my iPhone. There are several options for format to make it work at any size/definition.

QuickSilver

This launcher makes “hunting” for applications and how to do things a thing of the past. Quick launch favorite programs with a two-key stroke (Free). I’ll admit I use only a few of the options available on this program. Eventually, I’ll learn how to use the rest. For now, it’s worth having just to use as a shortcut launcher.

AppCleaner

This little utility makes sure when you delete apps that ALL PARTS of the apps are deleted to keep your HD nice and tidy. Great tool for those who, like me, download a BUNCH of apps to try out before selecting the best. (Free)

1Password

This is an essential for good security and makes it easy to click a button to auto-fill information in browsers by merely typing in the master password on your own computer. I would be lost without this one. Excellent encryption. Also available in mobile versions for phones and tablets/ipads (I use it on ALL my devices).

TextWrangler

A simple text program for notes and non-formatted text (doesn’t have the bloat — or the features – of a full blown text editor). I’ve tried probably two dozen of these, both free and paid options, and this one is the best. I use it for anything from programming code to making shopping lists. (Free)

This is a great starter list, I’d love to have input from writers who have other programs they consider essential to share!

Hulu Disappoints: Super Cookies

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key to personal and digital privacyI love Hulu. I’ve been with them (and a PAYING customer since the pro version was first introduced.) I’ve advocated them to my family and friends. I’ve even selected phones based on whether or not there’s a supported Hulu app. I love Hulu.

Then, last week, I read that Hulu was (like many large companies)using super-cookies (inside Adobe flash files). I feel betrayed. I can’t believe they are using cookies that track my every move and store my history. It’s quite disappointing.

After reading the article, I went on a mission to figure out how to remove the existing cookies and resist the logging of future super-cookies. What I found was this article on how to change the flash settings to protect your privacy. I used it to reset my preferences on the Adobe product and I also downloaded Flush, a Mac-specific product to “flush” super-cookies. This little app is now set to launch every time I turn on my MacBook Pro so I flush any existing cookies from the last use of the computer.

We live in a world where there are no secrets, there is no privacy and big business is not in the habit of protecting their customers. Even though I find this particularly disappointing with the companies I once trusted, there’s really no way to get around it… other than to have a personal mission to protect your information yourself. So, do it.