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Pinterest: Good vs. Bad, you decide

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 05:04:00 -0700

Couldn't have said it better myself:

Everything you always wanted to know about Pinterest (but were afraid to ask)

By Lori Randall Stradtman on March 9th, 2012

Ever since the bygone days of the Wild West, folks have always wanted to check out the newcomer in town and hear all the latest gossip before they got better acquainted. These days Pinterest, the fastest drawing social media network in history, has everyone eyeing it with curiosity and just a little trepidation. They wonder if it will settle down — or become another in a long line of drifters who pass through town. Before you take the trouble to get acquainted with this newcomer, allow me to share some insider tips about how to make the most of your Pinterest experience.

I’ll also caution you to keep your eyes and ears open because social networks have a habit of changing things up just as you get comfortable around them. You’ve always got to keep your wits about you.

Are you ready?

The good

Pinterest is informal, which makes it a great place to unwind and take in the sights.

Pinterest is a great way to get to know people better by their taste in food, decor and fashion. Now I can bond with people I met at conferences over designer shoes neither of us can afford.

If you’re looking to appeal to a female audience, you’ve come to the right place. According to AppData, 97% of Pinterest’s Facebook fans are women.

Some sites have enjoyed a huge traffic increase due to pins (a Pinterest term for pictures) that were shared from their site. According to Shareaholic, Pinterest had over 260 million unique monthly visitors in January. If you position your brand wisely on the network, it can create phenomenal traffic for your site.

Brands are successful on Pinterest when they feature a tangible product with strong visual appeal and are willing to socialize a bit.

You get to control your experience based on who you follow. Few self-promoters get followed back on Pinterest for long, so the system is self-policing.

The bad

Understand that everything you share could go viral. If it does, you probably won’t get credit for the image unless you cleverly watermark in a way that can’t be cropped. When I share my travel pictures, it’s because I want to share my love of Paris, not because I expect to get photo credit.

All pins start out being linked to a site or uploaded from a computer. But somewhere along the way many of the links get lost as pins get shared, so it’s not a fool-proof way to drive traffic to your site.

If you decide to sign up, you’ll be presented with a simple “post to Timeline” permission button. Clicking that button posts every single pin you click on to Facebook for your friends, family, and colleagues. You’re a considerate friend; so don’t fall for this innocent looking button anywhere online.

Some pictures might not be appropriate for the kiddies. I stumbled across some partial nudes on somebody’s fashion board a couple weeks ago.

Even though it’s in Beta, Pinterest has been caught “link-jacking” pins in order to makeaffiliate income, though the network has said it has discontinued the practice.

So which brands are really rocking Pinterest?

I appreciate Real Simple because its photography is fantastic and its profile description describes benefits for its followers rather than just listing features. Its diverse variety of boards makes good on the promise: “REAL SIMPLE gives creative, practical and inspiring solutions that make life easier.”

Etsy shines because it promotes artwork from artists all across North America and Europe. It is also interesting to follow because its boards, such as Etsy Weddings, Etsy Pets, and Delightful DIY, clearly communicate what it is about and stay tightly defined.

Some lesser known brands include my French acquaintance Valoupette, U.K. based Laura Lahert, and B&B Innkeeper Michael Worm {inspiredbycharm.com} because they sparkle with unusual, refreshing images that inspire.

What do you need to do to make your brand’s Pinterest boards shine?

Upload easy to understand images. For example, if you want to spotlight a dazzling piece of jewelry, photograph it by itself instead of on a model’s arm in a party dress, walking down a city sidewalk. Focus the viewer’s attention exactly where you want it.

Categorize your boards thoughtfully. Search engines pick up your board names, so be sure to include SEO-friendly keywords to bring in the extra traffic.

Emphasize the benefits your brand offers in your description, instead of your brand’s features. In other words, sell the sizzle, not the steak.

Don’t start following people until you’ve filled out a few boards of your own. Give them something good to follow back!

Follow people and brands whose images truly excite you. The essence of true social media marketing is having a good time sharing what interests you most. People respond to genuine excitement.

Log on to the network every day for a few minutes to see what’s fresh, respond to comments, and continue expanding your own inspiring boards.

Correction: AppData’s figure is based on an analysis of Pinterest’s Facebook fans. SmartBrief regrets the error.

This post is by Lori Randall Stradtman, who designs WordPress sites and blogs about social media trends at Social Media Design and Social Media Examiner.

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iPad Keyboard

Sun, 25 Dec 2011 07:31:16 -0800

Santa was ever so kind to this techie by gifting me with a fancy-dancy Logitech Tablet Keyboard for iPad, as I test it out while still in my jammies on Christmas morning. Let me say that on first take the keyboard is extremely easy to install and use as an alternative to the on-screen touch keyboard, which tends to be awkward and annoying at times. In fact, the more I type, I'm thinking this keyboard must be one of the handiest iPad attachments of all time. You should seriously get one.

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Be a Digital Job Search Pro

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 09:37:00 -0700

Looking for employment? In the way of taking on a job search while using technology as your ultimate job-searching-tool, More magazine lays out the best tips imaginable in this article (October 2011):

Your New Job Security Starts Here

A stable work future isn’t about finding a lifelong employer. It’s about being able to land the next professional opportunity—which means mastering the digital job hunt

by Virginia Sole-Smith

Here's a stat that will stop you in your tracks: Almost 40 percent of human resources managers believe that résumés will eventually be replaced by user profiles on social-networking sites. “When this transition happens, it’s going to be overnight,” says Christopher Bilotta, president of the executive-search firm Resource Development Company. “Soon you’ll just send a link to your website, where a hiring manager will find everything she wants to know.”

For now, you do still need a traditionally formatted PDF résumé, because many HR people are accustomed to seeing them. But you also need to pay attention to what comes up when your name is Googled—and you want to be happy with what a potential employer will see. For many people, establishing a sophisticated online presence will mean pushing well out of their comfort zone. But doing so, particularly if you’re in the job market at the moment—or preparing to be in the near future—is not optional. Here’s how to step up your digital game.

START MAKING VIDEOS
A few years ago, when someone Googled your name, all she saw was text-based results. Today search engines pull video and images, too—which means you need to add some audio-visual elements to your digital résumé to round out the presentation of yourself as a job candidate.

“If you’re the type of person who gets sweaty palms before a big meeting, video can work in your favor because it’s a chance to manage how a potential employer first sees you,” says Catharine Fennell, CEO of VideoBIO. Though you may worry about looking old, a video can put to rest an employer’s fears that you also act old or aren’t in touch with the way business is conducted today. “Filming a video shows that you’re confident, innovative and an early adopter,” Fennell says. “A great video is about making a personal connection with your audience, sharing experience and establishing credibility.”

1. Put a video bio on your website
What it is
A two-minute clip—-essentially, your elevator pitch. “This is where you introduce yourself,” says William Arruda, president of Reach Personal Branding, Inc. “It’s an opportunity to go beyond the one-dimensional résumé and give recruiters a sense of your personality and the skills that make you exceptional.” (Find an example at videobio.com/Kdixson.)

[ more ]

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A Must Learn: Lion's Gestures

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:25:05 -0700

So I downloaded and installed Mac OS Lion on my Macbook Pro and instantly noticed some crazy interactions between the trackpad and screen that were somewhat completely unexpected. What in the world? Oh yes. I was experiencing Lion Gestures, a "must learn" in order to fully utilize all of what Apple's upgraded operating system has to offer. To help in that effort, take a look at Macworld's YouTube video and be amazed:

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Personal App-Building Cheater Method: appsbar

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:02:00 -0700

Today was the day Google published my very first app. *Woohoo!* And why is this tidbit newsworthy? Well, with years of experience in the Computer Science/IT field programming, developing websites, and hardcoding instructions for various electronic devices, building apps just seemed trivial to me. Why create wimpy little programs to just turn around and give away for free or $.99 a download? Who wants that? Lots of folks, apparently, because those "wimpy little programs" are selling like hotcakes.

And so there I went jumping on the bandwagon, clueless about how to start.

Enter what I like to call the "App-Building Cheater Method" via appsbar.com. Starting out, I read all of the fine print to verify the "free-ness" of this service, scouring the FAQ looking for a conveniently buried cost. None? Ok, let's do this. So then I set up an account by creating a username/password, then followed the 4 easy steps posted on the home page. (See image below.) The hardest part in the app-building process was finding the best color scheme to suit my liking, but otherwise, appsbar did all of the behind-the-scenes code generation for me.

Drawbacks? Yes, you knew there had to be something negative to report. After all, freebies tend to come with some sort of hang up, and here are just a couple that I found right off the bat:

Credits. Appsbar takes credit for building your app by displaying "appsbar adamk" as the developer beneath the app title. Ok fine, perhaps the completed app is Adam's intellectual property. But still. I'm not sure I want my clients to know that I didn't generate the underlying code in the app I designed by way of an app-building service.
Limited Themes. Appsbar uses Digi, a code-building wizard, to generate basic app types from which you can select. Unfortunately if your idea falls outside of the type-list, too bad for you. Appsbar might possibly add suggested types in future updates, but otherwise becoming a registered devloper via the iPhone/iPad Software Development Kit (SDK) might be in your future. And yes, being the ultimate deep-down geek that I am, I'm already there.

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pixfusion: Starring You and Your Friends, Comic-Style

Fri, 27 May 2011 16:40:00 -0700

Ever wanted to star alongside Dilbert in one of Scott Adams' tech-office comic strips? If so, now's your big chance thanks to pixfusion where personalized comic strips are only a few clicks away. Here's how it works: go to pixfusion.com and click Personalize Now, then select a character (do this first - choose 'Guy' or 'Girl') and a comic strip. Next upload a personal photo of yourself and follow directions to crop your head shot, position mouth and align head. Finally, enter your name and click & drag your head to complete the personalization process. Click Preview to see your creation and voila! The only downside? Having to pay for the comic if you want to keep a copy of your own. Better yet? Play around and enjoy the free previews.

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Take Control of Your Sharing

Thu, 19 May 2011 11:26:00 -0700

After learning about privacy breach after privacy breach by way of certain social networking sites that shall remain nameless, a safer new alternative is always a welcome option in my book. So after reading this article by Alex Wawro of PCWorld Magazine, I am all over giving Diaspora a trial run. Interested in taking back control of how you share your personal information, photos, likes/dislikes and all things related to your online social self? Request your invitation at https://www.joindiaspora.com.

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Which Tablet Is Best for You? via PCWorld

Sat, 14 May 2011 16:58:00 -0700

Ok, so I'm feeling a little biased after falling head-over-heels for my iPad 2, but feel free to discuss amongst yourselves after reading:

Which Tablet Is Best for You?
http://www.pcworld.com/article/225822/wh...
See what the BlackBerry PlayBook, HP TouchPad, Motorola Xoom, and Samsung Galaxy Tab have that Apple’s iPad doesn’t.

via PCworld

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Astronaut plays music from space [video] - Holy Kaw

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:45:00 -0700

via holykaw.alltop.com

Simply awesome!
Note to self: Must remember to bring instrument on next International Space Station flight.

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Eye-Popping 3-D Goodness

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:14:00 -0700

This week marks a huge shift in the way we put on our game faces at the family homestead, namely with 3-D animation. With all of the marketing hype out there about the much anticipated release of Nintendo's 3-DS handheld game system, we just couldn't wait to put it to the test. The family and I are still in the testing phase, but so far we must admit this hot little piece of technology does NOT disappoint in any way, shape or aqua blue form. However, there is one minor complaint: the new stylus storage location. Things could be so much worse.

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Top 5 Reasons to Buy a Tablet

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 16:54:00 -0700

... because sometimes we need justification in buying tech products:

The Top 5 Reasons to Buy a Tablet

Apple iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Motorola Xoom--tablet PCs are flooding the market. But does anybody need one? We give you five reasons why a tablet is a useful tool.

By Armando Rodriguez, PCWorld Feb 20, 2011 8:00 pm

At first, I didn't see why I would need a tablet. But after observing quite a few PCWorld editors using them around the office, I relented and picked up an iPad last summer. Initially I had purchased the device to browse my massive library of digital comic books, but soon I found it useful for other, more-practical tasks. I started taking the iPad to meetings and using it to do quick Web searches, and it became my preferred way to read and respond to e-mail.

With the Motorola Xoom and other Honeycomb-powered tablets in the works, and with HP announcing its WebOS-based TouchPad, consumers will have a much bigger pool of devices to choose from. Although a tablet may not totally replace your PC anytime soon, using one has its benefits. Here are my top five.

Portability

Next to ordinary computers, tablets by design are comparatively lightweight and relatively easy to carry around. Many of them may still be too heavy to hold in one hand, but they're great in your lap or on a surface. Reaching for a tablet to browse the Web during TV commercials is much easier than getting up, going to your desk, and booting up your computer. Even laptops, which are supposed to be mobile devices, can take a while to start, and they often get uncomfortably hot after a short period of use.

As for using a smartphone, you do have easy access and instant-on, but it's nice to be able to view an entire Web page as opposed to the mobile site or an oddly rendered version on a smartphone's much smaller screen. Plus, there's something about being able to hold a Web page more naturally in your hand, as opposed to staring at it on a laptop screen or monitor. It makes you feel like the future is here.

Productivity

I don't expect anyone to type out a proposal using a tablet's virtual keyboard. However, a tablet in the workplace can be quite helpful for handling basic tasks, like checking e-mail or managing schedules. Here at work, I use a stand to hold my iPad up next to my monitor so that I can use it as a second screen. I leave the Mail app open, which lets me quickly see if I have new messages. For meetings you can jot down notes and download any relevant documents you may need to reference, into the tablet. That way, you won't have to shuffle through a pile of papers searching for a specific chart or diagram.

Students may also find the iPad useful, particularly if you have to carry several books on a day-to-day basis. If those books are offered digitally, you may save some money (and possibly your back) just by packing them into a tablet that also can double as a laptop.

Entertainment

Tablets are great for entertainment. Since a tablet is basically just a large screen, it's a stellar device for watching movies and TV shows. When you're trying to watch an epic movie like Inception, a 3.5-inch screen just doesn't cut it. With services such as Netflix and Hulu Plus, you don't even have to fill your tablet's internal memory with video files; instead, you can stream entire libraries of material directly to your device.

You can also find games to add to your fun. I think I've sunk more hours into Angry Birds than I have into any other game I currently own. Having touch-based controls on a tablet forces developers to get creative, leading to truly unusual gaming.

Adaptability

Games are not the only thing you can download into your tablet. One of the beautiful things about tablets is that most of them--the ones worth the money you've paid, at least--have some sort of marketplace where you can purchase additional apps to give your device a whole new level of functionality. Love to read the news and stay on top of current events? Download a few news apps. Love to tweet and spend all day on Facebook? Grab some social networking apps to stay in contact with friends.

Although it's true that you can customize your computer as well, installing apps on a tablet is a much cleaner and simpler process. You don't have to deal with product keys or registration codes, and most apps download and install in seconds. Tablets also are a good tool for road warriors who need the functionality that their phone lacks but who don't want the size and weight of a laptop or netbook to slow them down.

Battery Life

One of the reasons I prefer carrying around a tablet as opposed to a laptop is the superior battery life you get from a tablet. My laptop can go for only about 2.5 hours before I have to plug it in, whereas I can get almost a full day's use out of a Samsung Galaxy Tab or an iPad. Even my HTC Droid Incredible smartphone needs to be plugged in at least twice a day, more if I've been browsing the Web with it. Having to carry a charger as well as a laptop (not to mention trying to find an available electrical socket) gets to be inconvenient.

via PCWorld

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How to Help Japan

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 07:22:46 -0700

Feeling helpless after the disastrous earthquake/tsunami in Japan? Visit these 3 organizations to lend a hand:

Catholic Charities
Mark donations for Japanese tsunami relief and they will be sent to Catholic Relief Services by Omaha Catholic Charities office.
3300 N. 60th St.
Omaha, NE 68104

American Red Cross
www.redcross.org
Donate to Japan Earthquake & Pacific Tsunami.
Also, text REDCROSS to 90999 and doante $10

Salvation Army
www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org
Text QUAKE or JAPAN to 80888 and donate $10

via Married with Peeps

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Not smart about smart phones - Omaha.com

Sun, 13 Mar 2011 17:46:00 -0700

DALLAS — Chances are you lock your door when you leave home, don't leave the keys in the ignition when you run into the 7-Eleven for milk and have at least some kind of security software on your computer.
But what about your smart phone?
For many people, a phone these days is a mobile office crammed with valuable contacts, a digital wallet from which you buy songs on iTunes or shoes on Amazon, and a portal to your online bank account.
Rather than locking the phones like bank vaults, most smart phone owners treat their devices with as much concern as they do Monopoly money.
According to a survey by data security provider Symantec, 54 percent of smart phone users do not have a password lock on their phones when they turn them on or wake them from sleep mode.
“I think there's definitely an awareness gap right now,” said Mark Kanok, group product manager for the Norton mobile division at Symantec.
“Just a few years ago, your phone was a phone. Then the iPhone comes out and people are downloading apps. People are now starting to ask the questions about, ‘How is this going to affect my privacy, what happens if I lose it,' things like that.”
On top of the dangers of your phone being lost or stolen, there are also a growing number of malicious apps designed to steal data from it or rack up huge texting bills.
Last week, Google pulled several dozen free apps from its Android market that had been stuffed with damaging code.
Symantec estimated that the apps were downloaded anywhere from 50,000 to 200,000 times in a four-day period before they were pulled.
John Thode, vice president and general manager of the mobility product group for Dell Inc., said many smart phone users don't realize the value of their device until it's gone.
“The reality is that, yeah, whenever you lose your phone or your phone breaks, there's an instant panic that comes around,” he said. “Holy smokes, where are my contacts? How do I get back my whole life?”
That concern is magnified when an employer starts giving out smart phones to its workers or lets those workers connect their personal devices to the corporate network, said Mary Chan, vice president of Dell's enterprise mobile solutions division.
Chan's group has begun offering security systems and procedures for mobile devices on corporate networks.
She said a compromised phone with access to a corporate network can wreak havoc.
“I think most of the IT and CIO folks are really concerned about managing the device itself, managing what's being loaded on the device,” she said.
Chan pointed to an estimate by research firm Gartner that roughly 300 million smart phones will be connected to corporate networks by 2015, with about half those devices being employees' personal machines.
Much of the security advice for individual smart phone users and corporate managers overlaps.
Only install trusted apps on your phone.
Use Web-based programs that let you remotely track or delete all of the data on your smart phone if it gets lost.
Don't conduct financial transactions over public or unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks, where your data can flow through a hacker's router.
Employers can also take additional steps, Chan said, such as letting employees install apps only from a pre-approved list.
Another option is keeping valuable corporate data only accessible online, rather than letting individual users download it to their phones.
Phone makers and software developers are pushing out some of these tools to smart phone users.
Apple, for example, offers free software on the iPhone and iPad that lets users remotely set up a password lock if the device gets lost or stolen, track it geographically or even wipe all the data from the machine as a last resort.
Norton Mobile Security for Android devices includes a malware scanner that is designed to catch crooked apps before they bite you.
Even with technological protection, user awareness can go a long way.
Simple games and screen saver apps, for example, shouldn't be asking for permission to access your text messages. If they do, you're probably better off canceling the installation.
Strong security software and individual vigilance will become even more important over the next few years as phone makers and carriers adopt a technology that will turn your phone into a wireless digital wallet.
So-called near-field communication, or NFC, systems should make life more convenient, letting you store your credit and debit cards and, eventually, your driver's license digitally on your phone.
You'll simply wave your phone over a scanner at the cash register to pay and be on your way.
But as our phones become more valuable to us, they'll also become a more tempting target for thieves.
“Once NFC starts happening, you're going to see hackers enter this space in a much more substantial way,” said Thode at Dell.
Kanok at Norton said the growing need for better smart phone security seems to be sinking in.
“I think the maturity is a little bit lagging behind where we are on the PC front,” he said. “But I think the sensitivity has picked up over the last year.”

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via omaha.com

Setting a password is the first thing I did after configuring my iPhone. Are you being smart about your smart phone?

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Dilbert Déjà vu Moment

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 16:07:00 -0800

After reading the Dilbert comic posted below over breakfast this morning, I really couldn't help but wonder if Scott Adams sat in a cubical next to me when I worked as a Software Engineer for Applied Communications. But then I realized this particular scenario must take place just about, um... let's see - EVERYWHERE. Funny how Adams hits that proverbial nail on the head so often in his comic strip, isn't it? Methinks so.

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Google Keeps Tech Support a Family Business

Sun, 20 Feb 2011 11:11:00 -0800

So your relatives are starting to get the hang of using a computer but still need some hand-holding. Unfortunately, they live in Arizona and you live in Maine, making it more than a little bit difficult to stop over and give private lessons. What to do? Here's what - send Mom, Dad, or in this example 'Uncle Joe' a Tech Support Care Package by way of Google. Computer training has never been so easy! Simply go to teachparentstech.org and fill out the online form with the recipients name, types of support videos, and to/from email addresses then *POOF* - tech support is magically on its way:

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Apple Gets Detailed on Verizon vs. AT&T for iPhone

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 17:08:00 -0800

You with the iPhone, yes you. So all of that recent hype about Verizon offering service to iPhone users (such as yourself) has you wondering whether or not to jump ship leaving AT&T in the dust, correct? Been there, done that. Hold the phone! Apple's newly published support document sheds light on the differences between Verizon and AT&T iPhone services for all of us curious-minded folks.

Full story at Macworld.

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RockMelt - the Socially Conscious Browser

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 09:17:06 -0800

For all of you socially focused web users out there, take a look at this new browser that is sure to simplify your online experience: RockMelt. This Chromium-based browser connects you to social networks such as facebook as well as news websites and blogs all in one window. RockMelt is not currently available to the public, but connect via facebook to get your invitation for early access. Rock on!

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The Fastest Mobile Networks 2010 - The Fastest Mobile Networks | PCMag.com

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 21:19:00 -0800

The Fastest Mobile Networks 2010

By: Sascha Segan

It's a boom time for 3G. Where Americans were once happy with hotspots, now they're demanding to be connected anywhere—whether it's with their smartphones, iPads, or laptops. And 3G is beginning to turn into 4G, as wireless carriers start to install faster technologies that can match or beat many home Internet connections.

There's more mobile data competition than ever before, and more people are surfing the Internet on the move. So PCMag.com decided to take a snapshot of America's mobile networks and see who's doing the best in 18 cities. Using more than a dozen staffers and freelancers with software of our own design, we cruised streets from Boise to Miami checking AT&T, Cricket, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, Sprint 3G, and Sprint 4G against each other.

In testing 3G and 4G across the continental USA, we wanted to do things differently from the competition, with more cities and more control—blanketing as many places as we could with tests of our own design.

We didn't test voice quality, dropped calls, or coverage areas; while those are very important measurements, these tests were all about mobile Internet. We ran approximately 1,000 rounds of tests (totaling more than 10,000 individual tests) in 20 cities. We had to throw out two cities, Las Vegas and Philadelphia, because of technical problems, but overall our testing produced consistent, repeatable results. Two of our networks, Sprint 4G and Cricket, weren't available in all the cities we tested. That made them ineligible for regional and national awards, though we rated them for the individual cities they served.

Bear in mind mobile networks are constantly changing, and almost always for the better. And because speeds vary based on tower location, network load, device used, and even the weather, we can't predict performance in a specific location; rather, we're giving a snapshot of a specific day's usage in several locations across a metro area.

As we were editing this article, T-Mobile rolled out their new, faster HSPA+ technology in more of the Northeast, Memphis and Las Vegas. Sprint promises more and better 4G WiMAX coverage over the next few months, too. But for now, the speed crown goes to AT&T.
Awards

National: AT&T
With its HSPA 7.2 3G network, AT&T was the fastest (albeit the least consistent) of the four nationwide carriers. The network's dropouts couldn't erase the fact that AT&T's nationwide reach and relatively current technology deliver faster average 3G speeds than the competition.

Northeast: T-Mobile
T-Mobile's aggressive deployment of HSPA+ in New York City, and its solid HSPA 7.2 showings in Boston, Baltimore, and D.C., made it the fastest carrier available in our four Northeastern cities overall. AT&T here was hurt by a low consistency score. While Sprint and Verizon were more consistent, their EVDO technology is inherently slower than HSPA 7.2 or HSPA+. Note that WiMAX was only available in one of our Northeastern cities, Baltimore. Sprint turned WiMAX on in Washington, DC after our testing period ended.

Southeast: AT&T
We tested four cities in the Southeast: Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, and Raleigh. AT&T won the Southeast, as the fastest and most consistent of the national 3G carriers overall. Sprint's 4G WiMAX showed wildly varying results in Atlanta, Charlotte and Raleigh, the three cities where it was installed. Atlanta gave us the fastest WiMAX speed we saw anywhere in the country—but in Raleigh, Sprint's 4G was slower than AT&T's 3G.

Central: AT&T
Industry-leading download and Web speeds let AT&T take the award for our Central region overall, which includes Chicago, Dallas, Denver, St. Louis, and San Antonio. Once again, though, the winner was the least consistent of the four national networks. AT&T only won one of the five Central cities individually, splitting the city laurels with T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint 4G.

West: AT&T
In the western U.S., we tested networks in Boise, LA, Phoenix, Portland, and the San Francisco Bay Area. AT&T won two cities (Phoenix and San Francisco) and the overall crown thanks to commanding Web and download speeds. The West saw Cricket's only city win, in Boise, where that network's reliability (and Sprint 4G's startlingly slow showing) helped push the low-cost carrier to the lead.

via pcmag.com

Fastest BUT... how about that coverage map?

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The bonus in the box: Other uses for silica gel packets - Holy Kaw

Sun, 16 Jan 2011 16:44:00 -0800

Hopefully everyone reading this is aware that those nifty little packets in the shoe box aren’t for snacking, yet what you might not know is that they can combat all kinds of other common household problems outside of the hunger arena.

Despite humanity's high water content, moisture doesn’t seem to rank as one of mankind’s better friends be it in the form of mold, mildew, tarnish or contact with anything electronic. Luckily, keeping things dry is exactly what these little reusable suckers do best. Mrs. Fixit over at DIY Life explains a few ways to use the bonus in that box of fabulous shoes:

PROTECT YOUR ELECTRONICS

Here's a secret that the photo-savvy know : Keep silica gel packets in your camera case at all times to prevent moisture-related problems. And if you're headed to the beach, pack a plastic zip-top bag with a silica gel pack inside, and use it to stash and seal up cell phones, cameras and other electronic equipment. When you open it to answer to phone or take a picture some moisture can get inside the bag. The silica gel will quickly wick away the moisture and protect the electronics.

PROTECT YOUR PHOTOS

Put silica gel packet in the boxes where you store your photos to keep them safe and dry.

PROTECT SILVER

Moisture can lead to tarnish and corrosion on silver and jewelry. Slip a silica gel packet in your silver chest or jewelry box to keep those items tarnish free and looking great!

More tips at DIY Life.

Handy recycling.

via holykaw.alltop.com

What a great way to recycle those useless silica gel packets, don't you think?

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		National: AT&T With its HSPA 7.2 3G network, AT&T was the fastest (albeit the least consistent) of the four nationwide carriers. The network's dropouts couldn't erase the fact that AT&T's nationwide reach and relatively current technology deliver faster average 3G speeds than the competition.

		Northeast: T-Mobile T-Mobile's aggressive deployment of HSPA+ in New York City, and its solid HSPA 7.2 showings in Boston, Baltimore, and D.C., made it the fastest carrier available in our four Northeastern cities overall. AT&T here was hurt by a low consistency score. While Sprint and Verizon were more consistent, their EVDO technology is inherently slower than HSPA 7.2 or HSPA+. Note that WiMAX was only available in one of our Northeastern cities, Baltimore. Sprint turned WiMAX on in Washington, DC after our testing period ended.

		Southeast: AT&T We tested four cities in the Southeast: Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, and Raleigh. AT&T won the Southeast, as the fastest and most consistent of the national 3G carriers overall. Sprint's 4G WiMAX showed wildly varying results in Atlanta, Charlotte and Raleigh, the three cities where it was installed. Atlanta gave us the fastest WiMAX speed we saw anywhere in the country—but in Raleigh, Sprint's 4G was slower than AT&T's 3G.

		Central: AT&T Industry-leading download and Web speeds let AT&T take the award for our Central region overall, which includes Chicago, Dallas, Denver, St. Louis, and San Antonio. Once again, though, the winner was the least consistent of the four national networks. AT&T only won one of the five Central cities individually, splitting the city laurels with T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint 4G.

		West: AT&T In the western U.S., we tested networks in Boise, LA, Phoenix, Portland, and the San Francisco Bay Area. AT&T won two cities (Phoenix and San Francisco) and the overall crown thanks to commanding Web and download speeds. The West saw Cricket's only city win, in Boise, where that network's reliability (and Sprint 4G's startlingly slow showing) helped push the low-cost carrier to the lead.