Computer Gadgets

Mom, do you spend alot of time listening to audios on the computer?  Attend online seminars, listen to podcasts, chat on Skype?  If so you probably use a headset, but does it do everything you wish it would.  Is the sound quality all you hope it could be?

Choosing a headset for listening to online audio can be a bit tricky.  Not every headset is equal.  To get a headset that will offer you the best quality sound and allow you to hear and be heard clearly you want to look for one that connects to your computer via USB which gives a clearer sound quality, you want to look for one that has noise canceling capabilities which means it will clear up the noise in the background allowing you to be heard static free.

The Logitech ClearChat Comfort USB Headset does all this.  The microphone is noise canceling, plus it has the plugin and play USB plug.  It makes it everything we just described, and it is reasonably priced at just over $30.

I have been quite in love with the idea of having a mini computer for while now.  Then, I was recently at a blogging convention and noticed the oh so many minis that were in the room.  They were all nice, but this particular one really caught my eye.  It isn’t only mini, it’s beautiful.  It’s practically a fashion statement, an accessory.  Now what momma wouldn’t want that?

After doing some research I find out it is the HP Mini – Vivienne and it weights on 3 lbs.  Now for this weak armed little lady that’s an added bonus.  Plus it’ll fit in my purse.  It even has accessories that match that you can purchase separately.  Not to mention all of its fab features, including Windows XP, a web cam, a mini mobile drive,  just to name a few.

I have been wanting a mini, but now I want THIS mini.  What about you?

Do you ever get tired of filling in those forms that you have to complete when  you join places, order things, or something similar online?  Filling in your name, address, phone number and other information over and over again can get quite annoying after a while.

Why not make your life a little easy and obtain software which can do this job for you.  All you do is fill in commonly used information once and the information is stored for you to use again and again. OmniForm Filler 5.0 is just that, a software that does the work for you.  It also includes the ability to digitally sign legal documents allowing you to do these electronically cutting your time needed to complete such documents by signing and mailing by hand in half.

Time-savers are something we all need today.  Why not save yourself some time today

Photo credit: James Cridland

It was less than 10 years ago that I remember the turtle paced dial up that I used to connect to the Internet.  I remember waiting literally 5-10 minutes to check my email.  Now I would never have the patience.  I am spoiled to high-speed Internet, my wireless router my laptop, and my personal desktop that all allow me to connect.  I can even be on both computers or my Ipod Itouch simultaneously thanks to this wireless age.

If you want to be able to connect more than one computer or device to the Internet at one time, say your kids want to play games or do homework on the computer and you want to get online to surf the web or check your email you can.  That’s what is so great about wireless.  Plus, the flexibility that it gives you to take your laptop around your home.

I really don’t know how we lived without it before.  I am spoiled by my wireless.

It is that time of year, the dreaded tax season.  Have you done your taxes?  I did mine last week and in fact I”ll be getting my “sweet” little refund on Friday.  How you ask?  How that fast….well thanks to Turbo Tax.  I have been using Turbo Tax for the past 8 or 9 years.  It is super easy to use and has several versions based on your needs.

Prior to owning my own business I used the basic version but now I use the business and household version since I am a sole proprietor.  The software thinks of everything and helps you to find your expenses as well as your deductions.  It is very thorough and step-by-step, which I like.  All you do is fill in the blanks, answer all the questions and you’re good.  It even offers online support as well as an audit check to save you from being audited.  What else could be better?  Turbo Tax thinks of everything!

So, if you want to do your own taxes instead of waiting on a tax guy, why not pick yourself up a copy of Turbo Tax and DIY (do it yourself).  I know I am glad that I do.

For a long time I’ve wanted to be able to email on the go.  However, I don’t have a smart phone and the usage charges for that service through my cell phone provider are outrageous anyhow.  So, I’ve just done without. However, I just discovered a new option that I am excited about.  This easy option for emailing on the go is inexpensive,  and it is a gadget, much like a smart phone that will allow me to email, Tweet, and even text my friends.  I can get rid of the texting feature on my cell phone and stop paying such a high bill.

This gadget, called the Peek Mobile E-mail Device (Gray) provides what I’ve been looking for in a sleek little electronic hand-held machine.

Some of the positives are:

• Unlimited email for one flat rate.
• No contracts.
• Large, easy to read screen.

So, I’m hoping a Peek is in my future what about you?

You may be considering getting your child a laptop for Christmas.  If you are then you might want to check out the opportunity to not only give your child a laptop, but a child living in a remote area in another part of the world as well.

The Give a Laptop, Get a Laptop campaign does just that.  For $399 you can give a laptop to one of those children , as well as get a laptop for your own child.  The XO Laptop (Give a Laptop, Get a Laptop)
built especially for this campaign, is made specifically for children.  It is preloaded with free, open source software and has the capacity to do all the things you will want your child to do while using it including educational games and Internet capability.

It also gives them the ability to write, draw, edit music and record audio.  There seems to be endless possibilities for your child with the XO laptop, as well as the opportunity to give to another child who would otherwise never have the opportunities that this laptop brings.