Holiday shopping can be fun and hectic at the same time. I'm trying to do more online this year and I'm having pretty good luck with it.
We are big Amazon users, so I've been able to find decent prices on quite a few items on there (and our Prime membership gives free shipping, to sweeten the deal). For movies I haven't found great pricing, but I've had good luck with books (especially odd ones that are not available in regular bookstores).
This year we've gotten some great deals on electronics, including a 50" LG TV for a steal from Walmart, as well as a great price on a basic BlueRay player (also from Walmart). Their website now allows store pickup, which gives me the best of both worlds - the convenience of shopping online without the wait and cost of shipping. A few online retailers are doing that now and I like it.
Email coupons are also huge this year, so I'm trying to keep them in a separate folder in my email in order to find them easily on my phone. The tricky part for me is to remember that I have the coupons at all. Without a piece of paper in my wallet, they are easy to forget.
For clothing I don't know if I'll ever really do much shopping online, since I prefer to see colors and feel fabrics in person. Unless it's a retailer whose products/fabrics/sizing are very familiar, I'm hesitant to buy much online.
Every year we create holiday cards online using my usual photo printing service (Snapfish.com). I try to watch for a good sale in November on their cards, order them early and get them done. Of course I have all of my addresses on my computer and I use a mail merge to create labels, so it's a pretty quick process to prep them for mailing. We send out about 100 cards, so anything that I can do to make it simple and quick is a very good thing.
Happy holidays and a prosperous new year to all!
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Email Transition - Update
I've learned a couple of things as I'm slowly transitioning my email from Comcast to Gmail:
Email newsletters sometimes have a link at the bottom to change your subscription to use a different email address. Sometimes they just have an unsubscribe link.
When changing an email address with a provider, even one who has a "change subscription" link in their newsletter, it doesn't always stop emails to the old address. Sometimes I've had to change the subscription to use the new address, then unsubscribe the old address when I get the next email twice.
Some websites use an email address as your login ID, so those are easy to find and change using the list I printed from my password manager. However, most websites still use your email address as part of your profile or contact information, even if it's not your login ID. I've found that I have to change pretty much every account, even if I don't use the email as the login ID, because somewhere in that profile they've got my old email.
Email newsletters sometimes have a link at the bottom to change your subscription to use a different email address. Sometimes they just have an unsubscribe link.
When changing an email address with a provider, even one who has a "change subscription" link in their newsletter, it doesn't always stop emails to the old address. Sometimes I've had to change the subscription to use the new address, then unsubscribe the old address when I get the next email twice.
Some websites use an email address as your login ID, so those are easy to find and change using the list I printed from my password manager. However, most websites still use your email address as part of your profile or contact information, even if it's not your login ID. I've found that I have to change pretty much every account, even if I don't use the email as the login ID, because somewhere in that profile they've got my old email.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Using Gmail to Download Other Email Accounts
I used Outlook for all of my email for years, and I'd gotten tired of some of its quirks and limitations in the more recent versions (I currently have 2010). It was useful to have all of my email loaded into a single user interface, so I wanted to find an alternative that would still give me that option.
As I've mentioned in earlier posts, a friend recommended Google's apps and email interface, so I've now converted to using Google for all of my email rather than Outlook. I've been able to set up Gmail so that it downloads my email from multiple sources (Comcast, my Tepato website, etc.), so I am able to have a "one stop shopping" set up which I prefer. To see how to use Gmail to pick up your other email accounts, see these instructions:
https://support.google.com/mail/answer/21289?hl=en
You can define a default email and have it always used as the "reply to" email. Or you can choose to have it automatically just reply from the same address where the message was sent (if they send it to your Gmail, it will use your Gmail as the reply address, or if they send it to your Comcast, it will use that one as the reply address). Gmail gives you 15 GB of storage space for free, and I've found that I'm using a pretty small portion of it. More space can be purchased but so far I'm more than fine with the free 15 GB.
The spam blocker in Gmail seems to really work great. Not only do the suspected spam messages get automatically put into a separate folder (so they aren't loading my inbox), but I seem to get a LOT less of them. I've literally gone from getting multiple dozens in a day, down to less than 1 dozen most days. I'm loving that aspect. The spam messages are automatically deleted after 30 days in my spam folder. I typically do check that folder at least daily, just to confirm that nothing legitimate ended up there by mistake, just to satisfy my paranoia.
I've recently helped a customer of mine to get set up to use Gmail to fetch his website email, and I'm curious to see if he experiences the same great result for spam. He gets hundreds every day and I'm hoping he will see an improvement like I have. I'll post an update on this soon, once he's had Gmail working for a few weeks.
Transitioning Email Accounts
I've recently decided to transition all of my personal email from one service to another (Comcast to Gmail). It's been a slow process to change all of my email newsletters, notices, etc. over to my Gmail account, but I'm slowly getting there.
I have the luxury of taking my time with it, since I'm still able to access my Comcast email and have not closed that account. I've found that my Roboform password manager software was a good place to start with a list of accounts that used my old Comcast email. I'm slowly converting those all to use my Gmail account instead.
I'm also monitoring my Comcast email as it arrives, and either unsubscribing or changing each one over to Gmail. I've found that certain providers will let me update my email address, but they don't seem to automatically remove the old email from their list, so I've gotten a few duplicates. If I get a duplicate, I just unsubscribe on the one sent to my old Comcast email so that takes care of it.
As I finish this process, I'll post any other things that I discover.
I have the luxury of taking my time with it, since I'm still able to access my Comcast email and have not closed that account. I've found that my Roboform password manager software was a good place to start with a list of accounts that used my old Comcast email. I'm slowly converting those all to use my Gmail account instead.
I'm also monitoring my Comcast email as it arrives, and either unsubscribing or changing each one over to Gmail. I've found that certain providers will let me update my email address, but they don't seem to automatically remove the old email from their list, so I've gotten a few duplicates. If I get a duplicate, I just unsubscribe on the one sent to my old Comcast email so that takes care of it.
As I finish this process, I'll post any other things that I discover.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Adventures with Google Forms
I've recently been introduced to some of the apps that are available with Google and so far I like them. They're pretty easy to learn and they have some nice features.
To get started, you'll need a Google account. Once you're logged into your account, you'll have menu options across the top left. The option you'll use to get into forms is the one called "Drive" (located right next to Gmail). It essentially gives you an area to store documents, forms, etc. that can be shared (all stored on Google). There's also the option to download a program which allows you to sync files from your computer to your Google drive.
The Drive function gives you the ability to create a variety of documents, spreadsheets, presentations and forms. All of them are stored at Google but can be synced to your local PC. All of them can also be shared with anyone you want, with or without giving them the ability to edit them.
For my first attempt, I'm going to use Google forms to replace a form on a web page for a client. The current web form is an application to request a scholarship to a camp for kids each summer. The form allows a prospective camper to fill in their personal details, and then when they click the submit button it sends an email to me with a delimited file. I copy and paste that delimited data into a spreadsheet, save it and email it to the client so that they can review and approve the applicants.
With the new Google form that I'm creating, the applicant will click on a link to go to the Google form. They'll fill in all of their details as normal. Then when they're done, it is automatically saved into a Google spreadsheet. I can share the link to that spreadsheet with anyone who needs to see it. I can give them the ability to edit it, or just to view it. I won't have to receive the application record via email anymore, and I won't have to copy/paste it into a spreadsheet or email it anywhere. They'll be able to look at the responses spreadsheet any time to see the latest applicants.
See the link below for an example of a simple Google form that could be used to track RSVPs to a party, as well as what dish that person will bring for a potluck meal. Feel free to click around on the form and make entries if you'd like to test it. Then click on the link to see the responses and you'll see the spreadsheet where they are stored.
Sample Form
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1IYmTdyn0Zvdute-Jvzb7mrCJjIv8YeDmnRRQphUjaEs/viewform
To see the responses spreadsheet, use this link (view only):
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AigEd9gi2kgCdENkaGt6cW5md1pUc3oxcENLR1pzVUE&usp=sharing
To see instructions on how to get started with Google forms, use this link:
https://support.google.com/drive/answer/87809?hl=en
To get started, you'll need a Google account. Once you're logged into your account, you'll have menu options across the top left. The option you'll use to get into forms is the one called "Drive" (located right next to Gmail). It essentially gives you an area to store documents, forms, etc. that can be shared (all stored on Google). There's also the option to download a program which allows you to sync files from your computer to your Google drive.
The Drive function gives you the ability to create a variety of documents, spreadsheets, presentations and forms. All of them are stored at Google but can be synced to your local PC. All of them can also be shared with anyone you want, with or without giving them the ability to edit them.
For my first attempt, I'm going to use Google forms to replace a form on a web page for a client. The current web form is an application to request a scholarship to a camp for kids each summer. The form allows a prospective camper to fill in their personal details, and then when they click the submit button it sends an email to me with a delimited file. I copy and paste that delimited data into a spreadsheet, save it and email it to the client so that they can review and approve the applicants.
With the new Google form that I'm creating, the applicant will click on a link to go to the Google form. They'll fill in all of their details as normal. Then when they're done, it is automatically saved into a Google spreadsheet. I can share the link to that spreadsheet with anyone who needs to see it. I can give them the ability to edit it, or just to view it. I won't have to receive the application record via email anymore, and I won't have to copy/paste it into a spreadsheet or email it anywhere. They'll be able to look at the responses spreadsheet any time to see the latest applicants.
See the link below for an example of a simple Google form that could be used to track RSVPs to a party, as well as what dish that person will bring for a potluck meal. Feel free to click around on the form and make entries if you'd like to test it. Then click on the link to see the responses and you'll see the spreadsheet where they are stored.
Sample Form
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1IYmTdyn0Zvdute-Jvzb7mrCJjIv8YeDmnRRQphUjaEs/viewform
To see the responses spreadsheet, use this link (view only):
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AigEd9gi2kgCdENkaGt6cW5md1pUc3oxcENLR1pzVUE&usp=sharing
To see instructions on how to get started with Google forms, use this link:
https://support.google.com/drive/answer/87809?hl=en
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
I'm a Google Convert - Mail and Calendar
As a long time Outlook user, I always liked to keep my calendar on both my work and personal laptops. Lately, I've had to use Google calendar sync to copy items from one calendar to the other. It was a strange set up and it seemed to be more complicated that it should need to be.
I've also been a long time user of SpamArrest to block most of the dozens of spam messages that I get every day. I was happy with the SpamArrest service, however I'd heard good things about the Google spam blocking ability, and thought I'd try it. Since I was paying about $50 per year for SpamArrest, it saves me a little money. It's also nice to not have that extra email address embedded in everything any more - a lot of people had started sending me everything at both my main email address (Comcast) and SpamArrest, which made me get duplicates.
Outlook served me well but I was ready for a change. I'd had enough of the confusion of having an extra email (@spamarrest.com), and the cost, so I decided to try Gmail for mail and calendar.
So this summer I made the big change - I dropped SpamArrest and started using Gmail's email program rather than Outlook. I no longer have to sync my google calendar into Outlook to keep my two laptops in sync. I'm finding that I get very little spam anymore, and Google is really good at catching them.
The nice thing is that Gmail is able to pick up ALL of my email addresses - from Comcast and my website both. So I can use it just like I used Outlook, to read all of my email in one place. I'm getting used to the user interface and I like the flags for "important" and "starred" to help me stay organized.
My son is actually going to learn how to use some of the Google apps in school this semester, so I'm curious to see how those look, as well. I really haven't used much other than mail and calendar (and instant message with Google Talk).
Stay tuned as I learn other Google programs or other useful things to make my digital life smoother.
I've also been a long time user of SpamArrest to block most of the dozens of spam messages that I get every day. I was happy with the SpamArrest service, however I'd heard good things about the Google spam blocking ability, and thought I'd try it. Since I was paying about $50 per year for SpamArrest, it saves me a little money. It's also nice to not have that extra email address embedded in everything any more - a lot of people had started sending me everything at both my main email address (Comcast) and SpamArrest, which made me get duplicates.
Outlook served me well but I was ready for a change. I'd had enough of the confusion of having an extra email (@spamarrest.com), and the cost, so I decided to try Gmail for mail and calendar.
So this summer I made the big change - I dropped SpamArrest and started using Gmail's email program rather than Outlook. I no longer have to sync my google calendar into Outlook to keep my two laptops in sync. I'm finding that I get very little spam anymore, and Google is really good at catching them.
The nice thing is that Gmail is able to pick up ALL of my email addresses - from Comcast and my website both. So I can use it just like I used Outlook, to read all of my email in one place. I'm getting used to the user interface and I like the flags for "important" and "starred" to help me stay organized.
My son is actually going to learn how to use some of the Google apps in school this semester, so I'm curious to see how those look, as well. I really haven't used much other than mail and calendar (and instant message with Google Talk).
Stay tuned as I learn other Google programs or other useful things to make my digital life smoother.
My Favorite Freebies
FREE
PDF
Need a PDF writer that can create a PDF from just about any program (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.)? Try cutepdf.com and download their PDF print driver. It works just like a normal printer on your printers list - select it and you'll need to choose a location to save the PDF file it will create. It also has a professional version for $50.
http://www.cutepdf.com/
Most PCs have a built in PDF reader now, but just in case, you can download a free one from Adobe.
http://get.adobe.com/reader/
File Backup
SyncToy is a free tool that can be downloaded from Microsoft. It's easy to set up and it helps you to do a quick backup. You select the files/folders you want to backup, and it compares the versions and only copies the ones that have changed. It won't save your whole system if your PC crashes (that requires keeping an image of your whole setup), but it will save your data if you use it regularly.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=15155
Performance Improvement Utilities
CCleaner is as PC optimization tool will clean your registry, remove old drivers, etc. to improve performance. It has a free version and a professional version for $25.
http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner
File Sharing
Dropbox is a free file sharing site that is web based. You get a minimal amount of free space to start, and are given additional space as you add friends, take tutorials and other actions on the site. You can share a link with anyone who needs your file, or you can give them access to a shared folder to exchange files.
https://www.dropbox.com/
Chat
Google Talk works just like most other instant message programs. I like it because I use Google mail and calendar so it's integrated nicely.
http://google-talk.en.softonic.com/
Not Free, But Worth It
Password Manager
To save passwords for your most frequent website use, try Roboform. It has a free version for limited use, or you can buy a subscription for $10 per year for the web-based version.
http://www.roboform.com/
Screen Captures
To capture screen shots of your PC, use SnagIt. You have the option to capture just a region of the full screen, or the whole scrolling window, among others. You can also do some editing on it within SnagIt before you use it elsewhere. It can also capture video and it's only $50.
http://www.techsmith.com/snagit.html
Need a PDF writer that can create a PDF from just about any program (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.)? Try cutepdf.com and download their PDF print driver. It works just like a normal printer on your printers list - select it and you'll need to choose a location to save the PDF file it will create. It also has a professional version for $50.
http://www.cutepdf.com/
Most PCs have a built in PDF reader now, but just in case, you can download a free one from Adobe.
http://get.adobe.com/reader/
File Backup
SyncToy is a free tool that can be downloaded from Microsoft. It's easy to set up and it helps you to do a quick backup. You select the files/folders you want to backup, and it compares the versions and only copies the ones that have changed. It won't save your whole system if your PC crashes (that requires keeping an image of your whole setup), but it will save your data if you use it regularly.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=15155
Performance Improvement Utilities
CCleaner is as PC optimization tool will clean your registry, remove old drivers, etc. to improve performance. It has a free version and a professional version for $25.
http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner
File Sharing
Dropbox is a free file sharing site that is web based. You get a minimal amount of free space to start, and are given additional space as you add friends, take tutorials and other actions on the site. You can share a link with anyone who needs your file, or you can give them access to a shared folder to exchange files.
https://www.dropbox.com/
Chat
Google Talk works just like most other instant message programs. I like it because I use Google mail and calendar so it's integrated nicely.
http://google-talk.en.softonic.com/
Not Free, But Worth It
Password Manager
To save passwords for your most frequent website use, try Roboform. It has a free version for limited use, or you can buy a subscription for $10 per year for the web-based version.
http://www.roboform.com/
Screen Captures
To capture screen shots of your PC, use SnagIt. You have the option to capture just a region of the full screen, or the whole scrolling window, among others. You can also do some editing on it within SnagIt before you use it elsewhere. It can also capture video and it's only $50.
http://www.techsmith.com/snagit.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)