One Good Idea - Google Calendar

by Fred Litt

As a small business owner, it is important that I show up for client appointments on time! As such, my calendar has become a critical productivity tool.

As I now work from several locations (office, home, client sites), the hard copy calendar that I have always used in my office just wasn't doing the job anymore. I needed a more state of the art solution.

I considered a Blackberry as well as a pocket-size paper calendar, but they just weren't my style. I needed something more PC-like, something that was almost everywhere, something I couldn't lose, and something that didn't frustrate me.

After evaluating several PC software and web-based calendars, I enthusiastically switched all of my scheduling to Google's Calendar application.

This product provided me with the following features:

• On-line availability. Google Calendar is web based. As I almost always have a PC with Internet access nearby, this works fine for me.
• Easy to use. Adding and changing appointments is easy.
• Reminders. Each morning I get an email with my daily schedule.
• Shareable. I can share my calendar with others.
• Multiple calendars. I can setup a work calendar, a family calendar, etc. You can set up a calendar that only includes the availability of a resource (e.g., a meeting room).
• Free. Visit http://www.google.com/calendar and set up a free Google account. Your Google account give you free access to most Google products including Gmail and other Google Apps.

There are lots of additional features with Google Calendar that can make life a bit easier for you. Give it a try. It's free.


This article was provided by Fred Litt, Family Technology Associates, Allendale, NJ. Fred welcomes your comments and questions. Visit http://www.FamilyTechnology.com to learn more about Fred's professional efforts.

Email Fred at mailto:Fred@FamilyTechnology.com

Considerations of PC illiteracy

by Fred Litt

If you manage a business or belong to an organizaton, do you know if your staff or colleagues understand basic PC techniques? Do you know if they have the necessary skills to write a simple document, send an email, or surf the Internet? What I'm getting to is the following: If someone you rely upon is PC illiterate, does it really matter?

The answer is Y-E-S !!!!!!

Here are a few very simple considerations:

• If your boss is illiterate, he/she will avoid the implementation of technology based solutions
• If your staff is illiterate, your ability to expand your efforts will slow to a crawl.

My recommendation is that you evaluate the PC skills of those you work with and work for.

Interesting, isn't it?

Email Fred at mailto:Fred@FamilyTechnology.com

One Good Idea - GetDropBox

by Fred Litt

My clients often ask me to advise them about new products that are inexpensive, easy to use, and can enhance productivity or profitability. Here's One Good Idea: GetDropBox.

GetDropBox makes your files (documents, images, et al) available from any PC.

Many of us now work from multiple locations and use multiple PCs. The problem is that we frequently need to access data files from 'the other' PC that we are currently not using. The solution may be a product called GetDropBox - available from GetDropBox.com - this product makes your data available anywhere and everywhere.

GetDropBox allows you to create a shared folder on multiple PCs that are constantly synchronized with each other. After installing GetDropBox on a PC or Mac, you simply copy files into this 'shared folder'. You then install GetDropBox on as many other PCs as you like, and the file will be available in all of the other PCs. PLUS, the files are also available from the GetDropBox web site. Yes, everything is secure and requires identification for access.

Let's assume you are working on a document in your office and then want to work on the document at home. Most of you would email the document to yourself or download the document to a portable flash drive. GetDropBox is even easier - and it's free. You simply drag the file to the GetDropBox folder on your office desktop, then, when you get home, the file(s) will appear in your GetDropBox folder on your home PC.

In addition, you can selectively share files and folders with other GetDropBox users. It's a great way to collaborate.

My GetDropBox review:

Usability: Somewhere between beginner and intermediate level, depending on use
Cost: Free for up to 2GB of storage
Usefulness: Excellent
Availability: GetDropBox.com for Windows and Mac

Please contact me if you want to learn more about this product or need assistance applying this idea to your family or professional efforts.


This article was provided by Fred Litt, Family Technology Associates, Allendale, NJ. Fred welcomes your comments and questions. Visit http://www.FamilyTechnology.com to learn more about Fred's professional efforts.

Email Fred at mailto:Fred@FamilyTechnology.com