Switched http://www.switched.com Switched http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Switched http://www.switched.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[You Have Ten Seconds To Edit Your Facebook Comment. Get Cracking!]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/03/18/edit-facebook-comments-how-to/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/18/edit-facebook-comments-how-to/http://www.switched.com/2011/03/18/edit-facebook-comments-how-to/#comments editing a facebook comment Facebook has updated its commenting system (again, sigh) and among the sillier of "improvements" is an edit feature that lasts approximately ten seconds. Lifehacker details how to edit your comment: Basically, just hit the delete "X" and it will reopen the text entry box, allowing you the opportunity to polish those precious words of yours. There's tons of caveats, however -- chief among them that it appears to last less than half a minute, and if you refresh the page the editability disappears altogether. Sadly, it looks like there is still no way to un-poke someone. Get on it, Facebook!

SwitchedYou Have Ten Seconds To Edit Your Facebook Comment. Get Cracking! originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commentsfacebooklifehackerSocialNetworkingtechtipstipstopwebFri, 18 Mar 2011 17:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Check Where You're Logged Into Gmail]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/03/gmail-check-where-youre-logged-in/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/03/gmail-check-where-youre-logged-in/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/03/gmail-check-where-youre-logged-in/#commentsGmail Account Gmail has a neat little feature that lets you check where your account is logged in and see all of its recent activity. All the way at the bottom of the screen (in very tiny text) you'll find a notification of where your account is currently logged in. Click on the 'Details' link and you'll get a full list of where your account is being accessed from, whether it's via a browser or mobile device, the country of origin and an IP address. You can even check a recent history of when, where and how the account was accessed. And, of course, you can sign out of other sessions. This is handy in case you forget to sign out from a public PC or a friend's computer, and serves as a good alert if someone hacks your account.

SwitchedCheck Where You're Logged Into Gmail originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>emailgmailgmail+accountgmailaccountgooglesecuritytechtipstipstopwebThu, 03 Feb 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[How to Wipe Your Android Phone]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/02/01/wipe-your-android-phone/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/01/wipe-your-android-phone/http://www.switched.com/2011/02/01/wipe-your-android-phone/#commentsFactory Reset in Android If you've got to return your fancy Android phone for some reason, or you plan to sell your older model on eBay, you'll want to make sure your private information is thoroughly cleaned from the device. Setting your Android phone back to its factory defaults is simple enough, but ensuring your phone is completely clear is a two-step process. First, you need to format your microSD card: Under 'Settings,' tap the entry for 'SD Card and Phone Storage.' From here you'll need to unmount and then format your SD card (both options are clearly labeled). After that, go back out to the main settings menu and tap the 'Privacy' option. Under that menu you'll find an option for 'Factory Data Reset.' This will return the phone to the state it was in when you first took it out of the box.

SwitchedHow to Wipe Your Android Phone originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidprivacytechtipstipstopwipe+androidwipeandroidTue, 01 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Netflix Tech Tips: Tricks and Hints for Getting New Releases]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/13/netflix-tricks-getting-new-releases/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/13/netflix-tricks-getting-new-releases/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/13/netflix-tricks-getting-new-releases/#commentsConsidering the number of times we've uttered, "I'll watch it when it comes out on DVD," it's no wonder we're such hounds for new releases. Sadly, we've become used to the new movies in our Netflix queue being perpetually stuck at "Very Long Wait." It's bad enough that we have to hold off until we can watch something of merit. (Damn you, New York movie ticket prices!) But having to wait indefinitely even after a movie has come out on DVD? No way. Here are some handy tips we've compiled to make sure you can get the freshest releases ASAP.

Continue reading Netflix Tech Tips: Tricks and Hints for Getting New Releases

SwitchedNetflix Tech Tips: Tricks and Hints for Getting New Releases originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>moviesnetflixtechtiptechtipstipstopwebThu, 13 Jan 2011 17:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Best Netflix Apps for Managing Your Queue on the Go]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/11/best-netflix-apps-queue-management/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/11/best-netflix-apps-queue-management/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/11/best-netflix-apps-queue-management/#commentsWith the number of times that we've had a friend tell us about an incredible flick (only to forget the title later), or that we suddenly remember a favorite film we haven't seen in ages, having mobile access to our Netflix accounts is vital.

The official app has one gigantic leg up over third-party competitors on both iPhone and Windows 7: the ability to stream movies directly to your device. This feature alone sets the original apart from the rest, but, in a baffling move, the official app lacks the ability to manage personal queues.

This strange omission allows third-party apps to pick up plenty of slack -- helping the user to browse films, add them to their queue, and read film reviews. We've rounded up the most prominent third-party Netflix helpers and broken them down by what they do best, so you can pick the one that's right for you.

Continue reading Best Netflix Apps for Managing Your Queue on the Go

SwitchedBest Netflix Apps for Managing Your Queue on the Go originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsflixsterinstant watchInstantWatchinstantwatcheriphlixirentmoviemovelamovieflicknetflixnetqfreephoneflixqueue manqueue managerQueueManQueueManagertechtipsTue, 11 Jan 2011 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Netflix: How to Curate Your Queue and Keep Your Flicks Organized]]>http://www.switched.com/2011/01/10/netflix-queue-curate-keep-flicks-organized/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/10/netflix-queue-curate-keep-flicks-organized/http://www.switched.com/2011/01/10/netflix-queue-curate-keep-flicks-organized/#commentsnetflix queue If you're like us, then your Netflix queue has expanded to the point where its gravitational pull sucks in every film in its vicinity. A strained metaphor, perhaps, but it's easy to find your queue so overstuffed that it becomes utterly unmanageable and daunting. We've got a few essential organizational tips that will make the life of any cinema junkie exponentially easier.

The simplest way to trim the fat off your queue is to make sure you don't list any films that are available to stream. Take a quick look through your movies. Make sure to add any streamable flicks to your Instant Queue, and delete them from your disc queue (don't worry, they'll remain in Instant). Movies regularly come in and out of Instant availability, so make sure to keep an eye on previously un-streamable films, as well as those that are no longer available to watch instantly. (They'll be moved into your Instant Queue's "Saved" section.)

Continue reading Netflix: How to Curate Your Queue and Keep Your Flicks Organized

SwitchedNetflix: How to Curate Your Queue and Keep Your Flicks Organized originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Netflixnetflix queuenetflix streamingnetflix watch instantlyNetflixQueueNetflixStreamingNetflixWatchInstantlyproductivitytech tipsTechTipstipsMon, 10 Jan 2011 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Shopping Tips: Know What You Want, Know How To Get It]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/22/online-shopping-and-discount-tips/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/22/online-shopping-and-discount-tips/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/22/online-shopping-and-discount-tips/#comments blueflyFinally flexing your shopping chops, huh? Thinking you can score some sweet deals on your Web jaunts? Now that you are up to date on your favorite stores and have your phone loaded with shop-happy apps, you think you are invincible, right? Wrong. You are still babes in the woods. Luckily, we are here, ready to save you from your retail-reject past.

Continue reading Shopping Tips: Know What You Want, Know How To Get It

SwitchedShopping Tips: Know What You Want, Know How To Get It originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blueflydiscountdiscount retailersdiscount storesDiscountRetailersdiscountsDiscountStoreseBayFlash SalesFlashSalesgiltGrouponLiving SocialLivingSocialoverstockshoppingshopping tipsShoppingTipstechtipstipstoyswebWed, 22 Dec 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Shopping Tips: Keep Your Apps (and Deals) Super Fresh]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/21/best-deal-apps-for-iphone-android/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/21/best-deal-apps-for-iphone-android/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/21/best-deal-apps-for-iphone-android/#comments Ah, our shopping Padawans. Yesterday, we got you on , but today, we are going to teach you to be savvy shoppers on-the-go. Most mass retailers have dedicated apps, but if you had an app for every store you've ever shopped, your phone would be groaning under its own consumerist weight. So, for today, we've listed our five best shopping apps and a couple basic suggestions, so you can score rad deals while you bounce around town.

Continue reading Shopping Tips: Keep Your Apps (and Deals) Super Fresh

SwitchedShopping Tips: Keep Your Apps (and Deals) Super Fresh originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonDaily dealDailyDealeBaygiltgilt groupeGiltGroupeGrouponGroupon dealsGrouponDealsLiving SocialLivingSocialoverstockshoppingShoppingTipstechtipstipstopTue, 21 Dec 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Make the New Facebook Profile Work For You]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/16/make-the-new-facebook-profile-work-for-you/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/16/make-the-new-facebook-profile-work-for-you/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/16/make-the-new-facebook-profile-work-for-you/#commentsNew Profile
Share
Whenever Facebook rolls out a new feature or tweaks its layout, it usually faces an uproar of criticism from users who had grown oh-so-accustomed to its previous format. The notable exception to this rule, however, is the social network's new profile page layout.

Unveiled earlier this month, the new profile pages haven't stirred a whole lot of controversy among Facebook's loyal users -- probably because there isn't a whole lot to complain about [Ed. Note: Or we've just grown accustomed to them sucking]. They're easy to navigate, easy to look at, and, unlike past site renovations, don't require users to significantly change their browsing habits. But there are a few wrinkles in the new profile that certainly affect the way you interact with your friends, and more importantly, the way they see your personal information.

Continue reading Make the New Facebook Profile Work For You

SwitchedMake the New Facebook Profile Work For You originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookfacebook privacyFacebookPrivacynew profileNewProfilephotosprivacySocialNetworkingStatusstatus updateStatusUpdatetech tipsTechTipstipstopwallThu, 16 Dec 2010 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Facebook Security: How to Spot, Engage and Disarm Scams and Spam]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/15/facebook-security-spam-scams/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/15/facebook-security-spam-scams/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/15/facebook-security-spam-scams/#commentsFacebook Spam Today, Facebook is home to over 500 million users -- and plenty of scams. The site, after all, is tailor-made for viral sharing and provides an all-too easy way for hackers and spammers to spread malicious worms. And, unfortunately, many of them succeed, simply because Facebook users continue to fall for their tricks. There are, however, a few steps you can take to guard against such virulent evil.

Many Facebook scams entice users with intriguing Wall posts that usually advertise some sort of lurid photo, or offer extra Facebook functionality, such as seeing who viewed your profile or installing a 'dislike' button. The notorious 'Koobface' scam is a perfect example. This scheme spread via links that reportedly led to racy videos. Clicking on the link, though, would infect a user's computer, and plaster the exact same message all over their friends' Walls. Since then, others have used essentially the same formula.

Continue reading Facebook Security: How to Spot, Engage and Disarm Scams and Spam

SwitchedFacebook Security: How to Spot, Engage and Disarm Scams and Spam originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookFacebookScamkoobfacesecuritysocialnetworkingTechTipstipstopwebWed, 15 Dec 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[How to Customize and Perfect Your Facebook Privacy Settings]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/14/how-to-adjust-facebook-privacy-settings/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/14/how-to-adjust-facebook-privacy-settings/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/14/how-to-adjust-facebook-privacy-settings/#commentsFacebook Privacy Privacy is, without question, the number one concern of virtually every Facebook user. We tend to share a lot on the social network, but we don't necessarily want everyone peering into our lives -- especially not the co-workers, family members and ex-flames scattered throughout our lists. When Facebook unveiled its new Open Graph and Instant Personalization services earlier this year, these concerns only amplified, and many users began rightfully complaining that they were losing aegis over their own online domain. In reality, though, we still have plenty of control over who can see our profiles, and even what information they can see.

To be a master of your castle, all you have to do is click on the 'Account' tab at the top right-hand corner of your homepage, and select 'Privacy Settings' from the drop-down menu and then 'View Settings.' From here, you can choose to share all your info with the entire Facebook community, with friends of friends, or with your friends exclusively.

Continue reading How to Customize and Perfect Your Facebook Privacy Settings

SwitchedHow to Customize and Perfect Your Facebook Privacy Settings originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookfacebook privacyFacebookPrivacyprivacyPrivacySettingsSocialNetworkingTechTipstipstopTue, 14 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Clean Your Cluttered Facebook News Feed For the New Year]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/13/facebook-news-feed-clean/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/13/facebook-news-feed-clean/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/13/facebook-news-feed-clean/#commentsRefresh News Feed A new year is just around the corner, which means it's time to go through the timeless annual rite of Facebook cleansing. After all, it's been a long year, and you've made a lot of new friends. That's certainly great news for your social life, but this newfound friendship has probably complicated your Facebook life too. Random acquaintances, long-forgotten crushes, anonymous former colleagues -- it's not that you want to shut them out of your life forever, you just don't wanna see them on your homepage, that's all. Don't worry. There are solutions.

Continue reading Clean Your Cluttered Facebook News Feed For the New Year

SwitchedClean Your Cluttered Facebook News Feed For the New Year originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookfacebook groupfacebook groupsfacebook listsFacebookGroupFacebookGroupsFacebookListsSocialNetworkingtech tipsTechTipstipstopMon, 13 Dec 2010 18:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Curbing Reckless Child Behavior the Key to Social Networking Safety]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/08/child-safety-facebook-social-networking/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/08/child-safety-facebook-social-networking/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/08/child-safety-facebook-social-networking/#comments Parents face a particularly worrisome and contentious dilemma when deciding whether or not to afford their children with social networking privileges. Kids not only become susceptible to obvious outside dangers -- such as predators and bullies -- but they also become susceptible to their own youthful indiscretions, like posting damaging party pics or joining inappropriate groups. Families must first address, as with any situation, the array of dangerous possibilities that arise from joining social networking services.

Kids may not fully understand the permanence of the Net, or how one minor misstep could undermine years of commendable behavior. Spontaneously flipping a bird might not seem like a huge deal, but, when it publicly hangs over a kid's head -- especially when it's time to mail out college applications or join the overcrowded workforce -- the baggage may prove insurmountable. Parents also need to familiarize themselves with new and trendy sites that may not be ideal for young users. Formspring, and its innocent "Ask questions, give answers and learn more about your friends" tag line, may seem frivolous. It has, however, also earned a reputation for fostering anonymous bullying, inappropriate exchanges and an overall mob mentality among young members.

Continue reading Curbing Reckless Child Behavior the Key to Social Networking Safety

SwitchedCurbing Reckless Child Behavior the Key to Social Networking Safety originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kidsmonitoringparentsprivacysecuritySocialNetworkingtechtipstipstopWed, 08 Dec 2010 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Tech Tips: Protecting Kids Online Begins With Sheltered Searching and Surfing]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/06/tech-tips-protect-kids-online-shelter-search-sharing/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/06/tech-tips-protect-kids-online-shelter-search-sharing/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/06/tech-tips-protect-kids-online-shelter-search-sharing/#commentskids on computers The Internet has emerged as a revolutionary educational tool, providing children with access to an instant, open and evolving encyclopedia of limitless knowledge. But the Web also introduces kids to -- and assails them with -- knowledge best learned at a later date, or perhaps never at all. Since search engines serve as the first intermediary between kids and an unending array of porn, profanity and pervs, it's absolutely imperative to limit and exclude immediate access to specific words, images and sites.

Various companies and browsers, including Google and Firefox, offer free options. Google's SafeSearch, which filters both images and search results, serves as an established, easy and free option. It has, however, drawn complaints for allowing unwanted material to filter through, and for blocking access to harmless sites, photographs and information. Firefox's FoxFilter definitely offers more detailed and intricate features that can completely restrict access to any unwanted material. Of particular interest to parents are FoxFilter's so-called "whitelists," which are solely comprised of parent-approved sites. Children will only be granted access to those preselected websites, with all other destinations excluded. Parents who wish to grant a little more surfing freedom can customize detailed lists of red-flag keywords and sites. FoxFilter does, however, charge a minimal registration fee ($9.99 for basic access, and $14.99 for a hyper-customized offering).

Continue reading Tech Tips: Protecting Kids Online Begins With Sheltered Searching and Surfing

SwitchedTech Tips: Protecting Kids Online Begins With Sheltered Searching and Surfing originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChildSafetycybersitterfirefoxfoxfilterInternetSafetyMcAffeeNetNannyParentalControlsSafeEyesSafeSearchtechtipstipstopMon, 06 Dec 2010 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Calendar: Get Your Weather Forecast and Custom Date Views]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/03/google-calendar-weather-forecast-custom-date-views/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/03/google-calendar-weather-forecast-custom-date-views/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/03/google-calendar-weather-forecast-custom-date-views/#commentsFor all the good that Google has done in helping us keep our e-mails and events organized, it's notoriously bad for hiding useful tools and features out of sight. We've got two simple tips today for opening up Google Calendar's potential. Google Calendar's '4 days' view has always seemed out of place, but makes much more sense when you realize it's customizable. You'll need to head to Settings to make changes. Buried in the General Settings tab is a field for Custom view, which is set at '4 days' by default. You can limit the view down to '2 days' or open it up to as much as '4 weeks.' Any change here will be reflected in the tab between the Month and Agenda views.

Continue reading Google Calendar: Get Your Weather Forecast and Custom Date Views

SwitchedGoogle Calendar: Get Your Weather Forecast and Custom Date Views originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>calendargoogleGoogleCalendartechtiptechtipstipstopweatherFri, 03 Dec 2010 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Get Your Google Calendars to Sync With Your iPhone, Android or BlackBerry]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/02/sync-google-calendar-iphone-android-blackberry-ipad/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/02/sync-google-calendar-iphone-android-blackberry-ipad/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/02/sync-google-calendar-iphone-android-blackberry-ipad/#commentsGoogle Calendar Sync Now that you've got your Facebook events in order and your work and personal calendars synced across all of your computers, it's time to pull your events into your phone. Sure, Google offers a decent Web-based calendar optimized for mobile devices, but we prefer dedicated apps for their ability to work without a data connection. Google's two-way Sync service sends changes from your phone to the Web, which then syncs with all of your other computers or devices in a nice one-stop shop. Read on to get your Google Calendars synced across DROIDs, iPhones, BlackBerrys, iPads and more.

Continue reading Get Your Google Calendars to Sync With Your iPhone, Android or BlackBerry

SwitchedGet Your Google Calendars to Sync With Your iPhone, Android or BlackBerry originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>calendargooglegoogle calendarGoogleCalendaripadiphonepalm pixipalm prePalmPixiPalmPretechtipstipstopThu, 02 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Your New Text Friend: Google Calendar and SMS]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/12/01/text-message-alerts-google-calendar-sms/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/01/text-message-alerts-google-calendar-sms/http://www.switched.com/2010/12/01/text-message-alerts-google-calendar-sms/#commentsSometimes a simple SMS reminder buzzing in your pocket is enough to break all the pings and alerts hitting your computer screen throughout the day. Fortunately, Google Calendar is SMS-capable, which means you don't need a cutting-edge smartphone to get calendar alerts. Read on after the break to learn how to text your calendar.

Continue reading Your New Text Friend: Google Calendar and SMS

SwitchedYour New Text Friend: Google Calendar and SMS originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 16:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>googleGoogleCalendarsmstechtiptechtipstextingTextMessagingWed, 01 Dec 2010 16:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Contact Tips: Group Your Peeps Together to Stay Organized]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/25/how-to-group-contacts-stay-organized/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/25/how-to-group-contacts-stay-organized/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/25/how-to-group-contacts-stay-organized/#commentsGroup Contacts Alright, guys, this is it. You've got your contacts combined, synced, Facebook-free, and cleaned out. You're feeling good, and your address book is looking pretty. Or, so you think. But, Padawan, why stop now? We've already come so far, so why not really whip your contacts into shape, and treat yourself to some serious organization in the form of labels and groups.

Practically any contact-management app, be it desktop or Web, allows you to categorize the entries in your address book in some way. Yahoo calls them 'categories' (natch), while Gmail and Outlook use 'groups.' Both serve as a way to organize your contacts based on context, and allow you to keep some delineation between your personal and your professional connections.

Continue reading Contact Tips: Group Your Peeps Together to Stay Organized

SwitchedContact Tips: Group Your Peeps Together to Stay Organized originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 25 Nov 2010 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>address bookAddressBookcontact managementcontact managerContactManagementContactManagergmailgoogleproductivitytech tipstechtipTechTipstopwebyahooThu, 25 Nov 2010 15:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Free Your Friends' Contact Info From Facebook's Grip]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/22/how-sync-facebook-contacts-email-phone-yahoo/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/22/how-sync-facebook-contacts-email-phone-yahoo/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/22/how-sync-facebook-contacts-email-phone-yahoo/#commentsZuck Leaves Key Getting your contacts all in one place is a giant headache, and Facebook doesn't help. Recently, Google has been making a big stink about Facebook "trapping" your contact information. And, to be fair, the complaints aren't entirely unfounded; Facebook wants you to have your friends' contact info... just as long as you're looking it up on Facebook only. But there are ways around The Book's blockade. You only need to use the right tools to free your data. Read on to find out how to free your contacts and consolidate your data.

Continue reading Free Your Friends' Contact Info From Facebook's Grip

SwitchedFree Your Friends' Contact Info From Facebook's Grip originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>address bookAddressBookaddressbooksynccontact managementcontact managerContactManagementContactManagergreasemonkeytechtiptechtipstopMon, 22 Nov 2010 16:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Tech Travel Tip: Remember to Bring (Gadget) Protection]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/19/tech-travel-tips-best-gadget-laptop-protection-cases/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/19/tech-travel-tips-best-gadget-laptop-protection-cases/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/19/tech-travel-tips-best-gadget-laptop-protection-cases/#commentsBring Protection With the week drawing to a triumphant close, we thought we'd end our series on tech travel tips with a brief rundown of how to go about physically protecting your gadgets while abroad. Of course, the degree to which you sheath your beloved laptops and tablets largely depends upon where you're going. If you're planning on surfing the Web from the beaches of Brazil, you might want to take extra precautions to guard against pesky grains of sand that could send your netbook into a tailspin. If, on the other hand, you're headed to Mumbai during monsoon season, you'll have an entirely different set of atmospheric obstacles to overcome.

Even if you're "just" hopping on a transatlantic flight to the Old World, you should make sure that your gadgets are securely tucked away, and safe from the perils that even the most routine travel itineraries can present. Fortunately, you can do so without sacrificing any style points.

Continue reading Tech Travel Tip: Remember to Bring (Gadget) Protection

SwitchedTech Travel Tip: Remember to Bring (Gadget) Protection originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casehggiphone caseIphoneCaselaptop baglaptop caseLaptopBagLaptopCasetechtiptechtipstipstoptravelFri, 19 Nov 2010 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Tech Traveling Tips: Avoid Roaming While Roaming Freely]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/18/tech-travel-tips-avoid-roaming-while-roaming-freely/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/18/tech-travel-tips-avoid-roaming-while-roaming-freely/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/18/tech-travel-tips-avoid-roaming-while-roaming-freely/#commentsLearn to Adapt Networks, bandwidth and capabilities are varied enough within any given country (as will be confirmed by anyone who's tried to get an iPhone on Verizon), but they're an entirely new mess when you start crossing borders. So, if you plan on staying connected without bankrupting yourself, you might want to see if your phone can handle the trip -- and make sure you aren't signing away your first-born simply by turning it on.

Will My Phone Work?
First, we have a couple quick rules. if your phone is from Verizon or Sprint, there is a small likelihood of it being internationally compatible. Both use CDMA technology for their 3G networks, instead of the more widely supported GSM. (If you're concerned about globe-hopping, look for phones billed as "global ready" or "international." Unless your phone is labeled as such, you're probably out of luck.) T-Mobile and AT&T use GSM, and are more likely to get basic calling and texting while traveling abroad (unless you are going to Canada, which is pretty U.S.-friendly.) Double-checking by looking at your service provider's website is a great bet. Another option, if you would rather have your phone on a more regular basis, is to purchase a prepaid SIM card within the country in which you've landed. You won't keep your number, but you won't rack up roaming charges, either. In the worst-case scenario, a disposable cell phone works as well, and is much more "accepted" overseas than it is in the U.S. (probably due to the influx of travelers).

Continue reading Tech Traveling Tips: Avoid Roaming While Roaming Freely

SwitchedTech Traveling Tips: Avoid Roaming While Roaming Freely originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adapterchargertechtiptechtipstipstoptravelVoltageThu, 18 Nov 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tech Travel Tips: How to Keep Your Power Pumping]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/16/tech-travel-tips-converter/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/16/tech-travel-tips-converter/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/16/tech-travel-tips-converter/#commentsPower Pumping Once you're across the seas, you'll start snapping photos, turning up your MP3 player, and blogging your adventures -- that is, until you run out of juice. Buying converters in the airport is always über-expensive, and being stuck without one when you need it is hair-pulling. Not sure if you should make the investment? Remember that voltage varies in different continents, and, if you have an electronic made for America (i.e., 110 volts), the 220-volt sockets found abroad could deliver quite a shock to your device. A converter makes sure that no excess electricity comes through.

Those wacky symbols you see on the wall in Deutschland? They aren't native markings; that's what the locals call a "socket." Plugs vary from country to country, and, to make sure you can insert your cord in the right way, you'll want an adapter. Adapter/converter packages, like the Travel Smart by Conair, are usually ideal. For a helpful, all-in-one guide, bookmark Current Solutions. Shocking, isn't it? (Hehe. Electricity puns.)

SwitchedTech Travel Tips: How to Keep Your Power Pumping originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargertechtiptechtipstipstoptravelTravel Adaptertravel-techTravelAdapterVoltageTue, 16 Nov 2010 17:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Traveling Abroad? Make Sure Your Gadgets Are Ready for Take Off]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/15/travel-tips-charge-your-gadgets/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/15/travel-tips-charge-your-gadgets/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/15/travel-tips-charge-your-gadgets/#commentsTravel Tips Your tickets are booked. Your bags are packed. Your passport's been dusted off. It's finally time to take off for that exotic vacation you so sorely deserve, and to totally disconnect from the rest of the world... sort of.

Sure, you probably won't want to spend too much time trolling through e-mails instead of strolling across the Île Saint-Louis. If you're like us, though, you'll still probably toss a couple of gadgets into your suitcase -- if only to flood your friends' feeds with tweets, photos and Facebook posts from the other side of the world. But, before you start haphazardly dumping your smartphone, laptop and e-reader into your Samsonite, you should remember to take care of some very forgettable things.

Continue reading Traveling Abroad? Make Sure Your Gadgets Are Ready for Take Off

SwitchedTraveling Abroad? Make Sure Your Gadgets Are Ready for Take Off originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adapterbattery chargerBatteryChargerflyinginternational travelinternational travel tipsInternationalTravelInternationalTravelTipsphone chargerphone chargersPhoneChargerPhoneChargerstechtiptechtipstoptravelMon, 15 Nov 2010 16:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Share Your Google Reader Finds With Twitter, Blogs and Then the WORLD]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/12/google-reader-share-send-to-twitter-facebook/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/12/google-reader-share-send-to-twitter-facebook/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/12/google-reader-share-send-to-twitter-facebook/#commentsWhew. What a week it's been. First, we cleaned up our Reader's act, then we got some friends and followers, and recently we shut the door to any nosy neighbors in our privacy rundown.

Now, we are going to teach you to share your Reader finds with anyone, including your friends on other social networks and news sites. Don't worry. You can thank us later.

Continue reading Share Your Google Reader Finds With Twitter, Blogs and Then the WORLD

SwitchedShare Your Google Reader Finds With Twitter, Blogs and Then the WORLD originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 12 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GoogleReaderrssrss-feedrss-readerRssFeedsRssReadertechtiptechtipstopwebFri, 12 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Reader Privacy Settings for Online Hermits and RSS Exhibitionists]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/11/google-reader-privacy-settings-setup/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/11/google-reader-privacy-settings-setup/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/11/google-reader-privacy-settings-setup/#commentsreader You're amped. You've whittled your Google Reader account into perfectly organized folders and categories, and you're cruising the Web at warp speed, sharing links left and right. But you suddenly realize that you aren't quite sure if you want your future employer and/or offspring to see that you are a huge fan of cat sweaters. Maybe you have been bit by the bug of oversharing?

Yesterday, we taught you to create a "Reader" list with all of your preferred follow-ees, where you can craft and edit your contact list to allow sharing between certain people. To see exactly who is following you and who you are following, head to www.google.com/profiles/YourGmailName and browse. (To see what you're sharing, try www.google.com/reader/shared/YourGmailName.) Remember: if you set it up using your contacts list, those people can see your shared links. (For more general Google control, you'll have to head to www.google.com/accounts/ManageAccount. Managing Google privacy settings is a well-noted nightmare.)

But why does everything now have to have a social component? What if you just want to read your daily news without anyone poking a nose in or "liking" the stuff you see? Or, contrarily, what if you have nothing to hide, and you'd like all of your Reader travels exposed on Facebook, Twitter and more?

Continue reading Google Reader Privacy Settings for Online Hermits and RSS Exhibitionists

SwitchedGoogle Reader Privacy Settings for Online Hermits and RSS Exhibitionists originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Google Privacygoogle readerGooglePrivacyGoogleReaderrssrss feedsrss readerrss-feedrss-readerRssFeedsRssReadertechtiptechtipstopThu, 11 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LOLCats Don't Share Themselves! Google Reader Tips to Spread Link Love]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/10/google-reader-sharing-tips/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/10/google-reader-sharing-tips/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/10/google-reader-sharing-tips/#commentsGoogle Reader Yesterday, we showed you how to use Google Reader to get organized, put together folders and take advantage of feed recommendations. So you think you've finally got RSS all figured out, right? Well, don't get too cocky, kid, because today we're going to explode your Google Reader world. Since you're now up to date on world news and breaking LOLcats news, you're going to want to show your legions of friends, followers and colleagues all of the incredible links that you find first.

Continue reading LOLCats Don't Share Themselves! Google Reader Tips to Spread Link Love

SwitchedLOLCats Don't Share Themselves! Google Reader Tips to Spread Link Love originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bookmarkletbookmarkletsgoogle readerGoogleReaderrssrss feedsrss readerrss-feedrss-readerRssFeedsRssReadertechtiptechtipstopWed, 10 Nov 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Google Reader: Get Your RSS Organized With Folders]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/09/google-reader-organized-folders-rss/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/09/google-reader-organized-folders-rss/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/09/google-reader-organized-folders-rss/#comments So you want to master your RSS feeds, eh? (If you don't know RSS, read our thorough breakdown.) Google Reader is our go-to feed aggregator, and -- if you're a Gmail user -- we're willing to bet that it's yours, too. You can access Reader through Gmail, Google, or even directly at reader.google.com, but you probably know that already. After all, you're no novice Reader(-er); you're just horribly, incontrovertibly disorganized. Who needs folders, tags, Starred Items and that menu-bar balderdash when you could have the entire, unedited stream of the Internet smashing directly into your brain?

Well, put simply, you do. You can't separate your Mashables from your MoCo Locos, or your Wonkettes from your Walyous. You're missing meaty posts right and left, because you can't keep up with the unending torrent of the RSS rush. But, trust us, there is a way to rein it in. Continue past the break to read the Gospel of Folders, and become one of the enlightened few who can master the Feeds like the Force.

Continue reading Google Reader: Get Your RSS Organized With Folders

SwitchedGoogle Reader: Get Your RSS Organized With Folders originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>google readerGoogleReaderrssrss feedsrss readerrss-feedRssFeedsRssReadertechtiptechtipstopTue, 09 Nov 2010 16:55:00 EST<![CDATA[How to Move Your iTunes Library to a New Computer]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/03/how-transfer-itunes-library-new-computer/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/03/how-transfer-itunes-library-new-computer/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/03/how-transfer-itunes-library-new-computer/#commentsmove your itunes library
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Here at Switched, we've been through countless hard drives over the years. That trusty ol' 400-gigabyte drive is going to fail sooner or later, swallowing your precious, carefully crafted music library as it goes -- unless you've prepared yourself. Fortunately, transferring your fully intact iTunes library to a new drive or computer is a cinch. You can, of course, grab the music files themselves and throw them on your new computer, but you'll probably lose all of your metadata like playlists, playcounts and ratings. Instead, the following technique will preserve all of your hard work, and save you the effort of manually rebuilding your library. (Who does anything manually anymore, anyway?)

Continue reading How to Move Your iTunes Library to a New Computer

SwitchedHow to Move Your iTunes Library to a New Computer originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aolappleappsitunesmusictechtiptechtipstipstopWed, 03 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Take Control of iTunes and Mix Things Up With Smart Playlists]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/11/01/use-itunes-smart-playlists-control-library/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/01/use-itunes-smart-playlists-control-library/http://www.switched.com/2010/11/01/use-itunes-smart-playlists-control-library/#comments
As we slowly move away from physical media, our digital music libraries continue to expand with music blog downloads, digital purchases and rips of our increasingly dusty CD collection. Libraries expanding past 10,000 songs are pretty common these days, and, much like e-mail and Web searching, smart filters can help you sort your tunes and manage your library. Arguing with friends over the best opening tracks on rock albums from the '60s? Want a personal list of your top-rated songs from 1974 to 1983 that you haven't heard in the past four months? Curious about your all-time top-played songs, or the tracks you've never given a listen? Smart playlists can build these lists on the fly -- you simply need to provide the constraints.

Fortunately, ID3 tags (the metadata that contains information like artist, bit rate, genre and year) offer a standard list of variables, and most of your purchases, CD rips and downloads should come with this information fleshed out. Your metadata should be well-kept. For editing on the fly, select the songs you want, and hit Apple + i (or CTRL + i for PCs) to fill in the data by hand. Make sure the year, genre and artist name are correct, as iTunes can be tricky, case-sensitive and punctuation-fickle. 'Beyonce,' 'Beyoncé' and 'beyonce' all appear differently.

Continue reading Take Control of iTunes and Mix Things Up With Smart Playlists

SwitchedTake Control of iTunes and Mix Things Up With Smart Playlists originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applefiltersitunesItunesPlaylistsmusicsmartplayliststechtiptechtipstipstopMon, 01 Nov 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[How to Download Full Facebook Photo Albums With FacePAD]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/10/26/how-to-download-facebook-photo-albums-facepad/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/26/how-to-download-facebook-photo-albums-facepad/http://www.switched.com/2010/10/26/how-to-download-facebook-photo-albums-facepad/#commentsfacepad firefox extention For better or sometimes worse, everybody shares their photos on Facebook. But, until now, there hasn't been an easy way to grab entire albums from the social networking site. Every possible method has required tediously clicking away, one photo at a time. According to The New York Times, though, a developer has created a free Firefox extension that allows Facebook users to download entire photo albums with just a couple of clicks.

After downloading the FacePAD add-on, make sure your preferences are set to accept third-party cookies. Next, log into Facebook, view an album, and click on a picture from that album. Scroll down, and right click the album's name, which appears below the picture. Then, choose the "Download album with FacePAD option" from the menu. Use the next menu that appears to select the download folder, and click "open." Within seconds (depending on your connection speed and the album's size), every embarrassing photo from last weekend's frat party will live in perpetuity on your computer's hard drive.

Continue reading How to Download Full Facebook Photo Albums With FacePAD

SwitchedHow to Download Full Facebook Photo Albums With FacePAD originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>addonsappsdownloadDownloadsfacebookfacepadfirefoxfreephotosSocialNetworkingtechtiptechtipstopWebTue, 26 Oct 2010 08:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter's Advanced Operators Let You Make the Most of Your Search]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/09/16/twitters-advanced-operators-let-you-make-the-most-of-your-searc/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/16/twitters-advanced-operators-let-you-make-the-most-of-your-searc/http://www.switched.com/2010/09/16/twitters-advanced-operators-let-you-make-the-most-of-your-searc/#commentsTwitter's Advanced Search Operators While you wait for Twitter to finally let you in on its fancy new design, here's a way to improve your Twitter experience that may be unfamiliar to you: search operators. It turns out that Twitter Search supports a number of advanced search options that let you filter tweets based on location, mood, date and other things. Check out the full list, many of which will be old hat to anyone who has used Google's advanced search feature.

SwitchedTwitter's Advanced Operators Let You Make the Most of Your Search originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>searchtechtipstoptwitterwebThu, 16 Sep 2010 13:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Skip Annoying YouTube Ads by Hitting the Refresh Button]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/08/11/skip-annoying-youtube-ads-by-hitting-the-refresh-button/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/11/skip-annoying-youtube-ads-by-hitting-the-refresh-button/http://www.switched.com/2010/08/11/skip-annoying-youtube-ads-by-hitting-the-refresh-button/#commentsFiled under: ,

Skip YouTube Ads

Honestly, we just don't have the patience to watch those 15- to 30-second ads that play before some YouTube videos. But, as one Lifehacker reader points out, you can skip the ads and get straight to watching the video by simply hitting the refresh button on your browser. After doing so, the video will load minus the ad. It's a simple way to save yourself time and prevent annoyance. Enjoy this neat trick while you can; we're sure YouTube and its legion of advertisers will put the clamps down as soon as they get wise to it. [From: Lifehacker]

Continue reading Skip Annoying YouTube Ads by Hitting the Refresh Button

SwitchedSkip Annoying YouTube Ads by Hitting the Refresh Button originally appeared on Switched on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adsadvertisingonlinevideostreamingvideotechtiptechtipstipstopvideoWebyoutubeyoutube tutorialYoutubeTutorialWed, 11 Aug 2010 08:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Condoms, Plastic Bottles Double as Waterproof Casings for Gadgets]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/06/19/condoms-plastic-bottles-double-as-waterproof-casings-for-gadget/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/19/condoms-plastic-bottles-double-as-waterproof-casings-for-gadget/http://www.switched.com/2010/06/19/condoms-plastic-bottles-double-as-waterproof-casings-for-gadget/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

condom wrapped around a camera
It's summer, which means your gadgets will be spending some time around water. But a trip to the beach or lake doesn't have to spell doom for a camera or cell phone. Lifehacker recently wrote about some cheap and easy ways to waterproof a gadget (and protect against STDs, too!) Believe it or not, you can use a clear, non-lubricated condom as a waterproof bag for cameras and other hydro-sensitive devices. Just "wrap" the gadget, tie the condom shut and coat the knot with wetsuit glue. A more obvious, albeit boring, waterproof housing is a plastic bottle. Lifehacker deftly points out, "If they can keep liquids in, most of the time they can keep liquids out." Just make sure the cap is screwed on tight and there are no cracks. You can protect your batteries, too, by simply covering the top with a urethane waterproof coating.

With a DIY attitude, even gadget hounds can enjoy summer vacation at the beach. Sure, your condom-wrapped camera might draw a few stares, but it's better than "abstaining" from using your gadgets at the beach. [From: Lifehacker]

Continue reading Condoms, Plastic Bottles Double as Waterproof Casings for Gadgets

SwitchedCondoms, Plastic Bottles Double as Waterproof Casings for Gadgets originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 19 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batterycameracellphonecondomsdiyhackhackslifehackersummertechtipstopwaterproofSat, 19 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[How to Restore Scratched CDs With Vaseline]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/04/10/how-to-restore-scratched-cds-with-vaseline/http://www.switched.com/2010/04/10/how-to-restore-scratched-cds-with-vaseline/http://www.switched.com/2010/04/10/how-to-restore-scratched-cds-with-vaseline/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you lived through the MP3 revolution and still managed to hold on to a few of those ancient relics known as CDs, they're probably in pretty bad shape. A few scratches here and there, though, don't necessarily mean that you have to toss your entire Van Halen box set out with the Thursday morning trash. [Ed. note: Although you should've done so with the Sammy Hagar era stuff long ago.] The only thing you need to bring your battered CDs back to life, in fact, is a simple dab of Vaseline, and a piece of soft cloth.

DIY site Instructables has an easy, four-step guide to restoring your CDs, and it doesn't even involve anything as complex as fresh produce or dental hygiene products. Basically, all you have to do is take some petroleum jelly from your nightstand, thoroughly apply it to the CD and then use a rubbing alcohol-soaked cotton ball to wipe away the surplus grease. We have absolutely no idea about the chemistry at work behind the entire process, but it certainly sounds reasonable enough to give it a shot. As for all your worn-out floppy disks, we can't really help you. [From: Instructables, via: LifeHacker]

SwitchedHow to Restore Scratched CDs With Vaseline originally appeared on Switched on Sat, 10 Apr 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cdcdslifehacklifestylemusictechtiptechtipstopvaselineSat, 10 Apr 2010 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Follow 'The Bathroom Rule,' and Perfect Texting Etiquette Will Follow]]>http://www.switched.com/2010/03/21/follow-the-bathroom-rule-and-perfect-texting-etiquette-will-f/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/21/follow-the-bathroom-rule-and-perfect-texting-etiquette-will-f/http://www.switched.com/2010/03/21/follow-the-bathroom-rule-and-perfect-texting-etiquette-will-f/#commentsFiled under:

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Last week, Slate asked its readers to submit their suggestions for a golden rule of texting etiquette -- a simple, easy-to-remember, universal solution for those awkward texting moments when the line between politeness and rudeness begins to blur. After sifting through over 300 responses, the Slate editors finally unearthed the winner: a maxim known as "The Bathroom Rule."

Submitted by a reader named Marie LaFerriere, the rule reads as follows:
If you're in a situation where you'd excuse yourself to go to the bathroom, you should also excuse yourself before reaching for your phone. Otherwise, go ahead without asking. Either way, don't play with your phone longer than you'd stay in the bathroom.

Continue reading Follow 'The Bathroom Rule,' and Perfect Texting Etiquette Will Follow

SwitchedFollow 'The Bathroom Rule,' and Perfect Texting Etiquette Will Follow originally appeared on Switched on Sun, 21 Mar 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellphoneetiquetteTechEtiquettetechtipstextingtopSun, 21 Mar 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Get HD for Free]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/11/23/get-hd-for-free/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/23/get-hd-for-free/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/23/get-hd-for-free/#commentsFiled under:


All of the major TV networks currently broadcast HD video over the air and in better quality than what you likely receive from your cable/satellite company. And despite any techno-babble you may read, you can receive HD television signals over the air using a regular old TV antenna (as long as your HDTV has a built-in tuner, which most do). To figure out what channels are available in your area, and in what direction your antenna should be pointing, consult antennaweb.org. Hit up hdtvantennalabs.com for reviews of antennas, how-to guides, and helpful forums.

SwitchedGet HD for Free originally appeared on Switched on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antennaantennawebhdhdtvtech tipstechtipTechTipstopMon, 23 Nov 2009 06:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Quickly Switch Apps on a Palm Pre]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/11/20/quickly-switch-apps-on-a-palm-pre/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/20/quickly-switch-apps-on-a-palm-pre/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/20/quickly-switch-apps-on-a-palm-pre/#commentsFiled under:


Rather than opening your Palm Pre's Card View function to sort through all of your open apps, you can simply swipe back and forth between running apps. Go to the Launcher and select Screen & Lock. Under the heading 'Advanced Gestures,' slide the Switch Applications option from Off to On. Now, when you have several apps open, you can swipe left across the length of the gesture area to quickly flip to the last app you used, or swipe to the right to view other running apps.

SwitchedQuickly Switch Apps on a Palm Pre originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gesturekeyboard shortcutsKeyboardShortcutspalm prePalmPretech tipstechtipTechTipstopFri, 20 Nov 2009 06:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Keep Two Computers Synced]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/11/19/keep-two-computers-synced/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/19/keep-two-computers-synced/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/19/keep-two-computers-synced/#commentsFiled under:


Keep all of your photo, video, audio, and data files up-to-date between your laptop and desktop by using syncing software. If you have a Windows PC, SyncBack is a freeware backup utility that lets you merge or overwrite data between two sources. Mac users who are comfortable using the Terminal may enjoy the free rsync utility, but the rest of us will prefer ChronoSync, a $40 app that lets you easily and seamlessly backup, or sync between two computers. (It even allows you to sync between a Mac and a PC.)

SwitchedKeep Two Computers Synced originally appeared on Switched on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applecomputermacsynchronized swimmingSynchronizedSwimmingtech tipstechtipTechTipstopwindowsThu, 19 Nov 2009 06:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Turn Pesky PDFs Into Word Docs]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/11/17/turn-pesky-pdfs-into-word-docs/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/17/turn-pesky-pdfs-into-word-docs/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/17/turn-pesky-pdfs-into-word-docs/#commentsFiled under:


Believe it or not, you can take the pain-in-the-ass out of PDFs. Though most PDFs can't be edited, there is one freebie workaround if you're in a pinch. Go to pdftoword.com, upload your PDF, and enter the format to which you'd like it converted. Within an hour or two, you'll get an e-mail containing a regular old Word or RTF file that you can fully edit. If you're in a hurry, the site offers a pro software version that lets you do PDF conversion on your own computer.

SwitchedTurn Pesky PDFs Into Word Docs originally appeared on Switched on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>convertconverterpdfpdf filePdfFiletech tipstechtipTechTipstopwordTue, 17 Nov 2009 06:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Swap Dead-Tree Catalogs for iCatalogs]]>http://www.switched.com/2009/11/13/swap-dead-tree-catalogs-for-icatalogs/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/13/swap-dead-tree-catalogs-for-icatalogs/http://www.switched.com/2009/11/13/swap-dead-tree-catalogs-for-icatalogs/#commentsFiled under:


Earn the gratitude of pine forests and beleaguered postal carriers the world over by signing up to receive electronic catalogs instead of paper ones. CatalogChoice.org is a godsend in that you can quickly and easily sign up. When you enter the customer data from the address labels of catalogs you receive, you'll get the option of either signing up for an iCatalog or just canceling delivery altogether. Granted, it takes several weeks to kick in, and some jerky retailers simply won't budge. But if you're the type who gets deluged with catalogs every season, you'll quickly notice a difference.

SwitchedSwap Dead-Tree Catalogs for iCatalogs originally appeared on Switched on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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