Scanning QR codes can reduce customer frustration when typing in long URL’s.  QR Codes – abbreviated from “Quick Response Code” – is a trademark for a type of matrix barcode (or two dimensional codes) which allow people to connect people with each other and to multimedia digital content via a mobile application loaded on their smartphone.  QR codes allow the digital world to come into the real world. Once scanned, QR codes take you from the real world back into the digital world. There are a lot of different free QR code generators out on the Internet; here is a link to a blog post about “10 Free Online QR Code Generators”: http://freenuts.com/top-10-free-online-qr-code-generators/

Microsoft QR Code Cookies? Really?

QR codes work like this:       

1. Place the QR Code at eye-level when scanning.     
2. When designing: QR Codes should not be smaller than 5/8 inches by 5/8 inches when they are printed.
3. Besides text, you can turn phone numbers, maps, business cards and other information into QR codes.

The QR Code generator that I use is QR Stuff  -   www.qrstuff.com – an easy to use website where I can select my data type, my URL content, pick a color and preview my QR Code before I download the image (pretty simple huh?). 

Things you should consider with QR codes:

1. Place the QR code at eyelevel when scanning.
2. When designing; QR codes should not be any smaller than 5/8-inches-by-5/8 inches when they are printed. 
3.  Besides text, you can turn phone numbers, maps, business cards and other information into QR codes. 
4.  Use a URL shortener for faster loading:   https://bitly.como   or  https://tinyurl.com

Check out this video on Advertising with QR codes:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYDbFTai0iE

Are QR codes the way of our future? Be on the look-out for QR codes in your magazines, on products in the grocery store, on video games, on marketing literature, or on your local TV station – I am positive you will see them. Stop back and post or tell us where you are seeing QR codes appear in your life? How many QR codes do you think were scanned across the world, during the time you read this blog post – kind of a fun way to market isn’t it?

Check it out, I even found a QR code attached to a recipe.

Who does't like General Tsao's Chicken?

Happy Scanning!
Holly Berlin, General Manager

Google is in the process of working on a password generator for its  Chrome browser, to create strong passwords for its users to safeguard against hackers. When a user visits a page that Chrome thinks is going to set up an account, it will place a key icon in the password field. If the key icon is pressed, and confirmed, Chrome will generate a password that include letters, numbers, and characters to make it difficult for hackers to crack, and impossible for the user to remember.

photo credit: PC Magazine

Once the password is accepted, Chrome will sync it with the user’s other devices running the browser. Why does Google thinks it’s a good idea? They speculate that if a person doesn’t remember his or her password, then it can’t be given away to phishers.

Google’s goal is to have the browser authenticate the user’s login and identity. Currently you can achieve this through password managers, but users still know their passwords. By having Chrome generate passwords for users, this can remove the problem of phishing.

So what if the user would like to see their password from time to time? Google stated that they will create a secure website where users will be able to see and possibly print the passwords. Another problem would be, if someone cracks into the user’s Chrome account, they would have access to that person’s passwords.

We just can’t win can we? My solution would be to have a password that you will always remember, but spelled backwards, with the first letter in capital case, and the last as a digit and a symbol. Either that or we can just tattoo the password onto ourselves, and when we want to forget it, just add a flower tattoo over it. It works for the celebrities…

Will you be using this service once it’s available? Tell us what you think, all comments are welcome!

Chrissy Le, Technology Marketing Specialist

Can’t type? Talk to your computer. Voice control has been included in every version of Windows® since XP. The updated version included with Windows®7 is so slick, I’ve started using it. There are also several very good third party voice control software companies around the globe.

There are left-handed and right-handed half keyboards with keys arranged for people with the use of one arm or hand. There are keyboards with one inch keys for people who have difficulty seeing clearly or for small children.

There are on-screen keyboards that you use with a mouse or touch screen. When activated, the one incorporated into Windows® 7 becomes available during system startup so a user can put in a username and password.

Need help using the mouse? There are mice that can be controlled by a thumb, a head movement, a toe or a knee press, moving your eyes, breathing into a straw or worn on a finger. My favorite is an oversized trackball mouse that uses different colors to identify the buttons. It dissolves the barrier for people with arthritis, or other arm/hand motion issues. It’s terrific for small children and seniors.

Remember, you can always slow down or speed up how your mouse reacts to both movement and button clicks.

Eyesight an issue? There are screen magnifiers for people whose eyesight is impaired. There are screen readers for people who are blind. Website programming includes descriptions of their pictures and graphics so screen readers can tell the user what the graphic is.

Fingers too big to comfortably use the miniature keyboards on smartphones? Bring some bling to your smartphone use with a jeweled-tone capacitive stylus. Even people who hinder themselves with inch to four-inch long fingernails can use touch screens with these clever little items. The best part: no more fingerprints on the screen!!

No electricity? Computers have been designed to work off hand or pedal powered generators.

I’m eagerly waiting for one that will clean my house, cook my dinner and run my errands.

As always, Your comments and ongoing discussions are always welcome.

Carol Smith,
Training Manager

Traditional alarm systems had utilized a landline phone connection to send signals to a central station.  This signal was sent over a slow POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) line.  An incorporated digital modem in the control panel allowed communication in the event of an alarm. 

With the success of the Internet and cellular technologies, new possibilities have arrived for the alarm industry.  Now, a cellular or IP device could be utilized alone, or in conjunction with a landline for redundancy, to send digital signals to a central station.  With digital high speed connections, not only can we send alarm signals, but we now have two-way high speed communications with our equipment, giving us full management and control of our security system over the Cloud.

Do you own a Smartphone, iPad or similar hand-held device?  When it comes to security systems, yes, there is an app for that too!  With the tap of a finger, the remote services apps let you control your security system, receive text messages and e-mail alerts.  You can even view live video, event-driven video clips and pictures on your iPhone®, iPad®, iPod touch®, BlackBerry® or Android™ devices.  

Enable the virtual keypad and you can arm or disarm the system remotely. And with integration of Home Automation, you can control your lighting, HVAC, door locks, garage door openers and most anything electronic from any place in the world!

As Smartphones and other hand-held devices evolve, the security system manufacturers will race to stay integrated and quickly bring complete home automation into our lives.

For more information, call.

-Jim Welch

Technology Specialist

Today, my interest in CES remains strong. But, while I once had to wait for the monthly magazine to arrive, I now have instant connection to the event through the convenience of our beloved Internet. I still read about CES in the magazines, but I now have the added resources of tech news apps, podcasts, and websites to assuage my thirst for information. This fascination that was birthed within me because of the home audio segment of electronic technology has evolved to an appreciation of all things tech. More recently this has included the latest computer and cellular communication devices; which again, we see melting together before our very eyes.

While it would seem appropriate to focus this week’s article on tablet computers; that is not the case. Tablets are so 2011! I always have my sights set on what’s ahead in anticipation of the next wave of technology. This year’s CES has garnered much excitement for a new category of computing technology called the Ultrabook. Falling somewhere between laptops, netbooks and tablets; the Ultrabook is a very thin notebook – think MacBook Air – that runs Windows, or perhaps a hybrid version of the Android operating system. Most of the major players (Lenovo, Acer, Asus, etc.) are, as we speak, rolling out their version of this new platform. Some have the one-piece aluminum framework that Apple brought to the game while others incorporate a lot of plastic in their construction. The choice of construction materials is reflected in the price that we consumers will see.

Some of the new Ultrabooks will be released with a traditional hard disk drive, while most will include the faster, more expensive solid state drive (SSD) – a storage drive with no moving parts (data is stored in flash memory, like it is on a flash drive).

Some Ultrabooks are geared toward keeping the costs low (around $600) while others, like Lenovo, are aiming their offering toward the high-end business user (at $1,500 plus). Keep in mind that prices are always higher for new technology and that these may come down in six months or so.

While some pride themselves on being early adopters of new technology, there is often wisdom in waiting for the next generation. In this case, a wait for the second half of 2012 may reward the consumer with a touch-screen system running the new Windows 8 operating system.

Is an Ultrabook right for you? Only you can answer that. The question would be, what are your computing needs? If you are looking for a full-featured laptop with a lot of storage space, the traditional laptop may be for you. But, if you are a very mobile person with a need for a thin, light-weight computer with a physical keyboard (as opposed to the on-screen virtual keyboard of the tablet computer), and have most of your data stored elsewhere; then an Ultrabook may be for you. When looking at your technology needs, it is always a good idea to start with what type of computing device best suits your working style.

2012 is stacking up to be a very exciting year for those of us with interest in technology. There are some really great things coming into view and you can be assured that we at CS Technologies Plus are standing ready to welcome them with open arms. Let us know if we can be of assistance to you in this new year.

Now, please excuse me while I go find out what’s next after the Ultrabook!

Randy Kightlinger

Computer Service Technician

I don’t have a smartphone (yet), but I do have an iTouch, which is  capable of downloading a majority of the apps. My daughter is constantly downloading free apps to play with. My husband recently received a smartphone for work, and he’s scouring the Android marketplace for apps. I think it’s our favorite pastime in the Simmers household. Visiting the Apple App Store really passes the time while you are waiting in line at the grocery store.

There are paid apps, and free apps. Now the free apps aren’t really free. Many of them will start out free, then lure you in at the right moment, then they tell you to open up your pocket book (in this case, credit card), if you want to continue with the app. The free apps are a great way to try out the program for a few days, and see if you want to invest in having the full version.

At the 2012 Consumer Electronic Show in California, many apps were featured as the latest and greatest products in the industry. One notable is BlueStacks, which allows you to run Android apps in Windows 8, amazing! For a list of the new apps featured at the CES, click here .

I am always looking for the “coolest” new app out there, so I thought this would be a good way to ask my co-workers and family what their favorite apps are. So here they are, enjoy!

Linda Linneman: Keychain, Around Me
Melissa McTiernan: WeightWatcher Barcode Scanner
Holly Berlin: Facebook, Key Ring, Geoaching, QR Reader
Carol Smith: From the Couch to 5K, Geoaching, Map My Run, Pedometer, Emoji Icons
Sean Woodard: JL Audio’s SPL meter, Mocha Remote Desktop lite
Dave Warner: Time Clock
Randy Kightlinger: Evernote, Kindle Reader
Chrissy Le (me): YouTube, Kindle Reader, PDF Reader , Smurfs’ Village
Ruth Simmers (my 5 year old daughter): PBS Kids
Todd Simmers (my husband): My 3D

What’s your favorite App? We’d love to know. All comments are welcome!

Chrissy Le, Technology Marketing Specialist

“Twitterers” or “Tweeters” send and receive short messages, called “tweets” on Twitters website, with instant messaging software, or with mobile phones. Unlike most text messages, tweets are routed among networks of friends.  Strangers, called followers, can also choose to receive the tweets of people they find interesting.

Twitter has become an important marketing tool for celebrities, politicians and businesses promoting a level of intimacy never before approached online. Is that really your favorite celebrity, politician or business owner tweeting? Well, it just could be, but in many cases there are lots of ghost writers, those who are the voices relaying the message of celebrities, politicians or a business. 

I am the twitter ghost writer for CS Technologies Plus @cstechplus. I try to tweet several times a week on behalf of my company, posting about specials/promotions, our employees accomplishments, blog announcements, customer appreciation notes, news related to technology, tidbits of information that might be helpful to our readers along with promoting local community events.

CS Technologies Plus Twitter Page

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most technology savvy people can relate to Twitter, but to an average computer user (outside of the IT industry), understanding @symbols,# hashtags (#Friday13th), and other strange intricacies of Twitter can be a little overwhelming at times, even though the concept of 140 characters with the question “what are you doing?” seems so simple.  

 

I am a huge promoter of marketing your business (promoting your brand) via social marketing for a variety of reasons but my #1 reason is because it is “FREE” – #2 it helps you gain credibility in your field and #3 it helps you promote your products and services.  CS Technologies Plus has been on the forefront of the social marketing craze in our geographic area and it has paid off, we have gained business because of our social marketing efforts, which is another reason why I promote social networking, “I know it works”. 

What are your thoughts about tweeting? We would love to hear from you, if you are on twitter, be sure to follow us @cstechplus – here are some quotes from some of our twitter friends:

 @laurakellypifer I enjoy meeting and talking to others. I’ve meet some pretty AWESOME folks just from Twitter.

 @randykite I really like the versality of advanced Tweeting with #hashtags and connecting live with fans of reality TV.

 @cinnamonsueholt I tweet because I like people to know about CASA and coffee. Plus it keeps me in touch with the world.

 @jeanne16254 I tweet for lots of reasons,  work, friends, volunteer stuff, entertainment, school and others!

 Happy Tweeting!

 Holly Berlin, General Manager

Follow us on twitter at @cstechplus

And if I don’t like the answer I can search again. Or switch search engines. Much easier than switching parents.

Usually, though, I get distracted by the options search engines give me. Pretty soon, an hour (or two) disappears into the ether of the Internet. The other day, I was looking for a tag line to add to my email signature. Sounded simple enough.

Except I wanted it in Latin. And I wanted something along the lines of “don’t worry, be happy.” I don’t speak Latin, I don’t have any idea of the sentence structure or what verbs are the same as ours, so….off to Search Engine Land.

Since I know search engines come and go (very much like one-song-wonder singers), I thought I’d be efficient and look at the current state of search tools available. Search engines also specialize in the information they compile;: very much like a cookbook contains recipes while car repair manuals will have instructions on how to take your car to the garage for repair.

So, I typed ‘search engines’ into my preferred search provider. I was rewarded with 65,300,000 results (yes, that’s 65.3 MILLION). However, being the geek wannabe that I am, I quickly scanned the first three and discovered: Comprehensive list of Search Engines – The Search Engine List. http://www.thesearchenginelist.com.

So, I clicked on the link. There are something like 245 various search engines listed on this site. Fortunately, they are grouped by TYPE of search engine, i.e. all purpose, business, accounting, medical, blog…I didn’t know there were search engines that only look for blogs,

did you?

Naturally, I started reading some of the focus-of-search descriptions.  Grokker and Kart00 both look through the results from multiple search engines and then, using an algorithm (see definition on right),  present the results determined to be  most appropriate to your  query.

THIS I had to try.

Grokker didn’t load in the 15 nano-seconds I gave it so I moved on. Kart00 did load and I saw this:

Being intrigued with the possibility of a search engine that organized search engines, I clicked on Computers, High-tech and got this:

A Search Engine that philosophies about the areas it’s chosen to organize? This required more research. This required that I click on each item available to me on the home screen and see what philosophy and options I got. That was two days ago. I think the site was created by a French company.

Because I like seeing how thoroughly search engine developers program their engines, I typed in ‘meaning of life’.

Fortunately, the Internet Never Says You’re Wasting Your Time.

Ummm. Does anyone remember what I originally wanted to find?

As always, Your comments and ongoing discussions are always welcome.

Carol Smith,
Training Manager

As I look back, my thoughts go to the tech news-makers of the year. This is, after all, a tech blog. So, who made news in 2011? Well, once again, there was much attention focused on Apple at the release of the iPad 2 in March. Throughout the summer, rumors and imaginations grew at the anticipated fall release of the iPhone 5. Instead, we were introduced to the 4S. Initial disappointment turned once again to excitement as the world had its first conversation with Siri; the voice recognition app that came standard with the iPhone 4S. I say “conversation” because Siri is much more than the voice recognition of the past. “She” is intelligent. So much so that MacLife magazine featured an interview with Siri in their latest issue (http://www.maclife.com/article/features/chat_siri). Siri is quite amazing.

In the midst of all of the Apple excitement, the world lost one of its truly innovative minds when Steve Jobs passed away on October 5, 2011. We will never forget Jobs’ keynotes, wearing his signature jeans and black turtleneck as he casually walked the stage, revealing to the world the next big thing.

While there were many innovations in 2011, we saw one thing remain a constant; Facebook users continued to be moved to uproar over the occasional random changes that are forced upon them. Many of our “friends” threaten to kiss Facebook goodbye every time the change comes, but yet they remain. Why? Well, although there have been competitors rise up, none can compare to the connectivity of the giant. It seems that everyone is on Facebook!

As we consider the pivotal time of year at which we now stand, I have two questions for your comment. Here’s question number one: What was your favorite tech news of 2011?

Now, let us turn our attention toward 2012. Put on your special future-seeing glasses and let’s gaze into the months to come. What do you see? One of my Twitter followers, Cinnamon, says, “I think the iPad 3 is going to take the world by storm… I know I am waiting for its launch in spring 2012.” I’m with her on that one! While the iPad 2 was thinner and lighter than the first generation, I believe that the third offering of this tablet will be another forward leap. Some of the buzz is in anticipation for a smaller, perhaps 7” model. Fellow-blog-writer Chrissy is hoping that the next generation iPad will finally get the Retina display that iPhone and iPod Touch users enjoy. One thing is for sure; we techies will be on the edge of our seats the day of the spring Apple event.

I am feeling that 2012 will also be the year of Microsoft as the much-scrutinized Windows 8 is released. Some are excited to get their hands on this new tiled version of Windows and others are dreading its release. As I mentioned in a previous article, I also think we will see a major wave in the tablet market as the mobile version of Windows 8 leads the way for greater convergence between desktop and mobile computing.

This all leads me to my second question for your consideration: What tech advances do you see coming in 2012? What’s the next big gadget that we won’t be able to live without? Let’s dream a little.

It will be interesting to look back on this article at the end of 2012 to see if our predictions came true and perhaps laugh about those big things that we never saw coming. Just remember to take off those funny-looking future-seeing glasses after you finish dreaming. You really shouldn’t wear them out in public.

Randy Kightlinger

Computer Service Technician

Below are two simple tips for using common technology (that we may already have) at our fingertips. Some newer cell phones now have “In Case of Emergency” at the top of the contact list.  This is your ICE person.  Be sure you have at least one ICE contact listed.  If it isn’t designated on your phone, simply add a contact “ICE – Dad”.  If you lose your cell phone, the finder could call your ICE contact who hopefully, can quickly identify you as the owner of that phone.

There are also “In Case of Emergency” applications that you can download to your  phone and some of those applications will permit you to add more than one ICE contact. You can also add family members along with their allergy, medication list with basic information about each family member such as blood type etc (information that emergency personnel need during a crises). The application I downloaded on my iPhone allows me to add wallpaper to set my lock screen and/or my home screen or both that identifies my emergency contact name along with my allergies.

An important benefit of ICE is that emergency responders may be able to quickly contact your emergency contact if something happens to you and you cannot make a call.

Here is another precaution you can take to be safe:  Most of us carry a security alarm with us and we don’t even realize it.  Our car remote has a “panic” button.  As you are out shopping, walking across large parking lots, have your keys in your hand.  A honking horn gets attention if you need it. Test your car remote to see if it works from your bedroom.  If so, carry that remote to bed with you.  Make a  safe neighbor pact to call police for each other if your horn starts blowing in the middle of the night. 

As we enter into a new year we will blog about tips on keeping you and your family safe. Your comments and ongoing discussions are always welcome. If you have any safety tips that you would like to share with us, don’t be shy, we would love to hear from you.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Holly Lynn Berlin, General Manager