Data Doctors Tech Tips

Access to the Internet is available while flying on most routes these days and it can be a life saver when you're on longer legs in the air. While the connection is about as rudimentary as it gets, if you're working on responding to a pile of email messages, it's well worth paying for. If you're like me and have several devices that you'd like to connect, you have to decide if it's worth the extra for each device or use today's tip to avoid it. That laptop computer you rely on every day can also become a private wi-fi hotspot, so you can connect all your devices with only one connection. The Internet sharing option is available in both Mac and Windows so it's really easy to save the extra money when connecting all your devices. It's not just for airplanes as other limited or pay-only connections such as at a hotel can be shared as well. For those that find the built-in option offered by Microsoft to be too complicated, checkout an easier to use option fromand#160;http://www.connectify.me Here are the instructions: Windows -and#160;http://howtogeek.com/112050/how-to-turn-your-windows-8-laptop-into-a-wireless-access-pointand#160; Mac -and#160;http://imore.com/how-turn-your-macs-internet-connection-wifi-hotspot-internet-sharingand#160;

We're all creating videos these days, most often with our phones, which can be great or horrible, depending on how still you can be while doing it. Far too often, nearly unwatchable, nausea inducing movies are what we end up with. The pros use very sophisticated equipment to place cameras into which stabilize the video, with various attempts to create the same results available for your smartphone if you're ok with extra expense and size. Thanks to the video nerds at Instagram, you don't have to buy expensive cameras or stabilization equipment; in fact you don't have to buy anything at all. The created an app they call 'HyperLapse' which can be used whether you're an Instagram user or not. Your iPhone has a gyro inside of it, which is what the app uses to create smooth video from what would normally be very shaky and jarring. The best part is that you don't have to do any 'post production' after you shoot the video...it's just ready to go. If you're more interested in shooting a time lapse video that's also more stable, the Hyperlapse app does that too! There's really nothing to learn with the only option being your playback speed when you're done. Download it for your iPhone at: https://hyperlapse.instagram.com

We all remember how popular the now infamous "Ice Bucket Challenge" became as it focused our attention on those suffering from; it's now actually a historic moment for the Web. A lesser known online phenomenon is the https://patientslikeme.com website which was also inspired by those suffering from ALS The creators of the site had a brother that discovered that he had ALS, which prompted their desire to create an online community connecting other with the same disease. Anyone suffering from a serious illness can find themselves feeling very alone, but this resource makes it clear that they're not. There can be tremendous value by connecting with people that are going through the same issues that include treatment comparisons and similar symptoms. Patients Like Me can be both a way to provide or receive support from people that truly understand everything that a specific patient is going through. Those that want to contribute their own experiences can use online tools to track their ongoing health provide the data for research purposes to help build the database on their particular ailment. With over 600K members of the online community that cover more than 2800 conditions, it's pretty likely that anyone seeking another person in the same situation to connect with will find their own community.

Today's tip is actually a non-technical safety tip when it comes to opening those hard plastic packages commonly known as clamshells. It used to be especially common with small expensive technology items. This all-to-common packaging that seems to be almost unopenable, is now spreading to just about everything we buy. These retail friendly packages are easy to hang and help to prevent shop lifting, so they're going to be with us for a long time. If you usually reach for a knife or scissors to crack the clamshell, you're risking your fingers as you attempt to pry open the hard plastic. Using those options means you'll end up with lots of sharp edges that are great way to create small cuts in your hands. So here's what we recommend you use from now on...your can opener from the kitchen! Not only is it a lot easier to get through that thick plastic, it's much less likely you'll end up with temporary scars on your fingers when you're done.

This suggestion is for anyone that's been trying to create interesting videos but lacked the tools or confidence could be looking for, especially if they have a lot of old videos just sitting on their devices. Creating even a simple video can become overwhelming, especially when your goal is to look like a pro. That's why today's tip is so perfect for so many wanna be movie makers. A series of tools called 'Magisto' is a little bit of magic that can make anyone look like they know what they are doing. It's a simple 3 step process: 1st, pick out the images and videos for your movie. 2nd, choose a style for your move and 3rd, select your music and then let the magic begin. The platform's AI will evaluate your images and videos and then create a fantastic movie all by itself. When it's finished, it'll be posted to the Magisto website so you can easily share it, embed it in a web page or even download a copy to your computer with a premium account. If this sounds like just the thing you've been looking for, check it out at: https://magisto.com

If you love to discover the inner workings of your technology and love to tweak and tinker under the hood, you're more likely to be attracted to the Android platform. Those that have been using the Windows File Manager on their computers will like today's Android app tip. The 'ES File Explorer' is an extremely popular app for tech savvy users with hundreds of million so people that have it installed on their smartphones. It will be very familiar to avid Windows users because of the way it lays out all your files and folders and allows you to manage them just like on your computer.and#8232; But a word of caution when it comes to getting rid of thing to clear up space; if you don't recognize it, don't remove it! The app also makes it easy to transfer important files to the Internet by syncing with lots of popular online storage platforms. The app isn't limited to just your internal memory as it can manage the files on any extra SD cards and even kill background apps while you're using the phone.and#160; Start managing your Android phone more deeply with:and#160;https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.estrongs.android.pop

As awesome as technology is, there's still no substitute for reading a book in your favorite spot to relax.and#160; Discovering new books to read is possible using algorithms, but I'd rather engage with other readers to find new topics and titles to dive into. If electronic guides and suggestions for your next book aren't quite cutting it, checkout 'GoodReads.com' for an alternative to algorithms. They certainly can provide suggestions based on what you've previously read, but the site will also get you in touch with friends that also love to read to gather ideas on what you'd like to read next. Think of it as an online book club that's much more efficient than wandering around your favorite book store looking for that next gem. Your community can see the books you've read, the ones you're in the middle of reading along with the books that are queued up for future reading. It's really a great way to connect with your bookworm buddies in a private book club or engage with others that aren't your friends in discussion group for everyone. Learn more at:and#160;https://GoodReads.com

If you're not the creative type, but have to come up with a name that can also be registered as a new website, today's tip is for you. https://PickyDomains.com was created to act as a naming service leveraging the 'wisdom of the crowds' to help you name a product, service or an available domain for whatever you're working on. By posting the details around what you are attempting to create along with an associated website address is needed, the creative community around the world can go to work. If you want a specific number of characters or names that don't include specific words or themes, you can post those instructions as well. The great part of this crowdsourcing website is that it's a very affordable way to get creative work done for as little as fifty dollars. As people submit ideas, you can interact and guide them until you get the name you're happy with for your project's parameters. Need to come up with a name for something quickly? Giveand#160;https://www.pickydomains.comand#160;a spin.

Anyone that loves to collect things like stamps, baseball cards or coins knows the importance of cataloging that collection.and#160; If you're old-school, you use a spreadsheet or notebook to reference your current and future items that you'd like to add to your collection. Connecting with other collectors that have your same interests that might want to buy, sell to trade items has become much easier with the community gathered at https://Colnect.com It's a vibrant collection of collectors that can make it a lot easier to manage your collection and trade with like-minded people.and#160; The site allows you to let others know about things from your collection that you're willing to sell or trade along with your desired collectables. They act as a sort of match maker for collectors by matching those with items available with collectors seeking those specific items. The community is nearly world-wide and growing every day, so it's about as good as it gets for collectors online.

Mobile apps and smartphones have dramatically shifted how we do virtually everything in the digital age. Well, now you can use your smartphone to find someone to do odd jobs using a platform known as TaskRabbit.and#160; TaskRabbit was designed to connect people that are willing to perform tasks with those that have things that they need to have done. Simply define what task you need to have done as well as the timing and location of the work to get started. If what you need to have done isn't location specific, your pool of available helpers is much larger. Another great feature of the service is that you don't pay until the work has been performed and you are satisfied with the work. Anyone that's available on TaskRabbit must be thoroughly vetted including a background check. Another helpful feature are the reviews that each person will have posted on their profiles. TaskRabbit could be a perfect fit for businesses that can use a temp staff person for short term projects. Download the app and check out all of the available talent for just about any task you may have!