2011 March

Update on my Droid-X favorite apps

March 31, 2011 by Diane and Steve Brogan Leave a Comment

Image by _rockinfree via FlickrBack on February 14th, Diane introduced me talking on the topic of my favorite Droid-X apps.

Back on February 14th, Diane introduced me talking on the topic of my favorite Droid-X apps.

This post is an update of the apps that I use most and why.

1. Text Messaging – this is a pre-installed app that I use to send and receive text messages. I also receive Tweets from Twitter via text messaging. I am able to choose what people I want to receive text messages from. I also can configure Twitter “Direct Messages” to be sent my phone. I subcribe via Verizonwireless.com to stock market end of day updates, baseball, football, basketball and hockey scores, just to mention a few type of messages that are offered. I even get messages from our local public broadcasting radio stations in New Hampshire and Massachusettes.

2. eMail message – this is a standard pre-installed app that I use to send and receive eMail from my Gmail accounts.

3. TweetCaster – this is a Twitter compliant app that I use to stay updated with the latest Tweets from my followers and those whom I follow. This app comes as both a free app and a paid for app without commercial banners. I am currently using the free version and I find that it does everything I could possibly want, including maintaining more than one Twitter account. I can even manage my various lists with TweetCaster, which is not true of some of the other Twitter apps that are available.

4. Advanced Task Killer app – this is an optional downloaded app that allows me to selectively stop apps that are running in the background, using up battery power. As my Driod’s battery does not seem to last as long as it used to when brand new, this app helps. Again, I chose the free app as it seems to do the job. It is surprising what apps start themselves up without you knowing it.

5. FaceBook app – this app was pre-installed and I use it connect to my FaceBook account. While this app is not as good as the FaceBook.com interface, it does keep me updated with messages and updates using my Smart-Phone.

6. News widget – this preloaded widget gives me the latest news from Access HollyWood, US News Today, Gizmodo Technology News. CNN News as well as MSNBC News. I can selectively choose what News Feeds that I want to see.

7. Driod default browser – this preloaded app lets me surf the Internet to check out links contained in Tweets or FaceBook messages. I also use the browser to “Google” for more information as needed.

8. WordPress app – this free down loadable app allows me to work on either MomPopPow.com or DadsPokerBlog.com from my phone.

9. Dish Network app – this free down loadable app allows me to program my Dish DVR remotely or in the event I misplace my Remote, I can use my phone as a remote.

10. Science Friday app – this free down loadable app allows me to listen to my favorite Science Friday podcasts whenever I am out and about and away from my FM radio.

I could list more but these are my top ten most used apps. I should mention the Droid pre-installed maketing app that I use to find most of the apps that I need and/or want to try.

Do apps make a difference to you?

Do they tip the difference from having a plain vanilla cell phone to having a SmartPhone that is really “smart”.

What are some of your favorite apps and reasons they are a must have?

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Filed Under: APPS Review

Twitter #hashtag events

March 30, 2011 by Diane and Steve Brogan Leave a Comment

Image by Meg Pickard via Flickr

Yesterday, Steve talked about Twitter and various aspects of how he and I use Twitter.

Another interesting Twitter application is TweetDeck. I use TweetDeck on the Mac and the PC.

I use the first column to display Mentions – those people who put @dianebrogan in their tweet. My second column is for Direct Messages that are written directly to me. I have a column for the tweets of all the people I follow. I can add more columns, such as one to search for tweets that have a unique hashtag.

Steve and I both participated in the #NUTS get together hosted by the folks at Mid Life Road Trip Show at http://www.midliferoadtripshow.com/. They have special guests each weeks known as “therapists.” It is a fun time. NUTS = Not-so Usual Therapy Session.

Today’s subject was “funny.” The host puts out a question with the hashag #NUTS such as:

Q1. What’s the best prank you ever pulled on someone or had pulled on you? #NUTS

Anyone on Twitter can answer the question. Participants do that by starting their tweet with an A for answer.

A1. @gmfriedrich My dad put a tree frog in my bed once. #NUTS

Kitchen Table Companies (http://kitchentablecompanies.com) had a hashtag question on their TV show on the Pulse Network.

“What is holding you back from from starting your own company? #KTT”

People answered and added the #KTT hashtag.

The hashtag makes it easier for everyone to follow the subject.

Using TweetDeck and having a special column that tracks just the hashtag, allows the user to slow down the twitter stream. The stream moves by rapidly. When I did my search to establish the column, I used #NUTS -RT so that I eliminate the re-tweets. With the separate column and no RTs, I can almost keep up with the flow.

There is so much more to groups getting together to participate in a hashtag chat, but I don’t know everything about the topic of hashtags.

If you have some pointers or advice, please let us know in the comments section?

Mom Pop Pow – Where you can do it if you try!

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Filed Under: Learning

Maintaining Twitter streams

March 29, 2011 by Diane and Steve Brogan Leave a Comment

Image representing Twitter as depicted in Crun...

Image via CrunchBase

Both Diane and I are on Twitter, @DianeBrogan, @SteveBrogan. Currently we each have over 700 plus people that are following us and we follow over 300 or more people as well.

We both check our direct messages and our mentions daily. Each of us read our Tweets in a particular manner.

While Diane uses her iPad to browse through most of her Tweets, she also uses her Mac Pro and iPhone as well. She goes through them looking for items of interest and will share those gems with the rest of us.

I use my Droid phone to read Tweets using TweetCaster. I use both Twitterrific and FlipBoard on the iPad

I tend to use the “List” function of Twitter to go through my Tweets.

Twitter gives you the ability to create lists and to assign people you follow and people that follow you to those lists. You can keep the list private or you can make it public. You can even use someone else’s public list as well. So if your list is public, you might have to defend your choice of list assignments.

I am not usually current in reading my Tweets, meaning I might go a day or two before getting to them. (Don’t worry- direct messages go to my phone as well).

I am apt to go back to the last 24 hours and scan what has been said and what is perhaps trending in each of my lists.

For lack of anything better, I have a list for people that I find funny (yes, @Grundy, you are there!).
I have a list for politics and news, a list for Social Media folks. a list for family and friends.
I have a special poker friends list as well as a poker pro list.
For those that defy categorization, I even have a “rest of” list.

How do you manage your Twitter account? Do you try to read everything? How do you filter out what is meaningful for you?

Mom Pop Pow – where you can do it if you try!

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Filed Under: About Mom, About Pop, Learning

Unthinking: – A non-fiction book review

March 28, 2011 by Diane and Steve Brogan 2 Comments

Diane and I review “Unthinking: The Surprising Forces Behind What We Buy” by Harry Beckwith (Author), L. J. Ganser (Narrator).

We listened to the Hachette Audio version of the book. We were surprised how well Beckwith explained why we make the purchasing decisions that we make. This well written and well narrated book was a treat. We hope you enjoy.

Click here if you are unable to see the video?

Mom Pop Pow – Where You Can Do It If You Try

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Filed Under: Book Reviews

Cat on the Fridge

March 25, 2011 by Diane and Steve Brogan Leave a Comment

Our two cats are a constant source of amusement and consternation as well. We just never know that they are going to do.

How do cat minds work? We have had these two fur balls for less than two years but thought that they had calmed down and would leave the highest places alone. They will be two years old in April.

And then Diamond starts thinking his cat thoughts and the next thing you know, he has decided that he would like to be on top of the refrigerator.

This used to be Spade’s thing to do but we were able to bar his access using a combination of industrial size scotch tape and some well placed empty storage bowls.

These barriers proved to be no challenge to Diamond as he just leaped directly to the middle of the fridge from either the counter or the kitchen table. What follows is a photographic account of his adventures.

Click here if you cannot see the video.

Now, we are trying an addition to the barrier of bowls. We have added cereal boxes!

How do you manage your cat’s inclinations.

Mom Pop Pow – where you can do it if you try

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Filed Under: Feline Friday

A healthy gluten free breakfast with Mom Pop Pow

March 24, 2011 by Diane and Steve Brogan 1 Comment

Growing older is something that happens to practically everyone at one time or another and is somewhat unavoidable.

Sometimes you get challenged by unexpected life changes.

Just two years ago, Diane was diagnosed with having food allergies, including those foods containing gluten. It turns out that almost all grains have gluten but it is the gluten in wheat, barley and rye that affect her the most.

We were able to find some gluten free rice flour, which has helped us to convert our recipes to something that both Diane and I could eat and enjoy.

What follows is a gluten free recipe for Crepes, a thinly made pancake usually made from wheat flour.

Click here if you cannot see the video.

Here is the recipe we used:
Baked Crepe

Preheat oven to 350

1 cup of eggs or egg substitute
1/3 cup rice flour
1 tsp. baking powder – aluminum free
1/3 cup half & half cream – fat free
2 tbls. canola oil

Combine liquid mixture in bowl or measuring cup
Combine dry mixture in a separate bowl
Mix together dry and liquid mixture

Grease baking pan with spray cooking oil

When oven has reached 350, give mixture a
quick stir and pour into pan.

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes

Mom Pop Pow – where you can do it if you try

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Filed Under: About Mom, About Pop, Baby Boomer learning

We can do it if we try

March 23, 2011 by Diane and Steve Brogan 2 Comments

Diane and I have been publishing videos since November 2010 on MomPopPow and we have learned and are learning each time we create a video and/or a post. We talk about what has happened and how we have progressed since we started.

Click here if you do not see the video.

MomPopPow – where you can do it if you try.

To learn more or purchase the products discussed in the video, please click on our affiliate link(s) below:

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Filed Under: Baby Boomer learning, Learning

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

March 22, 2011 by Diane and Steve Brogan Leave a Comment

When we moved to New Hampshire a couple of years ago, we started noticing different trees. As we drive about seven miles to the nearest store, we pass quite a few trees along the way. Instead of lamenting the fact that the trees have no leaves in winter, we began noticing the beautiful structures of the trees. In the winter, trees are sort of like stick figures or studies in black and white.

The trees below may look a little naked to you, but take a second look at their shape and posture. Imagine all their mightiness that can endure all types of weather and still stand tall.

Notice how this White Birch stands beside the road in all it’s beauty. With the green backdrop, it is especially striking. White Birch trees are one of my favorite trees – maybe because they are so fragile and very few make it to adulthood and live to old age.

This very tall and lovely tree has been around for a long time. The slender trunk and tallness of the tree makes me think of it as a female tree.

This White Birch is an old tree. See how large it is compared to the picture above. Notice how many branches have been removed and the wounds have healed over. It is good to see this old tree still alive and thriving.

I’m not even sure this is a tree. It may be a giant vine. Whatever it is, I think it is very interesting. As the year goes on, I will take more pictures and you will see how it’s appearance changes based on how the surrounding trees change their look.

I call this tree jubilation. Doesn’t it just seem like all the limbs are raised to give thanks for all we have.

This tree has no leaves during any season of the year. I don’t know why. I do know that it is a most interesting looking tree. You could say it is a thought provoking tree.

If we look at trees and imagine their great potential, they are lovely any time of year, just as you too are beautiful.

Do you like trees?

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Filed Under: Living

Sugar Fever

March 21, 2011 by Diane and Steve Brogan 6 Comments

As we passed the stately maple trees on South Road in Fremont, NH, we noticed that the trees had been tapped for the annual gathering of maple sap. When I was a kid, we tapped the maple tree in front of our house – once. The metal plug like device was placed in the tree and an open pail was hung on the plug to collect the sap. I remember two things, the sap is collected one drop at a time and it takes FOREVER to make maple syrup. We decided it would be fun to learn what happens in the making of maple syrup if you have more than one tree.

In this case, we learned that the trees are owned by one person, but the sap is harvested by another. The tree owner was kind enough to connect us with the man who makes the maple syrup, Bill Knee.

When “sugar fever” hits, Bill Knee starts the process of making maple syrup. After our interview, I have a greater appreciation for the liquid gold known as maple syrup.

Bill Knee and his wife Maria live in Fremont, NH. They are both teachers. When “sugar fever” hits they make maple syrup for the family. We also met Maria’s brother, Doug Sloan who helps make the syrup.

Special thanks and appreciation to Bill and Doug for telling us the story of making maple syrup. It truly is a labor of love.

Click here if you cannot see the video.

Mom Pop Pow – Where you can do it if you try!

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Filed Under: Baby Boomer learning, Interviews

Update on my Droid-X favorite apps

Twitter #hashtag events

Mom Pop Pow – Where you can do it if you try!

Maintaining Twitter streams

Mom Pop Pow – where you can do it if you try!

Unthinking: – A non-fiction book review

Mom Pop Pow – Where You Can Do It If You Try

Cat on the Fridge

Mom Pop Pow – where you can do it if you try

A healthy gluten free breakfast with Mom Pop Pow

Mom Pop Pow – where you can do it if you try

We can do it if we try

MomPopPow – where you can do it if you try.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Sugar Fever

Mom Pop Pow – Where you can do it if you try!

Deal of the Day! Click on the shirt!

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