Internet filters for tablets? Reader Q+A

I like the blog Cool Mom Tech. They just answered I question I have been having about keeping kids safe on the iPad and Kindle Fire. I hope this helps you too. Q: My pre-teen wants an iPad or Kindle Fire for Christmas. Are there good Internet filters available for these devices? -Karen Hi Karen, great question! Yes, with kids bogarting our tablets and quite a few getting one for the holiday, we think it's super important that they are sufficiently protected while browsing. There are lots of great security options out there for tablets, which interestingly, a lot of parents don't think about. Net Nanny, still probably the best recognized name in Internet protection, has an Android-based Net Nanny mobile app that will work on the Kindle Fire. After downloading the app, you can select Internet filters to put in place (for profanity, inappropriate content, and more) and enter keywords like alcohol, mature, drugs, to block. Another nice feature: if you have multiple kids using your device, you can create profiles for each to customize the settings based on their ages, while managing which apps kids are blocked from on your Fire. It's pricier than your standard app at $19.99 because it's more like software. The fee protects one device for a year and considering the security you get with it, it's worth it. If you end up with the iPad, the Mobicip mobile app is an option I like a lot. For $4.99 as a one-time download fee, you get a whole range of options like age-based filtering and safe browsing. The customization features make it flexible enough for kids of all ages who are using the tablet. Similar to Net Nanny, you can designate categories that are off-limits, and with Mobicip, you can also filter YouTube videos. However if you already have a security solution in place for your home computer, be sure to check the manufacturer's website for mobile options as well. For instance, there's a free mobile app from Norton for existing account holders, saving you the expense of having to buy a whole new bunch of software -Jeana Read more: http://www.coolmomtech.com/2012/12/internet_filters_for_tablets.php#ixzz2GMkRv5Hj

Happy Holidays

Sorry I have been too busy to write. I hope everyone has a Happy New Year. I will write plenty in 2013!

Fwd: tester post

Free Gund Bear with purchase of $75 of toys

At Amazon when you buy $75 worth of selected toys (and there are thousands!) you can get this really nice Gund teddy bear for free…

http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=ty_blfr12_freegund?ie=UTF8&node=6067486011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-4&pf_rd_r=1E4JGZ365RJ4CD7X7YCG&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1440909962&pf_rd_i=360960011

My Favorite FREE naviagation app

I have become so reliant on GPS and mapping in my car. When I travel, and don't have my car, I panic. But I found the MapQuest app for iPhone to be awesome. And it is FREE!!

Mapquest works for driving and walking directions.



It automatically recalculates the route when you make a mistake!!



It speaks the directions to you, so you don't have to stare at the screen while driving.



I place my iPhone on my dashboard near my speedometer so I can easily look at it and it won't slide away.



Here's the link for you to check it out!



https://itunes.apple.com/app/mapquest-4-mobile/id316126557?mt=8



Please let me know if you want more instructions on how to use this app, in the comments.

How to trim a video.

So you took a video but really only 5 seconds is interesting.  You can easily cut off the beginning or end or both in the photos window.

Click on photos
Select Camera roll
Play the video

Now here is how you trim...
At the top of the page is a bar showing the length of you video.

Very carefully touch the beginning of the video, the band around the video will turn Yellow.  Then move the starting point to where you want your video to start.

Do the same for the end of the video by selecting the right side of the band.

If you make a mistake you can either keep moving the yellow band or click cancel at the top left corner.

Once you have your video to the length that you want just click trim at the top right corner.

Automatically turn on and off Do Not Disturb

One thing I love about iOS6 is the Do Not Disturb (DND) function.  I just learned you can set the iPhone to go into DND automatically every night so you can get a good night's sleep.  And turn off in the morning so you don't miss any calls.

Settings
Notifications (just under Do Not Disturb)
Do Not Disturb

Turn on 'Scheduled'
Set the times
Choose if 'Allow Calls From' - you can choose no one.
Also choose if you wanted repeated calls to ring through.

Now I just have to get my husband to configure his phone so I can get a good nights sleep.

Smile! A quick and easy way to take a picture.

On the iPhone you can now access the camera from the swipe screen!  To get to the camera just 'swipe up' on the camera icon.  You do not need enter your password to get to the camera.

Once you are in the camera you can easily take a picture using the 'Volume Up' button on the side of the iPhone.  I find this much easier than pushing the little button on the screen as I always jiggle the phone and ruin the picture.

I hope everyone had a happy thanksgiving.

Hidden keys (or more keyboard shortcuts)

Did you know apple has many hidden keys? For example the keyboard has a "." button but you want ".com", if you just hold down the "." button a whole list of .com extensions will pop up!

With iOS6 the keyboards have a slightly different layout.  Here are some other shortcuts...

Another that I couldn't get the right keyboard to show is if you press the comma key and apostrophe comes up!  I think the reason I couldn't find it is because with iOS 6 the keyboard layouts are different.

If you like what I teaching please forward it on to your friends!  Have questions?  Just let me know!  I love figuring out new tricks!  Also this works on the iPad too!

Tip #5 - Create your own typing shortcuts

I know everyone is driven crazy by auto correction.  But did you know you can create your own shortcuts?  For example I always misspell my name dirithy and it never auto corrects it!  So I put in a shortcut of 'dor' and it autocorrects it to 'Dorothy'!  Here's how you do it.

Go to Settings...

Select General...

Scroll down to Keyboard...

Select Shortcuts...

Select Plus Sign...

Now start typing your shortcuts!

Remember not to pick shortcuts that are real words, like if your name is Adam Sandler you would not want to create the shortcut 'as' because as is a common words, but you create the shortcut 'ads' or 'asa'.

Also if you capitalize the shortcut it will capitalize the word.  For example I have the shortcut 'ty' for 'thank you'.  If I type 'Ty' it will change to 'Thank you', or if type 'TY' it will change to 'Thank You'.

Tip #4 Cost savings measures

Here are some websites I use to save money on things I buy:

For groceries: www.fabulesslyfrugal.com  Just an awesome website showing you how to stretch the dollar by matching coupons and sales at local stores.  Here I try to be an extreme couponer.  On this website I learned how to get black friday's deals at Wal-Mart but avoiding the crowd. Here is the link: http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/2012/11/start-your-black-friday-shopping-at-walmart-now-layaway-and-price-matching.html

For shopping online: www.bradsdeals.com  They find amazing bargains on the web and even have extra special discounts at stores.  I like getting the daily email showing the items they found.

Online Promo Codes: www.retailmenot.com  Before I buy anything on line I search for promotional codes for the online store.  Their don't always work but when they do cha-ching!

For shows and events: www.goldstar.com  Usually the tickets are half price and lots of fun things to do and see.

What else would you like to see in my blog?  What problems are you having with you Apple products.  Let me help you?  Do you want more chatter or just the tip?

And look now I have ads!  So click away if you see something interesting...

What to do when I grow up? Tips #1 & #2

I have been asking myself this question my whole life.  Now I finally think I have the answer write a blog about technology and gadgets for moms and regular people.  I am always helping people with their computers and gadgets and software.  So thanks to help of some amazing networking friends they suggested I write a blog.  That's when the light bulb lit up and I became excited!

Here's my background...I got a degree in electrical engineering and worked as a project manager for many years until I got married.  Then I got laid off and started a family and have been at home ever since.  I have always loved gadgets and computers and figuring them out.  So why don't I share some tricks...

I am an avid Apple user--iMac, iPhone, iPad, iPod, Airport Extreme, Powerbook...
So for now my blogs will focus on those but I will post things about Windows and PCs.


TIP #1 - Did you know you could have your iPhone flash when it rings or you get an alert?  This is really helpful if you are trying to find your phone in your purse and it is screen side down.  Also this really wakes you up in a dark room if you are using your iPhone as an alarm clock, like I do, Or to find an iPhone hidden in the furniture after the kids have played with it.

Go to Settings...
select General...
scroll down to Accessibility...
scroll down to LED Flash for Alerts and turn it on!

Viola!


TIP #2 - If you need some peace and quiet and the switch on the side isn't doing it for you, use the Do Not Disturb Mode.

Go to Settings...
Turn on Do Not Disturb

Now you can sleep in peace or watch a movie with out the buzzing of your phone.