Tech Talk: myEdu online class management

Anyone who has used online tools for college has realized that the options in the past have been poorly made or just useless. The best example I can think of is Ratemyprofessor.com added a “Hot” column to the review section, as well as the general feeling that this site was filled with underachievers wanting a place to vent. With the semester closing and a registration period already upon us it is important to be able to maintain an easy to use organizational structure to ensure we take the classes we need and track our GPA and credits.

myEdu  is a new contender to provide a useful space to collaborate with classmates, track your GPA, and class schedule. According to their website, “Our mission is to help students improve their return on education by raising graduation rates, decreasing time to graduation and supporting career readiness goals.”  Although the site cannot connect to your university they have compiled a way to pull course numbers, degree plans, and teachers that are teaching each section of the class. I personally found this aspect very useful.

Once you have spent a required 10 to 15minutes setting up your page you can manually track all of your grades and import credits from other universities as well. You will need to spend a little more time setting up the grading profile for each class.  Once you have done this however, the site is mostly seemless to ensure you are on the right track to completing your degree.

As you plan for the next semester not only does the site pull in up to date class information the employees at myEdu have compiled a workload graph to show you how your classes compare for the amount of time you will spend after class working on assignments. I presume this is being pulled from the user generated section where you rate your professor.

The only concerns I have is that I have not been able to determine the privacy that you gain on this site and how they are farming our data. One would believe they could provide trending data among their universities and more information for Gallup organization.

While it’s no replacement for your academic advisor, MyEdu is a interesting alternative to try out.

Tech Talk: How to make your tablet control everything

Tablets are an amazing invention that will soon control how everything works in our home. They already connect to the internet, have amazing visual displays , and are very intuitive to understanding our gestures. With the progression of computer linguistic understanding, we have seen many programs like Apple’s Siri making tablets and smartphone alike more powerful.

Some of the first devices, both Apple and Android alike, can control are the smart technologies that are already in our homes are our entertainment or infotainment zones. A tablet becomes the smartest universal remote you can find. Not only can they access the web individually to provide you with showtimes, they are more intuitive. Most of the major tech companies are making these “eco-systems” where all your devices can talk to each other providing content in two directions instead of just one.

Google and Apple, both offer options to begin your domination of your household tech. I personally can’t wait for these companies to get into automotive technology as well. I mean can you imagine you are listening to Pandora on your home stereo that continues to play through your smartphone as your walk to the car, then syncs over to play through your automotive features.

Its inevitable that we will start wearing RFids and talking digitally  to our home and the world around us, like we talk to our family. Enter the realm of real privacy loss and really cool gagets.

As always I look forward to reading your thoughts and getting your opinions.

Tech Talk: The Future of Desktops

Hello Friends. As I wish we could all have a stainless-steel DeLorean and cool auto-lacing Nike high-tops and jump ahead to see where tech will go sadly we can’t. However, according to CNET.com, a current technology news site, Apple’s Mac Pro may be no more.

Tech Talk: 10 Tips to keep it charged

Like the rest of my fellow classmates, I typically have at least 3 classes a day. Each class lasts about an hour and half. Not all of my classes have an outlet that is within reach, so how can I make my laptop last?

Here are 10 things you can do to make the technology last.

1. Let it go Dead!

 I know this will seem counter intuitive but its true. Most batteries are now made of Lithium-Ion which don’t suffer as much from the same memory effect as Nickel Metal Hydride. The memory effect is where the battery essentially learns that you only charge it for the 20% it lost and shortens the amount of charge the battery has. The purpose is to recondition the battery. By letting the battery go dead or to the last 10% and fully recharging you help the battery “remember” what its supposed to be.

2. Turn it down

All mechanical devices require power. Mute your speakers, dont just turn them down. Speakers when muted are informed to turn off, if left with any type of volume attach emit white noise which is hard to hear but is still drawing power.

3. Turn your screen brightness down

Turn the brightness of the screen as low as possible to allow viewing. Screen brightness is the biggest consumer of power. If you can’t bring it all the way down even a few levels will help.

4. Keep everything cool

Fans are used to keep everything at a proper operating temperature. If kept at a cooler temperature the fans won’t turn on so often thus saving some power. Don’t forget to keep the vent holes clear as well. These are passive ways of cooling the CPU down.

5. Configure your power settings

When the computer is plugged in go to the power settings and find the power saver mode. If available you can even tweek these settings to save even more power.

6. Single-tasker

The more programs that are operating the more the CPU is processing. By only having one program open at a time you ensure a minimal amount of work is required. Less work equals more power.

7. Control – Alt – Delete

 No matter which brand of computer you have access the processes menu and shut down all non essential functions. If the computer is not using wireless shut it down, same for the virus scanner. If you are only accessing safe files, there is no need to keep it running.

8. Power down.

 The obvious one is to power it down when your not using it or put it to stand-bye mode.

9. Avoid plugging in extra devices

Mice, cameras, usb hubs. All of these things require power and each one of them will pull on all that precious battery power. Use the built in mouse or become proficient keyboard shortcuts

10. And the number 10 reason…

Well always bring your cord you can charge it on the go.

Tech Talk: iPhone 4S or Not?

Hello my fellow technophiles, its that time of the week again where I give you some news you can use to ensure your making the most out of your tech. With Apple’s latest release of the iPhone 4S many of my friends are scrambling to get theirs, but should you?

As with all technology when a new item comes to the market all price points change for currently exsisting tech. The iPhone 4S is being offered at the big three of ATT, Verizon, and Sprint for $199 with 16 GB. Now if your still using a 3G now is the time to get a iPhone 4 but not a 4S. The iPhone 4 has reduced it price to only $99 with a 2 year contract. Now here is the reason why I say you should get a regular iPhone 4. With the iPhone 4S release we get exactly what for $199? You get the same size screen at 3.5″, it looks the same as a iPhone 4, it will not have 4G capability, and has a slightly better camera and beta program called Siri. At best the iPhone 4S is like a patch for your operating system. I say wait for the iPhone 5 or stay with Android. If you don’t believe that the S is iPhone 4S stands for anything but Siri, Compare iPhones at the apple site and see for you self.

As for me, I am in the Android camp and this just further proves why I don’t need an Apple in my life now. Siri is at best a response to the voice recognition software that Android already has.

Don’t forget to send me your comments and thoughts.

Tech Talk: Technophile’s Backpack

As I walk around campus reading the news about Microsoft’s new Windows Cloud 8 OS, the failed Battlefield 3, iPhone 5, and Amazons Kindle Fire I realize that every student I pass has a backpack. I wonder what they are carrying?

Whether your a technophile or technophobe I am curious to know what you carrry everyday in your bag.

Tech Talk: How do you keep up with your shows!

Its Time! The new seasons of your favorite shows have started. How are you going to ensure you catch all of your favorite shows while you are atttending class. There are many options out there but what if you just moved in to a new dorm, spent your last couple of bucks on MD 20/20, or mom and dad just deauthorized you as a user. How are you to watch the newest shows of Big Bang Theory, Pan Am, or Person of Intrest?

Well I will always start off with the free stuff and the best stuff so you don’t have to waste your money or your time. In my opinon Hulu or Hulu Plus, should be your first stop to finding both old and new. Not only does Hulu offer you all of your shows or links to your shows it allows you to set up subscriptions. These subscriptions are exactly what you think a homescreen that lets you know as soon as they are available when a new show has posted. Hulu plus does cost you some money but it seems to only allow you content to streaming movies.

You can of course always find some of your shows directly on FOX, NBC, CBS, ABC, or any major show networks site. However, not all of your old episodes will be there.

Netflix is also another viable option. It currently costs $7.99 for online streaming service only where you can get movies and tv shows but after a quick perusal of my account it seems like they only have all your old shows.

Slingbox is a expensive but very cool option if you still have a trustfund or if you have a job on the side. Slingbox cheapest option is the slingbox solo at $149.99 (as of this post) allows you to stream your DVR or Live TV directly to you laptop, tablet, mobile phone. Now for your more mobile devices they do require an additional $29.99 per device.

Recently, Amazon and Fox signed a deal to bring you 11K movies and TV shows if you are a Amazon Prime Member. This prime membership does cost you $79 a year for the subscription but right now they are offering a free month trial.  If you do get a prime membership you also recieve Free Two-Day shipping, and $3.99 one day shipping if you buy from amazon.

Hears hoping you find your show. Please don’t forget to take the poll below.

Email us at hashcampuslife@gmail.com and I’d love
to share anything you have learned.

Tech Talk: Essential Apps for UTD Life

In this day and age of smart phones and tablets essential apps to get you through the week are imperative. Here are some of the best apps for my fellow Comets.

YELP : “Real Reviews from Real People” is their slogan. If you haven’t heard, yelp is a free app that allows you to read unfiltered reviews from people who have actually been there. I find this exceptionally useful as I am a recent transfer from the City of Houston and dont’ know my way around Dallas yet, as I am sure many of you feel the same way.

EVERNOTE: Can you “Remember Everything”? Evernote is a free app that you can use on your home computer, tablet and smartphone. It allows you seemless access to notes you take anywhere at any time. It can capture weblinks, photos, scribbles and class notes. You never have to worry about losing yoru notes.

PANDORA: Really if you didn’t know this one, you missed a lot already. Streaming Music via wifi or Data connection. No better way to kill the 15 min walk to you next class.

MYTRACKS: Ever lost which lot and space you parked your car? Ever curious how far you walked on campus? Ever come out of the wrong door in a different building and are not sure where your at? Ever want to see just how far your run went? This app is a gps enabled tracking app that overlays google maps over your GPS position. It can show you all of these. I mostly track how far I have walked on a given day but this can be very helpful.

STUDYBLUE: This one may not be a must have for you but I think it has lots of potential. After you create your account you inform them of the class you are taking and with which professor. They provide you with already created flash cards. The account is free so check it out and may be it will help you get that grade.

If you have any tech news that you would like me to investigate or news send me an email at hashcampuslife@gmail.com.