The New Year is a great time to reduce the complexity of living with technology. It has a tendency to steal more of our time, bit by bit, whether it's learning to use a new product or fighting an increase in junk e-mail. But technology can also be used to help simplify things.
Here are 10 ideas for a simpler 2010.
1. Auto-backup your computer -- This is the perennial nag that most of us ignore until calamity hits. But, seriously, it's never been easier to back up your computer, and then never think about it again. The simplest, easiest, and no hassle way to do it is using a product such as Carbonite. No hardware to buy or set up, no cables to configure. It's as easy as buying a book online. Just sign up at its site and download the software. Carbonite will back up everything on your computer in the background without interrupting what you're doing. It costs $55 per year and is available for both PCs and Macs. (carbonite.com)
2. Scan your receipts -- Every time I return from a business trip I have a slew of receipts of all sizes and shapes. Now I just stuff them into an envelope while traveling, and when I get home, I run them through a NeatReceipts scanner. Plug the small device into your USB port (no adapter is needed), open the scanner software and let it devour receipt after receipt. You can save by client, date or category. When you submit an expense report, just attach the images of each receipt. ($200, neatco.com)
3. Bank online -- Reduce the drudgery of bill paying by using your bank's online banking program. I now pay bills as I receive them in just a minute or two. Just specify the payee and the amount and, with a click of the mouse, the bills are paid. No more late payments and you can pay your bills even when you're traveling.
4. Organize your travels -- Forget about keeping track of all your flights, hotels and car rentals. Forward your confirmations to plans@tripit.com and it does the rest: organizing the trip details, adding them to your calendar, reminding you when to get your boarding pass and letting you know of flight delays. ($49 per year, tripit.com).
5. Use an online calendar and contact manager -- If you're dependent on your calendar and contacts and use a number of devices such as a smart phone and computers, you no longer need to worry about which device has the up-to-date information. Try using Google Calendar and contacts, or if you're a Mac user, MobileMe. You can access and add data from any device and it shows up on the others. No more cables and the hassles of desktop syncing. Google is free and MobileMe is $99 a year.
6. Buy simpler products -- When looking at new tech products aim for the simpler ones that are easier to use. For example, instead of buying a video camera with features you'll never use, consider the Flip Video. It's simple to use, pocket size and more than adequate for most needs. My rule is when I get a new product, if I can't install it and learn to use it within the first hour, it goes back.
7. Simplify your chargers -- Buy only new products that use a micro USB charger, not those that use proprietary ones. You'll never need to worry about misplacing it, will always have a charger that works, and will need to carry fewer of them. I've passed on reviewing a number of new cell phones and Bluetooth headsets because they had nonstandard rechargers. They're anti-environmental; they'll more likely end up in landfill than be reused for another product.
8. Get off those e-mail lists -- Even after using Gmail's excellent spam filter, I get scores of newsletters, offerings and announcements from entities I once gave my address to, but no longer care about. The problem is each one thinks its news is important and bombards you with useless announcements or automated holiday greetings. Most reputable mailings of this kind offer an unsubscribe option at the bottom of the mail where you can click and be removed from their list. Do it. But beware of those that then ask you for your address; they may be testing for an active address so they can send you even more spam!
9. Manage your phones and voicemail -- If you have several phones, each with its own voice mailbox, sign up for Google Voice. You'll need only to give out a single phone number and can answer any of your phones when a call comes in. All voice messages will go to one location and will be transcribed and sent to you by e-mail. (google.com/voice)
10. Simplify those passwords -- One of the most aggravating aspects of computer use, second only to spam and viruses, is remembering your user name and passwords. It seems each company has its own rules, some that make little sense. And often sites that have the least need for security have the most complex rules. Use a product like RoboForm that gathers all of your user names and passwords then fills them in as you need them. But beware of password saving services that are offered free or from a company that's not well known. It could be a scheme to get your passwords to compromise your security. ($30, roboform.com)
Have a great New Year and don't let tech tie you up, let it free you up.
Baker is the author of "From Concept to Consumer," holds 30 patents and is an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Phil can be heard on KOGO AM the first Sunday of each month. Send comments to phil.baker@sddt.com. Phil's blog is blog.philipgbaker.com.
Print
E-Mail
