Trying To Keep Up With Computer Technology

Even though both my husband and I spend a lot of time around computers, it is difficult to keep up with how quickly technology advances.  For example, I just experienced conferencing on Adobe Connect for the first time this morning.  I have participated in other such meetings in the past, but this one went surprisingly smoothly.  I did not have any problems signing in.  In fact, I just entered my name and the host of the meeting approved me.  Then I entered my phone number and received a call in seconds, connecting me instantly to the conference call.  It was so much easier than having to call myself and enter codes to access the correct meeting.  Adobe Connect allowed us to use online chat and the phone to converse during the meeting.  There were also sections on the screen for a slide show, a series of poll questions that could advance, and a list of everyone who was participating.  I could even see who was in the midst of typing a reply.  There was no lagging of the online chat nor any delay on the phone.

My husband, who works in IT, still learns new things.  He actually just made his first tutorial using video screen capture.  I will be combining this footage with images he made using screen capture to create a finished instructional video for him.  My husband loves to learn new things, especially if he can master them, and is very excited about seeing the finished product.

Graphics software, web conferencing, document management software, and so much more . . . What's next on Adobe's list?

Review: Zazzle Men's Geek T-Shirts

Even my husband will not deny that he is a geek at heart. This combined with his love for t-shirts makes him especially drawn towards geek t-shirts, which covers a wide array of categories from comic books to science fiction to computers and beyond. Zazzle offers an enormous selection of geek designs that are not only available on t-shirts for men, women, and children, but also drinkware, bags, calendars, canvas footwear, and much more.

Because there is so much to choose from, my husband spent a long time browsing the t-shirts on Zazzle. He kept coming back to this Run CMD T-Shirt. If you do not understand the reference, then you must Google "Run DMC" and "Run CMD" and see what you come up with.

Having run a silkscreening business of our own in the past, my husband and I recognize print quality and shirt quality. This basic dark t-shirt is a nice weight and washed very well. There was no shrinkage that I could detect, nor any fading, flaking of the design, or pilling of the fabric.

If you happen to not find exactly the design you are looking for on Zazzle, you can always create your own or use an existing photo or logo. Zazzle also offers embroidery on some items. What an excellent source of one of a kind gifts and Holiday cards! To find out more about what this site offers, visit Zazzle.com and Zazzle on Facebook.

Thank you to Zazzle for sending us a complimentary shirt to base this review upon.

Free Printable: Computer Time Reward Coupons

Since school started a couple of weeks ago, our 6-1/2 year old son has been behaving very "special". He has been especially finding pleasure in tormenting his little brother and sister. I know this is normal "big brother" behavior up to a point, but it is starting to make the atmosphere very negative in our household. Whenever we get into this negative zone, eventually we need to take a step back and figure out how to break the cycle. Our son could be behaving like this because he is going from 1/2 day kindergarten last year to full day 1st grade this year. This may be causing him to crave more attention since he is away from the house so much now.

So I thought about what one of the most important things is to him currently and came up with computer time. Right at the end of summer vacation, he started to show a noticeably increased interest in playing online games. So instead of punishing him by taking this away, we decided he can earn computer time in 15 minute increments by being a good big brother. This includes being nice to the twins, helping them out without being asked, playing with them when they ask even if he would rather be doing something else, among other things.

I created these basic computer time coupons below to make this positive reinforcement more official (and fun). He can collect them and cash them in anytime when computer play is appropriate. I thought I would share them in case they might be useful for your household.

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