GMAIL – How to share your Gmail calendar with someone else

For many of us (whether you work, are semi-retired or retired) we often find ourselves busier than ever… Personally, I know it helps when both my husband Dan and I know what each other time commitments are before making other plans and with Gmail and our smartphones it is easier than ever to do this. 

For those of us with android smartphones, Gmail is commonly used – not just the email portion, but the contacts and my favorite –the calendar. 

and yes you can also use this between windows based & apple portable devices as well..

As soon as either of us make a commitment and enters it into our Gmail calendar (whether it’s to babysit for one of the grandkids, doctors or other appts, importing repeating dates such as birthdays & anniversaries or our busy work schedules) it appears on all devices that have the Gmail calendar on them (remember – the calendar is actually in the clouds and not on your device).   

We each have our own Gmail account, but we “share” my Gmail calendar and it’s wonderful-it has helped to eliminate any conflicts…. 

To share your Gmail calendar with specific people, just follow these easy steps when you are in your Gmail account on computer (so you have more viewing area): 

1.   Open you Gmail calendar and in the calendar list on the left side of the page, click the down-arrow button next to a calendar, then select Share this calendar. 

2.   Enter the email address of the person you want to share your calendar with.

3.   From the drop-down menu on the right side, select a level of permission, then click Add Person.

4.   Click Save.  

Once you click Save, the person you selected to share the calendar with will receive an email invitation to view your calendar. The person will need to click on the link contained in the email to add the calendar to his/her Other calendars list, the calendar will not be automatically added to the user’s Calendar account

Smartphones – 3G, 4G, Data Plans, Wi-Fi And More…

Recently in our classes (back east) we’ve been discussing “Smartphones” and these are a few of the questions that were raised which might be of interest to you... 

What does the G mean in Cell phones – 3G, 4G etc?  That’s easy, the “G” stands for the “Generation” for cell phone technology…with new generations coming out about every ten (10) years – the technologies were introduced as follows but usually were marketed by cellphone companies a year or two after introduction…

·         1G was introduced in 1981 (analog)

·         2G was first transmitted in 1992 (digital)

·         3G which offers multi-media support came out in 200, but came to the US in 2003

·         4G introduced in 2010 but widely used by cell phone carriers now in 2012

If you live in an area that doesn't have 4G coverage, there's no advantage to a 4G phone. In fact, you'll have serious battery life problems if you buy an LTE phone and don't disable 4G LTE, as the radio's search for a non-existent signal will drain your battery quickly…  Before you buy any cellphone “smartphone or not” be sure to check the coverage offered by the different carriers…one of the most important considerations before you decide who to go with, so you know you’ll be able to send/receive calls where you normally live, work or visit..

What does all this “data” stuff mean on a cell phone?  Most activities on “smartphones” will consume data – the exceptions are making a phone call and sending a text messages.  Remember, voice and texts require a very small amount of bandwidth, as opposed to data, which requires carriers to continuously build up their networks to support exploding demand from smartphones and tablets..

That is why activities, such as browsing the web, reading and sending e-mails, browsing Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, or sharing photos, downloading applications, downloading music, listening to online radio and watching videos on YouTube, viewing maps, instant messaging applications such as Skype, BlackBerry Messenger, WhatsApp, Google Talk and Facebook Messenger – all of these activities use up data and quickly…

Many phones consume data in the background even when you’re not using it – maybe you have the weather widget on your homescreen, so periodically it’s downloading the latest forecast from the internet or your email app, might be checking for new messages..  it all adds up.

What if I use the Wi-Fi with my phone?  Good news-Any data transferred over a wi-fi network will not count towards your download limit.  Data transferred over a wi-fi network does not pass through your mobile operator and so it won’t be counted towards your monthly download limit. So it’s best to use a wi-fi network for all of your bandwidth-intensive activities such as listening to online radio, making calls over Skype and watching online video. But be sure you know if you have a separate download limit with your home broadband connection.  You can set your smartphone to find available Wi-Fi networks for you…

What about the data plans that say they are unlimited?  According to some experts, “Paying for an “unlimited data plan” (even if your carrier offers this, which many don’t anymore) doesn’t mean you get unlimited access to your carrier’s bandwidth. AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless “slow down or what is called throttling” data users after they reach a predetermined limit. Sprint is the lone hold-out, but rumors point to the possibility that the carrier will begin to throttle data on its Virgin sub-carrier plans. The justification for this process involves regulate network traffic and minimize bandwidth congestion. And with the rise in 4G data usage, carriers claim their networks are jammed, so what this means to all of us – the consumers – is that we may not get to take advantage of all the speed promised by our new 4G smartphone” quoted from PC Net Magazine – Feb 2012

No doubt, all of this will continue to change – so keep your questions coming and we will help you find the answers – remember there are no foolish questions – all of the technology today is changing so rapidly that it’s a challenge for all of us to keep up with what’s happening, never mind understanding all the ins and outs entirely…  It’s simply a constant learning experience..

GPS & tips when using one - Part 2 of 2

Whats The Difference Between A Typical Gps Unit Or Using The Gps Navigation On A Smartphone?…

Let’s Talk Cost First….

• A Typical GPS unit for your car and/or boat will range from $120 - $250 and remember, most GPS’s require you to pay extra for annual software/map updates ranging in cost for this an annual free of $70-$90/per year/upgrade.
  


• Smartphones typically cost $149-$299 with a two year contract, plus an average of $30 per month for a data plan, and turn by turn navigation apps rane in [rice from free to $99, byt smartphone navigation aoos don’t carry annual map update fees…

What About The Types Of Maps On A GPS Vs. A Navigation App On A Smartphone

• As we mentnioned with a typical GPS you have to be sure you periodically update the mapping software, so that you have the most current maps..


• Smartphone map and points of interest databases “apps” are either downloaded initially with the purchase of the app (like with TomTom for the iPhone or you can download them on the fly a they say, per MotionX GPS drive or antoher app…
  


• When you downloard maps on the fly, you will always have the latest version. But you might be without a map if you are ni a remove area and out of cell phone tower range, such as when youa re cmaping or hiking…

What is a GPS & tips when using one - Part 1 of 2

GPS - stands for Global Positioning System

If you aren't familiar with these great little devices, a GPS is a space age navigational system that can pinpoint where you are anywhere in the world very accurately within a few yards or meters for our Canadian students. They will work day or night using a constellation of 24 satellites in precise orbits approximately 11,000 miles above the earth and the satellites transmit data via high frequency radio waves back to Earth in all weather conditions on land, on water and even in the air.

Although you don’t need one they are great to have if you are boating, driving, camping, hiking, 4 wheeling and anywhere on the move…

Top Sellers are the Basic Garmin, TomTom and the Garmin Magellan

Although they are great, when you are using a GPS a few helpful things to remember:

• Once you input your route, review it to be sure it makes sense to you



• You may not want to use the smaller recommended roads where services might not be readily available especially in new areas that you aren’t familiar with



• Your GPS should be a helpful tool, but always take and review a new updated street, topographic or marine map



• Don’t let the GPS distract you – don’t program it while driving; don’t pay more attention to the GPS unit than the road and never neglect your line of sight while following the directions from the GPS unit



• Pay attention before making turns when the GPS tells you to turn or take an exit, remember the GPS has no idea if its safe to do so at that moment… Some drivers might panic when thеу gеt thе instructions and aren’t able to take the turn or exit..



• Remember if you miss a turn or exit, thе GPS will recalculate аnd gеt you back οn track.



• Mοѕt GPS devices offer multiple routes tο a destination, ѕο іf you don’t lіkе or agree with thе proposed route, then choose another way with the help of a map….



• Don’t check your common sense at the door (or the dock) just because you are using a GPS device…

What is an IP address?

We hear the expression all the time - but maybe you aren't quite sure what it is.

The IP address is your computer “internet protocol” address. The IP address is a 4-part electronic Serial number, such as: 201.2.312.66 – and you notice that each of the four parts or sections are separated with “.” a period...

Every computer, cell phone, ipad, smartphone etc. are assigned at least one IP address and no two devices in the world have the same IP address. These IP addresses are assigned for tracking and accountability/identification purposes.

Whenever we are on the internet or using cell services and make a connection, the IP address acts very much like the tags on our cars, to enforce accountability and traceability.

QR CODES (Quick Response)

While in Las Vegas recently, we stopped at the Hard Rock Café and noticed throughout the hotel, almost all of the countless items on display worn by various entertainment artists had these little squares.. . These little squares were new – they were black & white, probably 6-8” sq. tiles – quite similar to sections of what we call “bar codes” but different. I couldn’t find any explanation as to what they were…

I’d intended to “Google” them, but hadn’t done that yet and when I mentioned them during one of our classes here in AZ a student solved the puzzle. By the way Harley-thank you… Harley is keeping current on technology and had recently read an article which explained they were QR Codes. Harley was kind enough to send me an article he’d read, some of which I've included below.. So combined with what he sent me and a little more research here’s an “English” explanation of how & what they are for…

They were initially designed and used for tracking parts in vehicle manufacturing, but now these QR codes are used everywhere both commercially and residentially. One use growing in popularity is that which was intendd at the Hard Rock Café – in the display cases, they encourage/allow Smartphone (cell) users with the right app (called mobile tagging) to aim their Smartphone at the code, which in turn display all the info & a photo of what’s in the case OR it can compose an email or text message for use later… Users can also generate and print their own QR codes for others to scan and use by visiting one of several free QR code generating site – WOW…

Here’s the article quote from March 28, 2011|By Umika Pidaparthy on CNN News
“A confused crossword puzzle. A psychedelic postage stamp. A bar code on drugs. This is how a QR, or Quick Response, code may appear to most people. You may have noticed these black-and-white squares showing up in subway ads or in pages of magazines. Thanks to our growing addiction to our Smartphone’s, you'll likely be seeing more of them. QR codes are showing up in more and more places: posters, storefront window displays, TV advertisements, business cards, websites and even on T-shirts. When accessed with your phone, a QR code takes you to a landing page where you'll usually find special promotional content” The QR code was invented by a Japanese company called DENSO Corp., a subsidy of Toyota, in 1994. The codes have been used in Japan for years and are quite common there. But only now are they becoming mainstream in the United State”

Now that I know what they are, I’m seeing them everywhere – Amazing how this technology continues to change…

What is a smartphone?

We are all hearing the phrase “smartphone” – but how is a “smartphone” different from a cell phone?

Typical cell phones allows us to make and receive telephone calls; text messages and to take, send and receive photos and videos…

Smartphones offer greater functionality than regular cell phones, so that you can...

• use a full “qwerty” keyboards for easier typing
• have access to the Internet to access your email, Facebook and Twitter accounts
• work with all your Office documents, such as word & excel,
• sync data with personal and business computers
• send & receive instant messages
• play music
• show streaming video
• edit photos
• get driving directions from the GPS
• play countless games and
• work with hundreds of other “applications referred to as “apps”

All of this is in addition to making phone calls of course.. And many of the smartphones have touch screens..

Smartphones are actually mini-computers with an OS-Operating system (such as the BlackBerry OS; Palm OS or Windows Mobile OS); Smartphones have internet access so that you can download countless applications, including GPS systems, you can link to your social networking & email accounts; many smartphones give you the ability to not only take photos but edit them; you can view, update & edit Office documents and they can be synchronized with your computer for all the updates you make, as well as synchronizing your address book, calendar and tasks list quickly and easily – similar to what a PDA used to do – only faster and more easily… And of course the applications allow you access, via the internet, to hundreds of games, music, video and other sites…

This, like all other computer related technology, is changing almost daily so no doubt, as soon as you buy a new “smartphone” it’s going to be outdated and topped with a newer version with more bells & whistles… leaving us all to wonder where it will end…