CaraOnSugar

Share on Facebook

I enjoy sifting through catalogs as much as magazines. I am a perennial viewer of style, trends, and news, and although catalogs show the items from the makers' point of view, it still gives me creative ideas on how to play with the clothes, spruce up my home, or try something out of of the ordinary .

I am not a fan, however, of wasting paper. For nearly five years now I have refused catalog subscriptions, and instead look for the latest product offerings in the companies' websites. Unfortunately, the user experience is just not the same. For most websites, the information is organized differently. Each assortment, for example,  garment stores that carry pants, dresses, and accessores would most likely show these in different landing pages. Unlike the editorial look of catalogs, not all these sites show the locations, events, people, surroundings, or other aesthetics that make browsing the catalog fun.

Fortunately, Google is reaffirming its title as the 'King of Searches', by offering a simple way to browse your popular and favorite catalogs through a free ipad App called Google Catalogs. Access is easy. Just open a Google account (who doesn't have one nowadays?) and start browsing! They carry my favorites: Urban Outfitters, Neiman Marcus, IKEA, J.Crew, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, Bare Escentuals, and many more! And purchasing is a breeze through their direct online ordering.

But here's some good news to budding Entrepreneurs! You can have your catalog listed with Google Catalogs. They will feature not only the established brands but the start-ups as well! So instead of spending marketing monies developing your own catalog app, try looking into Google's solution.

Google Catalogs...a greener way to shop and an ease of use tool for small business!

Here's an intro:

Who doesn’t have online content nowadays?

There are daily updates on Facebook and Twitter, entries on your blogs, a professional resume on Linkedin, photo galleries on FlickR and Picasa, video uploads on YouTube or Vimeo, and check-ins with Four Square. With so many social networks, there is bound to be chaos in organizing all this content into one.

You have a choice.

Either design a personal website and begin creating links. OR you can avail of the free service of About.me or Flavors.me. These two fantastic sites have one goal in mind – to give you a single landing page that pulls together all your web information. In the old days we used to call this the ‘homepage’, which is the default page of a website. Now this aggregator has a fancier term – a Splash Page.

Why the nifty name? Because this page does exactly what it means. It creates an impact, particularly when the chosen image for the page’s background covers the entire computer screen. I have seen individuals use a mesmerizing photograph, a collage of their portfolio, or even just a photo of themselves (My sister and I fall in this category!).

And with the ability to pull content from popular social media, create a bio, and add rss feeds and hyperlinks, About.me and Flavors.me makes for an auspicious personal or professional online business card.

I created accounts with both services. While they are equally amazing, I have a little partiality to About.me. The design tools give more leverage and the profile statistics are a real genious! Of course I could also have been swayed by the free pack of Moo.com business cards (I love them! Did you see my review?). Or it could just be the name. About.me seems easier to remember and is a little more catchy.

However, my sister, Cai, seems to prefer Flavors.me. Which I agree has the upper hand in offering RSS feeds so that the entire content is pulled within the Splash page. With this feature, I have seen companies create a menu of their services, which is pretty cool. They also have the option of upgrading to a mere $20/year so you can avail of all the options in customizing your site. Now that is one great deal!

So whether it's About.me or Flavors.me, just give both a try and start creating your own Splash Page! Regardless of their minimal differences, I highly recommend both sites. After all, I am all about organizing chaos.

Here's more information on both sites:

ABOUT.ME:

FLAVORS.ME:

It has been four years since I bought my Canon Powershot G9, and it has satisfied every aspect of enthusiasm for photography. Surprisingly, the G9 has stirred a curiosity in possibly taking an interest in the dSLR, the digital single lens reflex cameras for individuals that want to advance into amateur photography. I have been contemplating for some time if I wanted to bid adieu to point-and-shoots and dive into a more advanced photography realm.

During a recent trip to Los Angeles with my girl pals, I noticed that both of them brought a camera of a different genre. One carried the dSLR Canon Rebel T2i and another one had the latest Canon Powershot G12. I had a chance to closely look at both gadgets and thought they were excellent cameras but with very different feature sets.

The Canon Rebel T2i was fascinating. The multitude selection of buttons and menus may be intimidating, but I was quite intrigued by the challenge of manually or semi-manually controlling the exposure (jargonically speaking, the control of the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed to measure the amount of light that falls upon the camera's sensor so one can achieve an artistic interpretation of the subject's image).

And seeing the G12 and how it resembles my G9 in features and capability, but with a much better image sensor, tools improved with the latest technology, and a swivel screen that made it a cinch to shoot at different angles, I realized how much fun the creative modes were! I certainly utilized features like Color Accent/Color Swap, Miniature Effect, HDR (high dynamic range), and panoramic Stitch Assist to add variation to my photography.

It was surprising that Canon, who manufactured both cameras and had the technology, did not offer a dSLR with creative mode features that are a delight to use. Why not merge them into one amazing camera that gives the best of both worlds?

My curiosity brought me to research on Canon's number one competitor - the Nikon line. Nikon is known to be a world leader in digital imaging, precision optics, and photo imaging. And lately they have a strong marketing presence with the endorsement of Ashton Kutcher and his quirky yet appealing ad campaigns. It was in one of his TVCs that I found an ideal dSLR for the starting amateur photographer who was not yet ready to let go of the pre-set creative tools normally found in point-and-shoots. This camera is the Nikon dSLR D5100.

Here's a rundown of its amazing features:

- Has the same 16.2 DX-format CMOS sensor carried by the more high-end Nikon dSLR  model D7000, which means at par ISO range, depth of field, dynamic range, and image quality.

- 3 inch LCD monitor that swings to the left side upto 270 degrees and has 920,000 dots, which means Live View is remarkably sharp and bright even in direct sunlight.

- Shoots 4 frames per second in continuous mode with virtually no shutter lag.

- 10% smaller and 30% lighter than the previous dSLR D5000 model, that carrying it around does not feel like a chore!

- Has in-camera HDR (high dynamic range) - which means it can combine multiple exposures

- Wider ISO range of 100 to 6400, upto 24,600 when expanded, which means it can shoot extremely well in lowlight

- Can shoot 1080p HD videos at 30, 25, or 24 frames per second (fps). Has the ability to record stereo sound with the optional ME-1 microphone. This means your dSLR is also a fantastic HD videocam!!!

- Ability to shoot in 14-bit NEF RAW mode, a feature normally found in more expensive dSLRs. Trust me, this feature is awesome because it allows you to edit your image without losing any data, which you would if you saved in JPEG. But I'm not downplaying the value of the JPEG compression format (which this camera also shoots in). It is pretty useful when you want to maximize the space on your SD media card.

- 16 Scene Modes ( pre-set features found in point and shoot cameras, that are helpful if you do not have time to manually control your camera) that includes Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close Up, Night Portrait, Night Landscape, Party/Indoor, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Pet Portrait, Candlelight, Blossom, Autumn colors, and Food.

- 19 kinds of in-camera Image Editing functions that can be use for still or moving images. These easy retouching tool is actually fun! Fish-eye is particularly cool.

- included View NX2 Imaging software for photos and video editing, and processing of NEF RAW images.

- 660 shots per charge on the Nikon Lithium Ion battery.

- Advance SLR capabilities, afterall the key to creating true artistic and captivating photographs is to be able to control the elements of exposure and play up on the composition of the subject.

- And for my absolute favorite feature that no other dSLR in the market has, as of present time, the Effects Mode that works in both capturing still images and shooting videos. These amazing modes allow me to be creative without the need for any photo-imaging/editing software such as Adobe Photoshop.

The Effects Modes are as follows:

Color Sketch - transforms the subjects into colorful sketch-like images, highlighting on outlines. The results is aesthetically phenomenal!

High Key - artistic ability to intentionally overexpose an image.

Night Vision - ability to shoot at night using high ISO levels upto 102400. Images appear in an artistic black and white monochrome.

Selective Color - select upto three colors (and even determine their color ranges) that you want and everything else will be black and white. Think of this as an upgraded Canon color accent feature, but in a Nikon.

Miniature Effect - ability to make distant objects appear like miniature-scale models.

Low Key - artistic ability to underexpose an image.

Silhouette - creates a dramatic silhoette against a bright background.

With these many features, I have no doubt the Nikon dSLR D5100 can deliver years of blissful creativity. Yes it is larger than the point and shoot genre, but with its amazing features, carrying around a 1.6 lb device is so worth the beautiful photographs and videos it can capture!

My iPad 2 and I are tied at the hip. From work meetings, lunches with friends, accompanying my daughter to the mall, lounging at my reading corner at home, or cooking at my kitchen, it goes where I go. I have simply learned not to be without it.

And I must confess, since possessing this tablet, my iPhone has experienced neglect. But no chagrin here since I welcome the convenience of lesser battery charge times. Besides, the apps I use in my iPad 2 were quite difficult to do on the small screen of the iPhone. I am a Reader, enough said.

With my passion for this latest toy, I had to find items that can help me take care of the hardware, such as cases that will allow me to use my Smart Cover. Or allow me convert the tablet into a laptop, such as a Bluetooth keyboard that puts an ease in utilizing the iWork Pages App.

My quest takes me to several cool accessories, some made specifically for the iPad 2 and some for the original iPad, but also works with the new gen. All items below 20 bucks! Yup, that’s right. Under 20. Enjoy!

HyperShield Back Cover for iPad 2 – $19.95

Interesting features:

- Designed to work perfectly with the Apple iPad Smart Cover

- Covers the iPad 2 aluminum back

- Available in 10 colors to match the Apple iPad Smart Cover

- Only 1.4mm thin. You will hardly notice it.

- Made of durable TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)

- Shock absorbing gel-like property protects iPad from bumps & scratches

- Unlike silicon, TPU retains shape, form and color even after repeated use

- Dirt-proof, washable and 100% recycleable

Elite iPad Messenger Pouch - $19.95

Interesting features:

- Slim and form-fitting

- Lightweight and durable design protects from scratches and bumps

- Secure magnetic snap closure

- Inside is padded and lined with soft velvet

Diamond Glimmer Elite iPad Case - $4.50

Interesting features:

- Form-fitting case designed to perfectly fit your Apple iPad

- Uses elastic corner straps to hold your Apple iPad securely in place

- Includes an inner flap to organize your personal or business essentials

- Soft padded suede-inspired interior protects your Apple iPad screen from scratches

- Secure magnetic snap button closure

- Colors available in Jet Black, Lipstick Red, or Winter White

Ipad Keyboard Folio - $19.99

Interesting features:

- Universal Wireless Bluetooth™ 2.0 Connectivity

- Multiple Functional Hotkeys

- Spill-proof Silicone Keyboard for Optimal Screen Protection

- Magnetic Clasp for Secure Handling

- Made of Durable Materials

- Attractive padded cover to protect your iPad

- LED Power and Charge Indicator

- Built-in Rechargeable Battery with over 40+ hours per charge

- Compatible with iPhone and other Bluetooth Devices

- USB charging cable included (Also compatible with iPad charger)

Today I am sluggish. At approximately 12:58 a.m., I got up from the guest bedroom (the room closest to my home office computer) and logged onto Apple.com which landed directly on the iPad 2 page. I selected ‘Buy Now’ button, just as I rehearsed it hours earlier, and chose a White 64 GB Wi-Fi version. I also added the apple-green Smart Cover. Then I took advantage of the free engraving and placed “Cara’s iPad 2, but Ken and Ashley can borrow.” I finished off the remaining mandatory fields like shipping and purchasing information, glanced at the overall tally, grimaced at the cost of sales tax, and pressed the last button that finalized the transaction. There. After almost a year of waiting I finally bought myself an iPad 2. And in less than a week I should have it in my hands.

It seems strange I should single out this buying experience considering I constantly purchase tons of items from the internet! But the iPad 2 is special. I have been extremely anxious to get my hands on Apple’s second generation tablet. I liked the first one, but I had reservations because I knew the next release would be a better buy. Not to say that I was never tempted. When I first held my friend’s iPad, it was hard to give it back. I love interfacing with my iPhone 3Gs, but with the iPad I felt double the satisfaction as I tested the apps and surfed on the bigger screen!

When it was decided I would get an iPad, I immediately acted on my self-imposed rule, ‘for any new gadget you have to give something up’. So I sold my Acer Aspire One netbook and 2nd generation iPod Touch, and used the proceeds to start my iPad fund. It would gradually increase with my book design and blogging earnings. By this time this innovative tablet pc was already in the market for several months. I knew Apple refreshed their products with new versions so it was an inevitable choice to wait for the 2nd generation iPad. The problem was I felt it was taking too long.

Similar to tech news watchers, I would read up on news, reviews, and rumors on the iPad and iPad 2 every week. I sided with Adobe when there was a raging word war between them and Apple due to the latter’s refusal to support Flash apps. I was disconcerted when the media hyped up HP and Microsoft’s prototype tablets yet these were scrapped in the product pipeline when either one could not compete with the iPad’s battery life. I laughed at the bizarre gossip that Apple would create a 7-inch version because the Samsung Galaxy Tab was releasing one. C’mon! A 7-inch isn’t much bigger than the iPhone. Why would Apple create one? True enough even Steve Jobs dispelled that ridiculous report.

For a brief time, Samsung was the only rival. But is it prudent to purchase the Galaxy Tab when its unlocked version is exorbitantly more expensive and its operating system is based on Android’s 2.2 Froyo, an operating system created by Google specifically for smart phones and NOT Tablet PCs. The appropriate Android OS for Tablets is the recently released Honeycomb, which Motorola Xoom uses. But even with this contender, one can easily question the high price or the bulk of its size compared to the iPad 2. And why hold my breath for the Blackberry Playbook, which has been constantly promoted for a period of time yet has no tangible developments on its date of release. Truth be told the recent unveiling of the iPad 2 has definitely set the bar much higher. Competitors have no choice but to go back to the drawing board and rething their design and engineering strategies. And while they do that, I am not waiting any longer.

I may be one of the fanatics that monitored the clock for the 1:00 a.m. buying gateway of Apple.com, but that is just fine. I am awarded with receiving my gadget much sooner than those who ordered at 6 a.m. and faced 2 to 3 weeks of shipping delays. Turns out the iPad 2 stock level is much less than what everyone anticipated. There is sure to be a buying frenzy at its retail and distributor stores. But thank goodness I do not have to be there. I can use the time to catch up on my sleep.

For the first time this past holiday my middle-schooler received monies and gift cards more than actual gifts. Her gift-givers probably figured that because she is in her tweens she would much prefer selecting her own treats. When she combined the amounts of a generous Barnes and Noble gift card with her Christmas stash, she realized that she could purchase an Ebook Reader, which she has been eyeing for quite some time.

We dropped in our local Barnes and Noble to check out their selection of e-readers. Her budget was a perfect for the original black and white Nook reader, however, she ended up playing with the newly released Nook Color. After fifteen minutes, my kid gave me a look that said, “Mom, I need more money for the Nook Color.” Her sad face told me she could not bear to wait for her birthday or any special event, but she was still hesitant to ask for additional funds.  I relented and said, “I suppose if I chip in you can get the Nook Color and we can share it.” She was ecstatic!!! And then quipped, “Mom, just remember I own 65% of it!”

Within minutes of purchase we brought our Nook Color in the store’s cafe and my daughter was testing the Read In Store technology, a feature that allows her to read any book she wants for one hour. When that hour was up, she started browsing the web using B&N’s free WiFi. I was a bit anxious to try it out too, but I knew that if I waited until we got home she would be distracted by either the TV or her netbook. And I was right!

Because my daughter was busy with homework, this past week saw me utilizing the Nook Color a lot more. I am not apt for e-readers (as you would recall my blog on the Amazon Kindle), but day by day I was charmed by the Barnes and Noble device. It is a pretty little thing that should not be classified as just an ereader. Instead, I would call it a e-book tablet.

Here’s a rundown why the Nook Color is so nifty:
1. Touchscreen technology is incredibly responsive on the colored LCD. It isn’t a seamless experience as navigating an iPhone, but it comes really really close. Scrolling windows is very easy. The pinch and zoom is only available on books, but tapping the screen on the web browser shows an auto enlargement of the pages. Paragraphs automatically adjust to the window size for easier reading.

2. Book reading is incredibly fun (yes! I have been converted!)! I prefer the Portrait mode in big text (so I can relish each word), but the Landscape view is pretty cool too. The Dictionary tool is a delight, with options to also use ‘Google’ or ‘Wikipedia’. Bookmarks, highlights, and typing notes are so useful, particularly when remembering quotations or scribbling anecdotes for a book review. The ‘Alive Touch Technology’ of featured children’s books is incredible. This is interactive feature is comparable to other beginner reader’s devices that helps a child immerse themselves in the book.

3. Once you have seen Color, how could you go back to black and white? Contrary to those partial to the E-ink technology that the Amazon Kindle is famous for, I much prefer the striking color display of the Nook Color. Even though the Nook does show a screen glare when reading in direct sunlight (a situation I almost never find myself in), I find the back-lit feature an incredible feature because I can read at night without the use of any reading lamp! The brightness of the Nook screen could also be adjusted to prevent or reduce any eye strain.

4. Surfing the Web is adequately sufficient. Barnes and Noble has a short blurb on this feature, which I suspect is intentional because they are marketing this device to compete with other electronic book readers and not the tablet pcs, such as the iPad. After using the web browser, I find it as sufficient as surfing the sites on my iPhone. The Nook Color can play YouTube videos in a lower resolution, and HTML5 videos show quite nicely (check it out with Vimeo videos). Checking email, logging onto Facebook, or tweeting on Twitter is easy. However, there are challenges when typing. To write an email you must use the application in HTML so that the Nook keyboard appears. Editing is also difficult because moving the cursor is a hit or miss with no tiny periscope to tell you if you are close to the letter you are fixing. Using the keyboard is a breeze when thumb-typing in portrait mode, however, I do not recommend using it for direct blogging, but rather just for brainstorming or writing drafts.

5. Reading a variety of file formats is one up over the Kindle! The Nook Color allows you to read files with the following file extensions: EPUB, XLS, DOC, PPT, PPS, TXT, DOCM, XLSM, PPTM, PPSX, PPSM, DOCX, XLX, and PPTX. It also reads PDF files, which unfortunately is the only third-party file a Kindle will support.

6. The Nook Color supports graphics, audio, and video. With these features, I can use this device for photo-showing, access my music (or use the Pandora App included in the device), and play my MP4 videos. Using a pair of headphones is easy too with the universal 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack.

7. The MicroSD memory card slot means storage of upto 40 GB (including the 8GB of built-in memory) of files. I can hardly believe running out of space for my multi-media data!

8. LendMe Technology, Sampling of Books, and Free Book Fridays from the Nook Color Blog ‘Unbound’ is simply terrific! Replicating the concept of lending is now made possible electronically with LendMe technology. I can request to borrow novels from my circle of Barnes and Noble Nook Friends and I can lend out my books one at a time. Sampling the books is nice to have, particularly when I am intrigued by a read that received great reviews. And Free Book Fridays is another reason to look forward to the end of the work week! The first free ebook I downloaded was Septimus Heap, Book One: Magyk, which my kid will definitely enjoy!

9. The Nook Color enables Magazine and Newspaper reading through its ‘article view’ feature, wherein a single touch open a reading window. I have tested this with a trials to Inc., Martha Stewart Living, and Elle Magazines. Although it did not give me the same level of enjoyment as I would when I peruse the pages of the real hardcopy, I appreciated that the Nook Color shows the layout and graphics quite nicely too, specially when the screen is in landscape.

The only caveat I did deduce is the lack of applications. I would have liked to download RSS feeds from blogs, which I can later read without the need for WiFi access. I would also prefer basic task management tools, such as a calendar, to-do list, and the like.

However, there appears to be something in the works in the near future. With the Nook Color built on Android operating system, Barnes and Noble has confirmed that that in February their gadget will receive an upgrade to Android 2.2. This means the Nook Color will have the ability to play Adobe flash videos, online games, and have more touchscreen features (such as pinch and zoom when web browsing). Furthermore, Barnes and Noble will launch a specialized B&N Android App store, which will contain more applications and tools that can give the web experience an additional boost. The software update to Android 2.2 is automatic, thus existing Nook Color users will immediately have it once it is available. This makes the Nook’s $249 (w/o tax) price a lot more appealing to those who are not willing to fork $400 to $500+ for a Samsung Galaxy Tab or an Apple iPAD.

Looks like my kid (and me) made a great buy with the Nook Color. A few months from now when I indulged with the next generation iPAD, I wouldn’t mind a swap from time to time with her Ereader. But who knows, maybe with my constant use of this e-book tablet and with the Android 2.2 update in the works, I just might forgo with the iPAD purchase altogether and instead cough up more funds so we can co-own the Nook Color fair and square!

The search for the perfect iPhone case is no easy task. In fact, it took a chunk of my free time as I skimmed over different cases found on Apple, Amazon, and other iPhone accessory stores. I also read the reviews, coming from experts, such as CNET and Engadget, and from actual users. Now one might wonder why I even spent that much effort when it would have been simple to just visit the nearest Best Buy and select a silicone case. Yeah, a lot of folks do that. But, not me. I have always been very particular to the type of cases for my gadgets, particularly my favorite ones. And the iPhone is currently the apple of my eye.

There are three basic requirements that the case should have. First, it must protect the 3.5 inch multi-touch display. Using a screen protector is not enough. The case must completely cover the entire screen whenever I am not using it because I do not want to risk any cracks or scratches. Second, the case must not hinder my typing ability, nor inconvenience me when I need to charge the battery or use the earphones. All ports must be accessible without the need to remove the iPhone from the case. And third, it MUST look stylish.

I have seen plenty of cases that met the first two requirements, but failed on my third. And there were a couple, namely the iSkin Rev02 and the XYLOt3, that I considered my 'runner-ups' because I came very close to choosing either one, but hesitated because neither cases had the 'wow' factor. I wanted something that compliments the iPhone's sleek look, instead of cover it.  And I preferred a design that looked out of the ordinary, instead of generic.

I was about to give up when I saw a photograph of an iPhone case that immediately caught my eye. The design was suave, elegant, and absolutely unique! In fact, I have not seen anyone who carried a case like this. The best part? It met all three requirements and gave me a couple of more cool functionalities. The case is the IDOX for the iPhone 3Gs, and here are the reasons why I am loving it:

1. Without a doubt this case protects my iPhone's display screen. The clam-shell design has a hard cover that is securely hinged and molded perfectly to fit my iPhone. It also covers the entire display screen when closed.

2. All ports are accessible, even when the case is closed.

3. The camera lens is completely covered. And while some could find this inconvenient because it entails taking the phone out of the case whenever the camera is in use, I prefer having the lens protected from dust or lint whenever I am not using it.

4. The case also serves as an iPhone stand. This is definitely an innovative feature! I could set up my iPhone to easily display photos. I can also place it on my night stand or desk so it can function as an alarm clock, ipod player, or speaker phone. And when I am traveling I can place it on any flat surface and watch movies or read my ebooks. These and more make it absolutely convenient!

5. With the IDOX price at $34.95, it is definitely a lot cheaper than the other popular brands.

Since owning the Idox for my iPhone 3Gs I have received several compliments and inquiries as to where to get one. The accolades and interest have definitely made my lengthy search worthwhile! If you want one too, simply click my IDOX link and pick either the Platinum, Black, or Pink. And if you own a iPOD Touch or iPod Nano, you're in luck because IDOX has cases for them too!

I have always considered myself tech savvy than most. Not quite the expert, but more of a cafeteria enthusiast, since I tend to pick and choose what gadget technology to follow and this usually happens when I am keen on a soon-to-be purchase. I definitely do my homework by reading reviews on CNET, Engadget, et al. And of course, I am always looking at the public's general opinion, which I put more weigh in.

Of all the gadgets I own, my cellphone ranks number one in usage. Therefore I am quite picky when choosing the appropriate device. Interestingly, when the IPhone was first introduced a couple of years ago and there was so much hype and craze, I did not think much of it. I had been a Blackberry user for a very long time and was quite happy with the service and tools it was providing that I didn't think about switching. Apart from the innovative track ball used for navigation, I was particularly fond of its keyboard because I could thumb type very, very fast.

Every two years I take advantage of the upgrade privilege the cellphone company provides. And so a month ago, I began looking into the Blackberry 9700 which I had been reading rave reviews about. Although I was fond of the track ball, I was immediately impressed with the ease of use of the track pad! Simply amazing! The increased size of the viewing screen was also a plus! I also noticed how the pictures and colors appear sharper.

Now it was time to test the most important feature - the keyboard. I immediately noticed the big difference from my old Blackberry because the 9700 had the key buttons placed right next to each other with no spacing. The numbered pad also did not have a distinct color to easily distinguish the dialer. From this quick observation I was not pleased. Then I tested it. I typed a paragraph using the Notes Application. With each sentenced typed my frown grew bigger. And then that was it. Indubitably I will either find an alternative or just stick with my old Blackberry.

I decided to try the iPhone. My brother had been a fan from the get go. Whenever I ask about it he would show me cool features, interesting apps, and I always envied the viewing size of the screen. But I worried about the touch screen typing. That was really a deciding factor. Would it allow me to type fast and correct any misspelling before I use the back button? I tested the iPhone's keyboard several times. And I was blown away! It must be the new 3.3 version of the software because the keyboard functionality is nothing short of amazing! The cut/copy/paste feature is so cool. And automatic rotation of the screen is so incredible that I wondered why I settled with the small screen of the Blackberry.

And thus I made my switch. I do not need to list down the other cool features of the iPhone. I was sold the moment it surpassed my expectations on user interface! Now I am beginning to enjoy the cool apps. I have since received tips to download 'Lose It', 'Kindle for iPhone', 'Skype', 'Facebook', 'Dictionary', 'Bump', 'Fring', 'IRelax Melodies', 'Movies', 'NY Times', 'Mashable', 'Pandora Radio', 'PhotoFunia', 'Stick It', 'TwitBird', 'Wattpad', 'Yelp', and '101 Yoga Poses'.

I had a good run with the Blackberry, but I am rearing to begin a new chapter with the iPhone. It is a phone swap that I am definitely enthused about!

Over ten years ago I was in pursuit of a Web Design Certificate program at UC Santa Cruz Extension. My initial coursework were HTML/HTML Frames, Dreamweaver, and the graphic principles for the web. I didn't finish the program, but I learned enough to continue honing my interest in web design (and eventually in book and graphic design).

The earlier websites I created are too shameful to show. But mind you, I created this purely from HTML (there was no XHTML or CSS back then). Geocities and Lycos were the website hosting giants that everyone used, particularly because it was free. And my material was mostly family photographs, bits of news, announcements, and other mementos. Because web-creation was not as 'user-friendly' back then, very few people really joined the bandwagon on creating their own sites.

Today is a different story. As the internet evolved exorbitantly over the years, so has the easy-to-use tools made available for everyone to 'mark their territory' on the world wide web. While 'new media' was recognized as the fourth type of communication medium (radio, television, and print being the original three), the term 'social media' arose from the advent of blog, micro-blog, social networking, web spaces, and other sites that foster an online community. Everyone was interested in having a piece of web space to claim, whether it was in a social community, a personal webpage, or a blog. Web technology moved at a fast pace as dynamic interface became the goal, and appropriately, it was given the name ‘Web 2.0’. It means the second generation of web development and web design.

And as I reflect back on the web’s not so distant past, I realize how it was a right decision to give up pursuing that web design professional certificate. Had I invested time and money into the program I would have been faced with an obsolete technology. I am better off choosing the path of self-learning as books, video tutorials, forums, and information articles have been easily accessible. And in the field of design there's no better teacher than practice and experience.

In the next few months (or years!) I have a self-imposed agenda to learn Adobe's most recent product line, the CS4 suite, which include some of the software I am familiar with in the earlier versions, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and Dreamweaver, and some of the new tools I had previously limited exposure with, such as InDesign, Fireworks, Soundbooth, and Flash. And to add just a couple more to my curriculum, I intend to also study the features of Adobe Framemaker and Corel's Painter 11. Definitely a lot to take on, but my expectations are rather 'grounded' (creative hobbies do fall second to family and career!). I intend to be a master of a few and have working knowledge of the more. In the end it would be a worthy educational investment. The skills I learn will, no doubt, help me in my current career, my design business, my masters program, and ofcourse in channeling my creative interests.

And while I'm on the path of learning, I intend to utilize the best, easiest, and most practical web tools around. Here's a list of my top picks, some I have used and others I've experimented with:

If you want a Website: Wix.com is simply amazing! It's a flash website builder and host. This is the current home of my small business: http://www.boopublication.com. They do offer minimal fees for hosting if you want more bandwidth and they are perfect for little start-ups!

Microsoft Office Live is also very ideal when taking your small business online. It currently hosts the non-flash version of Boo Publication. They offer free hosting, templates, and online support. The tool is as easy as using MS Word!

Both Yola.com and Weebly.com are award winning website creators. They host for free too and use the 'drag and drop' interface.

If you want a Blog: It's quite obvious I am a fan of OnSugar.com, where my current blog resides. The templates are limited, however, but if you are familiar with CSS and HTML, it is fine to play around with the look and features of your blog. Another blogging platform I highly recommend is Wordpress.com (or Wordpress.org if you're savvy with software script and prefer to host it on your own!). Wordpress is very easy to use and has built in analytics that makes it easy for you to track the popularity meter of your blog. Unfortunately it does not allow any advertising, so if you are intending to do any paid product reviews or giveaways, this may not be a solution for you. You can try Google's Blogger.com, which is connected with Google Ad sense. Although the standard templates in blogger are not that attractive, you can find many sites offering free amazing-looking templates.

Xanga.com and Livejournal.com are also very cool! I'm not too fond of the graphic advertisements, but sponsors do support the sites.

Oh, and if you don't have much to say, Twitter.com is the way to go! This cool micro-blogging site is fun to use. Interestingly, I decided to join after reading Zappos' CEO Tony Hsieh testimonial on using it. When I signed up, I also found out that it was a fantastic social media tool for my design business, not to mention I can also view the tweets of my favorite vendors, media sources, book authors, and friends.

If you want to be a part of a Social Network:

Multiply.com is always a favorite. I hosted my own site there for awhile. Definitely a fantastic site to use for those who want to control who can view on each entry, photograph, or review. It also 'slurps' your photos from shutterfly, kodak gallery, etc. and your blog entries from other sites.

Facebook.com grew on me. At first I was hesitant to use it because I love Multiply. However, during a trip back to my hometown, I found out that a majority of my relatives and friends were on Facebook. So as the saying goes, if you can't beat them, join them! And I have absolutely no regrets! Facebook has fantastic business and fan pages that have helped me increase my network and communicate the happenings of my blog and design business.

For some of you that want your own social network, have a look-see at Ning.com. I used to think Google and Yahoo groups were cool concepts, but Ning definitely takes this to the next level! Shewrites.com, a social network for women writers that I belong to using the Ning platform.

Adobe Photoshop is indubitably my favorite tool when it comes to photo editing and crafting photo art. I have trusted this software through the years and it has never let me down.

However, from time to time, with my Photoshop loyalties intact, I experiment with other photo editing software such as Corel Paintshop Pro, Google’s Picassa, Serif PhotoPlus, the recently popular Picknik, among others. Some are free to try for 30 days and some are free to download (who could resist that??!!!).

They are all cool, simple to use, and a lot of fun. However, among the recent ones I have tried is an online image editor that has been creating noise in the online creative community called SUMO Paint. Without a doubt, it slides into second place among my favorites! And here are the reasons why:

1. It’s FREE!

2. No download necessary. Just click on this link http://www.sumopaint.com/app/ and paint, edit, or create away!

3. You get an online canvas that serves as your display gallery.

4. Very EASY to USE and so kid-friendly!!! I opened an account for Ashley and she’s painting away and having a blast! And printing the artwork is a cinch! They are perfect for self-made gifts, framed art, or greeting cards.

5. Simple and Organized. Even though this is a web application, there are NO ads to distract you from your work! And registration is fast, with just your name and email address.

So give it a try! Make an art of your photographs or just simply paint from scratch.

A few nights ago my former college roommate, Ruth, came for a visit at my home with her two lovely daughters. Even though she lives a mere twenty minutes away it was the first time in months that we were finally able to set a time to catch up with each other’s stories! In fact, I still had her January birthday present in the trunk of my car!

During our conversation she asks me about my recent fascination with young adult urban fantasy novels, which was, of course, spurned by the Twilight series. I glanced at the bookshelf over at my small library and pointed to her my miniature collection. I have become an avid reader of that genre finishing eleven books in a span of eight weeks. Ruth loves to read too, but tells me she only finds the time to catch up on her reading at night before bedtime, or when she's waiting at an airport lounge and on a plane ride during a business trip. She said she was thinking of purchasing a Kindle since one of our college friends has been raving about it.

Now who wouldn't be familiar with the Amazon Kindle? This e-book gadget is the front runner in the market, surprisingly beating out Sony, a more well-known hardware technology company. In fact, it's even safe to say that Kindle’s popularity has spurned a new verb synonymous to electronic reading. Don’t be surprised is someone asks you, “Do you Kindle?

My own response would be…well, I have been tempted many times! I read about the Kindle and its reviews from reputable hardware critics. It is a really cool tool. It can download an e-book in sixty seconds. Wi-fi access would be free. The battery power can last up to four days. It is so thin and light! And I was so impressed after reading a recent article on Amazon's CEO, Jeff Bezos, and his introduction of the newest Kindle DX release. So why hesitate? Why not go ahead and put some damage in my wallet? Well, the more I visualize using a Kindle the more I could not see myself using it. I love technology and my mouth waters at gadgets, but this is one savvy tool I would gladly pass up.

Why? It's really simple. It will take away the joy from my reading. My definition of leisure in this activity lies in the complete experience of touching a book, flipping the pages, going back to favorite scenes, closing my eyes as I visualize, and putting a favorite bookmark (which happens to be my Boo Publication postcard!) on the page where I stopped. I also love seeing a book on top of my bedside table, tempting me to continue where I left off, and sometimes feeling its weight just below my chin where it sits just seconds before I fall asleep.

And while I'm not big on clutter, I can't help but love that I have a small library in my home cradling my family's favorite books. It’s a favorite spot where all of us go to every day, running our index fingers over the titles as we decide on our selection. If that special place could talk it would recount the numerous experiences I read to my daughter during her adolescent years when she would sit on my lap and reach out to touch the pages and point to the pictures and words. And in recent years now that she is older, she would select a book from her own little library in her room and dwell on my bed as my husband and I are engrossed in our own respective novels. We would all read together in silence, with only the whisper of pages turning. All of this brings joy to my reading experience. If I use a Kindle, it just would not be the same.

However, I do acknowledge that the Kindle is a nifty tool for those who do not define leisure reading as I do. They do not mind missing the trips to the library, book events, author readings, and signing at their favorite independent booksellers, or hanging out at Borders or Barnes and Noble. It can be very useful for students who could do without the heavy textbooks, although, my opinion on that matter really falls on e-formats of textbooks should be available in PDF files at a much, much lower price! And the Kindle does save printing costs, which is a very healthy effort for our environment. There are a lot more positive aspects of this device and it would be enjoyed by many, but not me. The Kindle simply does not deliver what the Ipod Touch did to my music listening or my video watching. I would very much prefer holding a hard copy book, with its glossy cover, book binding, and acid free paper.