Here are a few things to double check that you may not have thought about when gifting the device to your kids.

1. Clear it of all of your important data. No need for your 12-year-old to have to read your boring spreadsheets from work. If you are gifting a computer, back up and remove all of your files. If you are passing on a smartphone reset it to remove your contacts, text messages, photos, and calendar appointments.

2. Uninstall unnecessary programs. If you have specialized programs for work, IM programs that you don’t want the kids to use, VPN programs or anything else that kids will look at and say “huh?” uninstall it before passing on the device. The less clutter, the better.

3. Update the virus software:  You do not want your little ones browsing the web and inadvertently infecting their computer. Make sure that the virus software is up-to-date. For PCs I recommend Free AVG. Set it to update automatically and to run frequent late night scans so that you don’t have to worry about it.

4. Install a Spyware/Malware protector: Just like you need to protect the device from viruses, you also need to guard against Spyware. Spybot is a great, free option.

5. Configure Paternal Controls: This is the most important one on the list. You do not want little eyes to see what they should not see. And you certainly do not want your kids having a ball in the app store making purchases. Be sure to enable parental controls on the computer, tablet, or smartphone that your kids will use.  All phone carriers have great products available to install on smartphones to protect your kids. Check with your carrier for details. The iPad, iPod Touch, and Kindle Fire also offer parental controls in the settings. And the app store for iOS, and the Play Store for Android there are plenty of parental control apps that you can download. Many are free and offer great protection.

6. Give them a quick lesson: Ok yes… we know that most kids will not need it at all. My 6 year-olds have been good with the computer, smartphone, iPad, game system, etc. since they were 4. But, if you think that they need it, point them in the right direction.  Sit together and decide what apps to download or what websites to bookmark. They will be happy and not have to ask you every 5 minutes to install a new app, or approve a new website.

7. Let them enjoy: Technology is a part of our kid’s lives now. Our job as parents is to nuture the learning process, and teach moderation. Let them learn and enjoy..

Are you kids using a new device this holiday season?

Here are ten other useful things you can do with a good smartphone.

1. Read important emails: As a small business owner, keeping up with my email is very important to me. With an Android phone using Gmail sync, I know immediately when I get an email, and can respond right away if needed. The Android OS also lets you connect to your company’s Microsoft Exchange Server. This means in addition to your email, you have your contacts and calendar at your fingertips.
2. Keep track of your busy schedule: Being able to keep track of my schedule in my pocket is by far my favorite function. I am an avid Google and Gmail user, and I love the smooth integration that having an smartphone provides. I can access my calendar at any time, get reminders, and add new appointments immediately during meetings, or even at the doctor’s office if needed.
3. Take Better Photos: Most older phones did not take good photos … if at all. The resulting pictures were often grainy and unclear, and sometimes it was not even obvious who was in the photo. Smartphones have much better cameras. Most come with either a 5mb or 8mb resolution camera and can do a great job of filling in for a point and shoot digital camera. Many models (or apps like Instagram) also allow you to set effects such as sepia, monotone, and frames. And you can often adjust white balance and ISO.
4. Deposit Checks: Many banks including Chase, Bank of America, and PNC have mobile apps that allow you to deposit a check right from your smartphone. This saves a trip to the bank. These apps also allow you to pay bills, and keep tabs on your account at any time.
5. Send Money via Paypal: With the Paypal Mobile App, you can quickly and easily send money for a business or personal transaction. The app also allows you to request money, split bills, or deposit a check.
6. Shop: Popular online stores like Amazon and eBay have mobile apps that allow you to make purchases right from your smartphone. I especially love the eBay app because even when traveling I don’t miss out on auctions that I am trying to win.
7. Watch Movies & TV Shows: Depending on your mobile device and service, you can watch movies from services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Instant Video, and maybe even your cable TV provider wherever you are.
8. Get Directions & Navigation: Sure, a lot of modern cars come with GPS built-in, but it can be an expensive option. With your Android smartphone, you can get turn-by-turn voice guided directions via the free Google Maps app. It also alerts you to traffic problems and alternative routes. The iPhone also has the Google Maps app, however it lacks the ability to do turn by turn directions.
9. Check the Weather: Instead of turning on the radio and waiting for the weather forecast, the Weather.com or Accuweather app can give you the forecast for the week with a few clicks. You can also view local radars, and check the forecast for other locations.
10. Stream Your Music Library:  If you commute to work, and need entertainment all you need is your favorite pair of earphones to stream your entire music library using Google Music. The service allows you to upload up to 20,000 songs to the cloud to access wherever you go.

Do you have recommendations for why someone needs a smartphone?

1. Evernote: I am always boasting the praises of Evernote. It is hands down the best app for note taking and organization. And it syncs to all of your devices. Interested? Click here to learn all of the ways that I use Evernote.
2. DocuSign Ink: In my line of work, I have to sign a lot of contracts and agreements. It is a real pain to have to print them, sign them, and then scan them to email them back, or find a fax machine. With DocuSign Ink, all you do is open the document via your email. It opens in the app, you add your signature, save it, and email it back. No unnecessary printing and faxing.
3. Dropbox: Dropbox is cloud based storage that gives you access to important documents from multiple computers and mobile devices. A free account starts you with 2GB of storage. This is good enough for storing important contracts, proposal templates, and more that you use often. The same files are made available on your PC, Mac, and Mobile Devices.
4. SugarSync: SugarSync is like Dropbox on steroids. Not only is the ability to access your files remotely a major function, but so is keeping your data backed up. With SugarSync, the free account gets you 5GB of cloud based storage that you can use to store commonly used files, or backup your other machines.
5. Quickoffice HD Pro: Need to create and edit documents while on the go? Quickoffice HD Pro is a full featured suite that offers a word processor, spreadsheet program, and even a presentation program.
6. iWork (Pages, Keynote, and Numbers): If you use a Mac at home or the office, you may prefer to stick with Apple’s iWork suite for your document processing needs. You can then keep everything synced with your iCloud account to flawlessly access it and continue working when you return to your desk.
7. Hootsuite: Yes, Hootsuite is known mostly as a Twitter app, but you can do so much more. If you are responsible for handling your company’s social media, you will appreciate the ease with which Hootsuite lets you simultaneously post updates to Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Foursquare, Myspace, and more. You can also share duties with other team members, or schedule updates.
8. Invoice2go Lite: Need to send an invoice to clients while away from the office? Invoice2go Lite makes is easy to send out simple invoices, quotes, and proposals, so you can do it on the go.
9. Square: If you have a need to accept credit cards, or report cash transactions, the Square app (when used in conjunction with the free Square reader) can help. You just plug the unit into your headphone jack, swipe cards, and use the app to process. There is no monthly fee. You pay as little as 2.75% on a transaction.

What are some of your favorite apps for productivity?

1. Speck Products See Thru Hard Shell Case for MacBook Pro 13-Inch

If you spend an arm and a leg on a Macbook (and you will) you want to protect it. These Hard Shell Cases are excellent. I love the way it wraps around the laptop without bulking it up. And of course the color is cool too. It will cost around $40.

2. KHOMO Dual Case: Green Polyurethane Smart Cover FRONT + GreenPoly-carbonate BACK Protector for Apple iPad

I love this smart case. If you are a fan of the Smart Covers for iPad 2, but miss not having the back of your iPad protected – this will take care of both. This Dual case includes a smart cover and a plastic case to protect the back of your iPad.

3. CaseCrown Metallic Glider Case for Apple iPhone 4 and 4S

I like the fact that this case is metallic. It’s not just green. It’s green and shiny. The CaseCrown Glider Case for iPhone is made from durable polycarbonate that will protect your phone. It’s easy to install and protects from drops and falls.

4. Hermes Women’s Designer Briefcase Laptop Bag

Can you say LOVE? Wow. This is a beautiful bag and I’m just itching to buy it. This bag is made of embossed and smooth textured faux leather. Even not being real, it is beautiful. The only downside is that it’s meant for smaller computers. It suggests nothing larger than an 11 inch, although one reviewer seemed to squeeze her 13 inch laptop inside.

5. Creative D100 Wireless Bluetooth Speakers

When traveling music is a must. And occasionally you may want to share that music with others. This stylish green speaker connects via Bluetooth to your devices, so that you can stream music wirelessly. It has a 10 meter range and works with a plug or batteries.

Are you planning to get decked out for St. Patrick’s Day? If so, what are your plans?

Here are a few simple tips to help you when out and about:

1. Get awesome business cards:  When you are out and about, you want people to know who you are. If you attend an event in your niche, you can pick up valuable contacts. You want your new associates to visit your blog, follow you on Twitter, or check out your Facebook page. Having a catchy business card helps. Make sure that yours stands out from the rest. Don’t make it wild, but make it unique.
2. Join local clubs or organizations: Here in Chicago the mom blogging community is pretty tight. There is always an event to attend. In order to keep up with each other and keep up to date on events, we have a few groups. If you want to do the same in your area, check out Facebook, MeetUp, or Linkedin groups. Don’t see one the covers what you need? Start it and invite some friends. Also check out local social media groups that specialize in connecting bloggers with brands. This is a great way to be considered for paid opportunities.
3. Attend local events: This is the best thing that you can do as soon as you start your blog. If you get out to a local MeetUp and talk with fellow bloggers they may be inclined to check out your blog. And it is always good to have blogging friends. The connections are awesome. And many bloggers love sharing tips with new bloggers.
4. Offer your social media skills to local businesses: As small businesses realize the value of social media, they will be looking for savvy individuals to help them get started and teach them the ends and outs of Twitter and Facebook. They may even opt to hire you to be the voice of their social media accounts. Make sure that you have built up your own social media footprint first to show that you know what you are doing.
5. Host your own local social media events: You don’t have to be an event planner to have an awesome event. You can just start small. Invite a few bloggers for lunch, dinner, or even just to your home for a get together. Set a topic for the evening and you all can swap ideas and get to know each other.
6. Attend a blogging conference: Attending a blogging conference is very valuable for new bloggers. There are lots of them now, so do your homework. You might want to start small or local before subjecting yourself to one of the larger conferences. At conferences you can attend helpful sessions like how to pitch a brand, better blog design, or getting started in social media consulting among other things. And of course you get to meet some of your favorite bloggers and Twitter friends in person.

How often do you connect offline to better your online influence?

With the exception of the past couple of years, I am usually a home body on New Year’s Eve. I love to attend house parties thrown by friends, or I throw one myself.  You have probably noticed a change in the way your favorite party DJ works. They no longer show up with several carts of heavy equipment and LPs. Instead, they;ve gone digital. Chances are they show up with a laptop and an external hard drive.

When throwing a party, you want to keep your guests entertained. The great thing about all this technology is that you can use it to your advantage when it comes time to party. You do not have to be a famous DJ to wow your friends with your DJ talents. Here are a few tech tips that you can use to make your New Year’s Eve Party a rocking success:

1. Create an iTunes playlist: If you use iTunes, setup a playlist of your favorite tunes and then connect your laptop to your stereo via an audio cable.
2. Stream Music via Pandora: Setting up a themed Pandora station is super easy. And if you are a step above your laptop you just might have a TV, Blu-ray player, or media player box that can easily stream Pandora direct to your stereo.
3. Use Spotify: Spotify is the cool new service that not only lets you see what your friends are listening to, it lets you access their shared playlists. This is an awesome way to invite friends to create playlists for the party.
4. Access your collection via Google Music: Google Music is a fairly new service from Google, but the possibilities are endless. You can upload up to 20,000 songs. These songs are kept in the cloud. So, once uploaded these songs can be accessed from any other computer, your Android phone, or your iPhone. I’m sure Google will soon make it available on other devices as well.
5. Dock your iPhone: There are several party worthy docks out there that allow you to dock your iPhone and hook it into your stereo. Or, find one that is full of sound and party ready itself like the Sonos system. Once docked you can take advantage of apps that access the services mentioned above to stream music.

These are just a few of the ways that you can stream music to entertain your guests. There are several other options like storing your library on a NAS (Network Attached Storage Device) somewhere in your home that you can access from other Network devices like your Sony PS3, or compatible televisions and Blu-ray players. When my home was built in 2006, not only did I have it wired for the internet, I also got whole house audio. So when I choose to I can fill my whole house with music! It’s awesome for a party, and wows all of my friends.

What are some of your favorite ways to manage and share your music?

1. Navigation bar: Yes, this should be a given, but I was on a site recently that had no nav bar. The nav bar gives visitors easy access to visiting must have pages like the About Page, Contact page, or the Archives. And most importantly, it allows them to go back to the homepage once they are done reading a post.
2. Search box: An easy to find search box near the top of your site is a huge plus. This is good for readers who may be looking for a particular post or subject on your site that they know you have written about, but they cannot locate. Instead of them having to scroll back through pages and pages or posts, a search box allows them to just for simple terms.
3. Category dropdown: This also helps visitors navigate your site. Visitors who want to read everything you’ve written on a given topic can quickly pull up that category and get a listing of all articles.
4. Contact page: Yes, I have visited some blogs that did not have them. Readers or companies who want to contact you need a way to find you. Create a simple contact page where they can fill out a form which emails you. You can also include your email address and phone number if you wish. If you are using WordPress this is done very easily via a plugin. My favorite is Contact Form 7.
5. Share buttons: Adding share buttons is great for you and your readers. If someone is reading a post and they love it, they want to share it. This in turn brings more readers back to your blog. Again, this is a simple addition with plugins.
6. Use Proper Grammar: Of course there is some leeway for those little catchy phrases and things that you use, jokes here and there, and nicknames. But generally you want your sentences to make sense to your readers. I am certainly no grammar expert, but watch for commas in the right places, spelling, and the rest. If you can admit that you are not too good at it, maybe designate a grammar savvy friend to proofread your posts for you. And there are those that type exactly like they talk in conversation which is sometimes interesting. If a blog is too difficult to read, visitors will not return.
7. About Page: This should probably be at the top of the list. This is the FIRST thing you should setup when you start at blog. Who are you? Why should we read your blog? Where do you live? What do you do when you are not blogging? Sound like a lot of info? It’s not really. Readers love to feel connected to the writer. And if you want to expand your blog to business, brand visiting will want to know what you are about before agreeing to work with you.
8. Make Sure Everything Fits: Huh? Well… sometimes I visit a blog which has badges in the sidebar as we all do. But, some of them are obviously too big to be there and hanging off the sides. Move them somewhere else, eliminate them, or just resize the image with a width attribute. Trust me, it will look much better. J
9. Reply to Comments: People leave comments because they like your blog, they want your opinion, or they want to share a similar experience. Thank your commenters. They will keep coming back. If asked a question, try your best to answer it or at least point them in the right direction.
10. Use Photos: Break up the monotony of all that black text with some photos here and there in your posts. Photos draw readers in. Check out our article on using images to enhance your blog posts.

When I first got my hands on it, I wrote a post about my first impressions. And since then I’ve put together this handy guide to Google+

With more users being added as we type, now is a good time to cover the basics. When you get on Google+ what do you need to know? What are the cool things to check out?

Your Profile

The first thing that you should do is setup your profile. I love the way that Google+ displays user profiles. It is clean and relevant info is easy to find. My favorite part is the About tab. You can actually post your bio, and all the of the links that you want people to know about are displays in the right sidebar.

Circles

Circles are your groups of friends. Or lists or friends, or whichever name you prefer. You drag and drop pics of your friends into Circles which adds them to the list. However, it takes a while! I wish that they would add the ability to change the view away from the card/circle view to make it a bit faster to sort. Some people have been complaining for a while about getting “Circle Fatigue.”

Hangouts

Hangouts are the coolest feature of Google+ in my opinion. They allow you to do group video chat with your Google+ friends. You can choose to setup a public chat so that anyone can join. Or, you can invite specific friends to join you in your chat, up to 10 users. Some new features that Google is working hard on adding such as Desktop sharing and a Sketch Pad are available in beta form. But right now you can chat, view YouTube videos, and mute your sound and/or video as needed. I can see using this quite often for group meetings or small webinars.

Google+ Mobile

Google+ Mobile is now available for iPhone and Android as a native app. If you do not have either of them, limited features are available via m.google.com/plus. It gives you the ability to view your stream as well as access your Huddle, upload photos, and now participate in Hangouts (Android Only).

Huddles (Messenger)

Think of Huddles as group chat. You can add a bunch of your Google+ friends to a Huddle and IM them all at the same time, right from your mobile. The only drawback to Huddles is that they are not available in the browser version of Google+. Although, you can mimic this activity by starting a group chat in Google Talk which can be loaded in the sidebar of Google+ and Gmail. But, each user would have to be a friend on your chat list. It would be great if you were able to continue a Huddle conversion when you get to your desk.

Games

Games show up on their own tab, and game notifications stay on that tab as well. They do not clog up your default stream, which is a good thing. So, you are only bugged by the games if you want to be.

This will get you started on Google+ and we’ll be adding more posts as new functionality is added.

Are you on Google+ yet? Do you use it differently than Facebook? What do you think?

Some of the major websites using WordPress for their content management include:

• eBay – The eBay Ink blog is the company’s main blog. eBay’s Social Media Strategist and Chief Blogger told me the blog was launched in 2008 and WordPress was the right choice from the beginning. You can read more about the project and how it came together at http://vocecommunications.com/portfolio/web-development/ebay/.
• Blackberry – Inside Blackberry is the company’s main blog powered by WordPress.
• Ford – The Ford Story chronicles articles, user stories and plenty of car photos!

These are only 3 of the major WordPress sites that caught my eye. There are many more at WordPress Showcase, including news sites, fashion sites, and music sites.

So why do major companies trust a free blogging platform like WordPress to run their business sites? There are many reasons and several benefits to using a CMS to manage your website.

1. No HTML coding experience needed to update: Users do not need to know HTML just to add a simple post.
2. No Proprietary Software Needed: Website users do not need to have special software installed on their computers to update the site. All they need is access to the internet.
3. No major coding experience necessary for maintenance: Once the customer is trained in the basics of maintaining things like sidebar widgets and ad placements, they should be able to quickly update relevant info in that area without contacting the web designer.
4. Multiple users can update the same site: This is awesome for group blogs or other sites where more than one person is responsible for adding site content. Each user gets a unique login. And, more than one user can be logged in at the same time updating the site.
5. Permissions can be customized: You may want to give one user access to do more than another user. Some users may get admin access, while others only need contributor access to add articles. There can also be editors, or only subscribers.
6. Quick content updates: In order to add new content, there are very few clicks involved.
7. Less overall maintenance cost for the company: Since it is less likely that someone will break the site trying to do something simple like add new content, there is less cost to the company. There will be less calls to the web designer to fix an oops.
8. Ease of extendibility through plugins: Features can be easily added to WordPress through the thousands of available plugins. Many of them free. You can easily add ecommerce, a forum, or other functionality with a few mouse clicks.

Yes, there are other options out there for building a website. But, I have used self-hosted WordPress since 2005 and I will not leave it. The ease of setup, ease of customization, and user friendliness make it a great option for setting up almost any type of website.

If the idea intimidates you, or not quite ready to invest in the hosting costs to get your site up and running, you can head over to WordPress.com and get a free account to familiarize yourself with the software. WordPress.com is not as feature rich as the self-hosted version, but it is still a great start.

For more information on the benefits of using self-hosted WordPress, visit WordPress.org.

I recently wrote a post about how to prepare to attend a blog conference, and many of these items were on the list. But, these are also great if you are just a busy professional on the go. Here is my list of mobile office must-haves. You might not need to carry every one of these items with you at all times, but you will want to have them if you are going on a business trip.

1. Great bag – Start with a great bag. You need one that is comfortable to carry with space for all of your gadgets. If you travel a lot, you might want to get a rolling case. This has been on my list to get for quite a while. I need to invest in one.
2. Laptop or Netbook – If you need to pound out a post, type a long email or any other documents, or possibly show a presentation, you need a laptop. And the flurry of netbooks out now is almost as powerful as large laptops. I carry an 11.6” that does everything that I need it to do.  Don’t forget your power adapter! And maybe a wireless mouse. I find it a lot easier to work on my netbook with an external mouse when sitting at a table. Or perhaps you prefer to travel with a…
3. Tablet Computer – Yes, it is possible to use this as a laptop replacement within reason. I recommend still having at least a netbook with you if it is an extended trip. But, bringing along a Bluetooth enabled keyboard + stand for your tablet can turn it into a very functional laptop replacement.
4. Smartphone – This is a given, but hey… it is worth a mention. If you have not yet upgraded your ancient cell phone to a smartphone, now is a good time. If you are mobile a lot, or you commute, being able to get to your email to quickly filter out the nonsense, send a quick reply, or mark those that deserve a lengthy reply later is a huge plus. Also make sure that you have your power adapter. But,iIt can be inconvenient to have to find a plug when you are on the go, so I recommend a portable charger such as an iGo Charge Anywhere. And take your bluetooth earpiece. You can talk on the phone while doing other things if you do not have to hold your phone with one hand, or with your shoulder. J Plus, it is the law in many places now that you HAVE to have an earpiece to talk on the phone while driving.
5. Mi-Fi or USB Broadband adapter – If you have internet access with you at all times, you can work anywhere. There is no need to find a Starbucks, or other place with Wi-Fi if you your own. And, it is a great way to make new friends at a conference. But, before signing up, survey all of the popular services to find out which has the best coverage for your area.
6. Portable Scanner – Ok, everyone might not need this one, but I love having the option. I have a portable scanner that I can use to scan signed documents that need to be emailed or faxed right away without having to find a fax machine or scanner. I can also scan photos, and more right into my laptop. And the scanner does not take up much room, or add weight to my bag.
7. Point & Shoot Camera – Unless you have a cell phone that takes really awesome photos, you should keep a small pocket camera in your bag just in case you need to take photos for posts or other documents. Don’t forget the charger and memory card. J
8. Surge Protector – Depending on just how many gadgets you have, having your own $10 surge protector in your bag can be a lifesaver. You would have room to plug in all of the things mentioned above, and maybe even help out a friend.
9. Online Backup Service – Having frequently used documents and information “in the cloud” is a great way to keep you information at your fingertips no matter where you are. Google Docs is probably the most popular one that users turn to for shared documents and collaboration. Other services like Sugarsync  and Dropbox allow you to sync to a folder on your computer that always stays up to date. This means that even if you are not online, like on an airplane, you can still get to your documents.
10. Good Paper Organizer – Yes, we have all of this technology around us and everything above was based on it. But, it is still a good idea to have a pad, spiral notebook, or full organizer for jotting down notes and keeping important info. I actually have 2. I have a momAgenda desktop organizer that stays at home. And, I have a Daytimer leatherbound one that I can take pages in and out of with pockets for traveling.

I think that this list is a great start. And if you can keep all of these items in your bag or car, you will always have what you need at your fingertips to get work done wherever you are.