Archive for the ‘Gadgets’ Category
Monumental Learning and Fun
Wednesday, August 7th, 2013
By Dennis Powell, e-Management
Did you know that the Great Smoky Mountains is the most visited national park? When is your next trip there?
What federal organization manages more than 400 national parks, conservation and historical lands, and national monuments? If you guess the National Park Service (NPS) you are absolutely correct. NPS is a bureau within the U.S. Department of the Interior and has been around since President Woodrow Wilson signed a law establishing the organization way back in 1916. NPS, supported by 28,000 workers and professionals, has an annual budget of about $3 billion. More than nearly 2.5 million volunteer for the National Park Service.
Every year more than 275 million people visit the 400+ U.S. national parks every year. Now, that’s a lot of people. The system includes more than 84 million acres of land in every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. Now, that’s a lot of land. But, wait…did you know that Delaware is the only state without a national park? Who knew? 
What Makes the National Park Service properties so special?
Well, NPS offers something for everyone: breath-taking parklands, recreation, cultural heritage, and history. For your convenience, e-Management has pulled together some of the popular NPS destinations and points of interest.
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African-American Heritage: As discussed earlier, NPS oversees historical land and monuments. The bureau manages African-American Heritage Sites, which spotlights the roles blacks played in American history. Popular sites include the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, and Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site. The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington, D.C., is also part of NPS’ African-American Heritage Sites. Douglass was a 19th century black abolitionist who advised President Abraham Lincoln on issues from emancipation to fair pay for black soldiers who fought alongside whites in the Civil War.
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Hispanic Heritage: The Hispanic Heritage Sites preserve the history of Hispanic Americans. These sites are comprised of at least 20 properties. Each site spotlights Hispanic heritage. For instance, the popular Chamizal National Memorial in El Paso, Texas is more than a place for recreation or relaxation. The park has become a symbol for reconciliation. Why? According to park’s website, this site represents “the peaceful settlement of a 100-year border dispute between nations.” The park features a museum that provides the history of U.S.A. and Mexico border disputes and eventual resolution. Other parks in the Hispanic Heritage Sites include the De Soto National Memorial in Bradenton (Florida), Presidio of San Francisco, and the San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico.
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Women’s History: Women’s History Sites throughout the National Park Service feature information on the contributions of women in the U.S.A. Popular sites include the Women’s Rights National Historical Park, the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, and the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site. Another site, the Sewall-Belmont House is considered by some historians to be the birth place of the women’s suffrage movement in the U.S.A. According to its website, the site “is committed to sharing the untold stories of women’s history.”
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The Grand Canyon: Who remembers the Brady Bunch episode that featured the family’s annual camping trip? Where did they go? The Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. This national park is very much a part of American popular culture. Really, the site is featured in numerous movies including the Grand Canyon; Thelma and Louise; and Transformers. So, it should come as no surprise that the canyon was the second most visited NPS property last year. What’s to do there? You can hike, take mule trips into the canyon, and camp. This is the perfect destination for people who love the great outdoors. Perhaps the most interesting aspect to the Grand Canyon is its spectacular sunrise and sunset vistas. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen this spectacular view!
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The Great Smoky Mountains: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s popularity may come as a surprise to some. Spanning the states of Tennessee and North Carolina, the park is by far the most visited national park—beating out the Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park, and even Yellowstone National Park. Nearly 10 million people visited the park last year. That’s twice as many as the Grand Canyon! What’s the attraction? The area is a natural and cultural history treasure. The park offers diverse landscapes, plants, and wildlife. The Great Smoky Mountains region also has one of the largest collections of log cabins and preserved buildings in the country. Beyond historical structures, other points of interest and activities include viewing wildflowers, fishing, camping, horseback riding, and bicycling.
What’s Your Favorite NPS Treasure?
The National Park Service’s official mission is to care “for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.” NPS resources are places for monumental learning and fun. As we have seen, NPS is more than just parks. NPS showcases our country’s diverse history. So, (1) when was the last time you visited a national park, monument, or heritage site? (2) What is your favorite NPS destination, treasure, or points of interest?
Tags: African American, Dennis Powell, , Government, government spotlight, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, heritage, Hispanic, National Park Service, Ola Sage, women's history
Posted in Corporate, Dining, Economy, Energy, Entertainment, Events, Family, Gadgets, Government, Healthcare, Information Security, Social Media, Travel, Uncategorized | 37 Comments »
How did we ever live without our apps?
Thursday, January 31st, 2013
By Dennis Powell, e-Management
One app store may see more than 400,000 new apps added to its ecosystem this year. There is absolutely no doubt that apps are changing the way we do business, live, and even get hitched.
Today many of us are wondering how we ever lived without apps. What’s an app? It’s quite simple actually. An app is the short form for “software application.” Apps help you do a lot of wonderful things including cataloging recipes, getting driving directions, helping you manage your weight, and even letting you know who’s winning the week’s most important sports matchup. When you hear people referring to an app, they are usually talking about software on smart phones (e.g., Android, Blackberry, iPhone, Windows phone), mobile devices, tablets, or Internet media devices (e.g., bluray players, Wii, Roku, Applet TV, Xbox, smart TVs). Apple and Google have dominated the apps market in the U.S.A. According to mobile analytics leader App Annie, Google’s revenue of apps was up more than 300 percent in 2012 over the previous year. Mostly recently, media reports are predicting that the Apple Store will see more than 400,000 new apps added to its ecosystem this year. Microsoft recently unveiled its reportedly new and improved operating system Windows 8, which introduced the Windows App Store. This week saw big smart phone/mobile app news coming out of Research in Motion (RIM)—the makers of Blackberry.
It’s an App World Out There.
There is absolutely no doubt that apps are changing the way we do business, live, and even get hitched. So, e-Management has decided we would once again provide a short list of useful apps. Keep in mind, many of the following apps are available for free or purchase in the App Store, Google Play, or the Windows App Store. How do you find an app? Your mobile device will have an icon for an app store. For example, Android’s app store is called the “Play Store.” Likewise, the store for iPhones and iPads is simply called the “App Store.” Click on the appropriate app store icon and the rest is intuitive. You can pick categories of apps or you can type in the name of an app to find a specific tool. Once you find an app, read the terms of privacy and click on the download button. It’s that simple!
Facebook Pages Manager App: The Facebook app is the most downloaded mobile software in the U.S.A. But did you know there are other Facebook apps available for free? In May 2012, Facebook launched its Pages Manager for Apple. The company also recently introduced a version for Google-centric Android phones. What’s cool about this app? It’s great if you are the social media or Facebook manager for your agency, organization, or brand. If you manage a Facebook page (different from a user profile), Pages Manager helps you connect with people who are visiting your Facebook site and give you “Insights” into what campaigns are working.
The Flashlight App: Yes. It’s exactly what you think it is. The app turns your mobile device into a flashlight by turning on all available light features. Flashlight also has an S.O.S. feature for times of emergencies.
The ESPN App: With March Madness just around the corner, this app is perfect for diehard basketball and sports fans. The ESPN App gives you access to the latest scores and breaking news. You can also get quick facts on your favorite teams and players. For Windows fans, you can access this app via mobile device, tablet, or desktop!
Urban Dictionary App: Are you just not up on the latest slang you hear from youngsters or on trashy reality TV? Well, here is the app for you! The Urban Dictionary gives you quick and easy access to the largest database of hip talk or slang on the planet—at least that’s what the makers claim. Don’t have a smart phone yet? No worries, you can always visit UrbanDictionary.com to jumpstart your crash course in urban slang.
HuluPlus App: TV lovers are probably going to like this app because it offers streaming video of classic and current shows. Many of the top rated shows like Family Guy and Modern Family are available using this app. Also, you get popular movies as well. The app is free; however, you must subscribe to the Hulu Plus streaming video service. The app is available on many media devices such bluray and Apple TV, as well as mobile devices that run Apple, Android, and Windows 8.
Google Maps App: With nearly 75 million users, Google Maps is the second most popular app according to CommScore. What’s new? In addition to being the preferred mobile app to help find our way through parks, city streets, and highways, Google Maps has added more functionality to help you navigate shopping malls, popular buildings, and airports. Even Apple is on the Google Maps bandwagon following its failed entry into the maps apps world.
Swype App: Many Samsung Android-based mobile users already take advantage of the Swype app. Users can create words quickly without traditional finger/thumb typing on their smart phones by simply swiping over letters with a finger or stylus. The app is available on mobiles phones, tablets, game consoles, Internet TVs and more. (Note: New version is not yet available for iPhones).
Skype App: If you want to stay in touch with your friends and family wherever they may be, then the Skype App might be right for you. With Skype, you can chat via instant messaging, video conference, or make phones to other Skype users for free; which can help you save tons of money when you are traveling or connecting to loved ones who live abroad! If you are concerned about the battery life of your mobile device, fear not! Unlike many apps, Skype won’t drain your battery.
WebMD App: One of the most recognizable online resources of health and wellness naturally has its own app. In addition to being a tool that can be great to have in emergencies situations, the WebMD app allows you to provide your symptoms to help you make an informed determination of illness in the absence of a doctor.
IMO Instant Messenger App: It’s free! It’s available through multiple platforms including Apple, Android, and BlackBerry. If you are really into sending and receiving instant messages, this is the tool for you. The app allows you to talk across imo, Skype, Google Talk, AIM, Jabbar, Facebook, and many other messaging networks. It’s THE one-stop instant messaging. How do you like them APP-les? *SMILES*
Yes, I know. I missed a lot.
So, here’s your chance to add to your list of must-have apps. What’s your favorite app? What are the apps you just cannot live without?
Tags: Android, app, , Blackberry, Dennis Powell, , , IMO, iPad, iPhone, mobile, Ola Sage, RIM, Skype, Swype, tablet, tech, Windows 8
Posted in Entertainment, Gadgets, Internet/Intranet, Lifestyle, Social Media, Uncategorized | 22 Comments »
We Ought to be in Pictures!
Monday, December 17th, 2012
By Colleen Schuler, e-Management
Argo, starring Ben Affleck (who also directs the film) has received five Golden Globe nominations including Best Picture. The movie also finds its way on our Best of 2012 list.
Aah, movies…gotta luv ‘em. They can be so entertaining and delightful. Somewhat painful too, if you pay full price and get popcorn! But I digress.
Here are some of the movies, I’ve seen this year (starting with the most recent)…plus some sneak peeks for upcoming flicks.
Argo – Awesome, awesome flick! Based on the true story of six Americans who escaped during the Iran hostage crisis of 1979. Great script, pacing, and tension but humorous too. Suspenseful, even if you know the outcome. I can see why there’s Oscar buzz about this film. Stay through the first part of the credits to see real photos and hear a voiceover by President Carter. 
Marvel’s The Avengers – Oooh, what fun! If you like superhero movies, you’ll love this. Action-packed and full of crowd-pleasing humor. A long movie but it doesn’t drag. Tip: Stay through the credits.
Moonrise Kingdom – A quirky, funny film; thoroughly enjoyed it. Set in 1965 on an island off New England, two 12-year-olds fall in love and decide to run away. And everyone is trying to find them before the big storm hits. Great ensemble cast, with Frances McDormand, Bruce Willis, Bill Murray, and Ed Norton.
The Artist – Well, I had doubts about this going in…but I liked it! It’s a silent (well, 99.99% silent!) movie about an aging silent screen actor whose luster is fading at the same time a star is rising for the ingénue that he helped. Really liked the movie’s score, too. The two main actors are delightful but I think the dog steals the show!! 
The Hunger Games –The nation of Panem (once North America) has 12 districts and the Capitol. The districts once rebelled (and lost) against the Capitol; as punishment and a reminder not to rebel again, the Capitol has created the Hunger Games, where 24 “Tributes” (one boy and one girl from each district) are forced to compete against each other—to the death. Action and romance abound! Definitely not for young kids.
Skyfall – If you’re a fan of—Bond, James Bond—movies, you’ll love this. Great action, great villains! Liked the opening number by Adele, too. And Daniel Craig always provides some great eye candy! 
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy – Remake of the 1979 espionage thriller based on the novel by John le Carré. Very engaging; you need to pay attention but it’s not as hard as I thought it was to keep track.
The Dark Knight Rises – Not bad for the conclusion of the Batman trilogy, I enjoyed it. Long movie, though, make sure you have plenty of popcorn! Anne Hathaway steals the show as Catwoman.  ½
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – For various reasons, a group of British citizens decide to spend their retirement at an “exotic” hotel and it’s not at all like the brochure! Great ensemble cast – Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy to name a few; also stars Dev Patel from Slumdog Millionaire. ½
Prometheus – A prequel to the Alien movies, so to speak. Special effects enhanced by a good story that’s more suspenseful than scary.
One for the Money – Oh, I want to cry. If you are not familiar with the Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich, let me acquaint you. The novels are laugh-out-loud funny but unfortunately, the movie was anything but. Totally miscast. Save it for when you can see it for free. Or better yet, read the books! 
Current and Future Films
You’ll have to carve out sometime this month to watch all these movies: Life of Pi, Wreck-it Ralph, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Jack Reacher (love the books by Lee Child), Les Miserables, This is 40, and don’t hate me for this – A Good Day to Die Hard (opening in February).
What’s on your ‘Best of 2012’ Movie List?
Do you agree with my ratings above? What other films were hits with you in 2012? What movies are you looking forward to seeing this month and next year?
Tags: 2012, A Good Day to Die Hard, Argo, best of, blog, Colleen Schuler, , Jack Reacher, Les Miserables, Marvel’s The Avengers, Moonrise Kingdom, movies, Ola Sage, One for the Money, Prometheus, Skyfall, Soldier, Spy, Tailor, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The Dark Knight Rises, The Hobbit, The Hunger Games, This is 40, Tinker
Posted in Dining, Economy, Entertainment, Gadgets, Information Security, IT Strategy & Management, Lifestyle, Social Media, Uncategorized | 12 Comments »
Hooked On Apps
Thursday, January 26th, 2012
By Dennis Powell, e-Management
A couple of years ago Apple (with its flagship iPhone devices) launched TV and radio ads to persuade people, who swore they’d never buy a smart phone, that they could not in fact live without the devices. Out of those commercials, the pop culture expression “There’s an app for that” was born. Other smart phone providers using the rivals Android platforms quickly followed Apple’s lead. Given that smart phone penetration in North America was a little more than 60% at the end of 2011, I’d say that smart phone providers were very successful in getting people to become hopelessly addicted to the applications, or apps, which live on the ever popular smart phones.
Smart phones allow you to listen to music, read books, check the stock market, get directions, and find new ways to cook. No wonder so many of us are hooked on apps.
I became a “smart phone addict” once I had to replace my older Android with a new Samsung Galaxy II with a larger screen, bold colors, and longer battery life. Since three of out of every five mobile phone users own smart phones like the iPhone, Android, or Microsoft based devices, I decided to pull together a list of apps that can get you hooked.
Drum roll…Here are my picks for six kinds of app that you must have:
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Apps to protect against bad guys: Android users who are prone to misplacing things will love the AntiDroidTheft app. Features include special e-mail alerts when your phone’s SIM (subscriber identification module) card has been removed. It also allows you to track your phone online using GPS or mobile technology. You can even activate your camera remotely to take photos. So bad guys beware.
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Apps for foodies: Do you like delectable cuisines? You might want to check out the Digital Recipe Sidekick (DRS) in the Android marketplace. The app allows you to import all recipes from Allrecipes.com directly to your smart phone or Android device. There you can add your own recipes to your phone and edit existing recipes. But the app is more interactive than that, it also acts as a “GPS” and actually reads the instructions while you cook. iPhone foodies might want to try the Allrecipes.com Dinner Spinner app that boasts more than 40,000 recipes! Great thing about this app is its “Shake for Ideas” feature. How does it work? Whenever you are indecisive about what you want to cook or eat, simply shake your phone or touch “spin” and voila, it serves you up a random selection of dining ideas! Bon appetite.
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Apps for shopaholics: QR Code readers are must haves for “your inner smart consumer.” Basically, QR codes are those strange looking rectangular, two-dimensional bar code that stores information about products and companies such as addresses and websites. When the app is installed you can use your smart phone camera to scan the barcodes. QR codes can store a lot more information that the barcodes most of us are accustomed to seeing. Why are QR code apps a must have? Well, mainly because more and more companies are using them in their marketing in magazines and online. In the past, you had to write down the information or rely on your memory; QR codes make it a cinch. Just snap your camera and all of the information you’ll need will be stored on your phone.
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Apps for the literature enthusiasts: e-Book apps are great for those who love to read and want to leave the bulky books at home rather than on public transportation, during flights, or on vacation. iPhone has several apps such as B&N e-Reader, Kobo, and Kindle to name a few. Android e-readers include Google Books.
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Apps for music lovers: If you were to ask me what’s the best thing since slide bread, I’d probably tell you music apps. My favorite is Pandora® Internet radio. First of all, it’s free! Next, the app allows you to stream your favorite music from the web to your smart phone for free. It allows you to personalize your play list so you only listen to the music you love! I cannot get enough of my jazz, Motown, and classic rock channels!
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Apps for sports junkies: Sports fans will love sports apps such as Android’s College Hoops Radio or the iPhone’s College Basketball Radio Live, which allow you to listen to your favorite sports team events live! If “hoops” isn’t your thing, you can always follow your favorite athletes and sports team on the go with ESPN Radio app. In addition to regular ESPN content, users will have access to more than 35 different ESPN Radio podcasts.
So, yes there really is an app for everyone!
There are apps that can tell you how much to eat; where there are speed traps; and even how to dump someone. There’s probably an app to help curb my new smart phone dependence. But why would I want that? Besides, I cannot be the only apps junky out there. What are you favorite apps? How have apps helped you in your day to day activities? On the other hand, are apps and the app-crazed people annoying? I want to hear from you. Let’s chat…because there’s an app for that too!
Tags: Android, apps, Dennis Powell, , ESPN, , GPS, iPhone, Kindle, Ola Sage, Pandora, QR code, smartphone
Posted in Gadgets, Internet/Intranet, Lifestyle, Social Media, Uncategorized | 26 Comments »
Maybe It’s Time We Do an “Energetic” Reality Check
Monday, January 9th, 2012
By Dennis Powell, e-Management
The Department of Energy through research and development at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is working to improve renewable energy technologies such as wind power that could lead to energy independence for the USA and job creation.
Pretty much everyone knows what the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) do. But how many of us really understand the role of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)? Recently, one prominent political figure talked about abolishing the Department. What’s interesting is the lack of protest from voters regarding the prospect of a country without DOE. Why am I so emphatic about the Department? Well, because the agency is here “to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.” In other words, DOE is responsible for energy policy including clean energy innovation, energy conservation, nuclear weapons program management, radioactive waste disposal, and so much more. Did you know that DOE developed the nuclear space power systems which powered NASA’s mission? But wait, there’s more…
Are you sick of the increasingly higher cost of fuel?
Well, I am and guess what? DOE is actually helping to make high energy cost a thing of the past. Did you know that DOE oversees the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)—the only national lab for the advancement of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Renewable energy is clean and unlike other forms of conventional power, it never runs out. Renewable energy is great for the economy because it creates jobs and reduces our national dependencies on international sources of energy such as oil. Simply put, the work at NREL leads to commercial applications that may mean more sustainable, green energy that could save all of us money
Are you comfortable with radioactive waste being dumped in your backyard?
Probably not. It’s a good thing we have DOE’s Office of Environmental Management (EM) to keep us safe by cleaning up “the environmental legacy of the Manhattan Project and the Cold War.” Since the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Stimulus Bill or ARRA) by Congress, there has been a rigorous debate on whether the Stimulus worked. Well not only is EM’s disposal of radioactive materials vital to our safety, the program office has been highly successful in the implementation of Stimulus projects. According to EM, the program office advanced its “mission to clean up the waste generated during the Cold War, by reducing that footprint by 613 square miles.” Plus, EM ARRA-funded projects put thousands of Americans back to work while giving them new skills that may be leveraged in the future. Did I mention EM completed its ARRA-funded projects ahead of schedule and way under budget!?
Extending a helping hand to low income families.
Last week, DOE’s Weatherization Assistance Program announced how the Department is helping families save energy and money. Through this program, DOE has supported the weatherization of more than 750,000 homes of low-income families across the country. According to an article by April Saylor, online content producer, DOE Office of Public Affairs, the program reduced energy consumption up to 35% resulting in an average savings of $400 during the first year.
High-Powered Awareness Check.
DOE’s mission may be murky to some. But from where I stand, the Department’s activities are commendable and relevant. But this blog posting isn’t all about me; what do you think? Should DOE stay or go? How important is energy independence to the future of the USA’s economy? What are you doing to conserve energy?
Tags: clean energy, Dennis Powell, Department of Energy, DOE, , energy efficiency, EPA, IRS, NASA, NREL, Office of Environmental Management, Ola Sage, renewable, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Posted in Corporate, Dining, Economy, Energy, Entertainment, Events, Family, Gadgets, Government, Green Computing, Healthcare, Information Security, Internet/Intranet, IT Infrastructure, IT Strategy & Management, Leadership, Lifestyle, Risk Management, Social Media, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Uncategorized | 18 Comments »
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