SimpleAssist Small Business WorkSync: Clip pictures and videos from your desktop or mobile device, edit, publish PDQ

SimpleAssist WorkSync: Small Business "Production"

Imagine the Microsoft Screen Clipper and MS Paintbrush on Steroids, on the front/back end respectively. Screen and video clips done with 2 clicks of the mouse, which are then transferred to the photo editor; which holds it's own as a super simple, yet deceptively powerful stand-alone editor.  

All images, not simply the clips can be converted, edited etc. Furthermore, SnagIt can be set as default editor right in Windows, and in the latest version now allows for mobile screen / video clips and training.   If I was the Oprah of tech, this would be in the top 5 of my favorite marketing /design tools "things".  

I don't give those Kudos lightly, but having used SnagIt since 2005 alongside of all sorts of varying desktop and web-based publishing / creative suites, we needed a way to easily Snag, edit, and produce constant for both sales / marketing/ client newsletters etc.  In fact, I  can get away with SnagIt for most day to day needs -  from business cards, to web content, to short training videos.  As a consultant, I often recommend Snagit over more expensive or difficult program.  Let it be known I receive no compensation or recognition from them, but maybe I'll look into it. :) 

In short, it's right in line with the SimpleAssist philosophy of finding the best tools at the lowest prices and the low "buy it / own it" at a relatively very low cost (compared to something like Photoshop), combined with the amazingly simple design, low drain on system resources and something I find important, a consistent intuitive interface that they continue to upgrade but not change to maximize functionality make it a win/win./win.  I've used every version since then, and the cost-to-value is phenomenal.  

The editor itself is worth the price of admission, especially if you're not a designer and overwhelmed by Photoshop or Corel or other more sophisticated programs.  

Details Summary

I. A resource light program that runs in the background and remaps your print screen button (or allows you to make up your own key commands) to take a screen print.   I know...  a SCREENPRINT!?  Not too exciting right?   Well, with a few clicks you can capture everything from a scrolling web-page (imagine grabbing the entire Wikipedia entry for "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_law_clerks_of_the_Supreme_Court_of_the_United_States", one of the longest ones on the site) to clipping your keystrokes and even narrative audio as a quick video quick video.

2. A fantastically easy, yet extremely powerful photo editor - seeing is believing I suppose, and the price point makes it nearly a no brainier after the trial

3. Integrated export into different programs such as YouTube (great for throwing a quick tutorial or training together).  

SimpleAssist LifeSync Quick Tip - Consolidate (Automatically) Videos, Pictures, and Files between All Devices - Download Incentive

SimpleAssist LifeSync Tech-Tip

Dropbox® Cloud Storage - Overview and Ideas on Consolidating Pics Videos - Files on your Devices Together

Why Dropbox®?

When it comes to cloud storage, accept no substitute. When comparing all the cloud storage solutions, Dropbox® seems to be the clear leader of the pack when factoring functionality, pricing, platforms, etc.

 Recently, I had done a quick facebook post on OneDrive™ which has been gaining fast on Dropbox® and Google’s Drive™ in my opinion, especially in terms of the ability to earn free storage by doing a few simple things (setting your phone to backup up, etc.) which is double the amount of most if all free storage is gained correctly.

In fairness I am also an avid user of Google's® Drive and Microsoft's® One Drive/SkyDrive – I’ve sort of broken it up so I use Google Drive to go paperless at home, SkyDrive for my PC computer backup, Apple's® iCloud for everything except pix and videos, and DropBox for my business. However, Dropbox® has managed to stay on top for me due to the elegant yet robust interface and the platform functionality consistency across all versions of the app; MOBILE DEVICES, PC/MAC, WEB INTERFACE.

I have an iPhone and an Android Based Galaxy® Tablet. Here are two bonus tips with regard to cloud storage and consolidating your pictures and videos especially

IPhone Users: Bonus Tip: Not having removal storage on iPhone is a pain, and let’s be honest – you’re going to pay for iCloud! By using Dropbox® or some other cloud storage that has an iPhone App, backing up and centralizing your photos AND video (with Dropbox) on your phone easy for iPhone users who can't simply pop out a SIM Card, if you take advantage of the data incentives (See below) you could turn off PICTURES in iCloud if your backup ever fills up.


Android Users: Bonus Tip! When I first hooked up my Galaxy® Tab 3, I noticed that they had some sort of arrangement with Dropbox® if you set it up as your default Cloud Storage Backup. You receive a HUGE amount (at least with Samsung) of free space!   Email for more info...

PC Users: Bonus Tip! If you’ve install Dropbox® to your PC, not only do you get extra storage space for using it - anytime you plug in a new device (like an SD card or something with pictures on it) Dropbox will prompt you to add it. Also, selecting which folders are actually stored on the local hard-drive seems much more elegent vs. Google Drive and OneDrive. Since this is a quick tip, I wanted to include an unbiased review so I have included a charge and links to a few articles for more depth.

Comparison Chart and Article

See Complete Article Here - http://www.pcworld.com/article/254411/google_drive_vs_the_rest.html

Easy to Get Going / Easy to Keep Going

If you are looking for a hassle free way to enter the world of cloud storage, and easily sync files between all your devices, Dropbox® is easy, secure, and unmatched in certain areas of functionality.

You see, on my PC Dropbox® will ask if you want to backup pictures and videos from THERE (and give you additional storage space to do so) - so if you are like me and have your entire picture and video library everywhere, this and the additional space really put it over the top for me. Many folks may not know, but they also have a great web-portal developer options to customize and build cloud databases for your apps that is very user friendly. Dropbox® for Android - A must have - Android backs up your documents and data, and they give you a ton of space just for using it.

Without using the referral program indicated on the chart above was able to get over 50 Gigs by using an Android, an iPhone, and a Computer and setting it to automatically backup and consolidate my pictures (Win-Win). They also have a pretty decent referral program (earn up to 16GB by recommending to other user). As a user of iCloud, Google Drive, OneDrive - my second largest storage provider would be Google Drive at 30GB (which is much less than my free Dropbox® account). Dropbox® Pro or Dropbox® for business (paid subscriptions) START at 100GB for bucks a month or 100 bucks per year. It is this in particular (cloud space bang for buck) and the unique features and general ubiquity that makes Dropbox® a SimpleAssist "Top Pick" vs. its competition.

Referral Incentives - Download Links

I'd like to take a moment to explain my philosophy as relates to my recommendation of a technical product or service. Simply put, I only recommend products and services I have used extensively and believe in, and that the incentive must benefit the reader / whomever I am referring. Therefore i have included links to simply download or review from the Dropbox® Site or you (and I) can earn free space by clicking the link below: Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/
SimpleAssist Referral Incentive Download Link: https://db.tt/VUdYETx3   

 

Checkout PC Mag's "Best Cloud Storage" Article - http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2413556,00.asp 

I welcome comments and emails on getting the most "free storage". I will be sure to update this accordingly! 

Beyond Email: Intro to Using Your Gadgets and the Cloud Synchronize Your Life (contacts, calendars, and to-do info)

If you are still managing your day to day calendar, your contact's, and to-do list in a myriad of paper lists, day planners, and refrigerator calendars than this tip is for you. 

Facebook has introduced people to the idea of creating event's online and inviting people to attend, and many have been doing this at the office for many years.   For many, the use of an email address as a way to contact family members, acquaintances, and co-workers is easier done through social media.  Those doing so have come to see the benefit  creating events and sending out invites, managing contacts, etc., but may not realize you have the ability to do so using the powerful device you carry around in your pocket or the provider you use for your email. 

Below are some examples, benefits, and options as it relates to keeping an address book outside of social media... and the best part, is there are now a lot of tools to tie your address book to your favorite social platform to "sync" information giving you the best of both worlds.   The purpose of this article is to enlighten those are unaware or have interest in making life more efficient by  leveraging devices and services they already have.  

Mobile + PC/Mac + The Internet  =   Synchronized, Always Connected, Your Info Anywhere, anytime

The Cloud is a relative term for the internet, within the context data storage and functionality being done "Online" instead of locally on a PC.  If you are accessing your email via a website, then essentially you are doing so  in s "in the cloud".   We have always have had the mindset of the internet as "www" and Internet Browsers, however unlike 10 years ago the world-wide-web is just one of the ways to interact with and leverage the potential of the internet,; hence the  "The Cloud" is simply a reference to how we access the data and information.   

Mobile Devices & Smartphones: 

Woven into the fabric of our daily lives, smartphone sales have far outpaced the demand for simple cell phone, as tablets will eventually do for laptops and PC's. The smartphone and tablet revolution gave us the APP '(application), which is simply a portal to access information "the cloud", where the interface and functionality relates to specifically to the functionality (i.e. mobile banking ): simplifying and improving the end user experience, addition and minimizing the extra work necessary to conform the restrictions of web-browsers, operating systems etc. 

While the practical benefits of these devices requires little explanation, it is necessary to define their scope for the purpose of this article as it relates getting the most benefit from their user.   In my opinion, innovation and availability of the latest technology has exceeded the pace of which people are able to comprehend, and is the basis for my this article as well as the value proposition and helping those look at the overwhelming landscape of options, and decide what is best suited for their needs and availability.   

Web-Based Email 

In addition to smartphones and Tablets, many people have web-based email Gmail, Yahoo, Apple, Hotmail,  AOL etc for many years.  Since all email is email is in the cloud since it's coming over the Internet, it again comes down to how that information is accessed and the easy of which is can be synchronized between different devices.  While nearly all email providers offer the "Standardized" protocols (methods of  transferring data back and forth) most people are using one of these major providers, which have the added benefit of native connection special configuration and 3rd party software)  with major device model and operating systems (iOS, Android, Windows, etc)  NOTE:  It is important to note that as of the last few years, the battle for market share has had an impact on the consumer (e,g, - Syncing more than just email with  Gmail has become a little bit more difficult on iOS and popular Desktop Clients such as Microsoft Outlook.  I have  done extensive research and configuration on a variety of system in order for various scenarios and can help you achieve the desired result.  

The benefits to using desktop, web (cloud), and mobile device together:

Calendars

• Create On-Time or recurring appointments or "meetings" (birthday parties, work events, etc.)"
• Set a "lead" reminder - how long beforehand you wish to be reminded of th meeting
• "Invite" co-workers, family, friends using thier email address - automatically sends email with meeting dettails
• Invitees with calendar can  automatically receive the appointment and can "Accept", "Decline". or Indicate "Tentative" attendance
• Meeting responses are automatically updated on your calendar (automating/eliminating the need for RSVP)
• Changes, updates etc. (e.g. new time, or additional details) are automatically sent to atteendees
• Create Public Calendars or Subscribe to Public Calendars (e.g. Office Event Schedule)

Contacts/Address Book -  More Than Just Firstname and Lastname 

• Email Addresses
• Phone Numbers / Fax Numbers / Work Numbers
• Addresses Info 
• Birthdays
• Spouse, Groups, and Relational info (i.e. "friends" or "The Smith Family"

Tasks/Notes

• Create one-time or reoccurring reminders
• Set the "lead" time for warning
• Included in your daily "Agenda" or view customized view
• Some applicatiions such as Outlook allow you to "Assign" tasks, or send "Status Reports"

What about inter-compatibility?

These days, inter-platform (Android smartphone, Mac desktop, Gmail Account) is an entirely feasible problem.  While a lot of devices account for this, often there may be a certain piece of functionality that one does not offer or allow you to "sync" with.

At SimpleAssist, we can provide you with a myriad of options for bringing this together.   Visit www.simpleassistme.com for additional tips or r Contact Us today for a free consultation!

SimpleAssist - Daily Tech Tip: Syncing Google Apps with MS Outlook 2013

Syncing Google Apps with MS Outlook 2013 "Click to Run" (AKA Microsoft Office 365 online) - Workaround

Are you using Microsoft Office 365 2013 viz their monthly subscription?  If you are a fan of of Google Apps and Google Apps Sync as well, you have likely figured out it is not supported with Microsoft's Subscription model: MS Outlook 2013 365 (click to run).  

It make's sense that you might.   If you're a fan of Outlook, but see the writing on the wall in all things Google, their wacky little feuds (e.g. Apps Sync runs fine on all other versions of office), in my opinion  have been "bad for business"... small business that is, who enjoy the reduced pricing and added benefit of easy deployment in order to use the popular, business standard (for now) Microsoft Office products (Outlook in particular) viz a low monthly subscription for "Desktop" use, who are also intrigued in the cloud based Google Apps and it's many attractive qualities:  easy of use, user familiarity, scope of applications  and the ability to work on nearly every device out there.  

For those folks who just don't want to give up Outlook, I have included a link to a "workaround" that will enable you to do sync Outlook with Google Apps Sync.  
Like any workaround  while not "officially supported" it is is reliable, and from everything I've seen, seems to be the only free option available. 

Office 2013 Click to Run / Google Apps Sync Instructions - 

Note: SimpleAssist no responsibility for any instructional that is not specifically the direct intellectual property it's author(s).  

This author does however, attest to the fact that it worked for him without issue for several months, and would not post it otherwise.  I monitored this group as they worked through it, and I'm happy someone posted and saved me the steps.  I am doing it again currently, after a fresh install

Enjoy!

Derek Shocklee
Founder
SimpleAssist
www.simpleassistme.com
helpme@simpleasisstme.com