Google groups throwing a monkeywrench

I manage a google group for a small committee. We use the files section to store different documents that are used by the committee members, since physically getting together to transfer paper can be difficult at times. Unfortunately google has decided that they are changing the groups, and disallowing new files to be uploaded to the groups. I’m trying to figure out if I can use google documents to store the files for the group. Everyone who has access to the group needs should be able to access the files. From reading the documentation, it looks like I should be able to do it, but I may end up having to walk some folks through retrieving the files a time or five in the future. And there doesn’t seem to be a way to transfer the files directly to google documents, I’m going to have to download each one (or the entire group) and then upload them separately to documents. Boo. That’s not particularly use friendly.
Thanks so much for the help.

Working on computer

DH’s little computer may have been infected with some malware. I’m working on it to see if I can get it usable again. Yee Haw.

Getting closer to having the hang of my phone

So its been a full day with the phone. I’m still playing with the features, and seeing how to do stuff I’m used to doing with my previous one.

I’m finding out the best settings to keep the battery charge from dropping like a stone. I do want to get a car mount so I can use the google maps navigation feature. That’s one reason to have the phone, so I can get ride of my gps. Having a way to use it without it being dangerous would be a plus!

Other than that, its getting easier to be used to it. I knew it would take time to do it.

Live posting from the phone now

I’m posting from the WordPress phone app now! Hooray! This phone eats battery like candy so far. I’ve downloaded the advanced taskkiller app to help kill the processes I don’t want running all the time, but it still isn’t keeping its charge like I would prefer. I’ve also downloaded the skyfire browser, as well as several recommended games – angry birds, paper toss, sudoku, and mah jong.

I’m still fumbling win it as I attemp to answer calls. DH says the voice quality of my calls isn’t as clear as my previous phone. I’m still waiting for my phone case to arrive, along with the screen protector. I’ll be much happier when i feel like the phone is better protected.

So far so good. It still is a steep learning curve to go for me.

The new phone is live

Of course I had to get on the phone with customer support to get the phone activated, but its now working. And I’m going to have to get another batter, cause I’m running through the existing one like its nothing. I’ve downloaded the advanced task killer app, as well as several others.

I’m not used to having a smart phone available, so its going to be a learning experience. I’m looking forward to playing with this more!

A phone decision has been made

And I’m joining the ranks of folks with smart phones. Yes, I’m a sheeple.

But it’ll be cool! I’ll have photos later…

Wants versus needs

I’m fighting with myself over want versus need. Last phone upgrade I went with a clamshell phone and got a netbook. Overall I’m pleased with the netbook, but I’m still jonesing for a smart phone. It would be incredibly handy in my biz to look up characters that I’m asked for that I have never seen before, or can check the weather on the fly out while riding on my scooter.

I won’t go with an iPhone. I really don’t care for AT&T and their coverage in Alabama is not as good as Verizon, my current provider. I’ve been given notice that I can now upgrade my phone early. I’d really like one of the Droids, but in order to get that phone it’ll cost $200.00.

On the other hand, this trip to the NASA tweetup is a really great excuse to upgrade! Yes, I like gadgets. And if I get a smartphone I can forgo some of the other gadgets to take with me. But do I really want to spend that money on a phone when I have one that works.

Decisions, decisions. I gotta choose soon.

Successfully installed a new router at the house

Our old router went the way of the dodo. So as the resident tech, since its just me and DH, it fell on me to get us back up on line.

Six months or a year ago, our wireless access point gave up the ghost. When I went to purchase another one, it ended up being cheaper to get a wireless router and use it as an access point instead of purchasing a dedicated access point. At that point we also knew that we were approaching the functional end of the regular wired router too. I knew I could use it as a router after that happened, so I researched the settings for an access point, and set it up.

A week or so ago the wired router was acting really wanky, but we seemed to be able to limp it along. Yesterday it finally quit being able to be used at all. Since I have very little hardware experience, I’m a bit leary of getting in and mucking with hardware. But it ain’t nuthin but a thang, so tonight I got into the wireless router and dug in. At least we had the ISP settings written down and accessible, so I wasn’t trying to get them from the ISP or from memory. I typed the wireless passphrase in enough times that I can do it in my sleep. It took an hour and a half or two to get all the different settings just right, but we are now up on the new wireless router!