With all the new technology available to consumers, its easy to become overwhelmed. Additionally, with all of the fly-by-night developments most people are hesitant to adopt the new products. I’ve compiled a list of the 5 technologies that everyone should embrace in 2006. These technologies will not only change your life for the better, in terms of personal life, they can also increase productivity, provide discussion forums and probably gain you some new work colleagues or friends.

1. Voice Over IP (VOIP)

Voice Over IP allows a person to make phone calls using their PC for a fraction of the cost of conventional phones. Phone calls can be made throughout the United States for free and make international calls for pennies per minute.

VOIP is not necessarily new technology. There were a slew of companies providing the service in the late 90’s and early 2000’s but the companies were shortlived and the quality of the server was questionable. Now, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between traditional phones and VOIP phones. Except for the fact that your bill will be less expensive. Typical service starts around $30 per month. You can find more information at Vonage.com

2. Satellite Radio

Oh, satellite radio, how you’ve changed my life. The average person wastes 2 hours a day in their car (and 73% of statistics are made up on the spot). Using satellite radio, I get my news instantly, more channel selection, and the ability to record the music or receive notifications when my favorite songs are on. Whether I’m in Missouri or Arkansas, I get the same great station and the same great service. The typical price starts at around $12 per month. For more information, visit Xmradio.com or Sirius.com.

3. Personal Video Recorder (TIVO or PVR)

This is definitely my favorite of the list. I made up the amount of time you spend in your car, but I’d hate to try and compute the amount of time watching commercials or just watching something I’m not interested in, just because it’s “the only thing on TV”. TIVO allows me to record my favorite television shows or events. Even if I’m not at home, I can sit down and watch a Kansas City Chiefs game in about 45 minutes. I skip through commercials, huddles, penalties, and halftime. I also set subscription so that I never miss an episode of Survivor or American Idol… Okay, I never watch either of those, but it fit the example. If you start using only one of these technologies… make it this one. Most cable companies and satellite providers give you access to this technology for around $10 per month. Check with your local cable company or satellite provider for details.

4. Tax Preparation Software

Generally, tax preparation is pretty easy. If you hold one job and you are provided with W2’s at the end of the year, you could save yourself a lot of money by simply doing your own taxes. If you’ve done your taxes the old fashion way, be prepared to save yourself about 5 hours in which you can spend writing me emails praising my recommendations. If you’ve never done your own taxes, don’t be worried, current software is so easy, I think a monkey could step through the questions. Preparing your own taxes also gives you a review of your current financial position and helps recognize the need for a good retirement or savings plan. For some, it may just remind them that they need to find a new job that pays more. Tax Software starts around $20. If you are new to tax preparation software, I would suggest you start with Turbo Tax, made by Intuit (TurboTax.com).

5. Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)

Okay, this is probably the most difficult thing to convince people to start using. But, it provides so much control over time and personal management. A personal digital assistant usually manages your calendar, contacts, tasks, email, and documents. You can also find PDA’s that also double as your cell phones. Some people carry a Day Planner while others simply carry a calendar. I carry a PDA. I can immediately schedule a meeting, assign attendants, and find contact numbers for those attendants. It also alerts me when it’s my best friends birthday or allows me to send emails instantly, even when I’m out of the office. I can search through past entries using keywords or sort events by date. Lastly, I can easily plug my PDA into my computer and it synchronizes with my computer. That means, the exact same information is on my computer! Try doing that with your calendar or Day Planner. PDA’s range from $20 to $500. I recommend starting by visiting your Best Buy or Comp USA and ask a BUNCH of questions.

Most of these recommendations are made with the idea that you are an average user, like the idea of increasing your efficiency, and are not scared of change. If you do not like this article, it’s probably because you do not fit into this category. I apologize for wasting your time and hope that you decide to implement one of these technologies so you can get back what I took from you J

      

Okay, once again, Hackoff.com is a fiction blook that posts new episodes daily. When a chapter is complete, they publish it to a PDF document. I then get the PDF document and read it on my PDA. Just recently they’ve started posting mp3 files. So, all you nonreaders can go out and listen to each and every episode. I’m now completely caught up and reading a new episode daily. It mixes technology, startup hassles, the dirty side of business, and overpriced stocks… then it wraps it all up in a murder mystery.

      

Well, it’s been a while! One of my New Year’s Resolutions was to post regularly. That obviously isn’t going as planned. The holiday’s are busy for everyone and with the added pressure of year-end stuff, it’s really easy to fall behind. I also enjoy trying to think of goals for the New Year. As I began asking people about their goals, I found that many people don’t make goals. And, the people who do make goals don’t understand their purpose.

So, I thought I would outline how to make goals. But first, let me tell you why you need to make goals.

Goals allow you to set milestones and judge performance. Additionally, goals usually aren’t as easy as a single step. For instance, most people say, I want to graduate college. Notice, the goal is to graduate college. Well, to graduate college you have to first graduate high school or take your GED. Then, you have to score above some minimum on either your ACT or SAT. The point is, you can’t just graduate college without accomplishing some intermediate goals first. It’s good to have a big picture (ie “I want to be the President”) but you have to outline goals to allow you to accomplish these things.

That takes me to my first point:
Look at the big picture. Goals should always be a stepping stone toward the big goal. Maybe your goal in life is to be the President of the United States. Each intermediate goal (aka New Year’s Resolution) should get you closer to your big goal. You can have multiple big goals, but make sure all of your intermediate goals are working toward your big goal.

Goals must be measurable. At the end of the year, you need to be able to look back at your goals and say “yes” I accomplished that. Or, you have to be able to say “no”, I didn’t accomplish that because of X. Either way, you can’t say things like “I want to be a better person”. Try saying, “I will donate $10,000 to a charitable organization” or “I will make it a point to say hello to 3 strangers”.

Goals must be attainable. Anyone who sets unattainable goals is doomed for failure. Subconsciously your brain gives up and you forget about meeting the goal. Shoot for the stars but understand that you’re smarter than any empty promises on a piece of paper.

Goals must promote your well being. Yes, don’t set goals that allow you to sit still. I guess this is the definition of a goal but either way, understand that your goals are set to make you a better person. Maybe your goals are professional, personal, or spiritual. But, either way, let your goals bring you up, not down.