Technology is wonderful - when it is simple and
works
Anyone who's ever had to run both a PC and a
Mac in order to be able to use the applications they need
understands that the technology we depend upon to make our lives
easier can sometimes complicate things.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways - some low-tech, others
leading-edge - to simplify your tech life.
• More than half of us use both a Mac and PC, either at home or
work, according to a recent survey by Lab42. If given their choice,
53 percent of us would prefer to use a Mac that also runs Windows PC
applications without rebooting for work, the survey revealed.
Getting Windows applications to work on a Mac used to be a
complicated, technically arduous process. Many users got around the
issue by running a PC and Mac side by side. Today products like
Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac simplify the task. The software enables
users to run Windows and Mac applications side-by-side on their Macs
without rebooting, thereby eliminating the need for two computers.
Parallels will even move your entire PC onto your Mac so you can
keep your software investments and enjoy everything you need on one
computer. A free trial of Parallels Desktop for Mac is available for
download at www.parallels.com/desktop.
• For many of us, functioning without our smartphones and mobile
apps would be impossible. Apps that stream up-to-date news and
weather information can be handy, but the rock stars of today's apps
are ones that make our communications, shopping and financial
transactions even easier. You can download apps that let you block
unwanted calls, connect to Facebook and Twitter, shop at Amazon, and
access your bank or brokerage to view balances, deposit checks or
trade stocks.
• Sure you wouldn't dream of traveling without your laptop, but
isn't it great to know if you don't want to carry a computer that
you actually don't have to in order to use it? It's no longer
necessary to tote around a Mac or PC to capture all your
communications and any changes you need to make to files that
normally live on your desktop at home or work. Remote access
software allows you to connect to and work off of your Mac or PC at
home or work as if you were actually there using it. For example,
Parallels Mobile for iPad and iPhone lets you remotely access and
run all of your Mac and Windows files and applications on your Macs
when you're on the go.
• Most of us have multiple email accounts, from ones we use only for
work to personal accounts associated with the various social media
we use. Managing multiple email accounts can be easy if you use a
desktop email client such as Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla
Thunderbird which can do the task for you. You'll need to remember
your email addresses and passwords just once - when you enter them
into the tool. After that, you'll be able to easily check all your
email accounts from.
• Speaking of passwords, how often have you tried to access an
online account only to realize you couldn't remember the password?
Yet you've also heard that it's not a great idea to keep passwords
written down anywhere. Password managers can solve the problem. The
software stores your passwords and automatically places them in the
appropriate field when you need them. The manager is protected by a
single, powerful password and many tools can now be used from your
smartphone. Even better - some very good ones such as LastPass 1.72
are completely free to download and use.
