I really like the photo sharing website, Flickr.

I know there are lots of different photo websites available and I'll admit I'm not very familiar with any of the other ones, but I'd just like to share why I like Flickr.

• It's FREE! However, I suggest the "Pro" account for $25 / year because it gives you more bandwidth and some other nice capabilities.
• You can Blog straight from Flickr to several sites like Blogger and Wordpress. (unfortunately, not to Activerain) But then, it is a simple process to cut and paste it into Activerain if you want it here, too.
  
• There are specific groups dedicated to bloggers where you can post your images with links to your blog.
• Opportunity - I've already had contact with someone who commented on one of my photos and shared the fact that they were moving to my city!
• Social Networking - Like Activerain, many of the people on Flickr are very sociable, and spend a fair amount of time viewing and commenting on your images.
• You can edit your images right from your photostream using Picnik
  

Be sure and check out:

• Groups,
  
• organizing in Collections and Sets,
  
• Blogging to your outside blog, and
• GeoTagging your images to show where they were taken.

Now, go out there and have some fun with your photos!

Please feel free to take a look at my Flickr site!

Photo © Mike Hendren 2009

I'm building a new home and I want to install an alarm system.

I think I want something more than just the sign that says,

"Home Security Provided by Colt"!

(Even though Colt will definitely be on the premises! :-)

We'll be located off the beaten path so I would like to install a monitored alarm system and would be very interested in your advice.

The only two companies that come immediately to mind are ADT and Brinks, and I'm sure there are other good ones. I lean toward ADT because they are the one recommended by my insurance company, USAA. After 38 years with USAA, I trust them - but I trust friends more.

So, if any of you have personal experience with these companies (or someone else), I would sure appreciate your opinion.

Thanks,

Mike

[Please - no company reps trying to sell me your system.]

Photo © Mike Hendren 2009

JOTT is one of those really cool little applications for the iPhone (maybe other phones, too - I don't know) that can be a true productivity tool.

I frequently use it to leave myself notes while driving - be sure and check your local laws about cell phone usage while driving before doing this one. :-)

What it does is allow you to dictate a short message to your phone, which is then uploaded to the JOTT website where their people convert it to text. In a few minutes, it is back on your phone as a text note. But, it is even better than that - your notes are also available on your JOTT website, and can also be synced with their free computer application on a PC or a Mac. Their voice to text isn't perfect so another nice feature is the ability to edit your notes anywhere - phone, computer, internet. It also isn't free, costing about $4 / month.

It also does several other really nice things for you, but I haven't used any of those other features yet.

Here is a short blurb from their website that tells you a little more about it.

Turn your words into action

Jott makes sure you stay on top of everything. With a simple phone call to 866-JOTT-123, you can capture notes, set reminders and calendar appointments, stay in touch with friends and family, and interact with your favorite web sites and services...all with your voice! We can even transcribe your voice-mail.

Simply call Jott and tell us where you want your message to go. We capture your voice, turn it into text, and send it to the destination you chose.

JOTT website Here