Momathon Blog

Grow Your Blog: How to Use Your Blog Stats

Growing your blog or growing your readership involves digging into the blog stats. Your blog stats will help you understand:

• Who is visiting your site
• Where visitors are coming from
• Specific posts or pages are being viewed
• How long visitors stay on your site

Get the Tools to Analyze your Stats

There are many blogging tools out there. You might even have blog analytics provided by your blogging platform. That said, some are better than others for providing reliable information. Google Analytics is recognized as the standard for measurement. It takes a bit of energy to install the tool, but once you have it installed you will find it very useful as an analytics tool. Use GA to:

• Understand your audience: visits, unique visitors, pageviews
• Find opportunities to promote your site
• Increase your site’s visibility
• Determine the effectiveness of your social media activity

Understanding the Stats Vocabulary

Pageviews

This number measures your site’s traffic—the number of times your site has been loaded over a specific time period. Usually this stat is given as the number of pageviews per month. The number includes all pages and posts. 

Why it is useful: this number is often required when you are applying to participate in blog campaigns or networks.

10 Reasons to Use the Flickr App

Chances are if you have a smart phone, then you have a photo app or two. Photo sharing and editing apps have millions of loyal users on Instagram—plus more fans on Camera Awesome, Hipstamatic, and now on the Flickr app. The photo sharing service Flickr has been around for almost a decade on the web. How does the new app stack up against the competition? Check out my list below.

Here's what I like:

1. The Flickr app interface is clean and easy to use. 
2. You can upload your original image without a filter OR make adjustments to your original photo with the built-in color correction and retouching tools.
3. App includes 15 filters that change the tone and mood of image.
4. You can keep photo dimensions "as is" or crop it—you are not constrained by the square dimensions of Instagram.
5. When you upload filters, the app stores photos in FULL resolution so they are crisp and clear. 
6. App is social media savvy—share images on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and email.
7. You can add titles, captions and share location
8. Plus when you upload the photo you can also add tags, assign to Flickr sets and Flickr groups, and adjust privacy/visibility of photos.
9. If you just want to see what other photographers are doing, click on the "Contacts" tab in the app to see photos uploaded by friends and connections.
10. If you are looking for an image in a specific category, tap on the "Groups" tab to see images arranged in categories such as  general as "dogs" or as specific as "corners of my home"

Flickr filter details for photos above: The top photo of the rose uses the Chinchilla filter. The grid of six photos use the following filters (clockwise starting at top left): Chinchilla, Wallaby, Orangutan, Mammoth, Chameleon, and  Orca.

 

Images: All photos featured above by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to pin images on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!

It's So Etsy: Retro Typewriter Keyboard for Your iPad

While sipping coffee and reading my favorite blogs before I went to my studio this morning, I came across this one-of-a-kind keyboard on the splendid blog by Erin at Design For Mankind. 

Imagine sitting down to type—really type on real keys—at your iPad with this AWESOME keyboard. So cool. The Etsy shop USBTypewriter sells the amazing USB Typewriter Computer Keyboard Smith Corona.

If you like this cool + tech accessory, then I know you will love the Holiday gift guide for the nerds and geeks created by Erin at her blog Design For Mankind. 

Check out more items in my Etsy series.

Handmade Holiday {The Dreamy Edition Gift Guide}

It's So Etsy: Handmade Holiday II

It's So Etsy: Handmade Holiday

It's so Etsy: London Calling

Happy Holidays Giveaway {Storm iPhone Wallet Case}

What are your mornings like? Too often my mornings rush by in a blur. If I manage to make it out the door without forgetting my iPhone and my wallet, then I consider it a success! That's why I'm in love with the design of the handsome Storm iPhone Wallet Cases by T8.

This week my lovely sponsor T8 Cases is giving a Storm iPhone Wallet Case with a matching Zephyr lanyard away to one lucky MomathonBlog reader. The cases are available for both the iPhone 4/4S and iPhone 5.

• The Storm iPhone case multi-tasks—giving you a hands-free option for carrying the essentials.
• The exterior pockets on the case help keep essential credit cards and ID with you at all times.
• The sleek, functional case is handcrafted in premium Italian leather that offers an attractive way to protect your phone.
• Just clip the slim and light case on the matching lanyard and wear it around your neck. 

To enter to win the Storm iPhone Wallet Case with matching lanyard  from T8 Cases, simply:

• Visit the T8 Cases online shop and have a look around, then leave a comment back here on this blog post and share your favorite Wallet Case and Lanyard color selection.

• Be sure to leave a way to reach you via twitter, facebook, email or your website in your comment.

• Enter the giveway by Thursday, December 13th, midnight pst.

• I'll announce a winner on my Twitter account by Friday the 14th, so be sure and follow me on twitter.

• The giveaway applies to U.S. and Canadian residents, only.

 

Be social: Check out T8 Cases on Facebook and @T8cases on Twitter.

Bewitched

There is something about fall that makes me want to get outside more often with my camera. The light plays with shadows and builds contrast in a magical way. Even stark branches turn bewitching as the sun flirts with the landscape. 

CAPTURE THE LOOK
I shot this photo early in the day when the sun was coming up. It seems I am never outside without a dog pulling on a leash beside me. Today I had trouble keeping the camera steady on this image as my Peke pulled me in the opposite direction. To add some drama to the image, I shot the tree looking up into the branches.

When I opened the image up on my computer I thought of the Jane Austen quote. The book is a fave of mine and the last scene from the Pride and Prejudice movie is wonderful. I added the quote in Adobe Photoshop, but you could also use a simpler program. A fun way to start is by adding text to an Instagram image with a text app.

 

Image: BEWITCHED graphic by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!

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Instagram Guide: Enhance Colors and Details with Lux

Do you ever wish you could boost the color or bring out the details in a photo? Try the Lux feature on Instagram. It works with all of the 18 Instagram filters and you can apply the feature with a variety of subjects. Here is a guide to using the Lux feature.

The Lux feature is popular with Instagram users for cityscapes and landscapes to transform the look and mood of the images. Because the feature is so versatile, it also works great in almost any image you take including food photos or images in nature. When should you try the Lux feature? The best idea is to experiment with the 18 filters paired with Lux. Tap on the sun icon at the bottom of the app and then play with all of the Instagram filters to see if you have a favorite. In the Vancouver cityscape below, I paired the Lux feature with the Normal filter. I have included complete step-by-step directions for using the Lux feature at the end of this post.

Have you ever taken an underexposed photo or a photo in low lighting? Try out the Lux feature to bring out the details.

Complete step-by-step directions for using the Lux feature after the jump.

You've Got Mail

Sending a personalized card on the fly from your phone is a great way to stay in touch. While on a trip to Washington, I used the Red Stamp app to send a personal message with a photo to the grandparents. It was a quick way to say thanks and share a photo from the trip. If you want to get your message delivered immediately, many card apps give you the option to send a digital card via email, text or Facebook—for free. Or for a minimal charge, some of the apps will send your greetings the old-fashioned way via snail mail. Here's a roundup of my faves for creating cards using a smart phone.

RED STAMP

The stunning cards created by the Red Stamp app tops my list for ease of use and a wide variety of designs to fit your mood.  The app's user-friendly interface turns you into a designer—well, almost. The card you create looks amazing because the clever designers at Red Stamp give you all the tools to create a lovely card. How does the app work? First you select one of your own photos for your card, next add some text from a selection of awesome fonts, then choose a recipient list and send the cards by email, text, Facebook, Twitter AND snail mail. Digital cards are free. The app's interface gives you tons of designs to choose from, but like many apps the "thumbnails" of the layout options such as changing font colors are very tiny and a bit hard to see. The more you use the app, the easier it is to navigate the app. The app also includes a handy tool to help you if you have any questions. The cost of printed postcards starts at $1.99.

CARTOLINA

On Friday I shared a photo card I created with Cartolina. If you like cards with a hint of nostalgia, then the Cartolina cards are perfect for thank yous, birthday congrats, or any message you want to send. You can pick from a selection of gorgeous designs with a vintage vibe. You can add your own photos and a personal message. Cartolina has two apps: 1) If you want to send an actual postcard use the Cartolina Postale iPhone app and the fee for printing and mailing is $1.99. 2) If you want to create a card to post via email, text or on Facebook, then check out the Cartolina iPhone app. I love Cartolina paper stationery because they use environmentally friendly paper products. You can find the Cartolina stationery line at fab stores like Anthropology, Urban Outfitters, Selfridges, Paper Chase. and Harvey Nichols (London).  

INKLY

Next week the Inkly app will be launched. I didn't get to test it out, but based on the PR (see my graphic above) the app adds a new twist that many will enjoy. The app's unique message feature lets you send your "handwritten" message in a greeting card via the app on your phone. The card you create does not feature REAL handwriting—just an image of your writing added to a card. So how does it work? First, you write a message on paper—make the handwriting neat because in the next step you take a photo of your message. Then you add your photographed message to an Inkly designed card via the app, finally the app will send a printed card via snail mail to the recipient. I haven' tried this service out yet, but it sounds interesting.  

SINCERELY INK

From the makers of Postagram, PopBooth, Ink and Ship Library, the app Sincerely has a wide selection of card layouts. The app is free and the cost of sending a printed card in the US is $1.99. I like the fact the postcards are printed on heavyweight 5x7 inch glossy postcards. If you don't have one of your own photos to include in the card—no worries. Sincerely has a selection of lovely card layouts that you can personalize just with your own message.

Here are a few more apps you might want to check out:

Paperless Post - Online Invitations and Stationery

Shutterfly: Photo Books, Holiday Cards, Photo Cards, Birth Announcements

Note to readers: This was not a sponsored post.

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Image: RED STAMP photo at the top of this post is by me, Chris Olson, from a recent trip. I created the the app diptics that featuring the card options. Feel free to Pin them Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

 

18 Days of Instagram Filters: Day 18 with Kelvin Filter

 

The Kelvin filter on Instagram is versatile and works well with a variety of images including landscapes, cityscapes, your favorite bakery goods, and your adorable pets. The filter adds a retro look—boosting the earth tones of green, brown, and orange—without sacrificing the brilliant blues in the sky or ocean. If you like to include the optional Instagram filter border, play around with adding the Kelvin scratchy border to frame your image.

I used the LUX feature with Kelvin to bring out details in sun shining through the leaves in the tree photo in the lower left. The LUX feature boosts the details and contrast in images of plants and building exteriors when photographing gardens, neighborhoods, cityscapes, etc.

For more information on the LUX feature plus a handy list of how to use other features including the focus, frame, and more, check out my Guide to the LUX feature here.

I adjusted the focus in a few of the photos by tapping the "tear drop" icon or "Tilt-Shift focus" icon located up on the upper right of the Instagram camera interface to give you the ability to focus on a particular part of your photo. You can find more about using this focus feature here.

When Instagram made updates to the filters to make them faster and high res, some of the filters were tweaked more than others. The Lord Kelvin filter became the Kelvin filter. This name change highlights the significant change to the filter from the previous version which had a super-saturated vintage look with a strong sepia vibe. I know many Instagram fans are not happy with the changes. I like the new Kelvin version, but perhaps they could have kept the old Lord Kelvin too. 

Your Instagram photos can help shelter dogs

If you like to take photos, grab your iPhone and stop by your local animal shelter. Snap some cute pics of the adoptable dogs with Instagram. Then post them on Facebook and Twitter and Pinterest with a link to the animal shelter. If you can, please include a search-able hashtag with the breed of dog (eg., #lab or #dachshund) and then also add a hashtag with #adopt_dogs. You can even add text to the photo with apps like InstaText.

The adorable dog mix featured above is Harley. If he is still available for adoption, you can find him at this animal rescue and on Petfinder Adoptable Dog: American Staffordshire Terrier named Harley.

 

Images: Photos using the Kelvin Filter (#kelvin) featured above are by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to pin images on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!

 

 

Walden Filter

You can find other posts in this Guide to Instagram series here:

Day 1: No Filter 

Day 2: Amaro Filter

Day 3: Rise Filter

Day 4: Hudson Filter

Day 5: X-Pro II Filter

Day 6: Sierra Filter

Day 7: Lo-Fi Filter

Day 8: Earlybird Filter

Day 9: Sutro Filter

Day 10: Toaster Filter

Day 11: Brannan Filter

Day 12: Inkwell Filter

Day 13: Walden Filter

Day 14: Hefe Filter

Day 15: Valencia Filter

Day 16: Nashville Filter

Day 17: 1977 Filter

Day 18: Kelvin Filter

Day 19: Willow Filter

Enhance Colors and Details with Lux 

Add Some Glam in Instagram

Tilt-Shift Focus

Newest Instagram Features

Comparing 9 Instagram Filters {The Puppy Edition}

 

>• A note about the photos •<

I am delighted to have my images from this blog re-posted but please always credit MomathonBlog.com as the original source when re-posting to your blog, Pinterest, Tumblr, or any other site. Please also credit with a link back to MomathonBlog.com. Please ask permission before re-posting exact text, instructions, recipes, or diy's from MomathonBlog.com. Thank you.

18 Days of Instagram Filters: Day 17 with 1977 Filter

Instagram's 1977 filter adds a faded pink hue that turns almost any image into a retro photo with plenty of glam and a hint of Disneyesque fantasy. A few of the many photo opps for the 1977 filter include: Transform an average winter landscape with the 1977 filter to turn the image into a scene from a Snow White movie. Or play around with cityscape photos for a dreamy vintage look. The filter even works in low light situations when you want to capture that quartet of fine ales you are testing at a brew pub.

18 Days of Instagram Filters: Day 16 with Nashville Filter

The Nashville Filter
The Nashville effect on Instagram is a mix of a cozy kitchen and nostalgic playground filter. It adds a soft purple-pink hue to images. Perfect for sharing images with a retro vibe on Facebook and other social media.

I used the LUX feature with Nashville to bring out details in garden photo in the upper right. The LUX feature boosts the details and contrast in images of plants and building exteriors when photographing gardens, neighborhoods, cityscapes, etc. The sun icon in the lower portion of your camera screen is the "sun" icon also known as the LUX effect. 

For more information on the LUX feature plus a handy list of how to use other features including the focus, frame, and more, check out these links

Instagram tips

Enhance Colors and Details with Lux

Images by me, Chris Olson, using an iPhone 4  and/or  5 + Instagram with Nashville Filter (#Nashville)

 

You can find other posts in this Guide to Instagram series here: 

Walden Instagram Filter

Day 1: No Filter

Day 2: Amaro Filter

Day 3: Rise Filter

Day 4: Hudson Filter

Day 5: X-Pro II Filter

Day 6: Sierra Filter

Day 7: Lo-Fi Filter

Day 8: Earlybird Filter

Day 9: Sutro Filter

Day 10: Toaster Filter

Day 11: Brannan Filter

Day 12: Inkwell Filter

Day 13: Walden Filter

Day 14: Hefe Filter

Day 15: Valencia Filter

Day 16: Nashville Filter

Day 17: 1977 Filter

Day 18: Kelvin Filter

GET THE LOOK series: Add Some Glam in Instagram

Add Some Glam with Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

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Instagram photos by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

 

Your Instagram photos can help shelter dogs

If you like to take photos, grab your iPhone and stop by your local animal shelter. Snap some cute pics with Instagram. Then post them on Facebook and Twitter.

The adorable dog featured below is a rescue dog named Benny. For more information on adopting this dog, go to this dog rescue link. xo

Use Instagram to Help Shelter Dogs Find Homes

Your Instagram photos can help shelter dogs

If you like to take photos, grab your iPhone and stop by your local animal shelter. Snap some cute pics of the adoptable dogs with Instagram. Then post them on Facebook and Twitter and Pinterest with a link to the animal shelter. If you can, please include a search-able hashtag with the breed of dog (eg., #lab or #dachshund) and then also add a hashtag with #adopt_dogs.

The adorable Chihuahua mix featured above is Benny. He is a happy little guy who deserves to have his very own fan club. He is neutered, up-to-date on his shots & micro chipped. Are you Benny's new cheerleader? You can find him at Pals Forever Animal Rescue with details about him here Benny: Petfinder Adoptable Dog.

Thank you for helping improve the lives of homeless dogs. xo Chris

Image of Benny me, Chris Olson, using an iPhone 4 + Instagram with Nashville Filter (#Nashville)

 

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Instagram photos by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

You can find other posts in this Guide to Instagram series here:

Day 1: No Filter

Day 2: Amaro Filter

Day 3: Rise Filter

Day 4: Hudson Filter

Day 5: X-Pro II Filter

Day 6: Sierra Filter

Day 7: Lo-Fi Filter

Day 8: Earlybird Filter

Day 9: Sutro Filter

Day 10: Toaster Filter

Day 11: Brannan Filter

Day 12: Inkwell Filter

Day 13: Walden Filter

Day 14: Hefe Filter

Day 15: Valencia Filter

Day 16: Nashville Filter

Day 17: 1977 Filter

Day 18: Kelvin Filter

 

Splish Splash with iDuck Wireless Speakers

 

 

Now you can listen to your iPod or iPhone in the tub with the iDuck wireless speaker that lets you listen to your favorite music and your iPod/iPhone/MP3 player rests safe and sound away from the water. iDuck will also play your FM radio.

Great way to get kids in the tub! Available at ThinkGeek. $29.99

 

18 Days of Instagram Filters: Day 14 with Hefe Filter

Boost the warmth and cozy factor of photos by adding golden tones and a subtle fuzzy effect using the Hefe filter on Instagram (#hefe). Because the filter ever so slightly increases the saturation in the image, I did not use the LUX feature which adds vibrancy to the photo by bringing out more details. I opted to use the Tilt-Shift (DoF) feature with the pool photos to blur a portion of the image because of personal preference—I think pool ripples and depth of field is fun to play around with. If you like yellow and gold hues, then this is the perfect filter for almost any occasion. The retro vibe with the Hefe is visible but rarely distracting.   

More Instagram Tips

EYE ICON

Tap the "eye" icon in the lower right corner of the Instagram camera screen and the Instagram filter bar appears.

TEAR DROP ICON

Tap the "tear drop" icon or Tilt-Shift focus icon located up on the upper right of the Instagram camera interface to give you the ability to focus on a particular part of your photo. For details on how to use this focus feature, check out my easy step-by-step directions with photo examples here.

FRAME ICON

Each filter—except the no filter option—comes with a unique frame. You can opt to use it or keep it simple with no frame.  Tap on the "frame" icon to see how it looks. Tap again to remove the frame.

SUN ICON

in the lower left portion of your camera screen is the "sun" icon also known as the LUX effect. Tap on the icon to add pop or vibrancy to the photo by bringing out more details. Tap it again to remove the LUX effect. The LUX effect changes dramatically depending on the photo and the filter. Once again, experimenting with this feature is the best way to know when you want to use it.

Images by me, Chris Olson, using an iPhone 4 + Instagram with Hefe Filter (#hefe)

Use Instagram to Help Shelter Dogs Get Adopted

If you like to take photos, grab your iPhone and stop by your local animal shelter. Snap some cute pics with Instagram. Then post them on Facebook and Twitter with a link to the shelter. This Instagram photo features Rocko, details on him at this dog rescue link.

 

You can find other posts in this Guide to Instagram series here

Walden Filter

Day 1: No Filter

Day 2: Amaro Filter

Day 3: Rise Filter

Day 4: Hudson Filter

Day 5: X-Pro II Filter

Day 6: Sierra Filter

Day 7: Lo-Fi Filter

Day 8: Earlybird Filter

Day 9: Sutro Filter

Day 10: Toaster Filter

Day 11: Brannan Filter

Day 12: Inkwell Filter

Day 13: Walden Filter

Day 14: Hefe Filter

Day 15: Valencia Filter

Nashville Filter

 

Day 16: Nashville Filter

Day 17: 1977 Filter

Day 18: Kelvin Filter

 

Guide to Instagram Features

Instagram Guide {Finding the Best Filters for Each Photo}

Enhance Colors and Details with Lux 

Add Some Glam in Instagram

Tilt-Shift Focus

Newest Instagram Features

Comparing 9 Instagram Filters {The Puppy Edition}

 

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Instagram photos by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!

 

 

 

18 Days of Instagram Filters: Day 13 with Walden Filter

The soft watercolor effect of the Walden filter on Instagram gives photos a bluish "late afternoon" effect. Like most Instagram filters the Walden effect has a retro feel. Add this mellowing effect to achieve a romantic glow in shots that reminds me of spending a lazy summer afternoon without the constant interruptions of my iPhone. Perfect for a landscape or cityscape, vacay photos, pets, and even product shots.

Images by me, Chris Olson, using an iPhone 4 + Instagram with Walden Filter (#walden)

You can find other posts in this Guide to Instagram series here:

Comparing 9 Instagram Filters {The Puppy Edition}

Day 1: No Filter

Day 2: Amaro Filter

Day 3: Rise Filter

Day 4: Hudson Filter

Day 5: X-Pro II Filter

Day 6: Sierra Filter

Day 7: Lo-Fi Filter

Day 8: Earlybird Filter

 

Nashville Instagram Filter

Day 9: Sutro Filter

Day 10: Toaster Filter

Day 11: Brannan Filter

Day 12: Inkwell Filter

Day 13: Walden Filter

Day 14: Hefe Filter

Day 15: Valencia Filter

Day 16: Nashville Filter

Day 17: 1977 Filter

Day 18: Kelvin Filter

 GET THE LOOK series: Add Some Glam in Instagram

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Instagram photos by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

18 Days of Instagram Filters: Day 12 with Inkwell Filter

 
The Inkwell filter using the Instagram app will not automatically turn your images into Ansel Adams photos, but the filter glams up even bad lighting by adding a high contrast effect to images. Perfect for giving photos a classic black and white vintage vibe. Play around with the LUX feature to add more drama and boost the contrast.

Inkwell works well with photos of pets, floral close-ups, and landscapes. 

Images by me, Chris Olson, using an iPhone 4 + Instagram with Inkwell Filter (#Inkwell)

You can find other posts in this Guide to Instagram series here:

Day 1: No Filter

Day 2: Amaro Filter

Day 3: Rise Filter

Day 4: Hudson Filter

Day 5: X-Pro II Filter

Day 6: Sierra Filter

Day 7: Lo-Fi Filter

Day 8: Earlybird Filter

Day 9: Sutro Filter

Day 10: Toaster Filter

Day 11: Brannan Filter

Day 12: Inkwell Filter

Day 13: Walden Filter

Day 14: Hefe Filter

Day 15: Valencia Filter

Day 16: Nashville Filter

Day 17: 1977 Filter

Day 18: Kelvin Filter

Get The Look: Add Some Glam in Instagram

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All Instagram photos are by me, Chris Olson at Chris CoCo Media. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

 

18 Days of Instagram Filters: Day 11 with Brannan Filter

 

The Brannan filter on Instagram has a soft "vintage meets modern" effect. It brings out the grays and greens in a photo. Don't use Brannan if you want bright colors to pop. Instead, try it with photos of your dog or a landscape/cityscape. Fun to use on your next vacation.

I stumbled on a very cool use for the low-key Brannan filter—this filter is great for bringing out the beauty in dogs or cats with dark fur. Often the adorable faces of black labs are lost in a photo. Try the Brannan filter with or without the LUX feature. See my photo of the sweet lab mix, Lebowski.  

{ Your Instagram photos can help shelter dogs: If you like to take photos, grab your iPhone and stop by your local animal shelter. Snap some cute pics with Instagram. Then post them on Facebook and Twitter. }

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(The graphic above was created by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!)

You can find other posts in this Guide to Instagram series here:

Day 1: No Filter

Day 2: Amaro Filter

Day 3: Rise Filter

Day 4: Hudson Filter

Day 5: X-Pro II Filter

Day 6: Sierra Filter

Day 7: Lo-Fi Filter

Day 8: Earlybird Filter

Day 9: Sutro Filter

Day 10: Toaster Filter

Day 11: Brannan Filter

Day 12: Inkwell Filter

Day 13: Walden Filter

Day 14: Hefe Filter

Day 15: Valencia Filter

Day 16: Nashville Filter

Day 17: 1977 Filter

Day 18: Kelvin Filter

 

Your Instagram photos can help shelter dogs

If you like to take photos, grab your iPhone and stop by your local animal shelter. Snap some cute pics of the adoptable dogs with Instagram. Then post them on Facebook and Twitter and Pinterest with a link to the animal shelter. If you can, please include a search-able hashtag with the breed of dog (eg., #lab or #dachshund) and then also add a hashtag with #adopt_dogs. You can even add text to the photo with apps like InstaText.

The adorable dog mix featured above is Harley. If he is still available for adoption, you can find him at this animal rescue and on Petfinder Adoptable Dog: American Staffordshire Terrier named Harley.

 

>• A note about the photos •<

I am delighted to have my images from this blog re-posted but please always credit MomathonBlog.com as the original source when re-posting to your blog, Pinterest, Tumblr, or any other site. Please also credit with a link back to MomathonBlog.com. Please ask permission before re-posting exact text, instructions, recipes, or diy's from MomathonBlog.com. Thank you.

18 Days of Instagram Filters: Day 10 with Toaster Filter

I call the Toaster filter the "Date Night" filter. Use it to add a retro "Mad Man" look. The high exposure center works well to give a 60s vibe to family gatherings, picnics, etc.

Images by me, Chris Olson, using an iPhone 4 + Instagram with Toaster Filter (#Toaster)

You can find other posts in this Guide to Instagram series here:

Day 1: No Filter

Day 2: Amaro Filter

Day 3: Rise Filter

Day 4: Hudson Filter

Day 5: X-Pro II Filter

Day 6: Sierra Filter

Day 7: Lo-Fi Filter

Day 8: Earlybird Filter

Day 9: Sutro Filter

Day 10: Toaster Filter

Day 11: Brannan Filter

Day 12: Inkwell Filter

Day 13: Walden Filter

Day 14: Hefe Filter

Day 15: Valencia Filter

Day 16: Nashville Filter

Day 17: 1977 Filter

Day 18: Kelvin Filter

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Instagram photos by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

18 Days of Instagram Filters: Day 8 with Earlybird Filter

The Earlybird filter adds a romantic glow to an image by enhancing the soft faded colors with a hint of yellow and taupe. This app is great for fashion shots, brown-eyed dogs, and even dreamy decors. 

Your Instagram photos can help shelter dogs

If you like to take photos, grab your iPhone and stop by your local animal shelter. Snap some cute pics with Instagram. Then post them on Facebook and Twitter.

The adorable dog featured below is a rescue dog named Amber. For more information on adopting this dog, go to this dog rescue link. xo Chris O

  

Images by me, Chris Olson, using an iPhone 4 + Instagram with Earlybird Filter.

You can find other posts in this Guide to Instagram series here:

Day 1: No Filter

Day 2: Amaro Filter

Day 3: Rise Filter

Day 4: Hudson Filter

Day 5: X-Pro II Filter

Day 6: Sierra Filter

Day 7: Lo-Fi Filter

Day 8: Earlybird Filter

Day 9: Sutro Filter

Day 10: Toaster Filter

Day 11: Brannan Filter

Day 12: Inkwell Filter

Day 13: Walden Filter

Day 14: Hefe Filter

Day 15: Valencia Filter

Day 16: Nashville Filter

Day 17: 1977 Filter

Day 18: Kelvin Filter

GET THE LOOK series: Add Some Glam in Instagram

>•<  Connect on Facebook  >•<  

Instagram photos by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

18 Days of Instagram Filters: Day 7 with Lo-Fi Filter

If you like a dreamy quality to your photos, try the Lo-Fi (Lomo-fi) filter on the Instagram app. With a hint of a blurry effect and saturated colors (especially greens and yellows), this app is great for enhancing floral shots, landscapes and even food styling. For more examples of my Instagram photos with Lo-Fi filters click here.

Images above by me, Chris Olson, using an iPhone 4 + Instagram with Lo-Fi Filter.

You can find other posts in this Guide to Instagram series here:

Day 1: No Filter

Day 2: Amaro Filter

Day 3: Rise Filter

Day 4: Hudson Filter

Day 5: X-Pro II Filter

Day 6: Sierra Filter

Day 7: Lo-Fi Filter

Day 8: Earlybird Filter

Day 9: Sutro Filter

Day 10: Toaster Filter

Day 11: Brannan Filter

Day 12: Inkwell Filter

Day 13: Walden Filter

Day 14: Hefe Filter

Day 15: Valencia Filter

Day 16: Nashville Filter

Day 17: 1977 Filter

Day 18: Kelvin Filter

GET THE LOOK series: Add Some Glam in Instagram

>•<  Connect on Facebook  >•<  

Instagram photos by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

How to Add Depth of Field to a Photo with Instagram

In my Instagram post yesterday I used the X-Pro II Filter. Today I'm explaining in detail how to apply depth of field (DoF) feature in Instagram. See the graphic above for step-by-step directions. Be sure to try it out, it's fun. If you don't like the 3-D effect, you can go back to the normal focus by clicking on the "x" icon.

Images above by me, Chris Olson, using an iPhone 4 + Instagram with X-Pro II Filter.

You can find other posts in this Guide to Instagram series here:

Day 1: No Filter

Day 2: Amaro Filter

Day 3: Rise Filter

Day 4: Hudson Filter

Day 5: X-Pro II Filter

Day 6: Sierra Filter

Day 7: Lo-Fi Filter

Day 8: Earlybird Filter

Day 9: Sutro Filter

Day 10: Toaster Filter

Day 11: Brannan Filter

Day 12: Inkwell Filter

Day 13: Walden Filter

Day 14: Hefe Filter

Day 15: Valencia Filter

Day 16: Nashville Filter

Day 17: 1977 Filter

Day 18: Kelvin Filter

How to Add Depth of Field to a Photo with Instagram

Get The Look: Add Some Glam in Instagram

>•<  Connect on Facebook  >•<  

All Instagram photos are by me, Chris Olson at Chris CoCo Media. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

18 Days of Instagram Filters: Day 5 with X-Pro II Filter

Instagram users on Flickr love the X-Pro II Filter. And I'm a fan too. When you apply the X-Pro II filter to an image the result has a "vintage" feel. Plus I like the intensity of the colors—especially the blues and the reds.

Focus

In the photos above I used both the circle (radial) focus and the line (linear) focus to blur the surroundings of the subject and make the subject area seem closer than the background. When you apply depth of field (DoF), all you have to do is click on the Instagram tab that looks like a water drop or rain drop. Then select either the circle or the line icon to be the "in focus" area in your photo. You can manipulate the blur feature and change the location and size of the circle/line in focus area. Try it out, it's fun. If you don't like the 3-D effect, you can go back to the normal focus by clicking on the "x" icon.

Images above by me, Chris Olson, using an iPhone 4 + Instagram with X-Pro II Filter.

You can find other posts in this Guide to Instagram series here:

Day 1: No Filter

Day 2: Amaro Filter

Day 3: Rise Filter

Day 4: Hudson Filter

Day 5: X-Pro II Filter

Day 6: Sierra Filter

Day 7: Lo-Fi Filter

Day 8: Earlybird Filter

Day 9: Sutro Filter

Day 10: Toaster Filter

Day 11: Brannan Filter

Day 12: Inkwell Filter

Day 13: Walden Filter

Day 14: Hefe Filter

Day 15: Valencia Filter

Day 16: Nashville Filter

Day 17: 1977 Filter

Day 18: Kelvin Filter

>•<  Connect on Facebook  >•<  

Instagram photos by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

 

 

18 Days of Instagram Filters: Day 4 with Hudson Filter

Day 4: Hudson Filter

The Hudson filter has a subtle vignett-y appeal with cool, blue tones. For a long time I only used the Hudson filter with outdoor shots. I especially liked the way a blue sky became more vibrant. Today I tried to put the filter to the test of enhancing images of dogs, specifically adoptable shelter dogs. I was really surprised how well the filter worked with pets as the subject.

I played around with the Instagram tilt and shift feature to highlight the faces of the two dogs on the lower right and left portion of the grid above. To use this feature, just tap the tear drop icon at the top of the Instagram camera interface, next select either the line or the spot effect, then tap or drag/rotate the image to preview how this feature adjusts the in-focus area.

If you like to take photos, grab your iPhone and stop by your local animal shelter. Snap some cute pics with Instagram. Then post them on Facebook and Twitter.

The four adorable dogs featured above are rescued dogs—Dixie, Amber, Sable (recently adopted) and Rocko. For more information on these dogs, go to this dog rescue link.

Images above by me, Chris Olson, using an iPhone 4 + Instagram with Hudson Filter.

 

You can find other posts in this Guide to Instagram series here:

Day 1: No Filter

Day 2: Amaro Filter

Day 3: Rise Filter

Day 4: Hudson Filter

Day 5: X-Pro II Filter

Day 6: Sierra Filter

Day 7: Lo-Fi Filter

Day 8: Earlybird Filter

Day 9: Sutro Filter

Day 10: Toaster Filter

Day 11: Brannan Filter

Day 12: Inkwell Filter

Day 13: Walden Filter

Day 14: Hefe Filter

Day 15: Valencia Filter

Day 16: Nashville Filter

Day 17: 1977 Filter

Day 18: Kelvin Filter

>•<  Connect on Facebook  >•<  

Instagram photos by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

Move over Instagram, make room for the Camera Awesome app

I've experimented with loads of photo apps to turn your iPhone or smartphone a better camera. The new Camera Awesome free app from SmugMug joins my list of personal faves for camera versatility and high performance, a list that includes the Instagram, Adobe Photoshop Express, and Camera+ apps. All of the apps listed here are free except the Camera+ app that costs $1.99. However, I will warn you the app is so much fun it is very tempting buy extra bonus features for the Camera Awesome— each set of nine additional (totally awesome) effects is 99 cents. The Hancock effect adds a layer of script and you can see it above.

The photo included in the post today was taken and/or processed with Camera Awesome. I tried to pick a very ordinary subject—a string of lights—and see if the app could "Awesomize" it. And, yes, that is the term the app makers use. Since I am a Photoshop geek, I wasn't sure if this iPhone app would be as versatile and tweakable as a I wanted. Turns out it was a great deal of fun to use. The so-called boring string of lights (I stood on a chair to take this shot) turned out kind of magical with the Hancock filter. I have to add one thing that I really love about this app, you can upload any photo in the app to post process. Here are my thoughts on the new app:

Camera Awesome 

• Camera app works with the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S (an Android app is in development)
• Full-featured and full-powered camera app
• Free app comes with 36 free effects: presets, filters, textures, and frames
• Option to upgrade and buy more presets, a total of 297 presets available
• Image stabilization, burst mode, camera timer, and more
• Fast burst option for active shotss—camera can capture photos in quick sequences
• Works in video mode 
• All your photos can be shared on social media through the easy built-in sharing feature
• Option to use SmugMug photo archiving at full resolution 

Four Ways to Save on Your Vacation Airfare

As fuel prices rise, it is nice to know how you can cut your travel costs when you purchase your vacation flights. According to travel experts—FareCompare.com and others—the cheapest days to fly and best time to buy airline tickets are base on a few simple rules.

Another travel tip is to shop for only ONE passenger's airline ticket at a time to get lowest rates. Why? The airline reservations systems lump your tickets together and highest individual price in your group will determine the cost. 

More ways to save:

You can find more ways to save in my post about using airfare alerts. If you use technology to notify you when prices drop and comparison shop, try using travel sites like these:

• FareCompare
• Expedia.com
• Priceline.com
• KAYAK.com
• Orbitz.com
• Hotwire.com
• ShermansTravel.com

Image above created by me, Chris Olson with yellow flower image by D Sharon Pruitt.

Pinterest: How to Pin Favorite Websites Using the Pin It Button

Finding an image on a website to share on Pinterest is addicting. And pinning that recipe or photo or illustration is super easy if you have the  helpful "Pin It" goodie provided by Pinterest. This button does two important things:

• The Pin It button allows you to grab an image from any website and add it to one of your pinboards—just make sure you are grabbing it from the ORIGINAL source. In other words, when you pin a recipe, make sure the website is the one that created the recipe. (More about this below.)
• When you see something amazing on a website and want to pin it, the Pin It button automatically grabs the source link so you can credit the original—to do this the linked website should be the original source.

The step-by-step directions for getting the Pin It button and adding it to your Bookmarks bar make installing this helpful goodie a snap. You can find the directions here. 

 

 

LinkWithLove explains in their recent "Dear Pinterest" post why it is so important for Pinterest users to link to the original source because there is a person behind every piece of art, photo, or recipe and that creative person deserves to get credit. Find out more about savvy pinning here via the super savvy Kal Barteski.

MORE Pinterest Goodies

Pinterest offers a variety of other goodies including:

• Follow Button for Websites (Similar to a Twitter or Facebook follow button, add this button to your blog in a post or add it to the sidebar) 
• Pin It Button for Websites (Readers can use this to pin your images on your blog onto Pinterest)

 

Instagram Crush

 

 
 

Is it possible to take too many pictures? I don't think so. My iPhone and a few dozen photo apps is a "good thing" as I think Martha would say. A favorite of mine is the free photo app Instagram that includes custom designed filters and borders such as XPro-II, Earlybird, Rise, Amaro, Hudson, Lomo-fi, Sutro, Toaster, Brannan, Inkwell, Walden, Hefe, Nashville, 1977, and more. Social media folks like the fact the app includes an option for instant sharing to Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Tumblr, Foursquare, and Posterous.

Photos above taken by me. Post processing via Instagram app. The dog featured is a shelter dog and I used Instagram to help him find a forever home. 

Remembering Steve Jobs: Legendary Quotes

Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, died yesterday at the age of 56. Back in 1984 when the first personal computer by Apple came out, I was fresh out of college and wrote my resume on my sister-in-law's Mac 128 K. (Yes, I'm that old.) I know my job search turned out better because of him. Here are some of my favorite quotes by Jobs, in no particular order.

“Your time is limited,” Jobs added. ”So don’t waste it living someone else’s life. … Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.”
via Steve Jobs' Stanford University Commencement address (2005)

"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something -- your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life."
via Steve Jobs' Stanford University Commencement address (2005)

Picasso had a saying: "Good artists copy, great artists steal." We have always been shameless about stealing great ideas.
via  ABC News

"There's an old Wayne Gretzky quote that I love. 'I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.' And we've always tried to do that at Apple. Since the very very beginning. And we always will."
via ABC News

"It's really hard to design products by focus groups. A lot of times, people don't know what they want until you show it to them."

via  BusinessWeek, 1998

"Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes ... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status quo. ... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things. ... They push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the people who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do."
via ABC News

"My model for business is The Beatles: They were four guys that kept each other's negative tendencies in check; they balanced each other. And the total was greater than the sum of the parts. Great things in business are not done by one person, they are done by a team of people."
via The Exception Magazine

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it."
via Steve Jobs' Stanford University Commencement address (2005)

"I’m the only person I know that’s lost a quarter of a billion dollars in one year…. It’s very character-building." 
via Apple Confidential 2.0, 2004, ABC News

"That's been one of my mantras -- focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end, because once you get there, you can move mountains."
via BusinessWeek, 1998

"Picasso had a saying. He said 'Good artists copy, great artists steal.' And we have always been shameless about stealing great ideas. ... I think part of what made the Macintosh great was that the people working on it were musicians and poets and artists and zoologists and historians who also happened to be the best computer scientists in the world."
via"Triumph of the Nerds: The Rise of Accidental Empires," 1996, ABC News

“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me … Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful… that’s what matters to me.” via WSJ, May 25, 1993

More memorable Steve Jobs's quotes via

• Steve Jobs’s Best Quotes - Digits - WSJ
• Steve Jobs quotes: the man in his own words | Technology | guardian.co.uk
• Steve Jobs  - ABC News 

Art by me, Chris Olson

We will miss Steve Jobs's genius vision and innovation

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."

"Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking."

~ From Steve Jobs's commencement speech at Stanford University in 2005 

More tributes: 

• Steve Jobs dies: Remembering a legacy  - The Washington Post
• How Steve Jobs reshaped the tech industry  - CNET News
• Steve Jobs dies; obituary; Apple's co-founder transformed computers, culture - latimes.com
• Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder, dies – USATODAY.com

Geeky mom: Why I still love my iPod Classic

It's ancient in terms of iPod technology--no touch screen capability, a funky wheel for controls, kinda bulky, and an itsy-bitsy screen.

So why do I love thee? Because my beloved iPod Classic is like my huge purse–it holds almost everything! I guess writer Tom Samiijan at WSJ.com summed it up best:

With 160GB of hard-drive space, the iPod Classic can hold around 3,200 albums...It won't let you check your email, buy more tunes on the fly or check sports scores, but in this multitasking era of tweets, Facebook feeds and other instant distractions, there's something appealing about a device that does one thing well: rock out.

Apparently plenty of people roll their eyes at this old thing because rumor has it the iPod Classic will be discontinued by Apple. I just hope my Classic lives on for a very long time.  

Clever video review of the iPad 2 shows why kids love it too!

David Pogue at the NYTimes.com talks about the new iPad 2 in his video review. What makes this clip so clever is the fact his two kids give their side of the story too.

The new iPad 2 built with kids in mind:

• lighter
• front and back facing camera
• thinner
• twice as fast
• includes a gyro for gaming
• Verizon and AT&T compatible with 3G models 

What to read before you buy your iPad 2

 

 

If you read my blog, then it is no surprise I love almost everything about my iPad. Sadly, I do not have the iPad 2–yet. The timing of the launch of the new iPad 2 conveniently fits the shopping deadline for my daughter's upcoming birthday. (And fortunately we like to share gadgets.)

The best compilation of news, reviews, both the pros and the cons, and practically everything iPad can be found in two handy dandy posts on GIZMODO by editor Rosa Golijan. Check out her take on the latest iPad 2 Reviews and iPad 2: All the Details.

Why do I like the iPad? I love ebook features (both the Kindle app and the iBook). And the ADD in me just can't get enough of the 350,000 cool apps--about 65,000 are optimized for the iPad. 

The iPad 2 pricing:

• Wi-Fi model: $499, $599, and $699 for the 16, 32 and 64GB models.
• If you want 3G then the price goes up to $629, $729, and $829.

Photo: GIZMODO: iPad 2 Reviews

Video: My Blackberry Is Not Working

Love this funny and "fruity" video clip. How did they know that I've been looking for an Eggs Box 360 too? 

Watch the clever sketch from Ronnie Corbett's One Ronnie Show on BBC One below. (Kudos to my brother for bringing this to my attention.)

 

YouTube Link: My Blackberry Is Not Working! - The One Ronnie

 

Blog Red, Buy Red, and Support World AIDS Day

 

Last week the NIH announced a major advancement in HIV prevention research: A daily pill that treats HIV also apprears to help prevent HIV infection. A new vaginal gel shows promise in preventing HIV infection in women.

Research studies like this are key to helping save lives. Approximately 2.6 million people each year become infected with HIV worldwide. 56,000 become infected each year in the U.S. Today is World AIDS Day 2010 and the perfect time to be part of the cure.

Blog Red

Bloggers and Tweeters check out (BLOG) RED to find out how you can turn the World (RED) here. You can turn your profile picture red too.

Tweeting ideas from (BLOG) RED:

Dec 1 is World AIDS Day @joinred fact: 430,000 babies born with HIV last yr. By 2015 that could be 0. #turnred www.joinred.com 

Dec 1 is World AIDS Day. Tell the world that an AIDS Free Generation is due in 2015. #turnred to map it. @joinred www.joinred.com 

Tweet #turnred & turn this map of the world (RED). Dec 1 is World AIDS Day. Join @joinred www.joinred.com  

 

Buy Red

When you buy (PRODUCT)RED™ items, up to 50% of the profits go directly to those who need it. Some of the (PRODUCT) RED Partners include American Express, Apple, Bugaboo, Converse, Dell, Emporio Armani, GAP, Hallmark, NIKE, Penguin Classics, and Starbucks. Product Red Partners support the global fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. Here are just a few examples of how the Partners are helping:

NIKE: 100% of the profits from every pair of Nike RED laces you buy go to help fight AIDS in Africa. 

GAP: 50% of profits from the sale of all (GAP)RED (GAP)RED products go to help eliminate AIDS in Africa

APPLE: Buy the Apple (PRODUCT)RED™  iPod nano and Apple donates portion of the purchase price to the Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. 

STARBUCKS: The (STARBUCKS)RED Ceramic To-Go Cup contributes $1US/L3/E3 from the sale of each Cup to the Global Fund. (STARBUCKS)RED Jonathan Adler Card. The (STARBUCKS) RED Card generates 5c/5p for the Global Fund every time it is used. 

Many more companies are involved in Buy (Red). Check out the link to see the many other companies are involved in BUY(RED). 

 

 

When no one understands your kid in school...

Moving beyond the labels and achieving great things is a big dream for children with learning difficulties. 

I remember being told my daughter would never be able read a book. I remember seeing my daughter banished to the hallway outside her third grade classroom because she was so far behind in class. I remember hearing teachers say my child would never go to college. I remember seeing my daughter crumple her homework papers with a big, red "INCOMPELTE" scribbled on them. I remember hearing my daughter would never achieve anything above a D or C in school. 

And I remember hearing my daughter say, "No one understands me."

In those moments I cried inside because I didn't have an answer. I did not understand my daughter's learning problems either. 

And then one day my daughter met a tutor who saw beyond the labels of her learning disability. She opened the door to learning. And that is when I knew someone understood her. 

If your child faces similar challenges, a new HBO documentary I Can't Do This But I CAN Do That offers hope and inspiration for children with learning difficulties and their families.

 

You can watch HBO trailer here.

This motivational film can even inspire adults to achieve more and move beyond the negative ideas holding them back. Photographer Scott Bourne blogged about it: 

Now here’s the important part. Start thinking about, talking about and living in the world of the stuff you CAN do. Concentrate on what you CAN do and not on what you CANNOT do... There’s a way to make this even more successful. Only surround yourself with positive, supportive people. Ask them to stop you dead in your tracks if they start hearing what you can’t do. Ask them to remind you what you CAN do. I bet you have more going for you than you realize.

According to Smart Kids With LD:

The film highlights the resourcefulness, creativity and strengths that schools frequently fail to acknowledge when students with LD are viewed as less capable than others, and are not given the help they need to succeed.  As director and producer Ellen Goosenberg Kent notes, the film “encourages students, families, and teachers to look beyond labels and discover the gifts each child possesses.”

According to the Denver Dyslexia Awareness Blog, the documentary is "hopeful, honest, emotional, empathetic, uplifting, vulnerable, riveting, inspiring, intelligent." 

To find the date and time for this documentary on HBO, check the listings.

(Photo by C. Olson.)

Smart is the new sexy

Thursday night is DVR time. Gotta get my The Big Bang Theory fix on CBS (8/7C) and then, of course, my weekly dose of comedy on NBC--Community, 30 Rock, and The Office.

 

Photo: via fashionfucsia.blogspot.com

Find cheap holiday flights with airfare alerts

 

Shopping around for the best deals online is one way to find discounted holiday flights. Even better, why not put the web to work for you for free! Get the help of a "personal shopper" when you sign up for the fare alerts from the airlines or an airfare alert service. Recently I wrote the post about finding deals on hotels, airfare, rental cars in "Six ways to save big on your next trip." You can use many of the same online services plus some additional options, just check out my list below. 

Find cheap flights online:

FareCompare offers an e-mail fare alert service, an iPhone app, and a Twitter feed to notify you of deals.

Airfarewatchdog.com tracks low airfares to hundreds of cities worldwide. Some of my favorite features include the scoop on hidden sales, emailed news alerts for your location, top 50 low fares, and message boards. You can also follow them on Twitter and on Facebook.

Yapta.com offers two ways to save: Track flight prices BEFORE you buy. Yapta email alerts let you know when prices drop and when to buy to save money on airfare. The second way Yapta helps you save is by helping you get airline refunds AFTER you buy. If the price of your flight drops below what you paid, Yapta helps you get a refund for the difference. Follow them on Twitter.

Expedia offers a fare alert application for your computer and an iPhone app. Expedia also lets you book the plane tickets (no booking fees). 

Travelocity's FareWatcher Plus service will watch up to 10 destinations and notify you about any deals. You can also book the plane tickets.

Travelzoo.com is a travel search engine that sends you weekly emails to help you find the best deals on airfare. Follow them on Twitter.

KAYAK.com is a travel search engine like Travelzoo.com. It searches online for the best deals on flights. They have a smartphone app. Follow them on Twitter. 

Southwest Airlines is known for offering discounted fares. Now with the "iPhone app Plus with DING!" you’ll be notified immediately of discount flights. (With the app you can also make reservations, check in for flights, and access your Rapid Rewards account directly from your iPhone.) 

For more information on finding holiday airfare deals, check out

• Start Shopping For Holiday Plane Tickets Now (VIDEO) - Huffington Post
• Air fares are making double-digit gains- CNN Money.com
• HOW TO: Find the Best Fall Travel Deals on the Social Web - Mashable
• Practical Traveler - Tools for Finding the Best Holiday Fares - NYTimes.com

Photo: Kossy@Finedays

Tumblr and me

I joined Tumblr--the site that makes it simple to share practically anything. You can post photos, text, quotes, links, audio, and more. Tumblr is an addictive mix of blogging and tweeting. Your post of a photo or whatever might go viral thanks to the Reblog button on your post that allows a meme to spread rapidly across the blogosphere.

Setting up my Mom-a-thon page on Tumblr and selecting a page theme was so much fun I didn't want to choose just one. I'm sure I will be fiddling with the appearance for weeks. 

Set up a Tumblr account for yourself and have fun!

 

Tech review: Clicker.com finds your favorite tv shows online

 

If you are like me you probably don't have time to watch "real" television, that is, shows during their scheduled time slots. That's why I watch my favorite episodes of Modern Family and many other shows online. Thousands of tv episodes including Modern Family are available online but I don't like the hassle of searching through all the possible sources--and there are over 1200 sources! I let Clicker.com, a free web site, do the searching for me. Clicker.com currently has 24 episodes of Modern Family online. During the regular season I know I can watch certain episodes of the series online on ABC for free. However, according to Clicker, now the episodes are not available on ABC.com and I must purchase episodes on iTunes or Amazon.

I don't have ShowTime on my cable plan, but I really want to watch The
Big C with Laura Linney. According to Clicker.com, I can watch the series pilot on Showtime via Showtime On Demand for a fee or watch it for free on Crackle.com via Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Clicker.com is user friendly--only a few simple steps and you are watching your show online. When Clicker.com finds a show you searched for, the site either includes the video on their site or directs you to another hosting site like ABC, CBS, NBC, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, or iTunes. Based on your search, the site also suggests other shows you might enjoy--a feature similar to the suggested books feature on Amazon.com. You can also subscribe to a Playlist feature that will alert you when new shows in your interest area become available.

This geeky mom loves Huff Post Tech

 

 

Met the talented Bianca Bosker, Huffington Post Tech Editor, at the sold-out BlogHer'10 in NYC. Bosker created a slideshow of Twitter users' reflections on BlogHer 10.

 

Seems like a new tech gadget is born every second. That's why I read the Huff Post Tech online to stay up with the latest trends. You can also keep up with tech news on Twitter: @bbosker and @HuffPostTech. 

Geotags: Will the photos you post online give away your location?

I am a GPS addict when it comes to maps and driving directions. Perhaps it is because I'm directionally dyslexic. However, when I post photos online, I don't want my iPhone's "location services" to geotag my photos and give away personal information. In a nutshell, photo geotags store location-based data in the form of latitude and longitude. Smartphones love creating geotags--and you probably never noticed this feature. 

According to an article by Kate Murphy in San Jose Mercury News

When Adam Savage, host of the popular science program "MythBusters," posted a picture on Twitter of his automobile parked in front of his house, he let his fans know much more than that he drove a Toyota Land Cruiser.

Embedded in the image was a geotag, a bit of data providing the longitude and latitude of where the photo was taken. Hence, he revealed exactly where he lived. And since the accompanying text was "Now it's off to work," potential thieves knew he would not be at home.

via www.mercurynews.com

You can disable photo geotagging. On the website I Can Stalk U, go to the heading "How do I disable this" to find detailed instructions for disabling geotagging photos on your iPhone (iOS 4.x and iOS 3.x), Palm WebOS, or Google Android. 

No excuses... Just pick up your camera

Last week at BlogHer 10 in NYC, I was inspired by so many creative bloggers. One of my favorite sessions was presented by three talented artists: Karen Walrond (chookooloonks blog), Carol Gillott (paris breakfasts) and Khadijah Ali-Coleman (MoonWritings).

My teenage daughter attended the BlogHer conference with me and loves creating stop-motion videos because they allow you to transform photos into a "magical motion video." 

Karen's stop-motion video below captures the magic of BlogHer. She used over 1300 photos from her conference trip to create this 4-minute video. You can read more about Karen's video and her photography at BlogHer on her lovely chookooloonks blog. Her video and photos remind me, I have no excuses... Just pick up my camera and start shooting!

BlogHer'10: 4 days in 4 minutes

The beautiful sights and face of BlogHer 10.

Video by Karen Walrond

Special mommy hugs to Karen and all the wonderful bloggers at BlogHer 10.

Blogging on an iPad, or not

Blogging using my iPhone has been an adventure. Sure, using a smart phone is a fairly reliable way to post when you are on the road with barely enough room in your carry-on bag for clothes much less a laptop. However, you are on vacation, so why should you be working so hard to do anything like blogging on a teeny-tiny smart phone screen? 

Enter the iPad. Love at first sight. I felt certain our relationship would be blessed by the gods of tech. Time passes and like all relationships, I am beginning to notice some flaws in my beloved iPad. For example, the fact my iPod is a poor multi-tasker compared to my laptop. And I can't get my Typepad account to stop bickering with my iPad like a couple of siblings. 

There's got to be an app for that. 

Turns out there are more iPhone apps than iPad apps and at least as far as blogging is concerned I am still waiting for a solution. Today I am testing out a new iPad app. I am writing my TypePad post with the help of the BlogPress app. Seems to be working. I like using the larger keyboard in the app. I can even add photos easily. I can also save my post as a draft and come back to it later after I have done the research I need for writing--and that is a big deal because remember my iPad doesn't multi-task. 

I still need to learn how to add links, etc to my post. I'll save that for my bedtime reading. 

(Posted using BlogPress from my iPad)

Enhanced eBook app: Books that talk while you read

 

Imagine reading a book on your iPhone or IPad and hearing the book read to you at the same time. New enhanced eBook editions incorporate audio and video as well as text.

According to eBookNewser, The Carrie Diaries, the new prequel to the books by Candace Bushnell, comes out today with a new enhanced eBook app. 

"The app, created by Enhanced Editions for HarperCollins, features an audiobook that reads aloud while showing you the text (like a kids' eBook!), video content, and "night mode," which isn't anything sexy, just white text on a black background. It's $14.99 from iTunes. The Kindle edition costs good old $9.99."

For more information on the new enhanced eBook apps check out iTunes. 

For more news on books and publishing, check out my reading list on Momathon books.

Best mom food bloggers according to Babble.com

 

I don't know how the editors could narrow it down to only 50--so many talented foodies write blogs. Check out Babble.com's 50 Best Mom Food Bloggers list including these yummy blogs Food Allergy Mama, Steamy Kitchen, Kayotic Kitchen and Seven Spoons.

One of the best things about these blogs is you don't have to be another Martha Stewart in the kitchen to enjoy reading them. Of course, great recipes are key to their success, but you can also check out these blogs for their humor and beautiful photography. 

The staff and contributors at Babble "picked these fifty because each demonstrated excellence in voice, photography, design, or all three."

Love, love, love the listing by the editors on Babble, but have to admit their photo of chocolate dripping off the mixer is making me very hungry. Cupcakes anyone?

Bon Appetit!

(Image: Babble.com post)

 

Geeky Mom: Got iPad?

Apple calls the iPad magical and revolutionary. Without test driving it myself, I'm not so sure. Yes, the new ad shows the variety of ways the sleek iPad can be used. The features look pretty wonderful in the short ad. But an ad is only an ad. Has anyone heard from anyone who has played around on this device? All the mystery surrounding the launch makes it not so surprising that the ad above first appeared during the Academy Awards. 

Here's what I do know...
• I love the big multi-touch screen. 
• The Kindle killer e-book feature will definitely make this gadget a go-to device for students
• The plethora of amazing apps--150,000 and counting--is, well, amazing.
• Not so sure about how the iPad performs as an iPod too. And this seems odd since the iPad seems like an iPod on steroids. Too bad the new ad doesn't say much about iTunes or music features. What's up with that?

Pre-sales for the iPad begin next week. Sales of iPad begin April 3rd. Starting at $499.

iPhone app takes on global warming skeptics

I love The Skeptical Science iPhone app. And believe me, I will have plenty of opportunities to use it in my little town. Sure it won't help me win every argument with global warming skeptics. But I'll keep using this app and supporting mother earth because as my daughter tells me: We love polar bears, penguins, lady bugs, blue sky, and the fish in the sea. 

According to a report by Leo Hickman in the www.guardian.co.uk:

"I'm not sure this is going to quell the climate wars raging at present, but it's an interesting development nonetheless. An Australian solar physicist called John Cook, who runs the popular Skeptical Science website, has developed an app which "lets you use an iPhone or iPod to view the entire list of skeptic arguments as well as (more importantly) what the science says on each argument". So the next time you're caught at the fag end of a wedding reception in an interminable one-way conversation with a reactionary uncle who's boring on about how "the climate's always changed", just switch on this app, hand them your iPhone, and proceed to the bar."

So far the app has 90 rebuttals to global warming skeptic arguments.

Thanks to this clever app developed by solar physicist John Cook, I'll know exactly what to say the next time someone tells me to stop worrying about polar bears starving to death on melting ice. 

Ski Bum Mum: Amazing Olympic video updates on your laptop

Can't get enough Olympic news coverage?

Now you can get the latest Vancouver 2010 video, slideshows, and news on your laptop. Just download the NBCOlympics.com Widget seen below.

Ski Bum Mum: Go virtual at the Vancouver Games

If you read my blog, then you probably know that I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Winter Olympics--especially skiing. In another lifetime I was an alpine racer and a racing instructor. Fast forward a few years--okay a couple of decades--and I'm so excited to be following one of the best skiers ever--Lindsey Vonn. She started racing on the same "hills" I raced on as a kid back in Minnesota. The fact we hail from the same state is the only racing similarity I share with Lindsey. She is phenomenal. I really had a lot of fun racing, but I also had a talent for catching a ski tip on a gate, spinning out, and crashing. (I blame it on my goggles fogging up.)

Okay, enough nostalgia. This year keeping up with the athletes and the stats at the Vancouver Games in 2010 is even easier thanks to some pretty amazing techie gizmos.

If you want to keep up with Lindsey, become a fan on Facebook or Twitter

 

 

 

Unfortunately Lindsey Vonn has a shin injury this week and I know from experience how painful that can be. I still will be following her and praying that she heals quickly and brings home the gold. 

Keeping track virtually

The thing is, with the freaky weather out in Vancouver some event schedules might change. I don't want to miss anything, but I can't sit by the TV all day. Thanks to the widget below, you can track the women's (and men's) alpine skiing schedule and results with the Widget below:

If you want to track the overall medal count, check out this widget:

You can track almost anything happening at the Winter Games using the Widgets of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.

Why this Geeky Mom may wait to buy the iPad

 

It's easy to fall in love with an iPad. It was love at first sight for me, the Geeky Mom. Admittedly, we have one of those awkward long distance relationships. I am hoping the two of us will get closer, but for now I adore my iPad from afar. The only problem with my tablet affair is that I keep noticing flaws.

 

iPad Cons: 

--No flash. Flash is the Adobe software plugin that handles video and animation on the web. So this means no Hulu and other web video sites do not work. (If you looked closely you would see that even the NYT app that was hyped in the intro was missing the Flash plugin icon.) This omission is not a complete disaster because alternatives are available in other browsers for video streaming including YouTube and Vimeo which use H.264 for video streaming. 

--No multitasking. The iPad is supposed to be better than a laptop or a smart phone at browsing the web, reading and writing email, watching movies, reading a book, and listening to music. BUT the iPad can only do one thing at a time. Multitasking is a big energy hog and by leaving this out of the iPad, the iPad has a super long battery life--10 hours.

--No textbooks. Yet. The iPad has an iBooks feature that makes reading digital books just like reading paper books. However, the intro to the iPad did not mention a partnership with textbook publishers. The good news is that it does offer a full-color Kindle-killer app for many other books.

--No cameras (No still camera, video cam, or webcam). Although I can't imagine using a device this size as a general use camera, I would have liked a front facing camera for web conferencing, etc. Geeky moms probably know more about gaming apps than they wish to admit, but they also know about talking on the laptop using Skype webcam calls. Moms love to see amazing connections built when kids video chat with Gramma and Grampa hundreds of miles away. And how would moms away from home on a business trip survive without video chats with their kids?

--No TV subscriptions (and no way to hook up to HD monitor via HDMI). I was hoping I could subscribe to TV programming just like a subscribing to print media. Didn't hear anyone at Apple mention this at the intro. Rumor has it that Disney will be a key player in TV and film distribution.

--No USB port. The good news is there is a way to work around this via the dock connector including the camera connection kit for photos.

--No GPS on Wi-Fi models. 3G iPads come with assisted GPS.

10 reasons why this Geeky Mom loves the iPad

 

First of all, it only took me about 5 minutes to get over the name iPad. Yes, it does bring to mind all those feminine hygiene products that we giggled about when we were teens. I'm a grown-up now--at least most of the time--so I am moving on and thinking less about wings and more about apps.

The official Geeky Mom (that's me) list of iPad pros (list of cons coming tomorrow).

Pros:

--Size. Apple delivers a miracle: The iPad is compact but big. Except for the fact it won't fit easily in a purse or pocket, I love the size. The specs: 9.7 inch display (imagine your favorite video playing here), 0.5 inches thick, and weighs only 1.5 pounds. Some will complain that the iPad is still too heavy. Not such a big deal to us moms who lug around kids and pets and backpacks and groceries more than we want to admit. And don't even ask how much my purse weighs.

--Multi-touch. The multi-touch display screen acts like an iPhone and iPod. Familiar is good. After all, who takes the time to read the tech manual? This gadget is easy to use right out of the box. My kids think this feature makes all those games even cooler.

--Apps. Apps. Apps. Runs nearly 140,000 apps found at the app store. Even runs your favorite iPhone/iPod apps and you can sync them!

--iWork runs on iPad. I love Pages, a classy document creator with oh-so-cool templates and formatting on my laptop. I see one problem because the iPad lacks the multi-tasking cut and paste feature.

--Price. I was surprised by the relatively low $499 price for the basic 16GB model that uses Wi-Fi. Seems reasonable for a professional, but not really affordable for kids and teens who REALLY love gadgets. A Wi-Fi only 32GB model @ $599, a 64GB model @ $699. The Wi-Fi and 3G enabled iPad has 3 options: 16GB @ $629, a 32GB @ $729, and the fully loaded 64GB @ $829.

--3G. I admit it, I am a 3G snob. Wi-Fi is great--really great--but it isn't everywhere, yet. I know thinking I must have 3G is irrational. The 3G feature is either a decadent tech luxury or one more vice I should cut from my diet. You decide. A deal with AT&T gives iPad users 250 MB of data a month for $14.99... I'm warning you: Don't give your preteen/teens this option. The unlimited data go-ahead-and-surf-the-web-24/7-and-send-a-million-texts-a-day plan is $29.99.

--iBooks. I love books and I really love books with photos and lots of color. No, I am not talking about books for toddlers. I love photo-rich cookbooks, decorating books, travel books and--kids cover your eyes--I love textbooks. I watched the books feature on the introductory videos. Love the hi-res, LED-backlit screen with COLOR. However I read on the blogs and tweets that the iPad was introduced in a dim room. So how does it perform in normal light or sunlight? We'll see. Also, I didn't hear much talk about textbooks. I am crossing my fingers. Textbooks on the iPad is a dealbreaker in the decision to purchase an iPad for my high schooler.

--10 hour battery life while watching videos. And a month of standby. The critics are complaining that the battery is not removable. Not a big deal for me. Having a spare battery would just mean more to lug around.

--News. The intuitive NYT app is so much better on the larger iPad display. I was hoping more newspapers and magazines would be on board too. I can wait patiently for more digital news editions, but I hope they hurry.

--iPad keyboard. Of course you can use the virtual keyboard on the screen. But I also like the fact you can also use a standard sized keyboard with a soon to be released keyboard dock that lets you type and charge at the same time.