I was in one of my favorite places one Saturday morning recently talking to some geek friends.  One of them mentioned that their wallet was getting so full of  "store cards" they were thinking about just tossing them in the trash and not participating.  I then said those famous words you know so well in today’s society, "There’s an app for that."

You know the cards that he was talking about, don’t you?  The plastic cards you use to keep track of purchases at particular stores.  We are all familiar with the routine when you purchase something; they scan your card and give you a discount after the two-hundredth purchase.  Maybe you earned a free donut or get a discount on gas after you purchase a specified amount.  Not only do you get a small card to fit neatly in your wallet or purse but you also get a little card that slides onto your key ring. 

You get one of these for each store…now you get the picture.  Here is a way to get rid of them!

Check your cards now and see how many you have – could there be five, ten, 20 or more?  I had eight of them at one time including my library card.  That is until I discovered the Key Ring app for my smartphone over a year ago.  There are links at the Key Ring site (keyringapp.com) to download the app from your particular phone.  

It is really a slick little program.  After you install the app you need to set up a free account with your email address and password like usual.  Then start by scanning the barcode on the card you want to add to Key Ring.  It will get most everything that is listed in the barcode, like the cards logo, company name, your name, etc.  If the particular card is not in Key Ring’s huge database of stores you can enter it yourself.  Some cards do not have a barcode.  For those you can type in the account number manually.

Once you have scanned in your cards give the application a few minutes to update. 

One I use is the "Regal Entertainment Group Crown Club" card.  Using my phone and Key Ring I went to the movies and used the app.  Now this one does not have a barcode; however, the ticket taker typed in the number and it worked fine.  I also asked if they got many of these "cards" on phone and she said, "Every now-and-then."  So at least you and I aren’t the only ones.  Key Ring also listed that I had earned free popcorn.  I walked over to the snack counter, they scanned the "card" on my phone and I walked away with the popcorn.  Immediately afterward the free popcorn disappeared off of the Key Ring app.  Slick! 

Once you have them set up head over to the Key Ring site and see what other cards you can sign up for at the site.  It can search by your location.  I found two tire stores and 13 pharmacies I can sign up for now.  Wow, so many deals, so little time (and money)!

Tags: barcode, company logo, donuts, favorite places, friends, geeks, key ring, library card, morning, plastic cards, purse, Saturday, smartphone, store cards, trash, wallet

Why am I writing this series of articles?  Well, due to an article I wrote a couple of weeks ago and the number of emails I received about it would be my reason.  The article, “More Android Apps” covered where to get some of the best, latest and also worst applications around for your Android devices.

From the emails I received questioning me about what I had on my tablet (Toshiba Thrive) here is my personal list of Thrive apps that I am currently running, with links to each app.  I will not discuss what each app does here because you can easily click them and read all you want on the Android Market.

I am breaking them down how I have them grouped using the first app I will mention, ADW Launcher EX.  The list right now if from my “Reading Folder”.

• B&N Nook
• Barcode Scanner
• Bible
• Evernote
• Facebook
• Fox News
• Moon+ Reader Pro
• Office Talk Free
• OfficeSuite Pro
• Google Reader
• Sportacular
• StumbleUpon
• USA Today
• Wikipedia
• WordPress

More next timer about my, “Media Folder”.

Tags: android, barcode, barcode scanner, bible, books, e-reader, ereader, Evernote, facebook, Fox, fox news, google, launcher, moon, news, nook, office, pro, Sportacular, toshiba, WordPress, yahoo

Thank you for all of the emails over the last couple of weeks regarding the past year in review.  Keep in mind you can find all the articles online at DNRonline.com and my site, DoubleClicks.info if you want to catch up.

Many emails asked about the Android Market link (market.android.com).  Before starting you should note that I work for Ntelos Communications, Waynesboro, VA, USA (that should make disclosure folks happy).  I have used Windows, Blackberry, iPhone (not as much) and now Android phones.  Android phones are currently my preferred flavor.  Keep in mind Android is the name of the operating system (created by Google) not the actual phone manufacturer, etc.  Again, that is opinion and I am sure there are a bazillion people out there who would argue with that statement.  But, I write the column…

The above mentioned site is the default Google site for apps available for this type of phone.  You can get free apps and some that can cost from less that one dollar to several dollars.  Of course, there are also free apps which are missing the enhanced features you pay for if you get the "Pro" version.  For instance, a game may have two adventure levels for free but if you purchase it you will get all 30 game levels.  There are games, business, utilities, entertainment, education and any other type of applications/programs you can imagine.

According to Distimo (bit.ly/ygIsBD), a company that watches of the stats of mobile apps, as of December, 2011, there were 400,000 Android apps in the marketplace.  Of those applications over 270,000 were free. 

In addition to the Android Market there are many other places to get apps.  You can search for apps online or go to specific sites.  Here are the other two sites I frequent. 

My number two favorite after the default market is the Amazon "Appstore for Android" (amzn.to/x2w2F5).  Many of the apps in the market at Amazon and everywhere else are repeated in each site online; however, prices may vary and some are only available at specific sites. 

Why is Amazon my #2?  If you log into the Amazon site you can get one free app every day.  I check the site most every day and have 250+ apps; however, I have only installed about ten of them.  I have the rest in reserve for future use, testing or forgetting about them.  If you buy one (for $0) you do not have to install it on your phone or tablet at that time; or ever.  Some of them are junk but some of them are excellent.  One that currently costs $9.99, "OfficeSuite Pro 5" I got free several months ago.  This application is basically an office program that will allow you to view, create and edit Microsoft Office files, i.e., Word, Excel and PowerPoint files with your smartphone. 

The final site I like is called 101 Best Android Apps (101bestandroidapps.com).  This is where new apps are released by developers before they are officially approved by Google for the Android Market. 

Wikipedia says that the approval process for apps is that Google, "…places some restrictions on the types of apps that can be published, in particular not allowing ‘sexually explicit material’, ‘Violence and Bullying’, ‘Hate Speech’, ‘Impersonation or Deceptive Behavior’, copyrighted material (without permission)…"

The 101 Best Android Apps site mentioned above allows many of the unapproved ones to be downloaded to your phone as an .apk file (similar to .exe for Windows).  Warning, be very careful when loading an .apk file as it could contain harmful code…check out the reputation of the developer first! 

Tags: android, apps, Blackberry, disclosure, free apps, google, iphone, microsoft, operating system, phone manufacturer, preferred flavor, smartphone, windows, year in review

As I stated last week, I annually provide links to all of the sites we have visited throughout the previous year at DoubleClicks.info.

Remember, if the site addresses are too long to type I have shortened them with bit.ly.  Here they are in their order of appearance with short descriptions of each.

• Ccleaner use this application to keep your computer clean and running more smoothly.
• Barnes and Noble the book store for paperbacks, hardbacks, Nooks, e-books and e-magazine plus. 
• RocketDock an attractive and fun program launcher for Windows.
• DropBox free cloud storage with auto-syncing, for your files and yes, use this link and I get some extra space, thanks in advance!
• Windows Live cloud storage, email and many more applications for your online use.
• e-Sword downloadable Bible for study, reading with commentaries and much more.
• YouVersion an app that allows you to read, search and study the Bible via your smart phone or online.
• Stumble Upon shows you categories you are interested in and gives you new sites every time you log on to read and learn about.
• About.com use this site (among many others) to verify the truth about the Nigerian prince who needs your help and many other online scams.
• Calorie King go to this site and find out more than you may have wanted to know about all the food you eat…including fast foods.
• Endomondo Sports Tracker this is installed on your smartphone and then you can track many "workout" things such as your average speed, altitude, length of workout, distance, and other related numbers. Use it with Google maps and see the path you have taken.
• Fix My Phone check out one way you may be able to resuscitate your drowned cell/smartphone. 
• Craigslist a site for buying or selling things online; however, I am not at all fond of it. Read the original article at DoubleClicks.info and see why.
• Help, I’ve Been Scammed check out why I am not fond of Craigslist.
• WorldLingo Service free professional language translation online. They work in conjunction with Microsoft Office translations.
• Toshiba Thrive in my opinion the best tablet C currently on the market…yes, including the fruit pads.
• Netflix watch many movie and TV shows online. You can also order DVDs but you already knew this didn’t you?
• Swype a smartphone and tablet PC typing program.
• Skype allows you to call phones and other computers via the internet with the capability to have video along with your audio.  It is a free computer-computer and smartphone-smartphone service but for phone calls check out the rules on their site.
• Android Market one of the several software sites for your Android phone.
• Twitter.com, Facebook.com you already know what these are and if not, do not be concerned Google for them and read forever.    B-}
• Connectify lets you set up your own Wi-Fi Hotspot.
• PC Decrapifier will scan your system and suggest software you can remove which you most likely do not need. 
• Ninite is where you can pick most of your favorite applications that you want installed on any computer you own.  Download a file to run on a computer and it will add those programs you picked. Quick and easy installs.

Please do not forget to go to DoubleClicks.info (oh, wait you are reading this here already) for the complete stories, along with many others.  This week and last only contained links I used during last year.  There are many other articles on the site and at DNROnline.com that had no links but some great information.

That’s all for 2011!  I look forward to seeing you in the paper and online in 2012.

Tags: average speed, barnes and noble, bible study, calorie king, commentaries, ebooks, emagazine, free cloud, fun program, google, google maps, nigerian prince, nook, original article, program launcher, reading, smart phone, smartphone, study, stumble upon

Thanks to all of you readers who support the "Double Click" column by reading and writing.  It is very much appreciated.  Please keep it up.  I always enjoy hearing from you.

So it is that time of year again when we review all of the sites I have mentioned over the previous year.  As always, have fun remembering, discovering, or rediscovering all the info!  If you prefer to click on links and not type all of these, visit the DoubleClicks.info site and click away.

If the site addresses are too long to type I have shortened them using the, "bit.ly" app which I have discussed before.  All of these sites should be free (or have a free version) unless marked "nf".  Without further ado…here they are in their order of appearance with short descriptions of each.

• Open Office is a Microsoft Office clone that works almost as well.
• Ubuntu a free operating system which you can run alongside of or instead of Microsoft Windows.
• Ron’s video training I created a couple of videos for fun, it never went any further than these two…maybe one day.
• Change your User Account Picture one specific Double Click training video.
• VirtualBox an application that allows you to run multiple operating systems on one computer.
• Open DNS the best app out there for blocking objectionable sites from the kids.  It is slightly complicated but at the top of the features pile.
• Facebook you know about this one and if you don’t you won’t be interested.
• Windows Live Essentials a free suite of applications which do many different things from Microsoft.
• Create a Panorama an article I wrote for Microsoft about how to join individual pictures together to make a panoramic picture.
• Double Clicks my site for this column.
• eBay, TigerDirect.com, NewEgg.com, 1SaleADay.com, DealDump.com online tech stores, the sites are free but the stuff on them is nf.
• Active KillDisk application to absolutely clean your disk of personal information and everything else.
• True Crypt folder and/or file (and more) encryption software.
• XOOM this is Motorola’s entrance into the PC Tablet market, it is a good one, but later in the year I show you the best (IMHO).
• Keepass.com, LastPass.com, RoboForm.com, 1Password are some of the password recording applications around, still I chose KeePass over the rest.
• Open Wi-Fi leads to False Arrest an article showing why you should lock down your wi-fi network to stay out of jail.
• Your Home Router (192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) the IP Addresses that will most likely get you into your home router.
• Nook Barnes & Noble’s ebook reader.
• Project Gutenberg where you can download most any book that is not under copyright any longer.

OK, this took us through June, 2011.  Next week we will visit part 2 of last year’s links.

Tags: clone, different things, Double Click, ebay, free operating system, free version, microsoft, microsoft office, microsoft windows, multiple operating systems, open office, panorama, previous year, Ron Doyle, target, time of year, training, video training

This will be the last you hear from me in the DNR until 2012 so I thought I would give you some Christmas geek tips and sites to tide you over through the holidays.

First, I figure a few of my readers are getting new computers for Christmas.  Yes, from your emails I realize some of you wanted a column about picking new computers.  I only do those every couple of years so you will have to wait on that.  However, I do have a couple of suggestions on applications you should use on your new computer.

Before you go anywhere online with your new computer MAKE SURE you have an antivirus application working.  After your new computer is online go to pcdecrapifier.com to download Decrapifier.  Geeks call the free apps that come preinstalled on a new computer "Crapware" since most of it is junk and unnecessary.  I will not list them here but there are many.  I even suggest removing the free antivirus app that comes preloaded and getting one those you can get for free.  Most likely the free antivirus software is free for a short period of time.  Then you have to purchase it to keep it going.

Decrapifier scans your system and suggests software you can remove which you most likely do not need.  You can choose which ones to get rid of and keep the ones you like.  Just follow the directions and you will be fine.

After you remove the programs you may never use it is time to install all of your favorites.  You know the apps I am talking about.  For example the applications I always want on my computer are Firefox as my browser, Thunderbird for email, Skype, iTunes, VLC, Microsoft Security Essentials and several others.  I count these as my personal default applications.

If you go over to the Ninite site at ninite.com you can choose programs you want installed on your computer.  Now not all of the programs in the world are on the site, but the major ones you hear about and use are available.  If you want one that is not on the site you are out-of-luck this time.  However, you can ask for the missing app to be added to the list and it may be there next time you visit.  Once your list is complete click the, "Get Installer" link, download it and run it.  The applications will automatically be installed on your new computer.

I have run Ninite several times over the past few years and it works very well.  However, the last time I ran it; one application could not be installed.  So for that one, I had to go to the application’s site and install it there as I did in the "old" days.

OK, I know this is the Christmas column so I cannot leave without giving you the link to Norad so you can follow Santa on his flight later this week.  Surf to the Norad Santa Tracker at noradsanta.org and follow the man.

Tags: christmas, decrapifier, dnr, Email, free antivirus software, free apps, geek, holidays, itunes, microsoft security, new computer, ninite, remove unwanted apps, security essentials, skype, thunderbird, time, vlc

I recently received an email from a reader asking about SSD compared to HDD.  What the heck are those initials…new government agencies?  Not quite.   They stand for "Solid State Disk" (or Solid State Drive or Solid State Disk drive) and "Hard Disc Drive" respectively.

The HDD is the hard drive you are most likely using on your computer.  It is generally made up of platters of metal disks stacked on top of each other.  Information is stored on both sides of the platters magnetically.  There is a slight space between each disk with room for a "head" or magnetic reader on an arm which moves back and forth on both sides of each platter to read and write the magnetic info.  If you are old enough, just picture an old record player and a spindle stacked with records with tone arms between each record.  The major differences are size and the fact that an HDD spins at 7,200 rpm instead of 72 rpm. 

But what about the SSDs?  They are more advanced yet much simpler to explain.  SSD is basically another form of device used to store and retrieve data. Instead of metal platters it uses a solid state memory to hold the information.  A big plus is that there are no moving parts, meaning less battery drain and absolutely no noise.

The reader asked if they should switch to SSD and trash their old HDD.  I say not yet, for several reasons. Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of SSDs.

Advantages of SSD:  Applications run through SSD will run much faster.  SSD devices require less power and no heat is produced.  SSD runs silently because it only uses computer chips, not moving parts. Access speed for reading is faster because it doesn’t have a moving part to run around disks looking for places to read or write data.  Mechanical reliability inside the SSD will be higher – mechanical failure wouldn’t happen as often, if ever.  SSD is shock resistant with no moving parts to break when dropped.  It can operate up to a temperature of about 160°F. HDDs are good up to about 110°F.  SDDs are much lighter in weight and smaller in size than HDDs.

Disadvantages of SSD:  Storage space is tiny compared to HDDs.  There is has been research to design and make a 1 Terabyte SSD, but it is not available yet.  1TB HDDs are readily available.  The write/erase cycle for SSD will not last as long. SSDs can supposedly go for a maximum of 100,000 cycles; whereas a regular HD can go for maybe 1-5 million write cycles.  This means performance of the SSD will decrease over time.  The big issue for me is that the price of SSDs is much higher.  The 1TB drive mentioned above is about $150.  However, a 128GB (about 1/8 the storage size of 1TB) SSD costs a little over $200.

I believe in the future all computers will be using SSDs to replace conventional hard drives.  But first prices and storage sizes have to get closer to the current HDD stats in order to be viable.  If you want to see what the future of SSDs will look like, search online for "Ultrabook."

Tags: access speed, battery drain, computer chips, disc drive, failure, hard disc, hard drive, harddrive, local storage, magnetic reader, mechanical reliability, moving parts, platters, record player, solid state disk, solid state disk drive, solid state drive, spindle, ssd, ssds, tone arms, what the heck

Today will be the first time I have used my Toshiba Thrive along with the Swype keyboard and the dictation apps to write the entire " Double Click" column.  From the beginning of this article on, except where I use the voice dictation app this is all written with Swype.  I am very sure it will contain typographical errors; however this is an experiment for you and me.  It may even give up (give us) a few laughs. 

FYI: Corrections appear in parenthesis.

4 (For) the following 2 paradisos (two paragraphs) I will only use the voice dictation part of the tablets (tablet’s)s software so I will state (start) speaking now.  t (stray letter)

I am now dictating this paragraph (there should be a period here) but (we) will see if it works or not(.) facebook (For me this is an) extreme example of self control  (self-control) cos (because) I really want to type however it won’t let me type(.)  I have to speak (.) how (How) is it going so far (?) This is interesting (Interesting ) because when I was in school I got in trouble all the time in English class for creating run on sentences(.)  now (Now) I have this huge run on sentence.  wow (Wow!)  This will have to be fixed (.)

okay of sudden to get (OK, I have decided to dictate) 1 (one) more paragraph using the words.  Question mark, quote she’s the she’s (words, "period",  "question mark", "Quote", "apostrophe" and "parenthesis.") it (It) didn’t work very well last time is it (very well this last time, did it?)

OK, at this point I am back to using Swype and feeling much better about it than dictation.  I am going to make a lodgement (judgment) call here and say that for, maybe, a quick sheet more ( short note) or email, the capacity to dictate may be fair.  However, to actual (actually) type something a little longer you need a better way to do so.  From what you’ve read here you can most likely guess my number one choice would be a regular computer keypad (keyboard.)  a (stray letter)

In my opinion, the dictation portion is poor to fair; Swype is good but not fantastic.  I could have gotten Swype to perform better had I taken a couple of extra second(s) to fix the errors and watched as I "typed".  Some of Swypes (Swype’s) errors could be attributed to my fatty (fat) fingers sliding to the wrong characters.  Please note:  Swype does get better with use add it land (as it learns) you’re(your) skills.  I also use Swype with my Android phone and it seems to work much better than this first time with my tablet; however, with my phone I usually type much shorter items with it.

The following sentence will be dictated, less (let’s) see how well it does.

in (In) the words of that famous gloucester for (philosopher) arnold (Arnold) schwarzenegger (Schwarzenegger, ) asta lavista baby ("Hasta la vista, baby.")

Tags: comedy, errors, extreme, laughs, paragraph, parenthesis, question mark, run on sentence, self control, sentences, typographical errors, voice dictation

OK, the holidays have started and you may be traveling to visit the relatives in a faraway or unfamiliar location.

You take your computer so that you can keep up with email, Facebook, your Tweets and your news and sports information.  Gee, first of all what happened to the "good ole days" when you visited your relatives?  Oh well, I guess we are more civilized now but don’t get me going on that.

Or let us say that you really are a "family-visiting" sort of person and you do want to visit and not spend your entire time with them texting and online.  On your way to visit you go to a hotel and you need a Wi-Fi connection.  You have your notebook and your Wi-Fi enabled and Wi-Fi tablet PC with you.  When you get to the hotel you find they only have a wired connection.  Well unless you are geekier than I am, you will not have a network cable with you.  But since you need to connect you hope that they have a cable to lend you.  An aside here; I experienced this very thing a year or two ago and they would "lend" me a cable…for $7.50 a night.  What a rip-off, but don’t get me going on that one either.  In that case you could connect your notebook but most likely not your tablet, phone or other non-cable ready devices.

The program we will look at today is Connectify (connectify.me). It will help to resolve this and some other situations for you.  You can install Connectify on your Windows 7 PC or XP but it doesn’t work nearly as well with XP and has fewer features available.  Once installed, you can set up your own Wi-Fi Hotspot.

This means after you plug into the network and download and install Connectify you can set up your own private wireless network.  Yes, this makes it just like home with your Wireless setup.  You will have a SSID (a network name) then you can use all of your other wireless devices to connect to your computer’s network and get online.  This shares the connection all around with multiple devices.

There are other features available with Connectify but the one that interests me the most is only in the paid version.  Check online for the price.  (I once quoted a price in a column and when it was published the prices had gone up so go check it on the site.)

This other feature can be used to extend the local wireless router you are using, even your home’s router.  OK, now I just lost some of you but here is the situation.  Your wireless router is located in the, oh let’s say, Northeast corner of the basement.  You can keep it hidden there and out of the way.  

You notice every time you sit on your back porch (on the second floor, southwest corner of the house) to read a book, check email, surf the net, etc. your Wi-Fi connection is either gone or so weak you cannot do much.  This is because the farther away from the wireless router you are, the weaker the signal.  If you use Connectify Pro you can use your notebook computer as a signal extender.  With that set up you can get much farther from your router since the notebook computer is now "extending" the distance of the broadcast signal.  You could go way across the street or out to the backyard and still receive a strong signal.

As always, make sure you secure your wireless network to keep your connection yours.

Tags: Email, good ole days, holidays, network cable, notebook, relatives, sports information, tablet PC, tweets, unfamiliar location, wifi

This should be the final time I write about my Toshiba Thrive.  Here are the 1st and 2nd articles.  (Well, OK most likely the last one.) But two more questions about it need to be answered. These were the most common questions I received about it from my readers.

First, it has Android Honeycomb as its operating system and it has been upgraded once since I got it six to eight weeks ago. Next, I run Nook software on it and it also has Kindle and other book reader apps for it. PDFs can also be read on it. If you do not know what a PDF is, do not worry, just skip that last part.

Finally about the Thrive; yes, you can work with Microsoft Word documents on the tablet. However, you will need to purchase an application to do it. I bought one called “OfficeSuite Pro 5” (market.android.com) from the Android Market, for a whopping $4.99. Yes, the prices for the applications range from free to (I believe the highest I have seen was $19.99.) They are reasonably priced to say the least. With OfficeSuite you can create, edit and save (online or on your tablet) Word, Excel and PowerPoint files along with other neat features.

OK, I think I am done. Be advised; I left a lot out but you will have to read more, email me or buy your own tablet PC and let me know what you think. I always like to hear from you folks.

Here is something you may want to consider purchasing for your tablet, smart phone, iPad or any touch screen using friends for Christmas this year.

Picture this, it is winter time, cold, snowing, icy rain, whatever the case may be ands you have on your nice warm mittens. Then your phone rings, you pick up your phone and see it is someone you really need to talk to. By the time you take off your gloves they have hung up. You then call them back, while your fingers are getting numb. Is there a better solution? You betcha!

Look for some touch screen gloves. I have had a pair for a couple of years and they are great. I am not talking about gloves with the finger tips cut off so you can use your touch screen device. These are gloves which actually have a special material built into the finger tips which reacts to your devices just like you were using your bare finger.

Some of them have finger tips that fold up out of the way, but I like the ones mentioned above much better. The special material finger tips work very well without having to do anything that takes more time.

You can find them online anywhere from $15 to over $100. My comment on that is the old, “Let the buyer beware.” My wife found two pairs this week in a local store for less than $5 for both!

Tags: acrobat, adobe, android, excel, honeycomb, microsoft word documents, office microsoft, operating system, PowerPoint, replace office, thumb, toshiba, Word