Moms and dads, it’s time to tune in, turn on and plug in. Find new ways to save time and money and get more out of your digital lifestyle with my tips to make your family-life easier and richer through modern technology, such as the Internet, wireless devices and digital television.
Zoom Safer
Driving while texting, emailing or talking on the phone is not only potentially hazardous it is also against the law in an increasing number of states. According to Zoom Safer:
“A recent study by the University of Kansas Transportation Research Institute claims that cell phone users are 5.36 times more likely to get in an accident than undistracted drivers.”
Zoom Safer offers a free software download to help you control what your mobile devices will and won’t do while you drive. The software activates while you are driving (not exactly sure how :)) and can block incoming calls and texts according to your preference. It can also send text or messages to selectively notify others where you are.
Other premium options allow for voice-based access to texting, Twitter, emails and more or control options for organizations or parents to set boundaries or limits.
Goodbye Microsoft Money
I’ve written in the past about using online services for money management. I’m certainly not alone. My favorite money blogger J.D. over at Get Rich Slowly posted that the long-standing Microsoft Money program is no longer available due to lack of demand.
He gives a list of 16 online alternatives. I didn’t know there were so many. Most of them do basically the same thing but with a variety of safety features, budgeting options and interfaces.
Why? Why? Why?
Any parent of a preschooler knows the drill? Why is the sky blue? Why do we have to wear shoes? Why are oranges orange? The endless list of questions can become mind-numbing.
I just stumbled upon Whyzz – a website that helps parents answer kids’ “whyzz, whatzz and howzz” with child-friendly answers. From simple questions like “where do rabbits live?” to more complex issues like the recent Iranian elections or same-sex marriage, the site is an interesting place to find answers to questions your kids ask–whatever their ages.
Whyzz is also available on-the-go on your mobile.
Found via Mashable
Is your family ignoring each other?
A new report suggests that families are spending less time interacting and technology may be to blame.
The study by the Annenberg Center for the Digital Future at the University of Southern California polled 2,030 people ages 12 and up, found that
“28 percent of Americans it interviewed last year said they have been spending less time with members of their households. That’s nearly triple the 11 percent who said that in 2006.”
The study didn’t blame Internet social networking sites but the change has coincided with the rise of sites like Twitter and Facebook.
Of course, I know families who feel better connected because of technology and many parents who find texting with their children a great way to stay in touch with their day-to-day life.
What do you think? Has technology made your family spend less time together or more?
iTivo let’s you take your favorite shows with you
iTivo–a download for Mac–lets you send your favorite Tivo shows to you iPhone or iPod. or Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PSP or Apple TV.
- Formats include h.264, mpeg-2, mpeg-1, decrypt-only.
- Target devices include iPhone, iPod, AppleTV, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PSP, youtube.
- ’subscriptions’ to your regular shows: downloading them whenever new episodes are available.
- Automatically perform an ‘iTunes sync’ to your device when the download is completed.
- Automatically remove commercials from downloaded shows.
- Reporting on tivo’s Hard Drive usage
Found via Geeksugar
The Mediatrician will see you now
Wonder if your kid is watching too much t.v.? How to keep your kids safe on the Internet? Will baby videos help my child learn?
Ask the Mediatrician, Dr. Michael Rich, a former Hollywood filmmaker turned director of the Center on Media and Child Health at Children’s Hospital, Boston. His new website offers up answers to questions that parents have about their children’s media use from television to video games to cell phones.
Do you have a question for the mediatrician? Send it in or read up to see what other parents are asking.
Today’s the Day
Today’s the day of the big digital switch. Once delayed, Friday June 12 is the day analog television signals go the way of the dinosaur.
If your TV isn’t working, now you know why. Don’t forget to rescan your TV channels this weekend to make sure you are getting all the ones now offered. If you have any questions, check out our DTV answers guide.
Speakboos for those long summer days
Speakaboos takes your favorite stories, fables and tales digital with video versions of children’s classics and even popular characters such as Curious George and Arthur. Popular celebrities such as Nick Cannon and Kevin Bacon lend their voice talents to the tales.
The stories also are accompanied by games, e-cards, create your own story opportunities and more. There is also a whole section just for teachers with additional worksheets and more to enhance learning.
All the stories are free to watch and can be downloaded for your iPod or computer for 99 cents. A portion of the proceeds goes to children’s charities
Learn more about Speakaboos on this video tour.
Found via Goody Blog
You Diligence
Finding it difficult to keep up with all of your child’s social networking pages–like MySpace and Facebook. Worried about what people might be discussing or posting on his page? Afraid your child may be being bullied but won’t talk to you about it?
YouDiligence is a new service that allows you to receive emails when pre-selected words are used on your child’s social network account page. For example, words referring to weapons/violence, drug use, bullying, obscenity, slurs, or sexually explicit languate can be screened for. You can also add personalized words or terms.The service is customizable to allow for differing levels of parental comfort.
When one of the terms appears on your child’s page, you recieve an email containing the word, the context in which is it used and a link to the page where it appears.
To use the service, you must know your child’s login information and have been friended by them on the applicable website. YouDiligence encourages parents to have open communication with their children and to set boundaries and discuss that you reserve the right to check their pages if you find something troubling.
Another service is the SlangSpotter e-newsletter which helps parents stay up on the latest slang terms to maintain your “POS” position (Parent-over-shoulder).
Of course, there will be parent who wonder if this is an invasion of their child’s privacy to which the site responds:
Q: Is this violating my child’s privacy?
A: All of this material is being posted on the internet by your child and his/her friends. Anyone can gain access to it. With incidents popping up weekly from bullying, to fighting, to sexual predators coming after unsuspecting tweens and teens, it only makes sense to review their internet activity, especially in a responsible way like this. YouDiligence is effective and efficient, and will alert you to when you need to go take a closer look at your child’s site
Remember that what you child posts on the Internet is out there forever, for everyone anyway. At least if they think you might be watching they will think twice about what they post.
The service runs $9.99/month or $14.99 for a family plan.
Virtual Graduation
Bryant and Stratton College is planning a virtual commencement ceremony in SecondLife on June 10.
The for-profit college with campuses in four-states is planning to hold the ceremony online. The graduation speaker is Phillip Rosedale, the founder of Second Life. He agreed to speak after he learned of the school’s plans.
