Saturday, September 15, 2012

Technology for the Office to Keep You Efficient



It’s been almost a year since I’ve last blogged. I’ve been busy with work, volunteering, and teaching. However, during my hiatus from blogging, I’ve gained real-world experiences in using various technologies, which I will blog about periodically.

I’m going to highlight my volunteering opportunities for this article. I have re-joined an association last year called the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) Downtown Milwaukee Chapter (DMC). I first joined IAAP in 2001, but have been in and out of it over the years. Last year I decided to become more involved and stepped up to be the chapter's Newsletter Editor. If you're curious about the association, visit the website - click here. I’m currently Vice President, Newsletter Editor, and co-Web Master for the chapter. I’m also the Web Master for the Wisconsin Division. That’s a lot of hats to wear just for volunteering, but I love it and that’s why I do it. I receive recognition for what I do on a regular basis, which makes me want to do more for them. 

As part of my duties as the Newsletter Editor, I write blurbs, articles, and announcements. One article I wrote this past May was in the Tech News section of the newsletter. I’ve reprinted the article here for you.  ________________________________________________________________________
 

Technology for the Office to Keep You Efficient


There’s nothing wrong with encompassing a little technology into your day. In fact, it can even be a little fun. Think about it…you’re sitting at your desk wondering how you can make your tasks a little more efficient and if it can save your organization a little money, then all the better. Technological discoveries are realized everyday to make our lives easier. So why not bring some of those technologies into your office? There are technologies out there for you to use to keep you efficient at your job, but why not have some fun too? Below are some office gadgets that I found that can be of use to you while you work.



Laser Keyboard: The future has arrived! Doesn’t it look great and it’s fully functional too. The Cube Laser Virtual Keyboard is already on the market. For approximately $170, you can have this wireless, palm-sized device. It projects a full-size laser keyboard onto any flat surface. If you think you’ll feel ‘home sick’ for the sounds of a ‘clicking’ keyboard, then don’t fret because this device has a built-in sensor, which picks up on your finger movements as you type. You’ll be able to hear those familiar clicking noises through the speakers to make you feel right at home. Find it on Amazon.com today! (image courtesy of awesomeashell.com)



USB Posture Alert Reminder: Have back pain, slouch a lot, have eye strain or all the above? Help has arrived in the form of a USB Posture Alert Reminder.  An ultrasonic sensor detects how close you’re sitting in front of your computer and you can choose to be reminded with red or blue LEDs. There’s also a warning chime, which can be turned off. All you have to do is put it on top of your monitor and plug it in. It costs approximately $20 and you can find it on sourcingmap.com. (image courtesy of redferret.net)


Boogie Board LCD Tablet: Do you remember the Etch-A-Sketch? Are you looking to do your part in saving our environment? Well, the Etch-A-Sketch has gone digital. This paperless LCD writing tablet is perfect for leaving messages or sketching ideas without killing a single tree. You can take notes or use it as a brain tickler to remind you of appointments or other things. The LCD display lasts for approximately 50,000 erasures. It costs approximately $40 and you can find it on thinkgeek.com. (image courtesy of thinkgeek.com)


Karotz - Wifi Interactive Smart Rabbit: This is not your typical cute, furry bunny that hops around, eats carrots, and wiggles its nose at you. This bunny has gone digital. Karotz can inform you of what's happening on your social networks, publish your status updates, play your favorite music, and can email you a photo or send a text of when your child arrives home from school. Karotz speaks, sees, listens, and obeys. Karotz can teach you a new language, read the Internet to you, or you can talk to it & it’ll post to Facebook or Twitter for you. It costs approximately $130 and you can find it on thinkgeek.com. (image courtesy of thinkgeek.com

Andrea Zweifel, MIS
IAAP-DMC Newsletter Editor 2011-2012
Member of Excellence 2011-2012

Source: Reprinted from IAAP-DMC May 2012 newsletter, Volume 9 No 6, from the Tech News section.

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