TonyMorganLive.com - Latest Comments in 25 Web Apps That Make My Life Easier

Re: 25 Web Apps That Make My Life Easier

fred — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:42:01 -0000

A couple of comments on Gmail and other Google Apps. Be aware that whilst you are signed in, every search you conduct and website you visit through Google is tracked and permanently stored on Google’s servers with no way to ever remove them. When you open a Gmail account there is an “opt out” feature that most do not bother to turn off called “Enable Web History” and while you can later turn that feature off and delete your personal Web History the fine print states that Google will keep a permanent record. If you want to see for yourself just click “Sign In” in the upper right of the main Google search screen (not Gmail but Google since when you open a Gmail account you are actually opening a Google account). Once you have signed in you will see a page that on the left includes your personal information and on the right something called “My Products”. Under “My Products” you will see a link called “Web History” if you did not opt out. Click on it and you will see every page you have ever searched through Google while you were signed on. If you want to delete it click “edit” and follow the instructions. If you want to see what Google does with the info here is their privacy link http://www.google.com/histo... -- The story only gets better with the Google tool bar that many have installed, which depending on the type of installation tracks your internet activities in much greater depth resulting in a detailed personal profile.

While Google downplays this keep in mind that their CEO Eric Schmidt has a simple mission statement “Change the World”, ( http://blog.wired.com/busin... and numerous other links), which is great unless of course his values are not congruent with Christian values, not to mention a point in the future when the years of personal data accumulated on “billions” of individuals may be used in an inappropriate manner. With the various social networks such as Facebook and particularly Youtube the accumulation of data on an individual is staggering.

I use Google and even Gmail and agree that they are wonderful tools, but a word to the wise is to exercise some caution in becoming to dependent on them and allowing them to store your personal data – the recent events between Georgia and Russia demonstrate just how quickly the internet can be shut down ( http://www.nytimes.com/2008... ) not to mention programs embedded in some computer products that can seize control of your device – Perhaps not something to worry about today but events and circumstances can change. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/...

If you are interested here are a few sites that address internet privacy issues etc.

http://www.epic.org
http://www.citizenlab.org

http://www.googlesystem.blo...

http://www.urlfan.com/local...

Re: 25 Web Apps That Make My Life Easier

Pastor Tanka Subedi — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 04:12:55 -0000

The list is relly good, I use some of them. Here are some more which I use in ministry
1. facebook (add me as Tankasubedi)
2. skype (add me as Tankasubedi)
3. stickam
4. picasa webalbum
5. Google apps

Thank you tony for sharing with us.

Re: 25 Web Apps That Make My Life Easier

John Posey "The Video Preacher — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 06:22:11 -0000

Great to see ministry moving into the 21st century. I found another couple of services that are great to use. One is qalias. A great personal branding service, that I use to send visitors to. It gives me top search on google, yahoo etc. Just google my name and see for yourself. It also provides the ability to blog etc. I give visitors this site. www.zoeinvite.com

Also I use helloworld a web 2 service that allows me to broadcast live and video email. www.hitechchurch.com

John Posey
"The Video Preacher"

Re: 25 Web Apps That Make My Life Easier

Jill Shaw — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 23:44:41 -0000

GREAT to see someone else's list! I shared your with several friends and will link to it in my comments on a similar post on
http://conversationsatinter...

Re: 25 Web Apps That Make My Life Easier

Dean Libby — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:55:14 -0000

I just started using Remember the Milk and I already like how it seamlessly integrates with Google Calendar (which I just switched to over MS Outlook).

Thanks Tony!

Re: 25 Web Apps That Make My Life Easier

Nathan Creitz — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:06:17 -0000

Everything that is in your list pertaining to Google, I use too!

I also recently stumbled on YouVersion and really like it a lot. I've written a post on my blog about possible uses, some drawbacks, and some ideas for this application of the Bible. Overall, I think it is awesome.

Anyway, with all of those tools you must need some sort of tool to keep it all straight :)

Re: 25 Web Apps That Make My Life Easier

Eric — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:09:54 -0000

Excellent suggestions!

Re: 25 Web Apps That Make My Life Easier

Julie — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:54:08 -0000

These are super suggestions. I'd add toggl.com to help time manage projects.

Re: 25 Web Apps That Make My Life Easier

Avin Kline — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:59:03 -0000

The other great products from 37signals:

1. Basecamp

2. Campfire

3. Highrise

4. [Backpack - which you included]

Our company, Web Success Agency, could not run near as well without these great apps.

Re: 25 Web Apps That Make My Life Easier

Bill Pershing — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:32:12 -0000

Hi Tony:

Here is a link to a windows based screen capture program:

http://www.jingproject.com/

I have been helped much by your awesome work.

Re: 25 Web Apps That Make My Life Easier

Justin — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:12:33 -0000

Good list!

I prefer drop.io over YouSendIt.com.

Re: 25 Web Apps That Make My Life Easier

Jesse Phillips — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:58:10 -0000

LOVE this post! love learning new things that are out there, will definitely link back to this, Tony!

Re: 25 Web Apps That Make My Life Easier

Paul Stewart — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:52:50 -0000

I'm loving Pandora! Thanks for the tip.

Re: 25 Web Apps That Make My Life Easier

BrianD — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:09:42 -0000

Tony,

I've found Slacker Radio to be another good online music service. You can't download music, but you can listen to their stations online, or create your own, all for free.

www.slacker.com

Re: Lime...

What made you choose to use this online service, over its competitors (like Yodlee), and as opposed to using only Quicken?

Re: 25 Web Apps That Make My Life Easier

Keith Tackel — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:28:17 -0000

Carey,
There are two options for you. First option is when you are logged in to gmail click on settings, then accounts and there is an option at the top to "Send Mail As". This will let you customize the address you send from. Below that is "Get Mail From Other Accounts" you can set that up so you could do everything in gmail.

The second option: gmail offers a hosted option for your domain but everyone would need to use it because all domain mail would go to your custom gmail interface but you even have the ability to brand the mail interface with your logo etc. I am using it for my ministrytech.net mail. This option has other features also.

If you have any questions feel free to email me so I don't take up anymore space here.

Re: 25 Web Apps That Make My Life Easier

maya — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:31:11 -0000

Instead of the limited default quotes feed in Gmail Labs "Random Signature" feature, you can use customized quotes
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Re: 25 Web Apps That Make My Life Easier

Darth Pastor — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:27:55 -0000

Keep em coming. Totally been adding stuff into firefox as you post. For mac people, Skitch is a cool screen shot app for quick editing.

Re: 25 Web Apps That Make My Life Easier

Carey — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:21:44 -0000

Some of these I use and love, and others look really promising to try!

I've got a question though. I so want to use gmail for work, but it comes through the "rivertreechristian.com" domain name for branding, blah blah blah. How do you deal with that? Do you have gmail set up so you can customize which address it goes out from? If so, that sounds like it would be a big pain...is it, or is it simpler than I'm thinking? Thanks!

Re: 25 Web Apps That Make My Life Easier

Davis — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:43:44 -0000

Referring to Google Docs / Calendar / Gmail for work stuff: Maybe I'm just a paranoid control freak, but I don't love the idea of storing my work documents, appointments, and email on a) a system that my company isn't in charge of / can't backup, and b) a system that says "Beta" on every logo. I do like them for personal stuff though; sharing Christmas lists with family and the like.

Re: 25 Web Apps That Make My Life Easier

Bo Lane — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:15:40 -0000

This post has changed my life!

Re: 25 Web Apps That Make My Life Easier

Scott Fillmer — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:12:07 -0000

thanks for a GREAT list... always something new to check out.

Re: 25 Web Apps That Make My Life Easier

Biscuet — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:12:01 -0000

I really like posts like this. I don't want to read this stuff every day, but it's fun to see what other online tools people use to make their life easier. Also, it keeps me in the loop since i'm not in the American web 2.0 loop anymore.