What Helps Me Sleep.

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I said in one of my previous post that I was going to share an app with nature sounds that I use to sleep. I live on the first floor towards the front of the building. So you can hear every noise you can imagine. The train station is 3 minutes away from here so there are always people passing by at all times of the day. In addition to the people who are always in the street jodiendo until late at night. The app is called Lightning Bug. It's Free and it brings a start up pack with three ambience. You can add six more packs for free. Each pack brings five to six different ambience sounds! If you want to add more packs, they cost from .99¢ to $1.99. I downloaded the free ones and I purchased the forest  pack. Worth the money!

Here is a video I made to show how it works. My cell phone can be a bit slow, sorry about that. If you decide to download it make sure you read the comments first so you know what type of problems other people have had with their cell phones. I, so far haven't had any problems, besides the force close every now and then. That is due to my phone not having a lot space since Metro PCS decided they were going to fill the cell phone's internal memory with junk that can't be removed. However, you can save this app to the SD card, thank God. Wish all the apps were like that!



Anyway, you are probably wondering what the photo below has to do with this post. That's a photo for a photo challenge I'm doing this month. Day 18 is looking down. This picture was taken at Central Park a few years back. What a beautiful day it was!

Day 18 - Looking Down

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Share Safely on Social Networks.

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Every Day Connected: Play


From the Editors of Every Day Connected


The days when social networks were just for teens are long over: Adults now take up social networking for fun and business alike. One entrepreneur, Sheilah Etheridge of Anchorage, Alaska, uses social networks to turn up business leads for her home-based accounting and consulting firm. But Etheridge is selective with what she shares and where. “Everything we post on the Web is obviously out there for all the world to see, and it’s out there for eternity,” she says.

To get the most out of your favorite social networks, it’s important to be aware of how to protect your online privacy. Here’s how to share safely:

Tip No. 1: Don’t fork over too much personal info.
You don’t always know who is viewing even tidbits of your profiles, so think twice before you post sensitive -- or potentially embarrassing -- information, videos or photos on social networks. It could fall into the hands of identity thieves, prospective employers, college recruiters or even potential mates.

“People should assume the content they put online is going to be public,” says blogger Jeremiah Owyang, a former senior analyst for Forrester Research.

Tip No. 1: Review privacy policies before you post.
Some networks, such as LinkedIn, have adopted privacy policies that vouch they’ll never share your information with other users without your consent. Other sites, like Facebook and Twitter, offer online privacy settings that allow you to control who can view certain information and who gets notification when you add friends or Web applications.

But be mindful about the details: On Facebook, for example, your profile and photo privacy settings are separate. Just because you block non-friends from seeing your profile doesn’t bar them from seeing your photos. Make sure your review all your preferences under Account > Privacy Settings.

Tip No. 2: Don’t reveal every step you take.
It’s a freaky thought, but stalkers, jealous spouses and suspicious employers can use social networks to keep an eye on your every move. Many photos and posts are time-stamped, so the date and time you post it is recorded and shared with your network of friends or connections. This means your boss may be able to find out how much time you spend on Facebook while at work.

Facebook also allows you to “Check In” where you are, revealing your geographic location. On Twitter, you can note your location in your tweets and in your profile. If you want to keep your moves and location on the down-low, avoid checking in altogether and tweak your online privacy settings.

Tip No. 4: Be smart with apps.
Most social networking sites are for-profit companies, and advertising keeps membership free. Any time you sign up for a free app or contest on a social network, your private data might be used to target you with online advertising based on your activities.

“The purpose behind social networking sites is supposed to be to enable you to connect with friends and colleagues and do these networking activities,” says John Verdi, senior counsel for the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) , a nonprofit privacy advocacy group in Washington, D.C. “What they don’t say is that ‘our real purpose is to mine your data and sell it to the highest bidder.’”

So even if you’ve read Facebook’s online privacy policy, you still need to read the privacy policies of application-makers who promote their apps on Facebook. “They are third-party applications,” says Verdi. “The social networks don’t vouch for any of them.”

Tip No. 5: Don’t expect to be able to delete it once you post it.
It’s happened to the best of us: being haunted by your old social network posts that never die. There is an assumption that you “own” your profiles. But that’s not the case.

In the past, Facebook users were not able to completely delete their profiles. Facebook claimed it wanted to store the information in case users wanted to revive their profile, but it has now caved in under pressure from users to allow for easier deleting. MySpace and LinkedIn allow users to delete their profiles too.

But when it comes to posts you leave on others’ profiles -- or content that friends copied off your profile or blog -- it can remain online for eternity. “There are going to be remnants or ghosts,” says Owyang. “Assume that everything you put online is forever.”

The single best thing you can do before you put yourself out there on a social network? “Speak to other users you know and trust before joining some sites,” says Etheridge. In other words, network a bit before you sign up for a network so you can learn more about how the site protects your info -- or doesn’t.


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The App Guide: Pet Apps You’ll Love.

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From the Editors of Every Day Connected

If your family includes a member with four legs, you’ll be glad to know your smartphone can help with that part of your life too. We’re not talking about frivolous apps that let you care for virtual pets or make a Facebook profile for your cat. We’re talking about truly useful apps that can help you keep your animal happy and healthy -- and save you precious time.




       
       
Pet App No. 1: Pet First Aid



       
Helps you … Save your pet’s life
They can’t talk, so when your pets are behaving strangely, it’s up to you to diagnose their behavior and figure out whether there’s a problem. This app includes handy videos and step-by-step instructions for identifying and treating common ailments and responding to emergency situations such as poisoning, bleeding and fractures.

You can also record your pet’s vitals and medical history so it’s always handy when you need it. This app is for dogs and cats only.


Available on: iOS and Android  devices.



       
       
Pet App No. 2: Game for Cats

       
Helps you … Keep your cat entertained
This app requires a tablet, so if you have one (along with a feline in the house), spring for it. Game for Cats exploits cats’ natural urge to chase, by displaying a red dot -- or after an in-app purchase, an animated mouse -- that darts around the screen.

When your cat bats at the target and hits it, he racks up points. (Be sure to get a screen protector first so your tablet won’t get scratched.)


Available on: iOS devices. For Android and iPad, try the Friskies apps .



       
       
Pet App No. 3: Pet Dossier



       
Helps you … Track your pet’s life
Pet Dossier is exactly what it sounds like: a virtual dossier of pretty much all the information anyone would need to know about your pet. You can record vital stats, species info, birthday, feeding and medication schedules, vet info, emergency contacts and any kind of notes you want.

It’s a handy app to take to the vet or leave for a pet sitter who needs to know your pets’ quirks. The app works for any pet you love.

Available on: iOS devices. For Android, try Pet Master Pro .



       
       
Pet App No. 4: Dog Park Finder Plus

       
Helps you … Exercise your dog
If you’re away from home and looking for a dog park, fire up this app to find photos and information for nearby parks, directions to get there and reviews from other users.

The app pulls data from DogParkUSA.com, which features more than 5,300 dog parks and dog-friendly beaches and hiking trails.

Available on: iOS devices.

       
       
Pet App No. 5: Petfinder

       
       
Helps you … Fall in love with a new pet
If you’ve ever browsed the Petfinder website to pine for an animal, you’ll be pleased -- or, if your landlord isn’t flexible, distressed -- to hear that the Petfinder app is equally addictive.

You can browse photos of all the adoptable animals in your area, mark your favorites, search pets by criteria like breed and age, and read adoption stories. This app makes it easy to fall in love with your next pet.

Available on: iOS devices. For Android, try TailChaser .


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