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Below are some interesting and funny Google predictive search results about college:

Apparently, a lot of people think college is a waste of time and money. I have a feeling the people who search this are the ones who are bitter about not attending college.

This is actually a good question. Remember, always use protection.

This is very true. If I had a dollar for every time I saw someone sleeping in class, I’d be a rich man.

So college boys are rappers?

And college girls streak and sell their virginity? Good to know.

YES. Ever heard the term – “broke college student”.

No, actually it’s called being in college. However, after college, yes it’s called alcoholism. Enjoy it while you can.

I’d like to end on a positive note. This is how I feel about college, and I can’t wait to enter the real world.

© CampusByte for CampusByte, 2010. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us, Stumble It! Here

Check out my quick video to set it up on your computer.

Check out my first video on YouTube. Let me know what you think in the comments!

Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel to see more videos.

Links:
GeekTool: http://bit.ly/279SJZ
iCalBuddy: http://bit.ly/papX

CODE (Scroll down to step 5 and 6): http://bit.ly/ibpv5

You can also just copy and paste the code from here:

iCal Data:
/usr/local/bin/icalBuddy -nc eventsToday | sed -e "s/*/--/" | sed -e "s/!/!!/"

To Do List Data:
usr/local/bin/icalBuddy -nc uncompletedTasks | sed -e "s/*/--/" | sed -e "s/!/!!/"

© CampusByte for CampusByte, 2010. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us, Stumble It! Here

I’ll admit – I’m not very excited about the new Apple iPad. However, there has been some talk about what the iPad will be able to do. For example, there are some new apps being created that just wouldn’t work on the iPhone or the iPod Touch.

The most interesting of these new innovations has to be the capability to act as an eReader. Don’t freak out yet, I know the Kindle and the other eReaders do it way better, but the iPad is a way to make the eReader popular. Think about this – No more Textbooks.

Photo Credit

At Seton Hill University, they’ve done just that. Well not completely, but they are making a huge shift to provide students with e-books rather than college textbooks. To aid in this, free Apple iPads and 13″ Macbook Pros for all full-time students arriving in fall 2010.

The school aims to cultivate digital literacy among its students.

“[The students] can download textbooks from the iBook Store, take notes, communicate and share files with professors, advisers and classmates, conduct research and engage in interactive learning experiences.”

What does this mean for University students? I know many students feel that colleges are not utilizing technology effectively, but obviously some are. What I’d like to see is a college that gives an e-book option for every class offered. There is absolutely no need to have hard copies of books anymore unless you request it. This should be an option that all students can choose when they sign up for classes.

I understand that book companies and colleges have long, withstanding contracts and probably spend hours debating this very issue – but I want to see some change.

I want to see more Universities like Seton Hill who provide their students with electronics, teach them how to use them, and then offer on-site IT support when needed.

I guess the question here is: Do students really need free laptops? Will giving these kids laptops and iPads just promote unnecessary Facebook use and ill productivity? Is this a good thing? Let me know in the comments below.

[via: Mashable]

© CampusByte for CampusByte, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us, Stumble It! Here

I’ve always had a great time during spring break. My trips include, Colorado, South Padre Island, and Panama City Beach. This year I will be returning to Panama City Beach with a large group of friends. I know I have a very busy life schedule right now with this being my senior year and everything, but I’m organized and able to manage my time to where this trip will allow me to relax. No trip is complete without the essentials, but I’ve taken it a step further. That’s why I’ve made this Gadget-Packed Spring Break Survival Guide.

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Duffel Bag

Ya, it’s not a tech gadget but I wanted to include this because I’m tired of seeing people show up to the beach with the same luggage. Here’s a hint, rolling suitcases don’t work in the sand. If you’re heading to the beach, bring a duffel bag. I know for a fact my girlfriend will be packing her gigantic Louis Vuitton suitcase which means I’m going to end up carrying it everywhere. Do yourself, and me a favor – pack light and smart.

Macbook

What, you thought I was going to forget it at home? It’s a 13 hour drive to Florida, I’m going to use that time to get some work done. To be able to truly enjoy the week, I am going to need to wrap up some projects before the fun starts. I plan to pick up the Macbook pro once I graduate. This trusty Macbook made it though college, so if you’re looking for a computer, I recommend getting a Mac.

Flip Mino HD

This is my blackmail device for the week. Naw, just kidding. But seriously, what better way to document the trip than with a video camera that films in HD and fits in your pocket? If you’re looking for a video camera I recommend the Film Mino HD because the picture is amazing and it’s so small, it feels like a cell phone in your pocket. With HD cameras being so cheap these days, it’s easy to see why these things are so popular.

Cannon PowerShot SD 750

I recently broke this camera by sitting on it. Ya I know, I’m an idiot, but this really is the best camera I’ve ever owned. I’m bringing it because I only broke the screen. The camera still works fine. Just in case, my girlfriend has a Cannon as well.

iPhone 3Gs

I recently picked up the iPhone 3Gs during the holidays and I can honestly say, it’s changed my life. If you’re an iPhone user, then you know what I’m talking about. Not only can this thing do everything, I plan to stream Pandora on it at the beach.

I will also be tweeting from the beach as long as I’m getting service. Keep an eye out for twitpics. Make sure to follow me on twitter for updates.

Diamond MSP100B Mini Rockers Mobile Speakers

These were given to me as a Christmas present and so far, I’ve found multiple uses for them – especially out by the pool. These things sound pretty good for how small they are and they charge using a USB cord. Pretty cool huh?

Your Turn

This is everything I’m bringing aside from clothes, toiletries, and my game face. What about you? What do you bring when you travel? I’d love to hear your additions in the comments below.

© CampusByte for CampusByte, 2010. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us, Stumble It! Here

If you’re a fellow music lover, you’re in luck. I have compiled the top 5 best apps for music available in the app store. There’s an app here for everyone, so check ‘em out.

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5. Un Cut Radio

Uncut Radio is one of the most advanced online 24-hour radio stations. It has been providing non-stop music for fans for over 6 years. Just recently they have moved into the mobile market with their free application. One of the greatest benefits of UnCut radio is how they deliver their music — when you first tune-in there may be some Kings of Leon on, followed by Jay- Z, but keep listening, soon there will be songs you have never heard before, or maybe some hits from your childhood. The key to their uniqueness is that they will not turn down a request. Requesting is done from the app and is very simple; just enter your name and the song or band name you would like to hear. The wait time is never too long, and during your wait, who knows what new tunes you could discover.

4. Choreoloop

This app is mainly for dancers but can also help out musicians of all skill level. Choreoloop is an elementary program where you choose any song from your iPhone library and can select any part of it for repeat. Without having to pause or re-find their place in a song, dancers can repeat the part they need to practice to get their steps on beat. Musicians trying to learn a difficult part of a song by ear may also utilize this hassle-free program.

3. TasteKid

Who doesn’t want a digital-emo goth girl to recommend you some great music? Yeah, I wasn’t so sure either, but after I got over Tastekid’s…. different vibe, she had some really great suggestions. This app is a “discovery engine” which means that instead of just giving similar sounding artists they will advise you some bands that other people like. Say you enter Kings of Leon into suggestions, you will get a plethora of options, but they won’t all be southern rock, bands from MGMT to the Wombats are listed. TasteKid seems to have taken out the similarity aspect and really wants you to discover something new and different. Because this applications is relatively new, the engine behind the recommendations will continue to grow with it’s users and become more accurate. The last great thing about TasteKid is that she doesn’t stop at music – movies, books and authors are also supported on their discovery engine.

2. TunesFlip

Ever wanted a button-free iPod shuffle? Now with TunesFlip your iPhone can become one. TunesFlip is an application with a mosaic of your album covers and with the shake of your wrist will randomly put one of your songs on. This program is great for when you can’t figure out what artist you want to listen to on the way to class. Just open up TunesFlip shake it, lock your phone and put it back in your pocket. Tunesflip will continue to play the rest of the CD even when the application is off; it transfers the music to your iPod function on your iPhone so you never stop listening to the music. Tunesflip is quite versatile; with a quick flip to the right, the song will change to the next one on the CD. A flip to the left causes it to go to the previous song. You also have the option to tap the album art of the CD you’d like to hear if you don’t feel like shaking around.

1. Bandsintown

Here is an app for the live music connoisseur, or if you happen to live in a town with a lot of live music, like me in Austin. Bandsintown has a recommendation tab where there are shows of the people you have on your iTunes library. There is also a local concert tab where it lists all concerts within a specified amount of miles. Because of the wealth of information it can provide you about upcoming shows, this application is a must have for any concertgoer.

Anything I missed? Let me know in the comments below!

© TimWillingham for CampusByte, 2010. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us, Stumble It! Here

This magical file cabinet I speak of is called Evernote. I stumbled upon this tool when I was trying to find a good note taking program for my laptop. After using Evernote for a while, I can honestly say, I don’t know how I would live without it.

Features

Chances are, if you can see it or think of it, Evernote can help you remember it. With Evernote you can:

• Type a text note.
• Clip a web page.
• Snap a photo.
• Grab a screenshot.

Evernote then instantly syncs your data so that it’s available on your computer, phone, and on the web. Everything you capture is automatically processed, indexed, and made searchable. If you like, you can add tags or organize notes into different notebooks. Search for notes by keywords, titles, and tags. Evernote magically makes printed and handwritten text inside your images searchable, too.

How it is Useful for Students

There are literally thousands of ways to use Evernote. Here are the ways I use it.

• Class Notes. Keep notes from your classes all in one place. You can also take a picture of a whiteboard and you’ll be able to find it later.
• Research. So you’re doing research at the library on your laptop. Instantly clip pages directly from your browser or take a photo with your phone of a book or newspaper article. Evernote will index it and make it searchable.
• Favorite Things. Keep a record of your favorite foods, drinks, wines, or beers by snapping a photo of the label when you find one you like. Great for grocery shopping
• To-Do Lists. Remember the things you were supposed to remember. Create to-do lists, jot down random thoughts, leave a voice memo, and more.
• Idea Journal. Don’t have a pen and paper? No worries. Jot down ideas when they come to you on your phone and have it available when you get home on your computer.

Get Started

Head on over to Evernote.com and sign up for a free account. It works on both Mac and PC computers. Make sure to pick up the Evernote app for you phone too – supports almost every phone out there.

The only thing Evernote can’t do is sync Microsoft Word documents. This feature is available in the paid version of Evernote, which is only 5 dollars a month, but for the sake of keeping things free, check out my review of Dropbox. I personally use both Dropbox and Evernote to keep myself organized. So now’s your chance – quit procrastinating, and organize your life!

How do you stay organized? I would love to hear your input in the comments below.

© CampusByte for CampusByte, 2010. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us, Stumble It! Here

As a student, you probably have a large assortment of notes, papers, and other assignments stored on your computer.

We are now moving towards a digital age, and using paper for schoolwork is becoming less and less common. The problem with keeping digital copies of your papers and notes is that you have to transfer them around a lot, especially if you don’t carry around a laptop.

In the past, people have used things like floppy disks (what is this? 1998) and CD-ROM’s, to USB drives and memory cards. There is now a better solution to move and store your files, and that solution is called Dropbox.

What is Dropbox?

Dropbox is a free (up to 2gb) online service that allows you to sync and access files across multiple computers, and smart phones. With Dropbox you can:

• Sync any file type.
• Sync between Mac, Linux, Windows, & Smart phones.
• Share files easily.
• Easily backup files.
• Access your account from any computer with Internet.

How it is Useful For Students

With all of the papers you write, and the notes that you take, you need a surefire way to access them. There are a number of reasons why Dropbox is useful for students.

• No more lost Word documents. How many times has this happened to you? You type up a paper and save it onto a USB drive. Then, head to the library to print it out, only to find it’s not there. With Dropbox, you could log onto a lab computer and easily pull it up.
• Mobile phone access. Let’s say you’re away from your computer and you suddenly realize you have a paper due by 12 pm. Hopefully, you have already done the paper, and you just forgot submit it online. You can easily access Dropbox on your phone and quickly email the document to your Professor.
• Collaborate on Files. There are times when you are going to work with other students on projects. Using Dropbox, you can upload a document, and your classmates can login to view and edit that document. The changes can be viewed in real-time.
• Backup your files. There is a good chance, that in your college career, you are going to break or damage your laptop. How terrible would it be of you had just finished a research paper, and you spill your coffee on your keyboard-breaking your computer. Dropbox comes to the rescue here, by providing an online back up of your files.

Your Turn

Head over to Dropbox.com and sign up for a free account to give it a try. If you’re not convinced, just watch the demo video on their homepage, and I’m sure you’ll change your mind.

Do you think Dropbox is useful for students?

© Dan Northern for CampusByte, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us, Stumble It! Here

This year will no doubt be another year of technological expansion. A myriad of iPhone applications are being generated every day, and I have come across 5 applications that could possibly see a rise in 2010.

Photo Credit

Lose It!

Who doesn’t want to get in shape as part of their new year’s resolution? I’ve seen the gym lately, and there is no doubt that more people are trying to take a step towards a fitter body. Lose It! lets you set nutritional goals by giving you a good estimate of how many calories you need every day and compares it to how many you are eating. The application allows you to enter foods in many ways- you can search for a food or even make a custom food that allows you to put in the nutrition facts straight from the label. This application can really be a wake up call, if you find yourself going over your calorie budget repeatedly. Lose It! will also keep track of different nutrients in your diet, to ensure that you get the balance you need. This application is definitely a great way to start the New Year.

OpenTable

So maybe you already feel in control of your health and you want to indulge in filet mignon and cheesecake. OpenTable is the next application you should look at. OpenTable allows you to get listings of restaurants in your area and make a reservation from your iPhone. Before making the reservation, you can scroll through the menu and ensure they have your favorite dish. Once you’ve selected a restaurant, pull up the map to find it. This already good-looking app could make some great additions in the future, like the ability to get directions to a specific restaurant.

Words With Friends Free

A little fun is always good for living a balanced life, so try out the Words with Friends Free application. Not too complex, just a simple game of scrabble that you can play with friends online while out and about. You can play different games with different people at the same time, and hopefully some updates will come in the future to allow parties of 3 or more to play on the same board. Caution: This game is addicting.

Evernote

Assuming you eventually put down the Words with Friends app, your next stop should be to check out Evernote. Evernote allows you to combine text, picture and voice notes into one area. You can even star your favorite notes for keeping. The application can be quite useful to students for putting many bits of info into one location. The tips section will share many ideas for the uses of Evernote and some of them are quite handy.

Assemble

A feature gaining popularity on the iPhone is the ability to share your location with other iPhone users. In the era of twitter, constantly updating your friends on your activities is becoming mainstream. Enter Assemble, an application that allows you to send a message and location all in one bundle. This can be beneficial when trying to gather friends to meet up at a certain location. Adding contacts to your list can be a slight hassle, as you have to know the email address of the friend. However, this application is putting forth some great new ideas that could expand over the year, and hopefully we see some updates in the near future.

It would be nearly impossible to try out all the applications that come out, but the above-mentioned apps caught my eye and definitely have the potential to become fun and convenient. Feel free to express your opinion of these applications or suggest improvements you would like to see in the comments below.

© Spencer for CampusByte, 2010. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us, Stumble It! Here

Photo Credit

Remove Startup Items

Remove unneeded startup items. Click the apple, go to System Preferences, and click on Accounts. Go to the Login Items tab, and remove any applications that you don’t want to launch every time you login. Do this by highlighting the application and clicking the minus button.

Shrink The Dock & Remove ‘Other’ Applications

Shrink the size of the dock in System Preferences under dock. Also deselect Animate Opening Applications.

Remove any unused applications under Other. Open the item and there should be a “Remove” option.

Turn Off Widgets or Disable Dashboard

Turn off unused widgets in the dashboard. Click F12, and uncheck any widgets you don’t regularly use. You can also completely remove the dashboard from your Mac. I never use my dashboard and I dislike having applications running that I don’t use or need, so I opted to remove it from my computer. Launch Terminal and then enter the following commands…

To turn Dashboard off:

 defaults write com.apple.dashboard mcx-disabled -boolean YES 

To turn Dashboard on:

 defaults write com.apple.dashboard mcx-disabled -boolean NO 

To restart the Dock after making either change for it to take effect:

 killall Dock 

Delete Unused Files and Cashe

Delete unused applications and files to clear space on your computer. Make sure to use an application such as AppCleaner to remove applications.

Download a maintenance application such as OnyX to clear out your computer’s cache. (Note: Make sure you download the correct version for your OS)

Run activity monitor

Check what programs are running by opening your activity monitor in the utilities folder. Check to see what applications are using the most memory. Turn off any you aren’t using.

Optimize Your Laptop

If you’re on a laptop, check the Options under Energy Saver in System Preferences to make sure the processor performance is on the highest setting.

© CampusByte for CampusByte, 2010. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us, Stumble It! Here

As technology advances, new waves of smarter, more expensive, and more fragile gadgets are released. These irresistible phones and laptops go around wherever you do, rain or shine, and they most likely take abuse just from daily use around campus. How do you stop your precious iphone from crumbling when just one slip out of the hand could crack the screen? Take these useful words of advice: always use protection.

You may think it’s easy to just stroll on into best buy or the apple store and just pick out the coolest looking case, but that’s not always the best product. There are probably 100 or more companies producing cases, so I’m here to help you focus your choices on a few products I like.

Photo Credit

Otter Box Defender Series

If you’re the kind of person who constantly drops their phone or spills a drink on it, believe it or not you can still own an iphone. The Otter Box Defender Series is quite the tank, sealing out dirt and offering solid protection that can take a punch. It’s not too ugly, but definitely doesn’t come in pink or purple. It may be a little bulky for some people and does come at a higher cost that most other cases, but the Otter Box is going to be the closest thing to giving you an indestructible iphone.
Buy Now:Otterbox 1942-20.4/1942-20.5 iPhone 3G & 3Gs Defender Case

Barely There case by Case-Mate

Having a brick in your pocket is not appealing to all, and so I introduce the barely there case by Case-Mate. This baby is going to make your phone sleek and sexy. Another plus is this case is made for many different phones, so the other half of the population using blackberry can be satisfied. The case may not have the best protection when the phone begins free-falling, but it will protect from scratches on the covered areas and it is also easy to transfer in and out of the pocket. A good buy if you frequent carpeted areas and are gentle with your belongings.
Buy Now:Case-Mate Barely There Acrylic Case for iPhone 3G, 3G S (Black)

Feather case by Incipio

Don’t panic, there are cases in between the two extremes, quite a few actually. Incipio makes some great products, my favorites being the feather and silicrylic cases. As suggested in the name, the feather is another lightweight case, but offers a step up in protection from the barely there case. It comes in many cool colors, but its main flaw is its composition. The rubbery silicone makes for a good grip in your hand, but is very frustrating when pulling out of a pant pocket, as it tends to stick inside your pocket. By the time you get it out, you’ve probably missed your call and your pocket is inside out. I would actually recommend this case for people who prefer to keep their phone in a bag or purse, where the stickiness of the case causes minimal problems.
Buy Now:Incipio Feather Case for iPhone 3G, 3G S (Black)

Silicrylic Case by Incipio

I saved the best for last- the silicrylic case, my personal favorite and a happy medium to the broad spectrum of products. This case by Incipio combines the soft, flexible silicone case with a hard plastic covering to provide well-rounded protection. It gets a decent grade in the style department with several colors, but doesn’t make any boundary-pushing fashion statements. The back of the case is hard plastic and only the sides of the phone or ipod have exposed silicone, so it works much better than the feather in terms of going in and out of the pocket. There is a downside however, the case can take wear and tear, and the silicone can rip up around the corners. If you go with this case, I would avoid taking it on and off a lot and playing around with the silicone part. Incipio makes good all around products and the silicrylic is a tough one to beat.
Buy Now:Incipio SILICRYLIC V3 Case for iPhone 3G, 3G S (Classic Black)

Now you have been exposed to what I consider the best products, and I am confident you will be happy with one of these choices. Feel free to suggest any other products you like in the comments below.

© Spencer for CampusByte, 2009. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us, Stumble It! Here