It is never too late to learn. This is especially true when you have given the impression that you are an expert and find that you must now expound on your expertise. Take for example, Lucas, a high-school senior who regularly bragged about his astronomical excursions, spotting little-known...
Text Shouts Outs
posted by Jenz Johnson
In the spirit of Discovery Channel’s Cash Cab, use your device to text out questions to your friends when you need a quick answer. (Although there are a number of web sites that also specialize in this type of knowledge acquisition, I find that my friends know me the best and are the most reliable. I use my mobile Rolodex for this, ie my device.) Unlike Cash Cab, you don’t need to be in a taxi to send out a call out and you, by all means, should not be behind a wheel. On the real Cash Cab, unsuspecting taxi riders climb into a quiz cab and are barraged by questions. Right answers earn money. Three strikes and they tossed...
The Cone of Silence
posted by Jenz Johnson
Problem You find yourself wanting to spend a romantic evening with your flame, but somehow you can’t her full attention. Or you to discuss something important such as breaking up, results of the pregnancy test or Keith Richard’s new book — but somehow you find that your device...
Ten rules for maximi...
posted by Jenz Johnson
Your mobile device can be a real asset during your normal conversations, or at times when you want more information on a topic for whatever reason. The key is to be courteous, explore your topics judiciously and to inject key facts that further our argument or opinions. Some basic rules of...
Covert surfing
posted by Jenz Johnson
In general, the best approach to using your device as a portable brain is to introduce it into situations that you find yourself. For example, if you are in the midst of a conversation, just mention that you are very curious about the topic and that you saw something about it on your phone. Many mobos will in fact pause at this point to see if there is any strong objection. However, there are situations where you do not want to use your device openly. Maybe it’s not the right time, or you find that it is easier to use your device without advertising the fact. Problem You want to use your device, but out of the limelight. How do you...
Hard Keys
posted by Jenz Johnson
“Your problem,” Ned related as I retold my story, “is your keyboard and your fat thumbs!” “Yep,” I said. “Thought it was something like that.” “Ever thought about getting new caps for those thumbs.” “What?” “You know, thumb-tip replacements. The price has come...
