A simple time-management tool for bloggers

This QuickTip shares a template that I used to help me be productive when I was working as a free-lance blogger (and a other things besides).

Blogging can seem overwhelming: there just is so much to learn, to do, to read

And if you don't have a boss, official work-hours or school-pickup-times to structure the day, it can be easy to get to the end of the week and discover that you've done lots of research, but nothing has actually been finished and published..

I had a few months between jobs, and found that it really helped to plan my week, by:

• setting very small, achievable goals for each of my blogs, 
• allocating my time in two hour blocks.
• writing this all down on old-fashioned pen-and-paper on a one-page-at-a-glance sheet that I could hang on the wall, tick of my achievements and keep track of the progress.

A week-planner template

Here's the template that I used to do my planning every Sunday night.  

 It's licensed under Creative Commons, so you are free to copy, adapt and share it.

My tips for being productive:

• Choose a set time to review your plan each week.   Mine was Sunday night - but any time is fine, so long as it's consistent.

• If your blog is not your Number One priority, then allocate time, before you set goals. There's no point getting six goals for your blog if you can only spend two hours working on it this week!

• Make sure that there are some small, totally-achievable-in-one-hour goals, and some that are simply steps toward doing a bigger project.

• If you need to be flexible, fill it in using a pencil and adapt as the week goes on:  this is a tool to make life better, not a way to overburden yourself.

• Make sure you allow time for meals, housework, exercise, socialising and relaxation - and even sleeping in sometimes (but not every day).

• Give yourself some weekends and "annual leave" days: ones when you choose not to schedule all your time, or any of it.

What has worked for you?

Facebook in a different color? Nah, just a survey scam

I got messaged about an obvious scam on Facebook:

New Facebook colors!

Strangely enough, that person's Facebook color was still in blue. Is it possible this is just a scam? ;-)


Going to the application:

The application "Pick a col0r" requests your permissions

 Next screen....:

I choose the blue color. Oh, right...

You've won!

As with most applications like these, you first have to fill in a survey to get your Facebook in a different color. Obviously, you still won't be able to even if you have filled in all your information for a chance to win product X or Y.

The application will make the same post on your wall as in the first picture. To remove it:

Go to your privacy settings, applications and remove "Pick a C0lor".

Confirm the removal and check the box. 

 Conclusion

You cannot change the color of Facebook at this point, there is no dislike button, ....

All of these 'applications' point to survey scams where you fill in all your information and your inbox will be flooded with spammail. And no, you haven't won anything.

Excel Macro to copy Hyperlink from one cell to another

Excel Macro to copy Hyperlink from one cell to another

You must be here because you have already tried to copy hyperlinks from one cell to another. If its only for one cell then its an easy task. Right click on the cell with hyperlink, click "edit Hyperlink", then copy the hyperlink and the paste it as hyperlink on another cell. But this works gets boring if you have got hundreds of such cells.

That's why we have got macros. I will tell you some simple steps to add one such macro in excel file and then do this work in just one second.

Suppose you excel file is in this format. Links on the left hand side and target cells on right side.

Go to View Tab, and the click on Macros menu and then click on Record Macro. It will open the following Dialog Box. Write a Macro Name, some description and choose a shortcut key. Here i have chosen Ctrl+L .

Then click OK. Now again go to the Macros menu and click on Stop Recording. The click on View Macros in the same menu. Now you will see the following Dialog box. 

 Select the Macro that you have created and click edit. It will open Visual Basic Editor just like shown below.

Now you have to edit the code. Add the following code before "End Sub" .

r = Selection.Rows.Count

For i = 1 To r

ActiveSheet.Hyperlinks.Add Anchor:=Selection.Cells(i, 2), _

Address:=Selection.Cells(i, 1).Hyperlinks(1).Address

Next

Now it will look like the following screenshot. After that click on Save button (the floppy shaped button on the tool bar).

Now close VB Editor and you will be back to your Excel file. Now select the cells from where you want to copy the hyperlinks. 

 The press "Ctrl+L" (as i have chosen it as shortcut key for this macro). Now all links are copied to the cell in front of them.

I hope that this macro will work for you. I will come soon with some other updates.

Samsung Galaxy S3 vs. HTC One, Is HTC's One a Samsung Killer?

Taiwan Mobile manufacturer HTC on Tuesday finally took the wraps off its latest android flagship smartphone: The sexy htc one, which attempt to take on fierce competitors such as the iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy smartphones. So, how can it stack up against the rat race from high-profile competitors like the excellent Samsung Galaxy S3? Is the newest HTC's One a Samsung Killer? Today I will show you all a full comparison between these two booming devices.

Display: HTC’s beautiful new one phone is surely better built than the Samsung galaxy s3. It's encased in unibody machined aluminum with a Gorilla Glass 2 covered display and the back is simple lovely. The htc one sporting a 4.7-inch HD display, which has a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels and the screen packs in a whopping 468 pixels per inch, while Galaxy s3 features a 4.8 inch display with 306 pixels per inch, at a resolution of 720 x 1280.

Processor, RAM: Thanks to its 1.7 GHz. quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor and 2GB of RAM, HTC One runs fast. And it is one of the first handsets to feature the new CPU. On the contrary, Samsung Galaxy S3 is powered by Samsung’s own quad core Exynos 1.4GHz Cortex A9 processor for international version, Snapdragon S4 dual core at 1.5GHz for the US version.

Camera: The most interesting thing about the One is its 4-megapixel "Ultrapixel" camera. Yeah, you read that correctly. HTC says the new One captures 300 percent more light than current competing smartphone sensors, offering "astounding low-light performance.” HTC now have explained why 4 megapixels are better than 8. The Galaxy S3 has an 8-megapixel camera on back and a front camera at 1.9 megapixels.

Storage:  HTC one includes either 32 or 64 gigabytes of storage, and lacks an SD card slot for expansion, while the Galaxy S3 comes in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB versions and support for SD card up to 64GB.

Operating System:  On the software side, the HTC One runs Google's Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2. Laid atop the operating system is HTC's Sense 5 user interface, which boats the company's new "BlinkFeed" live stream.

"HTC BlinkFeed is a bold new experience that transforms the home screen into a single live stream of personally relevant information such as social updates, entertainment and lifestyle updates, news and photos with immersive images so that people no longer need to go to separate applications to find out what's happening," the company said in a press release. Samsung galaxy s3 owners have received the Androidv4.1.2 Jelly Bean OS with Premium Suite that includes some of the amazing features of Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

According the detailed news from mashable, htc one also comes with front-facing stereo speakers, with one on the top of the phone and one on the bottom. Resembling strips and called BoomSound, they are positioned left to right in landscape mode.

The HTC One also includes a nice perk for TV lovers — a universal remote control and mirroring app for easy channel flipping.

Battery: HTC One has a 2300 mAh embedded rechargeable Li-polymer battery compared to Galaxy S3's 2100 mAh battery.

Carriers: In the U.S., the HTC One will be available on major carriers AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile beginning in March, leaving Verizon out of the mix. HTC said the One will be available globally through more than 185 mobile operators and major retailers in more than 80 regions and countries. Samsung Galaxy S3 is now available for purchase in Samsung stores, resellers and through various carriers. Both of the phone support LTE.

So, after review these, what is your opinion. Personally, I think the One could be the product to choose. Anyway, different people, different taste. Which Android Smartphone is your love? Welcome to leave your comments.

20th February 2013 AUD & Euro Daily report

AUD Weekly & Daily cycles

Primary Cycles remain bullish & price is rising up from the February lows....

if the AUD is going to continue higher (above the Weekly 50% level)

then the 5-day 50% level and 12 hour channel highs is seen as Support

Euro Weekly and Daily cycles

Same applies with the Euro....

5-day 50% level and 12 hour channel highs (Support)