9. The Revised Common Version Website
I have spent the greater portion of 2010 working on the RCV website. All in all, I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. This website gives me a place I can go to read, search, and study the Scriptures from the RCV. Perhaps in 2011 I will figure something out to make it better.
8. 3G Broadband
Most of you out there won't think anything of this one. Chances are, you've had access to 3G cellular data since about the time it was made available to the public. But for those of you who are in a similar situation as I am, 3G is currently something to celebrate. I live in a rural area and technology on the level of 3G--let alone 4G--is almost nonexistent. Internet access is very limited, and that to both providers and speeds. Well, I just recently switched to Sprint as my cellular provider and I have been submerged into a world with 3G data connectivity. To give you a reason for my rejoicing, I had previously used T-Mobile for my cellular provider. In my area (and at the time of this writing), T-Mobile is still on the antiquidated GSM technology. It is awful slow with speeds comparing to that of dial-up Internet access--at least, that's how it was in my area. After switching to Sprint and buying an HTC Evo, I have been able to increase my mobility and decrease my dependency on wifi access by almost always having access to decent speeds via Sprint's 3G network. Now, I patiently wait for 4G.
Most of you out there won't think anything of this one. Chances are, you've had access to 3G cellular data since about the time it was made available to the public. But for those of you who are in a similar situation as I am, 3G is currently something to celebrate. I live in a rural area and technology on the level of 3G--let alone 4G--is almost nonexistent. Internet access is very limited, and that to both providers and speeds. Well, I just recently switched to Sprint as my cellular provider and I have been submerged into a world with 3G data connectivity. To give you a reason for my rejoicing, I had previously used T-Mobile for my cellular provider. In my area (and at the time of this writing), T-Mobile is still on the antiquidated GSM technology. It is awful slow with speeds comparing to that of dial-up Internet access--at least, that's how it was in my area. After switching to Sprint and buying an HTC Evo, I have been able to increase my mobility and decrease my dependency on wifi access by almost always having access to decent speeds via Sprint's 3G network. Now, I patiently wait for 4G.
7. Audible
Prior to this year, I had not given any thought to listening to audiobooks. I had quickly dismissed it as not really reading. After giving Audible a try, my mind quickly changed. I began reading Star Wars books via Audible on my iPad and HTC Evo. After the first book, I bought every Star Wars book in which I was interested through Audible. For me, a good Star Wars book on Audible is like watching--that is, with my imagination--a six-hour Star Wars movie. In addition, audiobooks have changed my daily commute to work. With a 35-minute commute one way, Audible provides me with a great selection of books to fill that time with good reading.
Prior to this year, I had not given any thought to listening to audiobooks. I had quickly dismissed it as not really reading. After giving Audible a try, my mind quickly changed. I began reading Star Wars books via Audible on my iPad and HTC Evo. After the first book, I bought every Star Wars book in which I was interested through Audible. For me, a good Star Wars book on Audible is like watching--that is, with my imagination--a six-hour Star Wars movie. In addition, audiobooks have changed my daily commute to work. With a 35-minute commute one way, Audible provides me with a great selection of books to fill that time with good reading.
6. Kindle
I do not own a Kindle, but I do have the software installed on my desktop, iPad, and HTC Evo. I will also have it installed on every subsequent compatible device I own. The Kindle, and that includes the software and online store, has completely changed the way I purchase books. Now, when I am looking for a new book, I go to the Kindle store first. It's not very often that I pick up a paper-bound book to read. The Kindle software allows me to organize my books and keep entire collections, all within one single device. It's really nice to be able to carry an entire personal library in my pocket and always within easy access for reference or on-demand reading.
When I was in high school, I played ice hockey. I had attended camps, classes, and many practice sessions since I was about 11 years old. Hockey is my favorite sport. After high school, I fell away from the hockey scene. I had discovered HockeyStreams.com back in October of 2010 and I was immediately hooked. I don't have a TV and that also means that I don't have cable, so online streaming is the only way I can watch hockey games. HockeyStreams.com gave me an affordable way to access any hockey game I wish to watch. I am now back to being a hockey fan, thanks to HockeyStreams.com.
4. Netflix
Netflix changed the way I watch movies. For a mere $10 per month, I can have one physical DVD on hand and stream any number of movies and TV shows that are available. To me, that's a great price for the use I get out of it. There are, of course, other pricing options that allow you to have more DVDs at a time. Not much more needs to be said about Netflix, for it's really that simple and that great of a service. Moreover, Netflix is available on a host of devices (e.g., Apple TV, iPad, Roku Player, and many more).
3. Google Voice
Google Voice is one service I use every single day, and that multiple times. In fact, my primary phone number comes from Google Voice. I don't even give out the number that actually came with my Sprint service. Google Voice is a remarkable service that handles just about everything you need to do with a phone number. For instance, nearly all of my text messages are handled through Google Voice. I even get an online archive of all of my text messages and I don't have to delete any messages to free up space on my phone--the only exception being the text messages I get from services that require an actual cell phone number (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, Blogger). Plus, I can search through that archive to find a past message I want to reference. That in itself is fantastic, but Google Voice goes beyond that. Google Voice also handles your incoming and outgoing phone calls. Incoming calls are first routed to the phone or voicemail greeting of your choice via contact groups you set up. This means that depending on the number calling you, you can have the call routed to your home phone, mobile phone, or even send it to voicemail without you having to intervene. Any call that is sent to voicemail, will be transcribed into text and either sent to you via SMS message or e-mail. One final feature of Google Voice that I'd like to mention is the ability to place VOIP phone calls from within your Gmail inbox for free or at very cheap international rates. I'm only scratching the surface on the capabilities of Google Voice. Furthermore, being a Google service, Google Voice is constantly upgraded, which means it can only get better.
2. The iPad
This device changed my perspective on mobile computing. Now, I know the iPad will appear in just about every mainstream media top technology list, but it does demand a spot in mine. With the iPad, I was able to do a majority of my mobile computing tasks without needing to lug around a heavier laptop. In my opinion, the iPad is a great device to have on hand for doing some work on demand and in just about any place. It's easy to manage at a desk, at a table, on the couch, and in bed. It has completely revolutionized my personal book reading experience. Since I bought my iPad, I have only purchased digital books--whether in electronic text or audio format--and sold most of my hard copy books. I really like the idea of carrying around my whole library in one simple device.
1. The HTC Evo
Ever since I bought my HTC Evo, I have yet again changed the way I think about mobile computing. The iPad was the device that initially revolutionized my personal mobile computing experience. Now, the Evo has one-upped the iPad by being a mobile platform that I can carry in my pocket. Just about anything the iPad can do, my Evo can do. With the Evo, I am connected at any time of the day at just about any place I could want to be, whether it be, e-mail, text messaging, Internet browsing, Facebook, Twitter, voice calls, contacts, calendars, blogging, etc. In addition, I do almost all of my daily reading on my Evo. With the Evo, I no longer have to carry around an additional bag or case that may not always be convenient. In a nutshell, I can say that the Evo is the device that truly brings my digital life to my pocket. I can't wait to see what device comes along that will replace it.
4. Netflix
Netflix changed the way I watch movies. For a mere $10 per month, I can have one physical DVD on hand and stream any number of movies and TV shows that are available. To me, that's a great price for the use I get out of it. There are, of course, other pricing options that allow you to have more DVDs at a time. Not much more needs to be said about Netflix, for it's really that simple and that great of a service. Moreover, Netflix is available on a host of devices (e.g., Apple TV, iPad, Roku Player, and many more).
3. Google Voice
Google Voice is one service I use every single day, and that multiple times. In fact, my primary phone number comes from Google Voice. I don't even give out the number that actually came with my Sprint service. Google Voice is a remarkable service that handles just about everything you need to do with a phone number. For instance, nearly all of my text messages are handled through Google Voice. I even get an online archive of all of my text messages and I don't have to delete any messages to free up space on my phone--the only exception being the text messages I get from services that require an actual cell phone number (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, Blogger). Plus, I can search through that archive to find a past message I want to reference. That in itself is fantastic, but Google Voice goes beyond that. Google Voice also handles your incoming and outgoing phone calls. Incoming calls are first routed to the phone or voicemail greeting of your choice via contact groups you set up. This means that depending on the number calling you, you can have the call routed to your home phone, mobile phone, or even send it to voicemail without you having to intervene. Any call that is sent to voicemail, will be transcribed into text and either sent to you via SMS message or e-mail. One final feature of Google Voice that I'd like to mention is the ability to place VOIP phone calls from within your Gmail inbox for free or at very cheap international rates. I'm only scratching the surface on the capabilities of Google Voice. Furthermore, being a Google service, Google Voice is constantly upgraded, which means it can only get better.
2. The iPad
This device changed my perspective on mobile computing. Now, I know the iPad will appear in just about every mainstream media top technology list, but it does demand a spot in mine. With the iPad, I was able to do a majority of my mobile computing tasks without needing to lug around a heavier laptop. In my opinion, the iPad is a great device to have on hand for doing some work on demand and in just about any place. It's easy to manage at a desk, at a table, on the couch, and in bed. It has completely revolutionized my personal book reading experience. Since I bought my iPad, I have only purchased digital books--whether in electronic text or audio format--and sold most of my hard copy books. I really like the idea of carrying around my whole library in one simple device.
1. The HTC Evo
Ever since I bought my HTC Evo, I have yet again changed the way I think about mobile computing. The iPad was the device that initially revolutionized my personal mobile computing experience. Now, the Evo has one-upped the iPad by being a mobile platform that I can carry in my pocket. Just about anything the iPad can do, my Evo can do. With the Evo, I am connected at any time of the day at just about any place I could want to be, whether it be, e-mail, text messaging, Internet browsing, Facebook, Twitter, voice calls, contacts, calendars, blogging, etc. In addition, I do almost all of my daily reading on my Evo. With the Evo, I no longer have to carry around an additional bag or case that may not always be convenient. In a nutshell, I can say that the Evo is the device that truly brings my digital life to my pocket. I can't wait to see what device comes along that will replace it.
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