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Streaks Seinfeld-esque time management app for iPhone

themes Streaks Seinfeld esque time management app for iPhoneI love to sleep in. I sleep in so long I waste away weekends. It’s a problem and I seriously need to solve it. My goal is to get myself out of bed at 6am every morning. Yes, 6am! It’s going to be tough, but if I can get momentum, I know I can make this my routine.

That’s why I was glad when I came across Streaks – Motivational Calendar in the iPhone Apps Store. It works on the same motivational principle as Jerry Seinfeld uses to be a better comic; he writes every day and keeps tabs of his progress on a calendar. Then, after several days of consecutive productivity, if he feels a bit lazy and wants to slack off that day, a glance over at the calendar motivates him to write in order to not break the streak. The more days that are marked off on the calendar, the more of a let down it would be if you had to break that streak.

Streaks – Motivational Calendar by Fanzter is a light-weight answer to this call for your iPhone and iPod touch (and iPad if you like the zoom-mode). It provides multiple calendars to track all your goals, be they “Exercise,” “Write in My Journal,” or in my case “Get Up At 6am.” Fantzer has outfitted Streaks with four themes for your calendars (unfortunately, you must choose one theme that will be for all your calendars) and a numerical icon badge that shows you the current streak your on with the first calendar in your list.

Get a handle on your goals; download Streaks for US$1.99

What goal do you want to achieve? Please let me know in the comments…maybe we can start an accountability group icon wink Streaks Seinfeld esque time management app for iPhone

(Humor) My Computer Won’t Turn On

Any troubleshooting questions out there? Any at all? If you have some, please submit them to macmanx@macmerc.com


Well, how about a little tech-support question humor? Let’s see if I can remember it.

Well, there was phone tech support member working for a company (Microsoft?), we’ll just call him “Tech”. He received a call from and elderly woman who’s computer wouldn’t turn on. In the end, it got him fired. Below is what I remember from the transcript.

TECH: What seems to be the problem?

CALLER: My computer won’t turn on.

TECH: Have you tried the power button?

CALLER: Of course.

TECH: Is the power connected?

CALLER: Yes.

*the TECH then went through several PC-related things and neither worked.*

TECH: Do you have the original box to send this back?

CALLER: It’s in the attic.

TECH: Can you get it and make sure it’s the right one?

CALLER: It’s a bit hard to see the box.

TECH: How come?

CALLER: The lights aren’t on.

TECH: Turn them on.

CALLER: I can’t, the power went out 30 minutes ago.

*The TECH then went into numerous profanities that got him fired. Such is the frustration of all techs.*

Remember, if you have a question that you’d like answered, please submit it to macmanx@macmerc.com

Skype Extras

Skype has quickly become the way to call – from your Mac to your online friends or even regular phones. There are all kinds of things you can do with Skype (like podcast interviews) and with the API released, there will be even more to come.

mu Skype ExtrasSkype 1.4

New in this version: better growl support for alerts, call forwarding and a menu item to change status. Skype has gone from crusty beta to a very Mac friendly app.

mu Skype ExtrasSkype Widget

Dial calls from your desktop with the Skype widget. That’s pretty much it. Handy for Dashboard junkies.

mu Skype ExtrasSkype Menu Item

Yes, the new version of Skype includes a menu item to change your status, but it only runs while Skype is running. To quickly launch Skype from the menubar, you’ll want this little free app.

Mac Autodialer

This extra improves Address Book integration, letting you dial contacts right from the address book.

mu Skype ExtrasSoundflower

We’ve looked at this one before. Soundflower creates a virtual audio channel on your Mac that you can use to record audio from apps to other apps, for example recording Skype conversations to Garage Band or Audacity.

Not a Skyper? There are alternatives:

mu Skype ExtrasGizmo

The Gizmo project is very similar to Skype, but has an open infrastructure. It is very Mac friendly and interfaces with other SIP accounts. Like Skype, Gizmo is great at finding its way out of complex firewall and network configurations.

YakForFree

This VOIP solution adds video, and as it promises, lets you yak for free. The interface is rough, but video works!

Maybe 2006 is the year to go digital with your phone. There are certainly plenty of options for you.

Brian