What I discovered about Kindle DX keyboard commands

I learned a couple of keyboard commands with the Kindle DX this weekend. Not by design but working with the Amazon support team via online chat in support of my mom's Kindle DX. The Kindle DX has a keyboard and the 4 keyboard commands that I learned about are:

From the Settings screen (Menu key > Settings):
Alt+311 or Alt+EQQ Switch wireless provider
Alt+411 or Alt+RQQ Show diagnostics data
Alt+511 or Alt+TQQ Run loopback call test
Alt+611 or Alt+YQQ Diagnostic data service call

I knew this online support timeline was way beyond an acceptable time limit and eventually he dropped off. The next one, Roxie took over and I pasted our last diagnosis in our chat that referenced all of the servers being down, down, down, down.

She came back with this isn't normal but the radio transmitter was not activated in the replacement Kindle. She asked for a few minutes and poof all of a sudden we have bars after another reboot. Since we reset the Kindle back to factory defaults, I asked if she could help us so I didn't have to download all archived items and she did. I told my mom to give Roxie 5 stars and bars and to have her share her lessons learned. If the previous Amazon support team would have known what Roxie knew there would be less frustration in the world.

During this excursion, I came across some great references for other Kindle DX users:
Amazon's Kindle support
Best Kindle DX Tips - A blog post on the site a site about nothing by Andy
A Kindle World Blog If Wireless Never Connects

Back to the world of tinkering with the likes of a Kindle Fire, Toshiba Thrive, iPad, and other digital devices. Comments, recommendations, +1s, and reaction box checks are always appreciated.

Google+ Hangout and Android

This post is for my friends, family, and people in cyberspace who ask me about Google Hangouts using their Android phones.  Google+ Hangout help and F1 are always your other options.
To have a Hangout, your Android device will need:

• Android 2.3+
• A front-facing camera
• Hangouts will work best if you are connected to a high speed or wifi network. For the best audio quality, try using Hangouts with headphones.

1. If you haven't downloaded the Google+ app, download the Google+ app. For more information and additional options (iOS & web) click through the image.

2. Find your app, however YOU set up your apps. You can select the Google+ App or Messenger. Messenger is an option available on your Android device vice the computer. 

3. Select the option to start your hangout.  This screen capture displays one of many options for you to access Google+ hangouts depending on your device. Tap your expansion arrow next to your Stream and the drop down menu should display the options for you.

If you are using Android Apps in a learning environment or if you are an autodidact, check out Richard Byrne's, author of the Free Technology for Teachers blog, other blog Android 4 Schools where you can learn and tinker with the latest Android apps and devices that Mr. Byrne provides information about.

How do you help friends and family with stuff you have been using?

Comments, recommendations, +1s, and reaction box checks are welcome.

Update your browser or call your kids

A coworker shared this screen shot with us and it was the humor of the day:

Do you have a choice in the digital tools used in your work environment?

A previous post, How do you keep your stuff up to date? provides some additional screen shots when attempting to access Gmail or Google+ using the tools used in the work place.

Comments, recommendations, +1s, and reaction box checks are welcome.

Kids moving back home for the summer? Parents moving in for an extended stay?

Times are different for the generation suffering from the quarter age crisis. Today families are converging, whether it is to take care of a parent who needs a place to live or medical care, to young adults who realize life is not what they perceived once they crossed a high school or college graduation stage, or for financial reasons.

This Google Doc provides some basic parameters to document before the young adult child returns home for a temporary stay or if a parent, in law, or any other acquaintance moves in to your home for an extended stay. It is acceptable to set the ground rules, modify as agreed upon, and post them on a door in the home or on the net. Whether the cohabitants move is only for the summer break from school or for an extended stay, set the ground rules before those who are uber sensitive get their feelings hurt to the individual who thinks they are entitled to a place to stay without restitution.

It is also acceptable to have everyone come to the table with their top 10 rules and preferences, involve the digital devices, document the situation, and start a family blog. I am not the expert in this situation, but the 2010 census shows that 5.1 million households are considered multigenerational households sharing what we know, lessons learned, and what works in unique situations helps everyone involved.




Comments, recommendations, suggestions, and document ratings are always welcome.
Other external articles you may enjoy:
6 tips for living with boomerang kids by Steve Santiago @ Bankrate.com
Parenting Articles about Adult Children @ Empowering Parents
Adult Children Moving Home @ Frugal Dad

Bugle Call apps iTunes and Google Play

One popular free app developed by service members and usable by many digital device users is the Bugle Call app. The Android app has 16 common bugle calls and the iTunes version contains 18 common bugle calls. This app is free and used with the military members and families, ROTC students, JROTC students, Girl and Boy Scouts, and others who use bugle calls for unique and diverse reasons. This app is available through iTunes and Google Play.

The iTunes version has 18 Bugle calls.

The Android version has 16 Bugle Calls

Bugle calls are also available on the web from a variety of sites and sources.
US Army Bugle Calls
US Scouting Bugling Merit Badge
Wikipedia Bugle Calls

How do you use Bugle calls? Ceremonies? Formal and informal learning environments? Family get togethers? Tinkering? Comments, recommendations +1s, and reaction check boxes are always appreciated.