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How to “mute” an endless email thread in gmail

Posted by Unknown Kamis, 25 April 2013 0 komentar

Ever found yourself CC’d in an email thread that just keeps going, and going … and going? Make it stop!
If you’re a Gmail user, there’s an easy way to silence—or “mute,” as the feature is called in Gmail—any email conversation that you’d rather not be a part of.
Once you’ve muted a conversation, new messages in the thread will skip your inbox and head straight to your All Mail archive.

Muted label in Gmail Gmail tip: How to mute an endless email thread

“Muted” Gmail conversations will skip your inbox and go directly to your All Mail archive.

Of course, there’s a downside to muting a conversation: namely, that you’ll miss a direct question from someone—like, say, your boss—in the message thread.
That’s why it’s probably best to only mute conversations along the lines of “What a cute baby!” or “Congrats on the new gig!,” and not those of the “Mission-critical project” variety.
That said, keep in mind that Gmail will automatically send a muted thread back into your inbox if you’re the only person in the “To:” line of the conversation.
So, ready for some peace and quiet?

Gmail mute conversation option Gmail tip: How to mute an endless email thread

Just select “Mute” from the “More” menu to keep a Gmail thread from bothering you again.

Let’s get started…

To mute a conversation, select it in your Gmail inbox, click the More button near the top of the page, then select Mute. If you have Gmail keyboard shortcuts enabled, you can also check the box next to a conversation and tap the “m” key.
Want to “unmute” a conversation? Search for it in the Gmail search box, select the muted message, then click the “Move to Inbox” button. The message should be automatically unmuted once it returns to your inbox, but you can double-check by opening the thread and making sure there’s no “Muted” label near the top of the latest message.
Last but not least, you can see all your muted Gmail conversations by typing “is:muted” into the Gmail search box and clicking the Search button.

Additional Tips

You can also mute a Gmail conversation directly from your Android phone. Just open the Gmail app, select the message thread you want to silence, tap the three-dot Menu button in the bottom-right corner of the screen, then select Mute.
How to “mute” an endless email thread in gmail

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Leading With No Regrets

Posted by Unknown Rabu, 24 April 2013 0 komentar

Yesterday I had a conversation with one of my teachers who has future aspirations to become an administrator. The two of us had set some time aside for her to discuss my many roles as a principal. During the conversation she asked me if I regretted any of the decisions I had made. I paused, thought about this for a minute, and responded that I did not. This is not to say that I was happy with some of the decisions I have made during my nine years as an administrator. It is how we react once a decision is made that truly defines one’s ability to lead.

Image credit: http://www.magforliving.com/how-to-live-life-with-no-regrets/

I think anyone in leadership second-guesses many of the decisions that are made. However, I am of the opinion that if we were to regret decisions we have made in the past then that will hinder our ability to make the extremely tough ones in the future. Leadership is about making decisions that are in the best interests of all stakeholders, living with the outcomes, and learning from the resulting experiences. By following these simple, straightforward tenets, leaders develop the capacity to be confident when decisions are made, even if the outcome is not what they anticipated. Regret will ultimately leave a sense of doubt or hesitation when decisions need to be made. We must learn from decisions that fail, or do not live up to expectations, and use this acquired knowledge the next time.

This conversation really got me thinking. Over time I have a learned a great deal from the outcomes of decisions I have made and how I went about the process of making them. Here are a few key points that I have identified that not only allow me to make sound decisions, but to also be at peace with the end result:

Communicate clearly why a decision is being made. Making decisions that have no rhyme or reason or come out of nowhere are a recipe for disaster. With the many ways leaders have to communicate and clearly articulate their reasons for making a decision there is no excuse not to follow through. Decisions made without proper communication build resentment, animosity, and a desire to undermine the desired changes.
Elicit input from an array of stakeholders. Sometimes decisions have to be made at the drop of a dime, but most do not. For the big decisions that will dramatically alter school culture (i.e. grading, hiring, new policies, evaluation etc.) it is imperative that all stakeholders be represented at the table and be allowed to offer input and/or suggestions. Shared-decision making and consensus are two of the most important elements of effective leadership. A committee ends up being a leader’s best friend when it comes to making these types of decisions. This should go without saying, but students should be a part of this process every time, if appropriate.
Take time to research and reflect. I have found that connecting research and pertinent examples that support why a decision will or has been made greatly assists with embracement by stakeholders. It is also important to reflect upon the potential outcomes of the decision in order to best respond to concerns and complaints.
Cooler heads prevail. Never make a decision solely based on emotions, as these tend to be the worst possible decisions a leader can ever make.
Develop a circle of trust. We all need honest feedback on decisions we are about to make. The problem is that we might not receive this prior to each time a big decision is made. Determine whom you trust the most and who will not hesitate to push back on your ideas before making a decision. Over time this group will evolve into one of your best assets when it comes to making the best decisions.
The buck stops with you. Ultimately it is up to you as a leader to make the final decision even if you follow all of the suggestions above. You must be confident with every decision you make. After all, you are in this position because others cannot handle or do not want this responsibility.

My thoughts are not meant to be a checklist for other leaders to follow, but points of emphasis when the time comes to make a decision, big or small. Life and professional experiences teach us a great deal and in the leadership world this can be priceless. Never regret any decision you make. Use each as a learning experience to become better at what you do.

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How to take a screenshot in Android

Posted by Unknown Kamis, 18 April 2013 0 komentar

How to take a screenshot on your Android phone Android tip: How to take a screenshot

Ever wish you could snap a quick photo of whatever’s on the screen of your Android phone—say, a “screenshot” of an interesting app, or of an eyebrow-raising message thread?
Well, taking a picture (or a “screen capture,” as it’s called in tech circles) of your Android phone’s display is a fairly easy process, so long as you’re using a relatively recent Android device.

Android screenshot in notification pane 295x300 Android tip: How to take a screenshot

You can jump to a recently taken screenshot by opening your phone’s notification pane; just swipe down from the top of the screen.

Specifically, your phone must be running on version 4.0 of the Android operating system to use the “native” Android screenshot feature.
To find out which version of Android is loaded on your phone, tap Settings, “About phone,” and then check the number listed under the “Android version” heading.
So, ready to start snapping screenshots?
Here’s how…

See something interesting on your Android phone’s screen you want to save for posterity? Try this: at the same time, press and hold both the Power button and the volume-down button.

Android screenshot sharing options 300x276 Android tip: How to take a screenshot

Tap the Share button to see all the sharing options for your new screenshot.

After about a second, a virtual snapshot of your screen will appear and then slide into the corner of the screen. You should also see a “Saving screenshot…” message in the notification bar along the top of your phone’s display.
Swipe down from the top of the screen to open your Android phone’s notification pane, then tap the “Screenshot captured” entry to jump to your new screenshot. You can also access the image from the “Screenshots” folder in the Gallery app.
Want to share your screenshot? Tap it, tap the Share icon at the top of the screen (it’s the one with two lines connected by three dots), then tap a sharing option—anything from Google Drive and Gmail to Messages and Google+.
To edit or delete your screenshot, tap the three-dot menu button and then pick an option from the drop-down menu.

Bonus tip

Specific makes and models of Android phones may have their own custom screenshot features.
For example, certain HTC and Samsung phones will let you take a screenshot by pressing and holding the Power and Home keys.
The Samsung Galaxy Note, meanwhile, lets you take a screenshot using the “S Pen” stylus—just press and hold the S Pen button, then press and hold the display with the tip of the pen.
How to take a screenshot in Android

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10 time-saving Google searches you need to try

Posted by Unknown Rabu, 17 April 2013 0 komentar

Need to track a package, get the status of a flight, do a little math, or find out if the ground really was just shaking beneath your feet?
Believe it or not, you can do all that and more straight from the Google search box—and in most cases, you’ll get the details you need the instant you tap the Search button.

Read on for 10 clever, time-saving Google searches, from converting currency and units of measurement to looking up definitions and—no kidding—tracking the latest earthquakes.

1. Track a package

Expecting a package? If it’s being shipped by FedEx, UPS, or the U.S. Postal Service, you can just plug the tracking number into the Google Search box.
When you click the Search button, you’ll get a link that’ll take directly to tracking results on the shipper’s web site.

Google search currency 300x205 10 time saving Google searches you need to try

Need to know the current value of the Japanese yen? Just ask Google.

2. Convert currency

So, how many Japanese yen to a U.S. dollar today? Easy.
Just type “1 USD in yen” (or something similar) into the Google Search box to get an instant conversion, including a history of the currency’s relative strength and a form for performing new conversions on the fly.

3. Get local movie showtimes

Want to go to the movies? Find out what’s playing—and when—by typing “movies” and a ZIP code into the Google search box.
Have a specific movie in mind? Type its name into the Google box and (again) add a ZIP code.
Hint: If you skip the ZIP code when looking up local movie times, Google will make a rough guestimate of your location.

4. Look up a definition

Ah, “vagary.” Cool word. What does it mean, again?
Type “define vagary” into the Google search box and you’ll get the full definition, a phonetic spelling, and synonyms. You can even hear the word spoken by clicking the speaker icon.

Google flight search 300x201 10 time saving Google searches you need to try

You can get the status of just about any flight with a simple Google query.

5. Track a flight

Need to know whether your flight’s delayed—or when another flight is slated to land?
Type the airline and flight number into the search box (“united 458″) and you’ll get a status report, a terminal and a gate number.

6. Convert units of measurement

How many kilometers in a mile … didn’t we learn that in high school?
If you’re still not sure, just type “1 mile to km” or “how many kilometers in a mile?” into the search box, and the answer will appear in a measurement converter.

7. Get the weather

Find out how beautiful the weather is in, say, Hawaii by typing “weather maui” or “weather honolulu” into the Google search box.
You’ll get the current temperature, a 7-day forecast, and even hourly details on rain and wind.

Google web calculator 300x269 10 time saving Google searches you need to try

Six times seven? Forty-two—or so Google tells me.

8. Do the math

You don’t need a calculator on your desk if you’ve got Google in a browser tab.
Type in “6*7″ (or “what’s six times seven?”), “132/3,” or “square root 100″ and you’ll get an answer the moment you click the Search button, along with a web calculator for solving more equations.

9. Check the time

Can’t remember whether Chicago is in the Eastern or Central time zone?
Type “time chicago” in the Google Search box to get the current time in the Windy City, along with details on which time zone it’s in (Central, in case you’re wondering).

10. Confirm a quake

Whoa! Did you feel that? If you think you just felt an earthquake—or if you know you felt one—type “earthquake” into the Google search box.
The first listing will be for the US Geological Survey, and just beneath you’ll see a list of most recent temblors on the planet, complete with magnitudes and map links to the various epicenters.
10 time-saving Google searches you need to try

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The Best Keynote Ever

Posted by Unknown 0 komentar

I have been extremely blessed to be invited to speak and work with administrators all over the country. There is nothing more exhilarating than sharing the work of my students and teachers as it has radically changed how I lead. Especially during keynote presentations, I talk about the need for school leaders to take calculated risks to initiate meaningful change. However, I rarely demonstrate this in action.

Well, that all changed recently at the Leadership 3.0 Conference in Irvine, CA. As I was going through my slide deck one final time, a crazy thought crept into my head. As I looked at my slide on how the learner has changed, I felt that someone else could make a stronger point than I. During this part of my presentation I typically relay stories of how learners are extremely creative with technology outside of school. They construct their own knowledge, solve problems, and employ critical thinking skills through many of the games they play. Thus, the perfect person to make my point was my own son, Nicholas. He is currently a second grade student at PS 3 in Staten Island, NY.

Image credit: Elizabeth Calhoon http://instagram.com/p/YBGCTxhFb1/

I immediately texted my mother-in-law as I knew there was not much time to act. Nicholas was about to get picked up at the bus stop and I needed to know at that very minute if he would agree to Facetime with hundreds of strangers and answer a few simple questions. Once I received the go ahead from him, I tested out Facetime using his sister’s iPad mini as his iTouch was not working. During this test I told him that I was going to ask him a few questions about Minecraft and that it would be a piece of cake.

Now I am never nervous when I speak, but this time I was a wreck. In my mind Nick’s performance was going to be the highlight of my keynote. About ten minutes into my presentation it was time to call him. The first attempt failed and I had to actually call my wife on my cell phone to work out the small issue. The second attempt worked and I could not be prouder of my son. He told the audience that his favorite game was Minecraft and went on to explain all of the amazing things he has created on his own. He spoke about creating his own McDonald’s that serves food, a racetrack for his pigs, new buildings, and a pool with a slide.

His little words and cheerful demeanor conveyed a powerful message. Learning should be fun, creative, collaborative, and self-directed. Creativity is an essential skill that drives learning, especially that of our younger students. Schools must recognize this fact and work with students at all levels to implement outside experiences that authentically engage students in learning and construction of new knowledge. Everyone in the audience saw firsthand the profound impact games such as Minecraft are having on my son's learning. Thank you Nicholas Sheninger for being the best keynote speaker ever!

P.S. I plan on videoconferencing my son into future talks as long as his schedule permits it.

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How to jump back many web pages at a time

Posted by Unknown Selasa, 16 April 2013 0 komentar

To get back to where you were five pages ago in a desktop browser, you can just glance at your web history or—better yet—click and hold the Back button.

iPhone tap and hold Back button in Safari 258x300 iPhone/iPad tip: How to jump back many web pages at a time

Just tap and hold the Back button, then tap the page you want to jump back to.

But what if you want to jump back several pages in a single bound with Safari for iPhone or iPad?
Believe it or not, you can do pretty much the same thing you’d do on a desktop browser: just tap and hold the Back button.
When you do, a pop-up will show more than two dozen of your previously viewed web pages for a given Safari tab.
Tap any page to jump back to it.
And yes—you can also tap and hold the Forward button, if you wish.

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How to add widgets to the lock screen

Posted by Unknown Jumat, 12 April 2013 0 komentar

Wish you could browse the latest scores, glance at your inbox, check the weather, or even identify a song directly from your Android phone’s lock screen, no passcode required?
Well, you can, actually, thanks to the new lock-screen “widgets” in the latest version of Android.
Adding a widget to the lock screen on your Android phone is a snap, and dozens of lock screen-friendly widgets are available depending on the apps you have installed.

Google Now lock screen widget for Android 300x184 Android tip: How to add widgets to the lock screen

You can add lock-screen widgets for weather, sports, news, your latest email, calendar events, and more.

Of course, you may want to think twice before making, say, your email inbox or your calendar visible from your Android phone’s lock screen. Personally, I’d rather keep my inbox and other personal info safely secured with a password, but the choice is yours.
Also, keep in mind that your phone must be running on version 4.2 or better of Android to add widgets to the lock screen.
Let’s get started!

First, put your phone to sleep, then click the power button to light up the lock screen.
Next, swipe from the left edge of the display to the right edge—and as you do, a secondary lock screen with a big “+” sign in the middle will slide into view.
Tap the “+” sign to see a list of available lock-screen widgets. If your phone is protected by a passcode, you’ll need to enter it first before you can browse your available widgets.
See a widget you like? Tap to add it to the lock screen. You can add up to five lock-screen widgets, with one widget per swipable screen.
Want to get rid of a lock-screen widget? Tap and hold it, then drag it up to the “Remove” icon.

Bonus tip

You can boost your selection of lock-screen widgets by downloading more apps from the Google Play Store. ESPN’s ScoreCenter app, for example, comes with its own lock-screen widget, as does Google’s Sound Search app.
source: http://heresthethingblog.com

How to add widgets to the lock screen

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