Dropbox- an Alternative to a Thumb Drive

Dropbox allows you to share and manage files among multiple computers.

Recently I was introduced to a piece of cloud based software called Dropbox (thank you John L). 

At first I just thought it was another one of those around for a short time file sharing tools.  Of the others I have looked at  this one is the best.

After installing Dropbox, there is a folder placed in your My Documents named “My Dropbox”.  To sum the service up in one sentence: any files placed into this folder will both be uploaded to the Dropbox servers, and will be synchronized with any other clients in your account.

So, in a single computer situation, this Dropbox folder is effectively a backup solution. If you have more than one PC in the account, any files placed into this folder on one computer will automatically be synchronized onto all others running Dropbox  in the same account.

At my church Community Baptist Church, our media team who puts together the video for the worship services needed an easy way to transfer sermon graphics and other media to the people who needed it.  We started using drop box and haven’t looked back.  It is like having a network.   It works like any other folder on your computer and then replicates the folder to others of your choosing via a internet connections.  Dropbox works  on both Windows and MacOS X systems.  This is nice since some members of our media team use Mac’s.

Dropbox installs a small application on your desktop or you can use the convenient web application.  One nice tool that I like about the software is that it keeps your last revisions and deletions for back reference.

So throw away those aggravating thumb drives and starting using one of the best secure file sharing options out there-Dropbox!

What do you like about Dropbox?

FreshBooks

FreshBooks is an easy-to-use online invoicing service that saves you time, gets you paid faster and makes you look as if you are a Fortune 500 professional.

From estimates and expenses to time tracking and invoicing, FreshBooks  makes everything quick and simple, letting you focus on your work, not your paperwork.

Customize the service with your own logo and colors, send invoices by email or ground mail, accept payments with PayPal, Authorize.net and more.

To learn more about FreshBooks or to create your FREE account and get started today see FreshBooks.

Life on Purpose

Why are we here?  What are we here for?

I wrestle with these questions every day.  Many years we spend trying to find ourselves and discovering who we are.

Today I am changing the name of my blog to just simply NibbyPriest.com | Life on Purpose this name describes me better and my blog.

Over the past two years of having a simple blog, I have really enjoyed the process writing and gathering my thoughts and ideas. 

I have been writing  about everything from food, church,  my community involvement (Henderson KY)  and  technology.

Nibby Priest is truly a want-to-be writer, and I am working hard to improve my writing skills and talk about many different topics.

Truly, I have been inspired by many other blog writers who have businesses and lead other large corporations and non-profits.  Their simple short writings (blogs) have enriched my life so much.

My first entry on April 20, 2008 was rather simple, but it set off quite a realization that I do have something to say and yes people do read what I have to say.   It is amazing how we all have the opportunity to become self publishers.

Hopefully, by April 2010 I will have a new look to my blog NibbyPriest.com – Stay tuned (can we say Word Press?)   Last year (2009) there were 44 blog posts.  My goal for 2010 is at least 52.  With your encouragement and readership, I know I can make it.

Thanks for continuing to read.

Keeping the Bad Out: Safeguarding your Home or Office Network

A couple of days ago a Facebook friend posted “it’s is just as important what you have inside your heart as what you keep out of your heart”.  That is so true. 

That is just the case with the internet.  There are so many good things online but keeping the bad stuff out can sometimes be a problem in both the home and office environment.

One tool that I started using (both home and at GoVaughn.com Insurance) in February of 2008 is OpenDNS.com. This cloud based computing services enables you to block certain websites by category or site name from being viewed on any of your network computers.

A while back one of our computers was hit with a bit of malware from Facebook (Koobface). With OpenDNS.com they block those known sites.  Several antivirus vendors recommend OpenDNS.com  to block sites.

I signed up for a free account and haven't looked back.

Here are some important points about OpenDNS.com that you should know:

• You can block sites by category (Social Networking, gambling, porn, hate/discrimination, adware and just plain tasteless sites).
• You can block specific sites that you encounter problems with or just don’t want others visiting (shopping sites).
• OpenDNS.org will block access to sites that are virus ridden.
• You can specify exceptions to the categories.
• You can get reports of sites that were blocked, but you can't get specific info on who tried to access them.
• The ads only appear when there is a DNS error. They will suggest some similar sites to visit instead (often the site the user was trying to access but misspelled the URL). These suggested sites paid for placement there. That's where they get their revenue.  OpenDNS.org does have a paid service now that is sans the advertisement.
• It works best if your network has a static IP but can be set up with some extra software if you don't.
• If you don't know what you are doing, you should consult with your network guru to make sure that you don't mess up your internal network by adjusting DNS settings on your servers and PC's.

This site is easy to use and maintain.  I have told several non-computer people about the service, and they are using with no problems.  

Even if you don’t plan on using the filtering service (I highly recommend that you do) you can use OpenDNS.com to make your internet browsing faster. They claim that sites open faster using OpenDNS.com that your ISP’s DNS.  DNS stands for domain name server.  That is the server that turns a URL (words) into an IP address (numbers).

At my home in downtown Henderson KY my wireless network is open, and I am in directly across the street from Sunset Park in the downtown area.  I keep my wireless network open for the public in the park.  My wireless network is actually called “Sunset Park”.  One reason I feel safe doing this is that I use OpenDNS.org.  You are not going to be able to go anywhere you shouldn’t be therefore, we are fulfilling the mission of keeping the bad stuff out.

For explicit information, please visit www.opendns.com.

How do you feel about keeping the BAD internet out of your life?

Was OpenDNS.com able to help?

Happy 13th Birthday River Priest

Today (January 16, 2010) is my one and only nephew River Thomas Priest, 13th birthday.  

Happy Birthday River and welcome to pre-adulthood (aka teen-ager). Yes, I have a niece -Sister Kally-and more on her later.

I can’t begin to describe what a blessing this special boy (now a teenager) continues to be.  He’s a sweet, compassionate and caring kid.  Although I don't want time to fly by I can’t wait to see what he is going to do during his adulthood.  He is a one of a kind blessing to others.

One of my most favorite stories I love to tell about River come from a trip that Greg and I took him and his sister Kally on Spring break 2009 to St Louis Missouri .  

We were walking in the downtown area towards the St Louis Cardinals Baseball Stadium for a moment, I lost eye contact with River and looked to see what he was doing.  I looked back and River and was giving money to a stranger, a homeless beggar.  He did it totally on his own.  Not asking permission, not telling what he was doing- he just did it!

What an altruistic act  for a then 12 year old.  He is just like that.  He gave without thinking.  He didn’t try to reason in his mind before the giving act- what was the beggar was going to do with these coins- he just gave because he felt the man’s need.  River has a spirit we all need to have!  

Many times in my life I have often used the excuse before giving to someone “They are just going to buy more alcohol or drugs with that money” and I did not give.   I have learned (thanks Pastor Tim) we have to give unconditionally.  Thanks River for showing us all that too!

Today’s Grace for the Moment sends me to Galatians 6:4 “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that.”  River is on to doing just that.  God never prefabs or mass-produces people.  He makes all things new.   God didn’t hand you (River) your family’s bag or your parent’s life; he personally and deliberately packed YOU!  So make a deliberate exploration of who you are and the work you have been given and sink yourself into doing just that! 

Lori and Neal (my one and only brother) have done a great job raising a special young man River Thomas Priest!

I love you River!

Uncle Nibby

When is the last time you backed up your Computer Hard Drive?

Yes, I sell insurance--  but if you are looking for a quick and easy way to backup your computers hard drive I highly recommend Mozy!  

Simply the easiest way to keep your hard drive backed up all the time.  You never have to worry about

 

Mozy Unlimited Backup - $4.95/Month

What was your experience with Mozy Online Backup?

Mezzaluna Poppy Seed Dressing

The recipe for a deliciously sweet dressing for baby spinach, mixed salad greens or fresh fruit.

Personally, I think it is best with spinach, mandarin oranges, sliced toasted almonds and a thinly sliced red onion.

1.5 Cups of White Vinegar
1.5 Cups Sugar
3 tablespoons poppy seed
1 tsp salt
tablespoon dry mustard (a powder)
1 tablespoon graded white onion

Mix all ingredients above together in Blender
Blend in slowly 3 cups of Canola Oil

This recipe makes a lot, but will be consumed quickly.

Mezzaluna was a restaurant on the riverfront in downtown Henderson KY owned by Diane Utley.  Mezzaluna opened it November of 1994 and closed the last of September 1999.

All my life I appreciated great food from a mother who cooked three meals a day.  But it wasn’t until Diane Utley opened Mezzaluna in 1994 that I became a total foodie.

Diane taught me that good food does not have to be fussy or complicated to be good.  Oh how Henderson Kentucky was blessed to have Mezzaluna for those few short years. 

Diane and Mezzaluna introduced me to many foods that have become staples in my cuisine.  Some of them are:

*Chicken Marbella
*Beef Medallions
*Chicken Marsala
*Crab Cakes
*Merlot Wine (GiGi Diane’s mother really taught me that)
*Pesto and all the wonderful things you can do with pesto
*Mixed Greens (probably in 1994 it was the first time I saw them)
*Black Bean Salad

Since Mezzaluna closed there has been no other restaurant in Henderson Kentucky that served up the kind and quality of food that Mezzaluna did.

What was your favorite thing to eat at Mezzaluna’s ?