Give your Mobile device a boost of caffeine!

When I saw this device, I had to make a post! This coffee cup power inverter has 2 - 200 watt AC outlets capable of charging 2 devices at once. It also has a USB adapter capable of 500mA. Unfortunately the company is out of stock and I can see why, I have got to get one of these! Here are some additional specs and photos.

- Provides 120 Volt AC power from any cigarette lighter socket
- 200W continuous/400W peak
- Fits into standard cup holders
- 18" cord
- Overload protection and low battery shut-off
- Power 3 devices at once
- One year warranty
- Dimensions: 6" tall x 3.5" dia

Got a new mobile device...

... Mashable has posted several articles on how to get the most out of that new device you got for the holidays. The few I am linking to this blog post are for Android (I know, I can't believe I am putting that on here) and iPad. These articles will at least get you going and give you some links to other references. Have Fun!

HOW TO: Get the Most Out of Your New Android Device

HOW TO: Get Started With Your New iPad

Tips for Linkedin

The few weeks after the holiday is the best time to freshen up on tips and tricks to calm that tech addiction. There are so many sights and social media bloggers and people utilizing twitter to mention all of them. Macworld, for you Apple users, is a great website to find these tips and tricks. Yesterday, Macworld posted a blog article titled "Linkedin: Three ways to polish your profile for the New Year." Although some of these are common knowledge, this is a good brush up article.

"Linkedin: Three ways to polish your profile for the New Year."

At the GIS show in Orlando this year, I will be teaching a seminar "Take Control of Your Career." I will highlight the use of Social Media to enhance your marketability in the industry. Linkedin will be discussed.

Did you get an iPhone or iPad for the Holidays?

If you were lucky enough to receive one of Apple's fantastic iOS devices for the Holiday's, MacWorld has posted a few blog posts to help you find some great applications. "Appstravaganza" discusses apps for work, play and ways to be creative with your new iPhone, iPad or iTouch.

Appstravaganza

AirPlay for everyone

So yesterday I ventured over to my in-laws with the family. I decided to bring over a few gadgets I have been asked to demo and blog about, one is the Airport Express from Apple. Great device! I had one previously, long before iPhone and Airplay.

My father in law is much Iike myself, Mr. gadgets. We decided to try the Airport Express on his theater system. His system can stream to several areas of the house.


The photo is my 4 year old with my iPad playing Xmas DJ with Airplay. He had a blast! Not only were we streaming music from my iPad, but used Apple Remote to stream music from my father in laws iTunes library on his iMac. We also were able to listen to narrated books over airplay. The kids loved Twas The Night Before Christmas. My son also watched Charlie Brown Xmas on the iPad, theater surround sound and all, thanks to Airplay. I can't wait to get an Apple TV!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

"Green" Charger?

My daily addiction to Twitter brought me to a post by Cult of Mac about a "Green" Charger - Green Wall Charger from VogDuo. I have listened to mixed opinions about charging methods of Apple iOS devices "...you can leave it plugged in! Don't leave it plugged in, it will damage the batter!" Over almost 4 years of using my iPhone and now iPad I have found that leaving the device plugged overnight despite only needing 4 hours of charging time, has done NO damage to my batteries. As I understand, due to the make up of the batteries, leaving them plugged in for a long period of time does no damage. If you are of the opinion that leaving an iOS device plugged in will damage the battery then the Green Wall Charger will be right up your alley.

All thought not released yet, this charger includes 4 USB ports as well as a Y connector to charge iPads, since they require different wattage for charging. More importantly this charger contains a timer. You can set the timer for 2,4,6, or 8 hours. Once the timer is up the charger draws zero electric. Fixing any issues of "over charging" and "Phantam" demand. This charger is scheduled to be released at the CES conference next month. I will follow-up with a price once released.

Make iOS AirPrint even Better

Frustrated with the limitations of AirPrint? Try Printopia for Mac.
Printopia for Mac allows AirPrint to print to any printer connected to your mac. Print to Dropbox. Also print directly to your Mac as a PDF or Jpeg file. It works very well. Printopia cost $9.99. Well worth it! Try it for Free for 7 days.

www.ecamm.com/mac/printopia

Would you do this to your iPad?

This may be just what we need on the golf course. iPads are just too expense to have damaged!

IPad dock right up our Alley

I was reading through all my twitter followers this morning and saw "Make your iPad dock from a tree branch." I was intrigued. In my area of the country this is the time of year we work on projects, tree work is one of them. I may just try this! If anything, it would make a nice conversation piece for my desk.

Great new Camera Connection Kit for iPad

One of my biggest issues, because I haven't found one I liked yet, was being able to quickly upload photos from my Nikon camera to my iPad. I do a lot from my iPad and don't like having to upload my photos to iPhoto on my MBP and then sync with itunes, just takes too long. Well M.I.C Gadget store has released a FANTASTIC camera connection kit. It is a 3-1 connection kit allowing several ways to upload your camera photos to your iPad without all the syncing to itunes. Users have the ability to now do one of three things:

- connect camera directly through USB

- Utilize the SD card slot

- Now connect a Micro SD card.

This a great tool available for $29.99 at the M.I.C. Gadget Store

Read the full review from TUAW Here

GCSAA Launches Social Networking Tool for GIS

GCSAA just released a Social Networking tool for all us SNer's to find out who will be at 2011 GIS in Orlando. Follow the link below, it will take you to a site to activate your various SN tools. I just linked my Linkedin account and see four others are attending. Great Job GCSAA!!!

GCSAA Social Network Tool

iPad named biggest tech winner!!

Time to jump on the wagon! The iPad is not a fad, it is..."thinking, printing, ideas, creating, musical, magical" and is now also the biggest tech winner of the year!! What I found very interesting is all the other mentions have iOS to thank for their success.

Business Insider names iPad "Biggest Tech Winner" of 2010

Google Voice updated for use on iPad

I was hesitant to start a google voice account, but bit the bullet a few weeks ago. I must admit, it is nice having the ability to have a "second line" on my phone without jailbreaking or spending a fortune on monthly fees. Now I can have google voice on my iPad.

This would have been handy a few weeks ago, while traveling. I was staying in a very old stone and mortar hotel that unless you had your hand pressed against the window with your phone, you got zero reception. With google voice, all you need is an internet connection or your standard 3G service, but in my case I didn't have the latter. I could have saved straddling the furnace and used my ipad to phone home.

Check out Google voice for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch

Google Docs Desktop now works on iPad

Thanks to 9 to 5 Mac for breaking this story. If you are are Superintendent utilizing Google Docs for online file storage and editing capabilities you can now edit from your iPad utilizing the Desktop version of Google Docs.

See full story here:

Google Docs Desktop for iPad

Im not a PC

Macworld had an article on this band this morning. Being the holidays, I figured appropriate for the blog. Although nothing to do with Turf, still is cool what we can do with today's technology.

Happy Holidays!!

QVC offering great iPad deals

QVC is offering a great iPad package, featuring the 16gig WiFi iPad. See below:


QVC iPad Deal

Discounted Refurb iPads! Limited Time Only!!

Apple has announced for a limited refurbished iPads through the online Apple Store.

Refurbished iPads

TUAW Live for Superintendents

TUAW Live today at 5pm EST will be discussing several topics pertaining to Superintendent's use of iPads/iPhones and our Macs. Topics today include iPad Docs, Printers utilizing the new AirPrint and Office 2011. Get some great information!

TUAW Live 5pm EST

Logmein Ignition **On Sale**

I have touted this app very highly over the last two years, but the excellence and convenience comes at a price. Tipb.com just announced that the app is now on sale for 48 hours only!!!

Jump on it!!

The New MacBook Air- Is it right for You?

The new Macbook Air has been out for a little while now. I have been using mine for about one month. So, here is my thoughts on this thin little beauty.

I have always been a consumer of laptops. In the literal sense of the word. Over the last number of years I have been one of these people that gets a new laptop every 2-3 yrs. I would use a Macbook then sell it for the new latest and greatest. Luckily they hold their value pretty good.

Over the years I have used the white MacBook, a MacBook Pro 13" and 15". My previous thinking each time I upgraded was I wanted faster processor, graphics and more memory. I would inevitably upgrade their ram and hard drive almost without fail.

Before getting the MacBook Air 13", I had a MacBook Pro 13". The specs on the Pro were 2.26 GHz, 4 GB Ram and a 500gb HD. A very nice machine in it's own right.

However, after using my iPad since they debuted, I started to wonder. Do I really need the power, memory and sized hard drive of the aforementioned MacBook Pro? The answer was NO! After all, I was only using 40gb of that 500gb hard drive. Additionally, I was only using the Pro at work for certain tasks, mostly word processing(MS Office) and browsing.

So, I had decided to sell my old Pro model. About this same time the New MacBook Air debuts. Hmmm, I thought maybe this Air would fit the bill. I researched, read reviews, and went to the Apple Store repeatedly to contemplate this new line.












Ok, Ok get to what you bought already! I ended up purchasing the base 13" MacBook Air 1.86GHz, 2gb Ram, 128gb hd it retails for $1299. It comes with two USB ports, SD card slot, and a mini display port. No ethernet, but you can get a USB to ethernet dongle. I did not choose to upgrade to the 4gb model. Rare for me! After using the 2gb version in store for a while, it seems this model would be fine.

After using my Air for about a month now, I LOVE IT! It really fits the needs that I have for a laptop computer. Which as stated above, my needs were basic office tasks(word, excel, outlook), browsing, and online tasks for work. As most of my golf course tasks are now web based. Such as payroll, HR, billing, and documents.

I find it to perform as Apple has promised in terms of speed. Start up and loading apps is plenty quick due to the Flash based hard drive. It plays video very nice. Whether it is from Hulu, Netflix, Vimeo, or the hard drive.

I do not do much video or audio editing, so I cannot comment on how this Air would handle this tasks. However, I have read a number of articles by people claiming they have tried to us the Air for video and audio with success. Via apps like Adobe CS, iMovie, etc.

At first I was concerned the 128gb was going to be filled in no time flat. As I write this I am using about 30gb of storage on the MBA. I don't store many photos, movies, or videos on this machine. Those items are stored on iOS devices or my iMac. The use of cloud based storage like DropBox, iDisk(MobileMe user), Evernote, Box.net also helps to eliminate the need for large hard drives on laptops. It frees up your hard drive for the stuff you really want.

Also, the lack of an optical drive turns some people away. However, I did not realize until researching the Air that you can share a drive via your home network from a separate PC or Mac. Problem solved as far as I am concerned. I have loaded at least 6 different types of software using this method and it worked great.

If you are someone who really needs to runs windows apps then you could de that as well. I have watched videos of Windows7 and XP running on a Air via bootcamp or Parallels. Although, you may want the fully loaded Air version to give you the best performance for these applications.

Here is a list of most of the apps installed on my MBA:
iWork 09
MS Office 2011 Mac
iLife 11
Evernote
Bento 3
1 Password
iTunes 10
BusyCal
FaceTime
iShowU HD

If you are looking for a lightweight, quick, durable, long battery life laptop, take a look at the line of 2010 MacBook Air.
www.apple.com/Mac







- Posted from my iPad

The iTurf Apps Journal

Each day The iTurf Apps Journal will be "printed" This will give our followers an in depth look at all the news and rumors coming out of anything iphone, ipad, ipod and Apple.

The iTurf Apps Journal

Apple Updates iPad, iPhone and iTouch to iOS 4.2

What to see what the updates are all about, airprint, ipad multitasking, custom SMS notifications, here is iOS 4.2 in 10 mins courtesy of TIPB.com.

SunSeeker App review

iTurfapps first video review of an app and this one is a good one!! SunSeeker a must have for all turf managers. Outside the video review, there are some minor other features to this app, but the video hit the important ones. This app is fantastic and at $2.99, it is hard to say no!

I am looking for recommendations as to how to make our video reviews better. We are hear for you and want to make sure we are providing good information in our reviews.

Thank you and look forward to your comments.

iPhone Twitter Client adds Push Notification

No doubt I check in with Twitter more than email nowadays. I saw a post on Twitter from one of my followers earlier this week, "will Twitter replace email?" At a recent meeting of industry professionals I brought up an example of the use of Twitter, an industry friend had an issue with his pump station last year. He posted issues on Twitter and by the end of the day he had his station repaired, all through the help of his followers. Twitter is no doubt a powerful networking tool and has gotten more powerful.

Recently Twitter has been updated to include Push Notification. No need to continually log in to see who is responding to your DM's or making mention of you. The new Twitter client will send a push notification to your iPhone when either of these takes place. I have been utilizing Boxcar for a couple years and I am glad to see Twitter is moving in this direction. I am able to be notified when I receive a DM or a mention without having to log in and continually follow Twitter. I can remain productive and not bog down in the addictive finger swipe of looking through tweets.

Google Docs now editing on iPhone

More so than ever we as Superintendents and Turf Managers need to be more mobile. I find myself needing to access many of my important documents on the go. I know many people utilize Google Docs as a way to do this. In my opinion there are easier ways to do this, but to each their own. Google has finally announced the near release of the ability to edit your Google Docs on a mobile device, specifically the iPhone. Check out the press release below along with a short video.

Editing your Google Docs on the go
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Labels: documents, Google Apps Blog, spreadsheets
Cross posted on the Official Google Blog, Google Enterprise Blog and the Google Mobile Blog

With Google Docs, we’re always trying to make you more productive—and part of that means making it possible for you to get things done from anywhere, at anytime. That’s why we’re excited that the new documents editor now supports editing on your mobile browser. We’re rolling this out over the next few days.

That means that...
You can work on that important memo...while on the bus or train to work.
If you’re behind on a group proposal, but really want to make it to the ball game tonight, your whole team can work on it from the bleacher seats.
You can take minute-by-minute notes at a concert so you’ll always remember the setlist. And your friends can jealously follow in real-time at home.
...and the list goes on!
Take a look at this video to see mobile editing in action:

Big Announcement from Apple today!!

Apple is making a big announcement today at 10am EST. Many rumors as to what will be released, the biggie is the acquisition of the Beatles catalog. I personally hope it is more than that.

Apple Announcement

GIS Show gets iPhone App

Thats right...the GIS Show has its' own iPhone app! I have downloaded this app this morning and started browsing. This looks like the beginning of something really great for all us Cyber Supers. Here are some things you are able to do and most importantly....NO NEED TO HAVE INTERNET CONNECTION!

This app is loaded with features and by the looks of things, there will be plenty of updates to come to make this even better before the show. When you first open the app you want to setup your profile but hitting the preference button at the top right. Enter all your information in, especially any of your social networking info.

The feature I like best, is the show floor map tab. No more carrying the big broshure map with you. When you click on the tab, a map of the show floor is on your phone. You can zoom like normal on the phone to get a closer view of a specific booth. Click on the booth and you have all the vendor information you need. You can even add an appointment to remember to visit that booth.

Don't want to search by booth, click on the exhibitor tab at the bottom and you can search by specific exhibitor or by category. Again, once you have clicked on an exhibitor, you have all their information. You have the ability to set an appointment for yourself to visit(this does not go to the company), you can also create a note for yourself. The note feature is really fantastic! From the dashboard screen, if you click on the preference tab at the top, you have the ability to email yourself any and all notes you create in this app.




Once you have found a booth or exhibitor, you can make them a favorite by selecting the star at the top of the screen. This will highlight that booth on your map.


Another great feature is in the more tabs. Not sure what classes you want to take or you want to hear a specific speaker, you have the ability to search by speaker or events. When you find an event you want to attend, you select the star at the top of the screen and this automatcially adds this event to your calendar. May be you have attended a specific event in the past and thought it was something other people should attend, you can rate an event as well.








The calendar tab keeps track of your entire week. You have the ability to add your own appointments for the week by simply pressing the + sign at the top of the screen.


Once you begin filling your week up, move to the dashboard tab, this will list all your appointments on one screen in chronological order.


As an avid iPhone user and seeing some other features in this app that haven't yet been utilized to my knowledge, there are probably many updates to come. One inparticular is push notifications. As you will see when you first open the app, it prompts you to allow for push notifications. This is probably a feature down the road that will be utilized. Download this app now in the app store "GIS 2011".

"Back to Mac" Event

Apple is holding "Back to Mac" Event today. 12pm central

Rumor is new MacBook Air, iLife11, and more.

Personally I am hoping for a new group of feature updates to iLife. Specifically iWeb. I have a couple iWeb sites in the works, but need to make them better.

I know what I am doing at lunch time.


- Posted from iPhone

HP ePrint Printers

I picked up one of the new HP ePrint machines yesterday. They allow you to wirelessly print from anywhere in the world that you have an Internet connection.

http://h30495.www3.hp.com/

Maybe you have forms or documents you frequently print? Just transfer(wireless by the way) them and store to HP's iPrint app(free in the App store) on you iPhone or iPad and print away.

The printer has it's own unique email address, so you can email PDF, text documents and photos to the printer.

You can also scan items wirelessly to the iPrint app as well.

This printer might just get me to the point of only bringing my iPad to work. I don't think I have logged into my work pc in about 4-5 days. My iPhone and iPad do just fine.

- Posted from my iPad

Golf Course Superintendent using Evernote Video

I tried to post this video in the previous post. For some reason it would not work. So, here is a short screen cast of the Evernote Desktop version on a MAc.

Golf Course Superintendent using Evernote

What is Evernote and how do I use it, you ask?
www.evernote.com

Evernote allows you to as their website describes it "Remember Everything- Capture Anything, Access Everywhere, and Find Things Fast".

Evernote is available for many different devices iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Android, Windows mobile, and others. I use it on my iMac, Macbook, iPad and iPhone4. I know I'm an Apple geek.

You start by creating an Evernote account online. First download the Evernote desktop version, Mac or PC. Then just establish a simple login and password. Now download the the Web Clipper tool. This little tool integrates into your favorite web browser.

The Clipper tool allows you to clip text, images, or an entire website. Using the clipper tool is very easy. Just drag and highlight the area you wish to clip. Once highlighted you can resize the clip and hit return. The clip then populates a new note. This tool is one of the main reasons I love Evernote while browsing the web.

Evernote uses sychronization with your online account. They offer a free or paid account. The free version allows 40mb per month of upload. The free version limits the uploads to audio, images, ink, and PDF. While the paid version runs $5/month or $45/year and no sync restrictions, and allows 500mb per month upload.

Features

Capture Everything- the format dose not matter:

You can save documents, emails, images, and webpages. In addition, you can take pictures of business cards, written notes, white boards, items in a store, and many others. Then just add those pictures to your notebooks. You can also text yourself right to your account.

I use the photo feature almost everyday. I don't have a scanner at work, so I use my iPhone to take a picture of invoices using the DocScanner app and then upload it right to Evernote. All my golf course invoices are stored in a notebook and are tagged by the PO number. I have also used photo notes while shopping for a particular item from store to store.

Notes Automatically Index and Organize

One of Evernote's best features is how simple it organizes your notes. It doesn't matter what format the note is in. The software recognizes hand writing and digital text. So in other words the software will organize and/or index the note based on any words contained within. That makes it super simple to search all your notes.

Trunk

Trunk is Evernote's version of an app store so to speak. The Trunk holds links and descriptions of apps that are compatible with Evernote. Some apps are mobile versions and some are desktop. There is also info on services and hardware that upload to Evernote. Such as document scanning services.

Screen Shots iPad
- Notebooks Views




-All Note View









- Compose Note View










iPhone Screen Shots
- Home Screen
* Notice the Voice note. This is great as you are driving around the golf course to record thoughts.









- All Notes View










I encourage everyone to give Evernote a try. I think you will find it very useful.

- Posted from my iPad

GC Superintendent Review of iPad

Well, it's on its' way. Finally got an iPad. I have been very excited to begin using the iPad as a Golf Course Superintendent. There are many apps I use daily on my iphone, but would be so much more beneficial on the iPad. Look for reviews to come for apps such as Parallels Mobile, iGIS for iPad and others.

iOS 4.1 Walkthrough!!! Mark your calendars Sept 8

All you cyber Supers using iPhone, Sept 8th brings iOS 4.1. Biggest new feature for Superintendents is HDR camera. HDR camera will certainly assist in course photography for your blogs. Will create a much clearer more detailed photo to help communicate your issues.

Golf Course Industry Magazine App

Hey, all you Superintendents, do you ready GCI Magazine? There's an app for that. Listening to Pat Jones in a recent video post, he mentions the ability to read GCI magazine on your iPad or iPhone. I saw this came out in July! I have downloaded the app and will be reviewing shortly!!

Here is the link

GCI Magazine App

New Apple Keynote Today

Apple once again dazzled all of us with a new line of iPods, Apple TV and various software updates. Be sure to download the new iTunes 10 with social networking capabilities. Check out the Keynote!

Apple Keynote

MUST HAVE app for Superintendents : iGIS

A couple days ago I tweeted about a MUST HAVE app for Golf Course Superintendents. Over the last week I have been working with Dave Ragan of Ragan Technical Solutions Inc. The power of networking, especially social networking is truly displayed in this instance. David contacted me about 2 weeks ago through LinkedIn. Several years ago, Dave was contracted to do some mapping of the course and infrastructure for Hartefeld many years ago. After several conversations through email and phone, I found myself staring at Toro T-Map on my SitePro system with a fully mapped golf course. I couldn't believe it! If any Superintendents are utilizing SitePro and are not using T-Map, it is a must! There is one small hurdle to T-Map and that is the mapping of your course. I want to move on to the MUST HAVE APP, but mapping is not the headache it once was, I would encourage any one interested to contact Dave Ragan he is a great resource!

On to the app. The app is iGIS and can be found in the iTunes app store. No more google maps, this app allows you to import your (.shp) files directly to your iphone or ipad and view your property maps directly on your iphone. This file type (.shp) is created once your property is mapped. The sky is the limit with this app. You will have in the palm of your hand everything you have available to you on T-Map! Before I get into the benefits here are some screenshots.

This picture is the start up screen once you open the app. You can see the import/export operations. Uploading your .shp files is a breeze!! I uploaded my entire property, which you will see briefly, in about 3 min. The directions are very easy and preloaded in the app. To import files, you point your computer's browser at the IP address given to you. When you move to the import portion of the program you simply follow directions on your computer and the files are loaded over wifi.



This is the import screen....very simple! You must be over wifi.



Once your data is loaded onto your iPhone or iPad, navigating from the home screen to the data portion of the program will give you this layout. As you can see, all the data is loaded with simple titles.



Once you have your data loaded, from the home screen, navigate to the map section of the program and this is what you get....a fully mapped golf course right on your phone! There is a little bit more to setup, but trust me it is easy and takes less than 10 minutes!



In this photo, I don't have my irrigation showing, you have the ability to show or hide certain layers. If you only want to see greens or fairways, just turn off all other layers. I don't have a screen shot of this, but you also have the ability to change the color and transparency of each layer, making everything customizable. On the bottom left of the screen is the typical crosshair button we all see on all location based iphone/ipad apps. Hitting that button will put your actual location on the map!

Now for the benefits. First, the biggie, your data is loaded directly on your phone, so no need for an internet connection to utilize your data. Also, despite the amount of data needed to map a course, this program is extremely fast!

There are several advantages, but for me one of the biggest is being able to determine sqft on the fly. In this program, just like T-Map you select an area and the program provides you with the square footage. Anything that is mapped is in the palm of your hand. Just yesterday I was out on the course, we were looking at finishing our bunker renovation. I was able to give a quick accurate number within a few minutes on the cost of renovation and sand needed. Below is a photo of this.



I have only had the program for 3 days, so I haven't fully utilized all the features, but another very usual component is the ability to map anything you would like on your course. Once you have mapped areas, save the data, export back to your T-Map on your computer and now you have it on your computer. For example, Annual Bluegrass Weevils have been very difficult this year in my area. I have resorted to aggressive spot spraying. While scouting the course for an ABW spot spray I can create comments right in iGIS directly on the maps, you can create points on the maps as well. Once I return to my office, I export the data back to my computer and the points and comments are now on my T-Map. I then can create a work order for my spray tech and he has the ability to see exactly where spot spraying is needed. No more drawing little maps on a napkin while having lunch!!

One other great feature is the irrigation layer I have. Have you ever had a break and just can't find that valve or that rough head that has been grown over. This app can walk you right to where you need to be. Opening the map and selecting the crosshairs at the bottom of the screen puts that little blue pin we are all used to as iphone/ipad users. Now it is as simple as following your blue pin to x marks the spot. It works beautifully!!

There is so much more I know this app will be able to do with further updates and by just using it for more than three days. This find was truly a needle in the hay stack. If you have any further question please don't hesitate to contact me or the developer. Dave Ragan, like I said above is also a fantastic resource.

Hello

Hello,

My name is Bob. I am a golf course superintendent and a tech fanatic. A geek and the family/friends IT support if you ask my wife. I have been asked by Bill to be a contributor to the iTurf Apps blog. I will be sharing my experiences and how I have been able to use tech, Apple products, software and mobile apps as they relate to the turf profession and personal life.

Thank You

GCSAA TV comes to the iPhone

A few weeks ago I received an email from GCSAA TV that I could now view all content of GCSAA TV right on my iPhone. GCSAA TV is a very popular lunch break for me. GCSAA partnered with EPIC Creative, does a fantastic job putting together short bits of information for the Superintendent along with "What's happening" in our industry. I have been utilizing podcasts or catching up on Twitter during lunch, but GCSAA TV for the iphone adds a new dynamic. Just point your Safari iPhone browser to www.gcsaa.tv and you'll be ready to begin viewing these great productions.

I was lucky enough at the 2010 GIS in San Diego to be interviewed by GCSAA TV regarding the use of iPhone apps for the Superintendent. This clip was done incoordination with the new Test Drive Technology Lab for the 2010 GIS show.

Here is the link - 2010 GIS interview, Superintendent iPhone Apps

Getting going again!!

There has been A LOT going on!! I have really fallen off the face of the earth with my iTurf Apps Blog. I have come to the conclusion that things will just not slow down any time soon, so there is no need to procrastinate any further. I am going to start blogging and sharing the iPhone and Computer apps I use daily as a Superintendent. I also will be sharing some apps that I use to kill some time or stress when I have a moment.

Be sure to check back soon!!!

GIS Show

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Preview of GIS 2010

Check out GCSAA TV and preview of GIS 2010.

GCSAA TV

Well today things started getting interesting in San Diego for the GIS Show. This morning I headed over to the convention center to get the rest of my credentials. I was met by Leslie Renzlemen and her staff and was given a tour of the Test Drive Technology Lab. We sat for lunch and discussed some great new technology ideas for GCSAA and Superintendents. For those of you who haven't taken the leap into some of the technology that is available to us, you need to!! Although, I would have to assume if you are reading this, you already have. Lunch was fantastic and the conversation was great.

After lunch we headed off to the GCSAA media area to film my short clip for GCSAA TV.. I was filmed discussing the great iPhone apps I use as a Superintendent. The clip will be posted tomorrow, I look forward to seeing it. I will have some photos and videos from the Test Drive Technology Lab on Thursday and post on here.

Come back for more information into my trip to GIS or follow me on twitter @greensuper. I am posting quite often on twitter as to happenings in San Diego.

Turfgrass Management App

I finally dove into the Turfgrass Management App......WOW!!! A must have for all Superintendents or turfgrass managers. I normally carry a small reference manual around with me, being in the Mid-Atlantic region, I see the full prism of turfgrass issues and pests. The reference book was great until you spill coffee, wetting agent or that day you get stuck the furthest from the shop in a downpour. Now I have it on my hip. Never again will I to drive back to the shop upset because my book wasn't in the cart.

Besides the wealth of information in the library, this app offers other resources in the form of Power Point presentations and article publications. These are perfect for when you have 5 or 10 minutes under a tree, pull out your iPhone and scroll through an article or slideshow . The main screen allows you to view 4 different categories Diseases, Insects, Turfgrasses and Weeds. Each of these main categories are broken down further. See screen shots below. The flow of this app through the various sections is perfect! Not once did I find myself heading in the wrong direction when looking for a disease or weed.

The best part about this app is the subscription. Downloading the application is free, there is a one year subscription fee of $19.99. Now for anyone who thinks that is expensive, not worth it, here is the major benefit over buying a book......it continues to update. The developer has the ability to continue to make changes or update the database. It is a "living" database. You are not stuck upgrading and paying a fee each time the database changes. When you buy a book, you bought it. There is no automatic update, you must wait until the next addition arrives and pay more!

I could go on and on about this app, there is that much information in it. Below are some screen shots, but if you have any questions about the app, feel free to leave a comment. I will do the best I can to get you an answer.

Big Apple Announcement....

....Today at 1pm Eastern time Apple will be announcing what looks to be an itablet, islate or ipad. Rumors are out over what the official name will be. Many websites are pointing to a device that would be a netbook, kindle and ipod all in one. Many sites are pointing to a built in projector, handwriting ability, and face recognition to name a few. Following Apple for sometime now, you could probably take some of these to be true, but we will all have to wait until 1pm.

One other rumor out there is that the new iPhone OS 4.0 will be released. My gut is they may introduce 4.0, but in the last three years, any new OS has been released in early Summer.

Big Blog Giveaway!!!!!!

Check out My Life In Mommyland This blog is giving away a great new book from SparkPeople! Also, be sure to check out the Sparkpeople iPhone app. This iPhone app marries with your Sparkpeople.com profile. The app allows you to track all your daily activities and record food and water intake. The original iPhone app carried the basics, but Spark listened to it's subscribers and updated to the app to something really special.

To find out more about this great website, app and book giveaway, contact @bouncermb on Twitter or My Life In Mommyland.

Don't miss this!!!

Attending the GIS 2010 in San Diego?

Since I have several followers of this blog that are fellow industry professionals, I thought I would post this today. If you are attending the GIS Show and don't have any seminars picked yet, consider "Taking Control of Your Career, Make it Magic!" This is held on Tuesday morning from 8am to noon. I was asked by GCSAA to assist in teaching this with Carol Rau, PHR. Carol and I have finished developing the program and it promises to be exciting and informative. Learn to bring value to your current club and utilize technology to advance your career. I am very excited to have this opportunity to teach with the GCSAA.

Not making any seminars, then be sure to stop by the Test Drive Technology Lab on the Trade Show floor. I will be completing a demonstration of the iPhone. Showing Superintendents and other industry professionals how to maximize your daily tasks with the use of this smartphone. Featured iPhone apps will include, Weather Tracking, vewing and editing word and excel email attachments right on your phone and how to maximize your course or properties irrigation with apps from RainBird and Toro. Many other applications will also be demonstrated. Currently, I am unsure what time I will be in the Test Drive Technology Lab, I will post updates on here and Twitter when I have further details.

Last but not least, are you a Twitter user? If not, start now! This years GIS Show will be huge on Twitter!! @BASFTurf_us has already made several announcements via Twitter and most likely during the week of the show via Twitter. @GCM_Magazine discussed creating the hashtag #GIS10 for all communication for the GIS 2010 show. If you are a part of GIS be sure to include this tag on all your posts regarding the show.

Looking forward to seeing you all there....Safe travels!

Apps for the Golfers

It's that time of year again....the golf season has once again started. For me the season really doesn't begin until..."a tradition unlike any other"....The Masters! If you are as big a golf enthusiast and purist as myself, to hear those words for the first time from Jim Nance or to hear the famous tune "Augusta" will put chills down your spine. Well, for you iPhone users, you don't need to be at home or even in front of the TV to enjoy not only The Masters coverage, but all the Majors. Each of the majors has created their own iPhone app. All are free except the PGA app. In my opinion, The Masters is by far the best, they did it right. You are able to watch television coverage beginning with the Par 3 contest, through all medal play all on your iPhone.....and no WiFi needed! This can all be done with a 3G connection. All these apps allow you to view the course, follow specific players and a live leaderboard.

Along with these apps is the PGA Tour app. I highly recommend. I would also highly recommend following @PGATOUR on Twitter.

Who's Hot

Waking up this morning and heading to the club to plow for the 4th time, I figured discussing the app Who's Hot? would be appropriate. Who is Hot? is a fantastic weather app from weatherunderground. It is a free weather app that seamlessly integrates with your address book. This app also automatically updates your location each time you open the app. This ensures you will receive weather and radar data from your current location. Integrating with your address book allows you to see the weather for all your contacts.

I have provided some screen shots of the application.



Above is a photo of the homescreen once you enter either one of your contacts or your current location. The homescreen will provide you current weather data as well as tabs at the top of the page allowing you to see radar, forecasts and warning



My favorite part of this app is the radar, shown below. This is one of the only iPhone apps that has the ability to show you accurate realtime looped radar. You also have the ability to view a regional view or a local view.

Another CNBC Apple program!!

Mark your calendars, 10pm Thursday night on CNBC, Planet of the Apps! I am sure many of you, like myself, will be watching the national championship game. I am not that much of a nerd, but I'm sure most of us have TIVO or some sort of DVR. Check out the link, looks like a great program!

Plant of the Apps

Facebook

Since Facebook just released it's most recent update a few hours ago, I figured I would do a post on the app. The facebook app is the best price.....free. The newer version of facebook's UI is much easier to navigate than the original. From the iphone facebook app you are able to complete the same tasks as if you were on the computer, however, on the iphone you are unable to view any videos. For people who would like to marry all their social network activities together, facebook has many applications that will allow your blog and twitter posts, post to your facebook wall. A word of warning, when accessing facebook from any wireless device, it will reflect on your posts that you are doing so. I only warn because with all the employer/employee issues that are occuring in this country with social networking, you may want to regulate your facebook access from your phone.

Although this application doesn't directly relate to turfgrass management, communication has been a huge part of my success. Facebook when used appropriately, can play a huge part in your communication to peers and other industry professionals

iTunes facebook app link

Let's talk turf tech!

Well here we go again! I got the itch to begin another blog after watching a couple Apple specials on CNBC. Two great programs, "Welcome to Macintosh" and "MacHEADS". I have always been pro Mac, used a Macintosh since the Apple IIe was released. Since Apple has expanded into the realm of music players and phones, my addiction has followed.

When the iPhone first arrived in June of 2007, it took me a year, mostly because my contract with Verizon, to get one. I was hooked! Initially the iPhone wasn't the greatest business phone. It was good for email and web, but limited in it's email capabilities. The release of 2.0 and most recently 3.0 update has made the iPhone a must for any business person.

Since entering the blogosphere in early spring of this past year, I found it easy to blog. My first blog greensuper.blogspot.com was developed to communicate to members regarding happenings at Hartefeld National. 8 months later, my experience and exposure has allowed me to blog on so much more. I was extremely lucky to have the privileged of being featured in Golf Course Industry Magazines October Issue - Mobile Mileage. This article featured all the uses of a mobile device, mostly iPhone in the daily grind of being a Golf Course Superintendent.

Not wanting to stray from my objectives in my other blog, I developed this blog to allow me to blog on all things iPhone and other tech related ideas that will help any turfgrass manager. From the golf course, ball field or just a home lawn junkie. Feel free to follow both blogs and share your experiences, thoughts and ideas!