FitSugar

6 Digital Etiquette Tips For 2012

Kelly Schwarze — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:30:55 PST

There's still time to break the bad habits of 2011 and kick off the year with a fresh take on the tech etiquette that may be driving your co-workers crazy and even have consequences to your health. Be a considerate digital user in 2012 by breaking these six technology habits.

Walking or driving while texting - we've seen the ad campaigns warning against distracted driving, but it seems every time we're on the highway, we pass a driver glancing at their phones instead of the road. The same goes for the busy city street pavements you pound during lunch for exercise. If you're texting or otherwise fiddling with your phone while walking, not only are you likely to be walking slow and annoying other pedestrians, your distracted movements may keep you from seeing an upcoming intersection, a clear recipe for disaster. Put the phone away for a few minutes and take in the scenery of the street.
Loud cell phone chats on the bus - the commute to and from work is rarely the highlight of an average day, but we're all in this together. Be kind to the other passengers and leave the loud stories of last night's date or the boss's attitude for when you get home.
TMI overload - your friends love keeping up with your life adventures via Facebook and Twitter, really they do! It's junior's potty adventures or how takeout leftovers made you feel today that gets people hovering their cursor over the Unsubscribe button. Play it safe and avoid talk of bodily functions on social networks.

See the rest of the tech etiquette tips to keep in mind for 2012 after the jump.

10 Techie New Year's Resolutions to Stick With in 2012

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:12:35 PST

The year 2012 is chugging right along with the first half of January already behind us. Hard to believe, right? It's traditional to set goals for the year ahead, but rather than vow to lose that same 10 pounds you've been packing since college (sorry, but it's true) or to skydive out of an airplane (are you really going to do that?), why not set some realistic goals you can actually achieve? We spend most of our days in front of a computer and attached to our gadgets, so how about some tech resolutions in 2012? Here, 10 New Year's resolutions you should keep this year to keep you - and your tech - happy and healthy.

Backing up your data - it's 2012 now, folks, so it's high time you start routinely backing up your data to save your important documents, files, photos, videos, music, and whatever else you keep stored on your computer.
Securing your home WiFi network - after you set up your home WiFi network, did you set a secure password to protect it from squatters? If not, now's the time to do that. Not only can strangers steal your signal for unlawful activities, but they can creep in and gain access to your personal documents and information, which can lead to identity theft.
Routinely cleaning your tech - you shouldn't just clean your tech on the outside, but should take precautions to clean that machine on the inside as well. Perform these care tips often and save yourself from germs. You'll even save cash since your computer will last longer.
Changing your passwords on the regular - you should be updating your password every few months, but it won't do a bit of good if it's a lame one that anyone can guess. Follow these tips for hacker-proof passwords to keep your info safe.
Recycling old gadgets - upgrading to new tech is a given in a new year, but instead of tossing your used gear aside or in your closet, give them a new life by recycling or donating them to charity.

See the rest of the list after the jump!

Resolution Revisit: Gadgets To Meet Your Goals

GeekSugar — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:16:39 PST

Welcome to mid-January, time to revisit the completely attainable resolutions (keep up that positive thinking!) you set for yourself on Jan. 1. It's tempting to lose steam in the middle of Winter, so snag one of these fitness gadgets to get back in-line with your 2012 workout goals.

Do you have any other tech tips and motivators to maintain an exercise routine?

Fresh Start Resolution: Cut Yourself Some Slack

SavvySugar — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 03:23:53 PST

It's a New Year and a new you! We're offering 12 tips to start off the year right. We've already given you advice on mastering time management and improving your public speaking, so here's another way to start afresh in 2012.

Make this the year that you finally give yourself a break. It's easy to get caught up in stress and to be hard on yourself when it comes to work, finance, and relationships, but the best way to stay happy and healthy is to lighten up a little bit. Here are four ways to cut yourself some slack in the upcoming year:

Schedule time for yourself. In between work commitments and everyday errands, it can be tough to find time for the things that fulfill you. Still, it's crucial to step back and let yourself indulge. Whether it's exercise, spa treatments, lunch dates, or just 10 minutes to sit and breathe, give yourself the gift of leisure. Even tiny moments of joy will have an impact on your mind-set.
Use your vacation days. Companies want eager, enthusiastic employees, so take advantage of your benefits package and schedule a vacation early in the year. With a trip to look forward to, you'll find yourself energized and more satisfied with your workplace. After your break, you'll return to the office with a calmer spirit and the drive to do better - especially since greater success usually means extra days off.

Read on for more stay-sane tips

Fresh Start Resolution: Learn New Software Skills

Emily Co — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 10:00:57 PST

It's a new year and a new you! Fresh Start is a short series detailing 12 helpful tips to start off the year right, whether it be to advance your career or increase your financial cushion. We've already given you advice on kicking your daily deal habit, quitting caffeine, and making a call to lower your bills. Here's another way to start afresh in 2012.

Many people include software skills on their resume, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and HTML, but not all of them have a good grasp of those programs. It's good to learn how to use various software because this knowledge can boost your résumé or even help you advance in your job.

A good way to learn these programs is through the online software training site, Lynda.com. If you pay a subscription fee, you get access to over 70,000 instructional videos for programs like Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and even Facebook. But if you're not keen on spending the money, you can even test out the service with a seven-day free trial. You might not even need a month's access because there's plenty you can learn in seven days. Remember to cancel before the trial ends or you'll be charged with a paid membership.

44 Tips For Taking Great Photos in 2012

GeekSugar — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:29:55 PST

Is one of your New Year's Resolutions to take better photos? We've got you covered. Check out some of our favorite tried-and-true tips to help your photos pop this year. Have any secrets of your own? Share them in the comments, on Facebook, or on Twitter!

5 Journal Apps For Documenting 2012

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:44:57 PST

Every girl had a diary at some point in her life, right? I know I did, and I remember it fondly. It was purple and had a little lock on the front. But as kids are known to do, I eventually lost the tiny key, so the personal records of my adolescence remain hidden behind the cover. These days, diaries don't have to be made of paper - there are lots of journal apps for your smartphones and iPads that will allow you to document moments while they're happening and keep a record of your most exciting days. Make a New Year's resolution to get to work on your own with one of these apps.

Share Your Budget Tip For the New Year

SavvySugar — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:00:22 PST

You want the truth? Creating and sticking to a budget is a pain. It takes dedication, daily effort, and compromise. We each develop our own smart saving style and tricks over the years, which is why we started the How Do You Save? group for you to divulge your winning tactics. We want you to dole out your advice to other SavvySugar readers trying to save a little moola and learn from their experiences - particularly as we all buckle down and try to set a smooth savings course for 2012.

Do you have an effective budget tip? Create a PopSugar account or log in to your account, then join the How Do You Save? group and share it! And you never know, it could be featured on SavvySugar! Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.

5 New Year's Resolutions For Beautiful Nails

Miriam Lacey — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 06:02:00 PST

If you've resolved to treat your nails and hands better this year, there are a few ways to ensure that you have the gorgeous, healthy digits you want in a few weeks' time. You don't have to expend a lot of effort on your nails to get them in great shape, either, so to get started, check out the tips below.

Tori Spelling Shares Liam's New Year's Resolution

Tori Spelling — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:02:33 PST

We're excited to bring you a new post from mother and actress Tori Spelling! Every other week we're bringing you the best parenting and lifestyle advice from ediTORIal by Tori Spelling, which is Tori's daily blog about everything from food and fashion to parenting and relationships. This week, Tori shares her son Liam's new year's resolution.

Liam’s New Year’s "resolution" is a classic example of kid logic! Recently he asked me this:

"When you say New Year’s means a new, different year, does that mean I can eat more sugar now cause I haven't had any since last year?"

Hmmm…does that mean Mama can eat more sugar and still get her post-pregger bod back into fighting form? New Year’s cake pop party anyone?

How do you keep your kids’ sugar intake in check during the holidays?

More great articles from Tori Spelling
How to decorate a room over time
Create your own pull-string pinata
Sleep on it
What are your New Year's resolutions?
Tori and Dean's sTORIbook Weddings special recap