HTC are catching up, but this Desire just isn’t as slick as the iPhone.

Battery life – Both not great. Maybe a day. DRAW

Apps - iPhone has gazzilions. HTC downloads from anywhere. DRAW

App Store – iPhone WIN

Screen - Both gorgeous but iPhone keyboard better. iPhone WIN

Usability - HTC much more configurable but not as logical. DRAW

Capacity - iPhone all internal memory simple. HTC upgradeable. DRAW

Price - Near as damnit the same. DRAW

Look & Feel – iPhone more luxurious and solid. iPhone WIN

Fashion Victim – iPhonista backlash. HTC WIN

Bugs & Wobbles – HTC has a few more niggles. Gadgets crash. Jerky screen. Apps hang. IPhone WIN

Thoughtful - HTC has so many little extras to discover. HTC WIN

So HTC are getting there. It’s pretty good and I don’t mind using it. However, my iPhone keeps peeking at me from my desk, winking, smirking.

It walks on water and feeds the poor. No, it’s not Bono. Ladies and gents I bring you the iPad… Tadaa

All hype aside, here are some practical tips & thoughts after my first 3 days:

1. It’s heavier than you think it should be
2. The keyboard is really easy to use
3. iWork apps have limited functionality but a must have if you want to use the iPad for business
4. The iPad marks the ‘real’ beginning of cloud computing
5. Great apps on the iPhone are not necessarily great on the iPad
6. iPhone apps run but are annoyingly small on the iPad
7. US iPads don’t work on the UK App Store (it isn’t open yet, but there are workarounds)
8. The Apple case is the only one to have (Folds into a wedge shape which helps lap usage as it’s a flat device) but is globally sold out (if you can find one, buy it)
9. WiFi is not great
10. The screen needs wiping all the time (but only because you want it perfect)
11. HD video playback is crystal
12. Battery lasts for ages
13. Flash is really missed (bring on HTML5 and sharpish)
14. No webcam is criminal
15. Wordpress app is really buggy (used here )

So, Gen 1 iPad, I have to say I love it. It’s understandably not ‘there’ just yet but you can buy one now without disappointment.

Yes… Buying IT Support sucks. We get it

You don’t want to buy it & we don’t particularly like selling it. However it is a fact of life for the moment.

Here are some rules to make the tech support union more fruitful

• They can only get you back to where you were. There’s no eureka/tadaa/love moment
• IT people come in two flavours. Those that help get you out of the shit (Greasy hair, pocket protectors, smell funny). Those that help you do more with your tech (Look like Estate Agents)
• Expect to spend c. £100 per person per month for all IT stuff (Hardware, software, training, support, connectivity – Spread over 3 years)
• Treat your IT providers like partners. Let them in on your business plans, buy them a beer every now and then
• If you don’t pay for instant gratification don’t get upset when you don’t get it
• Always co-own domain or any similar login information
• If jumping ship to a new company, the next team will have to spend some time learning about you. It’s a two way investment (Sounds like BS but it’s true)
• You cannot relinquish all responsibility to tech support unless you pay them to be on site full time (Having someone functionally responsible on site helps. They don’t have to be techy)
• Mistakes will be made. It’s how you both deal with them that counts
• Play nicely. Pay their bills on time. They don’t make much money & remember – One flick of the switch at their end and you’re f****d

Tweetface my Bebospace. What does Social Media do for you really?

If you’re using Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Tumblr etc but still don’t really get why or how, then this is the session for you…….

Steve and Luke from Web Matters and Social Tech follow up our last session with some juicy tidbits for your savoury pleasure

* 29th October

* Adam St

* 1230-1330

* Free

* 30 Spaces ONLY (12 at TOP)

Call or email to RSVP

Dan

08456 447758

dan@theengineroom.co.uk

Video from a previous session

We’re going to give you (Yes, for free) 100 small & juicy relevant, tangible top PC tech tips in 1 hour. Phew – got that out in 1 sentence (100 Mac Top Tech Tips later in the day)

All we ask is that you take away 3 that will change your life in some way. It’s all about saving or making time i.e. money!

Up for the challenge?

What, When and Where…..

* Subjects covered – Outlook 2007 tips, iPhone smarts, Shortcuts, Useful Web Tools, Laptop Tips, Time Savers, Windows 7 preview, Tech for Marketing, Useful shops & More!

* Adam St (9 Adam St, Central London nr The Strand)

* Thursday 24th September

* 0930-1030 with time for networking and 1on1 afterwards

* 20 Spaces ONLY (50% full at T.O.P)

Simply call 08456 447758 or email dan@theengineroom.co.uk to book your space

.

In August 2009 we ran our first Pecha Kucha style learning event in Adam St, central London. (Pecha Kucha means chit chat in Japanese)

8 speakers given 7 minutes to share as much useful knowledge as possible with an audience of 30 small business owners. A tough task!

Some video feedback for you

Speakers

Danvers Ballieu – Winston Strawn legal top tips

Tiffany StJames - Head of Digital Engagement (UK Gov)

Simon Bird – DotCommerce Tech Director shares recent online behavioural research 

Robert Fenton - Serial Entrepreneur starting Talent Expo. The biggest UK gathering of talent

Richard O’Connor - Serial Entrepreneur, ex Amber Green & We Ents talks sales and marketing

Keren Lerner – From Top Left Design shares website must do’s and dont’s

Mark Jacobs – No nonsense Accountant talks money and how to keep it

On the 6th August we have various brilliant speakers delivering as many Top Small Biz Tips as they can in 7 minutes each. (Video below from a similar event)

Pecha Kucha means chit chat in Japanese. It inspired a high octane speaker format for designers to share their ideas with 20 seconds per slide over 20 slides. We’ve twisted it to our own design and have premium speakers to share their knowledge. 

The Rules – Speakers have 7 mins and CANNOT SELL. They can ONLY TELL/SHARE/LOVE

Speakers include

Danvers Ballieu – Winston Strawn legal top tips

Tiffany StJames - Head of Digital Engagement (UK Gov)

Simon Bird – DotCommerce Tech Director shares recent online behavioural research 

Amanda Jones – Red Button, A Design House for Humanitarian and Aid Projects

Robert Fenton - Serial Entrepreneur starting Talent Expo. The biggest UK gathering of talent

Richard O’Connor - Serial Entrepreneur, ex Amber Green & We Ents talks sales and marketing

Keren Lerner – From Top Left Design shares website must do’s and dont’s

Victoria Atherston – From Urbanites and Scooters talks Dragons Den, Eco-Chic & Startups

Mark Jacobs – No nonsense Accountant talks money and how to keep it

When and Where

* Adam St (9 Adam St, Central London nr The Strand)

* 6th August

* 12-130pm with networking after in the bar

* 30 Spaces ONLY (50% full at T.O.P)

 You MUST RSVP via email or call me as below

 Video (45sec) of similar event so you can see the room and get a feeling for who we are if you don’t know us

Will be fun, energising & educational. Can’t wait!

Dan

08456 447758

dan@theengineroom.co.uk

* Friday July 31st
* At Our Offices
* 1530-1730
* £45
* 6 Spaces only
* Bring your laptop with Office 2007 installed (Rentals available with 48 hours notice) and a fresh brain

Course overview
The aim of this module is to enable you to create, manage and analyse lists of data, allowing you to quickly sort, filter, total, and publish the data contained in the list.

At the end of the module, you will be able to:
• Create data lists in keeping with Excel layout guidelines to analyse and manage data effectively
• Design a data form to input and navigate data, using time-saving features for input and retrieval
• Arrange data alphabetically and numerically, from left to right, and by colour, using sort options on the ribbon to display data in desired order
• Choose simple criteria using top 10 and other filter options to present data meeting specific conditions
• Arrange data lists with hidden rows/columns and grouped, to display detailed or summarized results
• Use subtotals with automated outlining and grouping, to investigate the most effective method of presenting data lists

Who should attend
You know Excel basics, are using or upgrading to Excel 2007 and need to analyse relevant data more effectively

Who is running the course?
We are extremely pleased to have Anne Harkness from Alpha Training. Anne is Trainer to the Stars! From top editors at Vogue to the BBC, where clients included former BBC One Controller Peter Salmon and comedienne/presenter Ruby Wax. Get the benefit of her hands-on approach and more than 20 years experience.

Call Dan on 08456 447758 or email dan@theengineroom.co.uk to book

A quick video promo here and the lengthier version below

This workshop explored the ‘What the heck is it’ and ‘How the hell do I use it’ regarding Social Media in small business. We all need to generate sales, but firstly trust, and Social Media fits the bill perfectly if you know how to leverage it.

We had 25 small business owners join us for our 7th workhop. Long may they continue! Hoorah.

Well done Richard O’Connor from Grab Marketing and Luke Williams from Social Tech for delivering a full-on workshop. The feedback so far has been extremely positive with only 1 or 2 a little brain fried with too much content. However, we will remedy that.

Thank you to all who came, I’m sure there is follow up to do so let us know ‘What’ and ‘How’ you would like that to happen.

Thanks to Rick from Red Banana for creating these diary and promo videos. Lovely! Now all I’ve got to do is lose some weight and learn how to present!

All constructive feedback appreciated. As usual, the Good, Bad and Ugly…….

-