Home Computing Tip-of-the-Month: "Sharing With Friends & Family In Real Time"

_ "Sharing Your Vacation With Friends & Family In Real Time"

Due to the growing number of free blog, photo-sharing, and social networking websites, such as Twitter, Facebook, Delicious, YouTube, and Where are You Now? (WAYN), loved ones do not have to wait to hear about your trip.


Choosing a Social Network or Photo-sharing Site

There are multiple websites that allow users to share photos or to publish a more in-depth blog, including the following:

• Flickr
  - Online photo management and sharing application
  - You can control permissions
• Picasa
  - Software download that helps you organize, edit, and share your photos
  - You can control permissions
• Traveljournals.net
  - Online travel journal, allows you to share pictures and stories
• Facebook & Twitter
  - Keep up with friends and upload photos

Once you choose the site you would like to use, you'll have to create a user account for that site before you can begin sharing your vacation.

What Technology to Pack

Before leaving for your adventure, be sure to bring the following items:

• A digital camera or camera phone
• A computer (either your own laptop, or a computer located in a hotel, library, cyber café, cruise ship—the options are increasing, daily)
• A media card reader, if your laptop doesn't have one
• For travel outside of North America, a power adapter for recharging your mobile phone or laptop

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