How to use stuff and avoiding the C word

What is the "C" word you say? CLUTTER!!! If you just keep getting cool stuff you end up with a lot of stuff. That is why, to a certain extent I started blogging, is to share with folks, the hazards of stuff! Clutter makes for accidents, whether to trip over or all fall down like a string of dominoes and knock your soda over into your lap. Just like the proverbial attraction of a kid and a candy store, stuff fills places, especially horizontal ones. C'mon, didn't you once leave that ironing board out to long and start using it for non-flattening activities? Can you actually seat 4 or 6 at the table where you eat? Can you see the counter?
One of the places most ripe (appropriately enough) for gadgets and stuff is the kitchen. Think about it. George Foreman grills (I do own one), steamers, pots, pans, knives and blocks, pretty jars of fruit marinating in oil, cutting boards, bread boxes, Cuisinarts, coffee makers and lions and tigers and bears, OH MY! Do you actually use that stuff? Okay, better question, how often do you use that stuff, and only look going forward. If it is less than once a week, put it away. If it is less than once every two weeks, put it higher up. If it is for holiday use only put it way up. This principle can go for the bedroom, dining room, workroom, office, or garage.
So, the challenge is simple. First throw out at least one trash can full of stuff for each member of the house under 17 and two if 17 or over. Then, for every "thing" another thing has to be donated, re-gifted (preferably out of your household), recycled, or just plain old trashed. Chew on this for a while. You'll thank me for it. If you need to "get into the mood" and need encouragement, try the clutter book link (I read some, have no ties).

Ground rules or How to use a phone.

I think a few ground rules are in order. I want everybody to find something good here. Maybe to keep things balanced we'll (really I'll) blog about a techie thing, possibly something non-tech, and also a Non-thing thing. HUH??? I enjoy gadgetry (hence the nickname) but also human interaction. Remember the first blog - as I have learned, some of the best things are not things! So, we will make sure to talk about one every time as well as the interaction of the two if at all possible. So, here goes.

How about starting with interaction and interaction tools. I don't own stock in anything I am speaking about today (although with some of the gadgets, you'd think I did). First the interaction tools: Gmail, gmail chat and talk, and Skype. Gmail is a good email program that you can also have chats on and off line from when you are logged in. If you download the talk program, you can share files, chat, and using a microphone and headphones actually talk. Skype is an excellent VOIP program that is cheap (particularly in the US) to use. In fact I used it to talk practically for free to a friend in Europe. From my cell phone I could call them on their computer and from their computer they could call my cell! Since they were not visiting, they did not have their Skype phone with them (or else they could have talked from their phone to my cell).

How about those interactions? Few things. Do yourself and the other party a favor. Don't talk in public. Life is not that fast that we all have to all of a sudden talk 24/7. When in public, you couldn't possibly be paying the attention the other party deserves. To say it another way, this is one of the times sharing is NOT polite - it disrespects the other party and the community around you. Now for the good things - Be Obvious! When talking, other than some nuance in your tone they can't see body language (tell them "Don't make me frown like that!" or "Ooh, that really makes me weak in the knees"). This is appropriate to use both in personal lives and in business (the action is, but chose words appropriate for the situation). To further help you out, don't buy the $12.95 cheapo headset (if it fits well on the ear and in the ear canal you are more likely to hear better, if it lets in less interference, the other party can hear better). Spend at least $25+ on a headset for your cell (their connection is not and cannot give the clear connection of a good wired connection). Consider the Jawbone by Alieph to hear better with. Remember, the Blackberry and Treo were not made with optimizing your aural experience in mind.

Here Goes...

Well, here goes. I am actually a bit shy about this. Not usually truly my thing to publish my thoughts or share in such a potentially large forum. Okay, having said that, let's go!

I would like to start this off by trying to collect all that is useful. I do not want to be pigeonholed as only tech stuff or only one hobby or issue, but whatever y'all like and enjoy. I look to you to help me as much as my blog can help be a forum for you. Thanks. Also, in my training in my other job (you know, the one that pays) we have to give a financial disclosure. Here's mine - I no longer own any Internet stocks (popped in the bubble) and own some boring companies that are more as a speculative high risk for the long term returns IRA thing. I will tell you when I hit on something that I own. Today, I do not own a piece of any of the companies I will be blogging on.

First useful thing to start with is this blog, and perhaps "free" stuff on the Internet. The Gmail account is quite functional as is this blogspot and its editing toolkit.

Years ago I started on Juno, and still think that they have a good thing going. Their email program you use to create and read emails, and then have it dial up (or access by your network) to up- and down-load email. That way, at least in the day of dial up, you could get in, get on, and get done with things. Nice to have the spellcheck and a bit of free internet time too.

Free faxes - those who only need to get, say 5 - 10 pages a month or less should look into a free fax account. Some even have gone up to 20 pages. Helps quite a bit when you can fax (at work or for fee at local places) but receive faxes easily.

Other free email and instant messenger accounts - works well. Good for those who want email addresses which are independent of their internet provider, so that when they quit or switch, their email is still there. AOL instant messenger provides a few XM radio channels to listen to.

Here are a few things to ponder. What say you? Are these things worth it? Please understand that I do a lot of writing at my job, and at home I enjoy using fountain pens and fine paper. I am a bit Emily Post-ish that communication still needs to be personal as often as possible.