John Dolan

Troubleshooting Entourage Sync Issues

Below are a few quick steps to try if Entourage stops behaving properly (e.g. fails to sync, creates duplicate items, etc).  This is by no means an exhaustive list, but will resolve a large number of issues.

1. Update Office:  There have been a number of updates for Office that address a number of performance issues.  Using the automatic update feature in Office ensure you’re fully up to date.
2. Reset Cache:  In Entourage, right click on your account name in the Folder List on left column.  Select Properties and then click the “Empty Cache”  This will remove all items from Entourage and it will resync with the server from scratch.
3. Rebuild Database:  Hold Option Key while starting Entourage.  Run database repair utility.

iPhone Applications for Productivity

This is my top 10 iPhone application list.  In the list are my Top 5 Productivity Applications, my Top 5 Entertainment Applications and a few honorable mentions.  All of the applications are free unless otherwise noted.

Productivity

1. Evernote is the ultimate note-taking application for the iPhone.  Evernote's syncing and search capabilities separate it from the competition.  Notes taken in Evernote are synced to a central server and can then be accessed via the Mac or PC client or by a web browser.  I strongly encourage all of my clients to get in the habit of using Microsoft's OneNote or Evernote as their central repository for meeting notes, planning notes and other miscellaneous notes.  Having all of your notes stored in a centralized, indexed repository that one can easily search is a tremendous value both in timesaving and in preserving critical data that could have otherwise been lost if recorded elsewhere (e.g. a sticky note).
2. Zenbe is a basic task management application that can be accessed via the iPhone application or from the web.  There are number of very powerful and complex note taking applications available for the iPhone.  What keeps me using Zenbe is it's simplicity.  Define your categories then create tasks under those categories.  To access your Zenbe lists from the web (and to create your account) go to http://lists.zenbe.com.
3. Where is a location based application that provides several cool features including the following: 
   1. Eventful which provides a list of upcoming events in your area. 
   2. A Starbucks locater that also indicates if they have AT&T WiFi service (which is free for certain AT&T broadband subscribers). 
   3. GasBuddy which helps locate the nearest, cheapest gas.
4. Air Sharing ($6.99) allows you to store, view and share files on your iPhone.  Your phone must be on the same wireless network as the computer to which it is connecting and the Air Sharing application must be open on the iPhone.  Straightforward documentation is included with the product that explains its use.  If you set-up Air Sharing on your iPhone to require a password to protect access to the files you may need to install the following patch to access the files on a Windows Vista system.  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/907306)
5. Google Mobile provides basic web search functionality with the added benefit of including your contacts in the search and providing auto-complete for contacts, words and web addresses.

Entertainment

1. Remote allows you to control your iTunes or Apple TV from your iPhone.  Especially useful when used with speakers connected to iTunes via an Airport Express.
2. Sportacular and SportsTap both present sports scores and news.  Sportacular has a better interface for keeping up with scores while SportsTap weekly recaps seem to be a bit more useful than Sportacular's newsfeeds.
3. Pandora is an online radio station.  If you're interested, create an account and some radio stations on your computer by going to http://pandora.com.  If you like what you hear, you can install Pandora on your iPhone and listen to the stations you have created.
4. Simplify streams music from your iTunes library to your iPhone.  It also allows you to stream music from up to 30 of your friends as well.  If you have a large iTunes library (or know someone who does), this can be a great application.
5. Aurora Feint - A very simple and addictive game.  Prior versions had tremendous stability issues which appear to have been resolved with the firmware update from Apple.

Honorable Mention

1. Bloomberg - Provides stock tracking and market news.  If you're into watching train wrecks, this is a great time to get the Bloomberg application.
2. Twitterific - If you're a fan of twitter you may find this to be a great utility for keeping up with Twitter posts.
3. Save Benji's - Ever been at a store and wanted to know if that sale price is really a great price?  Look up the product with Save Benji's and find out.
4. Bible - Of all the free Bible applications for the iPhone, I have found the LifeChurch.tv Bible to be the best one out there.  With the latest release you can now select certain versions to download for offline viewing.  Quick Tip:  By tapping More -> Settings you can change the icons on the shortcut bar at the bottom.  I removed the "Daily Read" and added "Books" which has made navigating to a specific passage a bit easier.