Baby Steps
People say that all those new Web applications they have nowadays can make life easier and more convenient. They say that.
Only problem is, those people aren't you. You are not one of the people who say things like this, because you are just not "into" the innovation that is the Internet. You see your kids and their friends throwing instant messages, SMS messages, and on-line videos at each other like it was the most natural thing in the world - but messaging doesn't seem to be your thing. Your kids tried to set you up with a Web cam connection so you could talk to them for free over the Internet while they're away at school, but you just couldn't get the hang of using it. They talk about their blogs, Web sites, RSS feeds, streaming music sites, collaborative on-line projects, Youtube videos - and all you can do is nod your head and smile.
Something is going on out there, but you're not part of it.
Which is a shame, because not only are you missing out on some useful tools - you won't be able to help guide your kids through the muck and mire of the Internet. Kids today, apparently, are born pre-programmed to have an affinity for all things tech. We parents, having grown up when the term "web" conjured up visions of spiders - the creepy-crawly kind, not the Internet information gathering kind - have a lot of catching up to do if we want to understand their world.
A Web calendar is actually a good place for a Net Newbie to begin an on-line education, because a calendar is something everyone uses and can understand. In fact, you may already use a computerized calendar, such as the one included in Outlook, Lotus Notes, a Palm Pilot, or the appointments function on your cell phone.
And while those calendars let you input information, appointments, phone numbers, and alarms, they're nothing like 30boxes. The 30boxes system is like the focal point of an on-line life, letting you input, share, and spread your schedule and information to friends and colleagues.
What makes 30boxes special - and different - is its ease of use. When you first sign up (the service is completely free), you are prompted to put in your first meeting or appointment. Right away, you begin your Web application education: Type in a sentence like "meeting with clients tomorrow," and the phrase "meeting with clients" will appear - in tomorrow's box! See that? It speaks plain English! Try this with "Monday," or "next Tuesday," if today is Tuesday - you'll be amazed at what happens!
While using 30boxes, you get introduced not only to modern Web app data entry, but also to other cool concepts that appear again and again in on-line applications and services. Like tagging, where you label an entry so you can search or classify it more easily, and e-mail linking, where you can automatically invite anyone else to view your event. Anyone you send an invite to will get a message from 30boxes urging them to sign up for the system too - and then you can allow them to view your calendar on the public Web space you automatically get when you sign up. See - now you even have your own Web page!
Using your tags, you can allow others access only to specific information, so you control the level of privacy. You can also (of course) repeat events, send yourself updates and reminders, invite other users, etc.