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Parenting tip: Removing permanent marker from your devices
A few years ago, I had the unfortunate experience of leaving my Mac unattended for a few minutes while I got something to eat. Little did I know while I was making some food, my then 4-year-old son had found a Sharpie and was writing all over the screen of my MacBook Pro. When I returned, I wanted to cry. My lovely laptop display was covered from edge to edge with black scribbles. If you find yourself in this circumstance, don't despair as there is an easy solution -- dry erase markers! It defies conventional wisdom, but I have found that dry erase marker is excellent at removing permanent marker from hard surfaces. All I had to do to remove the permanent marker from my screen was re-scribble over the permanent marker ink with a dry erase marker (any color will do as shown above), wait 20 seconds and wipe with a paper towel. A screen cleaner will remove any residue from the dry erase marker. It took 10 minutes and a bit of scrubbing, but the permanent marker was successfully removed. Now before you go drawing on your iMac to make sure it works, I will caution you that this is not foolproof. If the material is porous like leather, the permanent marker will be absorbed into the material, and the dry erase marker will only be able to remove some, but not all of the markings. Also, the longer the markings stay on the device the harder it may be to get them off. I've tested it at home and can confirm this dry erase marker trick works great on the aluminum casing of the iPad (see above), iPhone, Mac mini and MacBook Pro. It also works well on the glossy or matte screen of a MacBook Pro. Accessories also are safe as the dry erase marker removes scribbles from the Magic Trackpad, Magic Mouse and Apple Wireless keyboard. You don't have to worry about permanent marker on the screen of your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch as the oleophobic coating doesn't allow the permanent marker to stick. If you don't have a dry erase marker, then a harsher solvent like WD-40 or Goo Gone may work, but they are not as effective as the dry erase marker. Do you have any home remedies that work for removing permanent marker from items around the house? If so, share your horror story and the remedy in the comments.
Parenting Tip: Recommended iPad and Mac accessories for your back-to-schoolers
Those school days, dear old golden rule days are upon us. As you head back to the classroom this week, check out these accessory recommendations that'll help you start off on the right foot. Similar to the earlier posts in our Back to School parenting tips, these recommendations are grouped by academic level. If you want even more accessories, Engadget has a comprehensive back to school guide that you can peruse for additional ideas. If you have any must-have accessories that you want to contribute, please add them in the comments. Pre-schoolers -- Pre-schoolers are tough on devices. They'll drop your iPad, throw your iPod and pick the keys off your Mac's keyboard. For these tots, you'll want to find accessories that protect your devices from mishaps and mayhem. For iOS devices, I recommend a rugged case like the Otterbox Defender series (US$99) or the Griffin Survivor series ($79). I've used both and they have protected my iPad and iPhone from many falls. If you want something more colorful, then check out the iGuy iPad Cover from Speck ($39). This foam case will hold your iPad securely and let you stand it up for hands-free use. If you use a MacBook Pro or an Apple wireless keyboard with kids, I highly recommend a Moshi ClearGuard keyboard cover ($25). The clear cover protects the keys from spills and makes it a little bit harder for your kids to pick off the keys. It's not foolproof as your kids can lift off the cover and get access to the keys. In my experience though, having the cover there is enough of a deterrent. I also recommend a trackpad over a mouse. I find the young ones intuitively pick up the gestures, especially if they are familiar with the iPad. Elementary Children -- Elementary school kids are in-betweeners. They are easier on devices than the Pre-K group, but they are not as mature as the middle and high-schoolers. Consequently, they don't need as many accessories to complete the experience. As a result, my picks for these 6- to 11-year-olds will be on the conservative side. iPad Case: For starters, I would grab a decent case for your iPad, maybe opting for the lighter Speck HandyShell case ($55) instead of the beefier Defender. There's also the colorful Seesaw from Griffin ($35) which is part case, part stand. Headphones: I would also grab a decent pair of headphones, focusing on quality construction. Don't go cheap as I find that most the cheap headphones that I buy will break where the wire goes into the headphone ear piece. I recommend the Sennheiser HD 202 II Professional ($24) headphones. At $24, they are not too pricey and their big ear cups fit comfortably on kids in the 6- to 12-year-old range. I cringe sometimes at giving my kids a pair of Sennheiser cans, but the headphones handle the abuse quite well and last a long time. Charging Station: Another must have for kids is a good charging station. If your kids use the iPad for educational games, reading and research, they will need to charge the device on a daily basis. Rather than have them plug the iOS device into a random outlet in their and balance it on the edge of their bed to charge, spend some money and get a charging station like the Griffin PowerDock ($99), which we recently reviewed. Their iPads will sit safely next to yours, and you always will be able to find the charging cables. Other iOS Accessories: There are also some fun accessories for kids in this age range. My favorite is the Crayola ColorStudio HD ($30), a combo app and digital marker that allows your kids to color on their iPad. We reviewed a version this product when it first became available in 2011. There's also the Lego Life of George ($20) Lego set that lets your child play with Legos on their iPad. For the older elementary group, you should consider the Lego Mindstorms EV3 ($349) kit. This latest Mindstorm introduces your child to robotics and includes three different iOS Apps to help your control your creation. Mac Accessories: If your kids use a Mac, you need little more than a decent keyboard and mouse or trackpad. I use the Apple wireless keyboard ($69) and the Magic Trackpad ($69) with great success. As noted above with the pre-schoolers, I do slap on a Moshi ClearGuard keyboard cover to protect the keyboard from spills, food and what not. Junior and High School Students -- Junior and high school students kick it up a notch when it comes to technology. No longer content playing educational games, this group is ready to use the iPad and Mac to create content, not just consume it. iPad Case: For the iPad, these older students would do well with a basic folio case like the FitFolio from Speck ($40), the Incase Maki Jacket ($40) or the more expensive Joy Factory SmartSuit3 ($59). If you are looking for a keyboard case, you can't go wrong with the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad ($99) or the Solar Keyboard Folio for iPad, which includes a built-in solar charger for the keyboard. Headphones: Whether they are listening to music or editing the audio track of their latest video, every kid needs a good set of headphones. My favorite for this group is the Sennheiser PX 100-II ($50), which is a decent set of cans that won't break the bank. This model doesn't include in-line controls for your iOS device, but you can pay $12 more for the Sennheiser PX 100-IIi ($70), which does have a control module built into the headphone's cable. Stylus: This group would also benefit from a good stylus for writing or drawing purposes. I recommend the Wacom Bamboo Stylus Feel ($39) for your basic needs. It looks and feels like a pen and features interchangeable pen tips. If you have any artistic inclinations, then you should consider paying a bit more for a stylus and grab the Adonit Jot Touch 4 ($89), which we reviewed. It is pressure sensitive and includes replaceable tips, not rubber nibs. These tips improve the accuracy of your strokes. If you are worried about losing your stylus and want a budget model, then check out the JukeStyle, which costs $10 and held up well in our review. Other Accessories: Other cool accessories for this group include the robot-building Lego Mindstorms EV3 ($349) or this RedPark TTL iOS Cable Breakout Pack ($75). This Maker Shed kit allows you to connect your iOS device to to microcontrollers such as the Arduino and other external sensors. Musicians, podcasters or budding karaokers would do well with the iRig Mic ($60) for recording audio on your iPad or the Spark Digital ($199) from Blue Microphone, which we recently reviewed. Mac Accessories: If your high schooler is using a desktop Mac, then a good set of speakers is a must have add-on. I recommend Logitech's UE Mobile Boombox ($99) for smaller spaces or the Creative Inspire S2 ($129) if you want some bass. You can also add on a nice drawing tablet like the Wacom Intuos Pen & Touch ($99) for your budding artist. This model supports both pen input and touch gestures, so you can use it to draw and adjust your canvas. If your young adult is using a MacBook Pro, then slap on a Speck SmartShell ($50) to protect the lovely aluminum chassis. If they are toting their laptop to school, consider grabbing a protective case like the Poseidon Messenger Bag from ECBC ($99) or this laptop backpack from Timbuk2 ($99). College Students -- College students are the top dog when it comes to back-to-school gear. This group needs the most gear and has the potential to fully use it in their school work and personal life. Space and available cash may be limited for most college students, so they need to get the best bang for their buck. They are also the group most likely to use their devices while mobile, and their chosen accessories should be designed for on-the-go use. Headphones: Sennheiser HD-280 PRO ($99) if you are looking for comfortable cans to block out noise at home. Sennheiser PX 200-IIi ($99) if you are looking for something portable. If you want a wireless headphone, then look at the Plantronics BackBeat Go 2 ($80) or the GOGroove Airband ($45). iPad case: Careful college students could get away with a lightweight iPad Smart Cover ($39) or the more protective Smart Case ($50). There's also the BookBook leather case ($79) from TwelveSouth or the DODOcase ($59) if you are looking for something different. Oh, and I can't forget the Pad & Quill Graduate Artist Series for iPad ($69), which fantastically made and super stylish. iPad Keyboard case:If you are looking for a keyboard case, you can't go wrong with the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad ($99) or the Solar Keyboard Folio for iPad , which includes a built-in solar charger for the keyboard. Powered iPad case:There are also a few cases that include a power source, ensuring that your iPad never runs out of juice. We recently reviewed and were pleased with the Props Power Case ($90) and the Justin Case Ultra-Slim Power Case for iPad.) ($69). iPad stand: The market is flooded with stands to hold your iPad in every configuration. Figure out how you are going to use your iPad, pick your price point and then go shopping. Check your case first, too, as many include an integrated stand. If you decide you want a stand, I've used the Griffin A-Frame stand, which is inexpensive ($10), but has limited tilt angles. Steve Sande recently looked at the Xvidia Boomerang ($80) and was impressed with its design and support for add-on mounting accessories Stylus: I recommend the Wacom Bamboo Stylus Feel ($39) for your basic needs. It looks and feels like a pen and features interchangeable pen tips. If you have any artistic inclinations, then you should consider paying a bit more for a stylus and grab the Adonit Jot Touch 4 ($89), which we reviewed. It is pressure sensitive and includes replaceable tips, not rubber nibs. These tips improve the accuracy of your strokes. If you are worried about losing your stylus and want a budget model, then check out the JukeStyle, which costs $10 and held up well in our review. Portable charger: Mophie, known for its iPhone battery cases, also sells a line of Powerstation chargers that'll charge your iPad and iPhone on the go. The Satechi Portable Energy Station ($60) is another good choice. I have the 10,000 mAh model and it's still going strong after a year of regular use. HyperJuice ($199) is still your best portable charging option for the Mac. Mac Stand: Sometimes you just need a stand for your Mac to get it at the correct angle for easy viewing. If you need a stand, we recently tested the Jas Pro from Cooler Master ($60). This adjustable aluminum stand works with your MacBook as well as your iPad. Though, we haven't tested it yet, the GhostStand from TwelveSouth ($35) is affordable and attractive. MacBook Pro/Air Case: The Speck SmartShell ($50) is my first choice to protect the lovely aluminum chassis of any MacBook Pro/Air. If you want something more refined, then check out the offerings from Waterfield Designs. We reviewed and enjoyed the company's the Smart Case ($79) and City Slicker ($129). If you own a MacBook Air, you can't go wrong with the Pad & Quill Cartella Linen case ($80). Laptop Messenger bag: The Poseidon Messenger Bag from ECBC ($99) is a solid offering as is the Booq Viper Courier ($99). If you have a 13-inch MacBook Pro/Air, you may want to look at the OGIO Covert Shoulder bag ($69), which we found to be reasonably priced and durable in our review. Speakers: I recommend Logitech's UE Mobile Boombox ($99) for smaller spaces or the Creative Inspire S2 ($129) if you want some bass. If you always your music with you, there's the Minx Go ($149) from Cambridge Audio, a portable Bluetooth speaker that we reviewed a few months ago. And if you are the outdoorsy type, the waterproof ECOXGEAR ECOROX ($129) is another portable option that you can take anywhere. Other: Some other useful accessories include the Cocoon GRID-IT! ($15) for organizing your stuff, the Wacom Intuos Pen & Touch ($99) for the budding Mac artist, the iOS-compatible Vaavud Wind Meter ($49) for the scientist in all of us, and the Spark Digital ($199) from Blue Microphone, which we recently reviewed. You may also want to grab the Satechi 12-port USB Hub ($28), which is perfect for the person with way too many peripherals.
Parenting Tip: Using the iPhone to record videos of your children
In a recent Parenting tip, I discussed photographing your children using your iPhone. Today, I am going to expand on that article and give you some tips on taking videos of your children. The iPhone is always in my pocket, which makes it perfect for capturing a quick video of my children doing something memorable. Over the years, the quality of the videos recorded by the iPhone has steadily improved. The iPhone 4 is capable of recording 720p HD video at up to 30 frames per second with audio, while both the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 5 bump up the video quality to 1080p HD. You don't have the dedicated microphone jack and 50x zoom you would find in consumer-grade video cameras, but for most purposes, the iPhone is just fine for taking fantastic home videos. As I mentioned in my photo tips, I am not a pro photographer by any means, just a mom who has picked up some tips and tricks from using the iPhone as her primary camera. If you have your own suggestions, please share them in the comments. Get the best light possible Photographing kids in dim light is hard and shooting video of them is almost impossible. So many times, a wonderful clip of my child dancing like a fool has been ruined because I forget to turn on the overhead light. The iPhone just doesn't do well in low light -- videos are shadowy and the subjects are too dark. You can use the flash, but I find that the always-on flash overbrightens the area and causes your subject to squint if they look at your phone. For the best videos, turn on the lights or take your children outside in the sun. Give your video camera a few minutes to start up Unlike photos which can be captured within a few seconds, the video camera takes some time to fire up. You have to open the camera app, tap on the video camera and wait for the software to switch modes before you can press the record button. Depending on your iPhone model, it can take up to 30 seconds for all these steps. Plan accordingly or you will always be capturing your child's back as they run past you, instead of their smiling face as they run towards you. Alternatively, you can use the Camera app's ability to remember its last state to your advantage. Turn on the video camera before you want to shoot a clip and it will be ready to record the next time you open the Camera app. Take more footage than you need Always record more footage then you think you will need. Inevitably, you will stop a video early and your child will flash a smile that melts your heart and you will kick yourself for not leaving the camera on. If you capture more video than you need, you can always trim the video using the Photos app in iOS. For more advanced editing, you can download iMovie. Don't shoot in portrait Always, always, always remember to rotate your phone and shoot video in landscape mode, unless, of course, you are shooting portrait on purpose as a creative effect. A few years ago, my daughter participated in a pig scramble and captured a pig. My husband captured the event with his iPhone. He was in a rush and recorded the whole clip in portrait. We've tried watching the video a few times, but the action is so fast and the field of view so narrow that you really can't watch much more than 30 seconds of the clip without getting frustrated. Don't forget to take photos, too iOS 6 allows you to take photos at the same time you are recording a video. Just tap the camera icon when a video is recording to capture a photo. Experiment Play around with the video camera, get comfortable using it in different conditions and experiment. Most of all, have fun while you are capturing memories of your children that will last a lifetime.
Parenting Tip: Limit computer access with Parental Controls in OS X Mountain Lion
Earlier this year, we talked about limiting your child's access to iOS devices using Restrictions (Parental Controls). Did you know a similar set of controls exist on OS X, too? Available since OS X 10.4 Tiger, Parental Controls now allow you to limit the time your children have access to your Mac, control which websites they can view and what apps they can open. There's even an alternative, scaled-down Finder that hides most of the files on the computer. We looked at Parental Controls back in Leopard and they have changed only slightly since then. Just like earlier versions of OS X, Parental Controls in OS X Mountain Lion are available in the System Preferences panel. You will need an administrator's account to change the Parental Controls settings and an account for your children that has the Parental Controls applied to it. Click on the unlock icon on the bottom of the Parental Controls panel and then select your children's account to get started. If you don't have a children's account yet, you can create one by clicking the "+" button and then filling in the fields for the account name, password and so on. Parental Controls includes five different categories of settings that you can change. These categories are Apps, Web, People, Time Limits and Other. Clicking on a category tab will reveal the settings for each category. Below is a summary of what each tab controls: Apps: The Apps tab lets you select a simplified Finder for younger users as well as limit what applications your child can open. You can allow all App Store apps or limit your children to just a few chosen apps. Web: Web allows you to limit access to adult websites. You can also lock down all websites and use a white list to allow your children to browse only approved sites. People: People allows you to block Game Center multiplayer games and Game Center friend requests. You can also limit email and messaging to a list of allowed contacts. Time Limits: Time Limits allows you to set a schedule of computer usage for your kids. You can set both weekday and weekend hours and the duration of use. There's also a bedtime setting that'll keep the computer off limits from night owls trying to sneak a game of Minecraft while you sleep. Other: Other handles the smaller parts of the computer like disabling the camera, hiding profanity in the dictionary, disabling dictation and more. One handy feature of Parental Controls is the ability to change them remotely. I can easily change the settings on the kid's Mac mini using my MacBook Pro. If you want additional information on Parental Controls, head over to Apple's Support website and check out their "Find out how" video.
Parenting tip: How to exit out of Guided Access when it locks up
Guided Access is a handy feature in iOS 6 that lets you lock your child into a single app by disabling the hardware buttons on a device. It prevents your child from going hog wild through your iPhone or iPad when you hand it to them for some play time. Guided Access is great until it locks up and you can't exit from this mode. In general, iOS devices don't freeze very often, but some unknown glitch causes Guided Access to lock up occasionally. When this happens, you are stuck in the kids app and can't get back to the home screen. I've had it happen with enough frequency that I've bookmarked this handy tip from OS X Daily that shows you how to exit out of a frozen Guided Access device. When you are stuck in Guided Access mode, you are really stuck as the typical triple tap on the home button to quit out of Guided Access doesn't work. Even a force quit won't work because the power button and the home button are disabled. The only way to get out of Guided Access is to press the Home and Power button together for 15 seconds. This will turn off Guided Access by forcibly rebooting your device. Once your device is restarted, you can then go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access > and turn off Guided Access if needed. I usually keep Guided Access off by default and turn it on only when I am handing my iOS device to my children.
