Stay on Track: Top Calendar Apps for Schools and Colleges

Stay on Track: Top Calendar Apps for Schools and Colleges

Schools and colleges are busy places. Between regular classes, unexpected club meetings, and everything in between, students, teachers, and school staff have a lot on their plates. It can be a challenge to stay on top of everything and make sure nothing is overlooked. That’s where tools like calendar apps come in handy. They help everyone stay organized and on track. 

The Calendar App for Schools by VirtoSoftware is a popular choice, but there are many other options out there. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best calendar apps that can make life in an educational setting a bit easier. 

The Rising Need for Academic Calendar Apps

 1. Centralized Schedules: Access to all activities, events, and deadlines in one unified space.

2. Collaborative Planning: Facilitates seamless sharing of dates, assignments, and reminders.

3. Timely Alerts: Prevents overlooking crucial tasks or events with timely notifications.

A Dive into the Best Academic Calendars

 The Virto Calendar for Colleges for Schools isn’t just another app; it’s an experience. Picture a digital realm where every event, big or small, is meticulously mapped. From an urgent teacher’s meeting to a long-awaited college fest date, everything finds a neat corner. Its synchronized updates are like the gentle nudges, ensuring you’re always in sync with real-time changes.

 Google Calendar, meanwhile, is akin to a trusty old friend who knows just what you need. Its strength lies in its simplicity and integration. Whether you’re working on a school project using Google Docs or setting up a virtual class on Google Meet, this calendar keeps tabs, making sure you never miss a beat. The color-coding system? Think of it as the artist’s palette, allowing you to paint your schedule in hues that resonate with your mood and activity type.

 Stepping into the world of Microsoft Calendar is like entering a well-oiled machine. It’s a universe where every cog, bolt, and gear is interconnected. If your academic life heavily revolves around Microsoft’s ecosystem—be it Teams discussions, OneNote musings, or Outlook emails—this calendar becomes the central hub, orchestrating seamless symphonies of schedules.

 When students crave a sanctuary that understands their pulse, the myHomework Student Planner steps in. It’s not just about dates and alarms; it’s about presenting a holistic view of their academic journey. From that daunting math assignment to the much-anticipated science fair date, everything gets a spotlight.

 For the minimalists, Timetable emerges as the epitome of elegance and efficiency. Stripped of any distractions, it presents a pristine interface where every class, assignment, or meeting is treated with reverence. And its thoughtful feature, like the auto-mute, is like that silent guardian ensuring tranquility during classes.

 ClassUp is more than just a scheduling tool; it’s a canvas. Every student, teacher, or administrator becomes an artist, sketching out their unique academic narratives. From quirky annotations to vibrant visuals, it celebrates the individuality of each user.

 Any.do is like that meticulous friend who remembers everything. Its smooth interface makes task tracking seem like a breeze. Students and faculty alike can set reminders for assignments, meetings, or even the next coffee break. With integrations like Google Calendar and Outlook, it’s a seamless extension of one’s academic workflow.

 Fantastical is often hailed as the magician of calendar apps. Its natural language processing lets you create events using simple phrases like “Coffee with Prof. Smith at 3 PM tomorrow.” For college students juggling between classes, assignments, and social commitments, Fantastical becomes a trusted aide.

 Study Cal takes the essence of being a student into its core. Apart from basic scheduling, it assists in tracking grades and managing assignments and even gives a visual representation of one’s academic progress, making it an all-in-one academic companion.

a calendar showing a planning schedule post about top calendar apps

 Challenges and Solutions: Making the Most of Your Calendar App

 Navigating the academic world can sometimes feel overwhelming. Here are a few common challenges and how the right calendar app can provide solutions:

 Overlapping Schedules: With classes, club meetings, personal study sessions, and extracurricular activities, students often find their schedules overlapping. Advanced calendar apps allow users to visually block out times, ensuring they don’t double-book themselves and can plan rest periods in between activities.

 Forgetting Deadlines: It’s easy to lose track of when that big project is due or when an important test is scheduled. By setting up advanced reminders, users can get notifications not just on the day of the deadline but days or even weeks in advance, ensuring ample preparation time.

 Coordinating Group Projects: Group assignments often mean coordinating with several people’s schedules. Shared calendar features allow group members to sync their availability, making planning meetings a breeze.

Criteria to Consider: How to Choose the Right Calendar

Ease of Use

A user-friendly interface ensures that everyone, from tech-savvy students to educators, can navigate and use the app effectively.

 Integration Capabilities

A calendar that seamlessly integrates with other commonly used apps can greatly streamline academic processes.

 Customizability

The ability to personalize aspects of the calendar—be it color-coding or adding notes—enhances user experience.

 Accessibility

Choosing a platform that’s accessible across multiple devices ensures continuity, especially in our increasingly mobile world.

 Security & Privacy

Given the sensitive nature of some academic information, security features should be top-notch.

Beyond Calendars: Other Essential Digital Companions for Academia

While calendars keep your dates in check, the academic realm demands an arsenal of digital tools to keep everything else in order:

  • Task Managers: Tools like Trello or Asana can help in organizing group projects, delegating tasks, and ensuring timely submissions.
  • Note-Taking Apps: Evernote and OneNote come to the rescue, ensuring that every iota of information is captured, be it a lecture note or a sudden spark of inspiration.
  • Document Management: Google Drive or Dropbox keeps all academic documents organized, shareable, and accessible, ensuring collaborative endeavors are smooth.
  • Communication Platforms: Apps like Slack or Microsoft Teams foster communication, ensuring everyone stays on the same page.
  • Reading & Research: Tools like Mendeley or Zotero streamline the process of academic research, making referencing and bibliography a breeze.

Conclusion

 In today’s digitized academic environment, tools like the Calendar App for Schools by VirtoSoftware have become indispensable. But these calendar apps are more than mere schedulers. They’re the navigational compasses guiding students and educators through the intricate maze of academic commitments.

 The right calendar is akin to a reliable compass, helping users smoothly traverse the diverse landscape of academia. From integrating schedules and setting reminders to fostering collaboration, these digital aids are at the heart of modern academic success.

 As we merge education with technology, the essence isn’t just in adopting a tool, but in harnessing its true potential. It’s about maximizing productivity, alleviating stress, and ensuring that every academic moment is both organized and purposeful.

 

 

The best laptops for Windows users in 2023

The best laptops for Windows users in 2023

If you are looking for a new laptop that runs on Windows 11, you might be overwhelmed by the number of options available in 2023. There are laptops for every budget, need, and preference, from ultraportable to gaming to productivity to creativity. How do you choose the best laptops for Windows users or the best laptop for you?

In this blog post, we help to narrow down your choices. We have compiled a list of the best 2023 laptops for Windows users, based on their features, performance, design, and price. We will also give you some tips on how to find the best laptop for your specific needs and preferences.

Here are some of the best 2023 laptops for Windows users

two Dell XPS 15 OLED laptop opened in different positions, the laptop one of the best laptops for Windows users in 2023

Best overall: Dell XPS 15 OLED

The Dell XPS 15 OLED is our top pick for the best Windows laptop in 2023. It combines a stunning 15.6-inch OLED display with a sleek and sturdy design, a comfortable keyboard and touchpad, and powerful performance. The XPS 15 can handle any task you throw at it, from video editing to gaming, thanks to its 11th-gen Intel Core processors and Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics. It also has a long battery life of over 10 hours, a fast and reliable Wi-Fi 6 connection, and a range of ports including Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI 2.1. The XPS 15 OLED starts at $1,299, but you can customize it with up to 64GB of RAM, 4TB of SSD storage, and a 4K OLED touchscreen. The Dell XPS 15 OLED is ideal for professionals who need a high-performance laptop that can handle heavy workloads and multitasking.

Best value: Asus Zenbook 13 OLED

The Asus Zenbook 13 OLED is the best value in Windows laptops in 2023. For less than $1,000, you get a gorgeous 13.3-inch OLED display that delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks, a thin and light aluminum chassis that weighs only 2.5 pounds, and a snappy performance with an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and integrated Radeon graphics. The Zenbook 13 also has an impressive battery life of over 13 hours, a backlit keyboard with a number pad, and a Harman Kardon audio system. The only drawbacks are the lack of a headphone jack, a mediocre webcam, and mediocre speakers.

Best 2-in-1: Microsoft Surface Laptop 4

This laptop is a versatile and elegant device that can adapt to your needs. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 is the best 2-in-1 laptop for Windows users in 2023. It features a versatile design that lets you use it as a laptop or a tablet, with a smooth hinge and a responsive touchscreen. The Surface Laptop 4 also has a beautiful 13.5-inch or 15-inch PixelSense display with a 3:2 aspect ratio that offers more vertical space for web browsing and document editing. The Surface Laptop 4 delivers a fast and smooth performance with either an Intel Core or an AMD Ryzen processor, along with up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage. It also has a long battery life of up to 19 hours, a comfortable keyboard and touchpad, and a Windows Hello facial recognition camera.

The Surface Laptop 4 starts at $999, but you can also opt for the Surface Pen or the Surface Dial for more creative input options. It is ideal for users who want a laptop that can switch between laptop and tablet modes, and who value style and portability.

Best for gaming: Lenovo Legion Pro 7i

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is the best gaming laptop for Windows users in 2023. It boasts a powerful performance with an Intel Core i9 processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card that can handle any game at high settings and smooth frame rates. The Legion Pro 7i also has a stunning 16-inch QHD display with a 165Hz refresh rate, G-Sync support, and Dolby Vision HDR that enhances your gaming experience. It also has a sleek and durable design with RGB lighting, a spacious keyboard with mechanical switches, and an advanced cooling system that keeps the laptop from overheating or throttling. The Legion Pro 7i starts at $1,999, but you can upgrade it with up to 64GB of RAM and up to two SSDs in RAID configuration.

Best for business: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon

This laptop is a business-class device that offers reliability and security. It has a 14-inch display with IPS or Dolby Vision technology, an 11th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, up to 32 GB of RAM, and up to 1 TB of SSD storage. It also has a durable and lightweight design with carbon fiber material, a spill-resistant keyboard and trackpoint, and a long battery life. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is ideal for users who want a laptop that can withstand harsh conditions and who value performance and productivity.

Bonus: The HP Spectre x360

The HP Spectre x360 laptop is a convertible that can transform into four different modes: laptop, tablet, tent, and stand. It has a 13.3-inch or 15.6-inch touchscreen display with OLED or IPS technology, an 11th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, up to 16 GB of RAM, and up to 2 TB of SSD storage. It also has a stunning design with gem-cut edges and an angular hinge, a backlit keyboard and touchpad, and a long battery life. The HP Spectre x360 is ideal for users who want a laptop that can adapt to different scenarios and who appreciate aesthetics and innovation.

These are some of the best laptops for Windows users in 2023 that we recommend. Of course, there are many other options available in the market, so you should do your own research and compare different models before making your final decision.

Here are some tips on how to find the best laptop for you

Know your budget

How much are you willing to spend on a new laptop? You should set a realistic budget range that suits your financial situation and stick to it. You can find laptops for every price range, from low-end to high-end, but you should also consider the value for money and the quality of the product.

Consider your needs

What do you plan to use your laptop for? You should think about the main tasks and activities that you will perform on your laptop, such as browsing the web, watching videos, gaming, editing photos or videos, etc. You should also consider how often and where you will use your laptop, such as at home, at work, at school, or on the go.

Know your preferences

What features and specifications do you prefer in a laptop? Laptops come in various sizes, shapes, colors, and designs. You may prefer a laptop that is sleek and stylish or one that is durable and rugged. Or a laptop that has a keyboard with backlighting, or one that has a touchpad with gestures. You may also prefer a laptop that has a 360-degree hinge or one that has a detachable keyboard. Or a laptop that runs on Windows, Mac OS, Chrome OS, or Linux. There is no right or wrong answer here; it all depends on your personal taste and comfort.

We hope you find this post on the best laptops for Windows users in 2023 helpful and informative. What’s your best laptop and why?

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A big decision: switching from Playstation to Xbox

A big decision: switching from Playstation to Xbox

Hey gamers, welcome back to my blog where I share my thoughts and opinions on everything related to gaming. Today I want to talk about a big decision I made recently: switching from Playstation to Xbox. Yes, you read that right. I know some of you might be shocked or even angry, but hear me out. I have some good reasons for making this change and I want to share them with you.

First of all, let me say that I have nothing against Playstation. I have been a loyal fan of Sony’s consoles since the PS1 era and I have enjoyed many great games and experiences on them. I still have my PS4 and PS5 and I will continue to play them from time to time. But lately, I have been feeling more drawn to Xbox and what it has to offer.

switching from Playstation to Xbox features include Game Pass, xCloud

One of the main reasons is Game Pass. This is a subscription service that gives you access to hundreds of games for a monthly fee. You can download and play any game you want from a huge library that includes new releases, classics, indie gems, and even some exclusive titles. You can also stream games to your PC or mobile device with xCloud. This is a game-changer for me because it saves me a lot of money and time. Instead of buying games at full price or waiting for sales, I can just play whatever I want whenever I want. And if I don’t like a game, I can just delete it and try something else. No regrets, no hassle.

Another reason is the backward compatibility. Xbox supports playing games from previous generations of consoles, including the original Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. This means you can enjoy your old favorites or discover new ones without having to switch consoles or buy remasters. You can also benefit from improved graphics, performance, and features on newer hardware. For example, some games support FPS Boost, which increases the frame rate up to 120 fps, or Auto HDR, which adds high dynamic range lighting to older games. This makes playing old games feel fresh and new.

Xbox One

The third reason is the controller. I know this might sound trivial, but the controller is very important for me as a gamer. It’s the main way I interact with the games and it affects my comfort and enjoyment. And I have to say that I prefer the Xbox controller over the Playstation one. It feels more ergonomic and natural in my hands, the triggers are more responsive and adaptive, the thumbsticks are more precise and durable, and the battery life is longer. Plus, I like the design and color options better.

These are just some of the reasons why I switched from Playstation to Xbox. Of course, there are other factors that might influence your choice, such as exclusive games, online services, community, etc. But for me personally, Xbox offers more value, variety, and quality than Playstation right now. And that’s why I made the switch.

What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with me? Have you ever switched consoles or are you loyal to one brand? Let me know in the comments below. And don’t forget to like and subscribe for more gaming content. Thanks for reading and happy gaming!

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How many Ecobank virtual VISA cards can you create?

How many Ecobank virtual VISA cards can you create?

Can you create more than one Ecobank virtual VISA prepaid card with your Ecobank account? What are the limits and charges on the cards? Read on to find out more.

Ecobank virtual VISA card home page in the Ecobank mobile app

Virtual cards are online VISA prepaid cards that you can use to perform online payments. You can create them instantly and do not get a physical card. When you load the virtual prepaid card with money, the bank removes it from the account to the card. Oh, and you can send the money back to your account once you cancel the card. It also uses the same local currency as your account or country, unless you change that if it allows.

On the Ecobank mobile app, the feature comes in two types: a shopping card and a gift card. The shopping card comes at a cost of GHC10 while the gift card comes at a cost of GHC20. The shopping card is valid for 12 months, while the gift card is valid for 3 months. Ecobank charges you 2% of the amount for transactions online.

creating an Ecobank virtual VISA card

The maximum number of Ecobank virtual VISA shopping and gift cards you can have at a time is two and five, respectively. The maximum amount you can have on a shopping and gift card is GHS5,000 and GHS1,200, respectively. However, your daily loading limit for the shopping card is GHS5,000.

Ecobank virtual VISA card showing a gift card

How to create an Ecobank virtual VISA card

  • In the Ecobabk mobile app, select “CARDS”
  • Select “Virtual Cards”
  • Select “Create a Virtual Card”
  • Enter ‘Amount’ to be loaded onto the card
  • Select Account
  • Select Scheme type (MasterCard/VISA) and type of card
  • Enter mobile number
  • Proceed to enter PIN, Touch or Face ID to create the Virtual Card

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My emotional attachment to Apple Watch Ultra

My emotional attachment to Apple Watch Ultra

I absolutely love the Apple Watch Ultra. It is great and not too big as I was anticipating it to be. One major cool thing I found with the Ultra is the flipped action button. This is how theverge.com describes it; “The Apple Watch action button’s sole purpose is to do your bidding”, and I agree with them. Another interesting quote from theverge.com states: “Other smartwatches let you program hotkeys, but the Action Button on the Apple Watch Ultra can also trigger custom Shortcuts.”

What is Action Button on the Apple Watch Ultra

The Action Button is a programmable physical button that’s exclusive to the Ultra. Unlike the digital crown or side button, it isn’t hard coded to do any one thing. Instead, you can program it to do anything you want.

Apple placed the button on the side of the watch opposite the digital crown, right next to the speaker grille. And it’s designed to be hard to miss: It’s incredibly orange. It’s incredibly orange, an internationally recognized orange, which is used by the aerospace industry to visually distinguish objects from their surroundings. The choice suggests that the button ought to stand out and is meant for adventurous people. If you are an adventurous person like me then, the Ultra is for you.

Sport enthusiasts tieing show lace while wearing an Apple Watch Ultra

Who must get the Ultra

Apple Watch Ultra is aimed at athletes, sports enthusiasts, and adventurous guys that need more battery life and more sport-specific performance from their devices. Built for adventure, exploration, and endurance. It is a bit big though, thus, if your hands are as tiny as mine.

Ultra Specifications

The watch is 49mm, which is 4mm larger than the 45mm Apple Watch Series 8 being sold alongside it. It sports three built-in microphones to improve sound quality, and a beamforming algorithm that captures voice while reducing ambient background sounds even when it’s noisy outdoors. The is an 86-decibel siren available for drawing help if needed, with two SOS patterns.

It lasts for up to 36 hours on a single charge, and with a new low-power setting, battery life can last for up to 60 hours for multi-day adventuring. The battery lasts long enough for users to complete a long-course triathlon that includes a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a full 26.2-mile marathon.

The Watch Ultra features dual-frequency GPS, integrating both the L1 and L5 frequencies, plus it has new positioning algorithms. It provides the most accurate GPS of any Apple Watch, which means it also offers precise distance, pace, and route data for training and competing. the Apple Watch Ultra can withstand a wider temperature range

For water sports, the Apple Watch Ultra can hold up to kitesurfing, wakeboarding, and recreational scuba diving, activities not recommended for the standard Apple Watch models.

I promise you, you will love the Apple Watch Ultra.

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Drop: a new way to send files, notes across mobile and PC devices

Drop: a new way to send files, notes across mobile and PC devices

Drop is a new file and notes sharing feature in the Microsoft Edge browser that lets users send files and notes across their mobile and PC devices. The Drop sharing feature is located in the sidebar widget. It works by synchronizing a shared file across your devices using Edge and OneDrive. A kind of AirDrop feature that lets you share and receive photos, documents, videos, links, and notes or text to another device instead of a person.

The company has been testing and developing this new file-sharing feature since May this year. It has since moved from the Edge Canary Channel for early testers to more stable Edge versions. It appears it is still not generally available as i didn’t see it in the normal Edge browser. However, once it gets to the Dev Edge Channel it is likely to soon show up in the Beta channel and to all.

The Drop file-sharing feature tries to make sending links, text, images, and video from one device to another simple. This feature looks great as it only involves you and not another person or account. So you won’t have to create a fake contact or spam someone’s chat message with things you want to pick up from another device.

It is also another way Microsoft could be testing file sharing across devices as it doesn’t have a definite solution. Currently, it encourages Windows PC users to use the Phone Link app.

microsoft edge drop file sharing feature explained Windows 10 and 11, Mac PC interface
how it looks on a desktop Edge PC browser

How Drop file sharing feature works

First, you need to sign in to your Edge browser on both sending and receiving devices with your Microsoft account.

Next, the easiest way to use the feature is to open the sidebar widget and click it. On a Windows PC you can press the shortcut, control + shift +forward slash (Ctrl+Shift+/) to get to the side widget. Or Alt+F to open settings, then scroll down and select Show sidebar. Microsoft by default have it added, but if it isn’t you can click on the add (+) sign to add it.

Then click on the Edge Drop feature. The logo looks like a paper airplane. It will open up what looks like a text chat interface on the side. With a “write a note to yourself”, a plus (+) to select a file or photo to send, and a send feature the visible options.

microsoft edge drop file sharing feature explained Android, iOs mobile interface
how it looks on a mobile Edge browser

When you send a file, you will get a “New Drop messages in Edge” notification on the other devices you are signed in to asking you to click to open the file. The sent file then goes to a newly created “MicrosoftEdgeDropFiles” folder on your PC. I did not find any newly created folders on my mobile phone. When you click to open the Edge Drop file on mobile it takes you to the widget in the browser and you see the file and proceed from there.

From my current understanding, the file is also stored in a new folder in your Microsoft OneDrive account. You will notice a “Microsoft Edge Drop Files” folder with all the shared files except links and text as shown in the image below.t also uses your cloud storage and Microsoft doesn’t give any additional storage for this. So if you use it often and with large files, you will have to have a larger OneDrive storage or keep deleting them afterward.

Microsoft Edge Drop Files folder in OneDrive

It will be interesting to see the final feature when Microsoft releases or announces Drop to the public.

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