Tuesday Tech Tip #3: Three Non-Obvious Technology Essentials

I'm not really a gadget freak. Don't get me wrong - I can easily waste an hour in a Sharper Image or Brookstone store just like anybody else, but I'm not compulsive about buying them. My cell phone is the basic one I got when I signed up for my service. It has a camera, but I never use it. And while I keep talking about getting some kind of PDA/Palm, I still just haven't convinced myself that I have enough of a need to justify both the expense and the time investment of learning how to use it, maintaining it, etc.

But in the past few years, I've found that there are just a very few pieces of technology that I just simply couldn't live without, so I thought I'd share them with you in the hopes that you might find as much value in them as I have. I'm not including the obvious things like a computer (which you probably have if you're reading this), telephone, cell phone, etc., but some that you may not have thought of or be aware of just how great they are.

1. Skype

OK, I know, I know... Skype's not a "gadget", really, but a piece of software. In case you're not familiar with it, as they describe themselves, "Skype is a little piece of software that allows you to make free calls to other Skype users and really cheap calls to ordinary phones." It even supports free conference calls of up to five people. And they're even doing a special offer for U.S. and Canadian subscribers that calls to land lines and cell phones in the U.S. and Canada are free through the end of 2006. International calling rates are super-low, starting at $0.021 per minute. And they now even have conventional phones that you can use with your Skype account, rather than having to use a computer headset.

If you do a fair amount of long distance calling, especially long conference calls or international that can really add up quickly, Skype can be a huge cost-saver for your business.

2. Telephone/Computer Headset (compare prices)

Even if you don't spend a lot of time on the phone, these are invaluable. I have two of them, one for my phone and one for my computer for web seminars and Skype calls. With both hands free, I can easily type notes about the call (a very important habit for entrepreneurs) or pull up e-mails, documents and Web sites I might need to refer to for the call. Plus I don't get a crick in my neck, and I avoid the embarassment of dropping the phone on people (you know you've done it too).

I don't leave the headsets on all the time -- I don't do that much phone work to justify it. But any time I know a call is going to be more than a minute or two, I put it on.

3. Electronic Labeler (compare prices)

A friend of mine suggested this to me a few years ago, and it's turned out to be one of the most productive tips anyone has ever given me. I try to be paperless, for the most part, but not to the point of scanning every paper documents. I do keep contracts, product manuals, warranties, brochures, etc. I also have containers for various office supplies: pens, pencils, fasteners, etc. A simple handheld electronic labeler makes it quick and easy to make consistently neat and legible labels for file folders and containers. You don't need anything expensive - they can be had for under $30. I like the Brother PT-80, the newer version of the one I use.

Warning - you'll get hooked. Next thing you know you'll be labeling all those little jars and drawers in your garage, generic food containers for things like flour, sugar, etc. I even use it for labeling video tapes.

So those are my three non-obvious technology essentials. I hope you get as much value out of them as I have. What are your non-obvious technology essentials? Leave a comment below or join the conversation in the forum.

Related: Keeping Up With Technology: Four Steps and Some Resources