Don't let the grass grow under your feet

I recently read James Tanner's blog post What good are apps? It made me to reflect on the apps I have on my Android devices.

James says "If I download and app and after a while, if I find I just don't use it, I do delete the ones I don't use. Sometimes an app seems like a really good idea, like the one I had to find my car in a parking lot, but then in reality, I don't lose my car in parking lots, so the app was never used." My practice echoes that of James.

James' post did remind me that I was in a bit of a rut. I have been so wrapped up in playing with my new Samsung Galaxy S3 that I haven't tried any new apps out recently. I am not an app happy person who downloads tens of apps each day but, if a fellow genealogist mentions something that appeals then I download it and give it a go.

I also noticed that my mate, Dear Myrtle, has been using Zite (a free personalised magazine) and posting links on social networking sites to several articles she has found there. Firstly I dismissed Zite as I already read several hundred blogs and follow lots of genealogists on social networking sites. Then I thought that I should have a look (I have great respect for Myrt). I have found that the Zite Android app is easy to set up and tailor to my interests and that it returns some interesting articles that I would never have found. I believe that as I continue to use Zite it will note my preferences and return even more appropriate articles for my attention. The downside is that I have now found even more blogs to add to my RSS feed. For genealogists who wish to expand their reading horizons this is a valuable app.

A Paper Camera photo of mine

Just last night Genealogist, Kerry Farmer, posted on Facebook a photo she had taken with the Paper Camera app. I was so taken with this image that I actually shelled out $1.95 to purchase and download this app; I usually restrict myself to free apps. I can't yet see too many genealogy applications for  Paper Camera   except for providing nice images for my blogs. As I don't have a creative bone in my body this app appealed to me and I'm sure I will have more then $1.95 worth of fun playing with it.

I think that Zite  and  Paper Camera  will remain in my collection of Android apps for quite a while.

Have you tried any new apps lately that may benefit your genealogy experience?