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Windows phone

What was in those biscotti again?

(Or, How I became efficient, in spite of myself)

I try to be organized, really I do. It just seems I can never find the time today for that initial organizational push that will help me save time tomorrow. Or worse, on the rare occasion that I do manage to plan ahead, reality invariably finds a way to mess with me.

Case in point: Last night, after searching several recipe sites for a yummy, not-too-fat-laden cookie to make for the company’s holiday potluck, I settled on a biscotti recipe and jotted down the ingredients on a handy piece of paper. (Seems biscotti, those staple Italian dunking cookies, don’t require the two sticks of butter used in most other cookies—some sugar, sure, but at least no butter.) I also remembered to bookmark the site so I’d have the recipe handy come baking time.

Ah, efficiency…
Then today, as planned, I simply run to the market during lunch and pick up the necessary ingredients.

Ah, reality…
Of course, when I get to the grocery store, the list isn’t in my pocket. Nor is it in my wallet or my cell phone case. In a vision, I clearly see it on my desk, next to the computer. Seems in my mad dash to the bus this morning, I forgot my list.

Ah, futility…
Fine, I’ll get everything I can think of and hope I don’t have to make another trip to the store this evening. I head to the baking aisle in search of, let’s see: flour, sugar, almonds, chocolate. And what else? Gotta be more than that.

Ah, inspiration…
Then, like a flash of lightning from the heavens, an idea forms in my feeble mind.

I can use my Windows Mobile phone to find the recipe online. I’ll be able to find all the ingredients and not have to make another trip tonight. How very twenty-first century of me!

As my mind follows this thread, I remember that I added the recipe to my Favorites. Since I synced before I shut down last night, the bookmark should already be on my phone. Sweet!

I whip out my phone, start Internet Explorer, choose the right Favorite, and voilą, the recipe appears. There’s no way I’d have remembered baking powder or almond extract.

Ah, mobility…
A few hours later, I dip my still-warm biscotti into a creamy cappuccino, perhaps a bit too pleased with myself. After all, folks browse the web from their mobile phones all the time. Still, it feels good to have used my mobile phone for something other than a simple phone call.

What makes it even better is that my own little Windows Mobile moment didn’t require much extra effort on my part—just good bookmarking habits and a quick sync.

Easy as pie (or is that biscotti?)

Here’s a quick rundown of how you can use bookmarks and Windows Mobile to take the web research you do at home with you when you head into the outside world.

Tip Review the detailed instructions for browsing the web using your Windows Mobile phone to make sure you’re getting the most from the experience.

To ensure consistency between browsing the Internet from home and on the go using your mobile device, make sure that you set up synchronization between your computer and your phone.

Depending on your operating system, you’ll use either ActiveSync or Windows Mobile Device Manager. When you set up synchronization, make sure to select Mobile Favorites (or Favorites, if you use Windows XP).

Add Favorites to the Mobile Favorites folder

To make sure you can quickly access your favorite web sites using your Windows Mobile device, add them to your Mobile Favorites folder in Internet Explorer on your desktop or laptop computer.

Note You must synchronize your phone to make sure that the Mobile Favorites folder appears in Internet Explorer on your computer.

To add a web site to Favorites on your desktop computer:

  • In Internet Explorer on your computer, navigate to the desired web page and choose Favorites > Add to Favorites.
    Windows Explorer Favorites menu with Add to Favorites selected.

  • Select the Mobile Favorites folder and any subfolder, like Recipes, and click OK.
    Add Favorite dialog box, with Mobile Favorites folder selected.

Access Mobile Favorites on your Windows Mobile device

After you’ve added sites to the Favorites folder on your computer and synced your mobile phone and computer, you can easily view your favorite web pages using your Windows Mobile phone.

To view Favorites:

  • Choose Start > Internet Explorer.
    Start with Internet Explorer selected.

  • Select Favorites, click the arrows to expand it, and then select More Favorites.
    Microsoft Internet Explorer Mobile window with Favorites selected.
    Microsoft Internet Explorer Mobile window with More Favorites selected.

  • If necessary, open any nested folders (like Recipes), and select the one you want to access.
    Internet Explorer Mobile Favorites folder with Recipes folder selected.
    Recipe folder in Internet Explorer Mobile with Biscotti recipe selected.

  • View your favorite page.
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