iPhone Home Button Issues

Tags

home button, home button fix, iphone, iphone fix

If you have had your iPhone for more than a year (particularly the iPhone 4), then you have probably experienced this issue – you click on the home button, trying to exit the current application, and nothing happens. You double-click the home button trying to access your multi-task tray…and nothing happens. Frustrating!

If you are one of the lucky ones whose iPhone is still under warranty, you have the option of taking it in and getting a replacement. For those of us who are out of warranty, though the situation seems bleak, there is hope! Below are five possible fixes for your iPhone home button blues (and remember – attempt these at your own risk):

1. Reboot your iPhone – This is really the first fix for any problem you may experience with your iPhone. Hold down the home and standby buttons together until it powers down, then back up again (when you see the Apple logo appear, you’ve successfully rebooted).

2. Reset the home button sensitivity – Open any app (some people say the ‘Stocks’ app is best), then press the standby button until the ‘slide to power off’ screen appears. Release the standby button, then press and hold the home button. After several seconds, the app will suddenly exit and return you to the home screen. Your home button sensitivity has been reset!

3. Restore your iPhone via iTunes – This one takes a while. Plug your iPhone into your computer, and backup your phone first. Next, choose to restore your phone. Basically you will be wiping your phone clean, then restoring your data from the backup.

4. Use the virtual home button – This is more of a workaround than a fix. Choose the settings app, then choose ‘General’, then ‘Accessibility’. Scroll down to ‘AssisstiveTouch’ and turn it on. A white button will appear on your screen – this is your new home button.

5. Clean the home button with rubbing alcohol – I know this one sounds crazy, but for me, it has actually worked the best. This video does a good job of explaining this process. Essentially you dip your finger in 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol, run your finger around the home button 10 times (you can follow it with 10 more in the opposite direction), then click on 4 different points of the home button rapidly 20 times each. Flip your iPhone over, face down, and tap the bottom and let it dry. Flip it face up again, and clean the gunk that shows up around the home button. Voila! You may need to do this a few times, but it has given me the best results thus far.

Home button causing you problems? Do you have a solution that works that isn’t listed above? Leave a comment.

Fear and Blogging in North Texas

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blog, blogging, fear, write, writing

A few weeks back I wrote about why one should blog. This got me to thinking about why more people don’t blog, and to really examine what prevented me from blogging up until now. Really it boiled down to one thing – fear. For many of us (myself include), fear is an old nemesis that prevents us from stepping out into something greater, something better, something that could take us to the next level.

As I reflected on my own insecurities about blogging, I came up with a few reasons why people fear making the plunge into the blogosphere and why, more importantly, they should overcome them:

Fear of Making Your Thoughts Reality. Have you ever played something out in your mind (a great sales pitch, defending a loved one, asking someone on a date) only to have it fall way short of expectations when the real-life situation presented itself? Me too. Reality can be like that sometimes – but not always. You can close the deal, you can defend your spouse’s honor, you can get the girl, you can write that amazing, life-changing blog post that goes viral – but only if you DO something. If you keep your thoughts and ideas to yourself, nothing will happen 100% of the time.

Fear of Putting Yourself Out There. Any time you put your thoughts and ideas out for others to read and digest, you open yourself up to the thoughts and criticisms of others. It is human nature to avoid this type of transparency, because it makes us vulnerable, and we don’t like that! You have to look at this from the flip side, however, and see it as an opportunity for personal growth. Not only is this a chance for you learn how to handle criticism (both good and bad), but it is an opportunity to self-reflect on what your core beliefs and values are. It’s easy to say what you stand for and believe in when you’re in a vacuum, but to do so openly for the world to see – you really begin to understand and know yourself in a much stronger way.

Fear of What Others Might Think. Yes, people will form opinions about you based on what you write. No, they won’t all be positive. But to limit yourself based on what others might think of you is like staying at home and never venturing out because you might get hit by an SUV – it’s dumb! Don’t worry about what others might think of you and your writing – just write. What you will soon discover is that there is a wonderful community of people out there who will provide positive comments and criticism, people who are interested in what you have to say and want to help you grow. And keep this in mind: learning how to take/handle negative criticism is an invaluable life skill in and of itself.

What fears are keeping you from blogging? What fears did you have to overcome when you started blogging? Leave a comment.

Why Blog?

Tags

2012, blog, Encouragement, writing

If you’re anything like me, you may be wondering “Why should I blog?” If I have something to say, I’ll say it, otherwise I’ll keep my thoughts/opinions to myself. I hate it when people talk just for the sake of talking, rambling aimlessly without a point to make. It makes a poke in the eye with a sharp stick look VERY appealing.

All kidding (and sarcasm) aside, there are a myriad of excellent reasons why one should blog, from personal/professional growth to building your own brand. A post I recently read by Bill Carozza (“5 Reasons Educators Should Blog“) does a great job of explaining some of those reasons. Here are a few of the reasons why I decided to start blogging:

It’s puts your thoughts/ideas out there for the world to see. There’s something to be said about putting your thoughts on paper. You take it to another level when you put your thoughts out there for the world to see. Granted, the world in this case may be your spouse and your Aunt Edna, but still, other people are reading what you are thinking. This forces you to reflect on what you think and why you think it, which ultimately leads to greater knowledge and understanding. If you’re feeling ambitious, publish some personal/professional goals on your blog–that’ll light a fire under you to get them accomplished.

It sparks collaboration. Collaboration is a wonderful thing, enhanced by the advent of social media. Ideas can be shared at the speed of thought, burning questions can be answered by experts in the field, and the profession as a whole benefits from the large base of knowledge that is available to any and all willing to search for it. For me personally, the knowledge I have learned from my PLN, and the information I can access is far greater than anything I could receive if I was limited to only my own campus or district.

If I can do it, others can do it. I strive each day to be an example to others in all that I do. As a father, I try to set an example for my children. As a Christian, I strive to reflect Christ in the way that I live. As an administrator, I want to set the example for my staff on how to incorporate technology and digital learning into the classroom. How can I inspire and lead them to do so unless I’m doing it myself? By walking the walk, setting the example, and leading the way, I hope to inspire others to follow my example and do the same.

This is by no means an exhaustive list on why you should blog, nor is it the most eloquent. For those of you still on the fence about taking the plunge into the world of blogging, my hope is that reading this blog has nudged you a little closer to the edge.

Why do you blog? Leave your thoughts and comments.

Be Strong and Courageous

Tags

2012, Encouragement, February, leadership

It’s February, and we’re at that point of the school year where we’re closer to the end than the beginning. It’s also one of the longest stretches without a holiday somewhere in the middle, preparation time for the testing season, and the patience of teachers and students alike has flown south for the winter.

That being said, one the most important things campus leaders can provide their staff during this time is encouragement. Yes, we should be doing this throughout the year, but how many of us truly do? I’m not talking about “good job” or “nice work”; I’m talking about specific, meaningful encouragement.

Humans thrive on encouragement. Unfortunately, we also tend to dwell on the negative. We can quickly recall negative emotional experiences, but are hard-pressed to recall the positive. Think about when you read reviews, whether it’s a book, a restaurant, or an app. How much impact do the negative reviews have, when compared with the positive? Be honest!

If we expect our teachers to reinforce student behavior with positive praise, we should expect the same of ourselves as campus leaders. Handwritten notes in mailboxes, sticky notes on computer monitors, a short conversation in the hallway; however you choose to do it, just do it. Be intentional, be consistent, and above all, be genuine. Seemingly small investments like this in your teachers will reap great rewards in campus morale, and ultimately student learning.

Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land… Joshua 1:6

Small Steps

Tags

2011, July

I’ve put off starting a blog for a while, for two reasons: I’m not particularly fond of writing (I’m a math guy), and who really is going to care enough to read what I say?

What I’ve decided is this: who cares if anyone is going to read what I’ve written? Why not just share what I have to say, and let others decide the value it holds for themselves?

So this initial post is a small step towards what I hope will become a greater body of work with (mostly) meaningful contributions to others. As I continue to learn and grow as a school administrator, it is my desire to share not only my own experiences, but also the wealth of information that I come across via my colleagues, teachers, and those in my PLN (professional learning network).

Todd