Back to school for the kids, and back to work for the adults — hopefully it has been a good summer.
Well, we know the shortened week after a holiday weekend can go by in a blur. Plus you might have been busy following the Democratic National Convention or the start of the NFL season.
If this is the case, and you haven’t had time to read up on digital resources that could enrich your day-to-day life, don’t fret because we’ve compiled a helpful guide for your reading pleasure.
This week’s list includes back-to-school apps, tools for small business owners and entrepreneurs, and even an app that can help you decide how to be an equitable tooth fairy.
In anticipation of soon-to-be-released tech products, we have an in-depth look at what new perks the devices will feature and how they compare to older models. For NFL fans, we have a list of Twitter users you should follow to stay informed. For parents, we have a list of things you should never do on Facebook!
There’s a little bit of everything this week, so sink your teeth in to Mashable’s weekly digital resources guide.
Editor’s Picks
- 5 Free Adobe Creative Suite Alternatives That Get the Job Done
If you’re a creative type, you’re probably familiar with Adobe’s renowned Creative Suite.
- Amazon’s New Kindles: Everything You Need to Know
Amazon just refreshed its entire line of Kindle products, and tablets will never be the same.
- The Top 5 Things Parents Should Never Do on Facebook
Take note of these five Facebook faux pas parents.
- 10 Killer Apps for Engineering and Science Majors
These 10 apps will help science and engineering college majors grasp complex topics and more efficiently manage their heavy workloads.
- CPR Tips for Your Drowned Cell Phone
Check out these CPR tips for your drowned cell phone.
Social Media
- 5 Facebook Apps That Are Shaking Up Politics [VIDEO]
These five political apps are using the power of Facebook’s Open Graph to revolutionize politics in the age of social media.
- Chain.ly Is the Craigslist for Finding People Who Can Help Out
Chain.ly is a community board that wants to make an impact by making Internet-driven connections less serendipitous.
- Most Facebook Apps Can Post Behind Your Back [UPDATED]
Privacy protection company Secure.me analyzed some 500,000 Facebook apps, and shared the results. The biggest takeaways: 63% of those apps ask for the ability to post on your behalf — and 69% of them want your email address.
- 20 Tricks to Make Facebook Better
From simple settings option, to browser plug-ins, these 20 tips, tricks and tools will take your Facebook experience to the next level.
- What Happens to Your Money When Kickstarter Fails?
Kickstarter explains who is responsible for backers’ money when a project fails.
In time for 2012′s new NFL season, we’ve collected 32 accounts that will keep you informed, entertained and up-to-date.
When employers and employees are divided geographically, emerging software can bridge the gap and enable working together.
We’ve all heard of AMA, but there are plenty of awesome less-famous subreddits that deserve more credit. Here are a few of our favorites.
For more social media news and resources, you can follow Mashable‘s social media channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.
Business & Marketing
- 11 Things You Didn’t Know About Yelp
Next to Google, there’s probably no more important site for small businesses than Yelp. Yet perhaps no other site is as poorly understood.
- The State of Ecommerce [INFOGRAPHIC]
Consumer trends and data discuss the current state and project the staggering future of ecommerce.
- 4 Ways to Budget Your Business Like a Pro
The most difficult part of planning finances is planning for the unexpected. We ask a few entrepreneurs for tips from their experiences.
- Private Social Site Rootsy Lets You Connect With Your Family Tree
Frustrated with existing social networks and over-sharing personal family moments, a group of seven entrepreneurs developed Rootsy.
- 6 Ways to Prove Yourself as a Young Entrepreneur
After talking to communities full of entrepreneurs in their 20s, here’s what we’ve learned that’s worth passing on.
- How to Follow New York Fashion Week Online
Fashion Week can feel overwhelming. We’ve gathered the best resources for enjoying the festivities online and via your mobile phone.
- How to Develop Your Digital Strategy
Constructing digital strategies on behalf of clients makes one thing clear: Clients are often confused about how to actually develop one.
- What Skills Do Tech Companies Look for In New Hires?
We asked hiring managers at seven hot tech companies what they’re currently looking for in new hires.
- 5 Reasons to Found a Startup in Canada
Here are five reasons why entrepreneurs should consider setting up shop in Canada.
- 7 Tips to Ace Your Video Interview
Job seekers may want to brush up on their skills in front of the camera, new research shows.
- Rocket21 Is a New Kind of Social Site for Tweens
Brian Solis sits down with Jodell Seagrave of Rocket21, a new social networking site that connects teens to older professionals.
- Stay Connected on Family iBoard, the Social Network for Families
Family iBoard is a private social network designed to keep families connected no matter where they live.
For more business news and resources, you can follow Mashable‘s business channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.
Tech & Mobile
- This App Knows More About Your Facebook Account Than You Do
An app from Wolfram Alpha analyzes your Facebook profile and spits out revealing details about your account and friends.
- 5 Spy Gadgets Used by Real Life James Bonds
Check out these five spy gadgets used by real-life James Bonds.
- How to Change the Function of Your iPhone’s Volume Buttons
The iPhone’s volume bottoms are set up to control the device’s ringer and alert volume, but they can be reassigned for a different purpose.
- How to Check If Your Apple Device ID Was Compromised
A hacker group said it compromised 12 million Apple iOS Unique Device IDs (UDIDs) — is your device at risk?
- Can Real-Time Data Give Your Site an Edge?
The web is a complex place; real-time data gets you actionable information ASAP.
- Wearable Action Cam Brings Intense Video to Facebook and the iPhone
Wearable POV action cameras, and the intense, first-person videos they produce, grow more popular every day.
- Everything You Need to Know About Nokia’s Lumia Event [VIDEO]
If you didn’t follow Nokia’s livestream or Mashable’s live blog for its big press event, here is a recap of what you missed.
- 6 Tips For Getting the Best Insurance for Your iPad
There are plenty of options to insure your iPad, but it can be harder to find the right policies at the right price.
- Amazon Kindle Fire HD Packs a Punch [HANDS-ON]
We got to spend a little time with the all-new Kindle Fire HD after Amazon’s event.
- 7-Inch Shootout: New Kindle Fires vs. Nexus 7
With so many 7-inch tablets hitting the market, we decided to stack Amazon’s latest Kindle Fire products against Google’s Nexus 7.
- 5 Crowdsourcing Platforms Every Developer Should Know
Here are the five crowdsourced, collaborative platforms that can really help developers create quality user experiences.
For more tech news and resources, you can follow Mashable‘s tech channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.
Lifestyle
- How Mobile Tech Is Changing Travel [INFOGRAPHIC]
This infographic shows just how much freedom mobile devices have given to the last-minute, spontaneous travel addict.
- Solvish Maps Out Local and Global Issues Waiting for Solutions
Solvish is a problem-solving platform that connects individuals to solve ongoing local and global problems.
- 12 Things Students Should Never Do on Social Media
The last thing young people want is another set of rules. But these days, social media comes with great responsibility.
- Learn to Cook the Perfect Steak With This Simulator [VIDEO]
The advent of digital cooking is upon us. Since digital food technically has no calories, this could be the cure for obesity.
- These 3 Home Appliances Could Change Your Life
These three innovative home appliances could change the way you live.
- 99Dresses Is an Infinite Closet of Free Fashion
Online platform 99 Dresses lets women trade their clothes and, in essence, create an infinite closet of their own.
- 9 Tech Tools That Make City Living a Snap
In the city, little things like trips to the grocery store can be a major pain. Here are nine products and services that’ll improve your urban dwelling experience.
- RunKeeper’s In-App Personal Training Feature is Now Free
It’s always helpful to have some guidance when stating a new workout routine, or perhaps running your first 5K.
- Better Homes and Gardens Launches ‘Paint Anything’ App
DIYers, rejoice! Better Homes and Gardens magazine launched an iOS app that focuses on the most affordable DIY project — painting.
- 15 Stylish Ladies to Follow on Pinterest
Just in time for New York Fashion Week, we found the most creative, glamorous and stylish Pinterest pinners.
- Visa Tooth Fairy App Helps Parents Price a Lost Tooth
Visa has created a novelty app to help parents determine how much money the Tooth Fairy should leave their children for a lost tooth.
For more digital lifestyle news and resources, you can follow Mashable‘s lifestyle channel on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.
Image courtesy of Flickr, webtreats
via mashable.com
