Friday, December 29, 2006

New Laptop

To the tune of "To all the girls I loved before"

To all the folks who gave me cash.
I bought a Dell and got a rash


Note: I did not get a rash...

But several people have given me money for my birthday or Christmas. Tuesday, I ordered a Dell Inspiron 6400 (it's the same system as the Inspiron E1505, which is more expensive) . Here are the high points.

  • Intel Core Duo processor T2050 (2MB/1.60GHz/533MHz)
  • 15.4 Inch TrueLife Wide-screen WXGA
  • 512MB, DDR2, 533MHz
  • 80GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Service Pack 2, English
  • 8X DVD+/-RW Drive
  • Dell Wireless 1390 802.11b/g Mini Card (54Mbps)
  • 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
  • Microsoft Works 8.5
  • 3 Year Dell Hardware Warranty Plus Onsite Service
  • Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Module (2.0 + EDR)
  • ExpressCard Media Remote for Bluetooth-enabled Notebook
  • Express Upgrade to Windows Vista Home Basic
It cost almost exactly $1000, but that's a great configuration which should last me years (I do plan to upgrade the RAM to 1.5GB).

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Bad Marketing 101

So, is the decapitated cat's head supposed to make the food more appealing?

Friday, December 22, 2006

Slow Day E

Slow Day E
Yesterday was a slow day at work and I found a completely new use for Notepad...

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Mobile Blogging Audio Test

I've already tested the ability to send text and photos from myTreo. This test will be to see if audio and drawings work too.

Lunch at The Vortex

This is a test of the mobile blogging features of Blogger. This picture was snapped the other day in Little 5 Points.

(The above portion of this message was sent directly to Blogger via MMS (this is often called picture messaging). The picture existed on my Treo and I just added the text. I then sent it to Blogger and after claiming the address of my phone, it was placed on my blog with no other intervention. This will enable me to get back to blogging as my schedule hasn't really allowed it, but I have my entire lunch hour to blog now. That means you can expect to see more content (not better content - this has to do with quantity over quality)

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Blogger - Out of Beta !!!

Woohoo! Now everyone can add tags to their blogs and take advantage of all of the cool templates.

Monday, December 11, 2006

Another Bad Verizon Experience

You may remember that about 18 months ago, I purchased a new Smartphone (Treo 600). I have never been pleased with the voice quality of the phone, but I generally like everything else about it.

I have had several bad experiences with Verizon Wireless, some of which I have mentioned in this blog before and some I haven't. I will list them here to inform you and refresh my tired memory.

At the time of purchase, I was lied to a couple of times at the store, and contemplated canceling my contract. I didn't because another store made me a believer again.

After I started working for the company where I now work, I learned that I could get 25% off my bill. I filled out the paperwork and started getting the discount. However, I was only getting a discount on my voice service, not the data plan or insurance. I called Verizon when I noticed that they had a plan for $80, which included voice and data, so since it was a single price, I assumed (and customer service assured me) that I would get the discount on the full amount, At that tine, my two year contract had to be renewed to make that change. After this, my bill was virtually the sane and when I've complained, everyone has apologized that I was given bad data.

2-3 months ago, Verizon called me and said that my text messaging had gone over my limit and I should get a different plan, which would provide more sms / mms usage. That change never occurred,

Last week, Verizon called me and said that my text messaging had gone over my limit and I should get a different plan, which would provide more sms / mms usage. I made that change and before the guy hung up, he asked me how I liked my phone and I said I didn't and I was counting the days till I could replace it under the New Every Two plan. He said that I didn't have to wait and if I went by a Verizon store, they would make me a great deal because of the holidays and it would be even cheaper than if I waited until April.

Saturday, Amy and I went to the Verizon Store. I had narrowed my choices down to the Motorola Q and the Verizon (Audiovox) VX6700. I stood and waited for the next salesperson who said that I was due no discounts, so the Q would cost me $419 and the VX-6700 was $519, Now, if I were not a loyal Verizon customer, the Q would have cost me $99,

I really like the phone service that Verizon provides. Most of Amy's family is on Verizon and it works and save my minutes because 'in network' calls are free.

I am sick to death of the price gouging that I am enduring as a long time Verizon customer. I am considering what my options are (as I've discussed before), I could get a new phone from Verizon and get a PDA fron someone else (TMobile will sell me their version of the VX6700 for $24, a $495 savings). My plan is to go to a store and explain my situation and see what they offer me.

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

High School Football

Last month I mentioned that Amy's high school had completed their season undefeated for the second time in that school's history. A couple of days ago, I learned that my high school also completed the season undefeated. While the Fort Payne Wildcats were defeated in the second round of the state playoffs, the Lamar CISD Mustangs are still winning in the state championship and only have to win two more games to become the school's first state Champions.