Learning About the Magic Jack Gadget

September 19, 2010 — Mrs. Mecomber
mjusb

Sheesh, HOW many years have I puttered around with making a decision?? I’m still very undecided. I’m talking about the Magic Jack device. Actually, I’m generally talking about Voip (voice over Internet protocol). Yes, I am still at the mercy of my local telephone company– I still have the landline. And what an expensive venture it is! WHY oh why is phone service so expensive? And if we used it more often, it might even be somewhat worth it. But 85% of our telephone calls are either solicitations, wrong numbers, or calls for the people who had the number before we got it. It’s INSANE. The phone rings all day long, and it’s almost never for us! It’s getting to be quite the aggravation. I’m looking around at options.

I heard about the Magic Jack about a year ago now. I read very mixed reviews; some people said it worked well, others said their service was spotty. Either way, it’s very inexpensive. There’s a site called “Magic Jack Numbers” that seems to be devoting itself to everything you wanted to know about Magic Jack. I’ve been poring through the articles. I really haven’t found a whole lot of information about it– SOLID information, not sensational hype. I really don’t care if the device is “as seen on TV!” I want to know how it works, what the software looks like, about magic jack numbers, etc. I would really like to change my phone number to get rid of all the wrong and annoying calls; looks like I can with the numbers. I like the testimonies on the site– they are simple and very well-written. They also include screenshots of the Magic Jack software, and give a good idea of what to expect for the install process. I’d like to see even more articles added, such as a tutorial or video, or tips or whatever. You can also get phone service through the computer with the Magic Jack, too. Hmmm!

Anyway, if you have been wondering about the Magic Jack, check out the site. If you have a Magic Jack, please leave a comment! I’d like to know more about the device. Voip is becoming a very stiff competition for landline service (deservedly so, in my opinion), so I’m thinking of getting my feet wet very soon. I’ll have reviews to come. In the meantime, check the site or let me know your opinions.

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Posted in computers, gadgets, technology. Tags: , , . 1 Comment »

Customize Your Computers

September 17, 2010 — Mrs. Mecomber
laptop907-97

I found this site just in time: Howard custom computers. I’ve been toodling around computer websites, comparing prices and specs (it always takes me FOREVER to choose a new computer, because I am so fussy). I am SO SICK of seeing the Atom processor. It is a weenie of a processor, and I dislike it very much. Yet, I see it everywhere, and it’s driving up the prices of the better Duo Core and Quad Core processors! Last year, I was able to get a dual core computer with 4BG memory for $300. It was a STEAL. I should have bought two, because that same computer is now $450!!! :-p I am very dissatisfied with the Big Box, cookie-cutter computer selection out there. I was thinking about assembling a computer myself, but I do not have the time to research all the components, nor do I have the time to assemble it right now.

So I found Howard custom computers website, when they asked me to mention them here. This looks like a pretty cool site! You can start off with a basic Howard computer, and upgrade it JUST the way you want. They will build it, they will ship it– it’s a perfect combination! Howard also sells all the major brands for all your digital and technology needs (HP, Toshiba, etc). Besides PCs, Howard can create the perfect custom laptop! Howard also sells other tech devices and accessories such as camcorders, PDAs, workstations, hard drives, network cables, everything! The site looks very cool.

Anyway, if the cookie-cutter computers at the Big Box stores are too lame for you, definitely check out the custom computers at Howard.

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The New (and Improved) Twitter

September 15, 2010 — Mrs. Mecomber
twitterbirdy

In case you missed the announcement on the homepage of Twitter.com, there’s a “New Twitter” coming soon. It looks very good, with better usability. However, I wonder if we will have to change our profile backgrounds? I never liked the old way of working with Twitter, especially the backgrounds (having to click link after link with page after page), but I’m not looking forward to changing my custom-made background.

Here’s a video showing the changes in Twitter. Endure the minute of “fluff” to get to the end, where the video FINALLY gets to the point.

The nitty gritty:

  • Twitter teamed up with a few companies to enable embedded videos and photos without leaving the Twitter website. Nice one.
  • Obviously, the Twitter website will be redesigned to accommodate the changes. It will have two columns with more features.
  • You will be able to see who has recently followed you! I like this. Until now, it has always been a mysterious scavenger hunt.
  • When you click a tweet, you’ll be presented with little popup icons, leading to various content such as @ replies, geographic location, other similar tweets, etc.

  • Twitter now has mini profiles for a quick peek at fellow twitheads. I don’t know if these can be customized; I hope so.

Twitter will be “rolling” these changes out slowly, to avoid user-shock, I suppose. I’m very curious, I hope I don’t have to wait very long.

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Posted in Internet, Twitter. Tags: , . 2 Comments »

Code My Concept: Providing the Nuts and Bolts of Beautiful Web Design

September 14, 2010 — Mrs. Mecomber

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of CodeMyConcept. All opinions are 100% mine.

When it comes to your website, be it for business or pleasure, you really do want it to be all YOU. In the SEO world, we call this “branding.” That’s a rather chilly term for what I like to think of as “your online personality.” Part of your online personality– your “branding”– is web design. I have emphasized for quite a few years the utter importance of a good, functional web design. I’m sure the old “Kubrick” WordPress theme was amazing for its time, but PLEASE. We’ve progressed now!

Web design is NOT easy, this coming from a gal who has tried it and is still learning. I can see the end result in my mind– that beautiful, exquisite opus magnus that creates undulating waves of awesomeness for all my readers… but getting the nuts and bolts together to make it a reality? Not so easy.

I’ve got some good news for you if you are interested in creating a unique design: CodeMyConcept. There’s a very impressive and talented group of people working there! CodeMyConcept crafts your glorious design into code, into a theme for your website. You can install the new theme, or have the CodeMyConcept do it for you.

What I have done is very, very simply described what the team does. Of course, there’s a lot more to it, a lot more this talented team of artists and coders can do. You’ll have to visit the CodeMyConcept website to read more about it. Their website is (obviously) of superior design, and the information is simple and very readable. Go to the website and click the link “Our Work.” It’s exceptional! The prices are not bad at all, definitely within the “branding” budget. And it’s definitely less expensive than hiring an independent designer.

CodeMyConcept guarantees their work, and they specialize in PSD to html service (although, they also do a lot more). I’m really impressed, especially with the prices. I realize I have spent WAY too much on those “premium” themes that everyone else has. :-p Next time I need a design for my websites, I’m checking these guys out.

Codemyconceptopplogo

Visit my sponsor: CodeMyConcept--A Web Designer's Best Friend!

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Posted in blogs, business services, conversion programs, html coding, web design, websites, Wordpress. Tags: , , , . Comments Off »

Widening Your TV Horizons

September 13, 2010 — Mrs. Mecomber

Before television signals were switched from digital to analog, all it took to get a signal was some rabbit ears antennae (albeit for only local reception). Today’s digital reception has created some healthy competition between the types of providers, however. Here are some things to remember when choosing a television service:

Channels Availability
Both cable TV and satellite TV provide a ton of channels. Cable users often complain that there are too many choices for cable TV- they dislike receiving (and paying for) thousands of channels. Dish Network DirecTV offers channels in packages; for example, they have a Family Package where you pay for only family-friendly programming with 50 or so channels. Or there’s the “ultimate” deal where you pay for all channels. It’s a very nice option, and it helps the budget, too.

Quality and Downtime
Cable TV is distributed through coaxial cable lines. If you have cable TV, I’m sure you know that these lines break or fall down, since they are usually physically strung on telephone poles. DirecTV is transmitted by satellite. Of course, satellite transmission experiences interference from time to time. When it comes to signal clarity (High Definition, also known as HD), DirectTV prides themselves on offering exceptional HD quality. Sports fans particularly appreciate the extreme clarity of HDTV.

High-Speed Internet
I look into cable TV options from time to time (I am interested in Voip and high-speed Internet, not TV). I am still astonished at the high prices, even for a limited package of plain old high-speed Internet. Satellite Internet is expensive, too, however. Depending on your plan, you may be charged extra if you go over the limit of service allotted to you. Overall, I think Internet service is expensive for both cable and satellite. The determining factor for one of the other is, in many cases, location. Cable lines may not be available for rural locations, and therefore satellite Internet is the only option.

For more information in comparing the pros and cons of satellite television, check out the FCC’s TV service guide.

This post is brought to you by your friends at Directsattv.com.

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Posted in Internet, technology. Tags: , , , . Comments Off »

Simple Tweak To Monitor Your PC Connections

September 9, 2010 — Mrs. Mecomber

Many programs on your computer make connections to your network or to the Internet. There are some programs you want to connect to the Internet: your instant messenger, your email, your browser, and so on. But there are also some other connections you do not want leaching out, such as bandwidth-hogging software and spyware. Here’s a terrific tweak to check up on all connections on your PC.

1. Go to the Start Menu. Click “Run.” Type “cmd” and click the “OK” button. This will open the DOS Command window.

2. Type in the following, including the spaces:

netstat -b 5 > activity.txt

3. Wait two or three minutes. Press “Ctrl” and “C” on your keyboard.

4. Go back to the DOS Command window. Type in the following: 

activity.txt

This will open Notepad or your default text editor.

5. View the Internet activity in the file.

Of course, the next step is being able to interpret the data. :D

Hat tip to Digital Inspiration for the tweak.

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Posted in computers, how to, surveillance. Tags: , , , . Comments Off »
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