Publication Date: April 29th 2004
ISSN 1445-1360
In this issue you will read:
Editorial: April 29th 2004
Bargain Bin: Ebates
Definition: VOIP
Hardware Heaven: Vonage
Quotable: Billy Joel said...
Web Site Review: The Jane Goodall Institute
The Great Australian Joke
G'Day Blokes and Sheilas!
Firstly let me apologize for some general weirdness that my newsletter system caused last week. I believe some of you got a blank email from me before you received the actual issue. I am sorry that occurred and hope it didn't cause anyone a problem. I strictly follow the rules of opt-in mailings, and get upset when problems like this arise.
Next let me tell you about something that you may end up thanking me for later. You need VOIP. You want VOIP (although you may not know it yet). "What is VOIP?", you ask. It is Voice Over Internet Protocol, or you may also hear it called Voice Over IP. You want it because traditional phone companies suck. Their service is crappy. Their customer service lacks knowledge. However most of all you pay a premium for the service. The two lines I have here cost me over $60 a month before long distance and international charges. In fact for international I use a calling card because the phone company wants $7 a month to even get the somewhat cheaper rates. Ludicrous I say! Make sure you read this weeks Hardware Heaven section as what I am going to share with you is going to save you money and make you an early adopter of technology.
As always there are other tidbits of useful info in this issue, my favorite being the Web Site Review of the Jane Goodall site.
Have a bonza day!
Nathan Allan
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I have been a member of Ebates for years now, and I admit that I do not use it as often as I should. In the past I have had rebate checks for a few dollars here and there, however if I used it more frequently I am sure I would make even more in rebates. Basically the site acts like a shopping portal to other sites that you will know and probably already have used. Each retailer gives percent rebates on all of the purchases you make through them. Eventually you end up with a nice check for a few bucks. Something is better than nothing! Visit:Ebates TOP
VOIP is the acronym for Voice Over Internet Protocol. It allows you to use the Internet to transmit voice. Now this can be from computer to computer or with adapters you can tap into the traditional telephone network.
The FCC have an interesting and informative site that goes into more depth.
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Last week I bit the bullet and got myself a Vonage account. Vonage (according to my research) seems to be the premiere VOIP company to date. I spent many hours reading forums on their quality of service, and VOIPs maturity as an alternative to traditional phone companies.
I swapped as I was sick of the high prices and crappy service I was getting from my carrier. Plus I liked the ability to take my land-line phone number to wherever I go. I can take it to work, or if I move houses I can take it with me too. All you need is a cable or DSL connection.
I was lucky enough to buy the adapter needed on special at Circuit City (normally sent out when you sign up online). Then I was amazed at the ease of set-up and the fact that I could port my existing number over to Vonage. The real-time "dashboard" that shows all of your calls, billing, voicemail, account and feature options has me hooked. I can see how much my bill is going to be whenever I like!
The quality of the voice is fantastic. I go through Comcast for my cable modem and am happy to report that it sounds better than my traditional phone line.
Now for the downside, and it isn't that bad a one. The customer support people at their call center are horrible! They do answer your questions but very vaguely, and because I had done my research I felt like I was leading them to the answers I wanted. If Vonage wants to be top class organization they will have to employee some knowledgeable staff, who sounds like they have a clue at least.
Finally they have a great affiliate system to encourage your friends to sign up. If you get someone to sign up, in turn both you and your friend get a month of service for free. So I hope if you do take the plunge, you use one of the links on my site. If you are seriously thinking of getting it and want to hear the quality contact me and I will give you a call using it.
Visit:Vonage
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You better live your best and act your best and think your best today, for today is the sure preparation for tomorrow and all the other tomorrows that follow.
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I sent Casey off with a friend off to be inspired by a Jane Goodall lecture. It was part of a series of tickets I purchased for her for New Years Eve. She came back inspired and full of ideas. If you don't know who Jane is she is best known as the Chimp lady. However her causes and research go a lot deeper and wider than that. Here is how her site sums her and her institute up:
"Founded by renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, JGI is a global nonprofit that empowers people to make a difference for all living things. We are creating healthy ecosystems, promoting sustainable livelihoods and nurturing new generations of committed, active citizens around the world."
If you have kids check out the "roots and shoots" program. If nothing else check out this site for its wonderful design. I have seen a few sites laid out like it lately and I think it makes for a logical layout and beautiful look, while keeping navigation easy to use.
Visit:The Jane Goodall Institute
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NetBloke subscriber, Amanda Lynn, pointed out that she had heard last issues joke many years ago before it was Australianized, "Re: The Great Australian Joke ... "No soap in the ladies room" ... Like your newsletter & style, but think you should be more careful about your credits and sources. I'm no spring chicken -just turned 60. But I'm still ok, still hangin' in there. And I remember hearing this joke in Santa Monica California almost 40 years ago. I was a skinny kid in a mini skirt. I thought it was funny ... and still do. But it was already an old groaner. Anyway, thanks for the memory, but I wish your joke had been more genuinely Australian - not just a retread of an old vaudeville line."
She thinks we would all enjoy this one:
Dr Smith's Bad News
Mrs. Mendoza gets a call from the hospital. They tell her that her husband, Adrian, has been in a terrible automobile accident. She rushes to the hospital, runs into the ER. They page Dr. Smith. She comes out into the waiting room to see a terribly upset Mrs. Mendoza.
"Mrs. Mendoza?" the doctor asks.
"Yes, doctor, what's happened? How is my husband?"
Dr. Smith sits next to her and says, "Not good news, I'm afraid. Your husband's accident resulted in two fractures of his spine."
"Oh my God!" says Mrs. Mendoza, "What is the prognosis?"
"Well, Mrs. Mendoza, the good news is his vital signs are stable. However, his spine is inoperable. He'll have no motor skills or capability. This means you will have to feed him."
Mrs. Mendoza begins to sob.
"And you'll have to turn him in his bed every two hours to prevent pneumonia."
Mrs. Mendoza begins to wail and cry loudly.
"Then, of course," Dr. Smith continued, "you'll have to diaper him as he'll have no control over his bladder, so of course, his diapers must be changed at least five times a day."
Mrs. Mendoza begins to shake as she cries, sobs, wails.
The doctor continues, "And you'll have to clean up his feces on a regular basis, as he'll have no control over his sphincters. His bowels will engorge whenever and quite often, I'm afraid. Of course, you must clean him immediately to avoid accumulation of the putrid effluent he'll be emitting regularly."
Now Mrs. Mendoza is sobbing and shaking uncontrollably. Ever so gently, Dr. Smith reaches out her hand, pats Mrs. Mendoza on the shoulder, and says: "Hey, I'm just messin' with you. He's dead!"
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