Verizon Fios Upgrade Plan

I've twittered a little bit about this, you can read that here: https://twitter.com/hosehead78 .Also, it has been a long time since I posted on my blog, sorry if anyone was actually reading this, or even still reading this. Busy lately and haven't had the time to post anything worth while, but now I am. So here it is...

So, is upgrading to Verizon FiOS Internet (15 Mbps/5Mbps) and their phone Freedom and getting the "Free" laptop worth it? Well, so far I have figured, my normal phone bill is $54.99 (not including any taxes they add) and my internet is $21.99, a total of $76.98, then add about 15 for taxes (added from home phone), so my monthly is usually about $91.98. So, in all I figure the bundle will cost me $ 79.99 a month plus maybe the same for taxes ($15), puts it at about $ 94.99. Thats almost 3 bucks more than what I pay now, but, I'll have the 15 Mbps/5Mbps internet speed and the "Free" laptop.

My next question is, Is the laptop worth getting it for "Free". I talked to a rep about it and the rep stated that I would have to add 14.95 for shipping (not a problem) and add the wireless card for plus a month charge for the wireless service. Mind you I asked, what if I only use the wireless at home, do I still need the card? Of course, the answer was Yes. The laptop that is offered is a Compaq Mini 110. I've checked the net for this laptop and see that it is not the same as what Compaq/HP has on their site, of course that is pretty much obvious. They are not going to give you a really good laptop for nothing.

Here is a link to laptop they give you and its specs. Verizon Laptop Offer

So, is it worth the time and effort to switch? I don't even know how the service is for the phone. I am guessing that it is Voice Over IP. It does not state if it is or not, I would think it would say that it is. I still need to look into this part.

All in all, I think it is worth it somewhat, I get a faster internet speed, new router and setup crap, of course I can do on my own anyhow. The other perk is the laptop, regardless the wireless thing, well more so the cost of wireless plan to use anywhere.

I'll be posting more here or on my twitter account about this, please let me know what your option is and what not.

Something to read...

Thought I would share this, I haven't read it yet, I might later.

http://www.wikihow.com/Overcome-Procrastination-Using-Self-Talk

Yea...

Watch...

Crossloop and You...

It has been a long ass time since I have posted. Yea, I know why now and why not yesterday or the day before that, well I've been meaning to post honestly, but I've been busy lately. So what is this Crossloop I speak of in the title. Well, awhile back I posted on my blog about this nifty service (previous post) that allows me to support my friends and family via the internet. I have done many in the past and still do now. However, Crossloop has released some new features.

Crossloop is making it easier and easier for the average every day user get support (Live Support). No waiting on the phone or talking to someone that lives on Mars. Check out the site, http://www.crossloop.com. Right off the bat your greeted with "I need help" along with a short list of things to help out with. Best off all setting up a user name is free. If your a techie type and want to help out, it is also free.

Do you have a small business or a home user? Don't want to wait for help or pay an arm and a leg for service from those big tech shops (and why when this could possibly be an easy and simple task), then this is what you need. It is simple, easy to setup and use. Are you behind a firewall? Crossloop is an easy setup, no hassling with Firewall settings, needing to allow this and allow that, but deny this and blah blah. Download, setup an (free) account, install the software and click, bang, wiz, your off to getting that much needed help.

There are a plethora of Users that are willing and waiting to help you out. Alot of them offer free estimates and free Q&A. I know I do, and you can find me here: http://www.crossloop.com/cfreiling.id.

If you want to you can read my previous post or check out their Marketplace post here.

A Vist with Vista....

My son DJ recently received a new laptop, curtesy by his great grandma as a birthday present. It is now my responsibility to give support to, with the execption of the 1 year Limited warranty support.

I have not touched Vista since it was still called Longhorn, and very much in Beta. So it is still pretty new to me. There are a few things I did like and a few things I'm having issues with, But these are no matter to my son, as he is not much of a computer geek like me. My son is more a Console Jockey, But he will soon fall to the darkside that is Microsoft. My Trials for Vista have started...

So far I have not encounter to many problems, just mainly nuances here and there, that others have stated before me. One of them being the networking thing, I can get the VIsta to see my pc one moment then the next I can't. The other is the fact that others have had issues about few games working on Vista, I find this so far to be some what true. A Few games that are installed on it I have not encountered problems, Other games like emulators or smaller Windowed apps, I have encountered problems. But this is really all to be expected.

More on my adventure to come...

Image...

The First Help Desk... Really Old School.

DSL Speed Check....

Heres a recent speed check, I was board.


Could be quicker
Speed check was done through: http://www.dslreports.com/speedtest

Review: CrossLoop, Simple Secure Screen Sharing

Product: CrossLoop
Version: 1.0.0.0
Description: Screen Sharing / Remote Desktop
Company: Crossloop (Download)
Price: $ 0.00 (The zero's means it free!)

As a techie and all around geek, I'm asked to help out with troubled PCs, from family to friends to clients. Sometimes I am not able to get to their home or businesses so the next best thing would be to remote in to their PC. And well, sometimes setting this up can be a drag. Especially when the user doesn't know much. Having to go through set by step of setting up their router or firewall is and can be a pain. And if that doesn't work, (which we all know can happen) your left with usually making a quick trip anyways, Oh and the time to set that up when you could have just gone there. Other times your not around or possibly in another city or state. So setup can be a pain. Crossloop, Like a mothers kiss to her kids scrape on the elbow, makes the pain go away.

Starting off, after installation your greeted with a very friendly small GUI. You have two tabs, JOIN and HOST. Under the JOIN tab (which is default), Your user name and computer name are displayed for you, so the person your going to connect to knows who you are. Below that field is where you place the Access code that is given to you by the remote PC your connecting to.


Under the HOST tab you have your user name and computer name, under that you are given a unique access code, which changes each time you start CrossLoop or a new session. After giving the code out click on Connect. This will give you a prompt that informs you of awaiting connection. When the user clicks connect on their end to join your screen, They will be given a notice about an awaiting connection, You will then need to allow the connection or deny it. A simple click on Allow and the user that is sharing will get a screen that shows who's connected and how long they've been connected. And the Remote viewer will get a screen that displays the host's screen in real time, in which he or she can move about effortlessly. (Of course your connection speed and speed of your computer can determine how fast the screen is refreshed and so far, I've had no problems with refresh rates.)

Now, when it comes to tech support for software or even hardware
we all know that it can be a pain in the ass to. But with Crossloop, Its one on one. My first time I reported a bug, I was greeted with an email right away by a representative, letting me know the information was passed to the support team, In which I was astounded to have an email from them later that afternoon, ever sense have gotten fantastic results from them. Also, When your finished with your session you'll have the chance to rate the software yourself.

All in all a very satisfying, well rounded remote desktop, er, Simple Secure Screen sharing tool. A must for those that are the "Tech support" for their family. It's a time saver!

An Now a public service announcement

How to make Silly Putty...

Special Agent Bob and Secrete Agent Steve....

Hahaha.... Good Stuff....

Check out more...
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6 -New York

The Movie...

7.4.7

Sweet... Logitech Orbit

I so want this Webcam.

My Obit...

'What will your obituary say?' at QuizGalaxy.com

When fruit snacks turn...

Opened our fruit snaks box, and pulled out a few. and to our surprise, we found one that was defective. How, I dont know. the package seems ok, no beaks or tares in the packaging, they seem fine.

So what do you think, I should eat them or Send them back?

Meet Sir Fernando...

Moon City 2024...

[] denotes whispering...

Nasa Guy 1 (aka Bob): "I got a great Idea... Lets build a base... er City on the moon!"

Nasa Guy 2 (aka Steve): [psst...Huh.. Bob,... we .. huh already have one...]

Bob:[what.. really...?]

Steve: [Yeah, its been there for years...]

Bob: [Bloody hell...]


Read the Article: http://news.com.com/2300-11397_3-6140867-1.html

Star Tours... What are you doing here?

I just updated the blog to the new beta blogger (which can now be merged with google).

So whats new?

Nothing really. Still working for the casino, and of course very much enjoying it. So glad to be out of that damned dealership. The casino doesnt make the blog fun as it did before with the advantures in the dealership. So enough about this...

I had a reason to post but now I can not remember why, it was a good reason too, but my memory has failed me for the last time. Well, I can't be too sure about that... Let me think on this...
....
......
........ Blast ...........

Anyways...
Was playing this earlier today: Submachine 1. I enjoyed it, very good puzzle. Started playing the second one Submachine 2: The Lighthouse, damn its kind of a pain in the ass. I wish it had a save game feature.

Nasa News/Info:

Discovery's countdown is scheduled to begin at 11 p.m. Monday, targeted for a launch attempt at 9:36 p.m. Thursday night. It will be NASA's first night shuttle launch since 2002.

Orbiter: Discovery
Mission: Space Station Assembly Building 12A.1
Payload: P5 Integrated Truss Segment
Launch Date: Dec. 7, 2006
Launch Time: 9:35 p.m. EST
Launch Pad: 39B
Landing Date: Dec. 19, 2006
Landing Time: 4:35 p.m. EST
Mission Duration: 12 days

Visit Nasa's site
So, cool. yeah it makes me a bigger geek, whatever... Proud to Be!

Odd Site: http://www.superleagueofsuperheroes.com/

I lost the meaning of the post... If i can remember I will post again...