Learn How To Use Google Voice

Google Voice gives you one phone number for all your phones, voicemail as easy as email, and many calling features for free. I got my invitation last weekend and have been exploring its features for a few days. I've collected several mini-tutorial videos on many of the Google Voice features. Links to these short (60 sec or less) videos follow this brief overview of the service.


How To Use Google Voice

Placing Calls
Google Voice calls you on your phone and connects you to any US number for free. Call directly from your contacts list.

Taking Calls
Decide what phones ring and whether you answer when your Google number is called.

Call Screening
Know who's calling and screen unknown callers before you answer.

ListenIn
Hear why someone is calling before you decide whether to take the call.

Voicemail Transcripts
Voicemails are automatically transcribed to text and stored in your inbox. You can also have them sent to you via email and/or SMS.

Listen to or Read Voicemail
Voicemail as easy as email. View and listen to voicemail online or from your phone.

Share Voicemail
Forward a voicemail via email, embed it in a website, or download a copy to your computer.

SMS Messages
Receive and send SMS and store a copy of all your SMS in your online inbox.

Conference Calling
Join multiple people into a single conference call.

Phone Switching
Switch phones in the middle of a call.

Assigning Phones
Add and update the phones that ring when your Google number is called.

Phone Routing
Have all, some or none of your phones ring depending on who calls your Google number.

Managing Groups
Add individuals to groups and set call preferences by group.

GOOG-411
Connect to GOOG-411 directory assistance by calling your own Google number and choosing option 5.

Call Recording
Record whole or parts of calls on the fly and access recordings online.

Block Calls
Unwanted callers wont be able to reach you anymore.

Cybersecurity: Where do McCain and Obama Stand?

"It is no longer sufficient for the U.S. Government to discover cyber intrusions in its networks, clean up the damage, and take legal or political steps to deter further intrusions," Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell noted in a February 2008 threat assessment.

Information systems have become the backbone of our economy, our government agencies, energy, healthcare, food supply, and nearly everything else we do. As such, these systems have become the targets of both criminals and terrorists, and perhaps even foreign governments.

What are the positions of the presidential candidates regarding this very real emerging threat to our national security?

Senator Obama has stated that he will make cyber-security a top priority, appointing a national cyber advisor to synchronize policy. Senator McCain has said that a much greater investment toward the federal responsibility for cybersecurity is needed.

For more information:
Cybersecurity and the National Campaign, SC Magazine
US Pesidential Candidates to Tackle Cybersecurity, Softpedia
A plea to McCain and Obama: No Cyber Security Boondoggles, NetworkWorld
Which Presidential Candidate Has the Better Cyber Security Position, Hybrid Consulting Group

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RoboShooter

Need a solid shooting guard for your team? Check out this guy from Pittsburgh. He never misses!

miGhtyDocs: v1ru8 or virus?

For the past 3 or 4 months I've been learning to use my iPod Touch for more and more things. The iPhone 2.0 software has given me even more ways to use this brilliant device, allowing more things to be done offline.

Over the weekend, I found via RSS a new app that I thought would be a great addition, miGhtyDocs. This app claims to cache your Google Docs documents for viewing offline. I located miGhtyDocs in the iTunes app store where I was surprised to notice the developer's name, v1ru8, which looked startlingly like virus to me, but despite a little uneasiness, I thought that coming from the app store, it should be OK. And, it was free.

I downloaded and installed miGhtyDocs on my Touch, opened it, enterd the Google Docs login info, and all my documents appeared and could be opened and read. Next, I turned off the wi-fi and tried to read a document using miGhtyDocs. It didn't work. I got "Error 1099", whatever that means. I dismissed that dialog and watched the progress indicator spin on to no avail. A quick Google of "mightydocs" revealed that this was not unique to me. This app apparently does not work.

I hope this wasn't some sort of virus infection or scam to steal Google login data. If it's legit, I hope they get it fixed and working as it should. I think it would be a nice, useful iPhone app.

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Wikilook 1.3.1 -- Firefox Add-On

Wikilook 1.3.1 is a Firefox add-on that allows you to look up the meaning of a word on a web page without leaving the current page. Simply hold down shift, then hover the mouse pointer over the word whose definition you want, wait a second or two. A box will appear with the definition of the word, a usage example, and a direct link to the word in Wikipedia.

Verizon DSL Tech Support - Kudos!

In the past I have not had good experiences with Verizon DSL Tech Support. So when I couldn't get my new MacBook to wirelessly connect to my router, I was not looking gleefully forward to calling that dreaded number again.

Things started in the usual, anticipated way. First call, bad connection, had to hang up and retry. Second call, worked my way through the annoying menu system and finally got directed to Mac DSL support. Held for several minutes before an automated voice announces they are over capacity, please hang up and retry later. Call number 3, the voice recognition suddenly seems to have become hearing-impaired necessitating at least three repetitions of every command. Finally, however, I reach a real live tech support human.

This guy was fantastic! He quickly diagnosed the problem (needed modem/router firmware upgraded) and walked me through the process. Once we got the MacBook online, the iPod Touch went offline. So, he worked to resolve that issue. He was extremely courteous, pleasant and competent. 

This is my first Verizon Tech Support issue that didn't end up with me frustrated, angry and demanding a supervisor. Big props to this individual!!

Keep Your Weiner Safe

Saw this video on Cali Lewis' GeekBrief.tv podcast.

Thanks to modern technology we can now end senseless weiner tragedies. Seriously, as my dad was a carpenter, looks as though it could be something good. But, how does it know?

SawStop

What's Better Than Good Stuff Free?

What's better than good stuff free?

This is an extensive list of The Web's best free stuff compiled by Preston Gralla and Erik Larkin of PC World and IDG News Service

The more things change ...

Hilarious!

Happy Birthday 2 U

What's shiny, round, has a hole in the center, and more than 200 billion have been made since being introduced 17 August 1982?

Wired Blogs: Gadget Lab