Well it appears that Google is trying to drastically change the way we use wireless phone networks. As opposed to the carrier lock-in we all face now, Google's vision is an open network where devices or phones connect to any open available network.

Their vision is very similar to how we connect to the internet now. Any computer can connect to the internet as long as it has a network connection.This is also how we connect to landlines based on the Carterphone decision in 1968. Any phone can connect to a landline phone service.

Of course, I don't expect to the wireless carriers to go willingly into the night. They will fight this tooth and nail and do their best to carry on with the current state of lock-in. Like I've said over and over, until we as consumers begin to fight for change - we are stuck in the current model.

Come on Google - help us out and by extension help your company.

Google's Full Patent Application

Labels: google, wireless

Recently, I've been purchasing a lot of things from my local Office Depot. The staff there are friendly and courteous, and their prices are pretty competitive. Plus it's close to my home/office.

Of course, I also love to price/review shop on the Internet prior to making purchases. Upon landing on the home page, they had a nice chair advertised on sale. Regular $139.99 it had an instant savings of $50 that brought it down to $89.99 - not a bad deal really. Besides I could use a new chair.

When I clicked on the chair to bring up the details - the deal got even sweeter! Office Depot was going to pay me $.01 to buy it! Hell, I was ready to order 100 of them, but my local zip code indicated that the stores near me didn't have them in stock. No big deal. I would gladly pay a little freight and order about 5 of them.

When I proceeded to checkout, none of the instant savings were applied though. Hmmm - so I called Office Depot's number - 800.463.3768 - to see what was up. Of course, the kind Indian call center gentleman pulled up the product number and confirmed the chair should be -($.01). After some more "checking" and a 3 minute pause, he stated "I'm so sorry for the false advertisement, but the chair is $139.99 and the website is incorrect. I am reporting this to our corporate department." Damn the luck.

Well, I couldn't stand it so I called back on my Skype phone and recorded the call (yes, it's legal in Louisiana as a one-party state). Sarah confirmed that the chair was being "reported to our corporate department" and that I could place an order for the chair. I couldn't get her to outright say it was "false advertising", which would have been fun.

What did I gain out of this? Nothing really but something to blog about!

MP3 Recording with Sarah from Office Depot Support

I've been working recently with a client on a web project (sales of digital art). As is typical of most of my projects, my expertise in other areas gets tapped - not just web development. After all I am an IT consultant.

This client needed an inexpensive VoiP telephone solution for the online small business. She wants customers to be able to contact a "real person" if needed as well as be able to fax digitally. In my opinion with a combination of free and inexpensive services plus cell phones, it can all happen.

Posted below are excerpts from the email correspondence. Keep that in mind as the "text flow" is not perfect.

You will see that I am recommending Skype as part of the solution. For all the naysayers out there, let me state this upfront: It works and works well. I am running a Linksys WRT54GL with DD-WRT firmware and QoS optimized for VoiP and Skype on a Dell Inspiron 1525 with a built-in webcam - video conferencing works well and barely puts a dent in my dual-core Intel. It offers conference calling features and when combined with Pamela, you can even do call recording and a whole lot more.

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From Email
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Also, I've been doing some research on the "phone line" and VOIP. I think using Skype may be a very viable alternative. You can purchase a "SkypeIN" number which gives you a "local" number that is routed to your free Skype account. When someone calls your number from a landline or cell, you answer it via Skype.

You can also purchase a Skype subscription which would allow US/Mexico/Canada/International calling for $9.95/month or less. You also have an option of using the include "SkypeToGo" service so that you could make international calls from your cell phone as part of your Skype subscription.

Here is the main advantage that I see. Suppose you contracted with someone to be the "receptionist" for Legally Hung. All you would have to do is forward the SkypeIn number (which acts as the business number) to that persons cell OR have them install Skype for free and login using the account for that number. You can also purchase up to 10 SkypeIn numbers per account.

Of course - Skype to Skype calls are completely free.

References:
http://www.skype.com/allfeatures/onlinenumber/

http://www.skype.com/allfeatures/callforwarding/

http://www.skype.com/allfeatures/subscriptions/

http://support.skype.com/index.php?_a=knowledgebase&_j=questiondetails&_i=331

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From Email
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As far as the 800-number status, I tend to be a little more realistic about that. How many people actually pay long distance per minute any longer? I would venture to guess (based on my business and clients) that 80-90+% of everyone has "unlimited" longdistance on their landlines and cell phones. That is why you are starting to see a lot of newer companies use local numbers versus worrying about toll free. However, there are stats that prove a toll free number can increase your traditional sales.

I'm not sure how much "customer service" callback you anticipate, but here are some possible solutions and ideas.

Labels: pamela, pbx, skype, voip

Earlier this year, I had the privilege of teaching a basic computer course to 2 classes at a local career training place. The first class was really great as I had a group of students who wanted to learn skills to better themselves and their career choices.

The only downside was that the IT guy for the company had unfortunately ordered a mixed batch of Lenovo and a couple of Acer laptops - all running Vista. To make matters worse, the Acer's were only running 512MB of RAM, which made Vista perform unbelievably slow. All the laptops had trial versions of MS Office, and the class was centered around office-type application skills. This was done prior to my arrival so I was left to deal with the situation as best that I could. We installed OpenOffice.org and used Google Docs extensively.

There were plenty of other issues including bandwidth problems at the facility, spyware (no Vista is not safe), and a host of other technical issues. Of course, it is normal for these types of things to happen; however, the worst part was that it was and still is frustrating to the students. They just want the technology to work.

Unfortunately, after the 2nd class, my business schedule just wouldn't let me commit the time needed to make the classes exceptional. I was left with no choice but to inform the owner that my training days were over. I offered my skills for IT support as needed though.

So what does this have to do with Ubuntu and Linux?

A couple of weeks ago, one of the students called me. Her Lenovo laptop had crashed and Lenovo's support was not up to par. They basically sent her the laptop back with a set of restore DVD's (the originals were lost) and informed her that her hard drive was possibly failing. To make matters worse, the recovery application from the DVD's just wouldn't work. This meant that she would be without her laptop for at least 2 weeks - not acceptable.

I was immediately able to get her laptop to boot up to an Ubuntu LiveCD and see her hard drive - it certainly wasn't failing. However, there was a serious issue with some system files or whatever that was causing Vista to endless reboot. After discussing the situation with her, I suggested that she try Linux.

Most of what she does on the laptop is web-based. She doesn't rely on any Windows-only applications and right now neither does the classes she is taking - most of which revolve around webconference.com meetings anyway. I installed Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron.

Within about 90 minutes, we had Ubuntu running, wifi working, Skype installed for voip, and of course OpenOffice.org for an office suite. We setup audio playing and CD ripping software using Juicer and Rhythm. In the future, she wants to install Limewire for "independent" music, and we need to install Gyachi for Yahoo voice and video chat.

According to her, the other students want Linux. The training company owner wants her to go back to Vista and appears to be upset over change, but she refuses. This is an average computer user that wants a smooth-running system. Linux just works.

2 weeks later - She loves it. Period. Her friends love it. She doesn't miss Windows and hates Vista. Now that is a good experiment!

Labels: linux, ubuntu