There is one program I have used for several years on every single Apple I have ever owned; iStat Menus. It was a free program that offered some extremely useful information about the status of your computer at any given moment. It was recently updated to version 3.0, and now costs $16. The amount is minimal, especially considering how much useful it is. However, I won’t be updating or purchasing the software anytime soon.

It’s not that I’m cheap, and it’s not that I don’t think the program warrants $16 of my hard earned dollars. It does, and I miss using the program. The reason I won’t be purchasing the software is much more basic; I don’t trust iSlayer’s website with my credit card information.

This same argument applies to the developers of Instapaper Pro, Angry Birds, Jungle Crash Land, Word Droppings, and all of the other apps I’ve purchased from the App Store. I don’t trust them with my credit card information. If it wasn’t for the App Store, I never would have purchased their apps from their own website. Ever!

So to the complaining developers, pipe-down. Apple is offering you something incredible. An entire commerce system complete with customers, credit card transactions, advertising, statistics, and most importantly, trust.

Last week, after pulling out a few hairs fighting with Outlook, I reached my breaking point. I dove into setting after setting and after a few frustrating hours, I finally got Outlook looking and operating like gmail (sort-of).

I actually like the Outlook gmail-like interface better than the gmail interface, as I find the way it groups conversations to be more visually pleasing and easier to navigate. I have included the below image as an example. All of the emails from “A” are emails I have sent.

On the left is Outlook’s default view, and on the right is my gmail-like interface:

1. The gmail-like view offers some serious benefits, such as:
2. Ability to see all emails related to a specific subject (both inbound and outbound).
3. Quickly see if email threads contained attachments.
4. Quickly delete all emails related to a subject.
5. Quickly mark all emails related to a subject as read (great when coming back from a meeting / training / vacation / etc.).
6. Includes emails in the trash that are not deleted.
7. Better utilization of screen real-estate.

The default view is not all bad however, as it does offer one benfit the gmail-like interface doesn’t; newer emails are never buried. If you look at the gmail-like view above, the two newest emails (sent at 2:23pm) are not at the top of either of the subjects in the gmail-like view. In addition, the Out of Office reply from “N” which is the 4th newest email I have received does not even show up in the gmail-like interface due to the length of the two conversations. Of course I could collapse the conversation and the email would show on-screen, but collapsing the conversation defeats the purpose of having them in conversations (in my opinion).

Now that you have seen what Outlook looks like after it has been gmailified, you might want to try it. To make your Outlook look like gmail, follow the below steps:

1. Create a new “Search Folder” that includes everything.
   • Create the folder.
   • Select Customer Search
   • Do not specify criteria
   • Select your Mailbox as the source.
2. Move the Search Folder to your Favorite Folders. Select it.
3. Right-Click on “Arranged by: Date” and select “Conversation.”
4. Right-Click on “Arranged by: Conversation: and select “Custom.”
5. Change your settings to reflect the below settings:

You should now have an Outlook that looks and acts similar to gmail. Enjoy your new found productivity.

My current turnaround time for Netflix rentals is typically around 3 days (I mail it on Monday, they process on Tuesday, and I receive a new movie Wednesday). However, I occasionally get stuck with a 4 to 5 day turnaround due to weekends or slow processing times (I mail it Thursday, they receive it late Friday, process Saturday, and I receive it Monday). It is in this second scenario where Blockbuster and their in-store exchanges becomes an attractive alternative. And I know Blockbuster currently took a beating when they decided to change their rate plans, but eventually they will find a sweet spot and their Total Access (or whatever they choose to call it) will become a very attractive offer.

To combat this, Netflix should enable its users to click on a ‘in the mail’ button, notifying Netflix that a movie is currently on its way, and informing Netflix to begin processing the next item in the queue. This feature provides two huge benefits:

1. For the customer, the turnaround time can be reduced from 3 days to 2 days. You click ‘in the mail’ Monday morning, Netflix processes the request, and you have a new movie Tuesday (as opposed to Wednesday under the current system).
2. Netflix could better predict the return of movies. If they are identified one to two days ahead of time that a movie is coming back, they can make appropriate adjustments on their end (i.e. Los Angeles is low on Shrek III, Seattle shows X number of Shrek III titles are being returned this week, Netflix can then begin shipping to Los Angeles from Seattle without straining Seattle’s supply, making Los Angeles Shrek III customers happy).

Naturally, the system would need some checks to ensure people are not abusing the system., as quicker mailings means more mailings which means it will cost Netflix more money. The easiest, would give the customer two days to get the movie to Netflix. If Netflix does not receive the movie within two days of the customer clicking the “in the mail” button, Netflix can simply upgrade them to the next highest plan at the current pro-rated rate.

Thoughts?

However, recently I went into Sprint to try and add a line to my plan (for my dear ‘ol mom), only to be informed that I would be required to sign an additional two year agreement. Even if I chose to buy the phone outright I still had to sign a two year agreement. Needless to say I was not impressed, and not about to sign a two year agreement (with Sprint). If I’m going to sign a two year agreement it is going to be for that oh so very very nice iPhone I keep drooling over, not for a $50 emergency phone.

Anyway, it appears that in the next few weeks Sprint will start allowing customers to change their plan without forcing them to extend the contract. Here’s to hoping this holds true…

Naturally, I found myself at the Apple Store looking for a Nano replacement. I knew my screen could not be fixed, but the lady wanted to ask, so she inquired to see if the screen could be fixed. As expected, she was informed that the screen could not be fixed easily or cheaply. What I did not expect however, was to find out that I could get a 10% discount on a new iPod if I gave them my broken one. According to the Apple guy, with Apple’s Replacement Program, you can get a 10% discount on new iPods by giving them your old iPod. That is a good deal, and I am a fan.

So what is the moral (or point) of this post? To let you know that if you have an old iPod lying around, or if you are due for an upgrade, make sure you get your 10% discount when purchasing an new one. Me? I walked out of the store with a new silver Nano and transparent hard case in my coat pocket and a lot less money in my bank account. Grrr.

Now before I really get into why I think that, let me say that I am aware that the point of the device is to combine the iPod and cell phone. I get that. And I think it is generally a smart move. I just think Apple did it badly. OK, now lets get into it what is wrong with this device.

[So what's included in the package?]
The first problem I have with the iPhone is its ‘includes.’ What this means is that when you purchase the device it includes a phone, includes an iPod, and my personal favorite, includes service with Cingular (this may change in the future, but they said multi-year agreement…). These are all non-negotiable items that you get when you purchase the device whether you want them or not. So if you want just a wide-screen touch sensitive iPod, or if you just want an ultra-portable Macintosh computer, sorry, you’re out of luck. You get them all. Take it or leave it.

Now I know there are people out there that want an iPhone. I know this. However, I truly believe there are more people out there who want the device sans-phone. This could be because they are locked into a different carrier but want a new iPod, or perhaps because they want to use their iPod to watch movies on a long flight (you have to turn cell phones off on airplanes remember). I know personally both of the above are true which leaves me with little need/want for the phone portion of the device.

But phone/ipod ties aside, the worst inclusion of them all is Cingular. Because while tons of people love their iPods, I’m willing to bet that they hate cell phone providers even more. Every person I have ever met over the age of about 15 has a serious opinion about providers. They love provider X and despise provider Y, and very very few will ignore those opinions to gain access to a specific phone. Personally, I am of the like Sprint dislike Cingular camp. And as much as I would like an iPhone, I don’t see myself going back to Cingular anytime soon. And I simply dislike Cingular and refuse to switch. Imagine the people who hate Cingular.

So what we are left with is a very niche product. Not only does someone have to want an iPod and phone in one package, they also have to want (or be willing) to put up with Cingular.

[Now how much does this thing cost?]
The iPhone is not cheap. I wouldn’t say that the price is unreasonable, but it also is not cheap and will definitely play a major factor in the adoption rate of the iPhone, or the lack of adoption I believe. As it stands currently, you can get a 4GB iPhone for $499 or an 8GB for $599. Keep in mind that this INCLUDES (there goes those inclusions again) a 2-year contract with Cingular. There has been no price announced to purchase it without a 2-year contract, but if it is similar to typical cell phone deals, you can figure another $200 to buy the phone outright. That is expensive. Very expensive. Too expensive.

The price may not seem bad for some, but to most I think it will be. I know I personally have about $400 worth of electronics in my pocket right now (iPod Nano and LG Fusic), but the difference is that these items were purchased separately. I bought my 4GB iPod Nano ($250) and then some months later bought my LG Fusic ($150). And while the totals are close, the affects the two would have on my financial situation is not. Spending $250 today and $150 in six months is not as financially burdensome as spending $500 tomorrow. This is why I opted to pass on the Treo I really wanted for the LG Fusic that would get the job done.

But what about the fact that you get the iPod AND a phone together? Well, even then the numbers do not seem to add up to me. I can currently get a 4GB Nano for $200 (I’m using the Nano because of its size, not its features. Comparing the iPhone to a $300 video iPod makes the iPhone seem even worse due to the huge difference in capacity), which means I would be spending $300 for just the phone component. That is an expensive phone. And unfortunately for Apple, most people do not have expensive phones. In fact, the only expensive phones I see people with are the ones their company purchased for them. And I know that this phone also includes an OS and other goodies, but really that just won’t matter.

Smart phones, albeit expensive and a touch difficult to use for some, do not sell in big numbers. Why? The cost and the features. Sure, people would like to have extras (calendar, Internet, IM, etc.), but nobody really wants to pay for them. Consider the RAZR. Everyone wanted a slim design phone when it first arrived on the market, but it only started selling once it came down to the $150 price range. Another example is the Treo. It’s a great device that works well, but does not sell in huge numbers due to its price point.

Lastly, you have to consider the cost of Internet access for the phone. And currently, Cingular is charging ~$40/month for unlimited access. That is on top of the normal voice plans. That is expensive. Especially when Sprint is offering unlimited access for less than half that ($15/month). I know this was one of my deciding factors in choosing to drop Cingular as my carrier. And while Cingular’s charges are not necessarily a fault of the phone, the phone is only available on Cingular, so it has to be taken into consideration.

[Who exactly are they marketing this device too?]
If you read the numbers, or walk into an iPod store, the iPods market is predominately people between 12 and 28: teens, college kids, and first generation business folks. This sounds like a huge market, and it is, which is why the iPod has done so well. Unfortunately for Apple, if you look at each segment of the market individually the iPhone is not marketed very well to any of them. In fact, it almost alienates the majority of the typical iPod / cellphone demographic.

Teens: Apple has a lose-lose problem with the teen market. First, most teens do not have cell phone plans of their own. They are bundled with their parent’s plans. Therefore, they get whatever service their parents get. Therefore, having the phone be Cingular exclusive is going to be a problem for the teen demographic unless their parents already have Cingular service. Secondly, parents are not likely to buy their teenage kid a $500 cell phone.

College: The cost of this device is going to be a huge hurdle for the college crowd. Typically, college kids live life on a very tight budget, and while you can visit almost any campus and see kids walking around with iPods, I challenge you to find a handful of college kids walking around with valuable phones (Blackberry’s, Treo’s, etc.). It’s not going to happen. Yes college kids go for style, yes they go for cool, but more than anything they go for price. And $500 out of a students financial aid reimbursement check for the quarter is NOT going to sit well with them.

Business: This has to be Apple’s ideal market because here you have a good amount of middle-aged can’t quite let go of being cool individuals with expendable income (umm, yeah, I guess you could include me in this category minus that last detail). Therefore, this is the demographic most likely to pay premiums for a ‘cool’ device. So what is the problem? The problem for Apple will be that this is also the group likely to have the most definitive opinions about providers. They know who they like, they know who they do not like, and they are willing to pay more to get the service they feel they deserve. So if that individual prefers Verizon, they will stay with Verizon, and purchase a Motorola iAlmost instead of jumping ship or wait until Apple releases the iPhone on Verizon’s network.

[And all of this means...]
In closing, what this means is that while the iPhone is an impressive device, it is unfortunately an extremely niche product that will enjoy an exceptionally slow adoption rate. So while it will be talked about heavily and make other manufacturers rethink their future releases, it won’t be nearly as successful (and thus revolutionary) as the iPod or the mouse (Apple’s other revolutionary products according to Steve). The other two products enjoyed success because they solved problems such as an individuals need to easily navigate a computer or need to transport/listen to tons of music easily, without adding many hurdles. The iPhone however, throws several hurdles in front of its attempts at solving people’s need to combine their phone/music player into one product.

-: Music :-
Not sure about this one.  50 Cent actually had a record year with The Massacre selling over one million units.  However, as predicted, ever since his album was released you haven’t heard much about/from him.  As for the Thuggish/Gangsta style of rap taking a backseat to the educated, I was wrong.  They did take a bit of a backseat, but it was to the dance heavy South and their “snap” music.  Sure Common, Kanye, Mos Def and the rest of the educated bunch did well, but not nearly as well as I thought they would.

-: Movies :-
It was a bit of hit and miss with movies.  I do not remember how expense movies were a year ago (you would think I would have jotted that down), but with current prices hovering at just over $9, I think I was a bit wrong in suggesting that movies prices would “almost double.”  They definitely increased, but I doubt enough to warrant an almost doubling title.  I was correct with the remake prediction (not sure how many remakes were released in 2006, but memory tells me there was a lot).  So while I was correct in predicting that sales of some big name movies would be less than expected, my predictions were quickly silenced by the likes of Borat (great movie BTW).

-: TV :-
I think I hit this nail on the head.  Reality shows (Survivor, Flavor of Love, Dancing With the Stars, etc.) were a huge hit in 2006.  So huge that Flavor of Love was the most watched non-sports show on TV (for that week).  Crazy, huh?  I have to admit I even tuned in to a few episodes of Flavor of Love.  In addition, television dramas (or epic series) were a major hit.  All of the shows I mentioned in the prediction (24, Prison Break, etc.) did well, and their was even room for some newcomers such as Heroes and Ugly Betty to gain some significant ratings.  And last but definitely not least, people swarmed to iTunes to download television shows.  I have yet to buy one, and I really cannot wrap my head around why people do, but I said they would and I was right.

-: Cars :-
Well let’s see.  Hybrids are not as big of a deal as I thought they would be.  They picked up steam with the introduction of the Prius, Hybrid Civic, Hybrid Accord, Hybrid Camry, etc, etc.  But still sales of Hybrids are far below what I was expecting them to be.  In addition, neither Ford nor GM filed for bankruptcy as I predicted.  Ford did come awfully close however, and just recently issued debt secured by its assets to curb their financial woes.  So in short, I was a bit off on the car predictions.

-: Tech :-
My favorite category, and unfortunately probably my worst.  In December 2005, Apple’s total market share was roughly 4.35%.  I was expecting this number to nearly double.  And while Apple did have a good year due to strong sales, its total market share only increased to about 5.67%, far short of my predictions.  In addition, I predicted that Google’s stock price would crash.  Wrong, wrong, wrong.  It did take a bit of a dip in early March, but it has since increased and is back to its over-valued figure.

So overall, I guess I did not do ‘that’ bad.  I would not say I did good, just not ‘that’ bad.

[TV Show Link]

However, what did surprise me was how CNN (yeah, you know that worldwide news channel) blasted the Zune. Seriously. The video is just painful. I love how they keep asking if it does this and that, only to be told “no.”

Personally I have a few problems with the player. Mainly that it 1) does not work on Macintosh machines and 2) uses some crazy point system to purchase songs.

Anyway, check out the video. It is definitely entertaining.

[Video Link]

From the moment it was announced people started claiming Microsoft’s new service to be the “Apple-Killer” and pointing out how Apple must be frustrated since Microsoft beat them to the living room. Others simply focused on the technical superiority of the Xbox’s HD content compared to Apple’s almost as good as DVD resolution. However, I think people are wishful thinking and creating a false rivalry. Yes it is true that they both will allow an individual to watch downloaded content on their TV, but just because two devices share the same end result does not necessarily mean they are in competition with one another. In fact, I would say that one word will keep these two services from competing with one another: portability.

Apple sells its movies and television shows to customers because people want to enjoy their media on-the-go. Instead of sitting shotgun on a road trip and sleeping, sitting uncomfortably on an airplane staring at a tray table, or watching fellow commuters on the local mass-transit at 6am with a skeptical eye, they want to watch an episode of 24, Prison Break, BattleStar Galactica, etc. This is why people buy movies/television shows from iTunes. Nobody purchases television series from iTunes with the intention of watching it on their TV. I know that sounds odd, but it is the truth. Sure, being able to watch their favorite episode of the Chapelle Show on their glorious 42″ HDTV when at home would be a nice perk, but that option is just that, a perk. Apple understands this, recognizes that its users love perks, and therefore is releasing the iTV to allow people to watch their portable content at home easily. I know many people want it to be more, but that is it. They are simply looking to make portable content easily enjoyable at home.

Microsoft on the other hand is attempting to deliver content to your home, and only your home. All of the content downloaded from Xbox Live Marketplace will be stored on your Xbox. And since nobody is going to be packing around their Xbox, a television, and a hefty battery pack to watch content on the go, Microsoft’s offering has no portability. None. It is at the home content only. That is why I do not see the two competing with one another for customers. Apple is occupying the spare time of the on-the-go individual, while Microsoft is trying to satisfy the HD cravings of the almighty couch potato. They are two separate customers, with two separate needs, and the companies solutions illustrate this.

So if Microsoft is not competing with Apple, the question is who is Microsoft competing against? Cable/satellite providers. Microsoft wants to offer its users the ability to purchase HD television shows, or rent HD movies, so they can watch them at their convenience. And while this “sounds” new and exciting, it is nothing but the same old offering in new packaging. Companies such as Comcast have been, and currently do, provide its customers the exact same functionality (minus the purchasing of television shows) and convenience that Microsoft is attempting to provide with its upcoming service.

As an example, with the click of an “on demand” button on my remote, I have the option of renting (for a 24hr window just like the Xbox service) any movie of my choice in glorious HD. Or, I could pay Comcast $10 more a month, get DVR functionality, and record all of the television shows I want. This allows me to enjoy the content I want, when I want, just like the Xbox Live service. And just like the Xbox service, the content cannot be easily transported or enjoyed outside of my living room. I am trapped to the confines of my living quarters. This offering is drastically different from the Apple option which allows me to be entertained not only when I want, but where I want.

So in closing, while the Microsoft vs. Apple war is always an interesting one to watch, it looks like we will have to wait a while longer before we get to really see the two battle it out for the living room. For now though, congrats to Apple for offering users the easiest way to enjoy their favorite past-time while in transit or at home. And congrats to Microsoft for being able to repackage an old offering and convince people its new.

Do those numbers surprise you?

[Article Link]

Now usually this is not something I would write about, but I find this particular upgrade conversation interesting. For example, the conversation on when the new processors would be included has got hyped up so much that many people have held off purchasing a new Macbook (I almost did the same) until the new processors are included. They want the new processor and they want the 20% increase. However, is the wait really worth it?

The short answer: No.

The long answer: To answer this question (which I asked myself a few weeks ago), I looked at my computer purchasing pattern. After looking at the date (below), I noticed that I typically buy a new computer every two and half years. In addition, with each purchase I typically receive an increase in performance of more than double (100% increase) what I currently have.

So given those results, I had to ask myself if waiting for the “claimed” 20% increase in speed really was worth waiting around for? As stated, it was/is not.

On one side of the coin, one would say that it is. By looking at the graph, it is apparent that over time the percentage of performance increase per purchase has decreased. Therefore, waiting for an additional 20% could be justified. However, given that my upgrades are for more than double the performance, an additional 20% seems like nothing and most likely would not be noticeable while performing day to day tasks.

Another factor to take into consideration with the above numbers is that most people do not upgrade their systems as often as I do. In fact, I think the average upgrade cycle is more in the five or six year range (I think I read that somewhere at one point in time), so when most people are upgrading they are already seeing performance gains closer to 500%. And really, how noticeable is a 520% increase compared to a 500% increase? Not much.

So the point of this article: stop holding out and upgrade. While holding out for the latest and greatest is a pleasure we all love, it is one that leaves you perpetually unsatisfied. In addition, taking into consideration that the performance increase is only a “claim”, that most users are already seeing performance gains of more than 100%, and that the extra 20% is not likely to give your computer an extra year or two of life, holding out for an additional 20% seems .. well .. ridiculous?

When I initially had the inclination to say goodbye to those golden arches I was thinking I was simply saying goodbye to giving them money. I did not think I was saying goodbye to the food altogether. Well, I surprised myself because since that day I have not eaten anything McDonald’s related. No Big Macs, no Double Quarter Pounders, no French Fries, no McFlurry’s, no McDonald’s period. I do not even eat McDonald’s when people are attempting to give it to me for free. Yes, I know that is very stubborn of me, but it is that stubborn reluctance to accept McDonald’s that gives me cause to say my boycott is stronger than ever.

A few years ago, it used to be that McD’s was the first thought in me and my friends mind when it came time to make a pit stop at a fast food restaurant. However, my refusal to eat McD’s, mixed with my friends willingness to eat elsewhere, has slowly knocked McD’s out of the minds of my friends. They know that I will not eat there, so in turn, they simply do not consider it as a viable option. This has increased my boycott from a one man stand to a community-sized movement.

Now abandoning a fast food restaurant of choice does come with some additional benefits (or burdens depending on how you look at it), the biggest of which is deciding where to eat. McD’s used to be the de-facto standard whenever I was on the run and hungry. However, with McD’s removed from the list altogether, I have began to notice the plethora of fast food options available to me. Everything from burgers to thai to teriyaki to deli to wraps to you name it they make it. It is a definite eye opener.

However, de-facto standards are nice for no other reason than simplicity. It is nice to have a place that you know will always satisfy your craving no matter what it may be. And while I cannot say with 100% that I have one, Subway has recently stepped up and is easily leading the pack to become my choice of choices. In fact, I think I have eaten at Subway more in the last year than I had in the past 10 years of my life.

Then again, all this talk about fast food has me thinking that perhaps I need to take a cooking class or two.

What about you? Do you have a preferred fast food pit stop?

1. Not allow you to use the Aero theme.
2. Only allow you to browse the internet for one hour at a time.
3. Not allow you to open/edit Office documents (Word, Excel, etc.).
4. Check in with Microsoft every month or so to see if it needs to be re-activated.
5. And then some…

Sound a bit scary / annoying? It is. I think this is a HUGE mistake Microsoft is making that will inevitably force more and more people to abandon the Windows platform and migrate to competing solutions. What do you think?

[Article Link]

Update: It is somewhat ironic, but just moments after posting this I found a thread on the Microsoft forums detailing how Windows XP machines with a VLK (Volume Licensing Key) were failing validation. For those who do not know, VLK’s are used by businesses, schools, labs, and anyone else who purchases a few hundred or so machines at once. Now, just imagine if a few hundred of your employers computers failed validation at one time and would not allow anyone to use their Outlook (email) or open / edit their Word and Excel documents. Because that is what would have happened if they were using Vista. Ssccaarryy.

[Article Link]

So one of my friends (I will refrain from naming her for the sake of protecting the innocent) decided that she wanted to go out to dinner. I agreed and we ventured to this small restaurant in downtown Bellingham called Cherubins. The atmosphere is decent and the food was of definite quality. The service however, is what tipped the scale and had me walking out without paying. I’ll skip the narrative and dive straight into the timeline.

7:15 – We arrive at the restaurant.
7:25 – Order taken: two burgers, fries and waters.
7:40 – Burgers arrive. We request our waters and some barbeque sauce.
7:41 – Barbeque sauce and water arrives.
7:55 – Waitress picks up one plate. I request refills of water.
8:15 – I repeat my request for more water.
8:25 – I ask for my check.
8:35 – My unnamed assailant requests the check. I attempt to give the waitress my credit card. She says she’ll be right back.
8:42 – I decide that I am leaving in 3 minutes. My company attempts to flag down the waitress.
8:45 – I stand up and slowly walk out of the restaurant.

Now, I walked out slowly because I wanted the lady to see me leave. However, in the back of my mind, I was truly hoping that she would just let me go. I was hoping that she would realize that I have been trying to pay for my meal for the past 20 minutes, and trying to get some water for almost an hour, and simply let it go. Unfortunately though, she chose not too.

As I got roughly one and a half steps out of the restaurant, she quickly came running informing me that I needed to pay, and asked me if I wanted my check.

My response: a simple “no.”

She looked puzzled, and began to inquire why, at which point I simply (ok, maybe not so simply. I was a bit angry…) gave her a rundown of the above timeline and how I found it simply absurd that within the last hour I had asked for water three times, tried to pay twice, and been completely ignored every time. I explained that I had tried to pay, tried to be patient, tried to sit there and wait, but that I was through being patient, through waiting, and was simply not paying for the meal.

Her response: “Sorry. I will pay for your meal.”

With not much left to be said, I gave her a roundabout apology (I really do feel bad), turned, and walked away. In part, I feel bad for her because the blame is more on management for understaffing their restaurant, but at the same time, it is a glass of water and a bill. Neither of which is a time consuming activity, and neither of which is an activity that she could have requested the bar tender, cook, manager, etc. to handle.

So in closing, I ask you, my readers, did I overreact? What would you have done in that situation? Stay, or walk away?

Well, a few months and another flat tire later, it was time to stop patching and just get new tires. My first thought was to run head to Discount Tires (they are about a block from my house) and get some new tread. But then, on my way to get some tires, I remembered how Les Schwab Tires had helped me for free. So, with one quick detour and a few travelled miles on the freeway, I took my business to Les Schwab Tires.

So in the end, by offering a $5 service for free, Les Schwab Tires sealed a $400 sale and some free advertising on my website. Not a bad deal.

I did not want to switch, as I am a huge fan of the rollover minutes, but the dropped calls was simply killing me. I know Cingular is the carrier with the fewest dropped calls (or so their commercials say), but that statement simply did not apply to me. I would say, conservativly, about 40% of all of my phone calls dropped. Usually between the 15 and 45 minute mark. It was frustrating. And before you ask, I tried different phones (all Motorola’s ironically enough), and my calls were still dropped all the time.

So, to alleviate the problem (hopefully), I switched to Sprint. I have heard some bad things about Sprint in the past, but I figured they were the lesser of the two three evils (Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon), so I went with them. Actually, I think Verizon is the lesser of the three, but also the most expensive, so Sprint won. I should be posting some thoughts on Sprint and my already returned Samsung A900 and newly acquired LG Fusic in the near future (maybe).

What carrier do you currently use?