A couple of months ago, I read a small article about Google Voice. I had seen stuff about it before, but was unclear exactly what it was. A few trips to Google pages and I got a general idea, but still could not see how it would be of great benefit to me, especially since I have an iPhone 3G and my home number (a landline). Anyway, I found out that it was only available by invitation only, just like Gmail used to be. So, I applied for an invitation. The more I read during the previous months, the more intrigued I became. Finally, I received my invitation a few weeks ago and just sort of looked at it. I submitted it, and got my new phone number (which you can choose yourself).
Google Voice Symbol
It’s really cool because the calling is free except for international calls (which is a very small amount in terms of money). You can have different answering messages for different people. Free text messaging, voicemail transcription to name just a few of the advantages. I can see why AT&T did not want Apple to allow Google Voice as an app on the iPhone. Basically, I am trying to understand why I should even pay AT&T, when I could get all my services fro free.
The most obvious answer is that it is not as smoothly integrated. For one, in order to have any of those features, you have to have people dial the new number. Also, having to use an HTML5 app to make calls is a lot slower than just using the phone app on the iPhone. Another drawback, is you would have to use your Gmail addressbook, or import your iPhone addressbook to Gmail.
Want to try it out for free? On the bottom right of the page is a widget that says Call Me. Enter your name, number and check the box that protects your anonymity, and it will call me. I have the option set to only take messages though. Feeling brave enough?
I’ve gotten a little tired of the theme I’m running for this blog. It has served me well, but right now it is looking a little old and yes clinical. I’m tired of clinical. This theme is called Biru and is pretty straight forward. So, here’s an image of it. I know you’re looking at it now, but once this site changes, people won’t know what I’m talking about.
This is the older Biru Theme
Yes, it has served well for a couple of years. I liked that it has a clean design. There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles getting in the way. Nothing to take away from the words… I know,… what words. There was not a lot written. It’s hard to write a lot when you’re whispering.:)
The other thing, is that it would never display photos where I placed them. For example, the image of the Biru design is supposed to be on the left side of the screen. But if I wanted it on the right side of the screen on the center of the screen, it would show up on the left side of the screen
The new theme is called Motion. It is much more colorful, but it is also darker. I kinda like it because it’s not bland but it’s not so dark that you can’t read it. I don’t think it makes you depressed after reading and the controls for finding articles, make it easier for the reader to navigate the web site.
I hope you’ll like it. This is what it looks like:
This is the new Motion Theme
See, it just doesn’t display properly. I set it to show on the right side, not next to the end of the post.
I recently found an app for the iPhone called iStego. Basically what it does is hide photos (and text if you like), inside of photos. So what appears to be one thing, is actually something else.
The “envelope photo” does not look altered in anyway. It reminds me of our hidden everyday lives while we walk around dealing with our day to day encounters, placing a face over the turmoil inside.
Anyway, the thing with this app is that no one seems to know about it. There is only one review. If I place two photos here, without the program you would not know which has a secret picture/message and which does not.
In checking this little experiment, I found out that it only worked on my iPhone!!! So, here is the photo that was inside:
Okay, here’s my quick cool tip for the day (the day?… is this a regular feature?) If you’re anywhere in the east where temperatures are hitting record highs and heat index is over 100, try this:
buy some seedless grapes (I like red grapes)
put some of them in a sandwich baggy
put the baggy in your freezer
when they are frozen… eat and enjoy!
They really taste good, and they satisfy your thirst and cool you off. See? Being on dialysis and having to watch my fluid intake, does bring about good things sometimes. Pssst… pass it on.
I was feeling a little sad that this would be the last of the logs for now, since when this series started there were five Louise Logs. My recent foray into YouTube, however, has revealed Anne Flournoy has presented us with another one. So, here is this week’s (and not final) Louise journey.
Here we go with installment 4 of the Louise Log. My favorite line: “If I were a real artist, I’d punch him in the face.” Louise is the voice in my head, put on video. Enjoy this week’s show.
I was scanning blogs the other day (on my birthday actually) and came upon this Enigma Cafe post.
You’ll notice that if you click on the Enigma Cafe post title, you’ll get connected to YouTube and will hear a rendition of Moon River. This song holds special significance to me (especially on Mother’s Day), because it is the song I sang to my mother as she lay dying in the hospital, surrounded by the sounds of the respirator, heart monitor and various alarms going off at other patients bedsides, six years ago.
It seems like yesterday. In fact, as I was typing this, I originally typed two years ago and actually had to find the death certificate to figure out what year it was. I remember the date she died… April 14.
I was born the day before Mothers Day (on a Saturday), and it was through her that I learned so much including the discovery of my ability to sing. We used to sing a lot together when I was younger. So, it seemed only natural to sing a favorite of ours at that time.
When I was a teenager, I started calling mom by her first name. Well a nickname of her first name, which was Lillian. I called her Lil. I can’t remember why I started doing this. Maybe it was my rebelliousness as a teenager. I also don’t know why she allowed me to do this. All I know, is that it became my term of endearment and closeness. It was a shortform of, “I love you, mom.”
So, it was interesting that I should stumble upon that particular website where Moonriver is featured on this particular day.
