Thrive and Dime

Manatee Party

2007-07-25T10:56:00.000-07:00

Google Gets GrandCentral

2007-07-02T19:52:00.000-07:00

Its Official according to Webware.com!

As if I didn't like Google and all that it offers enough, they have now purchased my absolute favorite web service. That's right GrandCentral.com is now owned by Google!

If you haven't heard, GrandCentral is a VoIP service that makes it possible to have one phone number that rings all your phones. If you are like me and have cell, home, work, and more phones, this service is great. People just call one number to reach you and no matter which phone you are close to, you can get the call. No more calling home, then the cell.

It has loads of other features, including one voicemail for all (that emails your messages), customizing rings and messages for callers or groups. It even lets you record calls, listen in live while people leave messages, and switch phones during calls.

I've been using GrandCentral for more than 9 months and I can't say enough about it.

I can't wait to see what Google does with it, but be gentle please.

p.s. combine GC with T-Mobile's My Faves for free incoming calls!

Jesus Was Never Too Busy :: Desiring God

2007-06-06T19:27:00.000-07:00

Jesus Was Never Too Busy :: Desiring God: "When his cousin and friend John the Baptist had just been beheaded, Jesus tried to go to a lonely place to mourn, but the crowds beat him there. He healed their sick and he served them all dinner."

Gmail Paper

2007-04-01T14:02:00.000-07:00

New! Introducing Gmail Paper

Everyone loves Gmail. But not everyone loves email, or the digital era. What ever happened to stamps, filing cabinets, and the mailman? Well, you asked for it, and it’s here. We’re bringing it back.

A New Button
Now in Gmail, you can request a physical copy of any message with the click of a button, and we'll send it to you in the mail.

Simplicity Squared
Google will print all messages instantly and prepare them for delivery. Allow 2-4 business days for a parcel to arrive via post.

Total Control
A stack of Gmail Paper arrives in a box at your doorstep, and it’s yours to keep forever. You can read it, sort it, search it, touch it. Or even move it to the trash—the real trash. (Recycling is encouraged.)

Keep it Secret, Keep it Safe
Google takes privacy very seriously. But once your email is physically in your hands, it's as secure as you want to make it.

Learn more about Gmail Paper

Google TiSP

2007-04-01T11:31:00.000-07:00

Sign up for our free in-home wireless broadband service

Sick of paying for broadband that you have to, well, pay for?

Introducing Google TiSP (BETA), our new FREE in-home wireless broadband service. Sign up today and we'll send you your TiSP self-installation kit, which includes setup guide, fiber-optic cable, spindle, wireless router and installation CD.

TiSP in-home wireless broadband is:

Free, fast and highly reliable
Easy to install -- takes just minutes
Vacuum-sealed to prevent water damage

Interested? You can learn more about TiSP via the links below, or get started now.

Learn More:
Press Release How TiSP Works FAQ

I've got the ingredients, Google has the recipe

2007-03-11T15:08:00.000-07:00

If you are anything like me, you often open your fridge to find a variety of foods, but don't have inspiration to decide what you can make with it. Of course, you could a recipe on one of the various food websites, but you feel drunk trying to navigate their sites. Lets just try entering the things you do have and see what a search on Google finds...
What is this? Google Recipes?

I just stumbled across this feature and further research finds it is part of Google Base. I'll have to check that out more later.
Back to the recipes. Not only can you use keywords, but it lets you select your main ingredients, cuisine and course type. Everything you'd expect from a recipe search, but wait...
It also includes fields for Protein, Prep Time, Saturated Fat, Sodium and Fiber. These features are a necessity for the health conscious.
It is a fairly "thin" Google service, so don't expect a full menu yet. It will be interesting to see how this pans out for Google and when they start to promote it. Until then try it out. If you don't find what you're looking for, maybe you should post it!

ScrubIT - Block Adult Content

2007-03-01T13:14:00.000-08:00

ScrubIT is a DNS server that regulates what comes into your home. To put it simply, once you are set up with ScrubIT, no one can access pornography or malicious content from your home computer or computers. This is NOT a browser replacement or utility that your kids will turn off or go around when you aren't watching. It truly gives you peace of mind that your kids wont have access to adult sites. ScrubIT is a service that disallows mature content at the server level before it can even be sent to your computer. The website explains how to easily set it up whether you have a router or direct connection. ScrubIT even automatically corrects most domain misspellings.
[via Lifehacker]

Identity theft - The Number One Reason To Check Your Credit Report

2007-03-01T12:32:00.000-08:00

I randomly decided to check my credit report to see what it looked like. I had bookmarked a site mentioned on Clark Howard's radio show that was actually free, unlike freecreditreport.com. The site is annualcreditreport.com, it allows you to check your credit report one time a year free of charge. Well, it is a good, no, GREAT thing I did. Not only was there a card listed that I was unaware of, but it had a past due balance!

Upon further investigation with the card holding bank (Bank of America), they told me the address and places it was used. It turns out that the card was opened and used from a past residence...in the town where I attended college. The thieves went on a one day spending spree at a gas station and deli/pub. Mostly beer I assume...

Lucky for me, this event only happened 3 months ago, so the payment was technically only one month past due. Lucky only because I had not been sent to collections.

By the way, contrary to what I hear often on other blogs, Bank of America has been extremely helpful so far. I hope I don't regret saying that later...

Now I am in the process of filing a police report and fraud claim. As I figure out how to reconcile this with the bank and credit reporting agencies I'll let you know.

I suggest you check your credit report once a year. If you want to check your credit score, it seems the only legit place to do that is myfico.com

Thrive and Dime

2007-02-23T15:25:00.001-08:00

Here we go...