Month: January 2012

Why Opt-in is better than Opting-Out!

Paul

Starbucks Touchscreen Storefronts Image by DavidErickson via Flickr

Opting-out on Anything Worries me!

If your like me, you probably have had those experiences where you were automatically added to a list or even something like a spam list.   I’ve probably seen it all if you ask me, I know I’ve seen those phones calls where I get pitched an idea or even trying to glean some other personal information from me.   That is what really worries me sometimes, not knowing about my privacy and who all has my personal information.

Someone reader over at the GNC blog commented and said “I wouldn’t mind if starbucks comes to my place and give me a free morning coffee.”  When I read that comment it made me think about how much some people like to just be auto-subscribed to emails and charged money for things they didn’t asked to be charged for.

Differences between Starbucks and Amazon!

Hey lets face it, I wouldn’t mind a free coffee now and then.   Starbucks isn’t going to find you and give your a free coffee because that would go under the stalking rule.    They probably don’t even have your credit card on file to charge your account if you buy something else along side that coffee in the first place.   You have physically be in the store to even have a chance at getting a free coffee.

Amazon on the other hand, in my opinion has some things that can be trouble down the road.  They have your personal information in a database, which could lead to identity theft.   I really don’t think it is a real possibility but I have to at least throw that out and say it.   They also have your Credit Card on file to charge for things on their website, Kindle, and Roku Box.  It’s called the One Click buy, you don’t have much security but a pin that someone could easily guess or keep trying until they get it right.   Although Amazon has some great policies in place to let you get your money back that is, if you can prove that it was malicious and that you didn’t authorize them.

Let me Opt in!

Amazon could of easily prevented this debacle in the first place by sending out email to a select few people offering them the chance to try this Kindle Fire Compass and telling them what will happen if they do try it out.   How much it would cost after the 14 days of trial are over with and what the main idea about the product.   If they just did that, no one would of minded to try it out.   Heck, I would of jumped aboard if they ask me but I was one of the lucky few who didn’t get picked.

My Blog will always be Opt-in!

I know one thing, I will never give out your information to anyone.   For that matter will ever send out unsolicited emails from me. The one reason you might want to consider subscribing to my email campaign is to keep up to date on any new posts.   If you want to opt in and get my updates sent to your emails please join the list.

Paul Sylvester

Don’t forget to Subscribe!

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Pay it forward Friday (January)!

Paul

English: Portrait of Walt Disney, 1 January 19... Image via Wikipedia

Pay it forward Friday!

We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.

Walt Disney

It is times like this that I am really feeling blessed.  I thought this would be something that I wanted to inspire people.   If you’e not heard the saying, I’ll explain it to you.

“Pay it Forward” used to describe the concept of asking that a good turn be repaid by having it done to others instead.

Wikipedia

It really is something that I would like to explain why I am asking people to help make someones day a little nicer.   I’ll explain why later on in this post.   I thought this was a good idea when I had something that just made me believe there are good people in the world after all.

 Acts of Random Kindness

Those of us who have fallen on hard times know how hard it is to get some of the basic things in life.   I am not saying that it isn’t always going to be easy but I do know that a lot has happened in my last few months and if it wasn’t for the support of my family, I don’t know where I’d be or what I would be doing.    That be said, I do have a small story I’d like to share with you to demonstrate just how much people need to help others right now.

Driving along in my small car, nothing says economy like a manual transmission car, I happen to stop to get a hair cut.   After 3 months of not having a hair cut, I knew it was about time.   My hair was constantly in my face and nothing I could do to it was to get it out of my way.  I decided to go to a nice little out of the way Barber shop and get my hair cut, but unbeknownst to me was the price of the hair cut.    I really thought I had enough money for the hair cut but when I walked into the shop, I found that I only had ten dollars and the hair cut was twelve dollars.

I tell the owner I don’t have enough money to pay him the twelve dollars, after all this out of the way shop doesn’t accept anything but cash.   One of the patrons told me relax and sit down, he’d probably not take the whole ten dollars.   I didn’t know if I could believe him but I sat down.   After the patron that told me to sit down was done, I was next and the next thing I knew he gave me a ten dollar bill, saying here this will help you today with your hair cut.

I only had to pay two dollars for the hair cut directly.   I know I’m blessed but I also believe that others should profit in his actions.   So I thought about asking people to do something good for a friend or relative.

Have you done something Good Today?

If you feel like sharing this post, I made it really easy to share. Just tell them to go to:

http://bit.ly/pttpiff

Paul Sylvester

 

 

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What is Amazon Kindle Compass and why would I want it? (Breaking News)

Paul

Angry Birds on the Kindle Image by Tim Wilson

Conscience is a man’s compass. — Vincent Van Gogh

I don’t know what the fuss is about but I thought it was something we should at least talk about! It seems that Amazon has made a bad mistake when it comes to trying to get people to Autosubscribe. This is something that I have said in the past but you know how companies are they think it is best for the consumer and want something good to come from this.  I’ve been reading about how people all around the world are being auto subscribed, and you can go and check it out at the amazon Discussion board.

Some bloggers are already talking about this and I wonder why it isn’t being blogged about more.

Amazon Bought the Domain in November!

I am unsure why they’d buy the domain in November but that just may be the tip of the iceburge.   This seems to be something they’ve been developing for quite some time and until I actually get to see what it is.   You can check the domain on the Whois and see for yourself.   Some speculate that it is something do with a actual compass on your Kindle like the Ipad has.   I don’t know if that is what this is or if it will be something totally different, only I time will tell but I do know that it has to be something that you will pay for on a monthly subscription like a magazine or news articles.

Has anyone actually seen it on the Kindle Fire?

That is the next question I have, what is it and what does it do?   I wouldn’t mind finding more out about this but there is very few things out on the web about it.   Don’t forget to email me at paul[at]paulstechtalk[dot]com if you find out anything else about this and I’ll be sure to watch the comments.

Update:

Found something on the Amazon Discussion board that might clear some of it up:

I just got this email from Customer Service after a quick call they let me know it would not be charging me,but they could cancel it anyway.

“Hello,

The Kindle Compass is an editorial magazine designed to help customers get the most out of their Kindle reading experience. It is delivered wirelessly to Kindle devices, free of charge.

We are currently delivering the magazine to a random subset of Kindle customers. Customers who wish to unsubscribe from The Kindle Compass can do so from a link in the last section of the magazine, or from the Manage Your Kindle Subscriptions page at www.amazon.com/manageyourkindlesubscriptions

At this time we are not able to subscribe additional customers, but we look forward to making The Kindle Compass available to more customers in the future.

Thanks for your interest in Kindle.”

Paul Sylvester


How I buy a Prepaid Cellular Phone without worrying!

Paul1 Reply

English: Cut-away cell phone Image via Wikipedia

“Will this matter a year from now?” — Richard Carlson

Let’s face it, sometimes I often wonder if buying a cell phone will survive a couple of years.   You really don’t want to have to replace every year and thus you try to find that one cell phone that will stand the test of time.

You walk into any phone store or grocery store and you will find either phones or cards to put more money on the account.   That makes me worry how effective the cell phones are going to last and the quality.

Buying prepaid cell phones can be even more hassle because of not knowing which network they are on or the capabilities of the cell phone.   If you been looking at their online store say for instants Cricket Wireless, you will see that there are many phones but yet no important information.    It’s is like they left stuff out intentionally that should be there.

Looking Under the Hood!

Sometimes when I am looking for a cell phone to buy, I start my process off going to a wide range of sites like:

Let’s face it, if you know the phone you are most likely wanting to buy then you will at least know the model number and thus you can use that to find the information your looking for.  Although that will provide the significant amount of the information, there will still be a few things that they will be able to tell you.    Which Network is that Phone one?

Network Usability

Most carriers have a limited amount of coverage around the US and the World and thus can be quite confusing going to their website and trying to determine if you are under their coverage area.   Why do they make it so hard?   I can’t answer that but I know how I solve that problem for me.    I’ll share a trick that probably no one else has thought of.   Just let your fingers do the walking.   Is this some kind of Joke?

I’ve found that just calling the local providers let’s you know if they are reliable or not, if your really search savvy you can find out what others are saying about that carrier your local area.   This can be a great tool to judge if that phone or carrier is going to be a head ache or a really jewel.    Most times carriers will try to hide some of this so you may have to dig down deep to get to the good stuff.

What are your steps to buying a Prepaid Cell phone?

Paul Sylvester

Shop at Amazon.com!

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The Novatel Mifi 2200 is coming!

Paul

Image via Wikipedia

It’s Been ordered!

I ordered a Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200(Virgin Mobile) from Amazon and was it a deal.   Normally Priced at $129.99 to $149.99, I paid $69.99 and that was Half off the price.   I am just waiting for it to come!  I don’t know how well it will work but I am quite eager to try it out.   I even got free shipping with this deal.

What does that mean to you guys, I will be looking into the connection speeds and actually maybe even testing the 2.5gb limit to see how far I can go before they start complaining to me.

I won’t expect much!

This isn’t going to be a mifi killer but it will at least help me do what I have needed.   You will need to pay $20 to $50  per month for a top up card or have them charge you credit card directly.   I never really like doing that, they always seem to include sales tax.   It is always best just to go buy them at the store and use them that way.   I have always found them to be cheaper than charging my credit card.

I’ll review this later on!

I think this will be a good alternative for people who might need occasional internet.   I don’t expect to be able to stream videos and such all the time or even a lot.   I will review this later on for a complete assessment of it’s capabilities and critic how well the batter last and such.    I don’t know a lot about it but you can be sure, I will dive in and give it my best!

Paul Sylvester

 

Got Backups? Try Crashplan!

 

 

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