Or cleverly disguised secret agent for the video phone revolution?

I R Eatz U R Dataz!

I love my netbook. I love my netbook so much, I have two of them (okay, one is the wife’s). Surprisingly, I managed to survive months on nothing but my netbook doing fairly intensive SQL / VoIP / Web work. The hard drive is a little slow, but the overall performance is outstanding.

When I travel, I can use Skype to video chat with the built in webcam and get great quality (both ways) for both picture and sound. It’s like a giant smart phone. It reminds me of the $1000+ “video phones” that were supposed to be the future of talking on the phone… then people realized they really didn’t want to “get pretty” to use the phone. Now, for around $250 a unit, you can have that and so much more.

Recently, my wife’s netbook gave an error on boot that had something to do with a missing windows file (system32\ntoskrnl.exe). Apparently, she’s not the only one with this issue… it seems to be quite common. Of course, as the techie/geek/nerd of the castle, it was my job to slay this dragon and I came across the only problem I have had with this magical mini machine. Not so much a problem… more like open questions to Acer.

1. To access the hard drive, you have to remove 17 screws (maybe more, I think I lost some extras), you have to remove the keyboard, you have to remove the top, you have to remove this little card on top of the mother board, this side circuit board, the motherboard. Then you slide the hard drive out, reverse. Why not put a panel on the bottom to access the hard drive directly?
2. Why can I find nothing in your documentation about Alt-F10? This is a handy mode that lets you recover the operating system to factory defaults, but I don’t see it in my Acer manual.
3. In line with question 2, Why is the only recovery option to completely reset to factory? Since this is basically a stripped version of the OS, why not offer an explorer window so I can copy files to an SD or USB drive before formatting, or just backup the user files to another partition?
4. What degree in sadism lead to the design of the three little clips that hold the keyboard in place?

All told, from error to recovered could have been done in < 30 minutes, and I HIGHLY recommend Acer products to everyone I know. From their higher-end Ferrari laptop to the humble netbook (go with XP home, Windows 7 netbook edition is crippleware garbage), I have never had a problem with their hardware or software that made me lose respect for the brand, which is saying a lot.

For More Information:

• Acer: Acer Aspire One Website
• Skype: Free PC to PC Video Calls

Great cast, ok movie.

That phone call I got, it came from outside high walls and fancy gates; it comes from a place you know about maybe from the movies. But I come from out there, and everybody out there knows, everybody lies: cops lie, newspapers lie, parent’s lyin’. The one thing you can count on – word on the street… yeah, that’s solid. — Suicide Kings

Word on the street tells us that Microsoft plans to “unveil” their new phones (code-name PINK) on April 12th. The phones, rumored to be manufactured by the Danger team, will be aimed at a “younger” crowd and we expect features such as Facebook integration, social media connectivity, and music to be heavily marketed. Of course, we still haven’t forgotten the T-Mobile Sidekick/Danger fiasco…

The April 12th date follows the highly expected iPhone OS 4.0 release from Apple. Looks like April’s showers may make for a big May.

Suggested Readings:

• Microsoft to unveil ‘Pink’ phones on April 12 (The Money Times)
• Microsoft “Pink” Phone to Launch April 12? (TG)
• Microsoft ‘Pink’ Phones Due Monday? (Information Week)

Be careful out there

A older scam gains popularity — or at least that’s what recent reports indicate. Targeting American cellphones, the goal of the scam is to have you make an international call and rack up your phone bill. Here’s how it works:

1. Your phone rings and becomes a missed call within 2 rings
2. You call back the number, assuming it’s in the US
3. Your phone bill imitates Cheech and Chong (aka becomes very high)

The recommendation is that you only call back numbers you either recognize or can identify by area code.

Here’s the FCC release:

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recently learned that an old long distance phone scam that leads consumers to incur high charges on their phone bills may now affect wireless consumers. In the past, consumers have been fooled into making expensive international calls by scam artists who leave messages on consumers’ answering machines or their e-mail accounts. The messages urge consumers to call a number with an “809,” “284,” “876,” or some other area code to collect a prize, find out about a sick relative, or engage in sex talk.

Wireless consumers are now receiving similar calls from phone numbers with three-digit area codes that appear to be domestic, but are actually associated with international pay-per-call phone numbers. While wireless companies are working to block suspicious numbers on their networks, some consumers may become victims of this scam.

The Scam Works Something Like This:

• Your wireless phone rings once or twice and then disconnects the call. When the number appears in your wireless phone log as a missed call, it appears to be a typical domestic telephone number starting with a “649” area code; or you get an e-mail or voicemail (on your residential wired telephone) telling you to call a phone number with an “809”, “284”, “876,” or some other three-digit international area code.
• When you return the call, you assume you are making a domestic long distance call – as “649,” “809,” “284,” “876,” and other area codes involved in this scam, appear to be typical three-digit U.S. area codes.
• When you dial the three-digit area code plus the number, however, you are connected to a phone number outside the United States, often in Canada or the Caribbean, and are charged expensive international call rates, and may be charged for pay-per-call services as well. (In this case, “649” goes to the Turks and Caicos, “809” goes to the Dominican Republic, “284” goes to the British Virgin Islands, and “876” goes to Jamaica.)
• You don’t find out about the higher international call rates until you receive your phone bill.

What You Can Do to Minimize the Risk of This Happening to You:

Check any unfamiliar area codes before returning calls.

Be aware that there are many 3-digit area codes (mostly in the Caribbean) that connect callers to international telephone numbers.

If you do not otherwise make international calls, ask your local or wireless phone company to block outgoing international calls on your line.

Filing a Complaint with the FCC

If you are billed for a call you made as a result of this scam, first try to resolve the matter with your telephone company. If you are unable to resolve it directly, you can file a complaint with the FCC. There is no charge for filing a complaint. You can file your complaint using an FCC on-line complaint form found at esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm. You can also file your complaint with the FCC’s Consumer Center by e-mailing fccinfo@fcc.gov; calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing to:

Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554.

The best way to provide all the information the FCC needs to process your complaint is to complete fully the on-line complaint form. When you open the on-line complaint form, you will be asked a series of questions that will take you to the particular section of the form you need to complete. If you do not use the on-line complaint form, your complaint, at a minimum, should indicate:

• your name, address, e-mail address, and phone number where you can be reached;
• the telephone and account numbers that are the subject of your complaint;
• the name and phone numbers of any companies involved with your complaint;
• the amount of any disputed charges, whether you paid them, whether you received a refund or adjustment to your bill, the amount of any adjustment or refund you have received, an explanation if the disputed charges are related to services in addition to residential or business telephone services; and
• the details of your complaint and any additional relevant information.

Filing a Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

If you feel that you are a victim of an international phone scam, you can file a complaint with the FTC online at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov. You can also submit a complaint by calling the FTC toll-free at 1-877-382-4357 (voice) or 1-866-653-4261 (TTY), or writing to:

Federal Trade Commission
CRC – 240
600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20580.

For More Information

For information about other telecommunications issues, visit the FCC’s Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Web site at www.fcc.gov/cgb, or contact the FCC’s Consumer Center using the information provided for filing a complaint.

Good things come to those who wait…to cancel. On the heels of the “announcement” that Verizon Wireless will be doubling their early termination fees, I found myself considering how commerce and service has changed. As I have mentioned in our previous chats, I pay some $400+ a month for my extended family and I to have Verizon Wireless. Every month I give Verizon about $400, and on top of that, have spent over $2,000 on phones and another $500 on applications, ring tones, and content (that’s phone specific — if I buy a new phone, I get to buy new applications, ring tones, and content).

Businesses routinely (and almost exclusively) employ “short-timers” for their front line contacts — people that work at most six to twelve months answering phones, then move to another company. Customer service itself seems to follow the same pattern of always looking six to twelve months ahead, and making all judgements on a short-term basis. Have you been a great customer for 10 years? Who cares. What have you paid us lately?

*** Begin Digression ***

In VTC tradition, I digress here to share my most recent customer service experience with Verizon Wireless. In September, I was planning a trip to Florida which would necessitate me an aircard device for work. No air card, no trip. On the Wednesday before my trip, I started trying to setup the MiFi device and just hit the wall. I got nothing but vague errors and “failure to initiate.” After exhausting the interwebs (Yes, I did google, re-google, and uber-google), I bit the bullet and called Verizon. I called them at around 9:30am.

The first technical support rep couldn’t help. This sadly, was expected. After some time, I was handed off to a “tier two” rep who walked me through a series of attempts before admitting she had limited hands on experience with the device. This was where my experience took a drastic turn from the ordinary. She offered to try some options and call me back in “a couple of hours.” At 5pm, well after the “couple,” I called back. I asked for the rep I had spoken with, luckily getting the same center where the original call landed. The call taker took my information and told me the original rep would contact me shortly.

To my surprise, the story didn’t end there. My phone rang after a few minutes, and the original tier 2 rep apologized and explained that she had spent her entire day working with anyone who knew anything about the device. Based upon the number of things we tried over the next 45 minutes, I am convinced she did in fact spend her day doing nothing other than researching how to get my MiFi working without a warranty replacement. Not to avoid the replacement, but because she knew I needed it fixed the next day.

By 6pm we had given up hope, and I opted to do a warranty exchange, mentioning I would check with the store near my house. If they didn’t have it, I would call back to get one shipped. I hung up the phone and tried calling the local store, got no answer, and got distracted. Ever get distracted? Happens to me. In fact, I just got distracted right now.

Ten minutes later, my favorite rep from Verizon called me. She offered to contact the local store and find out if they had a replacement, and if they didn’t she could go ahead and get one shipped. I was floored. Even thinking about it now… I’m still floored. Re-floored.

She put me on hold for about ten minutes and contacted the four stores in my area; all of which did not have a warranty replacement. She then began the shipping process and told me it would ship out the next day, arriving on Friday (and effectively damaging my travel plans). At 10 am the next morning, I went outside (shockingly) and found a FedEx notice that at 9:30am they had attempted to deliver my package. Just thirteen hours after I spoke with the rep, the replacement device was at my house, and all because someone at Verizon took total ownership of my situation. It made me feel like I was the only customer they had ever serviced. Every previous experience in the past two years with Verizon they ended with some mocking line about “have I done everything possible to make you happy today,” to which I reply, “No, not at all.” In this experience, they didn’t need to ask, because we both knew I felt like an extremely important customer. V-I-Patrick.

*** End Digression ***

In the five years I have had Verizon service, there have been around ten times that I have truly wanted to cancel. With the amount I spend on my service, it kills me to be slighted, or treated like a dog from their customer service, sales, or technical support teams.

My problem is a catch 22. With six lines of service, all with different anniversaries, I would have to slowly cancel each line at the end of it’s contract. Or I could choose option B and pay approximately seven million dollars. Either option makes me feel like a hostage. Yes, I’m still in their service. But it’s not my free-will making the choice — I’m in a commitment.

What does all of this have to do with VoIP? Annual plans, early termination, and “no contract” signups. In the VoIP world, these are mostly unregulated marketing terms. Annual plans usually save anywhere from 10% to 20% off from regular, monthly service. But to get the discount, you have to pay up-front, at the commencement of the service. Usually, it’s between $200 and $250 (paying each month would instead cost around $250 – $300 for monthly service) to avoid – a commitment.

The catch: refundability. (Yes, it’s a word. No I don’t care if it’s in the dictionary.)

Always read the fine print to make sure you have an out. If the service does not live up to expectations, if for some reason you are unable to maintain your internet, or if you find a better offer elsewhere — you’re going to have to break your contract. Typically, the termination fees and prorated amounts will leave you paying well in excess of the $50 – $100 saved by paying up front.

These contracts commit me to the product or service I have purchased for the duration of the contract. They do not commit me to the company itself or create any sense of loyalty. In fact, their first obstacle in creating loyalty is that we have started with their assumption I would not be staying with their company without being bribed with a discount. If VoIP or Mobile companies want to keep me as a happy satisfied customer, they’ll treat me like a VIP. If they do, I’ll be a walking billboard. If not, if they make me stick with them out of commitment — well, we’ll sooner or later end up in Divorce. After all, there’s a big difference between loyalty and commitment.

T-Mobile, providers of the T-Mobile Sidekick smartphone, recently announced an outage blocking user access to address books, calendars, photos, etc. After more than a week of “working around-the-clock,” T-Mobile announced today that the user data will most likely never return.

In an announement released on October 10th, T-Mobile advised users:

Sidekick customers, during this service disruption, please DO NOT remove your battery, reset your Sidekick, or allow it to lose power.

Updated: 10/10/2009 12:35 PM PDT

T-MOBILE AND MICROSOFT/DANGER STATUS UPDATE ON SIDEKICK DATA DISRUPTION

Dear valued T-Mobile Sidekick customers:

T-Mobile and the Sidekick data services provider, Danger, a subsidiary of Microsoft, are reaching out to express our apologies regarding the recent Sidekick data service disruption.

We appreciate your patience as Microsoft/Danger continues to work on maintaining platform stability, and restoring all services for our Sidekick customers.

Regrettably, based on Microsoft/Danger’s latest recovery assessment of their systems, we must now inform you that personal information stored on your device – such as contacts, calendar entries, to-do lists or photos – that is no longer on your Sidekick almost certainly has been lost as a result of a server failure at Microsoft/Danger. That said, our teams continue to work around-the-clock in hopes of discovering some way to recover this information. However, the likelihood of a successful outcome is extremely low. As such, we wanted to share this news with you and offer some tips and suggestions to help you rebuild your personal content. You can find these tips in our Sidekick Contacts FAQ. We encourage you to visit the Forums on a regular basis to access the latest updates as well as FAQs regarding this service disruption.

In addition, we plan to communicate with you on Monday (Oct. 12) the status of the remaining issues caused by the service disruption, including the data recovery efforts and the Download Catalog restoration which we are continuing to resolve. We also will communicate any additional tips or suggestions that may help in restoring your content.

We recognize the magnitude of this inconvenience. Our primary efforts have been focused on restoring our customers’ personal content. We also are considering additional measures for those of you who have lost your content to help reinforce how valuable you are as a T-Mobile customer.

We continue to advise customers to NOT reset their device by removing the battery or letting their battery drain completely, as any personal content that currently resides on your device will be lost.

Once again, T-Mobile and Microsoft/Danger regret any and all inconvenience this matter has caused.

Cloud computing remains “the buzz phrase that won’t go away” and still captures the hearts of IT professionals everywhere. With that in mind, many (including yours truly) still remain unconvinced that that cloud provides a better alternative to effectively managing your own assets.

For T-Mobile Sidekick users who only kept their information in the cloud, it looks like their balloon of personal information won’t be returning home.

Suggested readings and related articles:

• Dave Michels / Pin Drop Soup: Cloud Series 5: Hosted Voice – Just say no
  (for that matter, read his whole cloud series. Scratch that, just read what Dave Michels writes. )
• VoIP Tech Chat: Cloud Security Not Air Tight
• CNET: Major outage hits T-Mobile Sidekick users
• CNET: Missing Sidekick data may be gone for good

Dan York wrote a fantastic post today over at Disruptive Technology…

Humorous video – in how many movies is the “No Signal” theme over-used?

Its Friday, so here’s a bit of humor… I admit that I had not really paid attention to how incredibly over-used the “my cellphone has no signal” theme has been in recent movies until I saw this video. Keep watching, though, because after the “no signal” theme, it does go into other amusingly over-used themes like dropping mobile phones in water, ripping them apart, burning them, etc…

Kudos to someone named Rich Juzwiak for apparently editing together pieces of 66 movies!

Posted from: http://www.disruptivetelephony.com/2009/09/humorous-video—in-how-many-movies-is-the-no-signal-theme-over-used.html

Residential VoIP - No Operators

Some say the media sensationalizes our economic woes for their personal gain. Others say the media accurately portrays the extreme financial burdens we find ourselves facing. And some people say, “Hey. I don’t care about anything, I always have and always will try to save money.” With today’s world becoming increasingly digital, VoIP (digital telephone) seems like a naturally good idea.

Clearly, we at VoIP Tech Chat advocate VoIP. We love it. We love it so much, we made a website called VoIP Tech Chat. And we actually now and then have chats and write articles on VoIP (ok, that last part was a little sarcastically since both Patrick and Fred seem to have been too busy to actually talk or write lately… but anyway…).

Residential Telephone Service and VoIP

If you can read this, you probably live somewhere. Or you’re a robot… which would be AWESOME since we are desperately trying to increase our robotic readership, but seriously, most people in our “audience” live somewhere and have residential phone service. Well, we should say most people used to have residential phone service.

Ten years ago, Mobile Phones were a novelty. Today, they are viewed as a necessity. In the United States, more people have wireless phone service than have traditional landline (POTS) telephone service. And, even with higher drop rates, lower voice quality, and service availability issues, 1/3rd of the current US population live in “wireless only” households (interestingly a very small percentage live in a landline only household, with the group represented mostly by persons “well over” retirement age).

There are some disadvantages to the Wireless Only approach, including emergency calling (aka 911), coverage, name listing in directories, and cost. If you are a “heavy” talker, your wireless phone bill can be very costly depending on your usage. The advantages include calling features (such as caller id and voicemail), having your phone with you at all times, and (interestingly enough) the ability to make emergency calls away from the house.

But wait… isn’t this VoIP Tech Chat? Yes Virgina… let’s continue. VoIP generally provides advanced (and included) calling features, “unlimited” local/long distance calling, inexpensive international rates, and all at a price less than your traditional POTS landline service. The negatives with VoIP? VoIP 911 service does not compare to landline usage. Although most VoIP providers implement an e911 service, the reliability of VoIP for emergency calls does not compare to a landline. A landline simply provides better 911 service, period. (we actually wrote a pretty decent article about VoIP and 911 back in the day… )

Landline POTS telephone service remains the most reliable telephone service available. The consistently maintain five-nine (99.999%) availability and provide the best access to emergency service (911). POTS service also comes with a limited feature set (by default) and hefty price tag.

Let’s compare VoIP, Traditional Telephone, and Wireless

Verizon Unlimited Local service starts at $24.95 per month. If you wanted Caller ID, Voicemail, and Call Waiting (with Caller ID) your bill jumps up to $51.90 — which is absolutely ridiculous, considering this price is the pre-tax rate.

Vonage offers an “unlimited” Local and Long Distance service for $24.95 monthly which includes more than 25 features (such as Caller ID, Call Waiting, and Voicemail). VoIP.com offers the same package for $19.95 (or more than $30 less a month than Verizon). Now, the “unlimited” voice on VoIP providers tends to be around 5,000 minutes a month or so. If you go over it, expect a notice.

Cellular Service ranges anywhere from $30 – $130 monthly per phone depending on the options you choose. By the time you reach the high end, you’re generally getting unlimited minutes and data (mobile web, email, etc.).

For a typical household, VoIP remains a very cost-effective telephone solution; although you must remember that without good (and we mean good), high-speed Internet, your VoIP will be unusable. Many local phone companies offer a “dial tone only” line for less than $15.00 monthly. With the use of VoIP and a dial-tone only landline, you can still save more than $150.00 yearly while providing your family a reliable method of calling during emergencies and power outages.

As Billy Joel would say, it comes down to reality, and that’s fine with me. If you need to tighten the belt, VoIP can help. However if you can get by without having high speed Internet and don’t mind using the mobile phone all the time, you may be fine with becoming a “wireless only” household. Or you may not care about money whatsoever and decide to have all three maxed out.

Either way, when you do realize the benefit of VoIP and embrace the force, we’re here to help.

Look. Its Kevin Martin of the FCC. Hi Kevin.

The US Congress Committee on Energy and Commerce released a scathing report of the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) under Chairman Kevin Martin. The report, titled “Deception and Distrust: The Federal Communications System Under Chairman Kevin J. Martin” (sounds like a Lifetime movie), harshly criticizes both the FCC and Kevin Martin. Although, from the title alone, you had to have guessed the report wasn’t going to be flattering.

The committee found (among other things):

• FCC Chairman Kevin Martin manipulated, withheld, or suppressed data, reports, and information from other FCC commissioners and Congress.
• Important Commission matters have not been handled in an open and transparent manner; raising suspicions on unfair treatment.
• The Commission has failed to carry out important responsibilities regarding oversight of the Telecommunications Relay Service Fund (allowing customers to be overcharged while companies are overcompensated).
• FCC Chairman Kevin Martin’s “heavy-handed” management style has created distrust, suspicion, and turmoil among the five current Commissioners.
• Commission staff have not been efficiently managed.

The report uses such statements as “classic fleecing of America” (regarding overcharging customers), “undermined the ability of the FCC to accomplish its mission” (describing Martin’s management style), and “Chairman Martin’s manipulation of the Second Report calls into question the reliability of telecommunications information and analysis provided by the FCC to Congress.” Ouch.

The investigation was launched after allegations were received from FCC employees (current and former), other FCC Commissioners, and telecom reps. The Bi-Partisan Congressional committee launched the investigation in January, however did not hold the typically expected hearings “due to the climate of fear that pervades the FCC.” Apparently, witnesses were too scared to publicly testify.

The FCC provides authoritative rule making over VoIP, telecommunications (such as Cable, Wireless Phones, Telephones, POTS, etc.), television, and almost some part of electronic life that we touch daily.

More reading:

• Download the Report (PDF)
• CNET.com: Congressional report: FCC chair abused power
• Associated Press: House report finds leadership breakdown at FCC

FierceVoIP reports how VoIP can play a role in terrorist attacks; focusing on the recent violence in Mumbai:

The FBI is apparently providing support to trace back when calls started coming in to the cell phone. While not being publicly discussed, it is likely that a United States National Security Agency “vacuum cleaner” system sucked up the broadcasted satellite phone conversations in some form; it is unknown if the communications were encrypted end-to-end, but if they were, it would provide an additional complication to learning the substance of the communications between Lashker-e-Taiba and its Mumbai cell.

Players on both sides of the terrorist equation – both attackers and defenders – are aware of the use and application of off-the-shelf technologies for attacks. In October, a short report by the U.S. Army 304th Military Intelligence open source intelligence team examined the potential use and application of mobile phone and VoIP technologies by terrorist groups. While the media generally obsessed over the application of Twitter, the report also highlighted the use of GPS, software to change voices in conjunction with VoIP calls, and Google Maps.

The full article by Doug Mohney can be viewed on FierceVoIP‘s website.

When we see “government study,” we’re often immediately sent into a digression of thought. What would possibly motivate an official to take tax-revenue and give it to a group of government employees to learn about something of this nature. And then, we usually get so frustrated that we turn to the bottle for answers. This being said, more often than not, a study that you could never imagine as needed will generally provide at least one or two interesting results.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) exists (in theory) “to promote health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability.” For more than 60 years, the CDC has pursued malaria, studied plagues, eliminated polio, fought small pox, and even studied cell-phone usage. Um… studied cell-phone usage? Yeah, that one caught our eye, too.

At first, we were under the belief that maybe the CDC had investigated the rumors of cell-phone brain cancer or something to that degree, but as John Pinnett would say, “Nay Nay.” 

Apparently, the CDC does a tremendous amount of research by just calling people and talking with them on the telephone. As more and more people switch away from traditional POTS (plain old telephone service) members of the CDC began to question whether the people that would choose to become VoIP users or Cell-Phone only homes had different health habits than people who maintained a land-line in their home. Since the CDC telephone surveys avoided all wireless customers, a new study was conducted.

So, from July 2007 through December 2007, the CDC started to collect data. After all, they are still members of the government, and the government loves collecting data. The CDC estimates that 32 million adults in the US are “wireless only,” with another 31 million as “wireless mostly.” (Kind of like in The Princess Bride when Welsey was mostly dead. Not 100% dead, just mostly dead)

Of these 63 million adults, about half are under 30 years of age (and we’d love to give props at this time to the CDC because they realized that this statistic also meant that half are over 30 years of age). What are some of the generalizations learned by the government?

Wireless Only adults are more likely to:

• be uninsured
• exercise
• smoke
• binge drink (drinking more than 5 drinks in one day)
• get HIV tests

Wireless Only users were also less likely to have diabetes or be obese and generally were in better health than landline users. We’re not sure how that relates to the drinking and smoking but are more than willing to experiment and see.