Just got off the phone with Sprint PCS’ Account Services dept. (formerly Customer Retention dept.) so I can confirm -- I now have unlimited nationwide minutes with SprintPCS and Google Voice (formerly GrandCentral 
. Here’s the scoop:
SprintPCS has something called “Pick 3″ where you pick 3 numbers and any phone call made to these three number (or from these three numbers to your Sprint cell) will be considered “Sprint to Sprint”). If you’re on the Sprint2Sprint plan, that means UNLIMITED MINUTES! Sprint doesn’t advertise the “Pick Three” plan anywhere, nor will they add it if you call their regular customer service. Only their Account Services dept. (formerly Customer Retention dept.) can add this to your current plan (with no additional charge). Now, since GoogleVoice lets you receive and place free calls nationwide (US), all you really have to do is ask Sprint to add your Google Voice number as one of the Pick3… Here’s how to get this to work:
1. If you don’t already have Google Voice, get one here (click “Get an Invite”):
http://www.google.com/googlevoice/about.html
2. Call Sprint PCS (*2 on your cell or 1-888-211-4727 otherwise). Click 0 (or anything else needed to get to the customer service). Don’t waste too much time with them, simply ask them to transfer you to the Account Services dept. (formerly Customer Retention dept.) They will insist on trying to help you -- just tell them you really need to talk to the Account Services dept and that they can’t help you (only the Account Services dept. can add the Pick3 to your plan).
Once you’re on the phone with the Account Services dept. Ask them to add the “Pick Three” to your plan (with no additional charge). Give them your Google Voice number as one of the three numbers.
If you don’t already have the Sprint2Spring (free unlimited minutes to/from any other Sprint number) ask them to add that to your plan as well (they may charge you extra $5 for that if it’s not part of your current plan already).
TIP: While you’re already on the phone with Account Services, tell them you were considering switching to one of the cheaper providers (Metro PCS, Cricket, etc) and ask them what better deal they can give you for cheaper (no need for more minutes since you will be getting free minutes from now on with Google Voice The Account Services dept can give you a much better deal than the Customer Service dept since their job is to retain important customer. You can even tell them you want this better deal to start immediately without renewing your contract for another year or two.
3. For your incoming calls to also be considered free unlimited minutes, you must set your Caller ID from within the Google Voice web interface to “Display as Google Voice number.” This is because most carriers determine the number calling based upon caller id.
NOTE to NON-Sprint users: this should work with any of the other top numbers plan like Sprint’s Pick 3:
- Verizon Wireless “Friends and Family”
- T-Mobile’s My Faves
- Alltel “U” & My Circle
(does AT&T have anything like top numbers? I’m not sure)
THAT’S IT!
To place any call with unlimited minutes nationwide (US) call your Google Voice number, enter your pin# / #2 / the number you want to call. Some phones will allow you to automate this process…
If you’re reading these lines, you’ve probably heard about social bookmarking. Then there’s social networking, social this and social that, but you don’t hear too much about social traveling, do you? Why is it that in our modern day and age people are not just willing, but are excited about sharing online experiences with complete strangers, while exploring less and less natural, real-life social networking and traveling opportunities?
One of my biggest passions in life is traveling and learning about other cultures. Living in the U.S. for quite some time now, though, I found that my way of traveling is different from what most Americans consider traveling. When I visit a new place, I look forward to spending as much time possible with locals, learning about their way of life, culture, politics, language, and doing less sight-seeing. It’s not that I don’t like sight-seeing, in fact, I think sight-seeing is great, but after a few hours of sight-seeing I get all anxious and I’m ready to cook a good meal with my new local friends, learn a local recipe, or a funny songs in their language.
Think about the 5 most meaningful experiences you had in your life. I’m serious. Stop reading for a moment and spend just 5 seconds thinking about these experiences. Now tell me, did most of these experiences involve PLACES or PEOPLE?
Throughout the years, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel the world and have found that I really enjoy the type of traveling I call “Social Traveling“. Social Traveling is focused on PEOPLE, not so much on PLACES. Sure, I get to see a lot of cool places along the way, but much more important, I get to share amazing experiences with amazing people, make a ton of new friends all over the world, save a lot of money on things I could care less about, like expensive hotels or restaurants, and most important, shape the way I see the world and keep on learning and becoming.
So I’ve decided it’s about time to share my top ten best ways for social traveling with my online friends (whom I hope to get to know more on a personal-level at some point
CouchSurfing
CouchSurfing is Servas’ young and sexy version. The idea is the same yet it brings to life the power of the internet and online social networking. You create a profile just like on Facebook or MySpace and start adding traveling-friends, join groups that are of interest to you, and most important, host and get hosted by travelers all over the world.
Like Servas, CouchSurfing is an international network of people who are passionate about social traveling, cultural and educational exchanges of ideas.
” CouchSurfing is not about the furniture, not just about finding free accommodations around the world; it’s about making connections worldwide. We make the world a better place by opening our homes, our hearts, and our lives. We open our minds and welcome the knowledge that cultural exchange makes available. We create deep and meaningful connections that cross oceans, continents and cultures. CouchSurfing wants to change not only the way we travel, but how we relate to the world! “
Pros: Free, easy web access, online social networking component, younger audience.
Cons: Not all members are willing to host, some open a profile but are not so active as real host/travelers.
I’m a big fan of CouchSurfing. I’ve hosted a number of travelers and CouchSurfed with others all over the US. It’s completely free and I like the younger vibe compared to Servas.
For more info, visit:
http://www.couchsurfing.com/
http://www.facebook.com/s.php?ref=search&init=q&q=couchsurfing
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Tags: cheap, cool places, CouchSurfing, Green, international, Life, life culture, meaningful experiences, multicultural, Social, social networking, Tortoise, Travel, way of life
As you can see, the title of this post is Ten Amazing Speeches/Talks That Will Change The Way You See The World, but there’s one problem… I only have eight… I’d love to hear from you which other speeches/talks should be added to the list… (add your comments at the end of this post)
These speeches/talks blew my mind! They are jaw-dropping, persuasive, courageous, ingenious, fascinating, funny and/or inspiring!
Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford Commencement Address – Stay Hungry Stay Foolish
[22 minutes, speech starts after 7:30min]
“Drawing from some of the most pivotal points in his life, Steve Jobs, chief executive officer and co-founder of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, urges graduates to pursue their dreams and see the opportunities in life’s setbacks– including death itself”.
Steve Jobs – Stay Hungry Stay Foolish [skip to the 7:30min]
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Tags: ken robinson, Lecture, Life, malcolm gladwell, Marci Alboher, randy pausch, Seth Godin, speech, Speeches, stanford commencement address, steve jobs, Tim Ferriss
Is your PC too sluggish? Suspecting there’s a virus or a spyware? Want to speed up your internet? Here’s my complete guide on how to make your PC super-fast, get rid of junk, clear lots of space on your hard-drive and protect yourself from viruses and spywares…
1. First Thing First – Update Your Windows XP
WHY: Periodically, Microsoft releases security patches, driver updates and other important component that will help keep your computer safe and secure.
TIME: 10-60 minutes (depending on how outdated your system is)
INSTRUCTIONS: Visit Microsoft Updates Website:
http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/
I recommend updating all available updates (for software and hardware). This may have to be run multiple times with multiple restarts. Run Microsoft Updates over and over again until it will show zero updates available on all sections. If you are a Microsoft paranoid or conspiracy theorist, at least update all ‘High Priority’ updates (security updates that help preventing viruses, hacks and spywares) and the ‘Hardware’ (drivers update that will make your PC run smoother and prevent software/hardware conflicts).
If you don’t already have it ‘ON’ I recommend setting Windows Automatic Updates to ‘ON’. This will guarantee you will have the latest security patches at all time. Here’s how to do this:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/automatic_updates.htm
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Tags: Maintenance, Memory, Microsoft, microsoft updates, performance, registry, security patches, Service, Services, Settings, speedup, spywares, system, tuneup, utilities, Windows
Here’s a quick guide on how to find cheap travel airfares online. When ordering tickets online, there are a few important guidelines you need to be aware of. I won’t get too much in details on why these guidelines exist, but will provide links to in-depth articles that may explain more in details, in case you want to learn more (at the end).
1. Buy early – If you have to be at a certain place in a certain time, buy your tickers as early as possible. If you’re not flexible on the destination and dates, don’t wait for last minute deals.
2. Buy late – If you just want to go for vacation and you’re flexible on the destinations or dates, there are lost of great last minute deals out there (see list of links below).
3. Depart and return in the middle of the week – Tuesday and Wednesday are the best days for departure and arrival. Thursday is next with Saturday right after. Sunday is not as good but Monday and Friday are the worst when it comes to airfare price.
4. Search for deals early in the morning (the search, not the flight) – Airfares online change three times a day as airlines periodically lower prices to fill up flights. On the weekend, the best time to check is early Saturday morning and again at 5pm, when the industry is most aggressively trying to fill seats.
5. Compare flights to hub cities with flight to smaller airports – Most of the time, flights to hub cities will be cheaper but sometimes, a more local airport will have some surprising deals.
6. When you need tickets for two or more people – always start the search with one person only and after you get the price, order the number of tickets you need.
7. Know when to fly - FareCast.com can help you predict when flights are cheaper statistically. Delaycast.com will help you predict flight delays.
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Tags: aggregators, air travel, airfare, cheap, cheap travel, deals, international, Israel, last minute deals, orbitz, ticket, ticket reservation, tickets, Travel, travelocity
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