I just got my Ooma Telo unit.  It was quite easy to install.  The whole process took about 5 minutes online and then about another 20 minutes for the unit to download the latest code, etc.  My first impressions are positive.  It just works.  I’ve started the process of porting my phone number off Vonage.  According to the Ooma site, this can take 3-4 weeks.  I’ve disconnected my Vonage router and went to their site and forwarded my number to the temporary Ooma number.  So far the features I’ve played with rock.  I love the fact that if someone calls and has their caller id blocked or a re anonymous, they go to voicemail.  I also love the blacklist, I get a couple calls a week that are automated, they are now no longer going to bother us but get a one way ticket to visit the voicemail box.

I’ve been a Vonage customer since March 7th 2006 and I’ve got to say, it was one of the best moves I’ve made.  My initial outlay was ~$100.  The Linksys router cost $99.99 and had a $50.00 rebate.  I had to pay $29.99 to activate my account and $14.95 shipping.  When I first started, I was paying $27.97 per month.  Since then, it has slowing increased to about ~$33.oo per month.

I’ve had a few complaints, mostly the system has not really evolved.  I.E. my first complaint and still is true today is no outbound caller ID (Name).  When I call someone, they get my number but not my name.  The other big complaint is that the call waiting feature does not always work.  I.E. sometimes people get a busy signal and I have no clue that I missed a call.

I started looking at Ooma last spring/summer.  They were in beta for the Telo product so I wanted to wait and see how it rolled out.  I also wanted to wait for CES to see what else might be on the horizon.  I just purchased the Telo and I’m waiting for it to arrive.  Right now, Costco has the best deal.  They are selling the Telo for $229.99.  What’s so good is that they give you $100 for international calling and instead of a 60 day trial of Ooma Premier, it’s 6 months.  Now once you buy the Telo, it costs you around $12.oo per year.  The first year is included in the cost of the Telo.  This charge is called regulatory recovery and other costs.  What do you get for $12 per year?  A phone line with basic voicemail.

So how do they make money?  They are banking on most customers buying the Premier service for $9.99 per month.  This gives you a second line, voicemail notification via e-mail and SMS, voicemail forwarding via e-mail, the ability to transfer a call to voicemail right in the middle of the call, do not disturb, 3 way conference, blacklist, community blacklist, anonymous call block, call forwarding, multi-ring, custom ring patterns, and call screening.

For me, these are great features and I’m excited to have them.  Just having a second line for $9.99 is a deal.  Add the other features.  Just think, even if both lines are busy, the calls will ALWAYS go to voicemail.  No more busy signals

From a financial point, I’m banking on the company being in business for at least one year for me to break even.  I.E.

Vonage = $33 * 12 = $396.00

Ooma Year 1 = $246.98 (Telo cost + shipping + tax) + $59.94 (6 Months of Premier) = $306.92 (Savings $89.08)

Ooma Year 2+ = $12 + $119.88 = $131.88 (Savings $246.98)

I just finished watching a DVD called Food, Inc.  If you stand back and think about it, it makes perfect sense.  You know that the message is true.  This is one of those must watch films but you just might not like knowing the message.  Here’s the snippit from NetFlix:

“Drawing on Eric Schlosser’s Fast Food Nation and Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma, director Robert Kenner’s documentary explores the food industry’s detrimental effects on our health and environment. Kenner spotlights the men and women who are working to reform an industry rife with monopolies, questionable interpretations of laws and subsidies, political ties and rising rates of E. coli outbreaks.”

Today I had to part with a dear friend of mine.  My poor MacBook Pro’s video processor died.  It started out one day when my screen went pink.  I tried connecting it to my TV via the DVI port and everything worked.  This made me think that the GPU was not the problem but maybe I knocked something loose when I replaced the 160GB x 5400RPM drive with the new 500GB x 7200RPM drive as part of the Snow Leopard upgrade.  The laptop worked for another week or so and then it completely died (video).  I was still able to connect via VNC (Remote desktop) so I knew the laptop was booting and was still working.  I checked the “About this MAC” and found that it had no clue as to what the GPU was.  This fits the issue as noted via the Apple site: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377

I knew before I could take it in, it’s best to have the “factory” installed parts to avoid an Apple Care warranty issue.  I had to tear it down and remove the upgraded hard drive.  On the plus side, I know that my data is safe as they have the older drive.

I made an appointment with the Genius Bar.  I’ve got to say that I like this.  It took one visit not knowing the system to figure out you can make the appointment in advance and online.  Apple’s got this down to a science.  After a couple minutes chatting with them, I had to leave my baby for a new logic board.  If they have one in the store it will take about 3 days.  If not, it’s going to take up to 7 days.

For those questioning buying the extended Apple Care Warranty, I’ve had the screen replaced which would have cost $800, a bulged battery $130, 2 x Apple 85W MagSafe Power Adapter (both for frayed cabling) at $79 each, and now the logic board which would cost more than $800 not including installation.  When I go to pickup the laptop, I’m going to get my Mighty Mouse replaced as the roller ball on top stopped working.  It’s also covered under the laptop’s warranty so who knows, I might even get the new Magic Mouse as a replacement (Apple Rocks).  I.E. in the 2.25 years that I’ve owned my baby, Apple’s not made a great profit from selling me this laptop.  That said, Apple has been really great taking care of mine and for that, they have my loyalty.

I just done what some might see as a green move.  I bought a 2010 Prius.  I drive about 30k miles a year so if in fact this car makes a difference, I’m a good candidate as I drive 2-3 normal commutes.  I was concerned that my driving profile really did not fit the hybrid market, but I was told that’s no longer the case.  I drive mostly highway miles.  My commute is 50 miles each way and with my company building a disaster recovery site out near Hagerstown, this number will increase.  I thought that hybrids only benefited city dwellers but they get great highway mileage.

I’ve had it for just over 24 hours and my first impressions is that I love the car.  I’ve already put almost 400 miles on the car.  (That’s a story for another time )  I spent a lot of time looking at each of the four models available to consumers.  The only thing that I really wanted was the navigation package.  This eliminated the II.  I wanted the heated seats and the auto-dimming mirror but really did not care if the seats were leather or not.  I really did not think it was worth an additional 3k so I did not get the IV.  The package V added 17″ tires, LED headlights and washers, and fog lights.  Again, another 3k bump.  Toyota offered a really cool technology package but I was not going to buy a 36k+ car.

I almost had the dealer throw in the remote start.  What I found out was it did not do what I was looking for, I.E. warm the car up, defrost the windows, etc.  With a hybrid, the engine most likely would not even start to turn on these accessories until the battery pack got low.  So instead, I got the dealer to throw in an auto-dimming mirror.  If I really need to have my butt warmed, I’ll stop at one of the specialty stores in the mall and by one of those massage + heated seat accessories.

Here’s what I bought:

2010 Prius III - Winter Grey Metallic
Interior is dark grey
Navigation Package

I found a site called Prius Chat http://priuschat.com/ about two years ago when I really started looking at the hybrids.  I fell in love with the car due to their forums and everyone’s comments.  They also saved me a LOT of money when it came to the 100k extended warranty and the 54k pre-paid maintenance.  I walked into the dealer with the prices off the internet of three other dealers in the area, a quote for the extended warranty and pre-paid maintenance through Toyota Financial and really got a great deal.  Ok, it was also the end of the month and I don’t think they were doing as well as they wanted.

So what’s next, maybe I’ll tackle global warming

I found an online site that has courses for Guitar, Keyboard, Bass, Drums and Vocal.  They are offering access for $19.95 a month or $129.95 per year.  I also ran across a 50% off discount in my wild web wandering.  When you join, just key in the promo code: wsl09mem.  That made a compelling deal when purchasing a whole year of access for just $64.98.  I now have raw fingertips but don’t tell Petra or the kids

This will also allow Rebecca to access lessons for the piano so everyone should be happy.

I’ve signed up for the Fundamentals of Weather course.  It meets the requirements for a Science class with a lab (4 credit).  It starts Monday 8/24 when I get back from vacation.  I chose this class and the General Oceanography course as they both seemed interesting.  The General Oceanography class fits with my diving so we’ll see just how well I do when I take that one in the spring.

I don’t think I’ll try to take another accelerated class but who knows, I have been tossing around the idea that if I took the other two remaining classes back-to-back I’d be done at the end of the spring semester.

After a lot of reading and visiting stores, we’ve purchased a guitar.  Right now Petra, Rebecca, Jonathan, and of course my little rock star Sara-Lee all want to play the guitar.  I don’t know if I’m lucky or not but Timothy wants to play the drums.  I’ve tried to sway Rebecca into playing the Piano.  She’s already learned some of the basics and I can’t have her and Jonathan always fighting over the guitar.  I also want to give Jonathan a chance to excel in something first.  He’s always following in her footsteps.  Rebecca and Sara-Lee want to play an electric.  Petra and Jonathan want to play an acoustic.

Given this, I needed to find a guitar that “fits” Jonathan and Petra.  Neither one of them can really handle a dreadnought guitar.  I’d bet that in a couple years Jonathan will grow into it but I need to find a guitar that fits them both comfortably today.  If the guitar is too hard to play or uncomfortable, they will give up on learning it.  I finally got them to both agree on an Mitchell MO100 Folk Acoustic Guitar.  It’s smaller and seems to fit them both.  It was also inexpensive as guitars go.

Now what I’ve not really said is that I’ve always had a desire to learn the guitar.  I’ve played the Violin, Trumpet, Chello, and Baritone.  If I were buying a guitar for me, I would have bought the Seagull S6.  It was way to big for either Petra or Jonathan.  Again, let’s see if I stick with it for six months or so.  If I do and I am still enjoying myself, I just might buy my own guitar

We’re heading down to Florida to spend two weeks with my parents.  We’re all looking forward to a break :)  We’ll  be on vacation from 8/6 until 8/23.

I just completed the Introduction to Psychology course.  I’ve got to say, the amount of reading, writing, and other assignments is just about too much.  Understand that just because a course is accelerated, it does not mean you have less material to cover.  I did pull an “A” so I don’t have that much to complain about.