First Impressions: Google Voice

Google Voice Interface

Without getting into a long description and history of Google Voice, I simply offer this: The basis for the Google Voice service was originally a independent project named “Grand Central.” Google acquired Grand Central, kept it public for awhile, then it disappeared into the abyss to emerge over a year later as Google Voice. The idea is simple: One phone number, tied to one person, not a device. Using your Google Voice number, you can receive phone calls and route them to any other phone (work, home, mobile, voicemail) based on who is calling, or the time of day, among other options. Additionally, voice mail is handled by Google, which treats voice mail like email; it’s recorded and retrievable by phone, as well as SMS or available online thanks to a transcription feature.

Once I heard that Grand Central, now, Google Voice had reemerged from the Google Cave, I signed-up to receive an invite. Now, several months later, I received an invite… much to my surprise!

I might very well be one of the worst testers for this service.  I know I won’t use it regularly, and if it weren’t for my overactive curiosity with all things nerdy and new, I wouldn’t pay it any attention. I have one phone number, a personal mobile, and that pretty much takes care of it. Currently, I don’t see how Google Voice can add any real value to my communication experiences. But, again, I love playing with this stuff, so as soon as I received that invite, I clicked through and started the process of securing a new phone number.

After all the initial set up is complete, you’re taken to your “Inbox.” Those familiar with Gmail will feel right at home because the GUI closely resembles that of Gmail. In your inbox you can see all voice mail and text messages listed much like messages in Gmail. There are even options to select conversations to be Starred or sent to Spam. “You can spam callers” you ask? Indeed. When you mark a message as spam, you mark the caller as spam. From that point, when the caller dials your Google Voice number he/she will hear ringing, but none of your phones will ring. Any voice mail left will be sent to the spam folder. Additionally there are options to send callers straight to voice mail, or tell callers your number is no longer in service. That’ll get ‘em to stop calling!

The transcription feature is neat for short calls; you’ll get the idea of what your caller is trying to convey, but don’t expect to avoid listening to minute-long messages. My fiance left me three messages of about 50 seconds each to test the transcription. Our friends got a kick out of listening to Voice translate my name into everything but “Justin.” In one of the messages, she said “I’m also very excited that you love me.” Google transcribed it as “I’m so excited that you left me.” Ouch.

The idea behind Voice isn’t brand new. However, in typical Google fashion, they’ve brought together several features of a call-screening system, voicemail system, infused it with already-existing Google technology, and made something that’s really neat.

But, that’s about it… for now, the idea is neat. Personally, I won’t get any heavy use out of it. I’m considering simply using it to handle my voicemail only (giving out my cell number, as usual, then changing my carrier settings to send voice mail calls to my Google Voice number). Once the wedding invitations go out, I want to use it as a RSVP line.

United Airlines Breaks Guitars [And Sucks at Customer Service]

First off, I’m not saying that someone should create a video every time they’ve been wronged, but if the story is compelling enough, and the music is fun enough that it becomes viral, well darnit, I’m okay with that!

Last spring, Dave Carroll of the band “Sons of Maxwell” witnessed baggage handlers from United Airlines mishandling his guitar case resulting in the $3,500 Taylor guitar becoming severely damaged. After a year of United giving him the run around, dozens of phone calls, emails, and letters, they finally said they’d do nothing for him. July 6th, 2009, he posted a music video about the experience on YouTube and on July 8th, United responded. They said they’d pay for the $1,200 repair job. Dave, instead, tells United Airlines to donate the cost to a charity of their choice.

[youtube 5YGc4zOqozo United Breaks Guitars]

The full story is here.

Within 4 days the video “United Breaks Guitars” received nearly 2 million views. Dave has written, and promises to release two more music videos on the subject. What blows me away, though, is the incredible amount of trouble United gives Dave in an attempt to discourage him. Then ultimately, once they find he won’t be disuaded, they dismiss the whole matter. Now, he creates a video, a little bad press, and United comes knocking on his door to make it right.

[youtube T_X-Qoh__mw Statement]

Shadowrun 4 Character Generator

SR4CharGen Splash

Trying to generate some Shadowrun character sheets? You could use the spreadsheets that are floating around, all over the intertubes, OR you can try out the Shadowrun 4th edition Character Generator by DaisyBox software. The SR4CG is a fully functional (beta) program, dedicated to creating characters for Shadowrun. The program defaults follow all SR4′s standard rules and regulations, but you can customize the program’s data files to create custom categories and items!

The SR4CharGen creates, prints, and saves your Shadowrun characters with an easy-to-use interface completewith detailed drop-downs and tabbed sections for  greater organization. Most selections come with a description of what you can and cannot do, and errors are explained to minimize frustration!

Door Fail [Not a Blog Post]

The world is full of fail; my slice of the world is no different. I found this fail door at Vintage Gardens in Modesto. I don’t want to give them any bad press, though. They’re running an awesome venue over there, but it seems there is some confusion regarding entryways. Click the image to vote for the photo. Give it a 5, and if I’m lucky, it’ll make it to the front page of the Fail Blog.

Blizzard Axes LAN Support for Starcraft II [Plus an old SC typo]

Its official: Blizzard has made the decision to completely axe LAN support for Starcraft 2.

We got quite different answers about local area networking (LAN), where both Dustin or Sigaty said they were still discussing it, however, Pardo knew immediately: “we don’t have any plans to support LAN,” he said and clarified “we will not support it.” The only multiplayer available will be on Battle.net. – StarCraft II Developers Talk

Behind the reasons to forgo a geek’s birthright to enjoy LAN parties include limiting piracy and the claim the new Battle.net will be an experience so mind-boggling,  heart-pounding, and tear-jerking,  you’ll forget all about LAN parties and lock yourselves away in your dark room, playing SC for ours on end with your “friends” over a WAN.

I’ m sure Battle.net will have it’s features, but there are limitations to massive gaming over a typical WAN connection (expecially if one isn’t available), so I’m a little apprehensive about how this will change the dynamics of traditional LAN parties or even quick games between a couple of friends. I’ve played SC on numerous occasions when my WAN connection was down, or I was somewhere where there was no Internet connection. Then again, SC2 won’t be laptop friendly, so mobile SC will become decidedly more difficult.

In other news, I came across this a couple years ago. It’s a printed tech tree for Starcraft, pre-Broodwar I believe. Forgive me, I have no scanner:

I bet you didn't know Siege Tanks came with disguises (click for full size)

Too Easy

Upgrading WordPress is ridiculously easy. Between the new “one-click” automated upgrade and the automated SQL database backup plugin I use, it’s just too easy! Those darned kids nowadays will never have to go through the old methods of manually upgrading plugins and the core program. They won’t appreciate it!! They won’t!

How to Wipe Data off Palm Tungsten E2 [Erase Memory]

 Getting ready to sell that old PDA of yours for some quick cash? You might want to wipe your old media off that thing lest your Christmas list and questionable photos wind up in a stranger’s hands.

To completely erase the data on a PalmOne Tungsten E2 PDA: Hold the power button, then press the reset button (found, recesessed, on the back), and continue to hold the power button until the a prompt appears asking you to confirm the erase. Press up on the directional pad, and now you’ve got a fresh start with your Palm!