Want Improved Cellular Coverage? Run For US President!

Seems the McCain ranch in Sedona, AZ has great cellular coverage in what was once a dead spot.

How'd that happen?

As a nominee for the Commander In Chief post, McCain has an expected entourage of press and security (including Secret Service presence) -- all obvious cell phone users. Verizon and AT&T both clarify the temporary towers were installed based on a "business decision".

[So... What did we learn? If you had bad cellular coverage where you live, try winning your party's nomination for US President!]

FCC Commissioner Answers DTV Questions in Pacific Northwest

Residents of the Northwest will have the opportunity to ask questions about the DTV conversion of FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein next week. The meetings, October 20th to 23rd, will take place in four cities in Washington and Oregon.

Complete details in the FCC press release below.

Four-City Tour is Part of Extensive Nationwide Outreach Focusing on Markets with High Levels of Over-the-Air Television Viewers

Washington, DC – FCC Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein announced he will visit Portland, OR, on October 20, Yakima, WA, on October 21, Spokane, WA, on October 22, and Seattle, WA, on October 23 to hold public town hall meetings on the digital television (DTV) transition.

WHO: FCC Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein
WHAT: Public Town Halls on the DTV Transition


PORTLAND

WHEN: October 20, 12:15-1 PM
WHERE: Urban League Multi-Cultural Senior Center
5325 NE MLK Blvd.
Portland, OR 97211

WHEN: October 20, 2-3:30 PM
WHERE: Native American Cultural Center
Portland State University
710 SW Jackson Street
Portland, OR 97201


YAKIMA

WHEN: October 21, 2-4 PM
WHERE: Clarion Hotel and Conference Center
1507 N. First Street
Yakima, WA 98901


SPOKANE

WHEN: October 22, 1-2 PM
WHERE: C’oeur d’Alene Reservation
Rose Creek Longhouse
Worley, ID


SEATTLE

WHEN: October 23, 3-4:30 PM
WHERE: Seattle Public Library
Central Library
1000 Fourth Ave.
Seattle, WA 98104

WHEN: October 23, 6-7:30 PM
WHERE: Asian Counseling & Referral Service
3639 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S
Seattle, WA 98144


The FCC identified target television markets for specific DTV outreach, including all those markets in which more than 100,000 households or at least 15% of the households rely solely on over-the-air signals for television reception. The five FCC Commissioners and senior Commission staff will visit these and other markets to raise awareness and educate consumers in the days leading up to the DTV transition on February 17, 2009.

Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Include a description of the accommodation you will need with as much detail as possible. Also include a way we can contact you if we need more information. Please provide as much advance notice as possible; last minute requests will be accepted, but may be impossible to fill. Send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (TTY).

-FCC-

News about the Federal Communications Commission can also be found on the Commission’s web site www.fcc.gov

Donate Old Cell Phones -- Save the Earth! ... Save A Life?

Seems each week we're talking about the latest and greatest new mobile gadget to save you time, increase your producticitiy and keep you in contact with friends and family. With the constant incentive to upgrade, what about your unused phone?

Cellular carriers are providing an easy option to donate your unused phone to benefit organizations that help victims and survivors of domestic violence. You can participate by taking your phone to any Verizon Wireless store (other carriers offer similar programs, be sure to ask when you buy your new phone for details!).

From a Verizon Wireless Press Release:

In 2008, Verizon Wireless donated wireless phones with prepaid service to several Oregon based non-profit agencies including:

• Eugene— Domestic Violence Clinic - Lane County Legal Aid
  
• Milwaukie— Clackamas Women's Services
  
• Portland— Bradley-Angle House
  
• Portland— IRCO’s Refugee and Immigrant Family Strengthening Program
  
• Portland— Raphael House of Portland
  
• Portland— Volunteers of America
  
• Portland— YWCA of Greater Portland/Yolanda House

For more information, visit Verizon Wireless' HopeLine website here.

Donated phones are not tax deductible.

Apple Macbook Buyers: Wait Until Oct. 14

One question I hear often is: Should I wait to buy... ?

While my advice is generally consistent (if you need it now, buy it now) there are great resources for tracking whether or not you should hold off -- especially when it comes to Apple products. Certainly keeping up with sites such as MacRumors.com will give you a pulse on what the rumor mill is saying (with varying degrees of inaccuracy). A section of the same website -- the Buyer's Guide -- tracks time between previous updates and contains helpful recommendations such as: "Don't Buy - Updates soon" (current the advice for Macboook and Macbook Pro systems).

While this information fits squarely in the "individual results may vary" category and you may not be able to wait for the elusive and unconfirmed updates 'soon' -- there are occasionally times when waiting just makes sense.

Like now.



Apple has invited press to an event on October 14th. According to Engadget, this one's all about notebooks. So, ya... it'd be a bad idea to pick up a new Macbook this weekend.

Unless of course, you must.

Microsoft PDC 2008 Commercial: "Leave the coffee, Brian..."

Okay, so I'm sorta rolling my eyes... but you hafta admit, it's a break from the traditional promos for Microsoft's upcoming Professional Developers' Conference in Los Angeles later this month.

My favorite line? "Leave the coffee, Brian..." (I hear that often!)

Enjoy!

Driving While Texting: A Dangerous Mix

The engineer of last week's deadly rail crash in California was text messaging while operating the commuter train that crashed and killed 25 people. Even if you manage to escape a tragic incident, the truth is -- text messaging while driving is dangerous.

I've talked about this service before, but it seemed an appropriate reminder to mention the now vital speech-to-text service that will read and transcribe messages: Jott.com. While talking on the phone while driving is dangerous, some would argue even with a hands-free device, the website sets out to make communicating behind the wheel just a bit safer.

The best advice? Hang up and drive.

New Family - Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates (Long Version)