How to Make Money Online for Digital Nomads

All of this post is relevant to a virtual income and being digital, or becoming a Digital Nomad, and somehow unexpected at this juncture. Being digital still involves being connected to the grid for creating online income.

Just as I was running out of hope for the Make Mony Online Blawg Crowd, I get fresh blood and fresh meat from some guys named Griz, Court and Vic. Of course, they don't really make their cheese so much from blogging, but from ideas like Blogging Zoom and, real SEO, and building a real online business .

The first amazing fellow is Griz from Alaska that also tells all at "How to Make Money Online for Beginners". The other two chaps will be mentioned in future posts. These guys all slap down the misconceptions purported by the famous A-Listers we all get sucked in by (The Usual Suspects). Don't be a lemming, and don't be a zombie. Get involved in "Mashupmony", or learn how to develop and market your own products and services to sell online.

Start coming back to my blogs, as I now will be more frequent with updates on the info. Not trying to [make money with blogging]. Freedom's just another word for being digital and living the digital nomad lifestyle, and the potential for travel that comes with it.

Being Digital Is More Than Tech Gadgets

I always fancied this blog, blogging, and tech gadgetry as a mean to an end. Fact is, being digital requires the resources necessary to stay mobile, or even to get mobile. Mostly money. Getting that require research, time, and a true education about making money online.

Online marketing is not yet taught in schools that I know of, and probably would not be a very up to date course of study. The Internets are too flux. The mix does appear to involve automated tools, a little marketing savvy, a few technical skills, but mostly a way to view what is working for others online, and an eye for the future. We can safely say it is not taking surveys, or paid posting. That largely is for losers...sorry.

I never have been wild about the PP models, and know that the blogosphere is ripe for some new blood. I don't know what you are looking for, but I think you have found it.

Here it is. It is called The SpiderWeb Marketing System. It's free, self-funding, and from my testing could be the next big thing for monetizing the Internets. The blog is "The SipiderWeb System Information and Reviews".


This sucker is still in beta, and now is the time not to snooze. Join My SpiderWeb Inner Circle and we can swap ideas. Leave a comment with some contact info and I will get back with you.

Better yet, watch the intro vids at the first hotlink above in this post, and you will get the picture of how powerful auto-pilot marketing will be. -Digitalnomad

Digitalnomad Aced by the Gideons

Search results for Digitalnomad and Digital Nomads are often rewarded with interesting info and images. Here is a namesake that keeps popping up in my email inbox for Google news alerts.

Enjoy these nomad photo sets at Flicker. We all can use a little art appreciation. This time in the guise of nomad digital photography.

The Gideons are not nomads, but seeing that they are in 180 countries...they do get around.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/digitalnomad/2409826797/

Photo Credits and Copyright: Damon Clinkscales

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Starbucks Listening to the Outcry of Digital Nomads

Recently, Starbucks launched an innovative social networking tool called My Starbucks Idea, where coffee lovers can take advantage of a virtual suggestion box. Customers use the site to offer new ideas for the company, vote on ideas and then discuss the ideas. One of the most popular suggestions on the site has been an outcry for free WiFi Internet at all Starbucks locations.

As of writing this post, the free WiFi suggestion has received 37,260 votes from the public. It is one of many popular ideas that are now under review by the company. Amazingly, My Starbucks Idea is less than a month old. That's right, a major corporation is actually listening to its consumers and responding in a timely manner.

According to Kevin Shawver, who works on the WiFi program at Starbucks, free Internet is already on its way… sort of. Starbucks recently switched to AT&T for its American WiFi services. Starting now, those who sign up for a Starbucks Card will be given two complimentary hours of WiFi in any store location. However, one must make a purchase on the Starbucks Card within 30 days in order to retain the free WiFi offer.

Naturally, the public wishes that all locations would offer unlimited free WiFi service. According to Shawver, this time limit is for the benefit of customers. In other words, they don't want you lingering at the shop all day, hogging bandwidth.

In my opinion, this two-hour offer is just the start of something new. If the company is somewhat complying with this suggestion after 37,260 votes, how will they respond when those votes triple in size (and believe me, they will)? The coffee conglomerate prides itself on being hip with digital consumers, so it isn't unreasonable to expect some big changes to their WiFi offerings in the near future.

Coffee and tea-guzzling digital nomads should be very pleased with these new developments.

Guest Post credit and by-line: Heather Johnson is a freelance business, finance and economics writer, as well as a regular contributor at Business Credit Cards, a site for best business credit cards and best business credit card offers. Heather welcomes comments and freelancing job inquiries at her email address heatherjohnson2323@gmail.com .

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Have Laptop, Will Travel

I have been watching various nomad blogs online, and probably one of the more recent additions and entertaining duos is at Life Nomadic Dot Com. I have been in contact via email with half the crew, Todd Iceton, and enjoy reading about the nomadic antics. These guys will prove it takes more than a laptop and a cell phone to go nomadic, and they are proof that you can make a living on the road using the web.

The Digital Nomads blog still gets decent traffic, so I suppose that I should not ignore that fact. It also may be a sign of the times, as people are searching for answers with regard to mobility. This video is to entertain the nomad in you. I have not really tried to monetize my blogs, but am now looking at mini site programs like EZ20NOW as learning process and to develop new marketing habits.

So this serves as an introduction to some catching up. I will be posting here more often, but have been busy most recently with marketing Rugged Laptops, Rugged Notebooks, Portable Computing, and anything rugged and mobile over at The Rugged Notebooks Blog.

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Click2Voice No Longer Clicking

(Archived in: Nomad Resources Telephony)

Let's hope that Click2Voice comes back online. I miss my Free calls. C2V has been down now for all of February, and it's not looking good. This Digital Nomad had a chat session earlier in the month with the owner of the Click2Voice website and VoIP service, and I was told that they were having server problems due to a move.

Perhaps they have moved on to a new project. We all can get wrapped up in other things. My interest has not waned on the blogging...I have just been wrapped up in other projects that keep taking me away from my posting as often as I would like.

Not to mention, I think this may be a trend. Many of the people I used to see online have disappeared. Perhaps it's the economy, or just a sign of the times. I plan to make an effort to continue with my writing on this blog and The Rugged Notebooks Blog. Video blogging looks to be the next online rage in the form of vlogs.

I will be searching for new VoIP resources online to review. MagicJack keeps bumping along in a somewhat haphazard way with the end of beta testing nowhere in sight.

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Using The Google GrandCentral Mobile Interface

(Archived in: Nomad Resources Telephony)

Some of the additional features of Google GrandCentral "Mobile" are worth a mention for Digital Nomads and Road Warriors. Contact management is important for using "Click to Call", and for call handling. You don't have to import anything with GC Mobile Contacts. The default view on your phone screen always shows the most recent inbound and outbound calls.

Feature: Google GrandCentral Mobile Contacts

You can, of course, still access all your contacts from the GrandCentral address book online. Very handy for using the callback feature named Click2Call, which is still a free feature while GC remains in beta. There is an array of other GC quick rules worth noting that will be covered in another post. Click on the graphic for a larger view of the "mobile contacts" features.

GrandCentral Mobile is worthwhile to take the time to review and discover the functionality and the power of the Google GrandCentral User Interface, both on your computer screen and on your mobile device.

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More Unofficial MagicJack Factoids - Part 3

(Archived in: Mobility Telephony Voip)

More factoids here on all things "MagicJack". This is designed to be of interest to those beta testing MagicJack, or considering getting off the fence and jumping on board the MJ train. Digital Nomads continues to find interesting comments online about the MagicJack dongle, and recommends the Unofficial MagicJack Forum as a source of new and updated information.

Not meant to sway you in any particular direction, following we add to our list with Ten More Factoids:

1. The Beta Technical Forum was disabled by MagicJack (locked down by MagicJack-August 2007). http://forum.magicjack.com/forum/
2. If your computer is not turned on, sometimes incoming calls are not forwarded to voice mail (see notes-updates below).
3. Installing MagicJack on your computer disables both the "Standby" and "Hibernate" mode. (see notes-updates below).
   
4. You are prohibited from using MagicJack with third party harwdware, like an ATA.
5. You only get one $2 Discount code, even if you purchase multiple MagicJacks at one time.
6. A refund request only entitles you to the purchase price of your first (only one) MagicJack.
7. The MagicJack software will work with a Bluetooth headset, including a Jawbone.
8. MagicJack service is referenced in the TOS as a "multimedia experience", and not as a telecommunications service.
9. There expressly are NO WARRANTIES whatsoever as per the MagicJack Terms of Service Agreement (TOS Section 16. No Warranties).
10. The MagicJack annual service (12 month period) begins from the date of registration, not from the date of purchase (per Tech Chat).

Notes-Updates from Tech Chat 2-5-08: Even with your computer turned off, calls made to your MagicJack number are supposed to be forwarded to voice mail. If you have problems with this, contact Tech Chat and they say that they can reset the path from their end.

Additionally, Tech Support confirmed that MagicJack will not work, if your computer is in sleep/standby/hibernate mode. When tested again with XP OS, if the MagicJack is plugged in and running these commands cannot be made.

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How to Make MagicJack Portable

(Archived in: Mobility Telephony Voip)

More MagicJack Tips and Tricks

Digital Nomads is still having fun testing the MagicJack USB Dongle, reading forums, and looking for tips and tricks. Nomads are mostly interested in portability and the best way to travel with the MagicJack is probably just to stick it in your pocket (a travel bag or brief case is better) and then you can use it on just about any computer equipped with a powered USB port.

Another option is to tote the MagicJack along with your laptop, and then when you hit a Wi-Fi hotspot (or other access point with broadband), you can use it with a headset, or a small phone. The MagicJack does support Bluetooth, so a Bluetooth headset would be the most portable. This test was done with a small flip phone and a Portable Rugged Notebook. The phone tested was found mentioned on The Unofficial MagicJack Forum.

The Innovage Mini Flip Phone is a corded telephone that is really small, really cheap, and also really works. The photos were taken with the laptop keyboard in frame for scale, and to show just how small the handset is in comparison to the MagicJack. If you have a MagicJack, you know that the dongle is about twice as wide as a USB stick, and about twice the thickness. The phone is not much larger. I found this one at a Walgreens Store, but this phone and other corded flip phones are getting harder to find.

Amazingly, this tiny phone features a year-day-time LCD display, soft touch keys, a ringer control switch, memory call functions, a hands-free portable headset, and a 10-foot cord with RJ-11 phone jack...all for a whopping $5.99 (batteries were also included).

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Unofficial MagicJack Factoids - Part 2

(Archived in: Mobility Telephony Voip)

Digital Nomads has come up with another 10 MagicJack facts to add the the first post, Ten Things You Need to Know About MagicJack. This list will show up from time to time as long as long as it manages to stay interesting. Then we can have a reprise with all the factoids in one long list.

1. After four rings the MagicJack defaults to voicemail. There is no way to change this default.
2. MagicJack Technology is base on the TigerJet chipset and the SJ softphone.
3. There are several mistakes and misleading statements in the Terms of Service.
4. Some of the links in the TOS do not work properly, or simply take you back to the website.
5. The arrows in the softphone call log indicate incoming calls and outgoing calls.
6. A red "X" in the call log represents an unanswered call.
7. YMAX is a certified exchange carrier in 49 states with 31 switches across the United States.
8. YMAX pays to terminate calls, but creates revenue from incoming calls to MagicJack.
9. The original concept was to built a nationwide network to support GSM/Wi-Fi phones.
10. Other VoIP services rely on “virtual gateways”, YMAX controls its own physical network.

Once again, this list is just a diversion of facts and figures. If you should have new items for addition to the ongoing list, please leave them in comments. Are you MagicJacked yet?

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NetZero Shuts Down PrivatePhone Again

(Archived in: Nomad Resources Telephony)


This is really an update on what was reported in a previous post early last December. PrivatePhone Users have a reprieve to salvage their old PP telephone numbers and can portal these numbers to Packet 8. This is by no means a recommendation to do this, nor is it intended to be an endorsement for Packet 8 service. If you are not familiar with Packet 8, it is a paid (monthly) VoIP telephony service comparable to Vonage.

Here is the email Digital Nomad received regarding the extension until the 19th of February 2008. DMs like Bandit Numbers...just not paying for numbers (and service) when you can get them for "FREE", "Almost Free", and "Near-Free".

Dear digitalnomad, We have made the difficult decision to discontinue the PrivatePhone service.

PRIVATEPHONE SERVICE WILL BE ENDING ON FEBRUARY 19, 2008.

IF YOU ARE A NETZERO INTERNET SUBSCRIBER YOUR INTERNET SERVICE WILL NOT BE AFFECTED IN ANY WAY.

After this date, if you do not move your PrivatePhone phone number to a new provider, the number will no longer be active.

To keep your PrivatePhone phone number, we have worked out a special deal with our partner, Packet8, to transfer your number to their award-winning Internet phone service at a special price. Click here to learn more.

IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO KEEP YOUR PRIVATEPHONE PHONE NUMBER, SIMPLY DO NOTHING AND THE SERVICE WILL SHUT OFF ON FEBRUARY 19, 2008.

For more information about the shutdown of PrivatePhone click here

Sincerely, The PrivatePhone Team

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The Google GrandCentral Mobile Inbox

(Archived in: Nomad Resources Telephony)

Take your GrandCentral virtual PBX with you on the road with the GrandCentral Mobile Inbox. Click on the screen grab below to see a larger view of the mobile features in callout fashion. It's a mobile version of your GrandCentral user interface. Create and edit contacts, play messages, organize your inbox, or toggle between your mobile carrier and GC to originate calls.

Feature: Google GrandCentral Mobile Inbox

The default view for the GC mobile Inbox shows only new messages and is called Inbox Views. You can, however, conveniently switch to a full inbox view to see your entire call log. Some mobile devices will require a download first, but then just click the play icon, and once you listen to your message it will be updated to "read message" status.

Search, Forward, Replay, Flag, Delete, Block, and mark messages as Spam with Voicemail Options. Probably one of the best features, yet to be discussed in this series, is Click2Call. This allows you to make one-touch calls from your address book. Just press Click2Call and let Google GrandCentral make the call for you.

It's odd that there are not very many good videos about GrandCentral, but this YouTube video from demogirl.com is a pretty good screencast presentation of how GrandCentral works. Makes you wonder how GC will look after some influence from Android and the Open Handset Alliance.

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How to Uninstall MagicJack Software from Your Computer

(Archived in: Mobility Telephony Voip)

Tutorial for the Permanent Removal of the MagicJack Computer Software

Notice/Disclaimer: FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS AT YOUR OWN RISK. Version Number One instructions were posted as a comment to a blog via an online search, and referenced as instructions provided by MagicJack Tech Support. Version Number Two instructions were obtained directly from MagicJack Tech Support (Tech Chat), and Version Number Three instructions were provided in response to a query on The Unofficial MagicJack Forum. This blog assumes no responsibility, nor liability for the accuracy, source, and validity of these instructions. The instructions are reprinted here for informational purposes only.

At some point, and for whatever reason, we all have a need to remove computer software. In fact, the MagicJack Terms of Service (TOS) lists a specific condition under "Termination" (Section 14) is the removal of the MagicJack software from your computer. Up until a few days ago, the TOS also referred to using the MagicJack "uninstaller" (should have made a screenshot).

"MagicJack confirmed that there is currently no easy way to uninstall the software. The process required to uninstall the software requires multiple Windows Registry edits and the removal of several folders on the Windows system." - www.etech.eweek.com / Jim Rapoza

Once the MagicJack software has been successfully installed, nowhere on your computer will you find an "uninstaller" provided. You will not find it in Start>All Programs, nor under Add or Remove Programs in the Control Panel. This is because an uninstaller does not exist.

The three procedures below have not been tested by Digital Nomads, but I have posted these instructions as possible solutions until a very much needed MagicJack Uninstaller is announced by MagicJack. Nobody should accept having to leave unwanted software on a personal computer, or any tell-tale trace of the MJ program on a public computer, a business workstation, or a borrowed device.

Various Instructions for Removing MagicJack Software (Windows Operating System)

Version Number One

1. Unplug the MagicJack USB Dongle. Go to "Start" in Windows and click on "run" and type (enter) regedit and press Enter.
2. Now Click on + Sign next to HKEY_LOCAL MACHINE.
3. Click on + Sign next to SYSTEM.
4. Click on + Sign next to CurrentControlSet.
5. Click on + Sign next to Enum.
6. Locate the folder called USB. Right Click on the Folder and Click on "Permissions".
7. In permissions Click on the Check Mark called "Allow" to the right of "Full Control".
8. Click OK.
9. Next Click on + Sign next to USB and locate two folders called "Vid1307".
10. Right Click on one at a time and select Delete.
11. Next Click on - Sign next to USB.
12. Right Click on the folder named USBSTOR and Allow permissions.
13. Next Click on + Sign next to USBSTOR.
14. Locate the folders named "CdRom&Ven_YMAX&Prod_MagicJack&Rev" and "Disk&Ven_YMAX&Prod_MagicJack&Rev"
15. Right Click on these Folders one at a time and hit Delete.

Version Number Two

1. Double Click on your Hard Drive (usually called C:\).
2. Double Click on Documents and Settings.
3. Double Click on the Folder that has the Username you use when logging into Windows.
4. Double Click on Application Data.
5. Double Click on Folder labeled "mjusbsp".
6. Double Click on Folder labeled "in00000".
7. Find the Setup File there and Delete.

Version Number Three

1. Use Device Manager to Uninstall the MagicJack cdrom/disk drive/usb hub.
2. Unplug the MagicJack device.
3. Delete the mjusbsp Directory and all Subdirectories (probably at c:\documents and settings\(your user profile name)\application data\mjusbsp).
4. Use regedit to locate the HKEY Current User Talk4Free entries and Delete the Talk4Free Key and all Subkeys.
5. Delete the MagicJack Directory and all Subdirectores (probably at c:\documents and settings\(your user profile name)\local settings\application data\magicjack).
6. Delete any start menu and desktop Icons.
7. Reboot.

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Ten Things You Should Know about MagicJack VoIP

(Archived in: Mobility Telephony Voip)

This post originally was going to be called MagicJack Factoids, but lists are popular...so here we go. Also, In general this blog endorses the concept and service provided by MagicJack. So, this is not intended to be a slam, and it is just for informational purposes.

Digital Nomads would for sure like to see many dynamic startups compete with the the likes of the current communications duopoly.

You can support such efforts by letting MagicJack and Dan Borislow know what makes you unhappy and how YMAX can improve the product and service. Right now customer service and technical support should be top priority.

Here is the initial list and first 10 factoids...to be continued:

1. There is no MagicJack "Uninstaller", and you cannot remove MJ via Add/Remove Programs.
   
2. There is no "Follow Me" service, it is call forwarding available at www.my.magicjack.com.
3. There are no email addresses or telephone numbers provided on the website.
4. There is no telephone/email customer service or technical support, just Tech Chat.
5. The "LED" on the VMAIL button on the MagicJack softphone has no function.
6. MagicJack voicemail stops recording with no warning after 2 minutes.
7. Dan Borislow received a J.D. Powers Award for customer satisfaction with his former company.
8. YMAX is a telephone company (CLEC), but MagicJack service is based on a subscription.
9. You are prohibited from selling your MagicJack (TOS Section 7).
10. The license and service can be terminated at any time with no recourse (TOS Sections 12/13/14).

Digital Nomads will keep a running list of more MagicJack facts and list them here in the future. If you have any factoids to add, please leave them in comments.

Photo Credit: pcmag.com

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MagicJack Blue Light Software Fix

(Archived in: Mobility Telephony Voip)

If your MagicJack USB Dongle device has been registered and set up properly, it should be recognized by your PC or laptop computer. However, if you have successfully used your MagicJack previously, but now the blue light is not working...then you cannot make or receive calls properly.

Note: Some forum posts suggest that you can still make calls using a headset and the softphone.

MagicJack Blue Light Fix Instructions

Open My Computer and you should find two MagicJack drive icons, one named MagicJack and one named MagicJack (Vista Only). Even if you are running Windows XP OS, try to start the MagicJack software by double-clicking, first on the MagicJack Icon and then on the MagicJack (Vista Only) Icon.

If you cannot locate these two drives, try plugging the MagicJack into a different USB port and see if that remedies the problem.

If this does not work, surf on over to the MagicJack website and run the MagicFix utility. MagicJack Website > Customer Care Link > MagicFix Page.

Note: The MagicJack USB needs to be plugged into a "powered" USB port that provides power at 500ma @ 5v. If you plug MagicJack into a non-powered USB hub, it will not be powered and it will not start (no blue light).

Always plug the MagicJack directly into a built-in computer USB port or a self-powered USB hub (USB hub with 5v AC power adapter). Note that MagicJack does not recommned using hubs.

Final Software Fix

Run the MagicJack Blue Light Bonus Fix from the link provided below:
http://www.magicjack.com/site/downloads/mjrecover_setup.exe

Last Resort

Contact Technical Support only available at Tech Chat.

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MagicJack Software Update Available for Download

(Archived in: Mobility Telephony Voip)





Digital Nomads noticed this on the MagicJack Website, and it should be noted if you are beta testing the MagicJack Voip. I contacted tech support on a few other issues, and remembered to ask about this update. Tech support suggested to download and run this software update.

It would be nice to see MagicJack implement an automatic update feature, or have email notifications available for future updates. Many people will be annoyed not to know about updates.

Here is a link to the download, if you don't want to bother going to the website.

MagicJack Software Update

This is what the software download link appears like on the Website > Customer Care > MagicFix page > Click Here.




More new posts about MagicJack tips, tricks, and hacks will be coming soon*. This weekend will include a feature called "MagicJack Factoids". These will be some little known facts about MJ, and maybe answers to some of the annoying questions that go unanswered in the forums and blog comments.

*Soon = most frequent answer to questions on MagicJack Tech Chat.

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MagicJack VoIP and International Calling

(Archived in: Mobility Telephony Voip)

This is an update on the MagicJack USB dongle and international calling. Browse to the MagicJack Website and find the link at the bottom of the page for Customer Care. Next you will see on the top right hand side "Top Questions Being Asked: International Calling".

Without much fanfare MagicJack is telling the world "Prepaid minutes for International calling will be available to purchase February 1, 2008." MagicJack has been reported as already offering calls to parts of Europe, and a prepaid option for international calling. Personally, at the moment I am more than satisfied with JAJAH for international calls.

Do a search on MagicJack, read blog posts and forums, and you will find the pros and cons of both frustrated and satisfied users. Digital Nomads has tested this product and finds it to be both interesting and curious. The customer service is still scant, leaves way more to be desired, and promises abound for the future (Note: See Dan Borislow's comments on this blog).

I see MagicJack as the underdog against the large telcos and continue to be intrigued with any success they may experience against the odds. The parent company (YMAX Communications) behind this looks to be methodically organized and designed to defend against regulatory issues and potential lawsuits by the big boys.

I rather like the relentless audacity of this enterprise, the gadget itself, and the way it works after some fussing and amateur hacking.

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Comcast Smackdown for Choking the Throttle

(Archived in: Related Miscellany Technology in Plain English)

The fight for Net Neutrality is far from over. This is an issue important to everyone, not just Digital Nomads. It has as much to do with your wallet, as it does with fighting the duopoly that exists in every market comprised of your local cable provider and the telephone company.

I had this news in my email today and am posting it on all my blogs (even at the risk of getting dinged by Google for duplicate content). It's that important...so pass it on. You can change it up a bit, but keep true to the content. The email below has been edited and paraphrased.

____________________________________________

We did it! Net Neutrality support has won a round in the fight to keep the Internet open and free from the wannabe corporate gatekeepers. And it's because of grass roots action.

Over 20,000 Free Press activists demanded the Federal Communications Commission stop Comcast from blocking Web traffic. The FCC has responded, and announced the investigation of this Net Neutrality violation.

Send Your Comments to the FCC

Now the FCC is seeking public comment before it decides to punish Comcast. Speak out now, and force the FCC to stop the self-proclaimed gatekeepers from tampering with the Internet.

Tell the FCC to Protect the Open Internet

Last year the AP caught Comcast secretly blocking the use of peer-to-peer software to share information online. Comcast used filtering technologies similar to those used in China to censor the Internet. The Associated Press called the violation "the most drastic example yet of data discrimination."

The Free Press movement and other Internet rights groups petitioned the FCC, calling for action to stop Comcast. Thousands of activists sent letters in support of the petition, and public pressure is forcing the FCC to act.

Insist that the FCC must send a strong warning to stop other phone and cable companies that want to follow the lead of Comcast and control your Internet experience.

Tell the FCC Not to Let Comcast Off the Hook

The longer the FCC waits, the more companies will continue to invest in technologies to censor and manipulate what we can do online. Blocking access to the Internet should never be tolerated.

The FCC has finally launched an investigation. Please help keep the heat on the FCC to make sure all gatekeepers are punished.

See more on Comcast's Internet blocking, visit the SavetheInternet.com blog:

1. Comcast Continues to Block and Dodge

2. Net Neutrality Advocates Hit Back

3. Discrimination Isn't Comcastic

Take action on this at: http://www.savetheinternet.com/comcast.php

Tell others about this at: http://action.freepress.net/campaign/comcastviolates/forward

Please pass this message on to a friend, and click here to become a active participant.

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Google GrandCentral Mobile Features

(Archived in: Nomad Resources Telephony)

Continuing the series on Google GrandCentral features and benefits, we turn to what will be near and dear to Digital Nomads. In a word...Mobility. You can be sure as Google gears up to get a piece of the mobile market, mobile features will be central to the GrandCentral concept of One Number for Life.

Feature: GrandCentral Mobility Preview

The mobility aspects of the GrandCentral come together with "GrandCentral Mobile". Log on from your web-enabled mobile device with your GC User ID and Password. GrandCetral is device-specific and will recognize your mobile phone in the future after your first call session.

Specify numbers for each mobile device, and you can customize call handling for each number from the GC User interface from any PC, Notebook, Laptop, UMPC, Smartphone, or Mobile Phone with wireless data service (and of course POTS).

Devices need to be MP3 capable, and some mobile browsers may not properly display the GrandCentral website. Read Digital Nomads previous post about using the Free Opera Mini Browser to interface with the GC virtual PBX.

It should be interesting to see what happens when Google GrandCentral taps into Android and the Open Handset Alliance.

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How to Contact MagicJack for Tech Support

(Archived in: Mobility Telephony Voip)

A Tutorial on Navigating the MagicJack Website for Technical Support

Whether it's intentionally designed to be difficult or not, most people will find it hard to to navigate from the MagicJack Website to the Tech Chat (Tech Support). Digital Nomads is here to help. As promised in the last post, here is a short tutorial on getting the technical support currently available from MagicJack (read Dan Borislow's comments in the last post).

First off, this assumes that you have purchased one or more MagicJack Dongles, have successfully registered your account, and have run into some difficulties with the plug-and-play installation (sales questions may be asked on Sales Chat). This blog will write future posts on user problems and updates.

Most people will naturally go to the MJ website and attempt to find a telephone number or email for tech support. This post is intended to save you some time. There is no telephone support currently available for MagicJack, and an email address is impossible to locate on the website. You could also try to use the email contact information on the parent company website: www.ymaxcorp.com

Digital Nomads Step-by-step Instructions for Contacting MagicJack Tech Chat

Go to the homepage at www.magicjack .com, then go to the bottom of the page to the Customer Care link. You can double click on any of the screenshots below for a larger view.

Double Click the Customer Care link and it will take you to a new page with three icons, or buttons at the bottom of the page labeled Magic Fix, Member Features, Have Vista?

Double Click the Member Features and this will take you to your account profile page. This is a page where you can change some features and information on your MagicJack account. We are interested in another link at the bottom of the page labeled Tech Chat.

Double Click the Tech Chat link and you will be forwarded to the live Tech Chat window. You can also attempt to run the MagicFix first. No luck there...then follow the link all the way at the bottom labeled "All Other Questions", which will also take you to Tech Chat.

MagicJack Tech Chat is available during the week and on a shorter schedule over the weekend.

MagicJack Tech Chat Hours
Monday-Friday: 9am-8pm
Saturday-Sunday: 10am-2pm

Come back for more tips, tricks and hacks for MagicJack VoIP. -Digital Nomad

Resources for Portable Professionals and Extreme Telecommuting™