Monthly Archives: December 2004 - Page 3

ONE OF THE BEST SERVICES OF THIS DECADE

Having been honkered, screwed, tricked and over-priced by T-Mobile and Verizon, I am not a happy cell phone user. My cell phone use is, however, critical to my work and personal life. When an emergency occurs, or when I have to be on a tech support call (giving or receiving), my cell phone bill usually skyrockets due to the 40-cent per minute overages.

There’s no getting around those choke-hold tactics of the cell phone carriers. Or is there?

Ah ha! Behold one of the greatest innovations of this young century. Skype – my new friend.

Skype is a FREE internet phone service. Download, sign up and then enjoy free computer to computer calling to/from anywhere in the world – just like any phone service. Free – anywhere!! If you need to call someone who uses a standard phone, the calls are 2 cents per minute to/from anywhere in the world!! Two cents – anywhere!!

One other cool thing – all calls are encrypted, so your conversations are free from snoops and hacks!

I’ve calculated that I’ll save a minimum of $40 per month on my cell service thanks to using Skype! That’s a lot of savings!

ARGYLE WINERY – KNUDSEN VINEYARDS

One of my favorite places in Oregon to relax and take in the scenery. Argyle Winery, Knudsen Vineyards, just on the northwest edge of Dundee.

A FRIENDLY NOTE ABOUT PHOTO COPYRIGHTS

Codi and I take an average of 7,000 photos per year. There are lots of photos on our blog page and I recently re-discovered a stat program that shows how many of our photos are being downloaded. It’s a surprising number! Please be courteous and check with me before using any photos posted on this website. For any commerical interest, definitely contact me first. Thanks!

MOUNT HOOD PHOTOS

It was cold and windy, but very bright and clear out today. I got a couple really good photos of Mount Hood from our balcony. Here’s one: