Tony's Links

GMail tips

I don't know how many of you are GMail users but Lifehacker recently had a pointer to a page on Wired.com's How To Wiki entitled "How to get the Most Out of GMail".

Unlimited online file storage

Just came across a mention of Humyo. Unlimited free online storage that you can access from your PC or your mobile phone. If you store media, you can stream them to your PC/phone, too. Not a lot of frills at this point -- no backup/restore application for instance, but they say the plan to sell "premium" services at some point and, assumedly, that will be one of them. In the interim, give it a look-see. Yes, they've got a rather brief discussion about security on their questions page. And, just for the record, here's their registration information from nslookup:

Domain name: HUMYO.COM

Administrative Contact:
    Team, Domains  [email protected]
    227 Bawtry Road
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN4 7AL
    GB
    +441302538565
Technical Contact:
    Team, Domains  [email protected]
    227 Bawtry Road
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN4 7AL
    GB
    +441302538565

Registration Service Provider:
    PIPEX Communications Uk Ltd, [email protected]
    +44.115-917-0000
    http://www.123-reg.co.uk/
    This company may be contacted for domain login/passwords,
    DNS/Nameserver changes, and general domain support questions.


Registrar of Record: TUCOWS, INC.
Record last updated on 20-Sep-2007.
Record expires on 12-Dec-2008.
Record created on 12-Dec-2006.

Domain servers in listed order:
   NS2.HUMYO.COM
   NS1.HUMYO.COM

OK?

VoIP sidenote: Dial Plans

I had lunch with a friend today (hi, Gary!). He tells me a common friend from a while back (you know who you are, Bryan :) was reading my weblog and has some questions about dial plans.

Dial plan syntax can be specific to the manufacturer and, in some cases, to the router itself. PBX systems like Asterisk have their own syntax so if you want to get elaborate, you'll likely have to port your dial plan if/when you change platforms.

On the other hand, you can insulate yourself from these differences by signing up with a virtual PBX provider like Voxalot or MySipSwitch. Of course, that means you'll have to entrust them with your precious login information and, if they get penetrated, you could have your accounts hacked. It's a decision that's your to make. Me? I've signed up with both of them but I've still got my dial plans in my router. And, yes, they're a bit more elaborate than what I've listed in my previous entry. For instance, 8XX calls are free with SIPPhone (see SIPphone) and a lot of other numbers, including toll-free, are available for free from FreeWorldDialup. So, my dial plan contains special routing to get 800, 866, 877 and 888 number to go to SIPphone and so on.

BTW, if you've forgotten how to reach me, one easy was is tony here at this domain. And don't forget to OMIT the www.

Office 2007 Ultimate for $59.95 ... if you're a student

According to TheUltimateSteal.com, if you're a student with a valid email address that ends in .edu and you're carrying at least a 0.5 course load, you can get a perpetual license for Office 2007 Ultimate for $59.95. What's in Ultimate? Well, everything! Access, Excel, InfoPath, OneNote, Outlook, Word and more. Is this offer legit? Sure looks like it to me -- check out Microsoft's Utimate Steal Promotion. There are some restrictions and they're speeled out on the Microsoft site along with the particulars of what's in Ultimate.

Good until April 30, 2008, it almost makes me wanna sign up for some classes!