Not too long ago, Grant discovered hidden premium fee on T-Mobile (Sidekick II) thru monthly statement online. Same thing goes with his Sprint Treo 755p, unfortunately.

Grant probably lost few hundred dollars because he’s not paying attention to statement carefully. He looked up Google and discovered that he’s not alone. Many people got scammed out of it, too. He may get some money back but who knows.

This is real example at http://myluvcrush.ca/ and others – you can look at it but do not put your cell phone number on it. It will automatically take small fee from your cell phone bills.

Once a while, please check your statement online (or mail out) from time to time. It shouldn’t be that hard to notice when there’s hidden fee in it. (price difference, etc.)

Does anybody have similar problem as ours?

Grant Laird Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com

ASL Video - 11 Minutes Long

Workshop at WordCamp 2008 - Dallas

Credit: John Pozadzides - http://onemansblog.com/

How to improve your own wordpress website with many tips:

• Add printer plugins - this way it will print perfect post this way rather than print whole crappy with themes in it on your printout.
• Updated profile/picture - yes picture of yourself!!
• Add links on footer; i.e. www.crazytech.com or one of your favorite link.
• Add MyBlogLog - you can sign up at www.mybloglog.com
• Add Top Commenters on sidebar - use your widget to put up there
• P-Metrics? Check it out!
• Add Amazon advertising with your own reseller account
• Use tags!!
• Check out Viddler - supposed to be better quality video
• Check out Woopra - www.woopra.com (beta version)
• Use hyperlink with several words instead of 1-2 words
• Email Subscription - RECOMMENDATION!! (subscribe2 plugins) — FeedBurner is also good optional
• Select partial RSS Feed instead of full
• Open comments all the times; do not require register
• Submit your post at www.Digg.com - its free
• Use FastStone program for optimize & resize pictures. its free!
• Use WP Super Cache plugins - better loading and speedy
• Add image on every post; at least one rather than boring text only; Try www.weburbanist.com
• No begging!!
• Donncha plugins - designed for no zone advertising for preferance visitors (interesting suggestion here)
• Stick with better and/or best tools such as webcam, avoid cheapass equipments
• Use unique name for each images — use fire_house_dallas.jpg instead of img0001.jpg
• Check out more cool info at OMB plugins list here

Feel free to make comments what you think of this tips to improve your Wordpress. Again, I haven’t try them all — it may be necessary for you to do little further research by yourself.

Updated 4/12/08: More details about WordCamp Dallas where I attended such as video and pictures - check it out!

Grant Laird Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com

Grant talked about pin number or password that you have one on your Sidekick, Blackberry, Palm and others. Often it is not default enabled, you need to set it up and use it ALL THE TIMES. It is for your own protection!

He explained few reasons why it is so important to have pin number / password — it is not just about privacy, its a lot more than that. It could be useful when your cell phone lost, they cannot abuse it. And few others…

Read on!

Grant Laird Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com

Grant discussed about scam issues (all kinds) in Deaf Community. He said everyone need to be extra pay attention when it comes with a large sum of money from stranger or even good friends. It doesn’t matter if they are from outside US or your neighbours.

When in doubt, ask your friend, family or co-workers!! Do not be afraid!!!

Grant Laird Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com

 

Grant Laird Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com

Grant discussed about RSS Reader program – he wondered if anybody still uses it today. He still use faithfully with Bloglines.com – it serve him very well. Last time many DeafRead fans discussed in 2006, there’s small numbers of people actually use RSS Reader faithfully while everyone else trying to understand what it is all about.

Many 3rd party services such as youtube.com, flickr.com and even Netflix.com have its own feeds. Also, Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 and Firefox 2.0 have its own RSS Reader or can plug into 3rd party such as Bloglines.

It’s been more than one year later, DeafRead.com grew bigger along DeafVideo.TV and others. Do you guys still use it regularly? Did you change for better program? Did you actually give it up? Give us your feedback.

Time to try RSS Reader (Posted in July 2006)
http://grantlairdjr.com/wp/2006/07/22/time-to-try-rss-reader/  

RSS in Plain English (Posted in January 2007)
http://grantlairdjr.com/wp/2007/05/01/rss-in-plain-english/  

Grant Laird Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com

Grant discussed tech news of the week – few things he mentioned in his vlog plus some of his personal comments…

• Yahoo! Company rejected Microsoft’s $44 billion takeover.

• Microsoft is acquiring Danger, maker of the T-Mobile Sidekick for $500 million.

• Starbucks ended its Wi-Fi (Hotspot) partnership with T-Mobile in favor of one with AT&T.

• Netflix announced that it would begin to phase out HD DVD rentals in favor of rival Blu-ray discs. 

• Google released software development kit for its open mobile platform called Android.

Source: Click here

Care to discuss? Feel free to make comment.

Note: This is experimental; please feel free to make suggest. Thanks!

Grant Laird Jr
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com  

Not too long ago, Grant borrowed from his older daughter an Xbox 360 game called Assassin’s Creed (Ubisoft Publisher) which recently released in November 2007. It has become one of the most popular games today.

He managed to go thru first stage of game “How to play with controller” episode before start real game. Once he entered, he got lost and confusing because several characters kept talking to me thru the game – he just gave it up and returned game back to his daughter.

He looked up Google and found out he’s not alone – there are many complaints at Ubisoft official forum. He made his part by register and made the comment. It is not just about deaf and hard of hearing who need subtitle, there are many foreigners that are not good with English – they depend on subtitle to play.

Grant applauded commenter Robert Nunn who wrote to “To the Editor” on Game Informer magazine (February 2008 edition; page 12) regarding lack of subtitle on this game. Hopefully it will push Ubisoft to offer subtitle patch/upgrade in near future. To see scanned article from magazine, click here.

Did you know that many store such as Wal-mart of Target will not honor opened game box regardless? Several Deaf gamers purchased and got stuck with it. If you purchase game thru GameStop store, you might have little luck.

Ironically, Assassin’s Creed – Nintendo DS version now support subtitle.

More information regarding lack of subtitle on this game:

• http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5251069024/m/4691016806/p/1
• http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/assassinscreed/show_msgs.php?topic_id=m-1-40873622&pid=930278 
• http://community.eu.playstation.com/showthread.php?t=171367

Grant Laird Jr. 
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com

Grant discussed briefly why Facebook.com is so popular these days. Deaf Community within Facebook is growing…

• Facebook vs. MySpace (similar but different)
• Why Facebook? (Brief Introduction)
• Investment in Facebook (Microsoft, etc.)
• Features within Facebook (Poke, The Wall, etc.)
• Others

You can look up more information about Facebook @ Wikipedia

Grant Laird Jr
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com

Grant talked about Dallas Cowboys. He promised that Dallas Cowboys will be back! Also, he talked about Super Bowl (present and past especially Dallas vs. Pittsburgh), and advertising with closed captioning on TV. 

See Super Bowl Advertising with CC. Click here.

Grant Laird Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com