Couple things to note about…

As google was sending me a SMS to my cell, it also sent a text telling me how to block all SMS from Gmail or specific person. Also it told me how to unblock and start receiving. This allows those spam/advertisement from abusing free unlimited SMS capability. I hope that Google has implemented something more to stop them, such as flagging the account if they started sending thousands of TXT to unknown phone numbers.

This is what I hate about US Cell phone services, people have to pay for receiving a phone call and SMS. In Korea, people don’t have to pay a penny if they are the one receiving. About 8 years ago, Korea had something similar to this. People were able to send TXT to anybody for free without any limitation. Since they couldn’t regulate spammers, they forced to shut all the free SMS down.

I know Google isn’t stupid and it’s not year 2000, I am sure Google will do much better job. This will definitely save me time by typing on keyboard vs. typing with two fingers on my iPhone.

As Steve wrote on my previous post’s comment, AT&T has realized this little loop hole that Steve and I (and many more) have been using and decided to shut us down. For those who haven’t read my previous post, I have been using my iPhone as Go Phone, paying only $20 per month for unlimited 3G data plan.

Phone carriers always have a way of screwing people over…

At this point if you still want to use your iPhone, only way to get it is with data plan + voice plan. For those people who already paid early termination fee, I would suggest selling your old iPhone on eBay and get a new iPhone with 2 year contract. As a Mac addict and knowing that I want to develop Apps for iPhone, I just can’t give it up. At this moment I bought new 16gig white iPhone, which wasn’t available when I bought it on the first couple days.

If you want to maximize the loss, you could sell your new iPhone (after transferring the SIM to your old) and keep using your old iPhone. Personally, I would stick to new iPhone because of it’s battery usage. Even though technology has improved everything else, battery is one thing that isn’t keeping up with rest of the technology trend.

For AT&T, raising the unlimited data plan from $20 to $30 was a smart thing to do. Most Mac users don’t mind paying little extra for new technology and little something to show off. I am one of those, a Mac addict who needs to have them even-though there is no good reason to buy. When they announced the new data/voice plan, there were many people complaining but at the end, they bought it.

Two weeks ago, I got a Treo 800w for corporate use. I wasn’t going to get one, but I wanted to check my email even when I wasn’t in front of the computer. For security reasons, I wasn’t able to use my iPhone to check my corporate email. Since I don’t use my cell phone often(thanks to skype’s unlimited plan), there was no reason to have two cell phone services. I thought about selling my new 3G iPhone, but I couldn’t give it up. On the other hand, paying AT&T about $80 every month was ridiculous. So here is what I did.

Solution:
After long research, I learned that GoPhone was my best solution. I went to the store and ended my 2 year contract after paying $175 for early termination fee. I bought a GoPhone SIM card after choosing one of the pay as you go plan. I switched the SIM card inside the iPhone with GoPhone SIM card. I called in to add the unlimited data plan, and they subtracted the $20 off the balance I had. After couple minutes I was able to use my 3G network on my iPhone. For people who carry around two cell phones, this definitely could be a cheap option to keep your iPhone with a good reason.

Here is the catch. It depends on which pay as you go plan you choose, but making a call on the GoPhone is very costly. For me, I pay $0.25 for every minute of voice usage. I don’t plan on making or receiving any call on my iPhone, so I gave the new # to only my brother for emergency. 

This option will only work for those who carry around another phone for voice usage. Now, you will be able to browse the internet with full size browser (#1 reason why I bought my iPhone) for $20.

Other than doubling my money from investing in AAPL(Apple Computer), I have made my second smart investment. Some people may disagree with me, and call me crazy, but I know there are going to be a good amount of people agreeing with my investment. It’s not a financial investment or anything that will bring me a profit. It’s a chair.

People who sit in front of their computer for long duration of their day always complain about their back. If you work out, your muscle will support your back, but for those of us who can’t will have to suffer from back spine curving and many other symptoms from poor posture. It’s not that we want to slouch, but our body adjust to that poor posture without you knowing(most of the times).

As a computer science major, I spent lot of time in front of the computer during my college days.(I probably spent less than 20% of that time doing school work) Dormitory furniture are not made to be adjusted to individuals, they are made to last couple decades with energetic teenagers abusing them. I bought those leather arm chair thinking comfort would be the only thing that matters. I found myself slouching after 15 minutes of sitting straight. I had to find better chair which would keep me from making my back worse. I gave up searching for the best chair when I was in college, and gave it another try when I got my first job.

There were many big name ergonomic chairs, but they didn’t catch my eye. After searching for days, I found something on Flickr, Stokke Balans Duo. I searched online for a retailer, however I failed(I thought I was the master of googling, but I was wrong). Actually Stokke’s brand branched out as Varier and that Balans Duo model has been discontinued. After I learned that their name has changed, the search ended quick. I bought Varier’s Thatsit from Backcare Basics 2 months ago. I just got it couple days ago since they had to ship it from Norway in a container.

This is basically a knee chair with back support. Knee chair makes it so that you can’t slouch. This makes it so that I have to keep my back straight or I will break my nose on the keyboard. One biggest difference from regular knee chair is it’s back support. I can adjust the back so that I can use the chair as if it is regular arm chair. After 4 days of usage, I love this chair.

The price tag… $1500(about). This chair isn’t going to make me any profit, but it will keep me from visiting Chiropractor. There is a proverb/joke in Korea which is, “Back is men’s life support”. I won’t explain it because I will get into trouble, but Koreans will know what I am talking about. There are going to be many cheaper ways, such as keeping good posture on your own. If you are having hard time doing that, do some research and find the perfect chair for yourself.

FRYS

When I was in Cleveland, only stores that I could buy computer related stuff was Best Buy and Micro Center. They both didn’t have many choices for different brands and products. And they were OVER PRICED. On the other hand there is Newegg.com, probably the best online store for buying computer related parts. I probably spent more than $5,000 buying parts from Newegg during my college days. The problem with Newegg is the shipping cost and transition time. When I moved here, I was introduced to Frys. They are big electronic store that has wide range of different brand and products. The big catch is, they are CHEAP. I always bring my iPhone to compare the price between in-store and online, most of the times their price are same as Newegg.com. The best part is, no shipping cost, and I can take home and use it right away.

Community

As a Mac addict, I have always wanted to visit the Apple Computer’s headquarter. Every Mac you buy, as a default, there is Apple Inc, contact info in Address Book. 1 Infinite Loop, a street name which every mac user probably has come across at least once. I actually live less than a mile from that exact location. Also, Silicon Valley is home to many great computer companies, such as Facebook, Google, HP and many more. Although there were the dark days of dot-com bubble, I believe that IT sector is going to lead the US market down the line, and probably forever. Living in the community that develops next generation technology definitely feels good. Some day…. I will contribute to this great community.

People

Last weekend, I was exchanging a SATA controller card I bought from FRYS. Since iPhone is little bulky to put up against the ear, I always use Jawbone bluetooth headset. This guy next to me asked, how I liked the new Jawbone that was in hanging from my ear. I told him how I loved it and I definitely recommend buying if he was considering. The response I was expecting was totally off. He said, “I spent three months in China making that product.” He was busy, so we couldn’t talk much, but it was great new experience for me. It’s not every day when you get to talk to the developer who makes one of your favorite gadget.

Who?

I am an IT Consultant working for Unisys Corporation virtually from my HOME. I just started working for them couple weeks ago. I specialize in RTI(Real Time Infrastructure), more specifically in Storage and Disaster Recovery.

Where?

Although I went to schools in US, I am originally from South Korea. Since English is my second language I will often make grammar and spelling mistakes, which you can think of it as a typo. Currently I live in Cupertino, CA due to my passion in Silicon Valley. Because there are lot’s of IT conferences in San Francisco I will try to attend as much as possible to widen my knowledge and meet people.

What?

There are lot’s of things that keep me awake everyday. As you could have guessed, I love new technology. Although I don’t want to admit, I am one of those geeks that likes gadgets, computers, servers and almost anything that uses new tech. I am also Mac Addict who loves Apple hardware and software. I don’t hate or think Microsoft is evil, I just prefer Apple over MS.

one more thing

This isn’t final setup. Rather than setting up everything and making a grand debut, I decided to add little bit at a time and build on as time goes by.