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Today I ask these questions:

• Is a prepaid cell phone plan the best option?
• Is Boost Mobile the best prepaid cell phone plan?

But before I begin, let me guide you to a great article entitled 50 Great LinkedIn Groups for Academics at 50 great online groups for academics.

As you may well know, I did an article about a week ago looking at Clearwire wireless Internet service. This service has a controlling interest by Sprint/Nextel. According to Clearwire, they have augmented the Sprint network towers for 4 GL Internet applications. I also like about a mile from one of their towers. Boost Mobile is also a Sprint/Nextel subsidiary. While I didn’t go with Clearwire, Boost Mobile is an entirely different story.

Why I looked at Boost Mobile

There are three reasons I looked at Boost Mobile:

• The top 10 reviews at rating prepaid cell phone providers has rated it the best prepaid cell phone plan. The article gives many definitive reasons for the rating. This article has the ratings for 2012
• I looked at the article in the January 2012 issue of Consumer Reports entitled Best Phones and Service: the top carriers and hottest phones, plus cost-saving strategies. This report is only available online by subscription only. But your local US public library reference librarian usually has a copy available and you can photocopy the article.
• I asked questions of a local retailer called Chicago Wireless (Chicago Wireless/). They sell Boost Mobile and were happy to answer my questions.
  

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When testing a new service, I won’t get the most expensive phone. Consumer Reports recommends staying away from the carrier retail stores, as their phones are the most expensive. They recommend places like Walmart, online, or the buying club Costco (i.e. membership is about a third of the cost as the Walmart version Sam’s Club). I ended up getting my Boost Mobile at the Family Dollar, which is a local dollar store.

Some notable Consumer Report items

Here’s some quotes from the Consumer Reports article related to Sprint, along with my commentary where applicable:

• “Among the four major carriers, Verizon and Sprint offered more satisfying data service, according to readers.”
• “That’s especially true now that all the major carriers except sprint have dropped unlimited, full-speed data provisions.” Commentary: I’m a bit confused here. The Top 10 Reviews article has mentioned other unlimited recommendations like Cricket and their prepaid plan. But Consumer Reports also mentioned that, “…the biggest data hogs who have grandfathered unlimited plans with AT&T and Verizon may see their data speeds clipped in months when their usage is high, in a controversial practice known as data-throttling.”
• “Our readers rated Sprint only average on value but better than Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T.” Commentary: AT&T doesn’t surprise me but I’m a bit surprised at Verizon. It seems that in the Consumer Reports survey, Consumer Cellular came out with high marks. Another thing I noticed is that in the Top Ten Reviews the TracFone came up last. Yet Consumer Reports staff seems to like them.

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Plans for now

I would encourage everyone to study the Top 10 Reviews and Consumer Reports articles I mentioned. For now, I have brought a cheap Boost Mobile Sanyo phone at the Family Dollar store. I’ve signed up for the pay as you go plan and will test things out a bit. I’ve set up my voice mail and Boost Mobile account and connected the phone number to Google Voice. I will also keep my TracFone account for now, which is also set up for Google Voice.

One thing I like is that Boost Mobile unlimited has a shrinkage plan. For every six months you pay on time, they cut your bill by five dollars. In eighteen months (i.e. non-consecutive) you can cut your total bill by fifteen dollars. I learn this in the same week ABC news talks about AT&T raising their mobile plans – as much as thirty per cent.

I found out I can pick up a universal charger (i.e. auto and home) at the Dollar General for $10 and a Bluetooth headset at Walmart for around $20.

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Sage Telecom and Clearwire Wireless Internet

This week, I decided to look at Sage Telecom and Clear Wireless Internet as alternatives to AT&T phone and Comcast Internet respectively. I have friends who use Clear and Sage, so it is worth exploring. You can find out more about Clearwire in the Wiki article at Wiki on Clearwire.

Clear Wireless Internet

Time Warner and Comcast Cable contributions

In an article entitled Can 4G wireless take on traditional broadband? at Can 4G wireless take on traditional broadband?, we find this:

“Time Warner Cable and Comcast have each contributed billions of dollars to Clearwire to help the company complete its network. As part of the deal, they are reselling the 4G service as an add-on to their existing broadband customers.”

What Hoovers Said

Next I went online to my College of DuPage library Hoovers reference. I found out they were founded in 2003, make about half a billion in net profit and Sprint Nextel is their parent company.  Here’s one thing that Hoovers said that causes me some concern:

“Rapidly growing Clearwire has never been profitable, and it expects to continuing losing money in the immediate future as it builds out its network to expand business. “

Better Business Bureau rating

I did ask about their BBB rating on the BBB website and found it was A+.

My trip to Best Buy and Verizon

The Clear website told me I could buy their service at Best Buy. This would give me a chance to see it in action. But the sales staff at Best Buy told me they didn’t have a demo. They wanted to show and sell me a Verizon broadband card wireless solution. They showed me all the good stuff with none of the bad. Let’s do a bit more digging.

Next I stopped at a Verizon store. This was a pleasant experience. The sales person asked me questions about my Internet habits. He told me about the 9 or 10 gigabytes limit for this solution. Guess what? Nobody at Best Buy brought this point up. Perhaps this is why Verizon rates high on the JD Powers customer satisfaction rating.

So here is what Clear is offering:

• Unlimited data
• No long term contract
• A 15 day trial period

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The final selling point

In It’s Clear, I Hate Comcast – Comcast vs Clear at Comcast vs Clearwire , the author makes these points:

• “ I did check out their website prior to calling just to verify I had coverage. You can check Clear’s coverage here. I would suggest that you zoom in close to your residence and be sure to click on the ‘Towers’ option to see how close in proximity their wireless transmission towers are to you.”
• “I am a little over one mile from my Clear wireless tower and regularly receive three out of five green lights on my wireless modem.”

The negatives

In the earlier article, the author says this: “I will admit that both the download and upload speed are not as fast as they were with my Comcast account, but they are not terribly slower either (nothing that bothers me).”

Sorry Charlie (i.e. reference to Charlie Tuna). I also live about a mile from a Clear cell tower. I did test the speeds of both Comcast and Clear using Speed Test at Speed Test. For Comcast, I had ping of 14, download speed of 24.70 megabytes per second and an upload speed of 4.19 megabytes per second. But for Clear, the download speed was 9.10 megabytes per second and upload speed of 1.03 Megabytes per second. This means the Comcast download speed was about 6 times faster and their upload speed was about 4 times faster. These tests were conducted within 10 minutes of each other.

Then there is the problem of the Linksys modem. It works OK with no changes for a Motorola cable modem connected to Comcast. I can’t get the Clear modem to work with my router – only through a direct computer connection. The forums tell me the router should connect with no problem – even Clear tech support is referenced in the forums.

Image by sekimura via Flickr

Based upon these points, I canceled immediately. Now I might look at their mobile option for an individual PC in the future. It would be great for going to places without a WiFi option. Comcast:

• Costs the same as Clear after their initial price reduction period is over (i.e. that is for my particular installation).
• Their support is 24/7.
• They offer a 30 day trial period vs the Clear 15 day one.
• They throw in a free Norton security suite for each computer (i.e. AT and T does something similar)
• Is Clearwire using offshore support?  The two times I called support I got one person with an Indian background and one with a Greek background.

My advice

Run tests with 2 computers, if you look at Clearwire for your home service.  Hook up one with Clearwire and another with an area service that offers a trial period, like Time Warner, Comcast, AA and T, etc.  Run several Speed tests to see how they compare.

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Sage Telecom

These guys make me mad. You can find out more about them in the Wiki article at Wiki on Sage Telecom.  I saw an option for service for around 30 dollars. I went through the order process. When I got almost to the end, it said my estimated bill is about 50 dollars. What? I called Sage and they tried to tell me about taxes, etc. AT&T doesn’t add $20 worth of fees in taxes, etc., to my bill. On the plus side, they do get an A+ rating with the BBB.

Now I don’t like Vonage and I wrote many articles about my experience. But they had an option where you clicked on the advertised price and it gave you an accurate estimate of your final bill – including an itemized breakdown – all before you start the sign up process. It’s in their start-up cost calculator off their main website.  Sage reminds me of MagicJack Plus, where they don’t show the product price on their website. Here’s the Vonage estimated charges on their world plan – far less than the approximately 20 dollar fees from Sage Telecom:

10 Books on China Every MBA Student Should Read

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Is it a good PR move to allow non-customers to use washrooms?

Here is the scenario:

Occasionally, I pay a visit to my local comic book store. It’s in a local strip mall and the local bowling alley has the only washroom.

For months, I visited their washroom before visiting the comic book store. Recently I paid a washroom visit during low tide (i.e. there were few customers in the place). I was dressed in business casual, while a red-headed, middle-aged man waited on customers.

So I walk by this man and turn the corner. He is waiting on another middle-aged man and his kids. As I round the corner, I can hear him remark: “Washrooms are for bowling customers only.”

So he’s looking at the customer but talking to me? Clearly I wasn’t in his line of vision. But it raises many interesting PR standpoint questions.

• The bathroom (i.e. both men and women) have many stalls available. Not much is distracting from regular customers – unlike those for small mom and pop store, etc.
• How does the attendant know that I haven’t been a previous customer? If so, does that mean I need to bowl every time I use the washroom?
• A bowling alley usually has several components that make money. In this particular example, there is a store that sells bowling equipment. There is a full service food restaurant. One also finds a full service bar there. That’s as well as providing bowling for all interested parties. Since the bowling attendant has much to entice me, can’t he see the value of a free washroom visit?

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An example from Vegas casinos

I haven’t been to a Vegas casino. Nor have I gambled in an Illinois casino. But I have talked to people who visited Las Vegas casinos. The closest I’ve come to casinos is playing the Publishers Clearing House PCHSLOTS.

But I do know enticements – to play the slot machines.

Why do you think that casinos place slot machines in food areas? These are food areas with free buffets and reduced price drinks (or even free). Why do you think that is? It’s so you will play the slot machines as you sample the buffet or drink a refreshing alcoholic beverage.

Perhaps this bowling alley operator or owner needs to take an example from Las Vegas. Perhaps as I walk to and from the washroom, I might be enticed to:

• Have a refreshing alcoholic beverage.
• Play a bowling game.
• Have some food.
• Buy some bowling equipment.

Perhaps this guy will get so progressive as to put video games in each toilet stall. For a small fee, you can play a video game, connect to the Internet, check your email, etc. I hope you realize I’m just having a bit of fun – don’t take me seriously.

Back to basics

Now let’s get back to basics – the original question. Is it a good PR move to allow non-customers to use washrooms? What do you think?

Tintin comes to the big screen

If you watched any of the summer movies, some of them were centered around superheros or comic book characters. Now we find Steven Spielberg going to European comics to find Tintin. In the article entitled In Superhero-Loving America, Tintin Has An Uphill Battle To Become The Next Batman at Is Tintin the next Batman, we find this insight:

“Tintin joins properties like Captain America, X-Men, Green Lantern, Cowboys and Aliens, and Thor in the seemingly endless cavalcade of four-color characters to make it to the big screen. And 2011 was a relatively light year. For next year, fans are bracing for Batman: The Dark Knight Rises and The Avengers, among many others.”

You can find out more about Tintin in the Wiki article at Tintin at Wiki.

Marvel and DC Comics purchased by Warner Brothers Entertainment and Disney

There are two main comic book producers: DC and Marvel, followed by a host of independent producers. Here is what the article said about this:

“America’s two largest comic publishers, DC and Marvel, are owned by Warner Brothers Entertainment and Disney respectively, and their stock-in-trade is superheroes. Disney’s $4 billion purchase of Marvel in 2009 was clearly driven by a desire to use Marvel’s stable of action heroes and proven franchise-worthy lineup (The Hulk, Iron Man, Fantastic Four, etc.) to fill a hole the size of a teenage boy in Disney’s otherwise-dominant pop culture portfolio.”

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New 52 DC Comics launch

Recently I published a blog post entitled How fast is Google Plus growing and comic book business wars at New 52 launch at B2B TechCopy blog. In it, I talked about the new DC Comics launch of 52 new comic book productions. Here’s some insights from the Tin Tin article:

“DC flew under Warner Brothers’ radar for decades, but now the parent company is mining its IP goldmine (which includes Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Justice League and other household-name characters) strategically and not opportunistically. The synergies between DC’s recent ‘New 52′ relaunch of its superhero comics and the release of transmedia properties like the Batman: Arkham City videogame and next year’s Dark Knight Rises movie are much more coordinated both from a marketing and timing perspective than in years past.”

The bigger picture

Do you see the bigger picture here? DC launches 52 new comics and see how the cards fare. They watch the market share and see which ones take off, become popular, etc. Those that make the top grade become candidates for movie deals.

In 2012, we will see The Avengers hit the big screen. Here we will see the same characters that started in Captain America, Thor and Iron Man take part in the movie. I believe that even the Incredible Hulk make a guest appearance.

But the DC Comics has a similar potential team to make the movie cut – the Justice Leaque. This comic is very popular and is hitting the “best” lists of the new 52. Will we see a movie made in the near future?

Marvel movies has had their share of duds – Daredevil, the Punisher, etc. And DC Comics did the same with the Green Lantern movie. The characters of Green Lantern and Daredevil are among my favorites. You just need someone who can write a good script. It’s the foundation of a good movie.

There’s a good weekly newsletter called Terry’s computer tips, which you can find at

Terry’s computer tips. Today I like to highlight some simple and effective tips from his newsletter archives. I will also offer some insightful commentary on the tip tidbits.

Free protection alternatives:

“There are free alternatives for protection, although the licenses often limit you to running them on only one PC and only for non-business use (and otherwise need a paid license).”

My commentary:

It depends.

Image via Wikipedia

Microsoft Security Essentials:

I If you run Windows operating system, I would look into Windows Security Essentials .  According to their website,:

• “Microsoft Security Essentials is free* and we designed it to be simple to install and easy to use.”
• “Microsoft Security Essentials is available for small businesses with up to 10 PCs.”

Clamwin:

It’s a good open source project found. But it lacks a real-time monitor. Here’s what they say about the future of the real-time monitor at ClamWin real-time monitor

“However an average user with little knowledge about online and computer security the on-access part is a must and the ClamWin should be used only as a complimentary scanner. We are developing it and will release it in the next major version update.

User a router for added protection:

“If they’re going to connect to a phone company’s DSL Internet service or cable company’s cable-based Internet service, they should buy a cable/DSL router to add some extra firewall-type isolation from attacks from the Internet. Today, the wireless router is common and inexpensive — you can actually buy wireless routers, and turn off their wireless functions, cheaper than buying some wired-only routers. Remember that the wireless routers also have wired connections.”

My commentary:

I run my computers with 2 wire connections, via a LinkedIn wireless router. I’m 100% in favor of this recommendation.

Image via Wikipedia

Run the WinPatrol software:

Another protective software that I run on all my Windows PC‘s is WinPatrol. It’s available as a free program and as WinPatrol Plus, which has a few more functions and gives access to the WinPatrol knowledge-base about installed programs (good, bad, uninstall, ok to have installed, etc.)

My commentary:

I run the free version of WinPatrol software. I think Terry gets a kickback for recommending this software as an affiliate. The free version is just as good and serves the security purpose.

Red Rider BB Gun Movie lamp

Have you seen a Christmas Story?  It’s the story of the little boy wishing for the Red Rider BB gun.  He probably was a genius, following the principles of the health and prosperity gospel, The Secret or New Thought.  Why?  Because in the end, he got his desired object.  He visualized it.  He dreams about it.  But  when the father wanted the lady’s leg lamp, he could have made one from the directions at Build Christmas Story Leg Lamp.

Or he could have brought one at Walgreens.  It turns out they are selling replicas for around twenty dollars each.

Image by Bernt Rostad via Flickr

My advice

One of the best services I found for both job hunting and is the Church of Latter Day Saints. You don’t need to be a member to use their services and they don’t try to convert you – unless you start the inquiry. I used their employment services in Lisle, Illinois during the year of 2008.

Anyway, if I go to their website at LDS jobs and click on the link looking for a good job,

Looking for a Good Job?

it takes you to a search. I searched for Michigan and got 2 centers in Detroit. I then clicked on find a center

Find a Center

to start the search. I then choose USA and Michigan. I got two centers in Detroit. If I click on the first link, I get LDS jobs. Here’s what it says:

Whether just starting out in your career or well established in your career, LDS Employment Resource Services (ERS) can help you carry out your career goals. The employment center offers one-on-one coaching, workshops and a large database of employment, education and self-employment opportunities. By visiting the center you learn the most effective job search practices, build your network and find resources to help you further your education or manage a successful small-business. “

We recommend that you log-in and begin creating your profile on LDS jobs prior to visiting the employment center. Even if an employment center is not close enough for you to visit, LDS jobs offers many online resources. If you wish, an employment adviser can also provide assistance over the telephone or through e-mail.”

Here’s What I said:
I advice you to create a job profile at LDS jobs, so you can use “an employment adviser can also provide assistance over the telephone or through e-mail.” If you can’t find a contact, then call one of the Detroit resources to work over telephone or e-mail. I have found their advisers to be professionals they hire (i.e. they are also church members, but with the right secular academic and work experience for the position).

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Why multiple browsers

As you probably know, there are multiple browsers out there. For Windows, some of the most popular are Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, FireFox and Opera. Given that most people are connected via high speed (i.e. broadband connections), speed is not much of a factor.

So why run different browsers?

Because I can’t do all functionality on one browser. Maybe it’s my configuration – don’t know. Besides Internet Explorer, I run Firefox, Chrome, Opera and Maxthon.

For the longest time, I couldn’t play the Publishers Clearing House number games, where you choose several numbers. I usually do a quick pick. It never worked on Internet Explorer for some reason. I recently kept Opera as my default browser. The games now work perfectly. I can even play the new Publishers Clearing House casino type games perfectly.

Besides that, I can’t open my gmail Twitter following announcements in Firefox. But I can open Gmail and my Firefox announcements perfectly in Chrome.

So the next time something doesn’t work in one browser, type the same functionality with another browser. You may be pleasantly surprised.