Conservatives charitably donate 30% more than liberals as a whole?

ABC reports on charitable donations: "It turns out that this idea that liberals give more …is a myth. Of the top 25 states where people give an above average percent of their income, 24 were red states in the last presidential election... Turns out conservatives give about 30 percent more, [despite] making less money." Hopefully both can give more.

More:

Other Custom things for your BlackJack:

Other Custom things for your BlackJack:

1) Disable Message Sent Notification
Many people find the "Message Sent" notification that pops up after a successful text message to be annoying. Here is an easy registry hack to disable it. This will require a registry editor.
Disable the "Message Sent" notification after sending a text message by following these steps:
1. Navigate to: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Inbox
2. Create a new key "Settings"
3. Create a new string value "SMSNoSentMsg" and set the value to 1


2) Select EDGE Network Only (Disable 3G):
1. Enter *#1546792*#
2. Select Option 3 Network & Call Settings
3. Select option 5 Network Mode
4. Select GSM

3) Change Keyboard Backlight Timeout: HKCU/ControllPanel/KeypadBacklight/Timeout

4) Use Entourage for Mac and an exchange server: http://www.4smartphone.net/

5) Sling on the BlackJack

Unfortunately T-Mobile Dash owners suffer from some compatibility issues with Sling and it looks like the Blackjack does too..It seems the issue is that the Sling Player doesn't properly support the native resolution of the BlackJack's screen (320x240) But there is a workaround in the meantime... Here's what you need to do:

1. Launch sling mobile player but do not connect
2. click on Menu > Player Options > Encoding
3. Scroll down, and uncheck "auto resolution mode"
4. Change the video resolution to "160x120"
5. Hit OK...and you're set!

Thanks again to Dave Ciccone: http://mobilitytoday.com/news/sling_blackjack_workaround.html

BlackJack Other Resources

Other Resources

.Net 2.0 Download from Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0856eacb-4362-4b0d-8edd-aab15c5e04f5&displaylang=en

Good Reg Editor FAQ:
http://www.breaksoft.com/Blog/Posts/2005/8/Mobile_Registry_Editor_FAQ.aspx

3G Coverage Map: http://onlinecare.cingular.com/coverageviewer/

The good mixer to all audio files?
http://www.cdaudioconverter.com/audio-mixer/
Easy MP3 Audio Mixer is an easy to use but powerful program for mixing mp3, audio files, you can record your mixed music to mp3 directly. support mp3, ogg, wav file format.

Programs that work on the BlackJack:
Resco Explorer and Reg Editor
PHM Reg Editor
SBSH Facade
SBSH Papyrus
TCPMP Media Player (http://tcpmp.corecodec.org/)
OggSync - Sync your BlackJack with Google Calendar (http://www.oggsync.com/)
SmartphoneNotes
eWallet
MobiPocket
PocketBible
VoiceCommand 1.6

BlackJack How To

Hard reset: Settings>security>more>reset ...its at the very end. Password default is 0000.

Soft reset turn phone off, hold cursor up button and press power, hold at same time, follow commands.

Change Ring Volume:
Start > Settings > Profiles

Thanks to: http://forums.cingular.com/cng/boar...id=77997#M15235
Gmail POP access workaround that may be even slicker than the application itself:
* Setup your Gmail account to allow POP access
* Go to Messaging on the Blackjack
* Click on New Account
* Select Other POP3/IMAP. Click Next.
* Enter your Gmail information (name, email address). Click Next.
* Click Next again to skip the automatic download of settings.
* Enter your Gmail username like this: recent:username@gmail.com, enter your password. Click next.
* Click next on the Server Type screen. (POP3 is correct)
* Type in mail.gmail.com for incoming server, smtp.gmail.com for outgoing. Make sure that all of the SSL boxes are checked. Click next.
* On the download the following messages screen, select all messages, and entire message. Click next.
* Have it check every 15 minutes. Click next.
* Click finish.
* Click Yes to confirm.
At this point, you are good to go. If you use Outlook or the like for an email program, your emails will show up in both places now. Your Blackjack will have the exact same emails.
Make sure that you have the unlimited data package - this will burn up some data!!!

RoadRunner POP3 Email Settings for BlackJack:
Just in case anyone has had trouble sending pop3 emails from their blackjack using a road runner pop3 account, here are the settings. You need to use cingular's smtp server address instead of the road runner smtp server to allow the sending of email from the blackjack.
example xxx=city code (satx, kc, etc)
pop-server.xxx.rr.com for your pop server address
cwmx.com is what you enter for the smtp server address.
cwmx.com is cingular's smtp server. choose "use authentication" and you should be good to go. send a test message just to be sure.
If it asks for username and password (it does if you are setting up "other pop3, but not if you are setting up your initial xpressmail pop account) then leave both blank

Thanks to Dave Ciccone: http://mobilitytoday.com/news/blackjack_dun_bluetooth.html
Many of you already know I am completely sold on my new Cingular Blackjack! Well my next mission was to get DUN to work over Bluetooth! Consider it done. Now I need to get it to work on the Mac.. But in the meantime you will need the following:
1. BlackJack (Samsung i607)
2. PDA Data plan
3. Bluetooth adapter
4. Windows XP SP2's Bluetooth stack (others may work, not tested yet)
Step 1: Pair the computer and your Blackjack using steps discussed in the manual.
Step 2: Launch the "Internet Sharing" application on your BlackJack. It can be found in the \Windows folder. (To locate it: Start -> Applications -> File Explorer -> \Windows -> Internet Sharing)
Step 3: Choose "Bluetooth PAN" as the PC connection, and "MEdia Net" as the network connection
Step 4: Hit "Connect" (left soft key)
Step 5: On the PC, go to Start > Network Connections. Click on the "Bluetooth network connection" icon. Choose your BlackJack, and hit Connect.

BlackJack Customization - What I Do

BlackJack Customization

These are a few things I have added/changed on my new Cingular BlackJack. I thought it would be nice to compile several things in one spot instead of having to search through pages of forums.

1) Unlock your Phone - I like to make some changes to my registry, however you must unlock your BlackJack prior to registry changes (they won't stick).

Unlock Instructions


2) Change starup/shutdown sound - you know, that jet engine sound that wakes up everyone at night when you decide to reset your phone? Here's how - use a reg editor:

HKey_Local_Machine>system>
-under system there are two entries: Shutdown and Startup
-under each one you will find an entry named 1
-under 1 there is a value name of Dll
-the default value for both entries is OemAnimationDll.dll
-change the default value data of each of those files (startup and shutdown) to the word none (I suppose null would work also but I know the word none does for sure)
-after changeing the value to none, back out to the main menu - wait a couple seconds and shut down and then restart, and you will find the annoying shutdown and startup screens and audio are gone.

Note: When you shut down, hold the on/off button down for the normal 2-3 three seconds and release. At that point when you normally would have seen the shutdown screen and audio, it appears that nothing is happening, but just be patient and wait the few seconds a shutdown normally takes and the screen will go blank as the unit powers off.

On startup, you will immediately see the standard blue Windows Mobile Screen which will be there until the home screen comes up and loads. Just remember that it still takes the normal time to shutdown and startup. I guess all the startup and shutdwon OEM .dll files did was run in the foreground while the normal o/s functions ran in the background.


3) Button Shortcuts:
If you hold a key down it will auto switch to its alternate character
Hold Home - Task Manger (shows all running programs), Battery and Memory meters.
Hold Side Back Button - opens Camera (default - can be changed via Settings>Buttons)
Hold End Key - Keylock Phone
FN & B = Toggle Bluetooth On/Off
Fn & C = Cingular Mall
Fn & M = Cingular Music
Fn & V = Cingular Video
Fn & W = MEdia Net
Top Power Button - Opens Quicklist (Power Off/Wireless Manager/Key Lock/Device Lock/Profiles)
Hold Side Jog Dial - Editable menu
Hold Message (Button with email icon) - turn off backlight on screen
Hold Volume Up or Down - launches voice notes

4) Change DNS - speeds up initial page loading:

Go to: Settings>Connections>GPRS>DNS Servers
Change to:
Primary DNS: 208.67.222.222
Secondary DNS: 208.67.220.220

Good 'Ole Fashion (COLD...) Boston Market Food!

Go to www.bostonmarket.com (Boston Market). Click on the "Holiday" link. Select "Holiday Catering" for "delicious holiday fare that's made fresh and ready to eat". Note the "ready to eat" which is what sold us....at first....

Now, go to your local Boston Market to pick up your food....and find out that it is COLD and has heating directions in the bags....

Either our local shop doesn't receive notice if it's supposed to be hot or cold, or our local shop tanked this one....

The store manager told me that "everyone knows that today food to go is served cold...." Um...everyone? I must be someone else...

While we were waiting, the manager received a call from corporate about our order (Kathleen called the customer service number while we were waiting) and how it should have been warmed. When the manager hung up, she cursed and walked away...at that point I didn't feel our food would be prepared properly (did this come with sneeze???).

Check out their brochure which states - WARM FOOD!!!...and me....visibly distraught!

BM did comp our food (which we did not wait around for to get heated) and is sending us a $25 gift card....woopee...

Note to local manager - be apologetic when mistakes occur. Your attitude has turned us off Boston Market pretty much forever. Note to businesses (even ours...) - Don't be a BM....

Did I mention we put in 60 minutes of wait time?
Here's Rob waiting...guy next to Rob was told his food wouldn't be ready for another 2 hours....yeah...I typed HOURS....he is seen here on his phone with his wife trying to figure out what to do.

Too bad....could have been a great experience....

I3

At it again.....

Ok, so here is Meester Mantis getting crazy on an emerald crab.

Booya.

Lies Lies Lies!!!

This story just isn't true.

It must be fabricated by the dude from the UK I made mad while playing XBOX live....his name is ACSnidewolf.

Alive and kicking - check it.

I3

Yurt sweet Yurt

Well, we have been house hunting and have finally found a place to call home.

Check out our I3yrdYurt:

Probably the best fight so far

Rant

My car was towed out of my carport at the apartment complex I live at. The towing company stated that they had the right to tow my car because it was parked in a striped spot. The spot is striped. My problem is with the Apartment Management of River Park Place in Fort Worth. If you are going to hire a service to police the illegal parking of residents/guests, make sure your existing resident parking is taken care of (remove old handicap signs/striped lines) BEFORE you enforce. What you get if you don't is a customer like me who is very upset and has decided to no longer be a customer.

I3

PS- Splinter Cell Double Agent is out tomorrow. See you online!

Prison Fellowship Angel Tree

My brother Brian and his wife Stephanie are again hosting the area group for Angel Tree. This is a fantastic ministry under Prison Fellowship by Chuck Colson.

Here is their letter:

Hi, friends and family,

As you know, Christmas is just around the corner…which means that we are currently assigning Prison Fellowship Angel Tree kids (children of prisoners) to churches, Bible study groups, and individuals who are willing to shop for these kids and deliver Christmas gifts to them on behalf of their parents and in the name of Christ.

Many of you have participated in the past. But for those of you who may not be as familiar with Angel Tree, it is one of the flagship ministries of Chuck Colson’s Prison Fellowship. It is a wonderful opportunity to reach out to children you might never otherwise run across, many of whom are among the last, the least, the lost, and the forgotten in our city. Christmas also provides a chance to let these kids know about summer camp – a new ministry of Angel Tree. A warning, though - once you see these kids’ faces, you’ll be hooked!

We are sending this email because although we have already assigned approximately 1900 children, we currently have 300-400 unassigned children in the Ft. Worth area. We are hoping that you or perhaps a group in which you participate might be able to “adopt” some of these kids. Of course, we understand that many of you may already be committed to other ministries this time of year. But for those of you who are available to help, we wanted you to know of the need.

If you are interested (in ”adopting” a child(ren), or shopping, donating items/money, wrapping, or delivering), please let us know as soon as possible. We have unassigned children scattered all throughout Ft. Worth, as well as in Crowley, White Settlement, Benbrook, Lake Worth, and Aledo.

Hope all is well in your lives.

Stephanie and Brian

Work

We have released web conferencing to our audio conference product. It's called insight by AccuConference. It's great for hosting a conference call.

Coffee in the afternoon

Eurotazza has become our little meeting spot in the afternoon. It's a short walk so it allows us to stretch our legs and get some air time....even in the heat.

Afternoon meetings have allowed us to take ideas and create actionable items which have produced real results.

Getting out of the office opens our minds and lets us think out of the box.

I3

Why oh why halo players...

Tonight TGAPGeorge and I played some Halo. One game there were two guys persistent in calling us foul things and attacking us. I kicked one out after he team killed me and he then decided to send me a "friendly" note attached to a friend request. Here is the game.

These guys definately fall under the player class of The Angry Psycho....

I3

2004, I miss ya

Yea, 2004, a great year. Why?

782

What is that you ask? tsk tsk....

Halo 2.

TGAPGeorge, KMOZ and I dove back into the action last night....and realized that being away from the action has dulled our reflexes....

Anyway, it wasn't too bad, and it was a lot of fun. Check out this game though.

I3 out...

House Hunting

This is how our new adventure makes me feel...



Hopefully it will be over soon...

Good to Great through conflict?

I decided to read the book Good to Great by Jim Collins. My parents really like the book and they are using it for their business - Super Suppers. I find the book enlightening and would like to implement several of the strategies mentioned.

Well, one thing I find intriguing is the amount of conflict mentioned in the book. The successful management teams are all said to have at times heated meetings which come close to being violent. Is this really necessary? Possibly for many people this style of discussion works to bring creativity to the surface, but for me, it does just the opposite.

Call me crazy, but I find creativity to be most fruitful when you have a meeting where ideas are thrown out, and if something is wrong, the facts are mentioned and you move on. If it deals with opinion, then you do have emotion get in the way, but to the level of heated conflict? It doesn't have to be that way. You always have the ability to choose your words and level of reaction.

Disagree? Stub your toe alone. Then, wait until there is a child in the room and stub your toe. Still say the same thing?

**I am not advocating stubbing your toe...it really hurts.

Rock On Dudes

Ceara and I went to see Thousand Foot Krutch on Saturday night at Sachse Assembly of God. It rocked. For those of you who don't know, TFK is a Christian Rock band. I used their music in my mantis shrimp videos...cool stuff. TKF headlined, but these bands were there too:
One Minute Halo
Unshaken

If these sounds are a little hard for ya, then check out FM Static.

Older vid on youtube:


Latest video, but kinda old: