If you haven’t heard of Ooma, you will soon. I discovered it because I
was sick and tired of paying ATT&T for a landline we rarely ever
used that cost us over $40 a month with no extras. We
didn’t even have call waiting, which was nice for us, but the busy
signal always freaked our friends out. At least they knew we were home
even if they couldn’t reach us.
One day last fall I came across a message on one of my geek boards
about a box that uses your current phone number and phones over the
Internet. More research showed that everyone was talking about Ooma, a
system that seemed to be as popular as Uma Thurman among the nerd
community. I was a bit skeptical until I saw over 75 positive reviews
on Amazon. It seemed this system was exactly what I was looking for.
Unlike Vonage a similar service that has a monthly fee, once you
purchase the Ooma system (about $200), you never have to pay another
phone bill again. That’s right I said NEVER. Plus, getting to keep our
existing home phone number (for a small fee) was essential. We’ve had
it for 12 years and it’s the one number my wife can actually remember.
High Tech, Low Tech, and On-line Afflictions
Technology
Deal or No Deal?
Tis the season of Sample Sales, or so it seems when the mailers start
arriving announcing this 40% off (but it's in downtown LA) or that 80%
off, but not until two weeks from now when I’ve completely forgotten
about it and f*#k it anyway, where’s the instant grat? I subscribe to
Daily Candy and Top Button, the latter being exclusively an online
sample sale site. There is also a mother at my younger daughter’s
school whose clothing line I happen to love that has her sample sale
around this time too.
It’s taken me a long time to become a savvy shopper when it came to
these 'deals’. I was the sucker that clipped the coupon for something
at the market I would normally never eat. I would be under the illusion
my family might try the yogurt covered zucchini chips for 50% off.
Invariably it would linger past its expiration date and get thrown out.
This always jettisoned me into the ‘I’m gonna be homeless someday, why
oh why did I waste my money like that??” fear fantasy. I would vow
never to make that mistake again and I finally learned that the only
coupons worth clipping for me are batteries and toothbrushes. Do I
really need that 35¢ off the second four pack of Charmin? Hell no!
Welcome to the new One for the Table ...
Our Home Page will be different each time you arrive.
We're sure you'll find something to pique your interest...