I think I?m finally getting a grasp on VB.net (programming). I had tried before, for various programs I needed to make but simply never fully understood Object Oriented Programming or the .NET structure. Prior I had a bad habit of becoming frustrated and simply purchasing programs from RentACoder.com. RentACoder is great and facilitates programming outsourcing for ridiculous prices but ultimately too much control is lost. As a business thinker and a programmer I see the difficulties in getting a program done exactly the way you want it, by someone else. Anyway, it took a summer of too much free time, really expensive books, and a desire to finally figure out VB.net.
I ordered my parents a VoIP (Voice Over IP, for you non-techie folks) phone and had a chance to test it out. I had experimented with VoIP technology way back in the day with Net2Phone and other similar products only to be unimpressed. Today?s mainstream VoIP carriers really have it down. The call quality including delay, dropped calls, and overall voice quality are all comparable to a normal telephone. The international rates are great (important only because I?ll be traveling soon) but really I just needed an excuse to pay for a new toy. The adapter actually isn?t much of a toy but connects directly to your internet connection (without a computer) and then onto your traditional phone system. A year ago Cisco was selling a VoIP adapter in the $100 range but prices have come down. I signed up through BroadVox Direct for a $40 signup fee (including adapter and activation fee) plus $12.95/mo and I am satisfied.
There was an article a while ago in Business 2.0 about a company called ZipRealty. Essentially they are a non-commission based real estate agent with dramatic price savings and tech savvy tools. The full access to MLS listings and past sales data is invaluable when value hunting for a property. Definitely check it out if you are buying or selling a home.