Cool Tricks with Your Cell Phone

Here's a ZIP code worth remembering: 46645. Except it's not really a ZIP code, it's the numbers on your cell phone's dial pad that spell out GOOGL. Send a text message to that number and you can get a boatload of information in return. For instance, if you want to get movie showtimes for your area, text "Movies 48390" (or whatever ZIP code you're in). It also works with city and state. You can use a similar method to get local business listings, stock quotes, word definitions, and other handy info. Best of all, the service doesn't cost a dime (except for airtime and whatever ridiculous sum your carrier charges for text messages). Visit Google's SMS page for more information.

Extend Your VoIP Service to Every Phone Jack in the House

So you've signed up for SunRocket, Vonage, or some other spiffy new VoIP service, and now you're wondering what to do with the hodge-podge of phones in your house. Answer: Keep them! With a screwdriver, a splitter, a cable modem (sorry, DSL users) and about five minutes to spare, you can create a whole-house VoIP network. In other words, you'll be able to plug any phone into any phone jack and use it for VoIP calls.

WARNING AND DISCLAIMER: If you don't do this properly, or your phone/VoIP configuration differs from what's described here, you could end up with fried equipment, fried wiring, or some other expensive-to-repair catastrophe. Proceed at your own risk.

Step 1: Make sure absolutely everything is working properly with your VoIP service. If you're having your phone number(s) transferred, wait until the process has been completed and you've verified that inbound and outbound calls are status quo.

Step 2: (Once again, this is for cable modem users only. DSL users, stop right here!) Go outside your house and find the junction box where the telco's lines come into your house. Usually there's a "residential access" panel you can open with a screwdriver. Once inside, disconnect any plugs or wires you find there. This effectively severs the connection between the local telco and your house. The result is a "closed network" for the wiring inside your house. (Tip: You may want to cover the outside jacks with electrical tape so no one inadvertently reconnects the lines. At the same time, put in a small note reading: "Lines disconnected intentionally -- do not reconnect!")

Step 3: Plug a two-port splitter (available at any Radio Shack, Best Buy, etc. for about three bucks) into the "phone" jack on the back of your VoIP box. Reconnect whatever phone you originally had plugged into the box. Now run an ordinary phone cord from the second port on the splitter to the nearest wall jack. Presto: Every other jack in the house should give you a dial tone.

One more disclaimer: I have tried this with my SunRocket setup and it works perfectly. And I've seen plenty of reports of similar successes among Vonage users. But your mileage may vary! Rick Broida and Budget Computing are not responsible for any problems you may encounter. Good luck!