John Coverdale

Google’s [Discontinued] 411 Service

30 Sep 2008

This summer when I was on vacation, I used the 411 service on my mobile phone a few times… then when I received the bill I was reminded that my cell phone company charges $1.75 for each call to directory information.

If only I’d known then about Google’s Free 411 Service –
1-800-GOOG-411 – an automated service that uses speech recognition technology to provide the information users need.

Update:
Unfortunately Google has discontinued GOOG-411
However Microsoft has a similar service… for free: 1-800-Bing-411

You can learn more in this video from Google:

Here’s more info on how GOOG-411 works…

The speech recognition seems to work well. And there’s no advertising – so you aren’t held prisoner listening to a commercial while you wait for the info you need.

At any point in the call, you can say “go back” or “start over” to navigate the system. If you wish, Google will send you a text message via SMS with more details and a map — Just say, “Text message” or “Map it”

This service provides only business phone listings, not residential phone numbers. In other words, it works as a yellow pages, but not a white pages directory.

Why is Google providing this service for free? According to the company, the free service will enable Google to build a large database of phenomes (language sounds) that will help Google build future voice recognition technologies.

This is a free service (at least far as Google is concerned), but obviously you will be responsible for the cost (if any) for SMS messages and the actual minutes you use, according to the terms of your mobile phone service plan.

Sources:
1-800-GOOG-411: Find and connect with local businesses for free
GOOG-411 – Mobile Help Center
Using GOOG-411
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN0q8SvlQAk
GOOG-411 on Wikipedia

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Tags: Free, google, phone

Free: Try Microsoft Office 2007 for 60 Days

In: Office 2007

20 Aug 2008

If you need Microsoft® Office 2007 but don’t have the time or money to order it right now, you can download a free 60-day trial version directly from Microsoft.

To get your download, visit the following link…

http://www.trymicrosoftoffice.com

Here’s some info you should keep in mind…

You can run Office 2003 and 2007 on the same machine, except for Outlook: if you use Outlook, you may install only one version, Outlook 2003 or Outlook 2007.
If you uninstall any software (like the 2003 version of Office), you will need the original media and product key to re-install that software, if you decide to uninstall Office 2007 at the end of the trial period.
Office Professional 2007 includes Access 2007 — other versions may not include Access.
When you download the software, you must provide your email address.
You will receive a 25 character Product Key at the email address you provide.
To use the Free 60-day trial version of Office 2007, you must activate the trial software over the Internet.
The trial period begins with activation.
The trial software may only be used for a SINGLE 60-day trial. If you have previously used a trail version of Office on your computer, your trial period began when you first installed and used that software.
Some new computers have the 60-day trial version of Office pre-installed.
If you have used any BETA versions of Microsoft Office, you must uninstall them before installing the trial version of Office.

When the 60-day trial period is over, the software remains on your computer but operates in a “Reduced Functionality Mode.” This means you will be able to open and view existing documents, but you cannot save any changes.

You may uninstall the 60-day trial software when it has expired …but once expired, any re-installed trial version will only operate in Reduced Functionality Mode.

Read all the information on Microsoft’s download site carefully before you install the software; follow the instructions. Currently Microsoft is offering a 60-day free trial; obviously, they may change this offer in the future.

Downloading the software will require a fast Internet connection (like DSL or Cable).

Answers to frequently asked questions are available here: http://us1.trymicrosoftoffice.com/faq.aspx

Sources and other resources…

How to Set Up & Install Your Trial