Best Android Shipping App - Tracking Software

Okay, so today I am back from vacation and I actually have things to blog about.  Cool huh?  Yeah, It's been a while, but it's all gonna be okay.

So what do I have for you today?  PACKAGE BUDDY for Android.  I recently acquired an Android OS phone and I have been on the search or some of the best apps out there.

I enjoy getting mail and love tracking packages as they are on their way to me.  I also ship a moderate amount of packages and l like to know when they are received.

Introducing PACKAGE BUDDY.


You download it, start it up, and work out your settings, and add a tracking number.  Now the links I have included are for the $1.49 version of the app, but there is also a free version that is ad supported.

What is my favorite thing about it?  Bar Code Scanning!!!

If you go to their WEBSITE you can enter your tracking info and they will create a QR code which you can scan into their software with your phone's camera.  You can also scan the actual shipping barcode to input tracking information.  I have a UPS package outgoing today and I was able to scan it and now I'll know when it gets back to Amazon safely.

You can also pull up a map to see the routing of the tracked package with Google Maps.  It's worth at least checking out.  I'll be donating by buying the ad-free version and if you like it, you should too.  These guys actually made a great app and should be rewarded appropriately.

Also, the free version is not a "lite" version or anything like that.  The only difference is ads and I have much respect for any developer that will not cripple their own software just to try and get to you pay for a "PRO" version.

Have a good one and feel free to leave some feedback.

Google Music - My Take On It!

Okay, let's say you went out and bought a Joshua Radin album and you put it on your iPod.  That's great, you listen to it, enjoy it, then you lose your iPod.  What do you do then?

TO THE CLOUD!!!


Google has done something that Amazon, Apple, and a few others have already done.  Why should anyone be surprised that Google isn't in the thick of things that the people want right now?

So what makes Google Music better/worse than other services?  Well, I don't know much about the iCloud, but I got a beta invite to Google Music and I like it so far.  Amazon limits the total size of free music to 5GB.  You can upgrade for a fee to 20GB, but I'm all about the free stuff.

Google Music limits it's current users to 20,000 songs.  YEP! That's right... 20k!!!  And to get things started, they give you a good bit of music to get your feet wet.

Now, About The Interface


For starters, you have to download the "Music Manager" software to upload your tunes.  I didn't particularly like that, but some things are necessary to keep things under control.  The manager registers your computer and you have up to like 8, I think.  It basically runs the same way Netflix does on their streaming service.

Basically you have a Play/Pause, FWD, BACK, SHUFFLE, REPEAT, THUMBS UP/DOWN, and VOLUME button to play with.  You can see the album cover (if available) and the progress of the song as it goes.  You can also create and even import your playlists.

For testing purposes, I just had it import my iTunes database.  As you can see from the picture, some of the songs have been skipped due to size (it's trying to pull audiobooks too for some reason), corruption, or empty files. After a full 24 hours, I think my whole database should be about uploaded.  Then I can delete all the audiobooks and listen away.  The manager will also load with your computer (if you allow it) and it will look for new music to upload automagically in your watch folders or iTunes database.


OVERALL TAKE ON IT?


I'll keep working with it.  I have one of the pilot CR-48 laptops and I am waiting for a Chrome Store App for it that will make things easier, but for now I can remember music.google.com when I need to go to it.  I also have every intention of getting an Android phone before too long, so then I'll be able to take my music with me in the cloud and save my storage on my phone and memory card for movies, pictures, video, games, apps, etc.

If you can get an invite, try to get one... At least use it for now until they decide on a price.  I understand they plan on charging for this, but we'll see what happens once Apple goes live.  Maybe they'll just interrupt every few songs with a short commercial like Pandora does to keep things free.

Anyway, that's my take.  If you click the Amazon link above, listen to some of the Joshua Radin music.  It's soft, mellow, relaxing, and overall good in that folky sort of way.

Enjoy!

How To: Make Money With Blogger - Ad Revenue Explained

Is it really possible to make significant money just blogging?


You bet it is!  Can you do it?  That's up to you.  Blogging for cash is not for everyone.  Some people just want to keep an online journal or occasionally blog to keep the creative process flowing.  I've done both.  I actually even made some ad revenue doing that, but it was peanuts compared to what I am about to teach you.

Lesson 1: What brought you here?

EXACTLY... You saw something appealing and clicked on it.  I have knowledge that I am willing to share for free.  Not everyone possesses this information, but since I do, I can use it to drive up my traffic.  I also have the time to dedicate to blogging a few times a week.  This is important, because I don't ever want to cool off and lose my readership or following.  Sure, most people won't read everything I've written, but that's because my wide range of knowledge lets me hit more than one topic.  (Later I'm going to show you how to do CREDIT REPAIR on your own.)  More after the break.

How To: Get More Twitter Followers For Free! (No Follow Back Required)

How'd you get so many followers? You're not THAT interesting...


True... I may not be terribly interesting, but something has brought you to this site, right?  Yeah, you probably saw the title and thought, "I'm cheap/broke and I want to increase my Twitter followership for (whatever reason)."  Guess what?  I can help you dominate your circle, your city, etc.  Best of all, I can do it ABSOLUTELY FREE! 


Common questions about the method I'm going to show you below are as follows...
1.) Do I have to pay anything? At all? - NO! Not unless you want to.
2.) Do I have to tweet stupid ads or anything? - NO!!! I hate those and refuse to subject you to that.
3.) Do I have to follow a bunch of people? - NEVER!!! I haven't followed anyone I don't want to yet.
4.) What's the catch? - Do you have about 6 hours? If so, then there's no catch at all! (Though donations are appreciated).
5.) So how do I know this works? - You don't! But I personally gain about 25 people a day.  That can be higher, but I set limits and restrictions to who follows me.

Come on... You're kidding, right?


Not at all.  Keep reading and we'll get into the meat and potatoes of this.

This is perfect for small businesses, personal bloggers, non-profit organizations, winning bets, etc.
Keep reading after the break...

Flex Your Rights... and WIN! - CONTEST TIME!!!

It's now time for a review AND a GIVEAWAY!!!

 First thing's first... The review...

So, have you ever been driving along, minding your own business and you pulled over for seemingly no reason?  It happens to the best of us and though we have nothing to hide, that lump in your throat still shows up just in time to stir up some nerves.

Well, how do you handle it?  What if the officer wants you to step out of your car?  If he asks, do you let him search it?  I mean, if you have nothing to hide, then it should be okay...right?  WRONG!!! This is a common argument, but those old people with the white wigs on back in the late 1700's wanted to make sure you had one thing...RIGHTS!

Rights are not earned, they are a privilege of living in this great country.  Why not use them?  You can lose them, forfeit them, or have them imposed upon, but you can also "Flex Your Rights" and use them to keep from having any of the above happen to you.

So what are you getting at?


A while back, I was browsing the web and somehow made it to YouTube videos of police brutality.  Moving from one topic to another, I found a video about how to deal with a common traffic stop.  It lead me to more videos by the same author and eventually to their website.

After watching most of their videos on YouTube and reading through their website, I was hooked.  I felt empowered and more confident on how to handle myself around police, even though I had no reason to fear. (I occasionally speed, but that's about it)  There are a few things you can easily take away from this website and/or video and one will follow, but you should check out the site yourself for some more.

Flex Your Rights

"I'm sorry, but I do not consent to a searches." - That's not an admission of ANYTHING and cannot be taken as so.

The website will link to their Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, etc.

So why should I care?


We have rights for a reason.  To use them.  The video will explain how the police are allowed to lie to you, manipulate you, and pressure you.  They also uncover some tactics that are commonly used to try and trick or trap you into letting them search you, your vehicle, and/or your home without the proper legal right.

Now don't let me get you to thinking that all police are out to get you.  I had a Highway Patrol officer pull me over and ask me to step out of my car once.  He simply told me to come to the back of my car and see that my tired were looking worn and I should consider getting some new ones for my safety and the safety of others.  I thanked him, returned to my car and left.  No big deal, right?  RIGHT!  But there are other situations that don't end the same way.

So what if I am in the wrong?


Even more reason you should own this DVD and read EVERY SINGLE WORD on the above website.  For instance, did you know???

"...police may conduct a pat down (frisk) of the outside of your clothing to check for weapons, but only if they have a basis for suspecting you're armed.

If they feel a hard item that might be a weapon, police may reach into your pockets. Sometimes officers reach into suspects' pockets looking for drugs even if they don't feel a weapon. This is common, but it's illegal.

Police may ask you to reveal the contents of your pockets. Just like other search requests, you have the right to refuse."

WOW, I never knew that!

That's right, and neither did I until I found this website.  I encourage you to look at their site, buy their DVD (they are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit geared at educating the public), and protect yourself by using a TRUE advocate for the American public.  They also teach your about how to deal if you are not a citizen.

So in summation, check out Flex Your Rights and even use the AMAZON link above to buy the DVD.  It's a must have for everyone and come highly recommended by anyone I have ever known to have seen it.

BUT I WANT ONE FOR FREE! (Contest)

Fine, fine... You can have one for free with a little bit of luck and a few simple steps.

We have finally been able to host a contest and I am excited to give away two (2) copies of the "10 Rules for Dealing with the Police" DVD.

Sponsorship:  This contest is officially sponsored by Gulf Coast Alarm, LLC.  

     Gulf Coast Alarm, LLC is a Florida based home security company.  They offer alarm systems to meet all budgets with a fast and friendly staff.  They offer monitoring via web, iPhone, Android, etc. as well as CCTV, with remote and onsite storage options.  If you are in the State of Florida and are interested in services offered, please call (888) 648-5484 or email info@gulfcoastalarm.com

Value:  Each prize is valued at $15.00USD a piece.

Selection: Two winners will be selected to receive one DVD based on eligible comment number by a random number generator.  Multiple entries will be denied, please don't try it, it only makes more work for me.

Eligibility: Must be a US or Canada resident. 18 years of age or older (I'm not going to ask). Must be prepared to give me your mailing address and phone number for shipping.  And you must complete the steps below to win.

HOW TO ENTER!!!:

Three simple steps:

1.) Follow me on Twitter @iccee - ICCEE on TWITTER

2.) Tweet the following verbatim - "I just entered to win a @FlexYourRights DVD from @iccee - Sponsored by @gulfcoastalarm - ENTER HERE at http://j.mp/FYRDVD #contest #giveaway" or CLICK HERE

3.) Comment: Visit the site FLEX YOUR RIGHTS and tell me something you learned or liked.  Also comment telling me you did step one and step two. If you can put the permalink, it will help.

4.) Click on an ad for me. Just one. This is optional, as I have no way to know if you did, but it'll help me out and I can stop with the ads on my links. I'd do it for you... Just one, a big graphical one... :)  Thanks.

Drawing: Because this blog is still so young and trying to gain viewership and a following, the drawing will commence after 200 entries.  Please tell your friends and have them enter so that the time comes quicker.  Once I reach the 200 entries, I'll announce a draw date and the winner will be notified via Twitter.  The winner will then have 48 hours to claim their prize or will forfeit to another winner to be drawn immediately.  This will continue until entire supply is exhausted.




Don't forget... Tell a friend! and here's a video from their YouTube page for your enjoyment. 

BUSTED: The Citizen's Guide to Surviving Police Encounters
10 Rules for Dealing with Police