Post: #1

I hate my cable/phone company. We'll start there..

I have two landlines, basic cable and internet at work and it costs 170$ a month. I'm thinking I can do all this off of one cell phone with tethering.

My plan..

Port my main work# over to an iphone or whatever is best for tethering.

Buy a new laptop

Get a credit card scanner that works from my phone.

Fax through the computer. Do I need a scanner?

I'm not worried about the TV

Is this a good idea?

Post: #2

I'm not sure what the tether prices are, but LTE is fast as shit if that's available in your area. I got as high as 51Mbps and average about 18Mbps on LTE vs. about 6Mbps on you're average highspeed cable/DSL line so that could handle all your needs easily.

You could also get a $20 HDtv tuner from radioshack if you just wanted some local channels playing in your shop.

Post: #3

(01-24-2013 12:32 PM)presidentcarter Wrote:  I'm not sure what the tether prices are, but LTE is fast as shit if that's available in your area. I got as high as 51Mbps and average about 18Mbps on LTE vs. about 6Mbps on you're average highspeed cable/DSL line so that could handle all your needs easily.

You could also get a $20 HDtv tuner from radioshack if you just wanted some local channels playing in your shop.

I tether at my house and it's free with my phone and works for what I do. I don't watch movies online. I was thinking pre paid straight talk unlimited data for 50 bucks and done...

I just talked to my cable company they said my package was in line at 170 a month. It's a 79.95 package plus this fee etc. Fuck them!!!

I'm not cheap I have a deep routed hate for cable and power companies especially progress energy

My online life consists of RVF, craigslist and ebay for the most part

Post: #4

to fax through computer you'll generally need a scanner, if you're doing stuff like invoices..you can just do things through word though too..but having a scanner makes things infinitely easier IMO. i love the fujitsu scansnap for paperless office.

can you tether with prepaid? I don't think you can get LTE networks with that so its going to be quite slow.

it sounds like a decent plan...however, why not just keep the internet..just seems more reliable for me at least unless you are highly mobile. set up a VOIP line or google voice would work too for your phone lines.

The thing is, with one internet connection for around $60 you can do a lot of stuff that you could, I suppose, do with the tethering but it just seems steadier and is likely for things like VOIP, etc. To me, there is probably a lot more convenience in getting a broadband internet connection at home if you're doing a lot of work.

Post: #5

Download CamScanner to your iphone. It's free and will cancel the need for faxes, which is about as 90's as Caligula's haircut.

http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-5749...ur-iphone/

Post: #6

Tethering data from a cell limits you to 1, 2 or 5GB of data per month. Shitty and expensive. Any kind of fast LTE speeds probably won't be available outside of major cities.

You're better off with cable or fiber for unlimited Internet. If you setup a small PC or Apple TV with XBMC(Xbox media center) you can stream TV content from most major providers like Netflix, Hulu etc. They have a million free add-ons for XBMC for TV and movie content.

You can do the credit card through iPhone/IPod Touch over your home network.

You can also get free apps like Pinger for Voice and Text.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pinger-t...41112?mt=8

Post: #7

Can I forward one cell # to my other cell? I have my land line forwarded and can't change the number..I might be able to bribe the fatty next door to giving up their wifi password when I need a faster connection.

Post: #8

(01-24-2013 02:05 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  Can I forward one cell # to my other cell? I have my land line forwarded and can't change the number..I might be able to bribe the fatty next door to giving up their wifi password when I need a faster connection.

You should be able to. You're better off setting up a Google Voice number and forward it there. You can then manage it online and fwd anywhere you like.

I could get your neighbor's wifi password in 10 minutes if I was down there

Post: #9

(01-24-2013 12:08 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  I hate my cable/phone company. We'll start there..

I have two landlines, basic cable and internet at work and it costs 170$ a month. I'm thinking I can do all this off of one cell phone with tethering.

My plan..

Port my main work# over to an iphone or whatever is best for tethering.

Buy a new laptop

Get a credit card scanner that works from my phone.

Fax through the computer. Do I need a scanner?

I'm not worried about the TV

Is this a good idea?

You're about where I'm at. I do use squareup: https://squareup.com/ for credit card transactions outside of the store, but I do have to keep the in-store terminal up for credit applications. If you don't have that issue, then definitely get rid of the terminal.

Post: #10

(01-24-2013 02:10 PM)Katatonic Wrote:  

(01-24-2013 12:08 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  I hate my cable/phone company. We'll start there..

I have two landlines, basic cable and internet at work and it costs 170$ a month. I'm thinking I can do all this off of one cell phone with tethering.

My plan..

Port my main work# over to an iphone or whatever is best for tethering.

Buy a new laptop

Get a credit card scanner that works from my phone.

Fax through the computer. Do I need a scanner?

I'm not worried about the TV

Is this a good idea?

You're about where I'm at. I do use squareup: https://squareup.com/ for credit card transactions outside of the store, but I do have to keep the in-store terminal up for credit applications. If you don't have that issue, then definitely get rid of the terminal.

Square up is the best one? What if people want a paper receipt?

Another question can I port my land # to a google voice # and forward it to my regular cell?

Post: #11

I give them a separate paper receipt(invoice), and email them the credit receipt. I have had a few old fuckers make me print one out at the office for them. I use squareup because it's the first major reputable company. When my bank comes out with one, I'll probably switch.

I've only used Google voice for personal forwarding, but I don't think what you're trying to do would be an issue.

Post: #12

Why don't you get a wireless printer/scanner combo?

Post: #13

(01-24-2013 05:55 PM)worldwidetraveler Wrote:  Why don't you get a wireless printer/scanner combo?

That's pretty much what I do in my truck. Scan my invoices and email them in the middle of nowhere as long as I have an internet signal on my phone.

Looking to pick up a laptop mount like cops use.

It's a rolling office.

Fortunately I don't have deal with cc's.

Post: #14

Which printer scanner should I get? The last printer/fax blew up in a couple months even though I rarely use it.

Post: #15

Tethering can be unreliable. I use it for my current work and it can be troublesome when the weather is bad. Sometimes my phone will just act up and stop connecting to DNS servers.

Google Voice might be useful for you, depending on what you do over the phone.
http://www.google.com/voice

Buy a semicheap HP, that's what I would do. Part of the business model for printers involves insane markup on ink, so they sell the printers at low cost to lock you into their brand of ink. HP imaging is all right, and their ink is available pretty much everywhere.

If you're keeping the printer in a space with welding equipment, angle grinders, or other machines that will kick up dust or chips, that might be why the last one died.

Oh, and Square is a pretty big name for iOS-based credit card scanning. Pretty sure they have the most marketshare among retailers who use iPads as point-of-sale machines. They'll send you a mobile card reader for free, or so says their homepage.
https://squareup.com/

EDIT: also take a look at PayPal Here, pricing is similar but there are some differences in their policies and services
http://www.paypal.com/here

Post: #16

(01-24-2013 08:27 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  Which printer scanner should I get? The last printer/fax blew up in a couple months even though I rarely use it.

I bought one for 30 bux at Wally World. Pretty much disposable at that price and it works fine. Its an HP but I forget the model number.

Didn't want to get anything pricey since it gets bounced around, dusty and frozen in the truck. Has lasted a year so far.

Post: #17

I like "brother" combo machines but they tend to go through toners pretty quick...you really won't use the fax function though....honestly I prefer having a sheet feeding scanner so you can just throw a whole stack of papers in there and turn into PDF, then shred...makes everything way easier. import into evernote or whatever and you're good to go.

if you use apple products, get ones that will print wireless from your phone or ipad or whatevz.

Post: #18

For talking and messaging, I'd use Google Voice+Groove IP. There's a free "lite" version of it as well. (Can use Adblock to block app ads, but that requires "jailbreaking" your phone)
I use Android phones though, so I can't offer much advice on Apple products. If your internet price is too high and you've been a long time customer, with an on time paying record, then you can negotiate for a lower price (Tell them that you'll leave if they don't lower the price). There should be a retentions department for your ISP, and there are packages that are available, but are not advertised, you'd have to ask about them directly. I read articles on this a while back, but I can't find the bookmark..... I'm sure if you Google the topic , then you'll find something similar.

As for the internet, most wireless companies have caps for data. If you go over the cap they'll charge extra $, throttle your speed, e.t.c. Is Clearwire offered in your area(They offer unlimited data plans) ? As long as you're by one of the towers (If your modem/gateway has an external antenna, then you should get a strong connection), then you should be able to get a connection with it. Need to buy the box first, then service is 30 to 50 $ a month I think. Speeds are 10 megabits down/1 up for the highest package I think, I can't remember. There should be LTE providers in the U.S. as well, but I'm unsure of who offers it, and what their service tiers/pricing is.

Post: #19

squareup cust service is horrible, No problems with paypal, I believe the rate is better too and a few months ago Groupon Payments came out https://www.grouponworks.com/merchant-so...s/payments I want to try them too

Post: #20

For the iphone get google voice and you forward all your #'s to one phone for free.

I use talkatone (iphone) to make free calls and texts using google voice but groove ip mentioned above is an alternative. IF YOU WANT...That way you use your phone over wifi and save on cell minutes.


Just get a good wired internet connection (dsl or cable, internet only $40) and you can run you phone tv etc off the wifi while you're at the shop

Post: #21

Check this out. Just pop a sim in it.

http://www.chinavasion.com/china/wholesa...ktop_Phone

Post: #22

^^ What is the purpose of that?

Post: #23

(02-09-2013 10:49 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  ^^ What is the purpose of that?

It's a cellphone that looks like a desk phone. It's cheap. Stays plugged in. Looks better on a desk.

Post: #24

(02-09-2013 10:58 PM)Parlay44 Wrote:  

(02-09-2013 10:49 PM)el mechanico Wrote:  ^^ What is the purpose of that?

It's a cellphone that looks like a desk phone. It's cheap. Stays plugged in. Looks better on a desk.

If it had a credit card machine with a printer built in it would be sweet but I can't stop thinking about using it as my primary cell phone now for some reason.

Post: #25

Ok I got my new computer working (mac mini) and need some help with a fax, printer, scanner? Do I buy these all separate? I've never used a scanner so maybe don't need one.

I'm not sure how a modern office works as I'm old school.