Mobile Gmail

I have been a Gmail convert for some time now. The rather large capacity, simple easy to use interface and fantastic search capabilities have made life easy for me and saved my bacon more than once.

By an incredible fluke I discovered the Mobile java application the day after it was launched. Not quite knowing what I was in for, I immediately downloaded the applet to my cellphone. What a little gem! I have been using it daily ever since.

Sure you can configure most new and not so new phones to fetch mail from your existing pop account, but there are some real limitations. You invariably only download the message headers, you cannot keep too many message on the phone as they clog of the little space you available on the phone, old messages are hard to find etc.
One real advantage of using this little application is that your messages are resident and stay on Google's servers. This means no massive data downloads when fetching that message with a massive Powerpoint presentation you didn't know was attached.
Also, as the mantra goes, you never need to delete your messages which combined with their rapid search option means you can always find that email from months ago that contained John Smith's telephone number you just lost.
They have also made quick number key shortcuts for easy (in fact easier than the web version) navigation. As an example, pressing the number '7' on your keypad twice will delete the message you are currently viewing.

Here's a quick step-by-step guide as to how I set it up so I can use it for both personal and business emails i.e. multiple email accounts.

1. If you do not already have one, get yourself a gmail account. You no longer need to wait for an invite. Just make your way to http://mail.google.com and sign up.
2. Set up your existing mail server to forward all mails to your new gmail address. Most ISPs have a setup option on their webmail page to do this. Do not forward from your mail client (eg Outlook) as it makes for a very messy inbox with a whole lot of "fwd's." Also it's difficult to ascertain who the mails are originally from.
   
3. Sign in to Gmail and modify the account setting "Send as" options. Add the account you want your recipients to see when in 'Sent By' in their inbox and make it your default. By doing this when you send mail from the Gmail account from your cellphone your recipients can still reply to the email address of your choice. I would also suggest activating and adding a default signature for all mails sent.
   
4. Go to the Java applet on your cellphone, sign in, and you are up and running.

As easy as that.

The costs, just the data sent and received. I still use GPRS only and the response is impressive and the cost not exorbitant. Check your data package charges with your provider.

Enjoy.

Give someone an earful

On the the 11th April Stuart Taylor (Going Nowhere Slowly fame) will be having a special fundraising performance as part of his Techni-Coloured tour at the Artscape in Cape Town.

The performance will be raising money for a little boy, Jamie Lewis, who is in need of a cochlear implant. What a pleasant way to help out a family trying to give their little boy a chance to enjoy the aural pleasures we take for granted.

'Best Known as “the guy from Going Nowhere Slowly” Stuart Taylor was the reigning S.A. National Comedy Magic Champion, a title that he held for 3 years. Suave sophisticated Stellenbosch graduate, Stuart started doing comedy to ensure that people "laugh at my jokes and be mystified by my magic - and not the other way around!"' (Excerpt from www.stuartaylor.co.za) To be suave and sophisticated despite being a Matie is an achievement in it's own right!

You free on the 11th April? The show starts at 20h15. Tickets available from Computicket for just R65-00. I have mine.

Hope to see you there!

If you would like to help the Lewis family in any way whatsoever please make contact via email to pmchurch@mweb.co.za

The Cape Epic

They call it the Tour De France of mountain biking. Nearly 900kms of off road cycling along the Western Cape's Garden Route, from Knysna to Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West. It's the Cape Epic 2007!

Believe it or not, I was actually offered an opportunity to enter this event. Fortunately I am way to much of a realist to even consider taking this one on.

Today was actually the second day, so around 600 two person teams are already making there way south in the process climbing nearly 16000 meters of mountain passes. The event has grown very rapidly to become a must do event on the global mountain biking calendar. Current leaders are Team Cannondale-Vredenstein 1, Roel Paulissen of Belgium and Jakob Fuglsang of Denmark with the German Team Bull's Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm of Germany. There's a whole bevy of contenders biting at their proverbial toeclips, including Ralph Naef , reigning UCI World Marathon Champion, and team mate Olympic medalist Jose Hermida, last years winner Silvio Bundi and Gion Manetsch and Olympic Gold medallist Bart Brentjens and Rudi van Houts.

Keep tabs of the latest news and results at the official Absa Cape Epic website, and while you do so enjoy be inspired, or like me scared off!

Quiz Time

Something for half time if the rugby game or the 'lunch break' during cricket.

Take this quick quiz and relive some classic South African commercials. Take particular note of questions 3.

You need to beat 9/10! Good luck.

Quiz - South African Ads: Braaivleis, Rugby, Sunny Skies

It all makes so much sense!

Ever started something knowing that you were doing too much at one time, too quickly?
I have just reaped the rewards of doing this that. The result was loosing all but one line of today's post.

So, to keep my sanity intact, I have decided to share a little something I received in my inbox this week that I really enjoyed, and the lost post can make an appearance another day.

Thanks Grant!

Ching Chong Cha

Quick !! Looking for something to do this Human Rights Day? I bet you didn't know there was a major sport's event happening today.

Unfortunately it's too late to enter, you would have to have done some serious training by now anyways, but it's sure to be a crowd pleaser. Make your way down to 'The Independent Armchair Theatre" in Observatory, Cape Town for the Ching Chong Cha Championships. The only known such event in South Africa. The big event starts at 9 o'clock.
Click here for more info : The Independent Armchair Theatre Ching Chong Cha Championships.

Interestingly it's appears that the name is distinctly South African. The other, more internationally recognisable name being Rock, Paper, Scissors. Our friends down-under in Australia change it around and call it Scissors, Paper, Rock (switching it around like they do with the cricket score) and the Kiwi's call it Paper, Scissors, Rock. According to Wikipedia, they call it Paper, Scissors, Stone in the UK!
Just some education for the public holiday.

SA's Online Video Battle

My first post was inspired by me finding the much publicised FNB advert pleading with our President, Thabo Mbeki, to take some action against our perceived high levels of crime.
I found the leaked advert on a new video at www.MyVideo.co.za who claim to be South Africa's first online video sharing service. I was impressed, it seemed to be very YouTubish, easy to navigate, delivered the video stream rather efficiently and actually had some fun content.

I have since discovered another South African video sharing website www.zoopy.com. This one has a very 'cool' user interface and incorporates a Flickr type photo sharing service. It has some fun local and international content and appears to have great potential. I am looking forward to becoming a regular viewer.
The only problem? A great interface and concept is pretty useless if you can't actually view anything. Still being in beta we will cut them some slack, but I assume they are going to have to sort out the bandwidth required to deliver this type of content.


Now, I have heard that YouTube is developing a localised version of it's service at www.youtube.co.za.
No doubt they are going to become a powerful player. Watch this space!


Now for the reality check.

Their international counterparts simply had to be the first to set up a site, get some fun and preferrably controversial content uploaded and ensure that they had enough capital to afford the relatively high bandwidth costs. (Mainly as a result of the high usage) The populace flocked to them and the big boys paid billions for the right to get access to their users before a competitor did.
I am not sure how this is going to work in SA. Firstly hosting and streaming the content is going to cost a fair whack? Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, the users are going to struggle to afford to spend any reasonable amount of time viewing video content. Tiny broadband bandwidth caps, high connection costs and a relatively small broadband market penetration mean a very small local audience. Dialup is no way to try and view online video and corporate firewalls will quickly close access to these sites so those avenues are not going to provide any more viewers.

All power to them, if they keep up and running long enough perhaps things will change. I look forward to the day.