The "This Might Be A Stupid Question, But...." Thread

[jpcher]

RE: Nook & Libraries --

Thank you everybody that responded.

I looked up Mom's library and sent an inquiry to the Librarian. I received quite a lengthy (personal) response explaining all the details (I'll print out the e-mail and give it to Mom along with the gift.)

They are part of a library co-op so there are plenty of books available. They do use Overdrive, and are compatible with Kindle, Nook, even lap-top readers. It sounded like the most difficult part will be the initial set-up/sign-in process and librarian said that if there is any problems at all Mom can just bring her Nook in and they will gladly help her.

So, I think we have a "GO!" for Moms x-mas gift!



Thank you!

[Mental Magpie]

However, the DSL modem *does* work over a standard phone line.  So your single phone jack would be enough (although they used to require filters... I'm not sure about currently.)

I think you still need to add filters for every jack that has a conventional phone plugged in. Or, have the filter put in at the MPE and run a specific unfiltered line to where the DSL modem is plugged in.

I am thoroughly and utterly embarrassed for myself  .  I didn't know they still made DSL modems and thought cable ones were the only kind...and I call myself a gamer...

Ahem.  I bought a DSL modem and solved the problem for myself. 

[Diane AKA Traska]

However, the DSL modem *does* work over a standard phone line.  So your single phone jack would be enough (although they used to require filters... I'm not sure about currently.)

I think you still need to add filters for every jack that has a conventional phone plugged in. Or, have the filter put in at the MPE and run a specific unfiltered line to where the DSL modem is plugged in.

I am thoroughly and utterly embarrassed for myself  .  I didn't know they still made DSL modems and thought cable ones were the only kind...and I call myself a gamer...

Ahem.  I bought a DSL modem and solved the problem for myself.

Well!  There you go.

[Elfmama]

Why do some cell phone calls sound like the caller is in the bottom of a barrel?  DH can call me on his cell and the sound is crystal-clear.  When DD#2 calls, there is so much reverb that I have to ask her to repeat the bits that I can't make a reasonable guess at.  She can hear me just fine.

DH and I have two older bottom-of-the-line Motorola flip-phones.  DD has a new top-of-the-line Android.  All of us are on Verizon.  So what gives?  Why does the "better" phone have the worst sound?

[CakeBeret]

A lot of the newer high-end smartphones are packed with so much technology that the manufacturers forgot it still needs to function as a phone.

[Iris]

Why do some cell phone calls sound like the caller is in the bottom of a barrel?  DH can call me on his cell and the sound is crystal-clear.  When DD#2 calls, there is so much reverb that I have to ask her to repeat the bits that I can't make a reasonable guess at.  She can hear me just fine.

DH and I have two older bottom-of-the-line Motorola flip-phones.  DD has a new top-of-the-line Android.  All of us are on Verizon.  So what gives?  Why does the "better" phone have the worst sound?

It could be her case. DH and I both have the same phone (a Galaxy S2 if that helps) and I had no problems whereas he was ALWAYS echo-ey. For some reason one day he had the case off and the sound was fine. He got a different case and no problems to this day. It's worth a try.

My old Motorola flip phone (I loved that phone) used to get echo-ey depending on the reception, so it could be that too if it is happening in certain locations.

[LadyJaneinMD]

I have a friend who I want to give two items to: a gift card and a fridge magnet.  I want to send them as cheaply as possible, so thought of just putting both in a plain envelope with the Christmas card, sending that first class.  But then I thought to myself, would the magnet screw things up along the way?  The USPS scanners and sorters, would it demagnetize the gift card along the way?  So I ask you: CAN I do this without screwing something up?  If yes, alternate ideas?

Why don't you just fold over a piece of foil inside the card and put the magnet and gift card inside the foil?  Would that work?

[Betelnut]

Do you need to put a stamp on a letter to Santa at the North Pole?  Will the mail carrier take it without the stamp?

[Thipu1]

I think it depends on the community.  The letters are likely to be collected but  the post office is as far as it gets.   

When I was a child, letters to Santa usually had a Christmas seal or a sticker as 'postage'. 

One of the major department store chains in the US is collecting letters to Santa in its stores. For each letter, a small donation to charity is made but the letters have to have appropriate postage.  I suppose this is to deter people from stuffing the box.

   

[WillyNilly]

Why do some cell phone calls sound like the caller is in the bottom of a barrel?  DH can call me on his cell and the sound is crystal-clear.  When DD#2 calls, there is so much reverb that I have to ask her to repeat the bits that I can't make a reasonable guess at.  She can hear me just fine.

DH and I have two older bottom-of-the-line Motorola flip-phones.  DD has a new top-of-the-line Android.  All of us are on Verizon.  So what gives?  Why does the "better" phone have the worst sound?

It might be her.
Myself, my DH, my best friend and her DH all have the exact same phone, and same carrier.  I can understand my DH and her DH just fine, and everyone can understand me and the husbands.  But my BFF?  Just like with every previous cell phone, sounds muffled and garbled and awful.  Its her - she just has a bad cell phone voice somehow.

[WillyNilly]

Do you need to put a stamp on a letter to Santa at the North Pole?  Will the mail carrier take it without the stamp?

They did a bit on the news on letters to Santa/North Pole the other day - not only does your initial letter need to be stamped, but so does your return envelope.  The post office will not deliver mail without stamps.

[Betelnut]

Do you need to put a stamp on a letter to Santa at the North Pole?  Will the mail carrier take it without the stamp?

They did a bit on the news on letters to Santa/North Pole the other day - not only does your initial letter need to be stamped, but so does your return envelope.  The post office will not deliver mail without stamps.

Who are they delivering it to?

[sevenday]

Hmm. I could try the foil.  Maybe I can decorate it to look holiday-y.

[Virg]

sevenday wrote:

"I have a friend who I want to give two items to: a gift card and a fridge magnet.  I want to send them as cheaply as possible, so thought of just putting both in a plain envelope with the Christmas card, sending that first class.  But then I thought to myself, would the magnet screw things up along the way?  The USPS scanners and sorters, would it demagnetize the gift card along the way?  So I ask you: CAN I do this without screwing something up?  If yes, alternate ideas?"

Does the gift card have a magnetic strip on it?  If it's a scratch-off, then there are no worries.  If it's got a magnetic strip, then I wouldn't send it in an envelope with a magnet.  My suggestion is to mail them separately.  Mail scanners aren't going to hurt a gift card, so wrapping it in foil isn't necessary (and it's also entirely ineffective) but a fridge magnet in close proximity can ruin a mag strip.

Virg

[WillyNilly]

Do you need to put a stamp on a letter to Santa at the North Pole?  Will the mail carrier take it without the stamp?

They did a bit on the news on letters to Santa/North Pole the other day - not only does your initial letter need to be stamped, but so does your return envelope.  The post office will not deliver mail without stamps.

Who are they delivering it to?

There are volunteers who answer them and send back a letter from "Santa".  If a parent writes the letter from Santa they can send it to the town in Alaska with a SASE and get it mailed back with a North Pole postmark.

http://faq.usps.com/eCustomer/iq/usps/request.do?create=kb:USPSFAQ&view%28%29=c[c_uspsjch212062011c]&varset%28source%29=sourceType:embedded