I would like to apologize for not replying to comments yesterday, or for any new content. My host and I are having an issue with the memory usage of this blog on the shared server-supposedly I’m the largest site on this particular server and they don’t quite like it. In fact, I have never gone over any limits, but they felt the need to restrict my access yesterday- I had no way of logging in and updating-although the blog was viewable. Hopefully, one day, I can afford to move to a real host who doesn’t promise the moon and fails to deliver.



Some of you may know that I won an iPod Touch 2 months ago. After being sent the wrong product and a delay in shipping the replacement, the one thing, (other than a digital camera), I knew I could never afford to splurge on was mine. All mine. I had to wait until I wrote the review, (My iPod Touch: It Ain’t No Walkman), before I could attempt to jailbreak the thing. If you aren’t familiar with the term jailbreak- it basically means hacking or modifying the firmware, (what makes an iPhone or iTouch work, the programmable portion of the actual hardware), allowing the device to run applications from third parties. Is it illegal? It depends on your definition of illegal. Apple doesn’t like it and reports have been floating about, such as this, Next iPhone Update Will Break Third Party Apps, Bust Locks-but this has yet to be seen for either the iPhone or iTouch.

The site I used to jailbreak my iPod Touch is no longer working-however I did find the same instructions on LifeHacker.com. Since I respect the site I will not copy any of the instructions, but provide two links, both of which depend upon which firmware version your iPhone or Touch uses.

If the iPhone or iTouch has the firmware version 1.1.1 installed, follow these instructions: Jailbreaking for iPhone/iPod Touch with 1.1.1 firmware installed.

If the iPhone or iTouch has updated to the 1.1.2 firmware, follow these instructions: iPhone/iPod Touch 1.1.2 firmware Jailbreak instructions.

I had no issues during the process, which took about 30 minutes, simply because I read and re-read the instructions to make sure I knew exactly what I had to do. As with any type of modification, reading the instructions and following in order are key to the success of having all the hard work pay off. You will see what I mean after reading the instructions. Yes, this can possibly cause your device to malfunction and not work at all-and I will hold no responsibility so please do this at your own risk. Just because I was successful doesn’t mean you will be. I can always be reached via the contact form if you have questions-plus LifeHacker has comments from a lot of people and any issues that may arise. Have fun hacking your device- I know I did and I love it!

I have the experience, I have the guts to do it, or, I think I do and it’s something I’ve been considering for a while. I did a search on different companies who provide IT consulting and found FastTeks.com. The consultants visit a business, or home and offer affordable services, providing the client with whatever the needs may be. I, of course would be doing the consulting on my own, with minimal start-up funding, but, could I do it? I’ve spent years telling friends and family what they need, both for home use and business-all for free. Why not start charging? It’s something to think about-then again, I always come up with these hair-brained ideas that never pan out.

When I was 10 years old, my mom asked me what I wanted for Christmas. With no hesitation on my end, I immediately said, “A Walkman.” I was the kid who fell asleep to her music, dreaming of my first kiss by listening to Phil Collins and Tina Turner. I felt as if the headphones on a Walkman would somehow keep the thoughts deep inside and safe from prying eyes and listening ears. Who would have thought, 25 years later, I would be listening to the same songs and artists, without having to worry if the cassette tape would wear out and break?

When I won the iPod Touch for writing this post, Fresh Fit In West Virginia Means- Your Cottage Cheese Thighs Look Nice In Spandex, I was ecstatic. Not only have I never won anything in my life, but I was winning something I knew I could never afford. A gadget. A shiny, technological advanced gadget. Through a mishap with receiving the wrong product, to the anxious waiting, once I had the iPod Touch in my hands I knew immediately, it ain’t no Walkman.

The slick design is the first eye-catching feature. In a world in which we’re used to buttons, buttons and more buttons-with the new iPod Touch there is no more figuring out which does what. Simply turn it on and begin the setup. Let’s discuss the setup for a moment. With the previous iPod I was sent, it took over 45 minutes to get it working with Windows Vista. The iPod Touch? Minutes. No hassles, no software hangups-smooth as can be. I was adding songs from various CDs in no time and I even splurged and downloaded several from the iTunes store.

If I had one issue it would be setting up the wireless connection from my router. Apparently, the iPod Touch does not like PPoE connections. I entered the IP, Subnet Mask etc., and it found the connection, but could not connect to the Internet. After researching a few sites, I figured out a strange fix, (which was nothing more than choosing “don’t use this connection”, restarting the iPod and bam, it worked), and was able to browse the web for the first time on an iPod.

Sure, iPods have all the bells and whistles we’ve come to expect from mp3 players, or gadgets in general, but I still see it as this: the same escape I had as a 10 year old little girl, into my own world of falling asleep listening to my favorite songs and dreaming of what life may bring. And yes, I do have “One More Night” by Phil Collins in my playlist.