My universal phone number: (623) BLAINE-D, Thanks Google Voice!

Google has done it again. Like any V1, Google Voice’s first release is a little rough around the edges, but still amazing.

Here are a few things I’d like to see as they refine it (apart from the obvious telepathic calling, intergalactic calls, video calls, remote presence call and virtual immersion):

Google Talk Integration: Maybe Google isn’t evil after all and wants to give Skype a chance….but Google Talk/VOIP seems like a no brainer at this point and probably the service’s greatest potential.

Extensions: Who has a direct office line these days? Sure, I understand that not everyone takes calls at nights and on weekends like we FreeCausers – but the freedom to move away from an office landline, even if it’s just around the office from 9-5, is something everyone could enjoy.

Virtual Fax Capability: Faxes delivered as e-mail text/pdf attachments. It’s efficient, secure, you can receive them anywhere and would save loads paper!

More Robust Record Options: Why would you only allow recording incoming calls and just forget about outgoing calls?

More Robust Transcription Options: Even more helpful than recording, is the transcribing. Sure, having my voice messages in text format is cool – but with SMS not too many people leave voicemails anyway, and if they do, most of the time they aren’t super substantial. With search being at the center of Google’s world, it seems only natural to TRANSCRIBE EVERYTHING (READ YOUR CALLS!) so that specific conversations or topics can easily be accessed later.

Number Change/Multiple Numbers: It's always nice to have a local number for one reason or another. If you move, or go away to college, your GVoice Number could become less relevant unless you have the option to get a new number - or better yet - a 1800 Number, then keep your old GV number and have it forward.

Ramen Profitable

Ramen profitable means a startup makes just enough to pay the founders' living expenses. This is a different form of profitability than startups have traditionally aimed for. Traditional profitability means a big bet is finally paying off, whereas the main importance of ramen profitability is that it buys you time.

Notes
[1] The "ramen" in "ramen profitable" refers to instant ramen, which is just about the cheapest food available.

I'm with Justin, I think it's safe to say that we've made it to chicken nugget profitable.

http://paulgraham.com/ramenprofitable.html

Cheap Copywriter/Signmaker for Hire

My guess is that Deck Supply will have a lot of free time on its hands after misspelling 3 of the 4 words on the Business 51 exit in Rothschild, WI.

Click here to read full article.

Twitter Banned from White House

Until Twitter gets its security under control, maybe the White House ban isn't such a terrible idea.

http://bit.ly/2tAPjL

Creative Resume Design for Geeks

f. Copywriting, Editing, Research" under Primary Skill Sets

"You failed to spell expenditure correctly. Unfortunately, you did not get the job. Better luck next time."

http://digg.com/design/Creative_Resume_Design_for_Geeks