895. Send text (SMS) from PC

First you need to know the service being used by the recipient of the text message.

Now, in an email, instead of an email address type in the 10-digint phone number followed by @ and then the service node based on recipient's sercie company.

For  example, to send to 8065551234 that uses Verizon, the email address would be 8065551234@vtext.com

For AT&T service, use @txt.att.net
For Sprint, use @messaging.sprintpcs.com
For TMobile, use @tmomail.net

894. Suddenlink nails EMAIL users again

Until today I could use Suddenlink accounts to send emails flawlessly using Thunderbird. I had port 587 and did not use SSL\TLS. Well, Suddenlink now demands the use SSL\TLS and port 465 with Auth=Normal Password. If you don't change this, you won't be able to send out emails.

Solution: In Thinderbird select your userid and then SETTINGS. Your SMTP will be listed, but do an EDIT to see details. On the detail screen change to port 465 and in Connection select SSL\TLS. Auth below this will change automatically to Normal Password which is what you want. You can now send emails again.

893. "The Economists’ Hour" by Binyamin Appelbaum – 5 Stars

The Economists’ Hour by Binyamin Appelbaum – 5 Stars

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

ISBN: 9780316512329

This was like an interesting page-reader novel. Just when, after decades of investing and studying the economy, my world turns around. My heroes are no longer quite the heroes as I imagined and my enemies gained some credibility. It is so easy to believe the so-called gurus on TV for every comment they make, particularly when other TV personalities start quoting the same errors. Along comes this book with footnotes and references galore that fairly presents the history of the economy and the players, recognized economists, presidents, and world money managers that affected the world and U.S. economy.

Keynes was one of the most accepted economists of old whose ideology was followed by the world – in general, the velocity of money governed the economy. But Milton Friedman presented strong enough theories himself that instead it was the volume of money or monetarism that was the key control of the economy. Just when these two certainly not entirely correct economists, others insisted that tax cuts were the key to influencing the economy. President Reagan had captained that premise way back in the 50’s and it didn’t catch hold by economists, even Friedman, until the boat sailed back and forth through the limitations of the other ideologies. Reagan wasn’t the first to lower taxes, though his Reagonmics is highly touted.

Who did what when and their successes and failures are covered in this fine book.  In my opinion after reading this and in the process of rereading it, all contributed something, started something, and messed up something else. But, read this to learn what they did do and didn’t. It appears each had less success than failure, no one had demonstrated a theory and practice that worked entirely and as expected, and each struggled for decades with the government for some level of implementation. Which presidents stood in the way, which ones built administrations to erect hurdles? Where do Volker, Greenspan, Benanke, Yellen, Laffer and Schultz excel or fail? Who are all the players and manipulators of the economy? Was Reganomics implemented and as easily and successfully as we’re constantly reminded?

I like a summary statement by the author in its Conclusion: “If you have taken anything away from this book, I hope it is the knowledge markets are constructed by people, for purposes chosen by people – and they can be changed and rebuilt by people.” Believe me, you’ll gain a lot of history and how people influenced the economy that should be helpful to understand how to invest both short-term and long-term. The names in past now mean something to me and I now possess the knowledge of their actions and struggles. Kudos to Mr. Appelbaum for an excellent book.

Reviewer: Rich

 

892. "Bad Memory" by Linda Gray -- 5 Stars

Bad Memory by Linda Gray  --  5 Stars

Publisher: Amazon Publishing UK   

ISBN: 9781542092326

Bad Memory is as enjoyable as Lisa Gray’s first book, Thin Air.  It definitely deserves a five star review.

Recently novels about the guilt or innocence of a convicted prisoner, especially ones on Death Row, have been popular. Frequently they are filled with lengthy legal explanations and put forth the author’s political views about capital punishment. Unlike these, without unnecessary filler, Bad Memory used the events behind two cold cases and the complexities of life in a small town to tell the story of a woman awaiting execution. The plot never slowed and was entertaining throughout.

The story was told from the viewpoint of several characters and occurrences in different locations during several periods in time. The transition flowed well. The conclusion was exciting. The characters were believable and interesting. The settings were perfectly described.

I look forward to future books in the Jessica Shaw series.

Reviewer: Nancy

891. "The Fifth Column" by Andrew Gross – 5 Stars

The Fifth Column by Andrew Gross – 5 Stars

Publisher: St, Martin’s Press

ISBN: 9781250180001

The fifth Column is very straight forward, enjoyable novel. Although it may lack the complexity and action of so many other spy novels, this novel presented a good history re pre World War II Nazi sympathizers and espionage in America. It was relaxing to read about a common individual, Charles Mossman, who accidently killed a spectator while fending off German loyalists, spent time in prison, lost his graduate teaching job, and lost the trust of his wife. They had a daughter Emma who lived with her mother in Yorkville, NY which is was known as the home of the American German Bund, the pro-Nazi group.

Charles’ adventure begins when he is released from prison, visits his daughter, and stumbles across her nanny and friends who don’t seem to be who they say they are. Hint after hint leads him to believe his family has befriended a Nazi espionage group and his prison past doesn’t help in convincing the right people that a spy ring is right there in his wife’s neighborhood. His involvement continues with a lot of twists right up to the end when his daughter’s life is at stake.

What were the spies up to? How did he get the evidence he needed? Who did he tell and what were the responses? What was the Nazi goal? How does it end? You’ll have to read it to find out. So, next time you have a yearn for a real good book and need a break from the books that clutter your mind jumping around and requiring you to reread previous sections, pick up this book and have an enjoyable and relaxing page-turner.  

Reviewer: Rich