Re: [Texascavers] consumer tip
HP has a new “Instant Ink” plan. You sign up for 50 pages a month for $3.00, 100 pages for $5.00, etc. They send you a set of ink cartridges to start with and then whenever you change them the printer communicates that and they send you new cartridges. The only thing you pay is the monthly fee. I signed up for it with my new printer. It seems like a really good deal, comparatively. Marvin On Fri, Aug 30, 2019 at 2:41 AM David wrote: > For anyone shopping for a new printer for their computer. > > I have a very tiny business, or at least I pretend to. I have > been trying to get by with old printers and fax machines for > most of my 21 years in business, and lately it was getting > frustrating that my printer and fax machine > was limited on certain features. > > Today, the straw broke the camel's back, and I had to go > buy a new printer. I had been shopping for months, so I had > a pretty good idea what I wanted. So I went to Sam's Club > and got their best HP printer, which as of this writing is the > OfficeJet Pro 9018. This model stands out slightly over > a lesser model sitting next to it, as the box includes full-capacity > cartridges, and a USB cable.If you are the kind of person that > prints a couple of full-page multi-color pages per month, then this > is a logical choice for you, as the cartridges are nearly twice the size > of printers that are slightly less expensive. If you are doing a lot > more color printing than that, then you need to order something online, > or go to MicroCenter or Fry's, an get an enterprise class, but those start > at $ 500 for HP models. > > This printer has some bells and whistles on it, like allegedly > voice-printing. > > If you have not purchased a $ 200 printer in the past year or two, you > might > be in for a surprise at how complicated the set-up is. You are going > to want > a 6-pack of your favorite beverage, and do your yoga or find your > happy-place > first. I would have to say you need to plan on a 3 step process and > take > a break between those 3 steps. 1 ) unboxing, drink your beverage 2 ) find > a place to set down the printer and connect the 3 cables.( You are > going to > need an extension cord, for example, and maybe even a USB extender ), drink > your bevarage. and > 3 ) getting your computer to finish the set up, drink the remaining 4 > beverages. > > > In my case, I have a Linux computer, so setting up an HP printer is > simple, if not almost fully automatic. > > This printer shakes when it prints, so if you have it on a folding table, > or > wobbly table, you are going to notice it vibrating back and forth. > > Everything about the printers in the home-market class are cheap disposable > quality.I can only hope it will last 2 years. > > It is no surprise, but even at Sam's Club the ink cartridges are super > expensive. > In my opinion, ink is # 1 factor in choosing a new printer. > > I have used Brother printers and faxes for the past few years. Those > will save > you money, but you are missing out on some features. For example, HP's > ePrint > works really well. And in my case HP printers are easier to install > than Brother. > > The cheap HP printers do not do photo-quality printing, but the pictures > are good enough to win > an NSS Award for a grotto newsletter. When was the last time a Texas > grotto > won a Newsletter Cover Award at the NSS Convention ? > > David Locklear > > P.S. I am on Day # 17 renting a room from some random stranger on > Craigslist. I am > probably going to try to stick it out till October. Things today are > better than they > were when I moved in, almost livable by my standards.The main problem > is the air-quality > coming out of the AC unit. > > David > ___ > Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com > Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: > http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ > http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers > ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] consumer tip
For anyone shopping for a new printer for their computer. I have a very tiny business, or at least I pretend to. I have been trying to get by with old printers and fax machines for most of my 21 years in business, and lately it was getting frustrating that my printer and fax machine was limited on certain features. Today, the straw broke the camel's back, and I had to go buy a new printer. I had been shopping for months, so I had a pretty good idea what I wanted. So I went to Sam's Club and got their best HP printer, which as of this writing is the OfficeJet Pro 9018. This model stands out slightly over a lesser model sitting next to it, as the box includes full-capacity cartridges, and a USB cable.If you are the kind of person that prints a couple of full-page multi-color pages per month, then this is a logical choice for you, as the cartridges are nearly twice the size of printers that are slightly less expensive. If you are doing a lot more color printing than that, then you need to order something online, or go to MicroCenter or Fry's, an get an enterprise class, but those start at $ 500 for HP models. This printer has some bells and whistles on it, like allegedly voice-printing. If you have not purchased a $ 200 printer in the past year or two, you might be in for a surprise at how complicated the set-up is. You are going to want a 6-pack of your favorite beverage, and do your yoga or find your happy-place first. I would have to say you need to plan on a 3 step process and take a break between those 3 steps. 1 ) unboxing, drink your beverage 2 ) find a place to set down the printer and connect the 3 cables.( You are going to need an extension cord, for example, and maybe even a USB extender ), drink your bevarage. and 3 ) getting your computer to finish the set up, drink the remaining 4 beverages. In my case, I have a Linux computer, so setting up an HP printer is simple, if not almost fully automatic. This printer shakes when it prints, so if you have it on a folding table, or wobbly table, you are going to notice it vibrating back and forth. Everything about the printers in the home-market class are cheap disposable quality.I can only hope it will last 2 years. It is no surprise, but even at Sam's Club the ink cartridges are super expensive. In my opinion, ink is # 1 factor in choosing a new printer. I have used Brother printers and faxes for the past few years. Those will save you money, but you are missing out on some features. For example, HP's ePrint works really well. And in my case HP printers are easier to install than Brother. The cheap HP printers do not do photo-quality printing, but the pictures are good enough to win an NSS Award for a grotto newsletter. When was the last time a Texas grotto won a Newsletter Cover Award at the NSS Convention ? David Locklear P.S. I am on Day # 17 renting a room from some random stranger on Craigslist. I am probably going to try to stick it out till October. Things today are better than they were when I moved in, almost livable by my standards.The main problem is the air-quality coming out of the AC unit. David ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Consumer tip
I would recommend avoiding driving on highways in Harris County, Texas, especially between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., and especially inside of Beltway 8, and especially anything marked I-69, and even moreso during rainfall, or shortly after rain, and the once a year ice-storm. No offense please to cavers in Harris County, but it appears a contingency-plan for permanent migration to karstlands, would be a good idea now. I think for me, it may be too late. Is the pasture greener out there on the western side of the Brazos River, or is it just a grand illusion ? D. L. ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Consumer tip - cheap phones
I have used boost mobile for 15 yrs with two brief changes that were unpleasant. Boost offers decent phone prices and of you shop you can find very good deals. The plan I always subscribe to is the unlimited everything. I believe out starts at $60 to $65 per month with no contract. You have a due date thst if you pay on time every six months you receive $5 of your normal price. Thst advantage precipitated to the rate of $35 to$45 a month. You don't lose it. I pay $45 a month. My bill is the same each month. No fluctuation. In fact recently boost has absorbed all hidden cost, fees, etc thst other entities impose making my $45 payment $45 . If you miss a payment most other companies make you by back the days from your payment date till the day you fiddly paid. Not boost. The day you make payment simply becomes your new due date. I have never had any serious billing or service issues. Never any roaming. Your home zone is the continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the virgin islands, so you can't roam inside of the US or her territories. Why anyone who ants an economical and reliable service uses another provider is beside me. On Nov 28, 2017 8:38 AM, "David via Texascavers" < texascavers@texascavers.com> wrote: > From David Locklear > > > > Many cavers need to find ways to save money. > > I switched to MetroPCS last night. > > I would advise against this if you are a T-Mobile customer. > > Also, unless you need 4 phone lines, you are probably better off with > Cricket. > > My initial impression after about 5 hours of use, is their LG K20Plus is a > decent phone. It has some kind integrated Android Calling as long as the > other person's phone has this feature. Meaning, if all 4 of your family > members on the plan have this phone or one with that feature, then video > calling should be a simple thing to do. My flagship LG G6 with same > Android 7.0 does not have this video calling feature. > > I have been told my voice sounds clearer on the new cheaper phone. So I > accomplished one objective out of 5. > > I had other reasons besides saving money. In our case, the MetroPCS > store is inside a taqueria/Mexican grocery store just 5 miles from our > house. My wife and mother-in-law can easily go there and discuss their > phone issues with a live person that speaks Spanish. Meaning, I do not > have to fix any problems they have with their phones. They would never go > to the T-Mobile store on their own initiative ( which was 20 miles away, > although we just got a new store about 7 miles away. ) > > In our case, 4 lines with unlimited everything, international calling and > hotspot is $ 170 per month flat fee. > That was about $ 50 cheaper than T-Mobile. > > Since MetroPCS only uses T-Mobile towers it is easy to imagine that the > signal will be worse. T-Mobile owns MetroPCS. I should know by the end of > the month how the quality of signal compares. I know T-Mobile sucks in > our house and in rural areas near Houston. > > ___ > Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com > Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/ > texascavers@texascavers.com/ > http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers > > ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Consumer tip - cheap phones
>From David Locklear Many cavers need to find ways to save money. I switched to MetroPCS last night. I would advise against this if you are a T-Mobile customer. Also, unless you need 4 phone lines, you are probably better off with Cricket. My initial impression after about 5 hours of use, is their LG K20Plus is a decent phone. It has some kind integrated Android Calling as long as the other person's phone has this feature. Meaning, if all 4 of your family members on the plan have this phone or one with that feature, then video calling should be a simple thing to do. My flagship LG G6 with same Android 7.0 does not have this video calling feature. I have been told my voice sounds clearer on the new cheaper phone. So I accomplished one objective out of 5. I had other reasons besides saving money. In our case, the MetroPCS store is inside a taqueria/Mexican grocery store just 5 miles from our house. My wife and mother-in-law can easily go there and discuss their phone issues with a live person that speaks Spanish. Meaning, I do not have to fix any problems they have with their phones. They would never go to the T-Mobile store on their own initiative ( which was 20 miles away, although we just got a new store about 7 miles away. ) In our case, 4 lines with unlimited everything, international calling and hotspot is $ 170 per month flat fee. That was about $ 50 cheaper than T-Mobile. Since MetroPCS only uses T-Mobile towers it is easy to imagine that the signal will be worse. T-Mobile owns MetroPCS. I should know by the end of the month how the quality of signal compares. I know T-Mobile sucks in our house and in rural areas near Houston. ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Consumer tip - smartphones
This link to a meme image pretty much sums up my thoughts on the subject: http://imgur.com/gallery/D3ipRYw george.nincehel...@gmail.com ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Consumer tip - smartphones
I got a smart phone and am too dumb to make it work properly. It rings and I can't figure out how to answer it. I want my old flip phone back and besides there is no service out here anyhow. On Wed, Jul 5, 2017 at 8:44 PM, David via Texascavers < texascavers@texascavers.com> wrote: > Cavers should spend their money caving and not on frivolous things like > new smartphones and Toyota Sequoias. > > Some of the new Android smartphones use a new type of fancy connector that > allow you to easily insert the charge cord. Sounds great. Right ?? > > It has been my experience these "Type-C USB" cords fail faster than the > older micro-USB. These cords start at $ 22 ( with tax ) at Best Buy. > > I would not recommend these phones to cavers who are very frugal. Meaning > the LG G6. I also bet the connection inside the phone is just as cheesy, > meaning avoid the cheap phones like ZTE and Alcatel that use this. I > suspect that manufacturing the oval-like shape of the connector is > difficult. > > David Locklear > > ___ > Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com > Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/ > texascavers@texascavers.com/ > http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers > > -- Charlie Loving ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Consumer tip - smartphones
They work just fine for me, and have for 4 months now. Diana ** Diana R. Tomchick Professor Departments of Biophysics and Biochemistry University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center 5323 Harry Hines Blvd. Rm. ND10.214A Dallas, TX 75390-8816 diana.tomch...@utsouthwestern.edu<mailto:diana.tomch...@utsouthwestern.edu> (214) 645-6383 (phone) (214) 645-6353 (fax) On Jul 6, 2017, at 8:22 AM, Cave Texas mailto:texascavers@texascavers.com>> wrote: Thanks, David. I was wondering how those new connectors were working in the real world. Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone Original message From: David via Texascavers Date:07/05/2017 8:44 PM (GMT-06:00) To: CaveTex Cc: David Subject: [Texascavers] Consumer tip - smartphones Cavers should spend their money caving and not on frivolous things like new smartphones and Toyota Sequoias. Some of the new Android smartphones use a new type of fancy connector that allow you to easily insert the charge cord. Sounds great. Right ?? It has been my experience these "Type-C USB" cords fail faster than the older micro-USB. These cords start at $ 22 ( with tax ) at Best Buy. I would not recommend these phones to cavers who are very frugal. Meaning the LG G6. I also bet the connection inside the phone is just as cheesy, meaning avoid the cheap phones like ZTE and Alcatel that use this. I suspect that manufacturing the oval-like shape of the connector is difficult. David Locklear ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com<mailto:Texascavers@texascavers.com> | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers UT Southwestern Medical Center The future of medicine, today. ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Consumer tip - smartphones
I have a device (not a phone) with a USB C connector and it works fine. The biggest advantage to USB C is that the connector can be plugged in either way up - no more figuring out which way to plug it in. USB C cables are indeed typically more expensive in stores, but can be had cheaply online, like most any other cable. Mark Minton mmin...@caver.net On Thu, 6 Jul, 2017 at 9:23 AM, cathywinfrey7 via Texascavers wrote: Thanks, David. I was wondering how those new connectors were working in the real world. Original message From: David via Texascavers Date:07/05/2017 8:44 PM (GMT-06:00) To: CaveTex Cc: David Subject: [Texascavers] Consumer tip - smartphones Cavers should spend their money caving and not on frivolous things like new smartphones and Toyota Sequoias. Some of the new Android smartphones use a new type of fancy connector that allow you to easily insert the charge cord. Sounds great. Right ?? It has been my experience these "Type-C USB" cords fail faster than the older micro-USB. These cords start at $ 22 ( with tax ) at Best Buy. I would not recommend these phones to cavers who are very frugal. Meaning the LG G6. I also bet the connection inside the phone is just as cheesy, meaning avoid the cheap phones like ZTE and Alcatel that use this. I suspect that manufacturing the oval-like shape of the connector is difficult. David Locklear ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
Re: [Texascavers] Consumer tip - smartphones
Thanks, David. I was wondering how those new connectors were working in the real world. Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone Original message From: David via Texascavers Date:07/05/2017 8:44 PM (GMT-06:00) To: CaveTex Cc: David Subject: [Texascavers] Consumer tip - smartphones Cavers should spend their money caving and not on frivolous things like new smartphones and Toyota Sequoias. Some of the new Android smartphones use a new type of fancy connector that allow you to easily insert the charge cord. Sounds great. Right ?? It has been my experience these "Type-C USB" cords fail faster than the older micro-USB. These cords start at $ 22 ( with tax ) at Best Buy. I would not recommend these phones to cavers who are very frugal. Meaning the LG G6. I also bet the connection inside the phone is just as cheesy, meaning avoid the cheap phones like ZTE and Alcatel that use this. I suspect that manufacturing the oval-like shape of the connector is difficult. David Locklear___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Consumer tip - smartphones
Cavers should spend their money caving and not on frivolous things like new smartphones and Toyota Sequoias. Some of the new Android smartphones use a new type of fancy connector that allow you to easily insert the charge cord. Sounds great. Right ?? It has been my experience these "Type-C USB" cords fail faster than the older micro-USB. These cords start at $ 22 ( with tax ) at Best Buy. I would not recommend these phones to cavers who are very frugal. Meaning the LG G6. I also bet the connection inside the phone is just as cheesy, meaning avoid the cheap phones like ZTE and Alcatel that use this. I suspect that manufacturing the oval-like shape of the connector is difficult. David Locklear ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Consumer tip
The purpose of this message is to help a few cavers save a few dollars, but is intended for those who plan to go to the movies over the holidays. I saw 50 movies this year, and the one that stood out above the others was, "PK." Anonymous ___ Texascavers mailing list | http://texascavers.com Texascavers@texascavers.com | Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/texascavers@texascavers.com/ http://lists.texascavers.com/listinfo/texascavers
[Texascavers] Consumer tip - cellphones
I have been a Cricket wireless customer for several years, and found their mediocre service to fit my needs, but not my wants. In the past 2 months, their service has become drastically worse. The old Cricket way of doing business was secretly swept under the rug, and there is a new crappier company using the name Cricket. Every cellphone user needs to avoid this new Cricket Wireless at all cost. If you are an old customer, you need to find a new service by December, as your recently bought phone will not work. This company is disguised to look like a poor man's AT&T, however, they have blocked tethering on all their phones, cut the # of Gb in half, charging outrageous fees for going over 5Gb, no more free music, no more financial options to pay bill, and a poor selection of new phones, no SIM-card phones, etc, etc. And the customer service is close to none. David Locklear
[Texascavers] consumer tip for cavers
If you are ever in need of some "free" heavy duty cardboard boxes to pack your caving books, or store something in the closet, I have found a place that regularly has such an item. It is a store called Batteries+. They ship batteries in boxes, so the boxes have to be rugged.For some crazy reason, they throw away excellent boxes. They even sell some things you might find useful such as flashlights and batteries, although their prices are higher than the big discount stores. While I have your attention, I have been spending most of my spare time the past week or so on Linkedin.This place on the web appears to be picking up steam, and I see lots of people at least trying it, or have just signed up for an account.I have not yet made enough money using it to justify the time spent, but it seems productive for someone who is trying to market their job skills, in a way far better than other services on the Internet. I did receive a phone call yesterday from a prospective employer, that I was only able to reach via their Linkedin page, and a few hours later, we exchanged a cell-phone text-message. That process would have taken weeks back in the 20th Century. Also, I sure do want to attend the big party on Saturday, because I have been living way above my means for 9 months, and it has finally caught up to me. I went to L'Auberge du Lac, and threw a Hail-Mary Pass, but it got intercepted by a slot machine. My car is falling apart, but I think it will survive the road-trip, so that issue want stop me this time. David Locklear - Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
[Texascavers] Consumer tip - smartphones
I will explain below why this is a post some cavers will find of interest. This is only for people planning to buy a new phone this year, On my recent trips to Kiwi Sink, my fancy smartphone from Cricket Wireless could not even send a text message once I left the town of Kyle. The diggers who had an AT&T phone could place calls at the bottom of the entrance drop, 28 feet below the surface. Obviously, there are safety advantages to having cell service, especially in a mining operation, but I also needed to stay in contact with my business and my family. So I went to AT&T and purchased an inexpensive but powerful phone. I left the store only paying $ 108. There is a lot of hoopla and hype about smartphones.I encourage you to try the newest LG Optimus Pro G. The huge 5 inch screen allows you to see cave maps in detail. Dale's map of Kiwi looks fantastic on this phone. The NSS Google+ Page and Community Page look awesome. The calendar, and caving videos work excellent, as does Google Maps. The new version of operating system is the best I have ever seen. There are 2 drawbacks. 1. The choice for a protective case is lame. 2. Data plan is expensive. So I am keeping my Cricket phone and tethering the AT&T to use Cricket's cheaper data charges ( obviously not while at Kiwi Sink). Other advantages to a 5 inch screen are playing games like: FreeCell, Solitaire, Angry Birds, Pinball, etc., but also videos, and showing off your photos, larger app icons, and text. I have only owned the phone 24 hours, so I can not comment on the durability or reliability of the brand, LG. For more details, about this specific phone, email me privately in about a week. David Locklear
[Texascavers] Consumer tip - smartphones
I will explain below why this is a post some cavers will find of interest. This is only for people planning to buy a new phone this year, On my recent trips to Kiwi Sink, my fancy smartphone from Cricket Wireless could not even send a text message once I left the town of Kyle. The diggers who had an AT&T phone could place calls at the bottom of the entrance drop, 28 feet below the surface. Obviously, there are safety advantages to having cell service, especially in a mining operation, but I also needed to stay in contact with my business and my family. So I went to AT&T and purchased an inexpensive but powerful phone. I left the store only paying $ 108. There is a lot of hoopla and hype about smartphones.I encourage you to try the newest LG Optimus Pro G. The huge 5 inch screen allows you to see cave maps in detail. Dale's map of Kiwi looks fantastic on this phone. The NSS Google+ Page and Community Page look awesome. The calendar, and caving videos work excellent, as does Google Maps. The new version of operating system is the best I have ever seen. There are 2 drawbacks. 1. The choice for a protective case is lame. 2. Data plan is expensive. So I am keeping my Cricket phone and tethering the AT&T to use Cricket's cheaper data charges ( obviously not while at Kiwi Sink). Other advantages to a 5 inch screen are playing games like: FreeCell, Solitaire, Angry Birds, Pinball, etc., but also videos, and showing off your photos, larger app icons, and text. I have only owned the phone 24 hours, so I can not comment on the durability or reliability of the brand, LG. For more details, about this specific phone, email me privately in about a week. David Locklear
[Texascavers] Consumer tip - smartphones
I will explain below why this is a post some cavers will find of interest. This is only for people planning to buy a new phone this year, On my recent trips to Kiwi Sink, my fancy smartphone from Cricket Wireless could not even send a text message once I left the town of Kyle. The diggers who had an AT&T phone could place calls at the bottom of the entrance drop, 28 feet below the surface. Obviously, there are safety advantages to having cell service, especially in a mining operation, but I also needed to stay in contact with my business and my family. So I went to AT&T and purchased an inexpensive but powerful phone. I left the store only paying $ 108. There is a lot of hoopla and hype about smartphones.I encourage you to try the newest LG Optimus Pro G. The huge 5 inch screen allows you to see cave maps in detail. Dale's map of Kiwi looks fantastic on this phone. The NSS Google+ Page and Community Page look awesome. The calendar, and caving videos work excellent, as does Google Maps. The new version of operating system is the best I have ever seen. There are 2 drawbacks. 1. The choice for a protective case is lame. 2. Data plan is expensive. So I am keeping my Cricket phone and tethering the AT&T to use Cricket's cheaper data charges ( obviously not while at Kiwi Sink). Other advantages to a 5 inch screen are playing games like: FreeCell, Solitaire, Angry Birds, Pinball, etc., but also videos, and showing off your photos, larger app icons, and text. I have only owned the phone 24 hours, so I can not comment on the durability or reliability of the brand, LG. For more details, about this specific phone, email me privately in about a week. David Locklear