Samsung Galaxy S Tips and Tools

I have had my Galaxy captivate from ATT for 2 months now and I wanted to share some of the tips and tools I found to help you take full advantage of your phone.
First of all rooting the phone, this will enable you gain Super User access which means bypass some of the ATT "bloated" apps they install. Once you root it, you can delete unwanted apps that phone company installed.  You can also install 3rd party apps and best of all gives you the ability to Tether your phone with your laptop or tablet without paying ATT the tethering fee :)
Let us start:

•  To root your phone it's very simple, download SuperOneClick (I have tried others but this seems to work like a champ). Link below will give you instructions and where to download it from.

                                     http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=803682

• Use SuperOneClick and select "Allow third market apps", this will enable you to download "WiFi Tether" from Android Market

               http://code.google.com/p/android-wifi-tether/downloads/list
         Install the apk on your phone SD card and use "MyFiles" app on phone to extract it.

• If your phone still running 2.1 (Setting --> about phone --> Firmware Version), then time for you to upgrade it to 2.2 and take advantage of 2.2 and tethering capability.  See link below for instructions:

                http://ars.samsung.com/customer/usa/jsp/faqs/faqs_view_us.jsp?SITE_ID=22&PG_ID=2&PROD_SUB_ID=557&PROD_ID=558&AT_ID=368733 

• If you have issues with your GPS phone, The instruction below will guide you thru it and how to fix. Multiple steps, the third one worked for me. I copied those steps from another site, but had to get the right number to dial from a different site. You don't have to hunt for it. Here it is:

Method One:
Disable ‘Use Wireless Networks’ under Settings —> Location and Security.
Go into LbsTestMode (*#3214789650#)
Go to Application Settings
Enable MS-Based Mode
Increase Accuracy to 100
Leave the rest stock
Return to the main LbsTestMode menu
Go to SUPL/CP Settings
Select the Serve FQDN Type drop down menu
Hit AUTO Config
Exit to the dialer and reboot your Vibrant twice for good measure.
Method Two :
1 – Disable “Use Wireless Networks” – Settings / Location & Security
2 – Dial *#3214789650#
3 – Under “Application settings” Change “Operation Mode” to MS Based
4 – Under “SUPL/CP Settings” Change the SERVER & PORT to supl.google.com and port 7276 [ Do not use www. in front of supl]
5 – REBOOT
6 – Turn back on the “User Wireless Networks”
Method Three – what worked for me
1 – Dial *#3214789650#
2 – Go outside to get an unimpeded GPS fix.
3 – Choose Delete GPS Data button.
4 – Choose Get Position Test button. Let it run for 3 min or until you have 10 to 12 Sat locks and back out.
Source: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=739662
Source: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=728894
Good luck.
If anyone has extra tips and tools that would like to share please do so.

I stand semi corrected about White House

Ok so I have sent a fax back in 6/6/2010 regarding Immigration policy and received a response from the white house in Nov 2010 (see previous blog). In my letter I asked for a picture of the president, the idea is to find out if they read the letter or just saw the title. Well today I received the picture (see picture).
Of course the picture is generic like the letter with no mention of my name in either of the documents (hence the semi corrected) nor touching on the subject I inquired about from my fax and later an email. BUT nevertheless I got a picture signed (photo copied by the President), and this is at least some communication you get from the White House.
I shall test the same communication during a different president and report.
Thank you

In response to the World Cup Editorial published Monday, December 06, 2010 in Evansville Courier & Press.

The view of the article was that Qatar was an odd choice as to U.S. with Indianapolis losing a chance to host some of the games.

    What the Editorial failed to realize is that this is "World Cup" not USA Cup or only for the elite nations! Unlike American Football, World Cup is shared by the entire globe, and each nation is entitled to make a bid for this great sporting event without prejudice to size, ethnicity, population, etc. But can the Host nation provide the facilities, security, and newness to showcase what other parts of the world offer? Qatar can and FIFA believed it can accomplish what it promised it will do.

The editorial argued the fowling regarding Qatar:

1. A flat country with short on scenery and people. WOW what a closed minded view that is. So anything short of Indiana corn fields is considered short on scenery? Qatar white sand beaches rival those in Florida. As for the people, they are as hospitable as any small town USA, just because their dress code/language is different doesn't make them short in that regard.
   
2. The article argues the country average temperature is 106 reaching to 130F, which meant how can you play Football? But the author failed to mention what technical feat the country is taken, something I doubt Indiana or for that matter U.S. can handle at this time. Qatar has taken upon itself to revolutionize the cooling of its outdoor stadiums, utilizing Solar power to generate electricity and in return run all the air conditioning units to keep the temperature at the stadium at below 80F during the games, during none game time electricity will go back to the grid. For a country that has Oil & Gas to choose this route (Solar); one must tip their hat to them if they can pull it off. Can we do this in Indiana? I doubt it we still fighting about Roberts Stadium and downtown arena.
   

       Just imagine how this technological feat can be adopted to future stadiums we build in this nation? We talk about being none dependant for foreign oil, yet the country that has it actually has a plan for renewable energy! Go figure.
   

3. I do have to thank the author for showing the country generosity; donating the stadiums to poor countries once the event is complete, talk about recycling and moving the renewable energy of the stadiums to other cities in the world to benefit. (Maybe Evansville can ask for one of the stadiums to replace Roberts!).
   

 

    How about security one might argue, well I only have to direct each and everyone to the latest news about TSA treatments of its own citizens, how do you think TSA would treat the various fans that will enter this great nation of ours? Here is a hint, not good.     Other argument I saw online was that Qatar is a country that doesn't treat women right, Jews not allowed and other ignorant remarks. I do understand people fear of the unknown or different. Qatar was one of the first Persian countries to open ties with Israel (trade relation started in 1996), also do not be surprised to see the various US bases in Qatar.

    Qatar is a progressive nation with women allowed to work, drive, do what women do in the US; Qatari law doesn't all work/pay discrimination between men & women for same job. You are just asked to follow the law just like the US has its laws.

    This FIFA event will showcase to the world the beauty of that part of the world and different can be good sometime. We are not disconnected from the rest of the world but all connected to each other.