Big PC Geek Tech Blog

Just wanted to take some time to say the HP CM1017 Multifunction Color Laser printer is a really great choice for small businesses and homes. This printer is not for someone who needs amazing photo prints and is not for someone who needs microscopic scanning but it is a really affordable workhorse for any small office. I’m not going to go into the details like print speed but rather point out a few facts that is essential for my office:

• Built in ethernet port, this machine is network ready so all computers in the office can print to it.
• Color Printing.
• Built in scanner and copier.
• Memory card reader.
• 250 sheet paper tray

One thing that is missing is a fax machine but in my case, I would rather not receive spam faxes all day. You should also know the scanning bed is only for 8.5 x 11″ scanning.

I purchased my printer on March 14, 2008 and the toner cartridges are about 75% full after going through a ream of paper. This printer is made for a small business or home, not for a big business, and not where you will be printing over 100 pages a day.

All you need is $250, a one time fee for the equipment, and you have free phone service for the rest of you life, that is if the company stays in business that long. Ooma is a pretty revolutionary device that uses your internet connection to make regular phone calls. The amazing difference that Ooma has over many of the other VoIP phone systems is that it is built to use the infrastructure in your house. The only important thing you must have in order for Ooma to work well is a decent high speed internet connection.

The installation is easy, you put the Ooma main device between your internet modem and your router or computer and also between a telephone jack and your phone. The connection from the Ooma hub to you phone jack is only necessary if you want to use the other phones in your house with Ooma. That’s right, you can  use any of your other phones in your house with Ooma. A little device called the Ooma scout is required but for every other phone jack that you want a phone on. Ooma will work with your existing phone number or you can eliminate the monthly bill from the phone company and port your number to Ooma. I have high hopes of Ooma to survive because they have a great business model with tons of extra features they call Ooma Premier and you get them for free for 60 days with your purchase.

Here is what you get with basic plan:

• Ooma Hub and Scout.

• Unlimited U.S. calling.

• Caller ID, call waiting, and voicemail.

• Low cost international rates.

• Hear voicemail not only from the unit but also from a web site.

• More little features here and there

Here is what you get with the Premier plan:

• Everything above.
• Instant second line, yes you can be on the phone and someone else can pick up a phone and make a call.
• Three way conferencing
• Message screening (works just like a traditional answering machine).
• Send to voicemail.
• Voicemail forwarding to email so you can listen to messages from email.
• Do not disturb
• Personalize a second number on all Ooma devices or one specific one.
• Private voicemail.
• Customer rings for callers.

I have been very happy with my purchase of the Ooma phone system. It was very easy to setup and configure. I got mine on Amazon.