Free iPhone Apps shakedown

A few months ago, I made a list of some iPhone Apps I thought were pretty cool, even though I don't actually use any of them. After a bit over 1-year of iPhoneage, there are the FREE apps I now use regularly, for different reasons (I only use free apps, because I'm that way). I thought I would give them a brief mention:

• Facebook - What else is there to say- it's Facebook.
  
• Free RSS Reader - An, um, free RSS reader? supports images. Awkward learning curve but once you figure it out its quite handy.
  
• WifiSpeed (web app)- Bandwidth measuring device. Because sometimes I'm just curious
  
• Remote (by Apple)- You mean you don't have this app yet?! Control your iTunes Desktop app from your phone.
  
• Flickr Sendr - upload cellphone pics straight into your Flickr account. Note: Resizes your photos, but simple to use.
  
• Lose it - Log and track your caloric intake. Largest library of products I've seen in a free app, Plus you can add your own.

There aren't all the apps I've collected at this point, but the others I don't use enough to formulate a recommendation at this time. :)

QUESTION: Any one know of an app that monitors/logs which apps you use the most/least?

How to get a free iPhone, apparently.

I was listening to Leo Laporte (techguylabs.com, twit.tv) today and he brokedown how to get a deal on the iPhone if you are an existing customer... (In my opinion this trick should work with any phone company, but this discussion was specifically in regard to the iPhone).

- Call Customer Service (611 for AT&T subscribers) and tell them you're going to go to [insert competing phone company]

- You say you like AT&Ts services but because you don't want to pay full price to switch to the iPhone, and therefore you would like to cancel your service.

- Eventually they will forward you to a "Customer Retention Specialist". (their job is specifically this- to retain customers). You repeat the same story and he/she will try a bunch of different deals, and eventually, make you an offer you can live with. If the CRS doesn't give you a deal, then politely end the conversation, hang up, call again and start over until you get a CRS that will work with you.

Why does this work? Why, money of course! The $2000 a year they make off of you is worth giving up a $200-300 discount on a phone. According to Leo Laporte, that is.

So, try it, and let me know if it works!

Before YouTube?!?!

This might only be funny to me:

Today a student was trying to play a DVD on the PCs in my computer lab. When it didn't work he asked for help....

Me: They set the machines up so they won't play DVD's because they dont want people in here watching movies all day

Student: Y'all can't watch no YouTube in here?

Me: This was before YouTube

Student: Before YouTube?!?!

I was about to say, "yes, you know there was a time before YouTube, right?" But that would violate my don't talk smack to a big giant black guy policy.

Job Reference

A former employee left me a voicemail over the weekend (paraphrased):

"...I put you down as a reference... I didn't necessarily lie on my application, but I did stretch out a few things and just wanted to give you a heads up..."

Only, he didn't mention what he "stretched", so what good did that do? I guess this is what happens when you develop an excellent rapport with your employees and eventually they leave.