m.Tip: When You Want To Call Your Friends & Family By Their First Name When Using Your Samsung Code

If you wanted to call Santa you wouldn't call Claus Santa, but that is exactly what your Samsung Code is "defaulted" to do (that is, until you doing something about it).

This is what your Contacts Directory looks like now:


If you want to arrange your Contact Directory in a First Name Last Name format, follow these simple steps:

1. Go to your Contacts Directory by hitting your right soft key and selecting Contacts.
2. Scroll your Contact Directory with the navigation wheel and highlight the contact you would like to change to a First Name, Last Name format and hit the OK key to select.


3. Rotate the navigation wheel to highlight the contact's name and then hit the OK key to select the Contact Edit Screen.


4. Rotate your navigation wheel to the File as: field located towards the bottom of the Contact Edit Screen.


5. Click on the right of your navigation wheel to change from Last Name, First Name to a First Name, Last Name format and click your left soft key to select Done to save.


That's all that is required to make your Contact Directory look like this:


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m.Tip: How To Dramatically Increase Your Application Choices Without Doing A Damn Thing

If you are anything like me, you are constantly on the look out for new (and free) applications to make your mobile phone experience more exciting and relevant to your needs, taste and style.

This next m.Tip is so simple and hassle-free that anyone can do it within 2 minutes of reading this article.

The next time you visit your favorite freeware site, don't just check for applications that are compatible with the Samsung Code (SCH-i220), also check for software that will work on the Samsung Jack (SGH-i637), HTC Ozone, Dash 3G and HTC Snap.

With very few exceptions, the Samsung Code, Samsung Jack, HTC Ozone, Dash 3G and HTC Snap are compatible and closely identical in fit, form and function. They are all non-touch screen, run on Windows Mobile 6.1 and share a similar size and footprint.

Why is this important? Phones on major wireless networks tend to attract more developers willing to invest their R&D dollars into designing applications that are compatible with these smartphones/networks.

I know what some of you are saying to yourself---I know it's simple, but it simply works.
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Will Video Kill The Show And Tell Star?

The New Year is all about resolutions and yours truly is no different, so I have resolved to make this blog better for all of you!

My first project for the New Year is to convert my "show and tell" style (image and text based tutorials) to VIDEO!

I'm hard at work in the Samsung Code Laboratory working out the kinks and hope to be bringing the new funk real soon.

Do you have any other ideas on how I can make this better for you? If so, holler at me in the reply section and I'll do my best to accommodate your wishes.

The Humble Servant To The Samsung Code Generation...

Out On Bail Fresh Out Of Yahoo! Jail And I'm Samsung Code Dreamin'

And as soon as I stepped on the scene, I’m not hearing any screaming (about my case against Yahoo!), so I’m DOUBLING THE REWARD for the Should We Send Yours Truly To The Yahoo! Electric Chair Contest.

Haven’t heard about this yet? Then check this out:

http://thecodeofmetropcs.blogspot.com/2010/01/contest-today-on-peoples-courtnow-you.html

CONTEST: Today on People’s Court…Now You Can Be Judge, Jury & Executioner Too

Don't you just love starting the New Year on someone's wrong side?

Well, that's whats happened to yours truly in the case of "Really? So I'm A Hacker Now?".

I offer the following case details for your review:

Case: The (samsung) Code of Metro PCS blog vs. Yahoo!
Facts:
1. Somebody needs help with putting their ringtones on their memory card and posts a question on Yahoo Answers! Here's the question:

Metro PCS Samsung Code, Memory Card Ringtones?

I have just bought the Samsung Code for Metro PCS and I have a 1gb 'storage card' or memory card inside the phone. I want to set up custom ringtones for the caller ID's, the ringtones I want to use are on the memory card. Is it possible to use the ringtones I have saved on my memory card as caller ID's, if so, how do I do it because all of my approaches seem to be not working. Thank you

Find the post in its original form at the following link:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091230133254AALkGCb
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2. Your's truly arrives on the scene trying to play the knight and shining armor and posts the following answer (my response is verbatim and hasn't been edited to protect the innocent):

Yes, it's possible and all you have to do is create what I call a mirror directory---here is how you do it:

1. Create a "My Documents" directory on your SD card.
2. Create a "My Ringtones" sub-directory on the My Documents directory you just created.
3. Move all ringtones to the My Documents/My Ringtones folder on your SD card.
4. Press your left soft key to select Start ---> Settings ---> Sounds ---> Ring Tone to find and select the ringtones on your SD card.

Feel free to visit my blog that is dedicated to sharing tricks, tips and hacks for the Samsung Code.
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Verdict: Guilty, Punishable By Death (of my Yahoo! Account).

Here is the exact response recieved from Yahoo! on this matter:

Hello Scott

You have posted content to Yahoo! Answers in violation of our Community Guidelines or Terms of Service. As a result, your content has been deleted. Community Guidelines help to keep Yahoo! Answers a safe and useful community, so we appreciate your consideration of its rules.

Question: Metro PCS Samsung Code, Memory Card Ringtones?

Question Details: I have just bought the Samsung Code for Metro PCS and I have a 1gb 'storage card' or memory card inside the phone. I want to set up custom ringtones for the caller ID's, the ringtones I want to use are on the memory card. Is it possible to use the ringtones I have saved on my memory card as caller ID's, if so, how do I do it because all of my approaches seem to be not working. Thank you

Deleted Answer: Yes, it's possible and all you have to do is create what I call a mirror directory---here is how you do it: 1. Create a "My Documents" directory on your SD card. 2. Create a "My Ringtones" sub-directory on the My Documents directory you just created. 3. Move all ringtones to the My Documents/My Ringtones folder on your SD card. 4. Press your left soft key to select Start ---> Settings ---> Sounds ---> Ring Tone to find and select the ringtones on your SD card. Feel free to visit my blog that is dedicated to sharing tricks, tips and hacks for the Samsung Code.

Violation Reason: Hacking

In Yahoo! Answers you may not attempt to acquire or share information that may be used to obtain unauthorized access or 'hack' online accounts, websites, email, or computer systems, including proprietary software.
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My Defense: I don't have the budget to lawyer up and assemble a "Dream Team" legal defense, so I offer the following to Yahoo and the court of public opinion:

- I don't work for Metro PCS or Samsung (I'm just a guy that loves his Samsung Code and enjoys helping others with theirs).
- I don't profit directly or indirectly from writing this blog (this is an important piece of evidence in matters where "self promotion" can be argued)
- I don't think I'm a...scratch that, I know I'm not a hacker (I don't and can't write code, read code, decipher code, etc. I don't know bar codes, genetic code or morse code, the only "code" I know is the Samsung Code).
- I didn't offer "hacking" advice in my response.

So confident in my conviction that I'm innocent, I am going send the following response to "jury" at Yahoo!:

To Whom It May Concern:

I'm writing to discuss the concerns resulting from my recent post (http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091230133254AALkGCb ) and would like to speak to you about the concerns with the following violation:

Violation Reason: Hacking

Although I did use the word "hack" in my post (I chose the word "hack" not in the literal sense, but as an attention grabber), the advice being offered is in no way illegal and or an infringement on any one's/any entity's intellectual property rights, copyrights and or trademark rights.

The advice offered was instruction on how to move a ringtone from the Samsung Code's flash memory (on-board memory) to a SD/memory card (expandable memory).

With all due respect, that's why SD/memory cards are sold (to allow mobile phone owners to expand their mobile memory and to optimize the performance of their smartphone) and teaching someone how to use their SD/memory card in my humble opinion, shouldn't be construed as "hacking" advice.

I ask you to refer to the following reference link (http://thecodeofmetropcs.blogspot.com/2009/12/mtip-want-to-free-up-memory-by-putting.html) and ask you to reconsider your position on my post and account status.

With this said, I do admit fault for the poor choice of words and for the following statement:

Feel free to visit my blog that is dedicated to sharing tricks, tips and hacks for the Samsung Code.

Although ignorance is no defense, it is the truth---I wasn't aware of the guidelines on promotion and for my non-compliance in this regard, I truly apologize and assure you that it won't happen again.

I suggest the following resolution:

1. Repost my answer and remove the last sentence (Feel free to visit my blog that is dedicated to sharing tricks, tips and hacks for the Samsung Code) from my response.
2. Include the following reference link in my answer (http://thecodeofmetropcs.blogspot.com/2009/12/mtip-want-to-free-up-memory-by-putting.html)
3. Restore my account status/privileges.

Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing back from someone on this matter.

Respectfully,
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Now that you have reviewed the case, let's get ready for the "Should We Send Yours Truly To The Yahoo! Electric Chair" Contest were some lucky reader with the Best Answer will win a $10 Metro PCS Feature Card $20 Metro PCS Feature Card.

To enter to win this contest, simply:

- Post a reply to this article with the following (you might want to be a follower of this blog when you enter, otherwise, save the confirmation email so I can validate which "anonymous" poster has the Best Answer):

* What you think Yahoo's final verdict (guilty or innocent) will be after I send the above message.
* Whether you agree or disagree with Yahoo's final decision.
* Why you agree or disagree with Yahoo's final decision.

- The Best Answer will be awarded to some lucky responder who:

* Posts a reply to this article in the section provided below (any replies that are attached to any other articles other then this one will not be considered).
* Answers the final verdict question correctly (will Yahoo find me guilty or innocent after they get the message I have written above).
* Provides the most thoughtful, detailed and articulate answer (I don't care if you agree or disagree with me).
* Has retweeted my Twitter message announcing this article the most (see the link below to retweet my Twitter message):

http://twitter.com/SamsungCode/statuses/7301873602

- All responses must be received on or before January 31, 2010 to be considered.
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I have to go now, Death Row is calling me---Don't forget to write me, I hear it gets lonely in Yahoo! prison...

m.Tip: Do You Want To Learn How To Create Free Ringtones Using Itunes & A Song From A CD?-(Continued)

Now that you have setup Itunes to import your songs in a MP3 format (if you haven't done this yet, visit Part 1 of this article for further details), you are one step closer to creating your own "sounds" on your Samsung Code.

1. Insert the CD (containing the song you want to rip a ringtone from) into your PC's CD/DVD drive and open it up using your ITunes player.
2. A pop up screen will appear asking if you want to import the CD to your ITunes library, select No to continue.

Click Image To Zoom

3. Preview the song you want to extract a ringtone from and write down the following:

Click Image To Zoom

- The Start Time in the section of the song you want to begin your ringtone from.
- The End Time where you want to end your ringtone (please note that ringtones can not exceed 39 seconds in length).

4. Move the song you selected into your ITunes Music library for further customization (just drag and drop it).

5. Right click your mouse while hovering over the song you imported into and the following pop up menu will appear:

Click Image To Zoom

6. Select Options and add the Start Time and End Time you wrote down in Step#3 and then select OK to save.

Click Image To Zoom

7. Right click your mouse while hovering over the song and select Show in Windows Explorer from the drop down menu to activate the File Manager.

Click Image To Zoom

8. Drag the file you just created to your desktop or directly to your smartphone's memory and you are done.
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m.Tip: Do You Want To Learn How To Create Free Ringtones Using Itunes & A Song From A CD?

Do you spend hours trying to find free ringtones for your Samsung Code? How much of that time is spent listening to ringtones before you download them?

Well, I don't do that.

Instead, I like to create my own ringtones based on the "sounds" that I like and this tutorial will show you how you can make your Samsung Code ring based on whatever your "sound" is too.

Before diving into the lesson, my crack shot legal team (wink wink) has advised me to put forth the following disclaimer, "you're about to receive advice on how to create ringtones intended to be used from music/sounds that you have legally acquired and or purchased. This advice is not intended to be used by anyone to "cheat" anyone or any entity from its intellectual property, copyrights and or trademark rights. No further or followup advice will be offered on how to create ringtones from music/sounds acquired in a manner not consistent with the current governing laws".

This is what you'll need to create your "sounds" for your Samsung Code:

- PC
- ITunes
- A Music CD containing the music/song/sound that you want to use.

Before you can create your ringtone, you'll need to Change the default import settings from ITunes (AAC Encoder) to MP3:

1. Open up your ITunes application.
2. Go to Edit ---> Preferences and the following pop-screen will appear:

Click Image To Zoom

3. Click on the Import Settings button (located in the middle right of the pop-up menu) to active a new pop-up menu like this:

Click Image To Zoom

4. Select MP3 Encoder from the Import Using drop down menu.

Click Image To Zoom

5. Click OK twice to close down both pop-up menus and to save the new import settings.

Up Next: Create Free Ringtones Using ITunes & A Song From A CD (Continued)
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