Free 411 Phone Directories

I used to call the 411 info number of my cell phone company (AT&T/Cingular) until they jacked the price up from  $0.99 to $1.79, what a ripoff! 

Now I use Google 411, dial 1-800-GOOG-411 (800-466-4411) from any US phone.  Quick, easy, and completely FREE.  Just say what you want and Google connects you.  Program it in your phone right now and enjoy just how easy it is.  Microsoft recently launched Live 411 (1-800-CALL-411), but I haven't tried it yet.

Also available is Free411.com, dial 1-800-FREE-411 (800-373-3411).  An automated system tries to figure out the listing first, and quickly connects you to a real live person if it can't figure it out.  Not bad.

My previous favorite is to text message Google.  Its quick and very easy.  Google's parsing engine is just amazing.  Just send a little text message to GOOGLE (46645) (the last 3 for E isn't needed) with anything you want and your zip code after it (or city), wait a sec, and you get a text messages back with info.

Auto parts?  "auto parts 98052", eat at Wendy's? "wendys 98052", movie? "pirates 98052", coffe someplace else? "starbucks dallas", in a smaller town? "starbucks denton tx"