Checkpoints Bugs & More Ways To Earn Points

(Go read this post for the latest info on how to earn points at Checkpoints to trade in for gift cards and other goodies.)

While I still like using the Checkpoints app, there are some irritating bugs. I'm not sure if it has to do with the fact that I have an ancient version of Android (2.5 or something like that), or if they have issues on their end.

Checkpoints Bugs:

• When I first load up the app, I am always asked to log in. A few months ago, before I uninstalled and then reinstalled it, I never had to log in except for the very first time I used it. Now I can't use it without being prompted for a login. This makes me wish I had chosen a shorter user name. I shortened my password to deal. 
• Almost every time I load the app, the app freezes when I click on the sign-in button. Then when I start the app again, it works fine. It is really annoying. 
• In some stores, Checkpoints only works with my wireless turned off. A side benefit of having to log in every time means that I can instantly tell when I need to turn the wireless off. If I don't get the screen that says "Thanks for reinstalling your app", then it means I need to turn the wireless off.
• When I scan an item, I am usually prompted to answer whether I would be more likely to buy an item if I had a coupon for it. When I first started getting these, I got annoyed at how long it took me to get to the question, and also how long it took for it to finish processing the answer. On those occasions, I would back out of the screen and essentially skip the question and continue scanning. The result was lost coins and lost points. Once I figured it out, I no longer skip answering the questions. 
• I haven't tested this in a while, but when I tried to download a game via the Try Apps section, I got logged out of Checkpoints, and the coins appear when I am not logged in. This is not a big deal, because I found downloading and trying apps the most cumbersome method of obtaining coins anyway. 

Other Ways To Earn Points And Coins On Checkpoints: 

• Go to BonusCoins - unfortunately, this is only supported by iPhones, iPods, and iPads using the Safari browser, so I can't tell you much about it.
• Go to earn.checkpoints.com and log in. You can earn points by applying for credit cards, taking surveys, buying stuff from the deal sites like Tippr and Groupon, and buying magazines. You only earn the points once the transactions are completed - surveys must be finished, deals must be paid for, etc. You probably won't qualify for all the surveys, and the surveys may ask for a lot of information before it rejects you for the actual survey. So if you have some time to kill, this might be interesting, but otherwise, I think it's easier to just get points and coins the regular way.

Extra! Extra! Coupons & Deals App Saves You Money Everywhere

From InMarket, the makers of the Checkpoints app, comes another great free app. Extra! Extra! Coupons & Deals is available on both Android and the iPhone stores. It used to be the local deals section on Checkpoints. What I love about it is the simplicity in execution, and the fact that it works so quickly and seamlessly. (Doesn't seem to be a battery hog, either.)

When you open the app, you see a list of stores, each with a summary of the coupons available at that store. I used it yesterday at a Carter's outlet store, to purchase some clothes for my daughter. On the right-hand side, you'll see a number - which indicates the number of coupons available for the store. I realized, when I pulled up the store, that there were actually several coupons for Carter's - one for $10 off $50, one for $5 off $40, and a general 25% off coupon. After some quick calculations, I realized that the 25% off coupon would give me the biggest discount.

At first, I tried to print out the coupon. You can share coupons on Facebook or email it to yourself. But I had issues with my printer, and I couldn't print. I just took my phone with me to the store anyway, and brought up the coupon, and showed it to the cashier. Because there was a code on the coupon for the retailer, she was able to give me the discount.

What I really like about this, besides the simplicity, is that I have access to coupons that I would actually use. I've checked out Groupon, and Amazon Local, and Google Offers. I think I've bought a total of two things on Google Offers. And everything else I've seen on the other social discount sites has just been too much hassle, or things I'm not entirely interested in - no, I'm not going to slog to the other side of Los Angeles just to get a haircut. I'm not a spa person. Extra! Extra! has coupons from stores and restaurants like Jamba Juice and Carl's Jr.

You can favorite coupons, and search nearby for local coupons.

Extra! Extra! on Facebook

Now all I need is for InMarket to finish ListBliss for Android.

Space Shuttle Endeavor Photos

Unfortunately, now that I live in the "Valley", as people like to refer to it, I missed out on the awesome craziness that was the Endeavor flyover. On the other hand, plenty of people took great pictures, so I thought I would collect a bunch of them here.

• Getty Image of space shuttle Endeavor arriving at LAX
• LA Curbed collection of Endeavor flying over things
• Photos shared on Reddit
• Endeavor flying past the Hollywood sign
• Photos of the flight deck of Endeavor
• Hatcher Studio's Flickr set
• LAist collection of Endeavor photos
• Another LAist collection of Endeavor at LAX

Gourmet Magazine Mashed Potatoes With Six Variations

I made this very basic version of mashed potatoes yesterday, and was very pleased at the way it came out. I like it because I can just use what's in my fridge. It's very simple - just russet potatoes, butter, milk, salt and pepper.

I was able to make it in half an hour. The majority of prep time came from peeling and boiling the potatoes. Next time, I think I will try the roasted garlic variation.

My "Gangnam Style" Obsession

First, the actual video:

There seems to be no end of things to say and do about PSY's viral hit "Gangnam Style". I have been re-playing it over and over for weeks on end. I've also collected a ton of links and parodies and reaction videos, so I thought I'd share.

• Global Voices collects South Korean reactions to its popularity. 
• PSY himself teaches TMZ how to do Gangnam Style. 
• 8Asians worries about whether the satirical message of Gangnam Style is lost on American fans. I think they are thinking too much about it.
• Second MetaFilter post. Lots of good stuff here. 
• First MetaFilter post. Even more goodies.
• PSY's official YouTube channel. 
• Female version of "Gangnam Style" by Hyuna. This may be bad, but I cannot stand Hyuna's singing voice. 
• How to do the "Gangnam Style" dances. Various tutorials from different people. 
• Lifeguards get fired for filming a video spoof. 
• Gangnam Style with Google CEO Eric Schmidt.

PSY dances to Lady Gaga and Beyonce. He's really, really good. 

PSY teaches Britney Spears.

Deadpool vs Gangnam Style.