diff --git a/TravelPost/AndroidManifest.xml b/TravelPost/AndroidManifest.xml
index 4981fce..4e9a079 100644
--- a/TravelPost/AndroidManifest.xml
+++ b/TravelPost/AndroidManifest.xml
@@ -29,8 +29,9 @@
             <meta-data android:name="android.appwidget.provider" android:resource="@xml/travelpostwidgetinfo"/>
         </receiver>
 		
-	<service android:process=":TravelPostLocationService" android:enabled="true" android:name="LocationService" android:exported="true"></service>
+	<service android:process=":TravelPostLocationService" android:enabled="true" android:exported="true" android:name="com.TwentyCodes.android.location.LocationService"></service>
 <activity android:name="WebAuth" android:configChanges="orientation"></activity>
+<activity android:name="PostActivity" android:theme="@android:style/Theme.Translucent.NoTitleBar"></activity>
 </application>
 
 	<uses-sdk android:minSdkVersion="7" />
diff --git a/TravelPost/gen/com/TwentyCodes/android/TravelPost/R.java b/TravelPost/gen/com/TwentyCodes/android/TravelPost/R.java
index 0c7329c..ac7939f 100644
--- a/TravelPost/gen/com/TwentyCodes/android/TravelPost/R.java
+++ b/TravelPost/gen/com/TwentyCodes/android/TravelPost/R.java
@@ -23,25 +23,36 @@ public final class R {
         public static final int user=0x7f020009;
     }
     public static final class id {
-        public static final int authCode=0x7f060005;
-        public static final int authOkButton=0x7f060004;
-        public static final int authWebView=0x7f060006;
-        public static final int skyhook_img=0x7f060000;
-        public static final int tc_img=0x7f060002;
-        public static final int text=0x7f060001;
-        public static final int widgetbutton=0x7f060003;
+        public static final int authCode=0x7f060007;
+        public static final int authOkButton=0x7f060006;
+        public static final int authWebView=0x7f060008;
+        public static final int post=0x7f060001;
+        public static final int postOkButton=0x7f060000;
+        public static final int skyhook_img=0x7f060002;
+        public static final int tc_img=0x7f060004;
+        public static final int text=0x7f060003;
+        public static final int widgetbutton=0x7f060005;
     }
     public static final class layout {
         public static final int main=0x7f030000;
-        public static final int powered_by_skyhook=0x7f030001;
-        public static final int travelpostwidget=0x7f030002;
-        public static final int webauth=0x7f030003;
+        public static final int post=0x7f030001;
+        public static final int powered_by_skyhook=0x7f030002;
+        public static final int travelpostwidget=0x7f030003;
+        public static final int webauth=0x7f030004;
     }
     public static final class string {
+        public static final int about=0x7f050007;
         public static final int app_name=0x7f050000;
+        public static final int fb_signin=0x7f050005;
         public static final int gps_fix=0x7f050001;
         public static final int hello=0x7f050003;
+        public static final int location_settings=0x7f050006;
+        public static final int post_hint=0x7f05000b;
+        public static final int post_settings=0x7f050008;
+        public static final int save_a_post=0x7f050009;
+        public static final int services=0x7f05000a;
         public static final int sorry_theres_trouble=0x7f050002;
+        public static final int twitter_signin=0x7f050004;
     }
     public static final class xml {
         public static final int settings=0x7f040000;
diff --git a/TravelPost/res/layout/post.xml b/TravelPost/res/layout/post.xml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e6ff568
--- /dev/null
+++ b/TravelPost/res/layout/post.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
+<RelativeLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
+	android:layout_width="match_parent" android:layout_height="wrap_content">
+
+	<RelativeLayout android:layout_width="match_parent"
+		android:layout_height="wrap_content" 
+		android:background="#FFFFFF">
+		
+		<Button android:layout_width="wrap_content"
+			android:layout_height="wrap_content"
+			android:text="@android:string/ok"
+			android:id="@+id/postOkButton"
+			android:layout_alignBottom="@+id/post" 
+			android:layout_alignTop="@id/post"
+			android:layout_alignParentRight="true"></Button>
+
+		<EditText android:layout_toLeftOf="@id/postOkButton"
+			android:layout_width="fill_parent" 
+			android:layout_alignParentTop="true"
+			android:layout_height="wrap_content" 
+			android:hint="@string/post_hint"
+			android:id="@id/post">
+		</EditText>
+	</RelativeLayout>
+
+</RelativeLayout>
diff --git a/TravelPost/res/values/strings.xml b/TravelPost/res/values/strings.xml
index d7bf46a..17e6ded 100644
--- a/TravelPost/res/values/strings.xml
+++ b/TravelPost/res/values/strings.xml
@@ -2,4 +2,12 @@
 <resources>
     <string name="hello">Hello World!</string>
     <string name="app_name">Travel Post</string>
+    <string name="twitter_signin">Twitter Sign In</string>
+    <string name="fb_signin">Facebook Sign In</string>
+    <string name="location_settings">Location Settings</string>
+    <string name="about">About</string>
+    <string name="post_settings">Post Settings</string>
+    <string name="save_a_post">Save a post</string>
+    <string name="services">Social Services</string>
+    <string name="post_hint">Whats up?</string>
 </resources>
diff --git a/TravelPost/res/xml/settings.xml b/TravelPost/res/xml/settings.xml
index 4e1de67..d2b1415 100644
--- a/TravelPost/res/xml/settings.xml
+++ b/TravelPost/res/xml/settings.xml
@@ -1,17 +1,24 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
 <PreferenceScreen 
 	xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" 
-	android:title="Travel Post">
-    	<PreferenceCategory 
-    		android:title="Services">
+	android:title="@string/app_name">
+    	<PreferenceCategory android:title="@string/post_settings">
+    		<CheckBoxPreference android:title="@string/save_a_post" android:key="save_a_post"></CheckBoxPreference>
+    		<EditTextPreference android:key="saved_post" android:title="Post" android:dependency="save_a_post"></EditTextPreference>
+    	</PreferenceCategory><PreferenceCategory 
+    		android:title="@string/services">
         		<Preference
-        			android:title="Twitter Sign In"
+        			android:title="@string/twitter_signin"
         			android:key="twitter_sign_in"/>
         		<Preference
-        			android:title="Facebook Sign In"
+        			android:title="@string/fb_signin"
         			android:key="facebook_sign_in"/>
         </PreferenceCategory>
         <PreferenceCategory 
-        	android:title="Location Settings">
+        	android:title="@string/location_settings">
+            
+		</PreferenceCategory><PreferenceCategory android:title="@string/about">
+			<com.TwentyCodes.android.TravelPost.TextViewPreference android:title="@string/hello"/>
 		</PreferenceCategory>
+        
 </PreferenceScreen>
diff --git a/TravelPost/src/com/TwentyCodes/android/TravelPost/LocationReceiver.java b/TravelPost/src/com/TwentyCodes/android/TravelPost/LocationReceiver.java
index c198afb..2ef6076 100644
--- a/TravelPost/src/com/TwentyCodes/android/TravelPost/LocationReceiver.java
+++ b/TravelPost/src/com/TwentyCodes/android/TravelPost/LocationReceiver.java
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import twitter4j.TwitterException;
 import android.content.BroadcastReceiver;
 import android.content.Context;
 import android.content.Intent;
+import android.content.SharedPreferences;
 import android.location.Location;
 import android.os.PowerManager;
 import android.os.PowerManager.WakeLock;
@@ -46,18 +47,43 @@ public class LocationReceiver extends BroadcastReceiver{
 	 * @author ricky barrette
 	 */
 	private void onLocationUpdate(Location location) {
-		//TODO something with the location i.e. report location to social services like twitter, ect...
+		/*
+		 * the following is used to load widget prefs from shared_prefs
+		 */
+		SharedPreferences settings = mContext.getSharedPreferences(TravelPost.SETTINGS, 0);
 		
-		try {
-			Log.d(TravelPost.TAG, TwitterServices.tweet(mContext, ReverseGeocoder.getAddressFromLocation(location)).toString());
-		} catch (TwitterException e) {
-			// TODO Auto-generated catch block
-			e.printStackTrace();
+		//check to see if save a post is enabled, if not use the post the user provide
+		if(settings.getBoolean(TravelPost.SAVE_A_POST, false))
+			postToSocialServices(settings.getString(TravelPost.SAVED_POST, null), location);
+		else {
+			postToSocialServices(settings.getString(TravelPost.USERS_POST, null), location);
+			settings.edit().remove(TravelPost.USERS_POST).commit();
 		}
 			
 		removeWakeLock();
 	}
 
+	/**
+	 * a convince method to post to social networks
+	 * @param string
+	 * @author ricky barrette
+	 */
+	private void postToSocialServices(String post, Location location) {
+		Log.d(TravelPost.TAG, "Posting: "+ post);
+		
+		//generate the post
+		String thePost = ReverseGeocoder.getAddressFromLocation(location) +" : "+ post;
+		
+		// TODO check post size, is it greater than 140 chars?
+		
+		// TODO Add more social services
+		try {
+			Log.d(TravelPost.TAG, TwitterServices.tweet(mContext, thePost).toString());
+		} catch (TwitterException e) {
+			e.printStackTrace();
+		}
+	}
+
 	/**
 	 * Called when there is a location update from the location service.
 	 * @see android.content.BroadcastReceiver#onReceive(android.content.Context, android.content.Intent)
diff --git a/TravelPost/src/com/TwentyCodes/android/TravelPost/PostActivity.java b/TravelPost/src/com/TwentyCodes/android/TravelPost/PostActivity.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ee28a1e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/TravelPost/src/com/TwentyCodes/android/TravelPost/PostActivity.java
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+/**
+ * PostActivity.java
+ * @date Feb 5, 2011
+ * @author ricky barrette
+ * @author Twenty Codes, LLC
+ */
+package com.TwentyCodes.android.TravelPost;
+
+import com.TwentyCodes.android.location.LocationService;
+
+import android.app.Activity;
+import android.os.Bundle;
+import android.view.View;
+import android.view.View.OnClickListener;
+import android.widget.EditText;
+
+/**
+ * This is going to be the activity that is displayed when the travel post widget is clicked.
+ * This genreal feel of this activity is going to be similar to the google search widget activity
+ * @author ricky barrette
+ */
+public class PostActivity extends Activity implements OnClickListener {
+
+	private EditText mPostEditText;
+
+	/**
+	 * called when the activity is first created
+	 * (non-Javadoc)
+	 * @see android.app.Activity#onCreate(android.os.Bundle)
+	 * @author ricky barrette
+	 */
+	@Override
+	public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState){
+		super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
+		this.setContentView(R.layout.post);
+		findViewById(R.id.postOkButton).setOnClickListener(this);
+		mPostEditText = (EditText) findViewById(R.id.post);
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * called when the ok button is pressed
+	 * (non-Javadoc)
+	 * @see android.view.View.OnClickListener#onClick(android.view.View)
+	 * @author ricky barrette
+	 */
+	@Override
+	public void onClick(View v) {
+		//store post information to shared_prefs
+		this.getSharedPreferences(TravelPost.SETTINGS, 0).edit().putString(TravelPost.USERS_POST, mPostEditText.getText().toString()).commit();
+		//start the service
+		this.startService(LocationService.getStartServiceIntent(this, LocationReceiver.ACTION_UPDATE));
+		//exit the activity
+		this.finish();
+	}
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/TravelPost/src/com/TwentyCodes/android/TravelPost/TextViewPreference.java b/TravelPost/src/com/TwentyCodes/android/TravelPost/TextViewPreference.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..be84a80
--- /dev/null
+++ b/TravelPost/src/com/TwentyCodes/android/TravelPost/TextViewPreference.java
@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+/**
+ * @author Twenty Codes
+ * @author ricky barrette
+ */
+package com.TwentyCodes.android.TravelPost;
+
+import android.content.Context;
+import android.graphics.Typeface;
+import android.preference.Preference;
+import android.util.AttributeSet;
+import android.view.Gravity;
+import android.view.View;
+import android.view.ViewGroup;
+import android.widget.LinearLayout;
+import android.widget.TextView;
+
+/**
+ * this class will be a simple TextView to be used in a preference activity. you set the text using the set title tag
+ * @author ricky barrette
+ */
+public class TextViewPreference extends Preference {
+
+	/**
+	 * creates a preference that is nothing but a text view 
+	 * @param context
+	 */
+	public TextViewPreference(Context context) {
+		super(context);
+		// TODO Auto-generated constructor stub
+	}
+	
+	/**
+	 * creates a preference that is nothing but a text view
+	 * @param context
+	 * @param attrs
+	 */
+	public TextViewPreference(Context context, AttributeSet attrs) {
+		super(context, attrs);
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * creates a preference that is nothing but a text view
+	 * @param context
+	 * @param attrs
+	 * @param defStyle
+	 */
+	public TextViewPreference(Context context, AttributeSet attrs, int defStyle) {
+		super(context, attrs, defStyle);
+	}
+
+	
+	/**
+	 * creates a linear layout the contains only a textview.
+	 * (non-Javadoc)
+	 * @see android.preference.Preference#onCreateView(android.view.ViewGroup)
+	 * @param parent
+	 * @return
+	 * @author ricky barrette
+	 */
+	@Override
+	 protected View onCreateView(ViewGroup parent){
+		
+		/*
+		 * create a vertical linear layout that width and height that wraps content
+		 */
+		LinearLayout layout = new LinearLayout(getContext());
+		LinearLayout.LayoutParams params = new LinearLayout.LayoutParams(LinearLayout.LayoutParams.WRAP_CONTENT, LinearLayout.LayoutParams.WRAP_CONTENT);
+		params.gravity = Gravity.CENTER;
+		layout.setPadding(15, 5, 10, 5);
+		layout.setOrientation(LinearLayout.VERTICAL);
+
+		layout.removeAllViews();
+		
+		/*
+		 * create a textview that will be used to display the title provided in xml
+		 * and add it to the lay out
+		 */
+		TextView title = new TextView(getContext());
+		title.setText(getTitle());
+		title.setTextSize(16);
+		title.setTypeface(Typeface.SANS_SERIF);
+		title.setGravity(Gravity.LEFT);
+		title.setLayoutParams(params);
+
+		/*
+		 * add the title and the time picker views to the layout
+		 */
+		layout.addView(title);
+		layout.setId(android.R.id.widget_frame);
+
+		return layout;
+	}
+}
diff --git a/TravelPost/src/com/TwentyCodes/android/TravelPost/TravelPost.java b/TravelPost/src/com/TwentyCodes/android/TravelPost/TravelPost.java
index f99a4c1..9af005c 100644
--- a/TravelPost/src/com/TwentyCodes/android/TravelPost/TravelPost.java
+++ b/TravelPost/src/com/TwentyCodes/android/TravelPost/TravelPost.java
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@ public class TravelPost extends PreferenceActivity implements OnPreferenceClickL
 	public static final String SETTINGS = "settings";
 	private static final int TWITTER_AUTH_REQUEST_CODE = 0;
 	public static final String TAG = "TravelPost";
+	public static final String SAVED_POST = "saved_post";
+	public static final String SAVE_A_POST = "save_a_post";
+	public static final String USERS_POST = "users_post";
 	private FacebookAuth mFbAuth;
 
 	/**
@@ -41,6 +44,10 @@ public class TravelPost extends PreferenceActivity implements OnPreferenceClickL
 	@Override
 	public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
 		super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
+		
+		//set this preference activity to use the settings file we choose.
+		this.getPreferenceManager().setSharedPreferencesName(SETTINGS);
+		
 		//start the exception handler
 		mExceptionReport.run();
 		Thread.setDefaultUncaughtExceptionHandler(mExceptionReport);
diff --git a/TravelPost/src/com/TwentyCodes/android/TravelPost/TravelPostWidget.java b/TravelPost/src/com/TwentyCodes/android/TravelPost/TravelPostWidget.java
index cced080..1bae9f6 100644
--- a/TravelPost/src/com/TwentyCodes/android/TravelPost/TravelPostWidget.java
+++ b/TravelPost/src/com/TwentyCodes/android/TravelPost/TravelPostWidget.java
@@ -5,16 +5,17 @@
  */
 package com.TwentyCodes.android.TravelPost;
 
-import com.TwentyCodes.android.location.LocationService;
-
 import android.app.PendingIntent;
 import android.appwidget.AppWidgetManager;
 import android.appwidget.AppWidgetProvider;
 import android.content.Context;
 import android.content.Intent;
+import android.content.SharedPreferences;
 import android.util.Log;
 import android.widget.RemoteViews;
 
+import com.TwentyCodes.android.location.LocationService;
+
 /**
  * This class will display the widget on the android screen and handle user interaction
  * @author warren
@@ -42,14 +43,30 @@ public class TravelPostWidget extends AppWidgetProvider {
 		if(DEBUG)
 			Log.v(TAG, "onUpdate()");
 		final int N = appWidgetIds.length;
+		
+		/*
+		 * the following is used to load widget prefs from shared_prefs
+		 */
+		SharedPreferences settings = context.getSharedPreferences(TravelPost.SETTINGS, 0);
 
         // Perform this loop procedure for each App Widget that belongs to this provider
         for (int i=0; i<N; i++) {
             int appWidgetId = appWidgetIds[i];
 
-            // Create a pending intent to start the location service;
-            PendingIntent pendingIntent = PendingIntent.getService(context, 0, LocationService.getStartServiceIntent(context, LocationReceiver.ACTION_UPDATE), 0);
-
+            PendingIntent pendingIntent;
+            
+            /*
+             * if the save a post option is enabled then go start the service,
+             * else get the users input
+             */
+            if( settings.getBoolean(TravelPost.SAVE_A_POST, false)){
+            	//Create a pending intent to start the location service
+            	pendingIntent = PendingIntent.getService(context, 0, LocationService.getStartServiceIntent(context, LocationReceiver.ACTION_UPDATE), 0);
+            } else {
+            	//create a pending intent to start the post activity
+            	pendingIntent = PendingIntent.getActivity(context, 0, new Intent(context, PostActivity.class), 0);
+            }
+            
             // Get the layout for the App Widget and attach an on-click listener to the button
             RemoteViews views = new RemoteViews(context.getPackageName(), R.layout.travelpostwidget);
             views.setOnClickPendingIntent(R.id.widgetbutton, pendingIntent);