If you have good credit and a good paying job, then you will be able to buy products and services at much lower prices then if you didn't have these resources. There are millions of Americans families that are at or near the poverty lines and are just barely make it from paycheck to paycheck.
Some of these people make too much money to get government assistance, and too little money to provide for all the needs of their family. There are several businesses that cater to these individuals, but charge high prices for services they provide.
There are a great deal of services that some people can take for granted because of the credit rating they might have. Although, for people who don't have good credit they have to pay a higher cost for same service. For them, it becomes a vicious cycle, of credit debt and working just to make minimum payments on their bills. Thus stuggling for several years just to try to pay back some of the debt they have accumulated.
Below are a few examples:
- Furniture Rental Stores: These stores rent/sell you low-quality overpriced furniture.
- Prepaid cellular & phone cards: The more minutes you buy will reduce the price that you pay, but these minutes can be expensive. Especially if you can qualify for a regular cellular plan.
- Check cashing and cash advanced services: Charge high percentage fees, for cashing a paycheck.
- Secured Credit Cards: Charge high credit card fees for making purchases against money that you pre-deposit into your account.
- Easy/No Credit: Several businesses offer these services, but charge incredible high finance fees and interest.
2nd Class Citizens
If you don't have credit or a credit card, you are pretty much treaded a second class citizen in today's society. For example, if you don't have a credit card you will have problems renting a hotel room or a car. If you don't have credit, you will have to higher interest rates for things that you want to buy.
Some other grips are:
- High health insurance costs (effects everyone even those with insurance).
- Fewer tax breaks for the single parents and singles.
- Low paying jobs, without health benefits.
- Lotteries feeding off the hopes of desperatation of people, looking for a quick fix to their problems.
- Fraudulent credit repair services that make big promises they can't keep, and sometimes making the problems worse.
Sunday, May 02, 2004
More Internet Videos
These web sites have some interesting Internet videos. 'The Exorcist in 30 seconds, re-enacted by bunnies' is exactly what it says it is. Very funny and short. STARWARSKID.com is a archive of several variations of the original Star Wars Kid footage.
- The Exorcist in 30 seconds, re-enacted by bunnies.
- STARWARSKID.com
- The Exorcist in 30 seconds, re-enacted by bunnies.
- STARWARSKID.com
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
Monday, April 26, 2004
MailByRSS
If you send out electronic newsletters or announcements, consider using MailByRSS. One word, no spam. Although it does require that the client have an RSS reader.
The Ig Nobel Home Page
Every Ig Nobel Prize winner has done something that first makes people LAUGH, then makes them THINK.
Improbable Research
The Annals of Improbable Research (also known as AIR) is a science humor magazine, full of genuine, improbable research culled from more than 10,000 science, medical, and technical, and academic journals, with some deadpan concoctions stirred into the mix.
Don't Be Afraid of IRC (Article)
IRC networks are an older way to chat, get help, and trade files. Here's how to use them safely.
Hack a Disposable Digital Camera (Article)
For eleven dollars, an old Palm cradle, and a USB mouse get you the cheapest digital camera ever. For more information.
MiniClip
Play Flash-based games in your browser, download them to your local computer, or add them to your web site.
If you send out electronic newsletters or announcements, consider using MailByRSS. One word, no spam. Although it does require that the client have an RSS reader.
The Ig Nobel Home Page
Every Ig Nobel Prize winner has done something that first makes people LAUGH, then makes them THINK.
Improbable Research
The Annals of Improbable Research (also known as AIR) is a science humor magazine, full of genuine, improbable research culled from more than 10,000 science, medical, and technical, and academic journals, with some deadpan concoctions stirred into the mix.
Don't Be Afraid of IRC (Article)
IRC networks are an older way to chat, get help, and trade files. Here's how to use them safely.
Hack a Disposable Digital Camera (Article)
For eleven dollars, an old Palm cradle, and a USB mouse get you the cheapest digital camera ever. For more information.
MiniClip
Play Flash-based games in your browser, download them to your local computer, or add them to your web site.
Friday, April 23, 2004
Free Microsoft Tools
Exchange Server 2003 Message Security Guide
This book deals with implementing S/MIME (Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension) in a Micrsoft Exchange Server 2003 evironment.
Microsoft Product Support's Reporting Tools
The Microsoft Product Support Reporting Tool facilitates the gathering of critical system and logging information used in troubleshooting support issues.
Exchange Server 2003 Message Security Guide
This book deals with implementing S/MIME (Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension) in a Micrsoft Exchange Server 2003 evironment.
Microsoft Product Support's Reporting Tools
The Microsoft Product Support Reporting Tool facilitates the gathering of critical system and logging information used in troubleshooting support issues.
Thursday, April 22, 2004
Store this in Anti-alien file:
DIY Anti-alien thought control helmet
"The thought screen helmet blocks telepathic communication between aliens and humans. Aliens cannot immobilize people wearing thought screens nor can they control their minds or communicate with them."
DIY Anti-alien thought control helmet
"The thought screen helmet blocks telepathic communication between aliens and humans. Aliens cannot immobilize people wearing thought screens nor can they control their minds or communicate with them."
Saturday, April 17, 2004
Funny Things:
Subservient Chicken
Its a interactive web site with a virtual chicken guy, and when you type in commands he will do what he is told (such, "sit down", "jump", etc.).
For more information about the Subservient Chicken.com:
Urban Legends Reference Pages: Business (Subservient Chicken)
Note: This web site site is really nothing more then a viral marketing scheme from a big fast-food company (can you say Burger King).
Other Funny Things:
- Don't mess with bullet proof glass
- People buying the famous blue pills via spammers need to watch it. (Read the label)
Subservient Chicken
Its a interactive web site with a virtual chicken guy, and when you type in commands he will do what he is told (such, "sit down", "jump", etc.).
For more information about the Subservient Chicken.com:
Urban Legends Reference Pages: Business (Subservient Chicken)
Note: This web site site is really nothing more then a viral marketing scheme from a big fast-food company (can you say Burger King).
Other Funny Things:
- Don't mess with bullet proof glass
- People buying the famous blue pills via spammers need to watch it. (Read the label)
Thursday, April 15, 2004
Dropload
Dropload is a place for you to drop your files off and have them picked up by someone else at a later time. Recipients you specify are sent an email with instructions on how to download the file. Files are removed from the system after 48 hours, regardless if they have been picked up or not. Recipients can be anyone with an email address
Dropload is a place for you to drop your files off and have them picked up by someone else at a later time. Recipients you specify are sent an email with instructions on how to download the file. Files are removed from the system after 48 hours, regardless if they have been picked up or not. Recipients can be anyone with an email address
Wednesday, April 14, 2004
Microsoft Security Guidance Kit CD v1.0 (Free)
A few months ago Microsoft was offering the Windows Security Update CD, which contained critical updates released through October 2003 and information to help you secure your PC. It also contained free anti-virus and firewall trial software.
Now, Microsoft is offering Microsoft Security Guidance Kit CD v1.0 (Free). The CD-ROM contains tools, templates, roadmaps and how-to guides to help you secure your computers.
A few months ago Microsoft was offering the Windows Security Update CD, which contained critical updates released through October 2003 and information to help you secure your PC. It also contained free anti-virus and firewall trial software.
Now, Microsoft is offering Microsoft Security Guidance Kit CD v1.0 (Free). The CD-ROM contains tools, templates, roadmaps and how-to guides to help you secure your computers.
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
Connect To Your USB Devices Over A Network
KeySpan's USB Server allows you to place your USB printers and scanners on your network and access them from client PCs. It seem like a great product for home, small office or classroom where muliple people may need to share more a single device. The USB Server supports both Ethernet and Wi-Fi networks.
For more information check KeySpan's web site.
KeySpan's USB Server allows you to place your USB printers and scanners on your network and access them from client PCs. It seem like a great product for home, small office or classroom where muliple people may need to share more a single device. The USB Server supports both Ethernet and Wi-Fi networks.
For more information check KeySpan's web site.
FlashMobComputing
On April 3, 2004 University of San Francisco hosted the first Flash Mob Computing computer, called FlashMob I, with the purpose of creating one of the Top 500 Supercomputers on the planet. Over 700 computers came into the gym and we they were able to hook up 669 to the network.
Their best Linpack result was a peak rate of 180 Gflops using 256 computers, however a node failed 75% through the computation. So the best completed result was 77 Gflops using 150 computers. There biggest challenge was identifying flakey computers and determining the best configuration for running the benchmark.
For more information check out the FlashMobComputing.org. Hopefully they will do it again next year if they do it.
On April 3, 2004 University of San Francisco hosted the first Flash Mob Computing computer, called FlashMob I, with the purpose of creating one of the Top 500 Supercomputers on the planet. Over 700 computers came into the gym and we they were able to hook up 669 to the network.
Their best Linpack result was a peak rate of 180 Gflops using 256 computers, however a node failed 75% through the computation. So the best completed result was 77 Gflops using 150 computers. There biggest challenge was identifying flakey computers and determining the best configuration for running the benchmark.
For more information check out the FlashMobComputing.org. Hopefully they will do it again next year if they do it.
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Free Legal MP3s
I recently just found this web site called Audiogalaxy, it is a community of music fans and artists. Fans visit Audiogalaxy to read reviews and sample new music, discover up-and-coming artists and explore new genres and styles. Musicians post their music, images and info, host a web page, receive feedback from reviewers and fans and get the exposure they've been craving.
I recently just found this web site called Audiogalaxy, it is a community of music fans and artists. Fans visit Audiogalaxy to read reviews and sample new music, discover up-and-coming artists and explore new genres and styles. Musicians post their music, images and info, host a web page, receive feedback from reviewers and fans and get the exposure they've been craving.
Sunday, March 21, 2004
MachL 3.8 Personal SuperComputer
If you want one of the fastest personal computers available check out this site. This computer's specs are extreme...
56K Modem Emulator
Remember the good old days of connecting to the Internet at blazing speeds of 56Kbps. Now you can re-live them with this 56K modem emulator.
MegaMeeting
Free and/or low cost video conferencing.
Tour Bill Gates Home
Take a tour inside the Gates' estate.
If you want one of the fastest personal computers available check out this site. This computer's specs are extreme...
56K Modem Emulator
Remember the good old days of connecting to the Internet at blazing speeds of 56Kbps. Now you can re-live them with this 56K modem emulator.
MegaMeeting
Free and/or low cost video conferencing.
Tour Bill Gates Home
Take a tour inside the Gates' estate.
Monday, March 15, 2004
Hewlett-Packard's Virtual Online University
Hewlett-Packard operates a virtual online university called the HP Learning Center. It consists of a varity of courses that will help you learn any number of different things related to computers, and its applications.
Hewlett-Packard operates a virtual online university called the HP Learning Center. It consists of a varity of courses that will help you learn any number of different things related to computers, and its applications.
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
Decision-Making Web Site
Keith White's Coin Flipping page
This site will flip any number of virtual Canadian pennies or dimes you want. So if you need to make a yes or no decision and don't have a coin available check this site out.
Rock, Paper, Scissors
Play Rock, Paper, Scissors against the computer.
Raffle King
If your having a raffle, and you want a quick way of picking a winner, use this utility to help you decide. All you do is enter the name of the item your raffling, and the contestant's names separated by a comma.
The Universal Decision Maker
This web page can help you make those Yes and No decisions, by racing two bugs named 'yes' and 'no'. If 'yes' wins then the answer is yes, and if 'no' wins then the answer is no.
Keith White's Coin Flipping page
This site will flip any number of virtual Canadian pennies or dimes you want. So if you need to make a yes or no decision and don't have a coin available check this site out.
Rock, Paper, Scissors
Play Rock, Paper, Scissors against the computer.
Raffle King
If your having a raffle, and you want a quick way of picking a winner, use this utility to help you decide. All you do is enter the name of the item your raffling, and the contestant's names separated by a comma.
The Universal Decision Maker
This web page can help you make those Yes and No decisions, by racing two bugs named 'yes' and 'no'. If 'yes' wins then the answer is yes, and if 'no' wins then the answer is no.
Monday, March 08, 2004
Ten Technologies That Refuse to Die
Interesting (but whinny) article about the how certain technologies won't just go away. Such as: paper, analog wrist watches, etc..
IFILM's 3rd Annual Super Bowl Ads Extravaganza!
Watch all the great Super Bowl commercials without all the silly fluff (ie: the game) in between.
The Random Name Generator
The random name generator uses data from the US Census to randomly generate male and female names. You can use to create names for screenplays, car rentals, pick-up lines, books, movies.
Extreme Origami
The Japanese art of origami has always fascinated me. It is great past time when your bored and have nothing do, and all you have is a piece of paper to keep you entertained. Although this site to origami to an extreme. It will show you how to make realistic looking motorcycle and animals.
Interesting (but whinny) article about the how certain technologies won't just go away. Such as: paper, analog wrist watches, etc..
IFILM's 3rd Annual Super Bowl Ads Extravaganza!
Watch all the great Super Bowl commercials without all the silly fluff (ie: the game) in between.
The Random Name Generator
The random name generator uses data from the US Census to randomly generate male and female names. You can use to create names for screenplays, car rentals, pick-up lines, books, movies.
Extreme Origami
The Japanese art of origami has always fascinated me. It is great past time when your bored and have nothing do, and all you have is a piece of paper to keep you entertained. Although this site to origami to an extreme. It will show you how to make realistic looking motorcycle and animals.
Monday, February 23, 2004
Predictions for 2004 and beyond:
- Companies will continue to move jobs overseas, but will soon discover that it is more difficult then they thought. They will also discover that they are not saving them the money that they hoped. Overseas workers will continued to be dissatisfied with their new working conditions. The U.S. government will also step in to slowdown the mass migration of jobs for two reasons: one, loss tax revenues; two, jobs and skill are being lost.
- Web services, and utility computing will no longer be considered the 'hot' technologies. These technologies will also continue to advance and improve, but they won't get the headlines that they once had.
- Grid computing services will be included in every OS platform, from Linux to Windows. It probably won't be big selling point, but it will be available for companies and individuals to use it.
- The SCO vs. Linux lawsuits will fail.
- PeopleSoft vs. Oracle hostile takeover bid will never happen.
- The RIAA lawsuits will continue slow P2P file-sharing, but in the long run they hurt the RIAA in the process. The RIAA will not stop file-sharing, all they will do is force the file-sharers underground.
- Music downloading services will have to continue to evolve to meet their customer's needs. For example, the digital rights management will have to be more liberal in how the customer's can play the music, and back it up.
- Linux (and other OSes) will continue to erode Microsoft's market-share. Microsoft will adapt itself and it's products to the new market structure.
- Blade servers, terminal services and server/storage virtualization will be hot data technologies. As these technologies penetrate deeper and deeper into the Enterprise, more monitoring/management/reporting tools will be necessary.
- Companies will be consolidating their workstation with terminals services, and will be locking down their workstation configurations. This will accelerate over the next several years to low the companies TCO.
- IPv6 will start to be implemented in countries like Asia, and will spread to Europe and finally the Americas. The growth will be caused by the the growing number of TCP/IP addresses needed to support all the new devices being created.
- Video stores and production companies will soon be phasing out their VHS collections, forcing consumers to the DVD format.
- PVRs, DVD recorders will be the hot items over the next few christmas increasing their market penetration. Tivo will continue to dominate the market, but there will be a lot of competition that will give them a run for their money.
- HDTVs monitors and receivers will also start taking off as soon as the satellite and cable companies start pushing this technology more and more. This will force the PVRs and DVD records to start being able to support these new formats as well.
- HotSpots will really never take off like a great deal of companies are expecting, most of these companies will only see moderate revenue generation from this technology.
- Companies will continue to move jobs overseas, but will soon discover that it is more difficult then they thought. They will also discover that they are not saving them the money that they hoped. Overseas workers will continued to be dissatisfied with their new working conditions. The U.S. government will also step in to slowdown the mass migration of jobs for two reasons: one, loss tax revenues; two, jobs and skill are being lost.
- Web services, and utility computing will no longer be considered the 'hot' technologies. These technologies will also continue to advance and improve, but they won't get the headlines that they once had.
- Grid computing services will be included in every OS platform, from Linux to Windows. It probably won't be big selling point, but it will be available for companies and individuals to use it.
- The SCO vs. Linux lawsuits will fail.
- PeopleSoft vs. Oracle hostile takeover bid will never happen.
- The RIAA lawsuits will continue slow P2P file-sharing, but in the long run they hurt the RIAA in the process. The RIAA will not stop file-sharing, all they will do is force the file-sharers underground.
- Music downloading services will have to continue to evolve to meet their customer's needs. For example, the digital rights management will have to be more liberal in how the customer's can play the music, and back it up.
- Linux (and other OSes) will continue to erode Microsoft's market-share. Microsoft will adapt itself and it's products to the new market structure.
- Blade servers, terminal services and server/storage virtualization will be hot data technologies. As these technologies penetrate deeper and deeper into the Enterprise, more monitoring/management/reporting tools will be necessary.
- Companies will be consolidating their workstation with terminals services, and will be locking down their workstation configurations. This will accelerate over the next several years to low the companies TCO.
- IPv6 will start to be implemented in countries like Asia, and will spread to Europe and finally the Americas. The growth will be caused by the the growing number of TCP/IP addresses needed to support all the new devices being created.
- Video stores and production companies will soon be phasing out their VHS collections, forcing consumers to the DVD format.
- PVRs, DVD recorders will be the hot items over the next few christmas increasing their market penetration. Tivo will continue to dominate the market, but there will be a lot of competition that will give them a run for their money.
- HDTVs monitors and receivers will also start taking off as soon as the satellite and cable companies start pushing this technology more and more. This will force the PVRs and DVD records to start being able to support these new formats as well.
- HotSpots will really never take off like a great deal of companies are expecting, most of these companies will only see moderate revenue generation from this technology.
Friday, February 20, 2004
Interesting Links
PRBop
News of the weird and interesting...
Real-Life-Debt.com
Are you having problems paying off your credit cards, or on the verge of a bankruptcy. Check out this site it has several different tools that may help you. (Note: This is not an advertisement, or an endorsement of this site)
Where's George?
Find out where the money your pocket has been, with Where's George. All you have to do is enter the denomination, series, and serial number of any US dollar bill, and your current USA ZIP Code. If the bill as been entered into this database before, you will get back a list of all the cities/states where that it has been, as well as travel time, distance and speed at which it travelled!
PRBop
News of the weird and interesting...
Real-Life-Debt.com
Are you having problems paying off your credit cards, or on the verge of a bankruptcy. Check out this site it has several different tools that may help you. (Note: This is not an advertisement, or an endorsement of this site)
Where's George?
Find out where the money your pocket has been, with Where's George. All you have to do is enter the denomination, series, and serial number of any US dollar bill, and your current USA ZIP Code. If the bill as been entered into this database before, you will get back a list of all the cities/states where that it has been, as well as travel time, distance and speed at which it travelled!
Patch Your System Right Now
If your running Windows NT, 2000, XP, and 2003 and/or Internet Explorer 5.x or greater, you need to install the following patches right now. These patches will protect your system from several different types of attacks that are being developed right now.
- MS04-004 (Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer)
- MS04-007 (ASN.1 Vulnerability Could Allow Code Execution )
Remember - To protect yourself do the following:
- Goto WindowsUpdate and install all the latest patch it recommends for your system.
- Regularly Update your Anti-Virus software.
- If you don't have any anti-virus software download Avast's free home version
- Make sure your firewall is turned on, and is active.
- If you don't have any firewall software download ZoneAlarm's free home version
- Don't download any file from a web site that you don't know or trust.
- Don't open file attachments in your email.
- Regularly Backup your data.
If you follow the advice above, you can protect yourself from the majority of malicious attacks.
If your running Windows NT, 2000, XP, and 2003 and/or Internet Explorer 5.x or greater, you need to install the following patches right now. These patches will protect your system from several different types of attacks that are being developed right now.
- MS04-004 (Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer)
- MS04-007 (ASN.1 Vulnerability Could Allow Code Execution )
Remember - To protect yourself do the following:
- Goto WindowsUpdate and install all the latest patch it recommends for your system.
- Regularly Update your Anti-Virus software.
- If you don't have any anti-virus software download Avast's free home version
- Make sure your firewall is turned on, and is active.
- If you don't have any firewall software download ZoneAlarm's free home version
- Don't download any file from a web site that you don't know or trust.
- Don't open file attachments in your email.
- Regularly Backup your data.
If you follow the advice above, you can protect yourself from the majority of malicious attacks.
Windows Security Update CD
This CD includes Microsoft critical updates released through October 2003 and information to help you protect your PC. In addition, you will also receive free anti-virus and firewall trial software.
This CD includes Microsoft critical updates released through October 2003 and information to help you protect your PC. In addition, you will also receive free anti-virus and firewall trial software.
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