Gear & Tech

• Home Repairs: Should You Do It Yourself

  DO-IT-YOURSELF HOME REPAIRS. You can learn to do a professional quality job. But is it worth the time and effort? Marni Jameson, author of The House Always Wins, delivers expert advice on what to consider before deciding whether to do a job yourself or hire a pro.

  
  

• Let’s Take It Outside: How to Avoid Contractor Conflicts

  EVERY HOMEOWNER HAS a remodeling horror story. Finding the right people to help with your home repairs is key to getting a quality job and good price. Marni Jameson, author of The House Always Wins, offers expert advice on how to handle contractor conflicts and avoid domestic disasters.

  
  

• 14 Ways to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill

  DOES YOUR MONTHLY cell phone bill send you into shock? If you go over you minutes, start tracking your talk time. Sign up with overmyminutes.com, (a free service) and you'll receive a message letting you know when you're about to run out of minutes. Try switching to unlimited texting, picking a plan with rollover minutes or going prepaid. Plus, never use your cell phone for toll-free calls or 4-1-1.

  
  

• How to Ditch Your Cable Provider Without Giving Up on TV

  TIMES ARE TOUGH and people finding ways to cut back on monthly bills. One expense stands out: cable. The average monthly cable bill in the U.S. is $58.80—more than $700 per year. If you’re just looking to get local channels, an ordinary antenna will do. All you need is a TV with a digital tuner and an antenna that receives UHF and VHF signals. What about cable? Netflix’s “Watch Instantly” offers subscribers over 12,000 movies and TV shows for a low monthly fee. Websites like CNN and ESPN post video feeds of breaking news and live sports coverage. Plus, new episodes of popular TV shows are up on network sites or hulu.com. Internet streaming video is great, but how do you get it on the TV screen? TV manufacturers sell Internet hookups that can directly link to online sources.

  
  

• How to Sell On eBAY

  NEED A SECOND source of income? If you’re looking to earn some extra cash, selling on eBay might be the answer. First know your market. Before putting an item up for auction, use advanced search tools to determine see how many similar items have been listed in recent weeks, and most importantly, how many have been sold and for how much. Squeeze all the information you can into your auction title and make sure to upload plenty of photographs to show potential buyers product conditions. Start your auction at .99 cents. Listing an item at less than $1 means your eBay fees will be at their lowest. Also engage with prospective buyers and be sure to follow proper eBay etiquette by shipping items quickly.

  
  

• Which of the New Cameras Is Best?

  Which of the new cameras is best? The NY Times's David Pogue says: 'Get the Canon SD880 IS, if it's in stock; its speed, design and quality tower above the also-rans. The Panasonic and the Fujifilm tie for second. No, these three don't cost anywhere near $300--but when you see their photos, it's easy enough to pretend.'

  
  

• Make Your Computer Run Faster--for Free

  Q. My computer has gotten slower and slower at doing basic things like booting up and running multiple programs at once. How do I improve its performance without spending any money?...

  
  

• It's a Cell Phone, Not Your Master

  Is your work/life balance out of whack? Do you have a smartmphone? Bingo! In this article, an executive coach with a busy practice of type A businessmen tells how to overcome your Blackberry addiction.

  
  

• Should You Switch to Google's New Browser?

  Google's new Chrome browser is a mixed bag. It's fast, stable, beautiful, and it gives you a lot more privacy than other broswers. Alas, it's still in beta, and right now it's only for PC users; Mac and Linux users will have to wait. Here are seven PROs and 7 CONs to consider before you go Chrome. Source: PC World

  
  

• How to Find a Great Contractor

  In addition to lots of great references from other homeowners, make sure he has a great rep in the industry and a local street address in your community (not a PO box). Watch out for contractors who decline to give a cell phone number, who want to be paid in cash, and who drive a junker or otherwise look sleazy. Any doubts? Look him up on contractorcheck.com. Source: CNN Money

  
  

• New Way to Share Music Online

  SimplifyMedia lets Mac and PC users listen to music files on other computers, via the Net. You can enjoy songs on your home computer while at work. Or have a listen to songs on friends' computers while they are online. It's safe, legal, and free. Download at simplifymedia.com. Source: Macapper.com

  
  

• 10 iPhone Apps and Tools to Check Out

  Listen to the radio. Use online chat. Track major-league games. Turn your iPhone into a remote. All these and much more are among the hundreds of applications for the new Apple iPhone. Source: All Things Digital

  
  

• 7 Tech Trends Smart Guys Simply Ignore

  Some of these are just not necessary, others aren't fully developed. From social networking sites to virtualization, what trends you can take a pass on for now. Why you should remain leery of trends like radio frequency ID, Facebook, green technologies, and more. Source: Business Week

  
  

• 50 Cool Things to Do with Google Maps

  Some of these are just not necessary, others aren't fully developed. From social networking sites to virtualization, what trends you can take a pass on for now. Why you should remain leery of trends like radio frequency ID, Facebook, green technologies, and more. Source: Business Week

  
  

• Picking the Best Popcorn Popper

  Popcorn is the snack to beat all snacks. It's tasty, high in fiber, and you can season it with everything from butter and salt to wasabi. Compared to microwave popcorn, homemade is less expensive, lower in calories, and free of spooky chemical additives. Six popular poppers are tested and rated here. Source: Slate

  
  

• New Device Helps Keep You Safe in Remotest Areas

  Boating, camping, hiking, off-road motorcycling, snowmobiling, they’re all fun to do, and they all carry considerably more risk if you’re on your own—break a leg, sprain an ankle, get bitten by a snake or a spider, and suddenly you may not be able to get out without assistance. The Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) offers risk mitigation for adventurous people. How it works and who should get one. Source: gizmag

  
  

• Secrets of Clutter-Free Email

  Too much email piled up in your inbox? Step one is to create a file called “Backlog.” Dump all of the old stuff there and give yourself a fresh start. Here are simple instructions on how to tackle the backlog, start an empty inbox habit, and use a three-folder organization method. Source: Unclutterer

  
  

• 20 Most Dangerous Vehicles

  Hoping to stay safe on the road? You might want to avoid buying or riding in certain cars, from a list including the least safe sports cars, SUVs, and pickups. What features predict that a car will be safe in a crash? Experts share their safety tips. Source: Forbes

  
  

• 3 Great Three-Function Machines (Copy-Print-Scan)

  All-in-one machines are becoming much more compact and affordable, and most important, easier to use. A review of three machines geared toward home users: Eastman Kodak's ESP 3 All-in-One Printer, Canon's PIXMA MP470 and Hewlett-Packard's HP Photosmart C4280. Each costs about $100. Should you get one? Source: The Wall Street Journal

  
  

• Top 10 Ways to Protect Your Identity

  Find out how to safeguard your identity in a world of Dumpster divers, mail thieves and shoulder surfers. Ten simple ways to stop identity theft cold. Plus: What to do if your identity is stolen. Source: MSN

  
  

• New Super-GPS Unit Gives Traffic Data, Too

  Dash Express is a smarter in-car navigation device. It’s unique in that it brings the power of the Internet, and of community information, to auto navigation. If it becomes popular, it could be a big deal. Is it time to get on board? Source: The Wall Street Journal

  
  

• Getting Things Done with an Online 'Honey Do' List

  What could be simpler than a paper shopping or to-do list? Why bother with a computer? In its simplest form, an online list solves the "Honey, I have a list of things for you to do" problem. Putting it online allows you to create a list at home that your wife can read and edit at work. Likewise, she can jot down chores for you as they strike her fancy. Online list managers explained. Source: Newsday

  
  

• Consumer Reports's Top 10 Cars for 2008

  Road tests, reliability, and safety are the criteria. So, what are the best pickup trucks, small and midsized sedans, and luxury cars for 2008? The Chevrolet Silverado, The Hyundai Elantra SE and Santa Fe, and the Lexus LS 460L all make the list. For a fun car that meets the same stringent standards, check out the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Source: Consumer Reports

  
  

• Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a HOME INVENTORY

  Anyone with stuff should have an inventory of his possessions. Not only to determine how much insurance coverage you need, but also to substantiate a claim in case of fire, natural disaster or theft. Use a video camera, photographs and a notebook, or computer program. Choose the method that’s easiest for you so you’ll be more likely to keep it up to date. Source: Real Simple

  
  

• Defending Against Dodgy Web Sites

  Nine tips to help you avoid suspicious web sites. No matter how you arrive at an unsafe web site, much can go wrong when you do. But you can learn to avoid trouble before it's too late. Understanding ad-ware, pop-ups, and when to disclose personal information—like your social security number—will keep you firmly in the safety zone. Source: CNET

  
  

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