Repiping a House from Galvanized Steel to Copper
Posted on October 5, 2008
Filed Under Tips | Leave a Comment
We have an older home (built in 1963) in Willow Glen, San Jose CA, and recently did a whole house repipe from galvanized steel to copper (type L). The house did have a whole house water softener (I think for at least 10-15 years), that was installed and working.By the way, we have a fairly large house (5/2.5), and the plumber we hired spent over 70 hrs on this job! It is not trivial to do.Here is a cross section of one of the pipes we removed, in case you were wondering if this is something worth doing!
After the repipe, the water tastes much better, and the water pressure is great!
Free Admission to Disney Parks on Your Birthday!
Posted on October 1, 2008
Filed Under Free, Shopping, Tips, top 10 | Leave a Comment
Anyone showing up with a valid ID including proof of birthdate will get a free ticket on that day in 2009 for one of the theme parks at Disney World in Florida or at Disneyland Park in California. Register at
http://www.mousesavers.com/whatwillyoucelebrate.html
FYI - YOU DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER ONLINE TO GET THE FREE ADMISSION: Q: Do I need to register online prior to going to Walt Disney World® to receive free admission on my birthday? A: As long as you have valid identification, including date of birth, you can take advantage of this birthday offer at the Will Call windows. The reason for registering your birthday online is to save you time. You won’t have to wait while you fill out the forms at the Will Call windows. Guests who already hold a valid annual pass or multi-day ticket they will use on their birthday may choose from other birthday treats instead, however, no cash refunds or credits will be given. The other treat options include: * A birthday fun card in an amount equal to the price of a 1-day One Day/One Park base ticket for you to use on your birthday for merchandise, recreation or fun activities at select participating locations at Disneyland® Resort; or * A special birthday FASTPASS® badge for certain attractions at the Theme Park you visit on your birthday; or * A 1-day One Day/One Park base ticket for you to use any time until your next birthday.
Free $10 Amazon Gift Card for Taking a Survey (5 minutes)
Posted on September 29, 2008
Filed Under Free, Gifts, Hot Deals, Shopping | Leave a Comment
Get a $10 Amazon Gift Card for taking a short survey!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=_2ba7tf5h4ABmOCxLdWYE0Mg_3d_3d
Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. It is designed to understand the decisions to adopt and use Virtual Worlds in the office and home environments. The study is conducted by researchers from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany and York University in Toronto, Canada. You will be asked about your perceptions of Virtual World use and related outcomes. We estimate that the survey will require approximately 20 minutes to complete. As a token of our appreciation for your participation in this study, please accept a $10 gift certificate to Amazon.com. Participation in this study is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time at your own discretion. Your responses will be summarized anonymously and kept strictly confidential - no individuals or organizations will be identified in any of the reports. All data will be kept secured for the duration of the study, and destroyed once the study is complete. Should you have any questions regarding this study, please feel free to contact us. If you have any questions about your treatment or rights as a research participant you may contact Ms. Alison Collins-Mrakas, Manager, Research Ethics, 277 York Lanes, York University (416-736-5914 or e-mail acollins@yorku.ca) Consent By completing and submitting this survey you agree that you have read and understood the above and have decided to participate in the study
Five Best Free Streaming TV Web sites
Posted on September 29, 2008
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Five Best Sites to Stream TV
Found this great article on lifehacker.com…
With or without the cooperation of television networks, your favorite TV shows have moved to the internet in a big way. On Tuesday we asked you to share the best sites to stream TV, and now we’re back with the five most popular answers. Keep reading for a breakdown of the best places on the web to find and watch the shows you love on-demand from the convenience of your browser.
Hulu
Hulu streams high-resolution, ad-supported videos of both television shows and movies. More specifically, the site distributes content by NBC-Universal, Fox, and a handful of their subsidiaries. Popular shows hosted by Hulu include The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, Battlestar Galactica, The Simpsons, The Office, and Saturday Night Live. The biggest complaint leveled against Hulu is its US-only restrictions, though many of you are using previously mentioned Hotspot Shield to access Hulu from outside the US. Hulu isn’t entirely US-only, though—the first show Hulu made available to the world at large was Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, with Lifehacker favorite Felicia Day.
SurfTheChannel
SurfTheChannel aggregates video from all over the internet—including sites like YouTube, MetaCafe, and Hulu (along with much more obscure sites)—then makes all of those videos available through a simple, searchable interface. It’s not always pretty, but the selection is huge. The downside: According to the STC homepage, the site will shut down on October 1st.
SideReel
SideReel is a video aggregation site similar to SurfTheChannel, providing links to streaming video from all over the internet. It’s an attractive site, but if you’re there to find video it can be difficult to navigate to begin with. If video is what you’re looking for, just navigate to the Links section of a show’s page and click on the episode you want.
Straight from the Source
Apart from the sites dedicated to streaming content, more and more networks are building their own on-site tools for streaming content from the source. For example, the big three networks all have streaming sites: the ABC Full Episode Player, the NBC Video Library, and CBS Video. If you missed a show you’re dying to catch online, be sure to check the web site of the network it aired on to see if it’s available.
BBC iPlayer
The BBC iPlayer streams content from up to 250 programs from the British Broadcasting Corporation. BBC iPlayer restricts streaming to the UK-only, but like Hulu, setting up a proxy with an application like previously mentioned Hotspot Shield has worked for many people looking to get around these restrictions.
The internet is an excellent new frontier for keeping up with the TV shows you love, but it’s certainly not the only way new technology is making it easier to watch TV. For more, check out six ways to catch your favorite TV shows. Whether or not your favorite site made the list, let’s hear more about it in the comments.
Save Money at the Gas Pump
Posted on August 14, 2008
Filed Under Shopping, Tips, top 10 | Leave a Comment
With gas prices hovering around $4/gallon, there’s never been a better time to conserve on fuel. From cash back credit cards to tips on maintaining your car, below we’ve listed several ways you can save money the next time you get behind the wheel.1) Look for the best deals
It’s no secret that some states offer cheaper gas than others. Hit the web to find out which areas near your neighborhood offer the best deals. We recommend the following price engines:
Chase, Discover, and American Express are just a handful of banks that offer credit cards with cash back programs that can earn you up to 5% cash back on gas purchases. Our only warning: be sure to pay your cards off in full each month (to avoid paying interest fees) and consider switching cards once the introductory rate expires.
- Chase PerfectCard MasterCard: 6% cash back at gas stations for 3 months, 3% after
- Chase BP Visa Rewards Card: 5% cash back at any BP location
- Blue Cash from American Express: 5% cash back at gas stations, supermarkets, and drug stores
- Discover Open Road Card: 5% cash back on the first $100 worth of gas and auto maintenance purchases each month
- Citi Driver’s Edge Card for College Students: 3% cash back at gas stations, supermarkets, and drug stores
3) Keep your car in check
Car pooling and mass transit are excellent ways to save on gas, but when those aren’t options, we recommend properly maintaining your car and making the most of each trip you take. Here’s a few tips to get you on your way:
- Give your car a thorough inspection. A clogged air filter can cause your car’s engine to work overtime. As a result, replacing it regularly can help you save on gas consumption. Also, make sure your tires have proper air pressure and that you change your car’s oil when required.
- Plan your trips in advance. Keep a to-do list in your glove compartment and consult it whenever you’re running errands. For instance, if you know you’ll be in one part of town at noon, make a list of errands you can finish while you’re there. That way, you won’t waste gas by driving back the following day.
- Buy in bulk. This may not help you save money at the pump, but it can keep your gas costs low by reducing the amount of trips you make. In addition, try to stay in from time to time. Going out on weekends can be fun, but taxing on both your car and wallet.
- Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving, speeding, excessive idling, and constant braking, are surefire ways to waste gas. Carrying too much weight in your car can also burn valuable fuel. Keep your car’s trunk and roof rack as light as possible.
- Even if you don’t have a hybrid, many new cars come with a real-time MPG meter. Use this to gauge your gas consumption and become a more efficient driver.
- Avoid rush hour. Sitting in traffic eats up your car’s fuel. Avoid scheduling meetings or appointments at peak rush hour.
- Not sure how to get from point A to point B? Use a GPS system to help you find shortcuts and keep you from getting lost, both of which will save you gas in the long run.
- Real-time traffic monitoring apps (available on some GPS systems) can also help you avoid jammed highways. Don’t have a real-time traffic subscription? Use your iPhone or Google Maps to get traffic updates for free.
Best Credit Cards for Gas Purchases - up to 10% Cash back savings!
Posted on July 28, 2008
Filed Under Finance, Hot Deals, Shopping, Tips | Leave a Comment
Credit Card Gas Rewards Roundup: Up to 10% cash back
According to the latest Lundberg Survey, gas prices have fallen 12 cents over the last two weeks. That puts the average price for a gallon of self-serve regular gas below $4 for the first time since early June. Plus, the credit cards below yield up to 10% cash back on gas purchases, with most earning 1% on all other purchases. (The AmEx card gives 1.5% back, but you must spend over $6,500 per year.) Please read the respective sites for full terms and conditions. (For example, some require a minimum spend per year.) Once an introductory rate expires, be sure to consider switching cards. The deals:
- Chase BP Visa Rewards Card: 10% cash back for 2 months, 5% after, at any bp location
- Chase PerfectCard MasterCard: 6% cash back at gas stations for 3 months, 3% after
- Blue Cash from American Express: 5% cash back at gas stations, supermarkets, and drug stores
- Discover Open Road Card: 5% cash back on the first $100 worth of gas and auto maintenance purchases each month
- Citi® Driver’s Edge® Card® for College Students: 3% cash back at gas stations, supermarkets, and drug stores
Cheap Apple iPod Touch - $240
Posted on July 17, 2008
Filed Under Gifts, Hot Deals, Shopping, Tips, gadgets | Leave a Comment
Follow the link…
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&IC=MACW08YBIU9&A=RetrieveSku&kbid=1173&Q=
iPhone 2.0 Reviews
Posted on July 14, 2008
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Just a collection of reviews from around the web. I’ll keep adding as I get time - or please add your own.
Walt Mossberg / AllThingsD
- “it mostly keeps its promises.”
- “more capable version of an already excellent device”
- Battery drained much more quickly using 3G
- Greatly improved audio, much louder speaker
- Data speeds 3-5x faster than original iPhone
- Better voice coverage with 3G. “At my neighborhood shopping center, where the first iPhone got little or no AT&T service, the iPhone 3G registered strong coverage.”
- “iPhone 3G: The Sequel, is worth the wait.”
- Still no recording video, no stereo bluetooth or voice dialing
- Supports PowerPoint attachments; mass move or delete multiple e-mail messages
- 10-30 seconds to load popular websites on 3G.
- GPS was very accurate
- Speaker sounded better for both speakerphone and music.
- “started receiving low battery warnings toward the end of a busy work day; I found myself charging the device overnight, the same as with the older iPhone.”
- Sound is much improved. “In fact, few cellphones sound this good.”
- Feels better in your hand due to the curved back
- “According to Apple, the iPhone’s G.P.S. antenna is much too small to emulate the turn-by-turn navigation of a G.P.S. unit for a vehicle, for example.”
- No voice dialing, video recording, copy/paste, memory card slot, Bluetooth stereo, MMS
- “the really big deal is the iPhone 2.0 software and the App Store, neither of which requires buying a new iPhone.”
More…
http://blog.wired.com/geekdad/2008/07/one-geekdads-re.html
http://reviews.cnet.com/smartphones/apple-iphone-3g-16gb/1995-6452_7-33054209.html
http://uk.gizmodo.com/2008/07/12/review_iphone_20_software_revi.html
http://www.macworld.com/article/134482/2008/07/iphone3g_review.html?t=213
http://www.forbes.com/technology/2007/06/28/iphone-revamp-jobs-tech-wire-cx_bc_0628techiphone.html
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/07/11/iphone_update/
Applications
http://gizmodo.com/5023924/iphone-app-review-marathon-liveblog
http://www.totels.com/blooteredcerebrations/2008/07/iphone-20-app-review.html
Poor Man’s iPhone
Posted on July 14, 2008
Filed Under Tips, gadgets | Leave a Comment
Build Yourself an iPhone Like Device Using a WM6 Smartphone and an iPod Touch
I currently have a Sprint Mogul (HTC-6800), and have been seriously considering purchasing an iPhone. While the iPhone is exceedingly nice, with a whole bunch of great features, I find it difficult to justify making the change. The biggest drawback for me is the AT&T monthly fees. I current am on the Sprint SERO plan which gives me 1250 minutes and unlimited data for $50 a month. My data rate is quick, and with the HTC Firmware upgrade, I get GPS as well as EVDO-REV A data speeds. Plus, I’m in the middle of my contract which makes it doubly expensive to get out. Anyway, I did come up with a plan to whet my iPhone 2.0 appetite…
I won an iPod Touch at a trade event I was at. Actually, if you buy a mac right now, and you or a friend are a student or educator, you can get one free - an amazing deal! The iPod touch is really quite impressive - the usability and response time are far better than my Mogul. The graphics are amazing - photos and web pages look great. Connectivity through wifi is great too! All of these features definitely make you want to carry it around, but a lack of a cellular signal limits your range. So, I began to wonder if I could use the wi-fi capability to make my iPod Touch more mobile, and came up with the idea of using wmwifirouter on my exisiting cell phone to broadcast a wifi signal to the iPod Touch whenever I’m on the road - I think it should work. By the way, the iPod Touch can also get the 2.0 software update - it is a $10 download from iTunes. Also, wmwifirouter is available for pretty much all Windows Mobile 6 smartphones, so this idea should work for any compatible model.
WMwifirouter review (http://www.desicrazy.com/2008/03/03/turn-a-windows-mobile-6-smart-phone-into-a-wireless-router-using-wmwifirouter/ )
Granted, this method doesn’t replace an iPhone, and you have to carry 2 devices around, but it may help you wait out the rest of your contract!
Latest Nehaflix Coupon Code - Expires 7/13/08
Posted on July 9, 2008
Filed Under Hot Deals, Shopping, Tips | Leave a Comment
10% Savings on your next order. Instructions to redeeem:
1. Enter Coupon Code MONK.
Coupon valid on new orders only and has to be entered during checkout. One coupon per order. Not valid on previous orders. Coupon expires July 13th, 2008.
keep looking »-
Deals
-
Search
-
Admin
