Dos and Don'ts of Online Holiday Shopping

Shopping online -- especially during the height of the holiday season -- can save time, money and a lot of headaches. The fact that you can purchase gifts for everyone on your list at any time of the day or night in the comfort of your own home is enough of an incentive for many Internet-savvy shoppers to stay far away from the mall from Thanksgiving through New Year's.

For shoppers going green this holiday season, a 2009 study by the Carnegie Mellon Green Design Institute showed that shopping via the Internet is not only more energy efficient, but its carbon footprint is one-third smaller than that of bricks-and-mortar retail establishments. So whether you're shopping online to save time or save the planet, it pays to take note of a few simple guidelines.

Do:

* Verify that you're dealing with a reputable retailer. To ensure that you're dealing with a trustworthy merchant, always confirm that there is a physical address and phone number you can use to contact the seller in the event that you have problems or questions.

* Make sure that the Web site is secure. Always scan online shopping sites for evidence that they are secure. Some sites feature a lock icon in the browser's status bar while others might have a Web site address that begins with "https:" (the "s" at the end stands for "secure").

* Get all of the facts about your transaction. Make sure you know what you are buying and the total cost of the item -- including shipping and handling fees. Verify that the item can be returned for a full refund if you are not satisfied and who is responsible for the return shipping cost. Next, determine if the seller charges a restocking fee for returns and when you can expect to receive your purchase.

* Pay with a credit card or online payment service. When you make online purchases using a credit or charge card, the transaction is protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act, which gives consumers the right to challenge and dispute unauthorized charges. Some online retailers also guarantee that cardholders will not be responsible for unauthorized charges made on the Internet.

* Print and save your order confirmation and receipts. For returns or to dispute charges, it always pays to have a paper trail.

* Compare online prices. In most cases, multiple online retailers sell the same item, so be sure to check around for the lowest price. An easy way to comparison shop is by visiting one of several reputable online price-comparison sites.

* Look for free shipping deals. If you're making multiple purchases, look for Web sites that offer free shipping for larger orders.

Don't:

* Submit any financial information other than your credit card number. If a message asking for financial information such as your Social Security number or bank account information pops up while you are shopping or checking out, cancel the transaction immediately and leave the site. Reputable online retailers will never request that kind of information.

* Pay with a debit card, cash or wire transfer. These types of transactions can be difficult -- even impossible -- to refute or reverse. When shopping online, stick to credit or charge cards.

* Buy from spammers -- or scammers. Never make purchases in response to e-mails with tempting offers that seem too good to be true. Most likely, they are.

* Buy from a Web site that doesn't "feel" legitimate. Go with your gut. If the site doesn't feel right, don't go through with the transaction.

For more information on online shopping safety, visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Web site at www.ftc.gov.

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Install Latest Technology Windshield Wipers for Safer Driving This Winter

(MS) -- There's no predicting bad weather. It may come upon you during any season. However, bad weather during winter takes on a far more 'frightening' hue -- especially if you happen to be on the road. When heavy rain, sleet, and blowing wind and/or snow make it hard to see the road ahead, properly functioning windshield wipers become your most valued source of driving safety. But what if you take it a step further this year and install the latest technology wipers designed for just this kind of weather?

"This winter, motorists should consider upgrading to advanced technology 'bracketless' blades for peace of mind and safer driving, no matter what the weather," suggested Tom Vasis, Group Product Manager, Wiper Systems for Bosch, the world's largest supplier of wiper blades to vehicle manufacturers and the aftermarket. "Premium bracketless blades -- sometimes referred to as 'beam blades' -- are specifically designed to improve driving visibility in snow, mist, drizzle and heavy rain," he said.

Why Go For Wiper Blades Based

On Advanced Technology?

As modern windshields have become more curved due to a growing emphasis on aerodynamics for the sake of fuel efficiency, in 2005 a 'bracketless' wiper blade for the front windshield, Bosch ICON(TM) appeared on the scene. This was not surprising since Bosch has been an innovator in automotive windshield wipers since 1927, when it first introduced the electric windshield wiper. The most significant aspect of bracketless technology is its even distribution of pressure along the entire length of the blade, which results in a more clean and perfect wipe in rain, sleet or snow, with no missed spots or streaks.

The bracketless Bosch ICON features a combination of dual rubber technology, a weather shield connector system and an aerodynamic wind spoiler. Air flowing over the wind spoiler creates down force, helping it to hug the windshield uniformly and the enclosed bracketless steel tension springs prevent snow and ice build-up. ICON's bracketless blades consistently provide the best wipe available.

According to Vasis, bracketless wiper blades represent an upgrade for most vehicles that are currently equipped with conventional blades. The correct fit for a vehicle is based on a combination of the blade length and the curvature of the windshield. Bosch recommends consulting the catalog on its Web site for the exact part number for any application.

Furthermore, because wiper blades such as ICON are designed for the driver or passenger side of the windshield, much like a right and left glove, it ensures a cleaner wipe. Plus the fx dual-rubber compound reduces 'chatter'and makes for a longer performance life -- up to 20 percent longer life than other premium wiper blades, Vasis said.

Choices Widen as Technology Develops

The wiper blade portfolio from suppliers such as Bosch reflects a wide array of choices based on technology developments over the years. For instance, Bosch Evolution(TM) -- also based on patented bracketless technology -- is an all-season wiper blade. It represents a more affordable tier in premium bracketless wipers designed to provide excellent performance and value. With only 13 part numbers, Evolution covers 95 percent of vehicles with pin arm, hook arm and side lock wiper blade applications.

It is estimated, Vasis said, that 40 percent of new U.S. domestic vehicles will be equipped with bracketless blades by 2010.

For more information on bracketless technology, Bosch ICON and Bosch Evolution, visit: www.boschautoparts.com.

CAPTION: The most significant aspect of bracketless technology is its even distribution of pressure along the entire length of the blade. This results in a more clean wipe in rain, sleet or snow, with no missed spots or streaks.

CAPTION: Air flowing over the wind spoiler creates down force, helping it to hug the windshield uniformly and the enclosed bracketless steel tension springs prevent snow and ice build-up.

technorati keywords: windshield wipers safe driving winter Bosch ICON

Social Gaming Fun for the Whole Family

(MS) -- Finding quality time to spend with family is becoming more and more difficult, with the stress of busy work and school schedules and the upcoming holiday season. In order to spend valuable time together many families have started to gather to experience the age-old tradition of family game night but with a high-tech twist -- they are playing videogames. This holiday season, videogame publisher Activision Publishing is delivering several new ways for families to experience game night -- they can jam in a family band, learn to skate like Tony Hawk, rock the house with a turntable and save the world as only a super hero can. These games appeal to all ages and the sociability of being able to experience them as a family makes game night something to truly look forward to.

Ascend to Superstardom

with Friends and Family

This holiday season, families can come together and ascend the virtual stage as they rock their way to superstardom with Band Hero(TM), the highly-anticipated music game featuring chart-topping artists and great sing-along hits from today and yesterday. From the same people who brought the popular Guitar Hero(R) series, Band Hero features the hottest chart-topping hits from everyone's favorite acts, including Maroon 5, Taylor Swift, No Doubt, Lily Allen, and The All-American Rejects. Band Hero allows families to create the band they always dreamed of using any combination of guitar or drum controllers and vocals, providing rockers and performers of all ages the chance to experience and interact with their favorite music. Parents and their children will be able to sing any way they want with the all-new Sing-Along mode, which is like karaoke, and up to four players can showcase their vocal chops without worrying about scores or failing out. Rated "E10+" by the ESRB, Band Herois perfect for families looking to spend some fun, quality time together this holiday season.

"Riding" is the new way to play!

Few athletes have defined their sport the way Tony Hawk has defined skateboarding for generations of action sports fans. Now, his new game Tony Hawk(R): RIDE(TM) is set to reinvent video games with its unique motion sensing, hands-free skateboard controller. Players of all experience levels can step on the board and have a blast challenging friends and family in an active, social gaming experience. Set to be at the top of every kid's wish list this holiday, the skateboard controller allows families to play together as they physically control the action by performing cool moves on the board that directly translate into amazing tricks in the game. By getting players off the couch and on the board breaking a sweat, Tony Hawk: RIDE, which is rated "E10+" by the ESRB, is a great choice to add fun with the family this holiday season.

Scratch and Mix the Hottest Hits

With the most diverse and international collection of music ever assembled in a music game, DJ Hero(TM) brings the party from nightclubs, block parties and dance halls to living rooms across the globe with an all-new interactive music experience that will appeal to every family member's musical tastes and allow players to hear music in a fresh, new way. Players can start the party by scratching, crossfading and sampling to 93 unique never-before-released mixes from some of the biggest acts in hip-hop, pop, rock and dance. DJ Hero allows up-and-coming turntablists of all ages to live out their superstar DJ fantasies with multiple gameplay modes such as DJ vs. DJ and guitar/DJ. Rated "T" for Teen (Mild Suggestive Themes, Lyrics) by the ESRB, DJ Hero is ideal for family get togethers, kids' birthday parties, dorm room cram session breaks or for fans looking for the coolest way to experience a new take on their favorite music.

Team Up as a Family of Marvel

Super Heroes and Super Villains

Families can now spend the holidays playing as some of the most popular Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains in Marvel(TM): Ultimate Alliance 2! In the highly anticipated sequel to 2006's award-winning Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, the game follows a storyline inspired by Marvel's popular Civil War comic-book storyline and enables up to four family members or friends to play at one time, online or off. Families can assemble their dream team from a roster of famed super heroes, including Spider-Man, Wolverine, Captain America and Iron Man and utilize interactive game dynamics that encourage teamwork, communication and strategy. Players can combat their enemies in graphically rich, real-world environments and must work together to make the ultimate choice: Will you fight for Super Hero registration with Iron Man or choose to defend personal liberty with Captain America? Rated "T" for Teen.

Holiday shoppers can find these games and more in retail stores nationwide. For more information, please visit www.activision.com.

CAPTION: A game like Band HeroTM is perfect for families looking to spend some fun, quality time together this holiday season.

technorati tags: social gaming guitar hero band hero superstardom video games

Technology Can Prove Beneficial to the Environment

Perhaps no two lifestyle changes have been more pervasive since the turn of the century than the increased reliance on technology and the ever-growing movement for the world to grow more environmentally conscious.

Today, few can imagine much less remember a world with no cell phones, e-mails or Internet. Similarly, the go green movement has made it hard for many people to remember a time when we didn't consider conserving resources or weren't more conscious of our impact on the environment.

While the two might seem to be on opposite ends of the spectrum, that's not necessarily the case. In fact, technology can be used in a number of ways that make it beneficial to the environment.

* Improve your home and help the environment at the same time. Technology has made it much more environmentally friendly to improve or even build a new home. Ecofriendly materials are available that can greatly reduce a home's carbon footprint. For example, traditional drywall generates a lot of carbon dioxide at the factory and a significant amount of fuel is needed for it to be produced. However, a more ecofriendly choice takes less time to produce, reducing both fuel consumption as well as carbon dioxide emissions.

* Trade in your car. Hybrid cars greatly reduce a vehicle's impact on the environment, often getting as much as 60 miles per gallon of gas, saving hybrid drivers substantial amounts of money while significantly reducing the vehicle's carbon footprint. Those still driving gas guzzlers can take advantage of technology's hard work and trade in their vehicle for a hybrid or, in some areas, an electric car.

* Go paperless. The Internet has dramatically changed the way people live their lives. From how we order takeout to how we purchase movie tickets, seemingly every aspect of our lives has been influenced by the Internet. But the Internet can also influence the environment, and do so in a positive way.Whereas personal checks used to be the means by which we paid our monthly bills, nowadays the Internet allows us to pay bills online.

But how does this impact the environment? Certain creditors are willing to offer lower interest rates on credit cards or loans to customers who enroll for paperless statements. With a population in the neighborhood of 300 million, consider the positive impact going paperless could have on the environment should everyone decide to do so. Even if your utility providers or creditors do no offer discounts to go paperless, chances are very strong the option to do so still exists. So instead of choosing paper billing, which typically includes costly and wasteful advertisements along with your bill, go paperless and enjoy the ease of online bill paying.

* Clean green. A host of green cleaning products exist to help reduce the amount of volatile chemicals that enter the air when cleaning with traditional cleaners. Research continues to be conducted as to how to perfect ecofriendly cleaning products to improve efficacy but lessen the negative ecological side effects commonly associated with cleaning products.

CAPTION: Going paperless by paying bills online is one way technology has made it easier for people to lessen their carbon footprint.

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New Internet Threats Target Millions Engaged in Banking Online

(PRNewswire/MS) -- An estimated 98 million Americans bank online, thanks to Web-based bill-paying, money transfers and other activities made possible by financial institutions and service providers. The convenience of completing these tasks at home helps simplify hectic schedules and provides customers with 24-hour account access.

Although financial institutions have security measures in place to protect their customers, cybercriminals have devised ways to circumvent some of these security devices. One tactic is to attack a bank customer's computer with a technique called keystroke logging (or just keylogging), which puts both your identity and your finances at risk.

Internet security firm Webroot reports that cybercriminals are churning out new variants of malware programs designed to log keystrokes at an increasing rate. One such program is called Zbot, which can activate while the owner of an infected PC is browsing a financial institution's Web site. In recent months, Webroot's Threat Research Lab has detected a steady increase in the incidents of Zbot. The program -- and others like it--can not only record what a person types, such as the bank account username and password, but can also steal the responses to "security questions" the bank might ask. Some versions of Zbot can take pictures of the screen whenever the bank customer clicks his mouse, which defeats even "soft" on-screen keyboards that some banks use specifically to thwart keyloggers.

"Online banking sites are tempting and potentially very lucrative channels for cybercriminals to target a great mass of people," said Mike Kronenberg, chief technology officer for Webroot's consumer security division. "We're seeing malware authors rapidly update their banking Trojan programs in an effort to avoid detection by Internet security solutions. This means consumers need to stay on top of protecting themselves online."

Kronenberg recommends three key steps for protecting your personal finances and your identity online:

Be Protected: Make sure you have a reputable antispyware and antivirus program installed on your computer. Be careful when doing searches for "free" antivirus software because the results are often decoys that have malicious programming built in to them.

Stay Protected: Suppress the urge to hit the ignore button when you get those pesky reminders asking if you would like to check for updates. By having the most up-to-date software for both your operating system (like Windows or Linux) and your antispyware and antivirus program, you get the highest level of security.

Diversity is key: Would you ever use the same key for your car, office and your home? Although it may seem simplest to just use the same password for all your online accounts, it is perhaps the riskiest thing you can do to open yourself up to identity theft. If just one of your accounts is hacked it opens the door for the thief to gain access to all of them.

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Landing a Job in a Digital Era

With people updating their social networking pages from their PDAs and downloading favorite tunes from their mobile phones, it should come as no surprise society has grown increasingly reliant on technology. Individuals about to dive into the job-seeking market may have to rethink their search skills to maximize the potential of reaching employers and companies that likely embrace a digital mind set.

As of June 2009, the U.S. unemployment rate reached 9.7 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This means there are a great deal of people --from the recently laid off to the newly graduated --who are all vying for the same jobs. Thinking creatively and exploring numerous ways of advertising oneself can help land a job in today's market.

Newspaper: The newspaper has long been a respected and effective means to find work. It is still a viable way to find jobs that are local without having to search through hundreds and hundreds of positions, which is common with online job posting sites. However, why not turn the tables and use the newspaper --and its respective online site -- to advertise yourself? For a relatively low investment of time and money, you can place a classified ad that you are seeking work and briefly explain your credentials. Create a separate, free e-mail address with your favorite mail provider specifically for receiving inquiries to this advertisement.

Personal Web site: Employers are short on time and many want to exert the least amount of energy possible when seeking job candidates. A personal Web page can put your information in the hands of employers in a concise and eye-catching way. The Web page can feature a brief description of yourself and also include a digital resume. Simply provide a link to your site when applying for a job. Remember, a personal Web site should be all business. Now is not the time for a pretty picture or stories about your pets. Employers are looking for skills.

Be bold with buzzwords:Turn your experience into a list of buzzwords, keywords and important phrases when writing a resume. It used to be that verbs were the key to landing a job. Using strong action words should relay your experience. However, today resumes are frequently reviewed by a digital eye, rather than a human eye. This digital eye is programmed to recognize certain words and phrases that will sort your resume out from the others. Including the right keywords ensures your resume has a better chance of being picked. Use as many words as you can that were included in the original job posting --they're likely to be programmed keywords. Most of these words are nouns that signal job titles, technical skills and levels of education or experience.

Use social networking sites to your advantage: Employers and recruiters have admitted they frequently go to social networking sites, such as MySpace, Facebook and LinkedIn to "check up" on potential hires --or even employees they already have on staff. Many a person has compromised his or her chances for hire by questionable material posted on their pages. Instead of being a victim of the pitfalls of social networking, use it to your advantage. Seed your pages with information that may be interesting to a potential employer by doing a little research. For example, if you know a certain company to which you'd like to apply places significant emphasis on the environment, list the "green" functions you've attended and the groups to which you belong on your page. Know a hiring manager is an avid golfer? Talk about your passion for the game. It's these little things that may get you in the door for an interview.

Think differently: There are some people who want to take their job search to another level. With the market saturated by job seekers, sometimes it's the person who has the nerve to stand out from the crowd that will land the job. Today it's not uncommon to find door-to-door solicitation of jobs, people posting job requests on YouTube or similar sites, or even standing in a busy downtown area with a sign that says, "Looking for Work." Others turn to popular blogs to get the word out. The more people who know you're looking for work, the better chance you will find a position.

Technology is technology: There are certain tips you should keep in mind when applying for jobs:

- Scanners that look at resumes work well with these typefaces: Helvetica, Courier, Futura, Optima, Palatino, New Century Schoolbook, and Times. And they work best with type sizes in the 10- to 14-point range.

- Don't send your resume as an attachment, or include any attachments, unless specified. There are always concerns about computer viruses and attachments can even get lost. Paste everything into the body of your e-mail.

- Use the subject line of an e-mail as a theater marquee and sell yourself.

- Use the proofreading/spell-check functions of your word processing software, but also print out your materials and read them over. There's no excuse to be excluded from a job because of a silly typo.

- Follow-up with all job applications. It could move your resume to the top of the pile.

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Power-Up Green Initiatives With Battery Recycling

This article talks about the advantages of recycling the batteries that power the cordless phones, remote controls, flashlights, gaming systems, mobile phones, etc.

(MS) -- Batteries have become the lifeblood of modern-day society. These miniature powerhouses are the key to providing portable, convenient power for the myriad of electronic items we rely on daily. But batteries can come at a cost to the environment. If not properly disposed of or recycled they can prove dangerous -- leaching heavy metals and contaminants into the soil and groundwater, resulting in a number of negative side effects for both the environment and individual health, possibly including autism.

Batteries Power the World

Cordless phones, remote controls, flashlights, gaming systems, mobile phones, children's toys -- the list of items powered by alkaline or rechargeable batteries continues to grow. Batteries are even working in ways the average person may not witness. During a power outage, phone lines still operate because they are equipped with batteries. Batteries also help control power fluctuations, run commuter trains and provide back-up power for critical needs like hospitals and military operations.

Easy to Trash, But We Shouldn't

Batteries provide many advantages and everyday conveniences. However, it's the way they are disposed of that poses problems. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), each year more than three billion batteries are thrown away by American households. In a typical year, disposed AA batteries alone, placed end to end, would circle the earth six times.

"Since 2007 the state of California has banned the dumping of alkaline batteries in landfills with other municipalities soon to follow," says Steve Stark, general manager of the Green Electronics Division of Perf Go Green Holdings, Inc. "Our goal is to make a difference by leading the fight in reducing battery-dumping in our landfills."

Batteries, while generally inexpensive and easy to buy, can be inconvenient and expensive to dispose of properly. Consumers may spend as much as $50 for a pail to recycle dead alkaline batteries. Generally people want to recycle batteries in the right way, they just don't want to pay to do it. According to a 2005 survey of telephone respondents in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, nine out of 10 people (92%) said they would be encouraged to recycle their batteries if they were collected from their home.

When spent batteries are dumped into landfills they can have extremely negative effects on the planet, as well as the life that it supports. Rechargeable batteries contain heavy metals such as nickel, cadmium, cobalt, mercury, and lead, which can leach out of landfills into the air, ground, and water. Single-use alkaline batteries, deemed safer for disposal, still may contain trace amounts of mercury. They also are composed of corrosive acids that can eat through many materials, and if burned can explode and release toxic fumes into the air.

Cadmium can cause lung damage, kidney disease, and death, while lead can damage the kidneys, nervous system, and reproductive system, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Some doctors and autism experts say that environmental mercury in water and soil may be one contributor to the rise in autism cases in recent years.

Recycling is the Answer

Recycling or discarding of batteries in the proper manner, meaning using a reputable company that guarantees safe recycling methods, is the only way to ensure harmful batteries do not end up in landfills. However, because up until now there have been no widespread recycling programs, currently only 2 percent of batteries are recycled.

PerfPower(TM) from Perf Go Green is changing the way consumers use and dispose of batteries. These alkaline batteries are made from recycled materials, and are 100 percent, lead-, mercury- and cadmium-free. The battery life is also equal to other popular name-brand batteries on the market.

The company is also making it a snap to recycle the batteries once they are spent. With the PerfPower(TM) recycling kit, individuals have a hassle-free and environmentally sound solution to properly handle their dead batteries. They simply buy the PerfPower(TM) batteries with a special redemption code; visit www.irecycled.com to register to receive a postage-paid recycling package (valued at $16.95); then place all spent PerfPower(TM) batteries and packaging into return unit and send it back to the company. If a person can mail a letter, he or she can recycle batteries at absolutely no cost.

To reduce the health implications and environmental effects of batteries, recycling is necessary. For more information on recycling initiatives, visit www.irecycled.com. For other green products, visit www.perfgogreen.com.

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