Chinatown Bus Lines are a Budget Traveler's Dream

A Guide to the Chinatown Bus

The word is out - the cheapest way to get from one major US city to another is on the "Chinatown bus". In recent years this has become transportation option of choice for budget travelers in New York, Washington DC, and Boston, and more recently on the West Coast. Students, backpackers, and an array of other savvy travelers have long loved the rock bottom prices that these bus companies offer. Despite the popularity of these bus lines it can still be difficult to find information on Chinatown bus service.
What exactly is a "Chinatown Bus"? Read on and you will have the inside track on this great budget travel option.

Chinatown Bus history

The Chinatown bus phenomenon began in the late 1990s when an entrepreneur in New York's Chinatown started running daily bus service from Chinatown in New York to Chinatown in Boston. The service was aimed at Asian immigrants who wanted to shop or visit relatives in either city and needed cheap and convenient transportation. The service was bare bones - no advertising, customer service, or bus stations. Customers simply went to the bus stop, waited for the bus (or van), and paid the driver upon boarding. For those willing to do without frills, they offered the same service as traditional bus companies at a substantially lower price. Before long, the word spread and all kinds of people started using the service. It became especially popular with students, budget travelers, or people for what the service was simply more convenient.

Soon more bus companies duplicated this model and started offering service in other cities. Now you can find this type of bus service in Philadelphia, Virginia, Baltimore Washington DC, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco. At this point the term "Chinatown bus" is used more loosely to describe this sort of low-cost / low-frills service. Many, if not most, of the companies do not have Chinatown as their main location and may not cater to the immigrant population at all. These operators are also sometimes referred to as "curbside" operators.

How can tickets be so cheap?

$ 15 between New York to Boston? $ 25 from Las Vegas to Los Angeles? It seems hard to fathom. Chinatown bus companies are able to keep prices low because they operate in a fundamentally different way from traditional carriers. Foremost, the service is very basic. There is little in the way of customer service or amenities. Most of these operators do not have formal stations, picking up passengers at bus stops instead. They eschew traditional advertising in favor of word of mouth. Further, many of the operators play a very hands-on role in the operation - you will not see idle executables at a small independent bus company. Finally, these operators make sure they fill their buses. That is why Chinatown bus operators usually only operate on heavily trafficked routes. Indeed some companies only run buses at peak times.

Are they safe?

When these companies first started operating, concerns were raised about safety standards. There is still controversy within the bus industry about whether these newcomers are complying with the same regulations as the traditional companies. However, a task force set up by the Federal government to look at safety issues found that Chinatown bus companies did not perform better or worse than other types of bus companies (ie. Charter, tour buses). All bus companies operating in the US must undergo the same inspection standards and must comply with the same rules. Realistically there is probably a range of quality among Chinatown bus carriers. Some are fly-by-night operators trying to make a fast buck, while others are legitimate entrepreneurs who plan to grow and operate a long term business.

What you should expect

• No frills service - the driver may be the ticket collector; there will not be a lot of customer service.
• Comfortable buses. Since the low fares buses are usually quite nice. Most buses are comparable to Greyhound and many are actually more deluxe.
• Communication challenges. Drivers are legally required to speak enough English to help passengers in the case of emergency. In reality this is often adhered to rather loosely. At the very least, expect your driver to have an accent.
• Possible delays. Many of these bus routes are on highly congested roads. When the roads are busy, expect delays.
• Rest stops. Buses will have a lavatory on board but there is usually a 10 or 15 minute bathroom break on trips over 4 hours. Do not be late returning to the bus, the driver will not count heads before leaving at the appointed time.
• Full buses. Buses definitely sell out at peak times (weekends and evenings). Book ahead or get there early if you want secure a seat.
• Plastic Bags. An odd little quirk on Chinatown buses is that every aisle seat usually has a plastic grocery bag tied to the arm. I guess they find this is the best way to keep the buses clean.

How do I find the Chinatown Bus?

Again, "Chinatown bus" is a term used to describe a type of operator and not an individual bus company. Many unlisted bus companies fall into this category. Since most Chinatown buses do not spend money on advertising it can be difficult to find out details about schedules and bus stop locations. Many of the carriers are becoming savvier about the Internet and quite a few have websites with information. Usually an Internet search will yield links to bus service to your destination. There are also several directories, such as chinatown-bus.org that include links for most Chinatown bus companies and the author's employer, GotoBus.com, is a centralized booking site that has schedules and sells tickets online for most Chinatown bus companies.

The Chinatown bus is not for everyone. If you want an order system with American style customer service, you should probably stick to traditional carriers. However, if you know what to expect and come prepared with a sense of adventure and humor, you should enjoy the trip just fine. You will also enjoy the money you save!

Better Than a Sample Cover Letter - Job Applications That Recruiters Can not Put Down

I do not mean to dis the sample cover letter. Job applications demand cover letters. And samples give you a format, a way to get past a blank page. That can be very useful. Just do not make the mistake of thinking they are enough. Simply put your information in a sample cover letter and you'll turn out the same boring slush the hiring manager sees from 98% of the other candidates. Which means you're just making the job easy for the 3 people who create a cover letter that pops.

But there is something you can do about it, a lot in fact, and it's not tough or time consuming. Here are just a couple of little known techniques for turning dull cover letter samples into hot properties recruiters want to follow up:

Be like Mike . What I mean is, show the hiring manager how much you understand about her and her needs. You're in a similar industry after all. Point out the parallels - explicitly. "Last year, we were so overworked, four accountants took early retirement. After you've established some identification with the recruiter, show her what you can do for her. "Well, while we could not stop them from leaving, I could do this ... and a surprising thing happened. Of course, we've got to talk about how that translates from government to a private firm." Now you're the trusted advisor instead of one more applicable begging for a job. And there's an obvious reason for you to get together.

Read the best copywriting . Study it, in fact. Cover letters are sales pages, period. Instead of asking for the sale, you're asking for the interview.

Great copywriters make more money than you or me. Why? Because they get people to take action. Their clients are not looking for pretty language, they want the cash register to ring. Copywriters do not balk at using emotional language, strong imagery, bold claims, and hot-button phrases like fast, certain, and now.

The next time you're at the check out counter check out the tabloids, the Inquirer or the Globe. Skip the story about the potato chip that looks like Elvis and read the ads. Pay close attention to how quickly they get to what interests you. Its' usually features combined with benefits. Now look over your job application letter. You're really advertising yourself, are not you? Is your writing worthy of a hot property like you?

Make just a couple of small powerful changes to your cover letter . Most applicants will not. Make a few changes, and together they'll make your job pack impossible to put down.

Some Simple Ways to Save Money and Enjoy Life

Did you know that there are some simple ways to save money by doing ordinary things? There most certainly are! What in the world am I talking about? I will explain in this article.

My first tip is for when you go grocery shopping. Are you aware that the generic brands of the foods you normally buy are just as tasty as the name brands? This is true! In fact, very often the generic (or store-name brand) of a particular food item tastes better than the big name brand. Best of all they cost far less. Also at your supermarket, do not be afraid to buy whatever items they have on sale at the time. You can pick up some really great stuff this way. Remember to clip coupons out of your weekly local newspaper. Chances are good that your supermarket advertises in there. You can find out what is on sale and clip your special coupons at the same time.

Tip number two. Do not be afraid to shop at your neighborhood dollar or thrift store! Whether it is a big store like Walmart or Target or a smaller dollar store, you will get some incredibly good merchandise on items like clothing, household stuff, personal care merchandise, or edible goods. Many neighborhoods also have small, independently owned discount stores with wonderful deals. Just because you buy your products from a discount store does not mean they are inferior! Shopping at a thrift or discount store no longer carries the stigma it once did. More and more people are realizing you can save money on everyday items and still get good quality.

Do you know that it is possible to dine out now and then and not spend a fortune? How, you may ask? It is simple! Look in your local newspaper for specials they are running. Independent restaurants as well as fast food and mid-sized restaurant chains will regularly advertise this information. If you are online and / or use a Smart Phone, a lot of places will offer special coupons that you can use when you visit their establishment. Do not fear stopping in a buffet-oriented restaurant. Some of the best food can be sampled this way and will cost you less money. The same thing holds true of clothing and other retail stores. Look in your paper and online for special discounts and offers. A plethora of merchants now take advantage of Internet use to bring in customers. They will advertise special deals that you can print out or call up on your Android phone to buy their goods and save money at the same time.

Traveling on a budget! It is no longer necessary to stay at home and vegetate! It is entirely feasible to save money and travel at the same time. Websites such as Orbitz or Travelocity offer discounted airfares and lodging accommodations for this purpose. Take advantage of them. It is also possible to buy some food and beverages at a local supermarket and store them, as many hotel rooms have small refrigerators. Then you can dine in your room or have a picnic at a nearby park. You will enjoy the views and save money by not eating out at restaurants on your whole vacation. Take advantage of these opportunities too! Save money and enjoy your lives at the same time! What could be better than that?

Google Secrets to Make Money With Affiliate Marketing

Now that you have seen the Keyword Research Tool, we can discuss the importance and role of keywords to the level of your achievement. It is also important to decide on a niche, so you know which direction to take. Direction is so much more important than speed because 97% of affiliate marketers are going nowhere fast. The only difference is that the 3% built their Online Empire with Keywords as the foundation. You are looking for keywords with a high search volume and a low competition within your niche.

There are three kinds of Primary Keyword Research Steps known as;

Short Tail Keywords - Are single keywords and often referred to as Primary Keywords. These are the keywords that you want present in your domain name, but be objective and precise. Let's use the Dieting Niche for demonstration. Good Short tail keywords will then be Health, Diet and Weight. These three particular keywords get searched around 982,000 times on Google Per Month. That's almost a Million Searches, can you see where this keyword thing is going?

Long Tail Keywords - These are normally no more than Three Keywords making up a Keyword Phrase. Within the Niche we're using for demonstration, lose weight, losing weight, lose weight fast, and fast weight loss are excellent Long Tail Keywords. They are searched around 564,100 times on Google Per Month. But you will have to research the keywords relevant to your niche, which means your results will be different. Long Tail Keywords are being used in your Site, and Posts Title. It works really well if the Long and Short tail Keywords are combined.

Anchor Text - These are Longer Keyword Phrases and refer to the phrase someone will type into their browser to search a specific interest. The kind of search someone would enter when they are much more likely to buy. For this demonstration, how to lose weight, how to lose weight fast, and want to lose weight are great examples. Anchor text is what must be present on your site's home page, the Google Spider love seeing this and it helps with ranking. These anchor texts are searched 852,300 times on Google Per Month. Now combine the results of the three tests we've just done.

Yes, 2,398, 400 Searches on Google Per Month for the three search categories combined. By now you must realize the potential of proper keyword research, and why the 3% get to make those disgusting amounts of money online! This article will Simplify the Basics of SEO, what to include in Headers with Titles and even Categories, Tag Lines and Single tags. There is also the Site Map within Google Search Console.

Identifying the H1 Heading - May sometimes also be a Post or Blog Page Title but this usually refer to the Blog, Site or Video Title. The H1 Heading is where you include the Primary Search Phrases you wish your Site or Video to Rank for in Google within 15 - 65 Characters. It is important to preferably keep the H1 Heading within 60 Characters, because the H1 Heading will appear at the top in Google Search Result pages. Make the H1 Heading both Easy to Read and to Remember.

Identifying the H2 Heading - This is usually the Blog Post Title and once again the desired Search Phrases and Keywords need to populate this Heading. Numbers play a huge role with H2 Headings, and strangely enough uneven numbers have a more striking effect, combine this with a "Reason Why" kind of suggestion and you have a winner H2 Heading.

Identifying the H3 Header - Post Titles often also make up the H3 Header, along with Widget Descriptions within the Blog Side Bar. When you use the Text Widget to load HTML code, then the "Alt=" Attribute usually appear as an H3 Header.

A Blog post Title also appears as an H3 Header when you use an SEO Plugin like "All in One SEO Tools" and your Blog Post Title appears after the forward slash (/) to the Primary Domain. Using an SEO Plugin will allow you to submit all your individual pages, posts, tags and categories as individual site maps.

Identifying the H4 Header - This can be defined as something like the Tagline to you Blog Title Tag or H1 header. A Logo image is also often accepted as an H4 header within certain Plugins which may display a logo icon.

The Site Map Description - Your Blog Site Map is extremely important, and for this you simply install the Plugin "Google XML Site Maps". This Plugin will share an updated your Blog Site Map to the Google Search Console each time you make changes, but the changes may take a while (Normally 2 - 3 Weeks) to show up in Search Results.

It is however important to manually check for the Site Map Acceptance from inside the Google Search Console, even with the Google Site Maps Plugin Activated. There may be times when certain errors occur with your Blog Site Map inside Google, which means Google cannot find your Blog.

You have to then test the site map with the tools provided from within the Google Search Console, fix the errors found from inside your Blog C-Panel and test the Site Map again. When the results return with Zero errors found, you simply delete the old site map and upload the new site map.

Accessing the Google Search Console you will need a Google account, as with all the Free Tools Google gives you and it's a Lot. You simply need to look in the right places and then take your time getting to know how to use the tools. Simple Search your Browser (Preferably Chrome) for the search phrase "Google Search Console" and simply follow the instructions after opening the link on the search result page.

The Blog Site Map is what Search Engine Spiders use to Crawl your Blog so it can be categorized correctly, sending the right visitors your way. This is why the presence of Keywords and Search Phrases are so important throughout all content on your Blog, just the right ones in the right positions.

'Mobile Oil Change' Businesses Have Terrible Profit Margins

The oil change business is hard. I am not going to sugar coat it. I have been in the business for five years and I am telling you from first hand experience. I have done more research on the topic that several people put together. I am an authority. I know what I am talking about. There is no profits, at least one can actually build a business on, in oil changes.

This is coming from someone who is in the business. Whoever, no matter who he is, tells you that you can make a decent profit off oil changes, regardless of what kind, he is lying. He is either purposefully lying to you to make money or really does not know. The profit from oil changes can not, and I do repeat for emphasis can not, sustain a viable business. The whole quick lube model is so flawed its almost comical. And the typical mobile quick lube model is even more flawed at its core. I have met only one guy who has what I consider made a real profit from mobile oil changes and his name is Lance Winslow. I have spoken to the guy and he is very smart but in one of his posts he stated that he makes very little from his oil change company. It had just been one of many companies he had started that has allowed him to achieve wealth in this country.

Every quick lube, including Jiffy Lube, makes no money from oil changes. Mobile oil change businesses will quickly realize this. The cost for your typical oil change in the United States, using the cheapest oil you can find, is $ 15.00 with oil and filter. The going rate for an oil change in the US is $ 20- $ 30 per five quart oil oil change. That means that in most states the most one can profit from an oil change is $ 15.00. And that is being liberal with the numbers and not including fuel. Fifteen dollars per oil change is not going to sustain a viable business. Some vehicles are absolutely terrible to work on like certain Chevrolet Cavaliers and Land Rovers and will take you more than an hour minimum to do one oil change. What do you get for all this trouble? Maybe twenty dollars. Its the biggest joke going.

The only way most quick lube places can make money is buying really pushing add-ons. If you work at any quick lube and do not sell the customer on additional services they may or may not need than you will be terminated very fast. The quick lubes can not make money any other way. They have to push unnecessary air filter, fuel filters, coolant flushes, transmission flushes, power steering flushes, rear end flushes, cabin air filters, wiper blade replacement, fuel injection cleaners, and many others to even make a meager profit. The mobile oil change businesses have to do this a lot less because they have lower overhead but their profit margin still remains on addition services as well. As a mobile oil change owner myself I really do try to be as honest as possible. I really do not want to screw anyone. But having said that I would net very little if air filters lasted five years. I have to actively push additions services to make money. Oil changes alone, even for diesels, will not pay for my mortgage. Most fixed locations are in my position times fifty.

Before you start an oil change price think twice and think about it for a very long time. Its not an easy business. Know what you are doing. I am one of the lucky ones. Its a miracle I succeeded. I wanted to give up many times. Maybe you can be the 1/20 people who can actually make the quick lube business pan out. But it is really hard and will take you minimum two years to see a real profit.

Finding a Trustworthy Towing Company

Mishaps happen on the roadways across the country every single day. They can be simple things, like running out of gas, getting a flat tire, or the radiator overheating. They can also be more extreme things like an engine fire or an automobile accident occurring. In all of those listed events, one thing remains common about them - in all cases, some sort of tow truck is needed on the scene. While it may not be the first thing on your mind in a crisis, finding a towing company that is trustworthy can be important to making sure your car is handled properly and you are not being taken for a ride.

While most businesses that offer pointing are good, sound businesses that are looking out for your best interests, there are those that are only out to make fast money and overcharge you for services as much as they can. They feed upon the fact that you are in a volatile situation and want your car back and running and will do most anything to get it that way, including paying exorbitant fees for little work like changing a tire.

There are a few things you can do either before you hit the road just so you are aware of a few places or even, with the technology available today, right from your smartphone while you wait with your car. You can check on the Internet to see what businesses are very close to where you are so maybe you can get the fastest service available to you. You could also call friends or colleagues who may be familiar with towing businesses around you and can give you a recommendation.

Once you have a few ideas of places you can call, you may want to check and see what their rates are before asking for help. If you just need a tire change or a gallon or two of gas to get you to the next station, you might want to ask how much they charge for those services. If you know that your car needs a tow, you can ask them what their mileage rates are for towing and how far they are willing to go.

You may want to check with them and see if they will accept your insurance for payment. Some businesses may require you to pay them upfront and then you personally can get re-imbursed by insurance, if they are involved. Other places will just take a direct insurance payment and expect nothing from you right away.

Whenever you are choosing a towing company, you might want to keep in mind businesses that offer their services all day long. If you ever break down at three in the morning and need help, you want to know that the service you trust has availability twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. You can also always check with your local Better Business Bureau to make sure no complaints are filed against them for problems with their business.

Online Bill Pay and How It Works

Online bill pay is fast becoming a popular means of payment among people who want to practice good debt management skills, and save on both time and money in the process.

What exactly is online bill pay?

Generally, it is a payment method that lets an individual carry out payment instructions to creditors electronically through a computer program. This can actually get rid of errors, making it easier to manage debt. In addition, it is faster than mailing checks.

Online bill payment methods come in two basic categories: those being offered via a bank, and those offered via a service provider- like a credit card or phone company.

In general, online bill pay is designed to be fast and simple to use. Majority of major banking institutions, as well as businesses, provide this service without any charge. Individuals can choose to manually enter their payments every month, or arrange for an automatic withdrawal from their account. Automatic withdrawal allows them to set up their payments before their due date without worrying about giving manual instructions to make a monthly payment. The creditor will transfer funds straight from the bank, and enter these funds into their account with no action needed whatever.

Advantages of Choosing Online Bill Pay

The following information will help you consider the different advantages of using online bill pay:

Hassle-free

Individuals can save on time when using the online bill pay platform. Instead of writing out checks, wetting stamps and filing lots of papers, they can set up an online account to get rid of all these steps. It will also be easier and faster to manage their debt.

When they need to go over past bills, they do not have to waste time in looking for them - because all of their account information can be seen in one centralized location.

Cost Efficient

They can save on the stamping costs, which can add up. The average household gets 15 bills every month, which could amount to $ 70 a year in just postage costs.

They can avoid late payment fees that are incurred every time a payment is received after the due date. Missed payments could lead to the following:

• Increase in interest rates;
• Late payment charges and over limit fees.

When the payment is past due, their account could probably go to collection status.

Convenient

What is a more convenient solution to managing debt? Individuals could create their own automatic online bill account, so they can set up recurring payments that are to be regularly withdrawn from their account. This decreases the chance of late / lost payments, saving time in the process.

When they find out that one of their bills is due for payment on the next day, the best way to make sure that their payment will be posted on time is through online bill pay.

Mechanical Engineering Design: The Role of DFM and DFA

What is Design for Manufacturing?

Essentially, DFM refers to the best practices being followed in the design of end products, parts and machine components which greatly reduces the cost of manufacture because it takes care of several factors including raw material costs, tolerances, quality methodologies being used (SPSS, Six Sigma etc.), and testing procedures. It gives a whole new fillip to product design because its main role is to help identify stress and strain factors in the product in advance, while providing a means to map and monitor defects avoidance. It further visualizes any possible ergonomic aspects which can impact the usability of the end product and future sustenance requirements. Basically, DFM is one of the best ways to achieve cost leadership, quality assurance and fulfilling sales objectives.

Some of the ways DFM can help reduce costs and achieve better design:

• Using common datum features and primary axes














• Tapping into existing marketing knowledge, DFSS techniques, process capabilities














• Optimized design to ensure fast production-readiness














• Better symmetry in design

What is Design for Assembly?

Design for Assembly (DFA) refers to the best practices being followed in the design of end products, parts and machine components which ensures reduction in overall costs during assembly. It follows the principle that individual components are more difficult to design, than final assemblages. A lot of costs can be saved if the design keeps in mind the final assembled product instead of singular parts. The Sony Walkman was one of the first products to follow DFA principles which explains its rapid popularity and uptake in the early 1990s. DFA allows more flexibility in terms of incorporating product safety features and workmanship. This plays out in the following ways:

• Rapid fastening of features














• Minimized relocation of parts and components














• Saving of money in material costs














• No repetitive work














• Testing the assembled product in initial conditions such as temperature, humidity, vibrations etc.














• Part controls

In order to meet functional requirements of product manufacturing, assembly design has to be more seamless. As a result, DFM and DFA often come together in what is today known as Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA).

Design for Manufacturing and Assembly

Design and process improvements sit at the heart of a successful product development initiative. The basic way to do it is through minimization of parts involved in design. DFMA analysis is based on knowledge behavior where functional design has to be taken into account. DFMA analysis helps align the marketing position of the company with cost, purchase and material requirements. Some of the factors that are taken into account include:

• Understanding the movement of all parts and components with respect to their neighboring parts and components














• Understanding the material requirements of various parts and knowing about replacement procedures














• Reducing complexity of design to an easy level so that best value can be derived from the entire operation














• Achieving final value

In Conclusion

Mechanical engineering services are focusing on details of value engineering where "small is increasingly better" and migration from old methods to new is in vogue through legacy conversion. Increasingly, Design for Manufacturing and Design for Assembly are seen as the best ways to get results.

Power Wheels Lightning McQueen Electric Car - Hours Of Racing Fun

The Disney movie "Cars" was an undoubted hit as was its main character the shiny red race car Lightning McQueen, children around the world were hooked.

Well, Fisher Price have once again come up trumps for all Cars fans with their Power Wheels Lightning McQueen electric car for children between the ages of 3 and 8 years of age. (This age range is dependent on the individual child's height and weight.)

This slick, speedy, bright red electric car is powered by a 6 volt battery which, I have been told will last for around 3 hours of constant riding when fully charged. To be confident that you do have a fully charged battery it is best done overnight. Having a back up battery which is always charged is a useful idea because all you need to do is swap them over and the fun can go on! Removing and replacing the battery is not difficult to do.

You will find that the Power Wheels Lightning McQueen really is a race car - it can get up to 5 mph - for a 3 year old that is pretty fast! I should point out at this stage that 5 mph is actually the fastest speed setting. The slower setting will allow your little racer to get up to 2.5 mph which is way fast enough for any novice. Parents - you can actually lock out the higher speed setting until you are sure that your child is ready. Naturally there is a reverse gear as well and the car is fitted with power lock brakes.

One of the most loved features amongst the children I have spoken to is the race car sound effects and the well known phrases from the movie said in a real Lightning McQueen voice.

Power Wheels Lightning McQueen Features at a Glance:

*2 speed settings.

*6 volt battery.

*Sound effects and real phrases from the "Cars" movie.

*High speed lock out.

*Power lock brakes

Along with many other ride on toys the Power Wheels Lightning McQueen car














sports shiny plastic wheels which appear to cause some problems with traction, particularly on smooth surfaces and grass - particularly if it is wet. However the instances of this seem to vary some people claim to have no problems whilst others state that the wheels just spin. On a positive note, there is a solution, it is possible to source and fit rubber bands to the wheels which immediately resolves any problem.

Another two or three niggles pointed out by parents/grandparents the Lightning McQueen racing car does not have doors which open and close, nor does it have seat belts or a storage area so kids can take their other favourite toys for a ride. As for the kids - non of this seems to matter.

What Do You Get For Your Money?

* Power Wheels Lightning McQueen Race Car

* 6 volt Battery

* Battery Charger

** Batteries for Sound Effects NOT included

The car does require some assembly but I am told that this is simple and straight forward even for those parents who find such tasks a challenge!

On the whole kids and parents alike just love this Power Wheels Lightning McQueen race car. It is safe, durable and well worth the money because it will give its proud owner hours of fun and adventure.

One thing which is probably worth mentioning a racing helmet would make a great addition to the whole theme and ensure that your little one has some protection should any mishaps take place.

Beginner's Guide to Buying a Desktop Computer

People certainly are not camping outside stores in the rain to get the latest and greatest desktop computer these days, but PCs are far from dead. Simply put, there are certain functions that mobile devices and laptops either can not do or can not do almost as well as a desktop.

Not to mention, there's no beating the price. A budget desktop is going to be miles ahead of a budget laptop. It's expensive to make things small. The small size is what appeals to some people when choosing a new computer, but these days big honking towers are not your only choice.

Styles of desktop computers

There's a lot more variation and choice in the desktop form factor, which is great in some ways, but also makes the buying process that much more complicated. You can find computers in each of these categories at a variety of price points, so the most important thing to keep in mind is how you plan to use your desktop.

Tower

The classic desktop form factor, towers have stuck around for good reason. It's hard to fit a lot of power into smaller devices like a laptop or tablet for a reasonable price. The power to price ratio of tower computers is pretty much unbeatable.

There's also a lot more flexibility with a tower. There's more room to upgrade and expand the system when new technology comes out, whereas with smaller devices you may just have to buy a whole new system.

Towers do, however, take up quite a bit of space and if space is at a premium in your home, a tower could be out of the question. They also require a separate monitor, keyboard, and mouse. There are some cases where those accessories are included, or you can get a discount if you buy them at the same time as the computer, but plan for buying those when you're making up your budget.

All-in-One

All-in-one computers offer a simple and space-saving set up. These are, in essence, a cross between a desktop and a laptop. They feature a large monitor with all the necessary components built into the back or base.

The small design gives you a lot more flexibility with placement and keeps your work area clutter free. Plus, because everything is all in one, set up usually just involves plugging it in. You do still need a separate keyboard and mouse however.

Because these computers are smaller, they are not as powerful as a tower and you can not customize and expand them (although this also makes them much simpler). There's also the issue that if the monitor breaks, you need a whole new computer.

Mini and Stick PCs

These computers use mobile components to keep them small (like all-in-ones). As such, they're not very powerful, but they're extremely portable. Mini PCs are small enough to be hidden behind a monitor or TV set up and stick PCs are slightly larger than a thumb drive. Because of the small size, they're not very powerful and internal expansion is limited to impossible.

While you will not be able to do any advanced gaming or multimedia editing, they work great for day-to-day tasks, browsing the Internet, and watching media. Set up is extremely easy and they're quite versatile in that you can use it as a home office during the day, and then plug it into a TV for a home theater at night.

The different operating systems

The question of which operating system (OS) to go with is not asked as often with desktops as it is with tablets and smartphones, but it's still something to consider.

Windows 10

This is definitely the most common desktop OS so you'll have a big selection of hardware as well as compatible third party software. It's designed around a touchscreen interface, though it still works great with the classic mouse and keyboard, so if you do not buy a touchscreen monitor you will not have any problems.

macOS Sierra

If you're in a family of Apple lovers, then Mac could be for you. Sierra is only found on Mac computers, so you're limited in your hardware, but these are well-made computers that historically have fewer problems with viruses. A Mac will also pair seamlessly with your other Apple devices and programs.

Chrome OS

If you're just looking for simple, no-frills computing the Chrome OS will be right up your ally. The OS runs custom apps and cloud-based programs as opposed to other operating systems that run software. It's not suited for demanding tasks like gaming, but it's great for email, file-sharing, and browsing. You will always need to be connected to the internet, but that's usually not an issue with desks.

Types of desktop computers

Not everyone is going to use a desktop for the same reasons, and how you use it will influence the type of computer you buy. After all, you do not need a complex, high-powered machine just to check your email.

Business PCs

These PCs are stripped back, no-frills machines that do not allow for advanced computing, but are easy to service and upgrade. They also usually offer extra security, software and hardware certification programs, software support, and some even have on-site tech support.

Workstations

These are specialized PCs that feature multicore processors and intense graphics. They're perfect for scientific calculations, media creation, and other high-powered tasks that would not be even remotely possible on a laptop.

Gaming PCs

These are (as the name suggests) made for gaming. They feature specialized graphics cards, extremely fast multicore processors, and many have flashy design elements although those generally cost more. Upgradability is a must as newer and more immersive games are released.

Learn the lingo

There's a lot of terminology you need to know before buying a PC so that you actually know what you're buying. This list from PCWorld goes into further detail, but here's a quick breakdown of the terms you should know and understand.

Processor (CPU)

This is the brain of your computer. Processor speed is measured in gigahertz (GHz) and generally, the higher the clock speed, the better the performance and the higher the price. The more cores a processor has the better the performance as well. Desktops either have an Intel or an AMD processor.

Memory

The random-access memory (RAM) determines how good your computer is at multitasking. The higher the RAM the better, especially for high-powered tasks like gaming. For simple tasks like email and web browsing 2GB is fine, but for anything more advanced than that, look for a computer with 4GB or more.

Internal Storage

The amount of storage your desktop has determines how much stuff you can keep on your computer. Desktops almost always have more storage than laptops and for a fraction of the cost. It's also easy to upgrade your hard drive for more storage, or upgrade to a solid-state drive.

Wait for the best price, but do not wait too long

Once you've figured out which computer you want (and have read plenty of reviews to ensure that it's actually up to snuff), it's time to buy. This can be tricky with a desktop because they can be pretty expensive and technology is always evolving.

While it can be tempting to just buy the computer when you're ready, you might miss out on a great deal or the latest tech. Shop regularly for a stretch of time instead of spending an entire day looking around. You're more likely to catch a deal that way. Also check the release dates of new models. You'll most likely get a good deal on an older model, or you might just want the latest technology.

Waiting for a sale also means you can bump up your computers specs with the money you save, meaning your computer is a bit more "future-proof" than if you were to just go for the cheapest one you can find.

However, this is a balancing act. If you spend too much time waiting around for the perfect deal or the latest model, you're never going to end up buying your desktop. So be patient and wait for sales, but once you find the model you want in an acceptable price range, go ahead and buy it.

SuperCharged Secret 4, Credit Card Utopia

YOU SCRATCH MY BACK, AND I'LL BUY SOME MORE BEER!

Let's just take a brief moment to recap:

If you've been following along on this journey with me, learning the 5 Super-Charged secrets to Credit Card Utopia, then you now know 3 very important things:

1. You now know how to take advantage of zero to low interest credit card offers.
2. You now know that there is safety in numbers, and you know the magic "Who's Who" of the major credit card companies. You know that one of them, in my opinion, stands out for consumers.
3. You now know how to take a low interest credit card with a rewards program, and convert it into a money making technology that could seriously improve your financial house.

With me? Good. These are all essential foundations that you need to follow in order to live in Credit-Card Utopia with me.

In fact, you would think that there's not much more that can be done.

Side note: I hope you are realizing the power of this information.

It may seem simple, but are you doing it? No. So, be smart. Study this information, reflect on these insights, and move forward with them so you can truly benefit from this secret knowledge.

On to Secret, # 4:

1) It's very important that Utopians cover all bases, and leave no one behind.

The 3 secrets we've covered, really deal with those of us who have fairly good credit.

Now, if you do not have "good" credit, please do not discard these prior ideas.

I did not have "good credit" once. Who cares? How many people, small businesses, corporations, and large industrial countries, have said the exact same thing?

2) So, do not feel left out.

Move towards Credit Card Utopia as a goal to move you into action.

Our website (and many other fine websites around the internet) can provide you with many, many resources to work on your debt issues, or your credit score issues, or whatever.

You might be surprised how FAST you can go from point A to point B.

(Here's a tip: Do not waste time.

3) Getting back on track: Want a zero interest credit offer? Want a low-interest, no annual fee, incentive-based offer?

Well, if you're struggling with credit or debt, then the first step is to tackle this issue from a different point of view.

Give up on Visa®, MasterCard®, and AMEX® ... At least the "unsecured" kind, and at least for now.

There's nothing wrong with applying, and trying, but if you've been turned down, there are other ways to go.

4) Secret # 4, revealed in an analogy:

Do you live in a small town? If you do, you might have a small-town pub. Does everyone know your name? Does the bartender know you, and know the drink you like? Do you go into your pub after work, and down a stiff one, after a long day of working in the coal mines? Maybe it is not payday yet. Do you think the bartender cares? Of course not! He wants you coming in so he can move his inventory of fine beers and spirits. He knows you. So, what does he do? Let's say this is the 1800s, and there's no such thing as "credit cards" among our coal-working small town clan. What does he do?

Right! He runs you a tab.

No interest rates, no worries, no big deal. He runs a tab. Why? Because he knows you're good for it, and he's moving inventory. He does not care about the interest, because he's making a profit off the sale of his beer. He knows where you live, and he knows you'll pay him back in a few days when you come in for a drink after you get paid. It's a virtual certainty.

Now YOU, the small-town beer drinking coal worker, you're perfectly fine with this. The drink costs you the same whether you had cash now or later, and the bartender runs you a tab, in exchange for selling you more inventory. Everyone works together.

You scratch my back, and I'll buy some more beer.

5) This concept of free "credit" provided to purchase inventory, is not a new concept.

As you can see, it's been around for a long, long time. However, in modern times, it has a tremendous application for folks with "poor" credit issues.

The secret is that you buy merchandise (On stuff you already need, or are already buying) almost exclusively from merchants willing to give you credit at low to no interest.

So, while you think you are in a tough position with credit issues, you actually turn it around, and allow it to become consumer buying power.

Only shop with merchants that scratch your back.

With me?

6) Now, where do you find these merchants?

Well, in the real brick and mortar world, it's not that hard.

You can start with department stores, gas cards, furniture outlets, electronics stores, jewelers, and a variety of other stores that you may do business with.

I can not guarantee, of course, that they'll approve you. But many of these merchants run their credit departments in-house, and like our bartender, they're interested in moving inventory.

So, I would not take one "no" to mean that everyone will say "no". Not true.

Many of the larger corporate chains do not offer low to no interest rates. But almost ALL of them offer huge discounts on initial purchases as incentives to get started.

As of the writing of this article, for example, JCPenney® and Target® both offer 10% discounts on "new accounts". In addition, most of them do offer zero interest when balances are paid off each month, and some of them offer different plans to meet different customer's credit situations.

Also, look to no-interest incentive specials that are going on for many larger-ticket items. Televisions, Furniture, etc.

You'll also find many deferred-payment incentives that you can use to your advantage, or that you can utilize as a no-interest situation.

You just have to shop around. They are out there.

7) Now, what about cyber-space? Is there a place to take advantage of this back-scratching secret in Silicon? Actually, YES! There is. Check this out:

Many shopping portals online have realized the advantage of working with "poor" credit customers, and tailor-making a shopping experience that fits these specialized needs. We've listed several at our website, but of course, you can find them at any search-engine or at other reputable websites around the internet.

In a nutshell, the shopping website offers a membership card for making purchases on credit. You go to the online mall, make your purchases for things you would already buy anyway, and build or rebuild your credit score. The shopping portal helps you out by reporting your credit activity to the major credit reporting bureaus, which in turn, improves your credit history.

In addition, the membership benefits often times include such things as travel discounts, rental car discounts, and FREE credit reports.

They almost always advertise guaranteed credit lines of up to $ 7500, and incentives for joining can include free merchandise (such as a free DVD player), or a merchandise voucher.

Look for 30 day money-back guarantees, and look for no annual fees, and yes, look for "NO INTEREST" on the credit.

Most of these sites will require an upfront membership fee, but then they immediately turn around and provide a merchandise voucher. For example, one portal charges $ 150 for the upfront membership fee, but then immediately provides a voucher of $ 200 for merchandise at their site.

Because their customers generally have a history of poor credit, they do sometimes require an initial payment, or "down payment" on purchases until a relationship is established, but hey listen. So what? If you have credit issues, then you have to start rebuilding credit relations somewhere. It sure beats Layaway!

What a creative way to solve this problem. Everybody wins.

You scratch my back, and I'll buy some more beer!

Meanwhile, you're moving closer and closer to the pearly gates of Credit Card Utopia!

We've enjoyed providing this information to you, and we wish you the best of luck in your pursuits. Remember to always seek out good advice from those you trust, and never turn your back on your own common sense.

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Disclaimer: Statements and opinions expressed in the articles, reviews and other materials here are those of the authors. While every care has been taken in the compilation of this information and every attempt made to present up-to-date and accurate information, we can not guarantee that inaccuracies will not occur. The author will not be held liable for any claim, loss, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of any information within these pages or any information accessed through this site.

5 Ways to Make Money Fast and Easy

Looking for fast and easy money? Look no further - here's how it's done:

1: Sign up to online surveys - these come in all shapes and sizes and there are several different websites that you can sign up to. Once registered, you get offered surveys that you do online and, for each one you do, you get paid. These individual payments are not huge, but put some spare time aside and these can be quite lucrative.

2: Online data entry - companies across the world are coming around to the idea of ​​outsourcing data entry work. This has benefits for them - no need for a full time member of staff - and for you, as you can sit at home and type away, earning money as you do.

3: Write website content - every business, and many individuals, has a website, and every website needs content. You can make money by registering at a freelance site and offering your services as a writer, and this can be a good little earner if you play it right.

4: Join a referral scheme - this is where you pay a dollar, and recommend a bunch of friends who each pay a dollar, too. They then recommend their friends, and so on, and eventually you get some money back. It has its limits, but it can pay if handled well.

5: Place a bet - it's a risk but so is every investment. Betting, however, can be very lucrative indeed if you take the trouble to look at the consequences. Bookmakers are very careful with their calculations, so a horse at low odd in a small field is priced that way for a good reason - back it, and reap the rewards!

Things to Help You Sell Your Car Fast

If you are pondering on how to sell acar online, there are a number of things you should consider so as to successfully achieve your goal. In any case, the idea here may not just sell the car but also ensure that you get something out of it. It is therefore important to note that doing a private transaction can help you generate huge profits than trading it to a dealer. However, there are certain things that can help you make the selling process move on smoothly.

The best thing is to assume the position of a buyer and evaluate your car so that you know exactly how much you would be willing to pay for it had you been the buyer. This will help you sell the car faster and fetch good profits from it.

The second thing you should do is to ensure that your car is free from any foreign objects, clean and well waxed. You should also remember to fix all minor repairs and if this is not done, then you should have prepared to lower the price. It is believed that when a car on sale is clean, many buyers will tend to go for it and in the event give you the reason to ask for a reasonable price unlike a dirty one.

You can also let a qualified car specialist inspect the car before tagging it for sale. This process is necessary in that it helps to appraise the value of the car and also identify any problems that may make your potential buyer relationship to part with his money for it. In most cases, when buyers spot any problems on your car they will tend to lower the price of the car citing additional mechanical costs after they have secured it.

Before you sell car, it is also advisable that you make some research from various sites or the famous Kelley Blue Book in comparison to other traders' asking prices for a similar vintage make. In this case, you will have a good platform for quoting a price that is realistic but you can make it higher to give you space to bargain

Posting an ad in the local newspaper, online, or just sticking it to your car's window, on various community bulletin boards or at any place you deem convenient is another way of ensuring that you sell car fast and at a good price. You can also decide to create a website to help you display more pictures and description of the car on sale. On this point, remember to expound most on the reasons why you think your car is in good condition and the right model. Mentioning things like great conditions, low mileage and the like can do wonders.

Automotive Rapid Prototyping Fail First Paradox

New product development and innovation is much more difficult and time consuming than most other business activities. Automotive rapid prototyping greatly advances learning speed and reduces the risk of new automotive parts development.

Historically, the automotive industry has been using rapid prototyping as an important tool in the automotive parts design process. The extremely fast-paced automatic design cycles require an extremely fast prototyping system which can produce car parts fast and inexpensively.

The main objective of automatic prototyping is to learn quickly: how a new automotive product behaves in its natural working environment, before transferring the prototype to the production line. Many times, mistakes are learned only after a new automated part is launched. This is the main explanation for poor automotive parts design, from product mismatch, poor engineering and function or finish, and overpriced production. In order to accelerate the learning curve, before these costly automated prototyping mistakes are made, one must accelerate and facilitate feedback loops from tests in the lab and market trials.

Automotive Manufacturing Technologies

Working with an assortment of rapid prototyping equipment, automated prototyping engineers utilize the most advanced 3D printers, in their quest for perfect form, function and utility. Working in advanced manufacturing centers, the automotive engineers use the technology to verify what they are doing, and, equally important, to save tremendous depths of time, and money.

Automotive Rapid Prototyping Compresses Development Time

The advantages of 3D rapid prototyping model creation versus viewing a cad / cam model on a computer screen is palable. Automotive parts engineers get together discuss the pros and cons of a rapidly produced automotive parts model and discuss the pros and cons of the design, as they pass it around, twisting and viewing the prototype, and decide if that is what they had in mind. This way, problems get solved up front, before going to the assembly line! Once determined that the automotive prototype design is a go, the model can then be sent to a die maker.

Automotive Prototyping and the Die Maker Process

The die maker can not use model to make the die, but because they have it in their hand and can look at it and feel it, they can determine where the parting lines will be and exactly how much steel they will need to produce it. The timing of the die process is greatly compressed.

Examples of Automotive Rapid Prototyping Parts

· Engine castings and parts

· Car Engine parts

· Auto Mechanical parts

· Car Dashboards

· Car Handles and Knobs

· Auto Body Components

· Car Trim parts

Fail first Paradox in Automotive Rapid Prototyping

The automated rapid prototyping paradox is to fail sooner rather than later. By failing earlier, the design engineers unexpectedly succeed in accelerating the project; this greatly reduces development cost risk. By considering all automotive prototype failures as learning experiences, the engineer has much less stress, knowing that they are practicing the old adage, that success comes from ninety-nine percent failure and introspection.

Petrol Vs Diesel Engines - Which Is Better and Why? Part I

After covering an article on the volatility of petrol and how fueling at different times of the day may cause you to receive less value for your money, I would like to clarify that the same does not happen to diesel because it is heavier and less volatile. Also, while petrol burns easily and then produces more power and faster propulsion, diesel burns slower - actually it does not even burn at all. Not that petrol burns either: it is the vapor that burns, but when it comes to diesel it will not vaporize easily and even when it does the vapor still will not catch fire. Combustion occurs in a diesel engine only when the diesel is injected into hot compressed air, and the energy output in this case is more of toque rather than power. Yes - torque is the 'might' to move a mass of load while power, better off described as horsepower, is the force that moves a car from one point to another, fast.

Since diesel is heavier, more cumbersome to deal with and involves lots of pressure and tension, the engine running on it must have made tough components to withstand these forces and the abuse that comes with neglect and poor servicing, especially because most owners of diesel -powered cars abuse them more than the owners of petrol-powered cars. This could be because most of them are commercial and heavy-duty cars and the owners do not mind as long as they get the job done while the petrol-powered cars are for leisure and everyday use, but either way, diesel components are more resilient and so more expensive but they also wear out faster due to the stress they undergo, and as a result they demand more frequent servicing than the components of petrol engines. That is true, but if you think that diesel-powered cars are slow, stink and produce fumes like a coal locomotive, Henry Ford is long dead and Bedford trucks are no longer in production - welcome to the 21st century.

Volkswagen engineers have been in the news lately about their flawed diesel software, but what I want to focus on is that these engineers of the world's second best-selling automotive company are running their cars on diesel. Why would they if diesel was as awful as some have been made to believe? Mercedes too has diesel variant models that boast of as low as 5L / 100 km on the combined cycle, while the Prius with all its fanfare does about 4.4L / 100 km. Modern diesel-powered cars are clean, efficient, quiet and sometimes fast. Of these, the greatest attribute is efficiency. The Mercedes engine which efficiency I mentioned above is the 2014 E350 CDI, a very powerful engine and its hybrid version will sip only 4.0L / 100 km. Where does that leave the Prius? In a dumping area behind a Chinese restaurant.