Canadian Cottage Lifestyle

My subconscious has been talking to my conscious mind a lot more lately about the rising cost of getting from point A to point B in this crazy world, the skyrocketing price of obtaining the sustenance I require each day for every person I am legally responsible for, the steady increases in energy, heat and all the costs I have come to rely on as absolute in my little “Garden of Eden” away from all the stress and pressures involved with earning a descent living in modern society. 

My conscious mind for its part would rather talk about the arrival of summer, the beauty and majesty of the universe,  the unlikelihood of the Pittsburgh Penguins coming back to win three straight games to capture Lord Stanley’s cup.  The shrinking value of what revenues I manage to earn as compared to the requirements of what has come to be normal in my life, and  believe me it is a Spartan enough existence for Canada, is the last thing my conscious mind wants to greet every morning.  Just waiting for me and beating the same tired drumbeat, my subconscious gnaws on the stark facts of life in Canada and the world, and I’m sure the same drumbeat reverberates in a large percentage of the minds I think about every day. 

My subconscious talks about how the coming changes to Canadian life will include less time spent on the road, at least in the gas powered transportation we have been using, and in the ingrained recreational attitudes of Canadians towards recreational choices we have normally been taking part in every summer at the lake.  About how it expects to see less large gas powered boats on lakes and rivers in some areas of the country it and the use of four stroke engines in a lot more boats this year, which is a good thing for Mother Earth, and that it expects to see an unprecedented rise in new and inventive ways of using the natural forces that exist around us to provide the energy to transport us from A to B.  That at the very least we can expect to see a decrease in the amount of trips undertaken on a daily basis and a better plan of action underwritten by many Canadians in their daily activities in order to conserve and cut back on costs in all areas of life at the cottage.

It reminds me that Transport Canada estimates the average Canadian boater will use on average about the same amount of gas over the summer that it takes for them to fill their SUV three times, not a lot in comparison, so it probably won’t decrease the amount of time the average Canadian cottage owner spends driving around the lake in their boat. 

That there are a few basic ways you can save fuel at the lake if you’re planning on spending a lot more time on the water this summer.  First; move around at a steady pace, revving the engine requires more; second, always turn off your engine when your docked or just sitting for awhile; third, make sure the engine and propeller are working efficiently and the boat is outfitted with the proper propeller and engine.

That all lake residents have a choice, they can always choose to do different activities then the gas guzzling ones they normally do if they’re feeling the gas-price-crunch.  Take a walk along the lake side with Mother Nature for a few minutes, kayak along one of her beautiful and shrinking coast lines, canoe along a lonely stretch of one of her wondrous and life giving rivers, or give up your motorized boat for a more traditional and Earth friendly sailboat for awhile and convene with Mother Nature, she is always there waiting for you, like your subconscious, only she is wiser and longer lived then your subconscious can fathom.  She awaits your arrival, like a long lost child she has been thinking and hoping to see you and will welcome you home.

Tell her your subconscious sent you.

 

  

Illegal Gas Price Fixing in Canada

If you’ve been shaking your head every time you leave the gas pump lately because of the consistency in prices at different suppliers that are cities apart.  You may have a reason to be a little suspicious of such consistency in a free market place where supply and demand is supposed to be the determiner of price.

Since I don’t drive, my information concerning the fluctuation at the gas pumps in the last few months comes mainly from the people I talk to every day, and I have talked to a number of Canadians lately who are a little suspicious of the consistency in gas prices in locations that are in different cities.

These thoughts started running through my mind after learning that 13 people and 11companies in Quebec were recently charged with fixing the price of gas in four cities in Quebec.

Three members and one company of what is being called a cartel pleaded guilty Thursday in Quebec Superior Court in Victoriaville, to conspiracy to fix retail gas prices.  Apparently, they phoned each other and agreed to a fixed price.  Penalties of over $2 million were imposed against the guilty parties who operated in the cities of Sherbrooke, Victoriaville, Thetford Mines and Magog, which are all south of Montreal.

The Competition Bureau stated that information they obtained suggests that an overwhelming majority of gasoline retailers in these markets took part in the agreement to fix prices.

The companies that were dragged into court are Les Petroles Therrien Inc., operating the Petro-T sign, and Distributions Petrolieres Therrien Inc. and Ultramar Inc.

This news sends a direct message that the Competition Bureau will take immediate action to bring to justice individuals and companies depriving Canadians consumers of the benefits of competition, like lower gas prices.

The Competition Bureau’s investigation into price fixing of gas used wiretaps, searches and information provided by individuals that were given immunity from prosecution for testifying.

The Competition Bureau has said that their investigation into price fixing at the gas pumps will continue in all markets in Canada, suggesting in their news releases that Quebec wasn’t the only province where gas price fixing was suspected.

Conspiracies to fix retail prices of a product are difficult by their very nature to detect and prove since suspicions and evidence of identical prices are not sufficient to indicate an illegal activity has occurred.  Securing a conviction under Canadian law requires the Bureau to dig up evidence that proves beyond a reasonable doubt that competitors have agreed to fix prices and that any agreement will have a noted impact on the level of competition for their product.

It probably doesn’t surprise a lot of Canadians and gas consumers around the world that companies would consider making an agreement to fix the price of their product with their competition at a level that allows both to milk the public at a rate that most companies would kill for.

Many after reading this many consumers will be paying greater attention to the price of gas at different geographical locations they choose to purchase gas at.  The unearthing of this gas fixing cartel may cement beliefs that many gas buyers have believed for many months when they approached the pumps.  That gas suppliers were artificially controlling the price of gas at an unnecessarily high level and that suppliers may have made an agreement to fix the price of gas and in the coming weeks we may find out just how deep this rabbit hole goes.

 

 

 

The Cost of Alcohol to Society and Man

Canadians that like to partake of a little alcoholic beverage on a daily basis are on the minds and thoughts of Canadian officials concerned about the abuse of alcohol in Canada.

According to Canadian researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, who are tasked with monitoring Canadians consumption of alcohol, alcohol abuse costs each Canadian an estimated $463 per year.

The report just released by the centre, The Avoidable Cost of Alcohol Abuse in Canada 2002, indicated that direct health care costs for alcohol abuse in Canada surpass those of cancer and create an additional economic burden for Canadians in access of $1 billion.

Scientists and health professionals have suggested six intervention techniques that would save upwards of 800 Canadian lives each year and more than 90,000 acute-care hospital days annually.  Additionally, they point out, implementing these policies would decrease productivity losses by about $600 million, health care costs by $250 million and crime-related costs by upwards of $180 million.

The scientists and health care officials say that Canadians don’t take alcohol and its possible effects on Canadian society as a serious issue, that alcohol abuse is one of the prime factors increasing costs in the Canadian health care sector, and that it’s preventable, providing Canadians take the issues seriously.

Officials have suggested increasing taxes on alcohol; studies have shown a link between increases in the price of alcohol and a marked decrease in Canadians consuming alcohol, suggesting that a hypothetical 25 percent increase in alcohol related taxes could reduce alcohol consumption by up to 4.1 percent.  Scientists also say that lowering the legal blood alcohol concentration limits to 0.05 percent from 0.08 percent to combat alcohol abuse and increasing the legal drinking age in Canada to 21 years of age could have a notable effect on alcohol related motor vehicle fatalities.

Scientists propose a zero tolerance rule for drivers under 21, programs to educate servers of alcohol to recognize intoxication and additional screening by health care officials for drivers who have a history of drinking and driving. 

The Canadian Medical Association, recently, urged the Canadian government to decrease the legal blood alcohol concentration levels, suggesting that such reductions have been shown to result in fewer fatalities and could reduce alcohol related fatalities in Canada by about 185 to 555 Canadians.

Currently, provinces issue 12 to 24 hour suspensions for blood alcohol levels over 0.05 in Canada, but under the new legislation that takes effect in Ontario later this year, a driver with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05 percent will be suspended for three days, up from twelve hours.

The problem of alcohol abuse in society is an old one that has been a part of human life for thousands of years and I would agree the only way that no damage will be done by individuals consuming alcohol is for alcohol to not be available.  This is of course not feasible considering the current laws in place; people should have the right to live their lives the way they want, provided their choices aren’t damaging others.

The suggested changes are just the same old ideas implemented with a new level of monitoring, no new ideas have come forward to help alleviate this problem, but then the problem is deeper then just people drinking.

The consumption of alcohol in society has a lot of origins, from stress relief, to an escape from reality, to a never ending supply of money for suppliers and like all human inventions alcohol is relatively harmless if we control the amount we consume.

Humans are creatures of habit, we will continually come back to a familiar feeling, and this includes alcohol, even when the benefits are out weighted by the problems.  It’s easy to fall into one of these human pitfalls, the hard part is realising the hole you’re in and getting yourself out of it.

If you drink daily, it’s likely you have lost control of your alcohol consumption and you should seek council from those who have been down this road.  Your not alone, many humans have suffered from alcoholism and the help exists to let you escape from the alcoholic-spiral your in, you just have to realise you need help and reach out for it.

 

 

Story of Your Economic Life

Hi!  My name is Warren Hayashi.  I bet you have a story you would like to tell the world, but your not sure how to go about writing your story in a entertaining, informative and educational way to the readers who might benefit from experiences and moments of your life.  Many people in the world today have interesting, informative and educational life stories that we would all benefit from and enjoy reading about.

  If your one of these people and you would like to tell the world about the story of your life, but you lack the time, energy, professional skills to tell your story in away that will draw the attention of readers, then I can help you.

  I  work for storyofmylife.com, a site that is owned and run by a world charity that is dedicated to many inspiring projects, of which storyofmylife.com is just one.  My job to search the world for people with interesting stories to tell about their life experiences, a never ending job that has introduced me to interesting people all over the Earth and I want to tell your story too.

  If you would prefer to write your own story the site allows this too, my job is provide writing services to people who cannot, or don’t want to do the writing themselves, for various reasons.

  This is how it will work, send me a story about a time period in your life, a day, an hour, it doesn’t matter, but make it a specific story about a specific event or story, not a full autobiography.  I will compose a story with the material you send me in third person and I will send it back to you for review, checking and such, and then we will go to the storyofmylife.com site and create a profile for you and download the story, actually the techs at the site will do this, we will send them the story.  Then the whole world will be able to read about you and your life, we have millions of current users on the websites, so readers won’t be a problem and soon the world will know more about the life and time of, you.

  If this sounds like a fun and exciting project that you would like to be part of, then send me your story at war9ren@gmail.com and well get started and before you know it people will be talking about you.  Or stop by the storyofmylife.com site and sign up for a free membership and begin telling the world your life story yourself, whichever, let’s get out there and do it.

 

Warren Hayashi

Story of Your Life

Hi!  My name is Warren Hayashi.  I bet you have a story you would like to tell the world, but your not sure how to go about writing your story in a entertaining, informative and educational way to the readers who might benefit from experiences and moments of your life.  Many people in the world today have interesting, informative and educational life stories that we would all benefit from and enjoy reading about.

  If your one of these people and you would like to tell the world about the story of your life, but you lack the time, energy, professional skills to tell your story in away that will draw the attention of readers, then I can help you.

  I  work for storyofmylife.com, a site that is owned and run by a world charity that is dedicated to many inspiring projects, of which storyofmylife.com is just one.  My job to search the world for people with interesting stories to tell about their life experiences, a never ending job that has introduced me to interesting people all over the Earth and I want to tell your story too.

  If you would prefer to write your own story the site allows this too, my job is provide writing services to people who cannot, or don’t want to do the writing themselves, for various reasons.

  This is how it will work, send me a story about a time period in your life, a day, an hour, it doesn’t matter, but make it a specific story about a specific event or story, not a full autobiography.  I will compose a story with the material you send me in third person and I will send it back to you for review, checking and such, and then we will go to the storyofmylife.com site and create a profile for you and download the story, actually the techs at the site will do this, we will send them the story.  Then the whole world will be able to read about you and your life, we have millions of current users on the websites, so readers won’t be a problem and soon the world will know more about the life and time of, you.

  If this sounds like a fun and exciting project that you would like to be part of, then send me your story at war9ren@gmail.com and well get started and before you know it people will be talking about you.  Or stop by the storyofmylife.com site and sign up for a free membership and begin telling the world your life story yourself, whichever, let’s get out there and do it.

 

Warren Hayashi

 

 Bigger, softer, less-nutritious tomatoes, with higher acreage yields, faster growing, bacteria-resistant, high-yield corn, barley and wheat that will grow in climates and regions unnatural to these cash crops.  Human possibility for manipulating and “controlling” Mother Nature’s formula’s are infinite, virtually untapped, dangerous and possibly beneficial to mankind as a group if implemented properly.

  Scientists prod, poke and alter experimentally processes of nature that have operated successfully and efficiently for millions of years, without the intervention of god-like humans trying to discover and understand the hidden mechanisms of the universe’s inner clockwork.

    But, just how much about the possible results of their experiments are the scientists today aware of before their inquiries begin.  An experiment by experiment comparison of results would clear up this question, the results indicate that accuracy in scientific inquiry is more likely the result of chance, than human genius, while this doesn’t invalidate the results obtained, it does give us an indication of just how much about the results of their scientific inquiries they do understand.   “The more we discover, the less we understand.  Beyond every door of scientific discovery, lies another hallway of doors, each with its own hallway and set of doors of discover.”  (Warren Hayashi)

  Scientists of ages past hid their discoveries and associated beliefs from the fearful eye of traditional religions and associations, behind jargon or code, renouncing their beliefs if questioned by authorities.  Scientists of today hide their discoveries behind corporate borders, professional-specific terms and expressions, and societies and associations requiring specific education, training and understanding to access.

  The battle to open the doors of scientific inquiry to the non-scientist hoping to lift the veil of mystery surrounding scientific inquiry has raged since humans discovered the power of knowledge and the benefits of secrecy, a battle that has intensified with the increased refinement and specialization of all scientific disciplines.

  Today, the god-like power being wielded by scientists, corporations and institutions is presently beyond the comprehension and understanding of the human intellect, despite what the human ego maybe telling us.  Maybe with time, if we survive our own devices, we may develop the ability to truly comprehend what we witness in a logical, rational, and non-emotional way, at least in the beginning of new inquiries.

  The desire of scientists and corporations to hide their discoveries is certainly rooted in fear of misunderstanding and non-comprehension; humans fear what they don’t truly comprehend.  Just as the human need to understand and ultimately manipulate nature is human fear and insecurity of the unknown at work.  Fear has been and is still a powerful force that shapes the human mind and choice, a tool that can destroy life or create it, that if used constructively with logic and rationality, maybe able to help save us from ourselves.

  Monsanto Corporation’s discovery of hidden scrolls detailing the process to produce synthetic recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH), also known as recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST), in 1994, has enflamed the battle between corporations and organizations dedicated to unveiling the mystery around many of today’s “discoveries”, by attempting to thwart attempts by consumers groups to provide consumers interested in trying to understand the facts surrounding these discoveries, with the information to make their own determinations about the safety of products obtained from today’s scientific discoveries.

  Since 1994, Monsanto’s synthetic replacement for naturally occurring BST protein hormone cows, rBGH, has become widely accepted and used as a management tool to increase dairy cow production.  In 2007, of the 9 million cows in the United States, approximately one third, are in herds supplemented with Monsanto’s Posilac bovine somatotropin.  Posilac is currently sold in all 50 states and to meet growing world wide demand for Posilac, Monsanto has sought and received FDA approval for a new multi-million dollar manufacturing facility in Augusta, Georgia.

  Customer approval ratings have been excellent, with dairy farmers using Posilac reporting thirteen years of continuous use, with no “recorded” or “registered” problems with the synthetic product.  In fact, they attest to Posilac’s efficacy in increasing dairy cow production in their herds.

  To date, products produced by dairy cows enhanced with rBGH aren’t labelled as produced by hormone-enhanced cows.  But recently, farmers choosing not to supplement their herds with Posilac decided that it was time to “tell the world”.  They began drawing up plans to label their dairy products as produced from cows not supplemented with Posilac, a normal business undertaking, and then announced their undertaking to the world, it was at this time their idea got caught up on a snag that wasn’t there before they decided to implement their new labelling plans.

  In stepped “Big Brother Pennsylvania State to inform these farmers that the state would impose a February 1^st, 2008 ban on farmers labelling their dairy products as obtained from cows not supplemented with Posilac.   The motivations of such a decision leaves much for the imagination to play with, a misguided attempt to protect little brother-consumer from some unseen danger.  Certainly, there is a danger of creating a two-tiered pricing system, where the non-hormone enhanced product is valued more, but is this really a danger or free market theory at work?

  In response to this decision, a messenger rode out of the low-sun on the horizon, carrying a letter for Pennsylvania State governor, Edward Rendell.  Signed, notarised and sealed for delivery by a coalition of 65 organizations protesting the proposed labelling ban as an attack on free speech, free markets, sustainable farming and the consumer’s right to know.  The coalition is currently resisting similar proposed bans by other states, their letter moved governor Rendell to state recently, “The public has a right to complete information about how the milk they buy is produced.”

  This came as he announced that Pennsylvania would accede to consumer advocates desire for the state to retract its announcement of a proposed ban on farmers labelling their products as produced from cows not supplement with Posilac.  By issuing new guidelines that allow dairy farmers to label their products as produced by dairy cows not supplemented with Posilac, a decision that is a victory for all consumers.

Compare different cell phone wireless carriers

Let’s Compare Wireless Carriers                                      

We’ve listed the five carriers in order or relative overall performance below, because we feel a carriers performance is most customers primary consideration when first considering a carrier.  However, if you tend to travel a lot internationally or through backwash rural areas of the United States, the type of network that your carrier uses and the way you use your phone maybe worth examining as well.  After the list below you will find our suggestions if you’ve decided to change your carrier and you want some advice on how to go about this complicated process.

  

VERIZON WIRELESS

 

How good - consistently a top performer in customers surveys by independent sources like Consumer Reports and in our own independent surveys.  Always among the better national carriers in responsiveness to customer questions, inquiries and complaints.  Networks – CDMA and analog.  Verizon offers analog access on only a few of its new phones, which could mean less coverage in some rural areas of the country.

  

ALLTELL

 

How good – Alltel has been a consistent top performer in all three metro areas where they have sufficient data to rate it, but only three of course.  Notably good for both connectivity and customer service in all areas, including helpfulness in responding to questions, inquiries or complaints.  Networks – CDMA or analog.

  

T-MOBILE

 How good - A solid consistent performer in all the metro areas where there is sufficient data to rate their service, but marred by lack of service in some places.  Also ranked among the better providers in responsiveness to customers questions, inquiries and complaints.  Networks - GSM only.  Most of its phones can be used outside the United States because of this fact though. 

CINGULAR

 How good - Middle to low levels of consumer satisfaction with sound and voice quality.  Static and busy circuits were common problems, as they have been in previous surveys conducted.  Relatively low performance for helpfulness in handling customer questions, inquiries and complaints.  Networks – Primarily GSM, some TDMA and analog.  Most GSM phones can also be used in many parts of the world. 

SPRINT

 How good – One of the poorest performers in terms of overall performance and customer satisfaction.  Had more dropped calls than other carriers in all situations?  Sprint merged with Nextel in 2005, and out results do not include former Nextel customers or those who receive Nextel service from Sprint, because their phones operate on a different network than Sprint customers.  Networks - Sprint uses CDMA but can roam using analog.    If you’re ready to switch to a different cell service provider, here’s how to find a carrier more likely to meet your personal standards:

If you live in a major metropolitan area focus your search on the carriers at the top of the list, in most of these population centres there are up to three carriers to choose from when making your choice.  To choose from the top carriers in your area, check the online coverage maps for each carrier at their Web sites, paying special attention to where you live, work and plan on traveling.  These on line maps can vary in detail and accuracy, so you should go one step further and ask people you know who travel, work and live on the same streets as you which carrier they use and if they get consistently good service.

 

   Depending on how often you use your cell phone while in rural areas or outside the continental United States, you’ll want to pay close attention to which network the carrier operates on.  The major digital networks are CDMA (code division multiple access) and GSM (global system for mobile).  The advantage of CDMA is that many CDMA phones incorporate analog backup for roaming in areas where a digital signal is unavailable.  Many GSM phones, however, provide coverage in other countries, a plus for those of us planning to spend a lot of time away from home.

 

  Once you choose a carrier, be sure to take advantage of the trial period most carrier offer.  If you find that the service is poor of nonexistent in places where you need it most, cancel that contract and try another of the highly rated carriers on the list.

 

  If you’ve settled on a carrier, you can go directly to its Web site and compare the plans it offers.  As we’ve noted in the past, however, you might have to poke around a little to find the cheapest plan the carrier offers, or else call the carrier directly and ask.  Comparing plans of different carriers is relatively simple at Web sites like Letstalk.com (click on Service Plans, then compare).

 

  If the amount of shekels you spend is your primary concern, the best way to compare is on a per-minute basis.  For example, when we recently checked rates for Tampa, Florida, Sprint and Verizon were both offering 450-minute plans for $39.99 a month, or about 9 cents a minute.  T-Mobile offered 600 minutes for the same $39.99, or about 7 cents a minute. 

 

  If you only use your cell phone for roadside emergencies or make very few calls, consider a prepaid or “pay as you go” plan.  When comparing prepaid plans, pay special attention to what the carrier charges per minute, how soon minutes expire, and whether your minutes can be roller over.  Although we haven’t rated prepaid carriers, some of the major providers are T-Mobile, TracFone, Verizon, and Virgin.  You can buy prepaid phones and refill minutes at electronics and office supply stores, as well as online and in Canada online or at specified stores.

   Saying goodbye to your old carrier will be very easy if your contract has expired.  Just ask your new carrier to switch your existing (and, by law, portable) cell number to your new cell phone.  If however, you still have months or years to go on your contract with your current carrier, the switch is a little trickier, especially since you could be facing a whopping early termination fee.  If you’re desperately unhappy with your plan and carrier, you may want to just pay the fee and get them out of your life forever.  As much as we hate to admit it, paying a penalty of $150 to get out of a deal may be no worse then paying $50 month after month for service you’re not getting or drives you insane.  Well that’s it for this hub, join me next time as we will talk about the new fee-based features cell phone makers are adding to your friend and some things to pay attention to.  Happy talking!     

Phoning across the world using the Internet

                                                       Internet Phoning Grows Up

 Recent surveys of customers using Voice over Internet Protocol shows increasingly happy customers, but nothing is perfect. 

  Tired of paying large telephone bills for traditional landline telephone service, looking for a little monetary relief from the onslaught of your progeny’s social needs and your wife’s marathon telephone sessions, take a look at the improved service of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).  Called VoIP by many users who are saving as much as $20 to $50 or more a month by using the service, it transmits your telephone calls over the same Internet network that delivers your e-mail messages.

 

  Providers of this service are telephone companies, cable operators, and newcomers such as Vonage but check in the area your using your service in to find the one that suits you’re need best.  Typically unlimited local and domestic long-distance plans cost around $25 to $40 a month, depending on your provider and services with you’re plan.  Just about all include telephone features normally seen, such as voice mail, caller ID, and call waiting and additional services not available with a landline, such as the ability to make local calls with your home phone number even when globetrotting thousands of miles away from your residence.

 

  The combination of price and services is heads above typical landlines, but does VoIP deliver on the promised services or is it just more hype.  Surveys conducted by industry specialists with individuals who have used this emerging technology for at least one year indicate customers are generally satisfied with the service provided.  Over fifty percent indicated their telephone bills had dropped and the level of service about the same as traditional landline service.

 

  Users indicated dissatisfaction with issues like the 911 emergency service so we suggest you keep your landline even if you opt for VoIP for day to day use.

 

  Around fifty percent of the VoIP consumers surveyed cited reducing local and domestic long-distance phone bills was the main factor in their decision to try VoIP.  Surveys indicated that around 80% of users with lower bills saved around $20 a month, and 34% saved over $40 or more.  Sound quality and unreliability were not an issue they had to live with to achieve the monetary savings provided by this emerging technology.

 

  Around 57% of those surveyed who used both VoIP and landline service reported Internet phone calls sounded at least as good as calls made on their traditional landline phone, while the other 43% said their landline always sounds better. 

  Half the consumers with VoIP and a landline reported no difference in their ability to make and receive calls reliably, but the rest were split down the middle in rating either VoIP or landline as the most reliable.

 

  Generally, users of both VoIP and a cell phone reported Internet phoning to have more reliable connections that their cell phone and comparable sound quality.  

  While many of those surveyed had no problems with VoIP, almost 33% reported at least one dropped call or difficulty making or receiving calls within a week of the surveys and some had occasional problems listening to callers or being heard by callers.

 

  The typically positive reports of VoIP user’s maybe piques your interest in buying the VoIP service, but here are a few things you should be aware of before signing on the dotted line.

 

  You will probably be moving to a new phone company that provides the VoIP service, some landline and wireless providers, such as AT&T and Verizon, offer VoIP service, but you’ll also encounter names you haven’t associated with telephone service.  Including cable giants like Cablevision and Time Warner Cable, as well as businesses that specialize in VoIP, like one of the largest mainstream VoIP providers Vonage, a VoIP only provider.

 

  The good thing about VoIP is you can use any standard touch-tone phone with the service, and the person you’re contacting doesn’t need special equipment or Internet access to receive your calls.  Typically you plug your phone into an analog telephone adapter, called an ATA, which you can purchase at a retail store near you for about $100 or less; some companies even provide one at little or no expense to the user.  The adapter hooks to a router or modem, which in turn connects up to the cable or DSL line that serves as your broadband connection.

 

  Only one phone needs to be connected to the VoIP adapter, but if you have more than one phone connected to the line you can use a cordless phone with several handsets or a multiple-jack device with the adapter.  You could use the existing phone wiring and jacks to plug your phones into the VoIP line, but only if your willing to give up your landline, which we don’t recommend just yet.

 

  You might be able to have your landline phone number reassigned to the VoIP line you’re planning on using, but only if you cut your landline service and as we said this is not recommended.  It will take a few weeks for the transfer to go through, so you’ll be using a temporary number during the transition period.  The only exception to this rule is if you’re using a broadband access is through DSL, in this case you may have to keep your current number for that line and get a new number for the VoIP line.

 

  If you would rather have a new phone number with your new VoIP line, you can usually choose the area code yourself. 

  Like any service VoIP has its drawbacks it clearly isn’t for everyone, some of the reason indicated for not using the service are.  It requires a broadband Internet connection that can cost up to $30 to $45 if you have in installed so you can use VoIP.  You will need to know the ins and outs of a computer to get VoIP up and running, about 40% of those who installed it themselves reported problems and even experts can have problems.  They said it took them more than two hours to install, several return visits or even some replacement hardware to get it up and running.  If you lose power or you’re internet connection at your residence your VoIP phone won’t work, we suggest buying a backup battery that will provide about four to six hours of talk time.  Security is an issue with any emerging technology using the Internet because of the risk of vulnerability to viruses, hackers, and denial of service, but no incidents have been reported so far.

 

  The bottom line indicates the need to deal with potential problems associated with the phone service to make it work, but VoIP will increase the time you can talk on the phone, save you shekels on you’re phone costs and add useful features not seen on with typical landline phone service.  We urge you to keep a corded phone requiring no power and a traditional landline for emergency situations if you do opt for the VoIP phone though.

Looking for a new cell phone deal

How To Find The Best Cell Phone Deal

After bringing you the best cell phones in the world the we would feel irresponsible if we didn’t tell you how to find the best deal for the phone, service provider and calling plan.

Cell phones rock! But if you thought choosing your last piece of Star Trek spawned technology, service provider, and calling plan was tough as asking a Klingon to refuse a physical challenge, just wait until you use the list of the world’s best cell phones to find one and try it. The convoluted puzzles that are the latest plans are confusing to figure out and the multitude of phones themselves have become complex beyond comprehension to the average Mary or Joe. Digital camera are commonplace on even the most basic of models, and MP3 players are increasingly popular. With each new feature hatching new services and new costs as manufacturers rush to be the first to bring new, innovative, features onto the marketplace and reap the financial benefits.

This is where we can help by providing you with the information to make your own informed choices about the cell phone, service provider and calling plan you choose. If your planning on replacing your phone check out my hub “The Best Web Browsing Phones In The World”, but if your looking for a better deal on your service provider and calling plan then the last one you had, stick around we have what your looking for here.

If your just looking for a new cell phone because the contract with your carrier is up, check to see which cell phones will work with your present carrier. Unless your familiar with the model your considering purchasing, there is no substitute for visiting a walk-in store and assessing the feel of the model your considering with your own hands. Surveys indicate readers experiences have been better with online transactions, so you might get better results completing the deal online.

In a recent survey of 18,000 subscribers of Consumer Reports, 65% of respondents to the survey bought a cell phone from a service provider’s Web site and were completely satisfied with the service, compared to 55% who bought at the provider’s walk-in store.

When browsing for a new cell phone or carrier, don’t be swayed by someone offering you a discount, discounts have become the standard, with 89% of the people involved in the survey saying they got one.

If you want to try a new provider, competition is a good thing. In a separate survey conducted by industry experts; nearly twenty-five percent of respondents reported switching to a new carrier during the first three years, mostly due to poor service. If this struck a nerve then start looking for a new provider here.

A prospective buyer should note that even if your happy with your current cell phone, chances are you won’t be able to take it with you when you go to a new provider. This is because providers sometimes use incompatible networks, but also because providers “lock” their phones electronically to discourage customers from going to another provider. A recent federal ruling allows consumers to unlock their cell phones for use with other networks, but this can only be done easily with a few cell phones.

If you have a cell phone that works on the GSM network, used by T-Mobile and Cingular, ask the new provider whether your old phone will work on their network. Even if you can keep using your old cell phone though you may have to pay your new provider or a third party, such as www.unlockmyphonenow.com, $10 to $40 to free it up. Unfortunately, if your phone works on the older CDMA network if probably can’t be transferred to your new provider, so your next option may be to donate or recycle it. For more information on what to do with an old cell phone, visit the website www.GreenerChoices.org.

If your under contract currently switching providers in the middle of the contract can have financial consequences, with you paying around $200 in early termination fees per phone number. If you can tolerate your existing service, try living with the contract until it is over, it will simplify you’re life.

If the price is the issue, remember you can usually make a deal with the provider to move to one of your current carrier’s other plans, without additional financial penalties. But be aware that switching can mean having to extend your current contract, pay new activation fees, or surrender any rollover minutes you’ve accumulated while using your original agreement.

Surveys indicate that nearly half of respondents who switched plans did so because they wanted more minutes, a move that can save you nasty charges for exceeding your monthly allotment. But, if you don’t use your cell phone much, consider switching to a more basic monthly plan with fewer minutes and this will save you money.

Replacing your cell phone is usually not a good idea while your still under contract with a provider, unless you absolutely need to, because the carrier or other authorized dealer won’t be as generous with discounts. If you have lost or broken your cell phone and don’t want to pay through the nose for a replacement, don’t worry, you can often find a less expensive replacement on eBay or other related websites.

That’s it for this hub, look for additional hubs on related material to this article in the next few days, I will be talking about my survey of carriers and which one maybe the best for your needs and purposes. Happy phoning!

Looking for a new job

If you’re thinking about looking for a new job in the renewed job market 

If you recently decided, like millions of dissatisfied employees in 2006 and 2007, to test the renewed waters of the job market to see if greener shores can be found further along the employment stream, your not alone. In fact, employment experts say the average worker in today’s world of uncertain employment changes jobs, often industries, and an average of every two to five years in order to stay afloat on today’s employment stream. Considering the hot job market lately it’s not surprising workers are choosing now to change jobs in favour of a better work environment, a larger portion of the booty, or whatever reasons for folding up your tent, loading your canoe and braving the turbulent waters of today’s employment stream. You maybe young and full of world changing energy, this is good we can find a use for this. Some of the information you will need to make it through the employment rapids upstream you will find here, information to help you decide which tributary to take along the employment stream ahead of you when you come to one. Yes I realise time isn’t as important a consideration to the young, you think, but you still need to make a plan, a map of your intended shore along the employment stream ahead of you to guide you to your goal. If dreams of personal wealth are your main impetus for pushing off from shore and testing the employment waters, then you better buy a lottery ticket, make a wish to your luck deity, or plan the perfect bank robbery during your lunch breaks. A job with better financial potential then the one you’re currently chained to waits somewhere along the employment stream, you have to look to find though. For many people lifestyle changes in this uncertain world with an uncertain future seems more prudent over more shekels to count and you maybe looking for a job that fills your need for fulfillment more than material adornment. If you recently had a disagreement with the ‘man’ losing your position in line at the money trough, or feeling in jeopardy of being kicked out of line, can be a traumatic event in human terms, especially if unforeseen and sudden. If this is the case you might want to use the information in this hub to make an escape plan in case the warden suddenly decides to change the rules. This way if you wake up one day to find your work-world unfavourably changed forever, you have a plan for escaping such an eventuality of life and making it to greener shores. You could map out several routes along the employment stream to prepare for the unemployment abyss that can swallow you whole, when you suddenly loose your place at the money-trough. Having a map of the current employment stream could improve the future for you and your family; provide additional creature or spiritual comforts and the emotional comfort of having a sound backup employment plan in case the unforeseen happens. Whatever the reasons we have information you will need to plan your route along today’s employment stream in search of your dream job or scout out a sound map in case the employment abyss comes knocking at your door.

In the previous hub, ‘Boom or Go Bust?’, we discussed the job market conditions since the beginning of the new millennium to the present and the ten hottest jobs employers are looking to fill in the next decade of certain employment turbulence in the U.S. In this hub we will discuss the ten hottest cities in America in which to get off the employment roller-coaster discussed in Boom or go Bust?’ and begin the search for the right location along the employment stream in which to search for your chosen field of endeavour. All in order to provide you with the information to build your map to greener shores along the employment shore find a new career direction or your way out of the unemployment abyss. In order to facilitate your search we listed the ten hottest American cities along with a short paragraph on the employment conditions in each city below.

Competition is fierce for the greener shores along the employment stream so be prepared to knock canoes and rub elbows along the way to your dream job; competition is normal in humans, it brings out the best and worst in us. Well, if you’re ready to go life seeker, let’s put the canoe in the water. Hang on tightly as you do so though, the current is awful powerful when experienced for the first time in awhile. Push off from shore and let’s paddle upstream to the ten hottest cities in America to find a hot new job or new professional field for you to play on.

Tributary 1 – Las Vegas

Job growth in all related industries to conferences, real estate, casino tourism, and outdoor recreation will keep things hopping in the city that never sleeps. Retail opportunities, customer service representatives, and general office positions abound with secondary employment in all related industries are required. More people move here then any other city in America for a reason, employers are always looking for people.

Tributary 2 – Orlando

Customer service is growing with Disney World being present. Physical sports therapy is a growing field of endeavour, with occupational therapists, physician’s assistants and medical specialists catering to the large baby boomer crowd. With the normal secondary industry jobs being produced in other run-off industries Orlando is an area of the country that will be growing in the next decade.

Tributary 3 – Riverside

A distribution point for the flood of Chinese imports Riverside is always in the need for transportation experts and logistic experts, as well as all the related industry jobs that support these main industries.

Tributary 4 – Austin

Technology’s rebound means IT hiring is back in Austin. And with Toyota’s nearby plant creating thousands of jobs this city is hot. Throw in the normal assortment of secondary industry jobs needed to help keep the main industries hopping and the employment picture is hot alright.

Tributary 5 – Phoenix

This growing city is falling behind in filling job positions. Expected to need 2000 CEO’s in the next ten years, this city is definitely a place to find greener employment shores for many of the industries mentioned in ‘Boom or Go Bust?‘. The normal secondary industry jobs will be needed in all sectors as well, making Phoenix a hub of employment until 2014.

Tributary 6 – Jacksonville

Build new computer systems and computer system analysts will come to Jacksonville to run them, and with the need for medical assistants and occupational therapists growing in leaps and bounds over the next decade this city will be a hotbed of employment in these areas of endeavour. Throw into the employment melting pot the secondary industry jobs tinkling down from the main industries and you may want to take a look at this hot job market if you’re in the area.

Tributary 7 – Tampa

The war machine is driving the wheels of industry in this city, buoying defence hiring at the home of the U.S. Central Command. Most of the hottest industries will have openings in the Tampa area, throw in the secondary industry jobs that need to be filled to make the other industries thrive and Tampa will be rocking.

Tributary 8 – Dallas/Fort Worth

Construction, real estate, and the financial world grease the wheels of industry in this city. Many of today’s hottest jobs will have postings here, now and in the next decade of growth. With main industry growth you must have all the secondary industry jobs that must be filled to make the wheels turn properly. The employment market in this part of the country is hot, hot, hot!

Tributary 9 – Charlotte

The booming financial services in Charlotte continue to drive employment in Charlotte. With all the run-down secondary industry jobs produced this area of the country will be hopping, growth in expected to continue well past 2014. A great place to live and work, you should check Charlotte out.

Tributary 10 – Atlanta

Banking and financial services are strong in Atlanta. With all the software start-ups boosting demand for programmers, network specialists and administrators this city is one of the best for technology professionals. With the need for all the secondary jobs to help keep the main industries moving along, Atlanta will be one of the employment stops you should check out.

 Well that’s it for the ten best cities in America to find one of the ten hottest jobs in America, the jobs that will have the greatest demand up until 2014, after that well have to do another hub. Keep close because in the coming weeks we will be adding content to our employment hubs, we will bring you information on the companies in the ten cities above that are hiring people in the ten hottest jobs in America, information on the ten hottest schools in America that teach the knowledge and skills you will need to compete with your competition in any of these ten hottest jobs in America and much more information to help streamline your trip along the employment streams of America.

Happy paddling!