High-Tech Airport Crime

Millions of travelers never have trouble, but thieves are out there -- especially in international airports. Watch out for "shoulder surfers" -- one crook pretends to videotape friends while zooming in over your shoulder to steal your mobile phone or credit-card numbers. Another trick: One thief stalls the metal-detector line with keys, change and other metallic objects, distracting everyone while an accomplice steals carry-ons from the other end of the conveyor belt. » Continue reading

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Email Etiquette

Billions of emails are sent daily, many across the world, some between one desk and the next -- plenty of opportunity to inadvertently offend or annoy, especailly in a work situation. So:

Be brief. Emails that are more than a screen long are daunting and irritating. With friends you can be chattier.

Style counts. Spell check notes before you hit "send." Writing using ALL CAPITAL LETTERS signifies shouting; all small letters is hard to read.

Answer promptly. At work, respond within the day. When you are out for a day or more, program an "I'm away" auto reply.

Ignore chain mail, jokes and petitions. Almost no one likes them. Resist forwarding them unless they seem highly relevant.

Identify yourself. For business emails, create a standard sign-off that includes your full name, title, phone number, address and any pertinent infromation about your company. » Continue reading

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Max the Micro!

To use your microwave oven even more effectively:

• Cook in round vessels. Rectangular one are less effective because they come closer to the power source (on the oven's side) as the dish rotates, and may heat food unevenly, even burn some portions.
  
• Microwaves are more evenly distributed on a flat plate, and therefore cooking time is reduced.
  
• Use several smaller containers, instead of one large one, to speed up the cooking process. This way, you can also simultaneously hand out a number of small servings to family or guests.

» Continue reading

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Prevent Painful Hangovers

Everyone has his own hangover cure: caffeine, exercise, greasy food, Bloody Marys -- even the pills and potions sold in by chemists. But none have been proven to cure hangovers, says Jeff Wiese, an American associate professor of medicine who has spent several years studying the condition. Caused mainly by dehydration, hangovers are best treated by drinking water and taking paracetamol, which is easy on the stomach. (Heavy drinkers, who are at risk for liver disease, shouldn't take paracetamol without a doctor's okay.)

Luckily, recent research indicates you can prevent post-drinking pain. Try these tricks before your next night on the town:

Bet on B. Swallow a daily multivitamin that contains B-6. It speeds the elimination of alcohol from the blood, leading to faster recovery.

Have an H₂O chaser. Alcohol is a diuretic. It impairs the kidneys' ability to retain water, resulting in dizziness and nausea. The fix: Down a glass of water after each drink, and another before bed.

Cut down on congeners. These impurities from the fermentation process inflame your body's tissues, much like a virus does. Choose top-shelf brands, or clear drinks, like vodka, which have fewer congeners than darker booze, like whisky. » Continue reading

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Time Management at Work

Tricks to get more done in less time, from the clients of US career coach Terry Kozlowski:

Don't overdo overtime. One study found that worker productivity sharply declines after 50 hours a week. Make evening plans to avoid lingering. "When I know I have to leave for a 6:30 gym session, I don't say, "I'll just do that later during the day," says a consulting firm executive.

Schedule even the small stuff. Looming little tasks can add up and distract you, says a website producer. "But when a call is set for 3pm, I forget it and focus on the project at hand."

Take a vacation. The former CEO of an engineering firm, required his staff to use all days off. "They'd return with a fresh perspective -- and ideas."

Master the meeting drain. Use time between meetings for jobs you can finish. "I can't force the concentration for big things," says one business manager. But 15 minutes is perfect for answering email. » Continue reading

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Is your computer data safe?

Shielding your home computer from online threats is easier than you think. Try these simple defensive steps:

Update your OS. Whether you use the Windows or Mac operating system (OS), it must be updated regularly to shore up your computer's defenses. On a PC, go to "Windows Update" under the Start icon and click to install all security-related updates. On a Mac, go to "Software Update" in your system Preferences (OS X) or under Control Panels (OS 9). Set the feature to update automatically each week.

Install a firewall. Hackers can enter your computer if you don't have a firewall in place, such as ZoneAlarm (free), which can warn you each time your computer accesses the Web.

Install antivirus software. You need the most up-to-date anti-virus programs to ensure your hard drive and e-mail are uninfected. Two popular brands are Symentec's Norton AntiVirus and McAfee's Internet Security Suite. Run the software weekly.

Fight spyware. Spyware enters your computer when you're online, and reports your activities to companies that then try to sell you products. To remove spyware, download an anti-spyware program such as Ad-Aware (free). Run the program daily.

Change web browsers. Viruses that enter your PC via Internet Explorer can do serious damage. Consider trying a free alternative such as Mozilla Firefox. » Continue reading

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Stealth Shopping on the Web

Protecting your privacy is harder when shopping online because you're asked to fork over sensitive data. Here's what Jay Foley at the Identity Theft Resource Centre suggests to minimize exposure:

Change your identity. Create a new email address exclusively for online stores that require one. This dummy address will wind up receiving future junk emails. Then each week, trash all the spam from your "shopping" address.

Look for the lock. Before filling out any on-screen form asking for credit card data, verify that you're at a secure Web page. The URL in the field at the top of your screen should begin with "https://" and look for a locked padlock icon in the lower-left corner of the screen.

Send spies packing. If you download free software, "spyware" may have been secretly attached by a third party to monitor your surfing habits. Spychecker.com offers free software that detects and removes spyware from your hard drive. » Continue reading

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How not to look like a Tourist

Afraid of being singled out as a mark, a nerd (or maybe just an out-of-towner) in a foreign place?

1. Don't block pavement traffic folding and unfolding maps.
   
2. Keep your jaw shut as you admire those jaw-dropping buildings locals pass without a glance.
   
3. Multi-pocketed urban pants may be practical, but overstuffed they make you look like a blimp on tour.
   
4. Remember: Shouting doesn't make English easier to understand.
   
5. Don't parade your hometown T-shirt or cap.
   
6. Why would anyone even wear something called a bumbag?
   
7. Enjoy yourself. Most people like tourists.

» Continue reading

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Make light work to decorate your home

When decorating your home, consider these illuminating tips on creative lighting, from lamp-magnate Christopher Wray:

• Use lighting to define an area -- table and floor lamps can mark zones in a large room where, for instance, one end is for eating and the other for dining.
  
• Place several floor lamps that beam light upwards to guid the eye along a particular route, or set them behind a plant or sofa to create a soft glow.
  
• With floor-standing (pedestal) lamps, fitting sockets in the floor will reduce the length of flex wire.
  
• If you fancy a chandelier, remember it was origially meant to hold candles, so use very low-watt light bulbs.
  
• Fit dimmer switches to everything -- varying light levels will help set the mood for each part of the day.

» Continue reading

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Women swoon for hi-tech woo

Men looking to further their romance with flowers may want to think tech instead. A small Amazon.co.uk study at the University of Hertfordshire, UK, measured women's reactions to gifts: They showed most arousal when imagining getting electronic gadgets. In addition, a study of 1000 people found six in ten women said their love lives suffered if they had no mobile phone or hand-held computer with them. » Continue reading

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How to get upgraded on a flight?

It's always nice to get something for nothing. When it's an upgrade to business or first class air travel, you can do your bit to help it happen, advises Keith Burton of the Association of British Travel Agents:

Join a frequent flyer program. Airlines only upgrade because they have to (they over-book, calculating that some people won't turn up). They will always choose their most valued customers first.

Ask if the flight is full when you check in. Say that if they're looking to upgrade, you'd like to be considered. Don't be pushy.

Dress smartly. The airline won't want to upset (fare-paying) first lass passengers by seating them next to a scruffy backpacker.

Travel alone. You'll be easier to seat than a couple or group.

Don't be first at the gate. Staff won't want to hold up the queue and won't know yet which seats are free. » Continue reading

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Some tips to keep your CDs and DVDs clean and your players healthy

Be it the Beatles CD you play in the car, the precious Spiderman 3 DVD you got for your birthday or the CD-ROM with the snaps from your last holiday, chances are you have no idea what to do if the toddler in your life leaves her mark on any of them, let alone how to care for a disc at the best of times. Some tips from the Optical Storage Technology Association:

1. Always hold CDs and DVDs by the outside edge or the centre hole.
   
2. Store discs in plastic cases in a box, drawer or cabinet away from light, heat, dust and humidity.
   
3. Blow off any dust that settles on discs to keep it out of your player.
   
4. Clean discs using a soft, dry, lint-free cloth or camera lens tissue. Gently wipe from the centre to the outer edege in a straight line; do not rub in circles or around the disc.

CD cleaning fluids may help to remove sticky fingerprints. » Continue reading

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How to get a quick passport size photo?

Need a quick passport size photo? Simply take a digital photo of your face in front of a white background and upload it online to ePassportPhoto.com. You can crop it on the site and you'll get an image file to save back to your own computer. If you own a digital camera and color printer, the service will cost you noting. What's more, you can keep snapping photos until you're happy with the result. » Continue reading

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Avoid Man-to-Man Deals at Work

If you are planning to ask for a pay rise or want to secure a business deal, try to bargain with someone of the opposite sex.

European researchers have found that women negotiate better with men and vice versa, but that both men and women become over-competitive when dealing with someone of the same gender.

Talks between a mixed-gender pair lead to significantly more co-operation, resulting in mutually beneficial business outcomes, the researchers say.

They suggest that companies can use this knowledge to their benefit, by strategically selecting the gender of their representatives. » Continue reading

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Tips for printing Digital Photos

Capture great memories and moments with tips on printing digital photos.

Fan your paper first
Before you put it into the paper tray, bend the stack and run your finger along the edge. This ensures the sheets feed flawlessly.

Select the right paper setting
Many HP photo printers with optical sensors for paper type allow you to select the actual name of the paper you are using. Use it to enhance paper feed and print quality.

Don't stack your photos
Don't stack your photos before they are totally dry. This may cause the photo below to stick onto the back of the one above.

Leave them to dry before storing
Resist the temptation to slot your phtos into a photo album the moment they are printed. Air them in a cool place to dry them before storing.

Keep them protected
Exposing your photos to air and moisture causes them to fade or turn yellow. Store your photos in an album or photo frame to protect them. » Continue reading

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How to spot an email hoax

The Internet is a great way to share information, but also to spread lies and mischievous nonsense. When you get an unsolicited email, these warning signs, from urbanlegends.about.com, should ring alarm bells:

1. The text was not originally written by the person who sent it to you.
   
2. Phrases such as "This is NOT a hoax..."
   
3. ...Or "Forward this to everyone you know."
   
4. Overly emphatic language or heavy use of CAPITALS and exclamation marks!!!!!!!!
   
5. Language that seems more geared to persuade than to inform.
   
6. Claims to offer important information you've not heard before from legitimate sources.
   
7. Subtle jokes that might suggest leg pulling.
   
8. No reference to outside sources nor links to websites with corroborating information.
   
9. Replies with "Re:" in the subject title from people you haven't written to.

» Continue reading

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First e-Impressions

Few careers can now do without email. How effectively do you deal with it? Take this true-or-false quiz to find out!

1. Emails should be short.
   
2. The subject line should be short.
   
3. All messages should be marked urgent so people will read them.
   
4. You should respond to email messages within 24 hours.
   

Answers:

1. True. People don't have time to read pages of material on a screen. If your message is longer than screen-length, send it a different way.
   
2. False. With so much spam around, many people won't open an email unless they know who it's from or the subject is clear. Writing hi, or leaving the subject line black, leaves the reader confused.
   
3. False. People will know you always do this and won't consider your e-mail urgent, even when it is.
   
4. True. If you don't have the info, send an email to acknowledge you got their message and let them know when you'll have the info.

» Continue reading

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Speeding up a sluggish computer

Steps to take before spending money on costly upgrades.

Empty the trash. Files dragged to the trash icon may be out of sight, but they continue to eat up valuable space. Only when the trash is emptied is space freed up.

Restart your computer. Even when you quit a program, large ones may continue to siphon off memory. Restarting (or "rebooting") adjusts this problem.

Fix fragmented files. Over time, files on your hard drive may become fragmented, i.e. a file may be broken up into pieces and written on different far away locations on the hard disk drive, requiring more time to read the file from the hard disk drive. Most PCs come with a defragment program. In Windows you can find it under Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter.

Purge old e-mail files. Many e-mail programs save copies of every message you send. Empty or reduce this backup file to free up hard-drive space. If necessary, ask your e-mail service to help locate the files.

Switch off start-ups. Programs that support instant messaging and calendars begin running as soon as you start your computer and use up its resources. You're better off turning them on as needed. » Continue reading

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Getting the most from AA batteries

It turns out that batteries aren't as "perishable" as we thought. "You can buy batteries in value packs and store them up to five years witout fear that their energy wll drain," says Mark Connelly, Consumer Reports director of appliance testing. Just don't toss loose batteries into a shoebox with metal objects. They can touch and lose power. As for putting batteries in the fridge, the chill does not preserve or extend their life by much, Connelly says. Here's a battery-buyer's guide:

Alkaline: Single-use battery best for low-drain electronics such as remotes and many toys.

Premium alkaline: Lasts longer than regular alkalines. Good for high-drain devices such as digital cameras.

Rechargeable nickel-cadmium: Less powerful than alkalines but can be recharged. Most suited for remotes, toys and small radios.

Rechargeable nickel-metal hydride: Ideal for high-drain items thanks to its extended life. » Continue reading

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Tips to save printer ink

Color printer cartridges are costly, but there are ways to extend their lives, says Glenn Menin of PC Magazine Labs:

• Before printing, adjust your computer's print quality to "draft" and use less ink.
  
• When possible, use only the black-ink option, even when printing color pages.
  
• While printing web pages, just highlight (or copy and paste in a sparate file, preferably in a word processor to preserve the text formatting) only the text you want rather than printing everything on the screen.
  
• Most printer drivers today have a print preview option that lets you see what exactly you are going to get even before you actually print it. Use it to save wastages.
  
• Use your printer ink cartridges, both black and color, atleast once a week. Even if you don't have a need to take a print out, just print something small or run a diagnostic test.
  
• Use generic or compatible print cartridges which are almost half the cost of an original manufacturer brand OEM print cartridge. They are a definite money saver, especially for bulk black and white print jobs.

Looking for more tips? Here are some search keyword ideas to try it out on Google:

How to save printer ink?
How to save ink on bulk printing jobs
Ways to save ink when printing web pages
Printer utilities to save paper and printer ink
Printer software to save printer ink cartridges » Continue reading

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