Saving Money on Inkjet Cartridges
Posted by Staff (06/30/2011 @ 10:03 am)
Whether you have a business or just do your printing at home, inkjet cartridges can be very expensive. This is where the printer manufacturers make their money, and you can burn through a lot of money if you do a lot of printing.
The tips for saving money all involve common sense. The first has to do with your printing habits and your printing policies in the office. When possible, print in black at lower quality as opposed to using color at maximum quality. This alone will save you a ton in inkjet fees.
Next, you have to shop around. If you just spend some time online, you can find the lowest price for your cartridges, even the brand name cartridges. One problem is that people wait till they run out if ink to get new cartridges. Then you’re in a hurry and it’s easier to just go to the local store and pick one up. If you plan ahead, you’ll save a ton of money and get in the habit of always keeping a supply.
If you need one right away, look for stores like Cartridge World. They have deep discounts and you can punch in your zip code on their web site to find a store near you.
Another option includes refilling your ink or purchasing off-brand cartridges. This is a matter o preference based upon quality issues. It’s not a bad option, but you can save on the brand cartridges if you follow the steps above.
LulzSec gets personal
Posted by Jeff Morgan (06/28/2011 @ 4:14 pm)
It’s an odd thing for the entire world to be aware of tech news, especially news as tech specific as the hacking that’s been going on courtesy of the group Lulz Security. The hacking group has gained notoriety after taking information from some high profile targets. Now they’re potentially poised to send a man to prison, but they still manage to enjoy some serious public support. It’s a strange situation.
I put together an article for Bullz-Eye that breaks down LulzSec’s various exploits and their implications for web culture. Here’s a quick excerpt:
LulzSec claims that it hacks to expose the vulnerabilities in the system. The group doesn’t think the members are at fault for the data leaks, either. After the Sony leak, the group tweeted, “Hey innocent people whose data we leaked: blame @Sony.” I’m not going to touch the issue of fault here – there just isn’t time – but I do think its time people educate themselves about account security and password strength. The reason the Sony leak was a problem was that people used the same password for that site as for their personal emails, Facebook accounts, Amazon accounts (with one-click ordering enabled) and Paypal accounts.
Head over to the Gadgets channel to read the full article.
Father’s Day: Facts and Figures
Posted by Jeff Morgan (06/17/2011 @ 4:10 pm)
Father’s day is the day where you put your best foot forward and try to find something your dad will really like to have as a gift or spend his day doing. Some dads are really into sports, some are really into fashion (believe it or not) and some are motor-heads. With over $11,000,000,000 dollars spent yearly on Father’s day gifts, it’s a huge industry and because of that, there is a ton of data surrounding it.
The infographic below shares some interesting information regarding what consumers go with when they’re looking for the absolute perfect Father’s day gifts. Take a look (Click the image for a full-size view).
GAME REVIEW: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
Posted by Jason Zingale (06/17/2011 @ 12:00 pm)
My fondest childhood memory involving video games is beating “Super Mario Bros. 3” with my older brother during a snow day off from school. For many others, it’s probably the first time you sat down to play “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.” Still a classic to this day, the Nintendo 64 title was one of the system’s few must-have games, and for good reason. Not only did it represent Link’s first foray into a completely 3D environment, but the open world-based adventure featured the kind of narrative depth that you just didn’t see in video games during that time. Though it’s been re-released quite often over the years (perhaps most notably as the Master Quest pre-order bonus packaged alongside “The Wind Waker”), the new 3DS version has been completely remastered with enhanced graphics and some updated gameplay features.
The first thing you’ll notice is that the 3D looks great. Though Nintendo experienced a bit of a backlash from critics with the initial launch lineup of games, “Ocarina of Time” makes excellence use of the effect, particularly in the more open areas of Link’s adventure. The most welcome change, however, is the addition of the touch-screen inventory system, which allows you to easily access items and weapons on the fly and even features a permanent spot for the map and your ocarina. Additionally, you can now use the system’s gyroscope feature in first-person mode to look around while shooting your slingshot or bow. It’s not for everyone, as some people will likely want to avoid being seen spinning around like an idiot in public, but it’s a nice addition that makes playing the game that much more immersive.
Other cool new features include a hint system that allows players to visit Sheikah Stones for prophetic-like visions on what to do next; a Boss Challenge mode where you can fight all eight bosses back-to-back; and, of course, the Master Quest mode for those that want a slightly different experience on their second go-around. But no matter how much it improves on the original game, “Ocarina of Time 3D” doesn’t quite have the same charm as playing it while sitting in front of the TV. Diehard fans and newcomers would be crazy not to pick this up, but everyone else will be perfectly happy with whatever version(s) they already own.
4 Amazing Online Bill Pay Systems
Posted by admin (06/17/2011 @ 8:58 am)
So you think bill pay is pretty cut and dry, do you? Well, if you looked closely, you’d find out that bill pay is anything but ordinary. While the idea in itself is simple, there are a number of services you can use to get money to businesses and people on time, every time. Here’s a list of some of the bill pay services that you might not be aware of:
1. Bank
This is the simple one, but it must be addressed in case you weren’t aware. Your bank loves the idea of you managing all your money through them so they offer you free automatic bill pay. The great news about this service is it can be set to automatically deduct payments for the monthly bills you incur. If you have to pay a friend, relative or business associate, you can certainly do that by requesting a bill pay through your bank. They’ll write them a check and send it in your name. It’s so simple that it makes paying bills a breeze.
2. Paytrust.com
This is a paid service, but what you get from it makes it well worth the price. This service allows paytrust.com to work as your personal accountant. Not only will Pay Trust be sure to pay your bills for you (regardless of the payment method the biller accepts), they will also receive your bills for you, scan them in, email them to you and keep them as part of your personal records for eight years. It’s a great service and one that is worth looking into.
3. Reach card
This takes online bill pay to the next level. This is a prepaid card. Not only can you store you money on here in the amount that you require(which is great for not overspending), but it also gives you the option of bill pay. It’s a full service card that keeps your money in a safe place and helps you pay the right people at the right time. No more overdraft fees, and no more fear of identity theft. This card literally gives you peace of mind while saving you time.
4. Quicken 2008
Welcome to the ultimate money manager. With Quicken 2008, you not only get a comprehensive overview of your financial situation every time, but it allows you to take care of the bills you need. It provides a paid service that allows you to pay up to ten bills a month. While that number may seem small, most people don’t pay more than 10 automated bills in a month.
These services, whether free or paid, are designed to make your life easier and more organized. There is no need for you to go through the hassle of buying and writing checks, or pay the cost of postage. This is the best invention for the busy person with not enough time to do their bills on Sunday. When will you start using a bill-paying service?