Passport Deadlines

The US Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security have extended their passport requirement deadlines. US citizens now have until June 1, 2009 (extended from January 1, 2008) to get a passport for land and sea travel to and from Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, the Carribean, and Barmuda.

So, if you are planning a Mexico or Carribean cruise before June, 2009, you do not need to have a passport. However, those who are travelling by plane to and from these international destinations, will need a passport by January 8, 2007.

For the latest information and updates, visit travel.state.gov or call (877) 487-2778.
To know how to apply for a passport or renew an expired passport, read our past posting.

War of Consoles

This holiday season will see a war among game consoles. Sony PlayStation 3 video game console will launch on Nov. 17 and will be available for a base price of $499. Nintendo will go live with next generation Wii on Nov. 19 and it will sell for $249. both will compete with Microsoft’s Xbox 360, which was launched last year and carries a price tag of $299.

Sony claims its computer hardware is the best giving its users an advantage in Web gaming—thus justifying the higher price.

Nintendo is upbeat about its innovative controller, which users wave or swing like a wand or racket, will give it an edge over its rivals. Users simply position the wand and use its buttons to send signals wirelessly to the main console.

Microsoft is hoping that its 'Xbox Live' network will be the key to their success in the online gaming space. 'Xbox Live' is an online service that enables Xbox 360 users to connect and play multiplayer games and participate in tournaments and carries an annual subscription fee of $50.

Apart from Web games, Sony and Microsoft will also battle on the next-generation DVD format front, in which Blu-ray and HD DVD are currently fighting for supremacy. Sony backs the Blu-ray format, and it said both the $499 edition and the $599 high-end version of PlayStation 3 will be capable of playing Blu-ray discs. Microsoft has thrown its support behind the Toshiba-developed HD-DVD format, offering Xbox 360 users an HD-DVD add-on drive for roughly $170.

Discount Coupon for Windows Vista

People who buy certain Windows personal computers this holiday season will be offered free or heavily discounted coupons to upgrade to Microsoft's new operating system, Windows Vista. Vista is currently scheduled to be released to consumers sometime in January. The cost to upgrade or buy a new version of Vista at full retail price will range from $99.95 to $399, depending on the version.

The coupon program begins tomorrow and runs through mid-March. Particulars of the deal will vary depending on the computer maker and retailer:

(i) Hewlett-Packard Co. released a statement saying that people in North America who buy certain HP Pavilion, Compaq Presario and HP Digital Entertainment Center computers equipped with Windows XP, Microsoft's current version, can upgrade to Vista for free. There may be shipping and handling fees, depending on the retailer.

(ii) Dell Inc. also released a statement saying that buyers of Vista-capable Dell computers running Windows XP Home Edition will be able to buy Windows Vista Home Basic at the discounted price of $45, plus shipping and handling charges. Buyers of computers running Windows XP Media Center or Windows XP Professional will only have to pay shipping and handling to get a comparable Vista version.

(iii) Gateway Inc. will offer free upgrades for people who buy Vista-capable computers directly from the company. However, shipping charges or duplication fees may be charged to people who buy Gateway computers through other retailers.

Microsoft said it also is backing a similar program for people who buy computers that come pre-loaded with the current version of its business software, Office 2003, and would want to upgrade to the new version of the software suite, Office 2007 which is due out in January as well.

Standby Energy Wastage

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, about 10% to 15% of the energy load of a state is consumed by standby power. This wastage takes place through many electronic devices in your home that are always on, even when you think they're off. These "miscellaneous" devices include computers, digital video recorders, power tools and chargers for cellphones--which drain even when not charging. Some of these adapters can draw as much as 5 to 20 times more energy in standby mode that is actually stored in the battery. Most stay plugged 24 hours 7 days for their entire lifetime.

For example, computers are a huge standby drain. Traditional computers average 35.5 watts in standby, while laptops average 16.5 watts. Screen savers actually make things worse, using 28% more power than normal. Other large standby drainers include ink jet printers, which can use from three to 20 watts, and mini-stereos, which can consume from one to 25 watts.

In June 2001 President Bush required the government to purchase appliances, and chargers, that used the least standby power. At the time, the White House estimated the U.S. could save from $1 billion to 2 billion in energy bills if standby settings used one watt or less. The EPA estimates that there are 1 billion chargers in the U.S. and predicts that number will grow. In January, Energy Star began a major campaign to make chargers at least 35% more efficient. By doing this, the EPA believes it can save more than 1 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, equal to that generated by 150,000 cars.

Microsoft Releases Internet Explorer 7

Microsoft has released Internet Explorer 7 (IE 7) for Windows XP, which comes with significant security enhancements, making everyday tasks easier.

IE 7 delivers a new look and enhanced capabilities which were already present in browsers like Firefox. Tabbed browsing is one such feature. With tabs, users are able to view multiple sites in a single browser window, and switch from one site to another. IE 7 also sports 'Quick Tabs' that provide an "at a glance" snapshot of all open tabs on a single screen, enabling easier and faster site selection and navigation.

To tackle the changing nature of online security threats, IE 7 provides protection against malicious software and phising attacks. It helps reduce exposure to these attacks by fortifying the browser itself, and providing the user with better information and assisting him/her in making more informed decisions.

Windows IE 7 is available for free download at www.microsoft.com/ie . Microsoft will begin distributing IE 7 as a high-priority update via automatic updates in November 2006.

Fuel/Economy List for 2007 Cars

Toyota Prius

Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy released the 2007 Fuel Economy Guide to help consumers make well-informed choices when purchasing a new vehicle. Fuel economy estimates, which appear on the window stickers of all new cars and light trucks prior to sale, are determined by tests conducted by manufacturers and EPA according to EPA specifications.

Data show that hybrid vehicles continue to lead the government's fuel economy ratings. This year’s Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, Toyota Camry Hybrid and Ford Escape Hybrid FWD models top the list. Hybrid technology can be effectively used to improve fuel economy, as other models leading the list include the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Ford Escape 4WD Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid 4WD.

Here is the list by class of Highest fuel economy cars for 2007 model year [mpg -- miles per gallon in city roads/ highways]:

Compact Car: Honda Civic Hybrid, 49/51 mpg
Midsize Car: Toyota Prius (hybrid), 60/51 mpg
Large Car: Hyundai Sonata (manual), 24/34 mpg
Sport Utility Vehicle: Ford Escape Hybrid FWD, 36/31 mpg
Pickup Truck: Ford Ranger Pickup 2WD (manual), 24/29 mpg

...And here is list by class of Lowest fuel economy cars for 2007 model year:
Compact Car: Bentley Continental GT 12/19 mpg
Midsize Car: Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, 10/17 mpg
Large Car: Bentley Arnage LWB, 10/15 mpg
Sport Utility Vehicle: Jeep Grande Cherokee 4WD, 12/15 mpg
Pickup Truck: Nissan Titan 4WD, 13/18 mpg

Warning to Diabetics: Fake Test Strips

A public alert issued by the Food and Drug Administration today warned diabetics to watch for counterfeit versions of test strips commonly used to monitor blood sugar levels. The test strips, for use in glucose monitors made by a Johnson & Johnson company, were distributed nationwide.

The phony test strips are for use with various models of LifeScan Inc.'s OneTouch brand of blood glucose monitors. LifeScan is part of New Brunswick, N.J.-based Johnson & Johnson. The counterfeit test strips could give incorrect blood glucose values, leading patients to take too little or too much insulin and suffer injury or death, the FDA said. Diabetics who purchased the counterfeit test strips should stop using them, replace them immediately and call a doctor. The counterfeits are:

-OneTouch Basic/Profile, lot numbers 272894A, 2619932 and 2606340. The 50-count packages are labeled in English and French.
-OneTouch Ultra, lot number 2691191. The 50-count packages are labeled in English, Greek and Portuguese.

Samples of the stripes tested by LifeScan do produce blood-glucose results, but they do not meet company specifications. The fakes were distributed nationwide but primarily in Ohio, New York, Florida, Maryland and Missouri by Medical Plastic Devices Inc., of Quebec, Canada, and Champion Sales Inc., of Brooklyn, N.Y., the FDA said.

Consumers with questions can call LifeScan at (866) 621-4855.

Avoid Remodelling Rip-off

After you buy your new home, you may want to further invest in it by completing some remodeling projects to increase the value. If the projects are extensive enough, you may decide to hire a professional to do the work. When hiring someone to work on your home, it is important that you make your selection carefully and choose someone whom you know is reliable.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, there are some telltale signs for spotting an unreliable contractor. A less than reputable professional will probably do things such as:

• Ask for payment only in cash
• Pressure you into making an immediate decision
• Ask you to pay un full for work that has not been done
• Offer exceptionally long guarantees
• Use materials that "Just happen to be leftover"
• Ask you to obtain the required work permits
• Not have a business listing in the phonebook
• Suggest that you borrow money from a lender the contractor knows, which could make you the target of a home improvement loan scam.

Apply Microsoft's New Security Patches

As part of its monthly patch distribution, Microsoft has issued a series of new security updates for Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office products (such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint). Several of the vulnerabilities addressed by the patches are categorized as critical. If left unpatched the vulnerabilities could allow hackers to remotely execute code (such as a worm) on vulnerable PCs. Businesses and home users have been urged to patch their PCs as soon as possible.

Microsoft Corp. released six patches to fix critical software flaws that carry its highest threat rating, including three for defects that attackers were already trying to exploit. The company said yesterday that the six critical flaws could allow an attacker to obtain some access to a user's computer. The software maker also released four other patches to fix vulnerabilities that the company deemed less severe.

Customers can download all the patches for free on Microsoft's security Web site www.microsoft.com/security and also can sign up to have them automatically delivered to their computers. The automatic update system had some problem yesterday but currently it is working fine.

Cruise in Fall

Oil prices and the travel boom have driven cruise prices up from last year, but there's a little -known way to get a steal. Here is the
secret!

Fall is "repositioning" season, when cruise lines move their fleets from summer ports, like Alaska and New England, to the Caribbean
for the winter. Hitch a ride and pay up to 75% off regular rates.

The drawback? These cruises tend to be longer than usual, have fewer port visits and can have fewer amenities. Sometimes cruise lines use the time to do maintenance on the ships. They're not heavily marketed, But you can find them on sites like Cruise.com or CruiseCompete.com, or
CelebrityCruises.com or through travel agents, who tend to get the early words on these sails.

Exchanging Vacation Homes

Christmas is not far away and probably this is the time to prepare for a vacation with your family and kids.

In recent years, swapping or exchanging homes located throughout the world is gaining more and more popularity as an attractive part of taking vacation. For an annual membership of around $50, you may enlist your home on an exchange site. If someone is interested in your home, they will email you and when you come across anything that you like, you email them. Finally you decide to cut a deal depending on mutual preferences and options. Some people even go beyond to exchange their cars too. You can even agree to take care of each other's pets.

Three leading (and Big too!) house-swap sites are: HomeExchange.com, Intervac.com, Homelink.org . Besides these there is SinglesHomeExchange.com for swapping apartments and also some quite interesting ones like TeacherHomeSwap.com which provides the specialized service of finding other teacher swappers who are very likely to search for houses for similar vacation dates.

Even with so many websites available, it might not be very easy to find an exchange home of your choice. Vacation is precious and you may not afford to spoil it by your hurriedly-made choice. So, start early, plan properly, have a talk with the exchangers and take sufficient time to decide how your winter home should be. Many people who did that say that they want to do it again. It's worth the trouble and time.

Vacation With RV

Have you ever dreamt of taking a vacation driving an RV in countryside for a few weeks? We thought we should help you by giving some tips for RV rental today.

RV Types: The first question that comes to every RV-dreamer's mind is: What type of RV should I rent? The size you rent depends on how many people will be traveling. The vehicles most commonly available for rent are Type A motorhomes (sometimes called "bus" style, 27-36 feet long) or Type C mini-motor-homes (sometimes called "cabover" style, 17-27 feet long). Type A vehicles have a bedroom, a dinette that can be converted into a bed, and sometimes a sofa bed. Type C mini-moter-homes are smaller, with an additional sleeping area over the driver's cab, which is great for kids but can be a bit claustrophobic for adults. Both types have bathrooms with a shower.

Driving RV: Many rental companies allow you to try driving an RV before you rent. You should be aware of the vehicle's greater height, length and width. Don't take turns too tightly; You could run over the curb on right turns or graze oncoming traffic on left turns. Be sure to take sufficient care when backing up. Keep to the left in your lane to avoid drifting into the next lane to the right. And be aware of warning signs about low bridges or tunnels ahead.

Rental Cost: Rental costs vary depending on the season: higher in summer, lower in winter. Typically, a Type A motorhome will cost at least $130 a day plus mileage; a Type C will cost between $80 and $120 a day plus mileage. Bringing your own pots, pans, sheets, and towels will save you money.

Additional Costs: The main cost will be fuel. RVs usually get 7 to 12 miles per gallon, so the total will vary depending on whether you plan to travel every day or drive to a destination and vacation in one spot. Ask about fuel rebates. Other than fuel, campground fees can range from $10 to $50 a night, depending on the campground. You can save money by opting for only a water and electronic hookup instead of the full hookup which includes sewer.