I still don’t have personal hands-on experience with an Amazon Kindle, but I’m looking forward to getting my hands on one (someday). These are luxury devices for me – and while I want one – I haven’t been able to justify the cost. With the Kindle now at $139 its come a long way down and is now within my “consideration” zone. Larry Dignan has written a great in-depth post on what the latest Kindle offers and what is still missing.

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It used to be you had to pay to get your credit report, then federal law required the credit agencies to provide us with one free credit report each year. This was a huge step forwards but the interface was and still is tremendously clunky and once you’ve viewed it once – not the easiest to get back to. You can still get those official free credit reports from each of the three credit reporting agencies here.

Thankfully, newer and easier ways to gather your credit reports are now becoming available. I want to talk about two of these – Credit Karma and Quizzle.

Credit Karma offers you a free credit score pulled from TransUnion. It appears you can re-pull your score as often as you like. In addition to giving you visibility into your score and report, Credit Karma compares your score against other Credit Karma users, provides you with a Credit Simulator to see how various actions would positively or negatively affect your score, and provides customized offers for credit cards, auto insurance, home mortgages, etc. that could potentially lower your expenses. Credit Karma is able to provide the service for free by offering these sorts of targeted sponsor offers.

Quizzle is part of the larger conglomerate, Quicken Loans. Quizzle pulls your credit score/report from Experian. Unlike Credit Karma, you can’t repull your report any time you like for free – only once every six months – but hey, that’s still pretty good, right? Quizzle also offers a number of free features similar to those found in Credit Karma. Credit Karma also has some premium features you can purchase – but aren’t obliged to – such as basic and advanced credit monitoring on a more frequent basis. The prices aren’t bad – working up to around $8/mo.

Between these two services you can get two out of three credit reports for free. Unfortunately, I’m not aware of a similar service that offers credit pulls from Equifax. If anyone is aware of such a service – I’d love to hear about it.

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I am continuously encouraging individuals and businesses to make backups of their systems. I am continually shocked by the number of individuals who take no steps to protect their data against a catastrophic failure and repeatedly see clients who ask, “So…can you get my documents off this computer?” Far too often I have to tell them that I cannot, that it might be possible to if the drives are sent to a data specialist – but the cost will be steep and even then the results not assured.

There is no reason for anyone to be without a backup of their sensitive and important data. In the past this was a time consuming and costly endeavor – now it is simple and inexpensive. One service (amongst many) that can assist in this area is SugarSync. SugarSync provides you with 2 GB of free storage – no strings attached. This is enough to cover your critical documents – but won’t be enough for those thousands of pictures you’ve taken with your digital camera. But for $5 a month you can get yourself 30 GB (this is what I have) – which should be enough for most enthusiasts – though probably not enough for those with large music collections (they have even larger subscriptions for you – still at reasonable prices).

Let me highlight just a few of the reasons I love SugarSync:

• Versioning: SugarSync backs up your files – but what happens if you have a Word document and you make an edit to it and then save it? Does your old file get overwritten on SugarSync? No! SugarSync keeps the old version and the new version – and allows you to roll back to older versions. This is a huge feature – extremely useful.
• Syncing: SugarSync allows you to install the client on multiple computers/devices that then synchronize files between the systems – in my case this includes my home laptop, home desktop, and work desktop. Now you can access your files from anywhere – make edits from anywhere – and know you are always using the latest copy of your file.
• Simple Web-Based Editing: You can access your files via a web browser on any computer and SugarSync automatically handles syncing the changes back to SugarSync – no need to download the file, open the file, save the file, upload the file – now SugarSync compresses all of these steps into a smooth operation.
• Sharing: You can share your files with others. This is a great feature – and can be done on a strictly controlled basis so only those you want to can access your files.
• Platforms: SugarSync supports not only Windows but Mac and Linux. Further SugarSync provides extensive mobile device support including the iPhone, Android, Windows Mobile, and Blackberry!

That said – I do have a complaint (and will add more as they arise):

• I use SugarSync for my personal files but also for my church. Unfortunately, I cannot tell my SugarSync to sync files from my church account. I have to use the web-based interface. This is a significant nuisance and there is no reason I shouldn’t be able to download the church files as long as I authenticate. This has been a long-standing issue and SugarSync has done little to resolve it.

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iChange, like so many other sites, offers guidance on losing weight and eating well…but it goes so far beyond what other sites are currently offering with a number of unique features. Let me just highlight a few:

• When you register with iChange you can choose a personal nutritionist to assist you. Right now this is either Diana Young (registered dietitian, specializes in ADA methods, served as Chief Clinical Dietitian at two major hospitals) and Linda Miner (registered nutritional counselor, specializes in metabolic typing, holistic and alternative medicine approach). These folks are really available to you – ready to answer questions and give you counsel on how to progress towards better health.
• iChange takes a really holistic approach. Many sites focus on weight loss, mood monitoring, nutritional diets, and so on – but very few talk a full-fledged and well-rounded approach. iChange offers nutritional/meals modeling, weight loss / exercise, fluids, calorie, mood, energy, sleep and stress monitoring.
• They offer a simple checklist that only has three items on it at a time that encourage you to take small steps towards increasing your health. As you finish a step you are given another task. You can bang these out or take your time.
• There is an incentive system – its minor (e.g. web-based “awards”) – but still pretty cool. We all like “earning” awards or achieving accomplishments (why else do so many people play farmville)?
• The community is proactive in reaching out. Within hours of registering I received a contact from another member (a SuperCharger) who asked how I was, introduced herself, let me know how she’d successfully used iChange, and generally provided encouragement to continue on. This is unlike other communities for health I’ve been involved in, where there isn’t that sort of proactive effort to reach out to new members.

You might think a site like this would cost something – many other health sites with more limited functionality do – or have a freemium model. But iChange is entirely free.

So, my advice – go register. Give it a try. It takes ten minutes to get yourself through the initial setup and its very intuitive. I think you’ll find it well worth your time.

In closing, I’d like to make a list of some enhancements I’d like to see in iChange. While these are enhancements that should be implemented – I’ll reiterate again that iChange is far ahead of any competitors I’ve seen thus far.

• The ability to monitor medication intake.
• Eventually, the site will need a profit model – they have a few links to Amazon associate products tucked away, but this really should be tightly integrated into the system.
• There is a nice row of boxes along the top with checkboxes that show you your progress in various areas, unfortunately they aren’t clickable!
• The iChange site is a bit slow sometimes. Need to ramp up the server power.
• Links in emails to attached documents take you to the main iChange page – not very helpful.
• When you download a document, its name is just a string of random letters and numbers, it’d be nice if the PDFs had names reflecting their purpose. Of course, I can rename them, but still…
• Create a Facebook app. – this will be a huge marketing item. It will provide individuals who view an iChange profile with a quick and convincing advertisement to use the program – e.g. when they see we’ve lost ten lbs using the service and so on.
• Eventually, it’d be pretty cool to see it allow us to “schedule” things we should be doing on a semi-regular basis – e.g. do we need to make an appointment with the dentist, doctor, or optomologist? I’d like to see this expanded to include more general task management – I used to use a service (whose name I can’t remember and has since closed) that reminded me of things I needed to do around the house and with my automobile – allowing me to take better care of my house and belonging – things like changing furnace filters, checking batteries in smoke alarms, and taking the car in for inspection/maintenance.
• I’ll add more as I think of them.

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• Reduced cost – the Nokero should pay for itself within a few months time as it doesn’t have the ongoing costs associated with kerosene, etc.
• Reduced risk – the Nokero will serve as a safer and more stable light source, less likely to explode or catch fire.
• Reduced pollution – especially indoors, this will result in better health for those in developing countries due to less smoke and chemical inhalation.

The technology is still infantile – a day’s charge is expected to provide two hours of sunlight – with the device holding perhaps four hours total. That said, it may be enough to at least supplement kerosene and other light sources – and if one has two of them, one could use one after the other to provide lighting for four to eight hours.

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It is missing one feature (IMHO). For me, I have certain availability ranges. For example, I may be available for breakfast, lunch, or dinner – and I might be available to do these between 7-9 a.m., 11 a.m. -2 p.m., and so on – but I can only realistically do one of these for each segment. If I have a lunch from 11-12 on Tuesday I cannot also have a lunch from 12-1 or 1-2. It’d be nice if Tungle allowed me to specify within a range of time how much of that time can be utilized for meetings.

I imagine I am not the only one for whom this would be useful. In my particular instance I am employed full-time and I would use Tungle to handle meetings associated with my position as elder / youth minister at my local church. I have some flexibility in when I take a break, but can’t take that break for extended periods of time – since I have other responsibilities. It would also seem handy for counselors – who optimally should schedule only a certain number of clients each day even if they have additional time slots open – this way ensuring that they have time for paperwork and case review.

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These Gadgets can be used anywhere on the web, in Google Desktop, in Google Docs, and on one’s Google iTalk pages. There is a huge gallery of Google Gadgets here(2). I browsed over tonight looking for some functionality to add to a spreadsheet (didn’t find it). Imagine my surprise as browsing through the directory I selected New and was greeted by a score of pornographic images.

Had I accidentally clicked on another directory? Nope, it was New. Was it possible that someone had just spammed the first page? Nope, the second and third pages revealed similarly disturbing images.

Some may think I’m simply overreacting. I’ve seen a Sports Illustrated cover and am screaming bloody murder. This is not the case. I’ve become accustomed to flipping past trashy apps in Google Android Market(3)…this is much worse. I’m talking overtly sexually explicit imagery.

I’m sorry to Google for posting this as a blog post – but I know that the fastest way to get a reaction on this topic is in this manner. Google, “Do No Evil” – a company which has set high standards in many arenas – needs to step up in this one. I don’t understand how an oversight like this has occurred – but it must be stopped immediately. I know Google can do it – I believe in them. Join me in calling upon Google to act in this manner by sharing this information (or a link to this post) with friends.

Whatever your position on pornography, I hope you can support the need for guarding our children against exposure to explicit images. Google SafeSearch does a fairly good job protecting our children against accidentally stumbling across pornographic materials – why is Google Gadgets not undergoing the same sort of filtering? Is it not as readily available to children? In fact, one does not have to search for the wrong words to turn up explicit materials – simply click “New” and you’ll be overwhelmed with the images.

Struggling with Pornography?

I’m concerned that some who read this post may be struggling with pornography or other sexual addictions and that this post could serve as a stumbling block for them (or you). If this is the case, I want to point you towards a couple resources that may help:

• XXXChurch – “XXXchurch is designed to bring awareness, openness and accountability to those affected by pornography. We are an online community that tours the world speaking at colleges, churches and community centers. XXXchurch.com exists to help those who are in over their heads with pornography, both consumers and those in the industry.”
• Porn Again Christian – A free eBook on pornography and masturbation by Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church.

Continue to fight the good fight.

Footnotes:
(1)http://www.google.com/webmasters/gadgets/
(2)Working with teenagers I know that the compulsion to look at pornographic images is oftentimes irresistibly strong. Knowing that some teenagers might click through if a link was present, I have decided not to post the link. Anyone who knows how to perform a web search can easily get to the Google Gadgets page – I just don’t want to facilitate such action by those who are already struggling to resist temptation.
(3)Not that the apps in Google Android Market are acceptable either – especially b/c of their accessibility to young children.

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I stopped over at Dell today and was quite impressed by some of the deals they have available. I’m frequently asked to give recommendations on systems by friends, relatives, and strangers…so I’m being a bit proactive and letting everyone know what I would recommend if you are looking for a new machine. I’ll also take the time to explain why I consider specific items important.

So, my choice for the average computer user (internet, word processing, movies/video, music, some gaming) would be a Dell Vostro 1520. I’d go with the Advanced Package. Let’s take a look at what is included:

• Intel Core 2 Duo P7570 w/VT (2.26 GHz, 3 MB L2, 1066 MHz FSB) – This is your processor (CPU). It does all the mad calculations that are involved in everything you do on a computer.
  • I’m personally a fan of Intel over AMD. I do insist on a Core 2 Duo or other multi-core processor.
  • The Core 2 Duo indicates that this CPU has two cores on it – essentially doubling the processing capability.
  • Yes, the GHz is lower than what you’ll find in some machines, but the race for higher clock speeds ended a long time ago. They peaked out at around 3-4 GHz and since then have slid back down as CPU manufacturers have focused on alternative methods for increasing speed. That said, I personally find anything under 2 GHz too weak for my needs.
• Windows 7 Professional with Media 64-bit - Windows 7 is awesome – forget XP or Vista. You’ll want to change from 32-bit to 64-bit for the OS. There is no reason to run a 32-bit OS. 32-bit OS’s provide some backwards compatibility for older applications, but unless you have some really old app. you can’t live without – go with 64-bit. If you later find you need 32-bit you can always run a virtual machine inside of your Windows 7 instance with a 32-bit OS.
• 4 GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800Mhz , 2 DIMM - 4 GB is plenty for most folks. I’ve never needed more. Used to be 1 GB, then 2 GB was the standard. I’ve been running 4 GB for a few years and wouldn’t go back….but I don’t see much use in additional RAM for most users.
• 320 GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive with Free Fall Sensor – The hard drive is the slowest component on your computer. Don’t ever buy a computer with a 5400 RPM hard drive. They are miserably slow. Faster is better, but 10000 RPM and solid state drives (SSD) come at far too high a premium in cost. 7200 RPM is enough for most…that said, SSD is the way I’ll be going when the price finally gets low enough.
• 15.4″ WXGA Anti-Glare LED Display – I don’t know a lot about displays, but in general find they all work fairly well. I am a bit spoiled and personally always get a 17″ display – but that is also because I’m a minor gamer, need a lot of real estate for the numerous programs I run simultaneously, and watch most movies/tv on the laptop rather than a tv.
• 8X DVD+/-RW (blahh blahh) – For almost everyone the default Dell DVD drive is going to do everything you will ever need and then some. This drive can both read and write DVD’s.
• No Productivity Software Included – I don’t generally purchase Microsoft Office with my Dell. Why? Because OpenOffice.org is a full-featured free alternative that can create/edit/open Microsoft Office documents. There are also some excellent web office suites like Google Docs and Zoho.
• Security Software – I always change this to none. I dislike both Norton/Symantec and McAfee. Instead, I prefer Avast and Malwarebytes. You can get both for free for personal use.
• Warranty & Service – I always change the warranty to the Basic 3 Year NBD. Its an extra $100 but it gets you two huge benefits:
  • Free Replacements – I’ve never experienced a laptop that doesn’t break. I’ve had Toshiba, HP, and Dell and they all break. This Dell I’ve had for around two years has burnt out around four or five ac adapters. Furthermore, it needed a motherboard replacement due to overheating (sucking in garbage from the air and clogging the fans).  This is hundreds of dollars in parts if you don’t have a warranty.
  • On-Site Technician – I don’t buy Dell because their hardware is so amazing (on the consumer side that is – on the server/storage side I love it) but because of the warranty support. With other manufacturers the support process is long and painful. I’ve handed in my computers to local authorized repair depots and mailed them in for repairs to Toshiba and HP and it can take days or weeks….and sometimes the problem isn’t even fixed. Dell sends out a technician the next business day to your house (or business) and they bring the parts with them and fix it on the spot. Sweet!
• 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery – I don’t care about battery life. I’ve gotten used to just always plugging the laptop in and living with the fact that if I’m going on a flight or a long trip the laptop isn’t going to make it….my Droid will have to do (previously iPhone…handed that off to the wife ).
• Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 4500 MHD – I’m not a huge fan of integrated graphics cards. They generally share RAM with the computer rather than having their own dedicated memory – which is a nuisance and sometimes means you can’t play some of the latest and greatest games. That said, for the average user its more than adequate. If you have the opportunity though, I’d upgrade to a 256 MB dedicated video card – 512 MB is overkill.
• Dell Wireless 1510 802.11a/g/n Draft Mini Card – Not sure why they are still shipping Draft N cards when the final N protocol has been released, that is kind of annoying – and I’d move to a non-draft model if it was an option…but all said, wireless cards pretty much just work.
• Integrated 1.3 Webcam and Digital Mic - This is pretty cool. The webcam isn’t very high quality but you can use it to make YouTube videos, chat on Skype with the family…and the integrated mike is a must.

This entire system including the 3 year warranty is currently only $679. Sign up for an account with eBates and you’ll trim an extra percentage off the price (and I get some money for the referral ). That is a pretty sick deal.

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