The FAFSA and all its complications

The FAFSA is difficult , a lot of people know this and a lot of people stay away from filling out a FAFSA because of that. But I am here to tell you that you need the FAFSA and all that it offers. times are tough and right now students need all the help they can get. Trust me go and start filling out your FAFSA and you don't even have to do it alone, your college will help you but you need to ask them and they will tell you what to do,how to do it and who to do it with.

Finaly Free Music..... Thats Legal!

Yep you heard it right now you can download and listen to all the music you want and at no charge and its perfectly legal! all you need is Firefox 4.1.2  and a new add on from YouTube called YouTube MP3 Downloader.  all you have to do is download the add on and restart Firefox and you will be able to listen to your favorite artists all the time any time. How it works is simple, the add on allows you to rip the audio of the video and save it as a binary file on your computer and then all you have to do is choose which program you want to use to play it with. I do know that the files work with both the updated windows media player and the updated iTunes so there should be no problems there.

Sony Says Sorry!

After over a month of the Sony network being down, Sony has now put together a package deal for all their faithful customers to enjoy. Sony now offers Sony plus for free for a month, along with two free game downloads which include Dead Nation and Infamous! all you need to do is reactivate your old account through your email and then go to the playstation store and download the games of your choice. Be warned though the downloads take forever so my suggestion is to start the download right before your about to hit the sack and just let it download throughout the night. Enjoy!

Google Wallets!

New Ways of Paying


Gauging from this week’s news stories, change is in the air for payment systems. Google unveiled its mobile payment system named Google Wallet. The software will run on Google Android handsets and allow users to tap their phone on a pad at check out counters to pay for merchandise. Google Wallet can store credit cards, offer discounts, link to loyalty rewards, and eventually even hold tickets and keys. Shortly after Google’s announcement, PayPal filed a lawsuit against Google for stealing its electronic wallet trade secrets. Meanwhile, a joint venture between Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Wells Fargo will soon allow many bank customers to transfer funds to others through email and mobile phones. If the new service, called clearXchange, is well received, it’s likely to put PayPal out of business. The young tech company, Square, made its mark in the commerce industry when it introduced software and a card reader that allows anyone to process credit card purchases on a smart phone. Now Square is taking the next step with iPad software that replaces a cash register. Square’s new point-of-sale iPad software manages inventory, automates checkout, and creates digital receipts. Customers either pay by swiping a credit card or transfer payment information from their smart phone. The smart phone software named Card Case, allows customers to pay by simply saying their name. The wireless connection between the smartphone and iPad take care of the rest.

Google Wallet Could Transform Mobile Payments [NewsFactor]
PayPal Says Google Wallet Steals Trade Secrets [NewsFactor]
Banks Offer Cash Transfers to Cell Number, E-Mail [NewsFactor]
Square Releases iPad-Based Cash Register [NewsFactor]
Square Will Let Shoppers Say Their Names to Pay [NYTimes]

Watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s9wYEkRAgs

Online Tracking

Are you sick and tired of having all these online companies tacking you? Seeing what you buy, what you sell, and who you talk to? If so then here are a few ways that you can protect your computer from online tracking companies and regain your online privacy. Believe it or not but if your running an internet browser that has no privacy features enabled, then there is a chance that over three hundred different companies could be tracking you! Now some may be asking what the big deal is about these companies, saying that all it is for is marketing purposes. I hate to break it you but that is not exactly true. Many companies use the data you input into search engines, and shopping sites to track you likes and dislikes on the web and they can also access your personal information while they're at it. If you want to stop this from happening, this is what you need to do.
First you need to download the latest version of Mozilla Firefox (4.0.1), Mozilla is one of the few browsers that offers security plugins. after you download Mozilla, you need to download the plugin known as Blacksheep, this plug in will inform you when someone is trying to hijack your current web session. Also another way to help keep companies and hackers from getting to your personal information is using whats called privet browsing mode in Mozilla. (CTRL, Shift, P). While in this mode, you can go onto any site and no history will be recorded.
 The Second action you need to take, is go to www.selectout.org, this site was created to show you a significant portion of all the companies that are tracking you and block them out in the process. although it does not protect from all tracking companies, it will protect you from most of them. What you do is you type in the address above and you will see a posting that says ______ this is how many companies are tracking you. what you need to do is click the link next to the posting that says opt out this will block out a majority of the companies that are following you.
The next thing you need to do is go to www.abine.com, this site also blocks out tracking companies, however it also gives you more privacy options like the ability to create an online alias with a fake name, date of birth, email, and address to fill into a site information page to keep your personal information safe.
Hackers are getting better and better at breaking into computers systems so we need to be prepared.Follow these steps and you will be on the right track to ensuring a safer internet experience. 

Typing tips.

If your looking for a fast and easy way to learn how to type, and do it quickly, here are a few things you can do to help improve your skills.
First log on to Google and type the words "Type Racer" in the search box. This is an online site where you can type out quotes and do it at your own pace. Type Racer is great because when you sign up for a free account, you can race people around the world, even your own friends all for free. check it out it is worth the time, I guarantee that you will become an expedient typist in no time.  

Students

Are you a student? Do you spend all of your time and hard earned money just trying to stay afloat? If so I have a tips for you that you may find helpful. Believe it or not this country loves education, you just have to put in a little effort for them to give you that love. What I mean is there are literally hundreds of scholarships out there just waiting for you. By just going to your local community college,or university you can apply for scholarships with ease. Or you can go online, my favorite is www.fastweb.com, but there are many others sites just like it. Also check out what scholarships your local community has to offer, often people will go looking for help when in reality it is in their own back yard. A good place to start is your local county's office of education,
Whats even more convenient is that some stores even offer student discounts on certain items or services, go ask around to see who can give you a hand, it never hurts to ask.
When shopping online there are endless stores available that are more than willing to give out discounts to hard working students like you. A few of the better stores for electronics and software are: www.TigerDirect.com, www.frys.com, and www.CentralComputers.com. Trust me, a lot of people pass up a great deal because they don't ask about it.

Earth Day!

Don't forget, April 22nd is Earth Day! A day where we do our part to protect and preserve our beautiful planet and all the glory she bestows on us. Our planet has given us so much, it is high time we started giving back, get involved; log on to your local community web page and see what they have planned for earth day. And if your community dose not have a plan, MAKE ONE!! Because even if it is just something little like picking up some trash or planting a few more trees, every little bit helps. So what are you waiting for? Get your family together and start planning for earth day, make it fun and get the kids involved the more the merrier.  

More ways to save money with Google

Proven cost savings

Google's web-based messaging and collaboration apps require no hardware or software and need minimal administration, creating tremendous time and cost savings for businesses.

End users can use the familiar Microsoft Outlook interface for email, contacts and calendar as they transition to Gmail and Google Calendar.

A leading research firm found that Google Apps is as little as 1/3 the total cost of competing solutions.

Want to see how much you could save with Google Apps compared to Microsoft Exchange 2007? Estimate your savings

Want to know more about Google?

If you want to know more about what Google has to offer you can follow the link below and download any application you want. But remember, YOU MUST HAVE A GMAIL ACCOUNT!!!
http://www.google.com/newproducts/
Have fun.

What's New At Google?

Are you obsessed with everything Google? Do you stalk the pages of Mashable just to be first on the latest Gmail update? Then you’re going to love Google New.

Google New is a simple dashboard for finding out exactly what is new and hip at the Googleplex. It’s essentially a dashboard of news from Google’s 100+ blogs coupled with the ability to search through Google’s key products and eight different areas of interest.

Frankly, there’s not much more to Google New than that, but it definitely makes it easier to follow all of the changes Google is making. It’s tough even for us to keep up with the changes going on at the tech giant. From our experience, Google launches a new update or a new product nearly every day.

Google New is one of the company’s 20% project ideas, where engineers spend 20% of their work time on any project they want. We doubt it took them that long to build this, but we’re glad they did; we’ll certainly be using it to keep track of the company.

Stess

Do you ever feel so stressed that you feel like you could rip out your own hair, or just scream at the top of your lungs for no reason what so ever? I have had those days before and I am sure you can agree with me, they're not fun. `But I have had a chance to learn a few really helpful tips to help reduce and eventually eliminate stress. Here is what you need to do; First take a few really deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth, don't let your eyes focus on anything in particular. Preform this exercise as many times a day as necessary but make sure you do one time in the morning and one time in the evening at the very least. This is one of two forms of meditation that you can preform to help calm your nerves and settle your mind. The other kind of meditation constitutes a motion of some kind, so whether you run, walk, or bike, do some kind of activity that moves your body and only focus on the task your preforming. Let nothing break your concentration. This is an important skill to learn in life, the ability to calm yourself. Without it you'll end up just being a nervous wreck all the time and that is not fun.

Did you Know?

Do you ever feel like your paying way too much for...... everything? well here are a few tips to help get you started on saving money when it comes to your phone, and internet costs.

First lets talk about the difference between cell phones and the new iPod touch, if you guys are using a cell phone plan with the iPhone or the android YOUR WASTING YOUR MONEY!!!!! Here's what I'm talking about with an iPhone or an Android not only are you paying for your contract your also paying for the internet you use and the data packs that come with every smartphone, which on average adds an extra 60 to 90 dollars to your bill every month! the best way to save money is to invest in either an iPod touch or an iPad. you see with either of these two gadgets you can download apps right everyone knows that. But what you may not know is that you can download a free app called talkatone that allows you to call any landline or cell in the US and Alaska FOR FREE!! you just need two things; first is a WIFI connection, and the second is a gmail account. with this you can talk unlimited to anyone in the US for free. Why would you not switch?
Now when it comes to WIFI there are lots of different options for when your at home, but when your on the move its a different story. In my opinion the easiest way to get an affordable WIFI connection, is to buy a WIFI hotspot box, with this you can project a wireless signal up to 50ft and you can connect up to 5 wireless devices at a time. and it only costs like 40 to 50 bucks a month, how cool is that! and the best part is that you buy this WIFI box at Wallmart or Staples for a really good price.

So lets recount, by ditching your phone and bulky laptop and just buying a ipod or ipad you eliminate the phone bill every month, and by purchasing a WIFI box you can call almost anywhere (just like a cellphone) and still download all your favorite songs and movies at the same time. You do the math in the end the whole system pays for itself. Think about it boys and girls the economy is still very rocky save your money your going to need it.

Just a Heads up Guys

For all you fellow techies, Just a heads up you know how Nintendo is making a DS 3D, but what you may not know is that due to all the quakes that are going on right now in Japan, Nintendo has discontinued the production of the DS 3D. It is getting border line impossible to find and purchase these so act fast, because they will not be released again until 2012.
On another note, if you want to help out the relief effort going on in Japan here is a cool way to help and get a little something on the side.
go to www.grooveshark.com and sign up for a year of grooveshark for 20$ and the proceeds will go to the Red Cross Japanese relief effort.   

I Know the Feeling

Aflac - Gas Station (2008) :15 (USA)