Thursday, May 31, 2007

College Textbooks: Do’s and Don’ts

Like most college students, you’re finishing up your finals and are ready to break for the summer. The last thing on your mind is reading a textbook after a grueling semester or more. For many unlucky college students, they have no choice but to go to summer school to rack up those credits.

Many college students and adults who simply want to take a few classes will probably find themselves in a campus bookstore, debating whether they really need to buy that $250 book or just photocopy a friend’s version. Here are the do’s and don’ts of college textbook purchases to avoid any sticky bookstore altercations.

Do:

· Make a checklist of books you definitely need, may need, and can probably get by without. This will save you time and money.

· Buy your own copy of a book if you can afford it. It’s all too common for a friend to lose your book and you both end up losing the cash.

· Ask for used books. They’re usually in mint condition and about 25% cheaper than a brand new book.

· Find out your campus bookstore’s return policy. Some stores have week-long return policies, which can come quick!


Don’t:

· Wait until the last minute to purchase that Biology book. Sometimes bookstores run out and you may be on mail-order for half the semester.

· Go to a bookstore without proper identification and a credit card. Your bill will most likely be over $500 and most campus stores require you to show a license or ID.

· Throw your receipt away. In the event that you bought the wrong one or your professor decides three weeks into the semester that your class will forego that particular book, you’ll need your receipts.

· Limit yourself to only purchasing from your designated school bookstore. There are many online resources that allow you to compare cheap textbooks.

6Star Reviews makes note of one textbook service, eCampus, which provides students with extensive databases of books. They also have fun perks like college apparel for those with school spirit. The next time you need to buy a few books, skip the line you’re sure to wait in at the bookstore and do some online shopping.
Summer Diet Tips

Summertime means warm weather, outdoor barbeques and competing to wear the shortest shorts possible. Well, maybe only for the ladies. But, many body-conscious individuals find themselves dreading this season due to the fact that they gained a few pounds. While a nutritious diet and maintaining a healthy weight are year-round goals one should strive for, it’s especially important to keep yourself hydrated and in good condition during these long summer months.

Why?

Well, for the first reason, unless you live in Antarctica, it’s hot outside! Being overweight and trying to do daily tasks can be extra hard on your heart when the thermometer’s pushing 95 degrees. When your body sweats, you lose water and a lot of sodium. It’s vital to keep hydrated and drink tons of water. Keep a bottle of water on your desk or even on your kitchen counter. You’ll drink it out of habit because it’s there, I promise! It’s also light years healthier than carbonated soda, which can deplete your body of calcium and loads on the calories.

How Not to Overheat:

If you must be outside during the hottest parts of the day (around 11am-3pm) then a good idea would be to slather on the sunscreen. Drink water consistently and try to get into air-conditioning at least a few minutes every hour. Scorching temperatures can give you heat exhaustion, or worse, heat stroke. Feel dizzy or your stomach hurts? These are the warning signs of heat exhaustion. Head indoors periodically to relieve your system from the sun.

Healthy Foods to Cool You Down:

Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Not only will they give you the Vitamin C you need and contribute to weight loss, they actually drop your body temperature. Lettuce, melons, celery and oranges have lots of water in them, which can pump up your hydration levels.

Reasons to Skip Fast Food:
Use this summer to really get in shape. By avoiding fried foods, did you know you can actually feel cooler than someone who downs McDonalds everyday? Grease has a heated thermal effect on your system, making you feel sluggish and groggy. Grab a salad with chicken for protein, which tricks your body into feeling fuller than if you scarfed down a mouthful of carbs.

Lose Weight:

A great hint to feeling cooler and having more energy throughout the summer is cutting the fat. Literally. Why not join a gym or even compare programs for diets? 6Star Reviews is a source you can go to in finding an online diet suitable for your body and financial situation. They say one diet program, eDiets, gives their customers recipes formulated for specific diets, expert advice and weight loss journals. Stay healthy and don’t add to the 66.3% of Americans over the age of 20 who are currently overweight or obese. Your body will thank you.
Monster: Jumpstart your Career

Monster is a well established career site that has many support links and a large population of employers seeking job applicants! Due to the large amount of jobs posted you need to have a granular site that allows for you to create excellent profiles that make you stand out in the crowd!

6StarReview's likes what they have to offer when it comes to support services. You can buy resume writing services, career advice, watch Pod casts on all sorts of topics and even receive additional exposure via their services.

6StarReview's Favorite Feature:

Network Now! You can make career connections with their quick keyword search, occupation, skills, company or schools. Once you have created your account and profile people can search for you - or you for them - based on your location, job title, skills, state and even zip code. This is a great way to build your Networking contacts list!

Monster Provides Cool Features and support links!
  • My Monster – Account, Resume, Quick Apply, Application History, Questionnaires, Networking Profile, Contacts, Message Center and Boards
  • Find Jobs – Saved Jobs, Job Search Agents, RSS Feeds, Diversity Job Search, Instant Job Search - BETA, Be Safe
  • Post Resume – Build On Line, copy/paste, Upload, Privacy Plus and Be Safe
  • Market Place - Resume Center, Salary Center, Interview Center, Networking
  • Education - Choose a Path, Select a Degree, Find a School, Pay for School, Manage Your Time
  • Career Advice - Job Search Basics, Targeted Advice, Community, Monster Blog, Monster Services
Careerbuilder Helps You Find Jobs


6StarReviews awards Careerbuilder with a rating of 5.5 stars. This site has so many high-quality perks to offer both employers and job seekers! First off, the bright and uplifting user interface is simple yet holds the necessary links to the most important information for users. Great news – they don’t flood you with ads on the user interface! The ads they do have are minimal and are career related!

6StarReviews favorite feature
Once you have selected a job from the job search results – they recommend additional similar jobs via what is called “push technology”. This is very intuitive in nature. They actually show you search lists of recommended job selections based on previous searches and job applications - without you having to perform additional searches!

Careerbuilder Provides Cool Features!
  • Distribute Your Resume – Open up more opportunities for interviews!
  • Free Salary Calculator- Search salaries for your specific job-nationwide!
  • Career Fairs- Attend a career fair in your hometown!
  • Career Advice – Get career advice on many areas to assist you in your career search!
Snag Yourself a Job

Finding a job these days has never been easier with the wealth of information available with the click of a mouse. Job search engines are growing in popularity as more and more people have access to computers at home and work. Forget searching the newspaper classifieds and going door-to-door begging for a job, the best job search sites are right at your fingertips.

6StarReviews decided to do job search reviews and found a leading job search site called SnagAJob. It is one of the only hourly job search sites with eight years under its belt. They are the best job search engine to go if you are looking for a part-time or hourly position. SnagAJob believes the hourly worker is the backbone of the economy and their needs are just as important as those seeking full-time employment. Job-seekers fill out a profile and their applications are sent out to several employers at once.

6StarReviews Favorite Feature:
  • Summer-job search- Perfect for high school & college students, maybe even bored retirees who want to try something new!
  • Email job lists- Find a job without leaving your house.

SnagAJob provides these cool features:

  • Searches based on zip code, specific industry and company
  • Summer-job-search
  • Spotlight employers and “Now Hiring” employers on the main screen
  • Job-search advice, resources and interview tips
  • Free for job-seekers, just fill out a profile
  • Email & phone support in case you have questions
  • Hot topics in the job market

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Who Stole My Wireless?

Case in point: Your life is running smoothly and your PC seems to be functioning the way it was designed to. No serious virus threats, no outlandish number of pop-ups, all seems well. The next thing you know, your router’s LED lights blink uncontrollably even when your computer isn’t on, but router is.

You begin to think to yourself that maybe your next-door neighbor forgot to pay their DSL triple-phone-package plan this month and thanks to you, have Internet access. While there are security measures you can take to protect your Linksys router, one of the most basic steps in preventing neighbors who “borrow” or “steal,” is to set up a network password. A good one.

Stolen Wi-Fi Facts:

· Your PC won’t slow down if someone borrows your wireless Internet access. Your IP provider gets the traffic.
· Your router can log URL’s, so get looking if you suspect someone is sharing your wireless.
· No, you can’t find out who surfed through those pictures of Britney Spears.
· By connecting to an open Wi-Fi network, you run the risk of stolen identity or hackers setting up open networks to steal your info.
· There is no clear legislation about borrowing someone’s wireless, so as long as you don’t dabble in their computer itself, you shouldn’t run into any legal problems. If you care, protect your router with a password.

Measures to take to prevent online Wi-Fi Stealing:

· Shut off your network router when it’s not in use. This gives your PC a break and also prevents eager Wi-Fi thieves from 24/7 unauthorized use.
· Change default passwords! Don’t use anything like 1, 2, 3 or your router’s name that can be easily figured out.
· Rename your SSID: This is your network’s name that comes as a default from your router manufacturer.
· Place your PC and router away from windows or doors. This decreases the chance a hungry hacker can pick up your signals and get on your network.
· Get a firewall! They really work and are a big help.

Internet Security:

O.k., so now you’re either angry at Mrs. Smith upstairs or you’re scared your personal information can be compromised. But, don’t fret because there are plenty of internet security software services available. Some packages combine anti-virus, anti-spyware, personal firewalls and parental control functions to safeguard your files.

6StarReviews.com makes mention of one choice, the Security Shield, which is owned and operated by security software company PCSecurityShield. One feature that might let you breathe easier is real-time protection from hackers or threatening virus outbreaks. In the event that a hacker from Japan or your neighbor does steal your Wi-Fi, at least you’ll have a barrier to stand between confidential information and a network free-for-all but you.
Take On Orbitz!

Orbitz is a full-service online travel agency that offers booking for online air travel, hotels, rental cars, Amtrak trains, cruises, and entire vacation packages. This site lets your explore discount air travel destinations and special interest categories such as; Las Vegas, Asia Pacific, Mexico, Orbitz Games, Gay & Lesbian, Active Adventures and Sports adventures trips.

What’s New with Orbitz?

Online air travel alerts to your email or homepage via RSS Feeds! Two easy ways to have Orbitz deals sent to you for the latest deals for discount air flights, hotels, vacation packages, cars and cruises! 6StarReviews also likes the Orbitz TLC service that notifies you via your cell phone of special offers or flight changes!

Orbitz and ESPN- a great partnership! ESPN is powered by Orbitz allowing you to get all kinds of sporting event packages! 6StarReviews found that for the month of September just for a few days they have listed packages for the US Open, Football Power weekends - NCAA Football – Ohio State vs. Texas and more, NASCAR – Chevy Rock & Roll 400 and the Baseball road trip planner - Trip 5 - Mid-South to the Majors includes game tours of Little Rock - Memphis - Louisville - Indianapolis - Daytona – Cleveland!

Reasons to use Orbitz:
  • Air Travel Low Fare Promise- When you book an airline ticket on Orbitz.com - if you locate a lower fare they will guarantee your fare. However, Orbitz requires that your airfare matches exactly. This means it must have the exact same online air flights, dates, airline and travelers listed. If you meet the requirements you may be entitled to a $50 coupon per ticket toward your next Orbitz purchase.
  • Hotel Low Fare Promise – If you book a prepaid online discount hotel rate, backed by the Orbitz Low Price Guarantee, and then find the exact same registration, they will refund the difference. Note – to be eligible it must be the same room, same hotel and same dates offered at a lower price online within 24 hours to get the refund.
  • Travel Protection - Protect against cancellations and disruptions. Important limitations apply so please see their website for details.
  • Orbits TLC Service - All the news you need about discount air flight delays and more delivered right to your cell phone, PDA or email accounts!
  • Guarding Your privacy – Orbitz promises that they do not sell your information. They keep your personal information private and protected.
  • Get the Orbitz MasterCard – Get their MasterCard and use it to earn points that apply towards free travel.
Unique Travel Site: Hotwire


Hotwire is a comprehensive online travel agency that provides discount travel online. Including, online air travel, rental cars, cruises, and hotel rooms, along with complete vacation packages. They specialize in last-minute online discount travel deals, with customer service that can't be beat.

On their website is a quote from Frommers - "Hotwire is likely to have the absolute lowest rates on three-star and four-star hotels anywhere in the US." It’s most recent award was Best Web sites for Serious Savings Money Magazine in September 2004, Money Magazine names Hotwire best online travel site for the "bargain fanatic." Hotwire is a wholly owned business of Expedia Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE)

What’s Hot on Hotwire Today?
6StarReviews likes the new Travel Ticker service! This gives you the latest online travel discounts for the day you visit the site! This gives you great ideas if you want to travel on short notice. Also advertised when 6StarReviews visited their online travel agency were $14.95 car rentals, a savings of up to 60% on 4-star hotels in favorite cities like Las Vegas, New York, Atlanta and more.

Also book 4-star air + hotel packages from $307! Want more? A 4 night cruise to the Bahamas - $229 ocean view, Las Vegas 3 night stay at the 3 star Stratosphere hotel, $Los Angeles: 4-star hotel from $66 , Washington DC: 4-star hotel from $97 , Dallas: 4-star hotel from $69 and many more! Check their site as it changes frequently!

Reasons to use Hotwire:

  • Discount Air Travel – They offer a variety of online air flight discounts on last minute travel from various locations including hotel bundles! They show all flights in the results page so you can review connections and times associated with each fare.
  • Low Price Guarantees – Because we work with our hotel partners to negotiate the cheapest Hot-Rates, they guarantee that they're the lowest discount air travel prices you'll find! Within 48 hours of booking, if you find a lower discount air flight price for an equivalent room type for the length of your stay, in the same hotel, and on the same dates, we'll give you double the difference!
  • CoolExtras Membership - You can join for $1 for the first two months. Thereafter it is $11.99 a month. What do you get? A certificate for $20.00 Cash Back on any Hotwire booking – even same day bookings. Get a 5% Cash Back every time you book eligible discount air travel ($600 in airline tickets and they'll refund you $30). Discounts from 10% - 50% off at over 65,000 restaurants, retailers, health & beauty, automotive, and recreation locations in your Local Values guide for your area.
Expedia: Great Travel Rates


Expedia is an online travel agency that offers discount air travel online! Expedia has an extensive range of travel services, allowing visitors to book flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, and entire vacation packages. Destination guides and vacation activity suggestions are just a few of the added features Expedia offers to make their website a valuable online travel agency.

What’s Hot!
The 10th Anniversary…10 destination specials! 6StarReviews really likes Expedia’s special offers! They are offering a variety of specials like free $100 resort credit at select hotels, last minute online air travel at really low fares, specials on cruises and last minute getaways and more! Please check with them as they are changing the specials weekly with a limited offer for one select vacation spot!

What’s New with the Expedia Service?
Discount travel offers via RSS feeds to your personalized My Yahoo!, My AOL, or a Google Homepage accounts! You can get personalized online air travel deals delivered right to you when and where you want them—and it's easy and free. 6StarReviews rates this feature high on our list!

Reasons to use Expedia:
  • Discount Air Travel – They offer a variety of discounts from various locations including hotel bundles! They show all flights in the results page so you can review connections and times associated with each fare.
  • Pricing Guarantees –Lowest prices for online discount travel such as hotels, flights, cruises, vacations and activities. See terms for details.
  • The Expedia Promise – “See the seven ways we're improving our trip—from start to finish.”
  • Hassle-free Hurricane Promise – Weather protection that will waive fees and help you re-book
  • Package Protection Plan – Allows you to cancel for any reason!
Traveling? Try Travelocity


Travelocity is an online travel agency providing discount travel online! You can book online air travel, cruises, vacation packages, discounted hotels and rental cars. They also offer booking for rail service for trips to Canada and Europe which is also a plus.

6StarReviews thinks Travelocity has one very interesting feature! When you visit the online travel agency, it identifies your geographic location based on your Internet Service Provider. By doing this they can offer discounted online air travel fares from the closest airport right on your homepage. They may also advertise additional services such as hotel packages, event tickets and recreational rentals. Their site is very intuitive, allowing them to “push” discount travel online specials to you without searching!

Why Choose Travelocity Online Travel Agency?
  • You’ll Find a Lower Airfare - You receive a refund within a 24 hour period of the price difference if you have a true “qualifying lower rate”. In some cases they will give you $50 off of the purchase of future online air travel.
  • Delivery of what is Promised- All online discount travel booked on Travelocity will be consistent with the detailed description on their site and travel itinerary. They confirm all details 24 hours prior to departure.
  • Errors – If a human error occurs they promise to correct the error.
  • Trip Changes - If they learn of negative changes associated with your online air travel - they will contact you before you go and give you the option to make other arrangements.
Priceline Compares Discount Travel


Priceline is an online travel agency that allows you to compare prices for discount air travel, tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, cruises, tours, and even whole vacation packages. 6Stasreviews really supports their best known feature – the "Name Your Own Price" option.

This separates Priceline from other online air travel agencies allowing you to name the rate you want to pay. Priceline was named Best Travel Site in 2006 by Forbes stating, “It’s the best site we know of for booking luxury hotels cheaply” - Forbes.com

What kind of Savings does Priceline Claim?
$6,045,964,476 !! How do they do this? They achieve great discounts as noted due to the fact that they offer many discounts and numerous last minute and same / next day discounts. Some of their flights at the day of the review posted for under $125 included; Las Vegas - from $103 RT, Chicago from $113 RT, Florida from $117 RT and so on. They also have 40 hotels for under $40 dollars!

Why Choose Priceline as your Online Travel Agency?
  • Name Your Own Price - Allows you to offer a low price for online air travel, cruises, hotels and car rentals.
  • PriceBreakers – Pre-configured online travel vacation package deals
Heard of Travelworm?

Travelworm is an online travel agency dedicated exclusively to casino resort and leisure destinations. If you are looking for online discount travel that involves fun, excitement, casinos, great shows and excellent dining–Travelworm is the site for you! 6StarReviews rates this site as the most fun-filled discount online travel site that is vibrant and makes you want to get up and GO! They are a unique online travel agency for sure!

Travelworm makes incredible suggestions for you to get started with their online travel agency! You can select Tours, and then select a major city’s picture and they will show you all of the fun things that you can do such as: events, unusual tours and different dining experiences.

6StarReviews also likes the ability to click Show to get an idea of what is available focusing on Sports, Theater, Concerts, Vegas, Broadway and more! There are awesome selections for you to book online discount travel in each category!

Reasons to use Travelworm:
  • Great Travel Suggestions – They –by far- have the most exciting tours, suggestions and event options we have seen online!
  • Discount Air Travel – They offer a variety of online air travel discounts from various locations including hotel bundles! They show all flights in the results page so you can review connections and times associated with each fare.
Discountfares: Planes, rentals, etc.


Discountfares is a wholesale online travel agency specializing in discount online travel. They specialize in online travel flights, car rentals, hotels and vacation packages going to Europe, Mexico, Central America and South America. They are a Member of Nuevo Mundo Travel and are based in Florida.

Discountfares - Special Deals! 6StarReviews found many online travel discount packages such as Miami to San Paulo-$589+, Los Angeles to Rio de Janeiro-$744+, New York to London-$257+, and Miami to Amesterdam-$720+. Package deals included Orlando from $392 (3, days2 nights, day ticket -no air travel included), Cancun $675+ (3, days2 nights- air travel included and so on.

Reasons to use Discountfares:
Amazing Escapes for Less! They offer a variety of discounts from various locations flying internationally from the US. Many of these trips are focused on really fun destinations like Orlando, Cusco, Buenos Aires, Rio De Janeiro, Las Vegas and more.

Top Destinations - Also watch for their new section “Top Destinations” where you will be provided with great travel destinations, fun activities and super tips on how to plan your dream vacation!

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

eCards for Father’s Day

Father’s Day is right around the corner, which means it’s time to decipher whether your old man wants golf clubs, swim trunks or a subscription to Business Week. Maybe he wants something entirely different and changes his mind every time you buy him what he supposedly wanted. This is where Internet eCards can put an end to Dad’s age-old excuse, “It didn’t fit.”

eCards are a great way to show you care while reducing the risk of a return on your hand-picked present. With so many varieties of cards and different holidays, it can be a challenge to find the perfect eCard.

Some find it hard to remember holidays like Father’s Day that don’t warrant a day off and just creep up on you. Believe it or not, Father’s Day has some pretty interesting origins.

How Father’s Day Came About:

· Founded in Spokane, WA inspired by Mother’s Day.

· A woman named Sonora Dodd in 1909 began the holiday as a way to honor her Civil War veteran father. Thank the ladies in your life for your holiday, guys!

· The first Father’s Day was June 19, 1910.

· President Lyndon B. Johnson announced Father’s Day to be celebrated on the third Sunday in June of 1966.

· In 1972, President Nixon made this day an official holiday for dads.

Fun Father’s Day Stats:

· 102 million cards are expected to be given for Father’s Day.

· 50% of all purchased cards are usually bought by the father’s son or daughter. This means that another half are bought by people who have special men in their lives, so don’t fret if you’re not a dad!

· The 5th most popular day for buying a greeting card is yes, for Father’s Day!

Traditional cards you buy at the card store may be more down your alley, but a great alternative is online greeting cards. Not only can you personalize your eCards for a special man in your life, 6Star Reviews reports that one service, American Greetings, even lets users upload audio files or personally-written messages to play aloud as Dad opens his card. Don’t forget, Father’s Day is June 17 this year and dads aren’t the only ones who would appreciate an eCard!
Flowers By Season

Whether you’re planning a September wedding, want to send flowers to your aunt in Hawaii or simply want to plant some flowers in your garden that won’t die, it’s important to know which flowers belong in which season. Some flowers are popular year-round, such as roses, and don’t have to be reserved for Valentine’s Day. Here’s a quick-reference-guide to flowers by season:

Great Summer Flowers:
· Sunflowers
· Lilies
· Irises
· Snapdragons
· English lavender

Fall Flowers:
· Marigolds
· Dahlias
· Zinnias
· Aster

Winter Flower Picks:
· Tulips
· Forget-me-Nots
· Poinsettias
· Casa Blanca Lilies
· Bells of Ireland

Great Spring Flowers:
· Peonies
· Tulips
· Hyacinth
· Lilacs

Flowers Anytime:
· Roses
· Orchids
· Gardenia
· Carnations


While no one will laugh at you for showcasing tulips at an autumn wedding, some flowers go best with their designated seasons. For example, vibrant colors always look great during the summer and everyone loves a poinsettia in the wintertime.

When choosing the best flower services to purchase a bouquet for a friend, partner or even yourself, one might check out 6Star Reviews. They recommend services like FTD that offer seasonal flowers, as well as many on our year-round list.

FTD and other flower sites are great resources in seeking out great gift flowers and ideas for arrangements for a wedding or party. Choose some sunflowers; they get the official go-ahead in these warmer months ahead!

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Popular Video Games

With so many game consoles out there, sometimes there’s no way of telling which games people are actually using or buying. Have you ever really thought about the number of games sold each year and which gaming system rakes in the most sales? Probably not. You’re probably just like every gamer who finds their niche and sticks with it.

We know you’re dying to find out what everyone else is playing and our guide just might make you sound a little more in-the-know the next time your friend asks for a game recommendation!

Most Popular VideoGame Rentals for Microsoft Xbox since last March:

· Halo 2
· Halo: Combat Evolved
· Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell
· Fable

Most Popular Videogame Rentals for Microsoft Xbox 360 since last March:

· Gears of War The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
· Call of Duty 2
· Madden NFL ’07

Most Popular Wii Videogame rentals:

· Wii Sports
· The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
· Wii Play

Most Popular Nintendo DS Videogame rentals:
· New Super Mario Bros.
· Nintendogs
· Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day!
· Animal Crossing: Wild World

Most Popular Videogames for Sony PlayStation:
· Gran Turismo
· Tomb Raider II
· Metal Gear Solid
· Resident Evil 2

Most Popular Videogames for Sony PlayStation 2:
· Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
· Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
· Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

Most Popular Videogame rentals for Sony PlayStation 3:
· Grand Theft Auto IV
· Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
· SOCOM: Confrontation
· Heavenly Sword

The above list merely touches bases with the number of games and consoles available out there. 6Star Reviews is a site that compared some of the top online videogame rentals and they found that one service, Gamefly, even gives you discount prices on games you’ve rented and can’t live without.

The plethora of gaming options are endless and for devoted gamers, the Internet is a great place to find old game titles, consoles and trade games. For kids and adults who take life a little less seriously, it can be a rewarding and fun hobby to try.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Vista and Security

Any computer owner knows about the age-old debate over what causes a computer virus or recurring spyware attacks. Many attribute malicious spyware to the number of pop-up ads we receive when surfing the Net. Some think spyware is embedded in the software we purchase, thus making it nearly impossible to fully eliminate the problem.

Some people believe computer viruses can be spread through email only and forget that file sharing can have negative impacts on PC’s as well. The conglomeration of Internet-security vocab can be downright confusing! Luckily, there are many anti-virus, anti-spyware and even hardware options to choose from in reducing the probability you fall prey to the Internet’s darker side.

Everyone knows Windows Vista was just released and some computer owners are questioning its ability to protect against various computer viruses and spyware. Microsoft is trying to clear up some of the negative misinformation that has been spreading on computer and security forums throughout the Web.

Here’s some Vista security features Microsoft released:

· Microsoft says Windows Vista was designed to be their safest operating system yet.

· Windows Defender is Vista’s take on an anti-spyware tool.

· Vista offers an Internet Explorer 7 Protected Mode, designed to prompt users for permissions when visiting compromised Websites.

· Vista can run PC programs in Secure Mode.

· When any file download or applications begin, Vista can prompt the computer administrator for their password or permission.

· Vista offers Web Restrictions, such as blocking adult sites from children’s eyes.

· Gambling sites or gaming sites can be filtered through Vista.


While it’s admirable Microsoft has chosen to design an operating system that strives to better your security precautions, controversy has arisen with many of the best antivirus services. Some services like McAfee and Symantec feel Microsoft is attempting to push out third-party anti-virus providers. They feel Vista’s security coding could be cracked and it’s necessary to continue protecting your PC with alternative software.

6StarReviews.com reports that Internet security suites like PCSecurityShield offer many aspects to safeguarding your computer. In any event your Vista OS doesn’t provide full coverage, a comprehensive anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-phishing security suite can come to the rescue.

Flexible plans on Packet8


As the VOIP industry grows more competitive, smaller Voice Over IP providers must distinguish themselves by offering specialized features. Packet8 understood this notion by developing the first videophone VOIP Phone service in the industry!

But would that be enough to gain a sustainable part of the VOIP market? 6StarReviews studied Packet8, and completed a thorough review of the services offered by the Voice over IP provider, and here’s what we found…

Reasons to choose Packet8:
  • Find me, Follow me: Enter up to 5 numbers to ring in sequence. For example: you can enter your mobile phone number as well as your office phone number to ring when your Packet8 home number is not answered.
  • Voicemail to E-mail notification: Even they are not the only VOIP provider offering this feature, 6StarReviews like this innovation so much, we feel it is worth mentioning it every occasion.
  • Network Available Forwarding: You won’t lose any customers if your connection goes down, as they can be forwarded to a pre-programmed number such as your cell phone.
  • Anonymous Call-Blocking: No more telemarketing firm calling you while you are eating. Activate the option, and the anonymous caller will receive a busy signal. How many times you think they will try calling before getting the message?

6StarReviews’s favorite feature:

Enhanced 911 Dialing: No need to worry about giving the right address when calling 911 through VOIP phone service, while in the middle of a chainsaw massacre. Calling 911 through Packet8 activates a pop up that gives your address directly to the operator.

Lingo Gives You Low Rates

As a newcomer in the VOIP Provider Industry, Lingo offers one of the cheapest VOIP Phone service plans and international rates. Is that enough to win its share of the VOIP market?
6StarReviews thoroughly studied this Voice over IP provider and the findings of our research are outlined below.

What’s new at Lingo:

This Voice over IP provider has been busy developing its word-wide network, and as a result they offer the best international rates:

  • Global Gabber - $34.95/mo
  • New rates plans - $7.95-$195 a year
  • SoftPhone - Brand-new add-on from Lingo that incorporates technology allowing you to make calls through your laptop or desktop computer. Note: Sign up through 5/31/07 and your first month is FREE!

*6StarReviews Alert: SoftPhone is not compatible with Windows Vista or MACs

Reasons to choose Lingo:

The Voice over IP provider offers over 20 calling features. Here are the most popular:

  • Speed dial: Call with just a push of a button instead of dialing the full phone number. Useful when you can’t find that pizza guy’s phone number with the 3rd quarter just about to start.
  • Voicemail: Receive and Manage Voice Messages by Phone, Web, and E-mail. You can access your messages through the VOIP provider’s homepage.
  • Great International rates: Good for people with international friends. Just make sure you consult the proper time zone before calling!
  • Free in-network calling: Ok, maybe your friends and family are not using Lingo yet, but wouldn’t that make a profitable Christmas gift?

6StarReviews’s Favorite Feature:

Do not disturb me! Some people have a knack for always calling at the worst possible time. Press *78 and the call goes automatically in your voicemail.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Jewish Friend Finder Very Popular


Jewish Friend Finder is a dating site that is not just for dating. Members can search for friends, pen pals and more. The site is much more liberal compared to other online Jewish dating websites. Members can be married, they do not have to be Jewish, and they can look for same sex partners.

One of the best Jewish Friend Finder dating services is that the site senses where you are, using some sort of technical mumbo jumbo, and the homepage tells you exactly how many singles are from your location. World wide, they have 150,238 members.

6StarReviews’ Favorite Feature
Jewish Friend Finder Hot list: Add people that catch your eye and soon the Hot list will start suggesting other members that you might like.

Jewish Friend Finder Features

Non-Paying Members:
  • Keep a blog or read someone else’s
  • Free online Jewish Friend Finder Magazine
  • Advanced Search
  • Receive a list of suggested members
  • Can post and view photos
Jewish & Single? Try Jdate!


Jdate is the largest online single dating Jewish Network with over 24,930 members online at the time of our review! They have some cool links like Our Parties and Vacations, Happy Endings & Testimonials, Hooking Up & Helping Out charity work.

They really pride themselves on having one of the best Jewish online dating service and social networking sites with the most posted photos and video instant messaging which is very cool!

Jdate is by no means fancy with bells and whistles; however the ease of use is refreshing and not intimidating if you’re dating online for the first time! When creating your profile you are asked the basic 'defining' questions such as gender, ethnicity, religious background and more.

What's New?
  • Your Click!® - Every member has a Your Click!® in their profiles, where daters can either choose Y, M, or N if they think they'll click with you. Save time and heartbreak with this feature. If there is a mutual Click!® both parties will be given a Click!® alert.
  • JMag - Jdate is stepping up its game by introducing the all-new JMag! This is an online magazine written by Jdate members for Jdate members. Articles include dating success stories, interviews, advice and much more!


6StarReviews Favorite Feature:

Travel Adventures-These adventures will give you a great start at meeting new people. Jdate offers these in a variety of cities. And there is nothing to say that you can’t introduce one in your city! One example of an adventure is Bring a Guy You Don't Fancy (but know someone else will!) London. Next Generation ORT Party and Private Benefit at Blvd NYC. And many more!

Meet Someone Special at Jewish Café

Jewish CafĂ©’s goal is to be like a comfortable coffee shop where you can go to meet people of like mind and faith. Members can log on from the comfort of their own home and start searching for their one true love.

They are one of the best Jewish dating websites out there because members can search the world over, as Jewish CafĂ© has members from several different countries. Members fill out multiple questions while creating a profile. Questions range from ‘How kosher are you?’ to ‘Are you willing to relocate?’

Jewish Café compares well with other online Jewish dating websites. It has all the usual features and they also sponsor events so that members can meet each other.

6StarReviews’ Favorite Feature:
“Intermarriage, Why Not” This free video provides a balanced look at why Jews should consider marrying within their faith.

Jewish Café Features:
  • Send Quick Messages to online members, like an instant message program
  • Chat Rooms
  • Quickmatch Search
  • Advanced search systems – search by country, state, religion, salary, education, etc.
  • See a running tally of new singles that have joined
  • Can see who has viewed your profile
  • Members can prevent others from knowing you checked out their profile
  • Can see who has a birthday today
  • Helpful tips in mail section and chat
Very Popular for Photos: Snapfish

Snapfish is an online digital photo printing service that provides printing, developing, and gift services. Upload your digital photo online from your computer, or mail in your film using their postage-paid mailers to have them develop, print, and post your photos online for one low fee.

Signing up takes seconds, and they immediately offer to send you free mailers to send in your film. The first 20 digital photo prints are free and $0.12 cents thereafter. Once you upload your first digital photo, you are credited with 20 free prints and one free hi-resolution digital photo online. They will develop your first roll of film for free. You also receive 20 free photo prints for every friend you refer. There is no minimum order required to use your credit.

What's New at Snapfish?

  • Free Shipping on up to 100 4x6 prints. Use coupon code FREESHIPAPR
  • PhotoStamps-Upload your Snapfish images and make them into stamps!
  • 20 Free Prints for Referring a Friend! Snapfish will allow you to earn up to 5,000 prints!
  • Get prints at Walgreens or Publix-This great feature allows members to print photos at Publix kiosks or pick-up at Walgreens photo counters throughout the US!

Snapfish Features:

  • Shop by product and occasion Easy Viewing – Viewing all of your photos is an easy album structure.
  • Snapfish allows you to play your digital photos online in a slideshow format.
  • Storytelling - Tell your special story by adding ext captions. Personalize your online digital photo albums with a design to make your album fun for friends and family to view.

6StarReviews Favorite Feature:

We love their choice of gifts that allow you to apply your digital photos! Some unique items are photos on scarves, pillowcases, diaper bags, coasters, pillow shams, personalized recipe holders, custom gift mugs, stationery, memory books and even clothes!

Shutterfly: Digital Photo Printing Expert

Shutterfly is an online digital photo printing and developer service. If you are tired of emailing huge digital photo files to your family or don’t have time to wait for your digital photo printing at the local store – Shutterfly has the answer for you. Simply mail or upload your digital photos and film to Shutterfly, and order as many high-quality prints in the sizes you choose. Photo gifts are also available.

When you join for free you also receive 15-free digital prints! You can shop by occasion, products, top sellers or view your saved projects.

What's New at Shutterfly?

  • Prepaid print plans - Customers can purchase a fixed number of advance prints for a reduced cost and redeem them for up to 2 years from date of purchase.
  • Free Shipping on $30+ Orders - New customers only.
  • Free 18-month calendar-For a limited time, receive a free calendar when you purchase an 800 print plan.
  • Free photo book-When signing up for an Annual Print Plan.

Shutterfly’s Special Features:

Preserve & share your memories with:

  • High-quality digital photo printing
  • Personalized cards & gifts
  • Customized Photo Books
  • Personal digital photo galleries
Online Photos on PhotoWorks

PhotoWorks provides a web service that allows you to utilize online digital photo printing! You can upload a single digital photo online or multiple photos at a time to print and/or share with your family and friends! In addition, you can also mail your film to them for photo printing and posting on their web-site.

Creating an online account with PhotoWorks is free, and provides you the privilege of sharing your uploaded photos with your friends and family via the Internet. Photoworks, also extends your first 25 prints free.

In addition to regular photo printing, PhotoWorks puts a great deal of emphasis on their photo book gifts. They have over 10 backgrounds and 74 layouts to choose from to turn your favorite photo collection into a printed hard-bound book. Their other photo gifts include mugs, puzzles, mouse pads, ornaments, tote bags, coasters, key chains, ceramic tiles, tile murals, and magnets.

What's New at PhotoWorks?
  • Glossy, Hardcover Photo Albums - Have your photos printed on glossy paper within a quality hardcover bound album.
  • Share Photos Photo Slideshow-Arrange your images in neat slideshows and send a PhotoMail™ email invitation to friends & family to view your show! If they like a photo, they can order it through Kodak Perfect Touch prints.

PhotoWorks Special Features and Benefits:

  • Crisp digital photo prints - Richer details, more vibrant colors, fewer dark shadows.
  • Custom photo books
  • Free PhotoMail™ service – free postage and you can print the label
  • Secure online storage – two backups of every digital photo online
SmugMug: Beautiful Photos

SmugMug is an online digital photo printing and sharing service that allows you to create and share multiple web-based photo albums. They even have a service that allows you to sell your favorite digital photo online! The website is very attractive and fun to navigate. In lieu of traditional stock photos, their products and services are highlighted by pictures of funny-looking felines and playful children.

In an effort to appear less straightforward and stiff than its competitors, SmugMug encourages visitors to post and have fun in their forums, and has an entire section devoted to sharing "hacks" and links of interest unrelated to photo printing and sharing.

6StarReviews noticed that unlike other web-based online digital photo printing services whose main focus is to sell printing and related gifts. SmugMug also focuses a great deal on its online photo sharing services.

They host a variety of themed photo communities, where people can share their favorite digital photo online under topics like Boston or BMWs. You can search photos across the entire site by keywords like flowers. They hold regular contests for amateur and professional photographers alike.

What's New at SmugMug?
  • Partnership with Adobe! Now at SmugMug you can easily upload your photos from Adobe's Photoshop Elements 5.0 software. Why do we love this? You can edit your photo's and load them onto SmugMug gallaries in almost a snap of a finger.
  • SmugMug Gear-Fun collection of SmugMug clothes, plates, mugs, & more!

Recognized by The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and PC Magazine

Share memories on KodakEasyShare

KodakEasyShare allows you to order photo printing online! You can order online digital photo printing by uploading your photos electronically or mailing in your film. You can request free postage-paid mailers to send in your color 35mm, APS, and black & white film, and/or single-use cameras. 6StarReviews also likes the fact that the day we reviewed their site they were offering 20% off on all prints and collages!

Sharing photos on KodakEasyShare is just that – EASY! It doesn't cost anything to open a KodakEasyShare account. When 6StarReviews visited their site they were offering 20 free 4x5 prints when you join!

What’s New with KodakEasyShare?
  • Free Shipping-For a limited time only, receive free shipping on orders over $25, Use coupon code: SHIP2POP
  • Magic Tile Mugs - This is a great service for online digital photo printing on a mug. These are very nice in appearance and they allow you to apply a vertical or horizontal digital photos that are then tiled (repeated) around the bottom 2/3’s of the mug.

KodakEasyShare Features:

  • View and Edit your digital photo online
  • Upload digital photos
  • Share your digital photo online
  • Buy photo printing
6StarReviews Favorite Feature:
Uploading Photos from Camera Phones! If your phone does not have extra storage slots then you quickly run out of space. Additionally, several times, I have lost digital photos when my phone has either been damaged or lost. Now you can simply enter your mobile phone number and upload your camera phone’s digital photos online to the Gallery and share them with friends and family!
Not Ritzbits, Ritzpix!

Ritzpix is a simple photo printing and sharing service that allows you to order online digital photo printing with pick-up in one hour! This is their main selling point. How do they achieve this? They can provide one hour photo processing through a wide-reaching network of local photo stores, including Inkleys and Ritz Camera. This service recently updated their website, offering a much more attractive design. Here are some specific features and services that 6StarReviews did find!

What's New?
  • Revamped website
  • Live Help - This new option is very beneficial for those with technical problems or questions.
  • Image Rewards Club-save money, get special discounts, & earn rewards points on all purchases you make at Ritzpix.

6StarReviews Favorite Feature:
Personalized Picture for Sports Fans. This is very cute as you can pick your favorite team player’s jersey numbers while also adding your name onto a jersey. The delivery is 2 weeks and the cost is $29.00 - $69.00.

Ritzpix additional products are gifts that let you add a digital photo online. There are also things like mugs, mouse pads, calendars, puzzles, t-shirts, and/or greeting cards. Their photo-based holiday cards range in price from $16.99 for a 20-pack to $86.99 for a 200-pack.

Prints are $0.19 each when you have them mailed to you, or $0.27 each for one-hour in-store pickup. Prints are mailed within 2-3 business days of receiving your order; photo gifts may take up to 7-10 days to ship. Shipping starts at $1.48 for up to 10 prints via standard mail. Overnight mail is offered for an additional fee.

York Photo Printing


York Photo is a colorful online digital photo printing service. York Photo's prints are some of the most affordable among the competition. York Photo offers free downloadable photo software that allows you to make screensavers and slideshows, upload photos from your digital camera, crop photos and remove red eye, share photos with friends, and order prints through the program.

They sell an advanced version of their program for $39.99, which allows you to create more advanced slideshows (with free included songs and clipart), create photo CDs, and make more advanced edits to pictures.

Gifts for everyone!

Along with their photo printing service, York Photo also offers an extensive range of photo gifts. Their selection includes greeting cards, posters, flip books, pillowcases, decorative pillows, tote bags, t-shirts, sweatshirts, baby bibs, onesies, neckties, scarves, boxer shorts, shoulder bags, aprons, golf towels, mugs, keepsake boxes, ornaments, clocks, mugs, soccer balls, mousepads, throw blankets, calendars, cutting boards, pet dishes, serving trays, coasters, steins, trivets, clipboards, playing cards, puzzles, stuffed animals, stickers, softballs, and more!

No other online photo store offers such a wide range of gifts as York Photo.

What's New?
  • FREE - First 20 digital prints.
  • Photo CD - For only $2.99, receive a photo CD storing 500 photos with most print orders.

6StarReviews' Favorite Feature:

Yorkphoto’s commitment to top-quality photoprinting is guaranteed in their York Triple Guarantee of Excellence. This guarantee promises to refund your money, give you a free replacement roll of film and give you a free-processing coupon if you are the least bit unsatisfied by their service!

Monday, May 21, 2007

Stationery: Paper Reinvented

Not all paper is created equally; stationery being no exception. As societal norms in America continue to include many celebrations, rites of passage and milestones, we have reinvented the way we announce, congratulate and offer consolation. While many of us still buy conventional birthday cards and invitations, the Internet has made the process even easier for us.

Stationery has always been a creative and fun way to send a letter or memo to someone else. Many stationery sites offer custom prints letter-writers can design themselves. Giving a gift? Many sites even let you personalize gift stationery in their recipient’s name, hobby or favorite color. Some even offer digital photo technology to offer that special uniqueness, allowing customers to create prints with personal photographs embedded.

We are all vaguely aware of the origins of paper, its roots tied somewhere in Egypt. However, paper and stationery have had a deeper and more meaningful past than some people are conscious of.

See if you knew some of these paper history tidbits below:

· A Chinese courtier actually came up with the notion of “paper.”

· In Egypt 3000 b.c., the word “paper” originated with slices of the papyrus plant, which were dried.

· During the Middle Ages, paper was commonly traded by merchants.

· In the 16th century, paper mills were the primary production method of paper.

· In the 17th century, smoothing hammers and other technological advances were used to create and smooth paper.

· In the 18th century, “manufactories” were formed with skilled labor to increase output.

· The 19th and 20th centuries saw advances in printing technology, with machines performing tasks like rag preparation, pulp beating and drying.

· The 20th century saw sheet-forming technology, which formed paper as we know it today.

· Paper announcements, invitations and the earliest forms of stationery were commonly traded by European aristocracy in the late 17th century.

· Many aristocrats sent mass-scale announcements and stationery to prove their affluence.

It still remains the social norm to send thank-you’s after a great party, receiving fabulous wedding presents or even when you complete a rigorous interview. You can even find fancy thank-you notes and some of the best stationery right at your own computer. This makes personalization that much simpler.

6Star Reviews reported sites like Fine Stationery offer products like business letterheads, notepads and memos among their extensive stationery collection. Customers can even receive printer’s proofs by mail to ensure their order’s accuracy! Paper certainly has come a long way and it’s reinventing the way we relate to others in the 21st century.
My Nabyoo: Helping Parents

My Nabyoo is one of the products that we encountered during our testing of parental internet control software. The details of our findings are outlined in the review below.

What's New?
  • My Nabyoo can now run in stealth mode, hiding itself from prying eyes.
  • The software now incorporates screen shots into its monitoring activity.
  • Password control ensures that only the administer can change the program settings.

User Interface and Product Application:
My Nabyoo was very easy to download and install. The site didn't require registration to download the free trial and the entire install process took only a few brief minutes.

Once My Nabyoo was installed, we were surprised at how comprehensive the product was, while still being very easy to use, making it one of the best parental products out there. The interface is very user-friendly and it wasn't long at all before we were surfing the Web to see how well the product protected us. After surfing for a while, we then ran reports to see how well the product monitored our activities. The entire process was virtually effortless.

6StarReviews Favorite Feature:
My Nabyoo takes automatic screen shots which can later be viewed in a DVD-style slide show. It has never been easier to see everything your child is doing online.

My Nabyoo Features:

  • Content and website filtering.
  • Prevention of illegal file sharing.
  • Unlimited number of Windows users.
  • Operates in stealth mode.
  • Password protected.
  • Takes automatic screen shots of computer activities.
  • Provides the ability to block chat software.
  • Offers the option of blocking all Internet games.
  • Performs simple URL logging.
  • Automated keyword filtering.
Guard Kids Online with Net Nanny 5.5

6StarReviews decided to study and compare parental Internet control software and Content Protect's Net Nanny is one of the parental control software reviews we conducted. We downloaded, installed and used NetNanny 5.5 to see just how well this parental control software works and how easy it is to use. The results of our findings are outlined in the following review.

What's New?
  • Content Protect recently aquired Net Nanny - Now get the best of both worlds, as Content Protect and Net Nanny have come together to provide you some of the best parental control technology.
  • Windows Vista and Internet Explorer 7 compatible!
  • Receive email notifications to your phone.
  • NetNanny is offering a free 14-day trial of the software.

User Interface and Product Application:
The installation of the Net Nanny was very easy. The process involved a simple online download, followed by user-friendly installation prompts. Content Protect's Net Nanny parental Internet control software runs in the background and is very easy to configure. When you install the software, you select a password.

To configure the parental Internet control software and to run the NetNanny reports, a user simply needs to log into the software's interface using the password that was created during the installation process. The interface is very intuitive and the system provides easy-to-follow prompts when configuring settings and running reports.

We were able to configure the settings to prevent access to certain games and websites and were able to run reports seeing exactly how long a user was online and which sites were filtered. The report functions also allowed us to review all instant messaging activity for the computer it was installed on.

6StarReviews Favorite Feature:
What parent wouldn't love to know exactly what was being said in online instant message sessions with their child? We love the fact that you can review logs of all instant messages sent to and from the computer the software is installed on.

NetNanny 5.5 Features:

  • Blocks pornography and other questionable content when your child is on the computer.
  • Protects children and families from unsolicited adult advertisements.
  • Customizable restriction levels for each family member.
  • Allows parents to manage and observe their child's Internet activity from anywhere at any time.
  • Content Protect integrates with Safe Search features in popular search engines.
  • Allows you to review reports of your child's Internet activity and instant message communications.
  • Password-protected access for parents so children cannot adjust the protection settings.
  • Blocks bad content from Peer-to-Peer networks.
  • Automatic updates at no additional cost.
  • Unlimited technical support reachable via a toll-free number.
PC Tattletale Tells All

6StarReviews tested a number of different parental Internet control products. PC Tattletale is one of the products we tested. The results of our experience with PC Tattletale are outlined below.

What's New?
  • PC Tattletale pricing allows installation on two separate computers with each purchase.
  • Full-featured 7-day demo version allows you to try the product before you buy it.
  • PC Tattletale is now offering "competitive upgrades" that allow people who have purchased under-performing parental Internet control software to switch over to PC Tattletale at a reduced price.

User Interface and Product Application:
The Installation of PC Tattletale was a bit more complicated than we usually like to see. Because the software tracks activity and transmits data, some anti-virus programs block the download and interfere with installation. We had to temporarily deactivate our antivirus protection to install and use the product. Once downloaded and installed, the product is fairly easy to use and it may very well be the "big guns" of parental Internet control software.

6StarReviews Favorite Feature:
Not only does this product perform keystroke logging as well as chat room and IM monitoring, but it also takes actual screen shots of your child's Internet activity.

PC Tattletale Features:

  • Monitoring and reporting of chat room and email activities.
  • Monitoring and reporting of Internet activities.
  • Keylogger recording.
  • Screen shot captures.
  • The program is able to operate in "stealth" mode.
  • Filtering of restricted websites.
  • Blocking of restricted content.
iProtectYou for Your Home Computer

6StarReviews downloaded some of the most popular parental Internet control software available and put it to the test. We looked for things like ease of download and installation, pricing and customer support. iProtectYou was one of the parental Internet products we looked into. The findings of our review are detailed below.

What's New?
  • iProtectYou is now compatible with Windows Vista.
  • All program upgrades (even major new releases) are free for one full year from purchase.
    iProtectYou is currently offering a 30-day money-back guarantee.

User Interface and Product Application:

iProtectYou was one of the easier parental Internet control programs to download and install. With "push-button" prompts and a quick install process, we were on our way to configuring the software in just minutes.

Once we had iProtectYou downloaded and installed, we were easily able to run reports from the user-friendly interface. It is truly one of the most user-friendly products we tested.

6StarReviews Favorite Feature:

iProtectYou allows you to set different security levels for each member of the family and it also enables the administrator to block all email messages, chat sessions, IM conversations and P2P connections that contain foul and inappropriate language.

iProtectYou Features:

  • Comprehensive website and newsgroup filters.
  • Can restrict Internet time to a pre-determined schedule.
  • Choose which programs have access to the Internet and which do not.
  • Block communications that contain inappropriate language.
  • Set different security levels for each family member.
  • Retrieve detailed activity logs.
Cyber Patrol Protects Kids

6StarReviews researched and reviewed a variety of Parental Internet control software products to determine which ones work best and what will effectively protect your children during online activities. CyberPatrol is one of the parental internet control programs we researched and reviewed. The findings of our research are outlined below.

What's New?

User Interface and Product Application:
The installation of CyberPatrol was seamless with easy-to-follow prompts. The entire install process took less than five minutes, including download time. When you install CyberPatrol, the system asks you to select a password. This is the password that is used to administer the settings and create user profiles with the CyberPatrol program. This password is required when changing CyberPatrol settings or accessing blocked web pages.

The CyberPatrol HQ Toolbar interface makes use of the program's features easy and convenient and you can close the toolbar with the click of a mouse if you don't want it up on the screen. Using the HQ Toolbar, we were able to create profiles, administer settings and run reports.

6StarReviews Favorite Feature:
The HQ Toolbar really does make use of Cyber Patrol easy and the user-friendly interface will prove to be convenient for parents who aren't technologically inclined.

Cyber Patrol Features:

  • Time-management features that allow you to restrict the amount of time your child spends on the Web.
  • Download blocks ensure that no programs can be downloaded without parent permission.
  • Customizable easy-to-set-up filtering allows you to decide where your child can and can not go on the Web.
  • Real-time activity monitoring.
  • Easy-to-access monitoring reports.
  • A time-out feature that sets the program to the default profile when the system has been idle for a set period of time.
  • Free technical support online and via email.
Bathing Suit Season: Online Diets To the Rescue

As summer rapidly approaches, many of us have visions of lying on the shore basking in the rays while the sound of the ocean roars in the background. Back to reality! Many of us dread summertime for one reason: it’s time to break out of our winter layers that hide those extra pounds we picked up over the holidays and suit up!

Men and women alike face those embarrassing situations where they feel as if they are the fattest person on the beach and would rather hide than slap on the SPF. But, there are solutions for those who want to make a change to better their health and self-esteem! There are many programs for diets that can bust those extra fat cells that crept on your thighs from grandma’s blueberry pie.

No, you don’t even have to leave your house and join a conventional weight-loss program if you don’t want to. The Internet has broadened our choices even when it comes to weight loss. Losing those stubborn inches does boost self image and better your health.

Did you know about these frightening statistics?

· Obesity and remaining overweight is the second-leading cause of preventable death in the US, according to government statistics.

· Obesity causes over 280,000-325,000 deaths in the nation per year.

· More than half of all adults in the US are overweight.

· About 62% of women and 67% of men are overweight.

· About 1/3 of all Americans are overweight

Online diet programs offer advice, meal plans, work-out routines and support, all available at your fingertips. Forget going to see a trainer and participating in embarrassing weigh-ins, Internet diet plans can be done right at home.

A beneficial way to ensure you won’t fall into the fat trap is to compare programs for diets. A great way to save time is to check out 6Star Reviews diet service comparisons. They note that not only do some of the top-names in diet programs such as the South Beach Diet offer help, there are some solely dedicated to their online clientele, such as eDiets. So before summer comes and your confidence disappears, try signing up for an online program that may be just what you needed.
Online vs. Traditional Poker

Poker isn’t just for Friday-night hangouts and glittery Vegas casinos anymore. This popular game has become an icon, developing into a sport often exhibited on ESPN. It has also taken on the Internet, with some of the best online poker sites raking in approximately $200 million in profit per month.

Poker isn’t just for single guys or retirees with too much money to blow on a good game. Women are increasingly joining the ranks of online poker tournaments, with an estimated 20-40% of players reported as being female. College students are also fans of this game, pseudo-sport. Some 50% of males reportedly gamble each month in poker matches.

It’s apparent how important the game of poker is to American pop culture and abroad. However, some may wonder why they should turn to an Internet tournament as opposed to heading down to Harrah’s. There are many differences between traditional poker matches and online poker.

Some of the most visible differences include:

· Forget wearing your sunglasses or calculating body language. Online poker doesn’t require a facade in order to clinch a win.
· In traditional poker matches, the average rate of play is 30 hands per hour.
· In online poker, the average rate of play is 90-100 hands per hour.
· Online poker games allow you to play multiple tables at once to increase your chances of winning.
· To determine an opponent’s motives, online poker requires a keen eye to watch out for reaction time, patterns in betting and beginner’s tells.

While traditional players may enjoy the intrigue and excitement of sitting across from friends, smoking a cigar and practicing their best poker face, many have transitioned into the Web’s take on the classic game of poker. Many bored college students out there are passing some time by logging into their favorite poker site and trying their luck.

If you are a laptop gamer during class time or simply interested, check out some online poker reviews on 6Star Reviews. There are several choices including Poker Room and Pacific Poker. Even if you don’t like the idea of a virtual poker match, it may just be a whole new experience that may result in addiction.

Friday, May 18, 2007

The Language of Credit Cards

Like most Americans, you probably have at least one credit card if not more. Each time you approach the cash register, you may find yourself reaching in your wallet for that slab of plastic. You might even call it a reflex. In this day and age, credit has become a normality in our daily lives. Practically every store accepts credit cards and many vendors prefer credit cards over personal checks.

Banking online has never been easier with instantaneous pending transactions available just seconds after your card is swiped. However, charging through credit is not all fun and games, especially when it’s due date time. Many fall into the trap of only making the minimum payment each month, falling into even deeper debt.

One problem eager spenders face is signing up for a credit card they feel has low rates and three months down the road, are hindered by rising APR percentages. What exactly is an APR percentage? Believe it or not, some people get into credit card debt because they don’t understand the basics of credit card lingo.

Make Sure You’re Aware of the Following before choosing a credit card:

· APR: Annual Percentage Rate or the rate of interest you’ll have to pay if you have a balance carryover, transfer balances from another card or take out a cash advance.

· There are such things as penalty APR’s, where your percentage increases if you make late payments.

· Introductory APR’s-Your APR percentage rate is bound to rise after a select introductory time span.

· Tiered APR’s-Depending on amount spent, different percentages will be applied.

· What is a grace period? The amount of time you have to fully pay your bill without being charged.

· Minimum finance charges-If you spend less than the minimum finance charge, you will be charged the minimum amount required.

· Annual fee-Some cards charge you monthly; Some quarterly or yearly-This is a fee just for holding that credit card.

Some credit card companies offer fixed APR credit cards, or cards whose percentages don’t change. If they do change, the company is required to notify their customers before making the switch. Cards that have variable rates can change at times, so cardholders should monitor their percentages.

6Star Reviews reported that one fixed APR card, Pulaski Bank Gold Visa, even offers cardholders special incentives such as free auto rental & travel insurance, as well as free emergency services. Those who like stability and who may not have the best credit history may want to choose from one of several options of fixed APR credit cards.
VOIP: Revolutionizing Communication

You’ve probably seen commercials on TV for Vonage, a popular Voice Over IP Provider. But what exactly is this new phenomenon and how can it make your life easier? While the days of buying a phone card at your local 7-11 are nearly gone, long distance phone calls are necessary. The Internet has connected the entire world, so why not make talking on the telephone to someone on a different continent just as easy?

This is where Voice Over IP Providers come in handy. Not only do they use Internet technology to their advantage, they’re as commonplace as cable TV in the United States. All you need is a broadband Internet connection instead of dial-up. The FCC offers a comprehensive summary of new VOIP technology you may be interested in taking a look at.

These are the basics you need to know about VOIP:

· VOIP converts your voice into a digital signal sent over the Internet.

· If you’re calling someone without VOIP, the service converts your signal into a normal signal compatible with their phone.

· Some VOIP services charge for calls outside your area, so make sure to check terms of service and the fine-print on your application.

· Some VOIP services offer flat rates, making it easier to call long-distance lines without a worry.

· You may be able to make Internet phone calls in wireless-heavy locations like Barnes and Noble or college campuses.

· Some VOIP services allow you to use your traditional phone, while some allow you to speak into a microphone over the Internet.

For people who aren’t familiar with this growing technological trend, a great source we found is 6Star Reviews, who decided to compare Voice Over IP Providers. Vonage currently has over 2 million subscribers and is growing everyday. Forget buying a calling card or spending 5 cents a minute to call grandma. VOIP’s are clearly leading the way in digital communication trends and will surely revolutionize the way you connect.
The Truth About Viruses

We’ve all heard about computer-virus nightmare stories from friends and colleagues. What begins as an innocent-looking email can end up ravaging your PC, wiping out files and destroying your software programs. However, many websites and unassuming files can inflict damage as well, without us ever knowing until the damage is already done.

Even the best antivirus software cannot fully shield a user from the bugs and trojans running rampant on the Web. However, many software packages are designed to ward off new viruses as they are emerging. There are many aspects of viruses people don’t know about and before choosing an anti-virus software program, it’s necessary to separate fact from fiction.

Do these virus FAQs surprise or scare you?

· A virus can be spread when its host file is replicated. For instance, if you copy a file from a friend’s jump drive that contains a virus, your computer can get it.

· A virus does not need permission from a PC’s user in order to download and spread.

· Resident viruses do not need a host to spread. These viruses load themselves into memory of a PC’s files and transfer control to the host.

· Nonresident viruses look for hosts to infect and replicate themselves.

· Viruses can hide their file extensions from anti-virus programs, making it necessary to stay on top of your security updates in order to outwit the virus.

· Virus signature definitions only protect users from viruses pre-dating their last virus signature update: another reason to run automatic updates whenever possible.

· Heuristic software protection involves protection based on virus’ common behaviors, before there is an outbreak.

A virus’s capability to wreak havoc is truly extensive, but can be preventable. Every person will most likely come face-to-face with a virus at least once during their computer-usage.

This makes it necessary to compare antivirus security and find one to begin protecting you. 6StarReviews.com is one place you can look for programs like The Shield Pro, which is designed to scan for viruses at high speeds and offers immediate security-breach alerts. Before you fall prey to the next Trojan, consider the benefits of purchasing yourself some security software.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Online Dating Perks

Imagine being able to choose exactly who you were compatible with: down to hair and eye color, height, shared interests and quirks. Now picture yourself finding more than one person who matches your ideal dream partner. This is exactly what the best online dating service can do for you.

Gone are the days when mom-and-dad chose your partner and the family had to make the decision of who was best for you. Bar-hopping to find the perfect soul mate can be overrated as well, and may result in finding your so-called Mr./Ms. Right who happens to sit on your number for a month.

Before you get the idea that dating online is for introverts who struggle to get a date, there are many perks to finding a date online:

· It is easy to find people who are single, just like you! 6Star Reviews compares online dating services like True, that screen daters to see if public records match their posted marital status. No need to worry if John has a wife at home and claims he’s single and looking.

· It’s cheaper to date online in the beginning: For the cost of subscription fees to an online dating service, you probably would have spent that amount on just two cocktails plus tip on a date!

· No need for uncomfortable silence on a date; you only meet those you truly make a connection with.

· Less confusion: Ever been in a situation where you wonder if she likes you as much you like her? Online dating eliminates these feelings because you are free to talk to as many people as you want, when you want.

· Looks aren’t the first thing your potential partner will see. Sure, they may see a photograph of you, but if you’re having a bad hair day, so what?

· There’s always a new singles pool: Forget trying to impress the same guy at your job who hasn’t given you the time of day for three years: find new, fresh faces through Internet dating.

If you feel you are up for the challenge to find “the one” on the Internet, your best bet is to try an online dating service and make a profile on one of the top dating sites. Hey, nothing beats a first date where you’re allowed to wear your pajamas and no makeup.
Debate Over Illegal Movie Downloads

We’ve all heard about the tug-of-war between college students and record companies. College student illegally downloads music on the Internet, record companies wants to sue. It’s a perpetual battle that has been raging on college campuses and elsewhere across the United States for years now. However, it is also an issue of concern to film production companies who are finding their flicks are being stolen left and right as well.

Alongside music files, movie files can be downloaded through those not-so-legitimate Web services. While we all know nothing beats a free movie or song, there is no comparison in terms of quality. Many illegally-downloaded movie files are hard to see, with grainy appearances and frequent freezes. Music downloads are the same, with random blips and beeps interrupting tracks. However, it isn’t a surprise to those wanting something for nothing.

Just a year ago, Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) President Cary H. Sherman confronted college students at the University of Delaware, encouraging them to purchase their music. Similarly, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) launched efforts to discourage students from downloading movies illegally, stressing this was a breach of University policy and possible legal action would be made against them.

The University of Delaware worked with the MPAA in creating their “No Excuses,” effort to prevent students from stealing copyrighted material they didn’t have a right to access without paying first. Students caught with stolen audio and movie files on their computer networks were suspended from using the University network for a minimum of 30 days among other consequences.

While these students and people across America may be on a limited budget, there is really no excuse to steal copyrighted music and movie files. The Internet has impacted even the way we spend our money and some of the best movie download services can save film buffs money, while giving them legitimate, high-quality movie files.

6Star Reviews is a site that compares movie download services, which could assist broke college students and any movie-lover who is accustomed to illegal downloads. Not only are sites like Total Vid legal, they offer trials and flexible subscription options. Why not choose a service and spend this Friday night in to watch a movie with someone special?