Friday, September 28, 2007

Stationery Services

Stationery isn’t limited to plain white paper embossed with your initials anymore. With the popularity of stationery services skyrocketing, it’s possible to find stationery for every purpose and occasion. Besides the gift aspect, stationery can be personalized with personal photographs and ordered right online. See what stationery sites have to offer you:

· Pre-proofs: No one likes receiving typo-laden paper. While designing customized stationery on Fine Stationery, you can save your work periodically and have typesetter’s proofs sent straight to your house to avoid any mistakes on the finished product.

· Selection: Stationery services such as Tiny Prints let you personalize all kinds of gifts, such as invitations, birth announcements, gift tags, thank-you cards and more.

· Unique Designs: Who says designers limit themselves to clothes? Fine Stationery offers stationery from popular designers Vera Wang and Kate Spade, to name a few.

· Holiday Products: Fine Stationery offers an extensive holiday collection, with photo cards, stationery, and invitations for occasions like Hanukkah to Mardi Gras.

Some of the best stationery services have incorporated name-brand and hard-to-find designs into their product selections. Many even allow customers to ‘design their own’ through multimedia flash designers, so you can pick what colors and fonts will highlight your paper. There are a multitude of ways to customize your stationery to fit your personality, as stationery services make the process fun.
Online Dating Service Updates:

6Star Reviews reviewed and compared some of the best online dating services out there. Some of our reviews include Jewish and Christian dating services, for those wishing to date within their faith. See what new features and additions are available on these sites!

-Christian Dating-

BigChurch:
  • Now hosts over half a million members!
  • BigChurch Magazine-Write your own articles and interact with other members in this dynamic, member-driven magazine!

Dating Disciples:

  • 1 Month Free! Enter Promotion Code 6Star For Free 1 Month Membership
  • eCards & Flash Movies-Send interactive, spiritual messages to friends or potential partners!

Relationships:

  • IM Alerts-Grab the attention of someone you're interested in!
  • Brand new inbox for members

Christian Café:

  • 10 day FREE trial
  • Receive your own private mailbox on Christian Café!

-Jewish Dating-

JLove:

  • Instant messenger-notify members that you are online even when you are not at JLove and alerts you when a member emails you.
  • High quality video chat

Jewish Café:

  • Receive 7 FREE days for each person you refer to Jewish Cafe!
  • Add an extra 7 days FREE onto your account when you post your first photo!

Jewish Friend Finder:

  • Jewish Friend Finder Blogs
  • Create a 'Hot List' of which members catch your eye.

JDate:

  • Travel Adventures will give you a great start at meeting new people. Jdate offers these in a variety of cities. JDates' latest adventure...white water rafting!
  • JMag-Featuring articles for members by members!

Monday, September 24, 2007

Apartment Rental Searches

Whether you’re moving four towns over or across the nation, apartment rental services are a must for any renter. Despite the number of apartment complexes dispersed throughout the United States, finding a fit to match your financial status and taste can be quite a challenge. Considering the following may assist you if you’re preparing to pack up again:
  • Diverse Listings-No two people are alike, just like not all apartments are created equally. The Apartments.com website lets you sort out what kind of rental you want, such as corporate or short term apartment leases.
  • Various Services-Even if you’re planning on renting for some time, sites like Move.com provide home financing information, as well as home & garden resources and moving advice.
  • Pricing-Look for an apartment rental service that provides color photos, detailed listings with versatile price ranges, and even roommate searches, such as Rent.com.
  • Search Function-Sifting through thousands of rentals isn’t as easy as it looks. Apartments.com gives you the option to search by city and state, lease type, property name, and even a virtual map.

Of course, if you are looking for affordable apartment rentals, you should keep your budget in mind as you begin your search. However, by limiting your search parameters, you may not find what you’re looking for.

A great piece of advice is to go a little above and below the price range you have in mind, as some complexes offer move-in special’s or cash back bonuses for renting with their particular company. Apartment rental services decrease the chances your next move will be a hectic one while providing you with plentiful options for the future.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Choosing Internet Security Software

Installing the best Internet security software on one’s PC is an unwritten rule that many of us follow. We’ve heard countless horror stories of computer viruses and stolen identity; some making us swear we’ll never use the Internet again. But, let’s face it, the Web is essential to all of our lives and despite the risks, the benefits sure outweigh those detrimental aspects.

In order to fully protect your PC and find an Internet security software program you can stand hosting on your OS, it’s important to consider the following:
  • Features-While most Internet security providers claim to ‘have it all,’ make sure you choose a software program with anti-virus and spyware protection, rootkit and spam protection, a firewall, and parental control functions, such as Security Shield 2008.
  • Pricing-Everyone wants to save money and when choosing an Internet security software program, it’s vital to choose a great product with an affordable price tag. Security Shield 2008, for example, will run you $39.99 after mailing in their rebate.
  • Ease of Use-Opt for a software program that is easy to install and doesn’t drain your system resources. CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2008, for example, provides an In-Product Tutorial if you run into any problems along your virus-scanning way.
  • Customer Support-Make sure the Internet Security provider you go with has comprehensive customer support. Security Shield 2008 is covered by free technical support via email, phone and live chat. Many companies charge per-incident or by allotted time, so it’s wise to compare costs.

Most Internet security software programs run automatic updates and have real-time scanning capabilities, which are a must. Technology and Web-based threats aren’t static and in order to completely protect your PC, it’s crucial to choose a product that is both versatile and continuously updates itself.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Online Stock Trading Tips

Making a profit in today’s money market economy requires cautious calculation, knowledge of the financial environment, and a little luck. Even if you don’t believe in the latter, online stock trading is a huge investment opportunity for many, and a daring endeavor for day traders. Before choosing a particular online stockbroker, it’s imperative to consider these key points.
  • Investment Options-Go with a site that provides multiple stock options, mutual funds, CDs, IRA rollovers and things of that nature. TD Ameritrade is a great source for stocks, bonds and all things finance.
  • Trading Platform-Consider the usability and intuitiveness of the online stock trading platform you’re signing up with. For example, Schwab Active Trader utilizes StreetSmart Pro® and gives traders streaming market data in a simple, yet sophisticated custom display view.
  • Investment Outlooks-To trade successfully, you need continuously updated, extensive real-time stock charts and quotes. Zecco lets you customize ‘Watch Lists’ and even has their own ‘Gainers,’ ‘Losers,’ and ‘Most Active’s’ to help you out.
  • Ease of Use-Online stock trading isn’t for the faint at heart, but doesn’t require expert knowledge to acquire an understanding of it. Sharebuilder, for instance, targets both novice and professional traders with their user-friendly site and minimal investment requirements.

While the market incessantly fluctuates, and one good day on Wall Street could turn into an investor’s nightmare the next, trading online greatly assists those building their portfolios. TD Ameritrade offers extended hours trading for those working a longer day, and online stock trading services such as eTrade provide real-time streaming stock quotes. You may just become a Dow Jones junkie while having fun in the process.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Hotel Booking Online

It’s hard to find anyone who hasn’t booked a hotel online nowadays. Thanks to hotel reservation services, you receive the added convenience of complete room photos and hotel tours, discount specials, and last-minute booking capabilities if you just find out you’re leaving on a business trip to LA tomorrow. But, before choosing an online hotel booking site, consider these pointers.

· Hotel Selection-If you’re booking ahead, look for a service that offers you the most extensive room listings on your designated travel dates. A search for a room in New York this fall on the Hotels.com website yielded hundreds of page results!

· Trip Cancellations-Make sure you know the site’s policy on reservation cancellations and refunds. Some services like Hotels.com allow you to cancel anytime in the event that ‘something suddenly came up.’

· Reviews-Look for a site that provides a plethora of reviews from customers with firsthand experience. Trip Advisor, for instance, boasts millions of personal recollections of dream hotel stays and nightmare visits alike.

· Room Photos & Tours-Hotels.com gives you 360-degree virtual tours, on top of photographs of standard rooms and suites. You’ll know exactly what you’re getting before you throw down the cash.

Whether you’re planning a weekend snowboarding trip in Denver this winter or wish to try out a local bed and breakfast, the best hotel booking services will make planning your stay a cinch. As always, book early and keep your eyes peeled for special room rates. It isn’t uncommon for a room at some five star stunner to last mere hours if it’s on sale. You’ll be surprised at how much you can save when booking online.

Friday, September 14, 2007

Auto Loan Providers

Anyone who purchases or plans to purchase a new or used vehicle knows how expensive and time-consuming the process can be. Sometimes even the best auto loans have hidden costs involved and car loan refinancing would be a lucrative option for many car owners. There are plenty of things to think about before signing up for an auto loan.

One important piece of information to consider is whether or not your auto loan provider of choice has direct lending. Direct lending means that the site or service cuts out the middle man and signs you up for an auto loan without referring you to a local car dealership that matches you with a loan. 6StarReviews.com reports that Capital One is one such site that provides online loan approval, as well as a blank check program whereby car shoppers can benefit as cash buyers.

Some auto loan providers such as the Cars Direct website provide several loan options, such as direct loan and dealer referrals. You can also obtain lease refinancing here, if you feel you’d benefit from such a decision. Unlike some of the top auto loan websites, Cars Direct is a place for car owners and prospectives alike who have good or bad credit scores. It’s important to consider an auto loan service that you have a good chance of being approved through, as this saves time.

Of course, with any loan, it’s important to remember why you are in fact utilizing its service. If you purchase or lease the most expensive car in town, your loan will obviously be higher. If your financial situation isn’t the best, opt for a more budget-friendly vehicle and outweigh pro’s and con’s of leasing versus purchasing. Auto loan services can assist you once you’ve made basic decisions in your car-buying process.
Capital One: Great Auto Loans

Capital One is a big name in the auto loan and financing industry, and it'd be a crime not to check out their services. The application is simple to fill out and gives you auto loan approval instantly.

There are auto loan calculators, loan durations of 30 to 72 months and low interest rates. We must note that to qualify for an auto loan through this service, you have to have good credit.
  • Auto refinancing now available.
  • No obligation blank check program

We really liked the plethora of auto loan and refinancing information we found here on the Capital One website. Customer support was outstanding here, with quick and efficient telephone support and an extensive database of Help and Resources. We truly recommend this auto loan service to anyone with a more established credit score. Their name and commitment to loan excellence win them our Top Rated spot at 6.0 Stars!

Auto Loan Locator: Best Auto Loans?

We were pleasantly surprised with all the features we found on the Auto Loan Locator website.

Not only do they provide a wide variety of auto loan options, they also let you perform actions like buying out a lease or refinancing an existing loan.

  • Private party or dealer-covered auto loans.
  • New auto mall and auto buyer's guide.

6Star Reviews likes websites that make it easy to get the job done, and Auto Loan Locator delivers. The online application is very straight up and effortless to complete. You will be given a direct lender match, with a 'voucher' to use when you purchase your car. One downside is you must know where you will buy your car (either a dealer or private party) before you complete the loan application. We liked the bright and visually-appealing website interface, and customer support by way of telephone and email were both stellar. We really recommend this auto loan service to anyone and feel their extensive resources earn them our Most Popular spot with 5.5 Stars!

Cars Direct: Auto Loans & Refinance

Overall, we had a really positive experience on the Cars Direct auto loan website. First of all, they offer direct lending, so this is already a plus when so many auto loan websites only refer you to local car dealerships.

Cars Direct cuts out the middle man and saves you time, which we always appreciate. There are plenty of loan resources for you to skim through here and the loan application was quick to fill out and very user-friendly.
  • Manufacturer deals and rebates.
  • Trade-in and New Car Research

Our team liked that there were common auto loan features such as loan calculators and helpful resources, which we know will be of use to anyone shopping for auto loans. Telephone support is friendly here, but live chat left something to be desired. All in all though, Cars Direct stands out amongst the competition. We feel they should receive 5.0 Stars!

Auto Credit Express Auto Loans

Auto Credit Express is an auto loan website that isn't really a lender in itself, as they only refer you to dealers working with lenders that can offer you assistance.

However, they have very lenient credit requirements and the online application is very simple to fill out.
  • Discharged bankruptcies allowed
  • New and used car loans, loan calculators, one-page application.

There are plenty of useful resources on the Auto Credit Express website for those needing some financial advice and car loan tips in general. Customer support was bad here, with an error-laden online form and a looping telephone support system. But, if you really need an auto loan, this might be a good choice if you're willing to look past their customer service. Overall, we wanted to give them 4.5 Stars!

The Car Loan Center Auto Loans

As with many of The Car Loan Center's competitors, this particular website merely connects you to the necessary folk who can process your auto loan application for you.

In this case, it is local car dealerships. There were a few things we liked about The Car Loan Center, such as the ability to purchase an extended auto warranty, access to trade-in estimates, and an online loan calculator.
  • Receive a no-obligation quote on an extended auto warranty.
  • Loan referrals

6Star Reviews thinks The Car Loan Center offers the basics of an auto loan website. However, there aren't alot of frills here and throw in the absent customer support, and this definitely soured our experience on the website. Sure, the application seemed like a one-step process, but as soon as we submitted our auto loan form, we were hit with advertisements or 'spam' related pop-ups. Not a pleasant occurrence. This wasn't our favorite auto loan website, to say the least. They only receive 3.0 Stars!

Thursday, September 13, 2007

MMORPG Services

You may be wondering what all the hype is about regarding MMORPGs or massive multiplayer online role playing games. While the name itself may leave you confused, MMORPGs have quite a loyal following, and are growing as more people realize the fun and benefit of playing these games online.

Contrary to popular belief, online role playing games got their start in the early 1990’s and have grown incredulously. Last year, in the US alone, these games raked in a billion plus revenue and about 15 million paid and unpaid members hold MMORPG accounts. As evidenced by these figures, online role playing is no small feat!

Many of these games require logic, skill and a solid knowledge of each individual game. Many MMORPG services offer a feature called ‘powerleveling,’ which is basically the option to advance to upper levels of a game by having skilled players or the service itself skip the beginning stages for you. 6StarReviews.com reports that IGXE is a popular MMORPG service that not only has powerleveling for over 24 games, they have extensive virtual assets.

What is a virtual asset? Think of it as the ammo your character needs to take into battle in the many universes they’re sure to encounter. While these virtual assets of gold, weapons, and what not aren’t physically tangible, they’re worth money and are a big deal to MMORPG players. Some sites like IGE provide countless virtual assets for popular games like World of Warcraft.

Players can even exchange or buy and sell currency within the service, which results in real cash trading amongst gamers. Many companies such as Sony are recognizing the power of the MMORPG and are beginning to jump on the bandwagon in promoting this niche favorite. It’s apparent that we will continue to see growth in this gaming trend.
Popular MMORPG Service: IGXE

We felt that the IGXE MMORPG service has alot to offer virtual gamers by way of virtual assets and powerleveling. Boasting a great selection of supported games, IGXE has the common MMORPG features such as currency, CD Keys and powerleveling services.
  • Bonus dollars-A percentage of every purchase you make is converted into bonus dollars (if you spend $200 you earn $2 in bonus dollars).
  • 2Moons Currency & Powerleveling

6Star Reviews appreciates sites like IGXE that maintain a loyal following because of their selection and great pricing. For example, 4,000 Gold (Everquest II) will cost you only $31.78, which is quite lower than many of their competitors' pricing. There are numerous customer support options here, such as telephone support, email, fax, FAQs and live chat. How impressive! While email support was quick, their response didn't really help us. But, telephone support and live chat are good, so we cannot complain too much. They certainly deserve our Top Rated spot with 5.0 Stars!

IGE: Best MMORPG?

When we first landed upon the IGE MMORPG service, we had high hopes! After all, they tagged their website 'The Leading MMORPG Services Company.' We found they have a fairly decent selection of virtual assets and pretty competitive pricing. Their site is also effortless to navigate.
  • Sell currency on select games
  • World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade power leveling special

6Star Reviews likes that IGE keeps things simple and has a fairly easy-to-surf website design. However, the pages take forever to load, so if you're in a hurry, this MMORPG service might slow you down. We liked that they have a wide variety of virtual assets, and their pricing was good, with 4,000 Gold (Everquest II) costing you $52.61, which is lower than some of their competitors' pricing.

Customer support by email was quick, but their answer didn't match our question. Live chat referred us to another website, which threw us off even more. There is a FAQs database, but our sour customer service experience lingered in our mind. Still, they have created a name for themselves and have a loyal following, so they snagged our Most Popular spot. They receive 5.0 Stars!

GamePal for your MMORPG Service

After researching MMORPG services, we had a good idea what GamePal was all about.
So we weren't intrigued by their website interface, so what right? This gaming service offers some great features such as virtual assets and powerleveling, so you can advance to upper level gaming right off the bat.
  • Testimonials-Get customer's views and see ratings.
  • Purchase pre-leveled characters for top games, including World of Warcraft.

6Star Reviews likes that GamePal has a great collection of virtual assets for your gaming entertainment, and finding what you need here shouldn't be too difficult. Pricing is a little high here, when compared to some of their competition. A sample currency price for 4,000 Gold (Everquest II) is $61.66, which is a bit steep. We didn't see a FAQs section on the site, and email support was less than efficient. The live chat option, however, was quite friendly and accomodating. Overall, we feel this MMORPG service deserves 5.0 Stars!

OnRPG Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game

When we first came across the OnRPG MMORPG service, we were intrigued by their website concept. They offer FREE virtual games! We know this is hard to believe, but over 60 games in their database are available at no charge to you. There are also tons of resources here, as well as a community vibe with member forums and discussion groups.
  • Hands-on, sneak peeks of new MMORPGs , such as Fiesta
  • Beta key giveaway for Age of Armor

6Star Reviews appreciated how simple OnRPG made its user interface and the effortless navigation functions. Pricing is absent here, as most games are offered free of charge, which is a huge plus! There are plenty of informational tools here for games such as Everquest II and World of Warcraft that may have additional charges, but for the most part, this website is free. There is a FAQs database that isn't for the novice, as finding an answer can be a challenge. But, the email contact form yielded an answer within 15 minutes, and it was friendly and complete! For this and more, we give OnRPG 4.5 Stars!

EVE Online MMORPG Service

When we first stumbled upon the Eve Online MMORPG service, we liked how visually appealing their website interface was. We literally felt like we were stepping into a virtual gaming universe! This site offers numerous support options to gamers and offers features such as quick game tours, downloads and player guides.
  • EVE Insider-Get the inside scoop on all things games-from character information to player-submitted art and graphics.
  • 14 Day Free trial of Eve Online

6Star Reviews knows of the evergrowing popularity that virtual gaming and MMORPG's are bringing on the Internet. We liked that Eve Online provides gamers with tons of resources and keeps current users up to date, but feel they can benefit by selling virtual assets. By virtual assets, we mean anything used in your virtual gaming experience-like weapons or characters. The only customer support available here is by way of email and a FAQs database. Email support responded to us within two days, but only gave us a cookie cutter answer. This was disappointing. The fees here are based on time cards, and 50 days equates to $29.95. Overall, we feel they deserve 4.0 Stars!

SwagVault for Online Role Playing

Rounding out our final MMORPG reviews, we discovered the SwagVault website and decided to give it a look. We liked the selection and pricing we found here, as they were pretty comparable to other websites providing virtual assets and powerleveling.
  • Membership Rewards -Save 10% on future purchases when you are a frequent spender on SwagVault!
  • Currency and/or accounts available for more than 25 games, including World of Warcraft and Silk Road

6Star Reviews appreciated this site's simple navigation, but noticed that some tabs such as 'Items' were non-functioning. This didn't really float our boat. Their selection is good, and overall, matches their competitors' selections and pricing ranges. Customer support by way of telephone was friendly and efficient, but it isn't a toll-free number. The FAQs database is pretty detailed, but the live chat support was down and the email support only sent us an automated message. This was a pretty disillusioning customer support experience to say the least. They get 4.0 Stars!

MOGS: MMORPG Service

When we first found the MOGS MMORPG service, we didn't have high hopes, as the website interface wasn't visually appealing in the least bit.

So we continued on and decided to give MOGS the benefit of the doubt. While they do offer features such as currency and accounts for over 16 games, their overall selection was nothing special.
  • Gift Vouchers-If you have a gamer in the family or a friend who loves virtual gaming, MOGS makes gift purchasing easy.
  • Powerleveling on select games.

6Star Reviews was not very impressed by the selection of virtual assets available via the MOGS website. Their pricing wasn't bad, but we didn't find as much in ways of gaming than we did on their competitors' sites. Customer support was a disappointment here, as email support never responded to us. The live chat wasn't much better, and there wasn't an available rep to help us. We were asked to send an email by an automated message, which of course, we knew better than to attempt. The FAQs section is extremely short, so good luck finding answers. We feel this warrants MOGS 3.5 Stars!

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Choosing a VOIP service

Cell phones and landlines aside, many are making the transition into VOIP or Voice Over IP usage. A recent industry study predicted the number of VOIP users in the United States would come in at around 24 million.

That is no small accomplishment for this telecommunications trailblazer. These features should be taken into consideration before choosing a VOIP service.

· Installation/Hardware-Most services only require high-speed-Internet and a telephone adaptor, but some companies provide special phones or custom Internet connection.

· Call Plans-Look for a company that offers both business and personal call plans. For example, Vonage offers residential and business plans (including fax lines).

· Basic Service Minutes-Your average Voice Over IP provider will give you 500 basic minutes with free calls between same-service users.

· Features-Most services, including Vonage and Joi Phone, provide features such as call waiting, caller ID, voicemail, and 911 dialing. Some companies charge extra for specific add-on’s, so reading the fine print is a must.

· Retaining a Phone Number-If you want to transfer a pre-existing number, be sure to see how long it will take and if there’s a conversion fee. Vonage will transfer your number in 10 days, as opposed to some which take 20 or more.

As always, it’s wise to choose a Voice Over IP provider that you can afford. While it may be beneficial for some to subscribe by the month or year, for others, they may wish to ‘pay as they go,’ which is offered by some companies. It all depends on how much talk time you average in what time span to determine which plan and service is right for you.
Use Phanfare for Video Sharing & More

6Star Reviews was highly impressed by Phanfare. Although the site is not an alternative to YouTube, it does provide a unique set of features geared more towards families. Creating a slideshow with music and sending close ones an email with the link to your page is a great feature offered on Phanfare.
  • Unlimited video and photo backup provided by Amazon Simple Storage Service
  • FREE 30-day trial

Our team really liked Phanfare for appealing to those wishing to revolutionize their personal photos and home videos. You can create slideshows to share with friends and family members, as well as have the peace of mind that your content is safely backed up. The basic service is $6.95 a month, but we think this is a small price to pay. The customer support is great, the site is easy to navigate, and the only real drawback is that inexperienced users may have a little trouble getting comfortable with the Phanfare software. Otherwise, it might be a great time to take advantage of their free trial membership and forgo traditional video sharing services. They earned our Top Rated spot with 5.5 Stars!

YouTube: Popular Video Sharing

How could we check out video sharing services and not take a look at YouTube? After all, they are one of the big dogs and we just had to see what they offered. After spending some time at the site and uploading some videos, we can see why. The site has some great features which allow you to customize your viewing experience and to take your favorite clips wherever you go.
  • YouTube Mobile – Watch YouTube videos on your mobile phone
  • Channel Subscriptions-Get new videos whenever your favorite producer or channel has a new offering.

If you can make the video, then you can get it on YouTube with no problem. The best part is that all of the services are free. Of course, the customer service by email isn't perfect but the Help Center does provide plenty of assistance for the most common issues you'll face. We especially loved the video ratings, viewer comment function and related video searches. This site makes video sharing a breeze and endless fun to utilize. YouTube constantly makes headlines and has a huge following, earning them our Most Popular spot with 5.5 Stars!

Metacafe: Best Video Sharing Service?

6Star Reviews thinks Metacafe is one of the best video sharing services on the Internet. Thanks to careful research, we learned that Metacafe has a number of useful features, including a family filter to keep young viewers away from questionable content, and a good selection of user-created clips. There are hoards of videos here, and some really unique ones at that.
  • Production School-Take part in this video sharing classroom and get free advice on editing and uploading.
  • Producer Rewards -Earn cash when your video clips hit the 20,000 mark!

Our team appreciates any video sharing service that pays you for your efforts, and Metacafe does just this. There are millions of video clips housed on this site and the customer support via email was fast and useful, even though some of the advertising on the site was a bit annoying. But, the service is free, so you should be able to handle it. We especially loved how the Producer Rewards program actually lets quality video clips and producers earn some money for sharing their best videos. What incentive to come back for more! They deserve 5.5 Stars!

Compare Crackle to Video Sharing Services

6Star Reviews thought the Crackle video sharing service was pretty interesting. This site offers aspiring musicians, comedians and anyone else in general the chance to showcase their talents or hidden passions. The site's contests offer some unique possibilities for achieving fame, plus using the service is free and fairly straightforward.
  • High Wire-Ultimate comedy showcase videos
  • People's Choice-featured clips chosen by Crackle members

Unfortunately, there are plenty of ads on Crackle and the automatic loading clips can be annoying if you're trying to briskly browse the website interface. On the plus side, Crackle does offer fast and effective customer support by email, which is a step ahead of their competitors. Overall, when we compare video sharing services, Crackle's benefits outweighed its drawbacks and we do recommend their site. They earned their video sharing service 5.0 Stars!

Share Videos on Motionbox

6Star Reviews liked some of the features offered on Motionbox, but while their site is pretty simple to use, it simply doesn't provide enough features to help them compete with their competition. However, they do provide some nice features if you're just trying to learn the ropes of uploading and editing videos.
  • Ask Eric-Get video tutorials on all things video sharing, you can even win a $300 Amazon gift certificate by asking him a question!
  • Motionbox Mixer-Edit and mix videos easily

Overall, Motionbox doesn't really stand out amongst its competition, although it does offer some cool features. For example, their customer support via form/email is lackluster and the Google ads on videos are annoying. Their video sharing service is simple enough to use, though, so novice videographers shouldn't be left in the dark. We assign them 4.0 Stars!

VidiLife for Video Sharing

If you love sharing videos and being part of an online community, then VidiLife is a great choice. They are reminiscent of YouTube, so if you're familiar with that video sharing service, you should have no worries. We liked the social networking feel to this website and besides sharing video clips, you can also blog, join clubs, rate videos, play games, and more.
  • Create playlists of your favorite videos
  • Create and send VidiLife videomail to anyone with an email address

Our team liked that this service was free, but there was a plethora of advertisements, and some seemed questionable, which we didn't love. Their customer support is also lacking, which is pretty common with sites of their kind, but still, an online form that continuously errors is not a good sign. We think this warrants them 4.0 Stars!

VMIX Video Sharing Review

If you're looking to make it in the entertainment industry, VMIX does provide something unique in their video sharing service: get noticed! If, however, you're looking for a plain ol' place to share your home videos or wacky talent, this probably isn't your best choice.
  • The Fizz-a 30-minute program created by video bloggers which airs on DirectTV.
  • Contests-VMIX encourages users to be creative by rewarding them for great efforts with plenty of contests.

This website is different from the competition in that they're corporate-sponsored. Apple and Universal are some of the names behind this video sharing service, so don't be surprised if you see trailers and advertisements all over the site. The site is free, which is a plus, but customer support has room to improve. There is a Help database, but the 'Submit a Ticket' form didn't warrant us a response. For this, we give them 4.0 Stars!

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Customized Online Diets

If you’d like to drop a few pounds or do a total body makeover, online diet services are a great place to turn to in your weight loss endeavors. However, there are a few things to consider before selecting a diet program.
  • Selection-Everyone has a different physique, and your work-out and nutritional needs should be attuned to that. EDiets gives you many choices, such as the GI Diet Plan and the infamous Atkins.
  • Fitness Program-Diet services should include versatile work-out routines and fitness ideas. The popular South Beach Diet gives you the Best Buddy Program, where you compare weight loss routines and progress with a virtual friend!
  • Recipe Options-We all know that a healthy meal is just as important as rigorous fitness training. Consider a weight loss program that includes customizable recipe options.
  • Meal Purchases-Sometimes a great way to shed the pounds is by following a diet plan and purchasing their pre-approved, pre-selected meal items. South Beach Diet & Weight Watchers both have purchasable food that tastes naughty when it’s not!
It may come as a surprise that the best weight loss diet can often be found online. “How could it work?” you may ask. Many leading online diet sites utilize real-life fitness trainers, nutritionists and doctors into their programs.

These sites also make the process fun and entertaining, as you can interact in communities of like-minded individuals, all struggling to renew their bodies and self image. Choosing a plan customized to your lifestyle and metabolism can assist you in losing weight and bettering your health.
Vonage: Best Voice Over IP Provider

We had to check out Vonage when updating our Voice Over IP provider reviews, and they still lead the pack in their services. Not only is Vonage affordable at $14.99 a month for 500 minutes, they are straight up with their add-on's for hardware upgrades if you should want them.
  • Visual Voicemail-Get your voicemails through text messages or email
  • Free 1 month trial

6Star Reviews appreciates the name Vonage built for itself and their continual dedication to their customers. Customer support is great here, with friendly telephone support answering our call within minutes (this gives us hope for VOIP service phone support.) Email support responded back to us within a day, so that was icing on the cake! The FAQs section was also comprehensive, which we liked.

Signing up for this VOIP provider was simple and straightforward, without any headaches in the process. If you'd like to convert an existing number to the Vonage service, it will only take 10 days, as opposed to the lengthy 20 promised by many of their competitors. Their quality service surely earns them our Top Rated spot with 6.0 Stars!

Joi Phone: Good Choice in VOIP services?

We felt the Joi Phone Voice over IP provider had some great benefits if you feel so inclined to sign up for their service. First of all, they offer some incredible sales and special promotions if you like saving money. There is also a 30-day-money back guarantee, so those of you who like to test run new VOIP services until you're sure you like it, you need not worry.
  • Refer a friend or family member and receive a $15 JoiPhone credit.
  • Sign up for 24 months of unlimited service and get a second line FREE

6Star Reviews appreciated the plethora of special promotions available on the Joi Phone website. Who doesn't like to save money and snag a deal, after all? There are three different Joi Phone plans, and basic service is $6.95 a month. Joi Phone Unlimited is $14.95 a month, which isn't bad when compared to their competition.

All Joi Phone plans include call waiting, caller ID, 911 dialing, call forwarding, dedicated voice mail and unlimited in-network calling. Customer service is good here, as well, although there was an 8-minute wait time when we called. But, all in all, we do recommend their VOIP service and feel they should win our Most Popular spot with 5.5 Stars!

Compare Lingo Voice Over IP Service

When we came across the Lingo Voice Over IP provider, we have to say we liked their website interface. It was easy to navigate and signing up for their service was pretty straightforward.

IT Week Magazine ranked Lingo as one of their top 10 VOIP providers
, too, so they are fairly well-known in this industry.
  • Special offers and discounts for transferring from other VOIP services
  • Earn cash in the Lingo Refer-a-Friend program.
If you're looking for a solid Voice Over IP provider, Lingo has you covered. At $7.95 a month (plus a $29.95 activation fee and other add-on's) they aren't too bad on their pricing, either. If you wish to convert an old phone number to Lingo, it can take 20 days, so keep that in mind. Customer support is kind of a joke here, as we waited about an hour on the telephone for a live rep and email support didn't get back to us. But, if you're a reader, you can use their detailed FAQs section. All in all, they receive 5.0 Stars!
ViaTalk: Popular VOIP phone service

We decided to find you some more Voice Over IP providers and Via Talk surfaced in our Google search. We liked many of their features, but signing up for the service itself proved to be a small challenge.

We really liked the Internet phone control panel, which let us check our voicemails from our PC. You also have access to tons of phone features right on the Net.
  • All Viatalk users get free in-network calls.
  • Pay $199 for an entire year of service and get a second phone line free plus 3 months of free service.
6Star Reviews enjoys any VOIP phone service that gives you choice, and Via Talk certainly delivers. Their most basic plan will cost you $9.95 a month for 500 minutes, but be aware of the $29.95 activation fee. This is fairly common for a Voice Over IP provider, but if you'd like to forgo any setup fees, you may want to look elsewhere. Customer support by telephone was friendly and efficient...after we waited 35 minutes on hold, called back later, and waited another 15. If you have this time, this VOIP service won't disappoint you. We decided to award them with 5.0 Stars!
Voxby Voice Over IP Review

We were definitely impressed by the Voxby Voice over IP provider and think you'll find some great plans here worth writing home about. First of all, their unlimited worldwide calling is such a great feature, and it only costs you $29.95 a month (plus an activation fee of $24.95).

Calls are free to other Voxby users, which is pretty common in VOIP phone services. A basic phone service plan is $9.95 a month and 2.5 cents per minute on all US calls and international calls, so choose wisely if you make alot of calls to Asia or the like.
  • Anonymous call rejection now available.
  • New unlimited worldwide calling plan for less than $30 a month.

Signing up for the Voxby VOIP service took longer than some of their competitions' sign-up times, but installation of the service should take you no time at all. Telephone customer support (not the 800 number) was friendly and efficient, but you might have a wait time on email (we got ours after 2 days). Overall, we feel Voxby could really benefit someone looking for a solid Voice Over IP phone service. 6Star Reviews feels they should receive 5.0 Stars!

Packet 8 Voice Over IP Provider

When we landed on the Packet8 website, we were impressed initially by the clean site feel and professional appearance of this Voice Over IP provider.

We liked alot of Packet 8's features, such as Enhanced 911 dialing. In an emergency, dialing 911 is a cinch. You don't have to give the operator your address, as it automatically pops up for the phone operator.
  • SofTalk Office: A soft-phone tool to use with your PC, so you can make and receive business calls on your laptop.
  • Voicemail to E-mail notification

We feel that this VOIP phone service has alot of perks, making it a good choice for your telecommunication needs. There are also tons of pricing plans here, for both residents and businesses, local and international. Those needing a basic service can opt for the Freedom Unlimited plan, running you $24.99 a month or the Freedom Annual, at $199.00 per year.

This is a bit more than some of their competition's prices, so keep that in mind. Customer support via telephone was good and the wait time only came in at 5 minutes. There is a Packet 8 blog, but finding pricing information proved to be a small challenge. We feel they should receive 4.5 Stars!

Skype VOIP Service

Making telephone calls over the Internet has never been easier with the help of Voice Over IP Providers. 6Star Reviews just had to see what Skype offers its customers, so we checked out their site.

We thought this VOIP service offers you some pretty cool features, such as the Video Snapshot, where users can upload personal photos to their profiles. You can also send out email invitations and invite friends for calls.
  • Skype Credit: 'Pay-as-you-go' debit program good for calls, ringtones, etc.
  • Personalize Skype - Customize your own wallpapers, download games from Skype’s gallery, personalized ringtones for friends’ calls, Build a WeeMee Avatar to represent yourself.
6Star Reviews liked Skype overall, but we felt they weren't as developed as some of their competition. They recently joined the ranks of eBay and just released Skype 3.2, their newest version, so they are still a new company! Their pricing is pretty great, at $29.95 a year for unlimited calls, but do make note of their add-ons and voicemail charges. There is no telephone support, but email support is great, as are the FAQ's and message forums. They get 4.0 Stars!

Monday, September 10, 2007

TypePad Blog Service Review

When we looked at the TypePad blog service, we found it to be very professional and polished, a definite blog of choice for more business-minded folk. While it is of a higher caliber than some of its competitors, it is still-user friendly and feature-packed.
  • FREE, 14-day trial
  • Video and photo blogs, podcasts, memoir and short story blog tools

There are plenty of professional tools and features like push-button video and podcasting capabilies on this blog service. While a basic pricing plan will cost you $4.95 a month, TypePad offers a ton of cool features and they have a customer support email address and Help bank for you to use. We definitely recommend TypePad to anyone wanting a fresh, technologically-savvy web log. Their professional blog service and amazing features earn them our Top Rated spot with 5.5 Stars!

Blogger: Popular Blog Service

Overall, we really enjoyed browsing the Blogger blog service powered by Google and setting up our own blog. This site is not only easy to use, it's very fun!

There are numerous templates to choose from without burdening the inexperienced Internet user with alot of jargon or HTML requirements.
  • Mobile blogging-Send texts or photos straight to your personal blog.
  • Drag and drop images and text boxes
There is quite a loyal Blogger following and many college students, business professionals and companies alike have their own Blogger accounts. They have established a name for themself in the blogosphere, while still offering their services free of charge. If you have a question, there isn't your average customer support apparatus, but there is a FAQs section and a post-your-question function for the Blogger community. We loved this blog service and highly recommend it, as they snagged our Most Popular spot with 5.5 Stars!
WordPress Blogs

The WordPress blog service has much to offer an avid blogger, someone who wants more choices in their blogging capacity. This site offers blog owners alot more theme and template options than some of the other blog services out there.
  • Integrated blog stats and tracking
  • Anti-spam protection
Our team definitely thinks that WordPress is a blog service geared to the techie and novice user. This service and features are completely free, but you do have the option of signing up for an upgraded account with advanced features like CSS editing and custom domains.

But, we must note that WordPress reserves the right to place Adsense ads throughout your blog to generate revenue (thus keeping your blog free) so if this annoys you, you might want to look elsewhere. WordPress had really efficient customer email support, which surprised us in a blog service. There are also comprehensive community forums, which will also prove useful if you need assistance. We liked this 'underdog' of blog services and think they're worth a try! They deserve 5.5 Stars!
Compare Blog Services: Blogster

We thought the Blogster blog service is a good start for a novice blogger or simply someone who wishes to connect with others.

We liked some of their blog service features, such as free image hosting, buddies lists and the easy signup process.
  • Social Networking-Favorites, Secret Admirer's, Groups
  • FREE, simple signup process
We noticed how this blog service seemed to cater to a younger crowd, and did see many photos in profiles that some parents might deem objectionable. So, if you have little ones or you're a business owner wishing to network, Blogster may not be your first pick. But, it is free of charge and email support will respond to you within a few days. You can always use the FAQs section if you need an immediate answer. Or, why not ask someone on your buddy list? We think this blog service has a good amount to offer a budding blogger and give them 4.5 Stars!
LiveJournal: Best Blog Service?

We had a good time navigating the LiveJournal website and found some features we thought stood out among the pack of blog service reviews we conducted.

First of all, LiveJournal has several flexible account options, so you can opt for a basic account if you're a novice blogger or a more advanced account option if you want more features and don't mind ad placements.
  • IM posting, voice posting, scrapbook function
  • Create your own polls

6Star Reviews liked LiveJournal, but we noticed that the LiveJournal control panel and account setup weren't as user-friendly as some other blog interfaces, but they are very intuitive and fun to use. If you should need customer support here, it's basically absent like most other blog services, but there is a FAQs database should you need it. This isn't a blog service for inexperienced bloggers, so if you aren't used to these types of sites, you might want to look elsewhere. They receive 4.5 Stars!

Mindsay Blog Service

Overall, we liked many of the features that MindSay offered in its blog service. This site definitely amped up their social networking tools, providing member communities, a search for members by interest and the ability to upload photos and video to your blog.
  • Upload videos and photos in addition to blog articles.
  • Privacy Control feature

6Star Reviews liked the MindSay blog service and if you are a professional looking to start a higher-end blogging experience, this site may not be your best option. It is free, so we cannot complain too much, and it's practically effortless to figure out and begin your blog. There is email customer support, but they state that they will not respond to all inquiries, so don't be shocked if you're left to navigate a mere FAQs section. If you aren't looking for too many frills, this is a good choice and we assign them 4.0 Stars!

Friday, September 07, 2007

Auto Loan Reviews

Anyone who purchases or plans to purchase a new or used vehicle knows how expensive and time-consuming the process can be. Sometimes even the best auto loans have hidden costs involved and car loan refinancing would be a lucrative option for many car owners. There are plenty of things to think about before signing up for an auto loan.

One important piece of information to consider is whether or not your auto loan provider of choice has direct lending. Direct lending means that the site or service cuts out the middle man and signs you up for an auto loan without referring you to a local car dealership that matches you with a loan. 6StarReviews.com reports that Capital One is one such site that provides online loan approval, as well as a blank check program whereby car shoppers can benefit as cash buyers.

Some auto loan providers such as the Car Loan website provide several loan options, such as direct loan and dealer referrals. You can also obtain lease refinancing here, if you feel you’d benefit from such a decision. Unlike some of the top auto loan websites, Car Loan is a place for car owners and prospectives alike who have good or bad credit scores.

It’s important to consider an auto loan service that you have a good chance of being approved through, as this saves time. Of course, with any loan, it’s important to remember why you are in fact utilizing its service. If you purchase or lease the most expensive car in town, your loan will obviously be higher.

If your financial situation isn’t the best, opt for a more budget-friendly vehicle and outweigh pro’s and con’s of leasing versus purchasing. Auto loan services can assist you once you’ve made basic decisions in your car-buying process.
Video Sharing Services

Say you want to be a rockstar, actor or simply well-known for some strange talent you’ve acquired over the years. Where to go about getting your foot in the door? The Internet has simplified your dreams of stardom through video sharing services and we must admit, these sites sure beat knocking on Sony and MTV’s glass doors with your resume in tow.

Video sharing services like YouTube have crept onto the Web in recent years and are still making names for their video-hosting platforms. 6StarReviews.com reports that YouTube has even infiltrated the world of politics, as evidenced in their role in the 2008 Presidential Debates. YouTube’s ‘Face the Candidates’ feature allows voters and candidates to post their views in videos and to sound off on important issues.

But, video sharing services aren’t stopping at making headlines and revolutionizing election processes. They even go beyond giving the Average Joe or Jane their two minutes of fame. StarReviews.com cites Metacafe as a resource on video production, a great place to share your personal videos and even tags it as a place to make money! Metacafe’s ‘Producer Rewards’ feature allows amateur and slightly more advanced filmmakers and directors to make some cash when their video receives 20,000 hits.

Some video sharing services like Phanfare take a more domestic approach to their site feel, offering you family-friendly features such as audio and video slideshows to share with friends and other relatives. Who says every video sharing site has to highlight the Obama Girl or Internet stars akin to her? Phanfare does charge for their video sharing service, but most of their competitors do not. If you are willing to put up with a few advertisements, you will find endless fun and possible recognition on the best video sharing sites.
Blog Services

The notorious weblog or ‘blog’ is increasingly popular in today’s digital-driven world. Forget writing in a hand-held diary or sending letters to friends and family. Blogs have opened whole new doors in communication and expression. If you’re one who likes to voice their opinions, get off the soapbox and blog it!

Blog services are all over the Internet and allow writers or anyone with a point of view the chance to post their thoughts and receive comments on those thoughts. 6StarReviews.com reports that popular blog service TypePad caters to the technologically-attuned and provides podcasting tools, video platforms and a memoir function to tell your life story through.

Another hit blog service is the renowned Blogger, which Google itself took under its wing. Blogger allows the novice and experienced blogger to broadcast their thoughts and opinions while maintaining a clean, simple-to-use posting function. Besides choosing from a wide variety of blog templates, bloggers can join communities and discuss issues they have in common.

Blogs are not only a creative facet of the Web, they’re highly influential. Many blogs are political in nature or are founded for social commentary purposes. Blog owners have a number of ways to track where their readers are coming from and which posts got the most hits. According to industry statistics, about 12 million American adults owned or utilized blogs, a staggering number.

Blog services offer a place for writers of all ages, interests and technological levels. A politician has a place to express their views so much as a teenager in high school and judging from the number of blogs circulating the Net, they aren’t going to lose their edge anytime soon.

Thursday, September 06, 2007

Fall Sports Tickets

Across America, football fans are gearing up for yet another exciting season. If baseball is more of your forte, you are probably anticipating the Playoffs and clinging to hope that the Yankees will somehow pull a 360-degree maneuver and have a victorious ending to a rocky season. Online ticket services recognize the fact that the fall sports season is one of the most popular times to be a sports fan and are a great place to turn to for hard-to-find tickets.

Everyone knows of the rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and their New York rivals, the Yankees. StarReviews.com reports that popular online ticket service, Razor Gator, offers Fan Favorites tickets, with these two teams making the top of the list. When you decide on an event you’d like to attend, you can actually zoom in and choose your exact seat numbers via their stadium close-up function.

Another online ticket service, Ticket Liquidator, offers some great rates on fall sports games as well. You can even snag yourself some team stats, history, and links to related sports events. Ticket Liquidator also provides an extensive database of college football tickets, so all of you USC fans can purchase your event tickets early to secure your seat when the Trojans take on the Fighting Irish in October.

Cooler weather and heading back-to-school are perfect reasons to spend some time doing leisure activities, like rooting your college team on or spending a weekend at the ballpark. You are guaranteed to save money when buying your tickets online, and you can even swap or sell previously purchased tickets with other avid sports fans. Hey, you might even want to check out recommended restaurants in close proximity to your stadium on Ticket Liquidator. You’re sure to be famished from screaming ‘Go Giants!’ for hours upon end.