Surprising Things You Can Get For Free (Or Almost)

Finally, something "free" that isn't a scam

As much as I love the word, I have to admit it makes me suspicious. Just this week I won a “free” vacation, but the fine print says I need to send in a cashier's check to claim my prize. Sadly, “free” is usually a sneaky way to clean out my wallet.

But every now and then an exception comes along that's truly free-no strings attached, no hidden agendas. Here are my favorites, and all you really need is an Internet connection to go online.

Business cards
VistaPrint is an online printing company known for its amazing offer of 250 free business cards. They're good-quality, too. Visit vistaprint.com, create your card and all you have to pay is about five bucks for shipping.

Why's it free? VistaPrint would like you to join their 12 million customers who buy printing online, so they offer this enticement. Just know that once you get your business cards, you may hear from them a lot.

Expert computer help
If you've ever had a computer problem and wanted to pull out your hair in frustration, this is for you. Need to solve a hardware glitch? Want to learn how to use HTML? Submit your question at protonic.com and you'll get a pretty prompt answer e-mailed to you from a volunteer expert.

Why's it free? It's no secret that many computer manufacturers provide mediocre support for their own products and charge good money for it. The folks at Protonic are tired of this sort of treatment, and believe it or not, their service is free because they enjoy helping people.

Spanish lessons
Want to learn the basics of practical spoken Spanish? Sign up (some classes are 12 weeks) and you'll get weekly e-mails from a teacher with lessons and learning tips. You can also learn French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Greek, Mandarin Chinese and more. Go to bbc.co.uk/languages

Why's it free? The BBC, one of the world's largest broadcasting corporations, is on a mission to enrich people's lives with programs and services that inform, educate and entertain.

Business classes
Learn everything from how to write a business plan to how to finance your venture through the Small Business Administration's website (sba.gov). Online courses are free and self-paced; they take about 30 minutes each to complete. Free in-person classes are also offered at SBA district offices and resource partners around the country.

Why's it free? The SBA was created in conjunction with the government to help U.S. citizens learn how to become successful entrepreneurs. Support comes through financing of SBA loans.

Credit report
If you haven't done this already, do it now. Everyone is entitled to one credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus each year free of charge. Go to annualcreditreport.com and follow the directions. You will be offered many options for which you must pay, but stay on target for the free report. Caution: There are dozens of services on the Internet that pose as sources for free credit reports, but they really cost you money. Ignore them.

Why's it free? It's mandated by law, and this site is sponsored by the three major companies-Equifax, TransUnion and Experian.

Wi-Fi hot spots
Would you like to know which restaurants and coffee shops in your neighborhood offer free wireless Internet access? Get a directory at wififreespot.com.

Why's it free? The company probably wants to build traffic to its site and derives financial support through advertising.

Time-management organizer
Create an up-to-the-minute to-do list complete with reminders via instant message or e-mail through RememberTheMilk.com. Upload Remember The Milk to your cell phone and you'll always have your grocery list with you. And when someone at home adds to the list while you're walking into the store, you'll be sent an update.

Why's it free? The majority of the site's features are free, but a subscription ($25 for the year) gives you access to some additional premium features.

Silver jewelry
This is going to have you scratching your head. The Silver Jewelry Club (silverjewelryclub.com) offers high-quality jewelry including silver rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets (most of them with genuine gemstones). It really is free, provided you pay the modest shipping charge of $5.99. We're not talking junk here. As a consumer, your humble columnist, who is allergic to nickel silver, can attest to the remarkable quality of these pieces.

Why's it free? Giving away jewelry is SJC's way of introducing their products-they also sell their jewelry through wholesalers and stores. I have never received a single solicitation from the company.

Online checking account
Hang on, this is huge. We're not talking savings account, but an online checking account that is completely free, with no monthly fee attached. Electric Orange, through ING Direct (ingdirect.com), is a paperless checking account (no checks or checkbook!) that pays you up to 3.4 percent interest on your balance (as of press time). You can do everything-deposit your paycheck, pay bills, send a paper or electronic check, transfer money-securely online. (Of course, you'll pay a fee if you send paper checks, drop your overdraft line of credit balance below zero or require a stop payment.)

Why's it free? ING is looking to add new customers. And because they use no paper and have no branches, costs are low.

Cookbooks
The popular website Allrecipes.com, which features recipes from home cooks, now offers free downloadable cookbooks for many occasions (listed under “Tips & Advice”). The pictures are incredible and there are many to choose from. My favorite? Summer Picnics.

Why's it free? This site derives its revenues through advertising and other sources, so members pay no fees.

Sheet music
Want arrangements of classical pieces for free download? MutopiaProject.org has 1,272 pieces available based on editions in the public domain, including works by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Handel, Mozart and many others for piano, guitar, cello, voice and more.

Why's it free? This is a labor of love by a team of volunteers who are involved in typesetting the music for electronic distribution. High-quality copies are available for a cost, but you're not pressured to buy them.

Radio service
Pandora.com is like your own personal radio service. You type in an artist, and the service plays songs by that artist and others with a similar style. You can't download music, but you can listen and manage your own “stations.”

Why's it free? The site offers a free ad-supported service as well as a paid option where you don't see ads.

Gently used stuff
One person's castoff is another person's treasure at freecycle.org. By joining your local Freecycle chapter, you can get used furniture, household appliances and a variety of other items. Just know that those who take are also expected to give. However, no money is allowed to change hands.

Why's it free? Freecycle is a grassroots, nonprofit movement of people committed to helping the environment by reusing goods and keeping stuff out of landfills.

Photo organizer
Picasa (picasa.google.com) is a free software download from Google that helps you locate and organize all the photos on your computer. You can edit and add effects, share photos with others through e-mail, print them or upload them to the web. It's fast and easy.

Why's it free? Originally a pricey piece of software, Picasa was purchased by Google, then made free as an enhancement to the whole family of Google products.

Spam filter
Say so long to all those annoying solicitations that clog your e-mail. Spamato, an add-on for Microsoft Outlook, Thunderbird and Mozilla Mail, does what it can to kill the junk. PC World magazine recently named Spamato one of its 101 Fantastic Freebies. Get your download at spamato.net

Why's it free? The company wants to make spam filtering available to as many computer users as possible.

Directory assistance
If you're tired of paying a fee each time you dial 411, here's your alternative. Dial 800-FREE-411, then follow the prompts to get your desired number by phone or text message. Works for both residential and business listings throughout the U.S.

Why's it free? This service is advertising-driven. You dial in, listen to a 10-second sponsored message, then proceed to get the number you need.

Family calendar
Finally, all the information you need in one place. Famundo.com is an online calendar, address book and message board. The site merges each individual's schedule into one calendar, which you can access with a personal code from any computer. Very cool.

Why's it free? The basic free version is ad-supported but not in an in-your-face way. Famundo wouldn't be upset if you upgraded to the “Plus” version for about $10 a month, but it's not required, nor will you be hounded.

Google Phone

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The age of the Android OS is at hand. But if you're not a current T-Mobile customer, it will cost you.

According to an unofficial T-Mobile blog, the first version of the multimedia Google Phone will be released by HTC starting on September 17 for one week, for T-Mobile customers only. This offer will be immediately followed by a general release a week later. It will be called, ostensibly, the G1.

Tmobilelogo2But a quirky aspect is the rumored price: $150 for the first week only, and then up to $250 and $400 (likely depending on the size) the week after that. That's a 33% difference! The $150 price point will place it right between the iPhone and Sprint's Samsung Instinct, but if it's more expensive, not even an innovative new OS and the hype that will come with it will make people run for it.

Data pricing, then, might determine the difference between the phones. Unfortunately, there is still no word on data.

Another rumor is that users will be required to own a Google Mail account. Potential buyers who do not own a Gmail account (and are forcibly against keeping more than one e-depository) won't like that one.

Android is the work of the Open Handset Alliance headed by Google, which is aimed to offer an open and free mobile platform. The Android SDK kit was released late last year, and we're not expecting to see a full fleet of the phones until next year.

The HTC G1 is supposed to include a 5” x 3” touch screen (making the 3.5” one of the iPhone look inadequate), a sliding QWERTY keyboard (like the Sidekick), a 3-megapixel camera, and 3G network connectivity.

However, T-Mobile's network is not as fully developed as At&T's – only Las Vegas and New York expect to have full T-Mobile 3G networks at launch.

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G1 has a large 3.2-inch colour touchscreen display with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels. Weighing 158 grams, the phone is similar in size to 3G iPhone, just slightly heavier, and narrower at sides.

G1 comes in three colours, black, white and brown. The phone's large colour touchscreen slides out to expose a full keyboard









Google's G1 offers a host of multimedia features similar to that of Apple's iPhone and RIM's BlackBerry.

The phone has a trackball for navigation, high-speed Internet browsing, WiFi, email, instant messaging and SMS texting. The phone functions on 3G network and is specially designed to offer high-speed Internet surfing.

It also has a Global Positioning System (GPS), a 3 megapixel camera with photo-sharing capability and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a feature lacking on the iPhone. Like iPhone, in G1 users cannot shoot video.

There's also a feature by which Gmail users will get instant notification whenever they receive a new message in their inbox.

Not surprisingly, the device is Google-friendly. It integrates with Google applications such as Google Maps, Gmail and can play videos from YouTube, Google's video-sharing site.

G1 features a full Web browser, Chrome, and an updated version of Google Maps with a built-in compass and 360-degree photos. The Digital Compass works with Google Street View to give a 3D view of the street users are on if they tilt the phone up.

It comes with a built-in button on the keyboard as a shortcut for online searches.



TMobile G1 will be the first smartphone powered by the search engine company's software, called Android. Google has made Android software available for free to carriers and handset makers who want to use it to power their own devices. The search giant hopes that the open source software will eventually become the dominant operating system for mobile phones.

Android also competes with Microsoft's Windows Mobile operating system, which has been solidly gaining ground. HTC Chief Executive Peter Chou told Reuters that his company, which has concentrated on Windows phones so far, is already planning more Android and Windows devices.

Android's biggest competitor is Symbian software, which represents 60 per cent of the smartphone market and which Nokia plans to buy out and open to other developers.


Mail to friend
G1 features Android Market, where customers can find and download free applications to expand and personalise their phones.

Both Google and Apple are wooing developers to create applications for their devices, but unlike Apple, which keeps a tight grip on the iPhone's hardware and operating software, Google's Android is open to change by outside developers.

Amazon.com's digital music store will be loaded on the G1, allowing users to search, download, buy and play more than six million songs, pitting it against iPhone's music player. Incidentally, the phone does not connect with Apple's iTunes service.

G1 will cost $179, $20 less than the 3G iPhone.

The data plans are also far less than those available for the iPhone in the US, with an unlimited text and Internet plan costing just $35, in addition to regular voice plans. The phone will be available in stores in the United States from October 22.

The G1 will be available in the UK in November and across Europe in the first quarter of 2009.

But if you thought Google phone is touchscreen device, you are wrong. According to Andy Rubin, who developed Android for Google, Google phones' interface is completely replaceable.

T-Mobile too plans to introduce a range of Google-powered phones, including more basic ones without a touchscreen or full `keyboards.

Motorola, LG and Samsung are expected to launch Android models worldwide in 2009 and their Google phones may appear vastly different from TMobile's G1.

Once upon a time, wedding bands were plain gold, or more likely gold plated. Their value was in the symbolism. “Look, I’m married!” or “Forget him; he’s married.” Today many who tie the know want something that also symbolizes their individual styles, or rings to set this pair apart from other couples. These individualistic rings not only tell you that someone is married, they can often tell you who they are married to, if you can find the other unique ring in the crowd.

Binary Rings


With a binary ring, you can engrave a coded message of your choice, up to 20 characters. They will be rendered in up to five lines of binary code, perfect for the romantically-inclined computer geek!


Decoder Rings

Need a reason to jailbreak your iPhone? Here's ten of them

Need a reason to jailbreak your iPhone? Here's ten of them
Jailbreaking an iPhone seems like it would be a long, arduous process. That's quite the contrary, as it's very simple to do, especially with tools such as QuickPwn Mac, Windows, and Pwnage Tool Mac, Windows.

A jailbroken device can provide much more functionality than a standard iPhone. There are a number of exceptional Apps that are not available through the iTunes App Store, but through Cydia and Installer, both of which are accessible through jailbroken iPhones.

Below are ten Apps we think are worth jailbreakng your iPhone for. We based our selections on the following criteria:

Apps are not available in the App Store (They have either been removed from the App Store, or have no chance of ever being included there)
Apps close gap in iPhone functionality and can be used on a regular basis

As seen in People magazine, our personalized children's books, puzzles and plates make unique baby gifts, birthday and holiday gifts for newborns and children through age 12. 

We offer a 100% satisfied or it's freeguarantee, with your money back if you don't receive a glowing response from the recipient. Our storybooks are a favorite baby gift among A-list celebrities, including Courteney Cox and Brooke Shields! Read what customers are saying and take a virtual tour of our books.

See inside our new book, The World According to [Your Child]!

10 Reasons Why Replica Hip Hop Jewelry Is Better

Replica hip hop jewelry is perhaps the fastest growing trend in hip hop culture. With new manufacturers investing heavily in new designs and technology to produce the best looking stuff, customers are reaping all of the rewards. Here are 10 reasons why replica hip hop jewelry is better than genuine jewelry hands down.

1. Cost – You can actually afford replica hip hop jewelry. Not only is genuine hip hop jewelry a rip off, but most people can’t ever afford something with so many zeros on the price tag.
2. Availability – Replica hip hop jewelry is readily available through online retailers. Genuine hip hop jewelry is often times custom made and that can take weeks, or even months to complete.
3. Resale Value – True, genuine hip hop jewelry may have a higher percentage of resale value, but the money you lose in far greater than replica. For instance if you buy a $5000 diamond chain and sell it for $4000 used, you used $1000. If you buy a $50 replica version then sell it used for $25, you only lost $25.
4. Selection – with replica hip hop jewelry, you can keep a large selection of jewelry for different occasions and moods. Its affordable enough so that you can actually buy 3 pendants for your chain rather than blowing your money on 1 piece.
5. Safer – Would you rather keep a $5000 piece of hip hop jewelry in your bedroom or a $50 replica? Enough said.
6. Quality – replica hip hop jewelry is becoming so high quality, it is rivaling the quality of some real jewelry. Higher end replica hip hop jewelry is made with brass, thick plating, strong settings and high quality stones.
7. Better Look – Top quality real diamonds cost a lot. VVS quality stones can cost you up to thousands of dollars just for the stones themselves. Cheaper genuine diamonds shine poorly and are very cloudy. Clear, crisp and white diamond simulates are used on replica hip hop jewelry. Every stone looks perfectly clear and shines brightly.
8. Metals – replica hip hop jewelry is made of high quality base metals and are plated with precious metals, so they are not susceptible to fluctuating costs of precious metals. Gold and platinum are so expensive that it may cost you twice as much now to buy the same chain you saw 10 years ago.
9. Nobody Knows – Why buy the real deal when replica hip hop jewelry is so realistic nowadays? No one will know unless you tell them its not real.
10. Its Smarter – no explanation needed.

There you have it folks. That is 10 great reasons why purchasing replica hip hop jewelry is much better than buying the real stuff. Check out hiphopbling today to see one of the web’s largest collection of hip hop jewelry at the best prices around.

Easy Peach Cobbler

Yield: Serves 6 If there were a ratio of ease to popularity, this would be voted --the best peach dessert there is. If peaches are out of season, use the very best brand of frozen peaches and cut back on the amount of sugar. You may use self-rising cake flour if you omit the baking powder and salt. RECIPE INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter 1 cup cake or all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup whole milk 1 cup sugar 2 cups sliced peeled peaches, reserved in bowl

DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place butter in 13 by 9-inch baking dish. Place dish in oven to melt butter. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in large bowl. Stir in milk and sugar to form batter. Using oven mitts, remove hot baking dish from oven. Pour batter into baking dish. Spoon peaches and any peach juices evenly over batter. Bake until batter rises and browns on top, about 30 minutes.

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Careers

Webmaster

What is this job like?

If you've ever surfed the Internet, you already know something about what webmasters do. Webmasters make websites. They turn words and art into Internet sites that people can use. They give computers instructions about how words and art should look on the computer screen.

They make sure that people with different computers can use a website. They might build a site in a few different ways so that it is easy for different computers to understand.

Webmasters also try to make sites work faster. They keep the size of files as small as they can so that it doesn't take a lot of time for a computer to load the site.

Webmasters test websites, too. They watch people using a site to see if there are any parts that are hard to use. If there are hard parts, webmasters fix them. Some of these workers also meet with designers, helping to decide how a site should look and work.

They also update websites. They spend a lot of time adding new things to the site. They fix mistakes, like links that don't work and pictures that don't show up on the screen.
Some webmasters decide what kind of computer will hold a website's information. And they decide how the information in a web site will get to the Internet. They pick the kind of software, server, and other equipment that will be used. They also decide when information will be sent to the Internet.
Webmasters use computer software to do their jobs. They might learn to use many different types of software. Webmasters can also make a website by typing direct instructions in HyperText Markup Language (HTML) or some other programming language.
Webmasters do the technical, computer programming work to make a website. They work with artists, writers, and designers who create the things that go on the site and decide how the site will look.
Webmasters are only one kind of network systems and data communications analyst. All of these analysts connect computers to each other so that they can share information. Local Area Network analysts, for example, connect computers that belong to a single company or school so that those computers can share private information with each other. They might set up an e-mail system or a way for people to work together on the same document.
Analysts start by planning the system. They make a model of how the computers will be connected. They test the system to see if it is fast and private. They also give managers advice about what kinds of hardware (computers, printers, monitors) and software (computer programs) to buy.
Other analysts, called telecommunications specialists, connect computers to telephones and video machines.
Webmasters and other analysts usually work in offices or computer labs. Some work from home. Sometimes, they work in the evenings or on weekends to solve important problems with a computer system.
Sitting in front of a computer all day can hurt some workers' backs, wrists, and eyes.

Many workers like their jobs because they like computers and solving problems. They also like the chance to make creative websites.

How do you get ready?

Some of these workers go to college for 2 years and get an associate degree. Other people need a 4-year bachelor's degree to get their jobs, especially if the job is complicated, high paying, or includes being in charge of other people. In college, webmasters learn about computers, the Internet, and communications. They also study math to strengthen their problem-solving skills and English so that they can write well at work. Many webmasters also study art and design so that they can work better with the artists and designers that help to make websites.
Experience with computers is also very important. Employers look for people who know how to use specific types of software. They also want workers who are good at learning new computer skills.

Getting certification—a certificate that shows you have specific skills—can also help people get jobs. In order to get a certification, people usually take classes and then pass a test. Companies and organizations offer certifications. You can learn more about them at a career center, college, or library or by contacting organizations that employ computer workers.
Students can start getting ready now by taking computer classes, reading computer books, and teaching themselves new skills, especially skills related to websites and computer networks. They can also practice solving problems by taking math and science classes. Students also can practice communication skills by studying English and learning how to work as part of a team.

How much does this job pay?

The middle half of all network systems and data communication analysts, a group which includes webmasters, earned between $49,510 and $82,630 in 2006. The lowest-paid 10 percent made less than $38,410. The highest-paid 10 percent made more than $101,740.


How many jobs are there?

There were 262,000 network systems and data communications analysts in 2006. Some were webmasters.
They worked for Internet businesses, other businesses, schools, and governments. Some worked for many different companies, doing specific projects for each one. Some of these workers had their own businesses.

What about the future?

The number of jobs is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations between 2006 and 2016. That's because more companies are using the Internet to do business. Companies will need webmasters to help make it easier to share information among computers. New technologies, such as wireless networks, will also lead to more jobs.

People with the latest skills are expected to have excellent job opportunities.

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