Microsoft Office Online Preview

Microsoft Corp. has launched an online preview of its new Office business software, as part of efforts to drum up more interest in the coming set of releases.

Microsoft plans to release Office 2007, which includes new versions of things like Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, to consumers early next year. Corporate customers are scheduled to get it in November.

The company has already been letting technology experts download test versions of Office products. The goal of the online preview is to let people play around with the software without going through the trouble of downloading the large beta versions, which are less reliable than final products.

Still, to use the online demonstration, users may need to download a plug-in and must register with the company.

A big challenge for Redmond-based Microsoft is convincing users to buy a new version of the Office software when many might think their current version works just fine.

For More Information:
Microsoft Corp. has launched an online preview of its new Office business software, as part of efforts to drum up more interest in the coming set of releases.

Microsoft plans to release Office 2007, which includes new versions of things like Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, to consumers early next year. Corporate customers are scheduled to get it in November.

The company has already been letting technology experts download test versions of Office products. The goal of the online preview is to let people play around with the software without going through the trouble of downloading the large beta versions, which are less reliable than final products.

Still, to use the online demonstration, users may need to download a plug-in and must register with the company.

A big challenge for Redmond-based Microsoft is convincing users to buy a new version of the Office software when many might think their current version works just fine.

For More Information:

www.microsoft.com/office/preview/beta/testdrive.mspx

Best Public University Values

Can't send your child to child to Harvard? (I sure can't.) Do the nex best thing, MSN and Kiplinger's has a list of the best 100 public universities in the United States. The list is determined by pitting the cost of the school versus their academic reputation and class offerings. Who is at the head of the class? The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for the second time in a row. This link from Kiplingers will allow you to see the complete list and sort through the schools.

I like this last part: You have to get in! That's a tough hurdle at four of our top 20 schools (UC-Berkeley, William & Mary, Virginia and UNC-Chapel Hill), where 40% or fewer of applicants get in.

Cancelling AOL? It May Be Difficult.

In this day and age of Broadband-style connections, it is surprising that AOL has not lost subscribers sooner for the rates they charge ($25.00 per month for Dial-up service). For that rate, you should be able to get a faster connection from your local phone or cable company (where available).

Anyway, there have always been whispers of problems with trying to cancel an AOL subscription. Oddly, I never experienced any problems cancelling my account, although this was six years ago. I suppose now that AOL is losing subscribers at a faster rate they are trying to qualify their customers a bit more before they disconnect and try to save them. It's smart business, but a couple of individuals have taken things a bit extreme and given AOL a bit of a public relations black eye. Here is the story from CNBC.

Do Not Call Registry

With the number of customer complaints regarding telemarketing calls on the rise, consumers have a solution for these unwanted calls at their fingertips! Customers can register their telephone number on the National Do Not Call Registry by calling toll-free (from the number they want to register) at 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236), or by going online to www.donotcall.gov. Registration is free.


Questions about the types of calls covered and not covered plus additional information can be found at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/dncalrt.htm#Exceptions.

This valuable solution will allow the customer to keep their current phone number while significantly reducing and/or ending unwanted calls.**


** May take up to 31 days for registration to be fully active, please refer customers to the website or 1-888-382-1222 for more information.

Free Dove Sample

Ladies, you may have seen commercials for Dove's new Ultimate Clear Deodorant. Well, it is true that you can get a free sample while supplies last. No catch, nothing else to sign up for with other offers. Click on this link and enter your name and mailing address. Your sample should arrive in about 6 weeks.

Online Groceries

This idea seems to be floated from time to time by different companies, but Amazon has a beta trial up for non-perishable food items at their website.

Unlike Safeway or Albertsons who have a limited delivery area, and will also deliver perishable items, Amazon is limiting their deliveries to non-perishable items only. The good news is that they can dleiver anywhere. The bad news? You may have to buy items in quanities bigger than what you would buy even at Costco. For example, Pringles cost under $.80 a tube. Sounds good, but you have to buy 17 tubes. I think I would pass on that idea.

But, competition is always good for consumers, and someone may want to buy in huge bulk amounts. Check it out, and see if some items you buy are at Amazon.

Gifts For Father's Day

Making dads happy on Father's Day is usually straightforward. Let Dad sleep in, have Mom give him some extra special attention, follwed by a big, fat food coma or nap on the couch in the afternoon. Do not harp him to visit his "honey do" jar for fear of needing a good lawyer the following day. Some families may want to add a gift to the mix. If you need some last minute ideas, appeal to his fundamental instincts: food, sports, beer, and gadgets. Here are a few suggestions for those who need some last-minute ideas:

A subscription to XM Satellite or Sirius Radio. He can listen to the best of MLB and the NFL or to shock-jock Howard Stern, depending on which service you subscribe to. Learn more at www.xmradio.com or www.sirius.com.

Rotisserie. Add to his grilling techniques with a rotisserie that will result in perfectly juicy, crisp chicken ($99.99 for a Weber basket-style rotisserie at Target, www.target.com).

MP3 Player. IPOD Shuffle and a gift card to download his favorite music. Available at many stores for about $70.00, this MP3 player is a fun way to hear music while exercising.

Sports tickets. Get him tickets to see his favorite team play. Tell him to go with a buddy and have a great time.

Smoker. A twist on outdoor cooking, Dad will be producing delicious ribs or smoked salmon for the whole family ($199 for a Weber "Smokey Mountain" Charcoal Cooker-Smoker at Wal-Mart, www.walmart.com).

Grooming kits. Dad's can look like fuzzy babboons around the ears and the nose. Part of the problem is they do not have a cool tool or are aware of how they can get rid of the excess hair. Try the Conair Trimmer at $7.99 from Drugstore.com.

Pepper Varieties

Summer time is almost here, and one of the best things in summer is the fresh fruit and vegetables. I am a big fan of Mexican dishes, and one of the vegetables used is peppers. Of course, some people may not be familiar with the different types, so here is a brief definition of the pepper types.

Habanero is one of the hottest peppers. This is one that you will want to add with other flavors to balance out the hotness. Typically, you will find habanero peppers in the hotter salsas. Doritos snack chips has even come out with a Habanero flavor that is too hot for me to eaat without some sour cream cooling the temperature down.

Jalapeno is mid-level hotness. Jalapenos are used in a wider variety of things, including salsaa, sandwiches, pizzas, chili and other soups.

Chipotle is a smoky pepper with a medium bite. This is excellent for sauces. Bull's Eye has an excellent Chipotle Barbeque Sauce out that has a very sneaky kick for burgers, steaks, and ribs.

Anaheim is the last pepper I will mention. This is not much spicer that the Bell Peppers that you see in the vegetable section in stores. This mild pepper is good to use with enchiladas or you can stuff them vith items like cheese, beef, or chicken and make a meal out of them.

All this food talk is making me hungry. Time to prowl the kitchen.

10 Shopping Tips For The Perfect Athletic Shoes

By Aurel Radulescu


If you are active in exercising, hiking, sports or any other type of physical activity that requires you to be on your feet often, athletic shoes are a must. These shoes are designed for comfort and support, durability and promise to withstand plenty of use. With a few simple tips, you will be ready to shop for athletic shoes and will soon be stepping out with confidence.

Comfort. The first thing to consider with any footwear, including athletic shoes, is comfort. If a shoe isn’t comfortable, there is no use in wearing it. Blisters, balance problems and overall discomfort are the result of poorly fitting shoes.

Affordability. Just because you are looking for a new pair of athletic shoes, there’s no reason to empty the bank account in doing so. Quality athletic shoes can be comfortable and affordable at the same time. By shopping around and comparing prices, you will find the perfect athletic shoes at the perfect price.

Durability. A good pair of shoes must be durable and able to withstand various weather conditions, including rain. The worst thing to have in a rain storm is leaky shoes, which is why durability is part of a quality pair of athletic shoes.

Design. Everyone wants a shoe that looks good, which is why design is very important. In selecting a color scheme that suits your taste and lifestyle, you will not only feel good in your new athletic shoes, but you will look good too.

Versatility. One of the most important factors of shoe selection is versatility. Will the shoes work with your daily exercise regimen and look equally snazzy with your favorite pair of jeans? Athletic shoes are a terrific compliment to blue jeans for a classic look.

Support. Every good athletic shoe has support. It should cradle the foot and make it feel as if every step is one of leisure. Support is very important, especially if you are involved in a lot of walking or running. In either of these instances, your feet really take a pounding on the pavement. Athletic shoes that feature support are noticeable immediately during wear.

Know what you are buying. Always purchase from a reputable, authorized athletic shoe retailer. There are a lot of imitation products out there, including clothing and footwear. Buying from an authorized retailer will eliminate the chances of buying fake merchandise.

Try before you buy. If you are purchasing locally, go in and sample several pairs of athletic shoes. Try them on, take a few steps and move your foot around inside the shoe. In making sure that you have ease of movement and a proper fit, you will be much happier with your purchase.

Layaway. Certain brands of athletic shoes can be expensive, which is why layaway is often a popular option for anyone who doesn’t have quite enough cash to pay upfront. Even if it’s just to secure a purchase until payday, layaway programs offer customers with the opportunity to own the perfect pair of athletic shoes.

Make sure the shoe fits with your lifestyle. Avoid purchasing anything that doesn’t really fit your schedule. Athletic shoes are designed to work with you and your level of activity.


Find out more about athletic shoes at http://www.asadviser.com.

Join Upromise For Savings

Have you been in the grocery store, and wondered about the blue sticker next to the Coca-Cola? Does joining Upromise really give you savings? Have you wondered how it works, and should you take the plunge to start saving for a child in your life? Upromise is celebrating their 5th anniversary and they help thousands of Americans save for college every day when they purchase everyday items, such as gas, groceries, or items at the drug store.

Upromise is simple. Join at their website upromise.com, and register your grocery store cards like you get at Safeway, Albertsons, or Kroger, and register and credit or debit cards you use frequently. I was a bit paranoid registering that information at first, but the site is secure, and they have been in business partnering with mmajor companies. Everytime you buy a marked product from Coca-Cola, Tylenol, Tide, or hundreds of others, you will save a certain amount ith each purchase. Also, each month you will have opportunities for bonus savings. Though their partnerships, Upromise has their own credit card with CitiBank, and you can also save when you use shop for real estate or other mortgage loans.

The money you save will not send your child to Yale. Most likely, not even close. But, other family members can save for your child, and you can use your rebates to open a 529 Education Savings account with Vanguard for as little as $50.00 per month. (If you open an account, you will most likely have to supplement the funding, as the rebates for most people do not usually add up to $50.00 per month.) However, I don't want to put a damper on this great service. This is money given back to you from everyday shopping that without the program, you would not get back to give you some benefit.

Allstate Stops Earthquake Insurance

Allstate Insurance recently sent out letters to about 40,000 affected Washington policyholders, notifying them Allstate would no longer offer earthquake coverage when their policies come up for renewal. This is part of an industrywide re-evaluatioin about how much risk insurers are willing to face from catastrophic events such as earthquakes and hurricanes.

Allstate has taken some steps to help affected customers. They have arranged a partnership with a private insurer, GeoVera, allowing Allstate agents to write earthquake policies through that company, which is the largest private earthquake insurer in California. They will also be free to shop for other quotes if they can find them.

For those outside of earthquake areas who are unaware of this cost, earthquake insurance can double the homeowners' insurance premium for wood-frame homes and may cost up to 10 times the annual premium for masonry structures.

Washington's Insurance Comissioner Mike Kreidler will be following the situation closely. He is worried that other companies may follow suit, which could potentially drive up rates for consumers. He has stepped in before when he has felt companies have not been acting in good faith with policy holders.

Nexgrill Industries Gas Grills Recalled Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Nexgrill Gas Grills

Units: About 16,000

Manufacturer: Nexgrill Industries Inc., of City of Industry, Calif.

Hazard: The gas grill has a hose that connects the propane tank to the burner manifold. If this hose runs up too close to the firebox, the heat can cause the hose to detach from the burner manifold, causing a gas leak and a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Nexgrill has received 31 incident reports, including 28 fires, three hoses melting, two cases of property damage, and four injuries.

Description: The recalled product is the Nexgrill Model 720-0025 Gas Grill. The stainless steel grill is designed to be used with propane gas. The name of the grill is located at the left corner of the exterior of the main burner lid. The serial number is printed on the CSA sticker which is located behind the door. A temperature gauge is located at the center of the main burner lid.

Sold at: Target, Costco Canada, H-E-B, Chase-Pitkin, and Gander Mountain stores nationwide from December 2003 through March 2005 for between $499 to $599.

Manufactured In: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the gas grill immediately and contact Nexgrill to receive a free, self-installation retrofit heat shield assembly.

Consumer Contact: Call Nexgrill toll-free at (888) 361-0888 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or log on to the company’s Web site at http://nexgrill0025.serorder.com

Fight A Traffic Ticket

Traffic tickets are a big nuisance, and will create havoc with your insurance rates. In some instances, it may be worth going to court and fighting the ticket. Here are some things to keep in mind if you decide to contest the ticket.

During the traffic stop, accept the ticket without admitting any guilt. A police officer can record an admission on a police report.

• If you're considering fighting a ticket, check the contested box on the ticket and return it within 15 days after receiving the ticket. You can still plead guilty at a later date if you change your mind.

• In court, be firm in your convictions. If you believe you did not commit the violation, say that to the judge.

• Stick with the facts of the case and don't bring up peripheral matters, such as an opinion that the police officer was rude.

• Be respectful and polite.

• Don't ignore the ticket. Fight the violation, pay the fine or ask the court to reduce the fine. Otherwise, your license could be suspended.


If you decide to fight the ticket, good luck.