div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/SatelliteInternet.jpg” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – As more Americans look to hang up their dial-up connections and switch to faster broadband services, a new high-tech dilemma has emerged; the …/div/div
Guidelines for Making Kids’ “Screen Time” Meaningful
It’s a fact: Children today are surrounded by all types of digital media from a very young age. Educators, parents and caregivers are left with the task of navigating through a multitude of handheld games, toys and online resources while debating the value of these different options.
Fortunately, research shows that computers can play a positive role in the education of children. Benefits include language, literacy and social development as well as the improvement of important problem-solving skills.
Experts and researchers in early childhood development offer the following guidelines for computer use by youngsters:
Tips for Stress-Free Air Travel
 NewsUSA) – Man-made and natural disruptions to air travel are all-too-often the norm. Not only can weather delay take-offs and landings, but new airline rules can also keep planes grounded.
For example, if a plane is sitting on the tarmac for more than three hours, it has to return to the gate. On the upside, there are ways to cope with the unexpected. Here are a few simple tips to prepare for delays before leaving home: * Print copies of itineraries with the 800 numbers for your airline, and others that fly the same route, just in case you have to rebook from the airport. The paper-free option? E-mail those numbers or enter them manually into your smartphone. * Check airline Web sites for delay postings. New rules mandate that airlines have this information online. Alternatively, you can go to www.flightstats.com. * Make sure you can access your office and home computers in the event you are stuck while traveling. Free and inexpensive programs like LogMeIn (www.LogMeIn.com) make it quick, easy and secure to access files, calendars and applications from any computer, smartphone, netbook or iPad with an Internet connection. * Enlist a friend or family member who knows their way around online travel sites, and keep them on your mobile phone speed dial. If you have to make alternative plans, they can probably do it faster than anyone. * Remember travel insurance. A few extra dollars tacked onto the price of your trip can provide peace of mind if you have to change plans for unforeseen reasons. Check what your airline, travel agent, booking site and credit cards offer to make sure that you’re covered. * Have fun. Many airports are adding luxuries like spas, high-end restaurants and even showers to keep passengers happy. Find out what your airport, and the ones that you will visit, offer before you go, so you’re able to enjoy them to the fullest. While there is no surefire guarantee for disruption-free air travel, a little advanced planning can go a long way — even all the way to your destination. |
File an Extension or Need to Amend Your 2009 Return? Don’t Forget These Credits
 NewsUSA) – Dozens of new tax laws could impact your 2009 federal taxes. Experts recommend taking extra time and care with this year’s return so you don’t miss out on any tax breaks.
Only the Making Work Pay, energy and American Opportunity credits will be available again for 2010 returns, so take advantage of the other breaks while you can,” advises Jessi Dolmage, spokeswoman for 2nd Story Software, Inc., makers of TaxACT. 1. Get organized. Using TaxACT to file your return by October 15, 2010, or amend your 2009 return. If you’ve filed an extension, you can still prepare, print and e-file your 2009 federal return free with TaxACT Free Federal Edition at taxact.com. If you need to amend your return, you can do that quickly and easily with TaxACT Deluxe. 2. Contribute to your traditional IRA. The Making Work Pay Credit will again be distributed through decreased federal withholding in 2010, so if you were under 70-1/2 years of age at the end of 2009, contributing to your traditional IRA through April 15, 2010, can lower your 2009 tax bill. You and your spouse can contribute up to $5,000 each ($6,000 if age 50 or older at the end of 2009). Depending on your filing status, modified adjusted gross income and whether you or your spouse were covered by a retirement plan, your deduction may be limited. 3. Use tax preparation software. Free and low-cost solutions like TaxACT guide you through the new credits, deductions and tax laws. They also do the math, help find missing information and identify potential errors. TaxACT Free Federal Edition allows everyone to prepare and e-file for free — regardless of income, age, state of residence and military status. TaxACT also includes a maximum-refund guarantee and all e-fileable forms for simple and complex returns. 4. Consider itemizing. The standard deduction for 2009 is $5,700 for individual or married filing separately returns, $11,400 for joint returns or qualifying widow(er) returns and $8,350 for head-of-household returns. If your eligible deductions exceed the standard deduction amount, you’re likely better off itemizing. Software like TaxACT will identify your best option after you enter your deductions. 5. File and pay as much as possible by April 15. Even if you can’t pay your entire tax bill by the deadline, file early and schedule payment any time before April 15 (June 15 for taxpayers who qualify as “out of the country”) to avoid penalties and interest. If you need a six-month extension (four months if “out of the country”), Form 4868 is due by April 15 and will extend your filing deadline to October 15, 2010. Remember, an extension to file is not an extension to pay. This is not the year to procrastinate, especially if you’re getting a refund. You could have your refund in as few as eight days by e-filing and selecting direct deposit. The exception is taxpayers claiming the first-time homebuyer credit. The IRS requires that a copy of your settlement statement be mailed with your return (to prevent fraud), and the IRS likely won’t start issuing those refunds until the end of March. Learn more about 2009 tax law changes and TaxACT at www.irs.gov and www.taxact.com. |
Save Money With Free Software for Your Computer
 NewsUSA) – Looking to save money? There are ways to leverage great technology without burning a hole in your wallet.
Here are some safe, secure options — all of them free — that can help make your computer more productive, useful and fun: * Firefox Browser: (www.GetFireFox.com) — Get onto the Internet with this alternative to Windows Internet Explorer that is compatible with both Macs and PCs. It is fast and secure and allows you to download lots of free plug-ins that provide information, social media integration and multimedia capabilities. * TweetDeck: (www.TweetDeck.com) — This free program enables you to easily manage, monitor and post to all of your social media networks, including Facebook, Twitter and MySpace, from one place. * Trillian: (www.Trillian.im) — Not everyone uses the same instant message service. You might use AOL while your friend uses Yahoo. Trillian lets you combine all of your instant message accounts — AOL, Yahoo, MSN, ICQ and IRC — into one program. Recently updated, it can integrate your Facebook and Twitter accounts, too. * LogMeIn: (www.LogMeIn.com) — The free version of LogMeIn lets you securely access your computer from anywhere in the world. Want to check your home computer while you’re on the road? Go to a web browser from any Internet-enabled computer or mobile device, and log in to your account to instantly connect and access any programs, files, photos or music on your desktop. * Windows Live Desktop: (www.WindowsLive.com/desktop) — Windows 7, which will be loaded on many new computers and mobile devices this year, does not include its own email program. Instead, Microsoft offers a mail program as a free download from this site, along with other programs, including a photo organizer and an application for creating videos. * Picnik: (www.Picnik.com) — Picnik is a free alternative to Photoshop and offers photo-editing capabilities such as cropping, resizing, sharpening and red-eye reduction. You can add special effects, fonts, or various shapes to turn your precious memory into a work of art. Google’s Picasa is another good option for free photo-editing software. Any or all of these programs will immediately add value to your Mac, PC or laptop — at absolutely no cost. Do your homework first and check out product reviews from reputable technology sites such as CNET’s Download.com to find out more about free and safe software options before you install them on your computer. |
Save on Your Taxes by Starting Your 2010 Return Early
div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/PrepareTaxes.jpg” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – Some major tax breaks included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act …/div/div
Is Your Boss Spying on Your Internet Use?
Many assume that those Americans who are tweeting, updating Facebook profiles and uploading YouTube videos are in their teens. But when it comes to social networking, it’s not teens, but their parents who are driving growth.
According to the Pew Internet & American Life Project’s 2008 tracking survey, the number of adults with online profiles more than quadrupled after 2005. In fact, more adults use social networking sites than teens.
But adults who indulge in chatting, tweeting and updating their Facebook status at work might find themselves without a job. While many employers allow workers to participate on social networking sites (especially to make business connections), others have formed strict policies against LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace, Digg, Twitter and similar sites.
And don’t think that employees can simply tweet on the sly. Many businesses are now using employee-monitoring software products, such as Spector CNE Investigator (www.spectorcne.com), to quickly and easily determine who’s goofing off, leaking company information, surfing Web sites or making off-topic Google searches. The software records all instant messages, chat conversations, e-mails, Web sites visited, programs run, files downloaded, files copied to removable media, and keystrokes typed. In addition, Spector CNE Investigator takes screen snapshots, so employers can watch their employees’ online activities in the sequence that they were performed.
While outright bans may seem harsh, employees should do work while at work — few employers want to pay workers to play online games or update their Facebook status. And yet, according to a survey conducted by an IT research firm, Nucleus Research, 77 percent of the employees with Facebook accounts check them during business hours, with 87 percent having no work-related reason for doing so.
Some studies suggest that social networking may improve productivity, so long as visits remain brief and account for less than 20 percent of an employee’s worktime. But no one wants to lose their job because they can’t stay away from Twitter.
Employees with a social networking problem might want to set strict limits for themselves, like restricting Facebook time to 10 minutes a day. If employees are using it for more than an appropriate amount of time, employers will know it if they are monitoring social network usage with Spector CNE.
How Schools Can Keep Parents in the Know
You rush to get your children to their football game only to find out that it’s been canceled. Why weren’t you notified in advance?
When sports and recreation directors make last-minute schedule changes, such as canceling a game due to inclement weather or having to change practice times, they may have to inform several people at the same time. But with limited time to spread the word to players, parents, coaches and officials, some people may miss out.
Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be the case. From elementary school to college, many schools and sports and recreation organizations are adopting an innovative new communication system called the Immediate Response Information System, or IRIS.
GPS Allows Modern Day Treasure Hunts
 NewsUSA) – Americans may read thrillers and watch adventure movies, but their days aren’t exactly fueled by pure adrenaline. They work, drive the kids to soccer practice, eat dinner, watch HBO — but those with a handheld GPS can satisfy their thirst for adventure through modern day treasure hunts, or geocaching.
Geocaching is a global treasure-hunting game. Someone hides an item, uses a GPS to determine its coordinates, and then posts the information online. Geocache-seekers then use their own GPS units to track down the geocache, usually a box or a small item and a logbook. The game sounds deceptively simple. While geocachers know the items’ coordinates, reaching them might require a workout — some locations require hiking and climbing, for example. Also, GPS units only take geocachers within 10 to 15 feet of the geocache, which is hidden to avoid accidental discovery by “Muggles” -; those uninitiated in the ways of geocaching. Geocaching.com, the largest Web site for geocachers to announce new geocaches and log their successes, lists over 1,000,000 geocaches in over 200 countries. The game has become so popular that GPS manufacturers are starting to design handheld GPS units specifically for geocaching. For example, the Magellan eXplorist GC (www.magellangps.com) includes a seamless connection to geocaching.com, a sunlight-readable color screen and a simple user interface to make geocaching a breeze. The unit is waterproof and comes pre-loaded with the coordinates of the most popular geocaches in the world. The GPS chipset promises 3-meter accuracy. Of course, the eXplorist GC also comes with standard outdoor features, including waypoint creation, a worldwide basemap, active tracking and a trip odometer. When geocachers find a geocache, they write their name in the logbook or exchange one of the items in the cache for one of equal value. Then they put the cache back in its original location, so other treasure-seekers can enjoy the thrill of the chase and, perhaps, discover a place previously unknown to them. For more information about the eXplorist GC, visit www.magellangps.com/eXploristGC/. |
GPS Allows Modern Day Treasure Hunts
div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/Geocache.jpg” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – Americans may read thrillers and watch adventure movies, but their days aren’t exactly fueled by pure adrenaline. They work, drive the kids to …/div/div
