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Friday, January 18th, 2008Recently, Tim of BeThumbed PayPal account was hacked because of filling up a fake form which was purportedly sent by a Paypal staff. I’ve also received a similar e-mail, but I just ignored it. Good thing I was busy blogging at that time that I totally forgot about the e-mail. I also logged in directly to their website to read if similar announcement appeared in their “What’s New” section.
Paypal had been particular in securing their merchants’ accounts. They provided tips on how to protect your account.
Fake Paypal vs Real Paypal e-mails:
- A fake Paypal e-mail usually contains greetings like “Dear PayPal user” or “Dear PayPal Member”. A real Paypal e-mail addresses the member by his/her first and last name or the business name associated with your PayPal account.
- A fake Paypal e-mail usually does not contain your e-mail address as recipient, especially if it was sent by an autobot mailers like what most hackers use.
- I have also observed that real Paypal e-mails contain a copyright footer containing the PayPal e-mail ID at the bottom.
Copyright © 1999-2007 PayPal. All rights reserved.
Consumer advisory- PayPal Pte. Ltd., the holder of PayPal’s stored value
facility, does not require the approval of the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Users are advised to read the terms and conditions carefully.PayPal Email ID
Dave Taylor provided 10 helpful tips on how you can recognize fake Paypal e-mails.
Tags:Anti Spam, Blogging, Chain E mails, chain letters, Computer, E mail Frauds, e mail viruses, How To, Internet, Internet Scams, Online Tips, PayPal, Prevent Spam, Spam, Spam Filter, Tips
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GlobalPandora: Pandora for Non-US Residents
Tuesday, January 15th, 2008
I found this good news from Hezron Mariano’s blog while blog hopping through Pinoy Entrecards.
Remember Pandora? A friend of mind recommended it to me and I got to listen to some songs before it was restricted to US residents only. Pandora radio is the personalized internet radio service that helps you find new music based on your old and current favorites under the Music Genome Project.
Well, here’s the good alternative to all non-US residents. The box is open! You can now listen to your favorite songs through GlobalPandora.
Note: After about 30 minutes of free music listening, you are still required to open your account and sadly it’s still exclusive for US residents.
But here’s what I did to make a free account:
1. I filled up the signup form.
2. Since I am not familiar with the US Zip codes, I referred to Switchboard.com for list of zip codes I could use. You can choose from the zip codes listed.
3. I submitted the form and voila! I now have a Pandora account. I could listen with all I want.
Enjoy listening. I am currently listening to Usher’s music station and I am loving it. 
Tags:Computer, Entertainment, Free Services, Good News, Internet, Lyrics Search, Music, Online Tips, Technology, Tips
Read 43 times by 21 visitors
How to Add an External E-Mail Account to Your Yahoo Mail?
Monday, January 14th, 2008I was writing an e-mail using my Yahoo Mail account when a drop down arrow and an “Add Mail Account” link beside my e-mail address caught my attention. I clicked on the link and I was surprised because it is now possible to add additional e-mail to my existing account. Or if it has been there for a long time, I didn’t notice.
Most of us have multiple e-mail accounts for different purposes: as business account, Paypal address, even for spam e-mails, etc. Before, to be able to sign in using a different account, you have to sign out from the current e-mail you are using. With the new Yahoo! Mail feature, you can retrieve your messages from your external e-mail account to your permanent Yahoo! Mailbox.
Here is a step-by-step process on how to add another e-mail account to your Yahoo Mail.
Currently, only one additional e-mail address is allowed for Yahoo Mail basic users. You’ll need to access the Add Accounts page through the Yahoo! Mail Classic interface because they are still tweaking the Yahoo! Mail Accounts option for the new Yahoo! Mail.
Tags:Blogging, Chain E mails, Google, How To, Internet, Online Tips, Tips
Read 98 times by 37 visitors
The Hino Motors Ltd. Japan Job Scam
Saturday, January 12th, 2008I received one scam e-mail again, but it is different from the previous scam e-mails as it intends of employing you instead of giving you a lottery money.
To:
From: recruits@hinomotors.co.jp
Subject: WORK WITH HINO MOTORS JAPAN
Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 20:11:52 +0300
HINO MOTORS CO.LTD, JAPAN.
1-1 Hinodai 3-chome,
Hino-shi,
Tokyo 191-8660.
WE NEED A REPUTABLE INDIVIDUAL/COMPANY
We wish to intimate you with a request that would be of immense Benefit to you and us. Our Group’s principal activities are to develop, manufacture and market diesel trucks and buses,
passenger cars and pick-up trucks, semi-tractors, special purpose vehicles such as large-sized sight seeing and route buses, internal combustion engines and spare parts.
We wish to crave your indulgence that we are searching for representatives who can help us establish a medium of getting to our customers in North America, Europe and other nearby countries as well as making payments through you to us.
We are currently working on expansion into North America, to this effect we are openning a manufacturing facility which will be strategically located in that region. We seek your service(s) in this regard. You do not have to leave your present job.
If interested in this partnership send your respond to e-mail proposal with the details listed below;
FIRST NAME:
LAST NAME:
RESIDENTIAL/POSTAL ADDRESS:
SEX:
FAMILY STATUS:
AGE:
TELEPHONE:
FAX:
CELL PHONE:
COMPANY NAME:
OCCUPATION:
STATE:
COUNTRY:
DRIVERS LICENSE:
EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT:
BANK NAME:
CREDIT RATING:
STATUS OF BANKING RELATIONSHIP:
STATUS OF BANK TRANSACTION:
ANY CRIMINAL RECORDS? INDICATE:
We appreciate your interest in our company and we look forward working with you as a team.
Thank you,
Mr. Shoji Kondo
The President, Hino Motors.
Why is it a scam?
- My e-mail address as a recipient was not found in the e-mail.
- The sender’s return address (recruits@hinomotors.co.jp) seems authentic but if you do a search in Google, Hino Motors Ltd. Japan’s website is http://www.hino.co.jp/e/ and not hinomotors.co.jp.
- I did not sign up for any subscription at Hino Motors showing my interest to be their partner.
- Similar with other scam e-mails, the sender asks me to provide my personal and banking information.
Tags:Anti Spam, Chain E mails, chain letters, Computer, E mail Frauds, e mail viruses, Internet, Internet Scams, Tips
Read 93 times by 38 visitors
Join These Contests and Win Entrecard Credits
Saturday, January 12th, 2008
I am getting addicted to Entrecard, the first and only free exchange network that really promises traffic to your websites. You can advertise your Entrecard on any blog in the network, for free, for a number of days using your Entrecard credits or ECs. Getting ECs isn’t hard. You earn them for free by networking (dropping your card for other bloggers) and displaying other Entrecards on your widget.
Holding Entrecard Credit contests is becoming a trend among Entrecard users these days. It is another way of getting ECs and driving blog traffic for contest holders.
Here is a list of sites with active contests as of January 13, 2008:
1. Win $20 and 300 Entrecard Credits at PinoyAmbisyoso.com. International Entrecard users with Paypal account are qualified to join. Paypal will be used to claim your $20 prize in case you win. Visit his blog to learn how. There is only one winner for this contest and will be drawn randomly. Contest will end on January 16, 2008, Wednesday, 8pm, Manila Time and will be announced the following day, January 17, Thursday.
2. Win 1000 Entrecard Credits at Tetsujin’s Blog. Just subscribe to his website or write something about this contest on your blog Leave a comment with the link to your post or wherever you put it, which means your entry can be as short as one sentence or a little link in the sidebar. One winner will be chosen randomly on Wednesday, January 16, 2008.
3. Win $250 and 1000 Entrecard Credits at Saphrym.com. Review one of his posts, beside the contest, it can be positive, neutral, or even negative, linked to his main blog. You also have to include a link to the actual post you are blogging about and a link to this contest post. Visit his blog for further details. The contest will end on February 27, 2007 so you still have some time to join.
4. Win 600 Entrecard Credits at DNSEO.net. Visit their site for further details. The contest is open for entries until January 15th 2008. The winner will be announced on the 16th.
5. Win 3000 Entrecard Credits at ShankerBakshi.com. Visit his blog for the contest mechanics. This contest will end on February 1, 2008. This is the highest Entrecard Credits at stake so far.
6. Win 200 Entrecard Credits Every Friday at LifeIsRisky.com. You can enter once per day by dropping your card and commenting.
7. Win 100 Entrecard Credits at kate blogs about . . .
8. Win 500 Entrecard Credits as Weekly Giveaway at Belolats.com. Only one-time entry per Entrecard user. This is only a one-time entry. If your blog is not picked this week, it will still be included on the names of the blogs that I’ll be drawing for the succeeding weeks. That means, any week can be your chance to win.
9. Up to 10,000 Entrecard Credits can be won at Matts Nutts SEO and Blogging by signing up at FOCIAL BLOG MARKET, the author’s new site, before February 1, 2008.
10. Vote for Tyler Cruz and get 150 Entrecard credits and up to $300 from another friendly war between Gyutae of WinningtheWeb.com and Tyler Cruz from TylerCruz.com. You only have 3 days left to win the contest. Read about the contest details.
More and more bloggers have been joining Entrecard. This means that many opportunities to earn more Entrecard credits will be sprouting the web in the coming days.
If you are running a contest for Entrecard credits, you can comment below and leave your link with the contest details or contact me.
Tags:Blogging, Computer, Contests and Freebies, Entrecard, Free Services, Google, Internet, Making Money Online, Tips
Read 65 times by 27 visitors
Yuwie, the Social Network that Pays
Thursday, January 10th, 2008
My sister was telling me a while ago about Yuwie, a social networking site (like Friendster, MySpace, Facebook) that pays its members for socializing! She has been looking for means to earn money online that she grabs every money-making opportunity she encounters. Although, I was hesitating to join, I accepted her invitation. It won’t cost me nothing to join anyway, so I said I will give it a try.
How does Yuwie work?
It works similarly with other social networking sites: you invite your friends, they view your page, they invite more friends, you build your network, you get more friends, etc. But it is different from the social networks we are used to because it rewards its user by cutting them in on some of the advertising profits.
You get paid for every page views and referrals. It works as a pyramid, making money off of everyone down the line. Social networks earn millions, or probably billions from advertising but none of these sites share their revenues to their users, until Yuwie introduced this feature.
What else should I do to get paid?
With Yuwie, you get paid for everything you do with this social network. Get paid to blog, to upload pictures, to send messages, to write comments, to hang out, and to surf.
How much will I earn?
Here is a look at sample earnings based on the 10 levels of referrals and assuming a revenue-sharing rate of $0.50.
So what are you waiting for? Join Yuwie and get paid for what you’ve already been doing. See my profile page to see how will your Yuwie page look.
Tags:Blogging, Internet, Love and Relationship, Making Money Online, Social Networks, Technology, Tips
Read 52 times by 18 visitors
How to Win a brand new iPhone?
Sunday, January 6th, 2008
Everybody wants an iPhone, but not everybody can have it due to its cost. In the Philippines, it can cost you Php 20,000 plus. So here is your chance to win an iPhone for FREE.
The I Make Money on Facebook blog is holding a contest for all her readers as a means of sharing her earnings.
1. Visit the I Make Money on Facebook blog and follow the steps on how to win your own brand new iPhone.
2. Get entry tickets by commenting on her post: “25 Steps to Make Money on Facebook”, subscribing to her RSS feeds and writing a post about this contest just like what I did. Do these three ways to get 5 entry tickets.
Deadline is extended to January 10, 2008 instead of January 1st, 2008 (the winner will be drawn at 11:59 AM CST on January 10, 2008 and the prize will be sent out on January 11).
Tags:Blogging, Computer, Contests and Freebies, Entertainment, Internet, iPhone, Making Money Online, Technology, Tips
Read 86 times by 41 visitors
Web Safety Tips for Teens
Thursday, January 3rd, 2008
Internet users, especially the teens, nowadays are vulnerable to malicious acts in the web such as online frauds and scams, pornographic sites and others.
Here are some of seven web safety tips from Illinois Attorney General, Lisa Madigan for teens for a friendly internet environment:
1. Never post personal information online.
2. Don’t put strangers on your buddy list.
3. Don’t post potentially embarrassing images of yourself online.
4. Remember that anyone can read blogs.
5. Communicate only with friends and family.
6. Tell your parents if you receive anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.
7. Think before you post any information about yourself—a message long touted by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Tags:Blogging, Child Care, Education, Internet, Online Tips, Parenting, Technology, Tips
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Downloading Google Toolbar can be unsafe
Tuesday, December 25th, 2007Researchers found out that downloading Google Toolbar may be unsafe because it has been a vector of recent malicious activities.
Google Toolbar allows spoofing the information presented in the dialog which is being displayed when adding a new Google Toolbar button. This can allow an attacker to convince the users that his button comes from a trusted domain. This button can then be used to download malicious files or conduct phishing attacks (e.g. show a login form of a bank).
Affected versions
* Google Toolbar 5 beta for Internet Explorer
* Google Toolbar 4 for Internet Explorer
* Google Toolbar 4 for Firefox (partially)
A full detail on how hackers and malicious software distributors do it is shown on Aviv Raff on .NET.
Tags:Blogging, Google, Internet, Online Tips, Technology, Tips
Read 50 times by 26 visitors
Ways to Bypass Rapidshare Download Limit and Waiting Time
Monday, December 24th, 2007Yesterday, I posted about Download Direct, which can be another helpful way to avoid the Rapidshare download limit and waiting time you encounter as a free user.
Here are more tips to bypass these limitations:
1. Tech-Recipes teaches us some “Hacks to Beat Rapidshare Download Limits and Waiting Time“. The hacks provide tips on how to bypass the waiting time by altering your IP address and using a proxy service.
2. Use Rapidshare tools. Tools provide some additional features like managing the downloads, changing proxies, simultanious downloads by using more than one proxy and much more.
3. MyDigitalLife provides a step-by-step instructions on how to use CMS The Grabber, another Rapidshare tool which has the abilities to bypass RapidShare limitations by using proxy servers, to start downloading from RapidShare immediately, and to download multiple files simultaneously.
4. TiX Now! is Firefox add-on which can stop waiting timer of Rapidshare. Install the extension and click on the T icon in status bar at the right-bottom corner. Direct-link will be saved to your clipboard or it can stop the waiting-timer. There is a need for a user guide though to fully understand how this extension works. Unfortunately, the addon author has not yet come up with it.
5. Zepy.net found an alternative way to “Bypass Rapidshare Dowload Limit without Software“.
6. Using Bookmarklet in IE as posted by Tech-Buzz.net:
1. Open IE
2. Right Click On This Link
3. Select Add to Favorites
4. Select Yes to the warning that the bookmark may be unsafe.
5. Name it “RapidShare No Wait”
6. Click on the Links folder (if you want to display it in your IE toolbar)
7. Click OK, (You may need to close and reopen IE to see it )
8. Goto rapidshare and click the bookmarklet when you are forced to wait
And several other ways available in the internet. Just Google it. 
Tags:Computer, Free Services, How To, Internet, Online Tips, Tips
Read 35 times by 21 visitors
Make your Windows XP look like Vista
Sunday, December 16th, 2007Apart from being feature-rich compared to previous Windows operating systems, Microsoft Vista
attracts many user because of it’s neatly tailored layout, design or whatever you call it. I was one of those who wanted to immediately upgrade but because my Windows XP was working perfectly well, I said I will wait for some reviews regarding it, which was a good decision because many of my friends are downgrading to Windows XP because of incompatibility and loading issues.
I looked for an alternative way to make my PC look like Windows Vista without actually upgrading it. One of the best ways I’ve tried was installing Vistamizer. VistaMizer modifies your system files, so that when you reboot after installing VistaMizer, you will have an Vista-transformed XP.
With VistaMizer you are now able to transform your Windows XP, MCE or Server 2003 by giving it the look of Windows Vista. Therefore over 380 files with new Icons, pictures as well as videos are modified.
What’s even better with this software is it comes with the easy-uninstall feature. If you will have problems with installation, you have the possibility to get back the old system by an un-installation. If newer files are already present in the system by updates, this is recognized by the un-installer and only the modified files will be replaced.
Here are some key features of “VistaMizer”:
· Vista-Look for Windows XP, MCE or Server 2003
· Modification of the own system files
· multilingual
· completely free choice for the modification files
· check the files for compatibility during the installation
· backup from the original system files
· re-modification of the system files after Windows Updates
· rebuilding of the original system files with un-installation
VistaMizer 2.1.1.0 is its latest version. VistaMizer is a freeware so you’ll get a Vista-look for free!
Screenshots (courtesy of Softpedia.com:
) 
Tags:Computer, Free Services, Internet, Technology, Tips
Read 98 times by 39 visitors
Beware: Fake ‘Bangko Sentral’ scam e-mail
Friday, December 14th, 2007A new scam e-mail purportedly coming from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas raises alarm.
The e-mail is designed like the previous Nigerian, Western Union scam e-mails in which personal information and bank accounts are gathered that can be used for fraudulent acts and crimes.
“Please beware as this comes from a syndicate using the name of our central bank and our governor to gain information that could be used possibly for fraudulent activities. We request you therefore to disregard this spurious message and to warn your family and friends against this scam,” the BSP said in a statement.
“For the record, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is not in the business of safekeeping money or gold or other valuables for private individuals,” it added.
The BSP through the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has solicited the help of several international agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States to track down, stop and possibly prosecute its perpetrators.
The BSP said recipients of the fake e-mail should report it to the bank at tel no. 523-4832, fax no. 523-6210 or to the AMLC at 523-4421 or 536-7358. ABS-CBNNews.com
The FBI advisory said the scam e-mail informs the recipient that he has received a large amount of money, free of any liens or encumbrances. It asks the recipient to send his full name, address, contact information, occupation, age and sex to mr_tetangco@gmail.com, which is allegedly the BSP governor’s personal e-mail address.
If you receive similar e-mails, the best way to avoid getting scammed is rejecting it, especially if the sender was unfamiliar to you. Just by looking at the e-mail also, you will already know if it’s scam or not.
Tags:Anti Spam, Internet, Online Tips, Spam, Tips
Read 61 times by 26 visitors
GSIS eCard Plus can be used to withdraw funds from PayPal
Sunday, December 2nd, 2007For Philippine users:
Are you looking for ways to withdraw funds from your PayPal account? PMT talks about several ways to withdraw funds.
My PayPal was verified however I could not withdraw funds from it because I used an American Express card to validate it. I tried the Xoom method but sadly, they have cancelled intra-Philippine transactions. Good thing my mom has a GSIS eCard Plus which I found out as a new way to withdraw my funds.
What is GSIS eCard Plus?
The GSIS eCard Plus is a VISA-powered card and is the official GSIS membership identification card of government employees. Just like any other government-issued ID card, the GSIS eCard Plus is widely accepted as proof of identification for whatever legal transactions.
What are the uses of GSIS eCard Plus?
Apart from being an ID, you can also use the GSIS eCard Plus as:
GSIS disbursement card – This can be used to withdraw proceeds of your GSIS claims and loans using any ATM.
Point-of-Sale (POS) Transaction Card – Get the proceeds of your GSIS loan or your monthly pension benefit from selected M. Lhuillier branches using your eCard Plus.
Hospitalization Discount Card – Present your eCard Plus to our partner-hospitals under the GSIS Hospitalization Support Program and get 30 to 50 percent off on your hospital bills. Click Here for more details.
Personal ATM Savings Account – Once you have the eCard Plus, you automatically have your own Union Bank savings account – free and it requires no maintaining balance.
VISA Debit Card –Your eCard Plus is instantly enrolled to the Visa Debit facility, allowing you to pay for your grocery, food, and other items and have your purchases debited directly from your Union Bank account. GSIS eCard Plus is accepted in all establishments that accept VISA.
Online Banking Card – eCard Plus can be used to pay for your telephone, cable, credit card, and electric bills online.
Source: GSIS Website
How to use your eCard Plus to withdraw funds from PayPal?
You can refer to this page for a step-by-step method on how to withdaw funds from your PayPal account.
The GSIS eCard Plus showing the needed information in adding it to your PayPal account:
Withdrawing funds will cost your $5 and it usually takes 5-7 business days for the transaction to complete.
Tags:Blogging, Making Money Online, PayPal, Tips
Read 106 times by 42 visitors
Things to look out for when buying a used car
Tuesday, November 27th, 2007Usually when selecting for a used car, “essential factors” should be looked at first to ensure that you’re really buying your money’s worth. 1. Watch out for that lemon- Probably the danger in buying used cars is when you don’t know much …
What to do with my PayPal balance?
Saturday, November 10th, 2007
I am am now officially a verified PayPal account holder! Yay! I used my aunt’s Equitable PCI American Express credit card (sheesh!) to verify my address. I currently have more than $100 balance, thanks to Text Link Ads; unfortunately, I could not withdraw the funds using this credit card.
As Mihawk pointed out, you can only transfer (withdraw) your funds on a VISA card. MasterCard, American Express or any other card are not yet approved by Paypal. Non-VISA cards can only be used to verify your account.
Pinoy Money Talk listed the possible ways to withdraw funds from your Paypal using some accepted credit and debit cards in the Philippines.
In the meantime, as I am finding convenient and cheaper ways to withdraw funds from my PayPal balance, I am opting other ways to spend my balance.
1. Pay for my domain and hosting. Just several months ago, my domain (jammedph.com) has expired. Since this was acquired through post-to-get-a-free-domain program provided by Hostbidder.com, I waited for several days before my renewal was approved. Now I can pay for my domain using my PayPal balance.
2. Try some online auction. I have been wanting a palm PC to store my medical e-books. Maybe I can try Ebay to get one.
3. Buy some medical books. I need the newer editions of my text books. Unfortunately, I don’t think Amazon.com offers PayPal as payment method. But there maybe other sites offering it.
4. Buy medical equipment online like diagnostic sets, etc.
5. Subscribe to online medical articles and journals.
6. Pay for other online transactions.
Tags:Blogging, Internet, Making Money Online, Tips
Read 82 times by 37 visitors
A Western Union Money Transfer Scam?
Friday, November 2nd, 2007How to recognize phishing scams and fraudulent e-mails?
Sender: “Mark James”
Subject: WESTERN UNION PAYMENT UPDATE
Message:
Dear Sir/Madam, There is an issue with the WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER in the amount of $500,000.00 USD directed in cash credited to file KTU/9023118308/03, at the owner of this email address. The International Monetary Fund contacted us for your compensation a couple of hours ago due to your allocated security code. They said that they choose to send it to an email address instead of a name. We are unable to complete a transfer directed at an email address,so we require some more information in order to complete this transfer. FULL NAME: FULL CONTACT ADDRESS: MOBILE PHONE NUMBER: OCCUPATION: MARITAL STATUS AND AGE: In order to resolve this problem,please email us immediately. As soon as this information is received,and you have complied with the requirements of payment of the western union charges, payment will be made to your nominated bank account or at the counter directly from The Western Union Transfering Bank. When emailing,please use reference number 250-147 for our mutual convenience. THE MANAGEMENT OF WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER,OFFICE NIGERIA BRANCH. Sincerely, Mr Mark James. Western Union Payments Direct Email : markjamesx@ubbi.com
Here’s another scam email targeting unsuspecting internet users. I received this e-mail yesterday. I’ve been receiving similar e-mails before but I didn’t pay any attention to them. At first glance, I already knew that it was one of those phishing scams aiming to get valuable information from victims.
Why Western Union?
- Because Western Union Money Transfer has been used widely to transfer funds and payments due to its convenience and secured transactions. Even Google, the search and advertising giant are now opting payments through Western Union. Scammers took it as an advantage to attract victims.
Why is it a scam?
- The format of the addressee as Dear Sir/Madam. Phishing e-mail messages are usually sent out in bulk and often do not contain your first or last name. The phrase “at the owner of this email address” also depicts similar pattern.
- The phrase “please email us immediately.” conveys urgency so that you’ll respond immediately without thinking.
- An amount of $500,000.00 USD is no joke, thus information for claim should not be sent through ordinary e-mails instead, it should have been sent via registered e-mail.
- “They said that they choose to send it to an email address instead of a name.” Why should it be the case?
- A respected organization such as the International Monetary Fund or IMF should opt to channel any important information, instead it should have directly contacted the intended recipient.
- The sender’s e-mail address is hosted by a dating site.
- The general format of the letter. A formal business letter should be written in full block.
Scam Help and Resources:
Vancity.com provides some tips on how to spot phishing scams and fraudulent e-mails.
Microsoft has tips to recognize phishing scams and fraudulent e-mails.
Scam Resources. Use these “preventive” resources to protect yourself from being taken in by the latest scams (if it’s too late, these same resources will help you get justice). If you want to know if a company is a scam then check these resources.
Tags:Anti Spam, Chain E mails, chain letters, E mail Frauds, Internet, Internet Scams, Online Tips, Spam, Spam Filter, Tips
Read 69 times by 26 visitors
The Eight-step Plan to Prevent Cancer
Friday, November 2nd, 2007The American Institute for Cancer Research has released these eight guidelines for avoiding cancer. The last six are eating related:
- Be as lean as possible within the normal range of body weight
- Be physically active as part of everyday life
- Limit consumption of “energy-dense foods,” foods that are high in calories, fat and sugar. Avoid sugary drinks.
- Eat mostly foods of plant origin, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans
- Limit intake of red meat and avoid processed meat
- Limit alcoholic drinks to one per day for women, two per day for men
- Limit consumption of salt. Avoid moldy grains or legumes
- Aim to meet nutritional needs through diet alone, without dietary supplement.
Tags:Cancer, Fitness, Health, Health Tips, Healthy Lifestyle, Medicine, Tips
Read 54 times by 21 visitors
How to save on hard disk space?
Wednesday, October 31st, 2007I only have 40 GB hard disk space, partitioned into 2. I have separate drive for all my important documents with my almost 4000 collection of music, the other drive is for my system files so every time I need reformatting of my PC, I won’t be having a problem of backing up my files. Because I have a limited disk space, I tried many ways to save up for space so my PC performance would not be affected without the need to upgrade my RAM or disk space.
Upgrading could be the best option because you wouldn’t have to spend longer time deleting every unnecessary files you could find in your computer. But if your saving up for some more important things, it may be an impractical option.
Alternatively, you can:
1. Clean up your hard disk
- Empty your Recycle or Trash bin always. Even though, you have deleted a file or a program, it still adds up space in your hard drive unless you delete it completely from your Recycle Bin.
- Clean your temporary files. The system periodically creates temp files that are documenting the system operation. These temporary files are safe to clean
- Defragmentation. It reduces the amount of fragmentation in file systems. It does this by physically reorganizing the contents of the disk to store the pieces of each file close together and contiguously. It also attempts to create larger regions of free space using compaction to impede the return of fragmentation. Some defragmenters also try to keep smaller files within a single directory together, as they are often accessed in sequence. According to a survey, 42% of PC users fail to defrag their system regularly, adversely affecting system performance. Wikipedia.org
2. Use online storage to securely save your files. Some of the best online storage sites include:
- Mediamax lets you store files securely on the web with as much as 25 GBs of FREE online storage.
- Humyo is a free unlimited internet hard drive.
- Xdrive offers 5GB of space for FREE.
- FreeDrive.com gives you 6GB for FREE.
- Diino serves as your internet desktop. It lets you save store files with their free 2GB storage.
The best thing with online storage are you can use this space to back up your valuable files such as your music, photos and more, automatically and conveniently access all your files from anywhere and easily share your files with friends and family.
3. Resort to online music streaming. Sometimes what fills up your hard disk is to many downloaded music which you can avoid by listening to music free.
I also encourage readers to suggest ways. 
Tags:Computer, Free Hosting, Free Services, Free Stuff, Internet, Technology, Tips
Read 64 times by 25 visitors
Can I Use Smart Money for PayPal Account Verification?
Saturday, October 20th, 2007This was my first question when I learned about the new receive feature of PayPal in the Philippines. Since Smart Money is a debit card and it is powered by MasterCard, I thought it will be an option to verify my PayPal account. At that time, I have an unclaimed $80 from Text-Link Ads so I was desperately looking for ways to verify my account.
I immediately contacted their Smart Costumer Care to inquire about it.
Type: Inquiry
Good day!
Recently, PayPal was made available in the Philippines to receive funds. I heard that debit cards can be used to verify my account and to withdraw my funds. Since Smart Money is a debit card which is also powered by MasterCard, can I use it to withdraw funds from my PayPal account?
Thank you!
After 2 days, I received a reply from them stating:
Smart Money’s tie up with PayPal is yet to be established. Currently, Smart has its own remittance system that we call Smart Padala. Smart Padala is the first and only cash remittance service via text. It is the newest way of remitting cash from a sender abroad to the celfone of a beneficiary here in the Philippines.
I was hoping to use my Smart Money for PayPal transactions.
Tags:Making Money Online, Tips
Read 33 times by 13 visitors
Read and Download Free Japanese Manga Online!
Sunday, October 14th, 2007What is Manga?
Manga is the Japanese word for comics (sometimes also called komikku) and print cartoons. It is widely read by children and adults of all ages, so that it has a broad range of subjects and topics, including action/adventure, romance, sports and games, historical drama, comedy, science fiction and fantasy, mystery, horror, sexuality, and business and commerce, among others. Wikipedia.org
Where to read FREE manga online?
1. MangaGig.com - This site hosts some Japanese manga series which aims to help popularize them in several countries.
2. Manga Volume - It hosts 300+ (and counting) manga series. Some of these series are uploaded by members which helps in expanding the site and having it more updated.
Where to download FREE manga?
1. Free Manga Download - offers hundreds of free Japanese manga series for download. This site is constantly updated so you are sure to get the freshest manga online.
2. Manga 4Otaku - offers three ways to download manga:
- as a guest - everybody can access this page and most of the series are hosted by RapidShare, Sendfile and other hosting services which requires you to wait for a certain time limit before you can download another file again. Some files may not already available for download because of inactivity.
- as a registered member - where only registered members can access. Similarly, these files are also hosted by free hosting services and may also require a download time limit.
- and as a direct member - where files are hosted to their own server which means no wait, no limit. You have to pay some amount though to gain access.
These are just few of the sites, you can also suggest some more by leaving a comment for everybody’s resource.
Note: Posted per request of a friend.
Read 50 times by 19 visitors
Adsense Payments Through Western Union Quick Cash
Monday, October 8th, 2007I was so busy these past days that I haven’t checked my e-mail for 4 days. I had 61 messages, thanks to spam e-mails and some important alerts and newsletters, including my Inside Adsense subscription.
I am so happy to know that AdSense payments are now offered through Western Union Quick Cash. Gladly, Philippines is one of the countries who could avail these type of payment delivery. Other countries included are Argentina, Chile, China (Mainland), Colombia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Peru, and Romania.
I’ve experienced a lost check for my first payment. Gladly, I have immediately contacted the AdSense team to hold the payment before someone else could encash it. I then switched to Secured Delivery through DSL but it costs a lot ($24 for courier service). Thank God, my prayer for a hassle-free payment method was heard.
This new payment method has a greater advantage to AdSense publishers especially those coming from the aforementioned countries.
- It is free to receive AdSense payment
- Publishers will no longer need to wait for a check to arrive in the mail.
- This can also cut down on bank fees and long clearing times associated with depositing checks.
You need to present your valid ID cards to claim your payment. It was specified that it should be government-issued ID to claim your payment. If you are from the Philippines, you can apply for a postal ID if you don’t have one. But I think any valid ID will do as long as the payee’s name matches your Adsense account name.
Payments must be picked up within 35 days of issuance or they will expire. If this happens, a payment hold will be placed on your AdSense account and the payment will be credited back to your account.
Yay! This is the best news I have received this week.
Tags:Blogging, Google, Google Adsense, Internet, Making Money Online, Tips
Read 59 times by 27 visitors
How to Enhance Relationships
Monday, October 8th, 2007This is another e-mail I always want to receive in my inbox.
TRUST is a very important factor for all relationships. When trust is broken, it is the end of the relationship. Lack of trust leads to suspicion, suspicion generates anger, anger causes enmity and enmity may result in separation.
A telephone operator told me that one day she received a phone call. She answered, “Public Utilities Board.” There was silence. She repeated, “PUB.” There was still no answer. When she was going to cut off the line, she Heard a lady’s voice, “Oh, so this is PUB.Sorry, I got the number from my Husband’s pocket but I do not know whose
number it is.”
Without mutual trust, just imagine what will happen to the couple if the telephone operator answered with just “hello” instead of “PUB”.
NO POINTING FINGERS
A man asked his father-in-law, “Many people praised you for a successful marriage. Could you please share with me your secret?”
The father-in-law answered in a smile, “Never criticize your wife for her shortcomings or when she does something wrong. Always bear in mind that because of her shortcomings and weaknesses, she could not find a better husband than
you.”
We all look forward to being loved and respected. Many people are afraid of losing face. Generally, when a person makes a mistake, he would look around to find a scapegoat to point the finger at. This is the start of a war. We should always remember that when we point one finger at a person, the other four fingers are pointing at ourselves.
If we forgive the others, others will ignore our mistake too.
CREATING PERFECT RELATIONSHIPS?
A person visited the government matchmaker for marriage, SDU, and requested “I am looking for a spouse. Please help me to find a suitable one.” The SDU officer said, “Your requirements, please.” “Oh, good looking, polite, humorous , sporty, knowledgeable, good in singing and dancing. Willing to accompany me the whole day at home during my
leisure hour, if I don’t go out. Telling me interesting stories when I need companion for conversation and be silent when I want to rest.” The officer listened carefully and replied, “I understand you need television.”
There is a saying that a perfect match can only be found between a blind wife and a deaf husband ,because the blind wife cannot see the faults of the husband and the deaf husband cannot hear the nagging of the wife. Many couples are blind and deaf at the courting stage and dream of perpetual perfect relationship. Unfortunately, when the excitement of love wears off, they wake up and discover that marriage is not a bed of roses. The nightmare begins.
NO OVERPOWERING
Many relationships fail because one party tries to overpower another,or demands too much. People in love tend to think that love will conquer all and their spouses will change the bad habits after marriage. Actually, this is not the case. There is a Chinese saying which carries the meaning that “It is easier to reshape a mountain or a river than a person’s character.”
It is not easy to change. Thus, having high expectation on changing the spouse character will cause disappointment and unpleasantness.
It would be less painful to change ourselves and lower our expectations..
RIGHT SPEECH
There is a Chinese saying which carries the meaning that “A speech will either prosper or ruin a nation.” Many relationships break off because of wrong speech. When a couple is too close with each other,we always forget mutual respect and courtesy. We may say anything without considering if it would hurt the other party.
A friend and her millionaire husband visited their construction site. A worker who wore a helmet saw her and shouted,”Hi, Emily! Remember me? We used to date in the secondary school.” On the way home, her millionaire husband teased her, “Luckily you married me.Otherwise you will be the wife of a construction worker.” She answered ,”You should appreciate that you married me. Otherwise, he will be the millionaire and not you.”
Frequently exchanging these remarks plants the seed for a bad relationship. It’s like a broken egg - cannot be reversed.
PERSONAL PERCEPTION
Different people have different perception. One man’s meat could be another man’s poison. A couple bought a donkey from the market. On the way home,a boy commented, “Very stupid. Why neither of them ride on the donkey?”Upon hearing that, the husband let the wife ride on the donkey. He walked besides them. Later, an old man saw it and commented, “The husband is the head of family. How can the wife ride on the donkey while the husband is on foot?” Hearing this, the wife quickly got down and let the husband ride on the donkey.
Further on the way home, they met an old Lady. She commented, “How can the man ride on the donkey but let the wife walk. He is no gentleman.”
The husband thus quickly asked the wife to join him on the donkey. Then, they met a young man. He commented, “Poor donkey, how can you hold up the weight of two persons. They are cruel to you.” Hearing that, the husband and wife immediately climbed down from the donkey and carried it on their shoulders.
It seems to be the only choice left. Later, on a narrow bridge, the donkey was frightened and struggled. They lost their balance and fell into the river. You can never have everyone praise you, nor will everyone condemn you. Never in the past, not at present, and never will be in the future.
Thus, do not be too bothered by others words if our conscience is clear..
BE PATIENT
This is a true story which happened in the States. A man came out of his home to admire his new truck. To his puzzlement, his three-year-old son was happily hammering dents into the shiny paint of the truck. The man ran to his son, knocked him away, hammered the little boy’s hands into pulp as punishment. When the father calmed down, he rushed his son to the hospital.
Although the doctor tried desperately to save the crushed bones, he finally had to amputate the fingers from both the boy’s hands. When the boy woke up from the surgery & saw his bandaged stubs, he innocently said, ” Daddy,I’m sorry about your truck.” Then he asked, “but when are my fingers going to grow back?” The father went home & committed
suicide.
Think about this story the next time someone steps on your feet or u wish to take revenge. Think first before u lose your patience with someone u love. Trucks can be repaired.. Broken bones & hurt feelings often can’t. Too often we fail to recognize the difference between the person and the performance. We forget that forgiveness is greater than revenge.
People make mistakes. We are allowed to make mistakes. But the actions we take while in a rage will haunt us forever.
Tags:Life, Love and Relationship, Personal, Tips
Read 58 times by 25 visitors
Aging and How to Stay Young - George Carlin’s Views on Aging
Friday, September 7th, 2007I received this message from an e-mail. I thought it was another one of those chain e-mails circulating in the internet which threatens to kill your mother or your loved one. But I read it anyway despite my dislike to chain e-mails.
IF YOU DON’T READ THIS TO THE VERY END, YOU HAVE LOST A DAY IN YOUR LIFE. AND WHEN YOU HAVE FINISHED, DO AS I AM DOING AND SEND IT ON.
George Carlin’s Views on Aging
Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we’re kids? If you’re less than 10 years old, you’re so excited about aging that you think in fractions.
“How old are you?” “I’m four and a half!” You’re never thirty-six and a half. You’re four and a half, going on five! That’s the key!!
You get into your teens, now they can’t hold you back.
You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.
“How old are you?” “I’m gonna be 16!” You could be 13, but hey, you’re gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life . . . you BECOME 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony. YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!
But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There’s no fun now, you’re just a sour-dumpling. What’s wrong? What’s changed?
You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you’re PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it’s all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone.
But wait!!! You MAKE IT to 60. You didn’t think you would!
So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE IT to 60.
You’ve built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it’s a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!
You get into your 80s and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30 ; you REACH bedtime and it doesn’t end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; “I Was JUST 92.”
Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. “I’m 100 and a half!”
May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!
HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay “them.”
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” And the devil’s name is Alzheimer’s.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it’s family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.
Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health : If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9 Don’t take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER : Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
And if you don’t send this to at least 8 people - who cares? But do share this with someone. We all need to live life to its fullest each day!!
Tags:Aging, Health, Health Tips, Healthy Lifestyle, Life, Tips
Read 71 times by 23 visitors
How to Prepare for the August 2007 Philippine Licensure Exam for Physicians
Wednesday, July 25th, 2007The August 2007 Philippine Licensure Exam for Physicians is fast approaching. How do you prepare for it? Here are few tips you can follow:
1. Follow these tips from The House Officer’s Survival Guide: Rules, Laws, Lists and Other Medical Musings, by Lawrence Martin, M.D for It is written for doctors in training, but will also be of interest to medical students, and practicing physicians who must take recertifying exams.
2. Get good reviewers and focus on one study material per subject area. This way, you can concentrate more and it won’t take more of your time. Of course you will still need the “big” text books for clarification of some points you can’t understand while taking the review.
3. To attend to review center or not? Some successful passers do not advocate attending review center while others do. It would depend on the person’s preference.
4. Follow your own schedule and not of others. If you can’t make an overnight review, then don’t. Because you might end up sleeping all day the next day. An overworked mind also fails to function sometimes. If your study hours is only 4 hours, don’t force yourself to study for longer number hours. Chances are, you will not retain most of them. If you need to extend your study time, you can slowly increase the time day by day so your body can adjust well to the new “stress.”
5. To study alone or attend on a group study? Again this will depend on your preference. If you can function well with a group then organize a small discussion group. Some prefers to study alone so they can concentrate more with less annoyance.
6. Do not cram!
7. Most importantly, pray!
Schedule for the Exam:
Aug 4 (Saturday)
8am-10am (Biochemistry)
11am-1pm (Anatomy, Histology, Neuroanatomy)
2pm-4pm (Microbiology, Parasitology)
Aug 5 (Sunday)
8am-10am (Physiology)
11am-1pm (Legal Medicine, Medical Jurisprudence)
2pm-4pm (Pathology)
Aug 11 (Saturday)
8am-10am (Pharmacology and Therapeutics)
11am-1pm (Surgery, Ophthalmology, ENT)
2pm-4pm (Internal Medicine)
Aug 12 (Sunday)
8am-10am (Obstetrics, Gynecology)
11am-1pm (Pediatrics and Nutrition)
2pm-4pm (Preventive Medicine and Public Health)
Good luck to all incoming doctors!
Tags:Board Exam, Education, Health, How To, howto, Legal Medicine, Medical Books, Medicine, Philippines, Study Tips, Tips
Read 50 times by 20 visitors
Free e-Books for your PDA or cellphone
Saturday, July 21st, 2007Personal digital assistants (PDAs) or handheld computers, commonly known as palmtop computers, has evolved from simple organizers to being an e-book library plus several other uses. PDAs provided convenience to read and study your books anywhere. Recently released mobile phones also offer the convenience of storing e-books.
Where to find free e-books?
1. Memoware provides free ebook titles for your PDA. Memoware is a unique collection of thousands of documents (databases, literature, maps, technical references, lists, etc.) specially formatted to be easily added to your PalmOS device, Pocket PC, Windows CE, EPOC, Symbian or other handheld device. The documents available come in a variety of formats and cover a wide range of topics - from fiction to nonfictional.
Files are available in different file formats. Premium e-books titles are also available.
2. ManyBooks.net provides free eBooks for your PDA, iPod, or eBook reader. There are many categories to choose from. All of the eBooks from Manybooks.net are free. Many of the eBooks are from the November, 2003 Project Gutenberg DVD, which contains the entire Project Gutenberg archives.
3. Olive Tree Bible Software provides Bible versions and study tools for Palm OS, Pocket PC, Smartphone and Symbian cell phones, and BlackBerry devices.
Over 80 electronic translations of the Bible as well as commentaries, dictionaries, devotionals, eBooks, and Strong’s numbering system. The Bible is offered in various languages, including German, French, Spanish, Chinese and many others. Original Hebrew and Greek texts are also available.
4. Project Gutenberg first and largest single collection of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.
5. Medical E-Books. Medical e-Books.org provides a large collection of free health and medical ebooks, mostly available in PDF. Medical Isilo Depot is collection of medical documents created for use with the iSilo, a highly versatile document reader available for Palm OS®, Pocket PC, Windows Mobile Smartphone, Sybmain UIQ, Symbian Series 60, and Windows® CE Handheld PC handhelds, as well as for Windows® computers. Medical Heaven also provides is another source of free medical and nursing e-books.
Tags:Free E books, Free Stuff, Literature, Medicine, Tips
Read 121 times by 35 visitors
Different Ways to Download Music Videos and Movies to Your Cellphone
Saturday, July 21st, 2007Do you wish to play your favorite videos in your cell phone? Here are several ways to do that.
1. Downloading from popular video sites plus file conversion. One of the best resources to download music videos is YouTube.com. Currently direct download is not a feature, you need video downloaders to aid you. Mashable.com provided a good list of some of the video downloaders available. Highly recommended is YouTubex to do the job for me. The files downloaded are of .flv type which means it is not supported by your cellphone. Thus, you need a converter for file conversion to .3gp type. You can use Movie2x Free 3GP Converter.
A FireFox plugin, Convert & Download Youtube (Firefox) 2.0, lets you download and convert FLV to 3gp and other supported file types for FREE. Download your favorite video directly from YouTube and convert to your mobile phone with one mouse click.
After you have converted the files, you can now upload your .3gp video file format into your cellphone.
2. Through Google Search. Downloading plus conversion take time but TechRecipes provided a technique using Google Search with no P2P or torrents required.
3. Through direct downloading into your cellphone.
e-How.com provided tips on how to directly download YouTube videos to your cellphone without using any software or media converter.
4. Through using software that directly converts videos to cellphone- or iPod-friendly file types. Lenogo Youtube Video to iPod Transfer 2.0 enables users to transfer any YouTube or Google Video straight to their iPods or cellphones. Browse internet videos and the program will start downloading your desired movies and converting them to an iPod-friendly or cellphone-supported types format automatically. This is a shareware which means that the software is free during the 30-day trial period and you have to purchase after to continue using it.
5. Through directly downloading your uploaded videos. Mixxer, now called 3Guppies, lets you upload videos (file types supported are flv, asf, wmv, avi, mov, mp4, mpg, qt, 3gp) from your desktop. They will be formatted for your cell phone and you will be sent a download link. Then automatically download it through your phone. However, this program does not support all countries.
Tags:Computer, Free Movies, Free Music Videos, Free Services, Free Stuff, How To, Internet, Online Video Sharing, Tips
Read 64 times by 25 visitors
Videos: Different graphical multiplication tricks
Monday, July 16th, 2007…for beginners?! Aside from the classical method of multiplication, there are interesting ways to solve a multiplication problem.
The Easy Mental Trick
The Graphical Method with the aid of circles and grid lines
It is a method of multiplying large numbers using a grid. This method breaks the multiplication process into smaller steps, which some students find easier. Digits to be carried are written within the grid, making them harder to miss. For explanation of the video, please click here.
These methods, except for the Lattice Method, are not yet proven accurate, thus, it is still recommended that you use the traditional way of solving your multiplication problems.
Tags:Education, School, Science, Tips
Read 19 times by 10 visitors
Safety Tip: Switch off your iPod during thunderstorms
Saturday, July 14th, 2007Listening to your iPod during thunderstorms is really not a good idea, experts say. The reason isn’t aesthetics — it’s safety. A recent case of a 37-year-old, iPod-wearing Canadian man, who had sustained multiple injuries after a tree nearby was hit by a lightning, was described in the July 12 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.
The patient had second-degree burns on his chest and left leg. In addition, two linear burns extended along his anterior chest and neck to the sides of his face, terminating in substantial burns in the external auditory meatus bilaterally, corresponding to the positions of his earphones at the time of the lightning strike. Both of his tympanic membranes were ruptured, and he had a severe conductive hearing deficit. He also had a mandibular fracture.
According to experts, although people may be struck directly by lightning, it is more common for the lightning to jump to a person from a nearby object, such as a tree — known as side flash phenomenon.
The skin has high resistance to electric current. Unless something interrupts the flow, the lightning is often conducted over the surface of the body - called a “flashover.”
This phenomenon didn’t happen to the patient. His iPod didn’t draw the lightning strike. But when the flashover hit the iPod resting against the man’s sweaty skin, it drew in the powerful electric current. The man was thrown approximately 8 ft (2.4 m) from the tree, which has caused an additional blunt trauma to the patient.
Although the iPod does not increase your risk being struck by a lightning, it poses another danger.
Tags:Health, Health Tips, Safety Tips, Tips
Read 44 times by 15 visitors
WordPress Upgrades and Problems: What should you learn
Monday, July 9th, 2007For several days, this blog was off line; all because of my carelessness. I tried to upgrade my WordPress installation to 2.2.1 through Fantastico, without trying it first with my test blog. The upgrade ruined everything. The pages suddenly were not accessible. I was desperately looking for ways to make this blog work again but I always failed. Fortunately, through exploring my cPanel and using several articles and help topics available on the web, I was able to find the solution to my problem. But of course, I had some lessons learned, I want to share so you can also avoid careless mistakes:
1. Never use Fantastico in upgrading your WordPress installation. Chances are, there might be bugs or changes in the server you might be unaware of that may cause problems in the upgrade process. A manual upgrade is highly recommended.
Although Fantastico is the most convenient way to upgrade your installation through its one-click install feature, you are not assured that the installed version is working properly. To avoid this, you can create a test blog to work all your changes before applying them to your blog.
3. Do not forget to back up your currently working database before upgrading. I am re-emphasizing it because it seems that many users forget this very important step. I take myself as a very good example.
4. Do not immediately upgrade a working installation of WordPress to a newest released version. Chances are, some plugins might not be compatible with the latest version.
5. Check all the possible causes of your problem before making any drastic moves such as deleting or removing your database out of frustration. Solutions are always available, you only have to find out how. Be patient. Find answers through help or support topics available on the web that may serve as your guide.
6. Always ask help. Post a support topics at the WordPress support forums or at your web host support forums (if any). Members always have good suggestions.
Tags:Blogging, Internet, Online Tips, Tips, WordPress, Wordpress Plugins, WordPress Themes
Read 41 times by 18 visitors
Search for a board passer easily
Sunday, June 24th, 2007Everybody is excited to know the results for the recently held licensure examination for Philippine nurses on June 2007. But, excitement sometimes brings into frustration when you have to scroll down the roll of successful examinees, from a thousand, to look for your name.
Here are some lazy ways to easily look up a board passer:
1. Go to your favorite search engine.
2. Type in the name of the one you’re searching for then click enter
3. You’re done. If you see your name, it means celebration.
If it turns out the other way around, don’t lose hope yet, you can confirm it through scroll over the list of examinees. Who knows, search engines might have missed your name.
Tags:Board Exam, Education, Examination Results, Health, Medicine, Tips
Read 102 times by 36 visitors
15 Ways to Make Your Food Safer
Friday, June 22nd, 2007WebMD lists 15 ways to make your foods safer:
1. Consider your source. Eating locally grown food is becoming more popular, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safer than supermarket produce.
2. Map your supermarket route. Don’t cruise the store aisles aimlessly. Gather nonperishable items first, fresh or frozen goods last. That strategy minimizes the time that perishable goods sit in your shopping cart instead of in a freezer or refrigerator.
3. Be choosy. Select fresh produce that isn’t bruised or damaged. Check that eggs aren’t cracked. Look for a clean meat or fish counter and a clean salad bar. Don’t buy bulging or dented cans, cracked jars, or jars with loose or bulging lids. If fresh-cut produce (such as half a watermelon or bagged salad mixes) is on your shopping list, choose those that are refrigerated or surrounded by ice.
4. Pack it up. At the grocery store, bag fresh fruits and vegetables separately from meat, poultry, and seafood products.
Bring an ice chest to keep frozen or perishable items if it will take more than an hour to get those items home.
No ice chest? If it’s hot outside, put the groceries in the air-conditioned passenger area of your car instead of putting them in the trunk, which may not have air-conditioning.
5. Keep your kitchen clean. Wash your cutting boards, countertops, refrigerator, pots, and utensils regularly in hot, soapy water, especially after they’ve been in contact with raw meat, poultry, and seafood.
6. Check your cutting boards. They shouldn’t have lots of cracks and crevices where bacteria can lurk.
7. Sanitize. The FDA recommends periodically sanitizing your cutting boards, countertops, and kitchen sink drain with a homemade mixture of one teaspoon of chlorine bleach to one quart of water.
Sponges and dishcloths can house bacteria, so wash them weekly in hot water in the washing machine.
8. Store your food properly. Refrigerate frozen and perishable items as soon as possible.
Don’t store foods near household chemicals or cleaning products. Some produce — like onions and potatoes — don’t need to go in the refrigerator, but don’t store them under the sink, where they could be damaged by leaky pipes.
9. Check the refrigerator and freezer temperature. Set the refrigerator temperature to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, set the freezer to zero degrees Fahrenheit.
Use a refrigerator thermometer to check those temperatures periodically.
10. Wash your hands. Before you handle food, lather up with soap and hot water, washing your hands for at least 20 seconds. Repeat after handling produce, meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs.
11. Wash fruits and vegetables in running water. A small scrub brush may help, but don’t use soap or other detergents to wash produce.
What about produce washes? “All of these solutions and washes may have some applications but studies show that washing with water is as safe as anything else,” says Pillai, who calls water the “most effective, the safest, and the cheapest” way to wash produce.
12. Thaw foods in the refrigerator, not on the countertop. It may take longer, but it’s safer.
13. Cook foods thoroughly. Use a meat thermometer to make sure meat is fully cooked. Never put cooked meats on an unwashed plate or platter that has held raw meat.
14. Store leftovers safely. Refrigerate leftovers in tight containers as soon as possible and use them within three days. When in doubt, throw it out.
15. Maintain perspective. “There’s no such thing as a zero risk,” says Pillai. â€There’s no such thing as a sterile product.”
Tags:Diet and Nutrition, Health, Health Tips, Healthy Lifestyle, Medicine, Tips
Read 150 times by 52 visitors
How Yogurt is used in Acne Treatment
Friday, June 22nd, 2007A reader of this blog asked,
i have pimples and a lot of marks on my face
i dont know how to get rid of the marks though
i wanted to make sure if using yoghurt is a good ideathanks
I didn’t actually have the idea that yogurt is used to prevent acne until this question was raised up. Doing my research, I’ve found out that there are actually yogurts especially formulated for acne treatment.
Here’s what I found out. Yogurt is a great moisturizer and helps soothe red spots and pimples! Yogurt has lactic acid which softens, and tightens the skin and refines the pores. Its high nutrient content and natural antibacterial and antifungal properties also get rid of germs and other bacteria. We know that one of the causes of acne is clogging up of dirt in your pores which serves as friendly environment for bacteria.
Tags:Acne Vulgaris, Health, Health Information, Health Tips, Medicine, Skin Problems, Teens Health, Tips
Read 169 times by 49 visitors
Dengue Cases in the Philippines surged to 6.8% - DOH
Wednesday, June 20th, 2007The Department of Health (DOH) has ordered hospitals to reactivate “Dengue Express Lanes” due to a 6.8 percent upsurge in the number of dengue cases in the country. There have been 7,361 reported dengue cases from January 1 to June 2, 2007, compared to just 6,695 cases during the same period last year. 73 people have already died of dengue in the past five months.
To make the matter worse, Dr. Eric Tayag, the director of the DOH-National Epidemiology Center, dengue fever has become “hyper endemic” which means it’s already too late for efforts to reduce the number of cases to its previous level.
This is because all four strains of the dengue causing virus are active and are being spread by the mosquito aedes aegypti at the same time; unlike last year, when only one strain of the virus was being spread.
Global warming was also said to be one of the culprits of the increase in incidence.
Warmer temperatures caused by global warming make mosquitoes more hungry for blood and therefore bite people more often in order to feed. Blood makes the mosquito to lay eggs more often thus [there is an] increase in mosquito population. This increased feeding, in turn, completes and perpetuates a deadly cycle: more eggs laid results in more mosquitoes being born, which grow into more carriers of the deadly dengue virus strains.
Further, with four strains of the dengue virus as potential agents of infection, a person can become ill with dengue as many as four times. This is because a person only gains immunity from one strain of the virus at a time. Moreover, subsequent dengue infections following the first would be more serious for the person getting the disease.
Prevention
The DOH advised the public to strictly observe measures in its nationwide anti-dengue campaign. The anti-dengue campaign is now a year-round concern, since dengue cases are now reported during the wet and dry seasons.
The measures in the anti-dengue campaign include the following four “S-es”:
Seek and destroy mosquito breeding places. These include all containers that colle