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clubpenguinisdabest@gmail.com is very persistant

February 11, 2010 by admin.

Over the past several months I have been alerted to a user with an email address of clubpenguinisdabest@gmail.com. This is not a “real” person interested in my blog. This email is one of those people known as a “forum spammer”. Typically the user will register and ask for permission to post messages and then proceed to post huge amounts of SPAM about topics from Viagra to Percocet from online pharmacies. This user has many email addresses including johnzjnr@email.org , annetzjnr@hotmail.com, gregorzpitt@xmail.org, janezlittle@email.net, magicalbbgun@gmail.com, mileszyandext@email.net, veleszfrances@e-mail.comamoung others.  The user has numerous different user-names including clubpenguincheat, cpcheat, clubpenguincode and clubpenguinbookcodes.

 This person happens to be from France, but they come from all around the world. They have been bombarding my user registrations with attempts at posting in forums (which I don’t have) and also in replies to my posts.

 I just wanted to alert my readers about the problems associated with running a blog. Not only do bloggers have to be responsible for their posts (or get sued) but we also have to fend off the little dogs that try and diminish our blog content with SPAM. I sort of hope that clubpenguin could read English, that way he may go away. It’s obvious to all my readers that I do not allow posts from people I do not know.

 If you write a blog or have users in a website forum, be sure to check out www.stopforumspam.com it has been a great help in identifying the SPAMMERS and preventing their abuse from destroying a blog.

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Common Telemarketing Scams - Knowledge is power, share with a friend.

February 5, 2010 by admin.

Here is a great article I found on recent phone scams: 

I had no idea that telemarketing fraud comes in so many flavors. The variations include ‘cramming’, ’slamming’, credit card scams, calls from telemarketers pretending to be IRS, sweepstakes and lotteries scams, advance fee  loan scams, phone toner scams, fat finger dialing scams, and area code phone scams.

Typically the goal is to get you to reveal personal, bank account information, or to make you do something that will result in unwanted charges on your account. Individuals and businesses are equally affected by these scams although the schemes might be different.

In this article I will outline the 16 most popular phone scams. I am sure there are more, so if you have been a victim of a phone scam, or you know of a phone scam not mentioned here, please share it with me and the readers in the comments.

Send this article to your family members, co-workers, and employees. Give it to your teenage kids and elderly parents (studies show they are the most vulnerable to the scams). As the old saying goes, “Forewarned is Forearmed”.

  1. One of the ‘hottest’ scams in the telemarketing industry these days involves companies that sell Auto-Warranties. It’s usually a robo-call. The recording starts with: “This is your final notice! The warranty on your car is about to expire…” Of course, the caller has no idea whether you even have a car, not to mention its warranty. After the recording is played you are connected to a live operator who often refuses to send anything in the mail until you make your first payment. The experienced salesman will use high-pressure tactics rushing you into making a payment.

    Victims, who fell for the scam and “extended their warranties” report that the companies often fail to send any paperwork and routinely deny policy payments.

    Tracing the calls to the companies is difficult. The calls often come from telemarketing centers located overseas. Also, the companies often spoof their caller ID information to display someone’s else’s real number. When people receive these calls they dial the number they see on Caller ID and leave angry messages for an unsuspecting victim. Two-three days later the telemarketers change the Caller ID number and the scam continues.

  2. Another phone scam involves calls from “Prize Distribution Centers” that claim that you are the winner in sweepstakes or a lottery. Of course, you are not the only “winner” in the lottery and tens of thousands of people received the same call. The goal of the scheme is to entice you to make a relatively small payment (for example, shipping and handling fee, a sales tax) promising that a much bigger prize will be sent your way. Once the payment is sent, you will most likely not hear from the company again, and a promised “Lincoln Navigator” will not find its way to your driveway.
  3. Offers to Lower Your Interest Rates: The calls begin with a recording that makes a tempting offer to lower your credit-card interest rates. Then you are switched to a live agent who collects from you the credit card number and its expiration, name, address, and in some cases even your social security number. The telemarketers have no intention of giving consumers better interest rates on their cards and instead use the information to commit identity theft and run up unwanted charges.

    Again, tracing these scam artists is difficult: they spoof the caller ID information and use numerous VOIP accounts set up using stolen credit cards. The best thing to do is hang up, report the call to FTC and warn others through 800notes.com.

  4. Fake Bank Alert Messages: A fake message from a local bank says that your card is being suspended and that you need to call this toll free number to activate it. Of course, the toll free number does not belong to the bank and when you call they ask to verify your account information, which includes your name, date of birth, SSN, address, credit card number, etc. Once they have your personal information, they can use it to commit identity theft charging your existing credit cards, opening new credit card, checking, or savings accounts, writing fraudulent checks, or taking out loans in your name.
  5. Advanced Fee Loan Scams: In this scenario a telemarketer promises a consumer a loan or a credit card on very attractive terms. All the consumer has to do is just send a processing fee, or provide checking account info, and the offer was guaranteed. To make the offer sound even more attractive the scammers might throw in a free laptop, an iPod, or any other ‘hot item’. After the payment is made the company disappears, and the victim is often left with an empty checking account and NSF (Non-sufficient funds) bank fees.
  6. Fat Finger Dialing Scam: A simple mistake in dialing - or writing down - a phone number can be costly. The type of con it plays into is called a “fat finger dialing” scam. Consumers make a mistake dialing a number and end up connected to someone who leads them down a rip-off path. Almost any frequently called number is likely to be a target for the “fat finger” approach. Take the national number for the Do Not Call list run by the Federal Trade Commission. The correct number is (888) 382-1222. But if you are off by just one digit, you can end up calling a number that tells you the number has been changed. The number it directs you to call will charge you $5.49 plus an “administrative recovery fee,” for “a new national directory assistance service.”
  7. Free Listing at Yellow Pages:  This scam targets businesses. The caller says that he is from Yellow Pages and is calling to update their records. He proceeds by asking to confirm some basic information such as owner’s name, business phone number, address, and company name. Then they start billing the victim and only then the business owner realizes that it’s not a free listing and it was not Yellow Pages directory that called.

    The victims report that when they call to complain, the company plays the recorded conversation with the victim saying ‘Yes’ except that the caller is reading from a completely different script. The scammers replace one side of the conversation, making it sound as if the business owner agreed to a paid listing and a monthly fee.

  8. Bogus Fund-Raising Operations: 800Notes.com users report getting calls from scam artists posing as a charity and asking for donations. However, the charity is either non-existent or unaware of the solicitation.

    When it comes to donations, it’s best to never make donations over the phone and donate directly to the beneficiary not the solicitor. This way 100% of your money will go to the charity not 10-15% as it often happens when donations are made through a telemarketer or even 0% if the money goes to a bogus charity.

  9. International Phone Calls Scam: It’s not always easy to tell if you’re dialing an international telephone number. In most cases, you have to dial 011 to begin a call to a foreign country. However, there are locations outside the U.S. where telephone numbers may look like domestic long-distance calls, but are actually international calls and international rates will apply.

    For example, 284 (British Virgin Islands), 242(Bahamas), 246(Barbados), 268(Antigua/Barbuda), 345(Cayman Islands), 664(Montserrat), 670 (U.S. commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands), 758(St. Lucia), 787(Puerto Rico), 767(Dominica), 809(Dominican Republic), 869(St. Kitts & Nevis), 868(Trinidad & Tobago), and 876(Jamaica) are all area codes in the Caribbean.

    The scheme: the scammer often leaves a message typically asking consumers to call what appears to be an ordinary long-distance telephone number to confirm a lottery prize, or to get information about a relative who has been injured in an accident. In each case, you are told to call the number right away. Since there are so many new area codes these days, people unknowingly return the calls. Once the number is dialed, the scam artist will try to keep you on the phone as long as possible to increase the charges. Unfortunately, when you get your phone bill, you might find that you’ve been charged $2500 per minute.

    If you are asked to call unknown number, google the area code to check if it’s local. Also, ask your cell phone and land line companies to put a block on international calls. This way you will hear an error message when you try to call an international number.

  10. Phone Toner Scam: The scam artist poses as a warehouse representative or vendor and makes contact with a targeted company. He will say “This is (first name), I need the model number off your copier”. If the person who answers gives this info, the scammers will try to set up a shipment of toner. Of course, the deal is so good that the offer is based on a limited supply or limited time, pressuring the employee to act fast and get their money’s worth. Upon delivery, both the employee and the company are usually in for a big surprise. The price of the invoiced toner is 2-3 times higher than expected, and the scam artist threatens with legal fines if the company fails to pay.
  11. “Cramming“: When monthly charges pop up on your telephone bill for optional services that you never authorized such as voice mail, paging, or club membership, it’s called “cramming.” You may be asked to return a missed call because it’s ‘Your lucky day’ and you’ve won a trip to Las Vegas. When the call is made, an automated system is activated and you are unknowingly enrolled in a club or program, and the charge is placed on your phone bill. The crammer might not even need to do anything except simply pick your phone number out of the blue and place charges on your bill through your local telephone company, claiming that you agreed to purchase some services.

    Look at your bill closely every month. Charges for optional services should be itemized and show the name of the company providing them and its phone number. If you did not authorize the services, call that number and insist that they be canceled and the charges removed from your bill.

    Also, consider putting a third party block on your phone service. It’s often free and it does not let any third party add charges to your phone bill.

  12. “Slamming“: Slamming occurs when customers have their telephone service switched to a new carrier without their permission. You may receive a call from a telemarketer asking you to switch your long distance provider. Although you say you are not interested in switching, your long distance provider is changed anyway.
  13. Caller ID Spoofing: Generally, the scam works like this - you receive a call where total strangers pretend to be someone else and they back up their claims with spoofed Caller ID. The scam artists might then ask for money, demand a payment, request your personal information, addresses, or banking info. People report getting calls from ‘Secretary of State’, grandchildren, law firms, IRS, and government officials.
    • For example, in one scheme the caller identified himself as a court official and informed the victim that she is being prosecuted for failing to show up for Jury Duty. When the victim replies that this is the first time she hears that she was summoned for jury duty, the caller suggests that this may be a clerical error in the court system, and he asks for her full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number to check the official summons files. The scam artist informs the victim that this data will be kept confidential, but it is required for cancellation of the outstanding arrest warrant.
    • In another variation of this scam ‘government officials’ call to offer a ‘Government Grant‘: ‘Because you pay your income taxes on time, you have been awarded a $12,500 government grant! To get your free grant, simply give us your checking account information, and we will deposit the grant into your bank account!’  You may receive a message like this, where the caller claims to be from a government agency or some other organization with an official sounding name. The caller might claim that you will qualify to receive a “free grant” to pay for education costs, home repairs, home business expenses, or bills. In any case, the claim is the same: your application for a grant is guaranteed to be accepted, and you’ll never have to pay the money back.
    • Scam IRS calls: In this scheme people receive phone calls from a caller who impersonates an IRS employee. The caller asks the taxpayer for their Social Security and bank account numbers, claiming that the IRS needs the information to complete the processing of the taxayer’s payment. In another variation of the scheme, ‘an IRS employee’ states that the check issued by IRS has not been cashed, and the IRS is calling to verify the individual’s bank account number.

    Hang up, find the official number of the organization and call to report the incident. Also, don’t send money - cash, check or money order - by courier, overnight delivery or wire to anyone who insists on immediate payment.

  14. Call Forwarding Scam: You may receive a call or message where the caller, requests you to dial a 2-digit code preceded or followed by the * or # key (such as *79 or 72#), and then another phone number to claim some prize. This procedure programs your telephone to forward your calls to another number, possibly a toll or long distance number. Scammers can then call your number, be forwarded to the number you dialed and place calls that are billed to your home telephone number.
  15. Telemarketing Travel Fraud: These scams have many variations and often involve travel packages that sound legitimate. You get a phone call and the caller is saying that you have been selected to receive a free trip. Skilled salespeople will tell you, to be eligible for the free trip, you must join their travel club. Later, you may find another fee is required to make your reservation. In the end, you may never get your “free” trip because your reservations are never confirmed or you must pay different fees, or comply with hard-to-meet or expensive conditions.

    Check out the company with your state, provincial and local consumer protection office before you buy any product or service. Also, be wary of “great deals” and free offers. Few legitimate businesses can afford to give away products and services of real value or substantially undercut other companies’ prices.

  16. Get Rich Quick Schemes: Scam artists lure both would-be entrepreneurs and people looking for home-based work with false promises of big earnings for little effort. The schemes often require an initial investment and involve selling items on Ebay or making sales calls. However, once the payment is sent the companies often disappear.

The truth is everyone is susceptible to phone scams. Scam artists will devise a highly believable story to solicit information from their victims. That’s why it is important to never give out any personal information over the phone if you are not the one who initiated the call even if that person claims to be a law enforcement official or someone from your financial institution. If you are returning a missed call, research the caller first.

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Motorola Droid - my first few days

February 4, 2010 by admin.

WTF? I really mean that. This really cool phone is baffling me and making me want to dash it against the wall. Here is what is happening:The silly DROID

  • The battery lasts about 4 hours
  • The phone dial screen disappears between button presses
  • the screen shuts off even though it is set to 30-minutes
  • the phone charges soooo sloowww
  • Using the phone while charging is difficult because of the power plug position
  • the audio quality of the speakerphone is terrible
  • I can’t get the stupid thing to SEND email (it receives)

So I am NOT happy with the Droid. I am a bit of a techno junkie so I like to learn and use new equipment. But this thing seems to be poorly designed.

 I will do a full report next week, but for now I would NOT recommend the DROID to anyone I like…  maybe to people I want to be miserable.

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Magellan Roadmate 1700 - bigger screen is better

January 4, 2010 by admin.

My Cadillac’s GPS changed my life. My wife is great at lots of stuff, but she is a lousy co-pilot. When we are traveling my wife and I would often fight about the directions she offers as I drive. Sometimes I travel outside of the USA, but in most cases there is so much I have not seen here in the States that we travel America. My wife’s driving directions often include such wise advice as “just circle while I figure out where North is” and “it’s probably back behind us a few miles”. Neither of those statements make me very happy.

When I got my Caddy in 2008 it came with a Nav system. From that minute forward I swore I would NEVER travel without a GPS in my car if I left Lee County. I have become so reliant on the Nav system that I use it everywhere. I find locations, restaurants, public facilities and more.

Naturally when we bought our used recreational vehicle (RV) I had to have a GPS before we took a trip to any unknown parts. I was looking around and comparing features when I discovered the Magellan Roadmate 1700.  I  immediately stopped looking when I saw the 1700. Features like Bluetooth, multiple accents/dialects of English or MP3 meant nothing when I gazed at the gigantic SEVEN inch screen!

 Smaller is better with some stuff, but bigger is absolutely better when it comes to screen size of a GPS. Especially for 50+ eyeballs that squint at roadsigns at night.

I read all the reviews online about GPS devices. I read all the reviews I could find about the 1700, which were slim since it was new. Most of the nay sayers mentioned the lack of features like Mp3 or Bluetooth. The only features that mattered to me were mapping, text to speech and the big honking seven inch screen! After all, what I was buying was a device to help me find my way, not an entertainment device. Every car already has a radio.

So, on to the thousand mile road-test. I first used the 1700 in my Scion Xb to find an address in Lehigh Acres, FL. It found the location perfectly, in spite of the fact that the address was on a dirt road in an area of new homes. Then I unplugged the unit and re-installed it into my RV for a trip to Charleston, SC.

This would be a real test. The device would have to find rural campgrounds, restaurants, historic sites, shopping, parks, detours and more. The most disconcerting feature was the way the 1700 rotated the screen image to show your destination directly in front of you. This seems to be automatic and not manually controlled. Since I was leaving Florida, I was used to seeing the State in its usual position, aimed downward from Jacksonville to the Southernmost point  Key West. But when I was headed East, the map rotated, placing Key West to my right and Jacksonville to my left. It was a little disorienting. On my Caddys Nav System the rotation can be manually overridden. I did not see where the 1700 could  be set manually. Any manual adjustments would disappear after a few moments. This means if you zoom in or out on your map it will  return to the default position after 30 seconds of not touching the screen. But the map does zoom into any location automatically that would  be requiring a turn or navigation.

 I liked the way the screen showed highway signs and spoke the road names. I also like the way the GPS would remind you to stay in the proper lane when the road split. My Caddys Nav System just assumes you will stay on track until the next turn. Sometimes the road signs are very confusing and I found these little reminders very helpful. The only strange thing about the “voice” is the way “she” describes the type of turn. “She” will call turns either “soft”, “slight” or “hard”. The difference between the two is random as far as I can see. I have heard 90-degree turns called “slight right turn” and I have heard a curve in the road called a “hard right turn”. But, I can ignore those little foibles.

So, out of 100 different turns and direction changes the system was 95% accurate. This is roughly the same as my Cadillac Nav System. The biggest problems were always in areas with locations on the opposite side of divided parkways. Those areas would often cause both units to suggest U-turn after U-turn, circling the boulevards near destinations.

Now the other stuff. The Magellan 1700 has two types of directories, the AAA and its own Magellan directory. I liked the triple A ratings on restaurants. The Magellan Directory sometimes provided more returns on searches. But neither was flawless, they missed some very good places. But, overall, they were a BIG help on my trip finding campgrounds, restaurants, drug stores, tires and just about anything I sought.

So, overall, I would take the larger screen on the Magellan over all the little bells and whistles any day. After all, it’s a navigation system, NOT an entertainment system. Buy one, you’l like it and use it.

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Keychain Remote Car Alarm & Door Open Gizmo is actually VIDEO CAM!

November 11, 2009 by admin.

I LOVE gadgets! This new one is so cool I can’t get over it! I bought it on eBay for $.01 plus $13.99 shipping from Hong Kong.  Total = $14.  This is even cooler than my watch video camera. It looks just like a regular car key-fob but shoots 720X480 30 frames per second video with audio. The gadget shoots up to 2 hours of video per charge. It uses a micro SD card for memory. I bought an 8 gig card for $20 at BJs Wholesale Club store. The 8 gig card will hold 16 hours of video. Nice thing is you can swap out the cards fast if you suspect someone will be checking you out. Pull the micro card and hide it just about anywhere, it’s the size of a quarter of a postage stamp. Even if they find the recorder they will never find the recording.

 The video is really clear. Low light performance suffers a bit. If you wave it around, the video gets a bit skewed while it records. The sound is automatic and will clip a little if very loud sounds are suddenly recorded. White balance is based on the first frame of video, so if you move into different lighting you may see strange orange or blue tinting. The unit also takes 2 Mega-pixel still pics as well.

Imagine always having a video camera and still camera with you… that is actually clearer than  your cell phone. Awesome! I highly advise getting this gadget.

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Softbox Light Kit by PBL useless for most video production

August 18, 2009 by admin.

I was looking for a portable softbox light kit for the field. The latest trend seems to be using the new compact fluorescent bulbs to draw low voltage and emit less light.  I bought a set of those (I will review them later) CFL softbox lights and they did not meet my needs. So I scoured many sources and found a set of 1000W tungsten lights that had built-in dimmers.

The seller had  a rating over 20,000 on ebay and the price was $349 shipped to my door. It seemed there was little to lose with a kit at such a low price. I already owned stands, so if the stands were junk I could use my own. I already owned many carrying bags and cases, so if the case was junk I would use one I already have. If the dimmers worked poorly I could always use my own light controller… well, you get the picture. Here’s the description from the seller on ebay:

“This is a  new professional (SIC)  PBL VL-1000 halogen quartz continuous  2000 watt 2 light kit with variable output. This lighting kit is designed to give professional results.  Each PBL VL-1000 light has variable output from 50 watts to a full 1000 watts of power, just turn the knob. Now you can have just the right amount of light when you need it. This kit will add new dimension USELESS LIGHTSto your photography. Perfect for independent video productions, digital and chromakey studios. These lights can do it all.  Leave them on all day, since they are cooled by a whisper soft fan. The fan increases the life of the bulb. You will be amazed at the difference this light will make in your images. When used with the included 32″x 32″ softboxes you will get shadowless light that will wrap around your subject. No more hot spots. You will be amazed at the difference these lights will make in your images.  They will add magic to every shot. Also included are  reflectors and barndoors so that you can get variation in your lighting set-up. Use the barndoor for direct, hard lighting effects, and the softbox for soft lighting. The possibilities are only up to you. Compatible with all video and digital cameras. Nikon, Canon, Hitachi, Panasonic and JVC.”  

That last part about compatibility was just too cool! To think that there would be some light that would not work with a specific camera was just crazy. I should have told the seller I was using a Sony camera and the listing did not include Sony as being compatible.  But, dispite the temptation, I did not ask. The pictures from the seller showed a lot of promise. There were three bulbs included, which was really nice. The set even had barn doors just in case you wanted to use them as open face lights. I hardly ever use open face lights, but in a pinch they are better than nothing. The dimmer was a clincher. Built-in dimming? That was way cool.

 So I looked through the sellers feedback for hints that the light kit was acceptable to buyers. A few buyers wrote that the kit was very good and well made. Now that sold me. Somebody bought them, used the lights and said they were good. I was happy. I paid the $349 and eagerly awaited the delivery. About a week later the kit arrived. I like getting stuff in the mail or by UPS. It’s like a surprise gift. The UPS guy walks in and for just a minute or so, I forget what I ordered. I sign the UPS-O-Meter and look at the label. Cool! It’s my light kit! I rip off the tape and peer into the large box. There are several boxes and bags wrapped in  plastic and everything looks nice and new. I hate it when people send me items that  were returned by a previous purchaser. It’s always obvious and casts aspersions on the item since it was unwanted by the last buyer. These boxes and bags were sealed and new. 

At first glance it struck me that there were way too many carrying bags. Each stand had a bag, each softbox had a bag and they all fit into yet another bag. But what the heck, no harm. The stands were a bit cheap (as expected) and the lights were plastic, but I had another set of soft lights from JTL that were similarly constructed and lasted for years. It took a few minutes to set up one light. Soft boxes all have their own way of assembling and these were slightly different than Chimera and the JTL lights.  

Once I got a light set up I hit the power button. The light was very even and soft. The dimmer was smooth from about 100 watts up to 1000W. but wait. What was that sound? The lights were equipped with “whisper quiet” fans. Well, if someone was whispering in your ear maybe…  or if they whispered real real loud. So I set up the second light. Together the two lights sounded like a small microwave oven whirring in an adjoining room.

There is no way that you could record audio on camera in an enclosed room with these lights. They are not “whisper quiet” or even close. You should not use the word “quiet” in any description of these lights. So, if you need soft lights (softboxes) for a video shoot where you will not record audio, these are perfect. But if you demand more than one type of use from your lights like I do, then avoid the PBL VL-1000 soft light kit. 

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How to Select a Commercial Painting Contractor

August 11, 2009 by admin.

As the owner or owner’s representative, you should evaluate the experience level of any painting contractor that you are considering. Painting a large commercial building or complex is much different than painting smaller structures. This type of painting requires experience in various application techniques, addressing safety issues, knowledge of materials, paints, required licensing, permits and proper insurance.

There are numerous application techniques for painting commercial buildings. New technology and extensive research have created superior hi-tech coatings for commercial structures.  In example: many owners of commercial buildings are using knock-down on interior walls. knock-down is joint compound which has been specially formulated to be sprayed directly on walls to give the surface a “stipple” effect. This technique has a very nice look and has become very popular. Exteriors of commercial buildings are often painted with an elastromeric coating. This is a very durable coating that expands and contracts as the temperature changes and lasts longer than ordinary paint. Using this technique on split faced block helps to seal the block from water damage. Knock-down interiors and elastomeric coated exteriors are best done by painting contractors who have past experience in using those methods.When interviewing, be sure to check for proper insurance. All commercial  contractors should carry a minimum of two million dollars liability insurance and workers compensation insurance on all of their employees. This is a minimum and more may be required by the size of the project. A certificate of insurance from the painting contractors insurance agent should be provided with his estimate. Another common way to verify insurance is to have the agent fax you a copy prior to hiring the contractor.

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Review of the new MVIX Ultio Device Coming Up Next.

August 6, 2009 by admin.

About a month ago I received notification from MVIX USA that their new Ultio device was available. I was extremely disappointed to learn that the units were sold out within hours. About a week later I was allowed to place a pre-order for units that will be shipped out in August. Naturally I was dismayed at their requirement for pre-paying any orders, but I really liked the first “media tank” I bought from them. It’s now August 6th and there is no word from MVIX, but I’ll post my review as soon as I get the unit.

The only fault in the original unit is the need to re-boot occasionally. It’s a small problem, but persistent. The unit will refuse to turn “off” by the remote or operate and must be disconnected from the power source. This happens once a week. I have yet to figure out how to use the features allowing access to internet based files and videos. All attempts I have made simply allow me to view a few promotional videos from MVIX. But the small inconveniences are well worth the benefits of the player. It plays .ISO files flawlessly, just like a DVD was just inserted. The menus, special features and options work just fine. For me it is great, and allows me to archive my extensive 500 DVD collection safely in boxes and still watch the movies.

Stay tuned for an update on the MVIX Ultio!

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“MAX” the number one name for dogs in the USA

June 2, 2009 by admin.

As dog lovers may know, your dog does not have to be attractive to be loved. Recent news stories show that people love their dogs so much, a few are willing to marry them. A little research on the Internet yields information on the top ten dog names in the USA. The name MAX is the most popular. So it is very likely that the most popular dog name has the most ugly dogs under it’s moniker.

Even my sister named her dog “Max”. That dog was one of the pups whelped from a breeding pair I owned, “Peaches” and “Romeo”. You see, I did not fall into the “Max” name trap myself. My pets through the years (all dogs) have been:MAX

  • Shotzie
  • Caezar
  • Lady
  • Snuffy
  • Radar
  • Peaches
  • Romeo

Not one “Max” in the group.  I wonder if the proliferance of “Max” is the same as the preponderance of other common names? It seems that every girl born in the 80’s was named “Heather”. It was such a joke that there was even a movie called “Heathers” about a clique of high school girls with the same name. just a few months ago I read a Reuters story on my Q9h smart-phone (iPhones are for posers and iPhonies) about the person that married their dog. I wonder if that dog was named “Max”? Probability is likely.

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LEXUS long term 20-year test ride: surprisingly poor MONEY PIT

May 19, 2009 by admin.

Here’s the results of a 20-year test drive of the very first LEXUS. In 1989 my dad went to the local Toyota dealership to see a new model being hyped. He drove home with the first LEXUS sedan. Although the sticker proclaimed LS400, the car was not badged with that number. There was no other LEXUS after all. The silver LS400 was their only model and one of only two in stock. There was not even a LEXUS dealer yet, so when one was built we had quite a time getting warranty service.

The 250 horsepower motor was so quiet we often thought it had stalled. The ride so quiet that even a Cadillac seemed noisy by comparison. It did not have the latest audio gear, back in 1989 car CD players were just starting to be optional and not standard in any car of that time.LS400 1989 what a money pit The leather sets were buttery soft and comfortable. It had a long list of standard options and needed special “S” rated tires for the sporty suspension. I liked the “power” switch. Much like the “close door” button on an elevator it was installed to reduce the frustration of drivers wanting more get up and go. It seemed to bog down when you stomped on the accelerator. Under the hood it was mysterious and futuristic with an almost hidden motor under the LEXUS nameplate.

Now, 20 years later, my Dad passed away back in 1997 and the car was used by my Mom until she became unsure at the wheel. Mom gave the car to my bother, our youngest family member with only 80K miles on the odometer. It had a checkered past, Since Dad had gone, I was responsible for it’s maintenance. It seemed to take more than $1000 a year to keep it in shape. It had a new drivers seat, new oil pan, two AC systems, a tranny, and loads of little gadgets and widgets that seemed to drop off.

My brother gets the car and tallys up the repairs after warranty. From the end of the warranty to now it has had over $17,000 in repairs. WHAT? SEVENTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS!!! The stupid car only cost $37K when new. I’m not counting the ordinary stuff like batteries (that cost too much for no reason), tires, oil changes or belts. My God, that is crazy, the car only had 80K miles and had used just 8 sets of tires in it’s life. The finish was like new and the car had been garaged all it’s life. So, if you buy a LEXUS LS400, don’t buy it for life. Know that after 10 years you should sell it or give it away or it will eat your retirement money faster than the stock market. LS must stand for Lose your Shirt. 400 is what your quarterly maintenance costs are $400.

 Love your LEXUS? It must be new.

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