You may think that the shipping from other countries would make a pricing advantage impossible. This however is not always the case. When I was in college I started buying my textbooks online. I bought a book from cheaper than anywhere in the U.S. even with the shipping. Prices can vary significantly between different products and locations so it is always worth checking out the differences. You can do this with http://www.pricenoia.com.

Another thing you might be interested is the ability to search the best rated products. Pickii.com will do just that. It will essentially tell you want is hot and what is not. It gives you top ten lists from over 10,000 different categories.

Sometimes there are several items with good ratings. So how do you decide which one to buy? One thing I look for is free shipping and amazanian.com can help you search for that.

The last way to get the most out of amazon is ironically the ability to search it and other sites that compete with it. I have two in mind. The first one is StoreMinator.com.

This one lets you compare Amazon and ebay to find the best deal. The second one is Searchbay.com. From here you can search eBay, UBid, Overstock, and Amazon. (eBay is currently not working but they are working on it.)

It gives you tabbed results so it is easy to continue onto your desired retailer when you find the best price. Killer Startups.com says, “Think of Searchbay.com as a tabbed browser with eBay, uBid, Overstock, and Amazon always open.”

Here is a link with an explanation of how they work. If you don’t care how they work you’re just glad they do I have some free ones for you.

From there it can be downloaded and installed on your system. (I would uncheck the “include the hotspot shield community toolbar” in general extra toolbars are a bad idea)  and when you want to run it you can see it like a web page but it soon turns into an RSS feed type page. You will also see an icon in the taskbar.

I like it but the only problem is that it is advertising driven. This means when I searched google for more VPN information I got an add for cricket above the search results.

I didn’t like that so I ditched hotspot shield and tried hamachi.

Hamachi has both a paid and free version. It also works for windows, linux, and mac. If you are using it for non-commercial purposes then download the free version and make sure you choose non-commercial during the installation.

After installation follow this link for how to set it up.

During setup it will ask you to join the test group. You may get an error that it is full. Click cancel and close the guide window. Then create a new network by clicking the network button.

(it is the middle one at the bottom with the three dots that make a triangle) Choose create a new network then name it and give it a password.

Once it is setup there will be a client that you can close by clicking the upper left button and just let it run in your taskbar.

I noticed no problems when using hamachi and will be using it on my laptop from now on.

I do want to add that Hotspot shield has a VPN for your iPhone.

My cousin asked me a while back if I was worried about the data on my iPhone and I told her no. I rarely use it off of an encrypted network and when I do I am careful about what information is transferred. That got me thinking I had never considered the phone connection. Was it secure?

I checked my iPhone and found an option for a VPN and while researching this article I added it. You can also do this by following the instructions at http://hotspotshield.com/clientless/iphone/get_started.php

From Makeuseof.com

Today, Paypal is one of the most popular methods of making a financial transaction on the Internet. Unfortunately, it also remains one of the easiest systems to infiltrate for a hacker.

This is why it’s important for every Paypal user to understand how to keep your Paypal account safe. Knowledge is power – and if you know how they do it, you have the power to stop them.

How Hackers Attempt To Access Your Paypal Account

Yes, it is possible for a criminal to gain access to your Paypal account. However, it’s also important to keep in mind that despite all of the melodramatic news reports you may hear about the terrible threat hackers pose to online security, foiling those criminals is actually very easy, even for people who aren’t technically savvy.

The following are the most common methods criminals use in order to break into your Paypal account.

• When you open an infected attachment inside an email from a friend or a stranger, keylogger software gets installed on your PC that attempts to capture every keystroke from your keyboard, and then it sends that data to a remote Internet location, where the hacker can parse through and extract your passwords.
• If they obtain your Paypal account password from the keylogger, the job is done. However, if they can only obtain your email password, they can go to the Paypal website, request a password reset, and then access your email in order to retrieve the new password to your Paypal account.
• Another more common tactic is to send out thousands of “phishing” emails, disguised to look like an official Paypal email. You click the link to the fake Paypal website, enter your email and password, and the game is over.

How to Keep Your Paypal Account Safe From Phishing

The phishing technique is the most popular because the authentic-looking email fools so many people.  Here is a sample of one such email (I get about 2 or 3 of these a month).

However, if the email was put together by a sloppy hacker, you’ll notice that with most email applications, if you place the mouse over the link (but don’t click on it!), you’ll see the actual link at the bottom.

As you can see, “orionresidence.com” isn’t exactly Paypal.com. However, even if this bottom link does report “Paypal.com,” the easiest method you can use to keep your paypal account safe is by never clicking any link inside a Paypal email. If you want to check your account, open a new browser window, go directly to Paypal, and log in.

While avoiding “phishy” Paypal emails will protect you from the bulk of problems, there’s still the matter of hard-core hackers. These are the ones who are a bit more savvy, and will look for ways to guess your password, search your computer for login information, or install keyboard logging software on your PC. There are ways to thwart all of those attempts as well.

How to Keep Your Paypal Account Safe with a Strong Password

First, sign up for a new free email account and use that email for your Paypal profile, but don’t use it for any other purpose. Most hackers like to scour likely social networks or websites, like eBay, for email addresses that are likely also used in Paypal accounts, and then target those email addresses with their phishing or virus email campaigns. Also, change your Paypal password and the password of your email account, to a difficult-to-guess password that includes upper and lower case letters, numbers, and at least one or two special characters like an exclamation point or the pound (#) sign.

If you need some tips for creating solid passwords MakeUseof author Damien Oh had an excellent article about it earlier, see Create Strong Passwords That You Can Remember Easily.

For even stronger Paypal security, consider using a security key. When you’re logged into your Paypal account, click on “Security Center” at the top, “Security Tools” on the left menu bar, and then “Paypal Security Overview.” You’ll see the following screen.

When you click “Get Yours Now,” you can choose between a hardware key, or a mobile key. The hardware key costs $5 for shipping & handling, but it features a digital code that changes every thirty seconds. You can’t log into the Paypal account without it, and it’s virtually unhackable. The mobile key method is free. After you enable your account for it, you simply text Paypal for the code, and they text message the security key back to you.

Keep Your Private Data Safe With Portable Apps

Another method you can use to safeguard your Paypal account is to always carry around a thumbdrive with a portable web browser installed that runs directly off the thumbdrive. You can view more details on how to install portable apps from this article. Below I’ve connected to Paypal using the portable version of Firefox running off my Cruzer thumbdrive.

By using this approach, all log files and history is stored on your thumbdrive, and not on the PC itself.  This not only protects you from scripts that search typical PC locations for Internet logs, but it also provides security from the next person who uses the computer inadvertently coming across your information.

Use Anti-Keylogger Software for Extra Security

Finally, to protect yourself from keyboard logging software that may have infected your computer without your knowledge, it’s best to play it safe and install applications like the SnoopFree privacy shield, described in this article, which prevents the keylogger from accessing the I/O data coming from your keyboard.  Another approach to circumvent the keyboard completely is by using a portable on-screen keyboard to log into your Paypal account, as I’m doing below.

If you are confident that your computer is completely clean of any trojan or keylogger, simply avoiding Paypal phishing emails and using strong passwords with the Paypal security key will provide more than enough protection to keep your Paypal account safe.

However, if you aren’t certain how clean your computer is, or you’d like to access Paypal from public PC’s, it’s always best to play it safe by also using a portable browser, a privacy shield, and an on-screen keyboard.

With all of those tools in your arsenal, the only way a hacker will get through your concrete wall of security is with an atomic bomb

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-keep-your-paypal-account-safe-from-hackers/

From makeuseof.com

Twitter is a great tool that helps you keep in touch and meet a wide variety of new people. Since its release there have been people who think Twitter is worth your time and some who think it’s a waste of time.

I’m one of the ones that have found Twitter to be extremely useful but if you haven’t found that, here are ten Twitter bots guaranteed to help you change your mind :

MSNBC Breaking

This bot will provide you with the most current news and happenings around the world. There are a few other news bots out there like CNN Breaking News and BreakingNewsOn, but those bots just provide you with the headline and no link. I don’t find a lot of value out of them if I can’t go directly to the story. That is why I think the MSNBC news bot is the best.

ESPN Headlines

The ESPN Headlines bot is much like the breaking news bot above, but it is completely sports driven. As a sports fan, I like to be updated throughout the day. This bot also gives you the courtesy of providing a link to the story. Before this bot was added to my Twitter, I would check ESPN.com repeatedly throughout the day in order to stay current with any sports updates.

Woot

If you are unfamiliar with Woot!, it is time that you discovered this great site. Woot! is an online shopping website that sells mostly electronics, but what makes it different is that they have the Woot of the Day every day. There is always a great deal on something different everyday. If you keep up with it, you can really find some nice things on the cheap.

Weather Forecast

This bot does exactly what you think it does.

Just direct message it with your location, and it will return you the weather forecast you were looking for.

Sandy

Have you ever wanted a personal assistant that would keep you updated with all of your important events? Well, you can have that now with Sandy. But if you wanted a real assistant, you are going to have to wait or shell out the cash. All you have to do is direct message Sandy the reminders you want later, and she will make sure you hear about it at the right time.

Stock Quotes

If you compulsively check your stock quotes like I check my Google Analytics, you are going to need this easy to use stock bot.

Just direct message this bot with the stock symbol to get the latest quote for that company.

Timer

I lose track of time frequently when I’m online or blogging away.

This timer bot lets you set an alarm clock in Twitter to make sure you stay on top your regular and get those other things like paying bills, laundry or cleaning done as well. Pretty cool.

Twitter GCal

Plans can change quickly or come up quickly. Twitter GCal allows you to add events to your Google Calendar by just direct messaging this bot.

Some instructions are needed to fully explain how to use this bot, but they can be found at TwitterCal.

Tipr

Tipr will help out all of the math challenged folks out there (myself included).

It calculates the tip amount for your bill, so you can make sure that you leave the right amount.

Remember The Milk

Remember the Milk is a great online to do list and task manager.

You can update your tasks or to do lists or even get reminders sent straight from this Twitter bot.

AbbyMe.com is a utility for sending calls to people through the internet.

You type a message or announcement and then you can send it to a regular phone number.

If you sign up for a free account you can schedule a call and then use it for a wakeup call.

I moved recently and I’m sorry I’ve gotten so far behind on this site.
I got a new/used laptop with vista on it so I am trying to set it up with all the free software I like.
I’m going to be posting about these.

One of the things I cannot do without is evernote.
Evernote is a program to store and categorize your ideas and information. It is currently in beta and I have a few invites. If anyone wants them request one by commenting.
There are many different ways to use evernote. You could download the client to your computer from www.evernote.com. This works on mac and pc. If you have it on multiple computers just hit sync and it will update everything.

You could also use the online version which is what I am using now. There is a third version for mobile devices. You cannot add things from your iphone but you can email them to a special evernote address and they will be added to your account.

I would recomend that everyone try evernote.

From LifeHacker.com

Top 10 Office Supply Hacks

Given some spare time and a few neglected items in the office supply closet, anyone can make their workspace more functional, create a cool tools for their home and office, and even rescue seemingly ruined stuff. Today we’ll take a look at some unexpected ways to use objects you probably have readily available. Get organized and save some money with 10 low-cost office supply hacks you can do during your lunch break.

10. Clip chips with binder clips.

Most store-bought (especially dollar-store-bought) “chip clips” kind of suck. They’re often awkward to fasten, the springs or plastic break much sooner than you’d hope, and, hey, a better solution is close at hand. The common binder clip’s taut pinch is enough to ensure that rolled-up munchies don’t come unfurled, and they’re sturdy as all get out. They’ll also do the same job with toothpaste. Photo by upsidedownsphere [via Cranking Widgets].

9. Pin documents with an old-school stapler.

If you need to temporarily keep documents together but don’t want to subject them to yank-and-tear staple removal, give the bottom plate of your old-school stapler a 180-degree turn, and you’re now “pinning.” Some people have known about this trick since grade school, but others might find it a seriously useful expansion of their most straight-forward desktop tool. (Original post)

8. Rein in hanging folders with binder clips.

If you’re a literalist when it comes to your 43 folders organization system, the ubiquitous binder clip works great for dividing hanging folders. Use it as a backstop or a divider between months and days, or for keeping over-stuffed folders together. (Original post

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7. Replace a zipper pull with a paper clip.

They’re often the first thing to go on even the most well-constructed jackets and coats, but that’s no reason to pay a ransom to have a zipper pull replaced by a cleaner. Thread a paper clip in as a replacement—using a colored clip if necessary—and your fingers can rest easy. Check out these five other handy uses for the little bent-metal wonders. (Original post)

6. Make re-labeling easy with clear tape.

Discarding folders just because their labels are impossible to remove, or came off messily, feels pretty wasteful. Next time you’re labeling, lay a strip of clear tape onto the folder tab before you apply your label. Next time you’re re-organizing, re-using the folder will be as simple as pulling the label off the tape. The tape protector works on just about anything you’d potentially re-use, so keep a roll of the clear stuff handy. Photo by lylamerle. (Original post

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5. Turn a letter tray into a network rack.

Even if you’ve got a simple DSL connection at home, you likely have a high-speed modem, a router, and a power strip taking up space—not to mention external drives, CD/DVD-Rs, and other gadgetry. Buy some cheap, stacking letter trays, and you’ve got the makings of a DIY network rack, kind of like what IT guys use to keep their hard-working devices, and their multiple cables, together. If you’ve only got one or two networked devices, consider using the extra space for cell phones or other recharge-needing gadgets. Scope reader Rick’s Flickr stream for notes and detailed shots. (Original post)

4. Erase permanent marker with a dry erase marker.

Left-over notes and oops-that-was-permanent stains are a near-ubiquitous feature of seasoned dry-erase boards. Wipe them back to whiteness with a dry-erase marker, simply by writing over the accidental marks and then swiping the whole thing clean. While you’ve got the cap off, check out a few more clever uses of the magic markers. (Original post

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3. Catch cables with binder clips.

If you’re noticing that binder clips are making repeat appearances in this top 10, well, there’s a good reason for it. The little buggers can help you keep cables under control simply by running the ones that always hang limply on (or off) your desk through a clamp and fastening it to something immovable. For full instructions, check out lihab’s Flickr set. (Original post)

2. Make a standing recipe book from a break-back binder.

A recipe book that stands on its own, can take a splash of hot oil, and that’s easy to add or pull recipes from—it’s the Holy Grail of cooking accessories, and it’s available with some inexpensive office gear. Get a break-back easel binder, a few Post-its and sheet protectors, and you’ve got a hardy, stand-up, extensible place for all your recipes and kitchen secrets. (Original post

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1. Turn a stack of index cards into a Hipster PDA.

We wrote about this back when Lifehacker was barely a month old, and the Hipster PDA is still one of the best combinations of “genius” and “Oh, duh” around. Combine a small (you guessed it) binder clip and some index cards—different-colored, ruled or unruled, your choice—with a pocket-sized pen, and you’ve got a scaling, cross-platform, GTD-friendly thought-catcher that won’t go out of date, no matter how nifty the next wireless whatever that comes along. (Original post)

Picasa2Flickr Uploads Picasa Photos Directly to

Flickr

Windows only: The free Picasa2Flickr plug-in uploads photos from image-editing application Picasa to photo-sharing web application Flickr at the press of a button. We’ve mentioned Picasa2Flickr once before, but when Picasa changed its plug-in structure a while back, it broke Picasa2Flickr. This new and improved version actually just sends your selected photos straight to Flickr Uploadr 3.0, Flickr’s default tool for uploading photos. There were always good workarounds for perfecting your Picasa to Flickr workflow, but it doesn’t get much better than Picasa2Flickr.

I might be in the minority here but I have a problem with never deleting things I save to my hard drive.

That eventually causes a problem when the hard drive becomes full. Then I’m forced to delete or move some of the files.

My favorite program for evaluating my situation is called WinDirStat.

This program gives you a visual representation of your hard drive.

Run the program and first it tells you how full the hard drive is. Then you choose to run it on one or all drives.

Click OK and you will then see a window with little pac-mans scanning the computer.

It took about 40 minutes to finish scanning my computer. Then I got the following results.
Double click it to see the full picture.

From here I found that 38% of my data are avi files, 15.9% are CFA files, 12.8% are mp3, and 2.5% are iso files. I also have 3.5 GB in the recycle bin.

So from here I can see that media files dominate my hard drive. These are files that I can bury to a dvd or simply delete them if I don’t watch or listen to them anymore. The same goes for the iso files. I have no reason to leave them on my computer.

Using this program helped me clean up about 20 GB of space on my hard drive.

Even if you aren’t having space problems with your hard drive this program will help you better understand how it is being utilized and it just looks cool.

From lifehacker.com

Gardening

Keep Weeds from Sprouting with Corn Meal

Spring brings with it eager thoughts of planting for gardeners, along with ominous thoughts of keeping weeds at bay. If you’re planning on using pre-potted plants or want to protect an entire area from the ever-growing menace, try corn meal, according to the This Garden is Illegal blog:

Corn Gluten is a pre-emergent, which is a fancy way of saying that is it is a seed birth-control. Corn meal scattered around an area will keep any seed in that area from growing into a plant. This means a weed seed or a desirable seed. This method is a good option for areas that you plan on planting grown plants in.

Hit the link for six more ways to kill unwanted growth in your garden, and share your own weed-stomping tips in the comments. Photo by Cyrstl.

The 7 Deadly Homemade Weed Killers [This Garden is Illegal via Get Rich Slowly]