Do You Rent or Own?

Late last year, my wife and I bought our first house. It was an exciting and nerve-wracking process that seemed to last forever, but we came out of it with a great house that really fit our (and our pack of dogs’) needs. Sure the commute down here to WhiteFence every day may be little long, but it’s worked out great in general.

Owning your own home is truly a wonderful thing—the feeling of having security and a place of our own is awesome, but that’s not all that makes everything worth it. We’ve jumped at the ability to finally make decorating decisions, already installing new flooring and picking out new paint colors. Living in rentals, your home life becomes a sea of beige walls and beiger carpets, so it’s nice to make a change. Not having to take all the aforementioned dogs out on leashes three times a day, every day (42 trips per week!) is another big bonus.

It’s not always fun, though. Now when something around the house breaks, there’s no one to call out to come and fix it for free. I’m not looking forward to when the grass finally comes out of hibernation mode and I have to start actually caring for it. Also, the monthly expenses are a little higher now, though at least we are building some equity.

So, here’s today’s question: do you currently rent or own your home? Vote now and don’t forget to share your thoughts about home ownership vs. renting in the comments!

How Do You Watch TV?

Technology is a funny thing. Ten years ago, if someone had asked me how I prefer to watch TV, I would have given them my best "what are you talking about" look and continued on about my day. There used to be one way to watch TV: live. Well, unless you were that crazy guy who actually hooked up a VCR, but let's get real, hardly anybody did that. I was an uber-nerd and I still thought that guy was kind of lame. My apologies to those of you who did that. I'm sure you're pretty cool.

Anyway, TV watching has changed. Some would say for the better, and others (primarily networks) would argue that it's for the worse. With more people constantly moving to online viewing of their favorite shows as well as watching via DVR, it's getting harder for TV networks to make the big bucks they used to off of ad revenue. While everybody is still trying to figure out what the ad revenue model is for the Internet and TV executives want to figure out how to eradicate DVR, we are still happily watching American Idol, The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien (for one more night anyway) and 30 Rock.

My TV habits are totally different now than they used to be as a result. I even watch sports almost exclusively with DVR, so I can get past the commercial breaks, timeouts, etc. Knowing this, I thought I'd make a poll to find out how our readers watch the tube as well. Feel free to vote and tell us how you watch your favorite shows in the comments!

Ever Wish You Could Pluck Electricity Out of Thin Air? Now You Can

After posting about the cell phone you spin to charge, the charger that harnesses yo-yo power and the solar-powered cell phone, you’ve probably guessed I’m a little obsessed with free and green ways to power gadgets. Well, as cool as all of the chargers I just listed are, I think I’ve found one that tops them all. RCA’s Airnergy charger harvests energy from WiFi signals in the air and turns it into clean electricity that can be used to charge gadgets. How cool is that?

Sure, they might not be the first company to have this idea, but they are the first company to produce a unit with high enough energy efficiency to be viable. During a demonstration in this year’s CES event, RCA was able to charge a cell phone from 30 percent battery to full in just 90 minutes. The device contains a battery, so you can leave it on spot or carry it around, harnessing energy from WiFi signals throughout the day.

What would you expect to pay for such an awesome device? $200? $100? Try just $40. RCA is planning on releasing the Airnergy this summer, and I cannot wait to get my hands on one!

Image via OhGizmo!

Knology and NFL Network Announce Expanded Partnership

Good news for Knology customers who are also NFL fans. The cable company plans to deliver more football games to sports fans across its viewing area in 2010 and beyond. Knology and NFL Network recently announced a multi-year agreement to continue carriage of NFL Network through 2014. The new deal includes primetime regular-season games carried by NFL Network, including Thursday night games, as well as all preseason games.

NFL Network is now available to Knology digital cable customers as part of the Digital Preferred packaging in Alabama (except Dothan), Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. High definition customers in Pinellas County, Florida can also view NFL Network in HD. Knology basic and HD customers in Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota will continue to have access to the NFL Network live games.

If you want to see more NFL games in the New Year, see if Knology is available in your area.

How to Set Up a Wireless Network

If you’ve just ordered a new high-speed Internet package, chances are you’re probably ready to start making the most of it. One of the coolest things you can do with your new service is to cut the cord and set up a wireless network for your home. This lets you use Internet service on laptops, desktops, and all sorts of other nifty devices like DVRs and game consoles, without any wires. How futuristic!

Many Internet providers will furnish a wireless router, either for free or with an additional charge. But, if you are looking to set up your wireless network on your own, check out these handy steps:

• Make sure your devices are ready – Setting up a new wireless network without making sure your stuff is wireless-ready is like buying an awesome new cereal without checking that you have milk at home. Avoid disappointment by checking your computer and device specs to make sure they are ready. Most laptops and many desktops from the last few years come equipped with wireless ability right out of the box, but it’s always best to check.


• Buy a wireless router – There are a million options on the shelves, and they seem to change daily. With that in mind, instead of giving you specific recommendations here, I’m referring you to Cnet’s excellent, constantly updated guide to the best wireless routers on the market. Check through the reviews to find the router that best meets your needs and budget. Then buy it.

Verizon Operations Center Earns LEED Green Building Certification

Verizon recently announced that its operations center in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, has earned the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED® Silver certification for the center's environmentally friendly-design and energy efficiency.

To make the 1.4 million-square-foot facility more energy efficient, Verizon uses temperature sensors and energy-management systems to monitor heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. The company also controls the facility's lighting schedules; tracks maintenance and service requirements; uses air handlers with variable frequency drives for energy-efficient heating and cooling; and has installed energy-efficient light-emitting diode and fluorescent T-5 lights.

"Verizon's LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of the U.S. Green Building Council. "As the newest member of the LEED family of green buildings, the Verizon operations center is an important addition to the growing strength of the green building movement."

Verizon says that is remains committed to finding practical and innovative ways to increase energy efficiency and bolster conservation efforts. The company currently operates the largest fuel cell site of its kind in the nation. Using seven fuel cells, the company's Energy Star Award-winning facility in Garden City, New York, can generate enough electricity per hour to meet the energy needs of 400 single-family homes.

To qualify for the Energy Star rating, the center had to place among the top 25 percent of the most energy-efficient facilities in the U.S. Commercial buildings that earn the Energy Star rating use an average of 40 percent less energy than typical buildings and release 35 percent less CO2.

If you would like to follow Verizon's lead and make your home or office more energy efficient, check out the energy conservation tag of the blog for great resources on how to be greener in the New Year.

WhiteFence's Favorite Sporting Events

Back before college, I never really understood the appeal of being a sports person. Not an athlete, but someone that was actually into sports. Sure, growing up I was a huge fan of the Houston Rockets (Clutch City), but beyond that I just didn't drink the Kool-Aid on sports the way my friends did. However, the wonder of college football opened me up to a whole host of new interests. Now, all I listen to in the car is sports radio, and one of my favorite shows on TV is Pardon the Interruption, an ESPN debate show.

We are currently in one of the bigger sports seasons of the year. With the college football bowl games in the recent past, the NFL playoffs currently underway, the Super Bowl next month, the NBA All-Star weekend shortly thereafter and March Madness after that, there is a whole list of sporting events to get excited about.

This got me wondering what other people's favorite sports were, and how they liked to enjoy them. I took the liberty of asking other WhiteFencers that very question. Here are some of the responses I got...

The U.S. Green Buildings Council Partners with Girl Scouts to Create Greener Schools and Communities

Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently announced that they have joined forces to help girls take action to improve the environment and their communities by promoting green schools.

Local Girl Scouts will participate in Forever Green projects as part of USGBC’s National Green Schools Campaign. Girls will team with USGBC volunteers throughout its extensive chapter network to develop and use their leadership skills to significantly impact the environment by working in schools and throughout their communities to save energy, conserve water, increase green space, improve air quality and reduce waste.

“Through our partnership with the Girl Scouts of the USA, we have the potential to reach and inspire millions of girls – America’s future leaders – to impact the way school buildings are designed, built and operated, enabling a healthier and environmentally responsible built environment for future students and teachers,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, USGBC.

To learn more about what Girls Scouts are doing to help better the environment, check out It's Your Planet—Love It! Maybe you'll even find something inspiring to help you make changes in your own community.

Donating to Haiti Relief Funds

By now, I'm sure many of our WhiteFence Blog readers are no doubt aware of the unbelievable tragedy that has taken place in Haiti this week. The 7.0 earthquake that devastated the country could be felt as far away as Cuba, and has left many thousands of people homeless, injured, missing or worse.

Last night I found myself feeling the tug to give, but I wasn't quite sure exactly where I could do so. You can't always be sure that you are giving to a trustworthy source. I did some research and as a result, I wanted to put up a link I saw today that compiled a list of charitable organizations helping Haiti. We certainly wouldn't want to pressure anybody to give, but if you are feeling so inclined, I thought the link would be helpful. A little bit of money could easily go a long way. Who knows, maybe you'll see an organization listed that you were unaware of before.

Haiti Earthquake: How to Help

PG&E; to Purchase and Operate Major California Wind Energy Project

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E;) recently announced that it plans to purchase and operate a major wind generating plant to be built in Southern California to serve the utility's electric customers.

With a power capacity of up to 246 megawatts, the proposed project would be the first wind project owned by PG&E.; If approved by the California Public Utilities Commission, the project could begin producing wind power by December 2011.

With a projected annual output of up to 670 gigawatt-hours per year, equal to the energy consumed by about 100,000 average homes, the project would contribute significantly to PG&E;'s efforts to meet California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard.

Find PG&E; service available in your area