COMPARE RATES FOR ESSENTIAL HOME SERVICES

Street Address:
Apt/Suite:
Zip Code:

How to Archives

« Frequently Asked Questions | Main | Industry Buzz »

Change Your Address Online: It's Fast and Free!

I recently moved to a new place and had never gone through the process of having to change my address. I absolutely had no clue of what needed to be done, and to be honest, did not even think of it as something that had to be done immediately.

What made me realize that this was a high priority was after a credit card company called me saying I did not pay my last month's bill. I argued that I had called and changed my address with a representative, but still had not received my bill at my new address. I was informed that the agent had not changed my address. Fortunately, the company was willing to waive the fee due to miscommunication on their part.

The representative then suggested going to the local post office to guarantee all my mail was sent to the new address, and suggested using the Internet to implement the change. I needed the easiest and quickest solution available, and definitely did not want to have to experience any more surprises in the form of late fees.

Through Google, I landed on a website that allowed me to change my address with the United States Postal Service (USPS) for FREE! I also received a 10% coupon from The Home Depot. The process was fast and absolutely painless.

I would recommend this service to anyone who doesn't have time to wait in line at the post office during their lunch hour, and who wants to prevent any creditors calling them due to unnecessary late fees! In fact, changing the address online was so simple that I suggest it be one of the early tasks you accomplish during your move planning.

Coffee and Free WiFi: The Two Don't Always Mix

Just the other day I was at my local coffee shop to have my daily fix of a "triple soy vanilla latte," and decided to finish up responding to some high-priority e-mails for work.

As I started to sip my ambrosia, I noticed that I was unable to catch an automatic signal for the Internet, so I opened up my Internet connection to see what was available. I found the coffee shop's wireless network and clicked connect. It prompted me to enter the WPA Network Key, which I kindly asked the cashier for. She cheerfully informed me that I had to pay $10 per day (but it's unlimited use—ha) to use their wireless service. No way!

I gathered my things and decided to find a FREE WiFi Hot Spot near by. Then zing! I remembered finding a Web site that allows you to search for free WiFi networks in your area. I was also able to download the program for free on my iPod which now seems extremely convenient!

The neat thing about the WiFi locator is that it allows you to search locations by what type of environment or category you want—i.e. cafe, bookstore, airport, etc. So I turned my 30 GB iPod on and found the nearest WiFi location. I would definitely recommend all laptop users to keep this page handy at all times. It's a must-have!

Verizon and Intel Partner to Bring Online PC Gaming to TVs

Verizon and Intel Corporation recently announced a collaboration that will enable consumers to play popular PC games on their television sets through Intel?? Viiv??? technology-based PCs.

The Verizon Games on Demand service enables users to play popular PC games on their TVs through Intel Viiv technology-based PCs running Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. Using a wireless game controller and MCE remote control, consumers can play a variety of games from the comfort of their favorite couch or easy chair, also referred to as the "10-foot view" of the television set.

The companies will also market a version of PlayLinc, a new game messenger that they say provides a faster and more entertaining way to enjoy multiplayer games online. A free service, PlayLinc provides a variety of features, including free private servers, VoIP integration and the ability for players to track when their friends are online and ready to join a game.

"We're creating a graphics-rich, big-screen game-playing experience for the entire family," said Colson Hillier, director of new product development for Verizon. "The games that families now enjoy on their PCs will become larger than life, more fun to play and accessible in virtually every room of the house, through linkages between a family's PC and their TV. This is an extension of Verizon's commitment to provide customers with the content and service they want, whenever they want it, and however they want to receive it."

Read more in the press release Verizon and Intel Bring Online PC Gaming to TVs.