Micro Car Museum

An Amazing Collection Of Micro Cars On Display:

What is a "MICROCAR"? The Museum Collection is primarily focused on Microcars in the late 1940's- pre-1964 range with Engine sizes of 700cc or less (many are 250cc and 50cc) and 2 doors or less.

This is a must see Web Site for all those Boomers who are interested in old cars.
When I was young I remember seeing some of these tiny cars (Issetta and Honda S600 comes to mind) but I never realized the history behind them or their engineering significance.

Be sure to check out both the Virtual Tour and the Videos links, they are incredible. The pictures may bring back some memories, although some of the cars were very rare and only produced in Europe.
Enjoy!

Your Technical Survival Kit Survey - LifeHacker

What's in Your Awesome Backpacks: 
"Earlier this week, we asked you what's in your backpack? You shared, and here are five that we thought were pretty great.


With so many bags we couldn't include them all but aimed for a variety, so be sure to check out the Original Post post to see them all. What were some of the most popular items in your bags? Laptops, phones, MP3 players, flash drives/hard drives, notebooks, writing implements, reading materials, snacks, condoms, and keys—but everyone had their own personal touch, like the following five bags:"

I ran across this article while browsing one of my favorite web sites LifeHacker, and thought it would be as interesting to you as it was to me. It's amazing the amount of things today's Road Warriors carry in their "back packs." The pictures in the article are a story in and of themselves.

Although I'm retired, and don't do the dreaded daily commute any more, I still carry a fully loaded Timbuk2 Messenger Bag (pictured above) around with me. I use it for volunteer work, library visits, and general appointments that require me to sit around and wait for any length of time. I fill the TB2 with the same type of goodies I used to carry on a daily basis for work, the the LIRR round trip, and business travel.
Determined to be on the correct side of the Digital Divide, I've replaced my Day Runner with a NetBook, and added some more modern technical goodies like a Digital Camera, Cell Phone, and the ubiquitous spare batteries, cables, chargers, etc. needed to support them.

I must admit that after reading the article I'm tempted to upgrade to a Back Pack, but knowing me I'll only put more junk in it. I also think my 66 year old back would strenuously object to the added load.

Since we Boomers don't carry around Back Packs, the question becomes:
What's Your Daily Tote, and What Do You Carry In It?

Internet hoaxes - TechRepublic.com

Top 10 sites to debunk Internet hoaxes | 10 Things | TechRepublic.com:
"Has this ever happened to you? You’re busy working on an intense project when someone in the company excitedly forwards you one of those stupid urban legend chain mail spams asking if it is true. Or worse, they simply forward it to everyone in the company without checking with you first."

Although this article originates from a technical newsletter put out by TechRepublic, I thought the Boomers out there would enjoy the Debunk Tips.
It is well written and despite the fact that it starts out referring to IT procedures, once it gets into the 10 choices of debunking web sites it's POE (Plain Old English) reading from there on.

Block A Number From Calling Your Cellphone

What's the Best Way to Block a Number from Calling My Cellphone?:

"Dear Lifehacker,
I'm receiving tons of unwanted calls per day. My carrier suggests that I change my number, but I don't want to do that. Is there anything else I can do?

Signed,
Endless Ringing"

Lifehacker comes to the rescue again.

In the old days, when I worked for the phone company, we used to get customer complaints like this all the time. I can't tell you how many times I would refer cases to the Annoyance Call Bureau for resolution. Then, it was only an annoyance, now it costs you money.

Today there are better solutions. Try Lifehacker's suggestions to end your unwanted cell phone calls.
Worst case scenario, you will be introduced to Google Voice which is a great product in and of itself.

Food For Emergencies

The Top Foods You Should Keep In Case Of An Emergency:

"Fueling your body during an emergency is very different from your everyday diet. Because you’ll probably expend more energy than you normally would, you should eat high-energy, high-protein foods. And because you have a limited supply, the higher-quality foods you eat--and the less of them--the better. “In a disaster or an emergency you want those calories,” says Barry Swanson, a food scientist at Washington State University . “You want some nutrients and some fiber—something to keep your diet normal.”"

Between Hurricane Season, the Mexican Invasion, The War Between The States, and Global Financial Collapse, I thought this article would be of great interest to you all.

Huge Debt, No savings - USATODAY.com

Generation Y's Steep Financial Hurdles: 

"They're called 'Generation Y' — teens and twentysomethings known stereotypically for their coddled upbringing, confidence, opinionated dialogue, free-spending habits and openness to change.

Now, stagnant wages, job insecurity, the decline in employer-sponsored health insurance and retirement benefits, the rapid increase in basic expenses, soaring debt and minimal savings have jeopardized the economic security of the entire generation, according to a recent report by Demos, a public policy research and advocacy think tank."

USA Today has an article about the economic toll that the events of the last few years have taken on an entire generation. A generation that, by and large, still probably doesn’t know what hit them.They will learn soon.
Would you be smiling if you were twenty-something years old and you owed almost a hundred thousand dollars?
My guess is that, in another 10 or 20 years, they’re going to be pretty mad when they fully understand what the Big Government Progressive Movement has left them.

Skip DVD Trailers and Warnings

An interesting video from CNET about watching DVD's.
The solution works for me. 

If you've watched one DVD in your life, you know how annoying the endless title screens, trailers, and warnings are. It's infuriating because you're often prevented from skipping them -
Unless you know the right remote control shortcut, that is.

There are several methods for skipping the trailers, warnings, and other "stuff" on a DVD so you can get straight to the movie you're trying to watch.
The first tip, from CNET author Tom Merritt, is the easiest. Just press Stop, Stop, then Play on many DVDs to skip right to the movie.
This method won't always work, so if it doesn't, don't give up hope! If twice doesn't work, Salon.com's Richard Rider says pressing Stop three times, followed by Play, will do the trick.

Elgin Park Pa. - The Perfect Town

Michael Paul Smith lives in a place most of us know only from the pages of old photo albums.
In his hometown, the good old days are still just as shiny and bright as a new set of white wall tires.
But you won't find this place on any map.

Believe it or not I found this video on a financial blog.
The pictures are amazing, and most of all it brings back some fond memories of a simpler time.

So girls, slip into a pair of Pedal Pushers and put a little more hair spray on the old Bee Hive.
You guys roll up that pack of Lucky Strikes in the sleeve of your t-shirt and put some more Brylcream on that DA.
Everybody head over to Broderic's Diner for some burgers and fries, and most importantly a night of Drag Racing.
My money is on the '53 Studebaker Starlight Coupe with the bored and stroked Packard engine, and the cool Ah Ooo Gah Horn. 

To see the "stills" click on "photo albums" in the intro above.

Be warned that you have to sit through a 30 second commercial before the "movie feature" starts.

Senior Monent? Nah...........

Improve Your Memory - AOL Health:
"Have you ever found yourself in mid-sentence when suddenly you've forgotten the point you were trying to make? Do birth dates or simple tasks (like DVRing one of your must-see TV shows) sometimes slip your mind? You're not alone -- these random acts of absentmindedness are normal and can be due to tiredness, anxiety and stress (along with age, of course).
But here's the good news: Research shows there are simple strategies that can boost your brainpower -- no matter how many candles will be on your birthday cake this year."

Here is a Super Interesting article on memory enhancement.
While it's not geared to seniors and their infamous 'Moments', it may open your eyes to the fact that it's not only seniors who have memory lapses.

Be sure to check out the More On Memory links at the bottom of the article.

Boomer's Trikes

Boomers Welcome This Third Wheel:
"The irony is not lost on those who ride them. As toddlers they started out on three wheels.
As aging boomers, they have gone back to their trikes.At the dealership on Merle Haggard Drive, salesman Mark T. Welch said the $30,000-plus three-wheel Harley-Davidson motorcycles are flying out the door. They can't order them quick enough to keep up with the demand."

It had to happen.
We're all getting older and looking for more stability (pun intended) in our lives. I guess when you're

PSA Test Value Questionable

Cancer Society Casts Doubt on Value of Prostate Cancer Test: 
"New advice from the American Cancer Society puts a sharper focus on the risks of prostate cancer screening, emphasizing that annual testing can lead to unnecessary biopsies and treatments that do more harm than good.

The cancer society has not recommended routine screening for most men since the mid-1990s, and that is not changing. But its new advice goes farther to warn of the limitations of the PSA blood test that millions of American men get now. It also says digital rectal exams should be an option rather than part of a standard screening."

I've heard rumors about this for years.
Being "well over fifty" PSA tests have been a routine part of my doctor visits, just like blood pressure tests, temperature, and the venerable weigh-in. No matter what the reason was for my doctors visit, be it flu, back pain, bee stings, or an ingrown toe nail, there it was the old PSA test.

I've always felt that it had more to do with revenue generating than it did my health. The fact that doctors still routinely perform the tests, even though the they were not recommended since the mid-1990's, bears out my suspicions.

Revenue generation through the use of blood tests, and more recently CAT Scans, by doctors and hospitals is a pet peeve of mine and will be the topic of a future post.

So read the article and make your own decisions about PSA screening.

Tips On Giving Out Your Social Security Number - Yahoo! Finance

When They Ask, Just Say NO:
"Some Legitimately Need It -- to Others, Learn to Say 'No'
Your Social Security number is one of the keys to your financial health. It's a unique indentifier lenders use to assess your creditworthiness. It's also exactly what a would-be thief needs to apply for a credit card, mortgage, car loan or job in your name.
If you're like most Americans, it's also something you give out all too frequently."

This is an informative little article, and the side bar explaining how to decode your Social Security is an interesting bonus.
I posted this article because giving out personal information about my self to any store clerk who asks for it is a pet peeve of mine. I can't tell you how many times I've heard people giving out their full name, home address, and telephone number at the checkout counter. Some times, as an added bonus, they'll throw in their email address all for the honor of being on the store's Mailing List.
Not only is this an opportunity for identity theft, it can lead to a parking lot mugging or home invasion. You can easily be taken off guard by someone who calls your name while loading your purchases into your car. They have your home address and can easily explain their presence to your inquiring neighbors because they know your name and where you shop.

Ship Your Luggage Separately

Save Money, Ship Your Luggage:
"You may spend less by using a shipping company -- rather than the airlines -- to get your bags to your destination.You may be able to save money by shipping your luggage rather than checking it in the next time you fly. The idea might sound absurd. But if you do the math – as Airfarewatchdog.com has done for you in this chart -- you’ll see that it would cost you less in some cases to send your bags to your destination by FedEx, UPS or U.S. Postal Service ground shipping."

My interest was piqued by this article because I found it soon after watching a CNBC special about the outrageous fees that airlines are tacking on to the cost of your flight.
An added benefit to separate shipping, besides cost savings, is that you'll have the peace of mind knowing that your luggage wont get lost when you use major carriers like FedEx and UPS.

It's a short article, but well worth the read.

Publish Your Future Best Seller For FREE

FREEdom of Expression | Lulu Blog: 
"I don’t know about you, but my favorite price is always free. Love and ideas are some of the greatest things in life, and both are completely free. They are also the main components in creating a book. When you love what you’re writing and you come up with interesting and intriguing new ideas, you write great books. At Lulu, our goal is to empower you to do what you love and help you publish a great book.

To help you finish your next book we’re making it easier than ever by providing you with a free copy! If you publish something new between 2/16 and 3/16, we’ll send you a FREE proof copy."

Did I ever tell you how much I love the word FREE.
If you've ever dreamed of being a published author, here's your ticket to a freebie.
A Raleigh company and self-publishing Web site Lulu.com is offering customers the chance to publish one book for free through March 16. All you need is a manuscript (and a catchy title, of course).
The book can be paperback or hardcover, up to $25 in value. You upload your manuscript and design your book online. Just go to Lulu.com and click on the giant "Get a free book" banner at the top of the page.

The deal is real and even if you aren't a serious Novelist In The Making, this would be awesome for creating a customized gift for someone (or even a gag gift).
Think about the possibilities..........
Did I mention it's FREE

Clean Out Your Computer Day

Feb. 8 is Clean Out Your Computer Day – WebWorkerDaily: 
"It can be hard to remember to routinely clean out your computer — whether that means running virus scans or organizing your files. That’s why having a day devoted to making sure that your computer is working well and that you can find anything you need on it is a good idea. The Institute for Business Technology originally sponsored a National Clean Out Your Computer Day several years ago, assigning it to the second Monday in February. It’s a holiday well worth adding to your calendar."

This is an interesting subject.

- Unfortunately the article is too short.

- Fortunately the comment section more than makes up for the lack of detail.

As for me, I keep my software up to date, and my files organized as part of my daily routine. I don't have to bother to schedule anything in that area, it's just part of the way that I work.

Cleaning the inside of my desktop is another story, it is a little time consuming but a must do task. It is just as important as changing the oil and topping off the fluids in your car.

Removing dust from the computer vents increases the internal air circulation, dust that is left on the circuit boards can slow down and interfere with the connections running through the circuit boards. Cleaning the inside of your computer prevents it from overheating which is the most common cause of  computer's Sudden Death Syndrome.

In my case I schedule about two hours every six months to take the side panel off and attack the dust bunnies that have found a warm comfortable home in my computer. Most articles recommend using compressed air to blow the dust out, but I've found that a Shop Vac works much better. It doesn't spread the dust from one part of the machine to another like the compressed air does. Most importantly it keeps your work area clean and dust free.

When it comes to laptops, there's not much to do other than cleaning the vents of dust and debris. This is where the Shop Vac method really surpasses the use of compressed air, because the dust and debris is sucked out of the case instead of being blown into it. 

Read the article, pour over the links provided in the comments section, and extend the life of your PC by quite a few years.

In Tough Economic Times - Haggle

Shoppers Take Haggling To New Heights - Washington Post: 
"The price tag on the smooth pair of Cole Haan loafers at Macy's said $148.
I considered that a fair opening bid.
Standing across from the salesman and the cash register, I said, 'Can you knock off 25 percent?'"

As I said in this Wednesday's post Save Money - Just By Asking -

"I love these types of articles."

For the last few decades with everyone thinking they were rich beyond belief, bartering and haggling fell out of the national vocabulary of Americans. Haggling was synonymous with being cheap, or worse poor. The recent economic down-turn, however, has unleashed the inner haggler in people like me, and made it a great time for you to start if you'd been resistant to becoming a haggler or thought it awkward or socially unacceptable. This Washington Post article highlights the shift in American spending.

So just to remind you, Never Pay Retail!

Just Shoot Me

Now that I'm getting on in years my Doctor prescribed an Ace Inhibitor called Altace to control my slightly elevated blood pressure and to keep my heart healthy. I read a new study which shows that an added benefit of the drug is that it appears to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
It's quite apparent that none of the people in this video are availing themselves of the aforementioned medication. 

If I ever get old enough or senile enough to embarrass myself like the folks in this video,
I give you permission to form a firing squad and:

               Just Shoot Me

Save Money - Just by Asking

Fiscal Fitness: Save $157.86 Just by Asking - Manage Your Life on Shine:

"A serious customer with cash to spend can really call the shots these days on everything from electronics to housing to a root canal. Really.
A 2007 Consumer Reports survey found that 90% of customers who negotiated with a salesperson got a price break on at least one purchase over a three-year period. They nabbed deals on furniture, electronics, appliances and even medical care, netting the best of the hagglers savings of $50 or more. And that was before the economy went all kamikaze.
In other words, it really does pay to ask, particularly these days when retailers and service providers are struggling to get any cash flowing through the registers."

I love these types of articles.

When I was younger and going through my YUPPIE stage, it used to be "bad form" to haggle about the asking price of anything. If you did, your friends would call you a cheapskate, skinflint, tightwad, penny pincher, and a whole lot of other things that can't be mentioned in mixed company. If you did it a few times you ran the risk of being ostracized, never to be invited to "The Hamptons" again.

When I grew older and wiser I morphed from a YUPPIE with scads of disposable income, to an OUFIE (Old Urban Failure) who was constantly short on cash. Asking waiters for Doggy Bags became the norm when eating out. My transformation became complete the day I was at a Flea Market and saw an item I liked with a $50 price tag on it. For some reason I asked the seller if he was still running his "famous 50% off sale." Much to my surprise he said yes, and I got the item for $25, cash, no tax. It was then that I realized everything in life was negotiable. Since that time I've never paid retail for anything unless it was an absolute emergency.

I posted this article with the hope of making someone out there take the plunge and start negotiating price reductions "Just By Asking."

Remember, Never Pay Retail!

How To Send an Email to a Fax Machine

Five Free Online Services to Send an Email to a Fax Machine:
"I’m not really the type of person that sends faxes all that often. There may be an occasion or two when I have to forward information to my insurance company or the Human Resources department at work, but those times are very few and far between. However, since I don’t fax very often, whenever I do have a need to send a fax I used to scramble to find an available fax machine. After I started writing for MakeUseOf, I decided to reassess this occasional need and come up with a solution that would make use of available free online technologies and resources. I started looking for an answer to the question, “Can I send an email to a fax machine?”"

I don't know about you, but like the author of the article, I very rarely need to send a fax. However when I need to, it's a struggle to send one out. I have avoided buying one of those All-In-Wonder fax/printer/copier machines for low these many years. They take up too much office space for the amount of times you need one.
This article from MakeUseOf shows you five of the most popular on-line email to fax services, and guides you through using each one. The services are simple, straight forward, and did I mention FREE!
Read the article, pass it on to someone who needs it, and don't forget to visit the MakeUseOf Web Site,  it's excellent.

Inflation ”An Old People’s Disease”

The Great Depression of 2006 BlogSpot - Inflation An Old People’s Disease”:
"I can't remember how many times my grandpa told me; when he was a kid, the price of a loaf of bread was a nickel and how he worked in the oil fields for 50 cents a day. When I graduated from high school in 1964 gold was at $35 per ounce and our coinage was silver.
At the age of 17, inflation had no real meaning. I had no past to compare it to"

This is a insightful little article, a must read for Boomers of all ages. I think it will jog a few memories, and make you wonder what our financial future has in store for us.

I have my own moment to add to Jim's "milestones for government induced inflation".
In the early Seventies, we were paid by cash or check. I remember complaining that all of the bills I was getting paid in were new and freshly printed. I couldn't seem to get my co-workers to realize that something was wrong, and there was a danger involved with printing so much new currency. No one seemed to care, the general response was that "money is money", and everything was well with the world as long as "the check cleared."
I wonder what they're saying now?

I for one am getting a little worried.

Ditch the Granny Knot to Tie Your Shoes More Efficiently - Knots - Lifehacker

Tie Your Shoes More Efficiently Lifehacker:
"Over at Runner's World they've put together an instructional video to go along with an informative article on the difference between Granny Knots and Reef Knots. Well tied shoes are important to runners, but anyone can benefit from the simple change in knot tying-methodology."

The subject of the article is great, the solution is great, the video is greater, but this may be one of those "ya can't teach an old dog new tricks" things.
I gave it a shot, and I'm going to keep trying because I'm tired of my laces coming untied during my morning "power walk". BUT after close to 60 years of Granny Knots, it's going to be tough.

Update:
It Works.
It's been a few days, and after much trial and error, I'm getting the hang of it.
The highpoint was when I used the method on a pair of ankle high "urban walkers" (boots) that I love. I stopped wearing them because after an hour the laces would come loose, but not any more.

Overcoming Digital Obscurity

Five Best Photo-Printing Sites - Photo printing - Lifehacker:
"Once upon a time people took photos and dutifully carted their film down to the photo shop to get developed, waiting to see how the photos turned out. Now people immediately check whether or not the shot was good on the display of their digital camera, and more often than not stuff the photos onto their hard drives or upload them to their Flickr accounts, but never get around to actually printing them and preserving them in a physical form. If you've been meaning to get around to printing more photos and saving them from their fate of digital obscurity, the following five Lifehacker reader-selected sites can help you."

I'm one of those people who doesn't take many pictures, and when I do I just store them on my PC never to be seen again. Then I read this article and realized I was not alone. Banning photo's to Digital Obscurity is a common disease.
Don't let yourself become like me, read this article and you too can bore friends and co-workers with a wallet full of family photos. The article is a LifeHacker reader survey and review of the 5 best on-line photo printing sites. I hope that it will save your digital photos from the same fate as mine.
Enjoy!

Free Full Version Office Suite

SoftMaker Office 2008 Free Full Version Download With Genuine License Key - My Digital Life:
"SoftMaker Office 2008 is reliable office productivity software that is designed for beginners and professional users. SoftMaker Office Suite consists of a word processor TextMaker 2008 with DTP features, a spreadsheet PlanMaker 2008, and presentation graphics program that can reads and writes all PowerPoint files called SoftMaker Presentations 2008. In addition, SoftMaker Office 2008 also comes with user-friendly interface and compatibility with Microsoft Office formats. The new SoftMaker Office 2008 has added a ton of features such as writes OpenDocument files, direct PDF export, OLE server, programming language BasicMaker (Microsoft VBA clone), VBA compatible macro programming, full screen mode, envelope generator, and booklet printing."

I found a great FREE Office Suite that you might be interested in. I use OpenOffice myself, but the reviews on this one are good enough for me to "give it a go" on my test machine.
Try it, and let me know what you think. I've added a new Contact page where you can email me directly instead of using the comments section. Give the new page a shot, I'd be glad to hear from you.
Enjoy!

Myth: Young People Know All About Computers

Use Better Tools to Be a Better Student in 2010 :
"Despite the proliferation of laptops and netbooks, the vast majority of students still use their computers like $500 typewriters. Stop working so hard and be a better student by leveraging some clever computer tools to your advantage."
"Every semester I get a new wave of college freshman into my classroom, most of them armed with laptops. For the last several semesters, I have been informally tracking how they use their computers. I always assumed that my students were using their computers to their full potential to help them with school, research, and such, but almost all of them were simply using their laptops as extremely expensive typewriters and instant-messaging terminals.
What good is all the computing power of the pre-1960s world sitting on your lap if you're not using it to make college life easier? The following is a guide for students everywhere that want to spend less time on the tedious stuff, and more time on the things like study and research that actually produce results."

Here's an interesting article about college freshmen and their limited computer abilities.

I've always maintained that in general, people young and old, are not as computer savvy as the media and computer makers think they are. I can't tell you how many people I've run across who tell me they are puzzled by the fact that they are proficient with computers at work, but when they use their home computer they're lost. They don't understand that the work computers run specialized programs geared specifically to their jobs, but their home computers are loaded down with generalized computer programs that they have to figure out how to apply to daily chores.

I'm reminded of a comment made by one of our local weather forecasters, Pati Darak Weather On The Ones, about a new laptop she just purchased:
“You'd think that when the laptop showed up it would do what I want, not what its programmed to do.”

So don't feel to bad about your perceived limited computer skills, most people only know a fraction of the capabilities today's modern computers offer. They're capable of doing a hell of a lot more than just email, web browsing, twittering and face booking.

A New Take On Debit Card Fees

Visa, Using Fees To Dominate a Market - NYTimes.com: 
"Every day, millions of Americans stand at store checkout counters and make a seemingly random decision: after swiping their debit card, they choose whether to punch in a code, or to sign their name.
It is a pointless distinction to most consumers, since the price is the same either way. But behind the scenes, billions of dollars are at stake.
When you sign a debit card receipt at a large retailer, the store pays your bank an average of 75 cents for every $100 spent, more than twice as much as when you punch in a four-digit code."

Even at my age, I find you can learn something new.

I switched from Credit Cards to one Debit Card many years ago. I got tired of the fees charged to both me and the merchants, and all the other problems associated with them. So I was quite surprised when I read this article about how all the fees are still there, only now they are being paid by the merchants and the banks. As the article points out we are talking big bucks here.

I will never understand why the merchants don't just give discounts to cash customers and save themselves some money. That way they would also have some leverage with the banks and card companies over rates, now they seem to have nothing to bargain with.

Update: The NYT article seems to be making the rounds among bargain hunter blogs. Sue Stock's News and Observer consumer blog has a post entitled  The Deal On Debit Cards. It has some interesting observations on the subject, so give Sue some traffic and take a look at what she has to say.