Criminal Justice USA

50 Ways to Make Your BlackBerry More Like Obama’s

Posted by Site Administrator on 06/03/2009 | 0 Comments

Crackberry addict President Barack Obama has had to wait a long time for the return of his mobile device while the NSA creates a customized, uber-secure version that’s appropriate for all the sensitive information that will be stored and transmitted. And even if the rest of us can’t ask the government for help beefing up encryption capabilities on our phones, we can take a cue from the President and take BlackBerry security very seriously. Use this list of tips and tools to make your BlackBerry more like Obama’s.

Hardware

First, you’ll have to start by purchasing the same hardware as the President.

1. BlackBerry 8830: Obama has a BlackBerry 8830, which features a media player, wireless email, built-in GPS, and a long lasting battery.
2. NSA Customization: Chances are, you can’t get your BlackBerry customized by the National Security Agency, but if you really want your BB to be just like Obama’s, you’ll have to find a way.

Apps and Features

Obama probably has to get clearance if he wants to add any extras onto his BlackBerry, but if he could use them, he’d find these productivity enhancers, secure data viewers and other reference tools particularly useful on the go.

3. Vlingo: Vlingo lets you record text messages by speaking into your phone, instead of typing them.
4. MSDict Concise Oxford American Dictionary and Thesaurus: Obama is known for his articulate speaking and expansive vocabulary, maybe because he refers to the Oxford Dictionary on his BlackBerry.
5. BlackBerry Database Viewer: Using this app, you can view and update databases instantly from your BlackBerry.
6. Opera Mini: A secured Opera Mini browser will refresh much faster than other browsers.
7. BlackBerry Enterprise Server: The BES is a popular system that monitors how your device is used, protects data and more.
8. eSpell: Obama can make sure all of his text messages, documents and e-mails are spelled correctly before sending them using eSpell.
9. Bloomberg: Use the BlackBerry version of Bloomberg to get graphs, financial news, economic analysis and more. You know Obama’s keeping up with it, and your BB will make sure you’re updated too.
10. Shazam: Turn your BlackBerry into a workout or in-flight companion with music partner Shazam.
11. Wireless Calendar Synchronization: All BlackBerries in the 8800 series feature Wireless Calendar Synchronization, which lets you RSVP to meetings, submit meeting requests, and manage end-to-end data encryption.
12. Pocket Express: Obama could quickly check the weather, stock quotes and more by using this app on his BlackBerry.
13. Remember The Milk: This to-do list and task manager can be safely and privately used on your BlackBerry, too.
14. Travel Mate for BlackBerry: Organize your vacation or business trip just as securely and exactly as if you were the President. This app features currency converters, country fact sheets, check lists, a travel plan module and more.
15. Agendus for BlackBerry: Agendus safely stores data and syncs up calendars.
16. BlackBerry Organizer: Obama’s phone features the secure Organizer, which includes a calendar, address book, task list, MemoPad and calculator.

Security

Security is the number one priority for the experts working on Obama’s phone. Learn about the security tools and strategies that they’re using and that can work for you too.

17. SecurVoice: Obama’s phone features the SecurVoice software from The Genesis Key, Inc. company. It removes traditional encryption software and installs its own key.
18. No IMs: Obama probably won’t be able to use IM or other chat services on his BlackBerry, as it could leave him too vulnerable to hacking.
19. Restricted e-mail usage: If you want your BB to be just like the President’s, you won’t be able to subscribe to shopping sites, get Evites, or bulk up your contacts list. Only a few security-cleared people even have Obama’s e-mail address.
20. Password Protect: No doubt Obama’s BlackBerry is password protected, a security tip you should remember to use, too.
21. Clear memory: Here you’ll learn how to clear memory off your BlackBerry for maximum privacy.
22. Disable GPS: You may have to disable your GPS capability if you’re worried about hackers, like Obama’s aides are.
23. Don’t get a phone with a camera or video: If anyone with an ulterior motive gets your phone for a split second, he or she could take an incriminating photo or video that could get you in trouble.
24. Understand BlackBerry Code Signing: This tool limits access to third party applications.
25. Check up on your IT administrators: Make sure that BlackBerry IT administrators who have access to your account are using your information responsibly.
26. When you drop it, make sure you find every piece: If you drop your phone and it breaks into several pieces, make sure you collect every single part, just in case you lose a piece that carries confidential information.
27. Check for unwanted add-ons: Take your BlackBerry back into the store to check for any downloads or devices that may have been added without your knowledge.
28. Know the signs of being tapped: Mediocre tapping devices leave clues that give them away. Make sure you know the signs of a bug on your phone.
29. Don’t send PIN to PIN messages: PIN to PIN messages aren’t encrypted like ones sent with BlackBerry Enterprise Server Redirector are.
30. Do background checks on the people you e-mail: Just because you don’t have Obama’s security teams to help you out doesn’t mean you can’t do a simple Google check to make sure the people you share your e-mail address with aren’t psycho.
31. Research anti-theft software: Anti-theft software like Gadget Trak and Get It Back protects your data even if it’s stolen, features an alarm that you can set off remotely, and more.
32. Stay off social media sites: Sites like Facebook are almost as addicting as playing with your BlackBerry, but they’re not secure enough to visit on phones that hold top secret information.

Communication

Remember to protect your network during e-mails and communication on the BlackBerry.

33. Exclusive network: Obama’s BlackBerry can communicate with other choice users who have the same super secure software on their phones, like Michelle Obama.
34. Forget Bluetooth: Bluetooth is susceptible to viruses, and will leave your BlackBerry too vulnerable to hacking.
35. Cut back on e-mail: Due to the Presidential Records Act of 1978 which considers all business-centric communications from the President as public property and subject to subpoenas, Obama is encouraged to cut down on e-mails, which could be sent in the heat of the moment.
36. Track e-mails: Use a special tool like FlexiSPY Light to track and record outgoing and incoming emails, just like Obama’s people do.

Tips

Here you’ll find tips for using your BlackBerry, setting up security systems, and more.

37. Choose the right password: Make sure your passwords for your BlackBerry are so secure that no one will be able to hack into your system.
38. Remove password storage capability: Your BB browser may automatically remember passwords, but it’s safer to type them in each time than store them online.
39. Get a spam filter: Make sure spam is being filtered out of your regular e-mails so that you don’t accidentally grant access to viruses or hackers.
40. Don’t set your BlackBerry on counters or tables: When you’re at a restaurant, don’t set your phone on the table to monitor incoming calls. It’s too easy to forget it when you leave.
41. Don’t pay bills with your BlackBerry: Don’t shop online or pay bills with your BlackBerry, as it leaves your accounts open to hackers.
42. Remember that your phone contains information about others, too: Obama needs to remember that his phone contains personal or sensitive information about his family and professional colleagues, making it that much more important for him to be serious about security.
43. Enter your password as few times as possible: Circumvent password prompts to protect yourself against hackers using these tools.
44. Choose black: Get a plain black BlackBerry, which is less tempting to a potential thief than something shiny or colorful.
45. Keep up with security updates and certifications: Make sure your BlackBerry is equipped with the latest security solutions and isn’t running out-of-date software.
46. Set the timeout option on your email: Set up your BlackBerry so that it automatically times out after a certain period.
47. Monitor your own usage in public: Don’t work on sensitive e-mails or documents on your phone in a public place: you never know who is looking over your shoulder.
48. Always lock your BlackBerry: Prevent curious eyes from hacking into your data or contacts by locking it whenever it’s not in use.
49. Activate your encryption software: Check to make sure your encryption service has been activated. You may have to do it yourself after you purchase your phone.
50. Get a second opinion: Obama has had entire teams devoted to testing his BlackBerry’s security and function, and if you’re worried about hackers or vulnerability, get a second opinion from IT experts.

100 Essential Legal and Privacy Guides for Bloggers

Posted by Site Administrator on 03/05/2009 | 0 Comments

Blogging offers a great way to publish online, but many bloggers don’t quite know what they are getting into when they get started. The legal issues, privacy violations, safety concerns and other problems require lots of thought and often, action. In these guides, you’ll learn all about the legal and privacy issues that concern bloggers.

Legal

Get a lowdown on blog law through these resources.

1. Legal Guide for Bloggers: Read this guide for a comprehensive look at important legal issues for bloggers.
2. Citizen Media Law Project’s Legal Guide: Know your legal rights and responsibilities as an online publisher by following this guide.
3. Guia Legal del Blogger: This resource offers a Chilean legal guide for bloggers.
4. The [Linknotated] Law of the Blogger: Check out this artfully crafted piece to learn about blogger laws.
5. No Safety in Numbers: Read this resource to learn about the liabilities of coblogging relationships.
6. Online Defamation Law: Get an overview to online libel law and how it relates to bloggers.
7. Podcasting Legal Guide: Read this guide to learn about legal issues for podcasters.
8. Virginia Blogger Targeted with Outrageous Subpoena: Learn about the misuse of subpoena power against a Virginia blogger here.
9. 10 Things You Need to Know Before You Blog: Read this guide to get a quick look at important issues bloggers need to know about.
10. Bloggers beware: You’re liable to commit libel: Find out about your responsibilities under defamation law from this resource.
11. Election Law: In this guide, you’ll learn about the legal issues that relate to blogging about political campaigns.
12. Lawsuits Against Bloggers: Read about the legal issues that some bloggers have faced through this guide.
13. 12 Important US Laws Every Blog Needs to Know: This post explains 12 laws that are important to bloggers.
14. Adult Material: Read this FAQ to find out about the legal issues surrounding publishing adult oriented content online.
15. Blogging Can Get You Sued: On this post, you’ll learn about a blogger who got into legal trouble.
16. Blogging Threatened by Impending Legislation: Find out how legislation has attacked blogging from this post.
17. Dutch Legal Guide: Dutch bloggers can benefit from this legal resource.
18. Blog, Interrupted: Find out what can happen when you put your dirty secrets online.

Blogging Rights

Follow these guides to learn about your rights as a blogger.

19. Reporters’ Privilege: Find out how you’re protected when you report news from confidential sources from this guide.
20. Blogging Rights and Obligations: Read Ivan Hoffman’s guide to learn about the important rights dealing with blogging.
21. Freedom of Information Act: This guide covers the Freedom of Information Act that gives you the right to request information that is kept by federal government agencies.
22. Bloggers’ Rights: Get a basic guide to the legal issues you may run into as a blogger here.
23. Blogger rights hazy: This quick snippet offers a look at the problem with blog rights protections.
24. The Bloggers Rights: Read this post to learn about some of the rights bloggers have.
25. Fenwick & West Defends Blogger’s Free Speech Rights to Parody: This post shares the story of a blogger who was targeted for using parody.
26. Section 230 Protections: This guide provides information on Section 230 protections that apply to bloggers.
27. Libel: Blogging Rights and Wrongs: In this guide, you’ll learn about some of the rights and responsibilities of blogging.
28. The Net Democracy Guide: Questions & Answers on Blogging: This guide offers a look at campaign blogging laws.
29. The Blogger Rights: This post follows the story of a young blogger that is being targeted for starting an Orkut community.
30. Just a Reminder About Freedom: Blogging Comes With a Price: Check out this article to learn about the problems bloggers in China face.
31. Media Access: You can find out about getting access to public records, government meetings, and press passes for newsgathering from this guide.
32. Know Your (Blogging) Rights: This post encourages readers to get educated about blogging rights.
33. Blogger Rights: Find out how an Illinois newspaper is trying to protect confidential bloggers, while ignoring the rights of commenters.

Privacy

Find out how to protect your privacy with the help of these guides.

34. Sharing Yourself Online: Privacy While Blogging: This essay will tell you how to be more private while sharing your thoughts online.
35. Writing FAQ: Blogging Privacy: Learn how to make a healthy separation on your blog.
36. Big Brother is Reading Your Blog: Business Week explains how your blog is not as private as you may think.
37. Blogging privacy and liability: This guide asks you to consider your privacy and liability when blogging.
38. How to blog anonymously: Through this guide, you will quickly learn how to blog anonymously to protect your safety.
39. Blogging in the USA: Defamation and Privacy/Anonymity: Learn about cases and privacy issues for bloggers in this guide.
40. Privacy, Blogging, and Conflict of Interest: This post considers memory, technology, and more in private blogging.
41. Bloggers’ Expectations of Privacy and Accountability: An Initial Survey: Find out more about bloggers’ sense of privacy and perceptions of liability from this survey.
42. Blogging & Your Privacy: Read this guide to learn about some of the things you can do to protect your privacy.
43. Privacy FAQ: Find a discussion on the privacy of the people you blog about from this FAQ.
44. Blogging and privacy: are any expectations reasonable ones?: This blogger writes about privacy expectations while blogging.
45. Private Blogs: Read this WordPress guide to learn how to make your blog more private.
46. A technical guide to anonymous blogging-a very early draft: In this guide, you’ll learn about the technical details of anonymous blogging.
47. Blogging Privacy and Safety: This guide encourages parents to be thoughtful about the information you share about your family on your blog.

Safety

Keep yourself safe by following these guides.

48. Tips on Keeping Your Blog from Being Hacked: Read this post to learn how to help prevent keeping your blog from being hacked.
49. Be a Safe Blogger: Read this post to consider who exactly is reading about your daily life.
50. What to Do When Your Blog is Attacked: Find out how to deal with attacks on your blog from this guide.
51. When Blogging Can Get You Locked Up: Learn about bloggers who landed in trouble for their writings here.
52. How to Blog Safely (About Work or Anything Else): The Electronic Frontier Foundation’s guide reminds bloggers of simple precautions to take for your personal privacy.
53. Egypt police beat, detain blogger: This post shares the story of a blogger that was attacked for his writing.
54. Handbook for bloggers and cyber-dissidents: Find out how to stay anonymous and safe while blogging from this handbook.
55. Teens’ Guide to Safe Blogging: This guide encourages teen bloggers to be careful about what they share online.
56. The Committee to Protect Bloggers-Risking Your Life for Your Words: Learn about the risks of blogging through this resource.
57. Blog Stalkers-Personal Safety for Bloggers: Learn about blog stalkers and how to deal with them from this post.
58. A common sense approach to Internet safety: This resource from Google shares information about online safety.
59. Blog Sites, Profile Sites, Diary Sites or Social Networking Sites: This post dicusses some of the parental concerns on blog and diary sites.
60. Childnet Blogsafety: This site offers information about blogging and social networking for parents.

Blogging & Your Life

These resources will show you how blogging can affect your career, education, and more.

61. Blogging Consequences: Get an overview of some of the legal liabilities and unforeseen consequences of blogging here.
62. C|Net’s Guide to Workplace Blogging: Follow this FAQ to learn about the repercussions of workplace blogging.
63. Google blogger: ‘I was terminated’: Check out this post to learn about how one blogger got fired for writing about Google on his blog.
64. Blogging and Privacy: This post offers tips for corporate blogs, and employees who blog.
65. Labor Law: Read about the laws that surround workplace blogging from this guide.
66. Employers, employees should understand blog rights: Get an overview of the rights that employers and employees need to know about when it comes to blogging.
67. I was fired for blogging: Here you can read the story of a woman who was fired for blogging.
68. The beginning of Blog Rights?: Read this post to find out about a Court of Appeals decision that could signal the beginning of blog rights for employees.
69. Employee Blogs Pose Potential Problems for Businesses: Read this post to learn about the harm employee blogs can bring.
70. Asserting Your Workplace Rights: Find out about your rights in the workplace from this guide.
71. Corporate Violation of Employee Blogging Rights: This post explains how some companies have peeped into personal online journals.
72. Fighting for Blogging Rights: Watch this video, and you’ll learn about the push for better workplace blogging rights.
73. FAQ: Blogging on the job: Read this FAQ for a good guide to blogging without losing your job.
74. Friendster fires developer for blog: Check out this post to learn about a Friendster employee who was fired for blogging.
75. Corporate Blogging: Seize the Opportunity, but Control the Risks: Learn about the legal issues involved in blogging for companies.
76. FIRE’s Guide to Free Speech on Campus: School bloggers should follow this guide to free speech.
77. Blogging Rights: Learn about some of the issues surrounding student and faculty bloggers from this guide.
78. Northern Illinois University’s Guide for High School Journalists: Check out this guide to learn about libel, copyright, obscenity, and privacy.
79. Student Bloggers: Find out about some of the legal issues in student blogging from this guide.
80. Dating a Blogger, Reading All About It: The New York Times explores what can happen when the people in your life find your blog.
81. Privacy and Blogging: This blogger shares a strategy for identifying friends on a blog.

Copyright & Intellectual Property

Learn about copyright, intellectual property, and related issues for bloggers from these resources.

82. 10 Big Myths About Copyright Explained: Brad Templeton explains copyright myths in plain words.
83. A Practical Guide to GPL Compliance: Learn about effective compliance with the GNU General Public License from this guide.
84. Do You Know Your Garden Blogging Rights: Copyright Infringement: Read this post to learn about copyright infringement as it relates to your blog.
85. Crash Course in Copyright: Get a quick look into copyright from this course.
86. What Do You Do When Someone Steals Your Content: Here you’ll find an excellent resource for protecting your content.
87. A brief intro to copyright: Learn the essentials of copyright from this introduction.
88. Copyright Term and the Public Domain in the United States: Check out this guide to learn about the terms for copyright and public domain.
89. Fair Use: Wikipedia offers a guide to fair use here.
90. The Growing Trends in Content Theft: Find out about image theft, feed scraping, and website hijacking here.
91. How to Attribute a Creative Commons Licensed Work: Follow this guide to learn how to give proper attribution to Creative Commons licensed works.
92. Copyright: Read this guide to get an in-depth look at copyright.
93. Stolen Content: A How To Guide: Find out what to do when someone steals your content by following this guide.
94. Intellectual Property: Follow this guide to find out about some of the issues that arise when you use materials created by others on your blog.
95. Copyfraud: Find out what copyfraud is from this guide.
96. What to do when someone steals your original content: This detailed guide will help you stop a content thief.
97. Finding Stolen Content and Copyright Infringements: In this guide, you will learn about how you can protect your content.
98. How to Use a Work with a NonCommercial License: Find out about non commercial use from this guide.
99. Intellectual property: This Wikipedia guide explains the legal concept of intellectual property.
100. Biggest Copyright Infringement in the World But Nobody Cares Enough: This blogger writes about the apathy of copyright enforcement.

Who Knows What About You? 25 Free Tools to Find Out

Posted by Site Administrator on 02/16/2009 | 0 Comments

Lots of personal information about you is available online, and you dont have to be an FBI agent to find it. Whether it’s public records or your home telephone number, there are lots of tools that you have at your disposal to find this information. Here, we’ll take a look at 25 tools that can help you track down the information that’s available about you online.

Monitoring Tools

Set up these tools to get alerts whenever your information comes up.

1. Google Alerts: With this tool, you can find out what people are saying about you online. Set up an alert for your name, common misspellings, and more to monitor your Google buzz.
2. TweetBeep: Twitter is fast becoming one of the most popular ways to communicate online, so monitor your name on Twitter with TweetBeep by setting up an alert.
3. AlertThingy: AlertThingy will update you on your information in social networks all over the web, so you can stay up to date all in one handy spot.
4. Yacktrack: Use Yacktrack, and you can find comments on your content from Blogger, FriendFeed, Digg, and more. This is a great way to find out when people are responding to your comments, videos, photos, and more.
5. MonitorThis: With this simple tool, you’ll be able to monitor search feeds from a variety of websites online.
6. Technorati: Find out what’s being said about you on the blogosphere from Technorati, and even read reactions to your blog.
7. uberVU: Get updates on reactions all over the Internet to your stories, profiles, and much more using the uberVU tool.
8. Boardtracker: Get alerts about forum threads that have your name in them from this tool, so you’ll always be able to find out when someone is talking about you.
9. Backtype: Find, follow, and share comments about yourself all around the Web using this tool. You can even make sure that when you write a comment with a link to your website, it will be attributed to you.
10. Trackur: Trackur offers a really sophisticated way to track your online reputation over blogs, news sites, and lots more.

Business & Finance

Check out what’s being said about your business and finances with these tools.

11. Yelp: Yelp’s local websites are full of reviews and discussions that can help you find out what’s being said about your business online.
12. AnnualCreditReport.com: Check out what the credit reporting agencies are sharing about your financial situation from this website.
13. Yahoo! Local: Check out reviews and ratings for your business using Yahoo!’s local business pages.
14. Sellerwise: Sellerwise will help you find out intelligence about your auctions, including how people are finding your listings and how many times they visit.
15. Citysearch: Find out what’s being said about your business, and find the resources that your customers can find out with through Citysearch’s website.

Search

With these search engines, you can be your own sleuth to find out who has the dirt on you.

16. Social Mention: Use this social media search engine to find your name and brand on blogs, comments, bookmarks, videos, and much more.
17. The Internet Address Book: See where you can be found on the Internet from this website, and register so that you can control the information that’s shared.
18. Wink: Use Wink’s comprehensive people search to find yourself online, and claim your online identity.
19. ZabaSearch: ZabaSearch is well known for being eerily accurate about the information it can dig up on you-so be sure to check this one out.
20. Spydentity: Spydentity searches webpages, blogs, profiles, photos, and lots more to find your personal information online.
21. PeekYou: PeekYou makes it easy to find yourself by your real, name, online username, and more.
22. Pipl: Pipl’s comprehensive people search will show you information about your name, email, username, and phone number.

Public Records

Make use of these tools to research your own public records.

23. iSearch: iSearch can help you find your public records data, school and professional information, social networking, and lots more.
24. Intelius: Intelius is a smart tool that can help you find your personal information, including home value, income, and public records.
25. Mamma: This mother of all search engines offers a way to find your public records, unlisted phone numbers, and background check information.

100 Tips, Tools, and Legal Resources to Be Your Own Real Estate Agent

Posted by Site Administrator on 02/09/2009 | 0 Comments

These days, people in the real estate market can use all of the money they can get. For many people, that means cutting out the middleman and saving on agent commissions. It’s easier to go it your own than you’re probably thinking, and you’ll find lots of great tips, tools, and resources for doing so here.

Tips

Follow these tips for great advice on being your own real estate agent.

1. Hire a real estate lawyer: Using a real estate lawyer is a very smart move, as a good lawyer’s advice and guidance can help you save lots of money and headaches.
2. Invest in marketing: Take the time to develop strong marketing materials, such as an effective for sale sign and an informative flyer.
3. Consider every offer from qualified buyers: If the terms of an offer are not what you’re looking for, you wan always deliver a counter-offer.
4. Clean and declutter: When taking photos and showing your home, be sure that your home is clean and presentable for potential buyers.
5. Get preapproved: Before you start looking at homes, be sure to get preapproved so that you know what you can afford, and so your offer will be more attractive to sellers.
6. Visit open houses: Get a look at other homes for sale in the neighborhood, including how they are marketing and what they have to offer.
7. Hire your own inspector: Have an inspector give you a report on your home before you sell-you can generally repair problems identified by your own inspector at a lower cost than if they are pointed out by a buyer’s inspector.
8. Require pre-qualification: Make sure that you’re only talking to qualified buyers by requiring that anyone who wants to see your home has proof of pre-qualification first.
9. Add strategic value before selling: Adding a new bathroom or refinishing your cabinets may help raise your price, but not all improvements will pay off in your final profit.
10. Consider offering a home warranty: Provide buyers with peace of mind by offering a low cost warranty that covers major home systems.
11. Ask for a comparative market analysis: Realtors do not charge for CMAs, and it’s a good idea to have this information. Just be honest about selling or buying on your own-they’ll be waiting if you decide you need help.
12. Sell your home "as is": If you want to avoid inspection problems, or having to deal with repairs, you can sell your home "as is," although at a lower price.
13. Get an appraisal: Make a qualified valuation of your home by hiring an appraiser.
14. Take lots of high quality photos: Make it easy for buyers to fall in love with your home before they even step foot in it by taking photos that show them everything they want to see.
15. Get a homeowner’s report: Be sure to check for liens against your property to avoid trouble before getting into a sales contract.
16. Price aggressively: By saving on commissions, you can afford to price your home more aggressively and attract more buyers.
17. Give the proper disclosures: If you know your roof leaks, or your electricity is not up to code, you will be required to disclose this information to potential buyers.
18. Carefully list what is and is not included with your home: Make it explicitly clear whether or not the buyer will be able to keep items like appliances and chandeliers.
19. Consider all of the fees involved: When pricing your home, be sure to factor in closing fees and other selling costs in the final profit.
20. Hold an open house: An open house is a good way to attract buyers to your home and allow a lot of people to see it at the same time.
21. Consider special financing: Your house may become more attractive if you allow buyers to assume your mortgage, or if you provide seller financing.
22. Check references: Before hiring a contractor or accepting an offer, be sure that you can trust who you’re doing business with.
23. Prequalify: Instead of opening your home up to everyone who wants to take a look, require that buyers meet certain criteria before they can come in for a showing.
24. Know when you need help: Not everyone can handle being their own real estate agent, so know when it’s time to call in an expert.
25. Tell your friends, family and neighbors: Get the word out about selling your home-you never know who knows someone in the market.
26. Negotiate: Don’t be afraid to go back and forth on terms and offers to get the deal you want.
27. Watch out for contingencies: An offer with restrictive or too many contingencies can make it hard to complete a sale, so tread carefully when it comes to these terms.
28. Check comparable sales: Be sure to find out what similar homes in your area are selling for.
29. Know the market: Pay attention to the selling market so that you can be aware when home sales are hot or when they are slow.
30. Write easily-scannable copy: Most buyers will just skim through what you write on flyers and online, so make sure what you write is formatted in a way that’s easy to read.
31. Write an effective ad: An ad with the right information is an incredibly powerful tool for attracting home buyers.
32. Repaint: Something as simple as slapping a fresh coat of paint on your walls can help make your home more attractive to buyers.
33. Get help with marketing: Use an MLS listing service to make sure that your home is seen by a wide variety of buyers.
34. Set your price just under a whole number: By setting your price at $249,999, you can make your price more attractive than $250,000.

Tools

Here you’ll find lots of great tools for doing your own real estate work.

35. Audrie.com: Audrie.com is full of real estate tools, including a flat fee MLS service and web pages.
36. Real Estate Glossary: In this glossary, you’ll find helpful real estate terms and definitions.
37. Angie’s List: Find a high quality inspector, appraiser, and more using Angie’s List.
38. Checklist for Buying a Home: Take this checklist along with you when shopping for a home, and it will help you evaluate different houses.
39. Sperling’s Best Places: Sperling will make it easy for you to assess different cities.
40. Multimap: Get a bird’s eye view and lots of information about locations using this tool.
41. Better Business Bureau: Make use of the Better Business Bureau to check up on title companies, inspectors, and more.
42. Glossary of Legal Terms: You’ll be able to look up hard to understand real estate terms in this glossary.
43. Yelp: Yelp will help you find good service providers with reviews and more.
44. House Buying Checklist: Follow this checklist to make sure you’re ready before buying a home as your own agent.
45. Real Estate ABC: Get definitions to real estate terms in plain English from this glossary.
46. Google Maps: Google Maps is a great tool for checking out neighborhoods, with street view, local businesses, and more.

Listing Services

With the help of these services, you can get your home seen by buyers.

47. For Sale By Owner: You can see your home without commission on this website.
48. BuyOwner: Buyers and sellers alike can use this website to be their own real estate agent.
49. International Listings: This site specializes in international real estate sales, so US homes in the luxury market would qualify. The service also helps with real estate marketing syndication.

Calculators

Make use of these calculators to do the math in your real estate transactions.

49. Bankrate Mortgage Calculator: Enter your mortgage amount, term, interest rate, and start date, and this calculator will tell you your approximate monthly payments.
50. Seller’s Net Cash Calculator: With this calculator, you can estimate the proceeds from the sale of your house.
51. Real Estate Calculator Suite: This software will help you with amortization schedules, closing costs, payments, and lots more.
52. How Much Can I Borrow Calculator: This calculator will help you determine the maximum loan you can expect to qualify for.
53. Simple Mortgage Calculator: Check out this mortgage calculator for a no-frills look at your payments.
54. Pre-Qualification Calculator: Sellers can use this calculator to determine whether or not a prospective buyer will be able to obtain a loan.
55. How Much Can I Afford Calculator: Find out if your income is enough to qualify for the home you want with the help of this calculator.

Legal

You’ll find legal forms, advice, and more in these resources.

56. Katkus: Katkus is home to a variety of free and low cost real estate forms, including disclosures, tax forms, and more.
57. Legal Home Forms: This website has more than 60 professional fill in the blank real estate forms.
58. US Legal Forms: In this resource, you’ll find state specific real estate forms for deeds, contracts, liens, and more.
59. Lienfax: With this service, you can look up any and all liens on your home before putting it up for sale.
60. ZipForm: ZipForm’s software will make it easy for you to create your own real estate forms.
61. All Law: Check out this site to find real estate forms and information.
62. Profpub: With this software, you’ll get a variety of real estate forms that you can use nationwide.
63. ‘Lectric Law Library: Use this library’s forms room to find all of the forms you’ll need for real estate.

Communities

Get lots of great advice from the people in these real estate communities.

64. Redfin Real Estate Forums: Redfin’s forums are full of DIY real estate mavens with lots of great information and conversations.
65. National Real Estate Directory: In these forums, you’ll find news, advice, and ideas.
66. Agents Online: These forums are designed to help both agents and aspiring agents.

Advice

Read these articles to learn valuable advice for being your own real estate agent.

67. How to Be Your Own Real Estate Agent: This article offers useful advice for selling your own home.
68. FSBO Signs for Selling Your Own Property: This article is a goldmine of advice for creating your own sale sign.
69. Facts About Real Estate Appraisals: Read this article to find lots of great information about real estate appraisals.
70. Negotiating Tips for Selling by Owner: Learn the fine art of negotiation from this article.
71. Making an Attractive Home-Purchase Offer: Read this article to learn more about making a home purchase offer.
72. The Basics on Lease-Option (Rent to Own): Find out how lease-option sales work from this article.
73. 77 Surefire Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value: Follow this article to get a variety of useful ideas for improving the value of your home before selling it.
74. A Simple Guide for Selling a Home on Your Own: This article offers lots of great details to keep in mind when selling your own home.
75. Buying a House on Your Own Versus Using an Agent: Here you’ll find out the advantages of buying without an agent, and how you can go about doing so.
76. Home Selling Price: Set it Right and Everything Else is Easy: Audrie.com’s article is full of advice for setting the right selling price.
77. Be Your Own Real Estate Broker: Rome Neal offers a variety of tips for avoiding pitfalls when selling your home without a broker.
78. Closing the Deal to Sell Your House: This article deals with the nitty-gritty details of finalizing your home sale.
79. Snagging a Home Buyer: Selling Secrets for Writing a Successful Property Listing Ad: Find valuable advice for writing a successful property listing ad in this article.
80. Showing FSBO Homes for Sale: In this article, you’ll find great advice and ideas for an open house.
81. Setting a Value on a Home: Check out this article to learn more about determining value for a home.
    
82. Can You Really Be Your Own Real Estate Agent?: This article weighs the pros and cons of DIY real estate.
83. Formatting Tips for Home Selling Pictures: This article has advice on lighting, sizing, perspective, and other photo taking essentials.
84. United Kingdom: Be Your Own Landlord/Managing Agent: Brits interested in changing the terms of their lease can benefit from reading this article.
85. 5 Reasons You Don’t Need an Agent: Read this article to find out why you don’t need an agent to see your own home.
86. Prepare Your Home for FSBO by Cleaning and Clearing: Check out this resource to learn about preparing your property for sale.
87. Simple Steps to Pricing Your Home: Follow this article to determine a good asking price.
88. How to Be Your Own Realtor: This article will provide you with a look at how you can cut out the middlemen and sell your home yourself.

Blogs

Check out these blogs for ongoing advice and inspiration for working as your own real estate agent.

90. Inman News: Inman News discusses the intersection of real estate and technology.
91. Bubble Meter: This blog covers the decline of houseing markets in the US.
92. Go Beyond MLS: Get lots of tips for smart home marketing from this blog.

Resources

Make use of these resources to make working as your own real estate agent easy.

93. Total Real Estate Solutions: This website is full of listings, tips, tools, forms, and more.
94. Zillow: Zillow makes it easy for you to look up comparable sales, local information, and more.
95. HomePages: HomePages is a great resource, including information on buying or selling a home, and obtaining a loan.
96. Homes.com: On this site, you can learn about finance, neighborhoods, home values, and other valuable information.
97. Cyberhomes: Cyberhomes is full of useful resources including maps, values, and listings.
98. Real Estate Wiki: This wiki offers information on home selling, buying, mortgages, and more.
99. Foreclosure.com: You can find foreclosures, pre-foreclosures, and more on this site.
100. Trulia: Trulia’s website will provide you with advice, news, comps, and more.

50 Tools to Research Your New Home, Neighborhood, and Community

Posted by Site Administrator on 02/05/2009 | 0 Comments

Before you move, take a few minutes to make sure you’re well-acquainted with your new city and neighborhood. Use these online tools and guides to research school districts, look up sex offenders, find things to do in your community, and compare home prices.

Home Inspection and Security

Learn how to evaluate your new home’s vulnerability to thieves, research the history of your house, and more when you use these tools.

1. Check local or county courthouse: City archives and the local courthouse should have deed registrations for your house, so you can find out who owned it or rented it before you.
2. How to Research the History of Your House: This guide will help you take the steps necessary to finding out who owned your house before you, how to check public records, and more.
3. House Histories: Learn to estimate how old your house is, find old title transfers, and more.
4. Home Safety Game: Play this game to identify everyday dangers in your home and yard.
5. It Takes a Thief: It Takes a Thief is another interactive game that challenges you to find your home’s security vulnerabilities.

Car History

Before buying a used car, do a check to make sure it wasn’t in a fire, stolen or salvaged.

6. Auto Lemon – Used Car History Check: Use this site to look up the vehicle history report on your car.
7. Carfax: Carfax has tools to help you uncover title problems, ownership history, accident history and more.
8. DMV.org Vehicle History Reports: Use DMV.org to conduct a vehicle history report on your car to find out whether or not it was salvaged, fire damaged or in an accident.
9. AutoCheck: AutoCheck is another great resource for checking odometer problems, frame damage, accidents, theft and more.
10. VIN Numbers: This free report features a VIN glossary, VIN code law, decoding links and a car history report.
11. Check My Car: Learn all about VIN checks here, then enter your car’s VIN to get a Vehicle History Report.
12. Vehicle History Report: Your Key to a Good Used Car: Read Edmunds.com’s overview of Vehicle History Reports to learn about all the things you need to get checked before buying a used car.

Sex Offender Check

Look up sex offenders to find the safest neighborhood and zip code for your kids.

13. Family Watchdog: Find sex offenders by location or name using this tool.
14. Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website: Check for sex offenders on this national registry. The list combines all the names on state registries for an easy search.
15. SexOffender.com: Read about Megan’s Law and access the database registry to look up violent offenders in your area.
16. Map Sex Offenders: This database includes over 300,000 sex offenders around the country. Results in your area are displayed on a map so that you can see just how close they live.
17. RegisteredOffendersList.org: Use this site to access photos, conviction information, offense dates, street addresses and other facts about the offenders living in your area.
18. Code Amber Sex Offender Registries by State: This tool has links to every state’s sex offender registry.

Criminal Background Checks

If you suspect your co-worker, neighbor or even your child’s teacher of suspicious activity, run a criminal background check with one of these tools to find out.

19. CriminalCheck.com: Use this site to conduct a criminal check by name or zip code.
20. Public Record Finder: With Public Record Finder, you can do a criminal background check to learn about property ownership, bankruptcies, marriage records and more.
21. Criminal Watchdog: This site uses its connections to official government reporting agencies to generate criminal background checks and public record checks.
22. USA People Search: This report generates address and phone history, property ownership and court records, sex offender and criminal records, and more.
23. Statewide Criminal Background Check Resources: Here you can find links to each state’s lists of inmates and criminal records.
24. Criminal-Checks.com: Narrow your search by typing in a name, state, county, date of birth and gender to find criminal records.
25. FBI NICS e-check: Use this official tool to find perpetrators in the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
26. CrimCheck: Connect to over 1,330 government court sites to look up public records and criminal background checks.
27. Background Check Gateway: Find state resources and look up neighborhood profiles on this website.

Real Estate Appraisal

Check your old home’s value or the general neighborhood value of your future community here.

28. Zillow: Zillow looks up local mortgage rates and home value information.
29. Yahoo! Real Estate: Here you can find tools to estimate home values, look up foreclosures and more.
30. HouseValues.com: This free tool generates a report that reveals your home’s current market value.
31. Real Estate ABC: Real Estate ABC estimates the value of your home based on the last 30 comparable sales in the area.

Schools

Compare school districts and find public school rankings with these tools.

32. Homefair: Look up schools, local salary reports and other community information here.
33. Search for Public Schools: The National Center for Education Statistics helps you find public schools in your area with this tool.
34. Great Schools: Compare and get ratings for public schools and private schools here.
35. SchoolMatters: Get feedback from parents who have rated their child’s school on this site.
36. Neighborhood Scout Public School Ratings: Subscribe to these school ratings to find out how it compares to other schools in the state and country. You can find test scores, number of teachers, and more.
37. Rankings of Public Schools: Before you move, use this tool to locate the top public schools in the state.

Local Crime Reports

These tools will help you run local crime reports so you know which neighborhoods and cities are safest.

38. CrimeReports: Enter your city or street address, or click on a state to access local crime reports.
39. City Profile Report: Using the U.S. Census Bureau estimates, this tool generates statistics about crime, demographics and more in different zip codes.
40. Spot Crime: Spot Crime is "the most comprehensive online source of crime information." Select a state to get more information about your area.
41. Wal-Mart Crime Report: If you plan on making lots of late-night trips to Wal-Mart, make sure your local store is safe.
42. USA Cops: This tool connects you to local law enforcement agencies, where you can look up any city crime reports and safety information.

Local Guides

Beyond safety, you’ll want to make sure your new community has lots to offer in terms of social activities, grocery stores and more. Use these local guides and tools to explore your zip code from afar.

43. Find My Nearest: If you live in the UK, type in your zip code to find your nearest florist, pubs and more.
44. Neighborhood Scout: This all-in-one resource lets you scout out your future neighborhood before you move. Access real estate tools, school ratings, neighborhoods with kids, retirement communities and more.
45. Weather.com: Weather.com’s averages and climate tools let you research how cold, rainy or hot a particular city gets each month.
46. Google Local: Look up businesses, night life and more using this tool.
47. Yelp: Yelp lets you post and browse reviews of local businesses, restaurants, shopping, and more.
48. MyLocalLookup: Learn more about your new community when you use this tool to find nearby businesses, movie times, TV listings and more.
49. Riley Guide: Find job opportunities by U.S. region here.
50. Ready America: When you need to locate an emergency response team or first responder office, check this resource.

100 Useful Web Tools to Survive–and Thrive–in a Recession

Posted by Site Administrator on 02/02/2009 | 0 Comments

The Internet affords those of us suffering from the recession many tools to stay afloat and out of danger, from tracking the stock market in real time, accessing free investment tools and financial calculators, and using free or discounted business tools to keep us connected and in the game. Read on for 100 useful web tools that will help you thrive in a recession, instead of running to play catch up.

Finance and Investment

Keep up with the markets by checking these charts, financial news sites and feeds. You’ll also find financial calculators to estimate and manage debt, house payments and retirement.

1. Bloomberg.com: Bloomberg.com’s investment tools are great for watching the market, finding financial calculators and keeping up with your portfolios, securities, and stock market.
2. Market Watch Market Indexes: Track the gains and losses of major markets, industries and international markets.
3. SmartMoney: At SmartMoney, you can use tools like the Market Radar, Price Check Calculator for stocks, mutual fund maps and more.
4. The Street: This website is an online news source and customizable tracker for business news and tracking the market.
5. Tip’d – financial social media: Tip’d is the first major social news site for investing, budgeting and other PF topics.
6. The Wall Street Journal: Get up-to-the minute news and market information on all the politics and business news that determines your investments.
7. Quote.com: At Quote.com, you can easily find information about the world’s financial markets and use tools to manage your personal investments, like home costs, college planning and retirement.
8. Raging Bull: Get real-time stock quotes on Raging Bull and set up your own account to manage your portfolio.
9. NYSE: Learn about bonds, equities, trading information and more from the NYSE website.
10. London Stock Exchange: Keep track of Europe’s leading market here.
11. Reuters Finance: Closely follow Reuters’ business and finance pages to learn about the latest failures during the recession, get analysis on what’s coming next, and tips on how to protect yourself.
12. TurboTax: Use TurboTax to make sure you’re taking advantage of every kind of deduction around tax time.
13. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission: Find out what the government is doing to help credit holders and investors during the bank crisis and financial crisis.
14. The Motley Fool: Read The Motley Fool to look up stock information, read about the latest bank and company busts, and manage your own personal finances.
15. NASDAQ: Get quotes, market indices, summary quotes, after-hours summaries, charts and a whole lot more on the NASDAQ site.

Budgeting Tools

Use these budgeting tools to ensure you get the most out of every paycheck and know exactly where all your money goes.

16. Kiplinger: Use Kiplinger’s budgeting tools to evaluate your cost of living, figure out how much you’re spending, and even discover ways to turn your savings into millions.
17. Mint: Mint is a free program that helps you see where all your money goes, and how to keep it safe.
18. Ideal Budget: CNN’s Money 101 starts you off with an online worksheet to budget your biggest expenses, debt and more.
19. Free household budgeting work sheet: This free work sheet from Bankrate can help your family organize its budget, savings and spending.
20. Buxfer: Buxfer is another free software program that tracks your credit cards, spending, debt and more.
21. Bill Q: This program is a simple, streamlined platform for organizing bills.
22. Choose to Save: Find all kinds of calculators on this site, from life expectancy to mutual funds to retirement to Roth IRA to stocks to bonds and health insurance.
23. budgetEDGE: You can use this tool anonymously, which warns you when you’re getting close to running out of money.
24. Indy Budget: IndyBudget will give you the tools to set goals, remind yourself of upcoming bills through e-mail alerts, forecast your savings and budget needs, and more.
25. Geezeo: With Geezeo, you can manage all your accounts from one place, get advice from financial experts and other users, and access lots of budgeting tools.

Price Comparison

Comparison shopping is extremely important right now, and these websites make it very easy to get the best deal on baby items, groceries, clothes, electronics and more.

26. PriceGrabber.com: This online comparison shopping tool lets you shop by category or look up a specific product. You can also get reviews and ratings of individual items.
27. Bizrate: Bizrate is a popular resource for those searching out the best deals. Categories like home and garden, sports and outdoors, toys and games, computers and software and electronics direct you to what you need.
28. DealTime: DealTime comes with a shopping guide and store directory, plus searchable categories so you can easily compare deals.
29. Street Prices: This shopping search engine is committed to "sniffing out the best prices on the web."
30. Bottomdollar.com: Get the best deal on books, cameras, furniture and more.
31. mySimon: This little guy directs you to some of the best sales online.
32. PriceSCAN: Here you can view price trends, get vendor ratings, and easily find the product you want.
33. Nextag: Nextag finds deals in mortgages, travel, and regular shopping categories.

Travel Deals and Tools

A recession doesn’t mean you have to cancel all your vacations. Use these sites and tools to find the best deals on ticket prices, attractions, public transportation and more.

34. TravelZoo: Look for flights and hotels all over the world, plus vacation specials and packages on this site.
35. Kayak: Kayak searches over 140 travel booking sites to find you the best deals, while still allowing you to buy directly from the travel sites.
36. Trip Advisor: Make sure you get the most out of your trip and the best deals by reading reviews, getting vacation ideas and finding the best restaurants, transportation and attractions for less.
37. Booking Buddy: Use Booking Buddy to search Expedia, Orbitz, American Airlines and other travel sites.
38. EasyJet: If you can’t get a cheap flight to your first destination in Europe, fly to a hub and then use the more budget-friendly airline EasyJet for a connection.
39. Transport Direct: If traveling throughout Britain, use this site to get public transportation directions, car routes, day trip ideas, bus stops and more.
40. Google Transit: Google Transit will connect you to the closest public transportation option and then get you to your destination. Find public transit in the U.S., Europe and more.
41. GasBuddy: When planning a road trip, make sure you know where to stop for the cheapest gas along the way when you use this tool.

Saving Money on Food

Food is a necessity and often carves out a large portion of our budgets. Use these tools to make sure you’re saving as much as you can on grocery shopping and eating out.

42. Vegetable Gardening Guru: Grow your own vegetables to save money at the grocery store.
43. Beer Tools: Learn how to make your own beer with these recipe generators and other beer tools.
44. Diet.com recipes: Instead of buying trendy and expensive diet foods, learn how to make your own healthy meals.
45. All Recipes: Watch how-to videos, start your own blog, and create an online recipe box to store meal ideas and cheap snacks.
46. Cheap Eats: This blog directs you to cheap food in cities like Detroit, Eugene, OR, and Las Vegas. You can also find recipes and tips for finding and making cheap food.
47. New York Eat Cheap 2008: New Yorkers and those planning to visit the Big Apple can find the best of inexpensive restaurants here.
48. 20 Ways to Save on Groceries: Bankrate’s list has lots of great tips for helping you budget your grocery bill.
49. The Grocery Game: Get tips for saving money on groceries, find coupons, and more.
50. Healthy, Cheap, Tasty and Quick: The Grocery Store Grand Slam and Eight Tips on How to Achieve It: The Simple Dollar has excellent tips on getting through your grocery trip stress-free and without spending too much.
51. Sam’s Club Store Locator: Consider getting a membership to Sam’s Club so that you can save money on groceries and other items.

Coupons

Check these coupon sites to cancel out online shipping costs and more.

52. RetailMeNot: Find free shipping and discount coupons for ebay, Kohls.com, PapaJohns.com, VictoriasSecret.com and others.
53. DealCatcher: With DealCatcher, you can find coupons and learn about the best deals of the day.
54. CouponCabin: Go to CouponCabin.com to get savings plans, free shipping and clearance prices.
55. Cool Savings: Here you can find printable coupons for groceries, clothing, pet items and more.
56. Fat Wallet: Fat Wallet is an online cash saving community that lets you connect with other shoppers, find coupons, earn cash back and more.
57. Flamingo World: On this site, you can find online coupons for Bluefly, Ann Taylor, Target and more.
58. CurrentCodes: Browse by store merchant or by category to find coupons for your favorite products and stores.
59. Wow Printable Coupons: Find printable coupons for restaurants, shopping, travel, rebates and more.
60. Best VoIP Service Coupons: Compare deals at the top Voice over IP service providers.
61. CheapStingyBargains: This site posts coupons and even has a forum and price comparing tool.

Free Business Tools

Continue to grow your business despite the recession with these free or almost-free tools.

62. Entrepreneur.com: Access Entrepreneur.com’s business tools to search for vendors, start your online business, create a logo and more.
63. Inc.com: Membership to Inc.com is free and gives you access to tips and tools regarding employee management, client relations, financial management and more.
64. Bplans: Get tips on writing a business plan and design your plan based on one of 500 sample plans.
65. Google Docs: Create spreadsheets, word documents and more with this free set.
66. Zoho: This free collection of productivity and business apps features an online organizer, wiki, notebook, presentation tool, spreadsheets, invoicing, CRM and more.
67. Backpack: Organize your small business, vendors and contacts online with this project management and streamlining tool.
68. Campfire: Manage group chats without having to pay for commutes and travel with Campfire.
69. Highrise: Make your clients feel super special when you use this CRM tool. Comes with a 30-day free trial.
70. Blinksale: You can send up to three invoices per month for free with this online invoicing program.
71. LinkedIn: Join this networking community to instantly broaden your contacts base, find new jobs and discover promising opportunities.

Cheap Fun

If you give up fun altogether in the name of savings, the recession will damage your mood and relationships, not just your budget. Check out these resources for ways to have fun on the cheap.

72. My Open Bar: If you live in New York City, Chicago, LA, Miami, Honolulu or San Francisco, check this website for spots with free or almost free drinks specials. More cities to come.
73. Daily Candy: Subscribe to this daily e-mail service that lets you know all the cool (and affordable) sales, and special events and parties for foodies, fashionistas, the art crowd and more.
74. PaperBack Swap: Join this community to mail books to fellow readers and get books sent to you. You can also swap hardbacks and audio books.
75. SwapTree: Trade books, music, DVDs and video games with online friends using this service.
76. Shop Freebies: Shop for free samples and get coupons for household items, travel and more.
77. CompleteTickets.com: Get discounted movie, concerts, theater, and sporting events tickets here.
78. Okaya: Okaya is an event search engine that helps you find discounted travel, concert, sports and theater tickets.
79. Citysearch: Search bars, spas, restaurants and more by price range here.
80. Chowhound: Get recommendations for quality, but economical, bars, recipes and restaurants.
81. Fun Free or Cheap Things to Do In Your City for $5 or Less: Click on the map to find cheap things to do in your city, or in a major city near you.

Health and Fitness

Don’t neglect your health during a recession: from free clinics to personal fitness and diet tools, these resources will keep you healthy.

82. HRSA Find a Health Center: Use this tool to find federally-funded health centers that can help you out, even if you don’t have insurance.
83. NeedyMeds.org: Click on your state to find low-cost clinics.
84. PPARx.org: This free clinic finder finds health care facilities in your zip code.
85. iPod Workouts: Download free and cheap workouts to your iPod to save you money from classes and trainers.
86. Body Fat Calculator: Calculate your body fat by yourself with this tool.
87. StartYourDiet.com: Set up a free account to get daily weight tracking support, a diet profile, daily food journal and more.
88. The Diet Channel: Use the tools on this website to learn more about diet and fitness. Use the exercise calculators, find daily meal plans and more.
89. WebMD: Look up symptoms and get medical advice for free on this site.
90. MayoClinic: The website for the prestigious Mayo Clinic features treatment help, information about drugs and supplements, a symptoms and diseases page, and plenty more.
91. Doctors Lounge: Head to this site to ask medical questions without going to the doctor’s office.

General Recession Advice

For even more tips and advice on how to thrive during a recession, turn to these guides.

92. WiseBread: This site teaches you how to live "large on a small budget." Find shopping and travel deals, get personal finance tips, and more.
93. Tips for Surviving a Recession: Kathleen Pender of SFGate gives readers tips for emergency saving and more.
94. 3 Ways to Recession Proof Your Finances: This article cautions readers to avoid credit cards, go back to using coupons and more.
95. Recession Tips for Web Designers: This guide is helpful for web designers and freelancers who need to stay afloat during tough economic times.
96. 40+ Ways to Survive a Recession: Get tips for saving money on groceries, cell phone bills and more.
97. Managing Debt: Suze Orman has lots of tips for managing and paying off debt here.
98. How to Protect Yourself in a Recession: Mellody Hobson has advice for locking in fixed mortgage rates in this article.
99. Recession Management: Positive brand image: Learn how to make your brand work for you and sustain your business during a recession.
100. Recession 101: What are the signs?: Learn how to recession-proof your finances and stay afloat in a bad economy.

50 Ways to Protect Your Anonymity Online and Off

Posted by Site Administrator on 01/05/2009 | 0 Comments

In today’s information age, it’s incredibly difficult to keep your personal data private. However, there are a number of ways that you can work to increase anonymity. Read on to discover 50 methods you can use to be as anonymous as possible.

General Tips

Follow these tips to protect your anonymity online and off.

1. Do not use credit cards: Credit cards make it easy for you to be tracked online and off, so avoid using them.
2. Create a pseudonym: With a pseudonym, you can interact and communicate without revealing your identity.
3. Avoid using your name when making donations: When submitting donations, do so anonymously.
4. Encrypt: Use cryptography to protect your personal and confidential information online and off.

Online Tips

When browsing sites online, downloading, and performing general Internet activities, be sure to keep these anonymity safeguards up.

5. Do not accept cookies: Cookies sound great until you realize they’re not delicious treats, but rather data miners after your browsing habits. Set your browser to never accept cookies.
6. Pay careful attention to settings: On social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, you can set your options so that only people you know and trust will be able to see your information and updates.
7. Don’t use email connected to search engines: Email like Gmail or Yahoo! Mail is connected to search engines, and using these can help the company identify who you are.
8. Use a private ISP: ISPs almost always collect information about your browsing habits, so if possible, use an ISP that is private.
9. Avoid spyware: Be vigilant about keeping spyware off your computer, as these programs can record your computer activities.
10. Use a different password for every website: Be careful to mix your passwords up, so that if someone finds out your password for one site, they can’t use it for another.
11. Blog without your real name: Keep your real name out of the picture when creating a blog.
12. Use a variety of aliases: Don’t use the same screen name on every website you join, or it will be easy to find you online.
13. Don’t use browser history: Set your browser history to avoid keeping a record of your visited websites.
14. Use private domain registration: Keep your address and other personal information private when you register your domain name by using private domain registration.
15. Clear your browser’s cache: Clear your cache to avoid keeping photos and other files on your computer.
16. Turn off JavaScript: Sites with JavaScript can employ tracking and some will even install malware on your computer, so to protect your anonymity, avoid allowing JavaScript.
17. Exclude search robots: Keep your website or blog off of Google and other major search engines by creating a robots.txt file that will exclude all or some of the website.
18. Carefully scrutinize anything you download: Some programs will piggyback spyware or allow the program to monitor your activities.
19. Use a laptop: With a laptop, you’ll be able to move between a variety of different Internet connections.
20. Use public computers: Make use of computers at libraries and cyber cafes that cannot be personally traced to you.

Offline Tips

Although much of today’s information crimes are performed online, you can still be victimized offline as well, so be sure to follow these tips.

21. Appear average: Don’t adopt a distinctive style — try to follow the situation or community that you’re in.
22. Avoid excessive eye contact: Avoid eye contact when in crowds.
23. Rent a PO box: Protect your home address by using a PO box for communications.
24. Don’t sign up for loyalty programs: Avoid signing up for club key cards, as they will track your purchases.
25. Block your number from caller ID: Dial *67 before placing a call to prevent your number from showing up on the call recipient’s caller ID.
26. Only share information that can be changed easily: If you have to give out information, share a cell phone number or email address, both of which can be changed without too much trouble.
27. Pay in cash: Whenever possible, pay for purchases using cash so that it can’t be tracked.
28. Use a prepaid telephone: Prepaid telephones generally do not require your personal information and will almost never be listed in the phone book.
29. Use public transportation: Using public transportation will help you avoid the paperwork involved in car titles, purchases, insurance, registration, and more.
30. Rent anonymously: Check the classified ads and find someone who is looking for a roommate so that you won’t have to be on a lease, and can pay in cash.
31. Ditch your landline, or go unlisted: Landlines are a common part of public records, so use a cell phone instead or pay to keep your number unlisted.

Tools

A great way to protect your anonymity is to put tools to work that will help you do so, so make use of these tools when protecting your anonymity.

32. Firefox: The Firefox browser offers cookie options and lots of add ons that can help you create a more anonymous browsing experience.
33. Tor: Tor will help you stay safe against traffic analysis.
34. Privoxy: Pair this non-caching web proxy along with Tor to enhance your privacy and anonymity.
35. Hushmail: Hushmail provides encrypted, secure email for free.
36. GnuPG: You’ll be able to get encryption from GnuPG.
37. SafeLizard: Using this CGI proxy service, you can retrieve websites anonymously.
38. Public Proxy Servers: Use this resource to find a variety of proxy servers you can make use of.
39. Anonymizer: Anonymizer’s Anonymous Surfing can help you protect your identity online.
40. PGP Freeware: Use this encryption tool to protect your messages and more.
41. Cloakfish: Get an analysis of your anonymity using this tool.
42. SurfSecret: SurfSecret has a variety of online privacy tools, including firewalls, privacy vaults, and a popup eliminator.
43. BrowserSpy: BrowserSpy will help you find out how many footprints your Internet browser is leaving.
44. Anonym-OS: Anonym-OS is an anonymous operating system based on OpenBSD.
45. HistoryKill: Use this tool to automatically delete cached files, cookies, URLs, AutoComplete, and more after you’re done with your session.
46. InPrivate: Internet Explorer’s private browsing mode will allow you to surf the Internet without leaving a trace behind.
47. beHidden: Make use of the tools on beHidden to surf, email, and more anonymously.
48. Mixmaster: Mixmaster is a remailer that will provide you with anonymous or pseudononymous emailing that’s protected against traffic analysis.
49. Anonymouse: Anonymouse offers anonymous email, web pages, and news.
50. Complete Cleanup: Make your privacy arsenal more complete with this tool that will remove cookies, URL history, cache files, and more.

100 Free DIY Legal Resources on the Web

Posted by Site Administrator on 12/17/2008 | 0 Comments

If only you had the time and money to go back to school and get a law degree. Then, you’d be able to understand business contracts, real estate forms, your divorce papers and even the news a little better. But since we’re pretty sure you’re like us and don’t have the time and money to go to law school in your spare time, we’ve compiled a list of 100 online legal resources that help you manage your own cases and questions.

Search Tools

Use these search engines and search tools to get connected to legal materials faster, without having to sort through a bunch of junk you don’t need.

1. FindLaw Cases and Codes: Look up case summaries, jurisdictions, historical documents and more with this tool.
2. LawGuru: This legal research tool is totally free and searches more than 535 engines.
3. ‘Lectric Law Library: This irreverent law search tool is powered by Google.
4. Public Legal: Learn about the law and legal profession when you start your search here.
5. Meta-Index for U.S. Legal Research: The GSU College of Law operates this search resource for DIY lawyers and students.
6. Law.com Quest: Here, you can "search the legal web" to find legal blogs, law firm websites and more.
7. MegaLaw: Look up everything from federal cases to legal forms to family law on this site.
8. FindForms: Locate legal forms, from confidentiality agreements to bankruptcy forms, by using this tool.
9. Law Forum: Find lawyers and locate legal resources by state or by category.
10. The Virtual Chase: Browse categories like foreign law, legal reference, state law and more here.

Glossaries and Legal Terms

Look up confusing legal terms and Latin words with these glossaries.

11. Law.com Dictionary: Look up legal definitions using this powerful tool.
12. Everybody’s Legal Glossary: Nolo’s legal glossary lets you browse by letter or type in a word.
13. Court TV Glossary of Legal Terms: Court TV’s glossary is loaded with legal terms and definitions.
14. Glossary of Legal Terms: Lawyers.com supports this glossary that’s based on the 2001 version of Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law.
15. U.S. Courts Commonly Used Terms: This guide is helpful for cramming before your case or to look up something you didn’t understand.
16. Legal Definitions: This free dictionary lets you search words and phrases.
17. Legal Dictionary: Find legal definitions that are commonly founded in business contracts and settings.
18. List of legal Latin terms: Here you can look up Latin words like caveat emptor and habeas corpus.
19. Common Legal Words: This glossary is powered by the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch.
20. Real Estate Terms: Here you can find words that you’ll find in real estate transactions and forms.
21. Glossary of Basic Legal Terms: You can use this glossary as a cheat sheet or as an introduction to legal terminology.
22. Glossary of Terms Commonly Used in Court: Virginia’s judicial system maintains this very useful glossary.
23. Contract Law: Look up words you’ll come across in a contract here.

Legal Blogs

For free legal advice and to keep track of the latest legal news, visit these blogs from law firms, newspapers and more.

24. Advertising Law Blog: Get tips and insight into advertising law, including Internet and privacy law, promotional marketing and more.
25. My Disability Blog: This is a helpful blog for anyone wanting to learn about Social Security, arguing disability cases in court, and more.
26. Houston Legal Advice Blog: Based out of Houston, this blog discusses all types of Texas law, including consumer law, civil law, criminal law and real estate law.
27. Legal Blog Watch: Get updates from the Law.com Network, significant cases and legal trends from this blog.
28. WSJ Law Blog: The Wall Street Journal’s Law Blog keeps track of the stories and issues through which business and law intersect.
29. Above the Law: Read this legal tabloid to find out what’s going on in the worlds of law school, law firms and the courts.
30. Law Librarian Blog: Periodically check back with this blog to find new legal resources for your research.
31. Election Law Blog: Get a better understanding of U.S. elections and politics when you read this blog.
32. FDA Law Blog: Stay abreast of FDA cases and rulings here.
33. Law Professor Blogs: Play around on this network of law professor blogs, where you can find daily news, case updates and plenty of resources for analyzing your own case.
34. The Art Law Blog: This blog documents the latest legal issues and scandals going on in the art world.
35. Sustainability Law Blog: Use this blog as a resource to learn about environmental law and building regulations, sustainable business, green building and more.
36. AFL-CIO NOW Blog: Learn about the legislation, advocacy movements and more that affect everyday workers and individual rights.
37. ACS Blog: The American Constitution Society Blog reports on equality and liberty, judicial nominations, the criminal justice system, the Bill of Rights, and more.
38. The Trademark Blog: Learn about copyright laws and legislation here.
39. Privacy Law Blog: Know how and when to protect your privacy and information when you read this blog.

Government Resources

Here you can find links to the government resources you’ll need to research or contact during your case.

40. SCOTUS Blog: Keep up with the cases, issues and legislation of the U.S. Supreme Court here.
41. Department of Veterans Affairs: On this website, learn about the health care and other benefits that are guaranteed to you as a veteran by the government.
42. U.S. House of Representatives Legislative Resources: Find out when votes will occur, search for bills and debates, and read U.S. laws here.
43. Federal Judicial Center: Read biographies of federal judges, learn about educational programs and access publications and videos from the FJC.
44. State Government Information: Click on a state to be directed to the appropriate government and legislative information.
45. Library of Congress: Here you can find all kinds of research materials and links for legal cases and more.
46. National Center for State Courts: You can learn about new research projects and technology updates that benefit the state courts.
47. Constitution of the United States: Use the Constitution as a primary resource for all your legal research.

Forums and Social Media

Network with others to get real-life advice.

48. ExpertLaw: Find forums on all sorts of topics, including family, government, employment and personal injury law.
49. FreeAdvice Forums: Here you can search threads like Medical and Health Care Malpractice or Auto Accidents and Vehicle Claims for everyday cases.
50. TheLaw: Participate in the forums to share your stories and get tips on others on topics like divorce, personal injury, banking, contracts and more.
51. The Securities Law Forums: Learn more about arbitration, corporate finance and brokers here.
52. The Attorneys Forum: Submit a legal question on this site and share your own tips with other visitors.
53. WORLD LAW Direct Forums: The most popular threads on this site are debt collection, business contracts, and consumer complaints.
54. Labor Law Talk: For advice on everything from immigration law to accidents and injury, this site has lots of active threads.
55. Law School Forums: Facebook: This popular law forum even has a Facebook page.
56. Internet Law Forums: Learn more about Internet law, including free speech and trademarks, here.
57. Fraud Watchers: This forum also has a lot of useful links to legal research tools and resources.

Articles and Guides

Here you can find articles and guides that explain how to file for divorce, manage debt, and decide whether or not you’re capable of handling your case on your own.

58. Divorce, Dollars and Debt: How to Manage Debt: This guide takes you through the steps of getting a divorce, including filing for divorce, filing requests for temporary court orders and the settlement agreement.
59. 10 Steps to Take Before You File a Lawsuit: If you’re thinking about suing a person or company, consider these ideas first.
60. Do you really need a lawyer?: If you’re thinking about handling your case yourself, read this guide to help you evaluate the situation.
61. Four Behaviors to Avoid to Reduce Divorce Costs: Learn how to be organized, focused and economical when getting a divorce.
62. Closing on a home: This DIY guide takes you through the steps of closing on a home.
63. How to file a lawsuit: Consumerist shares tips on filing small claims here.
64. What if you’re sued?: Read this article to learn how to prove your case if you get into an automobile accident.
65. What does copyright protect?: This government website explains what you can and cannot fight for in a copyright case.
66. How to file divorce papers?: Learn what you need to get in order before you file for divorce.
67. How to Defend Yourself in Traffic Court in a Trial with No Prosecutor: Learn how to address the judge and cross examine.
68. Do you really need a lawyer for a real estate closing?: Find out what this writer has to say about hiring a lawyer, or not, in New Jersey.
69. How to Protect Your Website’s Copyright When Someone Steals Your Content: This article shares tips for finding perpetrators and how to fight for your content.
70. Small Claims Court Defense: Here you will find tips for managing yourself in small claims court.

Podcasts and Videos

Listen to these legal podcasts for more advice and legal news.

71. Immigrate USA: Recent podcasts from this site cover citizenship, labor certification laws and more.
72. Legal Broadcast Network: This site is mostly designed for lawyers, but anyone can learn from channels like "Voices Of The Law" and "The Tax Law Channel."
73. Georgetown Law Webcasts: Listen to webcasts on the global health workforce, juvenile justice and more.
74. Connon Wood Scheidemantle: This firm records podcasts about employment law, alternative fee arrangements, insurance traps and more.
75. How to find free legal advice: Get tips for getting connected with legal aid groups and finding quality, online assistance.
76. Legal Talk Network: Listen to podcasts about the legal profession and high profile trials here.
77. American Constitution Society at Stanford Law School: Stanford’s ACS uploads podcasts that feature interviews with U.S. Attorney John McKay, social psychologists, and others.
78. Keepin’ It Legal: In this video, you’ll learn legal marketing and networking tips for your new business.
79. Legal Lad: Legal Lad shares "quick and dirty tips for a more lawful life" in this podcast.
80. Yale Law School Podcasts: Listen to lectures and speeches from the Yale Law School to learn about practical and ideological issues.

Databases of Lawyers and Legal Help

Find a lawyer using these directories.

81. FindLaw: Look up law resources, expert witnesses, court reporters and more.
82. TheLaw: Get connected to free legal advice, including forums, a free consultation with an attorney, and free forms.
83. iLawyerSource: Find a lawyer by specialty or location.
84. Law Firm Directory: Here you can find law firms by specialty, including elder law, entertainment and sports, bankruptcy and more.

Open Courseware

Take a free legal class online when you visit open courseware sites from MIT and other schools.

85. Law for the Entrepreneur and Manager: This MIT course can be a great help for new business owners.
86. Constitutional Law: This survey class focuses on understanding civil rights and liberties.
87. Law and Veterinary Medicine: Tufts’ class helps veterinarians run ethical, lawful practices.
88. Law and Society: MIT’s anthropology course can help you gain insight into how modern societies accept and manipulate the law.
89. The Law of Mergers and Acquisitions: Here you can get an overview of how deals are made, contracts and mergers.
90. Criminal Law: Take this criminal law class to learn about criminal acts, the purposes of punishment and more.
91. Gender and the Law in U.S. History: Gender issues like suffrage and gay marriage are explored in this class.
92. Patents, Copyrights, and the Law of Intellectual Property: Whether you’re a blogger or small business owner, this class can help you gain a better understanding of copyright and IP law.
93. Online Media Law: Learn about defamation, privacy, plagiarism and copyright in this media law class.

Miscellaneous

Here you’ll find even more educational and legal resources from the ACLU, University of Minnesota Law School and more.

94. Legal HelpMate: This is an excellent resource for looking up legal terms, finding forms, getting credit reports and more.
95. VersusLaw: Subscribe to this service to search cases, courts and more.
96. ACLU: Learn about legislative updates, high profile cases, and what the ACLU is doing to protect individual rights and civil liberties.
97. International Law: This guide from Cornell gives a brief overview of how international law is organized.
98. Federal and Government Resources: Find more legal resources from the government here.
99. Subject Index to Law-Related Web Sites: The University of Minnesota Law School organizes links by categories like copyright, juveniles, bankruptcy, animal rights and more.
100. Research Tools: Browse state legislative research guides at the Maurer School of Law and Indiana University.

The Ultimate Guide to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu- 101 Resources to Help Anyone Learn the Gentle Art

Posted by Site Administrator on 12/15/2008 | 0 Comments

Brazilian jiu-jitsu, or BJJ, is a popular martial arts form that originated in Japan. Whether you’re a competing professional or are interested in learning the basics, you can turn to these 101 resources for conditioning tips, competition information, video clips and other helpful resources.

What is Jiu-Jitsu?

Learn about the history and philosophy of jiu-jitsu here.

1. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Get an overview of jiu jitsu’s history and derivatives here.
2. Jiu-jitsu History: Learn about the beginnings of jiu-jitsu, its development and how it became popular in Brazil.
3. What is jiu jitsu?: Get an explanation of jiu jitsu here.
4. The History of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation documents the history of the martial arts form.
5. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu History: This history dates jiu-jitsu back to ancient Egypt, along with sumo wrestling in Japan.
6. Jiu Jitsu: Learn about the development of jiu jitsu, all the way back to its beginnings as the martial arts form practiced by medieval warriors in Japan.
7. What is Jiu Jitsu?: New York Jiu Jitsu discusses the style and modern day significance of the martial arts form.
8. Cambridge University Jiu Jitsu Club: Here you can get answers to questions like "Why do Jitsu?" and "How does Jitsu work?"
9. History of Jiu-Jitsu: This particular history traces jiu-jitsu back to India.
10. Shen Wu History of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: Learn about judo, Mitsuyo Maeda and other key factors and players in the development of jiu-jitsu.

Videos

Watch these videos to learn grappling and other moves.

11. Submissions 101: This website is full of training videos for jiu-jitsu.
12. Brazilian jiu-jitsu demonstration: Watch this demonstration set to music for inspiration.
13. Jiu Jitsu 4th degree black belt, martial arts: This intense video shows some of the best from a jiu-jitsu tournament.
14. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for Beginner: Arm Bar Move: This instructional video demonstrates the arm bar move.
15. Tecnicas Jiu-Jitsu: Learn key moves like the Shoulder Grab and Two Handed Collar Grab here.
16. Revolution 2, The X-Pass: This trainer offers a detailed description and demonstration of the X-Pass.
17. Scissor Sweep Jiu Jitsu Technique: Watch this video to get an expert demonstration of the Scissor Sweep.
18. The Jiu Jitsu Gi: Better understand the concept of the Gi and how to use it to your advantage when you watch this video.
19. Advanced Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Matrix Moves: Spider Guard Pass: For a look at advanced moves, watch this video.
20. Hip Toss to Arm Bar: Learn how to throw someone down in the hip toss to arm bar move.
21. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for Women: Women can learn powerful self-defense techniques by watching this video.
22. American Arm Lock: Cindy Omatsu demonstrates the American Arm Lock in this video.
23. Triangle Choke: Get a visual demonstration and a detailed explanation of the Triangle Choke.
24. Guillotine Choke Escape: This trainer teaches escapes for each submission.
25. Gene Simco Jiu-Jitsu Instruction: Gene Simco walks students through moves in this video.

Instructional Guides

These instructional guides can be helpful to anyone learning jiu-jitsu.

26. Six Topics of Self Defense Training: Read about blocking and striking, street survival, and self defense here.
27. Drills for Jiu Jitsu: Learn drills like the Mount Escape Drill here.
28. Guard: Visit this site to watch guarding techniques.
29. Traditional Jiu Jitsu Moves: Moves are categorized by white belt through black belt.
30. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Techniques and Jiu Jitsu Techniques: Learn positions like The Side Mount and North-South here.
31. Grappling Techniques: Here you can find clips for partner drills and more.
32. Balancing Mat Times with Conditioning: Learn how to set up a healthy training schedule when you read this article.
33. Jiu-Jitsu Techniques: Rodrigo Madeiros’ site features several videos that demonstrate key techniques.
34. 17 Tips for an Active Bottom Half Guard: Improve your active bottom half guard with these tips.
35. How to do Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Techniques and Moves for MMA: eHow’s guide suggests choking your opponents with holds that use the Gi.
36. 20 tips to improve your grappling game: Tips in this article include "practice an outdoor sport" and "be dynamic."
37. Why Women Should Grapple: Various jiu-jitsu instructors weigh in on why grappling is an important skill for women.
38. Important Tips for Beginners in Jiu Jitsu: In this article, beginner students learn how to prepare their bodies for training, "focus on the basics," and "leave…ego at the door."
39. Jiu-Jitsu Fighting: Get tips for arm bars, the cross choke, half guard escape and more.
40. Common Injuries in Submission Grappling and Sensible Tips to Prevent Them: Learn how to avoid injury in jiu-jitsu when you read this article.

Competitions

Get updates on tournament schedules and other competitions here.

41. International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation: Get information for competitions like the World Championship, Brazilian Team Titles, International Masters and Seniors, and more.
42. Gracie Barra Competition Network: Register for tournaments in the Southern California region here.
43. Regulations and Rules: The European Fight Network posts rules and regulations from the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation right here.
44. USA BJJ Tournaments: Get tournament results and schedules here.
45. World Grappling Games: Get everything from event registration to results to photos for the World Grappling Games on this site.
46. North American Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Tournament and Store: Shop jiu-jitsu gear and get information for registration and weight divisions from this site.
47. Grapplers Quest: Learn about tournaments for all levels of grapplers here.
48. U.S. Grappling: On this site, you can learn about all the different events and championship levels for U.S. Grappling.

Uniforms and Gear

Shop for Gis and other jiu-jitsu gear from these websites.

49. Jiu Jitsu Pro Gear: Find fightwear, accessories, gear bags and even kids’ supplies here.
50. Gungfu: Shop jiu jitsu gear and uniforms from this site.
51. Boxing & MMA Ticket Links: This site has links to the cheapest fight even tickets.
52. Jiu-Jitsu USA: Shop fight shorts, rash guards, board shorts and DVDs here.
53. NHB Gear: This site has lots of gear and uniforms for mixed martial arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, including books, rash guards, Gis and more.

Mixed Martial Arts

Mixed martial arts, or MMA, is often taught at the same academies as jiu-jitsu and can even trace its roots back to the gentle art. Visit these sites to keep up with sports news, learn techniques and more.

53. Mixed Martial Arts: Learn about the evolution of mixed martial arts and its different disciplines here.
54. ESPN Mixed Martial Arts: Keep up with tournaments and news in the MMA world here.
55. MixedMartialArts.com: Get professional stats, information about events, news updates and even radio access about MMA.
56. MMA Weekly: This website has a live radio show, daily news, fight updates and more.
57. Fighting Techniques for Martial Arts Fighting: Watch demonstrations of jiu-jitsu and MMA techniques here.
58. Fight Conditioning: Learn valuable conditioning techniques, warmup routines and more.
59. MMA Fighting: MMA Fighting is another MMA news website that also features rankings, photos, videos and more.
60. Mixed Martial Arts Part 1: History: Get an overview of the history of this martial arts form.
61. Fairfax Jiu Jitsu: This studio gives a great history and overview of Brazilian jiu jitsu, MMA and capoeira.

Judo

Judo is another martial arts form that is related to BJJ. If you want to supplement your jiu-jitsu training or just learn more about martial arts, visit these sites.

62. Judo: This Wikipedia page details the founding of judo and its popular techniques.
63. Judo as a Martial Art: Learn about the style and techniques that make judo a martial art form.
64. Judo as a Competitive Sport: Get tips and information about championship fighting trends, tournament rules and the fighting spirit.
65. USA Judo: USA Judo is the official website for the U.S. Olympics and championships in judo. Get updates, news and more right here.
66. United States Judo Association: Here you’ll find information about and links to judo forums, judo clubs and more.
67. Techniques of Judo: Learn counter techniques, throws and more.
68. United States Judo Federation: Visit the website for the USJF to shop, get information about tournaments, and more.
69. Judo Forum: Connect with others who practice judo here.
70. Animated Throwing Techniques of Judo: Learn moves like the leg wheel, advancing foot sweep and others.
71. Judo Basics: Browse through the archives of posts that share tips for judo beginners.

Literature and Blogs

Check out these books and blogs to learn even more about BJJ.

72. Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique: Read this book to learn why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is one of the strongest and most popular martial arts forms today.
73. Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu: Revolutionizing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: This book introduces a new form of grappling that pulls from Olympic Judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
74. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: Submission Grappling Techniques: Renzo Gracie contributes to this book which shares tips on submission grappling.
75. The Complete Guide to Gracie Jiu-Jitsu: Become an expert at this popular Jiu-Jitsu form.
76. Gracie Mag: Read articles and become an online member to learn all about Gracie Jiu Jitsu and submission fighting.
77. The Jiu-Jitsu Brotherhood: Get tips, learn about the jiu-jitsu philosophy and more.
78. Street Sports: Read posts by Renato Magno, who has been involved with jiu-jitsu for 30 years.
79. Aesopian: Get training and competition tips and more from this blog.
80. The Jiu Jitsu Fighter: This blog is affiliated with the Roseberry’s Martial Arts Center in Lincoln, NB, and you can find videos, photos and articles about the martial arts form.
81. Steve’s BJJ Log: Steve is a blue belt and blogs about "his ups and downs as [he learns] BJJ."

Classes and Training

Find classes and learn what to expect when you enroll in a BJJ class when you visit these resources.

82. Serra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Besides getting information about classes offered from this Long Island jiu-jitsu academy, you can also get training tips and watch videos.
83. Starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: What To Expect Your First Class: Find out what to wear and what to expect during your first BJJ class.
84. Starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Class: This guide is great for beginning students who want to know what to bring to class and more.
85. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Class Structure: Learn about how Gracie Jiu Jitsu classes are structured, including warm ups, take down and ground work.
86. Gracie Diet Tips: Get tips on eating the right carbohydrates and more.
87. Gracie Diet: Learn all about this popular jiu-jitsu training diet from the famous Gracie family.
88. The Most Unique MMA Conditioning Workout You Will Ever See: Get an overview of Alvaro Romano’s conditioning routine which is similar to grappling moves.
89. How to do shrimping drills and why: Shrimping drills are a Japanese conditioning exercise and are demonstrated in this video.
90. Conditioning Tips: Get real-life conditioning tips from this jiu-jitsu forum.
91. Injury Prevention, the Gracie Barra way: Learn how to avoid injuries on the mat here.

Glossaries and Definitions

Understand BJJ terms by checking out these glossaries.

92. The Closed Guard: Read a description and view photos of the Leghood Guard, Rubber Guard and more.
93. The Open Guard: Learn about the Standard Open Guard and other open guards here.
94. The Half Guard: Get a detailed description of this common move here.

Miscellaneous

Below are even more websites and tips for learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

95. Jiu-Jitsu.net: find instructional DVDs, books and other guides here.
96. Train Hard, Recover Smart: Get ideas for pre- and post-workout meals.
97. On the Mat: View demonstrations and learn all about jiu-jitsu from this website.
98. Gracie USA: Learn about the popular Gracie style of jiu-jitsu here.
99. Keeping the Will to Fight: Learn how to keep fighting even when you’re tired here.
100. How to Use Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for Self Defense: Learn this self-defense method here.
101. MatRatz: Bonus link! MatRatz is a fun blog for jiu-jitsu lovers. You can learn about tournaments, get training tips and more.

How to Prepare for a Financial Apocalypse: 100 Tips and Tools to Secure What’s Yours

Posted by Site Administrator on 11/27/2008 | 0 Comments

With the economy seeming to go down more quickly each day, now is the time to think about how you will survive if things take a turn for the worse. Whether you will be protecting a huge investment portfolio or just want to hold on to your job and your house, these tips and tools will help you weather whatever economic storm comes your way. From doing it yourself to advice from experts, you will find solutions to fit your situation from the list below.

Savings

From tips on ways to protect your savings to tools that will help you grow your money, these resources will help you grow your savings.

1. Keep an emergency fund. If you don’t have an emergency fund, start one now. Ideally, you should have enough money to pay all your expenses for six months without any income.
2. FDIC. The FDIC insures up to $100,000 of your money. If you have more than that amount in one bank, spread it around to other FDIC-approved banks so that all of your money is insured by the federal government.
3. Diversify. Have a checking account in one bank, savings in another, and any investments such as CDs in yet another bank so that if any one bank fails, you don’t lose everything.
4. Put extra back. Whether you save change, put an extra amount from each paycheck in savings, or use another method for saving a little extra, put something back each month.
5. Reduce the amount you add to 401(k). Take the money you usually add to your 401(k) and put it in an FDIC-insured account instead as suggested by MSN Money.
6. mint. Manage your money with this free software that connects your bank, credit cards, and mutual funds to help you gain control over your finances.
7. BillMonk. Keep track of your money, track items you loaned to others or items you have borrowed with this tool.
8. BudgetTracker, Inc. Get control of bills, investments, bank accounts, and more with this tool that will make budgeting simple.
9. How much can you save?. Use this tool to calculate how much money you can save over time.
10. What is your net worth?. Insert cash, bank accounts, investments, and more into this calculator to find your net worth.
11. Savings Calculator. Find out how much you can save to meet your savings goals with this tool.

Debt

If you are like so many Americans, you probably have some debt. Learn how to get out from under these debts and start fresh.

12. Get out of debt. The first thing you should work toward is getting out of debt. If you can’t get completely out of debt, pay off the high interest debt first.
13. Downsize your car. If you are paying big car payments, downsize to a car with lower payments or one you can buy outright.
14. Keep paying. Don’t stop paying altogether on any debt. Pay something on everything you owe. Contact creditors and make arrangements for lower minimum payments or reducing interest rates.
15. Don’t use credit cards. Now is not the time to be charging up your card. If you use credit cards, make sure you can pay off the total amount each month.
16. wesabe. wesabe can help you get out of debt with help tracking spending and creating goals towards getting out of debt or saving money.
17. Zopa. This social finance company brings borrowers and investors together to help create loans that benefit both lenders and borrowers.
18. Debt Help. From Credit.com, these debt tools will help you figure out the best way to reduce your debt.
19. What Will It Take To Pay Off My Balance?. Use this tool to determine how long you will need to pay to get out of debt.
20. FICO Score Estimator. Answer ten questions to get an approximation of your credit score without having to go through the credit reporting agencies.
21. Should You Consolidate Your Loans?. Use this worksheet to determine if consolidating loans is a smart way for you to get out of debt.
22. Credit Card Optimizer. If you have debt on multiple credit cards, this tool will help you determine the best way to manage your credit card debt.

Investments

Protecting your investments during a financial apocalypse may mean the difference between surviving or not. Find out how you can come out of a tough time with investments intact.

23. Look to the future. Decide which investments are most vulnerable and which are not so you can do what you need to for each .
24. Small caps. Invest in small caps for a sound investment choice for both bull and bear markets, whether you are investing for the short term or not.
25. Don’t go aggressive. Even if you are young, a balanced investment portfolio will hold more promise in tough times than one that is super aggressive.
26. Don’t sell all stocks. The stock market will likely bounce back when the economy becomes more healthy. Don’t panic and sell all your stocks.
27. Bonds. Bonds are typically a safer investment than stocks. Consider investing in bonds while the market is volatile.
28. Counter-cyclicals. Invest in markets that do well when the economy is down such as alcohol, tobacco, movies, and trade schools.
29. Foreign currency. Invest in some other currency than the US dollar to ensure that you are backing a currency that is strong rather than going downhill.
30. Diversify. Split your investments between a handful of more secure stocks such as public utilities, medical, and communications.
31. Go gold. Gold is usually a very safe investment and one you might consider rather than stocks, bonds, or money markets.
32. StockCloud. Follow your stock investments with this cloud that shows stock ticker symbols with different font size that correlates to how frequently the companies issues press releases.
33. Which bond is better?. If you have decided to invest in bonds, use this calculator to help figure out the best bond for you.

Employment

When companies feel the effects of economic hard times, unemployment starts to rise. Protect yourself and your livelihood with these tips and use the tools to help with relocation or inexpensive commuting or job hunting.

34. Become invaluable. One sure way to increase your job security is to become invaluable. If you are the only one who knows how to do a specific task or job that is important to the company, you are unlikely to be the first to go during layoffs.
35. Learn new skills. Boost your worth at the company by learning new skills that you can apply to your current job.
36. Tow the line. Now is the time to make sure you come in and leave on time, take the appropriate amount of time for lunch, and don’t take too many personal days. Show your employer that you are serious about your job.
37. Have resumes ready. Keep a few different updated resumes current that accentuate different skills so that you can show off your abilities for different types of jobs.
38. Outsource yourself. If you lose your white-collar job, sell yourself to foreign companies who may be looking for experienced professionals in your field.
39. Network. Keep in touch with friends and acquaintances at other companies in case you do lose your job.
40. Learn a trade that will always be in demand. Certain jobs will always be needed no matter the state of the economy. Think about your skills and abilities and consider what other career you could do if you lose your current job. Skills such as construction and health care will always be needed.
41. Work a second job. Even if the second job is a minimal source of income, having more than one stream of income may be useful if you lose your major source of money.
42. PayScale. Compare your salary with others who have similar job titles, education, location, skills, and experience so you can search for alternate employment markets in case you lose your job.
43. Get to work cheaply. Carpool to work, or better yet, walk, ride your bike, or telecommute.
44. Google Transit. If you’d like to use public transportation to get to work or find a new job, use this tool to map your route with Google Maps.
45. Google Ride Finder. Find taxis and shuttles an any city using real time Google Maps to help you get to work or find work without a car.

Daily Living

Changes in your daily lifestyle now can make a huge difference if financial apocalypse hits later. Find out how you can prepare now with these tips and tools.

46. Stop buying. Now is not the time to purchase a second plasma TV. Buy only the necessities and put that money you would have spent on the extras toward your emergency fund.
47. Grocery shopping. Changing the way you buy your groceries can save you money. Look at prices and options available, use coupons, and only buy what is necessary.
48. Clean out closets. Clear out everything you aren’t using and have a yard sale. Not only will you declutter your house, but you will have more money for your emergency fund.
49. Create an emergency stash. If you feel comfortable having a storage of items that could come in handy if the entire US infrastructure craters, this article offers great suggestions on what you should keep on hand.
50. Sell luxury items. Items such as jet skis, boats, and ATVs not only use gas you will have to pay for, they could also be sold for more money to pay off debt or add to your emergency fund.
51. Get rid of big stuff. If you are renting a storage unit for all your extra stuff or have big items like unused furniture or old appliances sitting around, sell what you don’t need.
52. Strengthen community relationships. If times get really tight, you may come to depend on those in your community for moral support as well as trading goods and foods. Strong relationships now mean you are in a better place then.
53. Buy locally. Supporting local businesses keeps money flowing in the economy and you know the money is going to your neighbor for her living expenses rather than a corporation.
54. Stock up. Keep a good supply of canned and dried foods as well as toilet paper as these will be in high demand if prices soar.
55. Think ahead. Plan for ways you can cut back, earn extra money, or things you could barter if money becomes very tight for you.
56. Become immune to ads. Learn to look at advertisements for what they are and you will be less likely to buy unnecessary items.
57. Buy for the long term. If you have a choice between one item that costs less and another item that costs a bit more but will last considerably longer, go for the second option.
58. Voluntary simplicity. Follow this trend of only living off what you need now so that if it becomes a necessity, you will not have to adjust your lifestyle. You can put away all your extra money into an emergency fund.
59. Retailmenot.com. Get coupon codes for online shopping with this site that provides codes for over 13,000 stores.
60. PriceProtectr. When you shop from over 120 online stores, use this tool to know if the price on your new purchase goes down. If the price drops, contact the store for a refund of the difference.

Do It Yourself

Learning how to do things yourself will help save money now and may make the difference for your survival if the economy craters. From cooking from scratch to doing your own electrical work, these tips and tools will help you take care of yourself.

61. Grow your own food. Start a garden with some herbs and vegetables so that if money is really tight, you will still have something to eat. If you don’t have room to grow your own, join a community garden.
62. Cook from scratch. Learn to cook your own food from scratch. A whole chicken can not only feed you dinner, but the carcass can be boiled down to create chicken stock that can be used for soups and other dishes the next few days.
63. Fix it yourself. If you would normally pay a repairman for the broken dryer or a patch on the roof, learn how to do these tasks yourself. Not only will you save money, you will also learn an important skill that can be bartered.
64. Learn to hunt. If you are really starving, hunting and eating a squirrel or rabbit may be a viable option–but only if you know how to do so.
65. Make. Learn how to make almost anything you can imagine with a little technology and this popular online magazine.
66. Instructables. Find out how to make an underground rainwater storage tank, solar powered gadgets, and more.
67. Chic Knits. Learn to knit the clothes you wear with this blog that offers suggestions, tips, photos, and more.
68. DIY Woodworking, Home Improvement, and Art Projects. Whether you want to learn to make a guitar or install a toilet, learn how to do it all here.
69. How to Compost.org. Learn how to compost and you can use your trash to create good soil for your garden and lawn.
70. Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning and Ventilating. Find out how to keep these parts of your house running smoothly without paying a professional to do it.
71. Home Improvement: Electrical Systems. Learn how to do several electrical jobs around your house with these instructional articles.

Healthcare

Whether you lose your health insurance or a fractured infrastructure leaves you without access to medical care, these tips and tools will help you manage your own healthcare.

72. Stockpile medication. Make sure you have a surplus of any prescription medications you take, but also make sure you are always taking the oldest first so you aren’t saving the expired medications.
73. Learn first aid. If you can treat minor illness and injuries at home, you will not need to pay for medical care that may even be too expensive to afford.
74. Stock up on OTC medications. Medications like ibuprofen, antibacterial creams, and hydrocortisone ointments can be purchased on sale or bought in bulk so that you can eventually have a stock of them on hand.
75. Learn about alternative healing methods. Many herbs and items found around the house can be used for healing and wellness. Learn how to use items you can grow yourself or buy inexpensively in place of medication.
76. Find practitioners who will barter. For emergencies or illnesses that require professional treatment, it would be beneficial to know practitioners who are willing to barter for goods or services when money is short.
77. Become proactive. Eating naturally, staying physically active, and knowing your body are all excellent ways to prevent injury and illness from occurring in the first place.
78. MEDgle. Enter symptoms, diagnoses, drugs and more along with age and gender into this interactive tool or click on the great visual menu to find out what you need to know about your health.
79. DoctorPricing.com. If you don’t have health insurance, this tool is invaluable. Find physicians in your area to discover what their fees are when you pay cash for their services.
80. DoubleCheckMD. Enter any prescription drugs to find side effects or drug interactions. You can also enter symptoms or an abnormal lab test to discover if your medications might be creating the problem with this easy-to-use tool.

Housing

Everyone needs a place to live, so whether you want to protect your current situation or want to plan for an emergency back-up plan, these suggestions and tools will help you have a comfortable place to live no matter what.

81. Get rid of balloon or ARM mortgages. Convert these loans to fixed mortgage rate loans immediately.
82. Get out of your mortgage. If you owe almost as much as your house is worth, you should consider getting out of your mortgage. If the value of your house depreciates and you are unable to pay the mortgage, you will not only no longer own your house, you will likely be in debt for the difference.
83. Buy cheap land. Purchase some inexpensive rural land where you can live in an RV or build your own house and live debt-free.
84. Get alternate energy sources. Buy a generator, invest in solar power, or get wind turbines to ensure you have an energy source in case public utilities are not available.
85. Rainwater collection system. Catch rainwater to use for your yard and to reduce your bills, or in case of water systems being compromised, having water for daily living.
86. Downsize your home. Consider moving to a smaller house and eliminating some or all of your mortgage debt.
87. Have a portable form of housing. Whether you get an RV or a sturdy tent, have some form of housing that you can take with you no matter the situation.
88. How much house can you afford?. Use this tool to determine how much your next house should cost and the advantages and disadvantages of the various loans available.

Stay Informed

Don’t let a financial apocalypse catch you by surprise. Follow these blogs and use these tools to stay on top of the latest information so you can act instead of react.

89. Schneier on Security. This security expert and popular author blogs about security issues as they pertain to computer security and the reaching effects that has on personal security both individually and as a nation.
90. NPR: Planet Money. Keep up with the global economy with news from this blog and you will be the first to know about impending economic crisis.
91. Emergent Chaos. This group blog focuses on privacy, security, liberty, and economics and includes contributors that are technology and security experts.
92. The Security Practice. This collaborative blog written by employees of PayPal write about Information risk management, particularly as it pertains to the work they do at PayPal, but specifically as it affects society as a whole.
93. Ceci n’est pas un Bob. Get the latest on issues about security, privacy, identity, and risk at this blog.
94. Perilocity. John Quarterman blogs about risk management with posts on spammers, phishing, and banding together for the greater good.
95. Conspicuous Chatter. This collaborative blog offers research and opinions on the latest topics from the fields of anonymous and covert communication, traffic analysis, and censorship resistance.
96. Carpe Diem. Keep up with economics and finance on this blog written by Mark J. Perry.
97. Secrecy News. Find out about any government scientific research going on from this blog sponsored by the Federation of American Scientists, which supports disclosing government secrecy in science.
98. Global Incident Map. Follow patterns and make your own predictions to stay ahead of terrorism with this mapping tool.
99. Incident1. Track police, fire, and emergency services on this map where you can search by zip code or within a region of any state.
100. Google Maps Mania. Find or create a map to track economic crisis, structural collapse, or any other trend you want to follow with these interactive maps used in conjunction with Google Maps.