Search found 554 matches

by tidalwave10
Wed Apr 23, 2014 3:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Guitar purchase problem: Fender strat mfg warranty?
Replies: 25
Views: 6081

Re: Guitar purchase problem: Fender strat mfg warranty?

grog wrote:I bought a Mexican Tele from GC a couple years ago, and it was the same thing. It was just a guitar, no paperwork or anything. I actually did have one of the pick ups die on me early on, but I took the opportunity to put in some different ones rather than bother with the warranty. I did look into making a claim though, and the serial number and the record of purchase would be enough, I think.
Thanks grog.
by tidalwave10
Wed Apr 23, 2014 11:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: "Best" place for new tires and tire protection plans = B.S.?
Replies: 34
Views: 10172

What to pay for a front end alignment?

What would be a good deal on a front end alignment (for a small Ford compact car)? I've been quoted around $80 at several local places. Seems a bit steep to me. Are there any National dealers with low front end alignment prices that I could then have a Local price match?

Hoping to check Tire Rack for tire price price-matching purposes today.
by tidalwave10
Wed Apr 23, 2014 10:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Samsung Galaxy S III on Straight Talk vs. Family Mobile?
Replies: 41
Views: 11033

Re: Samsung Galaxy S III on Straight Talk vs. Family Mobile?

Anyone use Straight Talk or Family Mobile with a Smart Phone? If not, and you use a Samsung Galaxy S III, what's your cost per month on a contract plan? Or are there other vendors for no-contract plans? Looks like a great phone at a smart price. Seriously considering getting an Android smart phone for business use and have my eye on the Samsung Galaxy S III via two no contract plans: Walmart's Straight Talk and Family Mobile. My wife pays $45/month to use her iPhone 4s on Straight Talk and has been happy with the service. I see the same Samsung Galaxy S III offered by both Straight Talk (ST) and Family Mobile (FM). What are the differences? Are can either be used for tethering an Android Tablet to? I'd pay slightly more for tethering capabi...
by tidalwave10
Wed Apr 23, 2014 10:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Guitar purchase problem: Fender strat mfg warranty?
Replies: 25
Views: 6081

Re: Guitar purchase problem: Fender strat mfg warranty?

Email response from Fender * Receipt from the Authorized Dealer is all you’ll need to qualify the warranty, should you need to get the instrument serviced. The terms that we cover are 1-year on parts, and Limited Lifetime on the neck and body. Our warranty will cover manufacturing defects and not accidental damage. 1. Tried registering online with Visa Warranty Manager web site. Get getting error message Submitting, then product showed up as Not Eligible. 2. Called 800-882-8057 and they told me products purchased with Chase Visa Signature cards could not be registered online. 3. Phone rep asked for some info, then emailed me a PDF to fill out and return. 4. Form asked for a copy of the Mfg Warranty (if purchase price was over $100) and a co...
by tidalwave10
Wed Apr 23, 2014 9:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Guitar purchase problem: Fender strat mfg warranty?
Replies: 25
Views: 6081

Re: Guitar purchase problem: Fender strat mfg warranty?

1. Tried registering online with Visa Warranty Manager web site. Get getting error message Submitting, then product showed up as Not Eligible. 2. Called 800-882-8057 and they told me products purchased with Chase Visa Signature cards could not be registered online. 3. Phone rep asked for some info, then emailed me a PDF to fill out and return. 4. Form asked for a copy of the Mfg Warranty (if purchase price was over $100) and a copy of sales receipt containing last 4 or first 6 digits of card used to purchase product. Otherwise, they ask you to additionally send a copy of your credit card statement showing the purchase. 5. Could then email, fax, or send by postal mail. I'm sending in by postal mail. Thanks to all for the help. Probably not g...
by tidalwave10
Wed Apr 23, 2014 9:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Guitar purchase problem: Fender strat mfg warranty?
Replies: 25
Views: 6081

Re: Guitar purchase problem: Fender strat mfg warranty?

Thanks to all. @Leonard, thanks for the info on the Hotrails. A friend mentioned an option of buying a replacement pick guard that comes pre-wired with dual Seymour Duncan humbuckers--for around $200. Sounds like a better, if not more expensive, option for me (I'm not very DIY when it comes to mechanical / physical things / repairs). Will be making some phone calls / emails today re: warranty / registration. Fender Customer Relations toll free number, for anyone interested, is: 800-856-9801. Got the number from an auto-responder email after writing to CustomerRelations@fender.com Love the guitar but feel a little conflicted. I mostly like playing rhythm (more toward the metal end of the spectrum)--gave up on playing leads in my teens. So I ...
by tidalwave10
Wed Apr 23, 2014 3:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Samsung Galaxy S III on Straight Talk vs. Family Mobile?
Replies: 41
Views: 11033

Samsung Galaxy S III on Straight Talk vs. Family Mobile?

Seriously considering getting an Android smart phone for business use and have my eye on the Samsung Galaxy S III via two no contract plans: Walmart's Straight Talk and Family Mobile. My wife pays $45/month to use her iPhone 4s on Straight Talk and has been happy with the service. I see the same Samsung Galaxy S III offered by both Straight Talk (ST) and Family Mobile (FM). What are the differences? Are can either be used for tethering an Android Tablet to? I'd pay slightly more for tethering capabilities, since this would save me the cost of purchasing a separate "MiFi" hotspot device + service fees. The differences I know about are: * Monthly cost : $45/mo. on ST vs. $40/mo on FM - with potential for more savings if FM supports ...
by tidalwave10
Sun Apr 20, 2014 8:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Non-tabletop fountain in home office = need dehumidifer?
Replies: 11
Views: 1719

Re: Non-tabletop fountain in home office = need dehumidifer?

Any other thoughts on this? Anyone else have a large indoor fountain in their home?
by tidalwave10
Sun Apr 20, 2014 8:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Guitar purchase problem: Fender strat mfg warranty?
Replies: 25
Views: 6081

Re: Guitar purchase problem: Fender strat mfg warranty?

I am kind of rushed today and didn't read through the thread to see if this was covered but as long as you have a receipt and know the serial number of the guitar,I am assuming you can register it online with Fender. After that, you could take it to any authorized Fender service facility for repair. That being said, you will never need the warranty. Assuming you got a winner when you bought it, there is very little that can go wrong with them. Maybe a short circuit in the electronics, but that is about all. Change the strings, get a setup for the neck once in a blue moon, and you are good to go. Although I play my Martin acoustics most of the time, I have a Strat and a Tele and have never once needed warranty work on them....and I started ...
by tidalwave10
Sun Apr 20, 2014 8:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: "Best" place for new tires and tire protection plans = B.S.?
Replies: 34
Views: 10172

BJs or Costco for tires and front end alignment?

Thanks again to all. Anyone here have experience, good or bad, with buying tires and/or having a front end alignment done at BJs Warehouse?

One thing I love about BJs, since I tend to over-research things to death at times, is the reduced choice in products. Yep, reduced choice. Helps trim the decision tree Because I typically feel confident they've vetted good quality vendors / products for me in advance. Saves me time. Anyone feel the same about other Warehouse stores like Costco?

Not a Costco member. But so many BHers seem to be that it's something I may consider. Thing is, there's no Costco location convenient to me--probably need to drive 20 to 30 minutes to reach one versus 5 minutes to BJs.
by tidalwave10
Sat Apr 19, 2014 3:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: "Best" place for new tires and tire protection plans = B.S.?
Replies: 34
Views: 10172

Re: "Best" place for new tires and tire protection plans = B

Thanks everyone. Lots of good suggestions for me to follow up on. Love the price-matching advice, etc. I wonder if so many places offer this sort of thing because, like Money Back Guarantees, very few customers probably use them in the end. So it's a potential high perceived value to the customer on the front end but very low cost to the business overall (?). Perhaps there's some well known psychological / behavioral econ principle in play here--might be thinking of Cialdini's book Influence...
by tidalwave10
Sat Apr 19, 2014 3:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Guitar purchase problem: Fender strat mfg warranty?
Replies: 25
Views: 6081

Re: Guitar purchase problem: Fender strat mfg warranty?

Thanks to all. Many good points made. Helps put things in perspective. Wow, if you gig, the warranty is voided! News to me. But it's also likely true, as stated, that the failure rate is likely very low. Here's the exact model I purchased (yes, off the floor--so the no box makes sense): Fender FSR Standard Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar Black http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-FSR-Standard-Stratocaster-HSS-Electric-Guitar-105949283-i1559902.gc Bought it for the typical going rate of $500 (rounded up to nearest dollar). Hoped it find it for $20 or $30 less, since evidently GC will price match and give an additional 10% off. Even after 30 days of purchase. I've used a similar type of Price Protection guarantee for two flatscreen TVs my wife...
by tidalwave10
Fri Apr 18, 2014 9:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Guitar purchase problem: Fender strat mfg warranty?
Replies: 25
Views: 6081

Guitar purchase problem: Fender strat mfg warranty?

Breaking this out from a separate thread on doubling a manufacturer's warranty by purchasing with a premium Visa or Amex card, then registering: Just purchased a new guitar--something I'd been denying myself for years in my efforts to be a responsible saver. Since the impulse is so strong, for me, to sock away as much as possible, I often "forget" to buy myself the occasional toy. This is a "mexican" made "Standard Strat." Evidently has all the same wood and components as the "American Standard" strat, but using labor South of the Border. Seemed like a good deal at $500. I had a gear-head guitar friend of mine accompany me. He's very picky about guitar set-up (does a lot of work himself but knows when...
by tidalwave10
Fri Apr 18, 2014 9:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: "Best" place for new tires and tire protection plans = B.S.?
Replies: 34
Views: 10172

Re: "Best" place for new tires and tire protection plans = B

Firstly, thanks to all. @Irak, I'm a BJs but not a Costco member. No Costco near me, but a BJs close by. Does BJs also do front end alignments? I'm at ~45K miles now on my car from purchasing new. So definitely time for new tires. And probably time for a front end alignment--will have to check for uneven wear / wheel drift. Although I don't know how much of either would indicate the need for a front end alignment. Sight unseen, would it be foolish to get a front end alignment now, when I buy my new set of tires? Is there any rule of thumb to go by? Imagine there is a bit of ESID in play here--Every Situation Is Different. But you wouldn't wait until 100K miles for your first front end alignment, to pull a round number out of the air, would ...
by tidalwave10
Fri Apr 18, 2014 9:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Non-tabletop fountain in home office = need dehumidifer?
Replies: 11
Views: 1719

Re: Non-tabletop fountain in home office = need dehumidifer?

Forgot to mention that I'll probably be keeping the door to my office closed. I've got a cat, who I love, who's running low on his 9 lives. The little guy likes to chew through thin power supply cables like a goat. And has even graduated to thicker electrical cables. Lots of cabling in there--tried wrapping duct tape around some cables I want to protect but that hasn't stopped him. Any side-suggestions here for protecting electrical, and other, cables from cats who like to chew through them? I've heard some people use plastic tubing. What kind? Any suggestions would be great, as this is a problem I haven't been able to solve. And no, getting rid of the cat is not a solution--he's "my wife's cat." He's very attached to her / follow...
by tidalwave10
Fri Apr 18, 2014 8:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Non-tabletop fountain in home office = need dehumidifer?
Replies: 11
Views: 1719

Non-tabletop fountain in home office = need dehumidifer?

As a kid, I always envied the large fountain a friend of mine's parents had put in their foyer inside the house. Somehow, that struck me as a hallmark of success back when I was, gosh, 12 years old. In setting my largish home office, I thought it would be terrific to have a large fountain in it. Not for show or status, but as a great source of white noise to aid concentration. I've bought several tabletop fountains over the years, and they always end-up in a closet--or donated. They were never loud or realistic sounding enough to my tastes. So... my home office is on a second story of my house. And I've had my eye on a fountain at Garden Ridge--model is named "Rock Waterfall Fountain." They're certainly running it indoors, but Gar...
by tidalwave10
Fri Apr 18, 2014 6:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Success with free extended warranty benefit from cred cards?
Replies: 14
Views: 3144

Registering a guitar purchase with Visa

Just purchased a new guitar--something I'd been denying myself for years in my efforts to be a responsible saver. Since the impulse is so strong, for me, to sock away as much as possible, I often "forget" to buy myself the occasional toy. Anyway, bought at a brick and mortar Guitar Center, new *not* used. The guys claimed the guitar didn't come from the factory with a box. So I had them put it in a Gibson box and tape it up for transport. So, no UPC code. No warranty or manual either. Although they tried to upsell me hard on their own extended warranties. I declined them all and got out as fast as I could. Were these guys full of crap / should I write to the store manager or Guitar Center corporate re: not receiving a box with UPC...
by tidalwave10
Fri Apr 18, 2014 6:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: "Best" place for new tires and tire protection plans = B.S.?
Replies: 34
Views: 10172

"Best" place for new tires and tire protection plans = B.S.?

I'm in Central NC and need a new set of tires (all 4). I've typically gone to Walmart and bought the cheapest ones available for whatever model of car I've happened to be driving. This will be my first replacement set for my tiny Ford compact car. Some questions: 1) What national chains do you recommend, and why, for purchasing replacement tires (preferably for compact cars, since that's what I have)? 2) What national chains do you steer clear of and why for new tires? 3) What national chains do you recommend for getting a front end alignment and what should I expect to pay (price range from reasonable to ridiculous) 4) What rated # of K miles do you typically purchase for your tires? I tend to go cheaper / lower end. Because if one tire go...
by tidalwave10
Fri Apr 18, 2014 6:17 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: RTP, NC Chapter Meeting 9:30 AM Sat June 14, 2014
Replies: 7
Views: 2892

Re: RTP, NC Chapter Meeting 9:30 AM Sat June 14, 2014

Hopefully will attend. Checking calendar now and putting a reminder on it. Will confirm later.
by tidalwave10
Fri Apr 18, 2014 6:13 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Master Thread for RTP, North Carolina Bogleheads Chapter
Replies: 71
Views: 51342

Re: Master Thread for RTP, North Carolina Bogleheads Chapter

Hello Methedras: Glad to know you from "across the pond" and I look forward to meeting you someday! RTP Bogleheads: Our next chapter meeting has been scheduled for 9:30 AM June 14, 2014. I'm happy to report that we'll have a special guest of honor: Rick Ferri! Please click here to see all the details! @Methedras--hope things are going well with your venture. A little pokey here with my own, but inching forward. I see you're in London presently. Almost had the opportunity to take a job in Galway, Ireland back in the late 90's. One of those things I regret not doing--especially since Galway, on Ireland's rugged West Coast, is one of my favorite places in the entire Republic. Miss all the pubs with peat fires. Even in Boston, "...
by tidalwave10
Sun Apr 13, 2014 5:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Representing ESPP sale on taxes? Confused.
Replies: 11
Views: 2320

Re: Representing ESPP sale on taxes? Confused.

Not sure about the W-2 and dispositions--unless dispositions means Purchased stock via an ESPP. Haven't been employed with this company for 6+ years ago. Ah, just saw this. So you did not get a W-2 from that employer since you had no income from them in 2013? This also simplifies things because the 6 years implies that you have purely qualifying dispositions. Unfortunately you will be subject to the TT issue I mentioned. The easiest way to get around it in the online version is probably to create a fake W-2 entry to report the compensation income from the shares you sold. Thanks Herbie. Argh, hard to believe TT online can't easily handle this situation. I knew it was exotic, but not painfully so. Will re-read through the thread later today...
by tidalwave10
Fri Apr 11, 2014 4:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Representing ESPP sale on taxes? Confused.
Replies: 11
Views: 2320

Re: Representing ESPP sale on taxes? Confused.

Thanks Herbie. Will review this weekend. Not sure about the W-2 and dispositions--unless dispositions means Purchased stock via an ESPP. Haven't been employed with this company for 6+ years ago. Only sold all the ESPP stock, 2013 tax year only, sold all, while working for completely different employer. Ok, so a few separate points: 1) You only need W-2s from years in which you took dispositions (from OP is sounds like that was 2013 only). Basically, sometimes they report the discount as income on your W-2 and sometimes they don't. At my former employer, they only reported it for disqualifying (shorter-term) distributions. I am guessing you have some of each? Anyway, you will need to figure out how much income was NOT reported on your W-2. 2...
by tidalwave10
Fri Apr 11, 2014 4:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Inexpensive Win7 laptop that will support 2 to 3 monitors?
Replies: 37
Views: 5560

Re: Inexpensive Win7 laptop that will support 2 to 3 monitor

jacksprat wrote:I don't know if employees still get incentives/discounts anymore.. Just a thought

There was an outlet store at one time in your area. Again , not sure if that still exists.

The online store maybe worth a look...

http://outlet.lenovo.com/outlet_us/
Thanks JackSprat.
by tidalwave10
Thu Apr 10, 2014 4:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Representing ESPP sale on taxes? Confused.
Replies: 11
Views: 2320

Re: Representing ESPP sale on taxes? Confused.

I am no help with the stock split... Maybe it's handled on the 1099-B already? However, I have done my taxes with TT and reported ESPP dispositions. Did you have both qualifying and non-qualifying distributions? Was the income from any qualifying dispositions reported on your W-2 (I believe non-qualifying must be, but you should probably double-check that also)? Are you using the TT download or the online version? Here is the TT article on entering ESPP transactions. I found some quirks in the online version, but the download version of TT seems solid. https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900889-enter-employee-stock-purchase-plan-espp-sales Thanks Herbie, especially for the TT link. Some incomplete answers are: * Using TT online, Premier Edi...
by tidalwave10
Thu Apr 10, 2014 4:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Inexpensive Win7 laptop that will support 2 to 3 monitors?
Replies: 37
Views: 5560

Re: Inexpensive Win7 laptop that will support 2 to 3 monitor

jacksprat wrote:Do you know anyone working at lenovo in Morrisville/Raleigh ??

Check their outlet store ...
Hmmm... don't think I do know anyone working there, but I'll source my LinkedIn network. Is the outlet store only available to Lenovo employees? Or must you have a current Lenovo employee take you in (like Property Control at Walt Disney World--love PC; have several friends and family members who work for WDW in Orlando).
by tidalwave10
Thu Apr 10, 2014 4:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Inexpensive Win7 laptop that will support 2 to 3 monitors?
Replies: 37
Views: 5560

Re: Inexpensive Win7 laptop that will support 2 to 3 monitor

Userdc wrote:I don't know much about the Yoga 2, but with a quick search, it looks like a windows 8 ultra book that is a little more powerful than the surface pro. So I would expect it would work very well for what you need, and best of all it is free if you already own it.
Thanks. Specifically, it's a Yoga 2 11. Evidently there's also a Yoga 2 Pro. I'll do some more googling--and yes, as long as The Boss (my beloved wife) allows me to use it. She's so deeply into her iPad that I think she'll be fine with it. Love repurposing things I already own--as a married man, what's mine is hers and what's hers is sometimes mine, ha ha. No really, I've got the best wife on earth--certainly not worthy of her. And no, she doesn't read the BH forums. :-)
by tidalwave10
Wed Apr 09, 2014 5:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why Americans are Retiring Overseas
Replies: 109
Views: 17098

Re: Why Americans are Retiring Overseas

madbrain wrote:
greg24 wrote: If you think the culture shock of Alabama is big, wait till you move to Thailand.
Having visited both, I'll pick the Thai culture shock . Heck, my body clock is still on Thai time from my vacation to Thailand 2 years ago.
I think I'd much prefer living in a Buddhist society (Thailand) than an Evangelical Christian one (deep south / Bible Belt). [OT comments removed by admin LadyGeek]
by tidalwave10
Wed Apr 09, 2014 4:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Inexpensive Win7 laptop that will support 2 to 3 monitors?
Replies: 37
Views: 5560

Re: Inexpensive Win7 laptop that will support 2 to 3 monitor

Thanks Brandon. @Userdc, the Surface Pro sounds great--I'll check it out. Love being slightly behind on gear due to the benefit of cost savings. My wife just bought a Lenovo Yoga 2 tablet/laptop combo (tablet doesn't detach, but folds completely over). Frankly, she's barely using it--her iPad is what she uses nearly 100% of the time. So I wonder if I could redeploy her Yoga 2. Could I do the multiple monitor thing with the Lenovo Yoga 2? It's certainly running at least Win8. She bought it from Best Buy about 3 weeks ago. Is it up to the task? It seems like the cheapest option would be just to get a desktop, but if you want something portable, check out the original surface pro. With the release of the pro 2, the original model has been mark...
by tidalwave10
Tue Apr 08, 2014 2:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Inexpensive Win7 laptop that will support 2 to 3 monitors?
Replies: 37
Views: 5560

Re: Inexpensive Win7 laptop that will support 2 to 3 monitor

Great question DSI and lightheir. I bet I could live with one external monitor and my home laptop's screen (it's a widescreen, but not 24"). Really no need for exact symmetry between screens--fortunately I'm not OCD. :-) I'll strongly consider what you're both suggesting. Goodness knows it's the least expensive and simplest solution. @DSI, the Ergotron looks interesting really. What's the approximate cost? If it's around $150, then that's the cost of one off-brand 24" monitor. But would still have the advantage of operating an external keyboard and getting the two monitors (laptop itself and one external monitor) roughly level / flush with each other. Do you need 2 to 3 external monitors or would you be OK with 1 external monitor ...
by tidalwave10
Tue Apr 08, 2014 2:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Representing ESPP sale on taxes? Confused.
Replies: 11
Views: 2320

Re: Representing ESPP sale on taxes? Confused.

Going to read the Fairmark articles by the end of this weekend. Time's running out and this is the only thing holding me back from completing my taxes--latest tax completion time for me ever. I'm a "do my taxes ASAP" kinda guy.
by tidalwave10
Tue Apr 08, 2014 2:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Thrift stores btw Raleigh & Winston for Aloha shirts & books
Replies: 1
Views: 527

Re: Thrift stores btw Raleigh & Winston for Aloha shirts & b

From what I've seen so far, the GCF (Goodwill) stores across the State have the best selection of Aloha shirts. Largest used book stacks I've seen so far are at the Salvation Army in Winston near the State Fairgrounds and Guardian Angel in Fuquay-Varina.

Any other suggestions?
by tidalwave10
Tue Apr 08, 2014 2:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why Americans are Retiring Overseas
Replies: 109
Views: 17098

Re: Why Americans are Retiring Overseas

I seem to remember an article about retiring overseas in one of the popular personal finance magazines several years ago. One US couple went on a vacation (don't remember the exact location) and had a wonderful time. The people were friendly, the area was beautiful, and it was a very inexpensive place to live. Based on this, they decided to move there when they retired. However, things were different when they actually moved there. The locals that were very friendly when they were tourists spending money resented them as residents and ostracized them as outsiders. It got to the point where they couldn't go out for groceries without having people harass and spit on them. :( Hope that was an "n" of 1. Man bites dog rather than dog ...
by tidalwave10
Tue Apr 08, 2014 2:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Inexpensive Win7 laptop that will support 2 to 3 monitors?
Replies: 37
Views: 5560

Re: Inexpensive Win7 laptop that will support 2 to 3 monitor

Epsilon Delta wrote:I'm not sure what you want two or three monitors for.*
Productivity.

Currently have a dual-monitor configuration at work for Database Administration / Systems Administration. Spinning many plates in that line of work. Painful to work without, e.g. when I need to work from home, away from my docking station and full keyboard squinting at the laptop's native screen... Not fun.

A dual / triple monitor setup can also boost productivity for professions like:

* Geographic Information Systems (GIS)--been there, done that, and additional monitors would have helped a great deal
* Web Development / Graphic Design
* Possibly for engineers using CAD software (e.g. civil engineers)
by tidalwave10
Tue Apr 08, 2014 7:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Inexpensive Win7 laptop that will support 2 to 3 monitors?
Replies: 37
Views: 5560

Re: Inexpensive Win7 laptop that will support 2 to 3 monitor

Perfect, thanks DSI. How to connect multiple monitors to your laptop: http://www.tech-faq.com/how-to-connect-multiple-monitors-to-your-laptop.html Matrox Graphics Expansion: http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/ Matrox DualHead2Go and TripleHead2Go external multi-display adapters let you add two or three monitors to your laptop or desktop computer. They connect to the video output of your system and use its existing GPU to provide high quality, uncompressed graphics and video across all monitors. These little black or silver boxes are perfect for bringing multi-monitor functionality to computers with only one monitor, such as systems with integrated graphics or no available expansion slots—or closed systems that have already been ...
by tidalwave10
Mon Apr 07, 2014 7:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Inexpensive Win7 laptop that will support 2 to 3 monitors?
Replies: 37
Views: 5560

Re: Inexpensive Win7 laptop that will support 2 to 3 monitor

You want win 7 but don't want win 7. You want new but are looking at refurbished. You want to spend less than $500 but are looking at gaming laptops (which are expensive). That's a lot of contradictions to sort through. I would start with the 3-monitor requirement. Figure out what you are going to use to drive that (external video card, docking station) and then figure out the requirements for that. Work backwards from there to the laptop that will meet the requirements at lowest cost. Sorry, I do want Win 7. Don't want Win 8 if I can avoid it. If I said I wanted Win 8 then I misspoke. New is preferable, but I'm asking what people think about refurbs. I'm not at all looking at gaming laptops--unless you're suggesting that's what's necessar...
by tidalwave10
Mon Apr 07, 2014 7:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Livescribe Smartpen - which model? For searchable notetaking
Replies: 6
Views: 944

Re: Livescribe Smartpen - which model? For searchable noteta

Thanks to all. I did end up ordering a Livescribe Echo this morning. Will see how I like it. If it doesn't suit me I'll check out some of the other scanning solutions that have been suggested.
by tidalwave10
Mon Apr 07, 2014 5:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Livescribe Smartpen - which model? For searchable notetaking
Replies: 6
Views: 944

Re: Livescribe Smartpen - which model? For searchable noteta

So far, the Echo model looks right for me. Here's a comparison chart I discovered that compares the Echo vs the Sky (WiFi). Now just need to find the best reseller / price:
https://support.livescribe.com/entries/ ... en-is-righ

The newest model is the Smartpen 3 (think that's the name), but it's out of budget.
by tidalwave10
Mon Apr 07, 2014 4:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Inexpensive Win7 laptop that will support 2 to 3 monitors?
Replies: 37
Views: 5560

Inexpensive Win7 laptop that will support 2 to 3 monitors?

(Moderators: broke this question out separately because it was buried in a post with a different subject matter): How would I go about finding the least expensive new Win7 laptop that will support 2 to 3 external monitors? I say least expensive because I already have an HP 4 core / 8 G laptop that otherwise does everything I need it to do. Would I go onto Dell or HP's web site and look at their clearance section for Business Class laptops? Really don't want Win7. Although don't want to pay a premium for that either--perhaps I can "skin" Win8 to look and behave more like Win7? Prefer to buy new over used when it comes to laptops. Wanting to spend $500 or less on the laptop so I can then purchase my external LCD monitors. Should I b...
by tidalwave10
Mon Apr 07, 2014 4:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: "Getting Things Done"-David Allen
Replies: 71
Views: 7227

Re: Implementing David Allen's Getting Things Done (GTD)

2 thoughts. Relate GTD to habits 2 (begin with the end in mind) and 3 ( first things first). These are the habits where gtd and 7h overlap. I do not have a miltary background, but i did like this leadership book by Michael Abrashoff "It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy". He writes it in the context of one of his assignments as the captain of a navy ship. Its a very well known book, which might be good and bad. I suspect there is a little bit of you love this guy's perspective, or you totally disagree with him. He is not subtle in his assertions or style. On a side note, one of my favorite books about applied analytical decision making is "Smart Choices" by Hammond, Keeney, Raiffa. I...
by tidalwave10
Mon Apr 07, 2014 4:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: "Getting Things Done"-David Allen
Replies: 71
Views: 7227

Re: Implementing David Allen's Getting Things Done (GTD)

GTD will work for some people, but others will not want to use it because it is onerous or will find it to be ineffective. People who don't like making lists probably aren't going to be effective with GTD, and not everyone should be a list maker. The same ideas have been repeated and restated in time management books for the last 40 years, and I'm sure literate people have been making "to do" lists for centuries if not thousands of years. Many people find they do not need formal time management tools (myself included). If it works for you, great, but there's no point becoming evangelical about it. My approach to management and leadership theories is familiarize myself with the body of knowledge and then choose the right tool for ...
by tidalwave10
Mon Apr 07, 2014 4:13 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best option for high interest earning no fee checking?
Replies: 19
Views: 3683

Re: Best option for high interest earning no fee checking?

ralph124cf wrote:Credit unions in general seem to offer relatively high interest rate savings and checking account interest along with low fees.

Ralph
Thanks Ralph. Just checked the interest rate my credit union is giving me on my checking account--this is with the State of North Carolina's SECU - State Employees Credit Union. A lousy 0.25% interest. Only 1/4 of a percent. Too bad, because I like SECU.

UPDATE: There is what SECU calls a "Share" account which is a savings account I also have with them. The interest rate on it is better but not spectacular: 0.75%.
by tidalwave10
Mon Apr 07, 2014 4:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Success with free extended warranty benefit from cred cards?
Replies: 14
Views: 3144

Re: Success with free extended warranty benefit from cred ca

widestance wrote:I've had 2 easy-peasy claims with AMEX.
As others have said, just keep your receipts for date, purchase price, and retailer reference and your claim will go smooth.

I've had an iPod and stereo receiver covered. I usually go into the claim stating that I just want to have the item repaired, but they've issue full refunds each time.
Thanks Widestance. I do have a few AMEX credit cards, so I may choose AMEX for purchases I want this protection on. Also Visa Signature premium cards also seem to be good. Just informally / anecdotally / unscientifically seeing more AMEX success stories here so far.
by tidalwave10
Mon Apr 07, 2014 4:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Livescribe Smartpen - which model? For searchable notetaking
Replies: 6
Views: 944

Livescribe Smartpen - which model? For searchable notetaking

Livescribe smartpens have been on my radar for a few years. I've got an abysmal memory and also struggle to focus during meetings, so I take a lot of notes. The aim is always to transcribe my notes into digital format later--but never seem to get around to it. Could trying scanning and OCR, but that seems cumbersome and time consuming. Without being digital, content in the notes are Less Discoverable because they can't be searched. I don't like tapping on a laptop or tablet during meetings either--all the more difficult to engage with participants. So... a few years back I discovered the Livescribe series of "smartpens" - you use specially encoded paper to write on (which can be printed on a laser printer yourself, so you're not f...
by tidalwave10
Sun Apr 06, 2014 6:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Success with free extended warranty benefit from cred cards?
Replies: 14
Views: 3144

Re: Success with free extended warranty benefit from cred ca

Thanks for the follow-up. I purchased an I-Pod on my Amex card. It dies during the second year. I sent the receipt and the damaged I-Pod to Amex. They credited my statement for the full amount. Years ago, I had a computer hard drive fail during the second year. I got an estimate for replacement and another for an upgrade to a larger hard drive. I sent the failed hard drive to Visa and they gave me a credit and let me use it towards the larger hard drive (I had to send them a receipt for the service.) Jeff Nice Jeff. When you say you got an estimate, does that you mean you yourself did the research yourself and submitted? Or did the manufacturer have to send you documentation that you then submitted to Visa? I bought the computer from a loca...
by tidalwave10
Sun Apr 06, 2014 6:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: "Getting Things Done"-David Allen
Replies: 71
Views: 7227

Re: Implementing David Allen's Getting Things Done (GTD)

Thanks Mudpuppy for sharing your insights, perspective, and experiences on these issues. Thanks also for your explanation of Situational Awareness, etc. Former military personnel do receive preference for many state and federal agency jobs, although it is not a "jump to the head of the line" sort of thing. For example, my agency was hiring an IT director and chose a non-military person over a former Marine because the former Marine had a more limited skill set than the non-military person. But given two people with similar skill sets, the former military person would be preferred at many government agencies. And as a side, side note, as a woman in IT whose IT skills can keep up with or run circles around most of the men in my grou...
by tidalwave10
Sun Apr 06, 2014 6:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best option for high interest earning no fee checking?
Replies: 19
Views: 3683

Re: Best option for high interest earning no fee checking?

Thanks to all. The very thought of earning only a tiny fraction of one percent in Vanguard Prime bothers me. Even if the total return in a high interest FDIC-insured account isn't significantly higher, this will be a good SWAN move for me--to be done with thinking about it. :-) And that has value beyond the average rate of return.
by tidalwave10
Sun Apr 06, 2014 2:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: HD video projector vs. multiple monitors for design?
Replies: 28
Views: 3934

Re: HD video projector vs. multiple monitors for design?

My work laptop, which supports at least dual monitors (via a docking station) is an HP ProBook 6460b with only 4G of RAM and two CPU cores. In fact they cheaped-out so much on it that it's only running a 32 bit version of Windows 7--I suppose because 4G may be the max amount of RAM it can either accept, or the max amount of RAM they ever want to put in it before replacing it. Are there any reliable places online I can get really inexpensive, but in good shape, Nobody Loves Me, slightly underpowered laptops that will support dual or triple external monitors? Really, this is to be used for Data Modeling. And Sparx Systems' Enterprise Architect--or MySQL Workbench if I go with an RDBMS-specific FOSS modeling tool--really doesn't need a lot of ...
by tidalwave10
Sun Apr 06, 2014 2:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best option for high interest earning no fee checking?
Replies: 19
Views: 3683

Best option for high interest earning no fee checking?

I'd like to bite the bullet and take all my money out of Vanguard Prime MM--has no real value to me. And park my emergency fund money in an FDIC-insured "high" interest paying checking or savings account. Preferably one with no monthly fees. How does one quickly do rate / fee comparisons and what 3 vendors should I consider? I have access to USAA but have not yet looked at ant of their checking / savings products or rates. Some people seem to like ING Direct, and Ally Bank, at least at one point, seems to have been popular. What's the highest rate I should expect to receive these days on a personal online checking or savings account with no monthly fee? Or where the monthly fee is waived if you have at least, say, a 10K to 20K bal...
by tidalwave10
Sun Apr 06, 2014 4:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: "Getting Things Done"-David Allen
Replies: 71
Views: 7227

Re: Implementing David Allen's Getting Things Done (GTD)

Does the OP or any of the posters benefit financially from GTD? This thread has a salesman like feel to me. just wondering, LH If you think it's selling or pitching, stop reading. But it isn't. I have no financial interest in GTD whatever. Only an interest in boosting my personal and professional productivity, and possibly sharing that with others--but mostly getting a Learning Cohort together so I can learn it quicker. You'll also notice the title here is Implementing ... GTD. It's a system I want to learn, and learn quickly. I like it. Others need not participate or comment if they don't share that goal or aim. I wouldn't say it's best for everyone. It's just a system I like personally and believe will work for me given my nature, charac...