Yahoo gets Boojie / Bourgeoisie

20 Things You Should Never Buy Used

To be fair this isn’t a yahoo article. It’s actually from U.S> News & World Report. However, I have to say that the person that wrote this article is over reaching. Personally I think it borders on insane. Some of the items are OBVIOUS while others are obviously an opine of someone who has never had to purchase this sort of item used. Let’s Go!!

1. Cribs and children’s furniture:

Ok, I get this one. Recalls and lead paint make this Russian roulette with your precious little ones. Its not a smart move if you can help it BUT who hasn’t taken a hand me down piece of childrens furniture from a relative?

2. Car seats:

Yepper the same thing applies here. However, if you aren’t well to do then an older brother or sister has probably assisted with a gently used item.

3. Bicycle helmets:

This is just silly. Numerous orginizations give away free & cheap helmets every year. Why pay full price?

4. Tires:

A new tire can run you 50 – 100 dollars while a used tire can get you rolling again for 13 – 30 dollars. It is a necessity for many families. Yet U.S. News & World Reports thinks you should catch the bus instead of purchasing a used tire.

5. Laptops:

Are you kidding me? Never buy a used laptop? A new laptop will run you anywhere from 750 – 1250 on average. However a used laptop for $250 will help you get by just fine. Just remember take the laptop to an expert (like Tech216.Com at 440-229-6080) and let them test it out while cleaning it up. That’s a HUGE savings over a new purchase. I guess Yahoo thinks you have a money tree in your back yard.

6. Software:

MOST software does NOT use online activation. Certain genres of software do (like antivirus and video games) while many others don’t. Simply ask or do your homework online.

7. Plasma and HDTVs:

Umm never buy an HDTV used? How Bourgoisie is THAT! Pawn shops, Ebay & Craigslist should simply remove those categories right now….yeah … right.

8. DVD players:

See my opinion on #7. DVD players work or they don’t

9. Digital and video cameras:

Digital equipment like most technical equipment works or it doesn’t A fonzy (the cool guy from happy days) tap on it isn’t going to have magical powers. Either it will work for you or it won’t It’s not likely to stop working on you next week. Case in point, I recently purchased a used Voip cordless phone. The mic on it didn’t work out of the box. It was broken….return RMA given and I’m getting my money back.

10. Speakers and microphones:

See #9 Audiophiles will want to test speakers, all others should be fine.

11. Camera lenses:

An SLR camera lens is the most expensive part of a camera. It also directly affects the quality of your images. Any damage to the lens, however slight, will show up in your photos.

12. Photo light bulbs:

Not the ordinary light bulbs you use at home. We’re talking about the light bulbs used with photography equipment. They’re relatively expensive, but their life span is short enough that you likely won’t get much use out of them if you buy second-hand.

13. Mattresses and bedding:

Just gross…I agree with Yahoo! Just think: You may be sleeping with other people’s mold, mites, bacteria, and bodily fluids. Besides, even the really good mattresses are only supposed to last eight to 10 years, and it’s hard know for sure how old a used mattress may be.

14. Swimsuits and undergarments:

I’ve been in Goodwill & they carry USED UNDERWEAR. I mean if your that desperate then you really need it and who am I to tell you otherwise, but geez. This is probably a no-brainer, but it needs to be said: Do not, do not, do not buy used swimsuits or undergarments. They’re worn too close to the body — someone else’s body — to consider buying used.

15. Wet suits:

Wet suits lose the ability to keep you warm over time. If you’re a scuba diver, or the last owner was one, the constant change in water pressure will eventually wear out the wet suit and make it more likely to tear.

16. Shoes:

If you get used footwear, it’s likely they’re already molded to the last owner’s feet. Poor-fitting shoes are not only uncomfortable but can cause all sorts of health problems, as well.

17. Hats:

Hats are likely not cleaned before they’re resold or donated. If you buy a used hat, you don’t know if you’re also getting skin infections, old sweat stains, hair products, and other cringe-worthy remnants. Now that’s a deal you don’t want.

18. Makeup:

A good thing to remember about used makeup is that it’s a breeding ground for bacteria and a number of contagious diseases. The great deal you found may come with pink eye and cold sores. Instead of buying used, consider making your own beauty products (it’s easier than you think) or skip makeup altogether.

19. Pet supplies:

Old stains and odors continue to ferment even if used pet supplies are sitting around in storage. If cleanliness is ever an issue, just say no.

20. Vacuum cleaners:

Vacuums are among the heavy-duty household appliances that tend to get a lot of use and abuse. They can also cost more to fix than if you bought them new right from the start.

10 Things I Wish I Had Never Believed

Via Steve-Olson.com

10 Things I Wish I Had Never Believed

Posted by Steve as Other
I’m writing this list for you because I wish somebody had sent me this list years ago.

10. Money is the root of all evil *

Money isn’t good or evil. It’s a tool like a hammer or a saw. You can create with it or destroy with it. People use it to build infrastructure, to build research facilities, to find cleaner sources of energy, and to create timeless art and literature. If you use your money to create value for yourself and others, your money will grow – and you will have all the money you’ll ever need. However, if you hoard money selfishly or spend it frivolously, you will never have enough. Don’t you think you could contribute more to society, the world, and other people if you had great wealth? So what’s wrong with intending to be wealthy? Do you believe you have the capacity to create value in other people’s lives? Those that think and act create wealth, so if you intend to become wealthy, don’t wait around for a government grant or the winning lotto numbers, get out there and start creating value for other people today.
Why People Believe Money is the Root of All Evil

9. Getting a good job is the best way to earn money

Ask any entrepreneur if she’d like to quit and get a job. Then ask most people with a job if they’d like to quit and work for themselves. Most wealthy people will tell you a job is the worst way to make money.
Why Getting a Good Job isn’t the Best Way to Earn Money

8. Emotional people are weak, vulnerable, and easily manipulated

It’s the exact opposite. Strong emotions are a source of strength and power. The stronger your emotions and the better your ability to focus your emotion, the more creative and powerful you are. Denying your emotions creates weakness and vulnerability.
The Secret Great Leaders Know About Emotions

7. Admitting a mistake is a sign of weakness

If you aren’t making mistakes you aren’t learning anything. Fearing mistakes is the real weakness. Denying your mistakes, repeating them, and expecting different results is insane.
Success is 99% Failure

6. You can’t be successful without a college degree

This one was drilled into my head for years and I believed it. The results of this belief were devastating. I didn’t earn a decent living until I was able to squash the belief. 85% 76% of Americans do not have a degree. I want to be very clear about this – I know I am on dangerous ground – so here goes – All of you with college educations are valuable and you have tremendous ability to create value in the world. This is not a criticism of your achievements. But I also must say – if you are one of the 85% 76% that do not have a degree, you are equally valuable and you are not inferior. You have equal potential to create value in the world, even if you never get a degree. People with and without degrees create amazing results everyday. If you hate flipping burgers or ringing orders at Wal-Mart don’t continue just because our culture tells you it’s your lot in life. Don’t listen to the voice in your head that tells you what you can’t do. Tell it to shut-up. Then start to visualize what you desire to be and you will slowly become what you visualize.
10 Tips to Secure a Management Position without a College Degree

5. Your doctor is the best source of medical or psychiatric information

Medical information is expanding so rapidly doctors are increasingly using Google to diagnose patients. According to studies, 30% of patients are misdiagnosed and treated for a condition they do not have. Obviously, if you have a medical or psychiatric problem you should see a doctor, but question what they tell you. Don’t accept it on blind faith. Use your critical thinking. Ask difficult questions. Many people are afraid to question their doctor. Don’t be afraid! I believe questioning my doctor saved my life (I plan to do a post on that experience). Do research online about your condition and you may find that you know more about the condition than your doctor. If that happens, it may be time to find a new doctor. Remember there is nothing special or magical about doctors, they’re people just like you and me. Many of them are extremely busy, and they make mistakes – lots of mistakes. So be your own advocate. See your doctor, but do your own research in the library and online. And if you need to make a big medical decision, get a second, third, or fourth opinion. Your health is in your hands. You make the final decision.
Always Question Your Doctor – Three Stories Why

4. School is the best place for kids to learn

It’s probably the worst place for kids to learn. I wrote this in my last blog post:Bob Proctor said that the problem with education is that it teaches us what to think, not how to think. Bob is wrong. It’s much worse than that. Our schools teach us to think destructive thoughts, which produce negative results in our lives and in the world. I know this sounds crazy and defies conventional wisdom, but it isn’t an attack on teachers or intellectuals. They are victims of the same monolithic government system as the students. Most teachers know intuitively how screwed up the system is and they know they are powerless to change it. So instead of explaining my position, I’ll let the New York State Teacher of the Year John Taylor Gatto make the argument in his essay The Seven Lesson School Teacher and his interview in Fast CompanyRead my follow up: How the Public School System Crushes Souls

3. Personal Development or Self-Help is a left-wing hippy thing

You may have a preconceived notion about Self-Help, but if you look closely I think you’ll find it is an inaccurate stereotype. When some people think of a ‘hippy’, they think of a bunch of scruffy unshaven kids in tie-dye shirts tripping on acid at a Grateful Dead show. When they think of ‘left-wing’, they think of socialism, communism, and atheism. All the Personal Development gurus I’ve seen are clean cut, positive thinking, deeply spiritual, entrepreneurs awash in wealth. Hardly a bunch of scruffy, atheistic, drug abusing, socialists. I highly recommend a Personal Development program regardless of your political or religious beliefs. My program has created amazing positive results.

2. I should ignore my feelings and make decisions with hard reason and logic

This is a lie I used to tell myself. You buy the house you buy because of how it makes you feel. You bought the car you drive because of the way it makes you feel. You eat the food you eat because of the way it makes you feel. You choose the relationships you have because of the way you feel. You choose a career because of how it makes you feel. There is no such thing as an emotionless rational decision. All good marketers and sales people know this. Accept the role your feelings play in decision-making. So if you are getting lousy results in your life, it’s probably because of the decisions you are making. You can only change the way you make decisions by changing the way you feel. Hard reason won’t change anything. Trying to plan your life with hard reason and logic results in inertia.
Give me 3 Minutes and I’ll Make You a Better Decision Maker

1 (Modified) My politics/religion/background are grounded in more truth than the next person’s

You’ll find the original author’s number 1 below but I don’t think he will mind me modifying this point. You see, he changed his last point because it used to be political. He found that it offended some individuals. He changed his last point and decided to use it as a point to learn from. When I read what he wrote I immediately wondered what his original political leaning had been. However. it doesn’t really matter what his party bias is today. Everyone believes their religion is the correct one. Everyone believes their political views are valid. Most individuals have views rooted deeply in which you can find a learning experience. They have a desire, fear, anxiety, or passion about something and it is represented in their actions. Take time to learn what motivates the people around you and you’ll learn more about how your own experiences can be elevated.

1 (original) That I Should Put Political Opinions on This List
Big mistake on my part. See #4. I used to have a political opinion as #10 and it tainted this list. This isn’t a political blog. My goal is to help everybody, regardless of political opinions. I apologize to anyone I alienated. I’ll view it as an opportunity to learn.

There are links to other good articles in the original author’s post. You can find the original article here

Kaspersky, Windows SSDT, & Why My Counterparts Can Kick Rocks

Once upon a time a network admin had to purchase some anti virus software. His counterparts in other organizations said hey just use the same one we use, after all it’s free. He looked at the ratings for Computer Associates Internet Suite (The Free Suggestion) and noticed that they were not favorable.  However, Kaspersky was aways listed near the top of review charts.

They questioned his Kaspersky decision and even made attempted to force him to use their solution. Time passed and Kaspersky has proven to be effective.  Today I noticed website Matousec.com had published a report stating 100% of tested A/V had a vulnerability utilizing the SSDT. Basically, this is the hook in which the A/V gets it’s driver access to the core of Windows. The problem is that with multi core processors, what’s being done on one processor isn’t always monitored by A/V running on the other simultaneously.

The exploit is a bait & switch tactic in which the bad guy could say “Here’s some code. See, it’s all safe”. After the code passes the A?V check it’s switched to malicious code. I don’t pretend to understand how every step of this works but I will say that since EVERY MAJOR ANTI VIRUS has this vulnerability, I don’t wanna hear crap from my counterparts. Not only does Kaspersky have this issue but so does Norton, Trend Micro, AVG, Avast, Panda, Computer Associates, McAfee, VIPRE, ESET (Makers of NOD32) and many many others.

I’ll continue to iterate that Kaspersky still trumps Computer Associates in just about every review I find out there, including the one below by Matousec:

Product		Product score	Level reached	Protection level	Recommendation	Report	Award
	Comodo Internet Security 4.0.141842.828FREE	100 % / 148	10+	Excellent – 100 %	GET IT NOW!
	Online Armor Premium 4.0.0.15	99 % / 84	10+	Excellent	GET IT NOW!		–
	Online Armor Free 4.0.0.35FREE	96 % / 148	10+	Excellent	GET IT NOW!
	Malware Defender 2.6.0	90 % / 148	10	Very good	N/A
	Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 9.0.0.736	86 % / 148	10+	Very good	GET IT NOW!
	Privatefirewall 7.0.20.36FREE	74 % / 148	9	Good	Not recommended		–
	Outpost Security Suite Pro 2009 6.7.3.3063.452.0726	72 % / 148	9	Good	Not recommended		–
	Outpost Firewall Free 2009 6.5.1.2725.381.0687FREE	71 % / 148	9	Good	Not recommended		–
	ZoneAlarm Extreme Security 9.1.008.000	59 % / 148	7	Poor	Not recommended		–
	Webroot Desktop Firewall 5.8.0.25FREE	54 % / 84	7	Poor	Not recommended		–
	PC Tools Firewall Plus 6.0.0.88FREE	51 % / 148	7	Poor	Not recommended		–
	Norton Internet Security 2010 17.5.0.127	40 % / 148	6	Very poor	Not recommended		–
	Jetico Personal Firewall 2.1.0.7.2412	28 % / 148	4	None	Not recommended		–
	BitDefender Internet Security 2010 13.0.19.347	24 % / 148	4	None	Not recommended		–
	ZoneAlarm Free Firewall 8.0.298.000FREE	11 % / 84	2	None	Not recommended		–
	Avira Premium Security Suite 9.0.0.367	10 % / 84	2	None	Not recommended		–
	Trend Micro Internet Security Pro 2010 17.50.1647.0000	9 % / 148	2	None	Not recommended		–
	F-Secure Internet Security 2010 10.00.246	8 % / 84	2	None	Not recommended		–
	CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2009 5.0.0.581	5 % / 84	1	None	Not recommended		–
	Kingsoft Internet Security 9 Plus 2009.07.17.10	5 % / 84	1	None	Not recommended		–
	Rising Internet Security 2009 21.41.21	5 % / 84	1	None	Not recommended		–
	Sunbelt Personal Firewall 4.6.1861.0	5 % / 84	1	None	Not recommended		–
	ThreatFire Free 4.1.0.25FREE	5 % / 84	1	None	Not recommended		–
	eConceal Pro for Windows 2.0.019.1	4 % / 84	1	None	Not recommended		–
	ESET Smart Security 4.0.417.0	4 % / 84	1	None	Not recommended		–
	FortiClient End Point Security 4.0.2.57	4 % / 84	1	None	Not recommended		–
	G DATA InternetSecurity 2010 20.1.0.50	4 % / 84	1	None	Not recommended		–
	TrustPort PC Security 2.0.0.1285	4 % / 84	1	None	Not recommended		–
	Windows Live OneCare 2.5.2900.24	4 % / 84	1	None	Not recommended		–
	avast! Internet Security 5.0.418.0	3 % / 148	1	None	Not recommended		–
	McAfee Internet Security 2010 11.0.378	3 % / 148	1	None	Not recommended		–
	AVG Internet Security 9.0.697	2 % / 84	1	None	Not recommended		–
	Mamutu 1.7.0.23	2 % / 84	1	None	Not recommended		–
	Norman Security Suite 7.10	2 % / 84	1	None	Not recommended		–
	Panda Internet Security 2010 15.01.00	2 % / 148	1	None	Not recommended		–