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I Just Cancelled my Facebook account

If you have a Facebook account you have to read this!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/11/facebooks-zuckerberg-the_n_417969.html

And if this wasn't enough, if you upgraded your iPhone facebook app, you have just shared your whole addressbook with facebook whether or not those contacts want their info shared

Facebook Quizzes Reveal More Than You Know

You know those fun quizzes you and your friends take on Facebook?
Well here's a shocker...

Take this one and see how much those companies can see about you... and everyone of your friends. I bet you'll never take another one again. My advice is to not take quizzes at all and if you want to keep your information private.... unfriend anyone who is taking them.

Thanks to the ACLU for the heads up!

CardStar

Leave those bulky plastic "reward cards" and "club cards" at home! CardStar lets you easily store, manage and quickly retrieve your reward, club, and loyalty cards on your smart phone, where they can be scanned directly from your screen at most merchants.

via www.mycardstar.com

This iPhone app has reduced the size of my wallet by 50%. I now have all my grocery and discount cards on my iPod Touch, available within a few clicks. It supposedly will allow the displayed barcodes to be scanned but I have not been successful with that so far. The clerks usually have to key in the code....still worth not carrying all those cards around.

I read on CardStar's site that screen protection may be the culprit in my inability to scan. Additionally, they say that handscanners work better than the flatbeds used at registers. I am going to keep trying but I love this app even without that ability. Go on, give it a try yourself...it's free on iTunes here

2009 Cost vs. Value Report: REALTOR® Magazine

I posted a couple of posts ago about the upgrades that will bring
the greatest return for your investment. Here are some additional
tips from Realtor.com....

2009 Cost vs. Value Report: REALTOR® Magazine.

ZAGG | invisibleSHIELD | iPhone, iPod Cases, Screen Protectors, Covers, Shields, Skins, Invisible Shield

 Scratch-proof patented film exclusive to ZAGGExceptionally clear and virtually indestructibleThe ultra-thin film will not add bulk to your devicePrecision cut to fit thousands of different devicesMilitary Grade originally developed to protect helicopter bladesGives your device increased gripLifetime Replacement WarrantyMillions sold worldwide

via www.zagg.com

I may have written about this company before, but I am really smitten with them. I have been using their flagship product InvisibleSHIELD on my ipod touch now for about a year and it is amazingly indestructible. I can't scratch it.

I just bought a pair of their earbuds because of the cord design. I always am listening to books or podcasts whenever I am working outside. The problem I continually come up against is what the heck to do with the cord. It always seems to get in my way, what with all the bending over I do. These new earbuds cleverly go around my neck and are held in place...no more slipping around or getting in my way. Very Clever!

What Should You Remodel?

Have you ever wondered which upgrades to make to you home that will bring the best return on investment when you sell? Well every year REMODELING Magazine prints a report explaining just that. You can find it here, Cost VS Value Report . It breaks down the research by region and even by major city.

Who would have thought that a new entry door would bring back 117% return and that a home office remodel will only bring back 47%?

Greener Choices

This is a sister site to Consumer Reports, that reviews and rates products for their 'greenness'. They tell the real story about products that seem green. You can search cars, appliances, electronics, foods and more to find out how they rate.

They have a newsletter you can sign up for also.

I have long been a fan of Consumer Reports and am happy to find this new resource. Check it out for yourself before you're next shopping excursion.

Todo | Remarkable iPhone™ Applications

This iPhone application is actually quite powerful.

Here is a short video showing the highpoints . I have been using it for a couple of weeks and just purchased the full version because it became an integral part of my getting things done.

Straw-Bale Homes Provide Shelter for Native American Families in Need - Alternative Materials, Energy-Efficient Construction, Green Building, Solar Heating - EcoHome Magazine

Everyone’s first impression of straw bale is The Three Little Pigs,” laments Mark Jensen. At Red Feather Development, not only is straw bale not the stuff of fairy tales, it’s a material that’s providing an affordable, efficient solution for families in need on American Indian reservations.

via www.ecohomemagazine.com

I built a small 12x12 straw bale outbuilding about 10 years ago simply because I wanted to see what it took to build. It is still standing and has served a great purpose as an additional storage building. I would build it a bit differently today, knowing what I know, but I am still completely sold on it's sustainability using renewable resources.

I love hearing that the technology is being used to provide housing to families that need it.

New EcoHome Magazine

The new issue of EcoHome magazine/ezine is up. I love this magazine. It always has great info about tightening up existing homes, ways to install energy efficient appliances and accessories as well as updates on Legislative changes and rebate programs. If you want to keep up with what's new and what is current, this is a great resource.