Star Reviews

2007-11-09T06:06:00.000-08:00

Online Stock Trading Tips

Trading stocks online isn’t for the faint at heart, especially when one good market day can result in an unexpected crash the next. The vast number of stock trading platforms from some of the biggest names in finance offer stock solutions to experts right on down to a day trader or novice. Before you begin investing your life savings into an unpredictable market economy, keep these stock trading tips in mind.

• Pay attention to industry trends-If an up and coming website or company gets extensive media attention or business, consider purchasing stock from them.

• Don’t be afraid to invest for fear of loss…the quicker you buy stocks, the faster you can make a profit.

• Know your trade options: some services allow you to use your mobile phone for trades, as well as faxing or over-the-phone.

• If you cancel a trade, make sure it’s complete before making another trade. Simply because you receive a cancellation receipt, it may have already gone through. Know who to contact for trading.

• Don’t trade with a company you don’t know anything about. If possible, look into their investment history, so you know you’re trading reputable stock.

• Join an online stock trading service that provides up-to-date market forecasts and comprehensive market overview features. When trading, you need access to instant stats.

6Star Reviews cites online stock trading services TD Ameritrade and Zecco as great choices in personal investment that incorporate the latter. Zecco offers great rates and 10 free trades a month if stock brokers meet the minimum balance requirement.

Options trades are $4.50 a trade, which is a low rate that new traders will surely appreciate. Similarly, TD Ameritrade runs specials such as 30-day commission-free trades and a $100 bonus on current new account openings. Before signing up with a particular company, consider your level of trading expertise, as well as your financial resources, as some sites offer lower rates than others.

2007-11-08T06:24:00.000-08:00

Holiday Hotel Booking Deals

Anyone traveling this holiday season will either stay with friends and family or book a hotel room. Luckily, hotel reservation services are a convenient means of securing the best rooms in any city across the nation…or world. Many prominent hotels and more discreet names are slashing their prices on winter stays, especially on seasonal destinations.

If you enjoy winter-inspired getaways to beautiful location such as Vail and Aspen, Colorado, 6Star Reviews reports that Hotels.com is offering huge savings on ski condo stays. For interested travelers, the sale runs through March and top-rated ski destinations are included. Besides extending great discounts and offers, the Hotels website is running a Vacation Giveaway for in-demand locations like Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

If your idea of a fabulous winter weekend isn’t in downtown Manhattan or the slopes in ski-lodge-saturated cities, why not check out international rates abroad? GTA Hotels, for instance, runs continuous special offers on cities such as London, Venice and even Paris. Even for the non-globe-trotting individual, these specials are hard to resist. International travel doesn’t have to burn a hole in your wallet, as long as you book ahead and on rooms with travel discounts.

Hotel reservation services are the perfect trip-planning tool, especially if you’re interested in holiday travel. Not only are you able to preview your actual room, you’ll gain access to brand-new specials continuously. Most hotel booking sites allow you to sign up for newsletter updates, which send news and discounts right to your inbox. Before the holidays arrive and rooms fill up, book your reservation online to enjoy the colder months ahead.

2007-11-07T06:34:00.000-08:00

Single Parent Dating Tips

Any single parent who wants to find a match both inside and out knows how tough the process can be! Not only are many single mom’s and dad’s busy with work and supporting their families, taking care of the kids on the weekends can eliminate any time spent on themselves. Many parents playing a solo role in their child’s life may wish to find true love, but can’t picture making it back out in the dating world. Keeping these tips in mind can make your shot at love much easier:

· Never feel like you’re alone-you’re among nearly 15 million single individuals bringing up children.

· Despite any reservations you may have, dating is ok at any age!

· Talk with your kids if you’re going on a date or bringing a new guy or gal home. The more comfortable you make them feel, the less likely they’ll perceive your dating as a threat.

· Don’t get involved with an individual you have doubts about. Chances are, if your intuition says no, this person isn’t right for you or your family.

· If using an online dating service, be honest about your expectations and family life. Your potential partner will accept every aspect of your life if they’re right for you!

· If someone doesn’t like that you have kids, don’t try to change their mind. They either like the total package or they’re not worth it.

Single parent online dating is extremely popular and a means for unmarried mom’s and dad’s to meet each other. 6Star Reviews cites Single Parent Love Life as a great single parent dating site that lets you send and receive messages within the service itself. Blending fun and interactive features, they allow you to branch out and meet potential matches, all while keeping an air of anonymity for you and your kids.

When using an online dating service, always remember to keep your profile up-to-date and straightforward and you’ll be quick to attract someone who accepts you for who you are!

2007-11-06T09:10:00.000-08:00

Auto Loan Advice

Purchasing a brand-new, 2008 vehicle may seem like an attractive holiday buy, but many new car owners are unaware of the various kinds of auto loans available right on the Web. Some auto loan providers give you direct access to loans and offer instant approvals, so you can buy your dream car without too many worries. However, before choosing an auto loan online, keep these tips in mind:

• Know your credit score: If it isn’t the best, opt for an auto loan service that isn’t too choosy. For example, Funding Way’s Auto Credit Express has more lenient credit requirements than other auto loan providers.

• Consider timing-the end of the year is a great time to purchase vehicles from the previous year: they’re still new, but dealers want to focus solely on those ’08-tagged cars, leaving you with possible savings!

• If you’re not happy with a current auto loan rates, consider auto loan refinance. It’s similar to home mortgage refinance, but on your vehicle.

• If your auto loan interest rates are high, don’t get discouraged! If you faithfully make your payments on time and monitor your credit score, you’ll be able to lower your rates with time.

• If you have your heart set on a pricey ride, consider a more cost-effective option. This will not only save you on auto loan rates, you’ll be in a better position of auto loan approval.

• Shop around: consider filling out an auto loan application on several provider’s websites. That way, you’ll get a complete feel for what you can afford.

Buying a new car is a growing trend, with numbers last year indicating a great leap in six-year loans, according to the Consumer Bankers Association. If you don’t like the idea of leasing and don’t have a blank check to pay a new car balance in full, 6Star Reviews reports that some auto loan providers such as Capital One offer instant approval, as well as versatile loan periods.

Cars Direct gives customers access to manufacturer deals and rebates, as well as loan calculators and car-buying resources. Obtaining an auto loan has never been easier, especially with the help of auto loan services.

2007-11-06T07:51:00.000-08:00

Discount College Textbooks

Most college students’ fall semesters are drawing to a close, leaving piles of textbooks unused or nearly obsolete. As classes begin to wrap up for winter break, many students are hoping to bring in some extra cash for the holidays through textbook buyback programs.

Many college campus bookstores offer to purchase back your unwanted textbooks, but with a cost. Though you may earn a few bucks here and there, you’ll only get a fraction of the price you paid for a particular book.

College textbook services are growing rapidly as more students experience the convenience and affordability characterizing these sites. For example, eCampus is a textbook site that not only lets you buy and sell your books at discount prices, you get free shipping on orders of $59 or more. $59 can easily be the cost of one textbook, so taking advantage of their current shipping policy will inevitably save you time and money.

Textbooks.com, another popular college textbook website, offers generous buyback offers for book owners. If you’d like to sell your used textbook to other students, you have the opportunity to use the online marketplace to do so.

If you dread carrying stacks of college textbooks back to the bookstore for a few dollars come end of finals, consider using one of the many textbook sites online. 6Star Reviews reports that eCampus even sells DVDs, college apparel, and non-academic books, so anyone shopping for the holiday season can find great gift purchases here as well. Any time of year, college textbook services provide reasonably-priced books for all students.

2007-11-05T11:40:00.000-08:00

Job Hunt Advice

Finding a new career in today’s fast-paced world isn’t as easy as it looks. Though online job search engines are incredibly popular, sometimes it’s hard to know where to look or what to look for! One underlying issue of concern for job seekers is the vast number of applicants sent in each minute, every day.

No one has to wait for the Sunday classifieds section anymore in order to find the newest jobs…and an applicant on the East Coast may face competition from around the globe. When beginning your job search, consider the following hints to make your experience successful.

• Sign up for a site such as Careerbuilder’s job newsletter-you’ll receive access to newly posted jobs daily.

• In a job search box, enter in as many keywords as you can. If you’re looking for a marketing position, why not add ‘advertising’ and ‘sales’ to increase your search results?

• Check on the weekends: many job sites continuously post new openings-even on the weekends.

• If a job site allows you to post your resume, be sure to take advantage of it. This will increase your chances an employer will gloss by it.

• If you receive correspondence from a potential employer by email, follow it up with a thank you note.

There is no real science behind landing a new job. It may be a matter of timing or even luck, in some instances. Utilizing the best job search engines such as Monster and Careerbuilder allow you to better your chances of finding a great career. 6Star Reviews reports that Monster even gives you access to a career advice center and job-saturated marketplace. You have a great chance of finding your dream job on the Net, if you’re willing to put in the work.

2007-11-05T08:18:00.000-08:00

Holiday Greeting Cards

If you’re preparing to pick out holiday-themed greeting cards, you don’t have to traipse down to the corner Hallmark to do so. Online greeting card services provide countless ‘Seasons Greetings’ card options which are sure to impress. If you like to add personalizes messages and images to your annual holiday card, check out what’s offered online!

6Star Reviews notes American Greetings as a top choice in online greeting cards, especially their create-and-print products. Members can add fun text and shapes, as well as personal greetings and photos to their holiday greeting cards.

Another hit greeting card site, Blue Mountain, allows you to create and print your own greeting cards, as well. Similar to American Greetings, Blue Mountain provides a downloadable design program, which gives you the creative freedom to resize, swap images, change fonts and add text to your holiday greeting card. This site and American Greetings alike offer free, one-month trials for you to test drive their service before paying!

Though greeting card print quality depends on the type of printer you’re hooked up to, you cannot really expect store-bought graphics. However, there is nothing like receiving a greeting card specially designed by someone special, even if it came from their printer! Online greeting cards not only help ring in the holidays, they’re the perfect way to say ‘just thinking about you’ all year long.

2007-11-02T06:39:00.000-07:00

Finance Tips for Students

Anyone can identify with the heavy strain placed on a student’s finances. Besides paying for school, many undergrads and those pursuing further education have countless responsibilities and financial obligations to fulfill. Though part-time jobs can cover small expenses, bills and student loan payments can really add up. All students should keep these tips in mind:

· Apply for financial aid early. Make sure you research when the cut off date is and put in your government application in as soon as it’s allowed.

· Pay a visit to your campus financial aid office. Many a times, there are scholarships available that you may not have known existed.

· Keep track of small purchases, such as your weekly spends at Starbucks or dinners out. If you find a significant amount of your cash flow is going to one place, try to reduce it slowly.

· Don’t borrow more than you can pay back: both from friends, parents or credit card companies.

· Shop around for student-friendly banks. Many campuses have in-house banks with flexible account options for students.

· Buy used textbooks for your classes. You may not save a whole lot, but you’ll reduce some of your semester expenses.

· Consider signing up for a student credit card, with added benefits and savings.

Many student credit cards offer great cash back bonuses, such as the Discover Student Monogram Card. StarReviews.com reports that this particular student credit card provides 5% back on qualifying purchases, as well as the opportunity to double your rewards at participating merchants.

The Discover Student Tropical Beach card doesn’t charge an annual fee, either, which is a popular perk of many student credit cards. Custom credit cards and all, any student should monitor their spending habits to prevent any financial fiascos from occurring.

2007-11-02T06:35:00.000-07:00

Online Dating Advice

If you’re like most singles, you struggle to find time to balance work, your social life and personal hobbies. Let’s face it: many singles are tired of the bar crowd scene, don’t have the time to pass out their numbers at Barnes & Noble and are prohibited from dating coworkers.

Many individuals have turned to online dating service for a chance at love, approximately 7 million members and counting to be exact. But, before you post a photo or complete your online profile, consider the following pieces of successful dating advice.

· When dating online, you’re sure to encounter some folk you wouldn’t think twice about in ‘the real world.’ Allow yourself time to find the right one, as opposed to jumping into anything.

· Always be honest in your profile and when communicating with a potential partner. Simply because the beginning stages of a relationship are done via the Internet, it doesn’t mean you should misrepresent yourself.

· Don’t give out personal information (such as your phone number or personal email) until you have a good feel for who the person you’re talking to is.

· It’s a good idea never to give out a work number or email address; in the event that things go awry and your not-so-significant other decides to harass you while you’re on the job.

· If you’re dating online, go for a paid service. You have a better chance of finding someone who is serious about finding a relationship, as opposed to a casual fling.

· Don’t wait too long before meeting an online match. If someone doesn’t want to see you, there is a reason. Far be it from us to say they’re married, but if someone is into you, they inherently want to be with you: offline.

· Don’t be negative: Nothing solidifies the end of a relationship faster than someone unloading their dating woe stories on you from the start.

When considering an online dating service, look for a site that matches your personality. For example, StarReviews.com notes Chemistry as a great choice for adventurous, progressive singles. The signup process is unique and focuses on fun aspects of daters’ personalities.

However, someone who wants precise matching may want to check out eHarmony, a site that matches singles based on comprehensive personality profiles. True is a great online dating site for people who want security-they screen their members for criminal activity! Case in point: there is a diverse, widespread pool of singles online and when wading through, it’s vital to stay true to your wants and needs.

2007-10-31T07:12:00.000-07:00

Holiday Travel Tips

If you’re going away for the holidays this year, you’re probably unhappily anticipating a hike in gas prices, long lines at airport security and delays all-around. According to the Bureau of Transportation, Thanksgiving and the winter holiday season are the busiest long-distance travel times in a given year. While travelers cannot avoid hefty waits at check-in and traffic on the highway, there are plenty of measures to take in order to alleviate any holiday season travel stress.

• Know when to travel: For local excursions, people tend to leave on Thursdays. If traveling over 100 miles away, Wednesday through Sunday are the most popular days.

• About 90% of Thanksgiving travel is through one’s vehicle.

• The Sunday and Monday after Thanksgiving are the busiest days to travel back home. If you book a flight or drive on Tuesday, you’ll avoid a lot of traffic.

• Weather delays don’t always depend on where you’re flying out of. If you live in Florida but are flying to New York, you may experience delays due to a snowstorm, for example.

• Allow ample time to check in at the airport and make it through security. More travelers means more time to wait as each individual is screened.

• Travel on Saturday as opposed to Sunday. Most people want to make it back for work without sacrificing any weekend time.

• The average age of Thanksgiving travelers is just under 34, as opposed to right above 36 for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, according to the BTS.

• Preview airport restrictions and laws implemented for safe air travel…you cannot avoid them and will save a world of time if you plan ahead.

• Book a trip off-season. For example, go to New England when the leaves aren’t changing…you’ll save on local bed and breakfasts, whose popularity heightens during the fall.

• Consider booking through an online travel agency. You can find new discounts and sales each day, as well as vacation packages unavailable elsewhere.

The best discount travel online can be found through sites such as Orbitz and Expedia, according to StarReviews.com. If you’re an avid planner, you’ll be able to customize your own trip homepage, complete with photos, video and comments through Orbitz’s TripHub.

If you’re like most travelers, saving money is important when going away during the holidays. When booking through Travelocity, you can save just by using a particular credit card. Before the cold weather arrives, consider booking travel online and taking advantages of discount flights and destination-stays.

2007-10-30T05:55:00.000-07:00

Holiday Shopping Safety Tips

One of the busiest times of the year for shoppers is the holiday season. Before you duke it out in jam-packed department stores and wade your way through line after line at the checkout, consider online shopping as a more convenient and sanity-saving option. No one wants their holiday spirit extinguished before they even arrive. If you’re considering purchasing all of your gifts online this year, keep the following tips in mind:

• Anytime you purchase something online, print out a receipt of the transaction or product ordered. This way, should you fail to receive what you ordered, you have proof.

• If you order from a site and are emailed for passwords or personal information, don’t give it out. If it’s legitimate, you’ll receive a call to confirm information.

• If you’re concerned about a site’s validity, look for the browser ‘lock icon’ or an order URL beginning with ‘https’ where the ‘s’ means secure.

• If you’re shopping on an online auction or the sort, keep references to ‘refurbished’ or ‘close-out’ products in mind. Don’t expect a new product to come in the mail, they’re letting you know.
If a product is advertised as new, keep a print-out of the description in case you receive a used item.

• Make note of a company’s return policies. Read the fine print for procedures on exchanges or full refunds so you know what to expect before you click ‘order.’

• Sign up to receive a website’s newsletter, so you’ll be notified of any three-day weekend or one-day sales.

• Never click ‘order’ or ‘buy’ twice. There are plenty of instances where your credit card is charged double, which could take some time to fix.

• Make sure you have a comprehensive Internet security software product installed on your PC to prevent any password-stealing pop-up’s or phishing attempts.

Even if you have internet security software installed on your computer, 6Star Reviews notes that it also makes the perfect present for a friend or family member. Most everyone has a PC and Internet security protection is a great way to safeguard their files and information.

Security Shield 2008 for example, provides anti-virus, anti-spyware, and anti-spam protection, as well as a firewall, parental controls and rootkit prevention tools. On top of these features, you also receive free technical support, which isn’t easy to find anymore! Before you make your holiday shopping lists and browse the Web, keep the above safety tips and advice in mind to make this season hassle-free.

2007-10-26T06:22:00.000-07:00

Holiday Stationery Sales

It’s never too early to prepare for the winter holidays, especially when it comes to planning a party or purchasing gifts. If this year is like most, you’re probably debating whether to buy Mom a day at the spa or a year’s subscription to her favorite magazine. However, there are plenty of alternatives in gift-giving, especially with online stationery services. Why not really surprise her or anyone special in your life with a unique, personalized present?

Fine Stationery is one source you can turn to for customized holiday gifts and invitations. 6StarReviews.com notes that a vast majority of Fine Stationery’s holiday products are on sale, offering discounts from high-end names like Crane & Co., Monica Maslack and Kate Spade. If you’re not interested in party invitations, you can still pick out holiday photo cards, stationery and gift wrap. Businesses can even pick out corporate greeting cards for their companies!

Another popular stationery service, Tiny Prints, provides you with fun and simple-to-make holiday story cards. Not only can you add family photos and insert a ‘family update’ to keep friends and relatives in-the-know, you are allowed complete freedom in customization. Choose how big or small your card is, along with personalized captions to tell a story with your family photos.

If you own a business or corporation, you can customize holiday cards and event invitations as well.Though invitation and stationery sites have great discounts and options throughout the wintertime, their summer and spring collections are just as popular. If you’re stuck on what to purchase as a present or simply want your own, personalized designs then stationery services are a great option to turn to on the Web.

2007-10-25T06:38:00.000-07:00

Holiday Flower Specials

A quick and easy way to celebrate the nearing holiday season is by sending someone flowers. Online flower delivery services are gearing up for a busy winter season and already have special sales available on festive arrangements. But, a common misconception is that flower services only sell flowers. This couldn’t be further from the truth!

6StarReviews.com cites FTD as a website that not only provides countless flowers of all kinds, they also personalize custom gift baskets and Thanksgiving centerpieces. What better way to enjoy the holiday than with autumn-inspired colors and designs? Many harvest bouquets and tabletop centerpieces are offered at discount rates, to ensure your holiday is extra special.

Another popular flower site, 1-800-Flowers, is now offering customers special discounts on gift baskets. Though flowers are their specialty, 1-800-Flowers has incredible deals on orchard fruit gift baskets, holiday gourmet gifts and custom-designed gift purchases from names like Paula Deen and the Barefoot Contessa, a Food Network fan’s dream.

Though pre-selected bouquets and arrangements often come in holiday colors, you may wish to pick out your own colors. For Thanksgiving, some great flower choices include chrysanthemums, gerbera daisies and bittersweet. Poinsettias, assorted lilies and orchids are popular picks throughout the Christmas and Hanukkah season. Remember, online flower services can ship arrangements the same day if needed, and they have flowers from all seasons year-round!

2007-10-24T06:27:00.000-07:00

Web Safety Trends & Statistics

As children and teens use the Internet more than ever before, parents continue to face potential problems arising from the trend. Stories highlighting issues affecting teens and kids alike run rampant on television news channels. We’ve all heard of the potential risks attached with youngsters using sites like MySpace and Friendster, such as predators obtaining personal information or even classmates bullying someone via their online profile. Plenty of studies and recent industry reports indicate the browsing habits of youth and their parents’ concerns.

· Over 60% of teens ages 13-17 report having a profile on a social networking site.

· Nearly half of teens with profiles were asked to share personal information with someone they didn’t know personally.

· Over 50% of parents feel the Internet mainly has positive impacts on their kids.

· About 70% of teens have unintentionally encountered adult content when surfing the Web.

· Only 1 in 4 teens who received inappropriate messages online alerted a parent or guardian.

· Nearly half of parents surveyed don’t check out what their children type in chat rooms or instant messages.

· Over half of parents surveyed don’t have or don’t know if parental control and monitoring software is installed on their PC’s.

6StarReviews.com reports that parental control software is a viable means for concerned parents to regulate what goes in and out of their PC’s. Net Nanny, for example, blocks all adult content and allows parents to fully monitor where their child surfs and what they’re saying in chat rooms or instant messages.

Child Safe, another popular product, is not only simple to use, you can have comprehensive Internet usage reports emailed right to you. Though monitoring your child or teen’s activity is beneficial, it’s still important to allow them some leeway and discuss Web safety in terms they will understand.

2007-10-24T06:20:00.000-07:00

Music Download Industry News

The music download industry keeps evolving, as more players enter the game and alliances are formed within a blink of an eye. We’re all aware of AT&T partnering with giant Apple Inc. to promote the iPhone, which of course uses iTunes for its ringtone capabilities. As more mobile phones encompass multimedia functions, the music and telecommunications industries are realizing their unfolding opportunities to meld together.

AT&T and Napster, one of the original music download services, are joining together and providing direct download capabilities, according to CNNMoney. In an effort to avoid mobile-to- PC connections to transfer music files, direct downloads are growing in popularity. More mobile phone owners are using their cell phones as MP3 players, not to mention the added benefit of using downloads as ringtones.

Similarly, in Australia, Nokia is stepping up to the plate in music downloads, providing free Wi-Fi zones for Nokia Nseries customers. They plan to launch a music download service of their own sometime this year, and with their free Wi-Fi campaign, more and more Australian-based Nokia users will be more apt to try it out come launch time.

Telecommunications companies and mobile phone service providers aren’t the only ones switching up the music download industry. 6StarReviews.com reports that Amazon’s newest service, AmazonMP3, is offering lower prices on individual songs and albums than some of their competitors, such as iTunes.

Their 2-million some music collection stands out in that its music files are DRM-free and iTunes and Windows Multimedia Player-compatible. Though competition amongst music download providers is inevitable, anyone with a mobile phone or MP3 player will continue to be exposed to countless options.

2007-10-23T05:58:00.002-07:00

Preventing PC Errors

One of the primary causes of PC problems and irritating errors is deleting files. For many of us, when we see a program we don’t recall or see a file we deem unimportant, we’re quick to delete and erase it. What many of us don’t realize is: these seemingly harmless actions can result in headaches and errors further down the line.

Windows registry errors are a result of broken file paths, missing extensions and basically any interruption in our operating system. Downloading free trials and new software is a common practice for any computer owner. But, erasing unwanted programs isn’t as easy as the install process. There are plenty of things to keep in mind before we click ‘delete.’

· The best place to uninstall a program is through the Control Panel’s ‘Add/Remove’ Program List.

· Always double check you clicked on the right program box before you choose to remove it. At times, several programs are checked as a default. You wouldn’t want to delete your anti-virus software or anything like that.

· If you’re prompted to delete a ‘shared drive,’ don’t delete it! This was help prevent future error messages, in case you remove a file another software program relies on.

· If the program you want to delete isn’t listed under ‘Add/Remove,’ go to Programs and look for the specific software folder. Most have a folder called ‘Manual Uninstall’ which will help you removed the program.

· If you don’t recognize a program in your ‘Add/Remove’ folder, don’t jump and get rid of it.

It may have a strange name (leaving you fearful of some virus or worm) but chances are, it’s meant to be there. Consult with someone who knows PC’s or browse the Help database.
Though these bits of advice are one way to prevent crashes and error messages, there are plenty of other Windows registry errors that are more of a challenge to fix.

One solution is utilizing registry cleaners to help eliminate headaches. 6StarReviews.com reports that Registry Mechanic doesn’t simply delete broken file paths, but repairs what is causing the malfunction. For a limited time only exclusively on the site, they’re even offering 15% off the software product. If you haven’t mastered the ‘Add-Remove Issue’ and are bombarded with countless errors and slow PC speeds, registry errors may currently be the culprit.

2007-10-23T05:58:00.001-07:00

The Growing Malware Epidemic

As more computer owners learn about spyware and its damaging effects on our PC’s, there is still a hidden threat that hasn’t made front-page news yet. Sure, some of us have heard of the growing ‘malware problem,’ but in order to prevent such an occurrence from affecting us, it’s vital to know the basics of this nasty, new PC predator.

· Malware is like a computer virus. They’re hard-to-find and at times, difficult to remove.

· It drastically slows down our PC speed-As a result of ad-buildup and tracking devices, your computer may run noticeably slower.

· File sharing is a huge source of harmful malware, especially in instances like illegal music downloading.

· Unintentionally visiting harmful websites masking as legitimate pages can increase your chances of picking up malware.

· Your Internet search habits can be recorded and distributed to unknown sources through the use of malware.

· If you surf to a site and notice you’re consistently being redirected, this is a symptom of malicious malware.

· Malware often tries to steal your personal information. For instance, Voice Over IP Provider Skype just reported a malware stunt whereby users were asked for log-on information on a phony sign-in screen.

In many ways, malware is like the big brother of spyware. It often bundles many unseen threats together, increasing your chances of being attacked. Installing an anti-spyware software program such as STOPzilla is one measure we can take to diminish the risk posed on our PC’s.
6StarReviews.com cites that STOPzilla not only protects you from spyware, it blocks phishing attempts (those browser hijacks commonly associated with malware.)

Spyware Doctor provides comprehensive threat detection through their Spider Scanning Technology, a great feature. Many spyware removal programs offer great deals for you to save: such as 15% off on Spyware Doctor products as exclusively reported by 6StarReviews.com. Though research on malware and its effects are in the early stages, protecting your PC now is an action all computer owners should make.

2007-10-22T07:12:00.001-07:00

Tips to Prevent Email Spam

Spam isn’t limited to the harmless email chain we’ve all been guilty of sending to friends and family members. Many of us feel that receiving email spam is a lost cause and we’re sentenced to cleaning our inboxes out each morning. Though completely ridding spam from your life may be an unattainable task, there are steps you can take to reduce the number you receive:

· Create a separate email address (free ones like Gmail and Hotmail work great) when registering for an online group or Web-newsletter.

· When posting content on the Web, don’t include your primary email address. Spammers can easily add you to their lists.

· Trick the spam spiders-If you post an email address online, disguise it’s setup, spelling out ‘dot com’ in place of ‘.com

· If you sign up for a list, be sure it’s for that sole site and your information won’t get passed around.

· Read text-only emails or request your mail provider notify you before downloading images or HTML.

· If you receive forwarded chain emails from friends or family, ask them to stop. Even if you trust who is sending you the email, your name will still be visible to whoever continues sending the chain.

· Purchase a spam filter. It’s a small price to pay when you think of all the junk mail you’ll avoid.

6StarReviews.com notes several spam filters that can do the trick and reduce unwanted spam mail. Anti-spam software programs like Spam Shield have unique features such as LashBack, a setting that removes spam and prevents that user from ever forwarding you junk mail again. Spam Monitor also paves the way in spam protection by letting users make black and whitelists to ensure important email reaches their inbox. Preventing spam doesn’t have to cost you your sanity!

2007-10-22T07:06:00.000-07:00

Mortgage Refinance Loan Services

If you’re like many homeowners, you dream of better days when your property is paid in full and you don’t have to make those dreaded mortgage payments anymore. But, getting back to reality, many are turning to mortgage refinance services in order to cut their monthly loan payments or to extend their loan periods. Keep these hints in mind before choosing a refinance plan:

• When to Refinance: When you already have a mortgage and wish to apply for a second, be sure the amount you save on interest rates balances fees paid during refinancing. Lending Tree is a great resource when debating the ‘apply/not to apply’ question, as they offer certified lending and allow you to compare multiple offers online.

• Loan Options: Determine whether a fixed rate mortgage or adjustable rate mortgage is in your best interest. Fixed rate mortgage monthly payments tend to remain steady despite market conditions. E-LOAN allows you to compare both loan options and to outweigh the pros vs. cons before you make your decision.

• Cash-out refinances: These allow you to refinance with a loan amount larger than your current mortgage…while you keep the cash difference. The catch? Your home equity must qualify before you can go through with it.

• No Closing Cost Refinances: If you wish to save on up-front fees, this is probably your best choice. Depending on whether or not the prevailing market rate is lower than your existing rate by at least 1.5%, you are sure to reap the benefits.

6StarReviews.com reports that sites such as E-LOAN provide mortgage refinance loans, as well as useful information on home equity, home and auto purchasing, and personal loans. Utilizing features such as ‘The Loan Advisor’ allow you to enter information such as credit ratings, how much you intend on borrowing, estimated property values, and current mortgage balances. They, in turn, will recommend which loan route to take. Remember, saving money is key in your refinance loan search.

2007-10-19T07:07:00.001-07:00

Money-Saving Tips

Saving money is a task we could all improve on. After the bills have been paid, many people find themselves rewarding their hard work at the office with weekend getaways, dinners out, new gadgets and countless other forms of entertainment. The truth is, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with this! But, saving and spending should be a game of balance, and the these tips will get you off to a great start:

· Set up an automatic weekly account transfer from your checking to savings account. This way, you’ll be forced to save.

· Keep a budget: With the advent of online banking, many of us forgo those Excel sheets that let us see our financial state for what it truly is.

· When you go grocery shopping, go with a list. How many of us have gone in empty-handed and come out with more than we wanted to?

· If you’re tempted to make an impulse purchase, give yourself 24 hours to think it over. Chances are, that LCD TV won’t be as tempting when you’re not staring straight at it.

· Keep a separate savings account for long-term financial goals or rainy days…and don’t touch it.

· Don’t always turn to your credit cards. If you see your cash disappearing and find yourself making frequent ATM-run’s, you’ll definitely pick up on your spending habits.

· Make short-term goals: For instance, set a limit each week of what you can spend and don’t go beyond that figure.

Though these bits of advice will give you a sunnier financial situation, it’s inevitable that we all run into sticky money scenarios at times. 6StarReviews.com describes how paycheck advance services are a viable resource when all else fails. If your bills are due and you simply don’t have the funds, sites like PayDay OK can distribute cash into your accounts next-day if you’re approved. Though there are fees involved and you really shouldn’t get used to them, payday loans are a means to prevent late payments and interest on outstanding balances and bills.

2007-10-18T11:00:00.000-07:00

Resume Writing Advice

If you find yourself struggling to condense your background skills and work history into a two-page Word document, there are plenty of tips to follow to perfect your resume. Resume writing isn’t a black and white process and at times, the best format to follow is one fine-tuned to fit your personality. Remember, on top of highlighting your greatest accomplishments, there are a few commonalities all resumes should have.

• Include your email address in your contact information: Many employers don’t have time to give you a ring and prefer jotting you a quick note via email.

• If you do give out an email address, make sure it’s a professional one. Nothing kills your chances of receiving a potential callback more than an email address like ‘SassyPrincess.'

• Always customize your ‘Objective’ or ‘Jobs Applying For,’ especially if this is the only field you change in the document for each position you apply for.

• Try only to include relevant employment skills. For instance, if you’re applying for a position in sales, it’s probably unnecessary to mention your summer camp counseling job you’ve held for the past three summers.

• If you want to include your experience as a camp counselor, try to weed out the skills you acquired, such as ‘Managed kids’ awards ceremony’ or something to that effect.

• Have a few people proofread your resume and do run a spell check.

• Before you go ahead and include references, be sure to check with those individuals, to be sure they even remember you and your work ethic.

• Always include a cover letter with your resume. Even if your future employer doesn’t read it, it shows you made the extra effort.

• Bullet important information and bold each resume header. When we read, we tend to skim, and so does your dream job’s HR recruiter. Make it easy for them to glance over your important information!

Last but not least, it’s vital to keep your resume to a readable length. No one wants to peruse a novel when they’re wading through a thousand-some resumes. 6StarReviews.com cites resume writing services such as Resume Edge pair you with a professional resume writer, who edits your resume to better your chances of snagging an interview. Presenting your experience and skills professionally is key in making your job hunt a success.

2007-10-17T06:21:00.000-07:00

Online Banking

Practically any financial transaction can be completed through the use of online banking. The advent of direct deposit made getting your money lightning quick and accurate, and many banks have catered to the needs of their account holders by simplifying online banking features.

Do you remember the days when you had to make a physical trip down to your corner bank just to check the balance of your accounts and to make a deposit? While you may have to take a trek to Wachovia every once in awhile, online banking has drastically reduced the necessity to do so.

6StarReviews.com reports that the popular Bank of America offers their customers added security features, such as encryption and pass codes. Bank of America even implemented a customized image security feature, whereby you choose an image and if you happen to land on a phishing website posing as the authentic site, you will know it before entering personal information.

Online banking through Bank of America and other big names such as Citibank and Wachovia offer similar features through their services. For starters, you can receive online statements instead of those paper ones that always seem to arrive a month after you made the purchases listed on them. You can also utilize online bill payment and add lists of payees to automatically transfer funds to.

Most online banks also allow account holders to transfer funds between checking and savings accounts. Popular online bank ING Direct even allows you to transfer money from their service to other banks, such as Washington Mutual (WaMu) for free. Add this benefit to convenience such as online loan applications and online banking is hard to live without!

2007-10-16T05:43:00.000-07:00

Building a Family Tree Online

If you’ve ever pondered the question, ‘Who am I related to?’ you aren’t alone. While communicating by way of the Internet and the cell phone have brought many of us together, there are plenty of individuals who can count their family members on one hand.

Genealogy services have special family tree features that allow inquiring minds to piece their rich ancestral roots together. If you want to build a family tree with ease, keep the following in mind:

· Global connection-Even if your entire family lives in New Jersey, sites like One Great Family complete the puzzle by demonstrating where your family delineated from through their Family Tree Connection feature.

· Census Collection-Don’t settle for a family tree builder solely containing US Census Records. Ancestry is a genealogy service that incorporates UK records, as well as specialized documents, such as military records.

· Ellis Island-Many of our ancestors passed through this infamous Hudson port and sites like Kindred Konnections allow you to scour records taken during our nation’s great migration period.

· Family Tree Platform-Some genealogy services require you to download software before you research and store family tree data, but One Great Family lets you upload your family’s information directly into an intuitive database.

Though filling in every gap in your family tree may be impossible, building a virtual replica of your ancestral background isn’t the dry task it once was. 6StarReviews.com found genealogy services hosting innovative research tools, scannable records and simple data uploads, allowing anyone with Internet access to piece together their ancestral story.

2007-10-15T05:44:00.000-07:00

Discount Magazines

When given the opportunity, most all of us leap at the chance to save a few bucks here and there. For those of us subscribing to one or more magazines, magazine subscription services have simplified our payment options and given us access to diverse titles at discount prices. Here’s how to save even more by subscribing online:

· Buy in Bulk-6StarReviews.com reports that Net Magazines lets readers create their own magazine assortment packages and gives them giant savings in return.

· Long-Term Subscriptions-If you’re a diehard US News and World Report fan, why not subscribe for several years all at once? Sites like Magazines Quick give you lower rates if you get your ordering for the next five years or so done at once.

· Large selection-If you opt for a magazine subscription service such as Magazine City, you’ll have access to nearly 2,000 titles, which means that publishers usually cut them a deal, and in turn: you get one too.

· Price Guarantee-There’s no greater way to ensure savings than to purchase magazines from a site like Magazines Quick, who offer low price (or will match a lower rate) guarantee.

Some magazine subscription services offer rates up to 80% off the cover price, which is evident in low yearly subscription costs. Most sites also give customers gift options, so you can subscribe Mom to Better Homes and Gardens and send her a personalized announcement on top of it. The next time you consider a 6 or 12 month subscription to your favorite title, look to the many online magazine subscription sites before you fill out the cardboard insert in your latest Sports Illustrated.

2007-10-12T06:47:00.000-07:00

Best Social Networking Sites

Connecting with long lost friends and meeting some new ones along the way are the greatest advantages of social networking sites. These websites serve numerous purposes and combine a plethora of communications functions. Email, instant messaging, message boards, discussion groups and file sharing capabilities reflect the extent to which social networking sites connect us through the Internet.

When one thinks of social networking, MySpace usually comes to mind. 6StarReviews.com reports that MySpace allows users to create profiles, friends lists and post bulletins to their friends or communities with the click of a button. MySpace also boasts professor ratings and college and high school community groups for anyone looking for those with common interests.

Facebook, another popular social networking site, began as a Harvard phenomena and eventually opened its doors to most every college, high school and eventually user imaginable. Facebook popularized ‘the wall,’ where friends can post messages to each other via their profiles.

It is no secret that the social networking craze has opened doors for many business prospects, as well. Many college students can join industry-related groups and meet new contacts through websites like Bebo and MySpace. Politicians have also jumped on the bandwagon, adding a vast online demographic to their campaign trail targeting. Who wouldn’t feel special having Hillary Clinton on their friends’ list? Nielsen/NetRatings found social networking sites grew about 47% last year, so evidently, these sites are breaking ground for more than one reason.

2007-10-11T06:05:00.000-07:00

Party Planning Services

Parties are not only a societal norm, they’re always a blast. However, whether you’re planning a birthday party for the kids or a day designated just for the girls, party planning can be a lot of work! Invitations, food, and decorations have to be picked out and luckily, party planning services are making your job easier.

6StarReviews.com reports that some websites such as Birthday in a Box allow you to customize your child’s birthday party experience to make it extra special. For example, if your child cannot get enough of Disney, you can pick out personalized party decorations revolving around the Mouse himself. If you’re planning a relaxing get together for the girls, Birthday in a Box has themed party planning options, such as ‘Spa Party,’ complete with invitations, decorations, centerpieces and t-shirts.

Another party planning service, Evite, takes a different route in your event planning process. This website actually lets you create an event page, invite all of your friends, and interact with them as well. Friends and family members can leave the party organizer messages, share party images and even use fun features to r.s.v.p! Need help planning the party itself? Evite offers menu and recipe ideas, party ‘to-do’ checklists and even an alcoholic beverage calculator (so you know how many bottles of Cuervo to pick up to accommodate your of-age guests).

The Internet’s plethora of party planning services all have one characteristic in common: make the planning process fun while saving you from having to hire an event coordinator. These services are convenient for their combination of event-planning advice and resources, as well as their extensive database of party products. Your next event is sure to be a success if you plan ahead and use all that the Web offers!

2007-10-10T10:13:00.000-07:00

Online Background Checks

Have you ever wanted to find out everything about someone’s past? Maybe you’re having doubts that the new guy you’re dating is really a Fortune-500 CEO and fear he may be an axe murderer (Ok, maybe we’ve watched one too many crime investigation shows). Perhaps you just want to screen your company’s newest employee to make sure her track record is what she claims it is. Background checks are the popular new way to get the dirt on anyone you need information on.

Intelius, a well-known background check service, allows users to search by name, location and even social security number, as reported by 6StarReviews.com. Intelius provides personal and business background checks, for individuals and companies alike to utilize. When purchasing a background check, you can expect detailed information such as current and previous addresses, criminal checks, bankruptcies, relatives and even satellite images of a location.

Another prominent background check service is Abika, a company offering some interesting features. You can search backgrounds and public records of professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and financial advisors. They even provide a unique feature allowing you to investigate individuals based on psychological and behavior profiles. That way, you’ll not only know what they did, you’ll know why they did it.

In our fast-paced and digital driven world, discovering the truth about the people we let in our lives has been simplified through online background checks. While privacy and confidentiality are of utmost importance, public records and criminal history are available for a reason. The next time you have reservations about someone, turn to a site giving you nothing but facts.

2007-10-09T08:18:00.000-07:00

Online Auction Safety

We’ve all watched the news and heard story-after-story of the innocent online shopper taken advantage of by a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Let’s face it: when purchasing anything from anywhere on the Web, it’s wise to take precautions before we pull out the Visa and go to town.

Online auctions can be a great place to save money on a unique product inventory, but shopping on a site of this kind has its own set of safety rules you should be aware of.

· Online auction sites often allow most any average Joe to sign up for a seller’s membership. If you’re on such a site, be sure to check out their seller reviews or feedback ratings from real-life buyers, like on eBay and Overstock.com.

· If you receive an email soliciting your personal information, it’s wise to call the online auction you’re a member of before you reply or click on a link. It’s common for phishing emails to be sent when money or auction accounts are involved.

· Stay on the online auction site itself! In a practice called ‘bid siphoning,’ scam artists may attempt to lure you from a legitimate auction site, promising you ‘lower rates’ or a great deal. This could lead to fraud and stolen identity.

· Know your particular online auction’s buyer protection policy. For example, 6StarReviews.com reports that uBid makes their Certified Merchants Program mandatory for all sellers, whereby all interested parties are screened for criminal activity, ensuring a fraud-free experience.

· Research who you’re buying from! Just like you wouldn’t shop on a no-name website, don’t trust just any seller. Opt for a seller with many good ratings, diverse payment options, and a solid return policy.

Online auctions house an infinite number of bargain buys and products you just can’t find elsewhere. If you so happen to run into a sticky situation when using one, your first response should be to contact the individual auction site’s customer support line or designated Help contact. Then, if you feel your situation wasn’t resolved properly, you can always turn to the Better Business Bureau or file a complaint on the FTC website. Here’s to safe shopping!

2007-10-08T07:07:00.000-07:00

Ringtones: In-House or Third Party?

Anyone with the brand-new Apple iPhone can appreciate their ringtone option: purchase exclusively through iTunes for $.99 a piece, tack on a few pennies here and there, and get your ringtone for under $2. However, a conflict is brewing amongst cell phone providers as companies such as T-Mobile and Verizon charge $2.50-$3 and up for individual ringtone downloads.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out the animosity various mobile phone providers may be feeling toward Apple in general. Not only do iPhone users have access to a high-tech, groundbreaking cell phone, they can incorporate all forms of multimedia and entertaining features into their mobile devices. As the phones themselves skyrocket in sales, it leaves many wondering how the ringtone industry will be affected.

With individual carrier costs taking a chunk of change out of cell phone users’ pockets each time they download a ringtone, many are utilizing ringtone services. 6StarReviews.com reports that companies such as DadaMobile charge a monthly subscription rate whereby members can download unlimited ringtones, games and even bonus SMS messaging capabilities.

DadaMobile and Blinko provide ringtone service to all sorts of carriers, from Cingular and Verizon to T-Mobile and Nextel. Those of us who don’t have access to iTunes by way of the iPhone can have an equally diverse ringtone collection, all while saving money by bypassing individual ringtone purchases through our mobile provider. If you find yourself changing your ringtones periodically throughout any given week, your best bet would be to sign up for a third party ring tone service.

2007-10-08T07:05:00.000-07:00

Repairing Your Windows Registry

Before you can win the battle, you have to know what enemy you’re dealing with. In PC-lingo, registry errors are the ultimate ‘bad guy.’ Though they aren’t as famed as viruses and spyware, they can be just as detrimental to your operating system and files. Registry errors are directly related to your computer’s functionality-or lack thereof for many. Consider the following facts you may have deemed as partial truths before taking registry error action:

· Spyware that isn’t wholly found and removed may obstruct a computer’s performance, igniting error messages.

· Don’t tamper with your system files and data entries, unless you’re a PC tech of course. Any deletions may result in unforeseen errors and computer crashes.

· Registry errors don’t necessarily present themselves in ‘error messages.’ Your computer may face snail-paced start-ups, Web-surfing speeds or even lock up altogether.

· Cleaning up your Windows Registry isn’t a one-stop fix. It’s vital to back-up your files and create a restore point to prepare yourself ‘just in case’ your computer crashes.

· Errors are inevitable: With the number of software programs we download, install and uninstall over a given time period, it’s impossible to avoid some clogs every once in awhile.

Many have turned to registry cleaners, software programs that find and fix errors that may take their toll on your PC’s operating abilities. 6StarReviews.com notes Registry Mechanic as an intuitive choice for computer owners, as this software program identifies problems and tweaks them as opposed to deleting a troubled file path. This registry cleaner also helps prevent further registry mishaps through their Registry Pruning feature-it deletes empty, nonessential subkeys which ultimately increases your PC speed. Remember: discreet registry errors wreak havoc, especially when left untreated.

2007-10-04T06:04:00.000-07:00

Movie Download Services

We’ve all been to the movies and have rented our fair share of videos at our corner Blockbuster. Many of us have even rented flicks through the renowned Netflix, getting our DVD’s right through the mail. But, how many of us actually download our favorite films straight to our computers? Movie download services are revolutionizing the manner in which we obtain and enjoy our favorite movies. Base your movie download service decision on these key points:

· Selection-If you’re paying for it, you might as well go with a site that gives you access to as many titles as possible. CinemaNow showcases all film genres, from action and foreign to indie and animated.

· Download Platform-Go with a movie download service that simplifies the download process. Movie files are gigantic, and sites like Total Vid allow you to transfer data straight from their website. Others, like Movielink, provide special software to aid in the download process.

· Pricing Plans-Popular music and movie download service iTunes allows you to download movies on an individual basis, while Total Vid lets members download unlimited movies from their film library for a low monthly subscription rate.

· Quality-As with any download, opt for a service that provides high-resolution movie files.
The last thing you want is an indecipherable picture. iTunes and Total Vid both require certain video RAM and display resolutions to ensure a high-tech viewing experience.

Though convenient, movie download services surely have room to grow in popularity and prominence. One great feature offered by several services is the ability to burn film files to MP3 player or DVD. Not only do downloadable movies provide backup in case your hard copy of The Shining is scratched or lost, they’re cheaper in the long run.

2007-10-04T06:03:00.000-07:00

Music Download Services

Music downloads aren’t going anywhere, despite the negative sentiment recording artists have for the phenomena. Anyone with a PC or MP3 player understands the significance of downloading their favorite song, as opposed to purchasing an entire album from FYE.

Though tangible CDs are a must for die-hard fans, there’s nothing quite like picking and choosing which tracks make it on your iPod. Several music download services offer great perks for listeners:

· More than Music-The great thing about MP3 players is their versatility. Many multimedia players incorporate video, games, tv shows and podcasts into their service, compatible with a broad selection of files available through companies like iTunes.

· Membership-Not all music download services charge you $.99 per song. Services like MP3DownloadHQ and Napster charge you flat membership rates with unlimited downloads in that allotted timeframe.

· File sharing-iTunes and other music download services allow paying users to swap music files with friends. Keyword: legally.

· Fun Features-Everyone has a cell phone and Napster allows you to transfer music files to your mobile when subscribing to Napster-to-Go without having to pay per track.

There are plenty of choices in music download services, all boasting unique features and payment options. Of course, iTunes is ideal for anyone accustomed to individual file purchasing and a service such as MP3DownloadHQ is better for someone who downloads countless numbers of songs and videos. However, all are dedicated to cutting edge entertainment.

2007-10-03T05:59:00.000-07:00

Shop for Books Online

Shopping for books online sure beats browsing the bookshelves at your local Barnes and Noble. Not only can you narrow your search results down by title, author, category or price, but many online bookstores have great specials on shipping.

According to an industry study, a slew of surveyed shoppers cite shipping costs as their biggest frustration when shopping on the Net. Finding low shipping rates and affordable, diverse titles doesn’t have to be a chore. Consider these key points when buying your books online:

· Selection-Go for an online bookstore with a title collection in the millions. Amazon is the perfect pick for all categories imaginable: from bestsellers and nonfiction to technical books and sci-fi.

· Shipping-Barnes and Noble provides shipping options on 3 days or less delivery, as well as free shipping on orders of over $25 or more. No need to break bank, as more online bookstores are considering their at-home shoppers.

· Search Functions-We all know that finding the right book isn’t a 1-2-3 process, and sites like Amazon and Barnes and Noble allow you to search most popular lists, author names, keywords, titles, and even item number to find that book you had in mind.

· Pricing-Many online bookstores, Abe Books for instance, provide discount pricing on their inventory. Many titles can be purchased used, which cuts costs by a long shot.

While the traditional bookstore experience, complete with dusty bookshelves and the wafting aroma of coffee may still ignite nostalgia in many of us, online bookstores are much more convenient for many readers. Receiving unbeatable discounts and recommended purchases are features that cannot be matched. It’s also possible to find out-of-stock books you’d inevitably have to put an order in for at the bookstore. The only difference is-your book will be sent straight to your doorstep.

2007-10-02T08:24:00.000-07:00

Home Equity Loan Reviews

Choosing a home equity loan can be a momentous decision in most any homeowner’s life. Besides the initial step of purchasing a new home and figuring out what mortgage payment plan to go with, borrowers typically look to home equity as a ‘second mortgage’ in essence. But, what exactly is home equity and what do you need to know before applying for a loan?

Home equity refers to a borrower using their house as collateral in the event that they should need assistance in paying for their children’s college tuition or other unforeseen bills. Equity equates to the difference between a house’s fair market value and the balance of the mortgage still unpaid. The longer you have a property and the more you pay off your mortgage, the higher your home equity grows.

There are two kinds of home equity loans you should be aware of. Closed end home equity loans refer to a situation where the borrower rakes in a lump sum at the time of closing, forgoing future payouts. Maximum amount for borrowing purposes depends on their credit rating and house value, of course. Another home equity loan is an open end loan. This basically means that there is revolving credit, and the borrower can decide when to borrow from equity in the property.

But, where to begin choosing one’s home equity loan? 6StarReviews.com reports that one popular home equity loan provider, Lending Tree, lets you compare up to four loan offers instantly. Their loan application is simple to complete, and lenders are directly provided to you. Of course, with any decision to sign up for a home equity loan, it’s vital to shop around and find the perfect fit for your finances.

2007-10-02T06:27:00.000-07:00

E-LOAN: Popular Home Equity Loans

You've probably seen their plethora of television commercials and wondered if E-LOAN was worth your time. Let us give you the good news: they are. Upon entry to the E-LOAN website, we were immediately impressed by the number of financial resources available here!

Not only can you apply for a direct home equity loan right on the site, you may receive a free home equity loan analysis and are given contact with a personal loan assistant.

HELOC (line of credit) and fixed-term home equity loans available.
Guaranteed lowest closing costs

Unlike some of their competition, 6Star Reviews applauds E-LOAN for providing home equity loans through their service. The application is a bit more in-depth, though, which should be expected. You can, however, save it and come back later when you have time to complete it. The E-LOAN website hosts numerous articles, tips, tools and resources should you need them. Customer support was a breath of fresh air, here, as telephone, live chat and email all gave us knowledgable, friendly responses. We gladly assign them our Top Rated spot with 6.0 Stars!

2007-10-02T06:26:00.000-07:00

LendingTree Home Equity Loan Review

LendingTree is one of the top home equity loan sites we came across when researching which providers offer the best features, usability, and loans. Not only do they provide a straightforward and scannable website, they have a solid service.

One of our favorite features is LendingTree's matching system, whereby they compare home equity loans from four separate lenders and you're given a low price guarantee.

Online approval
Home equity loan calculators and resources

The 6Star Reviews team applauds LendingTree in giving their customers a simple-to-complete home equity loan application. While there is online approval, do realize the lenders themselves review your application, appraise your home and close the deal. If you're approved or not, you'll be notified via email, which we liked. LendingTree acts as the 'middle man' in bringing you right to the doorstep of qualified, affordable lenders. Customer support is outstanding here, with friendly and knowledgable telephone and live chat reps. They deserve our Most Popular spot with 5.5 Stars!

2007-10-02T06:25:00.000-07:00

Home Loan Center: Quality Home Equity Loans

Upon entry to the Home Loan Center website, we were truly impressed by their level of professionalism and resourceful site feel. There are no application fees for home equity loans and believe it or not, home appraisals aren't required in the application process. You can also be approved for your home equity loan online, which is a huge plus.

Installment loans and HELOC (line of credit) loans
Get your loan funded in as little as 10 days

6Star Reviews really liked the Home Loan Center website and commends their service for offering extensive resources and helpful financial links. While their loans require you to borrow a minimum of $15,000 (not the case on their competition's websites), they offer a really upstanding service. Customer support via telephone and email were both friendly and informative. They should be rewarded with 5.0 Stars!

2007-10-02T06:17:00.000-07:00

iMortgage Central: Good Home Equity Loans?

When we landed on the iMortgage Central website, we were pretty impressed by their site design. Although it wasn't out of this world, it was very fluid and easy to sift through.
Initially, we liked that iMortgage Central enables homeowners to get home equity loans for up to 125% of the equity in their homes. In return? Those applying for loans get alot more borrowing power.

Up to 3 free quotes in 24 hours.
Get quotes without pulling your credit score.

6Star Reviews thinks this is a good place for home equity loan matching, as they aren't a direct lender, but do successfully direct you to someone who can approve your application and get you merrily on your way. Rate lock options are available and though there weren't as many in-depth resources on this website, we think they're a good choice. They earned 5.0 Stars!

2007-10-02T06:16:00.000-07:00

LoanApp for Home Equity Loans

We have to admit, we really liked what we found on the LoanApp website! Not only do they provide some great resources, they have alot of financial information available.

Do keep in mind-they aren't a direct lender, which means you will be referred to outside lenders (up to four to be exact). But, LoanApp is very straightforward about their service and quite user-friendly.

Helpful market updates and loan calculators.
Lenders for people with less-than-perfect credit or special credit needs.

6Star Reviews felt this site was great in what it offers. They don't try to be something they're not (ie. portraying themselves as a direct lender) and offer some great resources. When filling out your loan application, just choose which loan you're interested in and a 1-2-3 quote request form. Lenders will even contact you with rates and details on the home equity loan you're interested in. Customer support via telephone was happy to help us and we finished our LoanApp research with a positive feeling. They receive 5.0 Stars!

2007-10-02T06:14:00.000-07:00

Ditech Home Equity Loan Review

If you need a home equity loan, Ditech is a pretty good place to go about your search. Boasting a user-friendly, easy-on-the-eyes website interface, we were initially impressed.

But, 6Star Reviews did notice that the loan application itself was several pages long, and a little cumbersome to complete. But, should you need to, you can save it under 'My Account' and complete it at different intervals.

$49 flat fee -Includes title search, home appraisal, prepaid interest
Free rate consultations

Our team expected a little more from Ditech, as we've seen their television commercials all over the tube. But, if you're looking for a ton of features and resources, this probably isn't your best choice. They do have some home equity and financing articles, if you need them though. Customer support really disappointed us here, with unfriendly and uninformative reps souring our Ditech experience. They receive 4.5 Stars!

2007-10-02T06:12:00.000-07:00

MortgageLoan Home Equity Loans

When we first discovered the MortgageLoan website, we had high hopes we'd find a good ol' home equity loan here. Were we wrong or what. While this site does provide some useful financial resources like loan calculators and finance articles, the helpfulness ends just about there.

HELOC loans available.
Matches you with home equity lenders who can provide you rate quotes

Our team instinctually felt that MortgageLoan was more interested in selling our information to third party lenders than actually helping us find a decent loan. Far be it from us to actually call a service 'misleading,' but we felt a little uncomfortable when filling out the online form, especially when it asked us to 'rate our own credit.' On top of not requesting our Social, we felt the details provided wouldn't elicit great loan matches.

We decided to give customer support a chance, and received an email response completely irrelevant from the question we had asked. Telephone support seemed more interested in pulling our contact information out of us than answering our questions. We didn't love this site, and give them 3.5 Stars!

2007-10-01T06:20:00.000-07:00

Low Interest Credit Cards

Let’s face it: the last thing we need is credit card debt and sometimes our intentions to pay our balances in full each month are made in vain. Low interest credit cards are a worthwhile alternative to no annual fee credit cards, which require squeaky clean credit histories to qualify for at times. However, one card issuer’s notion of ‘low interest’ may not leave you scrambling to fill out an application. Think about the following if you’re considering a low APR credit card:

· Annual Fee-Many low APR credit cards don’t charge an annual fee, such as the Advanta Life of Balance Platinum Card. Think of it as dually saving money: on interest and fees.

· Fixed Interest Rate-Cards like the Pulaski Bank Gold Visa offer fixed interest rates of less than 10%, which is a great rate if you don’t always pay your balance fully each month.

· Cash Rewards-It isn’t always the case that low interest rate credit cards provide great cash-back rewards schemes. The Advanta Life of Balance Platinum Card offers cardholders 6% cash rebates on specified purchases.

· Introductory Offers-We all like receiving special rates and promotions, such as the Pulaski Bank Gold Visa’s no interest on balance transfers for 6 months.

There is an immeasurable number of credit cards available to businesses and consumers alike, some with great bonuses, some with none. Low interest rate credit cards are a perfect credit card pick for those who wish to save on interest each month. If you wish to reduce the rate currently attached to a card, making a call to the card issuer may save you money, as many are willing to compromise if you are serious about completing an application or are a long-standing customer. As with any credit card, one should spend with caution to avoid late fees and accrued debt.

2007-10-01T06:17:00.000-07:00

Paid Surveys: Tips and Advice

We’ve all heard of the telemarketer who calls us during dinner and the girl with the clipboard at our local mall. Both are being paid to collect our thoughts and opinions…a task that has grown much simpler in the Internet age. Paid survey sites have quite a loyal following, and can be addictive for some. After all, getting cash rewards and new, free products in trade for your point of view isn’t a bad deal. Here’s what you should consider before taking an online survey:

· Paid vs. Free-Many legitimate paid survey sites do charge a fee for membership, but there are plenty of freebies as well. Survey Club, for example, is complimentary and even sends surveys directly to your inbox.

· Demographics-Many paid survey sites are partnered with market research companies in order to gain insight on who buys what in the marketplace. You may not qualify for all surveys depending on which demographics are in demand—they’re vital to businesses who truly want to sell profitable products.

· Survey Diversity-You might want to choose a paid survey site that gives you the opportunity to participate in focus groups, product testing, or even secret shopping. Survey Scout is one such site that offers some of the latter.

· Making Money-While you may make some extra cash from giving your opinion, it’s unlikely that amount will be enough to replace your current day job. Be aware of sites claiming you’ll ‘never have to work again’ or similar scenarios.

Online paid surveys are a great hobby for those somewhat familiar with the Web. There are legitimate ways to earn a few bucks here and there while helping shape what products make it into stores. You might even get to keep a new product you get chosen to try out!

2007-09-28T07:11:00.000-07:00

Stationery Services

Stationery isn’t limited to plain white paper embossed with your initials anymore. With the popularity of stationery services skyrocketing, it’s possible to find stationery for every purpose and occasion. Besides the gift aspect, stationery can be personalized with personal photographs and ordered right online. See what stationery sites have to offer you:

· Pre-proofs: No one likes receiving typo-laden paper. While designing customized stationery on Fine Stationery, you can save your work periodically and have typesetter’s proofs sent straight to your house to avoid any mistakes on the finished product.

· Selection: Stationery services such as Tiny Prints let you personalize all kinds of gifts, such as invitations, birth announcements, gift tags, thank-you cards and more.

· Unique Designs: Who says designers limit themselves to clothes? Fine Stationery offers stationery from popular designers Vera Wang and Kate Spade, to name a few.

· Holiday Products: Fine Stationery offers an extensive holiday collection, with photo cards, stationery, and invitations for occasions like Hanukkah to Mardi Gras.

Some of the best stationery services have incorporated name-brand and hard-to-find designs into their product selections. Many even allow customers to ‘design their own’ through multimedia flash designers, so you can pick what colors and fonts will highlight your paper. There are a multitude of ways to customize your stationery to fit your personality, as stationery services make the process fun.

2007-09-28T06:51:00.001-07:00

Online Dating Service Updates:

6Star Reviews reviewed and compared some of the best online dating services out there. Some of our reviews include Jewish and Christian dating services, for those wishing to date within their faith. See what new features and additions are available on these sites!

-Christian Dating-

BigChurch:

Now hosts over half a million members!
BigChurch Magazine-Write your own articles and interact with other members in this dynamic, member-driven magazine!

Dating Disciples:

1 Month Free! Enter Promotion Code 6Star For Free 1 Month Membership
eCards & Flash Movies-Send interactive, spiritual messages to friends or potential partners!

Relationships:

IM Alerts-Grab the attention of someone you're interested in!
Brand new inbox for members

Christian Café:

10 day FREE trial
Receive your own private mailbox on Christian Café!

-Jewish Dating-

JLove:

Instant messenger-notify members that you are online even when you are not at JLove and alerts you when a member emails you.
High quality video chat

Jewish Café:

Receive 7 FREE days for each person you refer to Jewish Cafe!
Add an extra 7 days FREE onto your account when you post your first photo!

Jewish Friend Finder:

Jewish Friend Finder Blogs
Create a 'Hot List' of which members catch your eye.

JDate:

Travel Adventures will give you a great start at meeting new people. Jdate offers these in a variety of cities. JDates' latest adventure...white water rafting!
JMag-Featuring articles for members by members!

2007-09-24T14:15:00.000-07:00

Apartment Rental Searches

Whether you’re moving four towns over or across the nation, apartment rental services are a must for any renter. Despite the number of apartment complexes dispersed throughout the United States, finding a fit to match your financial status and taste can be quite a challenge. Considering the following may assist you if you’re preparing to pack up again:

Diverse Listings-No two people are alike, just like not all apartments are created equally. The Apartments.com website lets you sort out what kind of rental you want, such as corporate or short term apartment leases.
Various Services-Even if you’re planning on renting for some time, sites like Move.com provide home financing information, as well as home & garden resources and moving advice.
Pricing-Look for an apartment rental service that provides color photos, detailed listings with versatile price ranges, and even roommate searches, such as Rent.com.
Search Function-Sifting through thousands of rentals isn’t as easy as it looks. Apartments.com gives you the option to search by city and state, lease type, property name, and even a virtual map.

Of course, if you are looking for affordable apartment rentals, you should keep your budget in mind as you begin your search. However, by limiting your search parameters, you may not find what you’re looking for.

A great piece of advice is to go a little above and below the price range you have in mind, as some complexes offer move-in special’s or cash back bonuses for renting with their particular company. Apartment rental services decrease the chances your next move will be a hectic one while providing you with plentiful options for the future.

2007-09-20T07:57:00.000-07:00

Choosing Internet Security Software

Installing the best Internet security software on one’s PC is an unwritten rule that many of us follow. We’ve heard countless horror stories of computer viruses and stolen identity; some making us swear we’ll never use the Internet again. But, let’s face it, the Web is essential to all of our lives and despite the risks, the benefits sure outweigh those detrimental aspects.

In order to fully protect your PC and find an Internet security software program you can stand hosting on your OS, it’s important to consider the following:

Features-While most Internet security providers claim to ‘have it all,’ make sure you choose a software program with anti-virus and spyware protection, rootkit and spam protection, a firewall, and parental control functions, such as Security Shield 2008.
Pricing-Everyone wants to save money and when choosing an Internet security software program, it’s vital to choose a great product with an affordable price tag. Security Shield 2008, for example, will run you $39.99 after mailing in their rebate.
Ease of Use-Opt for a software program that is easy to install and doesn’t drain your system resources. CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2008, for example, provides an In-Product Tutorial if you run into any problems along your virus-scanning way.
Customer Support-Make sure the Internet Security provider you go with has comprehensive customer support. Security Shield 2008 is covered by free technical support via email, phone and live chat. Many companies charge per-incident or by allotted time, so it’s wise to compare costs.

Most Internet security software programs run automatic updates and have real-time scanning capabilities, which are a must. Technology and Web-based threats aren’t static and in order to completely protect your PC, it’s crucial to choose a product that is both versatile and continuously updates itself.

2007-09-19T08:33:00.000-07:00

Online Stock Trading Tips

Making a profit in today’s money market economy requires cautious calculation, knowledge of the financial environment, and a little luck. Even if you don’t believe in the latter, online stock trading is a huge investment opportunity for many, and a daring endeavor for day traders. Before choosing a particular online stockbroker, it’s imperative to consider these key points.

Investment Options-Go with a site that provides multiple stock options, mutual funds, CDs, IRA rollovers and things of that nature. TD Ameritrade is a great source for stocks, bonds and all things finance.
Trading Platform-Consider the usability and intuitiveness of the online stock trading platform you’re signing up with. For example, Schwab Active Trader utilizes StreetSmart Pro® and gives traders streaming market data in a simple, yet sophisticated custom display view.
Investment Outlooks-To trade successfully, you need continuously updated, extensive real-time stock charts and quotes. Zecco lets you customize ‘Watch Lists’ and even has their own ‘Gainers,’ ‘Losers,’ and ‘Most Active’s’ to help you out.
Ease of Use-Online stock trading isn’t for the faint at heart, but doesn’t require expert knowledge to acquire an understanding of it. Sharebuilder, for instance, targets both novice and professional traders with their user-friendly site and minimal investment requirements.

While the market incessantly fluctuates, and one good day on Wall Street could turn into an investor’s nightmare the next, trading online greatly assists those building their portfolios. TD Ameritrade offers extended hours trading for those working a longer day, and online stock trading services such as eTrade provide real-time streaming stock quotes. You may just become a Dow Jones junkie while having fun in the process.

2007-09-17T06:56:00.000-07:00

Hotel Booking Online

It’s hard to find anyone who hasn’t booked a hotel online nowadays. Thanks to hotel reservation services, you receive the added convenience of complete room photos and hotel tours, discount specials, and last-minute booking capabilities if you just find out you’re leaving on a business trip to LA tomorrow. But, before choosing an online hotel booking site, consider these pointers.

· Hotel Selection-If you’re booking ahead, look for a service that offers you the most extensive room listings on your designated travel dates. A search for a room in New York this fall on the Hotels.com website yielded hundreds of page results!

· Trip Cancellations-Make sure you know the site’s policy on reservation cancellations and refunds. Some services like Hotels.com allow you to cancel anytime in the event that ‘something suddenly came up.’

· Reviews-Look for a site that provides a plethora of reviews from customers with firsthand experience. Trip Advisor, for instance, boasts millions of personal recollections of dream hotel stays and nightmare visits alike.

· Room Photos & Tours-Hotels.com gives you 360-degree virtual tours, on top of photographs of standard rooms and suites. You’ll know exactly what you’re getting before you throw down the cash.

Whether you’re planning a weekend snowboarding trip in Denver this winter or wish to try out a local bed and breakfast, the best hotel booking services will make planning your stay a cinch. As always, book early and keep your eyes peeled for special room rates. It isn’t uncommon for a room at some five star stunner to last mere hours if it’s on sale. You’ll be surprised at how much you can save when booking online.

2007-09-14T07:32:00.000-07:00

Auto Loan Providers

Anyone who purchases or plans to purchase a new or used vehicle knows how expensive and time-consuming the process can be. Sometimes even the best auto loans have hidden costs involved and car loan refinancing would be a lucrative option for many car owners. There are plenty of things to think about before signing up for an auto loan.

One important piece of information to consider is whether or not your auto loan provider of choice has direct lending. Direct lending means that the site or service cuts out the middle man and signs you up for an auto loan without referring you to a local car dealership that matches you with a loan. 6StarReviews.com reports that Capital One is one such site that provides online loan approval, as well as a blank check program whereby car shoppers can benefit as cash buyers.

Some auto loan providers such as the Cars Direct website provide several loan options, such as direct loan and dealer referrals. You can also obtain lease refinancing here, if you feel you’d benefit from such a decision. Unlike some of the top auto loan websites, Cars Direct is a place for car owners and prospectives alike who have good or bad credit scores. It’s important to consider an auto loan service that you have a good chance of being approved through, as this saves time.

Of course, with any loan, it’s important to remember why you are in fact utilizing its service. If you purchase or lease the most expensive car in town, your loan will obviously be higher. If your financial situation isn’t the best, opt for a more budget-friendly vehicle and outweigh pro’s and con’s of leasing versus purchasing. Auto loan services can assist you once you’ve made basic decisions in your car-buying process.

2007-09-14T07:28:00.000-07:00

Capital One: Great Auto Loans

Capital One is a big name in the auto loan and financing industry, and it'd be a crime not to check out their services. The application is simple to fill out and gives you auto loan approval instantly.

There are auto loan calculators, loan durations of 30 to 72 months and low interest rates. We must note that to qualify for an auto loan through this service, you have to have good credit.

Auto refinancing now available.
No obligation blank check program

We really liked the plethora of auto loan and refinancing information we found here on the Capital One website. Customer support was outstanding here, with quick and efficient telephone support and an extensive database of Help and Resources. We truly recommend this auto loan service to anyone with a more established credit score. Their name and commitment to loan excellence win them our Top Rated spot at 6.0 Stars!

2007-09-14T07:24:00.000-07:00

Auto Loan Locator: Best Auto Loans?

We were pleasantly surprised with all the features we found on the Auto Loan Locator website.

Not only do they provide a wide variety of auto loan options, they also let you perform actions like buying out a lease or refinancing an existing loan.

Private party or dealer-covered auto loans.
New auto mall and auto buyer's guide.

6Star Reviews likes websites that make it easy to get the job done, and Auto Loan Locator delivers. The online application is very straight up and effortless to complete. You will be given a direct lender match, with a 'voucher' to use when you purchase your car. One downside is you must know where you will buy your car (either a dealer or private party) before you complete the loan application. We liked the bright and visually-appealing website interface, and customer support by way of telephone and email were both stellar. We really recommend this auto loan service to anyone and feel their extensive resources earn them our Most Popular spot with 5.5 Stars!

2007-09-14T07:22:00.000-07:00

Cars Direct: Auto Loans & Refinance

Overall, we had a really positive experience on the Cars Direct auto loan website. First of all, they offer direct lending, so this is already a plus when so many auto loan websites only refer you to local car dealerships.

Cars Direct cuts out the middle man and saves you time, which we always appreciate. There are plenty of loan resources for you to skim through here and the loan application was quick to fill out and very user-friendly.

Manufacturer deals and rebates.
Trade-in and New Car Research

Our team liked that there were common auto loan features such as loan calculators and helpful resources, which we know will be of use to anyone shopping for auto loans. Telephone support is friendly here, but live chat left something to be desired. All in all though, Cars Direct stands out amongst the competition. We feel they should receive 5.0 Stars!

2007-09-14T07:20:00.000-07:00

Auto Credit Express Auto Loans

Auto Credit Express is an auto loan website that isn't really a lender in itself, as they only refer you to dealers working with lenders that can offer you assistance.

However, they have very lenient credit requirements and the online application is very simple to fill out.

Discharged bankruptcies allowed
New and used car loans, loan calculators, one-page application.

There are plenty of useful resources on the Auto Credit Express website for those needing some financial advice and car loan tips in general. Customer support was bad here, with an error-laden online form and a looping telephone support system. But, if you really need an auto loan, this might be a good choice if you're willing to look past their customer service. Overall, we wanted to give them 4.5 Stars!

2007-09-14T07:16:00.000-07:00

The Car Loan Center Auto Loans

As with many of The Car Loan Center's competitors, this particular website merely connects you to the necessary folk who can process your auto loan application for you.

In this case, it is local car dealerships. There were a few things we liked about The Car Loan Center, such as the ability to purchase an extended auto warranty, access to trade-in estimates, and an online loan calculator.

Receive a no-obligation quote on an extended auto warranty.
Loan referrals

6Star Reviews thinks The Car Loan Center offers the basics of an auto loan website. However, there aren't alot of frills here and throw in the absent customer support, and this definitely soured our experience on the website. Sure, the application seemed like a one-step process, but as soon as we submitted our auto loan form, we were hit with advertisements or 'spam' related pop-ups. Not a pleasant occurrence. This wasn't our favorite auto loan website, to say the least. They only receive 3.0 Stars!

2007-09-13T08:28:00.000-07:00

MMORPG Services

You may be wondering what all the hype is about regarding MMORPGs or massive multiplayer online role playing games. While the name itself may leave you confused, MMORPGs have quite a loyal following, and are growing as more people realize the fun and benefit of playing these games online.

Contrary to popular belief, online role playing games got their start in the early 1990’s and have grown incredulously. Last year, in the US alone, these games raked in a billion plus revenue and about 15 million paid and unpaid members hold MMORPG accounts. As evidenced by these figures, online role playing is no small feat!

Many of these games require logic, skill and a solid knowledge of each individual game. Many MMORPG services offer a feature called ‘powerleveling,’ which is basically the option to advance to upper levels of a game by having skilled players or the service itself skip the beginning stages for you. 6StarReviews.com reports that IGXE is a popular MMORPG service that not only has powerleveling for over 24 games, they have extensive virtual assets.

What is a virtual asset? Think of it as the ammo your character needs to take into battle in the many universes they’re sure to encounter. While these virtual assets of gold, weapons, and what not aren’t physically tangible, they’re worth money and are a big deal to MMORPG players. Some sites like IGE provide countless virtual assets for popular games like World of Warcraft.

Players can even exchange or buy and sell currency within the service, which results in real cash trading amongst gamers. Many companies such as Sony are recognizing the power of the MMORPG and are beginning to jump on the bandwagon in promoting this niche favorite. It’s apparent that we will continue to see growth in this gaming trend.

2007-09-13T08:26:00.000-07:00

Popular MMORPG Service: IGXE

We felt that the IGXE MMORPG service has alot to offer virtual gamers by way of virtual assets and powerleveling. Boasting a great selection of supported games, IGXE has the common MMORPG features such as currency, CD Keys and powerleveling services.

Bonus dollars-A percentage of every purchase you make is converted into bonus dollars (if you spend $200 you earn $2 in bonus dollars).
2Moons Currency & Powerleveling

6Star Reviews appreciates sites like IGXE that maintain a loyal following because of their selection and great pricing. For example, 4,000 Gold (Everquest II) will cost you only $31.78, which is quite lower than many of their competitors' pricing. There are numerous customer support options here, such as telephone support, email, fax, FAQs and live chat. How impressive! While email support was quick, their response didn't really help us. But, telephone support and live chat are good, so we cannot complain too much. They certainly deserve our Top Rated spot with 5.0 Stars!

2007-09-13T08:23:00.000-07:00

IGE: Best MMORPG?

When we first landed upon the IGE MMORPG service, we had high hopes! After all, they tagged their website 'The Leading MMORPG Services Company.' We found they have a fairly decent selection of virtual assets and pretty competitive pricing. Their site is also effortless to navigate.

Sell currency on select games
World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade power leveling special

6Star Reviews likes that IGE keeps things simple and has a fairly easy-to-surf website design. However, the pages take forever to load, so if you're in a hurry, this MMORPG service might slow you down. We liked that they have a wide variety of virtual assets, and their pricing was good, with 4,000 Gold (Everquest II) costing you $52.61, which is lower than some of their competitors' pricing.

Customer support by email was quick, but their answer didn't match our question. Live chat referred us to another website, which threw us off even more. There is a FAQs database, but our sour customer service experience lingered in our mind. Still, they have created a name for themselves and have a loyal following, so they snagged our Most Popular spot. They receive 5.0 Stars!

2007-09-13T08:20:00.000-07:00

GamePal for your MMORPG Service

After researching MMORPG services, we had a good idea what GamePal was all about.
So we weren't intrigued by their website interface, so what right? This gaming service offers some great features such as virtual assets and powerleveling, so you can advance to upper level gaming right off the bat.

Testimonials-Get customer's views and see ratings.
Purchase pre-leveled characters for top games, including World of Warcraft.

6Star Reviews likes that GamePal has a great collection of virtual assets for your gaming entertainment, and finding what you need here shouldn't be too difficult. Pricing is a little high here, when compared to some of their competition. A sample currency price for 4,000 Gold (Everquest II) is $61.66, which is a bit steep. We didn't see a FAQs section on the site, and email support was less than efficient. The live chat option, however, was quite friendly and accomodating. Overall, we feel this MMORPG service deserves 5.0 Stars!

2007-09-13T08:15:00.000-07:00

OnRPG Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game

When we first came across the OnRPG MMORPG service, we were intrigued by their website concept. They offer FREE virtual games! We know this is hard to believe, but over 60 games in their database are available at no charge to you. There are also tons of resources here, as well as a community vibe with member forums and discussion groups.

Hands-on, sneak peeks of new MMORPGs , such as Fiesta
Beta key giveaway for Age of Armor

6Star Reviews appreciated how simple OnRPG made its user interface and the effortless navigation functions. Pricing is absent here, as most games are offered free of charge, which is a huge plus! There are plenty of informational tools here for games such as Everquest II and World of Warcraft that may have additional charges, but for the most part, this website is free. There is a FAQs database that isn't for the novice, as finding an answer can be a challenge. But, the email contact form yielded an answer within 15 minutes, and it was friendly and complete! For this and more, we give OnRPG 4.5 Stars!

2007-09-13T08:12:00.000-07:00

EVE Online MMORPG Service

When we first stumbled upon the Eve Online MMORPG service, we liked how visually appealing their website interface was. We literally felt like we were stepping into a virtual gaming universe! This site offers numerous support options to gamers and offers features such as quick game tours, downloads and player guides.

EVE Insider-Get the inside scoop on all things games-from character information to player-submitted art and graphics.
14 Day Free trial of Eve Online

6Star Reviews knows of the evergrowing popularity that virtual gaming and MMORPG's are bringing on the Internet. We liked that Eve Online provides gamers with tons of resources and keeps current users up to date, but feel they can benefit by selling virtual assets. By virtual assets, we mean anything used in your virtual gaming experience-like weapons or characters. The only customer support available here is by way of email and a FAQs database. Email support responded to us within two days, but only gave us a cookie cutter answer. This was disappointing. The fees here are based on time cards, and 50 days equates to $29.95. Overall, we feel they deserve 4.0 Stars!

2007-09-13T08:10:00.000-07:00

SwagVault for Online Role Playing

Rounding out our final MMORPG reviews, we discovered the SwagVault website and decided to give it a look. We liked the selection and pricing we found here, as they were pretty comparable to other websites providing virtual assets and powerleveling.

Membership Rewards -Save 10% on future purchases when you are a frequent spender on SwagVault!
Currency and/or accounts available for more than 25 games, including World of Warcraft and Silk Road

6Star Reviews appreciated this site's simple navigation, but noticed that some tabs such as 'Items' were non-functioning. This didn't really float our boat. Their selection is good, and overall, matches their competitors' selections and pricing ranges. Customer support by way of telephone was friendly and efficient, but it isn't a toll-free number. The FAQs database is pretty detailed, but the live chat support was down and the email support only sent us an automated message. This was a pretty disillusioning customer support experience to say the least. They get 4.0 Stars!

2007-09-13T08:08:00.000-07:00

MOGS: MMORPG Service

When we first found the MOGS MMORPG service, we didn't have high hopes, as the website interface wasn't visually appealing in the least bit.

So we continued on and decided to give MOGS the benefit of the doubt. While they do offer features such as currency and accounts for over 16 games, their overall selection was nothing special.

Gift Vouchers-If you have a gamer in the family or a friend who loves virtual gaming, MOGS makes gift purchasing easy.
Powerleveling on select games.

6Star Reviews was not very impressed by the selection of virtual assets available via the MOGS website. Their pricing wasn't bad, but we didn't find as much in ways of gaming than we did on their competitors' sites. Customer support was a disappointment here, as email support never responded to us. The live chat wasn't much better, and there wasn't an available rep to help us. We were asked to send an email by an automated message, which of course, we knew better than to attempt. The FAQs section is extremely short, so good luck finding answers. We feel this warrants MOGS 3.5 Stars!

2007-09-12T12:23:00.000-07:00

Choosing a VOIP service

Cell phones and landlines aside, many are making the transition into VOIP or Voice Over IP usage. A recent industry study predicted the number of VOIP users in the United States would come in at around 24 million.

That is no small accomplishment for this telecommunications trailblazer. These features should be taken into consideration before choosing a VOIP service.

· Installation/Hardware-Most services only require high-speed-Internet and a telephone adaptor, but some companies provide special phones or custom Internet connection.

· Call Plans-Look for a company that offers both business and personal call plans. For example, Vonage offers residential and business plans (including fax lines).

· Basic Service Minutes-Your average Voice Over IP provider will give you 500 basic minutes with free calls between same-service users.

· Features-Most services, including Vonage and Joi Phone, provide features such as call waiting, caller ID, voicemail, and 911 dialing. Some companies charge extra for specific add-on’s, so reading the fine print is a must.

· Retaining a Phone Number-If you want to transfer a pre-existing number, be sure to see how long it will take and if there’s a conversion fee. Vonage will transfer your number in 10 days, as opposed to some which take 20 or more.

As always, it’s wise to choose a Voice Over IP provider that you can afford. While it may be beneficial for some to subscribe by the month or year, for others, they may wish to ‘pay as they go,’ which is offered by some companies. It all depends on how much talk time you average in what time span to determine which plan and service is right for you.

2007-09-12T08:44:00.000-07:00

Use Phanfare for Video Sharing & More

6Star Reviews was highly impressed by Phanfare. Although the site is not an alternative to YouTube, it does provide a unique set of features geared more towards families. Creating a slideshow with music and sending close ones an email with the link to your page is a great feature offered on Phanfare.

Unlimited video and photo backup provided by Amazon Simple Storage Service
FREE 30-day trial

Our team really liked Phanfare for appealing to those wishing to revolutionize their personal photos and home videos. You can create slideshows to share with friends and family members, as well as have the peace of mind that your content is safely backed up. The basic service is $6.95 a month, but we think this is a small price to pay. The customer support is great, the site is easy to navigate, and the only real drawback is that inexperienced users may have a little trouble getting comfortable with the Phanfare software. Otherwise, it might be a great time to take advantage of their free trial membership and forgo traditional video sharing services. They earned our Top Rated spot with 5.5 Stars!

2007-09-12T08:42:00.000-07:00

YouTube: Popular Video Sharing

How could we check out video sharing services and not take a look at YouTube? After all, they are one of the big dogs and we just had to see what they offered. After spending some time at the site and uploading some videos, we can see why. The site has some great features which allow you to customize your viewing experience and to take your favorite clips wherever you go.

YouTube Mobile – Watch YouTube videos on your mobile phone
Channel Subscriptions-Get new videos whenever your favorite producer or channel has a new offering.

If you can make the video, then you can get it on YouTube with no problem. The best part is that all of the services are free. Of course, the customer service by email isn't perfect but the Help Center does provide plenty of assistance for the most common issues you'll face. We especially loved the video ratings, viewer comment function and related video searches. This site makes video sharing a breeze and endless fun to utilize. YouTube constantly makes headlines and has a huge following, earning them our Most Popular spot with 5.5 Stars!

2007-09-12T08:38:00.000-07:00

Metacafe: Best Video Sharing Service?

6Star Reviews thinks Metacafe is one of the best video sharing services on the Internet. Thanks to careful research, we learned that Metacafe has a number of useful features, including a family filter to keep young viewers away from questionable content, and a good selection of user-created clips. There are hoards of videos here, and some really unique ones at that.

Production School-Take part in this video sharing classroom and get free advice on editing and uploading.
Producer Rewards -Earn cash when your video clips hit the 20,000 mark!

Our team appreciates any video sharing service that pays you for your efforts, and Metacafe does just this. There are millions of video clips housed on this site and the customer support via email was fast and useful, even though some of the advertising on the site was a bit annoying. But, the service is free, so you should be able to handle it. We especially loved how the Producer Rewards program actually lets quality video clips and producers earn some money for sharing their best videos. What incentive to come back for more! They deserve 5.5 Stars!

2007-09-12T08:36:00.000-07:00

Compare Crackle to Video Sharing Services

6Star Reviews thought the Crackle video sharing service was pretty interesting. This site offers aspiring musicians, comedians and anyone else in general the chance to showcase their talents or hidden passions. The site's contests offer some unique possibilities for achieving fame, plus using the service is free and fairly straightforward.

High Wire-Ultimate comedy showcase videos
People's Choice-featured clips chosen by Crackle members

Unfortunately, there are plenty of ads on Crackle and the automatic loading clips can be annoying if you're trying to briskly browse the website interface. On the plus side, Crackle does offer fast and effective customer support by email, which is a step ahead of their competitors. Overall, when we compare video sharing services, Crackle's benefits outweighed its drawbacks and we do recommend their site. They earned their video sharing service 5.0 Stars!

2007-09-12T08:33:00.000-07:00

Share Videos on Motionbox

6Star Reviews liked some of the features offered on Motionbox, but while their site is pretty simple to use, it simply doesn't provide enough features to help them compete with their competition. However, they do provide some nice features if you're just trying to learn the ropes of uploading and editing videos.

Ask Eric-Get video tutorials on all things video sharing, you can even win a $300 Amazon gift certificate by asking him a question!
Motionbox Mixer-Edit and mix videos easily

Overall, Motionbox doesn't really stand out amongst its competition, although it does offer some cool features. For example, their customer support via form/email is lackluster and the Google ads on videos are annoying. Their video sharing service is simple enough to use, though, so novice videographers shouldn't be left in the dark. We assign them 4.0 Stars!

2007-09-12T08:31:00.000-07:00

VidiLife for Video Sharing

If you love sharing videos and being part of an online community, then VidiLife is a great choice. They are reminiscent of YouTube, so if you're familiar with that video sharing service, you should have no worries. We liked the social networking feel to this website and besides sharing video clips, you can also blog, join clubs, rate videos, play games, and more.

Create playlists of your favorite videos
Create and send VidiLife videomail to anyone with an email address

Our team liked that this service was free, but there was a plethora of advertisements, and some seemed questionable, which we didn't love. Their customer support is also lacking, which is pretty common with sites of their kind, but still, an online form that continuously errors is not a good sign. We think this warrants them 4.0 Stars!

2007-09-12T08:28:00.000-07:00

VMIX Video Sharing Review

If you're looking to make it in the entertainment industry, VMIX does provide something unique in their video sharing service: get noticed! If, however, you're looking for a plain ol' place to share your home videos or wacky talent, this probably isn't your best choice.

The Fizz-a 30-minute program created by video bloggers which airs on DirectTV.
Contests-VMIX encourages users to be creative by rewarding them for great efforts with plenty of contests.

This website is different from the competition in that they're corporate-sponsored. Apple and Universal are some of the names behind this video sharing service, so don't be surprised if you see trailers and advertisements all over the site. The site is free, which is a plus, but customer support has room to improve. There is a Help database, but the 'Submit a Ticket' form didn't warrant us a response. For this, we give them 4.0 Stars!

2007-09-11T07:52:00.000-07:00

Customized Online Diets

If you’d like to drop a few pounds or do a total body makeover, online diet services are a great place to turn to in your weight loss endeavors. However, there are a few things to consider before selecting a diet program.

Selection-Everyone has a different physique, and your work-out and nutritional needs should be attuned to that. EDiets gives you many choices, such as the GI Diet Plan and the infamous Atkins.
Fitness Program-Diet services should include versatile work-out routines and fitness ideas. The popular South Beach Diet gives you the Best Buddy Program, where you compare weight loss routines and progress with a virtual friend!
Recipe Options-We all know that a healthy meal is just as important as rigorous fitness training. Consider a weight loss program that includes customizable recipe options.
Meal Purchases-Sometimes a great way to shed the pounds is by following a diet plan and purchasing their pre-approved, pre-selected meal items. South Beach Diet & Weight Watchers both have purchasable food that tastes naughty when it’s not!

It may come as a surprise that the best weight loss diet can often be found online. “How could it work?” you may ask. Many leading online diet sites utilize real-life fitness trainers, nutritionists and doctors into their programs.

These sites also make the process fun and entertaining, as you can interact in communities of like-minded individuals, all struggling to renew their bodies and self image. Choosing a plan customized to your lifestyle and metabolism can assist you in losing weight and bettering your health.

2007-09-11T06:27:00.000-07:00

Vonage: Best Voice Over IP Provider

We had to check out Vonage when updating our Voice Over IP provider reviews, and they still lead the pack in their services. Not only is Vonage affordable at $14.99 a month for 500 minutes, they are straight up with their add-on's for hardware upgrades if you should want them.

Visual Voicemail-Get your voicemails through text messages or email
Free 1 month trial

6Star Reviews appreciates the name Vonage built for itself and their continual dedication to their customers. Customer support is great here, with friendly telephone support answering our call within minutes (this gives us hope for VOIP service phone support.) Email support responded back to us within a day, so that was icing on the cake! The FAQs section was also comprehensive, which we liked.

Signing up for this VOIP provider was simple and straightforward, without any headaches in the process. If you'd like to convert an existing number to the Vonage service, it will only take 10 days, as opposed to the lengthy 20 promised by many of their competitors. Their quality service surely earns them our Top Rated spot with 6.0 Stars!

2007-09-11T06:24:00.000-07:00

Joi Phone: Good Choice in VOIP services?

We felt the Joi Phone Voice over IP provider had some great benefits if you feel so inclined to sign up for their service. First of all, they offer some incredible sales and special promotions if you like saving money. There is also a 30-day-money back guarantee, so those of you who like to test run new VOIP services until you're sure you like it, you need not worry.

Refer a friend or family member and receive a $15 JoiPhone credit.
Sign up for 24 months of unlimited service and get a second line FREE

6Star Reviews appreciated the plethora of special promotions available on the Joi Phone website. Who doesn't like to save money and snag a deal, after all? There are three different Joi Phone plans, and basic service is $6.95 a month. Joi Phone Unlimited is $14.95 a month, which isn't bad when compared to their competition.

All Joi Phone plans include call waiting, caller ID, 911 dialing, call forwarding, dedicated voice mail and unlimited in-network calling. Customer service is good here, as well, although there was an 8-minute wait time when we called. But, all in all, we do recommend their VOIP service and feel they should win our Most Popular spot with 5.5 Stars!

2007-09-11T06:22:00.000-07:00

Compare Lingo Voice Over IP Service

When we came across the Lingo Voice Over IP provider, we have to say we liked their website interface. It was easy to navigate and signing up for their service was pretty straightforward.

IT Week Magazine ranked Lingo as one of their top 10 VOIP providers, too, so they are fairly well-known in this industry.

Special offers and discounts for transferring from other VOIP services
Earn cash in the Lingo Refer-a-Friend program.

If you're looking for a solid Voice Over IP provider, Lingo has you covered. At $7.95 a month (plus a $29.95 activation fee and other add-on's) they aren't too bad on their pricing, either. If you wish to convert an old phone number to Lingo, it can take 20 days, so keep that in mind. Customer support is kind of a joke here, as we waited about an hour on the telephone for a live rep and email support didn't get back to us. But, if you're a reader, you can use their detailed FAQs section. All in all, they receive 5.0 Stars!

2007-09-11T06:20:00.000-07:00

ViaTalk: Popular VOIP phone service

We decided to find you some more Voice Over IP providers and Via Talk surfaced in our Google search. We liked many of their features, but signing up for the service itself proved to be a small challenge.

We really liked the Internet phone control panel, which let us check our voicemails from our PC. You also have access to tons of phone features right on the Net.

All Viatalk users get free in-network calls.
Pay $199 for an entire year of service and get a second phone line free plus 3 months of free service.

6Star Reviews enjoys any VOIP phone service that gives you choice, and Via Talk certainly delivers. Their most basic plan will cost you $9.95 a month for 500 minutes, but be aware of the $29.95 activation fee. This is fairly common for a Voice Over IP provider, but if you'd like to forgo any setup fees, you may want to look elsewhere. Customer support by telephone was friendly and efficient...after we waited 35 minutes on hold, called back later, and waited another 15. If you have this time, this VOIP service won't disappoint you. We decided to award them with 5.0 Stars!

2007-09-11T06:16:00.000-07:00

Voxby Voice Over IP Review

We were definitely impressed by the Voxby Voice over IP provider and think you'll find some great plans here worth writing home about. First of all, their unlimited worldwide calling is such a great feature, and it only costs you $29.95 a month (plus an activation fee of $24.95).

Calls are free to other Voxby users, which is pretty common in VOIP phone services. A basic phone service plan is $9.95 a month and 2.5 cents per minute on all US calls and international calls, so choose wisely if you make alot of calls to Asia or the like.

Anonymous call rejection now available.
New unlimited worldwide calling plan for less than $30 a month.

Signing up for the Voxby VOIP service took longer than some of their competitions' sign-up times, but installation of the service should take you no time at all. Telephone customer support (not the 800 number) was friendly and efficient, but you might have a wait time on email (we got ours after 2 days). Overall, we feel Voxby could really benefit someone looking for a solid Voice Over IP phone service. 6Star Reviews feels they should receive 5.0 Stars!

2007-09-11T06:14:00.000-07:00

Packet 8 Voice Over IP Provider

When we landed on the Packet8 website, we were impressed initially by the clean site feel and professional appearance of this Voice Over IP provider.

We liked alot of Packet 8's features, such as Enhanced 911 dialing. In an emergency, dialing 911 is a cinch. You don't have to give the operator your address, as it automatically pops up for the phone operator.

SofTalk Office: A soft-phone tool to use with your PC, so you can make and receive business calls on your laptop.
Voicemail to E-mail notification

We feel that this VOIP phone service has alot of perks, making it a good choice for your telecommunication needs. There are also tons of pricing plans here, for both residents and businesses, local and international. Those needing a basic service can opt for the Freedom Unlimited plan, running you $24.99 a month or the Freedom Annual, at $199.00 per year.

This is a bit more than some of their competition's prices, so keep that in mind. Customer support via telephone was good and the wait time only came in at 5 minutes. There is a Packet 8 blog, but finding pricing information proved to be a small challenge. We feel they should receive 4.5 Stars!

2007-09-11T06:09:00.000-07:00

Skype VOIP Service

Making telephone calls over the Internet has never been easier with the help of Voice Over IP Providers. 6Star Reviews just had to see what Skype offers its customers, so we checked out their site.

We thought this VOIP service offers you some pretty cool features, such as the Video Snapshot, where users can upload personal photos to their profiles. You can also send out email invitations and invite friends for calls.

Skype Credit: 'Pay-as-you-go' debit program good for calls, ringtones, etc.
Personalize Skype - Customize your own wallpapers, download games from Skype’s gallery, personalized ringtones for friends’ calls, Build a WeeMee Avatar to represent yourself.

6Star Reviews liked Skype overall, but we felt they weren't as developed as some of their competition. They recently joined the ranks of eBay and just released Skype 3.2, their newest version, so they are still a new company! Their pricing is pretty great, at $29.95 a year for unlimited calls, but do make note of their add-ons and voicemail charges. There is no telephone support, but email support is great, as are the FAQ's and message forums. They get 4.0 Stars!

2007-09-10T08:50:00.000-07:00

TypePad Blog Service Review

When we looked at the TypePad blog service, we found it to be very professional and polished, a definite blog of choice for more business-minded folk. While it is of a higher caliber than some of its competitors, it is still-user friendly and feature-packed.

FREE, 14-day trial
Video and photo blogs, podcasts, memoir and short story blog tools

There are plenty of professional tools and features like push-button video and podcasting capabilies on this blog service. While a basic pricing plan will cost you $4.95 a month, TypePad offers a ton of cool features and they have a customer support email address and Help bank for you to use. We definitely recommend TypePad to anyone wanting a fresh, technologically-savvy web log. Their professional blog service and amazing features earn them our Top Rated spot with 5.5 Stars!

2007-09-10T08:48:00.000-07:00

Blogger: Popular Blog Service

Overall, we really enjoyed browsing the Blogger blog service powered by Google and setting up our own blog. This site is not only easy to use, it's very fun!

There are numerous templates to choose from without burdening the inexperienced Internet user with alot of jargon or HTML requirements.

Mobile blogging-Send texts or photos straight to your personal blog.
Drag and drop images and text boxes

There is quite a loyal Blogger following and many college students, business professionals and companies alike have their own Blogger accounts. They have established a name for themself in the blogosphere, while still offering their services free of charge. If you have a question, there isn't your average customer support apparatus, but there is a FAQs section and a post-your-question function for the Blogger community. We loved this blog service and highly recommend it, as they snagged our Most Popular spot with 5.5 Stars!

2007-09-10T08:46:00.000-07:00

WordPress Blogs

The WordPress blog service has much to offer an avid blogger, someone who wants more choices in their blogging capacity. This site offers blog owners alot more theme and template options than some of the other blog services out there.

Integrated blog stats and tracking
Anti-spam protection

Our team definitely thinks that WordPress is a blog service geared to the techie and novice user. This service and features are completely free, but you do have the option of signing up for an upgraded account with advanced features like CSS editing and custom domains.

But, we must note that WordPress reserves the right to place Adsense ads throughout your blog to generate revenue (thus keeping your blog free) so if this annoys you, you might want to look elsewhere. WordPress had really efficient customer email support, which surprised us in a blog service. There are also comprehensive community forums, which will also prove useful if you need assistance. We liked this 'underdog' of blog services and think they're worth a try! They deserve 5.5 Stars!

2007-09-10T08:44:00.000-07:00

Compare Blog Services: Blogster

We thought the Blogster blog service is a good start for a novice blogger or simply someone who wishes to connect with others.

We liked some of their blog service features, such as free image hosting, buddies lists and the easy signup process.

Social Networking-Favorites, Secret Admirer's, Groups
FREE, simple signup process

We noticed how this blog service seemed to cater to a younger crowd, and did see many photos in profiles that some parents might deem objectionable. So, if you have little ones or you're a business owner wishing to network, Blogster may not be your first pick. But, it is free of charge and email support will respond to you within a few days. You can always use the FAQs section if you need an immediate answer. Or, why not ask someone on your buddy list? We think this blog service has a good amount to offer a budding blogger and give them 4.5 Stars!

2007-09-10T08:42:00.000-07:00

LiveJournal: Best Blog Service?

We had a good time navigating the LiveJournal website and found some features we thought stood out among the pack of blog service reviews we conducted.

First of all, LiveJournal has several flexible account options, so you can opt for a basic account if you're a novice blogger or a more advanced account option if you want more features and don't mind ad placements.

IM posting, voice posting, scrapbook function
Create your own polls

6Star Reviews liked LiveJournal, but we noticed that the LiveJournal control panel and account setup weren't as user-friendly as some other blog interfaces, but they are very intuitive and fun to use. If you should need customer support here, it's basically absent like most other blog services, but there is a FAQs database should you need it. This isn't a blog service for inexperienced bloggers, so if you aren't used to these types of sites, you might want to look elsewhere. They receive 4.5 Stars!

2007-09-10T08:40:00.000-07:00

Mindsay Blog Service

Overall, we liked many of the features that MindSay offered in its blog service. This site definitely amped up their social networking tools, providing member communities, a search for members by interest and the ability to upload photos and video to your blog.

Upload videos and photos in addition to blog articles.
Privacy Control feature

6Star Reviews liked the MindSay blog service and if you are a professional looking to start a higher-end blogging experience, this site may not be your best option. It is free, so we cannot complain too much, and it's practically effortless to figure out and begin your blog. There is email customer support, but they state that they will not respond to all inquiries, so don't be shocked if you're left to navigate a mere FAQs section. If you aren't looking for too many frills, this is a good choice and we assign them 4.0 Stars!

2007-09-07T06:53:00.002-07:00

Auto Loan Reviews

Anyone who purchases or plans to purchase a new or used vehicle knows how expensive and time-consuming the process can be. Sometimes even the best auto loans have hidden costs involved and car loan refinancing would be a lucrative option for many car owners. There are plenty of things to think about before signing up for an auto loan.

One important piece of information to consider is whether or not your auto loan provider of choice has direct lending. Direct lending means that the site or service cuts out the middle man and signs you up for an auto loan without referring you to a local car dealership that matches you with a loan. 6StarReviews.com reports that Capital One is one such site that provides online loan approval, as well as a blank check program whereby car shoppers can benefit as cash buyers.

Some auto loan providers such as the Car Loan website provide several loan options, such as direct loan and dealer referrals. You can also obtain lease refinancing here, if you feel you’d benefit from such a decision. Unlike some of the top auto loan websites, Car Loan is a place for car owners and prospectives alike who have good or bad credit scores.

It’s important to consider an auto loan service that you have a good chance of being approved through, as this saves time. Of course, with any loan, it’s important to remember why you are in fact utilizing its service. If you purchase or lease the most expensive car in town, your loan will obviously be higher.

If your financial situation isn’t the best, opt for a more budget-friendly vehicle and outweigh pro’s and con’s of leasing versus purchasing. Auto loan services can assist you once you’ve made basic decisions in your car-buying process.

2007-09-07T06:53:00.001-07:00

Video Sharing Services

Say you want to be a rockstar, actor or simply well-known for some strange talent you’ve acquired over the years. Where to go about getting your foot in the door? The Internet has simplified your dreams of stardom through video sharing services and we must admit, these sites sure beat knocking on Sony and MTV’s glass doors with your resume in tow.

Video sharing services like YouTube have crept onto the Web in recent years and are still making names for their video-hosting platforms. 6StarReviews.com reports that YouTube has even infiltrated the world of politics, as evidenced in their role in the 2008 Presidential Debates. YouTube’s ‘Face the Candidates’ feature allows voters and candidates to post their views in videos and to sound off on important issues.

But, video sharing services aren’t stopping at making headlines and revolutionizing election processes. They even go beyond giving the Average Joe or Jane their two minutes of fame. StarReviews.com cites Metacafe as a resource on video production, a great place to share your personal videos and even tags it as a place to make money! Metacafe’s ‘Producer Rewards’ feature allows amateur and slightly more advanced filmmakers and directors to make some cash when their video receives 20,000 hits.

Some video sharing services like Phanfare take a more domestic approach to their site feel, offering you family-friendly features such as audio and video slideshows to share with friends and other relatives. Who says every video sharing site has to highlight the Obama Girl or Internet stars akin to her? Phanfare does charge for their video sharing service, but most of their competitors do not. If you are willing to put up with a few advertisements, you will find endless fun and possible recognition on the best video sharing sites.

2007-09-07T06:49:00.000-07:00

Blog Services

The notorious weblog or ‘blog’ is increasingly popular in today’s digital-driven world. Forget writing in a hand-held diary or sending letters to friends and family. Blogs have opened whole new doors in communication and expression. If you’re one who likes to voice their opinions, get off the soapbox and blog it!

Blog services are all over the Internet and allow writers or anyone with a point of view the chance to post their thoughts and receive comments on those thoughts. 6StarReviews.com reports that popular blog service TypePad caters to the technologically-attuned and provides podcasting tools, video platforms and a memoir function to tell your life story through.

Another hit blog service is the renowned Blogger, which Google itself took under its wing. Blogger allows the novice and experienced blogger to broadcast their thoughts and opinions while maintaining a clean, simple-to-use posting function. Besides choosing from a wide variety of blog templates, bloggers can join communities and discuss issues they have in common.

Blogs are not only a creative facet of the Web, they’re highly influential. Many blogs are political in nature or are founded for social commentary purposes. Blog owners have a number of ways to track where their readers are coming from and which posts got the most hits. According to industry statistics, about 12 million American adults owned or utilized blogs, a staggering number.

Blog services offer a place for writers of all ages, interests and technological levels. A politician has a place to express their views so much as a teenager in high school and judging from the number of blogs circulating the Net, they aren’t going to lose their edge anytime soon.

2007-09-06T10:37:00.000-07:00

Fall Sports Tickets

Across America, football fans are gearing up for yet another exciting season. If baseball is more of your forte, you are probably anticipating the Playoffs and clinging to hope that the Yankees will somehow pull a 360-degree maneuver and have a victorious ending to a rocky season. Online ticket services recognize the fact that the fall sports season is one of the most popular times to be a sports fan and are a great place to turn to for hard-to-find tickets.

Everyone knows of the rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and their New York rivals, the Yankees. StarReviews.com reports that popular online ticket service, Razor Gator, offers Fan Favorites tickets, with these two teams making the top of the list. When you decide on an event you’d like to attend, you can actually zoom in and choose your exact seat numbers via their stadium close-up function.

Another online ticket service, Ticket Liquidator, offers some great rates on fall sports games as well. You can even snag yourself some team stats, history, and links to related sports events. Ticket Liquidator also provides an extensive database of college football tickets, so all of you USC fans can purchase your event tickets early to secure your seat when the Trojans take on the Fighting Irish in October.

Cooler weather and heading back-to-school are perfect reasons to spend some time doing leisure activities, like rooting your college team on or spending a weekend at the ballpark. You are guaranteed to save money when buying your tickets online, and you can even swap or sell previously purchased tickets with other avid sports fans. Hey, you might even want to check out recommended restaurants in close proximity to your stadium on Ticket Liquidator. You’re sure to be famished from screaming ‘Go Giants!’ for hours upon end.

2007-08-27T05:41:00.000-07:00

Job Search Trends

As 2007’s crop of college graduates find work or decide to further their education, it leaves one question open for debate: How hard will it be to find a job this fall? According to industry experts and the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, the average American holds nine jobs between the ages of 18 and 34, when compared to Baby Boomers who held around 10. This indicates a huge shift in the attitudes of younger employees in their job search process.

To begin with, more employees are bouncing among different jobs, trying out several career paths and bettering their skills in diverse industries. Who wants a blank resume when they can decorate it with five work experiences, all teaching them new things and requiring different responsibilities? For this reason alone, the job market should see improvement, as employees are more open to change, leaving room for prospectives to take their place when they leave.

Many Baby Boomers and their counterparts are coming close to the age of retirement, if they haven’t given in their two-weeks yet already. This leaves the younger labor force with even more of a chance to excel where their elders passed the torch. Education, health and business services are expected to see the most growth in employment opportunity, according to government statistics.

With promising job market statistics in effect, a beneficial way to land these careers is through job search engines. Technologically-driven graduates are using mega-job search sites such as Monster and CareerBuilder to sift out potential career possibilities that match their skills and interests.

StarReviews.com reports that Monster even gives job-seekers the benefit of using online networking tools, mobile phone job updates, resume uploads and virtual career advice. In this day and age, complete career resources are available via the Internet. When combined with a new wave of job openings, workers and recent grads are sure to reap the benefits.

2007-08-27T05:39:00.001-07:00

Student Expenses: Save on College Textbooks

Last minute cookouts and three-day-weekends are signaling the end of summer, and many college students are making the dreaded trek back to campus. Moving in, meeting the roommates and deciphering one’s new schedule are enough tasks to handle for any student. When expenses like college textbooks and meal plans are tacked on, the new school year is enough to make any student want to run back to mom and dad’s.

However, cutting costs doesn’t have to be too painful. Before you get images of semester long Ramen-noodle dinners in your head, there are ways to save your cash, such as utilizing college textbook services. The average college student spends around $700-$1,000 a year, according to a Student Financial Assistance Advisory Committee report. While this may be the norm for university-level textbooks, students and parents alike must deal with the financial aftermath.

College textbook services like eCampus provide free shipping if you spend around $50 on their site, reports StarReviews.com. Besides offering virtual campus bookstores and massive clearance sections, this service allows students to resell their used textbooks to other students who may need a particular title. This not only saves the buyer some cash, it gives the seller a chance to redeem a few bucks on last semester’s books.

When it feels like endless piles of bills are stacking up on your dorm room desk, the last thing on your mind is studying. Inevitable nights out on the town and living independently contribute to the estimated $28 billion a year spent on entertainment by college enrollees. When textbook costs alone are added into this equation, the burden placed on any student can be heavy. Using a college textbook service will prove to be cost-efficient in the long run and will even save you from that long line down at the bookstore.

2007-08-27T05:38:00.001-07:00

How Spyware Spies

More and more PC owners are realizing the impact of spyware in their operating systems and are taking the necessary actions in undoing the damage by installing spyware removal software. But what is the real reason we need such software and how does spyware actually trace our cyber behavior? There are plenty of fundamentals to know before choosing anti-spyware software.

For starters, spyware records your every activity, from keystrokes and file sharing activity, to what you say in your emails and IM’s. Most of the time, these aren’t for malicious purposes and are tagged ‘adware.’ In many cases, your web browsing activity is useful to advertisers in their marketing campaigns, as they can track your purchase decisions and scope out their competitors.

However, spyware can be malicious and can be transmitted through ‘bundling’ or Internet browser deficiencies. In other words, a security flaw can open doors for spyware programs to attach themselves to your PC or your information is given to software publishers by spyware companies themselves for payment.

6StarReviews.com reports that popular anti-spyware software STOPzilla targets spyware from all directions. This program not only scans for commonly known and discreet adware and spyware, it prevents browser hijacks and phishing attempts, which are typical when spyware is prevalent in your operating system. In order to protect your important files and confidential information, it’s vital to implement spyware removal software.

2007-08-23T08:14:00.000-07:00

Online Bill Pay Services

Paying the bills each month isn’t exactly an enjoyable experience, but it can’t be overlooked. Whether you’re paying for this semester’s classes or sending in your utilities bill, the process requires some organization and prior planning. Online bill pay is a great way to ensure those water and cable bills are sent in on time, especially when your life is as hectic as the next person’s.

What exactly is online bill pay? Think of this service as a virtual checkbook, as you can balance your finances and send out payments directly from the Internet. Many sites allow you to select payees and coordinate scheduled payments, so there’s no chance you’ll incur any late fees.

6Star Reviews.com notes that one bill pay service, Quicken, will even cover your back up to $50 in late fees if their service contributed to that overdue letter you received from Comcast. Some services like Quickbooks, while attuned more for small business, allow you to pay any company or anyone in the United States. Have multiple invoices from one vendor? You can combine them into one and lighten your paperwork load.

When choosing an online bill pay service, it’s a good idea to check out which features you cannot live without. For example, if you’re one to forget bills frequently, choose a service that allows you to schedule payments up to a year in advance. You can also save money by choosing a site with many listed payees and late payment coverage. Since we all lead busy lives, paying and organizing our bills online sure beats running to the mailbox to send out a check that was due a week ago.

2007-08-23T08:12:00.000-07:00

Popular Bill Pay: Quicken

When thinking of online bill pay and balancing our finances in general, Quicken definitely topped our list of 'Must Look At.' We noticed how this service is easy to use, even for beginners, and effectively allows users to complete all of their bill paying as long as they have Internet access. We must note that the online bill pay service is readily available under the “Products & Services” tab, with a link to important resources towards the bottom.

Free 1 month trial
Schedule payments up to a year in advance

6Star Reviews applauds Quicken for keeping their bill pay costs affordable. At $9.95 per month for 20 payments, the price is fairly reasonable for the convenience and savings, especially when you consider mailing those 20 payments at current postage rates would cost $8.20. There are tons of FAQs, so browsing for answers to your questions isn't terribly difficult.

Their live chat function and email support were both efficient, as well. Telephone support is geared towards placing orders and not general customer inquiries. They do charge for technical support, so be sure to consider this. For all of their features, they earn our Top Rated spot with 6.0 Stars!

2007-08-23T08:09:00.000-07:00

QuickBooks Bill Pay Review

If you’re a small business owner, QuickBooks online bill paying service is really made for you. The service is easy to master for users already comfortable with QuickBooks, but can take some getting used to for everyone else. Paying too many bills through the service can become expensive, but you do have the ability to pay anyone in the United States.

Free for either 30 days or 20 payments
Provides online bill pay service through CheckFree.com.

Our team likes the name QuickBooks has built for itself, offering small business owners and anyone alike the chance to utilize their resourceful bill pay software. If you are familiar with their software, it should be a snap to adapt to. However, novice users might run into a little difficulty. If you already have QuickBooks 2005-7 software, the online bill pay apparatus is compatible.

Prices are a little high, but when considering this service is geared towards businesses, $15.95 a month isn't that bad. If you need customer service, it's necessary to utilize CheckFree Web's support hotline, which was friendly and efficient. Their email support responded to us within 24 hours. There are always FAQs on the QuickBooks page if you so need them. Overall, QuickBooks offers enough features and service to make it a good choice for small business owners as long as the price fits your budget. They earned our Most Popular spot with 5.0 Stars!

2007-08-23T08:07:00.000-07:00

MyCheckFree Online Bill Pay

We needed to look at the MyCheckFree website in our online bill pay reviews. The user interface was very easy to use and adapt to, which is a huge advantage for anyone needing to get their bills sent.

Small business and individual plans
Guarantee up to $50 late payment coverage (restrictions apply).

Our team really loved that this bill pay service was free. We must note that there are add-ons that will incur fees on your part, such as an extra fee by some payees if you choose to make payments by credit card or for those who need to make same-day payments.

Customer support could improve here. While the live chat was great, the lack of a response by email and the inability of the customer service representative on the phone to give us an answer were troubling. Overall, though, MyCheckFree is a good online bill paying service to use as long as most of your payees are involved in the program and you don’t mind some incurred costs when using your credit card for payments. We recommend them for their usability and convenience alone. Overall, we feel this warrants them 4.5 Stars!

2007-08-23T08:05:00.000-07:00

MSN Bill Pay Review

While 6Star Reviews was impressed with the reasonable price of the MSN Bill Pay service and the Checkfree guarantee, other problems seemed to overshadow those benefits. We noticed how difficult it was to obtain any information about the online bill pay service before we actually signed up. This concerned our team, since anyone interested in paying their bills through MSN would probably want clear access to information.

First 3 months FREE
Guarantee of up to $50 late payment coverage (restrictions apply)

6Star Reviews likes the MSN Bill Pay service for its affiliation with CheckFree Web, as you offered access to good bill pay features. However, the beginning signup stages can prove to be a small challenge, as all we saw were FAQs and an enrollment option. There were no screenshots or guidelines explaining the service, so you might have to go out on a limb if you'd like to utilize their service. Basic service is $2.95 a month, which is pretty low. There is a small FAQs section, but it certainly wasn't comprehensive. When calling telephone support, we weren't given the option to speak to a live operator. Overall, they receive 4.0 Stars!

2007-08-23T08:02:00.000-07:00

MyEZBills Bill Pay Service

6Star Reviews had high hopes for MyEZBills considering it replaced the now defunct Status Factory. They offer most of the same features, although you may need to be a Total Bill Management subscriber to receive most of them, including email reminders which are fairly standard elsewhere.

The subscription costs aren’t outrageous, but there are way too many options when it comes to pricing plans. Why not just have two or three options to pick from instead of eight?

CD On-Demand available at an extra cost – keep a copy of all your transactions
SmartBalance- Integrate and balance your online banking information with your MyEZBills account, so you’ll always know how much money you have available to pay your bills.

Sure, we liked some of the features offered on the MyEZBills website, but their pricing plans were a chore to figure out. Your most basic plan, however, will run you around $9.95 a month, which is a little higher than some of their competitors' pricing. The real problem with MyEZBills, however, is their poor customer service. By being unwilling to answer questions for potential clients, they may end up ensuring that they don’t get any new clients. A scarce FAQs section is available, should you need it. Overall, we assign them 4.0 Stars!

2007-08-23T07:58:00.000-07:00

Paytrust for Online Bill Pay

6Star Reviews liked what Paytrust offers, overall. The site is easy to use and allows you to plan all of your bill-paying details the way you want to, such as including personal notes in your payment history.

Receive virtual bills
Email overdue bill alerts, set automatic recurring payments, late payment coverage through no fault of your own.

Our team appreciates the simplicity, yet convenience offered through the Paytrust online bill pay service. Pricing can be a bit complicated to master, as you are charged separately for receiving and paying bills. The most basic service is $2.95 per month, but keep in mind that you won't be able to pay anyone you need to, as well as other limitations.

Customer support wasn't the greatest. If you’re going to trust them to handle your bill paying, then you should receive more than a cookie-cutter email response and unfriendly phone support. While Pay Trust does offer some nice features, their features are pretty standard in comparison to other bill pay services. They receive 4.0 Stars!

2007-08-23T07:56:00.000-07:00

Yahoo! Bill Pay

6Star Reviews was not really impressed with the Yahoo! online bill pay service right from the start. We did, however, like some features such as email reminders sent to ensure your bills are paid on time. This is definitely convenient.

Our team did like the two-tiered pricing available here, but the free service was so limited it might not be worth using for some people.

Receive e-bills from 100 to 200 different billers.
3 Months Free Premium Service

Our team expected a little more from Yahoo! and their online bill pay service. The basic service is extremely limited, so signing up for the $4.95 per month premium service is almost a necessity. However, you do get a free 3 month trial, so that's not a bad deal. Customer support is virtually non-existent here, with FAQs acting as your main help outlet.

We tried a general email support address, and got a response within 24 hours, but we didn't feel it was accurate according to what we read on the site. Combined with the lack of a guarantee, we couldn't give Yahoo! Online bill very good marks compared to similar services. We feel they should receive 3.0 Stars!